Introduction

Small marketing agencies sit at a unique intersection:

• They manage multiple clients at once,
• Run campaigns, projects, and deliverables, and
• Still need to track relationships, leads, and conversations like a traditional business.

Because of this, many agencies outgrow spreadsheets quickly but also find traditional CRMs too rigid or sales-heavy.

In this guide, we evaluate the best CRM options for small marketing agencies in 2026, focusing on:

• Team collaboration
• Client tracking
• Campaign visibility
• Workflow management
• Cost vs value for lean teams

This review is written specifically for agencies with 1–10 people, not large enterprise teams.

If you’re a consultant, choosing the right tool matters — our guide to the best CRM for consultants covers the main options in detail.

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What small marketing agencies really need from a CRM

A strong CRM for a small agency should:

• Let you track clients, contacts, and conversations in one place
• Support project and campaign workflows
• Be easy for creative and non-technical team members
• Avoid heavy admin work
• Integrate with email, tools, or basic automation

Most small agencies do not need:

• Complex forecasting
• Enterprise dashboards
• Dedicated CRM admins
• Dozens of modules

With that in mind, here are the best options.

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HubSpot CRM — Best overall for most small agencies

HubSpot is the most practical default choice for many marketing agencies.

Why agencies like HubSpot

HubSpot works well because it blends:

• CRM (contacts, companies, deals)
• Email tracking
• Simple automation
• Marketing tools

For small agencies, this means you can manage clients and campaigns in one ecosystem without complicated setup.

You can:

• Track client communications
• Log emails automatically
• Manage leads for your own agency
• Run basic marketing campaigns

All inside one platform.

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When HubSpot works best

HubSpot is ideal if your agency:

• Manages client relationships closely
• Uses email heavily
• Wants a simple, centralized system
• Doesn’t want to customize everything from scratch

It is especially good for:

• Digital marketing agencies
• SEO agencies
• Content agencies
• Performance marketers

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When HubSpot may fall short

HubSpot can feel limiting if your agency:

• Runs very complex projects
• Needs highly custom workflows
• Relies heavily on task boards rather than pipelines

In those cases, you may want something more visual.

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Zoho CRM — Best for structured, growing agencies

Zoho CRM is a strong option for agencies that expect to scale.

Why agencies choose Zoho

Zoho is highly customizable, which makes it appealing to agencies that:

• Want tailored pipelines
• Need custom fields
• Use multiple tools (Zoho Books, Zoho Projects, Zoho Mail)
• Plan to grow beyond 5–10 people

You can build your CRM around your agency processes instead of adapting to a fixed template.

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Trade-offs for agencies

Zoho requires more upfront setup than HubSpot. Small teams may need to:

• Define workflows clearly
• Spend time configuring fields
• Invest effort in automation

But once set up, it can run very smoothly.

Try Zoho CRM free – get $100 in credits

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Monday — Best for agencies that are project-first

Monday is not a traditional CRM — it is a work management platform that can be shaped into a CRM.

Why creative agencies love Monday

Monday shines for agencies that:

• Manage many projects simultaneously
• Track deliverables visually
• Need shared boards for designers, strategists, and managers
• Care more about workflow than sales pipelines

For example, you can use Monday to track:

• Client onboarding
• Campaign stages
• Content calendars
• Deadlines
• Team workload

This makes it feel like a command center for agency operations.

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When Monday is not ideal

If your agency’s priority is:

• Relationship tracking
• Email history
• Lead management

Then Monday may feel less natural than HubSpot or Zoho.

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Head-to-head for small agencies

Feature	HubSpot	Zoho	Monday
Ease of use	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Customization	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Team collaboration	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Project management	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best for client tracking	Yes	Yes	Moderate
Best for creative teams	Moderate	Good	Excellent

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Which CRM should your agency choose?

Choose HubSpot if:

• You want a simple, reliable CRM
• You care about client relationships
• You prefer minimal setup
• You rely heavily on email

Choose Zoho if:

• You want deep customization
• You expect to scale
• You want an integrated business ecosystem

Choose Monday if:

• You run many campaigns or projects
• You need visual workflows
• Your team collaborates daily inside boards

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How we evaluate agency tools

Our evaluations focus on real-world agency workflows rather than marketing hype. We assess tools based on usability, collaboration, cost-effectiveness, and suitability for small teams.

You can read more about our methodology on our How We Review CRM Software page.

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Final recommendation

For most small marketing agencies in 2026, HubSpot CRM is the best starting point because it balances simplicity, client tracking, and basic marketing tools.

If your agency is highly process-driven or creative, Monday may be a better cultural fit.

If you plan to scale into a larger agency with structured workflows, Zoho CRM is a strong long-term choice.

If you are a solo consultant rather than an agency, see our guide to the best CRM for consultants.

Agencies choosing between simple and scalable CRMs should also read Zoho vs Pipedrive.

Agencies evaluating simple CRMs can see Zoho vs Freshsales.

Learn more about using Zoho CRM as a marketing agency in Zoho CRM for Marketing Agencies.

Introduction

Freelancers often fall into a strange middle ground:

• They are solo operators, but
• They manage multiple clients, projects, and conversations.

This makes spreadsheets, email inboxes, and WhatsApp threads a messy way to work.

A good CRM helps freelancers:

• Remember client context
• Track proposals
• Follow up consistently
• Organize work without complexity

In this guide, we evaluate the best CRM options for freelancers in 2026, with a focus on simplicity, affordability, and real-world usefulness.

If you’re a consultant, choosing the right tool matters — our guide to the best CRM for consultants covers the main options in detail.

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What freelancers actually need from a CRM

Most freelancers do not need:

• Complex pipelines
• Multi-user permissions
• Advanced forecasting
• Enterprise dashboards

They do need:

• Simple contact records
• Email tracking
• Notes and reminders
• Lightweight automation
• Low cost (or free)

With that in mind, here are the best options.

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HubSpot CRM — Best overall for most freelancers

HubSpot is the strongest default choice for freelancers.

Why freelancers like HubSpot

• Free to start
• Clean and intuitive UI
• Easy email integration
• Centralized contact history
• No steep learning curve

You can track:

• Clients
• Companies
• Conversations
• Deals
• Tasks

…without becoming a software admin.

When HubSpot works best for freelancers

HubSpot is ideal if you:

• Work alone
• Manage 5–50 clients
• Prefer simplicity
• Don’t want to configure systems
• Rely heavily on email

When HubSpot may feel limited

If you need:

• Custom fields everywhere
• Deep automation
• Custom dashboards

You may eventually outgrow the free plan.

Best for:
Solo freelancers, consultants, coaches, and independent professionals.

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Zoho CRM — Best for growing freelancers

Zoho is more powerful than HubSpot, but requires more setup.

Why freelancers choose Zoho

• Highly customizable
• Affordable paid plans
• Strong automation
• Integrates with other Zoho apps (Books, Mail, Projects)

If you expect to scale into a small team, Zoho is a better long-term choice.

Trade-offs

Zoho requires:

• More configuration
• More patience
• More technical thinking

It is not as plug-and-play as HubSpot.

Best for:
Freelancers planning to scale, or those who like structured systems.

Try Zoho CRM free – get $100 in credits

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Monday — Best if you manage projects + clients together

Monday is not a traditional CRM, but it can work for freelancers who run projects.

When Monday makes sense

Monday is a good fit if you:

• Manage multiple client projects
• Need visual task boards
• Track deadlines heavily
• Prefer Kanban-style workflows

It works well for designers, video editors, and creative freelancers.

When Monday is not ideal

If you only need a CRM for relationships and emails, Monday is overkill.

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Quick comparison for freelancers

Feature	HubSpot	Zoho	Monday
Ease of use	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Customization	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Free option	Yes	Limited	No
Best for solo work	Yes	Sometimes	No
Best for projects	No	Moderate	Yes

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Which CRM should you choose as a freelancer?

Choose HubSpot if:

• You want something simple
• You don’t like complex tools
• You work mostly with emails and clients

Choose Zoho if:

• You want control
• You expect to grow
• You want one ecosystem of apps

Choose Monday if:

• You are project-heavy
• You need visual boards
• You track tasks more than relationships

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How we evaluate tools

Our reviews focus on real freelance workflows rather than marketing claims. We prioritize usability, affordability, and practical value for solo professionals.

You can read more about our process on our How We Review CRM Software page.

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Final recommendation

For most freelancers in 2026, HubSpot CRM is the best starting point — it is free, simple, and built for relationship management.

If you want deeper customization, Zoho is a strong alternative. If you live inside project boards, Monday may suit you better.

If you are a consultant specifically, see our guide to the best CRM for consultants for more targeted recommendations.

See our full breakdown of Zoho CRM for Freelancers.

Introduction

Small businesses often struggle to choose between Monday and HubSpot because both tools are marketed as “easy, modern, and powerful.” In practice, they serve very different purposes.

• HubSpot is a traditional, relationship-first CRM built around contacts, conversations, and sales pipelines.
• Monday is a visual work management platform that can be configured as a CRM but was originally designed for project and workflow tracking.

This comparison evaluates both tools strictly from a small business perspective — focusing on usability, setup effort, collaboration, automation, and value for money.

If you’re a consultant, choosing the right tool matters — our guide to the best CRM for consultants covers the main options in detail.

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How small businesses actually use these tools

Most small businesses need a system that helps them:

• Track clients and leads
• Remember conversations
• Assign follow-ups
• Coordinate small teams
• Avoid complicated dashboards

With that in mind, here’s how Monday and HubSpot stack up.

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Ease of use

HubSpot

HubSpot is designed to be intuitive from day one. A new user can:

• Add contacts
• Log emails
• Create tasks
• Track deals

…with minimal training.

The interface is linear and predictable, which works well for founders, freelancers, and lean teams who don’t want to become software administrators.

Strength: low friction, fast adoption.

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Monday

Monday is visually appealing and very flexible — but flexibility comes with configuration effort.

You typically start with boards, columns, and automations. While powerful, this requires planning:

• How will you structure clients?
• What columns do you need?
• How will tasks relate to deals?

For teams that like visual systems, Monday feels natural. For solo founders, it can feel overengineered.

Strength: visual clarity for team workflows.
Trade-off: slower initial setup.

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CRM capabilities

HubSpot as a CRM

HubSpot is a purpose-built CRM. It includes:

• Contact records
• Company records
• Deal pipelines
• Email tracking
• Activity timelines

Everything is structured around relationships, which is ideal for small service businesses, consultants, and agencies.

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Monday as a CRM

Monday is not a native CRM — it becomes one through customization.

You can build boards for:

• Leads
• Clients
• Deals
• Projects

This works well if your business blends client work + project delivery in one system. However, you don’t get the same depth of native CRM features that HubSpot offers out of the box.

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Automation and workflows

HubSpot

HubSpot offers simple automation that is easy to understand:

• Task reminders
• Deal stage updates
• Basic email workflows

For most small businesses, this is sufficient without becoming overwhelming.

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Monday

Monday shines in automation for tasks and processes, such as:

• Moving items between stages
• Assigning work automatically
• Sending notifications

If your business is process-heavy (e.g., creative agencies, operations teams), Monday can be very powerful.

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Collaboration

HubSpot

HubSpot is best when:

• One or two people manage client relationships
• You prioritize communication history over task boards
• You care about email context and timelines

It is less “visual team board” and more “relationship dashboard.”

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Monday

Monday excels when:

• You have multiple team members
• Work is collaborative
• You need shared boards, status tracking, and clear ownership

If your team lives inside Kanban-style systems, Monday feels natural.

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Pricing for small businesses

HubSpot

HubSpot’s free plan is a major advantage for small businesses starting out.

You get core CRM functionality at no cost. Paid plans add automation, reporting, and advanced tools — but pricing rises as you scale.

Best for:

• Solo founders
• Early-stage startups
• Consultants
• Small service teams

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Monday

Monday is generally paid from day one, with pricing based on users and features.

It can be cost-effective for teams that already rely on project management tools, because Monday can replace multiple apps.

However, for a solo founder who just needs a CRM, Monday may feel unnecessarily expensive.

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When HubSpot makes sense for small businesses

Choose HubSpot if you:

• Want a simple, ready-to-use CRM
• Care more about client relationships than task boards
• Prefer minimal setup
• Are a solo founder or small team
• Need email tracking and history

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When Monday makes sense for small businesses

Choose Monday if you:

• Run a collaborative team
• Manage projects alongside clients
• Want visual workflows
• Need one system for tasks + clients
• Value customization over simplicity

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Final recommendation

For most small businesses in 2026, HubSpot is the better default choice because it is purpose-built as a CRM, easier to adopt, and free to start.

Monday is a strong alternative only if your business is highly project-driven and you already rely on visual workflows.

If you want a broader perspective on other tools, see our guide to the best CRM software for small businesses in 2026.

If you are a consultant or service professional, you can also see our guide to the best CRM for consultants for more targeted recommendations.

Introduction

Choosing the right CRM software is one of the most important decisions a small business can make in 2026. A good CRM doesn’t just store contacts — it shapes how you manage relationships, follow up with clients, track opportunities, and scale your business.

Most CRMs, however, are built for large sales teams, not for small businesses, consultants, freelancers, or lean teams. They often come with excessive features, complicated workflows, and pricing that doesn’t match the reality of small operations.

In this guide, we compare the best CRM software for small businesses in 2026, focusing on:

• Ease of use
• Real-world practicality
• Setup effort
• Cost vs value
• Suitability for solo founders and small teams

This review is based on practical use cases rather than marketing claims.

If you’re a consultant, choosing the right tool matters — our guide to the best CRM for consultants covers the main options in detail.

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What Small Businesses Really Need from a CRM

Before comparing tools, it’s important to define what “good CRM for small business” actually means.

A great small business CRM should:

• Be easy to set up in hours, not weeks
• Work well for 1–10 users
• Not require a full-time admin
• Help track clients, not just sales deals
• Allow simple automation
• Integrate with email and basic tools

Small businesses rarely need:

• Enterprise analytics
• Complex workflows
• Dozens of modules
• AI forecasting
• Large sales teams

With that in mind, here are the top CRM options for 2026.

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1. HubSpot CRM — Best Overall for Most Small Businesses

HubSpot CRM is widely regarded as the best starting CRM for small businesses — and for good reason.

Why small businesses like HubSpot

• Clean, intuitive interface
• Very easy to learn
• Free plan covers core needs
• Strong email integration
• Good for relationship tracking

You can manage:

• Contacts
• Companies
• Deals
• Notes
• Emails
• Tasks

Without feeling overwhelmed.

When HubSpot works best

HubSpot is ideal if you:

• Are a solo founder
• Run a small consulting or service business
• Don’t want to spend time configuring software
• Prefer simplicity over customization

When HubSpot may not be enough

HubSpot becomes expensive when you need:

• Advanced automation
• Custom reporting
• Deep workflow logic

For very technical teams, HubSpot may feel limiting.

Best for:

• Solo consultants
• Freelancers
• Small service businesses
• Marketing-driven teams

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2. Zoho CRM — Best for Customization on a Budget

Zoho CRM is powerful, flexible, and significantly more customizable than HubSpot.

Strengths of Zoho CRM

• Highly configurable
• Affordable paid plans
• Works well for growing teams
• Great automation options
• Strong ecosystem of Zoho apps

If your business model is complex, Zoho can adapt to you — rather than forcing you to adapt to the CRM.

Where Zoho shines

Zoho is best for:

• Small businesses expecting to scale
• Teams that want control over workflows
• Businesses that prefer one integrated ecosystem

Trade-offs

Zoho requires:

• More setup time
• More technical thinking
• More patience

It is not as plug-and-play as HubSpot.

Best for:

• Product businesses
• Agencies
• Growth-focused small teams

Try Zoho CRM free – get $100 in credits

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3. Monday CRM — Best for Visual Workflow Management

Monday CRM is not a traditional CRM — it is a work management platform that can be customized into a CRM.

Why small businesses choose Monday

• Very visual interface
• Drag-and-drop boards
• Easy collaboration
• Great for teams that like structure
• Works well for projects + clients together

Monday is excellent if your business blends:

• Projects
• Clients
• Tasks
• Team collaboration

Where Monday falls short

Monday is less ideal if you need:

• Deep sales automation
• Native email tracking
• Traditional CRM analytics

It is more of a workflow system than a pure CRM.

Best for:

• Creative agencies
• Marketing teams
• Small operations teams

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Head-to-Head Comparison

Feature	HubSpot	Zoho	Monday
Ease of use	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Customization	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pricing	Free + Paid	Very affordable	Medium
Automation	Basic	Advanced	Moderate
Best for solo founders	Yes	Sometimes	No
Best for growing teams	Yes	Yes	Yes
Best for consultants	Yes	Yes	Mixed

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Which CRM should you choose?

Choose HubSpot if:

• You want speed and simplicity
• You don’t want technical setup
• You prefer clean software

Choose Zoho if:

• You want customization
• You expect to scale
• You want a full business ecosystem

Choose Monday if:

• You care more about workflow than sales
• You manage projects + clients together
• You like visual tools

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How We Review CRM Software

Our evaluations focus on real-world small business needs rather than enterprise features. We assess tools based on:

• Usability
• Setup time
• Cost-effectiveness
• Suitability for small teams
• Flexibility for different business models

You can learn more about our methodology on our How We Review CRM Software page.

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Final Recommendation

For most small businesses in 2026, HubSpot CRM is the safest starting point.

If your business requires heavy customization, Zoho is the better long-term investment.

If your work is more project-based than sales-based, Monday may fit your style best.

If you are a consultant or service professional, you can also see our guide to the best CRM for consultants for more targeted recommendations.

For consultants choosing between tools, see our HubSpot vs Zoho comparison for consultants.

Introduction

Choosing between HubSpot and Zoho is a common dilemma for consultants. Both are popular CRM platforms, but they are built with different assumptions about how businesses operate.

For consultants, the decision is rarely about aggressive sales pipelines. It’s about managing long-term client relationships, tracking conversations, remembering context, and staying on top of follow-ups without unnecessary complexity.

In this comparison, we look at HubSpot vs Zoho specifically from a consultant’s perspective—focusing on usability, relationship management, flexibility, and suitability for solo consultants and small consulting teams.

Apart from Hubspot and Zoho, our guide best CRM for consultants covers some other options in detail.

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Which CRM Fits Consulting Workflows Better?

Consulting workflows differ from traditional sales workflows in a few key ways:

• Fewer clients, deeper relationships
• Longer engagement cycles
• Ongoing conversations instead of closed deals
• Context and history matter more than pipeline stages

Both HubSpot and Zoho can be adapted for consulting, but they approach this in different ways.

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Ease of Use for Solo Consultants

HubSpot

HubSpot is widely known for its clean and intuitive interface. For solo consultants, this is a major advantage. You can start using the CRM quickly with minimal setup, and the free plan covers basic contact management, activity tracking, and email integration.

The learning curve is low, which makes HubSpot appealing if you want a CRM that “just works” without configuration overhead.

Official product page:
https://www.hubspot.com/products/crm

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Zoho

Zoho offers significantly more customization, but that comes at the cost of complexity. Solo consultants who are comfortable configuring systems may appreciate the control Zoho provides, but others may find it overwhelming at first.

Setup typically requires more time, especially if you want the CRM to reflect a consulting-style workflow rather than a sales pipeline.

Official product page:
Try Zoho CRM free – get $100 in credits

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Client Relationship Management

HubSpot

HubSpot excels at providing a clear, chronological view of client interactions. Emails, notes, meetings, and tasks are easy to track, which helps consultants maintain context across long-term engagements.

For relationship-driven work, this simplicity is often enough.

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Zoho

Zoho’s strength lies in its flexibility. You can customise fields, layouts, and workflows to match how you manage clients. This makes it suitable for consultants who want detailed control over how client data is structured.

However, this flexibility also means more upfront configuration.

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Automation and Follow-Ups

HubSpot

HubSpot includes basic automation features even on lower-tier plans. Simple reminders, task management, and activity tracking are easy to set up and maintain.

For most solo consultants, these lightweight automation features are sufficient.

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Zoho

Zoho provides more advanced automation capabilities, especially on paid plans. You can build custom workflows, triggers, and rules to automate follow-ups and internal processes.

This is useful for consultants managing multiple engagements or small teams—but may be unnecessary for simpler setups.

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Pricing for Consultants and Small Teams

HubSpot

HubSpot’s free plan is often enough for solo consultants starting out. Paid plans add automation and reporting, but pricing increases as features expand.

For consultants who value ease of use over deep customization, HubSpot’s pricing structure is generally predictable.

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Zoho

Zoho typically offers more affordable entry-level paid plans with broader feature access. However, costs can increase as you add users, modules, or advanced automation.

Zoho often makes sense for consultants who expect to scale or need custom workflows early.

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When HubSpot Makes Sense for Consultants

HubSpot is a strong choice if you:

• Prefer a clean, intuitive interface
• Want minimal setup time
• Need simple relationship tracking and follow-ups
• Are working solo or with a very small team

For many consultants, HubSpot is the easiest CRM to adopt and maintain.

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When Zoho Makes Sense for Consultants

Zoho may be a better fit if you:

• Want deep customization and control
• Are comfortable configuring systems
• Plan to scale into a small consulting team
• Need advanced automation beyond basic reminders

Zoho rewards users who invest time in setup.

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This comparison is based on the same criteria we use across the site, focusing on real consulting workflows rather than sales-heavy pipelines. You can read more about our approach on our How We Review CRM Software page.

Final Recommendation for Consultants

There is no universally “better” CRM—only what fits your workflow.

• HubSpot is usually the better starting point for solo consultants who value simplicity and speed.
• Zoho is better suited for consultants who want flexibility and are willing to invest time in customization.

If you’re still evaluating options, you may want to review our full comparison of the best CRM for consultants, which covers additional tools and use cases.

For a broader view of tools beyond consultants, see our guide to the best CRM software for small businesses in 2026.

FAQ Section

Q1. Is HubSpot or Zoho better for solo consultants?
For most solo consultants, HubSpot is easier to start with due to its simpler setup and free plan. Zoho may suit consultants who want more customization.

Q2. Can consultants use CRM software without a sales pipeline?
Yes. Many consultants use CRM tools primarily for relationship tracking, notes, follow-ups, and long-term engagement management rather than sales pipelines.

Q3. Do consultants need paid CRM plans to get value?
Not always. Many consultants start with free or entry-level plans and upgrade only when automation or reporting becomes necessary.

If you’re also evaluating sales-first tools, see Zoho vs Pipedrive for consultants.

For a deeper look at Zoho, read our Zoho CRM review for consultants.

Another useful comparison is Monday vs Zoho for consultants.

For Zoho’s full pricing details, check Zoho CRM pricing for consultants.

Introduction

When we speak about the best CRM for solo consultants, its important to understand that solo consultants wear many hats. Along with delivering client work, you also handle follow-ups, proposals, scheduling, and relationship management. The problem is that most CRM tools are built for sales teams, not individuals managing long-term client relationships.

As a solo consultant, you usually don’t need complex deal stages, aggressive automation, or heavy reporting. What you need is a simple way to keep track of clients, conversations, and next steps without spending hours configuring software.

In this guide, we’ll look at CRM tools that actually work for solo consultants — tools that stay out of the way, help you stay organised, and support your workflow rather than complicate it.

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Why Solo Consultants Need a Different CRM

Solo consultants work very differently from sales teams. Instead of chasing dozens of leads through pipelines, consultants focus on fewer clients with deeper, ongoing relationships.

Context matters more than volume. Remembering past conversations, understanding client history, and tracking follow-ups are far more important than moving deals from one stage to another. Unfortunately, many CRMs force solo users into sales-centric workflows that don’t reflect this reality.

For solo consultants, a good CRM should feel like a personal assistant, not a sales manager. It should reduce mental load, not add new systems to manage. That’s why choosing the right CRM early can make daily work smoother and more predictable.

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What to Look for in a CRM as a Solo Consultant

When evaluating CRM tools as a solo consultant, focus on usability rather than feature count. A few key factors matter more than anything else:

• Simple contact management that keeps all client information in one place
• Email and meeting tracking without complicated setup
• Clear task and follow-up reminders
• Affordable pricing, ideally with a usable free plan
• Low setup time, so you can start using it immediately

If a CRM feels overwhelming during setup, it’s unlikely to become part of your daily routine. Simplicity is a strength for solo consultants.

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Best CRM for Solo Consultants

HubSpot CRM

HubSpot CRM is often a strong starting point for solo consultants. Its free plan includes contact management, activity tracking, and basic email integration, which is enough for many individual consultants.

The interface is clean and easy to navigate, and setup is minimal. You can start using it quickly without spending time configuring complex workflows. For consultants who want a simple system to track relationships and follow-ups, this makes HubSpot appealing.

You can explore the tool here:
HubSpot CRM – https://www.hubspot.com/products/crm

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Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM offers more flexibility and customization compared to simpler tools. For solo consultants who are comfortable with technology and want more control over how their CRM works, Zoho can be a good option.

It allows you to tailor fields, workflows, and views to match your consulting process. However, this flexibility comes with a learning curve. Solo consultants who enjoy configuring systems may appreciate Zoho, while others may find it more than they need.

Learn more about Zoho CRM here:
Zoho CRM – https://www.zoho.com/crm/

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Monday CRM

Monday CRM takes a more visual approach to managing clients. Instead of traditional pipelines, it uses boards and customizable views that can feel more intuitive for consultants who also manage projects alongside client relationships.

This flexibility makes it useful for solo consultants who want one system for both client management and ongoing work. It’s less rigid than many traditional CRMs, though pricing can increase as needs grow.

You can view the product here:
Monday CRM – https://monday.com/crm

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Which CRM Is Best for You?

The best CRM for a solo consultant depends on how you prefer to work:

• If you want simplicity and minimal setup, HubSpot CRM is often the easiest starting point.
• If you want customization and control, Zoho CRM can adapt to more complex workflows.
• If you prefer flexibility and visual organisation, Monday CRM may feel more natural.

There’s no single right answer. The most effective CRM is the one you’ll actually use consistently.

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Final Thoughts

Choosing a CRM as a solo consultant is about supporting your workflow, not changing how you work. Starting with a simple system and upgrading only when necessary is often the smartest approach.

If you’re comparing multiple options or planning to grow beyond solo work, you may also want to review our detailed comparison of the best CRM for consultants.

Solo consultants comparing tools in more detail may find our HubSpot vs Zoho comparison for consultants helpful.

For boutique teams, Zoho CRM for small consulting firms is a strong option.