The 5 Best CRMs for Marketing Agencies (2026): Which One Scales With Your Clients?
Ranked for agencies that manage leads and campaigns for clients.
On This Page
- What Agencies Need From a CRM
- 1. GoHighLevel: Best Overall CRM for Agencies
- 2. HubSpot: Best for Agencies Implementing a Mainstream CRM
- 3. Keap: Sales Automation for Small Businesses
- 4. Systeme.io: Budget Option for Creator-Focused Agencies
- 5. Kartra: For Agencies Serving Course Creators
- How We Ranked These CRMs
- Which CRM Should Your Agency Choose?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Agencies Need From a CRM
A marketing agency's CRM has a harder job than most. It needs to keep each client's contacts separate, automate follow-up across text, email and calls, show results clients can understand, and ideally carry the agency's own brand. Pricing matters too: a CRM that charges per seat or per contact gets expensive as you add clients.
We ranked these CRMs on client account management, automation, texting and calling, white labeling, ease of use and how pricing scales. Prices are as published on each company's site.
| Rank | CRM | Client Accounts | Texting | White Label | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GoHighLevel | Yes, unlimited from $297/mo | Built in | Yes | $97/mo |
| 2 | HubSpot | Separate subscriptions per client | Via add-ons | No | Free; seats from about $20/mo |
| 3 | Keap | Separate subscriptions per client | Paid tiers | No | $299/mo (billed yearly) |
| 4 | Systeme.io | No | No | No | Free; from $17/mo |
| 5 | Kartra | No | Not a focus | No | $59/mo |
1. GoHighLevel: Best Overall CRM for Agencies
GoHighLevel was built for agencies. Each client gets a sub-account with its own contacts, pipelines, funnels, calendars and phone numbers, and the Unlimited plan covers unlimited clients for $297 a month. Two-way texting, calling, missed-call text back, review requests and workflows are built in, contacts and users are unlimited, and you can white-label the platform with your own domain. Snapshots let you launch a proven setup for each new client in minutes, and Agency Pro's SaaS Mode lets you resell it as software.
The trade-offs are a learning curve and usage fees for texts, calls and email, which you can rebill to clients on Unlimited and Agency Pro. There's a 14-day free trial. Read our GoHighLevel review.
2. HubSpot: Best for Agencies Implementing a Mainstream CRM
HubSpot is the CRM many larger businesses already use, with polished tools, deep reporting and a vast integration marketplace. Agencies often work with HubSpot through its partner program, setting it up and running campaigns inside each client's own HubSpot account. Costs rise per seat and with contacts, and there's no white labeling or sub-account model. See GoHighLevel vs HubSpot.
3. Keap: Sales Automation for Small Businesses
Keap offers CRM, email and sales automation with a long history among small businesses. Its pricing page lists plans from $299 a month billed yearly, with two users included and extra users at $39 a month. It isn't built for managing many client accounts from one login, so it suits agencies serving a few larger clients who each hold their own subscription.
4. Systeme.io: Budget Option for Creator-Focused Agencies
Systeme.io isn't a full agency CRM, but its free plan and low prices make it useful for agencies whose clients are creators selling courses or digital products. It includes funnels, email, courses and an affiliate program manager, without texting or client sub-accounts. See GoHighLevel vs Systeme.io.
5. Kartra: For Agencies Serving Course Creators
Kartra bundles pages, checkout, email and memberships for creators, from $59 a month. Like Systeme.io, it's better as a tool for one client than as agency software. See GoHighLevel vs Kartra.
How We Ranked These CRMs
| Criterion | Why It Matters for Agencies |
|---|---|
| Client account management | Keeps each client's data and setup separate |
| Multi-channel automation | Fast follow-up by text, email and calls wins clients results |
| White labeling | Lets you present the software as part of your service |
| Pricing model | Flat pricing scales better than per-seat or per-contact fees |
| Templates and setup speed | Snapshots and templates cut onboarding time |
Which CRM Should Your Agency Choose?
- Most agencies: GoHighLevel, for client sub-accounts, texting, white labeling and flat pricing.
- Agencies serving larger companies already on HubSpot: HubSpot, working in each client's account.
- Agencies serving creators on a budget: Systeme.io or Kartra, per client.
Starting out? Read our step-by-step guide on how to start a marketing agency with GoHighLevel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What CRM Do Most Marketing Agencies Use?
Many small and mid-size agencies use GoHighLevel because of its client sub-accounts and flat pricing; agencies serving larger companies often work in HubSpot.
What Is the Cheapest CRM for an Agency?
Systeme.io and HubSpot have free plans, but for managing many clients, GoHighLevel's Unlimited plan is often the best value.
Can I White-Label a CRM for Clients?
Yes, with GoHighLevel. The other CRMs here don't offer white labeling.
Do Agencies Need a CRM With Texting?
For local and service clients, yes. Fast text follow-up and missed-call text back are among the most requested features.
Start With Our #1 Pick
GoHighLevel is our top CRM for marketing agencies. Try it free for 14 days.