Best CRM for Startups (2026): Per-User Costs Compared
This page summarizes what vendors publish. We have not used these tools hands-on and we do not rate them. We are an independent affiliate, not a spokesperson for HighLevel or any other vendor.
For an early team, the main cost question is per-user versus flat pricing. These are each vendor's published entry prices, not a ranking.
Monthly cost on entry plans, annual billing
| Users | Close Solo/Essentials | Nutshell Foundation | Pipedrive Lite | Zoho CRM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $9 (Solo) | $13 | $14 | $0 (Free) |
| 3 | $105 (Essentials; Solo is 1 user) | $39 | $42 | $0 (Free, up to 3 users) |
| 5 | $175 (Essentials) | $65 | $70 | $70 (Standard) |
Our arithmetic from published per-user prices. Close lists Solo for 1 user, so teams use Essentials ($35/user/mo yearly).
Close
Close lists Solo for 1 user with 10k leads and calling, email and SMS; Essentials adds unlimited leads and team collaboration; workflows start on Growth.
| Close plan | Per user, monthly billing | Per user/mo, billed yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Solo | $19 | $9 |
| Essentials | $49 | $35 |
| Growth | $109 | $99 |
| Scale | $149 | $139 |
See Close plans (affiliate link: we may earn a commission)
Nutshell
| Nutshell tier | Per user, monthly billing | Per user, annual billing |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | $19 | $13 |
| Growth | $32 | $25 |
| Pro | $49 | $42 |
| Business | $67 | $59 |
| Enterprise | $89 | $79 |
Optional Nutshell add-ons: Marketing from $49/mo, Engagement at $16 per user/mo, extra email at $5/mo and SMS at $15/mo.
See Nutshell plans (affiliate link: we may earn a commission)
Pipedrive
| Pipedrive plan | Per seat/mo, monthly billing | Per seat/mo, annual billing | Annual total per seat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lite | $24 | $14 | $168 |
| Growth | $49 | $39 | $468 |
| Premium | $79 | $59 | $708 |
| Ultimate | $99 | $79 | $948 |
Full plan list: Pipedrive pricing.
Zoho CRM
| Zoho CRM edition | Per user/mo, monthly billing | Per user/mo, annual billing |
|---|---|---|
| Free (up to 3 users) | $0 | $0 |
| Standard | $20 | $14 |
| Professional | $35 | $23 |
| Enterprise | $50 | $40 |
| Ultimate | not confirmed yet | |
Details: Zoho CRM pricing.
Back to best CRM for small business, or see simple CRMs for small business.
All figures come from each vendor's own pricing page and are not statements by HighLevel; vendors may word their plans differently.
Last checked 2026-11-01 on each vendor's public US pricing page, in USD before tax. Vendors change prices, so check their site before buying.
Last checked 2026-11-02 on the vendor's public US pricing page (USD, before tax). Prices change, so confirm on the vendor site before buying.
Sources
- Close pricing page (last checked 2026-11-01)
- Nutshell pricing page (last checked 2026-11-01)
- Zoho CRM pricing page (last checked 2026-11-02)
- Pipedrive pricing page (last checked 2026-11-02)