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Best Project Mangement CRMs

Written by Paddy Stobbs

Co-Founder & CEO

Edited by Steph Leung

Product & Operations Lead

Updated onApr 17, 2025

Managing projects effectively is crucial for businesses, and using the right CRM can make a difference.

Project management CRMs help teams streamline workflows, track progress, and enhance collaboration for use cases such as sales pipeline management, client onboarding, and team performance tracking. As independent experts, we analyzed top CRMs to help you find the best fit for your project management needs.

Best CRMs for different use cases

For seamless Google Workspace integration:

Copper product logo

Copper

Stackfix Rating:

6.3 / 10

For teams using Gmail and Google Calendar, Copper is a strong Google Workspace companion among project management CRMs. The calendar and meeting sync functionality (rated 10/10 in our testing) lets you manage your entire workflow without leaving your inbox. With Copper’s Chrome Extension, you can view tasks, access past interactions, and add contacts directly from Gmail with a single click - creating a seamless experience.

While Copper’s automation capabilities scored a 3/10 in our review, its native integrations with Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Meet reduce friction between email and CRM systems. The platform allows you to set up customized project pipelines where each card represents a different project, making it ideal for agencies and consultancies managing client projects. However, Copper’s reporting capabilities are basic, and advanced features like email sequencing are only available in higher-tier plans. If your team relies heavily on Google’s ecosystem, Copper’s integration advantages outweigh these limitations.

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For ease of use:

Capsule product logo

Capsule

Stackfix Rating:

6.3 / 10

Capsule stands out with its 8/10 ease of use rating in our testing. Capsule’s streamlined interface prioritizes simplicity, helping new users become comfortable with the system in under an hour, even without extensive training. The clean, visually appealing design with color-coded elements makes navigation intuitive, while reasonable page load times (1-2 seconds) ensure a smooth user experience.

Capsule is particularly suited for project management because of its dual pipeline system - offering project pipelines alongside traditional sales pipelines. This feature, combined with its Chrome Extension that brings CRM functionality directly into your inbox, creates a seamless workflow for project managers. Users can view tasks, past interactions, and add contacts with one click, eliminating the need to constantly switch between applications.

Capsule has some limitations in advanced customization and automation, but these constraints contribute to its ease of use by preventing feature bloat. For teams seeking a straightforward, uncluttered project management CRM that prioritizes usability over complex functionality, Capsule delivers a good balance of essential features in an accessible package.

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For affordability :

Bigin product logo

Bigin

Stackfix Rating:

6.3 / 10

When budget constraints are a primary concern for your project management needs, Bigin is a good value option among project management CRMs. At just $7 per month, it delivers core functionality without being expensive. In our testing, we were particularly impressed with its ease of setup and customizable pipeline management, allowing teams to quickly adapt the system to track various project workflows. The platform's multi-team flexible pipelines are especially valuable for small teams juggling different types of projects simultaneously.

Despite its affordability, Bigin doesn't lack essential features, scoring a respectable 6/10 for overall functionality. The system includes built-in phone capabilities , basic email automation, and customizable fields, providing everything small teams need to manage projects effectively. However, there are trade-offs for the low price point—customer support rates a disappointing 3/10, the interface is functional but plain, and it lacks advanced features like custom objects, mobile apps, and sophisticated marketing tools. For resource-constrained teams prioritizing affordable project tracking over advanced features, Bigin delivers impressive value.

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For flexibility:

Folk product logo

Folk

Stackfix Rating:

7.4 / 10

Folk is a flexible option among project management CRMs, receiving an 8/10 for customizability in our testing. Its spreadsheet-like interface allows teams to adapt the system to virtually any workflow—whether managing sales pipelines, recruitment processes, partnerships, or cross-functional projects. Folk’s support for custom objects truly sets it apart, enabling you to create new data structures beyond standard contact and company records.

The ability to fully customize pipelines and create project workflows based on specific needs makes Folk ideal for teams requiring adaptability. Its powerful Chrome extension (rated 10/10 in our review) integrates seamlessly with LinkedIn, Gmail, and other platforms, allowing you to capture contacts from anywhere without disrupting your workflow. While Folk has some limitations—such as restrictions on certain data types like percentages and checkboxes, and limited integratability—its core flexibility compensates for these shortcomings. For project managers who value a system that can evolve with changing requirements rather than forcing teams to adapt to rigid structures, Folk offers a balance of simplicity and customization.

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For integrated project management workflows :

Monday.com product logo

Monday.com

Stackfix Rating:

4.9 / 10

Monday.com CRM stood out in our testing as a natural fit for integrated project management workflows, largely because it originated from Monday’s project management platform. This background gives it a unique advantage when connecting customer relationships with project delivery. With native Jira integration, robust Slack connectivity, and seamless calendar syncing, Monday.com creates a continuous workflow from sales to project execution without switching platforms.

However, Monday’s dual nature has limitations. Its workflow automation, while available, scored just 4/10 in our evaluation because it hasn't been fully adapted from its project management origins. The dashboard reporting is solid, but users will encounter frustrations with the inability to create multiple sales pipelines. The terminology can also be confusing - contacts are called ‘items,’ for instance. Despite these drawbacks, organizations already using Monday.com for project management will find the CRM integration creates a cohesive system that bridges the gap between sales and delivery teams.

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PS

Meet your expert: Paddy Stobbs

Stackfix Co-Founder & CEO

I've spent over a decade deep in the world of business software - personally managing more than $2M in purchases across companies I've built and led. From intimate 10-person teams to organizations of 150+, I've developed a particular obsession with Sales and HR tools – testing, implementing, and scaling them at every stage of growth. My journey started at Cambridge University, led me through Google, and most recently culminated in selling my previous venture to TikTok. Now, I'm channeling all of that hands-on experience into helping others navigate the complex landscape of business software.

Copper logo

Copper

Capsule logo

Capsule

Bigin logo

Bigin

Folk logo

Folk

Monday.com logo

Monday.com

Our rating
Functionality
6

Functionality

6/10

<p>Copper only offers core functionality you need to manage customer relationships, with a standout feature being its seamless integration with Google Workspace and flexible pipelines. You can automate workflows and create website forms to capture leads. However, features like email sequencing and custom reports are only available in the most expensive tier. Natively, you're unable to call customers, directly add contacts from LinkedIn and set up a lead scoring system.</p>
4

Functionality

4/10

<p>As a standalone CRM, Capsule provides basic features like contact and pipeline management, but its automation and reporting tools are limited. You can’t even track email engagement rates. If you want more robust marketing functionality, you’ll need to buy Transpond—but it’s not really an add-on. It’s a separate platform entirely.</p>
6

Functionality

6/10

<p>Bigin offers essential features for small teams, like flexible contact and pipeline management, built-in phone, email sequencing, workflow automation, and analytics—all at an affordable price. However, advanced features like email marketing campaigns and data enrichment require add-ons or integrations.</p>
5

Functionality

5/10

<p>Folk focuses on delivering functionality that startups &amp; small teams will need. Besides the CRM basics like managing contacts and pipelines, Folk also offers email sequencing, data enrichment, and an excellent Chrome Extension that allows you to add contacts from anywhere.</p><p>However, its lack of any meaningful analytics and automation functionality prevents it from being a CRM that can be used by larger teams.</p>
4

Functionality

4/10

<p>On paper, Monday offers most of the functionality SMBs will need, including contact and pipeline management, email sequencing, and basic reporting and automation. However, a lot of it seems half-baked e.g. adding multiple pipelines, tracking engagement rates of emails in sequences, or filtering contacts by interaction are either impossible, or only achievable via hacky workarounds.</p>
Ease of Use
5

Ease of Use

5/10

<p>Using Copper can be a mixed experience. It's easy to view tasks, past interactions, and add contacts directly from Gmail or Google Calendar. However, some workflows are less intuitive. For instance, enrolling contacts in an email sequence requires some digging, and the workflow automation module feels cluttered. Oddly, email campaign analytics are tucked away in the "settings" page.</p>
8

Ease of Use

8/10

<p>Capsule’s simplicity makes it easy to use. Navigating its modules is quick, and most users should be comfortable with it in under an hour, even without much guidance.</p>
7

Ease of Use

7/10

<p>Navigating Bigin is straightforward and intuitive, and should take about an hour for most SMB users to get comfortable. Its "spreadsheet views" for contacts and pipelines are especially great for teams transitioning from spreadsheets. However, be aware of confusing terms like "touched records," and note that setting up email sequences can be cumbersome.</p>
8

Ease of Use

8/10

<p>Folk is quick and simple to use, like a spreadsheet. It takes no time to get started with Folk. With a few clicks, you can import all the contacts you've had interactions with by syncing your Gmail + Google Calendar. Folk also automatically suggests groups you can create based on your contacts.</p><p>However, there are some UX quirks that will take some time to get used to e.g. the list of all your people &amp; companies are tucked behind the "search" menu.</p>
4

Ease of Use

4/10

<p>As an offshoot of Monday's Project Management tool, many things require workarounds, which is cumbersome and frustrating. Associating leads with contacts requires adding a “mirror column", moving leads into customers requires "data mapping". The terminology is also confusing, contacts are called "items".</p>
Look and feel
7

Look and feel

7/10

<p>We find Copper's interface to be visually acceptable. Most views are quite plain and compact, but can be delightful at times (e.g. a "zen" image when you've cleared all your tasks!) It also has fast page load times (1-2 seconds).</p>
7

Look and feel

7/10

<p>Capsule has a clean, visually appealing design with color-coded elements that make it easy on the eyes. Page load times are reasonable, usually within 1-2 seconds.</p>
5

Look and feel

5/10

<p>Bigin loads quickly, but its interface feels plain and uninspiring.</p>
8

Look and feel

8/10

<p>Folk has a clean and modern interface that's visually appealing. It also has fast load times (1 second per page).</p>
6

Look and feel

6/10

<p>The platform is visually acceptable, though the emphasis on bright, engaging colours and customisable icons can make some pages seem cluttered and busy at times. Page loads also aren't the best (2-3 seconds).</p>
Customisability
6

Customisability

6/10

<p>Copper tries to offer flexibility in adapting pipelines for both sales and non-sales use cases, such as creating "project" pipelines for managing client projects. However, it lacks the ability to add custom objects, limiting its usefulness for tracking items beyond people and companies, like "candidate" cards for a recruitment pipeline (which is possible in all-in-one CRMs such as Attio). Additionally, non-sales pipelines still include irrelevant sales-related fields, such as win probability and value.</p>
6

Customisability

6/10

<p>Capsule isn’t great for customization. You can create custom fields, tags, and multiple pipelines, and it does offer project pipelines alongside sales pipelines, which is useful.</p><p>However, the automation module is very limited. You can’t build custom reports or objects, and you can’t customize what’s displayed on deal cards, which can be frustrating.</p>
7

Customisability

7/10

<p>You can customize Bigin by setting up pipelines, adding custom fields, and saving filters. Its standout multi-team, flexible pipelines help track deals, projects, and support tickets. However, it lacks custom objects and advanced automation workflows.</p>
8

Customisability

8/10

<p>Folk is a highly flexible CRM designed to be used with different use case, from tracking sales, recruitment, partnerships and more. To that end, you're able to fully customise your pipelines, and even create pipelines based on custom data objects e.g. a pipeline to track "products".</p><p>However, we did find some limitations with data types that can be stored e.g. you're unable to add data as percentages, checkboxes, ratings.</p>
5

Customisability

5/10

<p>Although you can customise some parts of Monday, the inability to add multiple deals boards and sales pipeline is a major restriction on customisability. It's also lacking some intuitive filters to create useful custom views e.g. see contacts you've recently interacted with and contacted.</p>
Ease of Setup
7

Ease of Setup

7/10

<p>Copper offers a free trial without need to speak to sales. Completing basic setup is simple, taking around 10 minutes to import contacts andset up pipelines. Fully setting up the platform is also straightforward, (e.g. downloading Copper's Chorme Extension and setting up automation) and can be largely done within 1-2 business days. </p>
6

Ease of Setup

6/10

<p>Although Capsule offers a free trial and free tier, we found the initial setup slightly confusing (taking &gt;15 minutes) - you'll need to manually configure email forwarding and connect your calendar through subscription links.</p><p>However, fully customising the platform is straightforward and can be done within a day, due to Capsule's limited functionality.</p>
8

Ease of Setup

8/10

<p>Bigin offers offers a simple, self-serve free trial for their platform. When tested, we found the initial setup to be straightforward (taking ~10 mins). Fully customising the platform can take 1-2 days given Bigin's breadth of features and integrations e.g. setting up call functionality, payment links, advanced automations.</p>
10

Ease of Setup

10/10

<p>Folk offers a simple, self-serve free tier. Thanks to Folk's familiar spreadsheet-like layout, we found the initial setup to be extremely simple (taking &lt;5 mins). You can connect your email with a few clicks, and all your contacts sync automatically. Due to Folk's limited feature set, fully customising the platform is also a breeze <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">e.g. downloading Folk's extension, setting up sequences)</span>, and should be done within 1-2 hours.</p>
4

Ease of Setup

4/10

<p>Although Monday offers a self-serve free trial, we found the initial setup (takes &gt;15 minutes) rather challenging during testing. Import was clunky - contacts import as simple text strings rather than structured data objects, requiring time-consuming fixes. Unlike standard CRMs, Monday lacks default relationships between deals and companies - these connections must be manually configured through workarounds. These structural limitations, combined with other quirks, make fully customisation a lengthy process.</p>
Customer Support
8

Customer Support

8/10

<p>Copper provides in-app live chat with friendly, responsive human agents during US business hours, usually replying within minutes. They go above and beyond to assist and guide you through the product. The self-serve support is decent, but we noticed some broken links, likely due to rapid product updates.</p>
8

Customer Support

8/10

<p>Capsule’s self-serve support materials are well-written and cover most basics. However, to contact the support team, you’re required to fill out a support request form, which feels unnecessarily cumbersome. That said, the team responds quickly—usually within minutes.</p>
3

Customer Support

3/10

<p>Support is available via phone and email. Although there's a "Chat with Us" button, it was non-functional during testing. Online resources are limited and not very helpful.</p>
9

Customer Support

9/10

<p>Folk offers in-app live chat with live, human agents who are helpful and very quick to respond (within a few minutes).</p>
7

Customer Support

7/10

<p>Monday offers live chat support within its platform. Although you have to chat with an AI chatbot, handoff to a human agent is extremely quick. We've found the support we've been given inconsistent - at times, agents give unhelpful advice and direct you to help centre articles, other times, agents are extremely helpful and go above and beyond with personalised loom videos.</p>
Integratability
6

Integratability

6/10

<p>Copper offers pre-built integrations with most relevant 3rd party products (though a smaller set compared to competitors) and an API that allows buyer to build own integrations where necessary. However, note that integrations are limited to more expensive Professional and Business plans.</p>
6

Integratability

6/10

<p>Capsule offers 70+ pre-built integrations with relevant third-party apps, allowing you to connect with customers across channels like phone or WhatsApp. It also integrates with popular tools for customer support and project management.</p><p>However, it’s missing key integrations like JIRA, Calendly, Outreach, and Intercom. While it does provide an API for custom integrations, this may not be a practical solution for everyone.</p>
6

Integratability

6/10

<p>Bigin integrates with key third party tools like Google and Outlook Calendar, Mailchimp, Shopify, and over 100 telephony vendors. It has a marketplace for third-party plugins like Slack, Twilio, and Eventbrite. While it integrates well with Zoho products, it lacks key integrations with major customer support vendors like Zendesk and Freshdesk. An API is available for custom integrations.</p>
2

Integratability

2/10

<p>Folk offers limited pre-built integrations, covering only a few popular tools like Gmail, Outlook, Slack, Mailchimp, and Calendly. Instead, it encourages users to build their own integrations through platforms like Zapier and Make. Additionally, it lacks an API for custom integrations, which limits flexibility for more tailored solutions.</p>
8

Integratability

8/10

<p>Monday offers 200+ pre-built integrations, however, these seem to be geared more towards its main offering - Monday Work Management. Although it integrates with most reasonably relevant software, it's missing some CRM-specific connections e.g. prospecting tools like Apollo and Surfe. It does offer an API for custom integrations.</p>
Ease of Migration
8

Ease of Migration

8/10

<p><span style="color: rgb(9, 9, 11);">Close allows users to export key data via self-serve. Export of most other data are also available via API or on request.</span></p>
5

Ease of Migration

5/10

<p>Capsule’s export functionality is limited. You can only export contacts and pre-built reports through self-serve options. Exporting projects or opportunities isn’t straightforward, though it might be possible using the API.</p>
9

Ease of Migration

9/10

<p>You can easily export key information such as contacts, deals, and reports from dashboards. All data can also be exported via API.</p>
6

Ease of Migration

6/10

<p>Folk offers exports of key data available self-serve. However, it doesn't seem possible to export data via an API.</p>
5

Ease of Migration

5/10

<p>Basic information such as contacts, leads, deals can be exported into an Excel file. However, the restriction is that dashboards can only be exported as an PDF, though all other info can be exported via an API.</p>

Best for seamless Google Workspace integration

Copper product logo
Copper

Stackfix Rating:

6.3 / 10

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Starting at

$12

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Updated onApr 17, 2025

For teams using Gmail and Google Calendar, Copper is a strong Google Workspace companion among project management CRMs. The calendar and meeting sync functionality (rated 10/10 in our testing) lets you manage your entire workflow without leaving your inbox. With Copper’s Chrome Extension, you can view tasks, access past interactions, and add contacts directly from Gmail with a single click - creating a seamless experience.

While Copper’s automation capabilities scored a 3/10 in our review, its native integrations with Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Meet reduce friction between email and CRM systems. The platform allows you to set up customized project pipelines where each card represents a different project, making it ideal for agencies and consultancies managing client projects. However, Copper’s reporting capabilities are basic, and advanced features like email sequencing are only available in higher-tier plans. If your team relies heavily on Google’s ecosystem, Copper’s integration advantages outweigh these limitations.

Want to know more? Get a full breakdown of Copper's features and pricing.

Pros

  • Useful project pipeline functionality

  • Exceptional Google Workspace Integration

  • Strong Customer Support

  • Robust Data Export Capabilities

Cons

  • Email sequencing & custom reports gated behind most expensive tier

  • Only works with Gmail

  • Poor Marketing Functionality

  • Weak Reporting Capabilities

  • Unintuitive Workflow Automation

  • Below Average Ease of Use

  • Limited Customization Options

Compare all CRMsRead the full review

Best for ease of use

Capsule product logo
Capsule

Stackfix Rating:

6.3 / 10

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Starting at

$0

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Updated onApr 17, 2025

Capsule stands out with its 8/10 ease of use rating in our testing. Capsule’s streamlined interface prioritizes simplicity, helping new users become comfortable with the system in under an hour, even without extensive training. The clean, visually appealing design with color-coded elements makes navigation intuitive, while reasonable page load times (1-2 seconds) ensure a smooth user experience.

Capsule is particularly suited for project management because of its dual pipeline system - offering project pipelines alongside traditional sales pipelines. This feature, combined with its Chrome Extension that brings CRM functionality directly into your inbox, creates a seamless workflow for project managers. Users can view tasks, past interactions, and add contacts with one click, eliminating the need to constantly switch between applications.

Capsule has some limitations in advanced customization and automation, but these constraints contribute to its ease of use by preventing feature bloat. For teams seeking a straightforward, uncluttered project management CRM that prioritizes usability over complex functionality, Capsule delivers a good balance of essential features in an accessible package.

Want to know more? Get a full breakdown of Capsule's features and pricing.

Pros

  • CRM functionality in your inbox

  • Easy to Learn and Use

  • Reliable Customer Support

  • Clean Visual Design

Cons

  • Limited Core CRM Functionality

  • Poor Automation Capabilities

  • Limited Reporting

  • Poor Data Enrichment Implementation

  • Clunky Email Sequence Management provided by marketing add-on

Compare all CRMsRead the full review

Best for affordability

Bigin product logo
Bigin

Stackfix Rating:

6.3 / 10

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Starting at

$0

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Updated onApr 17, 2025

When budget constraints are a primary concern for your project management needs, Bigin is a good value option among project management CRMs. At just $7 per month, it delivers core functionality without being expensive. In our testing, we were particularly impressed with its ease of setup and customizable pipeline management, allowing teams to quickly adapt the system to track various project workflows. The platform's multi-team flexible pipelines are especially valuable for small teams juggling different types of projects simultaneously.

Despite its affordability, Bigin doesn't lack essential features, scoring a respectable 6/10 for overall functionality. The system includes built-in phone capabilities , basic email automation, and customizable fields, providing everything small teams need to manage projects effectively. However, there are trade-offs for the low price point—customer support rates a disappointing 3/10, the interface is functional but plain, and it lacks advanced features like custom objects, mobile apps, and sophisticated marketing tools. For resource-constrained teams prioritizing affordable project tracking over advanced features, Bigin delivers impressive value.

Want to know more? Get a full breakdown of Bigin's features and pricing.

Pros

  • Superior Data Export Capabilities

  • Efficient Contact Management

  • Flexible, Intuitive Pipeline Management

  • Solid calling capabilities

Cons

  • Poor Customer Support

  • Limited Email Sequence Functionality

  • Lackluster Interface Design

  • Missing Critical LinkedIn Integration

Compare all CRMsRead the full review

Best for flexibility

Folk product logo
Folk

Stackfix Rating:

7.4 / 10

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Starting at

$25

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Updated onApr 17, 2025

Folk is a flexible option among project management CRMs, receiving an 8/10 for customizability in our testing. Its spreadsheet-like interface allows teams to adapt the system to virtually any workflow—whether managing sales pipelines, recruitment processes, partnerships, or cross-functional projects. Folk’s support for custom objects truly sets it apart, enabling you to create new data structures beyond standard contact and company records.

The ability to fully customize pipelines and create project workflows based on specific needs makes Folk ideal for teams requiring adaptability. Its powerful Chrome extension (rated 10/10 in our review) integrates seamlessly with LinkedIn, Gmail, and other platforms, allowing you to capture contacts from anywhere without disrupting your workflow. While Folk has some limitations—such as restrictions on certain data types like percentages and checkboxes, and limited integratability—its core flexibility compensates for these shortcomings. For project managers who value a system that can evolve with changing requirements rather than forcing teams to adapt to rigid structures, Folk offers a balance of simplicity and customization.

Want to know more? Get a full breakdown of Folk's features and pricing.

Pros

  • Exceptional LinkedIn Integration & Chrome Extension

  • Highly Customizable Platform

  • Responsive Customer Support

  • User-Friendly Interface

  • Effective Email Sequence Management

Cons

  • Missing Core Sales Features

  • Limited Reporting Capabilities

  • Weak Data Enrichment

  • Basic Pipeline Management

  • Poor Integration Capabilities

Compare all CRMsRead the full review

Best for integrated project management workflows

Monday.com product logo
Monday.com

Stackfix Rating:

4.9 / 10

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Starting at

$15

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Updated onApr 17, 2025

Monday.com CRM stood out in our testing as a natural fit for integrated project management workflows, largely because it originated from Monday’s project management platform. This background gives it a unique advantage when connecting customer relationships with project delivery. With native Jira integration, robust Slack connectivity, and seamless calendar syncing, Monday.com creates a continuous workflow from sales to project execution without switching platforms.

However, Monday’s dual nature has limitations. Its workflow automation, while available, scored just 4/10 in our evaluation because it hasn't been fully adapted from its project management origins. The dashboard reporting is solid, but users will encounter frustrations with the inability to create multiple sales pipelines. The terminology can also be confusing - contacts are called ‘items,’ for instance. Despite these drawbacks, organizations already using Monday.com for project management will find the CRM integration creates a cohesive system that bridges the gap between sales and delivery teams.

Want to know more? Get a full breakdown of Monday.com's features and pricing.

Pros

  • Strong Integration Capabilities

Cons

  • Poor import functionality

  • Lazy adaptation of Monday.com (Project Management)

  • Poor Ease of Use

  • Limited Core CRM Functionality

Compare all CRMsRead the full review

How we test products

With so many CRM platforms on the market, we focus on identifying the best options for small and midsize businesses. Our evaluation process is built around real-world usage, prioritizing functionality, ease of use, and overall value. Here’s how we do it:

Functionality

A CRM should help businesses manage relationships, not complicate them. We start by identifying key use cases—contact management, pipeline tracking, automation, and reporting—then test how well each platform supports these needs. CRMs that offer essential features without unnecessary complexity score highest.

User Experience & Onboarding

A CRM should be intuitive enough for teams to adopt quickly. We test each platform’s interface by navigating core features without prior training and track onboarding time—from account setup to first data import. CRMs that require extensive customization or technical knowledge to function properly lose points.

Automation & AI Capabilities

Automation is key to scaling sales and customer management. We evaluate each CRM’s automation features, such as lead scoring, email sequencing, and workflow automation. We also assess AI-driven insights to determine whether they provide meaningful improvements or just add complexity.

Integrations & Compatibility

A CRM rarely works in isolation—it needs to sync with email, marketing tools, and Sales Engagement platforms. We test how well each CRM integrates with essential business tools, prioritizing native integrations over third-party connectors.

Pricing & Value

We compare pricing across competitors, analyzing what each plan includes and whether critical features are locked behind paywalls. Hidden costs—such as per-user fees, premium automation features, or required onboarding services—are factored into our assessment. CRMs that offer strong core functionality at a fair price perform best.

Stackfix’s Fit Score

All of these factors contribute to Stackfix’s Fit Score, a proprietary ranking system that measures how well each CRM aligns with a buyer’s needs. It combines two key elements:

  • Requirements Met – How many buyer requirements the CRM fulfills
  • Stackfix Rating – Our expert assessment of the software’s overall quality, usability, and value

The result? A clear, data-driven recommendation that helps businesses choose the right CRM—without hours of trial and error.

FAQs

What is a CRM?

Put simply, a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is a platform that helps you manage and analyze your interactions with customers, both potential and current. It’s essentially a centralized place to store customer data, and help you forge and build stronger relationships with these customers. The key features of a CRM usually include:

  • Contact Management: Helping you store customer information, including their name, contact information, key information like whether they’ve bought from you in the past, and any communication history.
  • Sales Pipeline Tracking: This helps you track potential deals from the initial contact up until closing, which helps your sales team stay on top of opportunities and forecast revenue.
  • Analytics and reporting: Most CRMs also generate reports and insights based on your aggregated consumer behaviour, sales performance, and trends across the business.

What should I consider when buying a CRM?

Choosing the right CRM can make or break your sales and customer management process—so it’s essential to find one that fits your business needs, tech stack, and budget. Here are the key factors to consider before making your decision.

  1. Your requirements. It's important to first define what you need the CRM to accomplish. Consider your current sales needs and growth plans – a smaller startup focused on personal relationships may need different features than a larger startup managing thousands of leads at once.
  2. Ease of use. Look for an interface that your team will actually like and use. A cluttered or overly complex interface can overwhelm less experienced teams - meaning all those fancy features go to waste. That’s why Stackfix gives every CRM an ‘Ease of Use’ rating - so you can quickly see which ones are intuitive and user-friendly. Click into each product above to find the right fit for your team.
  3. Technical infrastructure. Take stock of your current tech stack. Do you need seamless integrations with your existing tools (e.g. Email, Scheduling and Customer Support software)? If you’re migrating from another CRM, can this new one handle your data volume and user count without breaking a sweat?
  4. Cost. When choosing a CRM, look beyond the headline price-per-user. Factor in setup costs, workflow limits, and how pricing scales as your team grows. The last thing you want is to lock into a “cheap” CRM that gets expensive fast when you actually start using it.
  5. Customer support. This is one of those things you don’t think about—until you really need it. If something goes wrong during setup or day-to-day use, will the vendor be there to help? Look at response times, availability (24/7 or just business hours?), and self-serve resources like help centers or community forums. To make this easier, Stackfix rates every CRM on customer support. Click into each product above to see how they stack up.

What are the common mistakes to avoid when buying CRM software?

Avoiding common pitfalls when choosing a CRM can save you time, money, and headaches down the line. Here are some of the biggest mistakes startups make—and how to avoid them.

  1. Buying based on features instead of quality. Many businesses buy comprehensive CRMs (often the big players like HubSpot and Salesforce), without considering whether all the features are crucial functionalities that they really need. Don’t be wowed by extensive features lists, if these features don’t align with your actual business processes.
  2. Not planning data migration. Many startups fall into the trap of buying a CRM without thinking about how they’ll move all customer data in the new system – keep in mind that this includes cleaning up old data, and ensuring all new fields are mapped correctly.
  3. Failing to think about scaling. Startups frequently select a CRM that fits their current needs, without thinking about their growth trajectories. Make sure to ask yourself: where do you want to be in 5 years? Does the CRM offer advanced features which you might need later, or will you have to make another switch? Consider the vendor’s frequency of updates, and ensure the CRM will continue to serve your needs as you grow.
  4. Not checking the adequacy of integrations. Integrations are particularly important for apps like email – make sure you verify that integrations are sufficient for your needs (e.g., if a CRM integrates with emails, does it sync custom fields for you? Make sure to test each integration before committing.)

How much does CRM Software typically cost?

Most CRM solutions range from $12-300 per user monthly, with entry-level options starting around $12-30 and premium solutions exceeding $150 monthly. Most vendors structure pricing in tiers based on features and scale, so be sure to enter your requirements as accurately as possible in our pricing calculator.

Many providers offer free plans with core functionality for very small teams but restrict users (typically 2-5), contacts, or available features. HubSpot, Zoho, and Freshsales all provide capable free tiers for businesses just getting started.

For enterprise plans and above, you can expect to speak to sales for a bespoke price. These custom quotes typically factor in implementation costs ($1,000-$60,000+), data migration, and specialized training. To skip the demo calls, be sure to check out our pricing calculator.

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