9 Best CRM For Manufacturing Business

Manufacturing businesses face unique challenges: managing supply chains, tracking inventory, and building lasting client relationships.

CRM for manufacturers helps streamline these processes, automate key tasks, and improve overall efficiency.

This article explores the best CRM for manufacturing businesses. The list includes free and affordable options.

9 Best Manufacturing CRMs [Free & Paid]

1. GoHighLevel CRM: Overall Best CRM for Manufacturing

GoHighLevel CRM is a powerful, multi-functional tool designed for businesses seeking an all-in-one platform to manage marketing, sales, and customer relationships.

It stands out as one of the best manufacturing CRMs with the GoHighLevel Manufacturing Snapshot, which delivers an industry-tailored setup, preloaded with templates and workflows that suit manufacturers’ complex needs, particularly useful for businesses managing both B2B and B2C clients.

Additionally, automated follow-ups are built into the CRM, allowing manufacturers to create precise workflows for client communications, purchase orders, and inventory management.

This automation ensures tasks are not only organized but also allows team members to focus on high-level decision-making rather than repetitive follow-up tasks.

GoHighLevel also supports client portals for secure access, where customers can view their order histories, track delivery, and communicate directly with the team, a feature particularly advantageous for manufacturers handling high volumes of repeat clients.

Features

• Workflow Automation: Automate everything from follow-up sequences to deal updates and order tracking, reducing manual workload.
• Lead Capture Forms and Landing Pages: Easily create custom landing pages and lead forms for lead generation.
• Multi-Channel Communication: Connect with clients via SMS, emails, and calls, directly from the CRM platform.
• Pipeline Management: Customize and monitor sales pipelines with stages specific to manufacturing processes.
• Reputation Management: Manage customer feedback and online reviews to maintain a positive brand image.
• Client Portal Access: Provides clients a portal to track order status, reducing inbound support requests.
• Detailed Analytics and Dashboards: Offers deep insights with custom reporting and key performance metric tracking.

Pros

• Comprehensive suite of marketing tools
• Robust automation and customization
• Highly scalable with advanced integrations
• Streamlined lead capture process
• Effective multi-channel communication

Cons

• Steeper learning curve for beginners
• Some advanced features are paid-only

Pricing

Pricing starts at $97/month.

Get Started With GoHighLevel CRM For Free

2. HubSpot CRM: Best Free Manufacturing CRM for Scaling Business

HubSpot CRM is the best free CRM software for manufacturers focused on growth. Known for its scalable, user-friendly design, it’s ideal for manufacturing businesses expanding their reach.

HubSpot’s emphasis on sales, marketing, and service integration ensures manufacturers can keep all their client and sales data in one place.

• User-Friendly Interface: HubSpot CRM's interface is easy to navigate, making it ideal for teams new to CRM systems.
• In-Depth Reporting and Analytics: HubSpot provides robust analytics capabilities, perfect for manufacturing businesses needing deep insights into sales and production metrics.
• Lead and Contact Management: Automatically records every interaction, ensuring every customer relationship is well-documented.
• Marketing Automation: Manufacturing businesses can send targeted email campaigns based on customer activity, creating a highly personalized experience.
• Wide Integration Options: HubSpot integrates with numerous third-party tools like ERP systems and e-commerce platforms, making it adaptable for manufacturing environments.

Features

• Contact and Lead Management: Manage and segment clients, suppliers, and leads, tracking all interactions in one place.
• Sales Pipeline Customization: Track deals through a customized pipeline aligned with manufacturing workflows.
• Email Marketing and Templates: Streamline client communication with automated email sequences.
• Live Chat: Interact with clients in real time on your website.
• Reporting and Analytics: Comprehensive dashboards offer a view of production, sales, and customer metrics.
• Workflow Automation: Automate repetitive tasks, freeing up time for essential production-related activities.
• Customer Service Ticketing: Manage and resolve customer issues, perfect for post-sales support in manufacturing.

Pros

• Easy to scale as the business grows
• Free plan available with essential CRM features
• Excellent integration options
• Comprehensive reporting tools
• Good support for beginners

Cons

• Paid plans can be expensive as the team grows
• Limited features in the free plan

Pricing

HubSpot offers a free CRM version; paid plans start at $50/month.

Get Started With HubSpot CRM For Free

3. Monday CRM: Best for Workflow Automation

Monday CRM is a dynamic tool that provides manufacturing businesses with streamlined workflows, project tracking, and team collaboration capabilities.

Designed to support manufacturers' operational and sales activities, Monday offers a highly visual, customizable platform to keep track of each step in production and customer management.

With powerful task automation and the ability to integrate with various manufacturing tools, it has become a valuable asset for manufacturing teams.

Features

• Task Automation: Automate notifications, reminders, and follow-ups, keeping projects on track without manual updates.
• Customizable Pipeline and Boards: Organize pipelines with specific production stages or sales processes unique to manufacturing.
• Time Tracking and Cost Management: Monitor time spent on projects and track costs for accurate job costing.
• File Sharing and Collaboration: Share files, designs, and specifications in one place to ensure production accuracy.
• Kanban and Gantt Views: Visualize timelines, project progression, and supply chain management.
• Inventory Management Add-ons: Customize Monday CRM with add-ons to assist in tracking production inventory.
• Comprehensive Reporting: Provides insights into project completion rates, time tracking, and team productivity metrics.

Pros

• Highly visual and easy-to-use interface
• Excellent customization for manufacturing workflows
• Task automation improves productivity
• Collaborative tools keep team aligned
• Flexible reporting capabilities

Cons

• Advanced features may require a higher plan
• Lacks built-in ERP functionality

Pricing

Monday CRM starts at $10 per user per month, with higher plans offering more advanced features and customizations.

Get Started With Monday CRM For Free

4. Freshworks CRM: Best for Comprehensive Sales Management in Manufacturing

Freshworks CRM offers a well-rounded suite of tools to support manufacturing businesses in their sales and customer management endeavors.

Known for its intuitive interface and powerful automation, Freshworks is designed to streamline the sales process, from lead generation to client follow-up, making it a top choice for manufacturers aiming to maintain efficient sales pipelines.

With its AI-driven insights, Freshworks helps sales teams forecast needs, respond to customers faster, and make data-driven decisions, which are crucial in manufacturing where inventory levels and client demands constantly fluctuate.

Features

• AI-Powered Lead Scoring: Freshworks utilizes machine learning to score leads based on behavior and engagement, allowing sales teams to focus on high-quality prospects who are most likely to convert.
• Automated Sales Workflows: It automates key processes such as assigning tasks, scheduling follow-ups, and triggering actions based on specific customer interactions, enhancing productivity.
• 360-Degree Customer View: Freshworks aggregates customer data, history, and interactions into a single view, offering teams the insights needed to make personalized and relevant recommendations.
• In-App Dialer and Call Logs: With an in-built dialer, sales agents can make calls directly from the CRM, record them, and log call details, ensuring no client communication is missed.
• Customizable Deal Pipelines: Freshworks allows customization of the sales pipeline to match specific stages and milestones, offering better control over complex sales cycles in manufacturing.
• Comprehensive Reporting and Analytics: It provides data on sales trends, pipeline performance, and team productivity, helping leaders make informed decisions.
• Email Campaigns and Automation: The CRM integrates email marketing, making it easy to send out campaigns, track engagement, and follow up with leads based on their responses.

Pros

• Freshworks CRM’s AI tools are robust and insightful, helping manufacturers prioritize leads and optimize sales approaches.
• Its automated workflows improve team efficiency, and the 360-degree customer view helps with targeted sales strategies.
• Freshworks is highly customizable and integrates well with manufacturing software, making it adaptable to various operational needs.

Cons

• Its advanced AI tools are available only in higher-tier plans, and the CRM may require time for teams to learn and adapt to the system.

Pricing

Freshworks CRM offers a free plan with basic features, while paid plans start at $15 per user per month. The higher plans unlock AI-driven insights and more extensive automation options.

5. Keap: Best CRM for Small Manufacturing Business

Keap, also known as Infusionsoft, is a powerful CRM tailored for small to medium-sized businesses, including manufacturing companies.

Designed to support client management, sales, and marketing, Keap is particularly useful for manufacturers looking to maintain organized client relationships and effective follow-ups.

With features such as lead capture, invoicing, and automated follow-ups, Keap simplifies many of the repetitive tasks that manufacturing teams face daily.

Known for its user-friendly interface and extensive customer support, Keap stands out as a solution that manufacturing companies can rely on to enhance their sales processes and customer service operations.

Features

• Automated Follow-Ups: Keap automates follow-up messages and reminders, ensuring timely communication with clients regarding order updates or inventory changes.
• Customizable Sales Pipelines: Manufacturers can create and manage sales pipelines that align with their production and order fulfillment processes, adding clarity to each stage.
• Invoicing and Payment Integration: Keap allows users to create invoices, send them to clients, and accept payments, streamlining the financial aspects of client management.
• Lead Capture and Management: Keap captures leads from various channels, organizing them for easy follow-up and conversion, which is essential for manufacturing firms expanding their client base.
• Client and Project Notes: The CRM stores notes related to specific projects and clients, keeping all critical details in one location for easy reference.
• Email Marketing Automation: Keap integrates email marketing, enabling manufacturing teams to send updates, offers, or order information to customers efficiently.
• Data-Driven Insights: Keap provides performance metrics and client insights, allowing manufacturers to adjust their strategies based on real-time data.

Pros

• Keap’s automation tools reduce the need for manual follow-ups, its invoicing system streamlines client transactions, and the customizable sales pipelines align well with the manufacturing sales process.
• The integrated lead capture and email marketing functionalities allow manufacturers to maintain regular customer engagement.

Cons

• The system can be expensive for small teams, and the CRM may require onboarding time for users unfamiliar with its interface.

Pricing

Keap’s pricing starts at $249 per month

6. ClickUp: Best for Project Management and Workflow Automation

ClickUp is a versatile project management tool that doubles as a CRM, making it highly adaptable for manufacturing firms looking to manage both customer relationships and project workflows.

With its customizable dashboards and task automation features, ClickUp enables manufacturing teams to stay organized and efficient, handling everything from production schedules to client follow-ups.

Its collaborative features and extensive integrations support manufacturing operations that rely on coordinated efforts across teams, making it an excellent tool for managing complex manufacturing projects and sales.

Features

• Customizable Task Management: ClickUp provides task management features that can be customized to fit specific manufacturing needs, whether it's tracking production milestones or managing client orders.
• Workflow Automation: Automate repetitive processes, such as order updates and inventory alerts, to ensure efficiency and reduce manual work in manufacturing operations.
• Client Relationship Management Tools: With ClickUp's CRM add-ons, manufacturers can track client interactions, follow-ups, and order histories, enhancing customer service and client satisfaction.
• Team Collaboration Tools: ClickUp allows for easy sharing of project details, timelines, and updates across teams, ensuring everyone stays aligned with production goals and deadlines.
• Time Tracking and Productivity Analytics: Manufacturing teams can monitor time spent on specific tasks, helping identify bottlenecks and optimizing production timelines.
• Integration with Manufacturing Software: ClickUp integrates with several popular manufacturing and inventory management tools, providing a seamless connection between CRM and production management.
• Document Storage and Organization: Store blueprints, specifications, and client orders in ClickUp’s document repository, ensuring that all team members have access to essential project documents.

Pros

• ClickUp’s customization allows manufacturers to tailor the platform to their specific workflows.
• The team collaboration and integration capabilities support a cohesive environment for project management.
• With tools for tracking productivity, manufacturers gain insights into areas for process improvements.

Cons

• ClickUp may be overwhelming for new users due to its extensive features, and advanced tools are only available in higher-tier plans.

Pricing

ClickUp offers a free version, which is beneficial for small teams. Paid plans start at $5 per user per month, making it one of the most affordable CRM options for manufacturing businesses looking for CRM and project management capabilities in one.

7. Zoho CRM: Comprehensive CRM with Customizable Modules

Zoho CRM offers a customizable and scalable solution for manufacturing businesses aiming to streamline sales, customer service, and production workflows.

Known for its flexibility and affordability, Zoho CRM includes features that support complex manufacturing sales cycles, such as lead nurturing, inventory tracking, and sales automation.

Manufacturing teams can benefit from Zoho’s detailed reporting tools and its ability to integrate with other Zoho apps for a comprehensive business management suite.

Features

• Sales and Workflow Automation: Zoho CRM automates repetitive tasks, including order updates and follow-ups, reducing the workload for manufacturing teams.
• Inventory Management Integration: Track inventory levels, sales, and production needs within Zoho, allowing for real-time data across departments.
• Customizable Modules: Customize fields, workflows, and modules to fit the specific sales stages and processes relevant to manufacturing.
• Omnichannel Communication: Manage client interactions across emails, phone, chat, and social media from within Zoho CRM, ensuring all communication is logged and accessible.
• Robust Reporting and Analytics: Zoho’s analytics tools provide insights into sales performance, client behavior, and inventory needs, supporting data-driven decision-making.
• Mobile App and Remote Access: The mobile app offers remote access to client information, making it easy for sales and customer service reps to stay updated while in the field.
• Integration with Manufacturing and ERP Systems: Zoho CRM integrates with various ERP and manufacturing software solutions, providing a seamless link between sales and production.

Pros

• Zoho CRM is highly customizable, making it easy for manufacturers to tailor the system to specific workflows.
• The inventory tracking and reporting features are robust, and it integrates with other Zoho apps for a seamless experience.

Cons

• Zoho’s extensive customization options may lead to a steep learning curve for new users, and some advanced features require additional payments.

Pricing

Zoho CRM offers a free plan for small teams, with paid plans starting at $12 per user per month. For access to advanced features like AI-driven insights, the cost increases to $35 per user per month.

8. Pipedrive: Streamlined Sales CRM with Visual Pipeline for Manufacturing Companies

Pipedrive is an intuitive CRM tool that provides a highly visual pipeline, making it particularly valuable for manufacturers looking to streamline sales processes while tracking leads and customer interactions.

Its simplicity and ease of use make it accessible to small and medium-sized manufacturing teams.

Pipedrive’s integrations and automation options also enhance its functionality, making it adaptable for manufacturers focusing on customer relationships and sales forecasting.

Features

• Visual Sales Pipeline: Pipedrive’s primary interface is a visual sales pipeline, which allows users to drag and drop leads through different sales stages, simplifying the sales management process.
• Automated Lead Scoring: Prioritize leads based on custom criteria, enabling sales teams to focus on high-potential clients, essential in manufacturing where sales cycles can be long.
• Email Integration and Tracking: Integrates with major email providers, allowing users to track conversations and automate follow-ups with prospects directly within the platform.
• Sales Forecasting Tools: Generate forecasts based on pipeline data, which helps manufacturing teams better predict revenue and inventory needs.
• Activity Management: Schedule follow-ups, meetings, and tasks in the CRM, helping teams keep on top of client needs and production deadlines.
• AI-Powered Sales Assistant: Pipedrive’s AI-powered assistant provides suggestions on actions to close deals faster, improving sales productivity.
• Integrations and API: Pipedrive connects with popular tools like Zapier, Slack, and various ERP software, enhancing workflow automation for manufacturers.

Pros

• The ease of use and visual pipeline make Pipedrive highly effective for quick sales management, while automated lead scoring ensures sales teams are targeting high-potential clients.
• The AI-powered assistant is valuable for boosting productivity.

Cons

• Lacks advanced customization options and is primarily focused on sales, which may limit its utility for manufacturing-specific needs.

Pricing

Pipedrive’s plans start at $14.90 per user per month. For more advanced features, pricing goes up to $99 per user per month.

9. Insightly: Project Management-Focused CRM

Insightly is a CRM that combines project management and customer relationship features, making it well-suited for manufacturing businesses that handle complex, multi-step processes.

Its integration with major apps like QuickBooks and Microsoft 365, along with its automation features, make Insightly an effective tool for managing both customer relations and internal projects, especially for manufacturers needing seamless project management.

Features

• Advanced Project Management: Track project milestones, tasks, and deadlines within Insightly, allowing manufacturers to oversee production timelines alongside client management.
• Sales Automation: Automate routine tasks like order confirmations and follow-ups, freeing up time for sales and production teams.
• Custom Fields and Records: Tailor data fields to capture relevant manufacturing details, ensuring the CRM fits the company’s specific workflows.
• Workflow Automation and Approvals: Automate approvals for orders, purchases, or project stages, streamlining production and order management.
• Email Integration and Tracking: Insightly integrates with major email providers, enabling communication tracking within the CRM.
• Powerful Analytics and Reporting: Generate detailed reports on sales, project progress, and production, supporting data-driven decision-making.
• Seamless App Integrations: Connects with key business tools like QuickBooks, Xero, and Microsoft 365, providing a well-rounded business management suite.

Pros

• Its project management focus is beneficial for manufacturing teams that need both CRM and project oversight.
• Insightly’s automation and reporting tools simplify tracking and planning for production.

Cons

• Insightly’s interface can be complex for beginners, and customization options may be limited compared to other CRMs.

Pricing

Insightly’s plans start at $29 per user per month. The advanced plan, with added features for project management and automation, costs $99 per user per month.

Conclusion

Whether you're a small operation or large-scale manufacturer, the manufacturing CRMs outlined here provide essential tools for managing customer relationships, streamlining production processes, and enhancing overall efficiency.

An effective CRM can be the key to keeping up with customer demands, improving productivity, and gaining an edge in the industry.

With a tailored CRM, manufacturers are not only better equipped to serve customers but are positioned to drive growth and innovation.