The best CRM for Gmail lets you see and update deals without leaving your inbox: contacts and pipelines appear beside each email, conversations log themselves, and follow-ups get scheduled from the message. Some CRMs run entirely inside Gmail, while others are full CRMs with strong Gmail and Google Workspace sync. This page lists ten in no particular order, then explains how to choose.
If your business runs on email, switching between your inbox and a separate CRM all day is where things get lost. A deal discussed in a thread never makes it into the pipeline, or a follow-up slips because the reminder lives somewhere you didn't look. A Gmail CRM brings the two together.
These are ten CRMs in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, all from smaller companies that focus on Gmail and Google Workspace users. Each description comes from the company's own website, re-checked today. If you sell mainly by email, my guide to writing a sales email sequence with AI pairs well with any of these.
Gmail CRMs at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the company's own site describes a free plan, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitrix24 | Business suite with CRM | Teams wanting many tools free | Yes |
| Breakcold | Social selling CRM | Email and LinkedIn together | Trial only |
| Capsule | Simple CRM | Small businesses on a free plan | Yes |
| Copper | CRM for Google Workspace | Teams built on Google Workspace | Trial only |
| DragApp | Shared inbox for Gmail | Teams sharing an inbox | Trial only |
| Folk | Contact CRM | Relationship-led sales | Trial only |
| NetHunt CRM | Gmail-based sales tool | Pipelines inside Gmail | Trial only |
| Pipeline CRM | Sales pipeline CRM | Straightforward deal tracking | Trial only |
| Salesflare | Automated CRM | Less manual data entry | Trial only |
| Streak | CRM inside Gmail | Solo founders in Gmail | Yes |
Ten CRMs for Gmail users
Bitrix24
Best for: Small teams that want a CRM with tasks, chat and other tools, starting on a free plan.
Breakcold
Best for: Founders and sellers who work across Gmail and LinkedIn and want one feed of engagement.
Capsule
Best for: Small businesses that want a simple CRM with Gmail integration and a free plan to start.
Copper
Best for: Teams that run on Google Workspace and want a CRM designed around Gmail, Calendar and Drive.
DragApp
Best for: Teams that want to turn Gmail into a shared inbox with boards for sales and support.
Folk
Best for: Founders and small teams who want contacts synced from Gmail and LinkedIn into a tidy CRM.
NetHunt CRM
Best for: Small sales teams that want pipelines, automation and campaigns built into Gmail.
Pipeline CRM
Best for: Small sales teams that want a straightforward pipeline CRM with email integration and a trial.
Salesflare
Best for: B2B teams that want a CRM that logs emails, meetings and contacts automatically.
Streak
Best for: Solo founders and small teams who want pipelines inside Gmail, with free email tools to start.
The Google access rule behind every Gmail CRM
Here's what happens behind the scenes when you connect a CRM to Gmail. Google's developer guidance on Gmail API scopes says apps that use scopes permitting access to certain user data must complete a verification process, and that if an app stores or transmits restricted scope data on servers, it must go through a security assessment. The broadest restricted scope lets an app read, compose, send and permanently delete all your email.
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So when a CRM asks for Gmail access, read the permission screen. Ask the provider which scopes it uses, whether it stores message content on its servers, and whether it has completed Google's verification. A CRM that only needs to read the message you're viewing is a smaller risk than one that wants everything.
Inside-Gmail CRM or synced CRM
An inside-Gmail CRM puts pipelines and contact details right in your inbox, so there's almost no learning curve. A synced CRM is a separate app that logs your emails automatically and usually offers more reporting and automation. Solo founders often prefer the first; growing sales teams often need the second.
Choosing a Gmail CRM in five steps
- Decide whether you want to work inside Gmail or in a separate app.
- Review the Google permissions each CRM asks for.
- Check how shared inboxes and team members work.
- Test logging, reminders and templates on a week of real email.
- Make sure you can export contacts and deals easily.
Gmail CRM mistakes
- Logging everything. Personal and supplier emails clutter the CRM.
- No shared rules. Agree what goes in the CRM and what doesn't.
- Ignoring permissions. Review connected apps in your Google account regularly.
- Too many tabs. If the CRM doesn't save clicks, it won't stick.
Check your Google account's third-party access page every few months. Old trials and tools you stopped using can keep access to your mail long after you've forgotten them. Removing the ones you don't need is a five-minute job that closes a real risk.
When your sales outgrow the inbox
At some point, LinkedIn, calls and meetings matter as much as email. That's when a CRM with wider integrations pays off. My list of CRMs that work well with LinkedIn covers options for that next step.
Do you make CRM tools for Gmail users? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on CRMs for Gmail
If you're a solo founder who lives in Gmail, an inside-Gmail CRM is the easiest habit to keep. If you're building a sales team, pick a CRM with solid Gmail sync, reporting and permissions, because you'll need them sooner than you think.
Whichever you choose, read the access request before you click allow. Your inbox holds more sensitive information than almost anything else in the business.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a CRM inside Gmail?
Yes. Several CRMs run inside Gmail, showing pipelines and contact details beside your emails.
Is there a free CRM for Gmail?
Some tools describe free plans or free email tools; others offer trials.
Is it safe to connect a CRM to Gmail?
Check the permissions requested. Google says apps storing restricted Gmail data on servers must go through a security assessment.
Do Gmail CRMs work with Google Workspace?
Most do, and some are designed around Workspace apps such as Calendar and Drive.
Can a team share one Gmail inbox with a CRM?
Some tools turn Gmail into a shared inbox with assignments and boards.
Should I choose an inside-Gmail CRM or a separate one?
Inside-Gmail suits solo users; separate CRMs with sync suit growing teams that need reporting.
