8 Examples of CRM Software for Every Business

When people ask, "What's an example of CRM software?" they usually want something more than a textbook definition. They want to see how these systems actually work in the real world.

Because let's be honest—abstract explanations like "CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management" don't help much when you're trying to choose a tool that will actually make your business run smoother.

By looking at examples of CRM software, you see how different tools solve different problems, whether that's:

• Managing leads
• Automating outreach
• Tracking customer history
• Streamlining pipelines

And when you can compare a side by side example of crm systems, it's a whole lot easier to picture what will work for your business.

In this article, we'll walk through eight examples of CRM systems; some you've probably heard of, and some you might not know yet.

CRM Software Examples: Quick Comparison Table

Before we dive into these management systems, here's a high-level snapshot of the top examples of CRM software you'll see in this article.

This table is meant to give you a quick taste. But keep reading; you'll see why each of these platforms earns a spot on the list, and how they actually work in practice.

Top 8 Examples of CRM Software

Every CRM in this list highlights a different strength. Some focus on sales pipelines, others on marketing automation, and a few aim to do everything under one roof.

Let's look at each one individually so you can decide which approach best fits your business.

Ringy

We built Ringy because we were tired of the headaches that come with juggling multiple tools. Calling software here, email automation there, spreadsheets everywhere—it wasn't just inefficient, it was exhausting. So we created a CRM that does it all in one place.

With our platform, you can:

• Call prospects through our integrated VoIP dialer, complete with local presence so your calls feel familiar.
• Automate follow-ups with SMS and email drip campaigns that keep leads warm without you lifting a finger.
• Track every interaction—calls, texts, emails—without manual logging.
• Score leads automatically, so your sales team spends time on the people most likely to convert.

And unlike most CRM companies, we don't leave you hanging after you sign up. We give you free onboarding, 7-day support, and even weekly webinars to keep you sharp. We know agencies and sales teams don't have time to waste—our job is to make sure your CRM works the way you do from day one.

Salesforce

Salesforce is the granddaddy of CRM software. It's everywhere, and for good reason: it offers massive customization, endless integrations, and powerful analytics. If you're a large enterprise with complex workflows, Salesforce gives you the flexibility to build exactly what you need.

That said, it comes with complexity and cost. For small businesses, it often feels like buying a Ferrari when all you need is a reliable pickup. Still, Salesforce remains the ultimate example of a CRM system at the enterprise level.

HubSpot CRM

HubSpot is synonymous with inbound marketing, and its free CRM is one of the biggest entry points into the space. It's clean, easy to use, and deeply connected to HubSpot's marketing automation tools.

If your growth strategy revolves around content, SEO, and nurturing through educational resources, HubSpot is a great match. The only catch? As your needs expand, the costs rise quickly. It's an example of CRM software that's perfect for marketing-heavy teams just starting out.

Zoho CRM

Zoho has made a name for itself by delivering value. It's affordable, integrates with the wider

Zoho suite, and supports multichannel communication, including:

1. Email
2. Phone
3. Social media
4. Live chat

For small and mid-sized businesses, Zoho is proof that you don't need to spend enterprise money to get enterprise-like features. It's an example of CRM tools that fit neatly into lean budgets.

Pipedrive

Pipedrive is built for sales reps who want visibility without clutter. Its visual pipelines show exactly where deals stand and what needs to happen next.

If you've ever wished your spreadsheet could magically update itself, Pipedrive is the upgrade you're looking for. It's not trying to be everything to everyone; it's a sharp, simple example of CRM software that keeps your pipeline moving.

Microsoft Dynamics 365

If you're already deep in the Microsoft ecosystem, Dynamics 365 makes a lot of sense. It integrates directly with Office, Teams, and Outlook, bringing your CRM into the same flow as your daily productivity tools.

Its strength lies in enterprise-level insights, predictive analytics, and scale. But like Salesforce, it requires serious commitment in terms of budget and resources. It's an example of CRM platform built for giants, not startups.

Freshsales

Freshsales, part of the Freshworks suite, balances simplicity with powerful features. It offers AI-based lead scoring, omnichannel communication, and an interface that feels friendly rather than overwhelming.

It's an example of CRM applications that cover all the bases without forcing you into a steep learning curve. For growing teams that need flexibility, Freshsales hits a sweet spot.

Monday.com CRM

Monday.com started as a project management tool, but its flexibility has made it a strong CRM option. You can design workflows to fit your exact processes with drag-and-drop ease.

That customization is both its strength and weakness. If you know what you want, Monday.com lets you build it. If you're not sure, it can feel like reinventing the wheel.

Still, it's a great example of CRM tools for businesses that want complete control.

Why Real-World Examples Matter in Choosing CRM Software

Seeing features listed on a vendor's website doesn't tell you how a CRM will actually work for your business. That's why real-world examples of CRM systems are so important. They take abstract promises and ground them in use cases you can picture.

CRM Adoption Challenges

One of the most common reasons CRM projects fail is poor adoption. Teams often resist new tools when they don't understand the "why" behind them. If you roll out a CRM that looks great in theory but feels clunky in practice, you'll quickly see users revert to spreadsheets or sticky notes.

That's money wasted.

Looking at an example of crm software shows you what adoption really looks like. For instance, when we designed Ringy, we knew sales reps hated manually logging:

1. Calls
2. Emails
3. Text Messages

So we automated it. Seeing that example—automatic call logging built in—helps you imagine how your team would use it daily.

When you ground your decision in examples, you avoid the nightmare scenario of buying a CRM that no one actually uses.

How Examples Reduce Confusion

Choosing a CRM can feel like shopping in a store where every product promises to "do it all." Without context, it's overwhelming. Real-world examples cut through that noise.

Think about Salesforce.

As an example of CRM software, it makes sense for massive enterprises with complex workflows. But if you're a small insurance agency, seeing that example in action helps you realize it's overkill.

On the flip side, when you see Ringy automatically routing leads to the right rep within minutes, you can picture exactly how that would simplify your sales day.

Examples don't just showcase features—they show fit. That clarity reduces confusion and builds confidence in your choice.

Tying Back to Pain Points

At the end of the day, most businesses share the same CRM pain points: complexity, cost, and lack of results. A real-world example of crm software makes those trade-offs visible. You see which platforms are too expensive for your stage, which ones add unnecessary complexity, and which ones deliver measurable ROI.

For example, many CRMs charge $300–$1,000 for onboarding.

With Ringy, onboarding is free, and that's not just a feature, it's a real-world example of how we put customer success first. Examples like these matter because they address the very pain points that stall CRM adoption in the first place.

How to Choose the Right CRM for Your Business

By now, you've seen multiple examples of CRM tools and how they fit into different contexts.

But knowing what's out there is only half the battle—you still have to decide what's right for you. That choice comes down to clarity: knowing your goals, comparing carefully, and testing before you commit.

Define Your Goals First

If you don't know what you want, every example of CRM software will look tempting. But the truth is, CRMs are built with different priorities in mind. Some are marketing-heavy, others are sales-focused, and a few aim to cover both.

Take a step back and ask yourself: What's the single biggest problem we need to solve? Is it losing leads because follow-ups aren't happening? Is it struggling to track where deals are in the pipeline? Or maybe it's disorganized customer data spread across too many tools?

When you define your goals clearly, the decision-making process gets easier. Instead of chasing shiny features, you focus on what matters most to your team.

Compare Features, Integrations, and Pricing

Once you've set your goals, it's time to evaluate. But here's the catch: two CRMs can look similar on the surface while being worlds apart in practice.

Features matter, but so do integrations. If your example of CRM software doesn't play nicely with your email provider, phone system, or lead vendors, you'll spend more time fixing problems than solving them. Pricing is another critical piece—some platforms look affordable until you realize essential features are hidden behind add-ons.

Here's a quick snapshot of how goals often line up with CRM fit:

This isn't a rigid map, but it shows how matching goals to examples makes the decision less overwhelming.

Importance of Demos and Free Trials

Reading about CRMs is useful, but it's like reading about cars—you don't know how they feel until you test-drive them. That's why demos and free trials are essential. They give you hands-on experience and reveal whether the system fits your workflow or slows it down.

We take this seriously at Ringy. Our demos aren't generic slide decks—they're real walkthroughs that show you exactly how features like lead scoring, AI marketing tools, and drip campaigns fit into your day-to-day. Free trials and demos give you confidence, and confidence is what makes adoption successful.

Why Examples of CRM Software Make All the Difference

The difference between theory and practice is everything when it comes to an example of CRM software. You can read definitions all day, but until you see real-world examples of CRM software, it's hard to understand how they'll impact your business.

If you're serious about choosing a CRM that works in the real world—not just on paper—start with a demo. We'll walk you through Ringy's automation, lead management, and communication tools so you can see exactly how they fit your business.

Contact us to learn how our software is changing customer relationships and sales, one deal at a time.