Choose a CRM around one real sales workflow. Start with the work your team repeats, then check whether the product makes that work easier.
Explore documented productsYour buying checklistTry contact import, duplicate handling and reminders. Keep the initial setup small enough that the team can maintain it.
Move a sample opportunity through every stage. Test ownership changes, follow-ups and the reports your manager actually needs.
Trace data between sales, support and billing. Confirm the direction of each integration and who resolves a failed sync.
A focused selection, ordered by documented guide criteria. Features may depend on the plan; open the evidence for scope. Missing data is a research gap, not a missing feature.
HubSpot
The official Free Tools page lists a free offering with contact, company and deal management. Advanced capabilities are listed under paid plans.
The CRM contacts API documents creating, reading, updating and deleting contact records. Access scopes and API limits still apply.
Use this as a working checklist. Checkmarks are not saved.
Use a short list of required workflows first. Features your team cannot maintain add setup work without necessarily improving the sales process.
Use the same number of paid seats and the same billing term. Add required integrations, onboarding and plan upgrades to your estimate.
Test the same tasks in each product, then compare the full cost.