Freelancers and creatives have to wear multiple hats, such as marketing, accounting, and client manager in addition to the main job itself. Juggling all these roles, especially keeping in contact with clients, isn’t always easy. That’s where all-in-one CRM software can help. It’s a great tool for keeping your business more organized.
Content
- What Is a CRM?
- 1. HoneyBook
- 2. Flowlu
- 3. Bloom
- 4. Bonsai
- 5. Dubsado
- 6. Hectic
- 7. Vtiger
- 8. Bitrix24
- 9. Zenkit
- 10. Agile CRM
- 11. Streak
- 12. Capsule
- 13. Spreadsheet.com
- Frequently Asked Questions
Also read: 8 Project Management Tools Made for Any Team
What Is a CRM?
CRM is short for Customer Relationship Management. CRM software refers to a tool that helps your keep client details organized. Think of a it as a dashboard for your business.
For every client, you can add relevant details, such as emails, dates of follow-ups, when to invoice them, whether they’ve paid or not, notes about calls/meetings, and more.
Of course, you’re not limited to just contacts. All-in-one CRM software also helps with project management. This includes signing contracts, detailing tasks, supplies needed, invoicing, and more.
At first, you may think CRM software is only for large businesses with hundreds or thousands of clients to keep track of. However, CRM tools are perfect for all types of freelancers and creatives, even if you only have a few clients.
If you only have one or two clients, the benefits may not seem that big of a deal. However, as your client list grows, you’ll appreciate having an organizational system in place so that you have more time to focus on the projects themselves.
Also read: Which Email Marketing Platform Is Best For You?
1. HoneyBook
HoneyBook is one of the more popular CRM software options simply for offering everything beginners and long-time freelancers and creatives could ever hope for in one tool. Integrations with popular tools make it easy to add relevant information without much of an onboarding process.
Image source:
https://www.honeybook.com/press
Pros/Features:
- All-in-one for all types of freelancers and creatives
- Invoicing tools (send invoices and receive payments)
- Create contracts
- Upload attachments
- Professional proposal designing
- Simplified scheduling (clients can book available time slots)
- Automated emails and tasks
- Integrations with popular tools like Zoom, Zapier, Gmail, QuickBooks, and Google Calendar
- Web and mobile apps
- Free trial without credit card
Cons:
- No free tier (7-day free trial only)
- Lowest cost plan is limited to $10,000 in total transactions
The obvious downside is HoneyBook isn’t free. The Starter Plan is $9/month but limited to $10,000 in transactions. The $39/month Unlimited Plan is the best value but may not be in the budget for brand new creatives.
Also read: The Complete Guide to Todoist Filters
2. Flowlu
Flowlu doesn’t skimp when it comes to features, including in their very generous free tier. Free plans are limited to two users and only 1 GB of storage, and you don’t get a client portal for clients to chat with you or add comments. However, you’re still able to track projects and clients as well as invoice and track expenses.
Pros/Features:
- Track unlimited projects, tasks, and clients in the free tier
- Upload files
- Get notifications for projects, tasks, and client follow-ups
- Manage all financial data, including online invoicing
- Create a knowledge base for teams
- Plan projects with mind maps
- Create professional contracts
- Set up real-time chat and comments
- Forecast project details, such as expenses and time spent
- Detailed reports
Cons:
- Some features only available in premium plans
- No customization in free tier (no custom logo/branding)
As your freelance business grows, you may want to upgrade to a Team ($29/month), Business ($59/month), or Professional ($119/month) plan. These give you more features and work well for small and large teams.
Also read: 10 Calendar Apps That Make Great Google Calendar Alternatives
3. Bloom
Bloom is a feature-rich CRM tool with a free tier designed for beginner freelancers and creatives. It offers a great free CRM tier that will easily be the only software needed for some creatives and freelancers. For managing one project at a time and multiple clients, the feature set is hard to beat. However, the real power of Bloom starts with premium plans, which allow you to accept online payments, integrate with more tools, and create larger website portfolios. (Smaller portfolios are free.)
Pros/Features:
- Detailed client tracking
- Client booking and scheduling
- Invoicing
- Website embedding
- Integrations with Zoom, iCal, Google Calendar, Zapier, Square, Stripe, and more
- Upload attachments
- Create project portfolio (free website)
- Task and email automation
- Contract creation and management
- Manage leads
Cons:
- Many features only available in premium plans
- Free tier only for freelancers and creatives just getting started
Plans start at $39/month for individuals and small teams. For agencies and studios, the $79/month gives you additional storage and users.
Also read: 7 of the Best Free Slack Workspaces to Join for Networking
4. Bonsai
Bonsai is designed with all creatives and freelancers in mind, simplifying every aspect of managing projects and clients all in one convenient place.
You can go from chaotic to organized quickly with templates, client management, accounting reminders, and more. The easy-to-use CRM is also available in a mobile app for fast access on the go. Sadly, the tax features are an add-on that costs $10/month. Plus, you have to pay $9/month extra for other users.
Pros/Features:
- Full featured invoicing
- Create and manage contracts and proposals
- Automated timesheets
- Numerous templates (invoicing, contracts, proposals, briefs, etc.)
- Client input (forms, feedback, contact, etc.)
- Manage leads and contacts
- Full accounting features, including taxes
- Track tasks and projects
Cons:
- No free tier (14-day free trial only)
- Some features are add-ons (not included in any plans)
For well-established freelancers trying to juggle the administrative side of their business, Bonsai is one of the lower-cost premium CRM tools at just $19/month for the basic plan and $29/month for the Plus plan.
Also read: 8 Free Alternatives to Google Forms
5. Dubsado
Dubsado offers a comprehensive CRM tool for both beginner and established freelancers. The free version is limited both on features and clients (just three). However, it does give you a good taste of what’s possible with no credit card needed. The dashboard really stands out, though, offering an overview of financial details, your schedule, upcoming tasks, and recent notifications to handle.
Pros/Features:
- Impressive amount of templates for contracts, proposals, questionnaires, lead generation, and more
- Full invoicing features, including integrations with payment processors
- Detailed reporting
- Create automated workflows
- Organize and manage projects, tasks, and all client details/communications
- Easy-to-use scheduler
- Integrations with popular tools like QuickBooks, Zapier, Zoom, and many more
- Detailed dashboard with comprehensive overview page
Cons:
- Free version limited to three clients
- Cheapest premium plan surprisingly limited
Overall, it’s reasonably priced if you should decide to upgrade. It’s $200/year for the Starter plan, which doesn’t include automated workflows and scheduling. To get all of the features, you’ll need the $350/year plan.
Also read: 8 Tools for Designing Amazing Social Media Graphics
6. Hectic
Hectic is a breath of fresh air for established freelancers looking for an affordable premium CRM tool to manage their clients and projects. What’s impressive is that the free tier gives you almost all the premium features, but you’re limited to a single client and project; however, there’s no credit card required to take Hectic for a test drive.
Pros/Features:
- Detailed client management
- Add attachments and files
- Built-in scheduler
- Collaboration tools for teams
- Track time and revenue
- Integrations with Zoom, Zapier, Gmail, Slack, and more
- Create custom contracts and proposals
- Mobile apps
- Manage projects and tasks
Cons:
- Free tier limited to one active client
- Only one general template, though you can create your own
The simply designed dashboard and colorful charts make it easy to find the information you need quickly to stay on top of your business. Plus, it’s just $11.99/month (with a 30-day money back guarantee) for the Unlimited Plan. Alternatively, if you have a team of up to 10 members, try the $19.99/month plan.
Also read: 10 of the Best Whiteboard Apps for Easier Collaboration
7. Vtiger
Vtiger isn’t quite as feature-rich as some of the other CRM tools on this list, but if you need a CRM with more of a marketing focus, this could be the perfect fit for you. Plus, the free plan offers everything you could want in terms of project and client detail management. It’s easy to customize the CRM to only see the data applicable to you.
Pros/Features:
- Up to 10 users on the free plan
- Manage contacts
- Attach documents and other files
- Integration with Google Meet, Zoom, Gmail, and Outlook
- Full task and project management
- Marketing tools and templates, such as emails, lead forms, and autoresponders
- Internal collaboration with comments and meetings
- Set up workflows
- Schedule contacts and meetings
- Mobile app
Cons:
- No invoicing features
- Free tier limited to 3,000 records and 3GB storage
- Dashboard is more of a menu than actual dashboard
The free plan does have some limitations, but it could be ample even for more established freelancers. On the other hand, it’s one of the more expensive options to upgrade to, starting at $30/month per user.
8. Bitrix24
Bitrix24 is a CRM with a heavy focus on collaboration and lead generation. While many features are limited or unavailable in the free tier, it’s still a powerful free plan that may be more than enough for freelancers and creatives, as long as you use another invoicing option. However, you can still track sales, manage contacts, and track time spent on projects. Plus, you can create a great free website.
Pros/Features:
- Manage contacts and gather leads
- Automate follow-ups
- Build your own website
- Collaborate with other team members (chat, video, calls, etc.)
- Provide quotes and invoices (upgrade necessary for collecting payments)
- Manage projects
- Track time and tasks
- Create task automations
- Various contact options, such as social media, chatbots, website forms, and more
Cons:
- Free tier is limited with many features missing
- Invoicing only available in paid plans
Premium plans start at $39/month for up to five users. To get all features and unlimited users, it’s a steep $159/month.
Also read: The Best Social Media Scheduling Tips for Maximum Engagement
9. Zenkit
Zenkit isn’t your normal CRM. You won’t find a section for contacts or leads. Instead, you can manage these in Hypernotes or Base, allowing you to customize everything. At first, it’s a confusing system, but once you go through the tutorials, it’s easier to use. Every product has its own limitations in the free version, with pricing varying from $4-$9/month for Plus plans and $19-$25/month for Business. Alternatively, you can contact Zenkit for special bundle pricing.
Pros/Features:
- Create and manage projects
- Comprised of five main tools: Projects, To Do, Zenchat, Hypernotes, and Base
- Create detailed notes using individual notebooks organized in a library
- Detailed task manager with reminders
- Collaboration with chat features
- All tools integrate with each other
- Collect contacts and details as tasks, projects, or in notebooks
- Integrations with over 1,500 other services
Cons:
- No traditional contact management options
- No lead generation or marketing tools
- No invoicing
If you mainly need a CRM for project management, Zenkit is the simpler option among most CRM tools.
10. Agile CRM
Agile CRM is designed with both solopreneurs and large agencies in mind. The good part is that freelancers and creatives can benefit from many of the same professional lead generation and contact organization tools for free. Without any type of trial, you can manage up to 50,000 contacts and add unlimited tasks and documents. While there aren’t any invoicing features, the dashboard gives you a great overview of your day, keeping you organized.
Pros/Features:
- Fully manage contacts and leads
- One-click calls and call automation
- Schedule appointments
- Manage projects with drag-and-drop task lists
- Create automated marketing workflows
- Connect email and social media
- Offer helpdesk and feedback support for clients
- Integrate with a wide variety of services, including social media, video chat, email, and more
- Add-on apps for more functionality
- Free version for up to 10 users and 50,000 contacts
Cons:
- Many marketing features only available in premium plans
- Most integrations require premium plans
- No invoicing
Pricing starts at just $8.99/month to add marketing features. The Regular and Enterprise plans give you even more features and cost $29.99/month and $47.99/month respectively.
Also read: 10 Video Conferencing Tips for Smooth Remote Work
11. Streak
Streak is a unique CRM tool that runs directly from Gmail and makes it so that you don’t have to bounce back and forth between your email and CRM. You use the same Gmail interface you’re used to, but you can easily import contacts, sales data, and much more. Colorful labels help you keep everything neatly organized. The detailed tutorial videos help you get started in just minutes.
Pros/Features:
- Installs in Chrome and Gmail
- Track contacts and all emails
- Set up pipelines to capture data
- Get reminders and send out follow-up emails
- Track sales
- Set up task lists
- Integrates with GSuite products (additional Zapier integrations in premium plans)
- Customizable workflows
- Invoicing (premium plan only)
Cons:
- Requires Gmail
- Only very basic features available in free tier
The free plan is really only for solo users and offers up to 500 items being tracked in your pipeline and 50 mail merge messages a day. For more advanced features and integrations, you’ll need to upgrade to the $15/month Solo plan. For invoicing features, you’ll need the $49/month Pro or $129/month Enterprise plan.
Also read: The Best Google Docs Templates to Organize Your Life
12. Capsule
Capsule is a true all-in-one CRM tool giving you everything you need to keep track of projects and clients. Easily nurture possible leads without forgetting anyone. The detailed reporting is ideal for tracking goals and finances. Surprisingly, most integrations and add-ons are included in the free tier, although reporting is limited.
Pros/Features:
- Detailed contact management
- Email templates for Outlook and Gmail
- Thousands of integrations via Zapier
- Lead nurturing
- Task management and calendar
- Detailed sales tracking and reporting
- Invoicing
- Made for individuals and teams
- Manage up to 250 contacts for free
Cons:
- Free tier has very limited storage (50 MB)
- Most features come through add-ons (included) versus being built in
Odds are that you’ll need more storage, though, if you continue using Capsule. While each plan offers a free trial, the Professional plan is $18/user/month. For even more storage, contacts, and features, you can upgrade to the Teams plan for $36/user/month or the Enterprise plan for $54/user/month.
Also read: How to Organize Your Contacts on Any Android Device
13. Spreadsheet.com
Spreadsheet.com offers the most unique approach to a CRM tool. If you love using spreadsheets, you’ll appreciate the familiar format. Plus, everything can be customized. There are numerous templates to help you get started. View data as a spreadsheet or in Gantt, Kanban, or Form view to best suit your needs. Most freelancers and creatives only need the free plan.
Pros/Features:
- Familiar spreadsheet interface to make it easier to use
- Start with templates and easily customize spreadsheets for your needs
- Unlimited workbooks in the free plan
- Manage contacts and projects
- Handle marketing and scheduling
- Manage finances and create detailed reports
- Works with individuals and teams
- 1,000s of integrations, such as QuickBooks, Zapier, Gmail, and more
Cons:
- No direct invoicing
- Workbooks limited to 2,000 rows in the free plan (You can just create new workbooks, though.)
However, if you need to upgrade for more storage, pricing starts at $9/user/month, but only users that create spreadsheets count as a user, so other team members can view and edit data on existing workbooks for free.
Also read: 7 Microsoft To-Do Tips to Help You Get More Done
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can’t I just create my own spreadsheet or database?
Yes, you can. If you don’t have much information to manage, it may be simpler and easier to just create a spreadsheet to track finances and client details. You can even use database software, such as Microsoft Access to design your own CRM. Of course, you can opt for a free alternative software like LibreOffice, which includes its own spreadsheet and database tools.
2. Can I export and import data to/from a CRM?
Most CRM tools do offer export and import options. This allows you to move to another CRM, back up your data, and easily import existing data, such as contact lists.
3. Can established freelancers get by with a free CRM?
It all depends on the features you want and need. For larger numbers of clients and projects, you’ll likely need a premium CRM for more advanced invoicing, integrations, and storage. However, always start with a free plan if available. If it offers everything you need with little to no compromise, stick with the free version.
4. Are CRM tools secure?
Overall, reputable CRM tools are just as secure as most other cloud-based solutions for businesses. However, depending on your industry, your chosen CRM may need to meet specific encryption and security standards. Viewing the “Help” section of a CRM’s website or contacting customer support will give you the answers you need.
Also, ensure you use a secure, unique password for your account and have anti-virus software on any device you use to access your CRM.
5. Isn’t CRM software complicated to use?
Not really. While it can seem intimidating at first, every option on this list has a great help section with tutorials and resources to help you get started quickly and master the features.
Subscribe to our newsletter!
Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox
Sign up for all newsletters.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and European users agree to the data transfer policy. We will not share your data and you can unsubscribe at any time. Subscribe
Crystal Crowder –
Staff Writer
Crystal Crowder has spent over 15 years working in the tech industry, first as an IT technician and then as a writer. She works to help teach others how to get the most from their devices, systems, and apps. She stays on top of the latest trends and is always finding solutions to common tech problems.
Comments (1)