We tested 25+ CRM platforms to find the ones with genuinely useful free tiers. These tools let you manage contacts, track deals, and automate follow-ups without paying a cent until you need advanced features.
HubSpot CRM offers the most generous free tier in the market with unlimited users and up to one million contacts. The free plan includes contact management, deal pipelines, email tracking, and meeting scheduling. No credit card required and no time limits.
Strengths
Unlimited users on free plan forever
Up to 1 million contacts included
Email tracking and meeting scheduling free
No credit card required to start
Seamless upgrade path to paid features
Limitations
No automation on free tier
Limited reporting capabilities
HubSpot branding on forms and emails
Who it's for: Best for startups and small businesses that want a reliable CRM foundation with room to grow. Ideal when you need unlimited team access without per-seat costs.
Zoho CRM free tier stands out by including workflow automation and custom reports, features most competitors reserve for paid plans. Up to three users get access to lead and contact management, deal tracking, and basic automation rules.
Strengths
Workflow automation included free
Custom reports and dashboards
Part of larger Zoho free ecosystem
Mobile app with offline access
Web forms for lead capture
Limitations
Limited to 3 users on free plan
Only 5,000 contacts allowed
Interface can feel cluttered
Who it's for: Ideal for small teams of three or fewer who need automation without paying. Great if you already use or plan to use other Zoho apps.
Freshsales free tier includes Freddy AI for lead scoring, a feature that typically costs extra elsewhere. The plan supports unlimited contacts for up to three users, with built-in phone and chat widgets for customer communication.
Strengths
Freddy AI lead scoring on free tier
Unlimited contacts allowed
Built-in chat widget included
Clean modern interface
Mobile app with full functionality
Limitations
Limited to 3 users
No workflow automation free
Phone features require paid add-on
Who it's for: Best for small teams wanting AI-powered insights without paying. Great for businesses that want built-in website chat for lead capture.
Bitrix24 offers unlimited users on its free plan, making it unique among free CRMs. Beyond CRM, the free tier includes project management, website builder, and team collaboration tools. Storage is limited to 5GB shared across the account.
Strengths
Unlimited users completely free
Project management included
Website builder in free tier
Video calls and team chat
Automation rules available
Limitations
Interface can be overwhelming
Limited to 12,500 CRM records
5GB storage limit for all users
Steeper learning curve
Who it's for: Best for larger teams that need free access for everyone. Ideal if you want CRM plus project management plus communication in one platform.
Agile CRM free tier is unusually generous with marketing features, including email campaigns, landing pages, and web engagement tracking. Up to ten users can access the platform with 1,000 contacts and basic automation.
Strengths
Email campaigns on free tier
Landing page builder included
Up to 10 users free
Web engagement tracking
Basic marketing automation
Limitations
Only 1,000 contacts allowed
Interface feels dated
Limited customer support
Email sending limits apply
Who it's for: Best for teams that need marketing automation without paying. Great for businesses running email campaigns alongside sales activities.
Capsule CRM takes a minimalist approach, offering a clean simple interface focused on contact management and opportunity tracking. The free tier is limited to two users and 250 contacts but provides a distraction-free experience.
Strengths
Exceptionally clean interface
Quick to learn and use
Good Google Workspace integration
Solid mobile app
No feature clutter
Limitations
Only 2 users on free plan
Just 250 contacts allowed
No automation features
No email marketing tools
Who it's for: Best for solo entrepreneurs or pairs who want simple contact management. Ideal if you hate complicated software and just need the basics.
EngageBay combines CRM with email marketing and help desk features on its free tier. Up to 15 users can access the platform, making it one of the most generous user limits available. Contact limit is 250 on the free plan.
Strengths
Up to 15 users on free tier
CRM plus email marketing plus help desk
Landing page builder included
Live chat widget available
Automation workflows on free
Limitations
Only 250 contacts on free tier
Email sending limits apply
Less polished than competitors
Limited integrations
Who it's for: Best for small teams wanting an all-in-one platform free. Ideal if you need CRM, marketing, and support tools but have a very small contact list.
We tested each free CRM to find which ones offer genuine value without hidden limitations or aggressive upselling.
Free Tier Generosity (30%) — User limits, contact limits, and feature availability on free plans.
Core CRM Features (25%) — Contact management, deal tracking, and pipeline functionality.
Usability (20%) — How easy to set up and use without extensive training.
Scalability (15%) — Ability to grow into paid tiers without migrating platforms.
Integration Options (10%) — Connections to other tools you already use.
How to Choose
Choose HubSpot CRM if you need the largest free contact limit.
Choose Zoho CRM if you need automation on free tier.
Choose Freshsales if you need AI features without paying.
Choose Bitrix24 if you need unlimited free users.
Choose Agile CRM if you need free marketing automation.
Choose Capsule CRM if you need simplest possible CRM.
Choose EngageBay if you need most free users allowed.
Common Questions
Yes, the tools on this list offer genuinely free tiers without time limits. HubSpot, Zoho, and Bitrix24 have maintained free plans for years. The limits are on features or contacts, not time.
Free tiers typically limit users, contacts, storage, or advanced features. Most vendors hope you will upgrade as you grow. Some add branding to emails or forms on free plans.
HubSpot CRM allows up to 1 million contacts on its free tier, far more than any competitor. Freshsales offers unlimited contacts but limits users to three.
For many small businesses with fewer than 5,000 contacts and basic needs, free CRMs are fully capable. HubSpot and Zoho free tiers power many real businesses.
You can upgrade to paid plans with the same vendor, keeping all your data. Paid plans typically start at $12-20 per user per month. Data export is also usually available if you want to switch.
