Best small business CRM software of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

5 hours ago 3

Customer relationship management (CRM) software is one of the most powerful tools around for new and existing businesses. CRM solutions can manage or automate sales leads, organize customer records, launch loyalty programs, or handle customer promotions and retention. They bring sales, marketing, and customer service onto a single platform and offer a range of useful tools including customer communication channels, lead and deal tracking, customer behavior analysis, and AI.

They are also scalable which means you can opt for more features as your business grows. Options include HubSpot, Zoho CRM, and Salesmate CRM.

In ZDNET's January update, we revised our 2026 guide, including more information on the CRM space, additional insights on our top recommendations, and alternative CRM solutions to consider.

Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers.

Best personal data removal service deals of the week

Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.

What is the best small business CRM software right now?

The best CRM software for small businesses is HubSpot. HubSpot, available from $9 per seat per month, is also a terrific way to enter the CRM market without spending a single dollar. Although the free plan is limited, you can still unlock sales, lead generation, and customer support packages with a paid upgrade once you're comfortable.

Another option I like for emerging businesses is Monday.com, which is excellent if workflow management is your top priority. A free plan includes two seats; basic plans start at $9 per seat per month.

Also: The best remote access software: Expert tested

ZDNET has kept an eye on the customer relationship management market for years, and we extensively research and compare vendors when we compile our recommendation lists. Read on to discover the best CRM software solutions for small businesses in 2026.

The best small business CRM software of 2026

If you're looking for a way to implement a CRM as the next stage of your growing business, many people will recommend HubSpot.

Why we like it: This CRM starts you off with a free plan -- no payment card details required. Just enter an email address, complete the verification process, and let HubSpot know if you're new to CRM software, and away you go.

What I particularly like about this CRM is that it tailors your learning experience to your priorities, whether you want to automate marketing campaigns, generate sales leads, build a website, or improve your customer support system.

You'll find that the basic, free CRM can be used for tasks such as contact management and email marketing.

The company is also moving quickly in exploring how AI and AI agents can benefit small businesses. HubSpot launched a deep research connector with ChatGPT for business predictions and analytics. It also has a connector for Anthropic's Claude, a chatbot AI assistant designed to assist customers and staff.

Who it's for: HubSpot is a good option if you're just entering the CRM space, with many smaller organizations reporting they're happy with the system. However, some also note that the costs can quickly escalate if you want advanced features.

Paid plans typically start at $15 per user per month for starter plans, but a current promotion has reduced the price to $9 per user per month. However, subscription to the next level can leap to more than $800 per month, depending on what bolt-ons you want, such as marketing, sales, or customer service.

Who should look elsewhere: You'll need to pay to access the sales dashboard, help desk suite, surveys, or customer portal. If you need these features, the free option won't be suitable for you. In that case, consider upgrading, or check out our other recommendations.

Show Expert Take Show less

Zoho is another excellent option for small organizations and startups. It offers affordable plans for small businesses looking to explore the benefits of CRM software.

Why we like it: Zoho offers an extensive range of features and customization options, and also places automation and orchestration at the heart of its software.

Users can easily capture leads and automate sales and support tasks, and also benefit from predictive analytics. If sales is your focus, you can take advantage of forecasting support, pipeline and territory management, and quoting.

Prices start at $14 per seat per month. The entry-level Zoho CRM plan includes email campaigns, forecasting, and workflow management features.

Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate subscriptions are priced at $23, $40, and $52 per seat per month, respectively. These tiers offer advanced tools including the Zia AI assistant, orchestration, custom functions, analytics, and business insights. There's also a limited free plan for three seats available.

Who it's for: Zoho CRM reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with many small business owners considering it a gamechanger.

If you want a sales-focused option for your small business, you should try Zoho CRM. By using CommandCenter, you can track customer journeys and sales processes. This provides insight into any issues or sticking points and allows you to improve customer experiences and outcomes.

Who should look elsewhere: Though a free plan is available, this option is best if you're willing to subscribe. Furthermore, if you're completely new to the CRM world, you might want to explore a solution that's focused on being user-friendly, such as Less Annoying CRM.

Show Expert Take Show less

Monday.com could be the right CRM software for you if your focus is on workflow organization and management.

Why we like it: I've used Monday in the past and have found it very easy to learn and useful for organizing daily tasks. The platform uses "boards" to manage tasks and assignments, making it easy to track employee activities.

I like this option because small businesses can start with workflows and then adopt the full CRM if they choose. They can expand board usage and dive into sales and lead generation, customer onboarding, marketing activities, outreach programs, and sales forecasting. It's a great way to start the organizational side of a business, especially if you have employees, but it also gives you the choice to scale up.

You can also purchase AI "credits" that let you assign AI to complete tasks for you including assigning employee projects, analyzing risks, creating summaries, and performing data capture.

Who it's for: Individuals who want a free, limited option for workflow management, or emerging businesses that want a starter CRM.

If you're interested, you can use Monday.com's workflow management setup for free, as long as you don't need more than two seats. If you'd like to use it to handle team collaboration and assignments, prices start at $9 per seat per month if you just want boards. The full CRM costs $12 and up per user per month. It's flexible, too, with plans ranging from three seats to fifty.

Who should look elsewhere: Customers say Monday.com provides excellent management features but that customer support is lackluster. If you think you'll need ongoing support, consider Salesmate instead.

Show Expert Take Show less

Yes, the name is a bit unusual at first glance, but Less Annoying CRM is exactly what it says on the tin.

Why we like it: It's clean and clutter-free, and as the name says, some customers find it "less annoying" than other CRM solutions, especially when it's used on a daily basis.

Less Annoying CRM doesn't limit its customers based on plan. Thus, from the beginning, you'll have access to unlimited contact and sales pipeline field entry, task assignments, agendas, calendars, event handling, and lead data.

The CRM supports third-party integrations with popular software including Google Calendar, Mailchimp, JustCall, and Xapp.ai. Recent updates include improved data filtering, enhanced email logging, and accessibility improvements. The developers behind the system say that 2026 will be focused on improving accessibility.

Who it's for: Less Annoying CRM is best suited for small businesses that need a clean CRM experience for daily tasks and sales management.

This vendor has adopted an interesting pricing structure, and one that many small businesses will appreciate. You pay a fixed $15 per user per month for unlimited pipelines, 25GB of storage per user, and full access to the software suite. However, once you need more than 10 seats, you'll need to contact the company to discuss an upgrade.

Who should look elsewhere: Customers of Less Annoying CRM say it's an excellent platform for simplifying management, but some note that businesses may outgrow it rather quickly. If you predict that your business will scale rapidly, check out our other recommendations like Salesmate or Zoho CRM.

Show Expert Take Show less

Salesmate CRM is another of my top choices for small businesses, especially if you're focused on analytics and data analysis.

Why we like it: Used by more than 8,500 organizations worldwide, Salesmate CRM offers a range of CRM services, but it shines when it comes to data management and analysis.

Teams can create their own custom dashboards and use hundreds of widgets to display information relevant to their projects. Custom modules can also be implemented to generate reports based on business datasets.

You have three tiers to choose from: Basic, Pro, and Business.

The Basic plan, priced at $23 per seat per month, comes with features such as deal pipeline management, email sync, and contact management.

The Pro plan is a better choice for emerging businesses. It's more expensive at $39 per seat per month, but you'll have access to quote management, tickets, team inboxes, management functions, and custom dashboards. In addition, you'll be able to tap into the virtual AI assistant Sandy AI.

Who it's for: Anyone focused on data and analytics. Salesmate CRM customers like the platform for small and medium-sized businesses, but some say formatting functions could be improved. It might not be the best option for larger organizations or companies that want to focus on business aspects outside of data analysis.

Who should look elsewhere: The Business plan, priced at $63 per user per month, offers advanced features such as service level agreement creation, SSO, and advanced goal management. If Pro or Business is beyond your current budget, consider one of our more affordable options.

Show Expert Take Show less

While you're deciding on the right CRM for your business, you should focus on the cost, third-party integrations, or other features. To help you choose, we've listed some of the most important factors:

Small-business CRM provider	Cost	User friendly?	Third-party integration?	AI?
HubSpot	Free; $9 and up per user per month	Yes	Yes	Yes, Breeze Copilot, on some plans
Zoho CRM	Free; $14 and up per user per month	Learning curve	Yes	Yes, Zia, on some plans
Monday.com	Free; $12 and up per user per month	Yes	Yes, custom apps	Yes, credits, on some plans
Less Annoying CRM	Free; $15 and up per user per month	Yes	Yes	Third-party integration
Salesmate CRM	$23 and up per user per month	Learning curve	Yes	Sandy AI (Pro and Business plans)

Choose this CRM software for small businesses...	If you want or need...
HubSpot	The best small-business CRM software overall. You can learn the basics with a free plan before exploring sales, customer support tools, reporting, and more.
Zoho CRM	A CRM with a focus on sales. Zoho provides a vast suite of tools to improve customer experiences and outcomes.
Monday.com	A CRM for workflow management. You can use this CRM to easily or automatically assign employee tasks and boost workforce productivity.
Less Annoying CRM	A fixed-fee CRM for daily tasks. At $15 per user per month, Less Annoying CRM is perfect for teams of 10 or fewer for sales and employee management.
Salesmate CRM	A data analytics-focused CRM. If you want data insights and detailed reporting, Salesmate CRM could be your best option.

Choosing the right CRM software provider can be challenging for small businesses and requires an investment of time and money. So while deciding on the best CRM software providers of 2026 for small businesses, I looked at the following factors:

Usability: For small businesses new to CRM or that previously relied only on limited free options, the next investment should have a clean, uncluttered interface and shouldn't have a daunting learning curve.
Scalability: It's also crucial that CRM providers allow small businesses to scale up their CRM over time to meet changing needs and demands. Therefore, each option on our recommended list is scalable, as this is a key factor of any CRM's worth.
Customization: It's useful if CRM solutions allow for a high level of customization. It might not be that important for small businesses at the start, but it's still a feature I want to see, even if this is just available in premium plans.
Features: Speaking of features, modern CRM providers must also offer an extensive portfolio of features and services. These may include analytics, mobile app support, automation, and orchestration tools. AI, too, although I think the basics are more important for any successful CRM integration.
Support: When setting up a new business or pursuing expansion, investing in new tools can be daunting. It's important that CRM providers have a range of channels that customers can use for support, including emai, live chat, telephone numbers, and online documentation.
Customer experiences: I've extensively researched the customer experiences and feedback associated with each of the CRM software providers I recommend for small businesses.
Cost: Small businesses often need to maintain a tight leash on their spending, at least in the first few years. Though CRM software can be a valuable tool for growth, it must also be an investment that represents good value for money, and so I've included a range of solutions suitable for different budgets.

Although the overall classifications of CRM software vary by vendor, you will spot the same themes. It's important to learn about the main types of CRM before you make a purchase decision, as it could influence how your business grows.

Operational: Most modern CRM platforms offer some kind of operational mechanism or module. Operational CRMs tend to focus on optimizing business operations, including sales processes, logistics, and customer communications. Operational CRMs may be particularly useful for startups and small and midsize businesses looking to scale.

Analytical/data-driven: Other CRMs focus on the intrinsic value of data. Businesses able to handle, securely store, and analyze customer data -- always useful if held in a centralized, organized platform -- can draw insights and see patterns that may influence their future sales activities or reveal new revenue streams. Furthermore, data-driven CRMs may reveal ways to improve customer relationships and retention.

Collaborative: Collaborative CRMs help organizations enhance collaboration and productivity. CRM suites can be used to create department channels and data repositories, allowing different teams to work together and to share information. For instance, a sales team could collaborate with marketing and finance to create new customer promotions and campaigns. Customer service teams can also access critical records to track customer journeys and resolve issues.

Latest information on small business CRM software

Salesforce CRM stock is down, and one of the main reasons cited by analysts is concern over near-term prospects.
Salesforce predicts that AI agents will prompt one in four human job role changes.
A new survey suggests remote work -- despite pushback and efforts to return people to the office -- is still the secret to small business success.
New research suggests CRM solutions are being integrated within the call center more readily to improve customer experiences.

The answer is typically yes.

CRM software can help kick-start business growth by centralizing and organizing sales leads, marketing, analytics, and customer communications. When your business is growing, you'll want to focus on promoting that growth in a sustainable way, and CRM is not only invaluable in managing leads but it can also be used to automate otherwise time-consuming processes.

However, if you're just starting out and you're new to CRM software, you might want to opt for a free or budget-friendly option to begin with, and then scale up over time.

There are plenty of excellent free CRM options out there, though you should manage expectations and accept certain limitations. Some of the best free CRM solutions to consider are HubSpot and Zoho CRM.

No, QuickBooks isn't customer relationship management software. QuickBooks is used by countless organizations worldwide, but for a very different purpose: It's accounting software that your tax manager or accountant will be thankful you use. You can, however, integrate QuickBooks with a variety of dedicated CRM platforms.

Google doesn't have a native CRM platform, but the company does provide valuable business tools used by countless organizations across the globe. The Google Workspace suite includes productivity-boosting apps and collaborative tools including Docs and Sheets, and many software solutions provided by CRM vendors are integrable. You can check out the Google Marketplace to research sales and CRM apps.

The answer to this question depends on your business needs and goals. It may be most important, for example, for your chosen CRM to focus on sales, lead generation, and customer retention. Or, you may want to focus on improving customer relationships and launching loyalty programs. Consider the most important features for your business when you are exploring the CRM market.

It depends on the solution you go for. The free and basic tiers of most CRMs are often easy to use and may include interactive tutorials to help users explore the platform. It will still be necessary to spend time learning to use a CRM, and if you've opted for a more comprehensive solution, training will be required. It may also be necessary to train your staff on security and data protection requirements.

Latest updates

January 2026: In ZDNET's January update, we revised our 2026 guide, including more information on the CRM space, additional insights on our top recommendations, and alternative CRM solutions to consider. We also included an explainer on CRM categories.
July 2025: In ZDNET's latest July update, we performed editorial and structural changes, and noted news concerning the CRM market.
May 2025: In ZDNET's May update, we made substantial changes to the article's content and organization.

Other small business CRM software worth considering

Salesforce Starter CRM is an excellent alternative if you want access to top-tier CRM functions and the ability to scale as a smaller business. You can try it for free for 30 days, and if you like it, sign up to retain access to out-of-the-box sales automation, email marketing, storefront assistance, and more for $25 per month. A free plan is also available.

Show Expert Take Show less

OnePageCRM is a great alternative for small businesses that want a clean, mobile-focused CRM to get started. Available for $10 per user per month, OnePageCRM offers mobile apps, email and form management, custom fields, scheduling, user permissions management, and pipeline functionality -- enough to get you started.

Show Expert Take Show less

Microsoft Dynamics 365 includes a suite of useful CRM and sales tools available for use and integration within the Microsoft ecosystem. While it's not a standalone platform and may take some getting used to, if you want to select your own setup and modules, browse the marketplace for ideas.

Show Expert Take Show less

Capsule CRM is a platform with simplicity at its core and is best suited for managing small-team workflows. There's a reasonably-priced entry-level option for free or starting at $18 per month. Features include an AI assistant, email marketing help, basic reports, and templates. However, you will need to go up a tier or two for advanced CRM functions.

Show Expert Take Show less

If you want a CRM already stocked with marketing templates and other resources, Insightly is for you. Consider this alternative to boost your sales and customer base as a new business, rather than a CRM that specializes in advanced analytics and predictions. Plans start at $29 per month.

Show Expert Take Show less

ZDNET has also provided a guide on our favorite free CRM software recommendations. Alternatively, if you're interested in the state of AI in the corporate world, find out about the power struggles between CTOs and CMOs today.

Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.

Editorial standards

Read Entire Article