Best CRM for Consultants (2025)
Track clients, manage projects, send invoices - all in one platform. Lead16 includes everything consultants need: CRM + invoicing + project tracking. No separate billing software required.
Why Consultants Need CRM
❌ Without CRM
- • Client details scattered across email, notes, spreadsheets
- • Forget to follow up with prospects (miss revenue)
- • Can't remember what you discussed last call
- • Invoicing separate from client management (double data entry)
- • No visibility into pipeline ("How many deals am I working?")
- • Teammate can't help because context is in your head
✅ With Lead16 CRM
- ✓ All client info in one place (no searching email)
- ✓ Automatic reminders for follow-ups
- ✓ Full conversation history on every client
- ✓ Invoice directly from client record (1 click)
- ✓ See entire pipeline: prospects → active → closed
- ✓ Team member sees full context when helping client
Features Consultants Need
Client Relationship Management
Track every prospect and client in visual pipeline. See who's: in discussions, sent proposal, active project, completed project. Never lose track of opportunities.
- ✓ Pipeline stages: Prospect → Proposal → Active Client → Completed
- ✓ Contact info, company details, decision makers
- ✓ Full email/call history per client
- ✓ Multiple projects per client
Built-in Invoicing
Unique to Lead16: Create invoices directly from client records. No separate invoicing software needed. Saves $30-50/month on QuickBooks or FreshBooks.
- ✓ One-time invoices (per project billing)
- ✓ Recurring billing (monthly retainers)
- ✓ Professional templates with your branding
- ✓ Payment tracking (paid/pending/overdue)
- ✓ Automatic payment reminders
Project/Engagement Tracking
Track multiple projects per client. Each project has: scope, timeline, deliverables, budget, hours logged, status. Link invoices to specific projects.
Example: Client "Acme Corp"
Project 1: Website Redesign
- Status: In Progress
- Budget: $25,000
- Timeline: Jan-Mar 2025
- Invoiced: $15,000 / $25,000 (60%)
Project 2: Marketing Strategy
- Status: Completed
- Budget: $10,000
- Timeline: Dec 2024
- Invoiced: $10,000 / $10,000 (100% ✓)Gmail Integration
Connect Gmail. All client emails automatically logged to their record. See full conversation history without searching inbox.
- ✓ Automatic email logging (bi-directional)
- ✓ Send tracked emails from CRM
- ✓ Email templates for common messages
- ✓ See when clients open your proposals
Offline Mode
Perfect for consultants: Work at client sites without WiFi. Access client info, log meeting notes, create invoices - all offline. Syncs automatically when online.
Revenue & Pipeline Analytics
See consulting business health at a glance: pipeline value, active projects, revenue forecast, invoice payment status.
CRM Comparison for Consultants
| Feature | Lead16 | Salesforce | HubSpot | Spreadsheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Client Management | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ Manual |
| Built-in Invoicing | ✅ Included | ❌ $30-50/mo extra | ❌ $30-50/mo extra | ❌ No |
| Project Tracking | ✅ | ⚠️ Complex setup | ⚠️ Paid only | ⚠️ Manual |
| Works Offline | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ⚠️ Desktop only |
| Gmail Integration | ✅ Free | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ No |
| Recurring Billing | ✅ $29/mo | ⚠️ Extra cost | ⚠️ Extra cost | ❌ No |
| Setup Time | 5 minutes | 1-3 months | 1-2 weeks | 1 hour |
| Price (Solo) | $0-29/mo | $55-350/mo | $30-120/mo | $0 |
*Lead16 saves consultants $600-1,440/year vs Salesforce/HubSpot + separate invoicing software
Perfect for All Consulting Types
Management Consultants
Track enterprise clients, manage large projects, log stakeholder meetings. Pipeline for new business development. Recurring billing for retainers.
IT Consultants
Manage multiple client projects simultaneously. Track technical implementations, log support tickets, invoice by project or hour. Works offline at client data centers.
Strategy Consultants
Manage proposal pipeline, track engagements, store deliverables. Link invoices to specific projects. See revenue by client and practice area.
Financial Consultants
Track advisory relationships, log client meetings, manage compliance deadlines. Recurring billing for ongoing advisory services. Secure offline access.
Marketing Consultants
Manage agency pipeline, track campaign projects, log client strategy sessions. Invoice by project or retainer. Store creative assets per client.
HR Consultants
Track organizational development projects, log employee assessments, manage training programs. Bill by project phase or monthly retainer.
💚 Success Story: Strategy Consultant Increased Revenue 34%
Before Lead16
Sarah, solo strategy consultant, tracked clients in spreadsheet. Invoiced with FreshBooks ($17/mo).
❌ Spreadsheet didn't remind her to follow up
❌ Lost track of proposals sent months ago
❌ Forgot details from client calls (had to re-ask)
❌ Manual data entry: spreadsheet → FreshBooks
❌ 3 prospects went cold (never followed up)
Revenue: $120K/year
After Lead16
Switched to Lead16. All clients, projects, and invoicing in one system.
✅ Automatic reminders → never miss follow-up
✅ Pipeline view → see all proposals at a glance
✅ Gmail auto-logs calls and emails (full context)
✅ Invoice from client record (1 click, zero data entry)
✅ Closed all 3 cold prospects (were reminded to follow up)
Revenue: $161K/year (+34%)
Sarah's Results:
"Lead16 paid for itself in week 1. I closed 3 deals I would have lost with my old spreadsheet system."
Pricing for Consultants
Free Plan
For solo consultants starting out
- ✓ Up to 50 clients
- ✓ 10 invoices/month
- ✓ Visual pipeline
- ✓ Gmail integration
- ✓ Offline mode
Professional
For established consultants
- ✓ Unlimited clients
- ✓ Unlimited invoices
- ✓ Recurring billing
- ✓ Advanced automation
- ✓ Priority support
Team
For consulting firms (2-10 people)
- ✓ Everything in Pro
- ✓ Up to 10 team members
- ✓ Role permissions
- ✓ Team collaboration
- ✓ API access
All plans include: CRM, invoicing, offline mode, mobile app, email integration
Frequently Asked Questions
Lead16 is the best CRM for consultants because it includes: (1) Client tracking and pipeline management, (2) Built-in invoicing with recurring billing for retainers, (3) Project/engagement tracking, (4) Offline mode for client sites, (5) Email integration. Unlike Salesforce or HubSpot, Lead16 includes invoicing at no extra cost.
Yes! Consultants managing 5+ active clients need CRM to: track prospect conversations, manage proposal pipeline, log client interactions, store project details in one place, track invoices and payments, set follow-up reminders. Without CRM, details get lost in email and spreadsheets.
Lead16 starts at $0 (free forever plan with 50 leads + 10 invoices/month). Professional plan is $29/month total (not per user). Salesforce costs $25-300/user/month + $30-50/month for separate invoicing software. Lead16 is 90% cheaper with built-in invoicing.
Yes! Each client can have multiple deals/projects. Track: project scope, timeline, deliverables, budget, hours logged, status. Link invoices to specific projects. See all client projects and revenue in one place.
Yes! Free plan is perfect for solo consultants: 50 clients, visual pipeline, email integration, invoicing, offline mode. No per-user fees like Salesforce. Upgrade to $29/mo when you need unlimited clients or add team members.
Start Managing Clients Better
Free plan includes 50 clients + invoicing. No credit card required. Perfect for solo consultants.
Join 1,200+ consultants using Lead16