You’re leaving money on the table if your customer experience is sub-par. 

In today’s hyper-competitive market, brands are investing in CRM tools that bridge the gap between sales, marketing, and customer service. 

The stats speak volumes: companies using the best CRM systems enjoy a whopping 29% sales increase, 34% better customer retention, and 42% more accurate forecasts.

In the US alone, the CRM market is set to explode to $80 billion by 2025. 

doola has witnessed the journey of successful entrepreneurs who use the best CRM tools to stay ahead of their competitors.

Let’s walk you through the top 12 CRM tools and also explain how doola helps savvy entrepreneurs build and scale their startups in the US. 

Ready to transform your business? Let’s dive in!

1. Salesforce

Salesforce is the undisputed CRM champion, boasting a staggering 21% global market share.

Its unmatched customization, integration capabilities, and robust automation features have made it a go-to for businesses of all sizes.

Best Features:

• AI-powered insights with Salesforce Einstein

• Extensive third-party app integrations

• Customizable dashboards and reports

• Cloud-based platform

Why Is It Popular?

Salesforce is a market leader known for its robust features and extensive customization options. It’s suitable for businesses of all sizes due to its scalability.

User Experience:

Users appreciate its flexibility and powerful analytics.

Limitations to Consider:

High cost and steep learning curve.

Pricing:

Starts at $25/user per month.

Upcoming Features:

Enhanced AI capabilities and deeper integration with Slack.

2. HubSpot CRM

HubSpot is a leading all-in-one CRM platform, offering a seamless blend of sales, marketing, and customer service tools.

Best Features:

• Marketing automation

• Sales pipeline management

• Email tracking and engagement notifications

• Integration with HubSpot’s marketing and sales tools

Why Is It Popular?

HubSpot CRM offers a free version with essential features, making it ideal for small to medium-sized businesses.

User Experience:

Praised for its user-friendly interface and seamless integration with other HubSpot tools.

Limitations to Consider:

Advanced features can be expensive.

Pricing:

Free tier available, premium plans start at $50/month.

Upcoming Features:

Enhanced reporting and analytics tools.

3. Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM serves over 250,000 businesses globally, offering robust features like lead management, workflow automation, and analytics.

Best Features:

• Multichannel communication

• AI-powered analytics with Zia

• Workflow automation

• Social media integration

Why Is It Popular?

Zoho CRM is known for its affordability and extensive customization options, making it a favorite among small businesses.

User Experience:

Users value its customization and affordability.

Limitations to Consider:

The interface can be less intuitive compared to competitors.

Pricing:

Starts at $12/user per month.

Upcoming Features:

Improved AI functionalities and enhanced mobile app.

Salesforce vs. HubSpot vs. Zoho: A Tough Choice?

Let’s settle this debate once and for all.

Each platform brings unique strengths and you should select the one that suits the pulse of your business.

Salesforce is the industry titan, offering unparalleled customization and scalability. It’s ideal for large enterprises with complex needs.

HubSpot, on the other hand, is a user-friendly all-in-one solution with a strong focus on inbound marketing, making it a popular choice for growing startups.

Zoho presents a cost-effective option with a comprehensive feature set, catering to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Here’s what you should remember:

1. Choose Salesforce if you’re a large enterprise with complex needs, a big budget, and a requirement for extensive customization and scalability.

2. Go with HubSpot if you’re a small to mid-sized business focused on inbound marketing and want a user-friendly, all-in-one solution that grows with you.

3. Consider Zoho CRM if you’re a budget-conscious business seeking a comprehensive CRM that’s customizable, scalable, and offers substantial value for its price.

Let’s continue with the remaining CRM tools before we get into how doola helps entrepreneurs with critical business decisions, from obtaining an EIN to maintaining tax compliance.

4. Microsoft Dynamics 365

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a robust CRM for enterprises, offering deep integration with the Microsoft ecosystem. Its scalability and customization options make it a popular choice.

Best Features:

• AI-driven insights

• Integration with Microsoft Office and Azure

• Robust security features

• Customizable modules

Why Is It Popular?

Seamless integration with Microsoft products offers powerful business solutions for sales, customer service, and operations.

User Experience:

Highly valued for its integration within the Microsoft ecosystem.

Limitations to Consider:

Complexity and high cost.

Pricing:

• Sales Professional: $65

• Sales Enterprise: $95

• Sales Premium: $135

Upcoming Features:

Advanced AI tools and deeper integration with Microsoft Teams.

5. Pipedrive

Pipedrive is a visual sales pipeline CRM, ideal for small businesses and sales teams, with an intuitive interface that simplifies activity-based selling and helps close more deals efficiently.

Best Features:

• Visual sales pipeline

• Activity reminders and notifications

• Email integration

• Customizable workflows

Why Is It Popular?

Pipedrive’s user-friendly interface and focus on deal progression make it a favorite for sales teams. Its visual sales pipeline helps you track opportunities, prioritize tasks, and ultimately, close more deals.

User Experience:

Praised for its straightforward design and ease of use.

Limitations to Consider:

Limited features for marketing and customer service.

Pricing:

Starts at $12.50/user/month.

Upcoming Features:

Enhanced reporting capabilities and AI-powered sales predictions.

6. Freshsales (by Freshworks)

Freshsales is a dynamic CRM with AI-driven features for efficient sales management.

Its integrated phone and email capabilities streamline customer interactions, making it a popular choice for businesses seeking a comprehensive sales solution.

Best Features:

• AI-based lead scoring

• Built-in phone and email

• Visual sales pipeline

• Workflow automation

Why Is It Popular?

Freshsales offers a comprehensive CRM solution with simplicity and automation, suitable for small to medium-sized businesses.

User Experience:

Users appreciate its affordability and user-friendliness.

Limitations to Consider:

Reporting capabilities could be more advanced.

Pricing:

Freemium model at $15/user/month.

Upcoming Features:

Improved AI functionalities and enhanced reporting tools.

7. Monday.com

Monday.com’s CRM offers a visual sales pipeline, letting you manage leads, deals, and projects in one place. Its flexible interface caters to both sales and project teams with a focus on ease of use.

Best Features:

• Customizable dashboards

• Project management tools

• Automation capabilities

• Integration with various apps

Why Is It Popular?

Monday.com is a versatile work operating system (OS) that doubles as a CRM, offering extensive customization to fit various business needs.

User Experience:

Users love its flexibility and visual appeal.

Limitations to Consider:

Steep learning curve for new users.

Pricing:

Starts at $10/user/month.

Upcoming Features:

Enhanced project management features and AI-driven insights.

8. Insightly

Insightly combines CRM and project management, making it ideal for businesses with post-sale customer interactions.

Best Features:

• Contact and lead management 

• Workflow automation

• Email tracking

• Project management tools

Why Is It Popular?

Insightly is designed for small businesses, offering CRM and project management tools in one platform.

User Experience:

Praised for the combination of CRM and project management features.

Limitations to Consider:

Mobile apps could be more robust.

Pricing:

• Plus: $29 per user/month 

• Professional: $49 per user/month

• Enterprise: $99 per user/month

Upcoming Features:

Improved mobile app functionalities and enhanced integration options.

9. Agile CRM

Agile CRM is a versatile CRM platform used by over 15,000 businesses globally, known for combining sales, marketing, and customer service tools into a single, affordable solution.

Its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features make it a top choice for small and mid-sized businesses looking to automate workflows and boost customer relationships. 

Best Features:

• Contact management 

• Marketing automation

• Web engagement

• Customer service tools

Why Is It Popular?

Agile CRM offers a comprehensive set of tools for sales, marketing, and service automation.

User Experience:

Valued for its all-in-one approach and affordability.

Limitations to Consider:

Interface can be overwhelming for new users.

Pricing:

Starts at $8.99/user per month.

Upcoming Features:

Enhanced marketing automation and AI-driven customer insights.

10. Nimble

Nimble is a social CRM tool designed to help small to mid-sized businesses manage relationships and streamline communication across various platforms.

Recognized for its ability to integrate seamlessly with social media and email, Nimble is favored by over 140,000 users worldwide.

Best Features:

• Contact management 

• Social media integration

• Sales pipeline

• Email tracking

Why Is It Popular?

Nimble is known for its social CRM capabilities, integrating well with social media platforms.

User Experience:

Appreciated for its social media integration and ease of use.

Limitations to Consider:

Limited customization options.

Pricing:

Starts at $19/user/month.

Upcoming Features:

Enhanced social media analytics and deeper integrations.

11. SugarCRM

SugarCRM is a versatile platform offering deep customization, a 360-degree customer view, and advanced automation.

With predictive analytics, it helps businesses refine customer engagement strategies and deliver tailored experiences.

Best Features:

• Advanced reporting and analytics

• Marketing automation

• Customizable dashboards

• Integration with various third-party apps

Why Is It Popular?

SugarCRM offers a high degree of customization, suitable for businesses looking for tailored solutions.

User Experience:

Praised for its flexibility and customization.

Limitations to Consider:

Complex and outdated interface.

Pricing:

• Essentials: $19/user/month, minimum 3 users, suitable for small teams.

• Advanced: $85/user/month, minimum 3 users, includes built-in AI.

• Premier: $135/user/month, minimum 10 users, offers advanced features like sales intelligence and analytics.

Upcoming Features:

Improved user interface and AI-driven automation tools.

12. Salesflare

Salesflare is a CRM tailored for small businesses and startups, automating data input, follow-up reminders, email tracking, and sales pipeline management, making it ideal for teams prioritizing efficiency and simplicity.

Best Features:

• Pipeline management

• Intelligent follow-up reminders

• Automation of data input

• Email tracking

Why Is It Popular?

Advanced automation capabilities minimize the need for manual data entry, making it a top choice for sales teams that value efficiency and simplicity.

User Experience:

Praised for its intuitive interface and automation features, which minimize manual data entry and streamline sales processes.

Limitations to Consider:

Some users mention limited customization options and integrations compared to more established CRMs.

Pricing:

$35/user per month

Your Next Move: Launch Your US Startup with doola

As you navigate the competitive landscape of entrepreneurship, the right set of tools can be the game-changer that drives your business forward.

Each of the 12 CRM tools we’ve covered in this guide has the potential to convert leads, streamline operations, and amplify your growth as a startup.

But having the right tools is just one part of the equation.

To truly succeed, you need a partner who understands the complexities of building and scaling a business in the US.

At doola, we’re here to help founders like you turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality.

From forming your LLC to providing ongoing support and resources, doola is dedicated to making your US business journey as seamless and successful as possible.

Ready to take the next step?

Let doola guide you every step of the way—start your US business with us today and unlock the full potential of your entrepreneurial vision.

Book a free consultation today.