CRM Software
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software is a tool that enables businesses to track customer interactions and manage relationships throughout the entire lifecycle from a single, centralised platform. CRM tools are designed to deal with customer support issues, manage leads and the sales pipeline, and oversee long-term relationships with past, current, and potential customers. CRM systems can help integrate marketing, sales and customer service departments, ensuring that organisational processes are coherent and well-aligned. Typical features of CRM platforms include document storage, lead management, communication tracking, calendar coordination, and social media integration. CRM software is related to Contract Management software and Online CRM software. Compare product reviews and features to help find the best CRM Software for your business in the UK. Read more Read less
The best CRM software of 2025 for UK businesses
Customer relationship management (CRM) software helps UK businesses manage leads, track sales pipelines, and improve client communication.
In 2025, 1 in 5 UK companies plan to prioritise CRM software in their tech investments [a]—highlighting its growing role in business growth and customer retention.
With more than 1,500 CRM tools available—ranging from lightweight platforms to full-featured enterprise systems—navigating the market can be overwhelming.
To help you cut through the noise, I analysed 15,952 verified user reviews to identify the UK’s top-rated CRM systems. These tools stand out for core capabilities like sales pipeline management, contact tracking, and reporting—features that UK SMBs consistently rank as essential.
Explore the top CRM software picks below, or browse our full CRM catalogue to compare features, pricing, and user insights.
Top solutions
HubSpot CRM
Zoho CRM
Less Annoying CRM
Prospect CRM
Salesforce Sales Cloud
Dynamics 365
Nimble
Streak
Keap
How we picked the software on this list
Our independent and objective research is based on market demand signals in the UK along with an analysis of our proprietary data. This includes product information and verified user reviews in the last two years as of April 2025. Sponsorship or client status has no bearing on how we select this list. Read the complete methodology for Capterra’s Best Product Lists.
Sales-focused CRM with strong automation and visual pipelines.
Pipedrive is a highly rated CRM (4.53/5 from over 2,900 reviews) built for sales teams that want to streamline deal tracking and automate repetitive tasks. Its contact management, visual pipeline, intuitive interface, and wide range of integrations make it a strong choice for businesses focused on closing deals efficiently. While some advanced features are locked behind higher-tier plans, its core tools are robust enough to support most small to midsize sales teams.
Features
These features help sales teams manage pipelines, automate tasks, and stay organised.
- Sales pipeline management: Offers a visual, drag-and-drop interface with automation and Slack integration to simplify deal tracking and team updates.
- Contact management: Syncs with Google Contacts and mobile apps, helping teams access and update customer data on the go.
- Lead management: Includes lead scoring, automated emails, and “rotting days” to prioritise follow-up, though email attachments can be clunky.
- Automations: Focuses on sales workflows with automation and a visual pipeline, though it may lack depth for marketing or support teams.
- Contact database: Centralises contact data with smart search and custom fields, supporting personalised outreach and efficient data access.
- Reporting and analytics: Provides clear visuals for sales performance and team metrics, though some users want more customisation and cross-referencing.
Pros & cons
Pros:
Great for sales, but limited in reporting and search.
Pipedrive is praised for its intuitive interface, visual sales pipeline, and automation tools that help sales teams move faster and stay organised. Compared to more general-purpose CRMs, it’s more focused and easier to implement.
Cons:
However, users report issues with duplicate contacts, limited reporting flexibility, and a search function that can be unintuitive—making it less ideal for teams that need deep analytics or complex data filtering.
Value for Money
658 reviews discussing Value for Money, 71% of which are positive.
Strong core features, but extras can get pricey.
Pipedrive is considered good value for small teams, offering essential sales tools even in lower-tier plans and a free trial to test functionality. Users appreciate the lack of hidden fees and the ability to manage pipelines without needing add-ons. However, advanced features like deeper analytics, automation and AI features are only available in higher-priced plans, and the per-user pricing model can become expensive for larger teams or those needing premium tools.
Popular Integrations
Connects with sales, marketing, and communication tools to streamline workflows.
- Zapier: Automates tasks and connects with other platforms, saving time and reducing manual work.
- Gmail: Syncs emails and tracks communication directly in the CRM, improving visibility and follow-up.
- Mailchimp: Manages email campaigns and engagement metrics, supporting marketing efforts alongside sales.
- Slack: Sends real-time deal updates to teams, enhancing collaboration and responsiveness.
- Google Calendar: Manages appointments and reminders, helping users stay on top of meetings and tasks.
Top-rated for alerts and notifications, with strong automation and integrations.
HubSpot CRM is highly rated by SMBs for its real-time alerts and notification features, helping teams stay responsive and aligned across sales, marketing, and support. With a 4.52/5 rating from over 4,200 verified users, it stands out for its intuitive interface, customizable workflows, and seamless integrations with tools like Gmail, Slack, and Outlook. The platform offers a free tier with essential CRM tools—contact management, email tracking, and pipeline visualization—while paid plans unlock advanced automation, analytics, and reporting. Its alert system is frequently praised for keeping users informed about lead activity, deal progress, and customer interactions without manual follow-up.
Features
Helps SMBs organize contacts, track leads, and automate sales.
- Contact database: Centralizes customer records with import/export options and team-wide visibility; supports integrations with Dialpad and Jotform.
- Contact management: Enables segmentation, tracking, and collaboration with email sync; some users want better bulk editing and duplicate handling.
- CRM core: Manages contacts, leads, and deals with automation and integrations like QuickBooks and Gravity Forms; setup can be complex for new users.
- Lead management: Tracks and prioritizes leads using customizable workflows; some reviewers mention limited search and a steep learning curve.
- Sales pipeline: Visualizes deal stages with drag-and-drop tools and dashboards; integrates with Salesforce and Monday.com but may feel cluttered for large teams.
- Lead capture: Embeds forms and landing pages to collect leads via Zapier, Wistia, and Chilipiper; duplicate entries and unclear lead definitions are common concerns.
Pros & cons
Pros:
Streamlined collaboration vs. limited reporting and costly upgrades.
HubSpot CRM stands out for unifying sales, marketing, and support in one platform, helping SMBs collaborate more efficiently. Its automation tools and integrations simplify lead tracking and campaign execution.
Compared to other CRMs, HubSpot’s interface is easier to navigate and more visually intuitive, especially for pipeline management. However, reporting features are less flexible unless users upgrade to higher tiers.
Cons:
While integrations and automation are strong, email tools receive mixed feedback—some users report deliverability issues and restrictions on customization.
Value for Money
1468 reviews discussing Value for Money, 70% of which are positive.
Free tier offers strong value, but scaling can be expensive.
HubSpot CRM’s free plan includes essential tools like contact management, email tracking, and deal pipelines—ideal for startups and small teams. Reviewers appreciate the ability to grow without upfront costs.
Compared to competitors, HubSpot’s pricing jumps quickly between tiers. Advanced features like custom workflows and reporting require paid plans, which some users find steep and confusing.
Businesses needing mid-tier functionality often struggle with the lack of intermediate pricing options, making budgeting harder as needs evolve.
Popular Integrations
Connects with popular tools to streamline workflows and centralize data.
- Gmail: Syncs emails and tracks communications to improve lead capture and follow-ups.
- Microsoft Outlook: Logs emails and calendar events to maintain a complete client history.
- Zapier: Automates tasks and connects HubSpot CRM with thousands of third-party apps.
- Slack: Sends real-time alerts and updates to keep teams informed about deals and leads.
- WordPress: Captures website leads and syncs visitor data for automated marketing campaigns.
Customisable CRM with strong automation and integration at a competitive price.
Zoho CRM is a highly rated platform (4.33/5 from over 6,200 reviews) that offers extensive customisation, automation, and integration capabilities—making it a strong fit for small to midsize businesses looking to scale. It’s especially valued for its customization options, flexible pricing, and ability to centralise customer interactions across sales and marketing. While the interface can feel cluttered and support is inconsistent, Zoho CRM remains a compelling option for businesses that want enterprise-grade features without the enterprise price tag.
Features
These features help businesses automate sales, manage leads, and customise workflows.
- Integrations: Centralises customer data and integrates with tools like Slack, Zoom, and Mailchimp, improving visibility and collaboration across teams.
- Contact database: Stores and syncs contact information across Zoho apps and third-party tools, ensuring consistent and accessible customer records.
- Contact management: Tracks customer interactions with customisable fields and modules, helping teams personalise engagement and follow-up.
- Customer database: Organises customer data in the cloud for easy access and segmentation, supporting targeted outreach and reporting.
- Customisable reports: Allows tailored data views and dashboards, aiding in decision-making and stakeholder communication.
- Lead management: Automates lead nurturing and integrates with other CRM modules, streamlining the sales process from capture to conversion.
Pros & cons
Pros:
Feature-rich and affordable, but support and UX need work.
Zoho CRM is praised for its affordability, customisation, and seamless integration with both Zoho and third-party tools—making it a strong alternative to more expensive platforms. Compared to competitors, it offers more flexibility in tailoring workflows and automating tasks.
Cons:
However, users report slow or unhelpful customer support and a cluttered interface that can be difficult to navigate, especially for new users. Email management also lacks the polish and reliability of more specialised tools.
Value for Money
1963 reviews discussing Value for Money, 80% of which are positive.
Affordable and scalable, but some features cost extra.
Zoho CRM is considered a good value for businesses of all sizes, offering a free version and multiple pricing tiers to match different needs. Users appreciate the breadth of features available at lower price points, especially compared to CRMs that charge extra for automation or reporting. However, some essential tools are locked behind higher-tier plans, and the pricing structure can be confusing. Businesses may also face additional costs for add-ons and support, which can reduce the overall value.
Popular Integrations
Connects with sales, marketing, and productivity tools to streamline operations.
- Gmail: Tracks email responses, syncs calendars, and manages leads directly from the inbox, improving communication and lead conversion.
- Mailchimp: Keeps mailing lists updated and automates email campaigns, supporting marketing efforts and client engagement.
- Zapier: Connects Zoho CRM with hundreds of third-party apps, enabling workflow automation and data syncing across platforms.
- Zoho Social: Tracks social media interactions and connects with leads, enhancing social selling and customer engagement.
- Zoho Mail: Centralises email communication and supports sales and marketing coordination within the Zoho ecosystem.
Simple CRM that’s easy to adopt and built for small teams.
Less Annoying CRM earns its title as the highest-rated CRM for small businesses thanks to its clean interface, flat pricing, and no-frills approach to contact and task management. With a 4.79/5 rating from over 600 verified users, it’s ideal for solo entrepreneurs and small teams who want to stay organised without the steep learning curve or cost of more complex systems. While it lacks advanced automation and deep integrations, its simplicity is exactly what makes it appealing to users who value clarity over complexity.
Features
These features help small teams stay organised and focused without technical overhead.
- Contact database: Centralises contact information for quick access and updates, helping teams avoid scattered data and missed follow-ups.
- Contact management: Lets users track communication history and link contacts to Mailchimp, making it easier to manage relationships and email campaigns.
- Calendar and reminders: Syncs with Google Calendar to keep meetings and tasks on track, reducing the risk of missed deadlines.
- Interaction tracking: Allows users to log notes and view past interactions, which supports better customer follow-up and continuity.
- Lead management: Tracks lead status and imports leads easily, helping teams prioritise outreach and manage sales opportunities.
- Sales pipeline management: Offers customisable pipelines to visualise deal stages, though it may require manual updates for full visibility.
Pros & cons
Pros:
Simple and supportive, but lacks depth.
Less Annoying CRM is praised for its intuitive interface and responsive customer support, making it ideal for small businesses without technical teams. Compared to more complex CRMs, it’s easier to adopt and navigate.
Cons:
However, its limited reporting tools and clunky email integration—especially with Outlook—can be frustrating for users who need more advanced analytics or seamless communication workflows.
Value for Money
179 reviews discussing Value for Money, 92% of which are positive.
Affordable for small teams, but limited for scaling.
Less Annoying CRM is widely seen as a cost-effective solution for small businesses, offering flat-rate pricing with no upsells and a 30-day free trial—making it more transparent than tiered competitors. Users appreciate that all features are included in one plan, which simplifies budgeting and avoids hidden costs. However, as teams grow or require more advanced features, the per-user pricing can become less competitive compared to CRMs that offer volume discounts or richer functionality at higher tiers.
Popular Integrations
Key integrations support basic marketing and scheduling needs.
- Mailchimp: Enables email marketing by syncing contact lists and campaign data, helping users manage outreach without switching tools.
- Google Calendar: Keeps tasks and meetings aligned across platforms, improving time management and reducing scheduling conflicts.
- Microsoft Outlook: Allows email logging and conversation tracking, though users report limitations in calendar syncing.
- Zapier: Adds automation and access to more integrations, but users note a desire for broader native integration options.
Built for product-centric businesses that need CRM and inventory in sync.
Prospect CRM stands out as the highest-rated UK-based CRM, earning a 4.82/5 from verified users. It’s designed for small to midsize businesses that manage inventory and customer relationships side by side. With deep integrations into tools like Xero, Unleashed, and Sage 50, it’s especially valuable for wholesalers, distributors, and manufacturers. While setup can be complex, its customisation, reporting, and sales tracking capabilities make it a strong fit for businesses that need more than just contact management.
Features
These features help product-focused businesses manage sales and stock in one place.
- Contact management: Organises contacts across accounts and tracks communication history, helping teams stay aligned and responsive.
- Lead management: Offers daily reminders, automated emails, and pipeline visibility to keep sales efforts on track and prioritised.
- Task management: Replaces sticky notes with structured task lists and reminders, improving follow-up and time management.
- Sales pipeline management: Tracks leads and opportunities with customisable stages, helping teams forecast and plan growth.
- Reporting and analytics: Delivers unlimited custom reports and Excel integration, supporting data-driven decisions and financial planning.
- Email management: Centralises email communication and templates, streamlining sales messaging and improving consistency.
Pros & cons
Pros:
Powerful for sales and stock, but setup takes effort.
Prospect CRM is praised for its intuitive interface, strong customer support, and seamless integration with accounting and inventory tools—making it ideal for businesses that need CRM and stock data to work together. Compared to simpler CRMs, it offers more robust reporting and sales tracking.
Cons:
However, users note a steep learning curve during onboarding, and some find the dashboard outdated or less user-friendly than modern alternatives.
Popular Integrations
Designed to connect CRM with inventory and finance tools.
- Unleashed: Enables seamless order processing, inventory management, and real-time stock synchronisation for stock-aware CRM workflows.
- Xero: Supports invoicing and financial management, helping businesses align sales and accounting data for better decision-making.
- Sage 50: Offers integration for accounting and customer data, streamlining operations for UK-based businesses using Sage products.
Enterprise CRM with deep customisation and powerful analytics.
Salesforce Sales Cloud is one of the most widely used CRM platforms globally, with a 4.41/5 rating from over 17,800 verified reviews. It’s built for sales teams that need advanced automation, real-time analytics, and deep customisation. With tools for lead and opportunity management, sales forecasting, and integration with platforms like Gmail, Mailchimp, and Tableau, it’s a strong choice for businesses that want to scale. However, its complexity and cost may be barriers for smaller teams or those without technical support.
Features
These features help sales teams automate workflows, track performance, and manage customer relationships.
- Contact management: Centralises customer data and tracks interactions, with Gmail integration to streamline communication.
- Reporting and analytics: Offers real-time dashboards and customisable reports, with Tableau integration for deeper insights.
- Automations: Manages customer relationships and workflows with automation and custom modules, though integration with some tools can be inconsistent.
- Interaction tracking: Logs calls, emails, and texts, helping teams maintain visibility across all touchpoints, though manual logging can be tedious.
- Sales pipeline management: Visualises deal stages and supports collaboration, though some users need to customise it heavily to fit their process.
- Lead management: Automates lead tracking and integrates with tools like Pardot, though the lead-to-contact conversion process can be complex.
Pros & cons
Pros:
Highly customisable, but complex and costly.
Salesforce Sales Cloud is praised for its robust automation, custom workflows, and powerful analytics—making it ideal for large or fast-scaling sales teams. Compared to simpler CRMs, it offers more flexibility and depth.
Cons:
However, users report a steep learning curve, high costs, and frequent updates that can disrupt workflows. Managing user permissions and navigating the interface can also be challenging without dedicated admin support.
Value for Money
3467 reviews discussing Value for Money, 40% of which are positive.
Powerful, but pricing and complexity limit accessibility.
Salesforce Sales Cloud is seen as a strong investment for businesses that need advanced features and are prepared to invest in setup and training. Users value the free trial, flexible pricing plans, and access to learning resources like Trailhead. However, costs can escalate quickly with additional users, features, and customisations. For smaller businesses, the total cost of ownership may outweigh the benefits compared to more affordable CRMs.
Popular Integrations
Connects with marketing, communication, and analytics tools to support sales operations.
- Gmail: Tracks and logs email communication, improving visibility and follow-up within the CRM.
- Mailchimp: Syncs contact data and manages email campaigns, supporting marketing automation.
- Zapier: Automates workflows and connects Salesforce with hundreds of third-party apps. Five9: Manages inbound and outbound calls, enhancing communication and call tracking.
Enterprise-grade CRM with deep Microsoft integration.
Dynamics 365 is a highly rated CRM (4.38/5 from over 5,600 reviews) that combines customer relationship management with enterprise resource planning (ERP) tools. It’s built for growing businesses that already use Microsoft products and want to unify sales, marketing, finance, and service operations. With AI-driven insights, customisable modules, and native integration with tools like Excel, Outlook, and Power BI, it’s a powerful—but complex—solution. While it offers scalability and depth, the learning curve and cost may be too steep for smaller teams.
Features
These features help businesses unify data, automate processes, and scale operations.
- Data visualisation: Offers real-time dashboards and Power BI integration, helping teams track performance and make data-driven decisions.
- Contact database: Centralises customer data with custom fields and Outlook/Excel integration, improving access and personalisation.
- Invoice creation: Automates billing and payment processing, streamlining financial workflows and reducing manual errors.
- Reporting and analytics: Delivers interactive dashboards and custom reports, supporting strategic planning and performance tracking.
- Lead management: Scores and captures leads automatically, integrating with Outlook and Excel to support sales outreach.
- Sales pipeline management: Tracks opportunities with customisable stages and collaboration tools, helping teams manage deals more effectively.
Pros & cons
Pros:
Powerful and scalable, but complex and costly.
Dynamics 365 is praised for its seamless integration with Microsoft tools, making it a natural fit for businesses already using Office 365, Azure, or Power BI. Compared to standalone CRMs, it offers more comprehensive features across departments.
Cons:
However, users report a steep learning curve, performance issues, and a complex user management system. The mobile app also lacks the functionality and stability of the desktop version, which can hinder productivity on the go.
Value for Money
1239 reviews discussing Value for Money, 53% of which are positive.
Robust features, but pricing may deter smaller teams.
Dynamics 365 is seen as a long-term investment for businesses that need advanced features and scalability. Users value the ability to customise modules and reduce hardware costs through cloud deployment. However, the licensing structure is complex, and ongoing subscription fees can be high—especially for small to midsize businesses. Compared to simpler CRMs, the total cost of ownership is higher, and setup often requires external support or technical expertise.
Popular Integrations
Built to work seamlessly with Microsoft’s ecosystem.
- Microsoft Excel: Enables data import/export, reporting, and financial analysis, helping teams manage large datasets efficiently.
- Microsoft SharePoint: Supports document management and collaboration, centralising client files and improving team workflows.
Social CRM that blends contact management with smart integrations.
Nimble is a CRM platform rated 4.38/5 by over 1,800 users, designed for small to midsize businesses that want to manage customer relationships across email and social media. It’s especially useful for teams that rely on Gmail, Office 365, and social platforms to engage clients. With strong data import/export, contact management, automated follow-ups, and a clean interface, Nimble helps businesses stay organised and responsive. However, its mobile app and tagging features fall short for users managing large datasets or working on the go.
Features
These features help teams manage contacts, track interactions, and stay connected.
- Contact management: Consolidates contacts from email and social media, making it easier to manage relationships across platforms.
- Email management: Sends templated, trackable emails and follow-ups, improving communication and outreach efficiency.
- Interaction tracking: Logs and recalls past conversations, helping teams maintain continuity and avoid missed follow-ups.
- Lead management: Prioritises and tracks leads for targeted campaigns, supporting better segmentation and conversion.
- Calendar and reminders: Keeps track of meetings and tasks, helping users stay on schedule and follow up consistently.
- Sales pipeline management: Tracks deals and forecasts revenue, giving teams visibility into sales progress and priorities.
Pros & cons
Pros:
Great for social selling, but mobile and tagging need work.
Nimble is praised for its seamless integration with Gmail, Office 365, and social platforms, making it ideal for businesses that engage customers across multiple channels. Compared to traditional CRMs, it offers a more modern, intuitive interface and strong contact organisation.
Cons:
However, users report issues with the mobile app’s limited functionality, confusing tagging, and occasional syncing problems—especially when managing large contact lists or switching between tools.
Value for Money
381 reviews discussing Value for Money, 70% of which are positive.
Affordable for small teams, but costs can rise with use.
Nimble is seen as a cost-effective solution for startups and small businesses, offering a good balance of features and price. Users appreciate the free trial, discounts, and integrations that reduce the need for additional tools. However, some find the pricing structure confusing, and costs can increase with more users or advanced features. Compared to flat-rate CRMs, Nimble may become less competitive as usage scales.
CRM built into Gmail for seamless inbox-based workflows.
Streak is a Gmail-integrated CRM rated 4.47/5 by over 460 users, designed for individuals and small teams who want to manage sales, support, and hiring directly from their inbox. It’s especially useful for freelancers, consultants, and startups that rely heavily on email communication. With customisable pipelines, email tracking, and task automation, Streak simplifies CRM tasks without requiring users to leave Gmail. However, its mobile app and data management tools are limited, which can hinder more complex workflows.
Features
These features help users manage pipelines, track emails, and stay productive—without leaving Gmail.
- Relationship management: Supports customer service and relationship management directly in Gmail, though users note a lack of new features and limited support.
- Contact database: Imports contacts from Gmail easily, but struggles with large lists and lacks advanced import tools.
- Sales pipeline management: Tracks deal progress with flexible pipelines, though setup can be time-consuming for new users.
- Contact management: Stores and manages contacts within Gmail, though auto-population and ease of use could be improved.
- Lead management: Visualises lead stages and allows quick updates, though customisation options are limited.
- Interaction tracking: Logs email interactions and supports team coordination, but lacks mobile support and reminder features.
Pros & cons
Pros:
Great for Gmail users, but limited beyond the inbox.
Streak is praised for its seamless Gmail integration, allowing users to manage pipelines, track emails, and automate tasks without switching platforms. Compared to standalone CRMs, it offers a more lightweight and familiar experience.
Cons:
However, users report a steep learning curve, limited mobile functionality, and challenges with importing and managing complex datasets—making it less suitable for teams with advanced CRM needs.
Value for Money
143 reviews discussing Value for Money, 73% of which are positive.
Streak offers excellent value for freelancers and small teams, with a generous free version that includes email tracking, mail merge, and pipeline tools—features often locked behind paywalls in other CRMs. However, the jump to paid plans is significant, and recent pricing changes have moved some previously free features behind a paywall. For growing teams, the cost may outweigh the benefits compared to more scalable alternatives.
Popular Integrations
Extends Gmail with automation and data management tools.
- Google Sheets: Enables bulk contact imports and exports, helping users manage client data and send mass emails.
- Zapier: Automates tasks and connects Streak with tools like Typeform, expanding its functionality through third-party integrations.
CRM with built-in marketing automation for small business growth.
Keap is a CRM platform rated 4.11/5 by over 1,200 users, designed to help small and midsize businesses automate marketing, manage leads, and centralise customer data. It’s especially useful for service-based businesses that want to streamline follow-ups and sales pipelines without juggling multiple tools. With strong automation and email campaign features, Keap supports business scaling—but its pricing, learning curve, and limited customisation can be barriers for some users.
Features
These features help small businesses automate marketing and manage leads more effectively.
- Lead capture: Collects leads from websites and social media, though setup can be tricky and design options are limited.
- Email campaign management: Builds and sends email campaigns, though users report issues with deliverability and outdated tools.
- Marketing automation: Automates follow-ups and workflows, reducing manual tasks and improving lead nurturing.
- Lead management: Tracks and prioritises leads, though integration with other activities could be improved.
- Contact management: Organises customer data with tagging and segmentation, though automation setup can be complex.
- Contact database: Stores and targets contacts efficiently, though users note limitations in custom fields and usability.
Pros & cons
Pros:
Strong automation, but not beginner-friendly.
Keap is praised for its powerful campaign builder and automation tools, which help small businesses scale without adding staff. Compared to simpler CRMs, it offers more advanced marketing features in one platform.
Cons:
However, users report a steep learning curve, a non-intuitive interface, and email tools that can be unreliable. Pricing is also a concern, especially for businesses just starting out or those needing additional support.
Value for Money
426 reviews discussing Value for Money, 47% of which are positive.
Feature-rich, but expensive for small teams.
Keap is considered a good investment for businesses that need marketing automation and CRM in one tool. Users appreciate the free trial, integrations, and ability to manage multiple processes from a single platform. However, many find the pricing high, especially when factoring in training, support, and add-ons. Compared to more affordable CRMs, Keap’s total cost can be difficult to justify for smaller teams or those with simpler needs.
Popular Integrations
Connects with marketing, scheduling, and productivity tools to streamline operations.
- Zapier: Automates workflows and connects Keap with platforms like Salesforce, reducing manual work and improving efficiency.
- Gmail: Tracks email interactions and stores customer emails, supporting lead management and communication.
- WordPress: Captures leads from website forms and opt-in boxes, simplifying data collection and follow-up.
- Google Calendar: Manages appointments and availability, helping teams stay organised and responsive.
Our full directory of CRM Software solutions
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Pipedrive
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Prospect CRM
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- Workflow Management
- Segmentation
- Reporting/Analytics
CRM Software Buyers Guide
Table of Contents
Essential CRM software buying information
Customer relationship management (CRM) software enables customer interaction, support, and relationship management via features such as contact management, interaction tracking, and lead management.
Sales and marketing professionals in the UK use CRM software to capture and organise customer data, streamline their sales pipelines, and optimise outreach. Industry-specific CRM systems are also available.
Most CRM software solutions on the market are priced on a “per month” basis, and a typical entry-level pricing plan is around $1,292 (approx. 950 GBP) per month. Subscriptions for premium and advanced systems, which include additional features such as unlimited users and advanced reporting, commonly cost about $17,664 per month (approx.12,993 GBP).[1]
If you’re a first-time buyer, begin your software search with your budget, number of users, specific use cases, and necessary integrations in mind. Additionally, consult with stakeholders on a list of critical questions to ask providers to determine if an option fits your needs, such as:
- Which customer management and sales tasks can this system automate?
- How can we use this tool’s dashboards to better visualise and track the movement of leads?
- How easy is it to add customisable fields to internal databases and/or customer-facing pages such as lead capture forms?
- What level of technical support will I get from the CRM provider?
- Does this software use artificial intelligence to deliver personalised customer experiences and/or predict sales? If so, how?
- What level of technical support will I get from the CRM provider?
Pro tip: customer support considerations
Shep Hyken,[2] a customer service thought leader and consultant, says his own CRM buying experience taught him that user-generated content about how to use a system is often just as valuable as vendor-created resources.
“I asked the salesperson how they support customers when they have questions. To my surprise, they told me to use Google. Within seconds, I had video tutorials from not only the company but from other customers who wanted to jump in and show others how they resolved similar issues.
Once I started using the software, I didn't even have to call the company to resolve my questions about the CRM. As a result, I felt really positive about having chosen their product.”
What is a CRM system?
A CRM system enables businesses to manage interactions with current and potential customers. It provides a centralised platform where businesses can store, organise, and access customer data and interactions. It also automates lead management, opportunity tracking, and sales forecasting processes.
CRM software solutions typically provide reporting and analytics capabilities to generate insights into customer behaviour, sales performance, and marketing effectiveness. They are related to contact management systems and are often deployed via the cloud.
Gartner expects the CRM market to reach $200 billion (approx. £147 billion) by 2027, with about 15% growth each year.[3]
Capterra covers 2,013 CRM products—more than any other category of software we cover—with 14,859 reviews published in the past year.[4]
What are the best HR systems available in the UK?
According to our research, Less Annoying CRM is among the best rated in the category with a 4.79 out of 5 rating from over 624 reviews from the past 2 years.[4] Designed for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs, it offers essential features without unnecessary complexity. While it lacks advanced automation and deep integrations, its affordability and simplicity make it a practical, straightforward CRM choice.
These are the main features:
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Contact Database: Users find it easy to access and update contact information, though some desire better sharing options and multi-entity linking.
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Contact Management: Reviewers appreciate centralised contact details, easy access, and integration with Mailchimp, though some find it basic.
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Calendar/Reminder System: Users value Google Calendar sync and timely reminders, though some miss Outlook integration.
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Interaction Tracking: Reviewers highlight easy note-taking and history tracking, though some want more automation and social media integration.
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Lead Management: Users appreciate tracking lead status and importing leads, though some desire more automation and visual tools.
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Sales Pipeline Management: Reviewers value customisable pipelines and tracking, though some find it complex and desire more automation.
How much does CRM software cost?
Most CRM software solutions on the market are priced on a “per month” basis, and a typical entry-level pricing plan is around $1,292 (approx. 950 GBP) per month. Premium and advanced system subscriptions commonly cost about $17,664 (approx.12,993 GBP) per month.[1]
Entry-level CRM systems include the core functionality of contact database, lead management, and interaction tracking.
Premium or advanced products that are priced higher typically include additional features such as unlimited users, advanced reporting, advanced customer and lead tracking, and sales funnel creation.
First-time buyers should be aware that:
- Initial setup, training, and data migration are common upfront costs.
- Maintenance and customer support are common recurring costs.
Most (71%) of the CRM software buyers our advisors spoke to in the last 2 years are budgeting $35 to $105 (approx. £26 to £77) per month.[5]
Free trials are often offered by CRM software providers, and some systems offer free versions.
CRM software features rated by users
All CRM software tools include contact database, interaction tracking, and lead management features, and most share a variety of common features such as task and email management.
Core CRM features
- Contact management: Maintain a centralised database of customers and their contact information. 90% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
- Lead management: Store information about leads and contacts and track them through the sales process. 82% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
- Interaction tracking: Track the interaction history by documenting conversations with customers and contacts. 80% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
Highly rated common CRM features
- Sales pipeline management: Use the pipeline view to visualise, track, and manage the leads in your pipeline. 81% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
- Email management: Integrate with email services such as Gmail and Outlook. 80% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
- Workflow management: Create, design and manage workflows for repetitive tasks. 78% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
- Task management: Create tasks, track their progress status or completion percentage, and view any associated notes or comments. 77% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
- Data import/export: Import and export data to and from software applications. 77% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
- Reporting/analytics: Collect and analyse data to generate reports, track pertinent metrics, and identify trends or patterns. 76% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
- Lead capture: Automatically identify and save contact information for potential customers. 73% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
Top CRM benefits identified by users
Facilitates easier team collaboration: CRM systems give teams a 360-view of tasks and workflows through features like activity dashboards and workflow management.
“It was easy to see what our team was working on, completing or planning to complete.”
–Victoria V., HRIS specialist, newspapers
Empowers sales reps: CRM tools provide sales professionals with powerful analytics capabilities that help them track KPIs and identify opportunities for upselling and cross-selling.
“This transparency helps make informed decisions and prioritise high-impact activities, ultimately driving higher sales.”
–Olu D., CEO, e-learning
Easily integrates with your software ecosystem: CRM systems are easy to integrate with other marketing tools, such as sales, social media, calendar, and email solutions, enabling seamless data sharing between systems.
“The tool is completely customisable and has very advanced marketing integrations within the cloud.”
–Sarah H., media director, marketing and advertising
Enables small-business growth: CRM software is valuable for supporting and growing small businesses, especially all-in-one solutions that can serve as a foundation when companies are just starting.
“I can customise fields, workflows, and dashboards to suit my business needs. Plus, it grows with my business; I can easily scale up and add more features as required.”
–Adnan A., owner, electrical/electronic manufacturing
Common challenges of CRM software identified by users
The learning curve involved with the implementation of CRM software is one of the most common challenges identified by CRM software users. This makes sense, according to sales professional Mike Aldrich[6], who states that one of the biggest obstacles in using CRM software is the time it takes to maintain it.
“You have to put the time in,” he says. “Start your day by logging in and looking at your dashboard so you know which tasks to prioritise. It’ll show your progress toward your monthly, quarterly, or annual sales goals, and which deals you expect to close soon.”
In fact, 28% of UK software buyers rate staff training and acceptance as a top challenge when planning investments in software in general, while 27% report having in-house skills to manage tools as a key challenge.[7] Therefore, first-time buyers should factor in the time it might take to onboard staff to new systems and value vendors that offer ongoing customer support.
Another common challenge identified by CRM system users is difficulty with payment plans. Such users might not be in a pricing tier that’s aligned with the functionality they need, suggests Capterra advisor manager Michael Ziemba.[8] “These systems often have tiered pricing depending on if they’re entry-level or premium. It's really important to get in there and see what functionality you need.”
To set yourself up for success, here are some questions you can ask CRM software vendors:
- Is this software built with small businesses in mind?
- What is the implementation process like?
- How easy is it to integrate this new solution with tools I already have?
- What type of ongoing customer support from the CRM vendor can we expect?
- Are there any user minimums to meet?
- Are there any important features locked behind premium price points?
What is CRM software used for?
We analysed our extensive database of CRM software reviews and found that the most common use cases are:
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Streamlining the sales pipeline: Businesses use CRM systems to organise incoming sales opportunities and prioritise them based on their behaviours and interactions.
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Organising clients and customers: CRM software helps maintain an organised database of client and customer data that can be sorted and grouped to simplify follow-up communications and plan the next actions.
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Optimising email marketing targeting and automation: CRM software can be used to build customer personas and segments for precise targeting, and then automate routine email marketing tasks or more advanced campaign actions.
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Analysing and tracking leads: CRM software users can capture potential leads and track their activities and interactions across touchpoints. They can also review the leads with detailed individual profiles or within a dashboard for a wider view with analytics.
CRM software can be categorised into the following four types:
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Operational CRM software improves a business’s operational efficiency through automation.
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Strategic CRM softwarefocuses on customers and their interactions with a business.
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Analytical CRM software organises and analyses customer data with a focus on metrics such as recurring revenue, top sales accounts, and customer retention rates.
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Collaborative CRM software focuses on sharing customer information among internal teams.
Additionally, many CRM systems are designed to support specific industries:
- Real estate CRM software
- Construction CRM software
- Financial CRM software
- Healthcare CRM software
- Insurance CRM software
- Nonprofit CRM software
- Social CRM software
Who uses CRM software?
Because of its versatility, CRM software is one of the most ubiquitous technologies for customer-facing businesses of all sizes and industries. These systems are typically geared toward one or several of these categories[9]:
- Marketing
- Sales
- Digital commerce
- Customer service and contact centers
The CRM software market also includes providers that cater to specific sectors or industries, such as staffing and recruiting, telecommunications, and nonprofit.
While anyone related to the categories above likely uses a CRM, notes from our advisor calls reveal some of the most common kinds of users over the past year[5]. The top job titles include owners, agents, CEOS, presidents, and brokers. Common industries include consulting (15%), real estate (15%), and insurance (8%). Additionally, most callers are business owners at companies with less than $1 million in annual revenue and small teams—five or fewer employees or software users.
Common CRM integrations
We analysed our extensive reviews database, and based on that, we determined the three software categories that most often integrate with CRM are:
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Email marketing software: By integrating your CRM with an email marketing tool, you can capture a wealth of client data, such as interaction history and which emails they’ve opened.
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Website builder software: Connecting your CRM to website builder software lets you collect and analyse customer data in real time, personalise the online experience, and improve customer engagement. It also helps you streamline your sales and marketing efforts by automating tasks such as lead generation and customer follow-ups.
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Project management software: Integrating your CRM with project management software can help businesses manage projects more effectively, improve communication, and provide a better customer experience.
Recent trends in CRM software
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UK’s Rapid Embrace of CRM Solutions: The UK is emerging as a dynamic force in CRM adoption, with nearly half (49%) of UK-based businesses implementing new CRM software in the past year. This momentum is set to continue, as one in five (20%) UK firms identify CRM software as a top priority for software investment in 2025. This underscores a growing focus on digital transformation and customer-centric strategies.[7]
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CRM Integration in UK Customer Service: CRM software is now deeply embedded in UK customer service operations, with nearly two thirds (64%) of employees involved in customer support using CRM tools during customer calls. This widespread adoption reflects a strategic shift toward leveraging technology to enhance service quality and efficiency, enabling staff to access vital customer information and deliver more personalised, responsive support experiences.[10]
Learn more about how CRM software can help your business
- Customer experience pros reveal top do’s and don’ts to boost digital sales
- From call centre software to chatbots: 5 tips for businesses planning their customer service strategies
- AI in call centre software: How are customer service teams leveraging these tools?
Sources
- Capterra software pricing data: Only products with publicly available pricing information and qualified software products within the category, as of the production date are included in the pricing analysis. Currency conversions are based on the rate of the day of publication and may differ from current currency rates. Read the complete methodology.
- Shep Hyken, LinkedIn
- Forecast Analysis: Customer Experience and Relationship Management, Worldwide, Gartner
- Capterra reviews data: Capterra reviews are collected from verified users for individual software products. This report analysed reviews from the past 2 years as of the production date. Number of products refers to our complete catalogue. Read the complete methodology.
- Capterra advisor call notes: Findings are based on data from telephonic conversations that Capterra’s advisor team had with small-to-midsize businesses seeking CRM tools. For this report, we analysed phone interactions from the past 1 year as of the production date. Read the complete methodology.
- Mike Aldrich, LinkedIn
- and [a]. Capterra’s 2025 Tech Trends Survey: The 2025 Tech Trends Survey was conducted in August 2024 to understand the timeline, organisational challenges, adoption & budget, vendor research behaviours, ROI expectations, and satisfaction levels for software buyers.
- Michael Ziemba, LinkedIn
- Quick Answer: Why Isn’t There a Universal Magic Quadrant for CRM?, Gartner
- Capterra's 2024 Customer Service Technology Survey was conducted online in May 2024 to explore how emerging call centre technologies enable brands to deliver exceptional customer experiences.