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You’re probably frustrated with Keap’s $299+ monthly pricing. Or maybe you’re concerned about what the Thryv acquisition means for the platform’s future. Either way, you’re not alone.
In October 2024, Thryv Holdings acquired Keap for $80 million, a price significantly lower than the company’s annual revenue. This acquisition has left many Keap users uncertain about pricing changes, feature roadmap status, and the platform’s long-term direction. If you’re one of them, now is the perfect time to explore alternatives.
The good news? There are plenty of excellent CRM options available that are affordable and easy to use. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best Keap alternatives available in 2025, with detailed reviews, pricing comparisons, and honest pros and cons for each. Whether you’re a solopreneur, a small sales team, or a growing business, you’ll find a solution that fits your needs and budget.
Ready to explore your options?
If you’re in a hurry, here’s the bottom line: Nutshell is the best Keap alternative for small business owners who want an affordable, easy-to-use CRM with a unique next-action selling methodology. Here’s why:
Did you know that 55% of CRM implementations fail? That’s right—more than half of businesses invest time and money into customer relationship management software only to watch it gather digital dust.
The culprit? Feature overload, poor adoption rates, and systems so complex that teams abandon them for spreadsheets within months.
But here’s the good news: finding the best simple CRMs can completely change this narrative.
We’ve tested over 20 CRM solutions to identify the ones that strike the perfect balance between simplicity and capability. After extensive hands-on evaluation, Nutshell emerged as our top choice with a 4.8/5 rating, followed by eight other solutions that prove you don’t need complexity to manage customer relationships effectively.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly which simple CRM software will help your team avoid becoming another failure statistic.
In October 2024, Thryv Holdings announced the acquisition of Keap for $80 million in cash. While this might seem like good news on the surface, the acquisition has created significant uncertainty for Keap users.
While most SaaS companies sell for 3-10x their annual revenue, Keap sold for less than 1x its annual revenue (approximately $85 million in 2024). This below-market valuation suggests potential concerns about Keap’s growth trajectory and competitive position.
Thryv has already announced plans to integrate Keap into its broader platform and increase pricing. The company’s essential bundle starts at $456/month—significantly higher than Keap’s current pricing. While Thryv hasn’t announced specific pricing changes for existing Keap users, the acquisition signals that price increases are likely.
The acquisition closed in Q4 2024, with experts predicting that major changes would likely roll out in mid-2026. However, uncertainty about the platform’s direction, pricing, and feature roadmap is already affecting user confidence.
If you’re a Keap user, now is the ideal time to evaluate alternatives before potential price increases take effect. Switching to Nutshell or another alternative now gives you stability, predictable pricing, and peace of mind about your CRM investment.
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Keap’s base pricing for a monthly contract starts at $299 per month for two users and 1,500 contacts. Onboarding more users and contacts involves additional fees that add up quickly. For a small team of five people, you could easily be paying $500−$1,000+ per month. Compare that to Nutshell at $19/user/month with no hidden fees, and you’re looking at 10-30x savings.
Key Takeaway: Nutshell is 10-30x more affordable than Keap, making it the clear winner for budget-conscious small businesses.
Existing Keap users are uncertain of the platform’s future following its acquisition by Thryv Holdings. An unclear product roadmap and likely pricing increases have customers concerned about what to expect regarding their long-term return on investment.
Key takeaway: Switching to Nutshell now gives you stability and predictable pricing, eliminating acquisition-related uncertainty.
Keap is a complex CRM with a steep learning curve for new users. It’s also time-intensive and costly to implement—even with Keap’s mandatory $1,500 personalized implementation service, most customers find that implementation can take weeks or even months.
Why it matters: While 71% of small businesses use a CRM, adoption is the real indicator of success. Businesses that choose complex systems often see poor adoption rates and implementation failures.
Key takeaway: Nutshell can be implemented in 1-2 days with minimal training, so your team can start selling immediately.
Keap’s email features are basic, with limited automation workflows. You’ll need additional tools for advanced email marketing, adding cost and complexity to your tech stack.
Key takeaway: Nutshell includes comprehensive email automation and marketing tools in all plans, eliminating the need for additional purchases.
Keap has limited ability to customize workflows and sales processes. The platform forces you into rigid sales processes that may not match your business needs, reducing flexibility and adoption.
Key takeaway: Nutshell allows easy customization of pipelines and workflows without requiring coding or technical expertise.
Keap has experienced known email deliverability problems, particularly with Microsoft domains (Outlook, Office 365). Users report high bounce rates and emails landing in spam folders, damaging customer relationships and reducing campaign effectiveness.
Key takeaway: Nutshell has strong email deliverability with proper authentication and warm-up protocols built in.
Keap’s mobile app offers limited functionality, making it seem more like an afterthought than true mobile-first design. Field sales teams struggle to manage deals on the go, which often results in lower productivity.
Why this matters: 65% of salespeople with mobile CRM achieve their quotas vs. 22% of those without, which is why it’s vital to choose the right platform.
Key takeaway: Nutshell’s full-featured mobile app with desktop functionality supports field and remote sales teams wherever they go.
We evaluated eight leading CRM solutions based on five key criteria, all weighted equally. Those criteria include:
Rating system: We used a 5-point scale with ratings to the tenths place only (e.g., 4.2, 3.7, 4.9). All CRMs included are legitimate alternatives with ratings between 3.0 and 5.0. A perfect 5.0 is extremely rare and only used when a CRM truly excels in all aspects.
Why this matters: 71% of small businesses use a CRM, which is why it’s so important to choose the right one. We focused on solutions that are easy to implement, affordable, and specifically designed for small business success.
| CRM | Rating | Best For | Starting Price |
| Nutshell | 4.8 ⭐️ | Small business owners seeking next-action selling | $19/user/month |
| Pipedrive | 4.6 ⭐️ | Sales teams prioritizing visual pipeline management | $24/user/month |
| Freshsales | 4.5 ⭐️ | Small to mid-market businesses wanting AI features | $11/user/month |
| Close | 4.4 ⭐️ | Sales teams focused on mobile-first CRM | $49/user/month |
| Zoho CRM | 4.3 ⭐️ | Budget-conscious businesses wanting comprehensive features | $20/user/month |
| HubSpot CRM | 4.2 ⭐️ | Businesses wanting a unified platform with marketing capabilities | Free (Starter at $15/month) |
| Monday.com CRM | 4.0 ⭐️ | Teams needing both project management and CRM capabilities | $15/user/month |
| Salesforce | 3.8 ⭐️ | Enterprises needing advanced customization | Free (Starter Suite at $25/user/month) |
Note: Prices shown are starting prices per user/month (billed monthly). Actual pricing for each instance may vary based on features and usage.
Now that you’ve seen the high-level comparison, let’s dive deeper into each CRM. The following detailed reviews provide in-depth analysis of each platform’s strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases. Use this information to narrow down your options based on your specific business needs.

Quick summary: Nutshell is the only CRM built around next-action selling methodology, helping sales teams determine exactly what to do next with every lead. Designed for small business owners and sales teams who want an affordable, easy-to-use alternative to complex enterprise solutions. Includes AI-powered features, mobile-first design, and world-class support—all at a fraction of the cost of competitors.
Key features for small businesses:
Pros:
Cons:
Pricing: Starting at $19/user/month (or $13/user/month when billed annually). All plans include unlimited contacts, storage, and accounts. No per-user or per-contact fees. Free 14-day trial available.

Pipedrive is a sales-focused CRM known for its intuitive visual pipeline interface. Designed specifically for sales teams who want to see their deals at a glance and manage their sales process visually. Its strong mobile app and good customer support make it a solid alternative to Keap.
Key features for small businesses:
Pros:
Cons:
Pricing: Starting at $24/user/month ($14/user/month when billed annually). Includes basic CRM features. Advanced features available on higher tiers.

Freshsales is a modern CRM with strong AI capabilities and a user-friendly interface. Part of the Freshworks ecosystem, it offers good value for small to mid-market businesses looking for AI-powered features without enterprise pricing.
Key features for small businesses:
Pros:
Cons:
Pricing: Starting at $11/user/month ($9/user/month when billed annually). Includes basic CRM and AI features. Higher tiers available for advanced features.

Close is a mobile-first CRM designed specifically for sales teams who need to manage deals on the go. It’s known for its excellent mobile app, built-in calling, and focus on sales productivity. It’s a great alternative for field sales teams and remote sales organizations.
Key features for small businesses:
Pros:
Cons:
Pricing: Starting at $49/user/month ($35/user/month when billed annually). Includes all core features. No per-contact fees.

Zoho CRM is a comprehensive, affordable CRM with extensive features and customization options. Part of the larger Zoho ecosystem, it offers good value for businesses wanting a feature-rich platform without enterprise pricing.
Key features for small businesses:
Pros:
Cons:
Pricing: Starting at $20/user/month ($14/user/month when billed annually). Includes comprehensive features. Higher tiers available for advanced customization.

HubSpot CRM is a popular, user-friendly platform known for excellent marketing integration and a strong free tier. It’s great for businesses wanting to combine sales and marketing in one platform, though pricing escalates quickly as you add features, making it less ideal for budget-conscious small businesses.
Key features for small businesses:
Pros:
Cons:
Pricing: Free tier available with basic features. Paid plans start at $15/user/month ($9/user/month when billed annually) for the Starter tier. Pricing escalates significantly for advanced features.

Monday.com Sales is a modern, visually-oriented CRM built on the popular Monday.com work management platform. It’s great for teams that prefer a contemporary interface and visual workflows. It’s less specialized for sales than dedicated sales CRMs, but it offers good collaboration features.
Key features for small businesses:
Pros:
Cons:
Pricing: Starting at $15/user/month ($12/user/month when billed annually). Includes basic CRM features. Higher tiers available for advanced features.

Salesforce is the market leader in enterprise CRM, known for powerful customization, extensive features, and scalability. It’s designed for large enterprises with complex sales processes and is overkill and too expensive for most small businesses, but we’ve included it for completeness.
Key features for enterprise:
Pros:
Cons:
Pricing: While Salesforce offers a free tier for companies that are just getting started, the most basic paid tier starts at $25/user/month (billed monthly or annually). Enterprise pricing is also available. Implementation costs can be significant.
Sales automation features reduce manual tasks so your team can stay focused and work more efficiently. With 98% of businesses prioritizing these features, automation is a non-negotiable for modern CRMs. Look for a platform that can automate:
Nutshell’s unique next-action focus drives the platform’s automation capabilities, helping your team stay on track with sales pipelines and established processes.
Customizable pipeline management capabilities help teams visualize where each lead is in the sales funnel, making it easier to stay organized, maintain focus, and close more deals. Look for visual pipelines, multiple pipelines, stage tracking, and deal forecasting.
Nutshell’s visual pipeline with multiple pipelines and stage goals gives you complete control over your sales process.

Selling from anywhere is critical for field and remote sales teams. About 70% of businesses now use mobile CRM features, making mobile access a game-changer for organizations looking to stay competitive. Look for full-featured mobile apps, offline access, and real-time sync. Nutshell’s full-featured mobile app with the same functionality as desktop ensures your team can manage deals, send emails, and track activities from anywhere.
Integrated email automation helps with nurturing leads, staying organized, and reducing manual email tasks—all essential for scaling. Email automation increases productivity by 26.4%, helping teams do more with less effort. Look for email templates, automation workflows, calendar integration, and email tracking. Nutshell includes comprehensive email automation and marketing tools in all plans.
Tracking performance, identifying trends, and making data-driven decisions require robust reporting. Teams with advanced reporting capabilities see improved deal closure rates, giving you a competitive edge. Look for customizable reports, dashboards, forecasting, and activity tracking. Nutshell includes advanced reporting and analytics in all plans, no add-ons required.
Experts have called AI the “future of sales” because it helps teams work more efficiently and close more deals. Businesses making use of advanced AI features in modern CRM systems are 83% more inclined to meet and surpass their sales goals. Look for a platform with features such as:
Nutshell includes time-saving AI features such as Next Action AI Sales Coach, AI Agents, and ChatGPT integration in all plans.
Nutshell is the only CRM built around next-action selling methodology. This unique approach helps your team determine exactly what to do next with every lead, eliminating guesswork and keeping everyone focused on high-impact activities.
Why it matters: Sales teams often lose time when they can’t decide what to do next. Next-action selling eliminates that waste by making it crystal clear what action is required to advance each deal.
How it works: Your AI Sales Coach tells you the best next step to take with every lead. Automated reminders ensure follow-ups happen. Multiple pipelines support different sales processes. Email automation supports next actions.
Key takeaway: No other CRM offers this unique methodology—it’s Nutshell’s competitive advantage.
At $19/user/month (or $13/user/month when billed annually), Nutshell Foundation is 10-30x cheaper than Keap’s starter plan. All plans include unlimited contacts, storage, and accounts. And because Nutshell does not charge additional fees to add users or contacts, you can rest easy knowing your price will remain the same.
Why this matters: Small businesses need predictable, transparent pricing they can budget for.
Key Takeaway: Nutshell’s pricing is the most affordable in the industry with no hidden fees.
With Nutshell, your team can be up and running in 1-2 days with minimal training. The intuitive interface means your team can be productive immediately, not weeks later.
Why it matters: Time to productivity is critical. The faster your team can use the CRM, the faster you see ROI.
Key takeaway: Nutshell has the fastest implementation time of any CRM.
Nutshell includes sales, marketing, and engagement tools in one place—no need to juggle multiple subscriptions or integrate disparate systems. Everything works together seamlessly.
Why it matters: Multiple tools create complexity, cost, and integration headaches.
Key takeaway: Nutshell eliminates tool sprawl with an integrated platform.
Nutshell’s mobile CRM app is full-featured, with the same functionality as the desktop platform. You can manage deals, send emails, track activities, and close deals from anywhere, even if you have to switch devices.
Why it matters: A functional mobile app saves valuable time by giving sales teams the ability to keep track of customer interactions while on the go.
Key takeaway: Nutshell’s mobile app supports field and remote sales teams.

Next Action AI Sales Coach, AI Agents (for pipeline design and objection handling), and ChatGPT integration are included in every plan—features competitors charge thousands extra for.
Why it matters: AI features are typically reserved for expensive enterprise plans. Nutshell democratizes AI for small businesses.
Key takeaway: Nutshell includes AI features that competitors charge thousands extra for.
Talk to real people who know Nutshell inside and out. No support paywalls. No waiting for email responses. Just helpful, responsive support included in every plan.
Why it matters: When you need help, you need it now—not days later.
Key takeaway: Nutshell’s support is included in all plans with no additional cost.
| Feature | Nutshell | Keap |
| Prix de départ | $19/user/month | $299+/month for two users |
| Hidden fees | Aucun | Per-user, per-contact fees |
| Setup time | 1–2 days | Weeks to months |
| Learning curve | Minimal | Steep |
| Next-action selling methodology | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Mobile app | ✅ Full-features | ⚠️ Limited |
| Automatisation des e-mails | ✅ Included | ⚠️ Basic |
| Caractéristiques de l'IA | ✅ Included in all plans | ⚠️ Limited |
| Free support | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Personnalisation | ✅ Easy | ⚠️ Limited |
| All-in-one platform | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Partial |
Key takeaway: Nutshell wins on price, ease of use, mobile access, and unique next-action selling methodology. If you’re currently using Keap, you’ll save time, money, and frustration by switching to Nutshell.
If you’re thinking of making a change, it’s time to switch to Nutshell. As the best Keap alternative for small business owners and sales teams, Nutshell is an affordable, easy-to-use CRM with a unique next-action selling methodology.
Let’s sum up the most important points here:
Whether you’re a solopreneur, a small sales team, or a growing business, Nutshell has the tools you need to sell more and manage customer relationships effectively.
Ready to make the switch? Start your free 14-day trial at https://app.nutshell.com/signup today. No credit card required. See for yourself why thousands of small businesses have chosen Nutshell over Keap and other expensive alternatives.
Yes. Nutshell starts at $19/user/month with no hidden fees. Keap starts at $299+/month with additional per-user and per-contact fees. Small teams can save thousands per year with Nutshell.
Yes. Nutshell makes it easy to import your contacts and data from Keap. Our support team can help with the migration process to ensure a smooth transition.
Next-action selling is a sales methodology that focuses on determining the next best action required to advance each deal. Instead of wondering what to do next with a lead, Nutshell’s AI Sales Coach tells reps exactly what action is needed. This eliminates guesswork and keeps your team focused on high-impact activities.
Yes. Nutshell has a full-featured mobile app available on iOS and Android. The app has all the functionality of the desktop version, so your team can manage deals, send emails, and track activities from anywhere.
Nutshell includes free live support in all plans. You can chat with real people who know Nutshell inside and out. No support paywalls. No waiting for email responses. Just helpful, responsive support when you need it.
Yes. Nutshell allows you to create multiple pipelines, customize sales stages, and set up automated workflows to match your specific sales process. No coding required.
Nutshell serves businesses across 40+ industries including B2B, professional services, manufacturing, tech, construction, and home services. Whether you’re in sales, marketing, or customer support, Nutshell has the tools you need.
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