Best Project Management Software with CRM in 2024
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Table of Contents
- Quick Picks: Best Project Management Software with CRM
- How We Evaluated These Tools
- [hubspot — Best Free CRM with Project Management](#hubspothttpswwwamazoncomskhubspottagdivinepleroma-20-best-free-crm-with-project-management)
- [monday-com — Best for Visual Project Management with CRM](#monday-comhttpswwwamazoncomskmonday-comtagdivinepleroma-20-best-for-visual-project-management-with-crm)
- [clickup — Best All-in-One Solution for Growing Teams](#clickuphttpswwwamazoncomskclickuptagdivinepleroma-20-best-all-in-one-solution-for-growing-teams)
- [pipedrive — Best for Sales-Focused Project Coordination](#pipedrivehttpswwwamazoncomskpipedrivetagdivinepleroma-20-best-for-sales-focused-project-coordination)
- [zoho-one — Best Enterprise Suite for Complete Business Management](#zoho-onehttpswwwamazoncomskzoho-onetagdivinepleroma-20-best-enterprise-suite-for-complete-business-management)
- [salesforce — Best for Large Organizations with Custom Needs](#salesforcehttpswwwamazoncomsksalesforcetagdivinepleroma-20-best-for-large-organizations-with-custom-needs)
- Comparison Table
- What to Look for in Project Management Software with CRM
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Making the Right Choice
Quick Picks: Best Project Management Software with CRM
- hubspot: Best free option with robust CRM features
- monday-com: Most customizable workflows and visual project tracking
- clickup: Best all-in-one solution for growing teams
- pipedrive: Best for sales-focused teams needing project coordination
- zoho-one: Best enterprise suite for complete business management
How We Evaluated These Tools
We tested each platform’s project management capabilities alongside their CRM functionality, focusing on integration depth, ease of use, and value for money. Our evaluation considered both free and paid tiers, real-world implementation scenarios, and user feedback from teams managing both client relationships and project deliverables.
hubspot — Best Free CRM with Project Management
Key Features:
- Free CRM for up to 1 million contacts
- Task management and deal tracking
- Email integration and automation
- Basic reporting and analytics
- Mobile app for iOS and Android
HubSpot’s free tier offers surprising depth for teams just starting with integrated project management and CRM. The platform excels at tracking client relationships while maintaining visibility into project progress through its task management system.
The deal pipeline naturally connects to project workflows, making it easy to see which prospects are moving through your sales process and what deliverables need completion. Email tracking automatically logs client communications, creating a complete timeline of project-related conversations.
However, advanced project management features like Gantt charts and time tracking require paid upgrades. The free version also limits users to basic automation, which can become restrictive as teams grow.
monday-com — Best for Visual Project Management with CRM
Key Features:
- Visual boards with customizable columns
- CRM templates and contact management
- Time tracking and resource management
- Automation rules and integrations
- Advanced reporting and dashboards
Monday.com transforms project management into a visual experience that naturally incorporates client relationship data. Their flexible board structure allows teams to create custom workflows that track both project milestones and customer interactions.
The platform’s strength lies in its adaptability. You can start with a simple project board and gradually add CRM columns for client contact information, deal values, and communication history. Color-coded status updates make it instantly clear which projects need attention and which clients require follow-up.
The learning curve can be steep for teams accustomed to traditional project management tools. While powerful, the extensive customization options can overwhelm new users who just want to get started quickly.
clickup — Best All-in-One Solution for Growing Teams
Key Features:
- Multiple project views (Gantt, Kanban, Calendar)
- Built-in CRM with custom fields
- Document collaboration and wikis
- Time tracking and goal setting
- Extensive third-party integrations
ClickUp positions itself as the productivity platform to replace all others, and it largely delivers on that promise. The integrated CRM functionality works seamlessly with project management features, allowing teams to manage everything from lead generation to project delivery in one platform.
The platform’s hierarchy system (Spaces > Folders > Lists > Tasks) provides excellent organization for complex client projects. Custom fields let you track any client data you need, while the multiple project views accommodate different working styles within the same team.
ClickUp’s biggest weakness is its complexity. The abundance of features can slow down simple workflows, and the interface feels cluttered compared to more focused solutions. Teams often need several weeks to fully adopt all the features they’re paying for.
pipedrive — Best for Sales-Focused Project Coordination
Key Features:
- Visual sales pipeline management
- Project templates and milestone tracking
- Email sync and communication history
- Sales forecasting and reporting
- Mobile CRM access
Pipedrive excels when your projects are directly tied to sales processes. The platform’s core CRM functionality is among the best available, with project management features that support deal execution rather than replace dedicated project tools.
The visual pipeline clearly shows which deals are progressing and what project deliverables need completion to close sales. Email integration ensures all client communications are automatically logged, creating accountability for project-related promises made during sales conversations.
Project management capabilities remain basic compared to dedicated tools. Teams handling complex projects with multiple stakeholders may find themselves needing additional software, which defeats the purpose of an integrated solution.
zoho-one — Best Enterprise Suite for Complete Business Management
Key Features:
- 45+ integrated business applications
- Advanced CRM with sales automation
- Comprehensive project management tools
- Financial management and invoicing
- Custom application development
Zoho One provides the most comprehensive integration between project management and CRM, along with every other business function you can imagine. The CRM component (Zoho CRM) is enterprise-grade, while Zoho Projects handles complex project requirements with advanced features like Gantt charts, resource management, and budget tracking.
The tight integration between applications means client data flows seamlessly from initial contact through project completion and invoicing. Custom workflows can automate handoffs between sales and project teams, reducing manual data entry and improving accuracy.
The sheer scope of Zoho One can overwhelm smaller teams. The interface varies between applications, creating a learning curve even for experienced users. Monthly costs add up quickly when you need multiple user licenses across different applications.
salesforce — Best for Large Organizations with Custom Needs
Key Features:
- Industry-leading CRM platform
- Extensive customization options
- Third-party app marketplace
- Advanced analytics and AI features
- Enterprise-grade security and compliance
Salesforce offers unmatched CRM capabilities that can be extended with project management functionality through marketplace apps or custom development. The platform’s flexibility allows organizations to create exactly the workflow they need, no matter how complex.
The Lightning platform enables custom project management applications that integrate deeply with customer data. Advanced reporting provides insights into project profitability, team performance, and client satisfaction that smaller platforms can’t match.
Implementation complexity and cost make Salesforce impractical for smaller teams. Even with marketplace solutions, you’ll likely need dedicated administrators or consultants to achieve the integration between project management and CRM that other platforms provide out of the box.
Comparison Table
| Platform | Starting Price | CRM Features | Project Views | Free Tier | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HubSpot | Free | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | Yes | Small teams |
| Monday.com | $8/user/month | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 14-day trial | Visual workflows |
| ClickUp | Free | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Yes | All-in-one needs |
| Pipedrive | $14.90/user/month | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | 14-day trial | Sales teams |
| Zoho One | $37/user/month | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 30-day trial | Enterprise |
| Salesforce | $25/user/month | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐* | 30-day trial | Large orgs |
*Requires additional apps
What to Look for in Project Management Software with CRM
Integration Depth
The best solutions don’t just bolt CRM features onto project management tools. Look for platforms where client data naturally flows into project workflows. Customer contact information should be accessible from project boards, and project progress should be visible from customer records.
Scalability and Pricing
Consider your team’s growth trajectory. Free tiers are great for testing, but evaluate paid plans carefully. Some platforms charge separately for project management and CRM features, which can become expensive as you add users.
Workflow Customization
Every business has unique processes for moving from leads to completed projects. The best platforms allow you to customize workflows to match your actual business processes rather than forcing you to adapt to their structure.
Reporting and Analytics
Integrated reporting becomes crucial when managing both client relationships and project delivery. Look for platforms that can show project profitability, client satisfaction metrics, and team performance in unified dashboards.
Mobile Access and Collaboration
Modern teams need access to both client information and project updates while away from their desks. Evaluate mobile apps for functionality, not just availability. Team members should be able to update project status and access client information from any device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need project management software with built-in CRM?
If your projects are client-facing or your team regularly moves prospects through a sales process before starting work, integrated solutions save significant time. You’ll eliminate duplicate data entry and ensure nothing falls through the cracks between sales and delivery teams.
What’s the difference between adding CRM to project management software vs. adding project features to CRM software?
CRM-first platforms typically offer stronger customer relationship features but basic project management. Project management platforms with CRM features usually provide better task organization and team collaboration but may lack advanced sales automation. Choose based on your primary need.
Can free tiers handle real business needs?
HubSpot and ClickUp’s free tiers can genuinely support small teams getting started. However, you’ll likely need paid features as you grow. Budget for upgrades within 6-12 months of implementation to avoid disruption.
How do these platforms handle team permissions and data security?
Most modern platforms offer role-based permissions, allowing you to control who sees client financial information vs. project details. Enterprise options include advanced security features like single sign-on and audit trails. Always review security documentation if you’re handling sensitive client data.
Should I migrate existing data or start fresh?
Most platforms offer import tools for contacts and basic project data. However, migrating complex project histories and relationship data can be time-intensive. Consider starting fresh with new projects while maintaining your old system for reference during transition periods.
What integrations should I prioritize?
Email integration is essential for both CRM and project management functionality. Calendar sync keeps everyone aligned on deadlines and client meetings. If you use accounting software, ensure your chosen platform can sync project data for accurate billing and profitability tracking.
Making the Right Choice
The best project management software with CRM depends on your team’s specific needs and growth stage. Small teams benefit most from HubSpot’s free offering or ClickUp’s comprehensive free tier. Growing businesses should consider Monday.com for its visual approach or Pipedrive if sales processes drive project work.
Enterprise organizations will find Zoho One or Salesforce provide the depth and customization needed for complex workflows, despite higher implementation costs.
Start with your primary use case. If you’re primarily managing client relationships with some project coordination, lean toward CRM-first solutions like Pipedrive or HubSpot. If you’re managing complex projects that happen to involve clients, consider project-first platforms like ClickUp or Monday.com.
The most important factor is adoption. The most feature-rich platform won’t help if your team doesn’t use it consistently. Choose something your team will actually use, then expand functionality as you grow.