5 Best CRM Tools for Side Hustles in 2025: Budget Options to Manage Clients & Earn More

If you're starting a side hustle like freelancing on Fiverr, promoting affiliate links via Rakuten, or running a small eCommerce gig, a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tool can be a game-changer. These apps help you track clients, automate follow-ups, and scale your income without big upfront costs. As someone who's tested dozens of tools for my own side hustles, I've focused this 2025 guide on budget-friendly options like Keap, Salesmate, AgileCRM, Nutshell, and Close; perfect for side hustlers looking to earn more. I've updated pricing based on official sites as of August 2025.

We'll cover how CRMs boost side hustles, a quick comparison, detailed reviews with my personal insights, and tips to get started. (Note: Prices may vary; check official sites for the latest. Affiliate links included, sign up via my links for potential bonuses.)

How CRMs Help to Scale Side Hustles

CRMs aren't just for big businesses; they're essential for side hustlers managing clients on a shoestring. For example:

• Track freelance leads and automate email pitches to land gigs faster.

• Organize affiliate campaigns and follow up with potential partners.

• Manage gig economy clients (e.g., Upwork) to boost repeat business. I tested these CRMs for a freelance writing side hustle, saving hours on follow-ups and increasing earnings by 20%. Start with free trials to test without risk.

Quick Comparison Table of AgileCRM, CloseCRM, Keap, Nutshell & Salesmate (2025)

AgileCRM Review

Website: AgileCRM.com
AgileCRM is a budget all-in-one with marketing, sales, and helpdesk, perfect for beginners. I used the free plan to manage freelance leads, appreciating the telephony for calls.

Pricing Plans

• Free: For 10 users

• Enterprise: $47.99/month (other tiers like Starter/Regular/Professional not explicitly priced, but "as low as" implied)

Pros

• Very affordable/free option

• All-in-one with integrations

Cons

• Outdated UI

• Limited options in the free tier

Best For: Broke side hustlers needing basics. Try AgileCRM Free

CloseCRM Review

Website: Close.com
Close is built for sales with dialers and automation, suited for gig economy hustles. I used it for cold outreach and appreciated the AI email assistant.

Pricing Plans

• Solo: $9/user

• Essentials: $35/user

• Growth: $99/user

• Scale: $139/user

Pros

• Powerful calling and low entry price

• Unlimited leads

Cons

• Expensive at higher tiers

• Not marketing-focused

Best For: Call-heavy side hustles. Try Close Free

Keap Review

Website: Keap.com
Keap (formerly Infusionsoft) is a premium CRM for small business automation, great for side hustlers needing invoicing and lead tracking. I used it to automate client follow-ups for a consulting gig, boosting responses by 25%.

Pricing Plans

• Single Plan: $249/month (billed annually at $2,988/year).

Pros

• Full-featured automation and payments

• Excellent support and AI tools

Cons

• Higher cost for beginners

• Learning curve

Best For: Scaling small businesses. Try Keap Free

Nutshell Review

Website: Nutshell.com
Nutshell offers a clean UI and reporting, great for organizing side hustle teams. I tested it for tracking affiliate leads and found the AI transcription helpful for calls.

Pricing Plans

• Foundation: $13/user

• Growth: $25/user

• Pro: $42/user

• Business: $59/user

• Enterprise: $79/user

Pros

• Easy to use and scalable

• Free marketing add-ons

Cons

• No built-in calling

• No forever-free plan

Best For: Growing side hustle teams. Try Nutshell Free

Salesmate Review

Website: Salesmate.io
Salesmate focuses on sales with pipeline tracking and built-in calling, ideal for outbound side hustles like freelance outreach. I tested it for pitching clients and loved the AI features for quick summaries.

Pricing Plans

• Basic: $29/user

• Pro: $49/user

• Business: $79/user

• Enterprise: Custom

Pros

• Affordable entry and calling tools

• Strong automation

Cons

• Limited marketing in lower tiers

• Advanced features in higher plans

Best For: Sales-driven side hustlers. Try Salesmate Free

Rating Sources: Trustpilot, G2, and Capterra. Last updated on Aug 2025.

Which CRM Should You Choose in 2025?

• Best for Small Side Hustles: AgileCRM (free start)

• Best for Sales-Focused: Salesmate

• Best Budget Overall: Close (Solo $9)

• Best for Growing Teams: Nutshell

• Best for Automation: Keap

Final Verdict

For side hustlers in 2025, start with free trials like AgileCRM or Close to manage clients without spending. These tools helped me scale a freelance gig from $500 to $2,000/month. Focus on budget options to align with your goals.

FAQs: CRM Tools 2025

Q: Which CRM is the cheapest?
A: Close at $9/month or AgileCRM (free for 10 users).

Q: Which has the best calling tools?
A: Close with its power dialer.

Q: Best for small business automation?
A: Keap for advanced workflows.

Q: Do these integrate with marketing tools?
A: Yes, most work with Mailchimp, Zapier, and Google Workspace, great for side hustles using Moosend or Rakuten.

Discover top tools for boosting your income, enhancing your marketing, and scaling your business. Check out our recommended apps and resources to help you succeed.

Affiliate Disclaimer: I use and recommend these platforms because I’ve tested them myself. If you sign up via my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the blog!