In a previous article I talked about the escalation in the Act CRM product when they introduced “Act Advantage.” If you’re looking for a cheap CRM – or one that doesn’t carry an annual subscription – there is no better price than FREE. That’s right: Zoho CRM has a FREE edition.
If you’re just starting out with customer relationship management, Zoho CRM’s Free Edition might be the perfect launchpad. It’s designed for small teams and startups who want to organize contacts and get a feel for CRM without spending a dime.
What Contact Fields Do You Get?
In the Free Edition, you can capture all the essentials you need to build meaningful relationships. Here are some of the standard contact fields you’ll find:
First Name & Last Name
Email Address
Phone Number
Mobile Number
Mailing Address (including street, city, state, ZIP, and country)
Company Name (linked to Accounts)
Lead Source
Description (for notes or details)
Tags (to group and organize contacts)
These fields help you get a solid view of each customer or lead, without overwhelming you with options you might not need just yet.
Limitations to Keep in Mind
While the Free Edition is pretty generous, there are a few limitations to consider:
User Limit: It’s capped at 3 users. Perfect for a tiny team, but not built for scaling.
Automation: No workflows or macros—so if you’re dreaming of automated emails and task assignments, you’ll need a paid plan.
Customization: Limited customization for modules, fields, and layouts.
Reports & Dashboards: You’ll get basic reporting, but advanced analytics are off-limits.
Storage: File and data storage is limited, so you’ll want to keep things lean.
No AI Features: Zia, Zoho’s AI assistant, is only for paying customers.
Final Thoughts
Zoho CRM Free Edition is a fantastic starting point for managing your contacts, especially if you’re new to CRMs. It’s simple, clean, and gives you the basic tools you need to stay organized. Once your business grows or your needs get more complex, it’s easy to upgrade and unlock more features.
Want to try the Zoho freemium? Start by signing up for Zoho CRM. At the end of 30 days your product will automatically downgrade to the Zoho Free edition. Like what you see in the trial? It’s easy to upgrade to a paid subscription to take full advantage of all that Zoho CRM has to offer.
