What happens after you connect with someone on WhatsApp during an event?
Chances are, nothing. Because it can get overwhelming if there’s a whole bunch of people you want to keep in touch with, from several different events. This is where a good CRM system comes in handy.
A CRM can help you keep track of who you met at an event, provide a space for any notes you need to keep and have an overview of your interaction history. This blog post explores the best WhatsApp CRM tools of 2025, including folk and other leading platforms, to help you find the right solution for your business needs.
4 key benefits of using a CRM to keep your business contacts in WhatsApp organized
Integrating WhatsApp with a CRM system offers numerous advantages for businesses looking to streamline communication and build stronger customer relationships. Here’s a detailed look at the key benefits.
1. Better lead management
You can use WhatsApp to capture leads through QR codes or website integrations and then add them to your CRM. This way, the CRM then categorizes and scores these leads, helping businesses focus on high-priority prospects.
2. Data-driven insights
Exporting your WhatsApp contacts to a CRM provides analytics on customer interactions, such as response times, message open rates, and engagement trends. These insights help businesses refine their strategies and make data-driven decisions to improve performance.
3. Automation of repetitive tasks
With a CRM, you can automate tasks such as sending welcome messages, appointment reminders, and follow-ups in one place. These automated workflows save time while ensuring consistent communication with customers.
4. Centralized communication
Businesses often juggle multiple communication channels, which can lead to inefficiencies. A CRM consolidates all customer interactions into a single platform, ensuring no message gets lost. This centralization is particularly valuable for businesses with remote or distributed teams.
Top 5 WhatsApp CRM Tools in 2025
1. folk
folk CRM is a user-friendly platform designed to help businesses build genuine client connections and streamline their client management processes.
Why it’s great
- WhatsApp Quick Access: Open WhatsApp in one click directly from the contact's profile when their phone number is filled in, ensuring efficient communication.
- Contact Management: Consolidate and sync contacts from various sources, including Gmail, Outlook, and LinkedIn.
- Pipeline Management: Customize pipelines to match your workflow and manage deals effectively.
- Email Campaigns: Create and send personalized email sequences to nurture relationships.
Pricing
There is a 14 day free trial. After that, a monthly or annual subscription plan is as follows.
- Standard plan: $20 per user, per month.
- Premium plan: $40 per user, per month.
- Custom plan: Starts from $80 per user, per month.
2. HubSpot
HubSpot CRM is a comprehensive platform that integrates marketing, sales, and customer service tools.
Why it’s great
- WhatsApp Integration: Manage WhatsApp conversations directly from HubSpot’s shared inbox.
- Automated Messaging: Set up workflows to automate and personalize WhatsApp messages.
- CRM Synchronization: Seamlessly track customer information and interactions within the CRM.
Pricing
HubSpot has a few plans depending on your needs. The following is their sales hub plan.
- Starter plan: $20 per user, per month.
- Professional plan: $100 per user, per month.
- Enterprise plan: $150 per user, per month.
3. Zoho
Zoho CRM offers a robust suite of tools designed to enhance customer engagement and streamline business processes.
Why it’s great
- WhatsApp Business Integration: Interact with customers via WhatsApp directly from your CRM account.
- Automated Messaging: Configure WhatsApp templates within Zoho CRM to automate business messages.
- Real-Time Notifications: Notify CRM users when a customer messages via WhatsApp.
Pricing
Zoho’s free plan is limited to three users. After that, for more features and seats, an annual subscription plan is as follows:
- Standard: $14 per user, per month.
- Professional: $23 per user, per month.
- Enterprise: $40 per user, per month.
4. Pipedrive
Pipedrive is a sales-focused CRM designed to help businesses manage leads and deals efficiently.
Why it’s great
- WhatsApp Integration via Third-Party Apps: While Pipedrive doesn't offer native WhatsApp integration, it can be connected through third-party applications to manage WhatsApp conversations.
- Visual Sales Pipeline: Provides a clear overview of your sales process to track deals effectively.
- Activity Management: Schedule and manage activities to stay on top of your sales tasks.
Pricing
Pipedrive’s annual subscription plan basis is as follows.
- Essential plan: Starts from $24 per user, per month.
- Advanced plan: Starts from $44 per user, per month.
- Professional plan: Starts from $64 per user, per month.
- Power plan: Starts from $79 per user, per month.
- Enterprise plan: Starts from $129 per user, per month.
5. Freshsales CRM
Freshsales CRM is a customer relationship management tool by Freshworks, designed to streamline sales processes and improve customer interactions.
Why it’s great
- WhatsApp Integration: Integrate WhatsApp to log and monitor all interactions, ensuring a complete communication history.
- Automated Messaging: Send automated WhatsApp messages triggered by CRM events, such as new deals or contact updates.
- Lead Scoring: Prioritize leads based on engagement to focus on high-potential prospects.
Pricing
Through Freshworks, Freshsales is available as a suite, or as a standalone product. The following is a highlevel overview of Freshsales as a standalone product.
- Growth: Starts from $9/user/month.
- Pro: Starts from $39/user/month.
- Enterprise: Starts from $49/user/month.
How to choose the best CRM for your WhatsApp needs
Wondering where to start in your search for a compatible CRM system? Here are some key factors to guide you.
1. Review its integration capabilities
Your WhatsApp usage may be fairly light. Chances are you might be looking for an all-rounder that can support your social selling strategy and sales goals too. On top of its WhatsApp compatibility, make sure to check if it also integrates with other tools your business uses, such as email marketing software, project management tools, or accounting systems.
2. Ease of use
Looking for a CRM with a short implementation time? Choose one with an intuitive user interface that your team can quickly adopt without extensive training. CRMs like folk are built with user-friendliness in mind, allowing you to get started from day one. Features such as drag-and-drop pipelines, pre-built templates, and easy configuration can save time and simplify the onboarding process.
3. Mobile accessibility
Given the mobile-first nature of WhatsApp, you’ll want to ensure the CRM has a mobile app or responsive design for easy access on the go. This is especially important for senior directors on the go who may need to respond promptly from their phones during an event.
4. Automation features
A good CRM should allow automation for tasks like sending follow-ups, notifications, and bulk messages. Advanced automation features, such as chatbots or AI-driven workflows, can further enhance efficiency and save time.
5. Scalability
Consider plans that offer flexibility, so you can upgrade as your needs evolve. This way, you know it’s a CRM that can grow with your business. Look for solutions that support increasing customer volumes and team expansions without compromising performance.
Conclusion
If you often use WhatsApp to stay in touch with your contacts, it’s clear that choosing the right CRM can help you streamline the way you manage your business relationships. Each of the platforms mentioned offers unique features tailored to different business needs. Make sure you evaluate your specific requirements to choose the CRM that best aligns with your objectives.
More resources
Discover folk - the CRM for people-powered businesses
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