15 Best CRM Software for Small Businesses (Cleomitra & Zoho Alternatives)

For small businesses, CRM software is no longer limited to sales tracking. A modern CRM helps with marketing, customer support, follow-ups, automation, reporting, and long-term customer relationships. The right CRM turns scattered data into a clear, organised growth system.

1) Cleomitra CRM

Cleomitra CRM is built for small and growing businesses that want clarity, simplicity, and control without complexity. It focuses on managing leads, customers, WhatsApp communication, follow-ups, and workflows from a single dashboard. Cleomitra is especially suitable for Indian SMBs looking for practical automation and WhatsApp-based engagement.

Key Features:

• Lead and contact management
• WhatsApp API integration
• Sales pipeline tracking
• Task reminders and follow-ups
• Custom reports and dashboards

Benefits:

• Simple and easy to use
• Strong focus on WhatsApp-driven sales
• Designed for small business workflows

Limitations:

• Advanced enterprise features are limited
• Still expanding third-party integrations

2) Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM is one of the most widely used CRM platforms for small and mid-sized businesses. It offers tools for sales automation, email tracking, reporting, and integrations with accounting, HR, and marketing tools within the Zoho ecosystem.

Key Features:

• Lead and deal management
• Email and call tracking
• Workflow automation
• Sales forecasting
• Mobile app access

Benefits:

• Highly scalable
• Strong automation capabilities
• Wide integration ecosystem

Limitations:

• Initial setup can be time-consuming
• May feel complex for very small teams

3) Vtiger

Vtiger is an all-in-one CRM that combines sales, marketing, and customer support. It helps businesses manage the full customer lifecycle without switching between tools.

Key Features:

• Lead and contact management
• Built-in helpdesk
• Email campaigns
• Workflow automation
• Custom dashboards

Benefits:

• Multiple business functions in one system
• Strong automation
• Detailed reporting

Limitations:

• Interface can feel heavy
• Advanced features need paid plans

4) HubSpot CRM

HubSpot CRM is popular among startups due to its free entry plan. It offers contact management, deal tracking, email marketing, and basic automation.

Key Features:

• Contact and deal tracking
• Email marketing
• Live chat and ticketing
• Reporting dashboard
• Marketing integrations

Benefits:

• Free plan available
• Very user-friendly
• Strong marketing tools

Limitations:

• Advanced features are expensive
• Limited customisation in free tier

5) Pipedrive CRM

Pipedrive is designed mainly for sales-focused teams. Its visual pipeline helps teams stay focused on closing deals.

Key Features:

• Drag-and-drop sales pipelines
• Deal tracking
• Email integration
• Sales forecasting
• Activity reminders

Benefits:

• Easy to use
• Strong sales focus
• Clear deal visibility

Limitations:

• Limited marketing tools
• Not ideal for customer support

6) Freshsales

Freshsales is built for active sales teams and includes lead scoring, built-in calling, and automation to speed up deal closures.

Key Features:

• Built-in phone and email
• Lead scoring
• Visual pipelines
• Sales automation
• Activity tracking

Benefits:

• Ideal for sales-driven teams
• Strong communication tools
• Good performance tracking

Limitations:

• Limited marketing features
• Best tools require paid plans

7) Flowlu

Flowlu combines CRM with project management and finance tracking, making it suitable for service-based businesses.

Key Features:

• Sales pipeline
• Project and task management
• Invoicing and payments
• Client portals
• Team collaboration

Benefits:

• Sales and projects in one system
• Good financial tracking
• Useful for agencies

Limitations:

• Not ideal for large sales teams
• Interface can feel busy

8) Monday CRM

Monday CRM offers a highly visual and customisable experience built on the Monday work platform.

Key Features:

• Custom sales boards
• Visual dashboards
• Task automation
• Team collaboration
• Forecasting tools

Benefits:

• Highly flexible
• Easy to understand
• Good for team coordination

Limitations:

• Pricing can be high
• Setup requires planning

9) Capsule CRM

Capsule CRM focuses on simplicity and ease of use, making it ideal for small teams.

Key Features:

• Contact management
• Sales tracking
• Task reminders
• Email integration
• Basic reports

Benefits:

• Clean interface
• Affordable
• Easy learning curve

Limitations:

• Limited automation
• Basic feature set

10) Salesmate

Salesmate supports sales tracking, automation, and communication with a strong mobile experience.

Key Features:

• Deal tracking
• Email and SMS automation
• Sales reporting
• Workflow automation
• Mobile app

Benefits:

• Easy to set up
• Good automation
• Cost-effective

Limitations:

• Limited customer support tools
• Basic analytics

11) Kommo

Kommo is a chat-centric CRM designed for businesses that rely on WhatsApp and messaging apps.

Key Features:

• WhatsApp and chat integrations
• Sales funnels
• Chatbots
• Lead scoring
• Contact management

Benefits:

• Strong messaging automation
• Faster customer response
• Good for chat sales

Limitations:

• Limited email marketing
• Not ideal for offline sales

12) NetHunt

NetHunt works directly inside Gmail, making it ideal for email-heavy businesses.

Key Features:

• Gmail integration
• Email automation
• Lead tracking
• Task management
• Custom pipelines

Benefits:

• Works inside inbox
• Saves time
• Simple interface

Limitations:

• Limited outside Gmail
• Fewer advanced tools

13) Folk

Folk focuses on relationship management rather than traditional sales pipelines.

Key Features:

• Shared contact lists
• Relationship tracking
• Email syncing
• Tags and groups
• Collaboration tools

Benefits:

• Ideal for networking businesses
• Clean design
• Easy collaboration

Limitations:

• Limited sales automation
• Not for large sales teams

14) Keap

Keap combines CRM, automation, payments, and bookings for small businesses.

Key Features:

• Lead management
• Email and SMS automation
• Appointment booking
• Payment tools
• Sales pipelines

Benefits:

• Strong automation
• Built-in payments
• Saves manual effort

Limitations:

• Higher starting cost
• Limited design flexibility

15) Salesforce Starter

Salesforce Starter is an entry-level CRM that allows businesses to grow into the Salesforce ecosystem.

Key Features:

• Lead tracking
• Sales pipelines
• Automation rules
• Reports
• Mobile access

Benefits:

• Reliable brand
• Scales easily
• Powerful analytics

Limitations:

• Higher cost
• Setup complexity

Key Features to Look for in a Small Business CRM

• Scalability
• Automation
• WhatsApp & Email integration
• Mobile access
• Data security
• Custom workflows
• E-commerce support

How to Choose the Right CRM

• Understand your business needs
• Involve your team
• Focus on essential features
• Match the tool to your budget
• Test before finalising

Conclusion

A CRM is no longer optional for small businesses. The right CRM brings structure, automation, clarity, and growth. Whether you choose a lightweight tool like Cleomitra CRM or a scalable ecosystem like Zoho CRM, the best CRM is the one that fits your workflow and helps your team work smarter—not harder.