CRM tests for freelancers
Same sample client, same steps, same scorecard. See which plan each CRM needs to get from first inquiry to paid invoice, and what that plan costs.
Test client · fictional
Juniper Lane BakeryLaunch package: three 30-second social videos for a second shop opening
By trade
Video editors, designers and photographers sell work the same way: a quote, a signature, a deposit, the files, a final invoice. Eight CRMs, what each costs one creative and a three-person studio, and which plan covers every step.
Reviews
HubSpot's free plan holds 2 users and 1,000 contacts, takes Stripe payments and sends invoices. For a new account, it can't send a quote or collect a signature, and that stops the test client at step 3.
Compare
Both run a solo service business from inquiry to paid invoice. On paper the full test client needs HoneyBook Essentials or Dubsado Premier, and the price gap, the fees and the gates differ.
Compare
Six CRMs with a free plan, the exact limit on each, and how far each gets through the test client before it stops. None of the free plans can send a proposal, collect a signature and take the deposit.
Reviews
HighLevel's Starter plan is $97 a month with unlimited users, and texts, calls, email and AI are billed on top. For one person it costs about three times a client-work CRM; at five seats the gap closes.
Compare
For one seller, HubSpot Starter is $20 a month at its regular price, and Pipedrive's plans run $14 to $79 billed yearly. Neither sends a proposal, gets it signed and takes the deposit in one plan for a new account.
By trade
The same test client, with this trade's own line items. One trade at a time, starting with mine.
| CRM | 1 seat | 3 seats | 5 seats | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workspace369Mark's pick | $23.25 | $69.25 | $89.25 | read 2026-10-28 |
| HubSpot | $0 | $60 | $100 | read 2026-10-28 |
| HoneyBook | $29 | $49 | $109 | read 2026-10-28 |
| Dubsado | $27.92 | $27.92 | $52.92 | read 2026-10-28 |
| Pipedrive | $14 | $42 | $70 | read 2026-10-28 |
How I test
Every score is computed from these weights. No one types a score in, and nothing pays the site, so nothing can buy one.
Read the method
