The 10 best CRMs for consultants in 2024

Consultants and consulting firms require customer relationship management (CRM) software to streamline their processes, improve client relationships, and ultimately grow their business.

But there’s more than one type of consultant — including management, financial, IT, HR, and marketing consultants — all operating within different sectors with different needs, workflows, and demands.

So, the key to success is finding the right CRM for your specific focus, clients, and market needs.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top ten CRMs for consultants, the benefits of using CRM software, the key features to consider, and why monday CRM is ideal for independent consultants and consulting firms.

What is a CRM for consultants?

A CRM for consultants is specialized software designed to help consulting firms manage and nurture relationships with their clients and prospects. It provides a centralized repository for storing vital client information, optimizing interactions, managing sales processes, improving operational efficiency, and driving growth through better relationship management.

What are the benefits of using a CRM for consultants?

Using CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software offers several significant benefits for consultants. Here are the key advantages:

1. Increased efficiency

CRM systems automate many administrative tasks, such as data entry, scheduling, and follow-ups, allowing consultants to focus on high-impact activities like client meetings and strategy development. This efficiency reduces the time spent on mundane tasks and increases productivity.

2. Reduced costs

While there may be an initial investment in CRM software, the long-term benefits often outweigh the costs. By improving efficiency and client retention, CRM systems can lead to significant cost savings and a higher return on investment.

3. Enhanced customer experience

CRMs help deliver a seamless and personalized client experience. By having access to comprehensive client information, consultants can respond faster and more effectively to client needs, leading to improved client satisfaction and retention.

4. Improved collaboration

With a centralized database, all team members can access the same client information and updates. This enhances collaboration and ensures everyone is on the same page regarding client interactions and pipeline stages.

5. Better data management and insights

CRMs provide valuable analytics and reporting features that allow consultants to gain insights into client behavior and sales performance. This data-driven approach helps make informed decisions and identify opportunities for growth.

6. Streamlined sales processes

Consultants can manage their sales pipeline more effectively with CRM tools, tracking leads and opportunities throughout the sales cycle. This leads to increased sales and improved conversion rates.

7. Dedicated mobile experience

Many modern CRM solutions offer mobile access, allowing consultants to manage client relationships and access important information on the go. This flexibility makes it easy for consultants to log updates and check the latest activities.

8. Scalability

As consulting firms grow, CRMs can scale with them, accommodating more clients and complex relationships without sacrificing quality. This flexibility is crucial for adapting to changing business needs.

9. Enhanced communication

CRMs facilitate better communication with clients and within teams. By logging all interactions, consultants can manage client relationships and ensure that all team members are informed about client needs and preferences.

10. Increased accountability

With a CRM, consultants can track tasks, deadlines, and client interactions, promoting accountability within the team. This ensures that nothing falls through the cracks and client commitments are consistently met.

To summarize: CRM software provides consultants with essential tools to enhance efficiency, improve client relationships, and drive business growth. By leveraging these systems, consultants can focus on delivering high-quality services while optimizing their internal processes.

10 key features to look for in a consulting CRM 

Here are the essential features to consider when choosing a CRM for consultants:

1. Contact management: Centralized storage and organization of client information, interactions (calls, emails, meetings), and communication history.
2. Lead management: Collect, qualify, and assign all leads from any source in one place.
3. Deal management: Tools to visualize the sales pipeline, manage deals, and track opportunities throughout the lifecycle.
4. Automation: Tools to automate repetitive tasks, such as data entry and sending follow-up emails or reminders.
5. Reporting and analytics: Customizable reports and data analysis capabilities to gain insights into sales performance, client behavior, and business trends.
6. Sales forecasting: Make accurate forecasts and projections based on performance.
7. Mobile accessibility: Mobile CRM capabilities for accessing and updating information on the go.
8. Integrations: Ability to integrate with other business tools and systems to streamline workflows.
9. Quote management: Facility to create and manage quotes and ensure pricing accuracy.
10. Account management: Track the onboarding progress of clients and manage renewals.

These features help consultants streamline their processes, manage client relationships more effectively, and gain valuable insights to drive business growth.

The top 10 CRMs for consultants

There are several options when choosing a CRM platform for consultants, each with its pros and cons. The best CRM should be tailored to the unique needs of consulting work, focusing on relationship-building and long-term client management rather than just linear sales processes. In this next section, we’ll walk you through the top 10 CRMs for consultants.

1. monday CRM

Best for: Consultants who want a highly visual, customizable, and intuitive platform

monday CRM is a fully-customizable, no-code platform that lets consultants improve efficiency at every stage of the customer journey. You can organize and manage your pipeline, streamline client communications, automate manual processes, and gain valuable insights into all your data in one place.

Key features of monday CRM

• Contact management: Automatically keep track of client interactions and log sent emails in one central location. Save time with personalized email templates and AI-powered suggestions.
• Deal management: See all your client information at a glance and get a 360-degree view of your opportunities to clearly understand where each stands in your pipeline.
• Automation: Save valuable time and close more deals by automatically assigning leads to consultants, setting reminders for upcoming activities, and getting notified when a lead opens an email.
• Customization: Easily tailor the platform to your unique pipeline, workflows, and processes. Edit deal stages, add multiple columns, and manage unlimited pipelines and contacts.

monday CRM pricing: $12/user/month (Basic); $17/user/month (Standard); $28/user/month (Pro); Custom (Enterprise).

More information: monday CRM pricing

2. Hubspot CRM

Best for: Independent consultants and consultancy firms looking to scale

HubSpot CRM enables consultants to track every detail of client relationships in one place. Whether you’re a one-person business looking for a personal CRM or an established consulting firm with hundreds of accounts, HubSpot CRM lets you store up to one million contacts and companies and collaborate with your team.

Key features of Hubspot CRM

• Contact management: Organize client information centrally and segment contacts based on various criteria.
• Pipeline management: Visually manage sales pipelines to track potential projects and clients.
• Task management: Automatically assign tasks, send follow-up emails, and streamline repetitive processes.

Hubspot CRM pricing: $0/user/month (Free); $15/user/month (Starter); $90/user/month (Professional); $150/user/month (Enterprise).

More information: HubSpot pricing, HubSpot vs. monday CRM

3. Pipedrive CRM

Best for: Consultants who need a user-friendly, customizable CRM

Pipedrive CRM offers a highly visual and intuitive drag-and-drop pipeline view that allows consultants to visualize their sales process, prioritize opportunities, and focus on the most promising leads. Consultants can also tailor the CRM to their unique needs, ensuring it aligns with their business model and client engagement strategies.

Key features of Pipedrive CRM

• Pipeline management: Visually track and manage deals through the different stages.
• Customization: Create customized workflows that match specific consulting processes.
• Mobile app: Access and update CRM data on the go.

Pipedrive CRM pricing: $14/user/month (Essential); $29/user/month (Advanced); $49/user/month (Professional); $64/user/month (Power); $99/user/month (Enterprise).

More information: Pipedrive pricing, Pipedrive vs. monday CRM

4. Freshsales CRM

Best for: Consultants looking to customize workflows and streamline communication

Freshsales CRM enables consultants to manage client relationships through various phases of engagement efficiently, streamline communication, and modify the platform to fit their unique consulting workflow. It also provides AI-powered insights to help consultants analyze activities and enhance productivity.

Key features of Freshsales CRM

• Contact management: Store and organize comprehensive client information with custom lifecycle stages.
• Multichannel communication: Keep in touch with clients through their preferred channels and record all interactions in one place,
• Customization: Tailor the CRM to specific business needs with custom fields, activities, and modules.

Freshsales CRM pricing: $0/user/month (Free); $15/user/month (Growth); $39/user/month (Pro); $69/user/month (Enterprise).

More information: FreshSales pricing

5. Capsule CRM

Best for: Consultants looking to enhance their client management processes and improve overall efficiency in their consulting practices

Capsule CRM helps independent consultants and consulting firms manage client information and track interactions efficiently. The built-in project management functionality ensures consultants can deliver their work on time and within scope.

Key features of Capsule CRM

• Client management: Get a bird’s eye view of client and contact interactions and access important client details.
• Project management: Track project milestones, set reminders for follow-ups, and organize tasks related to client projects.
• Analytics and reporting: Make data-informed business decisions based on consultant performance, client behavior, and sales trends.

Capsule CRM pricing: $0/user/month (Free); $18/user/month (Starter); $36/user/month (Growth); $54/user/month (Advanced); $72/user/month (Ultimate).

6. Keap CRM

Best for: Consultants who want an integrated marketing automation platform

Keap’s CRM helps consultants automate sales and marketing tasks, manage client relationships effectively, and scale their business operations efficiently. They can manage the sales pipeline, schedule appointments, send emails and text messages, accept payments, and much more, all in one place.

Key features of Keap CRM

• Lead management: Automatically collect and pre-qualify leads, then send follow-up emails and appointment booking links.
• Personalized automation: Send targeted email and text broadcasts and segmented nurture campaigns.
• Quote management: Create and send quotes, convert them to invoices, and collect payments.

Keap CRM pricing: $249/month/2 users (Ignite); $329/month/3 users (Grow); $499/month/5 users (Scale).

More information: Keap pricing

7. Salesflare

Best for: B2B consultants looking to streamline their lead management and client relationship processes

Salesflare CRM has a straightforward and intuitive interface, making it easy for consultants to navigate and use. This makes it particularly beneficial for smaller consulting practices or solo consultants who need an efficient CRM solution without a steep learning curve.

Key features of Salesflare

• Lead management: Visualize and track leads through the drag-and-drop pipeline.
• Integration: Automatically pull contact information from communication channels, social media, and online profiles.
• Automation: Send and track automated, personalized email sequences.

Salesflare pricing: $29/user/month (Growth); $49/user/month (Pro); $99/user/month (Enterprise).

8. Salesforce CRM

Best for: Consulting firms who need to collaborate across practice groups

Salesforce CRM helps consulting firms improve customer relationships, manage and organize customer data, streamline business processes, and drive sales growth through better data management and insights.

Key features of Salesforce CRM

• Automation: Leverage AI, real-time data, and automation to increase productivity, improve efficiency, and accelerate insight across every team.
• Collaboration: Increase team productivity and unify the client experience across practice groups in one collaborative workspace.
• Analytics: Gain deeper insights and build stronger relationships with a comprehensive view of each client.

Salesforce CRM pricing: $25/user/month (Starter Suite); $100/user/month (Pro Suite); $165/user/month (Enterprise); $330/user/month (Unlimited); $500/user/month (Einstein 1 Sales).

More information: Salesforce pricing, Salesforce vs. monday CRM, Salesforce alternatives

9. Zoho CRM

Best for: Consultants and consulting firms of all sizes

Zoho CRM helps consultancies of all sizes — from startups to large enterprises — improve client relationships, increase sales efficiency, and enhance overall productivity. Its omnichannel functionality allows consultants to interact with clients seamlessly while maintaining context.

Key features of Zoho CRM

• Customization: Tailor the CRM to specific business needs, processes, and workflows.
• Automation: Built-in AI assistant Zia provides insights, automates tasks, and suggests actions based on customer data.
• Lead management: Capture leads from various sources and nurture them through the sales pipeline.

Zoho CRM pricing: $0/user/month (Free); $14/user/month (Standard); $23/user/month (Professional); $40/user/month (Enterprise); $52/user/month (Ultimate).

More information: Zoho CRM pricing, Zoho alternatives

10. Insightly CRM

Best for: Consultants looking for an all-in-one solution for managing projects and client relationships

Insightly CRM helps consultants manage client relationships and projects more effectively, automate routine tasks, and gain valuable insights through advanced reporting. It integrates with over 2,000 third-party applications, including popular tools like Slack, Google Workspace, QuickBooks, and Dropbox, so consultants can streamline workflows and enhance collaboration.

Key features of Insightly CRM

• Client and project management: Manage client relationships and projects within a single platform.
• Automated workflows: Create custom workflows to handle repetitive tasks such as sending follow-up emails, updating project statuses, and assigning tasks to team members.
• Advanced reporting and analytics: Get detailed insights into sales performance, project progress, and client interactions.

Insightly CRM pricing: $29/user/month (Plus); $49/user/month (Professional); $99/user/month (Enterprise).

More information: Insightly CRM pricing, Insightly alternatives

How to grow your consulting business with monday CRM

Built on the robust monday.com Work OS, monday CRM enables consultants to manage their clients at every stage of the journey. With all client information centralized in one place, an intuitive interface combined with automations and AI, powerful integrations, and custom dashboards, consultants have total visibility and control to grow their business.

1.  Utilize the pre-built boards

Workspaces in monday CRM come loaded with pre-built boards — Leads, Deals, Account, and Contacts — designed specifically for managing the entire consulting process. Plus, you can easily customize them — without needing developers — to fit your business workflows and requirements.

2. Automate your workflows

Automations on monday CRM help minimize manual efforts, reduce errors, and ensure timely actions. You can set up custom automations to streamline your consulting processes, such as setting reminders for upcoming activities and receiving follow-ups based on time lapsed.

3. Stay one step ahead with AI

Use the built-in AI tools to quickly compose emails, refine messages, create polished content, or summarize meeting notes. These powerful tools can also help calculate the close probability of your deals without requiring any previous expertise in formula building.

4. Integrate with other systems

With monday CRM, you can connect with other apps you already use. For example, connect the CRM Data Enrichment app powered by Crunchbase to bolster your client account information with details like company description, number of employees, industry sector, headquarters location, and company profile.

5. Track deals in your pipeline

Add the Kanban-style Sales Pipeline View to any of your CRM boards and use the drag-and-drop functionality to map your deal stages. Track the status of any deal and keep them moving smoothly through the funnel.

You can also get a 360° view of your opportunities and clearly understand where each stands in your pipeline with the Deal Stages Widget in the “Leads” and “Deals” boards.

6. Manage leads effortlessly

Templated email sequences, mass personalization, and generative AI drafting enable you to craft meaningful content for leads. Once sent, you’ll track the success of your messages using notifications that alert you when a recipient receives, opens, or responds to a message. Shared email inboxes, integrations with Outlook and Gmail, and customizable signatures are also available.

7. Stay in the loop 24/7

Use the mobile app to access crucial data on the go from various devices. Easily summarize client interactions via the pre-built screen, check report statuses, add new activities, and receive emails from any location.

If you like what you see, why not grow your business with CRM features perfect for consultants and consulting firms? You can start a free trial now, or if you still have unanswered questions, take a look at the most frequently asked questions below.