Choosing the right customer relationship management software can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options tailored for UK businesses.
I’ve spent hours comparing the top platforms to help you find one that suits your needs, whether you’re a startup, sole trader, or scaling enterprise.
In this guide, you’ll discover the 13 best CRM systems available in the UK, complete with features, pricing, and insights to help you make an informed, confident decision.
What Is CRM Software?
Customer relationship management (CRM) software has become a vital asset for businesses of all sizes, especially in the UK’s increasingly competitive market.
CRM software helps businesses manage their interactions with current and potential customers by streamlining communication, tracking leads and sales, automating repetitive tasks, and storing customer data.
CRM systems are more than just contact databases, they serve as powerful platforms that enhance customer satisfaction, drive revenue growth, and improve internal collaboration. In the digital-first economy, understanding the value of CRM tools can determine whether a business merely survives or thrives.
According to Forbes Advisor UK, modern CRM software can boost productivity, automate sales workflows, and deliver insights that help businesses make better decisions.
Whether you’re managing emails, tracking conversations, or monitoring deals, the right CRM can tie everything together seamlessly.
How Does CRM Software Help UK Businesses Grow?
A well-implemented CRM strategy is a game-changer for businesses aiming to scale up in the UK. Here’s how it supports growth:
- Enhanced Customer Retention: By having a 360-degree view of your customers, CRMs allow personalised engagement which keeps customers loyal.
- Efficient Sales Processes: From pipeline tracking to quote generation, CRMs automate and streamline the sales funnel.
- Marketing Automation: CRM platforms help create email campaigns, track click-through rates, and automate drip marketing.
- Improved Collaboration: Sales, support, and marketing teams can work off the same data, reducing silos.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Built-in analytics and reporting tools help businesses refine their strategies.
Businesses in the UK often face local challenges, such as GDPR compliance, multi-currency support, and integration with British tools and services. CRM software tailored to the UK market can help address these issues effectively.
What to Consider Before Choosing CRM Software?
Choosing a CRM system is not just about features; it’s about finding a solution that aligns with your business processes, team structure, and growth ambitions. Here are some key factors UK businesses should consider:
- Integration Capabilities: Your CRM should integrate seamlessly with existing software like Outlook, Xero, and Shopify.
- Ease of Use: A user-friendly interface with minimal learning curve is essential, especially for small teams.
- Pricing: UK businesses must consider both upfront and ongoing costs. Plans range from free to over £50 per user/month.
- Support Options: Does the provider offer UK-based support? Are they available 24/7?
- Mobile Access: Many businesses operate remotely or on the go. A mobile app is a must.
- GDPR Compliance: Ensure the CRM has proper data handling, encryption, and user permissions aligned with UK data privacy laws.
Is Free CRM Software a Good Choice for Small Teams?
Yes, but with caveats. Free CRM software can offer a great starting point for micro-businesses and startups. They allow you to test core CRM functionality without financial commitment. However, most free plans are limited in terms of:
- Number of users
- Customisation
- Automation features
- Storage and integrations
Free options like Zoho CRM, Freshsales, and HubSpot Smart CRM offer excellent entry points, but as your team grows, upgrading to a paid tier becomes necessary.
In the UK market, cost-effective CRM software with scalability is highly recommended for long-term success.
Top 13 Customer Relationship Management Software
1. Zoho CRM
Zoho CRM remains a strong contender in the UK for businesses seeking an affordable yet feature-rich customer relationship management software.
The platform includes lead tracking, automation, inventory management, and a Canvas customisation tool that allows users to create tailored CRM interfaces. It’s also known for social media integration, mobile access, and compatibility with other Zoho apps.
The free plan supports up to three users, which makes it suitable for startups and small teams. Its low-cost entry point allows businesses to scale without significant upfront investment.
Pricing: £16 per user/month; free version available.
Specs: Custom dashboards, automation tools, social CRM features, mobile apps.
Testing insights: The system is intuitive and easy to set up. Drag-and-drop features like Kanban boards simplify pipeline management, and most teams can start using it effectively within hours.
Best for: Customisation and budget-conscious SMEs
2. Salesmate
Salesmate delivers a sleek and intelligent CRM experience, combining deal tracking, contact management, email campaigns, and built-in calling features.
Its standout quality is AI-powered automation that can predict outcomes, assign tasks, and trigger follow-ups based on lead behaviour.
While it lacks a free plan, it compensates with a wide array of customisable tools and seamless third-party integrations. Salesmate is particularly useful for sales teams needing both flexibility and structure.
Pricing: ~£24 per user/month; 15-day free trial available.
Specs: Sales pipelines, bulk SMS, in-app calling, task scheduling, AI workflows.
Testing insights: The interface is modern and simple to navigate. Dashboards are customisable and provide clean overviews of deals, contacts, and tasks.
Best for: AI-powered workflows and custom automation
3. Freshsales
Freshsales by Freshworks is a CRM platform that blends essential contact and deal management with intelligent AI support.
The system’s Freddy AI assistant helps prioritise leads, auto-generate emails, and summarise customer data. Freshsales also includes integrated phone, email, chat, and calendar tools.
The software has been recognised for its clean interface, low entry cost, and suitability for small to mid-sized teams. Its automation and reporting tools are also strong assets for fast-growing businesses.
Pricing: £9 per user/month; free plan for three users.
Specs: AI assistant, multi-channel communication, lead scoring, mobile CRM.
Testing insights: Freshsales offers a polished user experience. While data-heavy pages may load slowly, overall responsiveness is strong, and features are logically grouped.
Best for: Email marketing and AI-powered engagement
4. Pipedrive
Pipedrive is purpose-built for sales teams and stands out for its visual, Kanban-style pipeline that allows quick drag-and-drop functionality. It also includes smart email tracking, contact profiles, a scheduling assistant, and over 400 integrations.
Pipedrive does not offer a permanent free plan but includes a generous free trial. Its interface is intuitive and appeals to teams looking for simplicity and speed in managing deals.
Pricing: £24 per user/month; 14-day free trial.
Specs: Customisable stages, AI sales assistant, reporting tools, activity reminders.
Testing insights: Although the UI focuses on functionality rather than design, the software is very effective at managing deals, activities, and performance metrics.
Best for: Visual sales pipeline management
5. Nimble CRM
Nimble is well-suited to sole traders and small teams thanks to its simple layout, contact merging capabilities, and social media integrations. It connects with Gmail, Outlook, LinkedIn, and more to unify communications and create rich contact profiles.
Nimble doesn’t offer multiple pricing tiers, keeping things straightforward. It’s a good choice for entrepreneurs who want a CRM with essential features and low maintenance.
Pricing: £25 per user/month.
Specs: Smart contact management, social integration, deal tracking, task automation.
Testing insights: Nimble’s lightweight design allows users to get started quickly. However, it lacks more advanced marketing tools and phone features.
Best for: Sole traders and micro-businesses
6. Agile CRM
Agile CRM is one of the few CRMs offering a genuinely useful free plan, with up to 10 users and 1,000 contacts included. It provides email marketing tools, landing page builders, appointment scheduling, and lead scoring.
For small and mid-sized UK teams looking to get started with customer relationship management software without upfront costs, Agile CRM offers an accessible starting point.
Pricing: Free (up to 10 users); paid plans from ~£12 per user/month.
Specs: Email campaigns, campaign builder, contact database, workflow automation.
Testing insights: The interface is a bit dated compared to newer CRMs, but all tools function reliably and are well-organised within the dashboard.
Best for: Teams looking for a free, scalable CRM
7. monday.com CRM
monday.com’s CRM offering isn’t a traditional CRM system, instead, it’s a flexible work operating system with CRM templates that can be tailored to any workflow.
It’s especially popular among startups and creative agencies for its drag-and-drop board design and simple automation setup.
Users can build custom pipelines, automate repetitive tasks, and integrate with apps like Slack, Gmail, and Xero.
Pricing: £13 per user/month; free plan for 2 users.
Specs: CRM templates, workflow automation, dashboards, mobile app, integrations.
Testing insights: monday.com shines in user experience. Its dashboard views and templates make it easy to build custom CRM solutions quickly.
Best for: Startups and flexible work management
8. Apptivo
Apptivo is an end-to-end CRM platform that supports the entire customer journey, from capturing leads and creating quotes to invoicing and collecting payments. It’s particularly suited to service industries like consulting, real estate, or trade services.
The system supports document management, workflow automation, project management, and a built-in e-signature tool.
Pricing: £16 per user/month; 30-day free trial.
Specs: Quotes and invoicing, document uploads, lead tracking, mobile CRM.
Testing insights: While Apptivo offers depth, it does require more initial setup than lighter CRMs. The interface is functional but less modern.
Best for: End-to-end business workflows
9. Insightly
Insightly prioritises privacy and data control, making it an excellent option for businesses handling sensitive information. It includes features like role-based access, GDPR compliance, task management, and project oversight.
This CRM is often used in sectors like legal services and finance, where visibility settings and secure data handling are critical.
Pricing: £24 per user/month (annual billing).
Specs: User roles, permissions, custom pipelines, dashboards, mobile access.
Testing insights: The interface is simple and clear. While not flashy, it delivers reliability and secure data structures.
Best for: Privacy and administrative control
10. Salesforce CRM
Salesforce is one of the most powerful CRMs available, offering tools for every business function, from sales and marketing to service and commerce. It supports AI-driven forecasting, custom dashboards, lead scoring, and integrates with over 4,000 third-party apps.
Though it has a learning curve, Salesforce remains unmatched in terms of scalability and depth.
Pricing: £25 per user/month (base plan); pricing varies by package.
Specs: Einstein AI, deal pipelines, campaign tools, storefront builder, analytics.
Testing insights: Salesforce delivers comprehensive tools but requires time to master. Many UK businesses rely on its extensive documentation and support ecosystem.
Best for: Complex business operations and integrations
11. Creatio CRM
Creatio is a no-code CRM that offers enterprise-level functionality through its powerful automation and analytics features. Its AI assistant helps generate reports, analyse customer behaviour, and optimise workflows.
The platform is ideal for large organisations with internal teams capable of configuring complex workflows or wanting full control over customisation.
Pricing: Custom enterprise pricing.
Specs: Workflow builder, chatbot AI, advanced analytics, custom dashboards.
Testing insights: Creatio’s capabilities are impressive, but its complexity may not suit smaller teams or those seeking plug-and-play simplicity.
Best for: AI-powered analytics and no-code customisation
12. HubSpot Smart CRM
HubSpot Smart CRM offers a robust free plan that includes contact management, deal tracking, email marketing, and integration with payment tools. It also features Breeze AI, which assists with reporting and customer insights.
This platform scales well with your business, offering paid marketing, sales, and customer service tools within the HubSpot ecosystem.
Pricing: Free (for two users); paid upgrades available.
Specs: Email automation, reporting, chat tools, task management, AI support.
Testing insights: HubSpot’s UI is clean, modern, and accessible. It’s ideal for new businesses that want a reliable, scalable CRM.
Best for: Free, scalable CRM with AI support
13. Less Annoying CRM
True to its name, Less Annoying CRM offers a simple, clutter-free platform with essential CRM functions. It’s aimed at small teams and solo professionals who want to avoid complexity and high costs.
All users get full access at a flat rate, which includes contact and calendar management, pipelines, and integrations via Zapier.
Pricing: £12 per user/month.
Specs: Contact tracking, pipeline management, task reminders, mobile support.
Testing insights: It’s quick to set up and use, though reporting and automation are quite basic compared to larger platforms.
Best for: Simple CRM use for budget-focused teams
Top 13 CRM Software Comparison
| CRM Tool | Best For | Starting Price | Free Plan | Unique Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoho CRM | Customisation | £16 | Yes | Canvas custom UI |
| Salesmate | AI-Powered Workflows | £24 | No | SMS + AI insights |
| Freshsales | AI & Email Tools | £9 | Yes | Freddy AI assistant |
| Pipedrive | Pipeline Management | £24 | No | Email builder, scheduler |
| Nimble CRM | Sole Traders | £25 | No | Social media integration |
| Agile CRM | Free Growth Plan | £12 | Yes | Email & campaign builders |
| monday.com CRM | Startups | £13 | Yes | Kanban & automation |
| Apptivo | End-to-End Management | £16 | No | Quote to payment workflows |
| Insightly | Privacy + Admin Control | £24 | No | GDPR compliance tools |
| Salesforce CRM | Integration Powerhouse | £25 | No | 4000+ integrations |
| Creatio CRM | Enterprise AI & Analytics | Custom | No | No-code automation |
| HubSpot Smart CRM | Free AI CRM | £0 | Yes | AI assistant + payment tools |
| Less Annoying CRM | Simplicity + Budget | £12 | No | Flat pricing, easy setup |
Conclusion
There’s no one-size-fits-all CRM software. From startups needing affordable options like Zoho CRM and HubSpot, to growing teams looking for powerful tools like Salesforce or Pipedrive, the best choice will depend on your goals, budget, and required features.
Always take advantage of free trials, test integrations, and ensure the system is user-friendly enough for your team to adopt quickly. And most importantly, make sure it’s compliant with UK data laws such as GDPR.
FAQs
What industries benefit most from CRM software?
CRM platforms are ideal for retail, marketing, financial services, healthcare, and B2B sales due to their customer-centric focus.
Are CRM platforms GDPR compliant?
Most CRM tools used in the UK, like Insightly and Salesforce, include GDPR-compliant data handling, permissions, and encryption.
Can CRM software integrate with Outlook and Gmail?
Yes. CRM platforms such as Zoho, Salesforce, and Freshsales support Outlook, Gmail, and calendar integrations.
What’s the best CRM for e-commerce businesses?
Zoho CRM and HubSpot Smart CRM are excellent for e-commerce because of their automation and multi-channel communication tools.
How do CRM platforms help sales teams?
CRMs streamline lead tracking, manage sales pipelines, automate emails, and offer analytics for better decision-making.
What CRM is best for teams working remotely?
monday.com and Zoho CRM offer excellent mobile apps and collaborative features ideal for remote or hybrid teams.
What is the most affordable CRM for small UK businesses?
Less Annoying CRM and Agile CRM are great low-cost options with solid core features and easy setup.
Leave a Reply