When running a growing business or managing a team, one of the toughest challenges is juggling client relationships while keeping projects on track. This is where CRMs with built-in project management tools become game-changers. But what if you’re on a tight budget? You may be asking: Are there free CRMs with project management features? The short answer is yes—there are! The longer answer, though, involves understanding what those tools can actually do for you and whether they’re truly worth integrating into your workflow.
As someone who has tested several CRMs over the past decade—sometimes as a solo freelancer and other times while working with teams—I’ve found that combining customer management and project workflows in a single platform can simplify operations dramatically. The real trick is knowing which tools offer both functionality and reliability without slapping a monthly fee on top.
The Value of a CRM with Project Management
At its core, a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tool helps you track interactions with customers, manage sales pipelines, and store contact information. Project management software, on the other hand, deals more with assigning tasks, setting deadlines, and tracking the progress of deliverables. When you fuse these two functionalities together, you can seamlessly move from closing a deal to executing the actual work, all in one place.
This is especially helpful for small businesses, solopreneurs, and startups who can’t afford to pay for multiple specialized platforms. Instead of paying separately for a CRM and a project management tool, you can rely on an all-in-one solution that does both—ideally, for free.
What to Look For in a Free CRM with Project Management
Not all CRMs with project management features are created equal. Free versions typically come with limitations, but many still offer a surprisingly robust suite of tools. If you’re in the market for one, look for features like:
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Contact and deal management
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Task and project tracking
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File sharing and document storage
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Integration with communication tools (like email or Slack)
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Team collaboration capabilities
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Custom pipelines or project boards
Ideally, the interface should be intuitive and flexible enough to accommodate your work style without a steep learning curve. The best CRM for project management will feel like a natural extension of how your team already works.
A Closer Look at Free Options That Blend CRM and Project Management
Let’s dive into a few real-world tools I’ve tried or seen clients successfully implement, all of which offer free tiers that include both CRM and project management functions.
1. HubSpot CRM
HubSpot is arguably one of the most popular free CRMs out there. While its core focus is on sales and marketing, it does provide features like task tracking, pipelines, and notes that can support simple project management. It’s ideal for teams that want a strong CRM foundation with light project management needs.
The interface is clean, and it integrates well with tools like Gmail, Slack, and Google Calendar. For more complex project tracking, you can integrate it with Trello or Asana, though that may require leaving the “free” zone if you want tighter sync features.
2. Bitrix24
Bitrix24 is a true all-in-one business platform, offering everything from CRM and project management to time tracking and team collaboration—all in its free plan. If you’re serious about finding the best CRM for project management, Bitrix24 should be high on your list.
I’ve used Bitrix24 with a remote team, and what stood out was the sheer breadth of functionality. We could assign tasks, communicate in real-time, manage deals, and even track time—all without opening separate tools. However, the interface can feel overwhelming at first, so give yourself some time to explore and configure it according to your needs.
3. Zoho CRM + Zoho Projects (Free Integration)
Zoho CRM itself doesn’t offer deep project management features in its free version, but when paired with Zoho Projects (which also has a free tier), it becomes a powerful combo. The integration is straightforward if you’re using other Zoho tools, and it’s an especially good choice for teams already embedded in the Zoho ecosystem.
Zoho CRM handles contacts, leads, and sales tracking, while Zoho Projects offers Gantt charts, task dependencies, and milestones. You’ll need to link the two manually, but once set up, it offers a seamless handoff from sales to delivery.
4. Trello + Trello Power-Ups for CRM
Trello isn’t a CRM in the traditional sense, but with a few clever Power-Ups (such as Crmble or Trello’s own templates), it can handle both client management and project workflows. This approach works best for freelancers or very small teams who prefer a visual Kanban-style layout.
I used Trello as my main client and task manager for several years. I created separate boards for client pipelines, current projects, and ongoing support tasks. It wasn’t as polished as a dedicated CRM, but it gave me a unified space to manage relationships and deadlines at no cost.
5. Monday.com (Free Plan for Up to 2 Users)
Monday.com is a powerful tool that blends CRM and project management well, especially in its paid versions. However, their free plan (for up to 2 users) can be enough for freelancers or micro-teams.
While it has limitations in terms of automation and storage, it offers custom boards that can handle both client tracking and task management efficiently. It’s also very visual, with status updates and timelines that make it easy to get a bird’s-eye view of what’s happening.
Real-World Scenarios Where These Tools Shine
Let’s say you’re a digital marketing consultant who works with several clients simultaneously. You need to track leads, client onboarding, campaign planning, and task delegation to subcontractors. A tool like Bitrix24 or Monday.com would give you visibility into each stage—without switching platforms.
Or maybe you’re part of a nonprofit organizing events. You need to manage donor relationships, volunteers, and event logistics. A hybrid system like HubSpot CRM with Trello could keep you organized while staying within budget.
If you’re in software development, the Zoho combo might give you the structured tracking needed to manage both feature development and client communication effectively.
Limitations to Be Aware Of
While free CRMs with project management features sound like a dream come true, you need to keep expectations realistic. Common limitations include:
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User caps (e.g., free plans for only 2-3 users)
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Limited storage
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Fewer automation options
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Restricted integrations
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Branding or ads in the free version
For many small teams or freelancers, these limitations aren’t dealbreakers. But if your operation starts to scale, you may quickly outgrow the free plan and need to consider a paid upgrade.
Still, starting with a free CRM that includes project tracking gives you a strong foundation. Once your processes are dialed in, switching to a premium plan—or migrating to a different tool—will be much easier.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Best CRM for Project Management
So, are there free CRMs with project management features? Yes—and some are surprisingly capable. However, your choice should depend on your specific workflow, team size, and how deeply integrated you want your CRM and project tools to be.
If you’re just starting out and need a lightweight solution, HubSpot CRM or Trello might be enough. For more robust needs, Bitrix24 is often the best CRM for project management when you want everything under one roof—especially for free. And if you prefer a modular approach, pairing Zoho CRM with Zoho Projects could offer the flexibility you’re after.
From personal experience, the right tool isn’t necessarily the one with the longest feature list—it’s the one your team will actually use. Start small, experiment with a few options, and don’t be afraid to outgrow your initial choice. After all, the best CRM is one that grows with your business, not just one that looks good on paper.
If you’ve got your own favorite free CRM or have lessons learned from trying these tools, feel free to share. The more we all share what works (and what doesn’t), the easier it becomes to navigate the overwhelming number of choices out there.
