HubSpot's free CRM is the easiest way for a small team to stop losing leads in their inbox. It keeps every contact, conversation and deal in one place, with no time limit on the free plan. The catch is what happens when you grow into the paid tiers.

The short verdict

My score: 8.6/10 (Excellent). For most small businesses, free is good enough. The free plan covers contacts, deals, a pipeline, email tracking and forms. You pay when you need automation, deeper reporting or more seats, and that's where costs climb.

What I like

• Free with no time limit. This isn't a trial. You can run your pipeline on it for as long as it suits you.

• Clean pipeline view. Every deal is a card you drag from enquiry to won, so you can see what needs chasing at a glance.

• Forms and email tracking included. Website enquiries land in the CRM automatically, and you can see when someone opens your email.

What I'd watch out for

• Paid tiers get expensive. Paid plans start from $20 per seat per month and rise quickly as you add features and people.

• Workflows need a higher plan. Automated follow-ups and task assignment aren't on the free tier.

• Can feel bigger than you need. HubSpot is a whole platform. Ignore the extras and focus on contacts, deals and tasks.

Who it's for

Small teams tracking leads and deals who want one place for every enquiry, without another monthly bill.

Who should skip it

Sales-led teams who live in their pipeline all day may prefer Pipedrive. Businesses that want email marketing and CRM in one product should look at ActiveCampaign.

A CRM only works if you use it. Log every lead, give every deal a next step, and review your pipeline for fifteen minutes every Monday.

The numbers

• Price from: Free

• Paid from: $20/seat/mo

• Free plan: No time limit

• Best for: Small teams

Next steps

Get HubSpot CRM free or see all my CRM picks.