CRM & Sales
Best CRM Software for Startups
Orbit & Metric Editorial Team · Published Nov 14, 2026 · Last updated Nov 15, 2026
A CRM is usually the first system a startup outgrows a spreadsheet for. This guide compares three widely used options — HubSpot, Pipedrive and Salesforce's small business suites — using pricing published on each vendor's official site, and explains which type of team each one suits.
Research note: Based on desk research of official websites (checked 2026-11-15). Not hands-on tested. Prices and terms change — confirm on the official site before deciding.
What a startup CRM needs to do
At minimum: store contacts and companies, track deals through stages, log emails and calls, and report on pipeline. Beyond that, decide whether you also need marketing email, customer service tickets or deep customisation — that decision separates the tools below.
Pricing snapshot (official pages)
| CRM | Free option | Entry paid plan |
|---|---|---|
| HubSpot | Free CRM tools | Sales Hub Starter listed from $7 per seat/month |
| Pipedrive | 14-day free trial | Lite $14 per seat/month billed annually |
| Salesforce | Free trial | Starter Suite $25 per user/month |
HubSpot Sales Hub Professional is listed from $90 per seat/month with a $1,500 onboarding fee. Pipedrive's higher plans are Growth $39, Premium $59 and Ultimate $79 per seat/month billed annually. Salesforce Pro Suite is $100 per user/month on an annual contract.
HubSpot
HubSpot builds sales, marketing and service hubs around one CRM, so marketing and sales share the same contact record. It suits startups that expect inbound marketing to drive pipeline. The trade-off: costs rise steeply at Professional tier, including a one-off onboarding fee.
Pipedrive
Pipedrive focuses on visual pipelines and sales activities. It suits founder-led and small sales teams that want something salespeople adopt quickly. It is less suited to teams that need built-in marketing automation.
Salesforce Starter Suite
Salesforce for Small Business packages sales, service and email campaigns on the Salesforce platform. It suits startups that expect to scale into a larger Salesforce setup later; marketing email sends are an add-on, and Pro Suite requires an annual contract.
How to choose
- Write down your sales process in five stages or fewer.
- Trial two tools with real deals for two weeks.
- Price each at your expected seat count for 12 months.
- Confirm data export before committing.
Conclusion
For a marketing-led startup, HubSpot's free CRM is a low-risk start. For a sales-led team that lives in its pipeline, Pipedrive is the simplest fit. For teams planning a long-term Salesforce roadmap, Starter Suite offers an on-ramp. See HubSpot vs Pipedrive for a head-to-head comparison.
Related on Orbit & Metric
HubSpot · Pipedrive · Salesforce for Small Business · Comparison
Frequently asked questions
Is HubSpot CRM really free?
HubSpot offers free CRM tools; paid Sales Hub tiers add features such as sequences and advanced reporting.
Does Pipedrive have a free plan?
No — it offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required.
Which CRM is cheapest for a three-person team?
On list prices, HubSpot Starter and Pipedrive Lite are the lowest entry points; total cost depends on the features you need.
Sources
- https://www.hubspot.com/pricing/sales (accessed 2026-11-15)
- https://www.pipedrive.com/en/pricing (accessed 2026-11-15)
- https://www.salesforce.com/small-business/pricing/ (accessed 2026-11-15)
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