10 affordable cloud CRM platforms for startups & small business owners

A cloud CRM platform is a customer relationship management tool hosted and accessed online through a provider. They are more affordable and easier to manage than traditional, on-premise software, which requires significant upfront costs and maintenance.

How does it work?

The provider manages all infrastructure with cloud-based CRMs, including data storage and security. You simply access the software online without worrying about servers or maintenance. This setup reduces costs and complexity, allowing you to focus on your business.

Who should use one?

Cloud-based CRM platforms are perfect for businesses of all sizes, especially those with smaller budgets and struggle to incorporate expensive on-premise systems.

They are ideal for small businesses, eCommerce stores, nonprofit organizations, sales teams, and anyone looking to maintain strong customer relationships without dedicating resources complex IT infrastructure.

Cloud CRM platforms come packed with features designed to boost productivity and efficiency.

• Accessibility: You can access your CRM from anywhere. Whether working remotely, on the go, or from multiple locations, you and your team can stay connected and productive without disruptions.
• Scalability: You can easily scale your CRM usage up or down based on your business needs. As your startup grows and changes, your CRM can adapt without needing further investments in IT.
• Cost-effective: Cloud CRMs offer lower upfront costs. Expensive hardware or dedicated IT staff is unnecessary, and your subscription fee includes updates, maintenance, and support.
• Integration: Seamlessly integrate your CRM with tools like Gmail, Outlook, marketing platforms, and productivity suites. Manage everything from one place, streamlining workflows and reducing data silos.
• Automation: Automate tasks like data entry, email follow-ups, and workflow management. Save time, reduce errors, and focus on strategic activities with features for marketing campaigns, sales follow-ups, task reminders, and customer support.
• Data security: Cloud CRM platforms ensure robust security with encryption, secure access controls, regular audits, and data backup with added risk management options to keep your data safe and accessible.

Cloud CRM platforms can also be useful for individuals. Whether managing personal projects, freelancing, or building a network, a cloud CRM can help you stay organized and efficient. Here are three key use cases:

• Project tracking: Keep track of your project milestones and deadlines. A cloud CRM can help you visualize your project timeline, set deadlines, and monitor progress, ensuring you stay on top of your personal goals.
• Task management: Organize and prioritize tasks. With a cloud CRM, you can create task lists, set priorities, and track completion, making your day-to-day activities easier to manage and keeping you productive.

• Client communication: Maintain detailed communication logs with your clients. A cloud CRM lets you keep track of emails, calls, and meetings, ensuring you never miss an important detail and can provide better service to your clients.
• Invoicing: Many cloud CRMs have features that let you create, send, and manage invoices directly from the platform, streamlining your billing process and ensuring you get paid on time.

• Contact management: Store and organize contact information efficiently. A cloud CRM helps keep all your contacts in one place, making it easy to access and update information as needed.
• Follow-ups: Set reminders for follow-ups and maintain relationships. With a cloud CRM, you can schedule follow-up reminders and track interactions, ensuring you stay connected with your network and build strong, lasting relationships.

Finding the right CRM platform can be a game-changer for startups and small businesses. However, with so many options, finding an affordable solution that meets your needs without compromising features can take time and effort.

This section will explore 10 cloud CRM platforms that offer excellent value for money. These budget-friendly platforms have powerful features to help manage your business efficiently.

Kommo CRM is a versatile cloud-based customer relationship management platform to help businesses manage their sales pipeline, automate workflows, and enhance customer interactions.

As one of the most affordable cloud CRM platforms, its ease of use and robust feature set make it particularly well-suited for startups and small businesses.

• Sales pipeline management: Kommo offers an intuitive visual pipeline that allows users to track deal progress through various stages. This feature helps businesses stay organized and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Lead management: Easily capture, manage, and nurture leads using Kommo’s tools. It allows for the automation of lead assignments and follow-ups, ensuring no opportunity is missed.
• Automation: Kommo’s powerful automation capabilities streamline repetitive tasks, such as sending emails, updating records, and scheduling follow-ups. It saves time and reduces the risk of human error.
• Communication tools: Integrated communication tools, including email and chat, allow users to manage all customer interactions within the CRM. It centralizes communication and ensures a seamless customer experience.
• Mobile access: Kommo offers a mobile app that lets users access their CRM data on the go. It’s very useful for sales teams that need to stay connected while out of the office.
• Customizable dashboards: Personalize dashboards display key metrics and performance indicators, helping users to stay informed and make data-driven decisions.

Kommo provides a free trial, allowing potential users to test the tool before opting into a paid plan.

Zoho CRM is also on the list of affordable cloud CRM platforms. It’s a comprehensive and flexible cloud-based customer relationship management platform designed to help businesses manage their sales, marketing, and customer support processes.

With its wide range of features and customization options, Zoho CRM is popular for startups and small businesses.

Sales automation: Zoho CRM automates the sales process, helping businesses manage leads, contacts, and deals more efficiently. It offers tools for lead generation, lead scoring, and deal tracking, enabling sales teams to prioritize and close deals faster.

Marketing automation: Zoho CRM provides robust marketing automation tools that help businesses create and execute marketing campaigns. Features include email marketing, social media integration, and campaign management, which help nurture leads and drive conversions.

Customer support and service: The platform includes a suite of customer support tools, such as ticketing, a knowledge base, and customer feedback. These tools help businesses manage customer inquiries and deliver exceptional service.

Customization and flexibility: Zoho CRM is highly customizable, allowing businesses to tailor the platform to their needs. Users can create custom modules, fields, and workflows, ensuring the CRM adapts to their unique processes.

Integration: Zoho CRM integrates seamlessly with other Zoho applications and third-party tools such as Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and various e-commerce platforms. This integration enhances workflow efficiency and data consistency.

Analytics and reporting: Zoho CRM offers advanced analytics and reporting tools that provide insights into sales performance, marketing effectiveness, and customer satisfaction. Customizable dashboards and real-time reports help businesses make informed decisions.

Mobile CRM: Zoho CRM’s mobile app allows users to access their CRM data on the go. Sales teams can update records, manage tasks, and stay connected with customers from anywhere.

Zoho CRM offers a free plan and a 15-day free trial in all its paid plans, allowing potential users to explore the platform and its features before committing.

HubSpot CRM is a comprehensive cloud-based CRM platform solution that helps businesses streamline their sales, marketing, and customer service processes.

As one of the leading cloud CRM platforms, HubSpot CRM offers amazing features and a user-friendly interface, making it a great choice for small businesses and startups looking to enhance customer relationship management.

Sales pipeline management: HubSpot CRM offers a visual sales pipeline that allows users to track deals through various stages. It helps sales teams stay organized and prioritize their efforts to close deals effectively.

Marketing automation: The platform includes powerful tools that help businesses nurture leads and drive conversions. Some key features include automated email campaigns, workflows, and lead scoring.

Customer service tools: HubSpot CRM provides tools for managing customer inquiries and support tickets, ensuring that businesses can deliver excellent customer service. The platform also provides a knowledge base and customer feedback features.

Contact management: Users can store and manage all customer information in one place, easily track interactions, and maintain a comprehensive view of each customer.

Integration: HubSpot CRM integrates seamlessly with other business tools, including email platforms, marketing software, and productivity suites. This connectivity enhances workflow efficiency and data consistency.

Reporting and analytics: The platform offers robust reporting and analytics tools that provide insights into sales performance, marketing effectiveness, and customer satisfaction. Customizable dashboards help users stay informed and make data-driven decisions.

HubSpot CRM offers a free plan, allowing potential users to explore the platform without any initial investment.

Freshsales is one of the best cloud-based CRM platforms developed by Freshworks. It is designed to streamline the sales process for businesses of all sizes.

Known for its intuitive interface and powerful features, Freshsales is an excellent choice for startups and small businesses looking to enhance their sales efforts and improve customer relationships.

• AI-powered lead scoring: Freshsales uses AI to score leads based on their engagement and behavior, helping sales teams prioritize high-quality leads and close deals faster.
• Sales pipeline management: The platform provides a visual sales pipeline that allows users to track a deal’s progress through the various sales stages. This feature helps organize and manage the sales process more effectively within cloud CRM platforms.
• Email tracking: Freshsales offers email tracking and sequencing features that allow users to monitor email views, clicks, and responses. This feature enables sales teams to follow up with prospects quickly.
• Built-in phone: Freshsales includes a built-in phone feature that allows users to make calls directly from the CRM. It provides call recording, logs, and a click-to-call option that enhances communication with prospects and customers.
• Automation: The platform automates tasks such as lead assignment, follow-up reminders, and data entry, freeing time for sales teams to focus on more strategic activities.
• Customization: Freshsales is highly customizable, allowing businesses to tailor the platform to their needs. Users can create custom fields, modules, and workflows to match their sales processes.
• Integration: Freshsales integrates seamlessly with other Freshworks products and a wide range of third-party applications, including email platforms, marketing tools, and productivity suites. This connectivity helps streamline workflows and maintain data consistency.
• Mobile app: Freshsales offers a mobile app that enables sales teams to access CRM data on the go. The app includes features like contact management, deal tracking, and task management, ensuring users can stay connected and productive from anywhere.

Freshsales offers a free plan and a 21-day free trial for all paid plans, allowing potential users to test the platform and its features before committing to a subscription.

Insightly CRM is a powerful cloud-based customer relationship management platform designed to help businesses efficiently manage their sales, projects, and customer relationships.

With its intuitive interface and extensive features, Insightly is an ideal choice for startups and small businesses looking to streamline their operations.

Contact management: Insightly offers robust contact management tools, allowing users to store and organize detailed information about their contacts. These tools include tracking communication history, setting follow-up reminders, and linking contacts to projects or deals.

Project management: One of Insightly’s standout features is its project management capabilities. Users can create and manage projects, set milestones, assign tasks, and track progress, ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget.

Sales pipeline management: The platform provides a visual sales pipeline that helps businesses track a deal’s progress through the various stages. This feature allows sales teams to prioritize efforts and close deals more efficiently.

Email integration: Insightly integrates seamlessly with popular email platforms such as Gmail and Outlook, enabling users to manage their email communications directly within the CRM. This integration helps maintain a centralized communication hub.

Customization: Insightly is highly customizable, allowing businesses to tailor the platform to their needs. Users can create custom fields, layouts, and workflows, ensuring the CRM adapts to their unique processes.

Lead management: Insightly provides comprehensive tools that help businesses capture, track, and nurture leads. The platform supports lead scoring, routing, and automated follow-ups, ensuring every opportunity is noticed.

Analytics and reporting: The platform offers advanced analytics tools that provide insights into sales performance, project progress, and customer interactions. Customizable dashboards and real-time reports help businesses make data-driven decisions.

Mobile app: Insightly offers a mobile app that allows users to access their CRM data on the go. The app includes contact management, deal tracking, and task management, ensuring users can stay productive anywhere.

Insightly offers a free plan and a 14-day free trial for all its paid plans, allowing potential users to explore the platform’s features before committing to a subscription.

Pipedrive is a cloud CRM platform designed to help businesses of all sizes streamline their sales processes and improve customer relationships.

Known for its user-friendly interface and powerful features, Pipedrive is an excellent choice for startups and small businesses looking to enhance their sales efficiency and productivity with cloud CRM platforms.

Visual sales pipeline: Pipedrive offers a highly visual sales pipeline that allows users to track a deal’s progress through various sales stages. This feature helps sales teams stay organized and prioritize tasks effectively, ensuring no deals fall through the cracks.

Activity management: Pipedrive enables users to schedule, track, and manage all sales activities, including calls, meetings, and tasks. This feature helps ensure sales teams are always on top of their follow-ups and deadlines.

Email integration: The platform integrates seamlessly with popular email services like Gmail and Outlook, allowing users to manage their email communications directly within the CRM. This integration helps maintain a centralized communication hub and improves workflow efficiency.

Customizable dashboards: Users can create personalized dashboards to display key metrics and performance indicators. This feature helps businesses stay informed and make data-driven decisions based on real-time insights.

Automation: Pipedrive's automation features streamline repetitive tasks such as sending emails, updating records, and scheduling follow-ups. This amazing feature saves time and reduces the risk of human error.

Lead management: Pipedrive provides comprehensive tools that help businesses capture, track, and nurture leads. The platform supports lead scoring, routing, and automated follow-ups, ensuring every opportunity is noticed.

Mobile app: Pipedrive offers a mobile app that allows users to access their CRM data on the go. The app includes features like contact management, deal tracking, and task management, ensuring users can stay productive from anywhere.

Integrations: Pipedrive integrates with various third-party applications, including email platforms, marketing tools, and productivity suites. This connectivity helps streamline workflows and maintain data consistency across different systems.

Pipedrive offers a 14-day free trial for all plans, allowing potential users to explore the platform and its features before committing to a subscription.

Agile CRM is a comprehensive cloud-based customer relationship management platform designed to help businesses manage their sales, marketing, and customer service activities in one place.

As one of the best cloud CRM platforms, Agile CRM stands out for its affordable pricing and robust feature set, making it particularly well-suited for startups and small businesses aiming to streamline operations and enhance customer engagement.

Contact management: Agile CRM provides powerful contact management tools. It allows users to store detailed information about their contacts, track interactions, and set follow-up reminders, which helps them maintain organized and up-to-date contact records.

Sales tracking: The platform offers a visual sales pipeline that enables users to track deals’ progress through various stages. This feature helps sales teams stay organized, prioritize tasks, and close deals more efficiently.

Marketing automation: Agile CRM includes advanced automation tools that help businesses automate email marketing, social media campaigns, and more. This feature allows for personalized customer interactions and improves marketing efficiency.

Email tracking: The platform provides email tracking capabilities, allowing users to monitor email opens, clicks, and responses. This feature enables sales teams to follow up with prospects quickly and enhance their email marketing efforts.

Customer service: Agile CRM includes customer service tools such as a helpdesk, ticketing, and a knowledge base, helping businesses provide excellent customer support. This integration ensures that all customer interactions are tracked and managed in one place.

Web engagement: The platform offers web engagement tools, including web forms, landing pages, and pop-ups, to capture leads and interact with website visitors. These tools help increase lead generation and improve customer engagement.

Mobile app: Agile CRM offers a mobile app that allows users to access their CRM data on the go. The app includes features like contact management, deal tracking, and task management, ensuring users can stay productive from anywhere.

Integration: Agile CRM integrates with various third-party applications, including email platforms, marketing tools, and productivity suites. This connectivity helps streamline workflows and maintain data consistency across different systems.

Agile CRM offers a free plan and a 30-day free trial for all paid plans, allowing potential users to explore the platform and its features before committing to a subscription.

Streak CRM is a unique cloud-based customer relationship management platform that works directly within Gmail. It is an ideal solution for startups and small businesses that rely heavily on email communication.

With its seamless integration into the Gmail interface, Streak CRM offers an intuitive and efficient way to manage sales, customer relationships, and workflows without switching between different applications.

Gmail Integration: Streak CRM is fully integrated with Gmail, allowing users to manage their CRM directly from their inbox. This feature eliminates the need for multiple tools and streamlines email-based customer interactions.

Pipeline management: The platform offers customizable pipelines to track deals, tasks, and projects. Users can create different workflow stages, visualize progress, and prioritize tasks efficiently.

Email tracking: Streak CRM includes email tracking capabilities, enabling users to see when emails are opened and links are clicked. This feature helps sales teams follow up quickly and enhances their email communication strategy.

Mail merge: The mail merge feature lets users send personalized bulk emails directly from Gmail. This tool is useful for marketing campaigns, follow-ups, and customer outreach, ensuring that each email feels personal.

Task management: Streak CRM provides task management tools to assign and track tasks within pipelines. Users can set due dates, reminders, and follow-ups to stay organized and productive.

Collaboration: The platform supports team collaboration, allowing users to share pipelines, emails, and notes with their team members, ensuring everyone is on the same page.

Data import and export: Streak CRM offers data import and export functionality, making it easy to migrate data from other CRM systems or export CRM data for reporting and analysis.

Mobile app: Streak CRM provides a mobile app that allows users to manage their pipelines, track emails, and stay productive while on the go. The app ensures that users can access their CRM data anywhere, anytime.

Integration: Streak CRM integrates with various third-party applications, including Google Workspace, Zapier, and other productivity tools. This connectivity helps streamline workflows and maintain data consistency across different systems.

Unlike other cloud CRM platforms, Streak CRM offers various pricing plans to cater to different business needs, including a free plan for basic CRM functionalities.

Streak CRM's unique approach of integrating CRM functionalities directly into Gmail makes it a powerful tool for startups and small businesses looking to manage customer relationships efficiently without disrupting their existing workflows.

Capsule CRM is a user-friendly and intuitive CRM platform designed to help small businesses and startups efficiently manage customer relationships.

With a sleek and simple interface, Capsule CRM allows users to easily organize and access customer data, track sales opportunities, and streamline workflows.

It integrates seamlessly with various popular tools, making it a versatile choice for businesses looking to enhance their customer management processes.

• Contact management: Store and manage detailed customer information, including contact details, communication history, and notes, all in one centralized location.
• Sales pipeline: Visualize and manage your sales pipeline with customizable stages to track deal progress and ensure no opportunity is missed.
• Task management: Assign and track tasks, set deadlines, and receive reminders to ensure timely follow-ups and efficient workflow management.
• Custom fields and tags: Customize your CRM by adding fields and tags to tailor the system to your business needs and better organize your data.
• Integration: Seamlessly integrates with popular tools like G Suite, Mailchimp, Xero, and more, enhancing your workflow and productivity.
• Reporting and analytics: Generate insightful reports to analyze sales performance, monitor key metrics, and make data-driven decisions.

Capsule CRM provides a 30-day free trial for the Professional Plan, allowing users to explore its full range of features before committing.

With its affordability, ease of use, and powerful integrations, Capsule CRM is an excellent choice for startups and small businesses looking to enhance customer relationship management.

Copper CRM is a robust and intuitive CRM solution designed specifically for businesses that rely on Google Workspace (formerly G Suite).

This CRM seamlessly integrates with Google apps, making it an ideal choice for teams looking to manage customer relationships without leaving their Gmail inbox.

Copper CRM is one of the top cloud CRM platforms that simplifies the process of tracking leads, managing contacts, and automating workflows, all while providing valuable insights through powerful analytics.

• Google workspace integration: Copper CRM integrates effortlessly with Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, and other Google apps, allowing you to manage your CRM directly from your familiar workspace.
• Contact management: Automatically syncs contacts from Gmail and keeps them organized with detailed interaction history, notes, and custom fields.
• Pipeline management: Visualize your sales pipeline with customizable stages to track the progress of deals and manage opportunities effectively.
• Task automation: Automate repetitive tasks and workflows to save time and increase productivity.
• Reporting and analytics: Generate detailed reports and gain insights into sales performance, pipeline health, and team activities.
• Mobile app: Access your CRM data on the go with Copper’s mobile app for iOS and Android.

Copper CRM offers a 14-day free trial for any of its plans, allowing users to experience its full capabilities before making a decision.

With its deep Google Workspace integration, user-friendly interface, and powerful automation features, Copper CRM is an excellent choice for businesses looking to streamline customer relationship management.

Selecting the right cloud CRM platform for your business is crucial to maximizing productivity and ensuring smooth operations. With so many options available, focusing on key features that will best serve your needs is important. In this context, considering a cloud cost optimization company can also be vital to ensure you're not only choosing the right features but also managing your cloud expenses efficiently.

Here are the essential factors to consider when choosing a cloud CRM platform:

A user-friendly interface is vital. The CRM should be intuitive and easy to navigate, allowing you and your team to learn and use the platform without extensive training.

Look for features like drag-and-drop functionality, clear dashboards, and straightforward menus that enhance the user experience.

Every business is unique, and your CRM should be able to adapt to your specific needs.

Look for a CRM that offers robust customization options, allowing you to tailor fields, workflows, and reports to match your business processes. Customization ensures the CRM works as you do, improving efficiency and effectiveness.

Your CRM should smoothly integrate with the other tools and systems you use. Integration capabilities, whether email platforms like Gmail and Outlook, marketing tools, or e-commerce systems, are crucial.

This connectivity streamlines your workflow, reduces the need for manual data entry, and ensures that all your business tools work together harmoniously.

Your CRM needs to grow as your business grows.

Choose a scalable platform that allows you to add more users, features, and data storage as needed. Scalability ensures that your CRM can support your business’s expansion without requiring a complete overhaul or large additional costs.

Dependable customer support is crucial for resolving any issues. Look for a CRM provider that offers strong support options, such as 24/7 live assistance, detailed knowledge bases, and responsive chat support.

Good customer support can save time and frustration, keeping your business running smoothly.

Protecting your customer data is a top priority.

Ensure your CRM has robust security measures, including encryption, secure access controls, and regular security audits. Data backup and disaster recovery options also provide peace of mind, knowing your data is safe and recoverable in an emergency.

Considering these key facts, you can choose a cloud CRM platform that meets your current needs and supports your business’s growth and evolution.

We’ve covered a few expert-picked and affordable cloud CRM platforms to help startups and small business owners grow their businesses.

Kommo stands out with its robust features, including a visual sales pipeline, task automation, and seamless integrations. Kommo’s competitive pricing and scalable plans, from the Starter to Professional and Enterprise plans, cater to businesses at all growth stages.

To explore all the Kommo capabilities and this perfect Cloud CRM platform, book a demo and get a 2-week free trial(no credit card required).