Free CRM: What Should You Evaluate Before Choosing One for Your Service Business?

Searching for a free CRM sounds simple.

You open Google, compare a few platforms, and choose the one that promises the most features without a monthly fee.

But not every free CRM works the same way.

Some are free for only 14 days.

Others allow only one user.

Some limit the number of contacts you can store.

Others give you a pipeline but charge extra for communication, automation, forms, proposals, or scheduling.

Some free platforms can genuinely help an owner-operator or small service business organize its first customers.

Others are little more than demonstrations of the paid product.

That is why you should look beyond the word free before choosing a CRM for contractors and service businesses.

The question should not only be:

Does this CRM cost $0?

The better question is:

What can my business actually do for free, what are the limits, and what will happen when we grow?

A useful free CRM should let you test a real workflow.

That means your business should be able to:

• add leads;
• organize a sales pipeline;
• give team members their own access;
• record customer history;
• create proposals;
• schedule Jobs;
• understand usage limits;
• export data;
• decide when an upgrade is genuinely necessary.

This guide explains what contractors and small service businesses should evaluate before putting customer data inside any free CRM.

What is a free CRM?

A free CRM is a customer relationship management platform that offers a plan without a monthly software subscription.

Depending on the platform, a free plan may include:

• contact management;
• sales pipeline;
• custom stages;
• tasks;
• customer history;
• users;
• forms;
• proposals;
• scheduling;
• reports;
• communication tools;
• integrations.

But the meaning of “free” varies.

A CRM may be:

Free forever

The business can continue using the free plan as long as it remains within the published limits.

A free trial

The product is available for 7, 14, or 30 days before payment is required.

Free for one user

The system costs nothing until another team member needs access.

Free with contact limits

The business can store only a certain number of leads or customers.

Free with reduced features

The pipeline may be included, but email, automation, e-signatures, payments, or advanced reporting require a paid plan.

Free with usage-based charges

The platform may not charge a subscription, while SMS, payment processing, or other external services still cost money.

These differences matter.

Is a free CRM the same as a free trial?

No.

This is the first distinction to check.

A free trial ends after a set period.

After that, the business may need to:

• subscribe;
• lose access to paid features;
• downgrade;
• export its data;
• stop using the platform.

A free-forever plan does not automatically expire.

The business can continue using it while respecting the plan limits.

DunaHub Free is a permanent free plan and does not require a credit card to begin.

Before signing up for any CRM, look for language such as:

• free forever;
• permanent free plan;
• 14-day free trial;
• trial;
• credit card required;
• automatic billing after trial.

Do not move your customer database into a platform until you understand which type of free access it offers.

Does the free CRM require a credit card?

A free CRM should not surprise the business with an automatic payment.

Some platforms require a card before starting a free trial.

When the trial ends, billing may begin automatically.

Before signing up, check:

• Is a credit card required?
• Will the account be charged automatically?
• When does the trial end?
• Must the plan be canceled manually?
• Is cancellation easy?
• Is there a contract?
• Can the data still be accessed after cancellation?

DunaHub Free can be started without a credit card.

Its paid plans are month-to-month, with no long-term contract.

That matters because a small business should not discover unexpected software charges after moving its customer information into the system.

How many leads can you store?

Lead limits are among the most important restrictions in free CRM plans.

A platform may limit:

• total contacts;
• active leads;
• new leads per month;
• open deals;
• contacts in one pipeline;
• database storage.

These are not the same type of limit.

Total lead limit

The business may store up to a fixed number of leads.

For example, once the database reaches 50 leads, new records cannot be created unless space is made or the plan is upgraded.

Monthly lead limit

The business may add a set number of leads each month, with the counter resetting later.

Active-lead limit

Completed or archived customers may not count, but open opportunities have a maximum.

Before choosing a CRM, calculate:

• how many contacts are already in your spreadsheet;
• how many new leads arrive each month;
• how many customers need to stay in the historical database;
• how quickly your business will reach the limit.

DunaHub Free allows 50 total leads.

That can work for an owner-operator or a new service business, but a company running paid campaigns may reach that capacity quickly.

What happens when the limit is reached?

Do not evaluate only the number.

Find out what happens next.

A platform may:

• block new records;
• delete older contacts;
• disable the pipeline;
• restrict access;
• require an upgrade;
• stop accepting form submissions;
• make the account read-only.

DunaHub preserves existing data when a Free limit is reached.

The relevant creation action is blocked until capacity becomes available or the company changes plans.

This is safer than a system that automatically removes customer information.

How many users are included?

A CRM may appear affordable while only the owner uses it.

The price can change when the office team, salesperson, dispatcher, or technician needs access.

Check:

• How many users are included?
• Does each person get an individual login?
• Will the team need to share a password?
• Is there a fee for every additional user?
• Do field technicians require paid seats?
• Does a manager need another license?
• Are access permissions available?

Sharing one account across the entire team is not a good long-term solution.

It makes it harder to manage:

• security;
• former employee access;
• accountability;
• ownership;
• customer-data protection.

DunaHub Free includes up to 3 users.

Starter includes up to 5 users.

Pro includes unlimited users.

The price is fixed for the company within the limits of the selected plan.

Is the CRM truly free for a team?

Some platforms promote a free CRM but include only one user.

The cost becomes visible when the business wants to add:

• an office manager;
• a salesperson;
• a dispatcher;
• a technician;
• an administrator.

Imagine a CRM that charges $35 per user:

Users	Monthly cost
1	$35
3	$105
5	$175
10	$350

This is why pricing structure matters from the beginning.

Even when the company currently has one person, it should consider how the price changes when the team grows.

Is the CRM Pipeline included?

A CRM without a pipeline may function mostly as a contact list.

The pipeline shows where each sales opportunity is.

Example:

New Lead → Contacted → Information Needed → Proposal Sent → Follow-Up → Approved → Scheduled → Completed

Before choosing a free CRM, check whether it allows you to:

• create stages;
• rename stages;
• reorder them;
• use stage colors;
• drag cards;
• filter leads;
• mark opportunities Lost;
• assign owners;
• view customer history.

The DunaHub CRM Pipeline is available on Free and uses a visual Kanban board with customizable stages.

Does the free plan limit pipeline customization?

Some free CRMs include a pipeline but restrict:

• the number of stages;
• the number of pipelines;
• custom fields;
• filters;
• workflow customization.

A single pipeline may be enough for a small service business.

But it still needs to match the real sales process.

Cleaning company

New Lead → Property Information → Proposal → Scheduled → Completed.

Electrical contractor

New Service Request → Review → Site Visit → Proposal → Approved → Job.

Consulting business

New Inquiry → Qualification → Discovery Call → Proposal → Negotiation → Active Project.

The CRM should allow enough customization to reflect the business without forcing an expensive plan immediately.

Does the CRM maintain a complete customer history?

A CRM should offer more than a name and phone number.

The customer record should help the team understand the relationship.

Check whether it brings together:

• messages;
• notes;
• proposals;
• services;
• Jobs;
• invoices;
• payments;
• owners;
• previous stages;
• last contact;
• next action.

Without history, customers must repeat information.

The business also becomes dependent on one person’s memory.

In DunaHub, the lead record can connect conversations, proposals, Jobs, and invoices to the customer.

Can you import your existing contacts?

A business already using Excel or Google Sheets needs a clear migration path.

Check whether the CRM supports:

• CSV import;
• column mapping;
• bulk import;
• duplicate detection;
• record updates;
• future export.

The DunaHub CRM Pipeline supports bulk lead import through CSV.

Before importing, clean the spreadsheet:

• remove duplicates;
• standardize phone numbers;
• confirm email addresses;
• remove unnecessary columns;
• correct names;
• identify which records are still relevant.

Do not bring all the disorder from the old spreadsheet into the new CRM.

Can you export your data?

This is one of the most important questions.

If your business later decides to leave the platform, it should be able to recover its data.

Check:

• Can I export leads?
• Which file format is available?
• Can proposals be downloaded?
• Will customer history remain accessible?
• Is export restricted to paid plans?
• Is the process easy?
• What happens after cancellation?

Avoid depending on a platform that makes it difficult to retrieve your own business data.

DunaHub’s Free Plan documentation states that data can be exported at any time.

Are there monthly usage limits?

Free CRM plans may also limit monthly activity.

Examples include:

• Jobs;
• proposals;
• invoices;
• bookings;
• emails;
• automations;
• AI responses;
• forms;
• reports.

DunaHub Free currently includes:

Resource	Free limit
Leads	50 total
Users	3 total
Jobs	10 per month
Proposals	10 per month
Invoices	10 per month
Bookings	10 per month
Public Forms	1 total
Customer Portal	10 active customers
Conversation AI	50 replies per month

These limits can support a small operation.

But a business completing 30 service calls every month should not expect the Free plan to support the entire operation without restrictions.

Do the limits reset every month?

Not always.

Some limits reset monthly.

Others are permanent capacity limits.

In DunaHub Free:

• Jobs, proposals, invoices, bookings, and AI replies reset monthly;
• leads, users, and forms are total plan limits;
• the Customer Portal limit refers to active customers at one time.

This distinction is important.

A limit of 50 leads per month is very different from a limit of 50 leads stored in the account.

Are proposals included?

A CRM for contractors should help turn an inquiry into an estimate or proposal.

Check whether the free plan supports:

• line items;
• quantities;
• prices;
• descriptions;
• shareable proposal links;
• status tracking;
• customer approval;
• Job conversion;
• e-signatures.

DunaHub Free includes up to 10 proposals per month.

Electronic signature is not included on Free.

Starter and Pro include unlimited proposals with e-signature.

A contractor can therefore test the proposal workflow on Free, while advanced approval features require a paid plan.

Are Jobs and scheduling included?

For service businesses, a sale is only the beginning.

The company still needs to organize the work.

Check whether the free CRM includes:

• a Job calendar;
• service date and time;
• customer address;
• assigned technician;
• Job status;
• service details;
• Job value;
• online booking;
• customer notifications.

DunaHub Free includes up to 10 Jobs per month.

Public bookings count toward this operational limit because each confirmed booking creates a Job.

That can be enough for a small owner-operator.

A company completing more than 10 Jobs per month will probably need Starter or Pro.

Are invoices included?

After the work is completed, the business needs a billing process.

Check whether the CRM lets you:

• create invoices;
• add line items;
• generate a customer link;
• track status;
• mark invoices paid;
• identify overdue invoices;
• accept online payments.

DunaHub Free includes up to 10 invoices per month.

Stripe Connect is available on Pro and may involve Stripe processing fees plus DunaHub’s platform fee.

DunaHub invoices support operational billing, but they do not replace bookkeeping, accounting, tax advice, or required tax documents.

Does it support SMS?

SMS is a key channel for U.S. and Canadian contractors.

But SMS is rarely unlimited and completely free because carriers charge for delivery.

Before choosing a CRM, ask:

• Are incoming messages free?
• Do outgoing messages use credits?
• How much does each pack cost?
• Does “On my way” use a credit?
• Do review requests use credits?
• Do missed-call replies use credits?
• Does the balance expire?

In DunaHub, outgoing SMS uses prepaid credits.

Examples of actions that may use one credit include:

• a standard outgoing text;
• an “On my way” notification;
• an SMS review request;
• a missed-call text-back.

The CRM can still have a free subscription while external communication usage has a cost.

Does it support WhatsApp?

WhatsApp may be important for businesses serving customers who prefer it.

But “WhatsApp integration” can mean different things.

It may refer to:

• a button that opens WhatsApp;
• a prefilled message link;
• a browser extension;
• synchronized history;
• a shared inbox;
• automated messaging;
• an AI assistant;
• a QR-connected instance.

Ask:

• Are conversations visible inside the CRM?
• Can several team members access the channel?
• Is there a per-message fee?
• Does it require another provider?
• Does the history stay connected to the lead?
• Can automations use the channel?
• Must the instance remain connected?

DunaHub supports WhatsApp as an additional channel through an active connected instance.

Businesses should evaluate whether that connection model fits their customer communication workflow.

Is email sync included?

Many free CRMs reserve email sync for paid plans.

Check whether the free version supports:

• sending email;
• inbox synchronization;
• IMAP/SMTP connection;
• reply history;
• templates;
• email automation.

DunaHub email synchronization through IMAP/SMTP is available on Starter and Pro, not Free.

For a business that works mainly with property managers or commercial accounts through email, this may justify using a paid plan from the start.

Are Stage Automations included?

Automation is one of the most common differences between free and paid CRM plans.

A free CRM may organize the pipeline without sending messages automatically.

Check whether the platform can automate:

• new-lead confirmation;
• requests for missing information;
• proposal follow-up;
• reminders;
• customer reactivation;
• stage-based messages;
• SMS, email, or WhatsApp communication.

In DunaHub:

• Free does not include Stage Automations;
• Starter includes basic one-step automations;
• Pro includes multi-step drip sequences.

A very small business may complete follow-up manually.

When volume grows and opportunities start being forgotten, automation becomes more valuable.

Does it include Conversation AI?

Many CRMs now promote artificial intelligence.

But AI may refer to different features:

• text generation;
• conversation summaries;
• automatic replies;
• lead scoring;
• chatbots;
• 24/7 customer response;
• next-action suggestions.

Ask:

• What does the AI actually do?
• How many responses are included?
• Which channels can it answer?
• When does it transfer to a person?
• Is there a monthly limit?
• Is there a separate fee?
• Can the team review the conversation history?

DunaHub Free includes up to 50 AI replies per month.

Starter includes 500.

Pro includes 2,000.

AI can help with initial customer communication, but it should not be treated as a complete replacement for the team.

Are lead capture forms included?

A CRM-connected form reduces manual data entry.

The customer submits the form and the lead enters the pipeline.

Check whether the free plan lets you:

• create a form;
• customize fields;
• share a direct link;
• embed it on a website;
• capture UTM parameters;
• create a CRM lead automatically;
• avoid per-submission charges.

DunaHub Free includes 1 Public Form with no per-lead fee.

Starter includes 5 forms.

Pro includes unlimited forms.

The forms can be embedded with an iframe or shared by direct link, and they capture UTMs automatically.

Is a website included?

Some CRMs also offer a basic business page or auto-generated website.

Before relying on this feature, check:

• Is it actually available on Free?
• Does it use the CRM company’s domain?
• Can you connect a custom domain?
• Does it include a lead form?
• Does it create CRM leads?
• Can it show services?
• Is the page customizable?
• Does it include platform branding?

According to DunaHub’s current English pricing page, the Auto Website is included on Starter and Pro rather than Free.

Free-plan features can change, so businesses should always confirm the current plan table before relying on a website feature.

A basic auto website may help a small contractor establish an online presence, but it does not replace a custom site with advanced SEO, local pages, or a complete content strategy.

Is Online Booking included?

Online Booking allows customers to select a service and an available time.

Check:

• Is there a public booking page?
• How many bookings are included?
• Does a booking create a lead?
• Does it create a Job?
• Does it respect availability?
• Can blocked dates be configured?
• Does it send confirmation?
• Does it count against another limit?

DunaHub Free includes up to 10 bookings per month.

Bookings count toward the Job limit because each successful booking creates a Job.

When the monthly limit is reached, the public booking page becomes temporarily unavailable and displays the company’s contact information.

Is a Customer Portal included?

A Customer Portal can give customers one place to see:

• proposals;
• invoices;
• payments;
• service history.

Check:

• How many customers can have an active portal?
• Is the limit monthly or simultaneous?
• Does the customer need a password?
• Can a link be revoked?
• Does the portal use company branding?

DunaHub Free supports up to 10 active Customer Portal clients.

A portal link can be revoked to free capacity for another customer.

Does it help request Google reviews?

Reviews are important for local service businesses.

Some CRM platforms charge separately for reputation-management tools.

Check whether the free plan can:

• store a Google review link;
• send review requests;
• use email;
• use WhatsApp;
• use SMS;
• generate a QR code;
• trigger a request after a completed Job.

DunaHub’s Review Engine is available on all plans.

WhatsApp and email requests do not use SMS credits.

SMS requests use one credit.

The system can wait 30 minutes after a Job is marked Completed before sending the request.

Is the Unified Inbox included?

A free CRM may include customer records but still force the team to use separate communication tools.

Ask whether the inbox supports:

• shared team visibility;
• two-way SMS;
• WhatsApp;
• email;
• customer history;
• channel-specific replies;
• lead connection.

DunaHub’s Unified Inbox is included on every plan.

Free supports the inbox interface and WhatsApp/SMS workflow, while IMAP/SMTP email sync requires Starter or Pro.

This distinction matters when comparing a “free inbox” with a truly connected multichannel inbox.

Is customer support available on Free?

Free software still needs support.

Check:

• Is there in-app support?
• Is there email support?
• Is there a documentation center?
• What are the support hours?
• Does Free receive support?
• Is onboarding included?
• Is support available in the language your team uses?

A product may include many features but still be difficult to adopt without guidance.

Test the documentation and support process before moving your full customer database.

Is the CRM easy to use?

Feature count is not everything.

A free CRM may offer dozens of tools and still fail because the team finds it confusing.

During the test, ask:

• Is the pipeline clear?
• Can a lead be created quickly?
• Does it work well on mobile?
• Can the team understand the stages?
• Is customer history easy to find?
• Is proposal creation simple?
• Is user management clear?
• Does setup require weeks of training?

The best CRM is not the one with the longest feature list.

It is the one your team will actually keep updated.

Does it work on a phone?

Contractors often work away from a desk.

Owners, technicians, and salespeople need access while visiting customers or completing Jobs.

Check whether the platform:

• has a mobile app;
• works through a mobile browser;
• allows Job status updates;
• shows the service address;
• displays customer history;
• allows replies;
• works reasonably well on cellular connections.

DunaHub uses a responsive browser interface.

It currently does not require a native mobile app to access the CRM and Jobs.

Are there hidden costs?

Before choosing a free CRM, check for costs related to:

• additional users;
• SMS;
• WhatsApp;
• email sync;
• automation;
• storage;
• API access;
• integrations;
• online payments;
• e-signature;
• website or custom domain;
• support;
• onboarding;
• data export;
• reporting.

A free CRM may become expensive when essential capabilities require several separate add-ons.

At the same time, some external costs are legitimate.

SMS carriers and payment processors charge for their services.

The problem is not that a cost exists.

The problem is when the cost is unclear.

Is the paid upgrade affordable?

Even when Free works today, evaluate the paid plans.

Ask:

• What does the first upgrade cost?
• Is pricing per company or per user?
• Which limits disappear?
• Is there a contract?
• Can the plan be canceled?
• Does the price rise as the team grows?
• Will existing data remain in place?
• Which features are in Starter?
• Which features require Pro?

Current DunaHub pricing is:

Plan	Monthly price	Typical fit
Free	$0	Owner-operators and very small teams
Starter	$9.90/month	Small teams that need unlimited operational volume and email sync
Pro	$49/month	Growing companies that need unlimited users, e-signatures, payments, and advanced automations

The account history remains in the same platform when the company upgrades.

When is Free enough?

A free CRM may be enough when the business:

• has 1–3 users;
• stores fewer than 50 leads;
• completes fewer than 10 Jobs per month;
• sends fewer than 10 proposals;
• creates fewer than 10 invoices;
• needs one form;
• does not need email synchronization;
• can perform follow-up manually;
• is still building its process.

Example:

An owner-operator completes six service calls each month.

They can use Free to:

1. organize leads;
2. create proposals;
3. schedule Jobs;
4. create invoices;
5. maintain customer history;
6. request reviews;
7. use basic AI replies.

In that situation, there is no reason to pay for a larger plan only because it is available.

When should the business upgrade?

An upgrade begins to make sense when:

• no more leads can be created;
• the company regularly exceeds 10 Jobs per month;
• proposal limits are reached;
• invoice limits are reached;
• more than three users need access;
• email synchronization is required;
• follow-ups are being forgotten;
• several forms are needed;
• more Customer Portal capacity is required;
• e-signatures are important;
• multi-step automations are needed;
• online payment collection is required.

The upgrade should solve a real operational problem.

It should not happen only because the platform displays an upgrade button.

Is a free CRM useful for a company leaving spreadsheets?

Yes.

This is one of the best use cases.

The business can import part of the current spreadsheet and test:

• pipeline stages;
• assigned owners;
• customer history;
• proposals;
• Jobs;
• filters;
• forms;
• daily use.

Start with active leads.

Do not try to migrate every old contact on the first day.

The first objective is to confirm that the CRM improves the workflow.

Is a free CRM suitable for a team?

That depends on the user limit.

A plan with one login may not work for a team.

DunaHub Free allows up to three users.

That could support a small setup such as:

• owner;
• office administrator;
• technician.

When the team grows to four or five people, Starter may be the more practical choice.

For larger teams, Pro removes the user limit.

Is a free CRM suitable for paid advertising?

It can be, but the lead limit matters.

A paid campaign may generate 50 contacts quickly.

If the company already has an active database, Free capacity may be reached in a short period.

A business running ads should also evaluate:

• UTM capture;
• form limits;
• response time;
• pipeline visibility;
• proposal tracking;
• Jobs closed;
• revenue generated.

Generating a lead is not enough.

The company must follow it through to a sale.

Does free CRM replace spreadsheets?

It can replace spreadsheets for active lead and customer management.

Spreadsheets can still be useful for:

• financial projections;
• calculations;
• internal budgeting;
• specialized analysis;
• custom reports.

A useful structure is:

• CRM as the primary customer system;
• spreadsheets for specific analysis.

Avoid keeping active leads in two separate places.

Does a free CRM guarantee more sales?

No.

No software guarantees revenue.

CRM can help the company:

• organize contacts;
• reduce forgotten leads;
• visualize sales stages;
• improve follow-up;
• share customer history;
• prioritize opportunities.

Results still depend on:

• response speed;
• customer service;
• the offer;
• pricing;
• proposals;
• service delivery;
• market conditions;
• customer trust.

The tool improves the process.

It does not replace a strong business.

How should you test a free CRM?

Do not create an account only to look at the dashboard.

Run a real test.

1. Configure the pipeline

Use stages that match your business.

2. Import active leads

Start with current opportunities.

3. Invite your team

Each person should use an individual login.

4. Create a proposal

Test the complete quoting process.

5. Create a Job

See how an approved sale becomes scheduled work.

6. Create an invoice

Review the post-service billing workflow.

7. Test the form

Confirm that a submission becomes a CRM lead.

8. Test it from a phone

Simulate the actual field workflow.

9. Export data

Do not wait until you want to leave before testing export.

10. Calculate your path to the limits

Estimate when the business will need a larger plan.

A real test tells you much more than a feature comparison page.

Free CRM evaluation checklist

Plan structure

• Is it free forever?
• Is it only a trial?
• Is a credit card required?
• Does billing begin automatically?
• Can the plan be canceled easily?

Lead limits

• How many leads can I store?
• Is the limit total or monthly?
• What happens when I reach it?
• Are records deleted?
• Can I export them?

Team access

• How many users are included?
• Is pricing per user?
• Does everyone get an individual login?
• Can former employees be removed?
• Can the plan support future growth?

Pipeline

• Is Kanban included?
• Can stages be customized?
• Can cards be dragged?
• Are filters included?
• Can owners be assigned?
• Is lead scoring available?

Service operations

• Can I create proposals?
• How many per month?
• Can I create Jobs?
• Is there a calendar?
• Can I create invoices?
• Is Online Booking available?
• Is there a Customer Portal?

Communication

• Does it support SMS?
• How much do SMS credits cost?
• Does it support WhatsApp?
• Is email sync included?
• Are conversations attached to the lead?
• Is there a shared inbox?

Automation and AI

• Does Free include automations?
• Can proposal follow-up be automated?
• Which channels are supported?
• Are AI replies limited?
• Does the sequence stop when the stage changes?

Lead capture

• Is a form included?
• Can it be embedded?
• Does it capture UTMs?
• Does it create a lead automatically?
• Is there a per-submission fee?

Data control

• Can data be exported?
• Does each user have a separate login?
• Is customer history preserved?
• Is cancellation transparent?
• Is deletion documented?

Future growth

• How much does the first upgrade cost?
• Is pricing per user?
• Which plan removes volume limits?
• Does the upgrade preserve data?
• Is there a contract?

Common mistakes when choosing a free CRM

Choosing only by feature count

More features do not guarantee better adoption.

Ignoring the total lead limit

The account may reach capacity quickly.

Ignoring per-user pricing

The cost rises when the team grows.

Failing to test data export

The business may become trapped.

Confusing Free with a trial

Unexpected billing begins later.

Ignoring SMS and payment costs

External channels have real expenses.

Automating before organizing the pipeline

Messages are sent at the wrong time.

Importing a messy database

The CRM starts with duplicates and irrelevant records.

Maintaining the spreadsheet in parallel

The team creates two versions of the truth.

Excluding the team from the test

The owner likes the system, but employees do not use it.

Failing to calculate when an upgrade will be necessary

The company is surprised by the limit.

DunaHub Free, Starter, or Pro: which one is the likely fit?

Business situation	Likely plan
Owner-operator with low volume	Free
1–3 users	Free
Up to 50 total leads	Free
Fewer than 10 Jobs per month	Free
Team with up to 5 users	Starter
More than 10 Jobs, proposals, or invoices per month	Starter
Email IMAP/SMTP	Starter or Pro
Basic stage automation	Starter
Unlimited users	Pro
E-signatures	Starter or Pro
Multi-step automations	Pro
Stripe Connect online payments	Pro

The plan should reflect actual usage.

Why DunaHub offers a free plan

DunaHub Free gives owner-operators and small service businesses a way to organize their operation before committing to a monthly software expense.

It can be a first step for businesses currently using:

• spreadsheets;
• text messages;
• notebooks;
• separate calendars;
• disconnected files.

The business can test CRM with real leads and clear limits.

When lead volume, team size, or operational needs grow, the paid plans remove restrictions and add capabilities.

The objective is not to force an immediate upgrade.

The objective is to let the business upgrade when there is a real operational reason.

Summary: a free CRM should be useful, transparent, and able to grow with you

Choosing a free CRM is not only about choosing the lowest price.

You need to understand:

• whether the plan expires;
• how many leads it holds;
• how many people can access it;
• which activities are limited;
• which communication channels are included;
• whether automation is available;
• how much the upgrade costs;
• whether your data can be exported;
• which external costs may apply.

A good free CRM should let the business run a real process:

Lead enters → Pipeline organizes → Team responds → Proposal is sent → Follow-up happens → Job is completed → Invoice is created → Customer history stays available

DunaHub Free gives owner-operators and small teams a way to start with 50 total leads, 3 users, and monthly limits for Jobs, proposals, invoices, bookings, and AI replies.

When the business needs more volume, email sync, electronic signatures, Stage Automations, more users, or online payments, it can evaluate Starter or Pro.

The most important thing is choosing a platform that clearly explains its limits.

Free should not mean confusing.

It should mean a safe way to begin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a free CRM?

A free CRM is a customer-management platform that offers a plan without a monthly software subscription.

Is a free CRM the same as a free trial?

No. A trial ends after a set period. A permanent free plan can continue within its limits.

Does DunaHub Free require a credit card?

No.

Does DunaHub Free expire?

No. It is a free-forever plan.

How many leads does DunaHub Free allow?

Up to 50 total leads.

How many users are included?

Up to 3 users.

How many Jobs can I create?

Up to 10 Jobs per month.

How many proposals can I create?

Up to 10 proposals per month.

How many invoices can I create?

Up to 10 invoices per month.

How many bookings are included?

Up to 10 bookings per month, within the Job limit.

Does Free include the CRM Pipeline?

Yes.

Can I customize pipeline stages?

Yes.

Can I import a spreadsheet?

Yes. Leads can be imported through CSV.

Can I export my data?

Yes. DunaHub’s Free documentation states that data can be exported at any time.

Does Free include SMS?

The SMS channel is available, but outgoing messages use prepaid credits.

Does Free include WhatsApp?

WhatsApp is available as an additional connected channel.

Does Free include email synchronization?

No. IMAP/SMTP email sync is available on Starter and Pro.

Does Free include Stage Automations?

No.

Which plan includes basic automations?

Starter.

Which plan includes multi-step sequences?

Pro.

Does Free include a Public Form?

Yes. One Public Form is included.

Does the form charge per lead?

No.

Does Free include Online Booking?

Yes, with the monthly operational limit.

Does Free include a Customer Portal?

Yes, for up to 10 active customers.

Does Free include Google review requests?

Yes. The Review Engine is included on all plans.

Does Free include Conversation AI?

Yes, with up to 50 replies per month.

Does Free include an Auto Website?

According to DunaHub’s current English pricing table, the Auto Website is included on Starter and Pro. Always verify the latest plan comparison before signing up.

How much is Starter?

$9.90 per month.

How much is Pro?

$49 per month.

Does DunaHub charge per user?

There is no separate per-user charge within each plan’s user allowance.

Can paid plans be canceled?

Yes. They are month-to-month with no long-term contract.

Is a free CRM enough for an owner-operator?

It can be when the business stays within the lead, user, and monthly activity limits.

Is a free CRM suitable for a team?

Yes, when the number of included users is enough.

Does a free CRM guarantee more sales?

No. It improves organization, but sales also depend on customer service, pricing, proposals, and execution.

Start with a free CRM that supports a real service workflow

Your business should not have to keep losing leads inside spreadsheets and disconnected conversations.

Create your free DunaHub account, organize your first leads in the CRM Pipeline, and upgrade only when your operation genuinely needs more capacity.