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![]() ![]() Last Update: February 2025 For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), a reliable customer relationship management (CRM) tool is essential. The right CRM helps you generate leads, close deals, and build better connections with prospects and customers. When choosing a CRM for your business, cost is a key factor. How much do you need to budget? In this article, we'll cover how CRM pricing works, which elements affect the cost, and why subscriptions tend to be the best choice for SMBs. Factors That Influence CRM Pricing for SMBsEvery CRM solution has its own pricing structure. However, the factors below typically affect the total cost. FeaturesMost solutions offer different feature sets at various price points. Generally, basic features include contact and pipeline management, while more advanced feature sets include team capabilities and customization options. Automations and AIMany CRM tools include minimal workflow automations and AI tools in basic plans with entry-level pricing. Mid- and top-tier plans typically include advanced automations and AI-powered features. AI and automation can provide more value than you might think. On average, sales teams that use AI-powered CRM software are already saving more than two hours a day on data entry, outreach, and meeting scheduling. Number of UsersMost CRM systems charge per user per month. This way, you get the exact number of seats you need. It's important to note that some platforms require a minimum number of users. Keep in mind that your marketing and sales teams aren’t the only users you’ll want to onboard. When all teams actively use the same platform, they’re 17% more likely to think the CRM provides a reliable single source of truth. ScalabilityWith most software platforms, the premium plan is designed for teams that need a scalable solution. Often designed for enterprise teams, these plans include unlimited users, reports, and automations for a custom price. Customer ServiceCRM software platforms generally include basic support options like email with entry-level plans. Mid-level and top-tier plans typically include live chat and phone support. Some also include a dedicated account manager. Integrations and Add-onsWhile some CRM tools offer standard integrations with every plan tier, that isn't always the case. Some provide enterprise-level integrations with the highest-tier plans, and others even offer custom integrations. Free CRM Options for SMBsOver 90% of businesses with more than 11 employees use a CRM. However, this software can be pricey for small businesses. Those with limited budgets can consider free CRM software. For example, HubSpot and Zoho CRM both offer a free basic plan with limited capabilities. ![]() These free options typically include essential features like contact management. However, they limit advanced features, the number of users you can add, and even the number of contacts you can manage. As a result, free CRMs tend to work as a starting point only. As your business grows and you need to automate your processes, you'll want to consider a paid CRM. Fortunately, most offer a free trial so you can test them out. Hidden Costs to ConsiderIn some cases, the standard yearly or monthly pricing includes all the fees you'll have to pay. But many CRMs have extra costs that you may not notice until you've already committed to using the tool. Some of the most common hidden costs include the following:
![]() 6 CRM Pricing Examples for SMBs in 2024How much can you expect to pay for a CRM in 2024? Here's a breakdown of CRM pricing for six popular platforms for SMBs. All prices are per month with a yearly subscription.
Tips for Choosing the Right CRM for Your SMB BudgetNow you know how CRM pricing works and the cost of several popular platforms for SMBs. So, how do you choose the best one for your budget? Use these tips to guide your decision:
Conclusion: The Value of Investing in a CRM for SMBs in 2024With the right CRM, SMBs can build a powerful database of prospects and customers that they can use to grow the business and manage relationships more efficiently. Use the guidelines above to choose the best CRM for your business at a price that fits your budget. | _ |