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The Best CRM Software: Finding the Right Fit (and the Best Value) For Your Business

There are so many CRM options out there, all promising to boost your sales and make your customers happier. But how do you know which one actually delivers? We’ve done the legwork for you, putting ten popular CRM platforms to the test.

This isn’t just a list of features (though we’ve got that too!). We’ve ranked these CRMs based on what matters most: our overall impression of quality, whether they’re worth the price, and, of course, what they can actually do. So, whether you’re a small startup or a large enterprise, we’ll help you find the perfect CRM to boost your business.

The Contenders: Top 10 CRMs for Features, Value for Money, and Overall Quality

Note: Pricing is approximate and subject to change.

Pipedrive

Pricing: Starts around £12.50/user/month (essential plan)
Strengths: Visual sales pipeline, easy to use
Weaknesses: Marketing automation less comprehensive
Features: 65%
Value for Money: 80%
Quality Impression: 85%
Overall Score: 77%

Monday CRM

Pricing: Starts around £8/user/month (basic plan)
Strengths: Highly customisable, excellent for project management
Weaknesses: Can be overwhelming, CRM functionality might require add-ons
Features: 75%
Value for Money: 70%
Quality Impression: 78%
Overall Score: 74%

HubSpot

Pricing: Free CRM available; paid plans start around £14/month
Strengths: Comprehensive, strong marketing automation, free option
Weaknesses: Paid plans can get expensive quickly
Features: 90%
Value for Money: 85%
Quality Impression: 88%
Overall Score: 88%

Salesforce

Pricing: Starts around £20/user/month (Sales Cloud Essentials)
Strengths: Powerful, highly customisable, industry standard
Weaknesses: Complex, expensive
Features: 95%
Value for Money: 60%
Quality Impression: 92%
Overall Score: 82%

Capsule

Pricing: Starts around £12/user/month
Strengths: Simple, affordable, easy to use
Weaknesses: Limited features
Features: 35%
Value for Money: 75%
Quality Impression: 80%
Overall Score: 63%

ClickUp

Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start around £8/user/month
Strengths: Highly customisable, wide range of features
Weaknesses: Complex, steep learning curve
Features: 80%
Value for Money: 70%
Quality Impression: 75%
Overall Score: 75%

Zoho CRM

Pricing: Free edition available; paid plans start around £12/user/month
Strengths: Feature-rich, affordable
Weaknesses: Interface can feel dated
Features: 90%
Value for Money: 90%
Quality Impression: 79%
Overall Score: 86%

EngageBay

Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start around £12/user/month
Strengths: All-in-one platform, competitive pricing
Weaknesses: Interface may not be as intuitive
Features: 80%
Value for Money: 80%
Quality Impression: 72%
Overall Score: 77%

Insightly

Pricing: Starts around £15/user/month
Strengths: User-friendly, good for sales and project management
Weaknesses: Fewer features than some competitors
Features: 55%
Value for Money: 70%
Quality Impression: 77%
Overall Score: 67%

Agile CRM

Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start around £7/user/month
Strengths: All-in-one, good balance of features and affordability
Weaknesses: Interface can be cluttered
Features: 70%
Value for Money: 75%
Quality Impression: 70%
Overall Score: 72%

Final Scores: The Best CRM Software

The CRM Software That Offers the Most Comprehensive Features

We identified the key features users look for in a CRM, from contact management and sales tracking to marketing automation and reporting. We then thoroughly explored each platform, noting which features were included, how well they performed, and how intuitive they were to use. This formed the basis of our “Features” score.

  1. Salesforce (95%)
  2. HubSpot (90%)
  3. Zoho CRM (90%)
  4. ClickUp (80%)
  5. EngageBay (80%)
  6. Monday CRM (75%)
  7. Agile CRM (70%)
  8. Pipedrive (65%)
  9. Insightly (55%)
  10. Capsule (35%)

The CRM Software That Offers the Best Value for Money

We considered not just the price, but also the features offered at each pricing tier. We looked at things like user limits, storage capacity, and whether essential features were locked behind expensive upgrades. We then compared this against similar platforms to determine if the pricing was competitive and justified by the functionality offered.

  1. Zoho CRM (90%)
  2. HubSpot (85%)
  3. Pipedrive (80%)
  4. EngageBay (80%)
  5. Agile CRM (75%)
  6. Capsule (75%)
  7. Monday CRM (70%)
  8. ClickUp (70%)
  9. Insightly (70%)
  10. Salesforce (60%)

Our Impression of Quality for the Best CRM Software

This score was a bit more nuanced. It took into account a combination of factors, including user reviews, our own hands-on experience with the software, and the overall polish and professionalism of the platform. We considered things like ease of use, customer support, and the frequency of updates and improvements.

  1. Salesforce (92%)
  2. HubSpot (88%)
  3. Pipedrive (85%)
  4. Capsule (80%)
  5. Zoho CRM (79%)
  6. Monday CRM (78%)
  7. Insightly (77%)
  8. ClickUp (75%)
  9. EngageBay (72%)
  10. Agile CRM (70%)

Ranked: The Top Ten CRM Options

After scoring each CRM for its features, value for money, and quality impression, we ranked the top ten choices for CRM software. The individual scores were weighted equally and combined to create an overall percentage score for each CRM. Finally, these overall scores were used to generate our rankings, giving you a clear picture of which CRM platforms came out on top.

  1. HubSpot (88%)
  2. Zoho CRM (86%)
  3. Salesforce (82%)
  4. Pipedrive (77%)
  5. EngageBay (77%)
  6. ClickUp (75%)
  7. Monday CRM (74%)
  8. Agile CRM (72%)
  9. Insightly (67%)
  10. Capsule (63%)
Value for MoneyFeaturesProduct QualityOverall
Pipedrive80%65%85%77%
Monday CRM70%75%78%74%
HubSpot85%90%88%88%
Salesforce60%95%92%82%
Capsule75%35%80%63%
ClickUp70%80%75%75%
Zoho CRM90%90%79%86%
EngageBay80%80%72%77%
Insightly70%55%77%67%
Agile CRM75%70%70%72%

Our Recommendations: Finding the Best CRM Software For Your Business

As our analysis reveals, the CRM landscape is diverse, with platforms catering to a wide range of needs and budgets. While some CRMs excel in specific areas, like advanced marketing automation or in-depth reporting, others offer a more balanced approach, providing a solid foundation of essential features at a competitive price. Our rankings, based on a combination of features, value for money, and overall quality, aim to guide you through this complex landscape and highlight the top contenders.

Ultimately, the best CRM for your business will depend on your specific requirements and priorities. We encourage you to use this article as a starting point, explore the top-ranked platforms in more detail, and even take advantage of free trials or demos where possible. By carefully considering your needs and leveraging our research, you can confidently choose a CRM that empowers your team, strengthens customer relationships, and drives business growth.

  1. Book Free Trials and Demos: Essential!
  2. Define Your Needs: Features, budget, integrations.
  3. Know Your Required Features: Prioritise essential features and don’t pay for unused features.
  4. Consider Product Quality: Reliability and support are crucial.