10 best real estate CRMs for new agents
You got your license. Now the leads are trickling in, your phone has names you don't recognize, and you already feel behind on follow-up. The right tool fixes that before it becomes a problem.
This guide compares 10 real estate CRMs by what they cost, who they fit, and where they fall short, so you can pick one in an afternoon and get back to selling.
What is a CRM, and do new agents need one?
A CRM is the single most important tool for staying organized in your first year, and yes, you need one. A real estate CRM is software that stores all your contacts in one place and automates your follow-up so leads and past clients don't slip through the cracks.
Most deals are won or lost in the follow-up, not the first call. A CRM reminds you who to text, when to call, and which leads are getting warm, so your business runs on a system instead of your memory. The National Association of Realtors tracks how heavily agents lean on technology like this in its industry research. Setting one up belongs on every new agent's first-year checklist. If you want the full breakdown of what a CRM does, start with our explainer on what a CRM is in real estate.
How we picked the best real estate CRM tools
We ranked these CRMs on the things that matter most when you're new: price, ease of use, and how much of your follow-up they handle for you.
Here's what we weighed for each tool:
- Real cost to start, including free plans, free trials, and the price you pay in year one
- Learning curve, because a CRM you never set up is worthless
- Follow-up automation, the feature that turns leads into closings
- Fit for solo agents and small teams, not only big brokerages with an admin to run the software
The 10 best real estate CRMs compared
The table below is the fast version. Pricing was verified in June 2026 and changes often, so confirm the current number on each vendor's site before you buy.
1. Follow Up Boss: best overall for follow-up
Follow Up Boss is the best real estate CRM for new agents who want follow-up handled for them. It pulls leads from more than 200 sources into one inbox and automates the calls, texts, and emails that keep deals alive. Follow Up Boss lists its Grow plan at $58 per user per month billed annually, with calling as a $33 add-on, on its pricing page, and it includes a 14-day free trial with no contract. The trade-off: it's a follow-up engine, not a website or a lead source, so you'll pair it with other tools as you grow.
2. Wise Agent: best value for solo agents
Wise Agent gives solo agents a full CRM, transaction tools, and email marketing for one low price. It lists service at $49 per month with up to 5 team logins included on its pricing page, and it backs that with 24/7 live support and a 14-day free trial. The trade-off: the interface looks dated next to newer platforms, though it's easy to learn.
3. IXACT Contact: best all-in-one for staying top of mind
IXACT Contact bundles a CRM, a done-for-you monthly newsletter, and an agent website into one subscription. It lists pricing at $46.75 per month on the annual plan ($55 month to month) on its site, with a 14-day free trial. It shines at nurturing your sphere of influence. The trade-off: its lead-generation features are lighter than platforms built around buying leads.
4. HubSpot CRM: best free CRM
HubSpot offers a free forever plan that covers contact management, deal tracking, and basic email tools, per HubSpot's site. It's a smart first CRM when your marketing budget is zero, and you can upgrade later without switching tools. The trade-off: it isn't built for real estate, so you'll set up your own pipeline and stages.
5. Pipedrive: best simple sales pipeline
Pipedrive is a clean, visual pipeline that makes it obvious which deals need attention. It lists its Lite plan at $14 per seat per month on the annual plan ($168 per year) with a 14-day free trial and no credit card required, per its pricing page. The trade-off: like HubSpot, it's general-purpose software, so it lacks real estate features like MLS integration.
6. Zoho CRM: best budget pick for tiny teams
Zoho CRM is free for up to 3 users, with paid plans starting at $14 per user per month, per Zoho's pricing page. You get automation, reporting, and AI features at a price that's hard to beat. The trade-off: it can feel corporate and feature-heavy for a single agent who wants something simple.
7. Top Producer: best for MLS-driven outreach
Top Producer pairs a CRM with branded market reports built from live MLS data. It lists its Pro plan at $179 per user per month on its pricing page, with a leads add-on starting around $479 per month that varies by lead volume. Its Market Snapshot reports are a standout for staying relevant with past clients. The trade-off: it costs more than entry-level CRMs.
8. BoldTrail (formerly kvCORE): best all-in-one lead-gen platform
BoldTrail, from Inside Real Estate, combines IDX websites, lead generation, and a CRM in one platform. Pricing is custom and quoted through a demo, so you'll request a number rather than see one online. The trade-off: it's a bigger investment and more system than most first-year agents need, and it's often bought at the team or brokerage level.
9. Lofty (formerly Chime): best AI-powered lead gen
Lofty combines an AI-powered CRM, an IDX website, and built-in ad tools to capture and convert leads. Like BoldTrail, its pricing is quote-based through a demo. The trade-off: the cost and complexity fit established teams better than a brand-new solo agent.
10. Realvolve: best for workflow automation
Realvolve is built around customizable workflows that walk you through every task and follow-up step by step, and it offers a free way to get started, per its site. It rewards agents who like to build repeatable systems. The trade-off: the automation has a learning curve, so it asks for setup time up front.
What's the best real estate CRM overall?
Follow Up Boss is the best real estate CRM overall for new agents who plan to work online leads, because its whole design points at fast, consistent follow-up. If your budget rules that out, Wise Agent delivers the most value for a solo agent, and HubSpot's free plan is the best way to start at no cost. Match the tool to how you get business. Buy leads, and a follow-up engine pays for itself. Work your sphere, and an all-in-one like IXACT Contact fits better.
How much does a real estate CRM cost?
Most real estate CRMs cost between $0 and $60 per user per month, with premium lead-gen platforms running well above that. Free options like HubSpot and Zoho cover the basics. Mid-tier agent CRMs such as Wise Agent, IXACT Contact, and Follow Up Boss land in the $46 to $58 range. Full lead-gen platforms like Top Producer, BoldTrail, and Lofty start near $179 a month or quote custom pricing. Many of these tools come bundled through your brokerage, so ask before you pay out of pocket.
Is a free CRM good enough when you're starting out?
Yes, a free CRM is good enough for your first year if you have more time than leads. HubSpot's free plan and Zoho's free tier for up to 3 users both organize contacts and track deals well enough to build solid habits. You'll feel the limits once your lead volume climbs and you want automated follow-up across calls, texts, and email. The smart move: start free, learn the habit of logging every contact, then upgrade to a paid CRM when the volume justifies it.
The takeaway
The best CRM is the one you'll open every day. Pick based on how you get business and what you can afford right now, set it up this week, and log every single contact. Follow Up Boss for follow-up, Wise Agent or HubSpot for budget, IXACT Contact for staying top of mind. Any of these beats a notebook and a good memory.
A CRM keeps your contacts straight. Knowing what to say, when to call, and how to turn those contacts into closings is the part that builds a career. That's exactly what we teach. Explore US Realty Training's career courses and learn how to run the business behind the software.
TL;DR: The best real estate CRM for most new agents is Follow Up Boss, because it makes follow-up almost automatic. If money is tight, Wise Agent and HubSpot's free plan do the job for far less. Premium lead-gen platforms like BoldTrail and Lofty are powerful but cost more than a first-year agent usually needs.
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