Cost is the reason why only half of salespeople use a CRM, which can reach €50 per month per user. The good news is that you can have a Free CRM system . This option is very useful for new companies and professionals who are getting started with CRM technology.
Next, we will tell you which are the best customer relationship management systems that you will find on the market and you will learn about the functions included in their free versions through objective reviews of each program.
Ranking: Best 10 free CRMs in 2023
After having carried out an exhaustive analysis of the different software and functionalities included in their free versions, we present to you, without further ado, the TOP 10 free CRM systems highlighted this year:
- Bitrix24 for customer service
- EspoCRM for its adaptability to different sectors
- Zoho CRM for entrepreneurs working in mobility
- SuiteCRM because it is a free Open Source system
- CentralStation for its ease of use
- WinCRM for freelancers who work from home
- Hubspot for companies that manage many contacts
- Capsule CRM by Design with Kanban Boards
Although all the CRMs mentioned cover the basic needs of any business, some solutions have more complete functionalities than others to successfully carry out certain tasks. In the following table you can check the areas best covered by the proposed customer relationship management systems.
Free CRM modalities that you will find in this analysis
When we consider incorporating a free CRM into our company, the question will surely arise: But is it really free or does it have some kind of hidden cost? The answer is it depends on the type of installation and the source code.
Depending on the type of installation we find the following modalities:
- Locally (on premise): The free CRM is installed on the company’s servers. If you have personnel with the necessary knowledge to carry out the implementation and maintenance, it will not cost you any money.
- In the cloud (SAAS / Online): The system is hosted on the provider’s servers. They offer free but limited versions.
Regarding the type of code we have two versions:
- Open Source: Free CRM developed and supported by a community of users. Generally, they are offered pre-configured and each company can modify it to adapt it to its operations. In most cases the installation is local.
- Private (Freemium Model): Free but limited CRM owned and marketed by a service provider. These versions are offered in the cloud and are ideal for those who need to implement a system quickly.
In any case, you must evaluate the differences between these modalities and choose the most convenient one, also taking into account other factors such as the evolution of your business in the medium term and the scalability that a given software offers you.
What functions do the free CRM systems on the list incorporate?
Effectively organizing the consultation and recording of data, regardless of location, is the reason why an individual or a business chooses a CRM. To obtain the highest possible performance from said data, it offers functions for acquisition, portfolio customer management and product development .
We can find the different functions that CRM offers within the three modules that make it up: Sales, Customers and Marketing.
- Capture functions . They are located within the sales module and make segmented data and documentation available to the salesperson to carry out their work.
- Functions for customer management . Included in the module of the same name, they cover the interactions that occur between users and the business.
- Product development functions . They correspond to marketing and consist of the analysis of information to explore new segments or increase the ARPU of the customer portfolio.
Review of the 10 best free CRMs in 2023
When evaluating the different free CRMs available on the market we wanted to pay attention to a series of characteristics that allow us to make a fair comparison :
- If it is an online system or installed locally
- If it is based on a Freemium or open source model
- How many users does the free version include?
- How many contacts can be managed
- Storage space
1. Bitrix24
Bitrix24 is a platform that unifies different tools: CRM, project management, solutions for Human Resources departments (in their payment plans), and even VoIP telephony.
The work space is very well organized. You can carry out any task from the main screen intuitively. It has a menu on the left side (see image) with all the functionalities at the click of a button.
Features of the free CRM in Spanish from Bitrix24
We are facing a system based on a freemium model. It is hosted in the Cloud and can be configured on computers and mobile devices alike.There are no limits on the number of users, although only one can be the system administrator. Contact or company records are also unlimited in its free version, features that have made Bitrix24 very popular software. In relation to storage space we will have 5 GB that we can distribute between data and documents. Due to its functionalities, it is a valid option for individuals or businesses whose main activity is customer service.
What the free Bitrix24 CRM does not include
Of the usual functions in a CRM, we will only be able to have those related to customer service, that is, use of the system as a database. For Sales and Marketing related tasks such as funnels, reporting, cost tracking, and campaign management, it is necessary to adopt a higher plan.
Update : as of January 1, downloading applications from the Bitrix24 Marketplace or paying per use for its telephone service are no longer available to users of its free CRM.
Pricing plans
The rates in effect from August 1 are as follows:
- Free plan for unlimited users (Basic CRM)
- Basic Plan $49/month / 5 users (24 GB storage)
- Standard Plan $99/month / 50 users (Includes Marketing and Projects)
- Professional Plan $199/month / unlimited users (All features)
In the case of annual payment, a 20% discount is applied.
2. EspoCRM
If you are one of those who prefer a local installation, EspoCRM is a great decision. You can take advantage of it on your computer and you will always have the option of upgrading, for a fee, to the cloud system. This open source software is supported by a large community of developers and users who provide support services through the official forum. There, you can download the free CRM version in Spanish, and modules to adapt it to a specific sector: real estate CRM , educational centers, healthcare, banks, etc.
Features of Espo’s free CRM
The only limitation that we will find will be the storage space of our computer or company server. For the rest, all the users and contacts we need can be registered. It is a highly configurable system, with which we can create fields adapted to our activity but, on the other hand, it will be necessary to invest time in said configuration. EspoCRM functions are aimed at detecting potential clients, tracking leads, having shared calendars or managing communication and marketing through email.
What Espo’s free CRM does not include
Mainly the option of working mobile. As it is a solution that is installed on a computer, it cannot be accessed through an Internet connection and does not have mobile applications. Additionally, if we want to have access to detailed reports we will have to purchase an additional module (which includes workflows) for $395. Other payment modules, which, although they are not basic features of a CRM, can be useful are: Integrations with Google and Outlook and Mailchimp or integration with VoIP systems. It is also important to note that no professional support service is available in the free version.
Pricing plans
- Free plan with local installation
- Basic cloud plan for three users for $15/month/user
- Enterprise Plan (Cloud) for five users for $25/month/user
Download link: EspoCRM
3. Zoho CRM
Zoho is possibly one of the most popular systems on the market. Its free CRM in Spanish stands out for its functions designed for sales and marketing management, managing the performance of salespeople or offering multichannel interaction with customers in real time. Contrary to what many think, Zoho is not an Open Source system. If at any time the free version falls short, you can complement it with different payment modules or contract a higher plan.
Features of Zoho Free CRM
The free edition includes three users and 1 GB of storage in which to insert up to 25,000 records. Being a CRM in the cloud, it is accessible from any device with an Internet connection. In the customer service and sales area we can keep a basic record of interactions with potential and portfolio clients. For Marketing it has functions such as a web form and access to reports or data graphs.
What Zoho’s free CRM does not include
We will not be able to open cases or incidents reported by clients. We will also not have access to the automation of workflows, that is, if you are a salesperson you will not be able to modify the different stages that a sales process goes through. Although the two biggest limitations of the free version of Zoho from our point of view are the lack of functionalities related to email management and the inability to customize screens and data fields.
Pricing plans
- Free edition for three users
- Standard Plan from €14/month/user
- Professional Plan from €23/month/user
4. SuiteCRM
Another classic on the lists of the best free CRMs, also in Spanish. Its open source system is flexible enough to adapt to the needs of the company, while allowing integration with other programs that we use thanks to its REST API. SuiteCRM includes features to decrease response times and increase customer satisfaction. It has its own community to exchange information or obtain support in case of any incident.
Features of the free version of SuiteCRM
This software is installed on our computers and there are no restrictions regarding the number of users or contacts. Will we have access to all the usual functions of a CRM? Yes. For the commercial area it includes lead registration, opportunity management and a visual and effective sales pipeline. In marketing you can create forms, access advanced reports, segment users and import emails into the system. And finally, in customer service, in addition to recording interactions, you can open cases and follow up.
What the free SuiteCRM plan does not include
From what we have seen so far, it seems like the perfect CRM, right? Unfortunately, as in the case of Espo, an online version is not included (although we can contract it) nor are there official mobile applications. Although Suite is quite complete, it has payment modules on its official website to “vitaminize” the customer management system: integration with Outlook, Google tools, etc.
Pricing plans
- Free plan installed on premise (locally)
- Starter plan for 10 users and 5 GB of storage for £95/month
- Professional Plan with unlimited users and 40 GB of storage for £332.50/month
5. Really Simple Systems
For a self-employed salesperson who needs a platform that allows them to work on mobility, Really Simple Systems is an option to take into account, although as we will see it is quite limited. It is a free online CRM with a simple and easy interface that we can customize so that the Control Panel shows only the information that interests us. Integrate options into your dashboard to track ROI or send newsletters to clients with just one click. Important: it is not available in Spanish (English only).
Features of Really Simple Systems Free CRM
The platform is based on a freemium model. We can register two users, register up to 100 clients, and have a storage space of 100MB. Its functions are correct for an individual seller thanks to the management of the sales funnel and opportunities. It integrates with Outlook calendar, Google contacts and Zapier to automate tasks.
What the free CRM from Really Simple Systems does not include
It is not a useful option for Marketing since it does not include database segmentation or functionalities related to mailing campaigns. Nor is it for customer service since the reporting of incidents or reports on service times are restricted. Despite being a CRM in the cloud, it does not have mobile applications.
Pricing plans
- Free plan for two users
- Starter rate from €14/month/user with 1 GB of storage
- Professional Rate: €30/month/user with 5 GB of space
6. CentralStationCRM
A CRM that is defined as easy and practical. And this is Centralstation, a software to manage contacts and organize tasks without complications. The interface is very simple and stands out for the organization of the data. Through a tag system we can group suppliers, clients or potential clients and apply different filters. In exchange for this simplicity Centralstation “sacrifices” functions that other providers usually offer such as reports and analysis or specific marketing functionalities.
Features of Centralstation Free CRM
Unlike other solutions that reserve certain modules for their paid plans, at Centralstation we will have access to all the features with its free plan. Includes up to 3 users and management of 200 contacts. The storage space it offers, only 20MB, makes it not a viable option for storing Sales-related documents: invoices, catalogs, etc. It allows access from any device with an Internet connection, but does not have mobile applications.
Pricing plans
- Starter, free for 3 users
- Small Office: €49/month with 10 users and 3 GB of files
- Business: €99/month for 20 users and 6GB of storage
7. WinCRM
WinCRM is another alternative among the free CRM’s in Spanish available on the web. Regarding installation, it offers two modalities: hosting on a PC or web version. This tool is aimed at entrepreneurs or freelancers who need to have an agenda of contacts and tasks: you can keep a record of interactions and define actions as complete or incomplete to organize work. The graphical environment is Windows, therefore, it is not particularly difficult to get familiar with the system and, in addition, there are several tutorials on YouTube.
Features of the free version of WinCRM
The option that is downloaded to our computer is free for one user. Up to 200 clients can be managed and the storage space will depend on our resources. In addition, there is also a free option in its web version with the same limitations regarding users and contacts. The web modality can only be requested by companies that have a corporate email. The “WinSat” module stands out, useful for providing a telephone service to our clients, and the sales pipeline.
What the free WinCRM CRM does not include
The technical support service is only reserved for “Premium” users, as are integrations with Google Calendar and other management solutions. WinCRM does not have mobile applications.
Pricing plans
- Free version for 1 user
- Premium version: €9/month/user with online and local license
8. Agile CRM
One of the most popular proposals currently is Agile CRM, mainly because the features included in its free plan are quite generous. With Agile you will have a customer management, sales and marketing system in the cloud. The interface is very attractive and is in Spanish, although some menu options remain to be translated. Of course, you should know that you will need a corporate email to be able to register on their website.
Features of Agile Free CRM
It stands out for being one of the CRM’s that allows the most users in its free version (up to 10). The number of contacts included is 1000, although the tasks and offers you have to create are unlimited. Regarding storage you will have 5 GB. With Agile it is possible to plan a sales process, schedule appointments and meetings, create email templates, monitor marketing campaigns and obtain basic reports. It offers Apps on Android and IOS, but they are not as highly rated as the web version.
What the free Agile CRM does not include
This CRM presents several connectors (integrations) with external applications: WordPress, Google Apps, Outlook, Zapier…. But you can only choose one. If you are thinking of using the system for email marketing campaigns, there is a limit of 5000 emails. In relation to support, telephone attention is not included but contact by email is (in English).
Pricing plans
- Free, free for 10 users
- Starter: $8.99 with 10,000 contacts and up to 3 integrations allowed
- Regular: $29.99 with 50,000 contacts and up to 50 integrations
9. Hubspot CRM
Hubspot is a software company that has been on the market since 2006. We can say about its online tool that it is a true “all in one” since, in addition to being a CRM, it includes the generation of web forms, creation of pages landing, SEO optimization, etc. But is hubspot a completely free CRM? If you access their website, the information is somewhat confusing, it is difficult to differentiate the functionalities that are included by default from those that are part of the payment modules.
Features of the free version of Hubspot
The cover letter is unbeatable: unlimited users and up to a million contacts. This makes Hubspot’s CRM in Spanish an unbeatable option in the area of customer service. What about storage space? There is no established limit, but there is an upload limit of 5 documents. For a sales department that needs to exchange documentation with the client, or for a marketing campaign, it will not be enough. On the other hand, the free plan lacks automated processes, such as sales flows. Hubspot has mobile applications on all platforms with very positive reviews from users.
Pricing plans
- Free plan with no limits on contacts or users
- Hub Starter: €41/month with all marketing features and 1000 contacts
- Sales Starter: €41/month with Sales functions and two users included
10. Capsule CRM
We close this list of the best free CRMs with Capsule. This software is useful for us to enter the world of CRM. It has a free but basic plan in some areas as we will see in the highlighted features. To take advantage of it we will have to resort to some of their payment plans that stand out for the premium integrations they offer with renowned email marketing, accounting and analytics companies. In its favor, we must highlight a very visual sales pipeline based on Kanban boards that makes it easy to advance tasks and modify statuses with just drag and drop.
Capsule Free CRM Features
Capsule offers us online software for two users, they can manage up to 250 contacts and have 50 MB of storage. The calendar automatically synchronizes with tasks, and is also linked in its free version with both Outlook and Gmail. All contact and sales functionalities are active, we can even integrate the tool with Zapier to automate tasks. We will also have access to mobile applications.
What Capsule’s free CRM does not include
Those features that may be useful in Marketing strategies are not included. To be able to use integrations like Mailchimp we will have to opt for a higher plan.
Pricing plans
- Free, free for two users.
- Professional: $18/user/month with 50,000 contacts and 10 GB of space
- Teams: $36/user/month with premium integrations and 20 GB per user
Best free CRM for the Commercial Sector: Sales and Marketing
In this case, the main activity of the business is attracting customers or selling products and services. What characteristics should we value?:
- Management of potential contacts
- Negotiation log
- Sales Opportunity Tracking
- Product database
- Creation of Marketing campaigns
According to the table we saw at the beginning of this article, the best free options are Open Source systems such as EspoCRM or SuiteCRM . The biggest drawback is the impossibility of working on mobility because they are systems that are installed on our computers.
Best free CRM for customer-facing businesses
The main focus is to build user loyalty and provide the best service experience. The operation of these programs is simple: the client contacts the company via email, a form on the website or by phone. What characteristics should we take into account?:
- Portfolio client data
- Interaction log
- Shopping history
- Internal communication between departments
- Opening and monitoring of incidents
- Documentation repository
- Remember the requirement to register with corporate accounts to access the cloud versions.
Other alternatives to Free CRM
The proposals that you have read in this article are free but also limited. If you need more professional solutions without having to make a large outlay, take a look at our post on CRM for SMEs . Maybe, in addition to a customer relationship management system, you want software that covers other aspects of your business such as financial, inventory, etc… in that case you should read our compilation of free ERP ‘s . Other alternatives that may be of interest to you are:
- Odoo ERP and CRM: Features, prices and advantages
- Forcemanager: the mobile CRM for salespeople
- SumaCRM: the ideal solution for SMEs
Three hidden charges you may incur when implementing a Free CRM solution
When choosing a free CRM, you must analyze, in addition to the characteristics, whether there are concepts that may involve an economic charge for the use of the system . These concepts that do not appear in the rates are the charges derived from services that some businesses consider necessary to integrate the solution into their daily operations. They generally only occur if the company structure is very complex and requires the intervention of external professionals.
- CRM implementation : the installation on the client’s servers, when the client has opted for an on-premise solution, entails a cost in time for the company’s staff, or financial costs for hiring a technician.
- Program customizations : no type of modification or modules other than those offered by default are included. If you want to adapt CRM to your daily operations, you will have to invest in human resources.
- Worker training : given by the supplier when custom implementations or customizations have been carried out.
Comparison table of the best free CRM systems
Conclusion
In this article we have analyzed in depth the features of each free CRM. Also the areas of your company that can benefit from incorporating a customer relationship management system. Choosing software is not a simple process, we must be clear about the needs of our business. If you think that a free system is not going to cover them, also explore the rest of the alternatives that we have presented to you.
The best Free CRMs article regularly updates programs, features, descriptions and images. Last update: May 2023.
