Best CRM for Small Consulting Business
An expert-curated look at the best CRMs for consultants in 2025, evaluating ease of use, setup, automation, mobile access, integrations, pricing, and reporting. It highlights top options—OnePageCRM, Trello, Airtable, HubSpot, and Monday.com—and offers guidance on choosing a tool that supports quick setup and consistent use for small consulting practices. The article also covers buying considerations and pitfalls to avoid when adopting a consulting CRM.
Ideal Customer Profile
Independent consultants and small consulting practices seeking a simple, effective CRM to manage leads, pipeline, and client work, with emphasis on quick setup and consistent use.
Common Pain Points
- •Too many CRM choices causing analysis paralysis
- •CRM projects are started but not used
- •Need for a simple, affordable tool with mobile access
- •Desire for streamlined lead generation and sales pipelines
- •Need easy integrations with existing tools and automation for follow-ups
Top CRM Picks
5 expert-vetted recommendations
Ranked recommendations based on feature depth, pricing transparency, and adoption within the industry.
Perfect For
Independent consultants who want an easy-to-configure tool with a 'to do' list to stay on top of actions and follow-ups in their pipeline.
⚡ Key Features
- Pipeline visualization
- Pipeline valuation
- Activity tracking
- Task scheduling
- Automated rules
Pros
- ✓User-friendly interface
- ✓Mobile app (on the go)
- ✓Affordable for independent consultants
- ✓Clear to-do/follow-up emphasis
"Best fit-for-purpose CRM for consultants."
Perfect For
Simple, quick-start lead organization using Kanban boards.
⚡ Key Features
- Kanban boards
- Lead tracking
- Easy starter setup
Pros
- ✓Quick start (5 minutes)
- ✓Low barrier to entry
Cons
- ✗Limited CRM capabilities; may require migration later
"Simple, easy-to-configure starting point that you can replace later if needed."
Perfect For
Simple, easy-to-configure starting point for organizing contacts with Kanban-style views.
⚡ Key Features
- Kanban-style views
- Flexible data tables
- Easy to organize leads
Pros
- ✓Flexible and customizable
- ✓Easy to set up
Cons
- ✗Not a full-featured CRM; limited automation
"Simple, easy-to-configure starting point that you can replace later if needed."
Perfect For
Independent consultants comfortable configuring software; may be harder to set up for some users.
⚡ Key Features
- Module interconnectivity
- Widely-used CRM
Pros
- ✓Commonly used by independent consultants
Cons
- ✗More challenging to configure compared with competitors
"HubSpot can be more challenging to configure; consider easier options."
Perfect For
Comprehensive end-to-end practice management including sales pipeline, project management, and collaboration.
⚡ Key Features
- Sales pipeline
- Proposal generation
- Project management (time tracking, Gantt charts)
- Collaboration with subcontractors
Pros
- ✓Comprehensive tool for managing multiple aspects of a practice
"Monday.com is a comprehensive solution that supports independent consultant workflows."
Buying Guide
Step-by-step guide to finding your perfect CRM
Strategic considerations to shortlist the right CRM platform for your workflow, tech stack, and growth roadmap.
- 1
Choose a CRM that can be set up quickly with minimal configuration.
- 2
Use the CRM consistently to build a reliable pipeline and support business development goals.
FAQ
Common questions answered
Quick answers to common questions digital teams raise when evaluating CRM platforms.
Continue Your CRM Research
Continue exploring to make the best CRM decision