CRM Software
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems are crucial for businesses aiming to build and maintain strong relationships with their customers. CRM software provides tools for managing customer interactions, tracking sales, and automating marketing efforts. Client relationship management systems enable businesses to gain insights into customer behaviour, preferences, and needs, allowing for personalised service and improved customer satisfaction. CRM management software integrates with other business systems, providing a comprehensive view of customer data and enabling seamless communication across departments. Relationship management software helps businesses to streamline their processes, enhance customer engagement, and drive sales growth. Whether you're a small business or a large enterprise, implementing a robust CRM system is essential for achieving customer-centric success. Explore the best CRM solutions designed to meet the needs of your organisation in Australia. Read more Read less
The Best CRM Software for Australian Businesses in 2025
Customer relationship management (CRM) software helps Australian businesses manage sales pipelines, track leads, and improve customer communication. It’s also a top priority—Australia leads globally in CRM adoption, with 93% of businesses already using a CRM system. [a]
With over 1,500 CRM tools available—ranging from lightweight apps to full-suite platforms—the market can be difficult to navigate. Choosing the right solution often feels overwhelming.
To help, I analysed 15,952 verified user reviews to identify Australia’s top-rated CRM systems. These tools stand out for core features like lead management, sales tracking, and reporting—capabilities that Australian SMBs consistently rank as essential.
Explore the top CRM software picks below or browse our full CRM catalog to compare features, pricing, and user feedback.
Top solutions
monday CRM
Salesforce Sales Cloud
Dynamics 365
Pipedrive
Nimble
Keap
Nutshell
Tall Emu CRM
Podium
How we picked the software on this list
Our independent and objective research is based on market demand signals in Australia and an analysis of our proprietary data. This includes product information and verified user reviews from the last two years as of April 2025. Sponsorship or client status has no influence on the selection of products in the lists, but it may impact the order in which products appear. Read our full methodology.
Highly rated for data security and customisation.
Zoho CRM holds a 4.33 out of 5 rating from over 6,200 verified reviews and is known for its strong data security, automation, and integration capabilities. It’s a flexible, cloud-based CRM that suits businesses of all sizes, offering AI-powered insights, lead scoring, and marketing automation. With over 500 integrations and a wide range of customisation options, Zoho CRM is especially appealing to SMBs looking for a scalable solution that grows with their needs. While its interface is generally user-friendly, some users report occasional glitches and a cluttered layout.
Features
Built to centralise customer data and automate lead engagement, with features shaped by what users say matters most.
- Central communication: Centralises customer data and integrates with tools like Slack, Zoom, and Mailchimp to streamline communication and improve visibility.
- Contact database: Stores and organises customer information with easy access and syncing across Zoho apps, though some users find navigation confusing.
- Contact management: Allows for detailed customisation and integration with third-party tools, helping teams track interactions and manage relationships.
- Customer database: Offers cloud-based access and flexible data views, making it easier to analyse customer behaviour and segment audiences.
- Customisable reports: Enables tailored reporting for better decision-making, though setup can be time-consuming for new users.
- Lead management: Automates lead scoring and tracking, improving conversion rates and reducing manual effort.
Pros & cons
Pros:
Feature-rich and affordable, but support and usability may fall short.
Zoho CRM is widely appreciated for its affordability and breadth of features, offering more value than many competitors like Salesforce or Keap, especially for SMBs. Its integration with other Zoho tools and third-party apps makes it a flexible choice for businesses with evolving needs.
Cons:
However, users frequently cite slow or unhelpful customer support and a cluttered interface that can hinder productivity. Compared to more intuitive platforms like monday CRM, Zoho’s user experience may require more time to master.
Value for Money
1963 reviews discussing Value for Money, 80% of which are positive.
Strong value with flexible pricing, but advanced features add cost.
Zoho CRM is considered a cost-effective solution, especially for startups and small businesses, thanks to its free version, tiered pricing, and extensive features. Users appreciate the ability to scale without switching platforms, and the seamless integration with other Zoho apps adds to its appeal. However, advanced features—such as AI tools or deeper analytics—are often locked behind higher-tier plans, making it less budget-friendly for teams that need more functionality. Some users also find the pricing structure complex, especially when factoring in add-ons and support.
Popular Integrations
Broad integration ecosystem supports marketing, communication, and automation.
- Gmail: Tracks email responses, syncs calendars, and manages client interactions directly within the CRM.
- Mailchimp: Connects email marketing campaigns with CRM data, helping teams manage subscriber lists and campaign performance.
- Zapier: Automates workflows and connects Zoho CRM with hundreds of other apps, reducing manual tasks and improving efficiency.
- Zoho Social: Pulls leads from social media and tracks engagement, helping teams manage social selling and brand interactions.
- Zoho Mail: Centralises business communication and enhances sales and marketing coordination within the Zoho ecosystem.
Highly rated for flexibility, automation, and ease of use.
monday CRM scores 4.71 out of 5 from over 400 verified reviews, making it one of the top-rated CRM platforms for small to midsize businesses (SMBs). Built on the monday.com Work OS, it offers a free version and a flexible, visual interface that supports sales tracking, project management, and workflow automation. Users highlight its customisable dashboards, seamless integrations, and collaborative tools that centralise communication and improve visibility across teams. While it’s praised for its intuitive design, some users report a learning curve during setup and limitations in email tracking.
Features
Designed to streamline sales, task management, and team collaboration, with features shaped by what users say matters most.
Lead management: Tracks leads through customisable stages and integrates with tools like Zapier and RocketReach to automate data capture and outreach.
- Sales pipeline management: Offers visual boards and automation to manage deals and improve visibility, though some users miss native Gmail tracking.
- Contact management: Centralises contact records and communication history, with easy integration from other CRMs.
- Task management: Helps teams organise work, track progress, and coordinate remotely with built-in reminders and status updates.
- Workflow management: Automates repetitive tasks and connects with external tools to reduce manual work and improve efficiency.
- Reporting and analytics: Provides customisable dashboards and visual reports, though setup can be complex for new users.
Pros & cons
Pros:
Flexible and collaborative, but setup and performance may slow teams down.
monday CRM is praised for its intuitive interface, customisable workflows, and seamless integrations with tools like Slack, Gmail, and Facebook, making it ideal for remote collaboration and sales tracking. Compared to more rigid CRMs like Salesforce, it offers greater flexibility in how teams manage data and processes.
Cons:
However, some users report a steep learning curve during initial setup and slower performance when handling large datasets. Email integration delays and duplicate management issues also affect usability, especially for teams scaling quickly.
Value for Money
67 reviews discussing Value for Money, 69% of which are positive.
Strong functionality, but pricing may stretch smaller teams.
Reviewers generally find monday CRM a worthwhile investment, citing its ease of use, automation, and visual dashboards as key benefits that justify the cost. It’s often seen as more affordable than enterprise CRMs, and the free trial allows teams to test features before committing. However, the basic plan is limited, and many users find they need to upgrade to access essential tools—making it more expensive than freemium options like Zoho CRM. For small teams, the cost of scaling can become a concern as needs grow.
Popular Integrations
Integrations enhance collaboration, marketing, and data management.
- Gmail: Enables email tracking, automation, and notifications, centralising communication for sales and marketing teams.
- Microsoft Excel: Supports data import/export, dashboard creation, and automation of spreadsheet-based processes.
- Mailchimp: Connects email marketing campaigns with CRM data, helping teams manage leads and send bulk emails efficiently.
- Slack: Syncs updates and notifications to streamline communication and reduce duplicate data entry.
- Microsoft Outlook: Centralises email and calendar events, improving task coordination despite occasional sync issues.
Best for activity tracking and enterprise-grade sales management.
Salesforce Sales Cloud holds a 4.41 out of 5 rating from over 17,800 verified reviews and is one of the most widely adopted CRMs globally. It’s built for businesses that need advanced lead and opportunity management, real-time sales tracking, and deep customisation. Users value its robust automation, activity dashboard, analytics, and integration ecosystem. While it’s a powerful platform for scaling sales operations, its complexity, high cost, and steep learning curve make it better suited to larger teams with dedicated admin support.
Features
Built to manage complex sales processes and customer relationships, with features shaped by what users say matters most.
- Contact management: Centralises customer data and tracks interactions, though some users report issues with duplicates and auto-updates.
- Reporting and analytics: Offers real-time dashboards and custom reports, with integration to tools like Tableau, though setup can be complex.
- Automations: Supports end-to-end sales workflows with automation and customisation, though onboarding may require expert help.
- Interaction tracking: Logs calls, emails, and texts to improve collaboration and customer service, though some integrations require manual setup.
- Sales pipeline management: Visualises deal stages and prioritises opportunities, though native tools may need enhancement via custom fields.
- Lead management: Automates lead tracking and integrates with tools like Pardot, though conversion workflows can be complex.
Pros & cons
Pros:
Powerful and flexible, but complex and costly for smaller teams.
Salesforce Sales Cloud is praised for its extensive features, automation, and analytics, making it a top choice for enterprises needing deep customisation and scalability. Compared to simpler CRMs like monday CRM or Pipedrive, it offers more control over workflows and data.
Cons:
However, users report a steep learning curve, complex setup, and reliance on technical support. Pricing is also a concern, especially for small businesses, with costs rising quickly due to add-ons and required training.
Value for Money
3467 reviews discussing Value for Money, 40% of which are positive.
Feature-rich, but pricing and complexity may limit accessibility.
Salesforce Sales Cloud offers strong value for large organisations that can fully leverage its capabilities. Users appreciate its flexible pricing plans, free trials, and learning tools like Trailhead. However, many find the overall cost high—especially when factoring in integrations, support, and onboarding. Compared to more affordable CRMs like Zoho or Keap, Salesforce’s pricing structure and need for specialised training make it less accessible for SMBs with limited resources.
Popular Integrations
Extensive integrations support sales, marketing, and communication.
- Gmail: Syncs emails and calendar events, helping teams manage communication within the CRM.
- Mailchimp: Connects email marketing campaigns with CRM data, improving lead nurturing and campaign tracking.
- Zapier: Automates workflows and connects Salesforce with hundreds of third-party tools.
- Five9: Manages inbound and outbound calls, streamlining communication and capturing client data.
Best for campaign management and Microsoft ecosystem integration.
Dynamics 365 earns a 4.38 out of 5 rating from over 5,600 verified reviews and combines CRM and ERP capabilities in a single platform. It’s built for growing businesses that need advanced sales and strong campaign management, marketing, and customer service tools, with seamless integration into Microsoft products like Office 365, Power BI, and Azure. Users value its scalability, AI-driven insights, and customisation options. However, the platform’s complexity, high cost, and steep learning curve make it better suited to midsize and larger organisations rather than small teams.
Features
Combines CRM, analytics, and automation for enterprise-grade visibility, with features shaped by what users say matters most.
- Data visualisation: Offers real-time dashboards and Power BI integration for deeper insights, though some users report data misrepresentation issues.
- Contact database: Centralises customer data with custom fields and Outlook/Excel sync, improving segmentation and communication.
- Invoice creation: Automates billing workflows and integrates with Microsoft tools, though users want more template flexibility.
- Reporting and analytics: Delivers real-time, customisable reports, but may require additional tools for full functionality.
- Lead management: Scores and nurtures leads automatically, though integration with some marketing tools can be challenging.
- Sales pipeline management: Tracks opportunities through customisable stages, though some users find the interface less intuitive than other modules.
Pros & cons
Pros:
Powerful and scalable, but complex and costly for smaller teams.
Dynamics 365 is ideal for businesses already using Microsoft tools, offering seamless integration and advanced features that streamline operations and decision-making. Compared to simpler CRMs like Pipedrive or monday CRM, it provides deeper analytics and broader functionality.
Cons:
However, users report performance issues like slow load times and frequent updates, and the mobile app lacks reliability. Its complexity and high setup costs make it less accessible for SMBs needing a quick, low-maintenance solution.
Value for Money
1239 reviews discussing Value for Money, 53% of which are positive.
Robust features justify the cost—for the right business size.
Dynamics 365 is seen as a worthwhile investment for larger organisations that benefit from its scalability, automation, and Microsoft ecosystem integration. Users highlight cost savings from reduced hardware needs and improved operational efficiency. However, the licensing structure is complex, and the need for multiple modules can drive up costs quickly. For smaller businesses, the high initial setup and ongoing subscription fees make it less competitive than more affordable CRMs like Zoho or Keap.
Popular Integrations
Deep Microsoft integrations enhance productivity and collaboration.
- Microsoft Excel: Supports data import/export, financial reporting, and advanced analysis using familiar spreadsheet tools.
- Microsoft SharePoint: Enables document storage and collaboration, streamlining workflows across departments.
- Docusign: Facilitates digital signatures and contract management, especially useful for remote teams and field operations.
- LinkedIn for Business: Enhances prospecting and engagement by embedding LinkedIn insights directly into the CRM.
Sales-focused CRM with strong automation and visual pipelines.
Pipedrive is a highly rated CRM (4.53/5 from over 2,900 reviews) built for sales teams that want to streamline deal tracking and automate repetitive tasks. Its visual pipeline, intuitive interface, and wide range of integrations make it a strong choice for businesses focused on closing deals efficiently. While some advanced features are locked behind higher-tier plans, its core tools are robust enough to support most small to midsize sales teams.
Features
These features help sales teams manage pipelines, automate tasks, and stay organised, with features shaped by what users say matters most.
- Sales pipeline management: Offers a visual, drag-and-drop interface with automation and Slack integration to simplify deal tracking and team updates.
- Contact management: Syncs with Google Contacts and mobile apps, helping teams access and update customer data on the go.
- Lead management: Includes lead scoring, automated emails, and “rotting days” to prioritise follow-up, though email attachments can be clunky.
- Automation: Focuses on sales workflows with automation and a visual pipeline, though it may lack depth for marketing or support teams.
- Contact database: Centralises contact data with smart search and custom fields, supporting personalised outreach and efficient data access.
- Reporting and analytics: Provides clear visuals for sales performance and team metrics, though some users want more customisation and cross-referencing.
Pros & cons
Pros:
Great for sales, but limited in reporting and search.
Pipedrive is praised for its intuitive interface, visual sales pipeline, and automation tools that help sales teams move faster and stay organised. Compared to more general-purpose CRMs, it’s more focused and easier to implement.
Cons:
However, users report issues with duplicate contacts, limited reporting flexibility, and a search function that can be unintuitive—making it less ideal for teams that need deep analytics or complex data filtering.
Value for Money
658 reviews discussing Value for Money, 71% of which are positive.
Strong core features, but extras can get pricey.
Pipedrive is considered good value for small teams, offering essential sales tools even in lower-tier plans and a free trial to test functionality. Users appreciate the lack of hidden fees and the ability to manage pipelines without needing add-ons. However, advanced features like deeper analytics and automation are only available in higher-priced plans, and the per-user pricing model can become expensive for larger teams or those needing premium tools.
Popular Integrations
Connects with sales, marketing, and communication tools to streamline workflows.
- Zapier: Automates tasks and connects with other platforms, saving time and reducing manual work.
- Gmail: Syncs emails and tracks communication directly in the CRM, improving visibility and follow-up.
- Mailchimp: Manages email campaigns and engagement metrics, supporting marketing efforts alongside sales.
- Slack: Sends real-time deal updates to teams, enhancing collaboration and responsiveness.
- Google Calendar: Manages appointments and reminders, helping users stay on top of meetings and tasks.
Best for social media integration and contact import/export.
Nimble scores 4.38 out of 5 from over 1,800 verified reviews and is especially popular among SMBs that prioritise contact management and social selling. It combines CRM functionality with social media integration, contact import/export, email tracking, and task management in a single, easy-to-use platform. Users appreciate its intuitive interface, Gmail and Outlook sync, and customisable dashboards. While it’s strong on relationship tracking, some users report limitations in mobile functionality, tagging accuracy, and pricing transparency—especially when third-party tools are required for syncing.
Features
Designed to simplify relationship tracking and social CRM, with features shaped by what users say matters most.
- Contact management: Organises contacts from email, social media, and calendars, helping teams maintain a complete view of client interactions.
- Email management: Sends templated, trackable emails and follow-ups, improving communication efficiency and outreach consistency.
- Interaction tracking: Logs communication history across channels, making it easier to follow up and personalise engagement.
- Lead management: Prioritises and tracks leads through the funnel, though some users find it similar to other CRMs without standout differentiation.
- Calendar and reminders: Keeps users on track with scheduled calls and meetings, supporting better time management.
- Sales pipeline management: Offers deal tracking and forecasting tools, though some users find them unnecessary or underused.
Pros & cons
Pros:
Great for social CRM, but syncing and mobile issues may hinder adoption.
Nimble is praised for its seamless integration with Gmail, Office 365, and social media platforms, making it easier to manage contacts and communication than more traditional CRMs like Pipedrive or Salesforce. Its interface is intuitive and well-suited for small teams that value simplicity.
Cons:
However, users report that syncing contacts often requires third-party tools, which adds complexity and cost. The mobile app is also seen as limited and unstable, and tagging errors can affect data accuracy—issues that may frustrate teams needing more robust mobile or data management features.
Value for Money
381 reviews discussing Value for Money, 70% of which are positive.
Affordable for small teams, but hidden costs can add up.
Nimble is generally considered cost-effective for startups and small businesses, offering strong contact management and social integration at a reasonable price. Its free trial and core features make it accessible for teams exploring CRM options. However, compared to tools like monday CRM or Zoho CRM, Nimble’s pricing structure can be confusing, especially when additional features or storage are needed. The reliance on third-party apps for syncing and automation may also increase total cost, making it less appealing for teams with tighter budgets or more complex needs.
Popular Integrations
Integrations support social selling, email marketing, and task management.
- Google Workspace: Syncs with Gmail, Calendar, and Contacts to streamline workflows and centralise communication.
- Constant Contact: Connects email marketing campaigns with CRM data, automating contact updates and campaign responses.
- Dropbox Business: Enables cloud storage and access to CRM data across devices, improving collaboration and file sharing.
- Evernote Teams: Syncs notes and tasks, helping teams manage workflows and capture client insights more efficiently.
Best for lead management and marketing automation.
Keap earns a 4.11 out of 5 rating from over 1,200 verified reviews and is designed for small to midsize businesses that want to automate sales and marketing workflows. It combines CRM, email marketing, and lead management in one platform, helping teams streamline customer engagement and follow-ups. Users value its campaign builder, contact organisation, and automation tools. However, the platform has a steep learning curve, and some users report issues with email deliverability, pricing transparency, and limited customisation.
Features
Combines CRM and marketing automation to streamline customer engagement, with features shaped by what users say matters most.
- Lead capture: Collects leads from websites and social media using forms, though setup can be time-consuming and design options are limited.
- Email campaign management: Automates email sequences and follow-ups, improving engagement, though some emails land in spam folders.
- Marketing automation: Reduces manual work by automating lead nurturing and customer journeys, helping teams scale without extra staff.
- Lead management: Tracks and prioritises leads through the funnel, though integration with other tools is limited.
- Contact management: Organises and tracks customer interactions, though advanced filtering and segmentation can be difficult to use.
- Contact database: Stores customer data in one place, but users report limitations with custom fields and tracking changes.
Pros & cons
Pros:
Strong automation tools, but complexity and cost may deter smaller teams.
Keap is valued for its all-in-one approach to CRM and marketing automation, helping small businesses scale operations without hiring more staff. Compared to simpler tools like Nimble or monday CRM, it offers more robust automation and lead tracking.
Cons:
However, users report a steep learning curve, especially with the campaign builder and email editor. Pricing is also a concern, with mandatory onboarding fees and additional costs for integrations, making it less accessible for budget-conscious teams.
Value for Money
426 reviews discussing Value for Money, 47% of which are positive.
Powerful features, but pricing structure may limit accessibility.
Keap offers strong value for businesses that can fully utilise its automation and CRM features. Users appreciate the ability to centralise customer data, automate marketing, and manage leads in one platform. However, compared to more affordable CRMs like Zoho or Pipedrive, Keap’s pricing is seen as high—especially with required onboarding packages and limited functionality in lower-tier plans. The cost of add-ons and training can add up quickly, reducing its appeal for smaller teams.
Popular Integrations
Integrations support automation, scheduling, and lead generation.
- Zapier: Connects Keap with other tools to automate workflows and sync CRM data across platforms.
- Gmail: Tracks email interactions and manages contacts directly within the CRM.
- WordPress: Captures leads from website forms and opt-ins, streamlining web-to-CRM workflows.
- Google Calendar: Manages scheduling and availability, keeping teams aligned and clients engaged.
- Leadpages: Supports landing page creation and lead capture, triggering campaigns and automating follow-ups.
Top-rated for ease of use and sales pipeline visibility.
Nutshell is the highest-rated CRM in this comparison, scoring 4.34 out of 5 from over 540 verified reviews. It’s built for small to midsize businesses (SMBs) that need a simple, effective way to manage contacts, automate follow-ups, and track sales pipelines. Its standout features include Gmail and Outlook sync, customisable pipelines, and centralised communication tracking. While it supports basic email marketing, it lacks advanced tools like A/B testing or landing page builders. Nutshell is ideal for SMBs seeking a user-friendly CRM that balances automation with affordability.
Features
Nutshell focuses on simplifying sales and contact management for growing teams, with features shaped by what users say matters most.
Contact database: Centralises contact records, tracks communication history, and merges duplicates—helping teams stay organised and avoid data silos.
- Contact management: Makes it easy to search, sort, and update contacts, though some users find the interface less intuitive.
- Navigation: Offers a full view of customer relationships, boosting productivity through streamlined workflows and easy navigation.
- Lead management: Tracks leads through customisable stages and integrates with email, though some users want a more intuitive setup.
- Lead capture: Collects project-specific data from forms, but functionality is limited compared to more advanced tools.
- Sales pipeline management: Automates deal tracking and supports team collaboration, though some users find the customisation options restrictive.
Pros & cons
Pros:
Strong sales tools, but contact handling and pricing may frustrate smaller teams.
Nutshell earns praise for its intuitive sales pipeline, automation features, and responsive support, which make it easier to onboard and manage deals compared to more complex CRMs like Salesforce. Its user-friendly interface and customisable workflows help teams stay productive without a steep learning curve.
Cons:
However, some users find contact management less intuitive, especially when importing data or searching records—areas where competitors like Zoho CRM offer more flexibility. While Nutshell is simpler to use than many enterprise tools, its limitations in advanced marketing features and occasional friction in data handling may be a drawback for growing teams.
Value for Money
80 reviews discussing Value for Money, 75% of which are positive.
Strong sales tools, but contact handling and pricing may frustrate smaller teams.
Nutshell earns praise for its intuitive sales pipeline, automation features, and responsive support, which make it easier to onboard and manage deals compared to more complex CRMs like Salesforce. Its user-friendly interface and customisable workflows help teams stay productive without a steep learning curve. However, some users find contact management less intuitive, especially when importing data or searching records—areas where competitors like Zoho CRM offer more flexibility. While Nutshell is simpler to use than many enterprise tools, its limitations in advanced marketing features and occasional friction in data handling may be a drawback for growing teams.
Popular Integrations
Key integrations help streamline communication and reduce manual work.
- Gmail: Syncs emails, calendars, and contacts to keep communication centralised and searchable—ideal for sales and support teams.
- Microsoft Outlook: Enables email and calendar sync, helping users manage schedules and client interactions in one place.
- Zapier: Automates lead capture and connects Nutshell with hundreds of other tools, reducing manual data entry and improving workflow efficiency.
- PandaDoc: Links quotes and proposals to leads, speeding up document creation and improving sales tracking.
Best-rated Australian CRM for small manufacturers.
Tall Emu CRM is a locally developed solution rated 4.2 out of 5 from over 40 verified reviews. It’s designed for small Australian businesses—particularly manufacturers—who need more than just contact management. The platform combines CRM functionality with quoting, invoicing, and inventory tools, and integrates with accounting software like MYOB and Xero. While it’s praised for its intuitive interface and operational efficiency, some users report issues with integration stability and limited support responsiveness. Its niche focus makes it a strong fit for SMBs needing CRM and light ERP capabilities in one system.
Features
Accounting and email integrations help unify sales and finance workflows.
- MYOB Business: Connects CRM data with MYOB for invoicing and financial reporting, filling gaps in Tall Emu’s native finance tools.
- Xero: Syncs customer and transaction data to streamline bookkeeping and reduce manual entry.
- Microsoft Outlook: Enables email sync and calendar integration, though Mac users report compatibility issues.
Best for ease of use and customer messaging.
Podium is rated 4.27 out of 5 from over 500 verified reviews and is designed for businesses that rely heavily on messaging and customer interaction. It centralises communication through SMS, email, and web chat, helping teams respond quickly and manage reviews across platforms. Users value its intuitive interface, fast setup, and ability to boost online reputation. However, it lacks retail-specific features like inventory tracking, and some users report issues with pricing, mobile performance, and customer support.
Features
Focused on messaging, reviews, and real-time customer engagement, with features shaped by what users say matters most.
- SMS messaging: Enables real-time conversations and archiving, though it lacks integration with some external services.
- Review request: Automates review collection via text links and templates, helping businesses improve online visibility.
- Real-time chat: Supports instant customer communication, improving satisfaction and conversion rates.
- Review monitoring: Tracks customer feedback and team performance, though some users report delayed notifications.
- Chat and messaging: Centralises communication with desktop alerts and easy organisation, though integration issues persist.
- Alerts and notifications: Sends timely updates, though some users find the volume overwhelming.
Pros & cons
Pros:
Excellent for review management, but limited features and pricing concerns.
Podium is praised for its ability to streamline customer communication and boost online reviews, making it especially useful for service-based businesses. Compared to traditional CRMs like Keap or Salesforce, it offers a more focused, messaging-first experience.
Cons:
However, users report frustrations with limited messaging features—such as lack of bulk texting—and occasional issues with link sharing. Pricing is also a concern, with long-term contracts and billing practices seen as less transparent than competitors.
Value for Money
104 reviews discussing Value for Money, 37% of which are positive.
Easy to use, but pricing and contracts may deter smaller businesses.
Podium delivers value through features like secure payment links, mass messaging, and review automation, which help businesses improve customer engagement and reputation. However, only 37% of reviewers rate it positively for value. Many users feel the platform is overpriced compared to similar tools, especially given its limited CRM capabilities and lack of flexibility in contracts. While some see it as a worthwhile investment, others are discouraged by high costs and inconsistent support.
Popular Integrations
Limited integrations focus on customer data and marketing sync.
- Dealertrack DMS: Imports customer data from dealership systems to create contact records and streamline follow-ups.
- Mailchimp: Attempts to sync contact data for email marketing, though users report issues with data not syncing correctly.
Our full directory of CRM Software solutions
Features
- Sales Pipeline Management
- Territory Management
- Quotes/Estimates
- Task Management
- Email Management
- Workflow Management
- Segmentation
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- Sales Pipeline Management
- Territory Management
- Quotes/Estimates
- Task Management
- Email Management
- Workflow Management
- Segmentation
- Reporting/Analytics
Features
- Sales Pipeline Management
- Territory Management
- Quotes/Estimates
- Task Management
- Email Management
- Workflow Management
- Segmentation
- Reporting/Analytics
Features
- Sales Pipeline Management
- Territory Management
- Quotes/Estimates
- Task Management
- Email Management
- Workflow Management
- Segmentation
- Reporting/Analytics
Features
- Sales Pipeline Management
- Territory Management
- Quotes/Estimates
- Task Management
- Email Management
- Workflow Management
- Segmentation
- Reporting/Analytics
CRM Software Buyers Guide
Table of Contents
Essential CRM software buying information
Customer relationship management (CRM) software enables customer interaction, support, and relationship management via contact management, interaction tracking, and lead management features.
Sales and marketing professionals use CRM software to capture and organise customer data, streamline their sales pipelines, and optimise outreach. Industry-specific CRM systems are also available.
Most CRM software is priced on a monthly subscription basis, with entry-level plans averaging around USD $1,292 (approx. AUD $1,989). Premium packages with features like unlimited users and advanced reporting can reach USD $17,664 (approx. AUD $27,203) per month.[1]
If you're new to CRM, start by defining your budget, number of users, key use cases, and required integrations. It’s also worth aligning with stakeholders on essential questions to ask providers, such as:
- What tasks can this CRM system automate?
- How do the dashboards help visualise and track lead progress?
- Can we easily add custom fields or lead capture forms to databases?
- What level of technical support is included?
- Does the software use AI for personalisation or sales forecasting?
Pro tip: customer support considerations
Shep Hyken,[2] a customer service thought leader and consultant, says his CRM buying experience taught him that user-generated content about how to use a system is often just as valuable as vendor-created resources.
“I asked the salesperson how they support customers when they have questions. To my surprise, they told me to use Google. Within seconds, I had video tutorials from not only the company but from other customers who wanted to jump in and show others how they resolved similar issues.
Once I started using the software, I didn't even have to call the company to resolve my questions about the CRM. As a result, I felt really positive about having chosen their product.”
What is the best CRM system for users in Australia?
According to our research, Nutshell is among the highest-rated in the category, with over 541 verified user reviews from the past two years. It offers email marketing, contact management, and pipeline tracking, with strong Gmail/Outlook integration and automation features. It allows users to customise, integrate, and centralise data, making it ideal for SMEs.
Main features of Nutshell:
- Contact Database: Reviewers appreciate its ability to manage and merge contacts, track communication history, and facilitate outreach.
- Contact Management: Users value the ease of organising, searching, and tracking contacts, though some find it clunky.
- CRM: Reviewers highlight its comprehensive customer relationship tracking, ease of use, and productivity gains.
- Lead Management: Users praise its step-by-step tracking, email integration, and customisation, though some seek more intuitiveness.
- Lead Capture: Reviewers find it helpful in gathering project-specific information, though some criticise its limited functionality.
- Sales Pipeline Management: Users appreciate its automation, customisation, and team communication, despite some restrictive features.
What is a CRM system?
A CRM system helps businesses manage customer relationships by centralising data, automating lead management, tracking opportunities, and supporting sales forecasting.
CRM software solutions typically provide reporting and analytics capabilities to generate insights into customer behaviour, sales performance, and marketing effectiveness. They are related to contact management systems and are often deployed via the cloud.
Gartner expects the CRM market to reach USD $200 billion (approx. AUD $308 billion) by 2027, with about 15% yearly growth.[3] Capterra covers 2,013 CRM products—more than any other category of software we cover—with 14,859 reviews published in the past year.[4]
How much does CRM software cost?
Most CRM software solutions on the market are priced “per month”, and a typical entry-level pricing plan is around USD $1,292 (approx. AUD $1,989) per month. Premium and advanced system subscriptions commonly cost about USD $17,664 (approx. AUD $27,203) per month.[1]
- Entry-level CRM systems include the core functionality of a contact database, lead management, and interaction tracking.
- Premium or advanced products that are priced higher typically include additional features such as unlimited users, advanced reporting, advanced customer and lead tracking, and sales funnel creation.
First-time buyers should be aware that:
- Initial setup, training, and data migration are common upfront costs.
- Maintenance and customer support are common recurring costs.
Most (71%) of the CRM software buyers our advisors spoke to in the last 2 years are budgeting USD $35 (approx. AUD $54) to USD $105 (approx. AUD $161) per month.[5]
CRM software providers often offer free trials, and some systems offer free versions.
CRM features rated by users
All CRM software tools include contact database, interaction tracking, and lead management features, and most share a variety of standard features such as task and email management.
Core CRM features
- Contact management: Maintain a centralised database of customers and their contact information. 90% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
- Lead management: Store information about leads and contacts and track them through sales. 82% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
- Interaction tracking: Document conversations with customers and contacts to track the interaction history. 80% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
Highly rated common CRM features
- Sales pipeline management: Use the pipeline view to visualise, track, and manage the leads in your pipeline. 81% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
- Email management: Integrate with email services such as Gmail and Outlook. 80% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
- Workflow management: Create, design and manage workflows for repetitive tasks. 78% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
- Task management: Create tasks, track their progress status or completion percentage, and view any associated notes or comments. 77% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
- Data import/export: Import and export data to and from software applications. 77% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
- Reporting/analytics: Collect and analyse data to generate reports, track pertinent metrics, and identify trends or patterns. 76% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
- Lead capture: Automatically identify and save contact information for potential customers. 73% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
Top CRM benefits identified by users
Facilitates easier team collaboration: CRM systems give teams a 360-view of tasks and workflows through features like activity dashboards and workflow management.
“It was easy to see what our team was working on, completing or planning to complete.”
–Victoria V., HRIS specialist, newspapers
Empowers sales reps: CRM tools provide sales professionals with powerful analytics capabilities that help them track KPIs and identify opportunities for upselling and cross-selling.
“This transparency helps in making informed decisions and prioritising efforts on high-impact activities, ultimately driving higher sales.”
–Olu D., CEO, e-learning
Easily integrates with your software ecosystem: CRM systems are easy to integrate with other marketing tools, such as sales, social media, calendar, and email solutions, enabling seamless data sharing between systems.
“The tool is completely customizable and has very advanced marketing integrations within the cloud.”
–Sarah H., media director, marketing and advertising
Enables small-business growth: CRM software is valuable for supporting and growing small businesses, especially all-in-one solutions that can serve as a foundation when businesses are just starting.
“I can customise fields, workflows, and dashboards to suit my business needs. Plus, it grows with my business; I can easily scale up and add more features as required.”
–Adnan A., owner, electrical/electronic manufacturing
Common challenges of CRM software identified by users
The learning curve involved with implementing CRM software is one of the most common challenges CRM software users identify. Sales professional Mike Aldrich,[6] states that one of the biggest obstacles to using CRM software is its time to maintain it.
“You have to put the time in,” he says. “Start your day by logging in and looking at your dashboard so you know which tasks to prioritise. It’ll show your progress toward your monthly, quarterly, or annual sales goals, and which deals you expect to close soon.”
Another common challenge identified by users is difficulty with payment plans. Such users might not be in a pricing tier aligned with the functionality they need, suggests Capterra advisor manager Michael Ziemba.[7] “These systems often have tiered pricing depending on if they’re entry-level or premium. It's really important to get in there and see what functionality you need.”
To set yourself up for success, here are some questions you can ask CRM software vendors:
- Is this software built with small businesses in mind?
- What is the implementation process like?
- How easy is it to integrate this new solution with the tools I already have?
- What type of ongoing customer support from the CRM vendor can we expect?
- Are there any user minimums to meet?
- Are there any crucial features locked behind premium price points?
What is CRM software used for?
Our analysis of CRM software reviews revealed the most common use cases:
- Sales pipeline management: Organising and prioritising leads based on behaviour and interactions.
- Client organisation: Centralising customer data to streamline follow-ups and next steps.
- Email marketing automation: Segmenting audiences and automating campaigns for better targeting.
- Lead tracking and analytics: Monitoring lead activity across touchpoints with detailed profiles and dashboards.
CRM software generally falls into four categories:
- Operational: Automates day-to-day business processes.
- Strategic: Enhances customer engagement and relationship-building.
- Analytical: Focuses on data insights like revenue trends and retention.
- Collaborative: Facilitates information sharing across teams.
Additionally, many CRM systems are designed to support specific industries:
- Real estate CRM software
- Construction CRM software
- Financial CRM software
- Healthcare CRM software
- Insurance CRM software
- Nonprofit CRM software
- Social CRM tools
Who uses CRM software?
According to Capterra’s 2024 Customer Service Technology Survey, more than half (63%) of Australian employees involved in customer service operations use CRM software to support customer calls. Because of its versatility, CRM software is one of the most ubiquitous technologies for customer-facing businesses of all sizes and industries. These systems are typically geared toward one or several of these categories[8]:
- Marketing
- Sales
- Digital commerce
- Customer service and contact centres
The CRM software market also includes providers that cater to specific sectors or industries, such as staffing and recruiting, telecommunications, and nonprofit.
While anyone related to the categories above likely uses a CRM, notes from our advisor calls reveal some of the most common kinds of users over the past year.[5] The top job titles include owners, agents, CEOS, presidents, and brokers. Common industries include consulting (15%), real estate (15%), and insurance (8%). Additionally, most callers are business owners at companies with less than USD $1 million (approx. AUD $1.4 million) in annual revenue and small teams, five or fewer employees or software users.
Common CRM integrations
We analysed our extensive reviews database, and based on that, we determined the three software categories that most often integrate with CRM are:
- Email marketing software: By integrating your CRM with an email marketing tool, you can capture client data, such as interaction history and which emails they’ve opened.
- Website builder software: Connecting your CRM to website builder software lets you collect and analyse customer data in real time, personalise the online experience, and improve customer engagement. It also helps you streamline your sales and marketing efforts by automating lead generation and customer follow-up tasks.
- Project management software: Integrating your CRM with project management software can help businesses manage projects more effectively, improve communication, and provide a better customer experience.
Recent trends in CRM software
CRM use: Businesses in Australia use CRM software the most (93%) among countries surveyed in the Capterra 2025 Tech Trends study. The study also showed that one in five (20%) Australian firms say CRM software is a top priority for software investment in 2025.
In addition, Capterra’s 2024 Customer Service Technology Survey revealed that more than half (63%) of Australian employees involved in customer service operations use CRM software to support customer calls.
Personalised messaging for buyers using customer intelligence: According to Gartner,[9] customising value-driven narratives for buyers significantly enhances the buyer experience by providing personalised, relevant content that resonates with their needs and challenges. This approach, which AI tools can execute by pulling from CRM data, can improve engagement rates, foster stronger relationships, and potentially increase conversion rates.
Learn more about how CRM software can help your business
- Strategies from a CX pro to master AI in customer service
- Enhancing online customer experience: a CX pro shares strategies for success
- Over half of Australian companies using customer service tech see their CSAT score improve
Sources
[a]. Capterra’s 2025 Tech Trends Survey was conducted online in August 2024 among 3,500 respondents in the U.S. (n=700), U.K. (n=350), Canada (n=350), Australia (n=350), France (n=350), India (n=350), Germany (n=350), Brazil (n=350), and Japan (n=350), at businesses across multiple industries and company sizes (5 or more employees). The survey was designed to understand the timeline, organizational challenges, adoption & budget, vendor research behaviours, ROI expectations, and satisfaction levels for software buyers. Respondents were screened to ensure their involvement in business software purchasing decisions.
- Capterra software pricing data: Only products with publicly available pricing information and qualified software products within the category are included in the pricing analysis. Currency conversions are based on the rate of the day of publication and may differ from current currency rates. Read the complete methodology.
- Shep Hyken, LinkedIn
- Forecast Analysis: Customer Experience and Relationship Management, Worldwide, Gartner
- Capterra reviews data: Capterra reviews are collected from verified users for individual software products. For this report, we analysed reviews from the past 1 year as of the production date. Read the complete methodology.
- Capterra advisor call notes: Findings are based on data from telephonic conversations that Capterra’s advisor team had with small-to-midsize businesses seeking CRM tools. For this report, we analysed phone interactions from the past 1 year as of the production date. Read the complete methodology.
- Mike Aldrich, LinkedIn
- Michael Ziemba, LinkedIn
- Quick Answer: Why Isn’t There a Universal Magic Quadrant for CRM?, Gartner
- 13 Generative AI Use Cases for B2B Sales, Gartner