CRM for nonprofits free: eight options whose own pages state a $0 plan or program

Free CRM options for nonprofits, with the limits each vendor states

A nonprofit can get a CRM for free in three ways: a fundraising platform that includes a donor database at no charge, a nonprofit program that grants licenses, or the capped free tier of a general CRM. Every row below was confirmed on the vendor's own page on 3 October 2026.

Built for nonprofits: Givebutter, Zeffy, Salesforce and CiviCRM

Givebutter says its fundraising tools and CRM cost nothing because donors are invited to leave a tip. It also states you will not be charged for contacts in the free CRM. A paid add-on, Givebutter Plus, starts at $29 per month for automation and other extras.

Zeffy states its price is $0 with no platform or card fees, paid for by optional donor contributions. It is a fundraising platform first, with donor management inside it.

Salesforce gives eligible nonprofits 10 Nonprofit Cloud Core licenses at no cost. That is a large platform with several paid editions above it, so decide who will set it up and maintain it before you apply.

CiviCRM is open source. The software is free, and the project points to hosting providers for groups that do not run their own server.

General free tiers: HubSpot, Zoho CRM, Bigin and Capsule

These are not built for nonprofits, but each vendor states a free plan on its own page. The caps differ a lot. Zoho CRM allows three users. HubSpot allows two users and 1,000 contacts. Capsule allows two users and 250 contacts. Bigin allows one user and 500 records.

None of the four records gifts or issues receipts. They suit volunteer follow-up, partner lists and board contacts. HubSpot's nonprofit program is a 40% discount on its Professional and Enterprise editions, not a free plan, and it excludes Starter.

Worked example: which free option holds 600 records and two coordinators

Take a volunteer program with two coordinators and 600 people on file.

• Fits: HubSpot (2 users, under 1,000 contacts), Zoho CRM (up to 3 users), Givebutter, Zeffy, Salesforce licenses, CiviCRM.
• Does not fit: Bigin's free plan (1 user, 500 records) and Capsule's free plan (250 contacts).

Add a third coordinator and HubSpot's free tier no longer fits. Pass 1,000 contacts and it no longer fits either. Plan for the cap you will hit first. Our minimum fields list helps keep records lean.

Is Less Annoying CRM free for nonprofits?

No. Less Annoying CRM has a 30-day free trial and then costs $15 per user per month. Its help center says it offers no discounts, and its nonprofit page quotes the same price. Two coordinators cost $30 per month, or $360 a year before tax.

What that buys over a capped free tier is no stated record cap below the 50,000 guideline, free phone and email support, and no upgrade ladder. Whether that is worth $360 is a fair question. Our keep the spreadsheet test and the pricing page help answer it.

When a paid tool is worth it

Pay when the free option's cap or missing feature costs staff time every week. If you need gift receipts and reports, a paid donor database such as Little Green Light at $45 per month is a clearer path than stretching a general free tier. Compare paid options in our CRM guide for small nonprofits.