Best CRM Software with Marketing Automation 2025: Pricing & Features Compared

TLDR

Businesses are buying CRM platforms not only for contact storage but because CRM pricing now directly affects acquisition cost, retention rates, and automation workload. The fastest-growing segment is CRM software with automation built-in, because it reduces manual follow-up, simplifies onboarding, and prevents leaks in the pipeline.

Looking for affordable CRM pricing or a cheaper CRM alternative?
Here is a comparison you can act on immediately.

Best CRM Platforms for Marketing Automation: 2025 Pricing

Quick takeaways:
GoHighLevel is the least expensive when you need automation, funnels, and multichannel follow-ups combined.
Salesforce scales but requires setup time.
HubSpot becomes expensive once you add workflows or multi-pipeline support.

Cost Calculator (Quick Estimator)

Estimate typical monthly cost:

• 1-3 users + automation + scheduling = 97 CAD-497 CAD
• 4-7 users + pipeline + pipelines + integrations = 350-900 CAD
• 8+ users + reporting + custom objects = 900 CAD-2500 CAD

Cost changes fast when workflows, email-sending volumes, or additional seats are added.

Why CRM Pricing Matters in 2025

CRM is usually the central place for:

• appointment scheduling
• inbound leads
• retention automation
• client onboarding
• upsell workflows

Choosing poorly forces businesses into stacking extra tools for SMS, email automation, funnel building, and reporting.
One platform with automation means lower cost and fewer failed follow-ups.

Most Affordable CRM With Automation

If you want automation without stacking add-ons, HighLevel leads because it includes:

• email and SMS triggers
• pipeline automation
• nurture campaigns
• booking links
• mobile app
• white-label options

GHL can replace: Calendly, Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, Typeform, Google Sheets, Zapier. That cost consolidation is the key reason agencies switch.

CRM Features You Should Expect in 2025

CRM systems at minimum should support:

• automation based on status or time delays
• segmentation by activity, tags, stage
• multi-calendar management
• form and funnel data in one profile
• analytics showing movement between stages

If any platform forces you to stitch external tools for this, your total cost increases.

Still Choosing? Side-by-Side Comparison

Value decision logic:

• Want full automation without addons? Choose GoHighLevel.
• Want minimal complexity and slow upgrades? HubSpot works.
• Want enterprise integrations? Salesforce stays dominant.

What matters more for you right now, price or scale?

How CRM Automation Pays Off

Automation speeds up deals because the system touches leads automatically until they reply:

Examples:

• text reminders after missed calls
• review requests
• reactivation SMS 30-90 days after purchase
• abandoned cart reminders for service bookings

Instead of hiring staff for follow-ups, automation repeats tasks accurately.

CRM for Retention, Not Only Acquisition

The longest ROI in CRM is post-purchase:

• repeat scheduling
• upgrades
• referral automation
• community building
• loyalty offers

Existing users convert 50 to 70 percent more often than cold leads, so CRM data becomes long-term value, not only acquisition tracking.

Commercial FAQ

How much does CRM software cost in 2025?

Entry level ranges from 25-100 CAD per month, but automation-ready systems typically run 97-500 CAD depending on number of users.

What is the cheapest CRM with built-in marketing automation?

GoHighLevel is currently cheapest when calculating automation + SMS triggers + scheduling + funnels inside one subscription.

Is GoHighLevel worth it long term?

If automation volume grows beyond 100 contacts per month, yes, because multiple tools get replaced and support time lowers.

HubSpot vs GoHighLevel, which is better value?

HubSpot is cost-effective only when used at basic level. The moment sequences, automation branching, multi-user provisioning, and transactional messaging are added, GoHighLevel’s total cost becomes lower.

page updated : 08/12/2025