Copper CRM Alternatives (2026): 10 Tools Compared

Copper built its name as a CRM that sits comfortably alongside Google Workspace, so Gmail, Calendar and Drive feel part of the same system. If you're comparing it with other options, perhaps because your team has changed, your needs have grown or you'd like something lighter, here are some tools to set beside it.

This page lists ten Copper alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. A few are household names and most are smaller. I've drawn each description from the tool's own website, so check current details there before you decide. For a wider look at the topic, see my tips on choosing CRM software for a business.

Copper alternatives at a glance

In the Free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a plan you can keep using without a time limit. Trial only means a free trial but no ongoing free plan. No means the site states neither. Details change, so check before you start.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Agile CRM	Sales and marketing CRM	Deals, email and automation on one screen	Yes
Bigin	Light small-business CRM	Simple pipelines for very small teams	Yes
folk	Relationship CRM	Contact lists and outreach together	Trial only
Gmelius	Gmail-based workspace	Shared inboxes and boards inside Gmail	Trial only
HubSpot	CRM platform	Free CRM with tools that grow later	Yes
Insightly	CRM and project suite	Deals plus tasks and projects	Trial only
Pipedrive	Pipeline CRM	Visual deal stages	Trial only
Salesflare	Inbox-aware CRM	Logging emails and meetings automatically	Trial only
Salesmate	CRM with automation	Pipelines, sequences and ticketing	Trial only
Streak	CRM inside Gmail	Pipelines that live in your inbox	Yes

Ten Google-friendly CRM tools to set beside Copper

Agile CRM

Best for: Small teams who want contacts, deals and basic marketing tools together and plan to connect Google apps.

Bigin

Best for: Solo owners and tiny teams who want a plain pipeline without the weight of a full CRM.

folk

Best for: People who think in lists and want to prospect, follow up and track relationships in one workspace.

Gmelius

Best for: Teams who live in Gmail and want shared inboxes, boards and automation without leaving it.

HubSpot

Best for: Businesses who want a well-known CRM with a free starting point and room to add tools.

Insightly

Best for: Firms who want customer records and the delivery work that follows to sit together.

Pipedrive

Best for: Sales people who want a clear picture of every deal and what to do next.

Salesflare

Best for: Small B2B teams who'd rather not type up every email and meeting by hand.

Salesmate

Best for: Teams who want pipelines, outreach sequences and support tickets in a single platform.

Streak

Best for: People who spend the day in Gmail and want deals tracked right beside their messages.

How a Google Workspace CRM should work with Gmail and Calendar

The whole point of a CRM that connects to Google is saving you typing. So test the connection first and the features second. A good link should do most of the following without you thinking about it.

• Email logging. Messages with a customer appear on their record automatically.
• Calendar sync. Meetings you book show up against the right person or deal.
• Contact capture. New senders can be added in a click, with names and signatures filled in.
• Shared access. Colleagues see the history without forwarding anything.
• Permissions. You can choose which mailboxes are shared and which stay private.
• Mobile. Check the phone app, because plenty of selling happens away from a desk.

Gmail-based CRM or a separate system: which fits your team

There are two broad styles. One lives inside your inbox, so pipelines and notes appear next to your messages. The other is a standalone app that reads your email in the background. Neither is better in every case.

• Inside the inbox suits solo owners and small teams who want almost no new screens to learn.
• Standalone with a Google link suits teams who need reports, permissions and more than one pipeline.
• Shared inbox tools suit groups answering the same address, such as a sales or enquiries mailbox.
• Contact-list tools suit people whose work is mostly relationships rather than deals.

Moving customer records out of Copper without losing history

Moving is mostly about order, and it's easier than it sounds. Here's a sensible sequence.

1. Export people, companies, deals and notes, and keep the original file safe.
2. Decide which old records are worth bringing across and which can stay behind.
3. Map your pipeline stages and custom fields onto the new tool before importing.
4. Import a small batch first and check names, owners and dates look right.
5. Reconnect Gmail and Calendar, then send yourself a test email to see it appear.
6. Switch your team over on a quiet day, and keep the old system read-only for a while.

Privacy and consent when your CRM reads your mailbox

A CRM that reads email holds personal data about the people you write to. In the UK and EU you generally need a clear reason for keeping it and a way to delete it on request. This isn't legal advice, so check the rules for your own situation. Once the system is in place, my follow-up email swipe file can help you write the messages that keep deals moving.

When a lesser-known Google-connected CRM is worth trying

Smaller vendors tend to focus on a few jobs, which can mean a quicker set-up and a friendlier support team. They may also lack some integrations, so list the apps you can't live without and check each one.

Look at when the product was last updated, read the help pages and make sure you can export your data whenever you wish. Try it with a handful of real customers before moving the lot.

Do you make a CRM or Gmail sales tool? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

A simple way to shortlist your Copper alternatives

Pick two that suit how you work. Connect the same Google account to each, add a few real contacts and run one deal through from first email to follow-up. Notice which one you reach for without being reminded. If you'd also like automated emails alongside the CRM, my roundup of marketing automation tools covers that side.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Google Workspace CRM?

It's customer management software that connects to Gmail, Calendar and other Google apps, so emails and meetings are logged against the right contact without you copying anything across.

Why would someone look for a Copper alternative?

Reasons vary and aren't always about the tool itself. You might want a lighter set of screens, different integrations, a team that's outgrown its set-up or something that works outside Google. Start by listing what you need most.

Can I move my contacts and deals to another CRM?

Usually, yes. Contacts, companies and deals can normally be exported and imported. Email history and custom fields can be harder, so check what the new tool accepts and keep a copy of your old data.

Do I need to use Gmail to use a CRM?

No. Many CRMs work with any email provider, and some link to Microsoft 365 as well. If your team uses Google, check the connection supports shared mailboxes and calendars.

Is a free plan enough to start with?

It can be for one person or a very small team. Read the limits on users, contacts and pipelines, and check the email features you need are included, before you rely on one.