CRM and Project Management: 11 Best Tools & Strategies
Ryan Tanner
Product Marketing Specialist
Sep 8, 2026
Ryan Tanner
Sep 8, 2026
15 min read
Managing customer relationships and internal projects separately creates bottlenecks, duplicate work, and misaligned priorities- an approach that limits growth for modern businesses. An all-in-one CRM and project management solution streamlines workflows by combining client management, task tracking, and team collaboration into a single platform.
Instead of juggling multiple tools, businesses can rely on CRM project management software to centralize communication, improve accountability, and boost overall efficiency. We reviewed the top platforms available today, listing choices for teams seeking seamless integration of CRM, project management, and communication. Here is a list of the top 11 CRM and project management platforms at a glance:
- Lark: Best for All-in-one CRM + project management
- Salesforce: Best for enterprises managing sales & projects
- Zoho CRM: Best for small businesses
- HubSpot CRM: Best for marketing & sales teams
- Nimble: Best for small businesses & freelancers
- Front: Best for complex customer operations and cross-team collaboration
- Insightly: Best for SMBs managing projects and clients
- ClickUp CRM: Best for task-focused teams
- Monday.com CRM: Best for teams needing flexible workflows
- Flowlu: Best for SMBs needing an all-in-one solution
- Bitrix24: Best for teams needing collaboration + CRM
Differences: CRM project management vs. project management with CRM
When exploring CRM and project management software, it's essential to understand the subtle difference between the two approaches:
- CRM project management: This approach combines two distinct systems — your CRM system management tool for customer data and a project management CRM software for internal tasks. The goal is to bridge them together so sales, support, and project delivery stay aligned.
- Project management with CRM: Here, the CRM itself has built-in project management features, enabling teams to manage customer interactions, track tasks, and streamline project workflows within a single, all-in-one platform.
Must-have features in CRM and project management software
When evaluating CRM and project management software, the actual value lies in how seamlessly it combines customer-focused tools with project execution capabilities—while also enabling collaboration and automation. The best platforms don't just help you manage clients; they also streamline internal workflows, allowing the teams to deliver projects faster and with greater transparency. Below are the must-have features every project management CRM should provide:
- Core CRM features
- Centralized customer & account database: Keep all client records, documents, and details in one secure hub. This ensures every team, from sales to support, has instant access to accurate information.
- Deal and pipeline tracking: Visualize and monitor leads as they progress through the sales funnel. This helps businesses forecast revenue and identify opportunities to close deals more quickly.
- Client communication history: Maintain a complete record of emails, calls, and meetings with every customer. This ensures consistent relationship management, even as team members change.
- Project management features
- Integrated task and project dashboards: Organize projects with clear dashboards showing progress, owners, and deadlines. Teams stay aligned and accountable without juggling multiple tools.
- Resource allocation & time tracking: Assign workloads efficiently and measure time spent on billable vs. non-billable tasks. This ensures better resource utilization and improved profitability.
- Shared calendars & scheduling: Sync schedules, milestones, and client deliverables in one shared calendar. This keeps everyone on track with project timelines and reduces delays.
- Collaboration & automation features
- Real-time collaboration: Enable instant communication with chat, docs, and video meetings in one place. Tools like Lark Messenger & Docs reduce friction and speed up decision-making.
- Automated workflows: Use AI to handle repetitive tasks like an automated approval, task assignments, or status updates. This frees teams to focus on higher-value work and boosts efficiency.
- File sharing & version control: Store, share, and co-edit documents in a central library. Version control ensures teams always work on the latest file without confusion.
By combining CRM, project management, and collaboration tools in a single workspace, platforms like Lark stand out—offering customer data management, task tracking, and real-time teamwork in one streamlined solution.
Quick guide: Leading CRM and project management platforms
11 best CRM and project management software options
No. 1: Lark: Best for all-in-one CRM + project management
Lark is an all-in-one CRM and project management tool designed to unify customer data, project tracking, and team collaboration in a single workspace. Unlike standalone systems, Lark simplifies workflows by combining relational databases, task management, and communication features, making it a true project management CRM software. Its automation and no-code customization are particularly valuable for procurement, purchasing, supply chain, and operations teams that need to track vendors, manage approvals, and monitor project timelines without switching between tools. By offering real-time collaboration, AI-driven workflow automation, and cost efficiency, Lark ensures businesses can handle both CRM projects and operational tasks seamlessly, making it a top choice for growing teams.
Key features:
- Relational databases with Lark Base: Lark Base empowers teams to create powerful relational databases, organizing customer information, vendors, and project details in one centralized location. Users can link data across multiple tables to gain deeper insights and streamline reporting. This ensures procurement, operations, and supply chain personnel have a single source of truth. With improved data visibility, this CRM project management software enables teams to make faster and more accurate decisions.
- AI-driven workflow automation: With Lark's AI-driven automation, repetitive tasks such as approvals, status updates, and task assignments can be completed automatically. This reduces manual workload, minimizes errors, and keeps projects moving forward without delays. Teams gain more time to focus on strategic decisions rather than administrative processes. The result is higher efficiency, making it one of the best CRM and project management software choices for modern businesses.
- Visual project insights: Lark provides visual dashboards that turn complex data into actionable insights at a glance. Teams can monitor progress, deadlines, and resource allocation in real time. These insights enable managers to make informed decisions quickly and enhance overall project performance. By visualizing key metrics, this project management CRM ensures teams stay proactive instead of reactive.
- No-code customizable solutions: Lark empowers users to tailor workflows, dashboards, and databases without technical expertise. Its no-code flexibility ensures businesses can adapt the platform to fit unique processes. From procurement tracking to client projects, customization enhances efficiency across operations. This adaptability makes it a future-proof all-in-one CRM and project management tool for diverse industries.
- Unified collaboration & cost-effective platform: By combining chat, docs, video meetings, and project tools in one place, Lark eliminates the need for multiple apps. This not only enhances cross-team collaboration but also significantly reduces costs. Companies benefit from an all-in-one platform that scales affordably as they grow. Its versatility makes it suitable as both a CRM with a project management solution for SMBs and a powerful tool for large enterprises.
Best for: Lark is best for businesses seeking an all-in-one CRM and project management solution that unifies customer data, workflows, and collaboration. It’s especially valuable for procurement, supply chain, purchasing, and operations teams that need to manage vendors, track projects, and communicate seamlessly within a single platform.
Why it stands out: Unlike traditional tools that separate CRM and task management, Lark offers CRM and project management combined in a single workspace. Its AI-driven automation, relational databases, and real-time collaboration features make it one of the best CRM project management software options for teams that prioritize both efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
- Starter plan: Free forever for up to 20 users, perfect for small teams testing CRM and project management software. Includes 100GB storage, 1,000 automation runs, AI translations, and access to 11 core tools for managing both customers and projects.
- Pro plan: $12/user/month (billed annually) for growing teams of up to 500 users. Adds advanced features like group calls with 500 attendees, 15TB storage, 50,000 automation runs, and enhanced collaboration—ideal for scaling project management with CRM.
- Enterprise plan: Contact sales for custom pricing. Designed for large organizations with unlimited users, offering robust automation, compliance, advanced security, and enterprise-grade CRM project management features.
5 Best CRM software with project management features
1. Salesforce: Best for enterprises
Salesforce is primarily a CRM system management platform, but it also extends into project management with CRM features through add-ons and integrations. For large enterprises, this combination enables sales, service, and operations teams to work from a single customer database while managing projects, tasks, and workflows in a unified environment. Its flexibility and scalability make Salesforce a trusted choice for organizations that need more than customer relationship management—they need a connected ecosystem that also supports project execution.
Image source: salesforce.com
Features:
- Comprehensive lead, deal, and pipeline management with AI-powered forecasting.
- Built-in task and project tracking through Salesforce Tasks and integrated apps.
- Customizable workflows and automation for approvals, reporting, and resource planning.
- Collaboration tools, such as Chatter and Slack, are used for real-time updates and communication.
- Enterprise-grade compliance, advanced data security, and role-based permissions.
Best for: Enterprises seeking CRM with project management features that centralize customer data and extend into project delivery, ensuring all departments operate in sync.
Why it stands out: Salesforce stands out because it’s not just a CRM—it evolves into a complete CRM and project management tool with its ecosystem of apps, AI analytics, and workflow customization, making it the top choice for global organizations.
Pricing: Starts at $25/user/month, with higher tiers offering advanced customization, automation, and enterprise-level features.
2. Zoho CRM: Best for small businesses
Zoho CRM is a budget-friendly yet powerful CRM with project management capabilities designed for SMBs. It enables businesses to manage leads, contacts, and pipelines while also tracking tasks, projects, and deliverables within the same system. With strong automation and an intuitive interface, Zoho makes it easy for smaller teams to handle both customer relationships and project workflows without switching tools.
Image source: zoho.com
Features:
- Centralized lead, contact, and pipeline tracking for customer management.
- Integrated task management for assigning and monitoring deliverables.
- Workflow automation to streamline repetitive processes.
- Integration with Zoho Projects for advanced project management needs.
- AI-powered sales assistant (Zia) for predictive insights and recommendations.
Best for: Small businesses that want CRM and project management combined in an affordable, easy-to-use solution.
Why it stands out: Zoho CRM delivers enterprise-grade functionality at SMB-friendly pricing, making it one of the best CRM project management software tools for growing teams
Pricing: Starting at $14/user/month, with flexible tiers to suit different needs.
3. HubSpot CRM: Best for marketing & sales teams
HubSpot CRM is recognized for its robust marketing and sales capabilities, but it also offers project management CRM software features, including task management, workflows, and integrations. It helps marketing and sales teams track campaigns, manage pipelines, and coordinate projects without the need for multiple tools. For organizations that prioritize lead generation and campaign execution, HubSpot ensures seamless alignment.
Image source: hubspot.com
Features:
- Free CRM with built-in contact and deal tracking.
- Task assignment and activity tracking for project coordination.
- Automated workflows for marketing, sales, and service teams.
- Robust reporting dashboards for campaign and project performance.
- Extensive integrations with project management tools like Asana and Trello.
Best for: Marketing and sales teams seeking a CRM with project management features to align campaigns with client deliverables.
Why it stands out: HubSpot offers a free entry point and deep marketing automation, making it ideal for teams focused on sales and campaign-driven projects.
Pricing: A free plan is available; paid plans start at $15/user/month.
4. Nimble: Best for small businesses & freelancers
Nimble is a lightweight, social-driven CRM project management tool ideal for freelancers and small businesses. It seamlessly integrates contact management with simple task tracking, enabling professionals to stay organized while effectively managing client relationships. With its focus on social insights and ease of use, Nimble is ideal for solo users and small teams managing multiple client projects.
Image source: nimble.com
Features:
- Unified contact management with social media profile integration.
- Task and activity tracking for client projects.
- Workflow automation for follow-ups and reminders.
- Simple project pipelines to manage opportunities.
- Integration with productivity apps like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.
Best for: Freelancers and small businesses needing a simple CRM and task management software solution to manage both clients and projects.
Why it stands out: Nimble focuses on simplicity and social integration, making it one of the most user-friendly CRM and project tools for independent professionals.
Pricing: $24.90/user/month, with all features included.
5. Insightly: Best for SMBs managing client projects
Insightly combines CRM and project management software in one platform, making it ideal for SMBs that need to manage customers and project deliverables side by side. It includes pipeline management, task tracking, and detailed project workflows, giving businesses complete visibility from lead to project execution. Its emphasis on connecting sales and delivery makes it popular with service-based companies.
Image source: insightly.com
Features:
- Lead, opportunity, and pipeline management with advanced reporting.
- Built-in project management module with milestones and task dependencies.
- Workflow automation to streamline processes across teams.
- Email tracking and client communication history.
- Integration with apps like QuickBooks, Slack, and Gmail.
Best for: SMBs that need project management with CRM to manage client relationships and deliverables in one place.
Why it stands out: Insightly provides a rare balance of customer management and detailed project workflows, making it one of the best CRM and project management software tools for SMBs.
Pricing: Starts at $29/user/month, with advanced plans for growing teams.
6. Front: Best for complex customer operations and cross-team collaboration
Front is a customer operations platform that goes beyond traditional CRM by centralizing communication and project workflows into a single interface. It is specifically designed for teams that manage complex customer inquiries requiring coordination across different departments. By bridging the gap between a shared inbox and project management, Front ensures that every customer interaction is informed by full context, helping teams resolve issues faster and more accurately.
Image source: front.com
Features:
- Shared inbox and collaboration tools to manage high-volume customer communication.
- Front AI for automated drafting, categorization, and resolving complex requests.
- Integrated multi-step workflows to automate handoffs between sales and support.
- Real-time internal commenting and shared context for seamless team alignment.
Best for: Teams with complex customer operations that require seamless coordination between support, sales, and internal departments.
Why it stands out: Front stands out by turning communication into action. Unlike siloed CRMs, it integrates conversation and coordination into a single interface, making it ideal for businesses that prioritize fast, accurate, and collaborative customer experiences.
Pricing: Starts at $25/user/month, with higher tiers offering advanced automation and enterprise-level analytics.
4 Best project management software with CRM features
1. ClickUp CRM: Best for task-focused teams
ClickUp is primarily a project management CRM software that helps teams prioritize tasks while also managing client relationships. Its flexible task views, dashboards, and automation features make it ideal for teams that want to manage projects first, with CRM functionality layered in. ClickUp ensures that workflows, deadlines, and customer data are all visible in one workspace.
Image source: clickup.com
Features:
- Customizable task lists, boards, and Gantt charts for project tracking.
- CRM pipelines to manage leads, deals, and client information.
- Automated workflows to reduce repetitive tasks.
- Real-time collaboration with comments, mentions, and shared docs.
- Reporting dashboards for project and sales performance tracking.
Best for: Teams that prioritize task and project management but need CRM with project management capabilities to track client interactions.
Why it stands out: ClickUp combines detailed project tracking with CRM features in a highly visual and customizable interface, making it one of the best CRM project management software options for task-focused teams.
Pricing: A free plan is available; paid plans start at $7 per user per month.
2. Monday.com CRM: Best for flexible workflows
Monday.com is a project management-first platform that now integrates robust CRM project management features. It enables teams to manage pipelines, track projects, and collaborate seamlessly with visual boards and automation tools. Its flexibility makes it suitable for a wide range of workflows, from marketing campaigns to operations and sales.
Image source: monday.com
Features:
- Visual boards, timelines, and dashboards to manage projects and clients.
- CRM pipelines to handle leads, contacts, and opportunities.
- Automation for recurring tasks and notifications.
- Collaboration tools with file sharing, comments, and team tagging.
- Integration with multiple business apps for a connected workspace.
Best for: Teams seeking project management with CRM for flexible workflows across departments.
Why it stands out: Monday.com offers highly adaptable boards and automation, making it one of the best CRM and project management tools for teams that need flexibility in project and client management.
Pricing: Paid plans start at $12/user/month, with enterprise options available.
3. Flowlu: Best for SMBs needing all-in-one
Flowlu is an all-in-one project management CRM software designed for SMBs that need both client management and project tracking in one platform. It combines CRM pipelines, invoicing, task management, and financial insights, enabling small teams to manage operations efficiently without the need for multiple tools.
Image source: flowlu.com
Features:
- CRM pipelines to track leads, deals, and contacts.
- Project and task management with timelines and milestones.
- Invoicing and financial tracking for client projects.
- Automation for workflows, approvals, and notifications.
- Collaboration tools for team communication and file sharing.
Best for: Small and medium businesses that want CRM and project management combined in a single, affordable platform.
Why it stands out: Flowlu integrates financial, project, and CRM tools in one workspace, making it one of the best CRM project management software solutions for SMBs.
Pricing: A free plan is available; paid plans start at $ 9 per user/month.
4. Bitrix24: Best for collaboration-heavy teams
Bitrix24 is a project management-first platform with robust CRM and project management features, emphasizing collaboration and communication. It includes task and project management, CRM pipelines, chat, video calls, and document management, making it ideal for teams that rely heavily on teamwork while managing clients.
Image source: bitrix24.com
Features:
- Task and project management with timelines, Gantt charts, and Kanban boards.
- Built-in CRM to manage leads, contacts, and deals.
- Real-time collaboration with chat, calls, and video conferencing.
- Automation for repetitive tasks and notifications.
- Document management and shared workspaces for team projects.
Best for: Teams that prioritize collaboration and need CRM with project management to coordinate clients, tasks, and communication in one platform.
Why it stands out: Bitrix24 offers a comprehensive all-in-one workspace combining CRM, project management, and team collaboration, making it one of the best CRM project management software solutions for collaboration-heavy teams.
Pricing: A free plan is available; paid plans start at $49/month for 5 users.
Advantages of using CRM with project management
- Faster deal-to-project conversion: Closing a deal shouldn't slow down project kickoff. With Lark, you can automatically turn new deals into actionable projects, so your team moves faster and nothing falls through the cracks. This seamless transition makes CRM and project management combined easier to manage for procurement, operations, and client projects.
- Consistent client communication: Keeping clients informed is easier when all interactions are centralized in one place. Lark stores emails, calls, and notes centrally, ensuring consistent communication across teams. With CRM task management features, everyone stays on the same page, and client messaging is unified.
- Less duplicate data entry: Entering the same info in multiple systems is tedious and error-prone. Lark shares data across CRM with project management functions, reducing repetitive work. Teams can focus on strategic tasks rather than manual entry, improving overall efficiency.
- More accurate forecasting: Predicting revenue and project timelines becomes simpler when your data is integrated and unified. Lark provides real-time insights from both deals and projects, helping teams forecast more accurately. Its project management CRM software capabilities ensure resources and timelines are continually optimized.
- Higher customer retention: Happy clients tend to stay longer, and staying on top of their needs is crucial. With Lark, you can track client interactions, project updates, and follow-ups all in one place, boosting satisfaction and loyalty. Using CRM and project management software effectively strengthens trust and encourages repeat business.
Conclusion
Businesses that combine CRM and project management gain faster workflows, improved forecasting, and stronger customer relationships. Using an all-in-one CRM and project management tool like Lark unifies project tracking, client data, and team collaboration in a single platform. From task management and automated workflows to real-time communication, Lark helps teams streamline processes, reduce duplicate work, and deliver projects on time. By integrating CRM project management software into daily operations, businesses can boost efficiency, enhance customer satisfaction, and retain clients more effectively. Selecting a platform that supports both customer and project management is crucial for growth.
FAQs
How does CRM and project management software help small businesses?
For small businesses, combining CRM and project management helps streamline workflows, track leads, and manage client projects more efficiently without the need to juggle multiple tools. It reduces manual data entry, improves forecasting, and ensures projects are delivered on time. Platforms like Lark combine customer data, task management, and collaboration in one workspace, making it ideal for SMBs. Try Lark to simplify operations and keep both clients and projects on track effortlessly.
What features should a CRM with project management have?
A robust CRM project management software should include centralized client databases, task and project dashboards, automated workflows, and collaboration tools like chat and shared docs. Integration and reporting features are also key to tracking performance efficiently. Lark offers all these capabilities, combining CRM, project tracking, and real-time collaboration in one platform. Teams can experience smoother workflows and better client management.
Can ClickUp CRM manage both tasks and projects?
Yes, ClickUp CRM enables teams to track tasks, milestones, and project timelines, while also managing client information through pipelines. However, it can require multiple setups for full CRM project integration. Lark provides a more unified approach, combining CRM with project management in a single workspace. This ensures tasks, projects, and client data are seamlessly connected. Try Lark for a complete, all-in-one solution.
What is the difference between CRM vs project management software?
CRM software focuses on managing customer relationships, sales pipelines, and client data, while project management tools prioritize task tracking, deadlines, and resource allocation. Using separate tools can create silos and inefficiencies. Lark merges both functions as an all-in-one CRM and project management platform, giving teams a single source of truth for projects and client relationships. Experience smoother operations by trying Lark today.
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Start using Lark today
Manage all your work in one place
Boost team efficiency by 10x
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Table of contents
Start using Lark today
Manage all your work in one place
Boost team efficiency by 10x
Save up to 70% on software costs
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