Best CRM Software of 2020

• CRM stands for customer relationship management program, which is used to engage and build relationships with consumers.
• CRMs can be hosted in the cloud or on-premises.
• CRMs help users manage their customers' data.
• This article is for small business owners interested in finding information on the best CRMs and what to look for when choosing one.

When searching for a CRM, there are multiple factors to consider, including how much it costs and whether it has all of the features and tools your company needs. With so many options on the market, we spent time researching and analyzing more than 60 systems to determine the ones we think are best for various types of businesses. We came to our conclusions after looking at a number of factors, such as how much each CRM costs, how simple it is to use and how well it integrates with other popular programs. You can read more below about our recommendations, as well as what you should be thinking about when choosing CRM software.

Update: We have updated this page with new answers to frequently asked questions about CRM.

Organizations use CRM solutions for a variety of reasons. Initially, though, the CRM industry was geared primarily toward sales and PR professionals, offering a convenient way to store information and track communication with customers. Today, CRM solutions straddle several areas of business customer relationship management, marketing, analytics, communication and even lightweight project management. Some CRM systems even have built-in chatbot and calling capabilities, so reps can communicate with clients directly from the system.

Even small businesses can afford powerful CRM software, thanks in large part to the proliferation of affordable SaaS solutions, which deliver a lot of functionality without the fuss (or headaches) that come with a major software implementation project. Tiered pricing structures and lots of competition mean SMBs have their pick of easy-to-use CRMs that optimize the customer relationship management process.

Of course, when you have several options available to you, the choices can be overwhelming. Luckily, we've done the hard work of comparing and testing CRM products for you. To help you find the right CRM for your business, read Choosing a CRM Software: A Buyer's Guide, which answers your common questions and outlines the best approach for choosing and implementing a solution. 

As CRMs have improved, they have become more sophisticated and integrated with a wider range of business operations. Social media and email integration, for example, have been hallmarks of the CRM evolution. And, with the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, CRM functionality only continues to grow.

In fact, AI use cases in CRM are expected to increase by more than 250% over the next two years. The top expected use cases for AI include customer segmentation and data modeling, programmatic advertising, media buying and personalization for specific channel experience. Generally speaking, AI will continue to automate key CRM functions, reducing the need for manual reentry of data and the potential for human error that comes along with it.

In 2020, look for more automation and integration to streamline CRM usage, boost productivity and widen the scope of business operations that CRM tools impact. The developers that tap into these trends in a way that maintains or enhances user experience will be poised for success in the new decade.

For our review of CRM systems, we payed careful attention to pricing. Most customer relationship management software is priced on a per-person, per-month basis, but companies typically opt for annual billing to simplify the payment process. With that in mind, these are the general pricing tiers you can expect.

• $10 to $15: Inexpensive CRM products are a great option for tiny businesses with modest needs, and there are many services that charge $10 to $15 per user, per month. Affordable systems like these typically have very quick implementation times and don't usually require much in-house tech support to get things up and running. If you want a fast solution with minimal hassle, this price range is a great place to start – just make sure the storage options are robust enough to meet your needs; low-cost CRMs usually cap the number of records they can store.
  
  
• $20 to $40: For additional features and a broader range of integrations with third-party systems, a CRM priced in the $20 to $40 range will likely meet your needs. The majority of CRM software we reviewed falls into this price range, because it's designed to meet the needs of the SMB set. As you peruse options in this price range, check for limitations on the number of users supported and storage caps that could force you to upgrade to higher-priced plans.
  
  
• $50 to $75: CRM software that falls in the $50 to $75 range per user is typically intended primarily for enterprise use. Such systems often include options to integrate with legacy systems and allow for greater customization than other CRMs. As powerful as they are, systems like these are not necessary for most small businesses.
  
  
• $250 or more: The highest-end CRM systems often include extensive training, customization and implementation services with the software. An additional reason behind the steep cost of these solutions is that they are not cloud services; instead, they can be hosted locally, which is a boon for organizations with unique security needs. 

Most CRM services offer free trial periods for new customers, so you can test-drive the system of your choice without the risk of sinking a lot of money into a product that ultimately doesn't work for you.

What are some examples of CRM software? 

Customer relationship management (CRM) software refers to any tech solution that helps businesses manage communication with current and potential clients. Some examples of leaders in the CRM software industry include Salesforce, Zoho, HubSpot and Sugar CRM. 

What makes a CRM software "open source"? 

When a software claims to be open source, it typically means that some or all of the source code is available to users for review and modification. Developers and programmers that want the ability to highly customize their CRM software often opt for open-source solutions.    

What are the differences between ERP and customer relationship management (CRM) software? 

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software has some overlap with customer relationship management (CRM) software, so it's understandable that there's frequent confusion regarding the difference between ERPs and CRMs.

ERP software is intended to manage nearly every aspect of a business's operations, including accounting, human resources, inventory, and analytics, and, as such, CRM capabilities are often built into ERP software. CRM software focuses specifically on managing customer information, logging interactions with clients and storing sales-related lead details.

What other tools integrate with CRM software?

Sales and marketing add-ons are the most common tools integrated with CRM solutions. Reporting and tracking tools are popular too. Direct integrations typically connect the fastest, while third-party integrations require middleware to facilitate the exchange of data between the CRM, the operating system and other applications. Custom API integrations typically take longer because the integration has to be built.

How do I get my team on board with CRM software?

It's important to communicate to your team the benefits of a CRM system. Include your staff in the search process so you can find a solution that everyone is pleased with. Before and during implementation, make sure your team gets all the training they need so they're comfortable using the program. Talk to employees about their concerns and encourage them to ask questions so the training representative can address them. You want your team to feel that they can proficiently use the CRM system.

What is a CRM analyst?

A CRM analyst examines your consumer data to help your business make the best sales and customer service recommendations. These experts help you understand your customers' needs and interests so you can determine the best ways to market to them.

What are the disadvantages of CRM?

Some CRM systems may not be affordable for small business owners. In addition to being pricey upfront, many CRM services have hidden costs. For example, you might also be paying for system administrators, software developers, maintenance and data backups. Read the fine print and ask the CRM company about any hidden costs before determining whether you can afford a certain system.

Your CRM could also negatively impact your business if it shuts down or fails. You run the risk of losing all your records, which can hurt your business financially. Also, depending on the CRM's learning curve and your team's experience, training your staff to use the CRM effectively can be a long and tedious journey.

Best for Small Business – Salesforce

Best for Very Small Business – Hubspot

Best for Developers – SugarCRM

Best Overall – Zoho CRM

Best Low Cost – Less Annoying CRM