Ten Best Simple CRM Solutions for Your Business that Don't Beat Around the Bush

Originally published September 10, 2024, updated October 18, 2024

Complexity slows you down — simplicity drives growth. Here are top 10 simple CRM tools with top features.

So, you open your new best simple CRM (Hubspot? Salesforce? You name it). Tons of widgets and graphs flood your screen. You spend hours just trying to figure out how it works. The worst part? You’re a sales person or a business owner, which means you’ve already got a LOT on your plate.

Unfortunately, many CRMs that started as simple solutions evolved into complex systems. What once was a sleek, intuitive software turned into a maze of features no one uses and…honestly… doesn’t even know HOW to use it.

Unlike complex solution developers, companies offering 'simpler' CRMs design them with high user adoption in mind. You won’t find gated features and tons of settings you don’t need or use. Instead, there’ll be affordability, quick setup, and no need for special training.

100systems struggled with a slow, cumbersome CRM until they switched to NetHunt for its native Gmail integration and user-friendly design. Now check out how 100systems enjoys efficient lead management and the ability to generate reports effortlessly with NetHunt CRM.

Meanwhile, let’s not beat around the bush. Meet the top 10 simple CRMs on the market today:

• NetHunt CRM - Best simple CRM for Gmail users
• noCRM.io - Top no-code platform for sales teams
• Insightly - Easiest CRM to use for first-time users
• OnePage CRM - Best easy CRM for small business
• Less Annoying CRM - A simple CRM with a single low price
• Capsule CRM - An easy to use CRM with top sales analytics
• folk CRM - Best simple CRM with a ‘spreadsheets’ interface
• Zendesk CRM - Top simple CRM for startups
• Attio CRM - Best simple CRM with the most adaptable sales pipelines
• Streak - An easy to use CRM with AI functionality

What’s a simple CRM?

‘Simple CRM’ is a basic CRM software for small business that includes all the essential features a user needs. Such a software is highly customizable, affordable, and straightforward to use and set up. It’s a tool that meets both simplicity and efficiency criteria without compromising on ease of use or flexibility.

Commonly, a simple CRM has an easy to use interface and a quick setup. It focuses on essential functionalities, ensuring that users can manage customer relationships effectively without being bogged down by unnecessary complexity.

In summary, these are the top characteristics of the easiest CRM to use:

• Quick to integrate
• Short learning curve
• High user adoption
• Affordable
• Includes essential CRM functionality
• Users can customize and upgrade the system in the long run

Ten simple CRM systems

NetHunt CRM

NetHunt is a simple CRM that turns the familiar Gmail environment into a hub for efficient customer management and insightful business analytics. All that happens within a user-friendly interface.

Back in 2015, the simplicity of use coupled with solid functionality made NetHunt CRM a favorite among thousands of users globally. Nine years later, NetHunt CRM boasts impressive ratings of 4.7 on G2 and 4.8 on Capterra.

So, which features set NetHunt apart and make users trust it?

• Native-like integration with Gmail. This integration turns your familiar inbox into a fully fledged CRM system. You can manage customer relationships, track sales progress, and automate tasks directly within your existing Gmail workflow.
• Automatic lead capture. NetHunt CRM captures leads from websites, calls, messengers, social media, emails, and more.
• Sales pipeline automation. As deal progresses through pipeline stages, NetHunt CRM creates a predefined set of tasks and assigns them to the team members.
• Customer base organization and segmentation. NetHunt CRM automatically synchronizes contacts with Google Contacts at regular intervals and removes duplicate contacts.
• Automatic reminders, follow-ups, and notifications. NetHuntCRM helps you never miss a deadline for a task. It also ensures you nurture your leads consistently.
• Multiple integrations. NetHunt CRM integrates with tools you already know, use, and love. It easily connects with messengers, social media channels, Google Workspace tools, and a range of VoIP services.
• Email marketing. Users can utilize built-in email marketing tools for bulk campaigns, tracking, templates, and drips.
• Sales reporting. You can generate detailed sales reports to track performance and make informed decisions based on key metrics.

Pros

• Native Gmail integration
• Highly customizable
• Diverse integrations
• Multi-channel lead nurturing
• Built-in email marketing
• Optimized project management
• Actionable sales reporting

Cons

• The mobile app offers a limited functionality
• Some advanced features are only available with Business and Advanced subscription plans

NetHunt offers a 14-day trial for free. The Basic plan is $24 per user/month when billed annually, while the most expensive Advanced plan is $96 per user/per month, also when billed annually.

noCRM.io

Well, the name says it all. noCRM.io is not like a traditional CRM aka Hubspot full of unnecessary functionality. noCRM.io simplifies the sales process and helps you catch leads from multiple sources, whether it’s LinkedIn or business cards.

This no-code platform is a perfect solution for sales teams ranging from 1 to 100 reps and looking for simple customer relationship management.

The statistics say it all. More than 11,000 businesses worldwide trust the solution and have rated it 4.9 on Trustpilot.

Features

• Custom sales activities and automated status loops
• Sleek sales pipelines for identifying priority deals faster
• Automatic lead import from web forms, LinkedIn, emails, etc
• Customizable and branded quotes/invoices
• Lead status automation based on invoice status
• Customizable email templates
• Built-in prospecting lists
• Sales script generator
• Multiple integrations and APIs

Pros

• Integrates with 750+ apps
• Personalized support in 6+ languages
• Annual third-party security assessments
• GDPR compliant with SSL and data encryption
• Minimal training required
• Free trials

Cons

• Heavy reliance on integrations
• Smaller teams might find extensive customization overwhelming and unnecessary
• Some users note that nurturing your pipeline still requires manual effort

Free trial

There are free trials for all plans. The Sales Essentials plan is €22, while the Dream Team is €33.

Insightly

Affordability. Scalability. Ease of use. These are the best adjectives to describe Insightly as an easy to use CRM. It offers powerful features at a lower cost compared to other simple CRMs without sacrificing performance.

Most users admit that adopting Insightly is easy due to its intuitive interface and straightforward setup. The greatest news? You won’t need third-party developers to configure the CRM, as it is highly customizable on its own.

Features

• Sales pipeline and lead management with real-time visibility
• Business workflow and process automation
• Validation rules and advanced permissions
• Custom fields and pipelines for project and task management
• Real-time performance dashboards and reporting
• AppConnect — Insightly’s no-code tool for building and deploying sophisticated integrations

Pros

• Cost-effective pricing plans
• High scalability
• User-friendly interface
• High customizability
• Comprehensive reporting

Cons

• First-time users admit that learning how to customize Insightly is a challenge
• Learning the AppConnect tool requires time
• Advanced features are part of higher-tier plans

Free trial

Free 14-day trial available for all plans. The Standard plan is $29, while the Enterprise plan is $99 per user/month.

OnePage CRM

The goal of the OnePage CRM as an easy CRM for small business is to provide users with a clutter-free experience. The system offers a unique Next Action™ method, which is an action-based approach for step-by-step progression.

G2 recognizes OnePage CRM as a High Performer. The tool also has a 5-star rating on Google reviews.

Features

• Follow-up system with a unique Next Action method
• Triple database
• Interactive sales pipelines with Kanban and Forecast views
• Email management with pre-built templates
• Team collaboration - share tasks, update members, and delegate responsibilities

Pros

• Highly rated
• Action-oriented
• User-friendly
• Has a mobile version

Cons

• Limited advanced features
• Tailored for small businesses

Free trial

Offers 21-day free trial for Business (€17.95 per user/per month) and Professional (€8.95 per user/per month) plans.

Less Annoying CRM

Again, the name says it all. The developers of the Less Annoying CRM have designed the solution with small businesses in mind. Say goodbye to the complex pricing plans of CRMs like Salesforce — one of the best simple CRMs offers a single low price. So, no hidden fees or complicated setups.

Features

• Contact management
• Google and Outlook calendar integration
• Task management — automated reminders, task prioritization, and daily digests
• Lead tracking and sales pipeline management
• Email management
• Access management and permission controls

Pros

• Free updates
• Unlimited custom fields
• Flexible reporting
• One-click data importing and exporting
• One low price with no hidden costs or upgrade fees

Cons

• Basic reporting
• Limited advanced features

Free trial

Free 30-day trial. No credit card required.

Capsule CRM

Capsule CRM is a place where a user-friendly interface meets robust analytics at an adequate price. Robust sales, project, and contact management — you’ll find everything in the system.

More than 40 000 customers trust the solution to empower their business processes on a daily basis. Capsule CRM also boasts multiple G2 awards, including Leader and High Performer recognitions.

Features

• Centralized contact management
• Sales pipeline management
• Project management — onboard, manage, and deliver projects efficiently with in-built collaboration tools
• Sales analytics that makes Capsule CRM the best simple crm for small business
• Custom fields and templates
• Integration capabilities

Pros

• Easy to navigate and set up, even for beginners
• Grows with your business through various plan tiers
• Provides detailed sales and project analytics

Cons

• Higher-tier plans can be expensive for smaller teams
• Advanced features may require time to master
• Free plan is restricted to 2 users and 250 contacts

Free trial

All plans come with a 14-day free trial. The Starter plan is £14 per user/month, while other more complex plans go up to £60 per user/month.

folk CRM

As one of the top simple CRMs, folk offers a familiar, spreadsheet-like interface that’s easy to use—perfect for those moving from Google Sheets, Notion, or Airtable.

With a 4.8 rating on Product Hunt and the Chrome Store, and trusted by over 2,000 agencies, Folk simplifies contact management and personalized outreach.

Features

• Customizable pipeline views
• Centralized contact management
• Social media prospecting
• Email and calendar sync
• 1-click data enrichment
• 6000+ integrations
• Messaging sequences and AI-generated variables for personalized outreach; AI-driven custom fields

Pros

• Ideal for individuals or small teams new to CRM tools
• Familiar spreadsheet-like interface for easy data management
• AI-powered tools for personalized outreach and data enrichment
• Extensive integrations with over 6000 tools

Cons

• Limited functionality in its current API and Zapier integrations
• Lacks advanced features required for scaling larger teams
• Custom field types and more complex integrations are still under development
• Some users note that lead tracking is confusing

Free trial

Free trial available for all plans. Plan prices range from $20 to $40 per user/per month. For larger teams with tailored needs, the Custom plan starts at $80 per user/per month.

Zendesk CRM

Everyone knows Zendesk CRM for its ‘zenlike’ simplicity. However, the straightforward nature of the tool doesn’t compromise its functionality. As an easy CRM for small business, Zendesk offers effortless contact and lead management, pipeline tracking, and performance monitoring. And let's not forget its scalability, which makes it the best simple CRM for startups.

Features

• CRM dashboard
• Automated power dialer
• Salesforce connector app
• Calendar/reminder system
• Marketing automation
• Live chat
• Collaboration tools
• Goal management
• Lead tracking

Pros

• Simple setup
• Fast deployment
• High ROI — 2 in 3 sales teams see a return on investment within 6 months
• Fast growth — Over 50% of organizations experience double-digit revenue growth

Cons

• More advanced features are limited to higher pricing tiers
• Advanced reporting and customization require upgrading to more expensive plans

Free trial

All plans offer a free trial. As the best simple CRM for small business, Zendesk also offers a Build Your Own Plan option for small businesses ($19 per month). Other plans start at $55. For larger enterprises, the plans differ depending on the functionality and the number of users.

Attio CRM

If you google ‘really simple systems CRM,’ you’ll quickly stumble upon Attio. During our best simple CRM research, we’ve found multiple positive reviews. Most users claim that Attio offers an unparalleled level of customization and adaptability.

Unlike many CRMs that enforce rigid structures, Attio lets you design every aspect of your sales process to align perfectly with your operations.

Features

• Easy-to-customize sales pipelines
• Automatic data enrichment from external sources
• Real-time notifications, task assignments, and collaborative features
• Advanced data management with custom objects, contact fields, and relationship mapping
• Customizable reporting

Pros

• Highly adaptable pipelines for complex sales cycles
• Intuitive interface
• Multiple integrations for a centralized workspace
• Advanced collaboration features

Cons

• Lack of deep analytics features
• Learning advanced customization requires time

Free trial

Attio CRM offers a separate Free Plan for small teams (up to 3 seats). However, there is no free trial for other plans (range from $29 per user/month to $119 per user/month).

Streak

Think of Streak as a stack of powerful spreadsheets that allow you to work within the comfort of your inbox. Streak boasts full integration with Gmail, helping teams collaborate in the same place and automate most tedious tasks.

More than 750 000 users trust Streak and consider it the best simple CRM for small business.

Google recognized Streak as a Technology Partner of the Year, highlighting its seamless integration with G Suite tools.

Features

• Native Gmail integration
• Team collaboration functionality
• Email power tools
• Contact enrichment
• Mobile access
• Integrates with G Suite, Zapier, and open API
• Offers AI Co-Pilot feature for automated insights and predictive analytics

Pros

• GDPR compliant and built on the same cloud as Gmail and G Suite
• Highly customizable workflows and pipeline stages
• Accessible through native apps and mobile integrations
• Email tracking, snippets, and mail merge available for free
AI functionality
• Advanced reporting tools for tracking team progress

Cons

• Limited advanced features
• Complex pricing structure

Free trial

• The Free Plan includes basic email tracking, link tracking, email sharing, snippets, and mail merge (up to 50 emails per day).
• Offers a 14-day free trial — full access to all features, including advanced CRM functionalities, automation, and AI Co-Pilot.

Easiest CRM to use solutions, compared

What are the features of an easy to use CRM?

As a business owner or sales rep manager, you’re likely juggling a million tasks every day. You don’t need a complex system with countless features that takes forever to set up. What you do need is a CRM that’s easy to use from the get-go. The greatest value of a CRM system comes from actually using it, and that’s only possible if you can learn the ropes quickly.

Now let’s go straight to the point. Which features make a CRM easy to use?

• User-friendly interface. How are you supposed to navigate the system with tons of widgets and confusing menus? A simple CRM has a clean well-structured interface that helps you access all the data and key features in a matter of seconds
• Easy setup. There should be no need for extensive technical expertise or hiring a team of developers to set up the solution. Instead, an easy CRM comes with default settings that streamline the initial setup and minimize downtime.
• Automation capabilities. Automated follow-ups, task assignments, and email sequences are the bedrock of any CRM. Oftentimes, simple CRMs would provide you with pre-built automation templates to save you time on data import and task setup.
• Contact management. You can segment and tag contacts with ease, keeping your contact data organized. Also, easy-to-navigate contact lists and pre-set filters help you manage and access contacts without any need for advanced customization.
• Lead and pipeline tracking. There are fewer stages and more straightforward lead scoring systems in simple CRMs. They provide essential tools for tracking lead status and pipeline progression in a user-friendly format often without advanced features.
• Reporting and analytics. This is the area where simple CRMs differ. Most of them would offer basic pre-built reports with essential metrics like sales totals and lead counts. Nonetheless, some CRMs go beyond by offering customizable analytics with detailed metrics. Such metrics might include conversion rates, customer acquisition costs, and trend analysis.
• Integration. You can easily connect a simple CRM with email platforms, social media, calendar systems, and others. By the way, the myth about a simple CRM lacking integration is not true. Modern CRMs, regardless of their complexity, often come equipped with a wide range of integration options

What should you consider when choosing a basic CRM software for small business?

So, you’ve decided to find the best simple CRM and invest into it. What should you start with?

Well, a lot of factors come into play. Here are the top things to consider when choosing an easy to use CRM:

• Business goals. Identify what you want to improve— better lead engagement, increased team productivity, or reduced customer churn. Choose a CRM that aligns with your goals and has features that help you achieve them, like customizable pipelines, automated workflows, or lead activity tracking.
• Automation. What are the most time-consuming tasks on your team’s plate? Do you need to automate your data entry, follow-ups, and task assignments? Here, NetHunt CRM’s automation features take the hard work out of manual processes. In the end, you spend less time on repetitive tasks, connect with prospects timely, and nurture leads consistently.
• Tech-savviness. If your team isn’t tech-savvy, you need a CRM that is intuitive and easy to navigate. NetHunt CRM boasts high user adoption as it’s built directly inside Gmail with a familiar interface that feels natural for everyday users. You don’t need to hire an entire team to customize and deploy it. And if you still struggle – there are short video guides on how to set up the system.
• Growth plans. As your company grows, even the best simple CRM needs to grow with you. With NetHunt CRM, you get scalability with flexible pricing plans and a range of features that adapt to your evolving needs. Let’s say you’ve decided to start with the Basic plan. In a year, you understand that you need a WhatsApp CRM integration. No problem—you can upgrade your plan to Basic Plus and add more features to the system.
• Budget. We always advise users to start small and test the waters before investing heavily. NetHunt CRM offers you 14 days of free trial without any credit card required. During the 2 weeks, you’ll be able to explore the CRM’s features and assess its suitability for your business before committing to a paid plan.

Bottom Line

Many CRMs like HubSpot and Salesforce have complex interfaces and unnecessary features. With time, users find that their customization is rigid (even non-existent), but the fees are still high. No wonder these CRMs overwhelm small and medium businesses who often are first-time CRM users looking for simplicity and flexibility.

This is where CRM systems for small and medium businesses like NetHunt come to help. Built right inside Gmail, NetHunt CRM turns your familiar inbox into a powerful CRM tool and reduces the learning curve to almost zero.

Whether you're in sales, marketing, or support, you can tailor NetHunt CRM to suit your unique workflows in a matter of minutes. Start your free trial today and find out why thousands of businesses trust NetHunt CRM to drive growth.

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