Thiago is a seasoned full-stack Salesforce developer with over a decade of experience. He specializes in implementing Salesforce solutions for clients across various sectors, including government, non-profits, companies, and universities. Thiago leads a team of certified Salesforce developers globally.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software has evolved to support various aspects of project management. Integrating CRM with project management tools can streamline workflows, enhance communication, and boost productivity. This guide explores the ten best CRMs for project management, tested and reviewed for their features, pros, and cons.
What Is CRM Software for Project Management?
CRM software for project management combines customer relationship management and project management features. It helps businesses manage customer interactions while also overseeing project tasks, timelines, and resources. By integrating these functions, teams can ensure seamless communication and coordination.
Differences Between CRM Software & Project Management Software
CRM software primarily focuses on managing customer interactions, sales processes, and marketing activities. Project management software, on the other hand, is designed to manage project timelines, tasks, and resources. CRM for project management merges these functionalities, offering a comprehensive solution for managing both customer relationships and project workflows.
Best CRM Software for Project Management
1. Salesforce CRM
Salesforce CRM is a robust platform known for its extensive features in customer relationship management. It also offers project management capabilities, making it a versatile choice for businesses. Salesforce allows users to track customer interactions, manage sales pipelines, and oversee project tasks all in one place.
When businesses opt for Salesforce, they often seek Salesforce service cloud implementation to ensure a smooth transition and optimal utilization of its features.
Features
Comprehensive customer management
Project tracking and collaboration tools
Customizable dashboards and reports
Pros
Scalable and flexible
Extensive third-party integrations
Strong data security
Cons
High cost for small businesses
Steep learning curve
Requires significant customization
2. Odoo
Odoo is a versatile and comprehensive platform renowned for its robust features in business management and enterprise resource planning (ERP). It stands out for its integrated approach, offering a wide range of applications that cover various business functions such as sales, CRM, project management, accounting, inventory, and more.
Additionally, Odoo offers extensive third-party integrations, enhancing its functionality and compatibility with other software systems. This flexibility and integration capability make Odoo suitable for businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises.
However, like any complex software, Odoo may have a learning curve, especially for users new to ERP systems. Businesses considering Odoo often opt for Odoo development services to ensure seamless implementation, customization, and ongoing support for maximizing the platform's benefits.
Features
Comprehensive business management and ERP functionalities
Customizable workflows and modules
Integrated applications for sales, CRM, accounting, inventory, and more
Pros
Cost-effective compared to other ERP solutions
Flexible and customizable to suit business needs
Extensive third-party integrations for enhanced functionality
Cons
Learning curve for new users, especially in ERP environments
Requires development and customization for optimal utilization
3. Workast
Workast is an efficient work management platform designed to simplify teamwork. It offers robust features to delegate tasks, manage projects, run meetings, streamline processes, and provide visibility into team activities. Workast is trusted by over 100,000 teams, including major brands like American Express, Expedia, Twitch, and PayPal.
Features
Comprehensive Work Management: Plan, deploy, and easily complete any project or task.
Customizable Spaces: Organize work to suit your needs, include templates for repetitive events, invite team members, define privacy settings, and customize with extensions.
Seamless Integrations: Reduce context switching and increase team adoption with integrations like Slack, Webex, Email, Calendar, and Zapier.
Flexible Views: View project progress in multiple ways, including lists, boards, calendars, and timelines.
Personalized Workflows: Use custom fields to create the perfect workflow for any project.
Pros
Enhanced Team Collaboration: Easily delegate tasks and manage projects, keeping everyone in the loop.
Visibility and Transparency: Gain clear visibility of what your team is working on.
Extensive Integration Options: Integrate seamlessly with popular tools like Slack and Zapier.
Customizable Workspaces: Tailor your workspace to fit specific project needs and privacy requirements.
Trusted by Major Brands: Proven reliability, trusted by large companies.
4. Zoho CRM
Zoho CRM is a comprehensive tool that integrates CRM and project management functionalities, providing a robust solution for businesses of all sizes. It features AI-driven insights, customizable dashboards, and extensive integration options, making it highly adaptable to various business needs.
Zoho CRM’s affordability and flexibility are major advantages, offering strong performance without breaking the bank.
Features
Comprehensive CRM functionalities
Project management modules
AI-driven insights
Pros
Affordable pricing
Strong customization options
Wide range of integrations
5. ClickUp
ClickUp is an all-in-one platform that combines task management, project timelines, and CRM functionalities. Its highly customizable interface allows users to tailor the software to fit their specific needs, making it a versatile tool for managing both projects and customer relationships.
ClickUp offers various views such as lists, boards, and calendars, which help in tracking progress and ensuring deadlines are met. Its affordability and extensive feature set make it attractive to small and medium-sized businesses.
Features
Task management and project timelines
CRM functionalities
Customizable views and dashboards
Pros
All-in-one solution
Highly customizable
Affordable pricing
6. Asana
Asana is a well-known project management tool that offers CRM integration options, making it suitable for managing both tasks and customer relationships. It features customizable workflows, project timelines, and robust collaboration tools.
Asana’s user-friendly interface and flexible project views, such as lists, boards, and calendars, enhance team productivity and ensure projects stay on track.
Features
Task and project management
CRM integration options
Customizable workflows
Pros
User-friendly interface
Flexible project views
Strong collaboration tools
7. Trello
Trello is a popular tool that uses a Kanban-style board for project management and offers CRM power-ups for managing customer relationships. Its visual task management system makes it easy to track progress and collaborate with team members.
Features
Kanban-style project management
CRM power-ups
Collaboration tools
Pros
Easy to use
Visual task management
Free tier available
8. Insightly
Insightly combines CRM and project management features, providing a comprehensive solution for businesses looking to manage customer interactions and project tasks in one platform.
It offers customizable dashboards, automation tools, and integration options, making it adaptable to various business needs. Insightly’s user-friendly interface and comprehensive feature set offer good value for money.
Features
CRM and project management in one
Customizable dashboards
Automation tools
Pros
Comprehensive feature set
User-friendly interface
Good value for money
9. Wrike
Wrike is a powerful project management tool that integrates CRM functionalities, making it suitable for managing both customer relationships and project tasks. It offers advanced project management features, real-time collaboration tools, and extensive integration options.
Features
Advanced project management tools
CRM integrations
Real-time collaboration
Pros
Robust project management capabilities
Strong integration options
Scalable for different team sizes
10. Pipedrive
Pipedrive is a sales-focused CRM that offers project management add-ons, providing a seamless way to manage both sales pipelines and project tasks. It features automation and AI tools that help streamline workflows and improve productivity.
Features
Sales-focused CRM
Project management add-ons
Automation and AI tools
Pros
Easy to use
Affordable pricing
Strong sales pipeline management
Conclusion
Selecting the right CRM for project management depends on your specific business needs. Each of the CRMs listed offers unique features, pros, and cons. Evaluate these options based on your requirements to find the best fit for enhancing both your customer relationship management and project management processes.