Top 10 CRM Software for SMEs and Freelancers

Top 10 CRM software solutions for SMEs and freelancers

1. FlowQi CRM ~ Less stress, more flow

The simpler life is, the better—at least, that’s what we believe. That’s why we developed FlowQi CRM: to make your work easier and more efficient, not more complicated.

It’s no surprise we’re putting FlowQi CRM at the top of this top 10 of CRM software for SMEs. Here’s why:

Key benefits of FlowQi CRM:

• You only pay for what you need. Stick to the basics or expand with additional tools as your business grows. Paying for features you don’t use? Nope, not our thing.
• Integrated with project and task management. We know how crucial these tools are for any entrepreneur. With FlowQi CRM, you can effortlessly manage your contacts, projects, tasks, and communications—all in one place.
• Intuitive to use. Some CRM software (ahem Salesforce) feel like they require a three-year course just to figure out the basics. FlowQi CRM, on the other hand, is designed to be user-friendly, so you can dive right in.
• Easily connectable with other tools. Need to link FlowQi CRM with an Email Marketing Tool, Sales Tool, Document Tool, or one of our other digital tools? No problem—everything connects seamlessly.

Oh, and here’s something to keep in mind: free versions of other CRM software (like HubSpot) can get very expensive as soon as you need additional features. That’s not the case with us. Our pricing is transparent, with no hidden fees or upsells.

Want to see for yourself? Sign up for our BETA Program and try all our tools for free.

Cons of FlowQi CRM

Are there any drawbacks? Sure, we’re not as well-known as the big players in the market (yet). This means there aren’t as many user groups available. However, the upside is that we’re able to provide personal support when you need it. Got a question? Just reach out—we’re happy to help!

2. HubSpot CRM

HubSpot offers a free CRM solution focused on sales, marketing, and customer service. Paid plans with more features start at €20 per month.

HubSpot CRM advantages:

• Free basic version. Perfect for getting started without any upfront investment.

HubSpot CRM disadvantages:

• Limited free version. Key features like marketing automation and email/chat support are only available in the paid plans. Additionally, the free version includes HubSpot branding on everything.
• Rapidly rising costs. Costs can quickly add up when adding extra modules or users. The €20 per month plan is priced per user, meaning you’ll pay an additional €20 for every extra user.
• High costs for marketing contacts. For example, if you have 5,000 marketing contacts, the first 1,000 are included in the €20 per month. For the next 2,000 contacts, you’ll pay €50 per month per 1,000, and for the remaining 2,000 contacts, €45 per month per 1,000. This brings the total to €190 per month.

3. Pipedrive

Pipedrive is a CRM system geared toward sales-oriented businesses, with a focus on lead and sales management. Pricing ranges from €15 to €99 per user per month.

Pipedrive advantages:

• User-friendly. Easy to navigate for sales teams.
• Sales-focused tools. Ideal for businesses prioritizing lead and sales management.

Pipedrive disadvantages:

• Limited functionality outside sales. Not suitable for businesses needing robust marketing or customer support tools.
• Customer service issues. Many users report poor customer service, describing it as “terrible” in some reviews.
• Challenging for beginners. New users often struggle with setting up filters and creating objects. It also lacks features that are useful for other departments or teams.

4. Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM, ranked number four in this top 10 of CRM software, is part of the comprehensive Zoho suite. Paid plans start at €14 per user per month.

Zoho CRM advantages:

• Affordable. Compared to more premium options like Salesforce, Zoho CRM is budget-friendly for small businesses.

Zoho CRM disadvantages:

• Steep learning curve. Its many features can make it overwhelming for new users, especially those unfamiliar with CRMs.
• Cluttered interface. The design and navigation aren’t intuitive for everyone.
• Lack of quality support. Reviews often mention slow or unhelpful customer support, particularly for smaller accounts.

5. Salesforce CRM

Salesforce is one of the most comprehensive and widely recognized CRM software. It provides tools for sales management, marketing automation, customer service, and more. Pricing starts at €25 per user per month.

Salesforce advantages:

• Highly comprehensive. If you need a CRM system with a vast range of features and have the budget to match, Salesforce offers just about everything you could ask for.

Salesforce disadvantages:

• Too complex. With so many features, Salesforce can be overwhelming and difficult to learn, especially for beginners.
• Expensive. Even the basic version is costly for small businesses. For advanced features like workflow automation and sales performance analysis, you’ll need the Unlimited CRM plan, which costs €300 per user per month.
• Long setup time. Properly configuring Salesforce and integrating it with other tools can take a significant amount of time.
• Overkill for small businesses. Freelancers and smaller businesses may find most of the features unnecessary.

6. Microsoft Dynamics 365

Dynamics 365 combines CRM and ERP functionalities, making it especially appealing to businesses already using Microsoft products like Office 365. Pricing starts at €50.20 per user per month for the basic plan.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 advantages:

• Seamless integration with Microsoft products. If your business uses tools like Office 365, Dynamics 365 integrates effortlessly.
• Extensive features. It offers a wide range of tools for sales, marketing, and customer service.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 disadvantages:

• High cost. The starting price is relatively steep, making it less appealing for small businesses.
• Complexity. To fully understand and implement Dynamics 365, IT expertise is almost essential.
• Not ideal for small businesses. Like Salesforce, it includes many features that smaller businesses won’t need.

7. Freshsales CRM

Freshsales is a CRM system designed primarily for sales and lead tracking. Pricing for paid versions ranges from €11 to €71 per user per month, and there’s also a free version available.

Freshsales advantages:

• Free version available. Great for businesses looking to test the waters without committing to a paid plan.
• Affordable pricing. It’s more budget-friendly than competitors like Salesforce or Microsoft Dynamics.

Freshsales disadvantages:

• Limited functionality. It lacks advanced marketing and customer support tools, which might be a dealbreaker for some businesses.
• Poor customer service. Many users report disappointing experiences with support: “Even the simplest questions take far too long to get an answer.”
• Weak reporting. According to reviews, the reporting features are unreliable and fail to deliver accurate insights.

8. Teamleader

Teamleader is a CRM system from Belgium that combines CRM, project management, and invoicing in one platform. Pricing starts at €50 per month for a single user.

Teamleader advantages:

• More than just a CRM. Combines CRM with invoicing and project management, making it a multi-functional tool.

Teamleader disadvantages:

• Limited flexibility. The platform offers fewer options for customization compared to other CRM software.
• High cost. For smaller teams, the pricing can be relatively expensive.
• Not ideal for freelancers. Teamleader is designed more for companies with multiple users, making it less suited to solo entrepreneurs.
• Cumbersome usability. According to reviews, you can’t upload multiple files at once for one client—you need to do it one at a time, which can be time-consuming.

9. Monday.com

Monday.com is a work management tool that includes CRM functionalities. Pricing starts at €8 per user per month, but the features in cheaper plans are limited.

Monday.com advantages:

• User-friendly. The interface is intuitive and includes drag-and-drop functionality, making it easy to navigate.

Monday.com disadvantages:

• Too general. It’s not a dedicated CRM system, so it may include features that aren’t necessary for your business.
• Quickly gets expensive. Adding more advanced features or extra users can drive up the cost significantly.
• Limited analytics. The platform doesn’t offer as many options for in-depth reporting and analytics.

10. PerfectView

Finally, number 10 in our top 10 of CRM software is PerfectView, a Dutch CRM system that focuses on relationship management, sales, and marketing. Pricing starts at €15 per user per month.

PerfectView advantages:

• Affordable. PerfectView is more budget-friendly for small businesses compared to CRM software like HubSpot, Salesforce, or Microsoft Dynamics.

PerfectView disadvantages:

• Less flexible. The platform doesn’t offer many options for customization.
• Outdated interface. Some users find the interface outdated and not very user-friendly.
• Limited functionality. PerfectView is less comprehensive than larger software like HubSpot or Zoho, which may be a drawback for growing businesses.