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When analyzing the best free CRM software available, Forbes Advisor considered a range of factors, including functionality, customer support, ease of use, user experience and integrations. Assigning each value a weighted score, we then narrowed it down to the seven best free CRMs on the market.
While not every CRM on this list includes all of these features, many do or have enough value-added benefits to make up for the missing features. In addition to functionality, we also consider how user-friendly the CRM is and the type of customer support they provide. We also analyzed user reviews to understand what real users think about CRM.
List price – 15%
First and foremost, every provider must offer a forever free plan to qualify for our list of the best free CRMs. However, not all free plans are created equal, so we consider factors like how many users the free version includes, how much storage it includes, and any other limitations. We also considered the cost of the premium plans because businesses often outgrow the free plans, so it’s important to choose a CRM that offers affordable paid plans when you need more features.
General characteristics – 30%
The first set of features we consider when evaluating the best free CRMs are core features such as pipeline management, analytics tools, integrations, customizable dashboards, document libraries, and mobile app availability. We assign each feature a weighted score based on its importance and then sum the scores to find the percentage of the total score each feature represents.
Additional features – 25%
The second set of features we considered were additional features not included in the general feature categories, such as email marketing and multi-currency support. We assign each feature a weighted score based on its importance and then sum the scores to find the percentage of the total score each feature represents.
Service and Support – 10%
When considering a CRM system, the value of effective service and support becomes obvious. This support ensures businesses can navigate, operate and troubleshoot systems with minimal friction. Live chat support offered by many can provide instant solutions to assist businesses when unexpected challenges arise. In addition, traditional phone support provides direct contact with experts, facilitating detailed discussions and solutions.
Many vendors provide users with knowledge bases containing articles, tutorials, and FAQs that provide a self-service path for users to explore at their own pace. In addition to these primary channels, some CRM providers offer other resources such as social forums, video presentations and even dedicated account managers. For those looking for consistent and customized support, some vendors offer maintenance or service contract options, ensuring businesses receive ongoing guidance specific to their unique needs.
Expert Rating – 20%
Finally, we considered our own expertise from first-hand experience using these CRMs. This category includes factors such as value for money, popularity and ease of use.
To calculate the overall score for each CRM, we summed the scores for each criterion and multiplied by the corresponding weight. The maximum overall score for each CRM is 5.00.
We use this approach to ensure that the best free CRM is selected based on a thorough evaluation of its functionality and user experience.
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