Boost your sales with a perfect Gmail CRM – find yours now!

Email is still the backbone of business communication. Despite the growth of messengers and social platforms, in 2026 businesses send 350B+ emails every day, and a large share of customer data still lives inside the inbox.

The problem? Gmail alone wasn’t built to manage pipelines, track deals, or give leaders visibility into what’s really happening with customers.

We work with Gmail-centric teams every day and regularly analyze CRM platforms built specifically for Google Workspace. In this guide, we review the 5 best CRM systems for Gmail users in 2026 and compare them side by side.

This is not a random list. Each CRM was evaluated using the same framework — covering Gmail integration, automation, email and sales features, integrations, pricing, and verified reviews from G2 and the Google Workspace Marketplace.

What is a CRM for Gmail?

A CRM for Gmail is a customer relationship management system that integrates directly with Gmail to help teams:

  • Track email conversations automatically
  • Turn emails into leads, deals, or contacts
  • Manage pipelines without leaving the inbox
  • Log activities, tasks, and notes in real time
  • Automate follow-ups and workflows

The key difference between Gmail CRMs lies in how deeply they integrate. Some work as sidebar extensions, while others are fully embedded inside Gmail.

For teams that live in Gmail, this difference directly affects adoption, speed, and data accuracy.

How we evaluate the rating of Gmail CRM for Google Workspace: Our methodology

To keep this comparison objective and practical, we evaluated each CRM using the same framework — reflecting how teams actually choose Gmail-based CRM tools.

Our evaluation covers:

  • Gmail integration — sidebar vs fully embedded experience and all sales workflows executed without leaving Gmail
  • Automation — automatic data capture, pipeline automation, tasks, notifications, and advanced workflows
  • Email features — email tracking, templates, sequences, and follow-ups
  • Sales features — pipeline management, segmentation, forecasting, and reporting
  • Communication channels (evaluated as part of integrations & ecosystem) — email plus additional channels (messengers, phone, social platforms) unified into one client timeline
  • Integrations — Google Workspace ecosystem and third-party tools
  • Pricing — entry cost and scalability as teams grow
  • User trust — G2 reviews and Google Workspace Marketplace ratings

This methodology reflects how modern teams evaluate Gmail CRM solutions in 2026.

How we tested CRMs

This comparison and scoring were conducted by Anna Pozniak, CMO at NetHunt CRM, based on hands-on product testing and practical knowledge on what sales teams expect from a Gmail-integrated CRM.

For each CRM, we connected a Gmail account, installed the official Gmail add-on/extension (when available), and ran the same workflow: capturing a new lead from an email, creating/updating a contact and deal, moving a deal stage, scheduling a follow-up, logging an activity, and checking what can be done directly inside Gmail vs in the CRM dashboard. We also reviewed verified ratings on G2 and Google Workspace Marketplace as of January 2026.

The Best Gmail CRMs in 2026 (TL;DR)

Short on time? Here’s the quick breakdown.

Top Gmail CRM tools in 2026:

  1. NetHunt CRM — 9.6/10
  2. Copper — 8.5/10
  3. Streak — 8.0/10
  4. folk — 7.8/10
  5. Pipedrive — 7.2/10

Want to understand how we scored them? The full comparison and detailed scores are below.

💡 Scores are based on Gmail integration, automation, features, pricing, and verified user reviews.

Comparison table of best CRMs for Gmail

CRM System Best for Key benefit Starting price
(monthly subscription)*
NetHunt CRM Teams working fully in Gmail 100% embedded Gmail CRM with advanced automation and customization $30/user
Streak Small teams & solo founders Native Gmail pipelines with instant setup $59/user
Copper Google Workspace-centric companies Automatic Gmail & Calendar sync with minimal setup $12/user
folk Relationship-driven teams & founders Effective outeach via Gmail and LinkedIn $25/user
Pipedrive Sales teams focused on pipeline visibility Strong deal management and activity tracking $24/user

* Starting prices reflect entry-level paid plans, validated in January 2026.

Detailed Gmail CRMs reviews

NetHunt CRM

NetHunt CRM in Gmail
NetHunt CRM in Gmail

Overall score: 9.6 / 10

Gmail integration type: Fully embedded inside Gmail

Best for: Teams that want to manage the entire sales cycle directly inside Gmail with advanced automations and customization.

Score breakdown:

  • Gmail integration - 9.8
  • Automation - 9.7
  • Email - 9.4
  • Sales - 9.5
  • Integrations - 9.3
  • Pricing - 9.0
  • Trust - 9.4

Inside Gmail you can: create and move deals, edit records, filter and save views, launch sequences, assign tasks, trigger automations, monitor reports, see other communication channels.

Review

NetHunt CRM is fully embedded inside Gmail, not layered on as a sidebar or extension. You can manage the entire sales cycle without EVER leaving your inbox. Move deals between stages, filter and segment contacts, assign tasks, update records, launch workflows, and even send WhatsApp messages — all without leaving Gmail’s interface.

Everything happens in the same window you were already working in. That alone removes a huge amount of friction compared to sidebar-based tools.

Where NetHunt really separates itself is automation. Its workflow builder supports multi-step logic that can tag new leads, assign managers, update pipeline stages, create tasks, and trigger timed follow-ups from a single event. With webhooks available, automation can extend far beyond native actions, like connecting external systems.

NetHunt is highly customizable. Pipelines, fields, and workflows can be adjusted to fit your existing processes instead of forcing you into a fixed setup. 

Beyond email, it also works as a multi-channel communication hub, bringing messages from messengers (like WhatsApp, Telegram) and social platforms (like Instagram or Meta) into one customer timeline.

Pros:

  • Fully embedded inside Gmail (not just a sidebar)
  • Advanced automation and workflow logic
  • Strong customization to adjust CRM exactly to your processes
  • Multi-channel communication hub (email, phone, messengers, social)

Cons:

  • Requires onboarding
  • Lacks AI functionality for now

User reviews:

Pricing: From $30 per user/month

CRM for Google Workspace? NetHunt CRM!

Copper

Copper in Gmail
Copper in Gmail

Overall score: 8.5 / 10

Gmail integration type: Sidebar + CRM web app

Best for: Google Workspace–centric teams that want automatic Gmail and Calendar sync with minimal setup.

Score breakdown:

  • Gmail integration - 8.8
  • Automation - 7.8
  • Email - 8.4
  • Sales - 8.3
  • Integrations - 8.6
  • Pricing - 7.9
  • Trust - 8.7

Inside Gmail you can: view context, log emails, manage tasks.

Review

Once Copper is connected, Gmail and Google Calendar sync quietly in the background. Emails and meetings are automatically linked to contact records, without manual forwarding, dragging messages, or BCC workarounds.

Managing deals feels easy and predictable. Pipelines are easy to set up, stages are clear, and the interface follows Google’s design patterns closely which makes CRM adoption really quick, with minimal friction.

Copper’s main limitation is flexibility. Customization options are noticeably tighter than in more configurable Gmail CRMs. If you need custom folder structures, unique pipelines, or complex deal logic, this can become a constraint.

Automation is limited to basic workflows. Reporting is clear and reliable — useful for visibility, less so for forecasting or complex sales ops.

Copper offers a marketplace for integrations. Phone systems can be connected relatively easily, but native integrations with messengers or social media platforms are limited, which may be a drawback if you work across multiple communication channels.

Pros:

  • Strong Gmail & Calendar sync
  • Clean, Google-like UI

Cons:

  • Limited automation depth
  • Customization constraints at scale

User reviews:

Pricing: From $12/user per month.

Try Copper if your team works entirely in Google Workspace and values CRM with minimal setup or check alternative to Copper

Visit website

Streak

Streak in Gmail
Streak in Gmail

Overall score: 8.0 / 10

Gmail integration type: Fully embedded inside Gmail

Best for: Solo founders and small teams that want pipelines directly inside Gmail.

Score breakdown:

  • Gmail integration - 9.2
  • Automation - 6.8
  • Email - 7.9
  • Sales - 7.6
  • Integrations - 6.9
  • Pricing - 8.8
  • Trust - 8.5

Inside Gmail you can: create deals, move stages, add notes, set reminders.

Review

Streak blends into Gmail so naturally that it feels like part of the inbox rather than a separate tool. Pipelines appear instantly, and emails can be turned into deal stages with just a few clicks, no context switching required.

Gmail mobile experience is limited compared to desktop, and Calendar sync is weaker than Copper’s.

Seeing pipeline status inside email threads is genuinely helpful, and snippets help prioritize emails. Reminders pop up at the right time to keep deals moving.

Streak’s limitations show as soon as processes become more complex. Automation is minimal, reporting is basic, and integrations rarely extend beyond Gmail and Sheets. If your process involves phone calls, WhatsApp messages, or other communication channels, those interactions won’t be captured inside Streak.

For straightforward follow-ups and lightweight sales tracking, Streak works beautifully. For anything more complex or multi-channel, it can quickly become restrictive.

Pros:

  • Fully embedded inside Gmail
  • Extremely fast setup

Cons:

  • Limited automation and reporting
  • Not built for complex sales processes
  • No other communication channels apart from email

User reviews:

Pricing: Starts with $59/user per month.

Try Streak if you’re a small team looking for the simplest way to manage pipelines directly inside Gmail or check another Streak alternatives

Visit website

folk

folk in Gmail
folk in Gmail

Overall score: 7.8 / 10

Gmail integration type: Chrome extension + CRM web app

Best for: Founders, recruiters, and teams managing relationship-driven workflows rather than pipelines. Especially those who rely heavily on LinkedIn outreach.

Score breakdown:

  • Gmail integration - 7.8
  • Automation - 6.9
  • Email - 8.0
  • Sales - 6.5
  • Integrations - 7.4
  • Pricing - 8.3
  • Trust - 8.6

Inside Gmail you can: view timelines, add notes, send personalized outreach.

Review

folk feels more like a smart relationship manager than a traditional CRM. You can save contacts from Gmail or LinkedIn, group them with tags, and track through a lightweight interaction history on the timeline.

The platform also offers basic data enrichment from email and LinkedIn. Enrichment is mainly contact context from email signatures/LinkedIn profiles, not sales intelligence. You can personalize messages at scale and get reminders for timely reconnections to build relationships and move them closer to won stage.

For sales teams, however, folk reaches its limits quickly. For structured sales, the lack of pipeline, filtered views, and forecasting is the main blocker.

Pros:

  • Clean, minimalist interface
  • Works well across Gmail and LinkedIn
  • Excellent for relationship tracking and outreach

Cons:

  • No real sales pipeline
  • Limited automation
  • Basic reporting

User reviews:

  • G2: ⭐ 4.5 / 5
  • Google Workspace Marketplace: no score

Pricing: From $25 per user/month

 Try folk if you heavily rely on email and LinkedIn outreach to build relations.

Visit website

Pipedrive

Pipedrive in Gmail
Pipedrive in Gmail

Overall score: 7.2 / 10

Gmail integration type: Sidebar via Chrome extension

Best for: Sales teams that prioritize pipeline structure and deal visibility.

Score breakdown:

  • Gmail integration - 6.9
  • Automation - 7.2
  • Email - 7.5
  • Sales - 8.8
  • Integrations - 8.2
  • Pricing - 7.4
  • Trust - 8.1

Inside Gmail you can: track opens, use templates, link emails to deals.

Review

Pipedrive is unapologetically pipeline-first. The kanban boards make it easy to spot stalled deals and move the deals down the funnel with full visibility and history of relations.

Its Gmail integration lives in a sidebar via Chrome extension. While not fully native, it allows email tracking, templates, and scheduling without leaving the inbox entirely. Deal management still happens mostly in Pipedrive’s web version.

Automation and reporting are solid but often require higher tiers or add-ons. Calendar sync works, though it’s less seamless than Google-first CRMs.

Phone integrations are strong via ecosystem/add-ons, but Marketplace reviews are mixed,  worth checking before committing.

Pros:

  • Excellent pipeline visualization
  • Strong sales structure and reminders
  • Mature ecosystem

Cons:

  • Gmail integration is not native
  • Advanced features require upgrades or addons

User reviews:

Try Pipedrive if a strong sales pipeline matters more to you than deep Gmail integration.

Visit website

Final thoughts

The best Gmail CRM depends on how deeply you want the CRM to live inside your inbox.

If Gmail is your command center, fully embedded solutions like NetHunt CRM or Streak remove friction.

If you want strong Gmail integration and solid sales features, Copper is great.

For outreach through Gmail or LinkedIn folk is a great choice.

For pipeline discipline, Pipedrive your go to.

The right choice is the one that fits how your team already works — not the one with the longest feature list.

FAQ