Introduction — What is CRM and Why Free Options Matter

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software organizes customer data, tracks deals, automates sales tasks, and helps teams stay productive. It’s especially valuable for small businesses and startups that need structure without big software costs. Many CRM platforms offer free plans — truly free forever or “freemium” options — that provide core CRM functionality without a subscription. Salesforce

Below, we start with the best free CRM software tools you can sign up for today, then look at Salesforce’s free offering and compare paid options.

Top Free CRM Software Tools in 2025

Here are well-known CRM platforms that offer free plans, along with their key features and official links:

1. HubSpot CRM (Free Forever)

📌 Free features: Contact management, deal tracking, task & activity tracking, pipeline visualization, reporting dashboard, integrations, shared inbox, email templates and tracking, mobile access. HubSpot
🔗 Get it: https://www.hubspot.com/products/crm

HubSpot’s free CRM is one of the most generous free plans available, widely used by small businesses due to its usability and no-expiration free tier.

2. Zoho CRM (Free Plan)

📌 Free features: Core CRM features like leads, contacts, tasks, basic sales pipeline and workflow rules for up to 3 users. BIGContacts
🔗 See details: https://www.zoho.com/crm/

Zoho has long offered a free tier suitable for small teams that want basic contact and sales management.

3. Bitrix24 (Free Tier)

📌 Free features: CRM, project management, team collaboration, unlimited users (with some storage limits). BIGContacts+1
🔗 Explore: https://www.bitrix24.com

Bitrix24’s free version is robust, especially if you want CRM plus team workspace tools.

4. Insightly (Free for Small Teams)

📌 Free features: CRM for up to 2 users, project tracking tied to customer relationships. BIGContacts
🔗 Visit: https://www.insightly.com

Good for consultancies or service businesses that combine CRM with project workflows.

5. EngageBay (Free Plan with Marketing Tools)

📌 Free features: Basic CRM plus marketing emails, segmentation, limited automation, and live chat — up to 15 users. EmailTooltester.com
🔗 Learn more: https://www.engagebay.com

Offers higher user counts on the free tier than many tools, making it ideal for small teams expanding collaboration.

6. Capsule CRM (Free for 2 Users)

📌 Free features: Simple contact and sales pipeline management for up to 2 users. BIGContacts
🔗 Details: https://capsulecrm.com

Capsule focuses on small-team CRM simplicity without excessive features.

7. Open-Source CRM Options (Free Software to Self-Host)

These CRM platforms are free open-source — meaning you or your team host and manage them:

• Dolibarr ERP & CRM – a modular open-source CRM + ERP platform. Wikipedia
  🔗 https://www.dolibarr.org/

• ERPNext – full ERP with CRM built-in, under GPL license. Wikipedia
  🔗 https://frappe.io/erpnext

Self-hosted options are ideal if you want full control without subscription costs.

Does Salesforce Offer a Free CRM Option?

Yes — Salesforce has launched a free CRM tier called Salesforce Free Suite. It’s designed for very small businesses and startups and includes core sales, contact, and service tools at no cost. Salesforce+2Salesforce+2

Salesforce Free Suite Highlights

• CRM basics: contact management, leads, sales pipelines. Salesforce

• Service case tracking. DEV Community

• Limited marketing features (email templates). DEV Community

• Typically up to 2 free users. Trailhead
  🔗 Start here: https://www.salesforce.com/crm/free-crm/

This free Salesforce tier is not time-limited — meaning it’s truly free forever under the current offering. Tech.co

Free Trial vs Free Plan — What’s the Difference?

Some CRMs (including Salesforce) also offer free trials of their paid versions — usually 14–30 days — to test advanced features before subscribing. Salesforce still provides a free trial for its paid CRM products. Salesforce

When Free CRM Is Enough & When to Upgrade

Free CRM plans are ideal if you:

• Are a solo entrepreneur or small team just starting.

• Want basic contact management and deal tracking.

• Have simple sales processes and limited users.

Free CRM may not be enough if you need:

• Advanced automation and AI workflows.

• Deep integrations across enterprise tools.

• Large teams or advanced analytics.

In those cases, paid plans from HubSpot, Zoho, Salesforce, or others may be worth the investment.

Conclusion

Free CRM software tools can be a game changer for startups and small businesses. Today’s best free CRM plans — including HubSpot CRM, Zoho CRM, Bitrix24, EngageBay, and Salesforce Free Suite — give you valuable sales, service, and contact automation without cost. Choose based on team size, required features, and long-term plans for growth.

Sources

• Salesforce Free CRM official page — Salesforce Free Suite Salesforce Free CRM: Get Started Today, Guide Free CRM Software Guide

• Salesforce Free Suite details & context from multiple sources Salesforce+1

• HubSpot CRM free plan overview HubSpot CRM Free Overview

• Free CRM lists including BigContacts, Zoho CRM, Insightly, Bitrix24, Capsule BIGContacts

• Open-source CRM info (Dolibarr & ERPNext) Wikipedia+1

Top Free CRM Software Tools in 2025: Your Small Business Guide (Plus Salesforce’s Free Option)