The Best Free CRM
Free CRM usually means a trial that expires. Two of these do not. Here is exactly how far each free plan goes and what happens on the day you pass it.
Zoho CRM
4.3Three users and 5,000 records, which is the most generous free plan here.
HubSpot CRM
4.5Two users, but the free tier reaches into email and forms as well as sales.
Pipedrive
4.4A 14-day trial only. Worth knowing before you start setting it up.
Compared at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan | Rating | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zoho CRM | Budget-conscious teams inside the Zoho ecosystem | Free for 3 users · Standard from $14/user/mo billed annually | Yes | 4.3 | Visit |
HubSpot CRM | Small teams that want a free CRM that grows with them | Free for 2 users · Starter from $20/seat/mo | Yes | 4.5 | Visit |
Pipedrive | Sales-focused teams that live in their pipeline | From $14/seat/mo billed annually | — | 4.4 | Visit |
The 10-second answer
What each free plan actually allows
| Zoho CRM Free | HubSpot Free | Pipedrive | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Users | 3 | 2 | None free |
| Records | 5,000 | 1,000 contacts | — |
| File storage | 1 GB | Not published | — |
| Time limit | None | None | 14-day trial |
| Card to sign up | No | No | No |
| Next plan up | $14/user/mo annually | $20/seat/mo | $14/seat/mo annually |
Read from each company's own pages in US dollars on 8 September 2026. Zoho and Pipedrive quote annual rates; paying monthly costs $20 and $19 respectively. HubSpot advertises Starter from $7 a seat, but that is a limited offer for new customers, so $20 is the number to plan around.
Free means free, not a trial
This is the part worth checking before you invest a weekend importing contacts. Zoho and HubSpot both run free plans with no expiry date and no card at signup. Zoho states plainly that there is no trial period and no forced upgrade.
Pipedrive is different. There is no free tier, only 14 days to try it. That is not a criticism — it is simply a different model — but it does mean you are choosing a paid CRM from the start.
Where the free plan stops
Zoho stops at three users or 5,000 records, whichever you hit first. Most small businesses hit the user limit long before the record limit, so the practical question is whether a fourth person needs access.
HubSpot stops at two users or 1,000 contacts. That contact ceiling arrives faster than people expect, because every form fill and every imported email address counts.
The jump is bigger than it looks
Which free plan fits you
- A team of three — Zoho. It is the only free plan here that covers you.
- You also send marketing email — HubSpot. The free tier covers more than sales.
- You have thousands of contacts already — Zoho. 5,000 records against 1,000.
- You want the simplest sales pipeline — Pipedrive, but expect to pay.
- You are one person testing an idea — either. Pick the one you find easier.
A free CRM you never fill in is worth nothing
The plan limits matter far less than whether the thing gets used. A CRM only pays for itself when every call and email actually lands in it. That depends on how the tool feels to the person doing the typing.
Both free plans cost nothing to try and neither asks for a card. Set up the same five real deals in each and see which one you keep opening. That answers the question faster than any comparison table.
How we compared them
We read each company's own pricing and free-plan pages on the same day and recorded the limits they publish. Where a limit is not published we say so rather than guessing. We have not run a sales team on these products, so this covers what you get rather than how they feel after six months.
Ready to compare the paid plans?
See HubSpot vs PipedriveThe tools, in detail
Zoho CRM
Free planBest for: Budget-conscious teams inside the Zoho ecosystem
Why we picked it
A feature-rich CRM at a low price that works well with other Zoho apps.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Deep customization
- Big app suite
Cons
- UI feels dated
- $20 a user if you pay monthly
HubSpot CRM
Best Free CRMFree planBest for: Small teams that want a free CRM that grows with them
Why we picked it
A useful free CRM with sales and marketing tools built in.
Pros
- Strong free tier
- Sales and marketing tools
- Easy to learn
Cons
- Free tier caps at 2 users
- Paid tiers jump in price
Pipedrive
Best for: Sales-focused teams that live in their pipeline
Why we picked it
A visual, pipeline-first CRM salespeople actually enjoy using.
Pros
- Simple visual pipeline
- Fast to set up
- Good value
Cons
- No free plan
- $19 a seat if you pay monthly
Independent
Rankings aren't for sale.
Kept current
Reviewed and dated.
Clear method
Same 5 criteria, every time. See how
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free CRM?
Zoho CRM, on limits alone. Its free edition covers three users and 5,000 records with no time limit. HubSpot's free plan covers two users and 1,000 contacts but includes marketing tools as well as sales.
Is HubSpot CRM free forever?
Yes, for up to two users and 1,000 contacts. There is no expiry and no card needed. You pay when you add a third user or pass the contact limit.
Does Pipedrive have a free plan?
No. Pipedrive offers a 14-day trial with no card required, then Lite costs $14 a seat annually or $19 paid monthly.
What happens when I outgrow the free plan?
You pay for every seat, not just the new one. Three users on HubSpot Starter is $60 a month rather than $20. On Zoho Standard three users is $42 a month billed annually.
Are free CRMs any good or are they crippled?
Both free plans here handle contacts, deals and tasks properly. They are limited by size rather than by usefulness, which is why they suit a small team genuinely well.
Can I move my data out later?
Yes. Both let you export contacts and deals. Most CRMs also offer an import path from the others. Check the export option exists before you commit a year of records to any tool.
Keep reading
Zoho CRM vs HubSpot
Zoho looks cheaper than HubSpot at $14 a user. Pay monthly instead of annually and both cost $20. Compare the free plans and the real bill.
HubSpot vs Pipedrive
HubSpot is free for two users. Pipedrive starts at $14 a seat. Compare what each really costs once your team grows past the free tier.
How to Choose the Right CRM
Choose the right CRM for your small business with a simple checklist, current pricing and practical picks for different sales teams.