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Top 3 CRM Software for 2025 (Plus a Bonus Option to Consider)

  • Writer: Steven Schaerer
    Steven Schaerer
  • Jun 16
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jun 18

In 2025, the CRM market has never been more competitive! Drawing on G2’s user satisfaction and market presence data—as well as our own hands-on experience deploying these platforms in our AI sales tech stack—here are the top three CRMs for different use cases (plus a bonus fourth worth considering).



  1. Salesforce Sales Cloud (Best for Large Enterprises)


Why It’s #1 for Enterprise: Salesforce remains the undisputed leader for global organizations, offering unparalleled scalability, security, and AI-driven insights through its Einstein suite.


Key Metrics

  • G2 Reviews: 23,335 reviews @ 4.4/5 ⭐

  • Market Share: #1 enterprise CRM per Elevatiq

  • Pricing: Starts at $25/user/month (Essentials)


Pros

  • Extensive Ecosystem: 4,000+ AppExchange integrations.

  • Advanced AI: Einstein GPT for predictive lead scoring and automated forecasting.

  • Enterprise Security: SOC-compliant, field-level encryption, and robust governance.


Cons

  • Complex Deployment: May require certified consultants and 3–6 month rollouts.

  • Escalating Costs: Add-ons (CPQ, Pardot, Slack) can push TCO beyond $150/user/month.

  • Steep Learning Curve: Admin training and regular maintenance needed.


  1. Close CRM (Best for SMB Sales Teams)


Why It’s #2 for SMBs: Built for inside sales, Close combines a built-in power dialer, SMS, and AI-driven Smart Views to help small teams automate outreach and boost conversion rates.


Key Metrics

  • G2 Reviews: 1,346 reviews @ 4.6/5 ⭐

  • Customer Satisfaction: 98% “satisfied” or “very satisfied”

  • Pricing: $49/user/month (Starter); $19/user/month (Solo)


Pros

  • All-in-One Dialer & SMS: No third-party tools needed.

  • Real-Time Lead Prioritization: Smart Views update dynamically based on activity.

  • Transparent Pricing: Flat fees, no hidden overages.


Cons

  • Limited Marketing Features: No native email marketing or web-to-lead forms.

  • Fewer Integrations: ~200 app integrations vs. thousands on enterprise CRMs.

  • Basic Analytics: Lacks deep BI dashboards for multi-channel attribution.


3. monday.com CRM (Best for Workflow Flexibility)


Why It’s #3 for Customization: monday.com CRM delivers a no-code, board-based interface that lets teams architect custom pipelines, dashboards, and automations in minutes.


Key Metrics

  • G2 Reviews: ~972 reviews @ 4.5/5 ⭐

  • Automation Actions: 250 included/month on Basic plan

  • Trial: 14-day full-feature trial


Pros

  • Drag-and-Drop Pipelines: Customize statuses, columns, and groups without coding.

  • No-Code Automations: Build IF-THIS-THEN-THAT workflows directly on boards.

  • Unified Workspace: Combine CRM, project management, and HR use cases.


Cons

  • CRM Gaps: Lacks built-in dialer and advanced lead-scoring features.

  • Automation Caps: Lower tiers limit monthly actions, nudging upgrades.

  • Over-Customization Risk: Too many boards can lead to workflow bloat.


  1. Bonus: HubSpot CRM Suite (Best Free Core & Easy Scaling)


Why It’s Worth Considering: HubSpot’s free CRM provides unlimited users and contacts, with premium “Hubs” for marketing, sales, and service that scale as you grow.


Key Metrics

  • G2 Reviews: 9,685 reviews @ 4.5/5 ⭐

  • Customer Satisfaction: 99%

  • Free Plan Limits: Unlimited contacts, 1,000 marketing emails/month


Pros

  • Truly Free Core: No seat or contact limits on the free tier.

  • Modular “Hubs”: Add paid Sales, Marketing, or Service Hubs à la carte.

  • Seamless Upgrades: Data and workflows migrate instantly to premium tiers.

Cons

  • Hub Costs Add Up: Marketing Automation and Revenue Analytics can exceed $800/month.

  • Feature Fragmentation: Must purchase separate hubs for advanced capabilities.

  • API & Contact Tiers: Heavy integrations or large contact lists incur extra fees.


How to Decide

  • Enterprise-Grade: Choose Salesforce for deep customization, global scale, and advanced AI.

  • SMB-Focused: Go with Close for rapid, dial-centric sales workflows on a lean budget.

  • Flexible & Visual: Pick monday.com CRM if no-code customization and visual pipelines matter most.

  • Bonus Fast-Track: Trial HubSpot CRM free core to lock down basic processes before committing.


Evaluate via free trials, map your key metrics (lead-to-opportunity conversion, pipeline velocity, churn), and select the CRM that aligns with your team size, budget, and growth ambitions. Here’s to smarter customer relationships in 2025!

 
 
 

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