In today’s competitive market, relationships are everything. Whether you’re running a startup, a small business, or a nonprofit, knowing when and how to follow up with leads can make all the difference. That’s where a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system with email tracking becomes your secret weapon.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to break the bank to use one.
This article explores the best free CRM tools with built-in email tracking, helping you monitor engagement, follow up effectively, and grow your relationships—without spending a dime.
What Is Email Tracking in CRM?
Email tracking is a feature that notifies you when your email is opened, clicked, or ignored. Combined with a CRM, it helps you see:
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Who is engaging with your emails
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When they opened your message
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Whether they clicked on links
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How many times they revisited it
This insight allows you to time your follow-ups more effectively and personalize your communication based on actual interest—not guesswork.
Why Free CRM with Email Tracking Matters
Small businesses and teams often face tight budgets. While enterprise-level CRMs offer advanced tools, they’re often too expensive and over-complicated for smaller teams. That’s why free CRM software with email tracking is a game-changer—it levels the playing field by offering powerful features with no upfront cost.
Benefits include:
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✅ Know when a lead is interested—without asking
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✅ Automate follow-ups based on real engagement
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✅ Track all conversations in one place
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✅ Save time by focusing on warm leads
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✅ Improve close rates with better timing
Let’s take a closer look at the top free options on the market today.
Best Free CRMs with Email Tracking
1. HubSpot CRM
Best for: All-in-One Sales and Marketing
Why It Stands Out:
HubSpot CRM is one of the most popular free CRMs—and for good reason. Its email tracking feature is robust and seamlessly integrated into Gmail or Outlook. You can see when an email is opened and what content is clicked, directly inside your CRM timeline.
Key Features:
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Real-time email open and click notifications
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Deal and pipeline management
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Contact and company insights
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Email templates and scheduling
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Integration with Gmail/Outlook
Price: Free forever plan includes email tracking and CRM features.
2. Zoho CRM (Free Edition)
Best for: Small Sales Teams with Global Reach
Why It Stands Out:
Zoho CRM offers a generous free plan for up to three users. It includes basic email tracking, allowing you to see when emails are opened. Though not as real-time as HubSpot, it’s a solid platform with a wide range of features.
Key Features:
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Email templates and basic tracking
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Contact and lead management
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Workflow rules (limited in free version)
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Task reminders and follow-ups
Price: Free for up to 3 users.
3. Freshsales by Freshworks (Free Plan)
Best for: Startups Focused on Sales Growth
Why It Stands Out:
Freshsales includes email tracking even in its free tier, known as Freshsales “Growth Plan.” It provides real-time tracking of email opens and clicks, as well as contact management and a built-in phone dialer.
Key Features:
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Real-time email open and click alerts
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Contact lifecycle tracking
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Built-in chat, phone, and email
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Kanban-style sales pipelines
Price: Free plan available for unlimited users.
4. Streak for Gmail
Best for: Gmail Users Who Want a CRM in Their Inbox
Why It Stands Out:
Streak is a lightweight CRM built into Gmail. It’s perfect for solopreneurs or freelancers who live in their inbox. You can manage deals, track conversations, and get notified when your emails are opened—all without leaving Gmail.
Key Features:
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Email tracking (open notifications)
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Custom pipelines inside Gmail
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Mail merge and templates
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Collaboration tools
Price: Free plan available with email tracking included.
5. Agile CRM (Free Plan)
Best for: Teams That Need Sales + Marketing Features
Why It Stands Out:
Agile CRM offers a rich free plan for up to 10 users. It includes email tracking, lead scoring, and campaign automation—all designed to help your team close more deals efficiently.
Key Features:
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Email tracking and analytics
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Lead scoring and contact timeline
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Sales automation and deal tracking
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Email campaigns and scheduling
Price: Free for up to 10 users with basic features.
How to Choose the Right CRM with Email Tracking
Not all free CRMs are created equal. Here’s how to find the one that suits your needs:
| Criteria | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Intuitive interface, especially for non-tech teams |
| Email Tracking Quality | Real-time notifications, click tracking, history log |
| User Limit | Ensure the free plan allows enough team members |
| Integrations | Gmail, Outlook, marketing tools, etc. |
| Data Storage | Adequate for your contact database growth |
| Scalability | Paid upgrades available when your team grows |
Pro Tips for Using Email Tracking Effectively
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Don’t over-email: Knowing someone opened your message doesn’t mean it’s time to bombard them.
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Personalize follow-ups: Use tracked insights to tailor your next message.
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Test subject lines: Track open rates to see what messaging resonates.
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Respect privacy: Be transparent in how you manage data and follow compliance standards.
Final Thoughts
For small teams, startups, and growing businesses, a free CRM with email tracking provides an edge that used to be reserved for enterprise-level sales departments. With the right tool, you can monitor lead activity, close deals faster, and maintain better customer relationships—all at zero cost.
The best part? You don’t have to commit to a full suite from day one. Start small, test what works, and scale when you’re ready. With options like HubSpot, Freshsales, and Streak, tracking emails and building meaningful connections has never been easier—or more affordable.