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Best CRM for small business
By Cathy Riddell, founder of Moshy · Facts checked 31 Oct 2026 · Last updated 31 Oct 2026
Reader-supported: we may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never changes our ratings. Disclosure
How do our ratings compare?
| Tool | Overall | Features | Ease | Value | Support | Integrations | Reputation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3/5 | 3.6 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 3.0 | 4.8 | Try free | |
| HighLevel | 4.2/5 | 4.8 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.3 | Try free |
| HubSpot | 3.9/5 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 3.6 | 3.4 | 5.0 | 3.8 | Read review |
| ClickFunnels | 3.9/5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.4 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 4.4 | Read review |
| 3.5/5 | 4.0 | 3.2 | 3.0 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 3.6 | Visit |
Swipe the table sideways to see every score →
Our scores out of 5, scored 25 Oct 2026. Hover a column for its full name and weight. How we rate.
How I put this together: I use HighLevel every day at my agency (Starter plan, about 18 months). The other tools here are compared from their official pricing and feature pages, checked 31 Oct 2026, not from client work. HighLevel, Systeme.io and Kartra links are affiliate links; HubSpot, ClickFunnels and Kajabi links go to the official sites with no affiliate tag.
Which CRM is best for a small business?
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Try first | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HighLevel | Agencies managing client accounts | US$97/mo, unlimited contacts & users | 30-day free trial | Start HighLevel free trial |
| HubSpot | Sales-led teams | Free; Starter US$20/seat list (offer from US$7–10) | Free CRM | Get HubSpot's free CRM |
| Solo creators on a budget | Free; paid from US$17/mo | Free plan, no card | Start Systeme.io free | |
| Course & membership sellers | US$59/mo (Starter US$119/mo) | 30-day money-back | Get started with Kartra | |
| ClickFunnels | Funnel-first marketers | US$97/mo (US$81/mo annual) | Free trial | Visit ClickFunnels (official site) |
Official pricing pages, checked 31 Oct 2026, USD.
What's the best free CRM for a small business?
HubSpot (2 users, 1,000 contacts, no expiry) or Systeme.io (2,000 contacts, no card). 1 2 See best free CRM.
What's the best all-in-one CRM for small business?
HighLevel: website and funnel builder, CRM and pipelines, email and SMS marketing, calling, calendars and reputation management on every plan. 3
First-hand: everything runs in one place. I run Moshy's CRM, funnels, email/SMS follow-up and automations from one HighLevel login instead of juggling separate tools. The trade-off I notice most is limited pages for websites: the website and funnel builder feels limited on page count and layout flexibility for bigger websites.
How should you choose?
- Count users: per-seat (HubSpot) or flat pricing (HighLevel, Systeme.io)?
- Do you need SMS and calls?
- Do you sell online with funnels or courses?
- Start with a free plan or trial.
If you're choosing the rest of your software stack too, I cover small-business software comparisons on my other site, BizStacked.
What's my pick?
All-in-one or client work: HighLevel. Sales team starting free: HubSpot. Online seller on a budget: Systeme.io.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest CRM for a small business?
Pick by what you do: a free plan like HubSpot's or Systeme.io's is the lowest-risk start; HighLevel's 14-day trial suits businesses that want SMS, booking and funnels together.
Is there a free CRM for small business?
Yes. HubSpot (2 users, 1,000 contacts) and Systeme.io (2,000 contacts) have free plans.
Which small-business CRM includes SMS?
HighLevel includes email and SMS marketing (usage-based charges apply). Systeme.io lists SMS on all plans.
About the author: Cathy RiddellCathy runs the digital agency Moshy and has used HighLevel every day for about 18 months for real client work. She writes every CRM Reviewed guide. How we review →
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Sources
- https://www.hubspot.com/products/crm (HubSpot free CRM), checked 31 Oct 2026
- https://systeme.io/pricing (Systeme.io pricing), checked 31 Oct 2026
- https://www.gohighlevel.com/pricing (HighLevel pricing), checked 31 Oct 2026
- https://kartra.com/pricing (Kartra pricing), checked 31 Oct 2026
- https://www.clickfunnels.com/pricing (ClickFunnels pricing), checked 31 Oct 2026
Prices and features come only from the official vendor pages listed, checked 31 Oct 2026, in USD. Vendors change prices often, so confirm on the official page before buying. Our ratings are weighted scores out of 5; see how we rate.