So, you’re thinking about getting a CRM – smart move! They’re lifesavers for keeping track of customers and boosting sales. But let’s be real, figuring out CRM pricing can be a total headache. All those different plans, user fees, and extra features… where do you even start? This article’s here to break it all down for you. We’ll look at the typical ways CRMs charge and compare the costs of ten of the top players. Whether you’re just starting out or running a big company, we’ll help you get a handle on CRM pricing so you can find the perfect fit for your business (and your budget!).

How Much Does a CRM Really Cost?

Most CRM providers utilise a subscription-based model, meaning you pay a recurring fee (usually monthly or annually) for access to the software.

Common CRM Pricing Models

Per-User/Per-Month: This is the most prevalent model. You pay a monthly fee for each user.

Per-User/Per-Year: Annual subscriptions often come with a discount compared to monthly payments.

Tiered Pricing: Different plans offer different sets of features and user limits. You choose the tier that best suits your needs and budget.

Usage-Based Pricing: Some CRMs, particularly those with a strong focus on specific functionalities like marketing automation, might charge based on usage (e.g., number of emails sent, contacts stored).

Free CRMs: A few providers offer free CRMs, but these usually have significant limitations in terms of features, users, and storage. They can be a good starting point for very small businesses but might not be scalable.

General Pricing Ranges (per user, per month)

Basic CRMs: £10-£30
Ideal for small businesses with simple needs like contact management and basic sales tracking.

Mid-range CRMs: £30-£70
Offer more advanced features like marketing automation, reporting, and integrations. Suitable for growing businesses.

Enterprise CRMs: £70+
Provide highly customizable solutions with advanced features and dedicated support. Designed for large organizations with complex requirements.

Hidden CRM Costs to Watch Out For

Data Migration: Moving your existing data to a new CRM can be a complex process and might require professional services, adding to your costs.

Customisation: If you need to customize your CRM extensively to fit your specific workflows, you might incur development costs.

Integration Fees: Connecting your CRM with other business applications (e.g., accounting software, email marketing platforms) might involve integration fees.

Cancellation Fees: Some providers charge a fee if you cancel your contract early.

The Best CRM Platforms: Pricing Guide

Please note, pricing included is approximate and subject to change. To get accurate pricing:

1. Visit the CRM provider’s website: Most websites have detailed pricing pages.
2. Use their pricing calculator: Many providers offer calculators to estimate costs based on your needs.
3. Contact their sales team: For complex needs, it’s best to talk to a sales representative.

Pipedrive

Pipedrive is known for its ease of use and visual pipeline. Pricing is competitive, with plans ranging from £12.50-£75 per user/month.

Pricing: Starts around £12.50/user/month (essential plan).
Strengths: Visual sales pipeline, easy to use.
Weaknesses: Marketing automation less comprehensive.

Monday CRM

A highly customisable and flexible option. Pricing is based on “seats” (users) and starts at around £8 per seat/month.

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.

HubSpot

HubSpot offers a wide range of features, including a free CRM. Paid plans start at around £14 per user/month for basic sales features, but can go up to thousands per month for marketing automation.

Pricing: Free CRM available; paid plans start around £14/month (Starter CRM Suite).
Strengths: Comprehensive, strong marketing automation, free option.
Weaknesses: Paid plans can get expensive quickly.

Salesforce

The most popular CRM, with a huge range of features and plans. Pricing is complex, but generally starts at around £20 per user/month for basic plans and can go up to hundreds per user/month for enterprise-level solutions.

Pricing: Starts around £20/user/month (Sales Cloud Essentials).
Strengths: Powerful, highly customisable, industry standard.
Weaknesses: Complex, expensive.

Capsule

A simple and affordable CRM, ideal for small businesses. Pricing is straightforward, with plans starting at around £12-£30 per user/month.

Pricing: Starts around £12/user/month.
Strengths: Simple, affordable, easy to use.
Weaknesses: Limited features.

ClickUp

This is a project management tool with CRM features. Pricing is competitive, with plans ranging from around £8-£20 per user/month.

Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start around £8/user/month.
Strengths: Highly customisable, wide range of features.
Weaknesses: Complex, steep learning curve.

Zoho CRM

This CRM offers a wide range of features and plans, with competitive pricing. Plans start at around £12 per user/month.

Pricing: Free edition available; paid plans start around £12/user/month.
Strengths: Feature-rich, affordable.
Weaknesses: Interface can feel dated.

EngageBay

An all-in-one CRM with marketing, sales, and service features. Pricing is competitive, with plans starting at around £12 per user/month.

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.

Insightly

A CRM focused on small to medium-sized businesses. Pricing is straightforward, with plans ranging from around £15-£50 per user/month.

Pricing: Starts around £15/user/month.
Strengths: User-friendly, good for sales and project management.
Weaknesses: Fewer features than some competitors.

Agile CRM

An affordable CRM with marketing automation. Pricing is competitive, with plans starting at around £10 per user/month.

Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start around £10/user/month.
Strengths: All-in-one, good balance of features and affordability.
Weaknesses: Interface can be cluttered.

Which CRM is the Best Value For Money?

To recommend the CRMs that are the best value for money, we’ve 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.

Our ranking:

1. Zoho CRM
2. HubSpot
3. Pipedrive
4. EngageBay
5. Agile CRM
6. Capsule
7. Monday CRM
8. ClickUp
9. Insightly
10. Salesforce

	Starting Price (user/month)	Strengths	Weaknesses
Zoho CRM	£12	Feature-rich, affordable	Interface can feel dated
HubSpot	£14	Comprehensive, strong marketing automation, free option	Paid plans can get expensive quickly
Pipedrive	£12.50	Visual sales pipeline, easy to use	Marketing automation less comprehensive
EngageBay	£12	All-in-one platform, competitive pricing	Interface may not be as intuitive
Agile CRM	£10	All-in-one, good balance of features and affordability	Interface can be cluttered
Capsule	£12	Simple, affordable, easy to use	Limited features
Monday CRM	£8	Highly customisable, excellent for project management	Can be overwhelming, CRM functionality may require add-ons
ClickUp	£8	Highly customisable, wide range of features	Complex, steep learning curve
Insightly	£15	User-friendly, good for sales and project management	Fewer features than some competitors
Salesforce	£20	Powerful, highly customisable, industry standard	Complex, expensive

Next Steps: Choose the Best CRM For Your Budget

Remember, the best CRM isn’t necessarily the most expensive; it’s the one that best fits your specific business needs and budget. Take a look at our comparison of CRM features and functionality before making a decision.

By carefully considering your needs and researching available options, you can confidently choose a cost-effective CRM for your business.