Best CRM for Startups in 2025
The complete guide to choosing a CRM for your startup. Compare free and paid options, see real pricing, and learn which CRM fits bootstrapped vs funded startups.
What is the best CRM for startups?
Lead16 is the best CRM for bootstrapped startups because it's free to start, includes built-in invoicing (saves $30-50/month on separate billing software), works offline, and requires no training. HubSpot is good for VC-funded marketing-focused startups. Pipedrive suits funded startups with dedicated sales teams (5+).
🎯 Quick Decision: Which CRM for Your Startup?
Bootstrapped (0-10 people)
→ Lead16
Free plan, includes invoicing, simple setup
VC-Funded + Marketing-First
→ HubSpot
Free CRM + marketing tools (paid plans expensive)
Funded + Sales Team (5+)
→ Pipedrive
Sales-focused, need separate invoicing tool
Lead16
CRM + Invoicing for Bootstrapped Startups
Pros
- Free forever plan
- Built-in invoicing (save $30-50/mo)
- No training required
- Offline mode
- MRR tracking
- One-click setup
Cons
- Fewer integrations than established CRMs
- Newer platform
HubSpot
Free CRM + Marketing Tools
Pros
- Free CRM tier
- Marketing automation
- Large knowledge base
- Many integrations
Cons
- No invoicing
- Expensive paid plans
- Aggressive upsell
- Steep learning curve
Pipedrive
Sales-Focused CRM
Pros
- Visual pipeline
- Sales-focused
- Good mobile app
- Clean UI
Cons
- No free plan
- No invoicing
- Per-user pricing adds up
- Requires separate billing tool
Streak
CRM Inside Gmail
Pros
- Lives in Gmail
- Simple for email-first sales
- Free tier available
Cons
- Gmail-only (no standalone app)
- No invoicing
- Limited features
- Per-user pricing
Salesforce Essentials
Enterprise CRM for Small Teams
Pros
- Salesforce brand
- Scalable to enterprise
- Comprehensive features
Cons
- Very expensive ($125/mo for 5 users)
- Complex setup
- Overkill for early stage
- No invoicing
- Requires training
Why Startups Need Different CRMs Than Enterprises
❌ Wrong for Startups
- Per-user pricing (costs balloon as you hire)
- Complex setup requiring weeks of configuration
- Features you won't use for years
- Requires dedicated admin/training
- No free or low-cost tier
- Missing key startup needs (invoicing, MRR tracking)
✓ Right for Startups
- Free plan or flat-rate pricing
- 5-minute setup, no training needed
- Just the essential features
- Self-service, no admin required
- $0-100/month total cost
- Built-in tools (invoicing, MRR, automation)
Feature Comparison for Startups
| Feature | Lead16 | HubSpot | Pipedrive | Streak | Salesforce |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | - |
| Built-in Invoicing | ✓ | - | - | - | - |
| Flat-Rate Pricing (not per-user) | ✓ | Partially | - | - | - |
| Offline Mode | ✓ | - | - | - | - |
| MRR Tracking | ✓ | ✓ | Manual | - | ✓ |
| 5-Min Setup (No Training) | ✓ | Partially | ✓ | ✓ | - |
| Cost for 5-Person Startup | $0-99 | $0-800 | $70-495 | $0-645 | $125-1,500 |
Which CRM for Your Startup Stage?
💡 Pre-Seed / Idea Stage (Solo Founder)
You're validating the idea with 5-20 early conversations. Focus on proper lead management from day one.
→ Use Lead16 Free or Streak Free
Keep it simple. Don't pay for CRM yet. Lead16's free plan includes 50 leads. Streak works if you live in Gmail.
🌱 Seed / Early Traction (1-5 people, $0-50k MRR)
You have product-market fit and growing sales pipeline. Time to track MRR properly.
→ Use Lead16 Pro ($29/mo) or HubSpot Free
Lead16 if you need invoicing. HubSpot if you're doing content marketing and don't need billing features.
🚀 Series A+ (5-20 people, $50k-500k MRR)
You have dedicated sales team and complex sales process
→ Use Lead16 Team, Pipedrive, or HubSpot Sales Pro
Lead16 Team ($99/mo for 10 users) if budget-conscious. Pipedrive if you need lots of integrations. HubSpot if marketing-heavy.
Ready to Scale Your Startup Sales?
Lead16 gives you everything you need—CRM, invoicing, MRR tracking—for free to start. No credit card required. Used by 1,000+ bootstrapped startups.