Agency Handy

client management software

8 Best Client Management Software to Handle & Retain Clients in 2024

client management software

Is managing your clients a daily headache? Do projects often go off track due to unclear expectations or missing information? You’re not alone. Many businesses struggle with keeping clients happy and projects on schedule.

A good client management software can be a game-changer. It can improve client management, communicate properly, and complete orders at ease.

However, with so many options available, finding the right tool can be overwhelming. Hence, we’ve done the hard work for you. 

After reviewing 34 different client management software, we’ve narrowed down the top eight options. Let’s find the perfect fit for your business.

Quick List of Top Client Management Software

  1. Agency Handy: Best for digital agencies of all sizes seeking optimized workflows from client onboarding to invoicing.
  2. Keap: Good choice for small businesses to do advanced automation and personalized customer journeys.
  3. Service Provider Pro: Top customizable client management software focused on client onboarding.
  4. Pipedrive: Excellent for sales-focused teams prioritizing deals and visual pipeline management.
  5. Salesforce: Perfect CMS for enterprises requiring scalable, customizable, and comprehensive CRM.
  6. Zoho CRM: AI-powered CRM with extensive customization options for small and medium businesses.
  7. HoneyBook: All-in-one client and financial management software for freelancers and small businesses.
  8. HubSpot CRM: Client tracking software with integrated marketing tools.

Top 8 Client Management Software [Comparison Table & Overview]

Here are the best client management software that will help you manage your client relationships better:

Client Management Software Top 2 Unique FeaturesPricing (Per User Cost)Client CapacityBuilt-in Communication
Agency HandyService Catalog
Customized workspaces
$10Unlimited In-built messaging system
HoneyBookContract
Integrated  Scheduler 
$22Unlimited In-built email 
Service Provider ProSubscription management
Built-in helpdesk
$25Unlimited Unlimited order messaging via portal and email, priority email support
Zoho CRMJourney orchestration
Zia: AI assistant 
$26Not mentionedEmails insight, BCC Dropbox 
PipedriveAI-powered sales assistant
Customizable pipeline
$28Unlimited Customizable email templates and signatures, email open and click tracking  
KeapPersonalized Follow-ups
Lead capture
$11115001:1 text & email messages, automated text messaging
SalesforceWorkflow and approvals automation 
Sales forecasting
$96Not mentioned Updates on topics and recommendations
HubSpot CRMReal-time sales pipeline tracking
Integrated marketing tools
$2882000In-built communication, Live chat software

This was a brief overview of the top 8 tools for managing your clients. However, you must have a better understanding to make the final call. So, let’s check out the software in detail.

1. Agency Handy

AgencyHandy Dashboard 2

If you’re looking for a complete client management solution, Agency Handy is the best choice for you. It provides an all-in-one solution that makes running your agency smoother — from client onboarding to getting paid

Agency Handy’s standout feature is the service catalog. You can list all the services your agency offers, complete with details, pricing, and quantity. This allows clients to easily browse and understand what you provide. 

Interestingly enough, you can even embed this catalog on your website or share it publicly, making it convenient for web visitors to place orders directly.

Once you bring on new clients, Agency Handy helps you stay organized. You can create detailed client profiles, import information from previous systems, and efficiently manage their orders.

Besides that, you can easily manage client orders, tracking their progress efficiently within Agency Handy. You can share files and communicate in real-time, reducing the need for constant back-and-forth and freeing up time for more important tasks.

Using Agency Handy, you can offer the best client support via ticket systems. Look at what’s urgent, what needs to be addressed, and when. With that, you can. address client inquiries promptly.

Additionally, billing is just as simple as you can imagine. You can generate invoices and set up recurring payments effortlessly. It’ll ensure you get paid on time without the hassle of chasing payments.

Unlike Pipedrive, which focuses solely on the sales pipeline, Agency Handy is built to make sure complete client satisfaction. It covers the entire client journey for any small to large creative agencies.

Overall, Agency Handy is designed to fully dedicate your digital agency to operating more efficiently and focus on delivering top-notch client results.

Features of Agency Handy

Now, let’s look at the key features of Agency Handy to ensure smooth client management:

White-Label Customization

First of all, sign up and design your workspace with logos, colors, custom domains, and email setups to give a branded space to your client. You can enhance your brand identity by customizing your client portal.

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Client Invitations and Import

If you already have clients, you can easily create client accounts with all the required information and send them invitations to log in and onboard. Or else, you can just bulk import client profiles from any CSV or Excel file.

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Customizable Intake And Order Forms

Now, if you are to onboard new prospects, design customized intake forms to get all necessary client information for orders. Simple yet comprehensive order forms ensure you gather every essential data point and streamline the order process.

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Custom Quotations and Proposals

Each client has their own set of requirements, and that asks for customized proposals and quotations. Agency Handy lets you do so and send to clients directly through the platform. This helps secure deals efficiently and manage client-specific requirements effectively.

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Order & Task Management

Once you have the orders, transform client conversations into organized orders. Break down orders into smaller tasks, make deadlines, and delegate to team members. You can maintain clear project tracking and ensure timely completion of deliverables.

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More efficiently, you can collaborate with your team and the clients on the orders, where everyone is on the same page, and work on any feedback that needs to be addressed. This collaboration will eliminate all sorts of misunderstandings. 

Kanban and Workflow Visualization

Now, it’s time to get your work done, visualize your workflow using Kanban boards to track the status of each task. Stay informed about progress and ensure smooth project execution by keeping a clear overview of each task’s stage.

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Billing and Invoicing

When you’re done with the project, send professional invoices to clients after completing deliverables. Set up payment options for upfront or split payments, linking directly to your website for easy transaction processing.

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Issue Tracking and Ticketing

Once you hand over the project, you might encounter a few client feedback or issues. The ticketing system can help you organize, prioritize, and solve these issues. Assign tickets to team members promptly, ensuring swift resolution and maintaining high-quality service delivery.

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Pros of Agency Handy

  • Offers centralized client communications — messages, files, and approvals in one place.
  • Provides a shareable service catalog that you can use to promote your brand.
  • Allows you to organize files according to clients and orders so you can easily access them anytime.
  • Offers multiple languages to engage with a global audience and increase your reach.
  • Support is available through email, live chat, and a Facebook community for broader reach.

Best Use Cases of Agency Handy

Agency Handy is a versatile platform that can benefit various professionals and industries. Here are 5 use cases of Agency Handy’s client management:

  • Digital Marketing Agency: If you’re running a digital marketing agency, you’re likely juggling multiple clients, each with their own campaigns. With Agency Handy, you can keep track of all your client orders in one place. 
  • Freelance Web Developers: As a freelance web developer, you have to work on multiple website orders simultaneously. Agency Handy can help you stay on top of your workload, create project timelines, share design mockups securely, and collect client feedback. 
  • Graphic Design Studios: Agency Handy optimizes collaboration with clients and their mood boards, design sharing, and client approval features in one place. These features help maintain an organized approach and lead to smoother projects and happier clients.
  • SEO Consultants: As an SEO consultant, you likely manage ongoing optimization orders for multiple clients. Using Agency Handy, you can set up regular reporting on key SEO metrics, manage content calendars, and track backlink acquisition efforts.
  • Event Planners: As an event planner, no wonder you’re managing multiple events. With Agency Handy, you can manage unlimited projects and clients to ensure each event’s details remain organized and accessible. 

Agency Handy Pricing

Agency Handy offers 3 types of pricing plans to manage your clients: 

AgencyHandy Pricing 1
Pricing TiersMonthly Billing Yearly Billing Users Features 
Solopreneur $69/month$49/month3Unlimited ClientsUnlimited OrdersCustom brandingTask ManagementInvoicingNotesInternal team Conversation Client Approval
Teams $149/month$99/month10
Pro $199/month$149/month30

What People Say About Agency Handy?

Rating on G2: 5 out of 5

“Handy is a fantastic client portal tool for agencies due to its user-friendly interface, making it easy for clients to access and navigate through the platform.” – Andrew J.

Rating on Product Hunt: 5 out of 5

“A great tool for agency management. AgencyHandy solves all my management problems easily. A hassle-free tool you should add to your list.”- Shamima Nasrin

Rating on Trustpilot: 3.8 out of 5

“I am extremely satisfied with Agency Handy. It has streamlined our client management process and has become an essential tool for our business operations.

Features and Functionality:

Customer Management: Adding customers is incredibly straightforward, allowing us to maintain a well-organized database with ease.

Proposal Generation: The feature to send proposals is efficient and professional, saving us time and enhancing our client communication.

Invoicing System: Generating invoices is a breeze with Agency Handy. The system is reliable and helps us get paid faster.

Task Management: The Kanban-style task management has revolutionized how we handle our workload, providing clarity and boosting productivity.” – Vikas Patil

Why Should You Choose Agency Handy CMS?

If you need help with client communication and order management, Agency Handy is the right choice. Here are some ways how Agency Handy can solve your client management problems:

Issues with Client ManagementHow Agency Handy Solves It
Losing track of emails, messages, and callsCentralizes all client communications, including emails, messages, and file sharing.
Mismatched expectations with clientsAllows clients to provide feedback on a project or approve of a task.
Difficulty managing tasksUsing the Kanban board, you can break down tasks and assign them to designated team members. 
Misplaced or unorganized documentsOffers secure and organized file management, allowing you to store, share, and access documents easily

2. HoneyBook 

HONEYBOOK Dashboard

HoneyBook is an all-in-one clientflow platform designed for small businesses, freelancers, and independent professionals.

It helps you send invoices, sign contracts, schedule meetings, automate workflows, and track inquiries all in one place. Trusted by over 100,000 businesses, HoneyBook streamlines your operations to save you time and keep you organized.

When we used HoneyBook, what we loved the best was the automation of workflows. With HoneyBook, we could set up automated replies and follow-ups, ensuring nothing was ever missed. 

This significantly improved our efficiency and allowed us to focus more on building client relationships rather than managing repetitive tasks. 

HoneyBook also excels in creating professional invoices and secure payments. The platform allows you to quickly generate and send invoices, ensuring you get paid on time. 

Additionally, its contracts feature makes signing and managing contracts seamless and straightforward.

Another thing you’ll enjoy the most is the online scheduling tool. You can share availability, get booked, and confirm meetings effortlessly. This feature, combined with powerful automation, ensures that your workflow is efficient and that no time is wasted!

Compared to Zoho CRM, which offers extensive customization and integration options, HoneyBook’s simplicity and ease of use made it a more accessible choice for small teams.

Features of HoneyBook

Here’s a list of all the features of HoneyBook:

Invoices

Create and send professional invoices digitally. Set up payment schedules and automated reminders. Use an auto-saved item bank for quick invoice creation. These features streamline your business and save time. 

Contract

Generate legally binding online contracts. Smart highlighting shows clients where to sign. Get instant notifications when clients sign. This way you can easily stay up to date and respond promptly.

Scheduler

Share your availability with a custom booking link. Clients can easily schedule meetings. Automated confirmations and reminders keep everyone on track and reduce extra hassle.

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Automation

Design custom workflows to automate repetitive tasks. Set up automatic emails, follow-ups, and task reminders. Automate repetitive tasks with custom workflows to free up your time and reduce the risk of missed deadlines.

Forms

Create custom questionnaires and forms to gather client information smoothly and professionally. These forms ensure that you gather the exact client information you need smoothly and efficiently.

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Proposals

Create professional, branded proposals that can include contracts, invoices, and payment options all in one package. The proposal feature gives your clients the liberty to request customized service at customized pricing.

Integrations

Connect seamlessly with other popular business tools like Zoom, QuickBooks, Zapier, Gmail, and Google Calendar. By integrating with these tools, you don’t need to juggle between other platforms. You can easily centralize your work in one platform.

Pros of HoneyBook

  • Simplified invoices and secure payment system
  • Provide a professional client experience
  • Improve productivity with an intuitive interface
  • Integrates seamlessly with popular apps

Cons of HoneyBook

  • Lack of advanced client management features like advanced reporting and analytics aren’t available. 

HoneyBook Pricing

HoneyBook offers 3 pricing tiers:

HoneyBook Pricing
Pricing tiers Pricing Features 
Starter $19/month$16/month (billed annually)Unlimited clients and projectsA calendarA client portalA basic reportAll professional templates, proposals and contractsInvoices, and payments
Essential $39/month$32/month (billed annually)2 team members,A schedulerQuickbooks integrationRemoving ‘powered by HoneyBook’Standard reportsAutomationsexpense managementProfit and loss report
Premium $79/month$66/month (billed annually)Unlimited team membersMultiple companiesAn onboarding specialistPriority support

Note: If you want to know if HoneyBook is truly worth it or not, check out more on HoneyBook pricing

What People Say About HoneyBook?

Rate on Capterra: 4.8/5

Provides a good experience

Pros: I manage the entire flow of information from my clients in a more organized way, controlling and monitoring each one, it allows me to be more agile in the processes that I have to carry out with my clients and thus provide them with better attention and speed in document delivery. invoices, contracts, and digital signatures. I can do many things at the same time and it helps me perform better at my job.

Cons: The system has never failed me, I feel satisfied with each tool I use and I am convinced that it has been the most efficient platform that I use for my work tasks.’ Anthony R.

3. Service Provider Pro

Service Provider Pro Dashboard 2

Service Provider Pro (SPP) offers a unified dashboard to manage all your client interactions. This central dashboard simplifies your daily tasks, providing an overview of everything you need at a glance.

One of the standout features of SPP is its customizable order forms. These forms allow your clients to easily place orders, be it for one-time services or recurring subscriptions. You can customize these forms to meet different requirements, which helps smooth out the purchasing process.

Besides, you can maintain a centralized communication system with SPP. The system keeps all client emails and messages in one place, which reduces the risk of miscommunication and helps everyone stay informed.

When we asked our review team about SPP, they noted that the centralized system significantly reduces the time spent on administrative tasks, allowing agencies to focus more on delivering quality services to clients.

SPP also excels in automating invoicing and billing. You can create professional invoices, set up recurring payments, and integrate various payment gateways to ensure smooth transactions.

When compared to Agency Handy, SPP excels in subscription management and real-time updates. But if you want a complete client management workflow, from client onboarding to invoicing, Agency Handy is the one to pick. In between the tasks, clients can easily share their feedback to incorporate changes quickly.

Note: Find more about how Agency Handy stands out as a better alternative than SPP.

Features of Service Provider Pro

Here are the client management features of Service Provider Pro:

Centralized Client Communications

All client communications, including order updates and messages, are centralized in one dashboard. This keeps everyone on the same page and reduces the risk of miscommunication.

Customizable Order Forms

SPP provides flexible order forms that can be tailored to fit various services. These forms support one-page or multistep checkouts, service types, quantities, and conditional fields, making it easy for clients to place orders.

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Client Portal

A secure client portal allows clients to log in, view order details, manage subscriptions, and update billing information. This self-service feature enhances client convenience and reduces administrative tasks.

Custom Fields

Extend client profiles with custom fields and manage detailed customer information securely. Clients can update their billing details and payment methods, while you can track interactions and maintain comprehensive records.

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Automated Messaging 

Easily set up personalized email sequences that respond automatically to your client’s actions. This helps you keep in touch and build relationships without losing the personal touch. You can customize the content and timing of each message, ensuring they’re relevant and timely.

Integrated Reporting and Analytics

SPP offers built-in reports and integrates with Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager. This provides detailed insights into team performance, client interactions, and project progress, helping you make data-driven decisions.

Pros of Service Provider Pro

  • Simplify client account management.
  • Unify billing, projects, and communication in one platform.
  • Enjoy exceptional customer support for a smooth experience.
  • Scale efficiently to handle growing clients and your team.
  • Enable clients to self-manage subscriptions and payments.

Cons of Service Provider Pro

  • Requires time to learn how to navigate through the platform.

Service Provider Pro Pricing 

SPP offers 3 pricing tiers:

Service Provider Pro Pricing 1
Pricing tiersPricing planMembers Features
Basic $129/month$99/month (billed annually)5Custom workspaceAffiliate and referral trackingWhite-label email domain
Pro $299/month$249/month (billed annually)10Everything in basicEditable client-facing pagesCreate reseller program
Plus $1,500/month50 Everything in ProRemoving ‘Powered by’Priority support via SlackCustom integrations 

Note: If you are wondering whether it is worth it or not, learn more about Service Provider Pro’s pricing.

What Do People Say About Service Provider Pro?

Rate on Capterra: 4.9/5

SPP makes running my business so much easier

Overall: Their tool is stable, does what it needs to do, and makes regular updates which is great and their support is one of the best I’ve dealt with using any SAAS tool.

Pros: Just does, what it is meant to do, simple yet effective. It has all the features that you need without all the extra add-ons that you just never need. It makes dealing with my customer’s orders, quick, responsive, and easy for my team and my customers.

Cons: If I could improve anything, I would love to see more features added to make the order forms a little easier to customize and make them a little more unique without lots of coding.’ Robert K. 

4. Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM Dashboard

At its core, Zoho CRM is designed to bring the best out of your customer-facing teams with solid automation, comprehensive analytics, and personalized solutions. You can track your deals from start to finish, forecast sales, and make data-driven decisions to grow your business. 

Though Zoho is a massive platform, interestingly, it’s known for its flexibility and customization. You can create custom fields, design page layouts, and set up automation rules matching your unique workflows. 

Besides that, what’s more interesting about Zoho CRM is its omni-channel presence. You can engage with customers through the right channel at the right time, delivering personalized experiences that foster customer loyalty. 

All these interactions are logged in one central place, giving you a 360-degree view of your customer relationships.

We found this particularly useful as it helped us manage our customer interactions more effectively compared to Keap, which also offers good automation but lacks the extensive omnichannel capabilities of Zoho CRM.

In addition, Zoho CRM provides advanced analytics tools that help you make informed decisions quickly. The AI-powered assistant, Zia, offers accurate predictions and actionable insights to track performance and plan the next steps.

When comparing Zoho CRM with Salesforce, Zoho stands out for its affordability and user-friendly interface, making it ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. 

Salesforce, on the other hand, offers a more extensive set of features and deeper customization options. So. it is suited for larger enterprises with complex requirements. 

Features of Zoho CRM

Here are the top features of Zoho CRM that will help your client management process:

Sales Force Automation

Sales force automation streamlines your sales process by automating lead management, contact tracking, and deal pipelines. As a result, you spend more time selling and have to spend less time on paperwork.

Journey Orchestration

Journey orchestration is a map of your customer’s journey where you can view your customer interactions in real-time. This way you can personalize your approach and thus boost customer satisfaction. 

Omnichannel Communication

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Omnichannel communication is one platform for all customer interactions. This covers email, phone, social media, and other communication channels. You should respond faster and keep conversions consistent. 

Analytics And Reporting 

Zoho CRM offers you real-time dashboards and reports that show sales trends, team performance, and customer behavior. This helps you to make smarter and data-driven decisions. 

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AI Assistant

Zoho CRM has a dedicated AI assistant called Zia that predicts sales, answers questions and suggests automation. Using Zia, you can use voice commands to get information or perform tasks.

Customization

You can tailor the CRM to fit your business. Zoho CRM’s customization offers custom fields, modules, and layouts. It also offers a canvas feature for drag-and-drop interface design. 

Pros of Zoho CRM

  • Great fit for small to medium-sized businesses.
  • Offers excellent customer support from multiple support channels.
  • Mobile app for iOS and Android so is perfect for on-the-go sales teams.
  • The AI assistant can suggest macro automation based on observed user behavior.

Cons of Zoho CRM

  • Limited integration options are available.

Zoho CRM Pricing

Zoho CRM offers 4 tiers of pricing plans:

Zoho CRM Pricing
Pricing tierPricing Features 
Standard $20/month$14/month (billed annually)Basic modulesLead scoringCustom fieldsMultiple sales pipelinesCanvasOffice 365 integration
Professional $35/month$23/month (billed annually)SalesSignsEmail integrationsBlueprintInventory managementCPQValidation rules
Enterprise $50/month$40/month (billed annually)Territory managementMultiple user portalsSandboxKiosk studio
Ultimate $35/month$23/month (billed annually)Data preparation Unified business insightAugmented analyticsAdvanced customizationData storytelling

What People Say About Zoho CRM?

Rate on Capterra: 4.3/5

A robust CRM tool that has increased our sales success rate.

Overall: Zoho CRM has supercharged our sales operations making them more successful. It provides us with great tools which help us manage all our sales activities including customer communications and closing sales deals.

Pros: Zoho CRM allows us to engage with our customers effectively during sales operations and offer them personalized communications which has helped us make more sales. It was much easier to customize to match our needs. Has super amazing sales analytical tools which provide us with the insights we need to understand our sales performance and do sales predictions.

Cons: There has been no time that Zoho CRM has failed to offer us the best services. Nothing not to love about it.’ Ziva R.

5. Pipedrive

Pipedrive Dashboard

Pipedrive is a user-friendly CRM designed to simplify your sales process. It offers a visual sales pipeline that helps you manage leads and track deals effortlessly.

With Pipedrive, you can automate your sales activities, making it easier to focus on closing deals rather than administrative tasks. 

The most highlighted feature is the customizable dashboard, which you can customize to fit your specific sales process. You can adjust pipelines, set reminders for follow-ups, and easily track your progress.

Pipedrive also integrates seamlessly with other tools you use, enhancing your CRM experience. From email tracking to workflow automation, it offers a range of features that simplify your sales effort.

When using Pipedrive, what we loved the best was its intuitive interface and how it simplified our sales process. Using Pipedrive, tracking and managing leads was much easier. 

Moreover, the CRM provides real-time insights and AI-powered tools that help us to make informed decisions and optimize our sales strategy. But for a broader suite of tools for marketing automation and customer communication, Keap is a good choice. 

Overall, Pipedrive is ideal for businesses looking for a straightforward and effective way to manage their sales process. 

Features of Pipedrive

Here’s a list of features you get with Pipedrive:

Lead and Deal Management

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Pipedrive allows you to organize customer data and interactions in one simple tool. This helps you act quickly when opportunities arise, ensuring no lead falls through the cracks. With centralized data, your sales team has all the context they need to follow up faster.

Customizable Pipelines

The Kanban-style dashboard lets you visualize your sales funnel and adjust pipelines according to your sales process. You can move deals along as they progress, with notifications to remind you when it’s time to follow up.

Centralized Sales Data and Contact History

Easily import data from spreadsheets or other pipeline management software and link products or services to deals. This centralization gives you a comprehensive view of your negotiations and helps you see the bigger picture of your sales activities.

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Automation

Pipedrive’s automation feature includes task automation, one-click contact data collections, webhooks, open API, and AI-powered sales assistants. You can set up workflow automation or choose from ready-made templates, cutting admin time in half. 

CRM Functionality

The core CRM features include contact and deal management, workflow improvement, and sales productivity. These focus on enhancing overall sales operations. 

Instant Sales Insights

Utilize Pipedrive’s real-time data analytics to track sales metrics and fine-tune your strategy. Monitor performance with visual reports and dashboards, forecast revenue based on past performance, and get actionable insights from the AI Sales Assistant.

Pros of Pipedrive

  • A clean, easy-to-navigate design for quick adoption.
  • Provides unlimited, customizable sales pipelines
  • Offers basic features for a lower price
  • Streamlines workflows with automation features

Cons of Pipedrive

  • Difficult to understand for beginners.
  • Connecting with a third-party tool like Zapier is hard for non-technical users.

Pipedrive Pricing

Pipedrive offers 4 pricing plans:

Pipedrive Pricing
Pricing TierPricing Features 
Essential $14/month $12/month (billed annually)Email inbox15 reports30 custom fields
Advanced$29/month $24/month (billed annually)1 email sync per user30 automation30 reports100 custom fields
Professional $59/month $49/month (billed annually)2 email syncs150 reports300 custom fields60 automation
Power $69/month $59/month (billed annually)3 email syncs90 automation250 reports500 custom fields

What People Say About Pipedrive?

Rate on Capterra: 4.5/5

“Great for efficiency & simplicity

Overall: I’m pleased with the improved efficiency we’ve achieved by switching to Pipedrive and I can’t see us moving away anytime soon.” Jamie H.

6. Keap 

Keap Dashboard

Keap, previously known as Infusionsoft, is a client management and marketing tool designed for small businesses. It offers a single dashboard to manage customer interactions. This includes contacts, leads, communications, marketing, payments, and reports.

One of the best parts of Keap is its advanced automation capabilities. We found the ‘Easy Automation’ tool particularly useful for streamlining repetitive tasks. This tool uses simple ‘when-then’ logic to automate processes.

For instance, you can set it to add a new lead to your email list as soon as they fill out a contact form. Or, when a customer buys something, it can send a series of follow-up emails and remind your team to check in a week later.

Keap also offers a wide range of customizable email and text templates. These templates can be integrated with automation tools, allowing us to quickly set up effective, personalized communication flows. 

Unlike Pipedrive’s visualized sales processes and tracking performance, Keap stands out for its comprehensive approach to automation and client engagement. 

So, it’s a great choice for businesses that need both CRM and marketing capabilities in one platform. But more suitable for small agencies!

Features of Keap

Here are the features that Keap offers:

Contact Management 

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Keap centralizes customer data, interactions, and history into one user-friendly system. This enhances relationship management and team collaboration. By using Keap, you can build stronger client relationships and ensure seamless teamwork.

Automated Lead Capture

Keap’s automated lead capture streamlines the process of collecting new leads through various channels. This automatically organizes them in the CRM for immediate follow-up.

Appointment Scheduling

Keap makes it easy to schedule appointments with clients. Integrate your existing calendar or use Keap’s native scheduling features to set meetings and send reminders. This helps you manage your time effectively and provide a seamless booking experience for your clients.

Mobile Accessibility

Keap enables you to access and manage customer information on the go.  So, you can promptly respond to your clients on the go.  The mobile app empowers you to stay responsive and provide exceptional client service wherever you are.

Personalized Follow-ups

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Personalized follow-ups allow for targeted communication based on customer segments and behaviors. This increases engagement and turns generic outreach into relevant interactions. 

Extensive Integrations

Keap’s extensive integrations enhance functionality by connecting with popular business tools. This creates a more cohesive workflow.  These integrations streamline workflows by connecting with your existing business tools.

Pros of Keap

  • Clean and easy-to-use interface.
  • Advanced marketing automation capabilities.
  • Excellent customer support and product training.
  • Powerful CRM and sales tools in one package.
  • Integration with third-party tools to enhance functionality.

Cons of Keap

  • Doesn’t offer any free plan 
  • Marketing analytics isn’t available in the starter plan

Keap Pricing

Keap offers 3 pricing tiers:

Keap Pricing
Pricing tierPricing planFeatures 
Ignite $249/month ($2988/year)1500 contacts2 users5 automationUnlimited automation
Grow $329/month ($3948/year)2500 contacts3 users10 proven automationUnlimited automation
Scale $499/month ($5988/year)5000 contacts5 users15 proven automationUnlimited custom automation

What People Say About Keap?

Rate on Capterra: 4.1/5

Best marketing automation software for small businesses

Overall: Keap is a beast in itself in which you can do things effectively provided that you use it effectively, and know your way around it. We used Keap for managing our Contacts, sending promotional emails, marketing automation, and e-comm. Keap became much easier to use as we got to know the right ways of doing things starting from tag naming conventions to, the right ways of using Goals, Campaign links, etc. And, now it is one of my favorite software when it comes to Marketing Automation.”

7. Salesforce

Salesforce Dashboard

Salesforce is a leading customer relationship management (CRM) platform that unifies marketing, sales, and service in a single app. 

With Salesforce, you’ll get tools for sales, service, and email outreach all in one place. The best part? You can start a free trial without a credit card.

Salesforce’s best feature is that it helps different teams—like marketing, sales, and IT—work together smoothly, no matter where they are. This coordination is key to keeping operations efficient and ensuring everyone is on the same page.

However, we found Salesforce especially helpful for simplifying our operations and improving our customer service. Its Sales Cloud feature was particularly effective, helping us seal more deals and grow faster by providing all the CRM tools we needed.

Additionally, Salesforce offers Trailhead, a free learning platform with guided paths to help you learn digital and soft skills. This was invaluable for our team as it allowed us to upskill and make the most of the platform. 

Compared to HubSpot CRM, Salesforce offers more extensive customization options and integrations, ideal for larger enterprises with complex needs. 

While HubSpot CRM excels with its user-friendly interface, Salesforce provides advanced analytics and deeper reporting capabilities. This makes Salesforce suitable for organizations looking for a highly customizable and scalable CRM solution.

Additionally, Salesforce also offers a nonprofit solution called Nonprofit Success Pack, making it a CMS choice for nonprofits.

Features of Salesforce

Here are the CRM features of Salesforce:

Sales Cloud

The sales cloud is the core CRM platform that integrates sales tools and functionalities. This provides you with a central hub for managing customer relationships and sales processes. 

Sales Forecasting

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Accurate forecasting tools in Sales Cloud enable you to predict revenue and track performance against your targets. The platform offers customizable forecasting reports and dashboards, giving you insights into your sales pipeline and helping you adjust strategies as needed.

Sales Engagement

Salesforce designed a tool to facilitate more effective interactions with potential buyers. This includes email tracking, call logging, and automated follow-ups. Use these features to maintain a smooth communication flow between your team and clients.

Workflow and Approvals

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Automate your sales processes with customizable workflows and approval processes. This feature ensures that routine tasks are handled efficiently, reducing manual work and speeding up the sales cycle. You can set up automatic triggers for actions like deal approvals or follow-up emails.

Team Collaboration

Salesforce integrates with collaboration tools like Slack. This improves communication and productivity within sales teams. If you maintain proper communication between your team members then collaboration becomes easy.

Email Integrations

Salesforce seamlessly connects with email systems to track communications and update CRM records automatically. By automatically syncing emails with your CRM, Salesforce eliminates manual data entry and ensures a complete record of every client interaction.

Pros of Salesforce

  • Suitable for businesses of all sizes
  • Highly adaptable to specific business needs
  • Strong mobile app for the on the go access and productivity
  • Extends functionality with Salesforce AppExchange

Cons of Salesforce 

  • Complex setup and customization process with a learning curve.

Salesforce Pricing

Salesforce offers 5 tiers of pricing:

Salesforce Pricng
Pricing tiersPricing Features 
Starter Suite$24/month/userSimplified Setup And OnboardingLeadOpportunityContact ManagementEmail Integration
Pro Suite $100/month/userAdvanced Customization And AutomationReal-Time Chat,Sales Quoting And Forecasting
Enterprise$165/month/userEverything In The Pro SuiteConversation IntelligenceWorkflowApprovals Automation
Unlimited $330/month/userEverything In The Enterprise PlanA Premier Success PlanFull SandboxConversation Intelligence
Einstein 1$500/user/monthEinstein Copilot Powered By Generative AiPerformance Management 

What People Say About Salesforce?

Rate on Capterra: 4.4/5

Powerful CRM Solution for Sales Teams

Overall: As a comprehensive CRM solution, it has transformed the way our sales team operates. Centralizing customer data, streamlining processes, and gaining valuable insights have significantly improved our efficiency and effectiveness. Although the initial setup and customization required effort, the long-term benefits have been substantial. Salesforce’s commitment to continuous innovation and its robust partner ecosystem further solidify its position as a market leader in the CRM space. Sales Cloud has become an indispensable tool for driving efficiency and revenue growth. I’d recommend it to any serious sales team.” Ramya R.

8. HubSpot CRM

HubSpot CRM Dashboard

HubSpot CRM offers a comprehensive solution for managing customer relationships. It’s free and designed to simplify your sales, marketing, and customer service efforts.

The main aspect of HubSpot CRM is the real-time sales pipeline, which gives you a clear view of your sales activity. You can track deals, analyze sales performance, and gain insights into team productivity- all from an easy-to-use dashboard.

Additionally, you can customize properties to fit your business needs making reporting and tracking more accurate and relevant. 

The CRM also includes tools like a meeting scheduler, email tracking, and live chat software. These features were particularly helpful for us when we used HubSpot CRM for our sales team to connect with prospects at the right time. So, we could close the right deals immediately. 

With no time limits or expiration dates, you can store unlimited data and up to 1M contacts for free. This makes HubSpot CRM a great choice for large and enterprise businesses looking to scale without incurring additional costs. 

The CRM’s user-friendly interface and powerful features help streamline your operations, making it easier to manage and grow your customer relationships. Compared to HoneyBook, which focuses on client flow and workflow automation, HubSpot CRM provides more excellent marketing and sales tools.

Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, HubSpot CRM provides the tools you need to succeed.

Features of Hubspot CRM

Here are all the features of HubSpot CRM:

Contact Management 

Contact management allows you to store and organize detailed information about up to 1M contacts. This helps in keeping track of all customer and prospect interactions. 

Sales Pipeline Visualization

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Sales pipeline visualization provides a visual representation of your entire sales process. This allows you to see at a glance where each potential deal stands in the pipeline. 

Reporting And Analytics

Reporting and analytics generate detailed reports on various aspects of sales activities. This helps you to understand team performance and identify areas for improvement. 

Meeting Scheduler

The meeting scheduler allows others to book time slots based on your availability. This simplifies the process of scheduling meetings. Thus, you reduce the hassle of wasting time on scheduling meetings.

Email Template Builder

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HubSpot CRM offers an email template builder, which lets you create and save email templates. This saves time and ensures consistency in communication. As a result, you will be able to work efficiently.

Live Chat Software

The live chat software enables real-time communication with website visitors. This increases engagement and conversion rates. Real-time chat captures website visitor interest and converts it into sales by providing immediate answers.

Pros of Hubspot CRM

  • Smooth connectivity with common productivity software
  • Excellent Customer support who works from a universal inbox with centralized data
  • Utilize email templates, prospecting tools, and workflows
  • Business owners can manage contacts and projects in a single interface
  • It can integrate with HubSpot’s other marketing tools

Cons of Hubspot CRM

  • The free version has limited sales automation
  • Restricted customization options in the standard package.
  • Additional “Hub” modules and per-user pricing become costly for smaller companies.

Hubspot CRM Pricing

Hubspot CRM is free and you can enjoy a premium version of it with the Customer Platform. It offers 3 pricing plans:

HubSpot CRM Pricing
Pricing TiersPricing Seats 
Starter$20/month$15/month (billed annually)1 seat
Professional $1,300/month $1,170/month (billed annually)5 seats
Enterprise$4,300/month7 seats

What People Say About Hubspot CRM?

Rate on Capterra: 4.5/5.0

Great CRM, but awful reporting

Pros: The system is very easy to set up and use. The card population is easy and intuitive. Super easy data migration from a previous provider.” Julijan N.

Why Should You Use Client Management Software?

The main goal of using client management software is to maintain and manage sustainable relationships with your clients. Here’s how client management software helps enhance relationships with your customers:

  • Keep all customer info in one place: Client management platforms put all your customer information together in one place. This helps everyone in the company work better with customers, no matter where they are.
  • Find and get more customers: CRM helps you find people who might want to buy from you. It can track how people find your business and help you send them personalized messages.
  • Keep customers happy: Keeping old customers is cheaper than finding new ones. CRM helps you solve customer problems quickly and reminds you to stay in touch with them.
  • Make smart choices using data: CRM programs can show you important information about your customers and business. This helps you make better decisions about things like what to sell or how to improve your service.
  • See what’s working: You can use CRM to check how well your sales team is doing or if your ads are working. This helps you know what to change to make your business better.

Key Features of Choosing The Best Client Management Software

You must choose the right Client Management software to manage and collaborate with your clients properly. Here are some must-have features to look for when choosing CMS.

Key Features of Choosing The Best Client Management Software

Contact Management

A good CMS allows you to store and manage all of your client contact information easily. It also allows you to track your interactions with clients, such as emails, phone calls, and meetings.

Task Management

Choose a CMS that helps you stay organized and on top of your deadlines. A CMS should allow you to create tasks, assign them to team members, and track their progress.

Lead Tracking And Management 

If you’re in sales, you’ll need  CMS that can help you track and manage your leads. Choose a CMS that offers features like lead capture, lead scoring, and lead nurturing.

Integration With Other Software

Your CMS should integrate with other software that you use, such as accounting software and email marketing software. This will help you simplify your workflow and avoid entering data into multiple systems. 

Reporting And Analytic

Select a CMS that will provide reports and analytics features. Having this will help you to track your progress and make better decisions. These reports can show you your sales pipeline, win rate, and customer satisfaction.

Security 

Because you will be storing your client data in your CMS, choose software that has advanced security features. The security feature should offer encryption, access controls, and data backup. n

Ease Of Use

Your CMS should be easy for everyone on your team, regardless of their technical expertise. Look for software that has a clean and intuitive interface. This will save you time from learning and improve your productivity. 

What is The Best Client Management Software?

Agency Handy is the best client management portal, particularly for digital agencies and creative professionals. While there are several strong options, Agency Handy offers some compelling advantages.

Its features, like customizable intake forms, client collaboration, ticket management, and project tracking are designed with agencies in mind. Moreover, using the client portal you can provide your clients with a branded feel and access to project updates, files, and invoices. 

That said, other software options also have their merits. 

For instance, Service Provider Pro offers an advanced client-facing system and a built-in helpdesk. Keap excels in marketing automation and e-commerce integration. 

Pipedrive is known for its user-friendly and sales-focused approach. Whereas, Hubspot CRM offers a generous free tier and seamless integration with its marketing tools. 

Ultimately, the best tool depends on what your business needs and budget are. 

Final Words

In the end, the key to selecting the right client management software depends on your specific requirements. 

Consider factors such as team size, budget, technical expertise, and growth projections, and then decide what meets your requirements the best.

Ultimately, the best client management software is the one that aligns most closely with your business processes, enhances your team’s productivity, and helps you deliver exceptional value to your clients. 

FAQs

What are the key factors of choosing a client management for a marketing agency?

When choosing client management software (CMS) for your marketing agency, consider:

  • Needs: Client management, project management, marketing automation, reporting.
  • Team: Size, technical skills, collaboration needs, mobile access.
  • Security & Integrations: Data protection, integrations with other tools.
  • Budget & Support: Cost, ease of use, customer support.

What are some common mistakes people make when choosing a CMS?

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when choosing a CMS:

  • Focusing on features over needs: Choose a CMS that addresses your specific challenges, not just the most features.
  • Ignoring scalability: Pick a CMS that can grow with your business to avoid needing to switch later.
  • Underestimating security: Ensure the CMS has robust security measures to protect client data.
  • Neglecting user-friendliness: Choose a CMS your team can easily learn and use to avoid hindering adoption.
  • Following trends over best fit: Don’t pick the most popular CMS; choose the one that best suits your needs.

What are some features that are important for a CMS used in customer service?

Here are some key features of a CMS used in customer service:

  • Ticketing System: A central hub to manage all customer inquiries, track their progress, and ensure efficient resolution.
  • Knowledge Base: A searchable repository of self-service articles, FAQs, and troubleshooting guides to empower customers to find solutions independently.
  • Live Chat/Messaging: Offer real-time communication channels for immediate customer support and issue resolution.
  • Customer Feedback Management: Capture and analyze customer feedback to identify areas for improvement and enhance the overall service experience.
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Mohammod Munir

Mohammod Munir is a seasoned writer and editor with more than 4 years of experience in the SaaS industry. Passionate about creating compelling content, Munir enjoys exploring the intersection of technology and communication. When not immersed in words, you’ll find Munir sipping coffee, exploring new hiking trails, or tinkering with creative projects.
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