A typical startup environment is a whirlwind of activity. You juggle marketing campaigns, sales leads, and customer support—all while laying the foundation for sustainable growth.
In a constant storm, it's easy for important details to slip through the cracks, leading to lost opportunities. That's the last thing any startup needs. Fortunately, CRMs exist for this reason.
They help you get a handle on every customer interaction to foster stronger relationships and higher sales performance. The problem is that not all CRMs are built for the vibrant, fast-paced world of startups. And choosing wrong can do more harm than good.
To help with that, we present our 5 best CRM picks to help your startup stay organized, boost productivity, and accelerate growth in 2024. Let’s get into it.
Why Exactly Do Startups Need CRM Software?
Startup sales involve juggling many tasks, from marketing to sales to customer support. A CRM is like a steady hand that helps you keep them all in balance. It’s a digital hub for storing and managing all your contacts, deals, and communication.
A CRM is especially important for startups because it helps them grow smart. It allows them to build relationships, predict customer needs, and scale without losing the personal touch.
There's a reason 65% of companies start using a CRM within their first five years in business: it’s more than just a tool—it’s a growth partner.
CRM Features Checklist for Startups
Today's CRM market is filled with options, yet many aren't ideal for startups. Without testing them out, it's not easy to discern which ones are too complex, too simplistic, or just right.
To help with that, consider whether these CRM features are present before selecting a CRM for your startup:
- All-in-One CRM Functions: Any good CRM should include the basics: contact management, sales pipeline tracking, analytics, marketing automation, and customer support. All are crucial for managing relationships and driving growth.
- User-Friendly Interface: If it feels like you need a Ph.D. to use it, move on. Startups need a CRM that’s easy to use, saves time, and removes frustration entirely.
- Cloud-Based Accessibility: Cloud-based CRMs give you and your team access anytime, anywhere—perfect for startups with remote teams or those always on the go.
- Mobile Support: Speaking of on-the-go, another great feature to look for in a CRM is mobile support. You and your team can simply update deals from your phone while waiting for your latte.
- Customization Features: No two startups are alike. Your CRM should adapt to fit your needs, not the other way around. Whether it’s custom fields, workflows, or dashboards, flexibility is key.
- Scalability: A solid CRM handles an increasing number of contacts and more complex processes as your startup grows. What works for your five-person team should remain capable when your team hits 100.
- Integration: Your CRM should also play nice with other tools. Look for easy integrations with your email, calendar, and other essential apps.
- Budget-Friendliness: Startups work with relatively smaller budgets. Fortunately, CRMs are generally not expensive. Still, it's important to ensure your chosen CRM is reasonably priced with no hidden fees.
5 Best CRM Software to Drive Startup Growth in 2024
Looking through today’s CRM options to find the best ones for your startup can quickly get overwhelming. Below, we present our top picks for 2024 to save you the trouble.
Instantly Dealflow CRM
G2 Rating: 4.9/5 ⭐ from 2,741 reviews
Selling is a major concern for any profit-making business, but it’s especially vital for startups looking to grow fast. And when it comes to all things sales, look no further than Instantly Dealflow CRM.
Dealflow is meticulously designed to solve the unique challenges faced by startups and early-stage sales teams. Worried about ease of use? Dealflow strips away unnecessary features to deliver user-friendly CRM capabilities without compromising on effectiveness.
How about versatility? Dealflow integrates with other Instantly products like lead finder and email outreach to eliminate the need for multiple tools.
Is affordability your priority? Dealflow is one of the most budget-friendly CRMs on the market starting at $37 with discounts when you choose the yearly pricing tier.
In short, Dealflow CRM is ideal for startups looking to optimize every aspect of their sales journey for fast, sustainable growth—and without breaking the bank. Try it for free today!
Top Features
- Lead intelligence with a database of over 185 million verified contact
- Unibox consolidates all customer interactions in one place
- Multichannel outreach across calls, SMS, and email
- AI-powered workflows and smart sales analytics
- Email warmup for exceptional deliverability
Pricing
Instantly Dealflow offers a free trial. Its monthly pricing plans start at $37/month, while its highest tier is set at $358/month. Remember: choosing the yearly options cuts down these prices.
HubSpot CRM
HubSpot has made a name for itself in the CRM world as one of the leading providers. Most notably, HubSpot offers one of the best free forever CRM software on the market that handles many basic CRM functions.
While HubSpot’s free CRM isn’t ideal for complex sales funnels, it’s a solid choice for startups that need a simple CRM to get up and running quickly without spending a dime.
Top Features
- Free forever plan with essential CRM functions
- Seamlessly integrates with other HubSpot marketing and sales tools
- Solid inbound marketing features
Pricing
HubSpot CRM includes a free-forever option. Its paid plan for individuals and small teams starts at $15/month/seat and goes up to $90/month for its Sales Hub.
Freshsales
Freshsales is a standout CRM software that blends core CRM features with innovative technology. Its AI-powered assistant, Freddy, is especially useful in providing intelligent insights and automating typical sales tasks like lead scoring and nurturing.
In short, Freshsales is ideal for startups seeking a balance of affordability and advanced capabilities.
Top Features
- AI-powered assistant for all things sales-related
- Analytics and reporting features with customizable dashboards
- Kanban views and drag-and-drop cards to plan entire sales processes
Pricing
Freshsales’s monthly pricing plans start at $11/user/month while its enterprise plan is set at $71/user/month. Freshsales also offers users a 21-day free trial.
Streak
For G-Suite lovers, Streak is the go-to option for managing customer relations within Gmail inboxes. With Streak, you no longer have to hop different tabs or switch apps to manage customer interactions.
This makes Streak ideal for startups that rely heavily on Gmail—your CRM becomes accessible where you spend most of your day.
Top Features
- Seamless Gmail integration
- Email tracking and scheduling
- Custom sales pipelines in your inbox
Pricing
Streak offers users a free forever option. Its monthly pricing plan starts at $59/month with its enterprise plan set at $159/month.
Zoho CRM
Zoho CRM is a great option for startups looking for a neat balance of CRM features and affordability. It’s known for its versatility and customization options, making it a top choice for startups and established companies alike.
Plus, thanks to strong marketing automation features, Zoho CRM also supports your marketing campaigns and customer interactions.
Top Features
- Advanced customization options
- Solid marketing automation features
- Multi-channel customer engagement and great customer support
Pricing
Zoho CRM comes with a 15-day free trial for users. Its monthly pricing plan starts at $20/user/month while its highest pricing tier is set at $65/user/month.
Key Takeaways
Startup operations feature many moving parts: attracting leads with effective marketing, converting leads to customers, and keeping customers happy with exceptional support. It's a lot to handle. Thankfully, CRMs can shoulder most of the grunt work.
Our five best CRMs for startups in 2024 are:
- Instantly Dealflow CRM: Best for sales engagement and user-friendliness
- HubSpot CRM: Best free CRM on the market
- Freshsales: Best CRM for tight-knit collaboration
- Streak: Best CRM for G-Suite users
- Zoho CRM: Best CRM for customizations
Need to accelerate your startup growth with superb sales engagement? Sign up with Instantly today!: attracting leads with effective marketing, converting leads to customers, and keeping
