Let’s be real. CRM doesn’t seem so crazy if it lives inside your Gmail, right? Familiar and favored for a reason, the Gmail CRM platform is user-friendly on a whole other level.
Currently used by 4 million paying enterprises worldwide, most of the large and small business world is using the Gmail inbox already. You probably are too. It’s safe to say Gmail probably isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, so CRM companies have latched on to the popularity and started to consider, “why not bring CRM software to the people?”
Google’s focus on design simplicity and user experience appeals to every internet user. The user benefits of a CRM system for Gmail involve a minimal learning curve and well-designed productivity tools (aka G Suite and Google Drive) that are intuitive to use. Whether we like to admit it or not, Gmail is where we live. It’s where we communicate, book appointments, organize meetings, store contacts, maintain relationships, build opportunities, plan new projects, and set reminders for all the essential action items of life and work.
There’s a comforting feeling of control when it comes to using a platform like G Suite. There’s no need to rely on a project manager, spouse, or assistant to organize your work and personal life. And sometimes, comfort is integral to productivity. We’re talking to you, sweatpants-wearing university students and free beer-WeWorker enthusiasts.
And on top of it all, having well-integrated CRM apps in your Gmail means the way you interact with the software comes more naturally (as an aside google sheets CRM might be another solution worth looking into).
The following CRM solutions deliver the goods to you, in the comfort of your Gmail inbox.
14 Best Gmail CRMs
Here’s our best CRM for Gmail picks:
Streak (Full Gmail Integration)
Features:
Streak is one of the only fully integrated Gmail CRM—meaning this bad boy lives directly inside your Gmail inbox for desktop or mobile (and that comes with all the G Suite integrations too). The idea behind Streak is to provide an organic extension of your existing workflow. While this CRM is more of a lightweight option, Streak still has all those juicy CRM details like pipeline and lead generation features. The platform includes customizable workflows with easy to use search, filter, group, and sort functions plus automatic tracking, data capture, and easy to view details of your pipeline right alongside your emails
Pros & Cons:
Streak built their CRM inside Gmail to make it accessible for everyone. It’s a simple CRM that is easy to get started with the basics. The ability to track and move emails through the pipeline is a plus for budding businesses. Streak has a broad selection of industry customers ranging from project management, media and creative agencies, to customer support, recruitment, real estate, fundraising and more.
Streak is a lightweight CRM meaning its features are fairly primitive in comparison to other CRM options that have Gmail plug-ins. Despite Streak living entirely in your Gmail inbox, some users find the interface to be overcomplicated with slow loading times.
Pricing:
Streak offers a free version with basic CRM features.
Professional is $49 per user/per month, billed annually.
Enterprise is $129 per user/per month, billed annually.
Website: streak.com
NetHunt (Full Gmail Integration)
Features:
NetHunt is a fully integrated CRM for Gmail. We’re not talking Chrome Extension or sidebars here. The familiar Gmail dashboard that sits on the left of your inbox comes with a second tab, transformed into all the CRM capabilities you could possibly desire. Features organized into categories like Deals, Companies, Support, Tasks, Contacts, and Pipeline.
The CRM is built around “Records”, which are a collection of your emails, tasks, and other files which can be organized into customized groups and views. NetHunt is special because it’s geared towards sales, marketing, and support.
Sales features include the ability to view key customer details in every email and the ability to create leads in one-click from emails, social profiles, and chat messages.
Marketing features include personalized email campaigns backed up by analytics, the ability to land in the right inbox (say goodbye to Spam and Junk inboxes), and automatic data updates based on email campaign results.
Support features include the ability to clearly outline, organize, and prioritize “critical”, “high”, “medium”, and “low” customer requests in addition to automated creation and assignment of support inquiries.
Pros & Cons:
Full integration means all CRM capabilities are readily accessible from the familiar Gmail dashboard, directly inside your inbox. No tab-switching, no window minimizing. The CRM also offers a Zapier integration allowing you to connect with over 1,000 other favorite app combos. There’s a mobile app as well.
NetHunt is a simple and flexible platform, however, this can be both a pro and con. It’s not the most visually pleasing interface and its customizable features may take some time to set up. There are currently limited native integrations, you will have to use Zapier to connect to other apps.
Pricing:
Professional plan is $24 per user/per month, paid annually.
Professional Plus is $28 per user/per month, paid annually.
Enterprise is $48 per user/per month, paid annually.
NetHunt offers a 14-day free trial for all plans. No credit card required.
Agile CRM (Chrome extension)
Features:
Agile CRM’s Chrome extension for Gmail is designed for streamlined communication between the CRM platform and your Gmail inbox. Two-way contact sync allows you to access contacts from both systems, which can be programmed for automatic syncs at customized time intervals. The platform’s unique 360-degree contact view gives you quick access to a chronological list of every email that was ever sent to a contact with Agile CRM’s contact timeline. Another perk includes contact campaign membership, meaning you can check in on campaigns your contacts are a part of, add new campaigns and remove contacts from existing campaigns.
Pros & Cons:
Agile CRM is chock-full of great automation features—this, combined with their Gmail Chrome exttension makes the platform very useful for eliminating any unnecessary admin minutes (or hours) in your workday.
Agile offers a lot of robust features but its Gmail integration is minimal, and the platform itself is not exactly a ‘ready to go right out of the box’ kind of CRM. It will take some effort to learn.
Pricing:
Free version available for up to 10 users.
Starter version is $8.99 per user/per month (billed every two years)
Regular version is $29.99 per user/per month (billed every two years)
Enterprise version is $47.99 per user/per month (billed every two years)
Website: agilecrm.com
HubSpot CRM (Gmail Sidebar Integration)
Features:
HubSpot is a big name (up there with Salesforce) in the CRM industry, so it’s only natural it offers a Gmail Chrome extension to help streamline its user’s workflow. The Gmail integration is designed for optimizing email tracking and sales with features like customizable email templates, automated outreach, a simplified meeting scheduler, sales pipeline, and mobile access (iPhone and Android). Oh yeah, it’s also FREE.
Pros & Cons:
HubSpot is a household name in the CRM world and for a reason: Besides the fact that it’s free, it’s also a comprehensive package that includes the ability to assign and track leads, record customer interactions across several channels, easy-to-use email marketing and inbound marketing tools, and much more.
The free version has many features, but a lot of them aren’t that robust, which means you may find yourself having to shell out for Marketing, Sales, or Service Hub products, especially as your company scales.
Pricing:
HubSpot CRM is free and the number of users is unlimited.
Marketing Hub, Sales Hub, and Service Hub add-on packages are $50 each per user/per month, billed monthly.
HubSpot CMS starts at $300 per month, billed monthly.
All-inclusive Starter Growth Suite starts at $113 per user/per month, billed monthly.
Website: hubspot.com
Copper (Gmail Sidebar Integration)
Features:
Copper is built with Google Material Design, meaning that even within the CRM platform, all the contact management things you need to do like email tracking, call logs and contact management, will look and feel like G Suite. Copper’s Chrome extension sidebar gives you a quick access overview of all your important contact details. Powerful AI-driven capabilities are extra helpful for automating tedious and time-consuming tasks: The software automatically records emails, calls, events, and other productivity documents so that reps can focus on the more important stuff—building actual customer relationships.
Pros & Cons:
Copper is one of the first to connect the CRM and Gmail dots beyond sidebar status and this isn’t some minor integration—Copper’s Chrome Extension lives in Gmail the same way you do. Google itself uses and recommends Copper for its millions of users.
Copper is quick to broadcast its built-for-Gmail product, however, it’s important to note that the CRM is a Chrome extension and not fully integrated, therefore there will be some tab-switching for a full data overview. While the CRM boasts its easy usability, be forewarned there is definitely still a bit of a learning curve.
Pricing:
Basic plan is $19 per user/per month, billed annually (for up to 3 users).
Professional plan is $49 per user/per month, billed annually.
Business plan is $119 per user/per month, billed annually.
Copper offers a 14-day free trial of the Professional plan. No credit card required.
Website: copper.com
Zoho CRM (Gmail Sidebar Integration)
Features:
This Gmail Chrome extension helps you make the most of Zoho CRM’s simple, yet effective platform targeted at small business sales teams. It allows you to quickly manage and add leads and contacts to the Zoho CRM system while also providing quick access to lead/contact details for each profile. The ability to sync and log tasks, events, and calls with customers between the CRM and your inbox makes this Chrome extension even more helpful.
Pros & Cons:
If you’re just starting out and shopping for a CRM, two words might sound appealing to you: free and Gmail. Zoho CRM has got you covered with its Chrome extension and free CRM plan for up to three users.
A lot of companies start out using Gmail, and since Zoho CRM is designed for budding businesses, the addition of its Chrome extension is very appealing. Although it’s good to keep in mind that all of Zoho’s free and standard plans have limited features and its add-on modules will cost ya—so as your team and feature needs grow, so will your monthly rate.
Pricing:
A free version is available for up to three users and is targeted at home businesses.
Standard version is $12 per user/per month, billed annually
Enterprise version is $35 per user/per month, billed annually.
Website: zoho.com/crm
FollowUp Personal CRM (Gmail Sidebar Integration)
Features:
This CRM offers a Gmail Chrome extension for managing your personal or professional network from directly inside the familiar scene of your Gmail inbox. If all your contacts are inside Gmail already, FollowUp Personal helps you optimize your relationships with advanced features like reminders for conversations, tasks or events and advanced note-taking capabilities. Soon the platform will release a Relationships Insights feature, which will inform you of your “relationship state” with contacts based on event invites or the sentiment and frequency of your messages.
Pros & Cons:
As a personal CRM, it’s particularly handy to work within a familiar space. Followup notifications are extremely helpful in a professional setting. FollowUp Personal CRM is by no means overcomplicated, the Chrome extension really exists solely to improve your workflow and to progress your personal or professional relationships.
If you’re looking for a CRM with more robust reporting insights or advanced methods for categorizing your network, FollowUp Personal might not be your first pick. But if what you’re craving is relationship management simplified, this just might be the CRM for you.
Pricing:
FollowUp offers a free version with limited events, reminders, and FollowUps.
Professional plan is $19 per user/per month, billed annually.
Executive plan is $29 per user/per month, billed annually.
For Team plans contact the vendor for a quote.
Website: followup.cc/followup-personal-crm
Pipedrive (Gmail Sidebar Integration)
Features:
Pipedrive’s Gmail Chrome extension exists as a sidebar application that allows you to schedule sales activities, make notes, and quickly add contacts from Gmail to Pipedrive. Once you have installed the add-on, you can instantly see all sales history with each contact whenever you open an email communication thread with them. The Pipedrive add-on for Gmail is all about providing you with context throughout all the stages of the sales process.
Pros & Cons:
While the Pipedrive Gmail Chrome extension isn’t a full integration, its sidebar access is very handy for companies who are looking for a top-rated platform with more robust sales features like prospect and lead management, pipeline overview, closing deals, and all that jazz.
The main drawback users cite is an issue with Pipedrive being on the high end of the pricing structure. Customer service is always live but frequently slow with response times.
Pricing:
The Essential plan is $14.90 per user/per month billed annually, and $15 billed monthly.
The Advanced plan is $24.90 per user/per month billed annually, and $29 billed monthly.
The Professional plan is $49.90 per user/per month billed annually and $59 billed monthly.
The Enterprise plan is $99 per user/per month, billed annually.
A 14-day free trial is available for the Essential, Advanced, and Professional plans.
Website: pipedrive.com
Capsule CRM (Gmail Sidebar Integration)
Features:
Capsule offers a Gmail add-on integration which gives you an inbox sidebar host to several helpful features like storing conversation threads and customer details, linking sales opportunities and cases, and adding follow-up tasks. A simple platform with customizable options and a mobile-friendly interface makes Capsule very accessible, especially for new users to CRM.
Pros & Cons:
Capsule is catered towards startup and small business culture and offers a free plan for up to two users. The Professional plan has several handy integrations for growing your business like Zapier, Zendesk, Twitter, and Mailchimp. A dedicated customer support system is another major plus.
While the CRM is very new business-friendly, the free version is capped at 250 contacts, so if you’re looking to expand beyond that you’ll have to upgrade pretty quickly. Users have reported issues with categorization and record management.
Pricing:
Free, basic version of Capsule is available for up to 2 users.
Professional version is priced at $18 per user/ per month, billed monthly.
Teams version is priced at $36 per user/per month, billed monthly.
A 30-day free trial is available for Professional and Teams plans.
Website: capsulecrm.com
Nutshell (Gmail Sidebar Integration)
Features:
Nutshell is a powerful CRM known for its simple and intuitive interface. No IT department required. So, its Gmail Chrome extension is the perfect CRM sidekick. With the extension, you can save emails to Nutshell, sync Google Calendar activities, create tasks, track communication timelines, write notes, and view which emails have been shared with teammates in Nutshell. A particularly handy feature (and one you would expect from a Gmail CRM) is the ability to share email threads and messages directly from Gmail, without having to forward or bcc them to Nutshell.
Pros & Cons:
It seamlessly connects your Google and Nutshell contacts and emails plus syncs and automatically updates Google events with Nutshell activities. To seal that ease of use feel, you can use a single sign-in with Google credentials. In a nutshell (sorry we had to), if you’re used to legacy CRM and inbox situations, this platform will feel like a breeze.
It should be noted, users cite a lack of automated integrations and customizability capabilities a bit of a bummer, but depending on your situation Nutshell’s easy-to-setup interface and third-party integrations through Zapier may make up for that.
Pricing:
Starter plan is $19 per user/per month, billed annually.
Pro plan is $35 per user/per month, billed annually.
Nutshell offers a 14-day free trial for both its Starter and Pro plans.
Website: nutshell.com
Nimble (Gmail Sidebar Integration)
Features:
Nimble’s “add-in” (aka add-on) for Gmail is also for G Suite, which means seamless integration with all Google apps like Calendar, Contacts, Docs, and Google Drive. The sidebar integration makes it easy to update contacts, manage deals, sync calendar appointments, send trackable templated emails, and manage deals. Nimble’s Contact Record feature automatically combines cross-channel contact and lead information into a single unified profile. Basically, you’ll be working with an enhanced version of Gmail and G Suite.
Pros & Cons:
Nimble is a CRM tailored for social media use, so if you’re looking for a Gmail CRM to help simplify your operations across social media channels like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, this just might be the one.
Creating a contact profile in the CRM will not automatically create a profile in your Google Contacts, however, you can use a third-party integration to achieve a two-way mail merge.
Pricing:
Business plan is $19 per user/per month, billed annually.
Nimble offers a 14-day free trial.
Website: nimble.com
Insightly (Gmail Sidebar Integration)
Features:
Insightly offers a Gmail sidebar that allows reps to migrate contacts and emails from their Gmail inbox or sent folder directly into the platform, with just one click. A “handsome” logo button automatically saves contacts and emails into the CRM. The sidebar gives users easy access to CRM data with hover note features and task creation options.
Pros & Cons:
Insightly is a CRM built more for enterprise-size sales and relationship management; however, the company’s ‘free for 2 users’ option caters to startups as well. It is a reputable CRM with both desktop and mobile functions. While this isn’t a robust Gmail integration, Insightly is a robust CRM with Kanban sales pipelines, custom reports, various dashboard options, and relationship maps to fuel your customer relationship fire.
While Insightly promotes itself as the “#1 Gmail and G Suite CRM”, what they really mean is that they are the #1 CRM that has a fairly convenient Gmail integration. There will still be some significant tab-switching between the two platforms.
Pricing:
Free plan for up to two users.
Plus is $29 per user/per month, billed annually.
Professional is $49 per user/per month, billed annually.
Enterprise is $99 per user/per month, billed annually.
A 14-day free trial is available for the Plus and Professional plans.
Website: insightly.com
Salesmate (Gmail Sidebar Integration)
Features:
Sales CRM, Salesmate offers a Chrome extension with Gmail sidebar integration that allows you to view contacts/companies, timeline activities, and deal opportunities. In the sidebar, you can add notes, view sales history, and compose emails and contacts that will automatically update in the Salesmate platform. Data entry automation and record sorting helps to make each workday even more efficient. Two-way sync allows you to manage your email in both Salesmate and your Gmail inbox.
Pros & Cons:
The Salesmate platform is especially appealing for teams just starting out as its interface is very simple and easy to use, plus, it’s super affordable, compared to other Gmail CRM options. If you’re looking for a Gmail CRM tailored towards sales, the Salesmate Gmail sidebar integration is a great option. It offers quick access to detailed insight into contacts, deals, and activities—think of the platform as a sales CRM shortcut.
While some users report the Salesmate Chrome extension can make their inbox freeze, most have cited a very fluid Gmail integration between the two apps.
Pricing:
Starter plan is $12 per user/per month, billed annually.
Growth plan is $24 per user/per month, billed annually.
Salesmate offers a 15-day free trial for both its Starter and Growth plans.
Website: salesmate.io
Get yourself into a Gmail CRM workflow
The workflow of a CRM user looks a lot like this—open and read an email, identify an opportunity, assign an action item, follow up, and nurture a customer relationship. With a customer relationship management system built for Gmail, the user gets to maintain their workflow, naturally (and sometimes even in a single tab).
Most of the time, it all starts with an email in Gmail, so might as well get started with your very own CRM integration for Gmail.