In today’s fast-paced world, businesses need more than a contact list and manual emails to keep up with customer expectations. They need tools that combine customer data, automated campaigns, and real-time insights. That’s where CRM tools with marketing automation come in.
If you’re looking to streamline your marketing, boost engagement, and drive more sales—this guide will help you pick the best CRM platforms in 2025. We’ve reviewed the top-rated tools based on features, ease of use, pricing, and expert recommendations.
What Is a CRM Tool with Marketing Automation?
CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is software that helps businesses manage customer relationships by storing contact details, tracking interactions, and organizing sales or support activities.
Marketing automation refers to the ability to automatically send targeted messages—like emails, SMS, or ads—based on a customer’s actions or stage in the buying journey.
Together, CRM with marketing automation helps businesses:
- Segment their audience
- Personalize marketing campaigns
- Automate follow-ups and email series
- Track conversions and customer behavior
This combination not only saves time but also increases sales and improves the customer experience (Salesforce, 2023).
Top CRM Tools for Marketing Automation in 2025
Here are the seven best CRM platforms for businesses of all sizes, based on current industry data and trusted software reviews.
1. HubSpot CRM
Best for: Small to medium businesses wanting an all-in-one solution
Why it stands out:
HubSpot offers a powerful free CRM with scalable marketing features through its Marketing Hub. Its automation tools are user-friendly and ideal for beginners.
Features:
- Visual automation workflow builder
- Email and landing page templates
- List segmentation and contact scoring
- Customizable forms and live chat
- Analytics and A/B testing
Pros:
- Great onboarding and tutorials
- Free plan with generous features
- Strong integration with Gmail, Outlook, and CMS platforms
Cons:
- Paid tiers become expensive for larger lists
Pricing: Free CRM. Paid Marketing Hub starts at $18/month (HubSpot, 2025).
APA Citation:
HubSpot. (2025). CRM software overview. https://www.hubspot.com/products/crm
2. ActiveCampaign
Best for: Email-heavy marketers and advanced personalization
Why it stands out:
ActiveCampaign offers deep automation and powerful segmentation, allowing marketers to send highly personalized emails based on clicks, purchases, or browsing behavior.
Features:
- Drag-and-drop email builder
- Dynamic content and split testing
- Behavior-triggered email sequences
- CRM pipeline with task management
- Over 900 integrations
Pros:
- Advanced automation logic
- Built-in lead scoring
- Strong customer support
Cons:
- Learning curve for new users
Pricing: Starts at $29/month for marketing + CRM (ActiveCampaign, 2025).
APA Citation:
ActiveCampaign. (2025). Email and CRM automation features. https://www.activecampaign.com
3. Zoho CRM
Best for: Small businesses on a budget
Why it stands out:
Zoho CRM offers a wide range of marketing and sales automation features at an affordable price, including AI-powered recommendations.
Features:
- Email workflows and autoresponders
- Lead and deal scoring with “Zia” AI
- Integration with Zoho Campaigns, Desk, and Books
- SMS, WhatsApp, and social media campaigns
- Custom dashboards
Pros:
- Low-cost and modular
- Good mobile app
- Suitable for B2B and B2C
Cons:
- Interface feels outdated to some users
Pricing: Free for 3 users. Paid plans start at $14/month/user (Zoho, 2025).
APA Citation:
Zoho. (2025). CRM features and pricing. https://www.zoho.com/crm/
4. Salesforce Marketing Cloud
Best for: Large enterprises and complex automation needs
Why it stands out:
Salesforce is known for being highly customizable and offers AI-driven insights through Einstein AI for smarter marketing decisions.
Features:
- Journey Builder for multichannel campaigns
- Advanced segmentation and real-time personalization
- Integration with sales, service, and commerce tools
- Predictive analytics and A/B testing
- AI-powered content recommendations
Pros:
- Enterprise-grade power and scalability
- Robust analytics and reporting
- Comprehensive tool suite
Cons:
- High setup cost and complexity
- Best suited for large teams
Pricing: Starts around $1,250/month for basic Marketing Cloud (Salesforce, 2024).
APA Citation:
Salesforce. (2024). Marketing Cloud overview. https://www.salesforce.com/products/marketing-cloud/overview/
5. Klaviyo
Best for: eCommerce businesses using Shopify or WooCommerce
Why it stands out:
Klaviyo is built for online stores, using real-time purchase data to create behavior-based emails and SMS campaigns.
Features:
- Pre-built automation for abandoned carts, post-purchase, etc.
- Predictive analytics and customer lifetime value tracking
- Product recommendations
- Drag-and-drop builder for flows
- SMS and email in one dashboard
Pros:
- Tight integration with eCommerce platforms
- Great customer segmentation
- Real-time syncing with store data
Cons:
- Less suited for B2B or non-retail models
Pricing: Free for up to 250 contacts. Paid plans from $20/month (Klaviyo, 2025).
APA Citation:
Klaviyo. (2025). CRM for eCommerce. https://www.klaviyo.com
6. Mailchimp CRM
Best for: Beginners starting with email and CRM
Why it stands out:
Mailchimp now includes CRM features alongside its famous email tools. It’s perfect for startups needing something simple and effective.
Features:
- Contact profiles and tagging
- Basic automation workflows
- Audience segmentation
- Product suggestions
- A/B testing and performance reports
Pros:
- User-friendly and beginner-friendly
- Strong branding and templates
- Built-in creative assistant
Cons:
- Limited automation options at lower tiers
Pricing: Free plan for up to 500 contacts. Paid plans from $13/month (Intuit, 2025).
APA Citation:
Intuit. (2025). Mailchimp CRM overview. https://mailchimp.com/features/crm/
7. Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)
Best for: Businesses needing multi-channel automation (email, SMS, WhatsApp)
Why it stands out:
Brevo combines CRM with automation tools for email, SMS, chat, and WhatsApp—all in one platform.
Features:
- Email and SMS automation
- Customer scoring and behavior tracking
- Live chat and WhatsApp campaigns
- Landing page and form builder
- GDPR-compliant data handling
Pros:
- All-in-one communication suite
- Flexible pay-as-you-go pricing
- Excellent data privacy features
Cons:
- Fewer integrations than competitors
Pricing: Free for 300 emails/day. Paid plans from $25/month (Brevo, 2025).
APA Citation:
Brevo. (2025). All-in-one CRM and marketing platform. https://www.brevo.com/
How to Choose the Right CRM Tool
To select the best CRM for your business, consider the following:
| Business Type | Recommended CRM Tool |
| Freelancers or solo marketers | Mailchimp, Brevo |
| Startups and small teams | HubSpot (Free), Zoho CRM |
| Email marketing specialists | ActiveCampaign, Klaviyo |
| eCommerce stores | Klaviyo, Brevo |
| Large businesses or enterprise | Salesforce Marketing Cloud |
Look for features like:
- Email/SMS automation flows
- Visual workflow builders
- Segmentation and tagging
- Campaign analytics and testing
- Third-party app integrations
Note
CRM tools with marketing automation help businesses connect with customers in smarter, more personal ways. Whether you’re trying to win back lost leads, welcome new subscribers, or send timely product recommendations, these tools help you save time and grow revenue.
Start simple. Choose a platform that fits your current size and budget, like HubSpot or ActiveCampaign. Then gradually build your workflows and improve based on real data.
In 2025, marketing success comes from automation, personalization, and timing—and these CRM platforms help you do all three.
More Read
References
ActiveCampaign. (2025). Email and CRM automation features. https://www.activecampaign.com
Brevo. (2025). All-in-one CRM and marketing platform. https://www.brevo.com
HubSpot. (2025). CRM software overview. https://www.hubspot.com/products/crm
Intuit. (2025). Mailchimp CRM overview. https://mailchimp.com/features/crm/
Klaviyo. (2025). CRM for eCommerce. https://www.klaviyo.com
Salesforce. (2024). Marketing Cloud overview. https://www.salesforce.com/products/marketing-cloud/overview/
Salesforce. (2023). State of the connected customer report. https://www.salesforce.com/resources/research-reports/state-of-the-connected-customer/
Zoho. (2025). CRM features and pricing. https://www.zoho.com/crm/
