Solo Biz Soft Editorial Team A CRM (customer relationship manager) keeps track of leads, clients and follow-ups so nothing slips through the cracks. For a freelancer, a free plan is often enough to start. This guide looks at three CRMs that list a free plan, using each company’s own pricing page.
Details were checked on 19 September 2026. Limits and prices change, so confirm on each company’s site.
Quick comparison
| CRM | Free plan | Users | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| HubSpot | Free tools, $0 | Up to 2 | Email integration, live chat with HubSpot branding, limited email automation |
| Capsule | Free plan | 2 | 250 contacts, 5 custom fields, 1 sales pipeline |
| Zoho CRM | Free edition | Up to 3 | Contact management, workflow automation, up to 10 email templates, standard reports |
Our top picks
Free CRMs compared
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HubSpot Free tools
Best for: Freelancers who want a well-known platform to grow into
The free tools include email integration with Gmail and Outlook, and no time limit is listed.
Free; paid from $7/seat/mo Try HubSpot -
Capsule Simple
Best for: Freelancers with a small contact list
The free plan covers 2 users, 250 contacts and one sales pipeline.
Free (250 contacts) Try Capsule -
Zoho CRM More users
Best for: Freelancers who want workflow automation on a free plan
The free edition lists contact management, workflow automation and standard reports.
Free edition (3 users) Try Zoho CRM
HubSpot: free tools with room to grow
HubSpot lists its free tools at $0 for up to two users, with no time limit. They include foundational CRM features, email integration with Gmail and Outlook, live chat (with HubSpot branding) and limited email automation.
The next step is the Starter platform, which HubSpot shows from $7 a month per seat (its page also showed $20 for comparison). Check exactly what you would pay before you commit to it.
Pros
- Free with no time limit listed
- Works with Gmail and Outlook
- Clear upgrade path
Cons
- Free tools cap users at 2
- Live chat carries HubSpot branding
- Paid plans cost more once you outgrow the free tier
Visit HubSpotFree CRM
Capsule: a simple CRM with a free plan
Capsule’s free plan allows two users and 250 contacts. It includes contact management, five custom fields, one sales pipeline, custom task categories and an advanced mail connection.
Paid plans raise the contact limits and add features such as workflow automations and reporting; Capsule lists a 14-day free trial with no card required. We could not confirm the paid prices from its page, so check them on its site.
Pros
- Free plan is simple to start with
- One sales pipeline included
- 14-day trial of paid plans
Cons
- 250-contact limit on the free plan
- Only one pipeline on Free
- We could not confirm paid prices
Visit CapsuleFree plan
Zoho CRM: the most users on a free plan
Zoho CRM’s free edition allows up to three users. It lists contact management, workflow automation, up to ten custom email templates, tasks, meetings and calls, standard reports and API access.
Zoho’s paid editions add features such as multiple sales pipelines and email integration. When we checked, its pricing page showed prices in Indian rupees, so look at the page for your own country.
Pros
- Up to 3 users free
- Workflow automation listed on the free edition
- Wide range of paid editions
Cons
- Paid prices vary by country and were not shown in dollars
- Some features need a paid edition
- More features can mean a steeper learning curve
Visit Zoho CRMFree edition
How to choose
If you want a familiar name with an upgrade path: start with HubSpot’s free tools.
If you have a short contact list and want simplicity: try Capsule.
If you have a small team and want automation: look at Zoho CRM’s free edition.
Frequently asked questions
Do freelancers need a CRM?
Not always, but a CRM helps once you have more leads and clients than you can remember. A spreadsheet works at first.
Are free CRMs really free?
The plans listed here are free with limits on users or contacts. Paid plans are optional.
Can I move to another CRM later?
Most CRMs let you export contacts, but check the export options before you commit.
Prices and features were checked on 19 September 2026 and can change. Always confirm on the company’s website.