Best CRM For
Best CRM for Solopreneurs and Freelancers
Quick answer: OnePageCRM and Less Annoying CRM are the best fits for freelancers who want a dead-simple, single-list way to track follow-ups, while Capsule adds light project and task tracking for the same price range.
What freelancers and solopreneurs need from a CRM
When you're the only person using the CRM, the calculus is simple: it needs to take less time to maintain than it saves. Anything that requires real admin overhead — custom fields, workflow builders, multi-step automations — usually isn't worth it for a single user tracking a modest list of leads and clients.
Top picks at a glance
| CRM | Best for | Starting price tier |
|---|---|---|
| OnePageCRM | Single-list, action-focused follow-up | Budget |
| Less Annoying CRM | Simplest possible contact tracking | Budget |
| Capsule | Contacts with light task/project tracking | Budget |
| EngageBay | Adding basic email marketing later | Budget |
| HubSpot | Free tier with room to grow | Free tier available |
1. OnePageCRM — best for action-focused follow-up
OnePageCRM's whole design philosophy is "turn every contact into a next action" — it shows you a single prioritized to-do list rather than a sprawling pipeline view, which fits how a lot of freelancers actually think about follow-up.
Pros
- Simple, action-list-driven interface
- Fast to learn for a single user
Cons
- Less suited to teams with complex pipelines
2. Less Annoying CRM — best for simplest possible contact tracking
If OnePageCRM's action-list approach isn't your style, Less Annoying CRM offers a more traditional but equally stripped-down contacts-and-notes setup, with flat and predictable pricing.
Pros
- Minimal learning curve
- Flat per-user pricing, no surprise tiers
Cons
- Limited automation
Other solid options
Capsule is worth a look if you deliver project-based freelance work and want light task tracking alongside your contacts. EngageBay makes sense once you start sending your own email marketing or newsletters and want that bundled with your CRM rather than paid for separately. HubSpot's free tier remains a reasonable default if you're not sure yet what you'll need and want room to add tools later without switching platforms. If most of your freelance pipeline comes from outbound calls or pitches rather than inbound leads, Close is worth a look too.
Pricing (entry-level plans)
| CRM | Starting price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Close | Solo $9 · Essentials $35 · Growth $99 · Scale $139 | Per user/month. Free 14-day trial, no credit card required. |
| HubSpot | Free $0 · Starter from ~$15–20 · Professional/Enterprise Suite bundles from ~$1,000+/mo | HubSpot prices per "Hub" (Marketing/Sales/Service/etc.) and by contact tier, so the total varies a lot by what you bundle. |
Prices above are current as of writing and shown for the entry-level tiers — always confirm the latest numbers on each provider's pricing page before buying, since SaaS pricing changes often.
“OnePageCRM is good because it's made specifically for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs who want a no-nonsense tool.”
How to choose
Pick based on how you think, not how much a tool can theoretically do. If you like clear to-do lists, try OnePageCRM. If you want simple contact records with notes and reminders, Less Annoying CRM or Capsule will feel more natural.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best CRM overall for this use case?
Less Annoying CRM is our top overall pick for this use case, based on ease of setup, pricing, and fit for typical workflows — though the right choice depends on team size and budget, covered in the sections above.
Do I need a paid CRM, or is a free plan enough?
A free plan is usually enough for a single user or a very small team just getting started. Growing teams typically outgrow free tiers once they need automation, reporting, or more than a couple of users.
How long does it take to set up a CRM?
Simple CRMs can be set up in under an hour. More full-featured platforms with custom pipelines, automations, and integrations typically take a few days to a few weeks to configure properly.