Return to ClearCRM vs Insightly 2025: Which CRM Is Better for Your Business?
Choosing the right CRM in 2025 can make or break your business growth. With remote work becoming standard and AI revolutionizing customer relationships, your CRM choice matters more than ever. While established players like Insightly have dominated the market, newer solutions like ClearCRM are challenging the status quo with modern interfaces, powerful AI capabilities, and budget-friendly pricing.
In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll analyze how ClearCRM stacks up against Insightly across key features, pricing, and usability to help you make the best decision for your business needs. Let’s dive in and find the perfect CRM to power your growth in 2025.
CRM Overview: ClearCRM vs Insightly
Before diving into specific features, let’s get a clear picture of what each platform offers and who they’re designed for.
ClearCRM: Modern Simplicity
ClearCRM is a rising star in the CRM space, designed for businesses that want powerful functionality without complexity. Launched with a focus on user experience and affordability, ClearCRM combines sales, marketing, and project management in one intuitive platform.
Key Highlights:
- All-in-one platform for sales, marketing, and project management
- Modern, intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
- Robust AI tools for email drafting, content generation, and automation
- Generous free plan with essential features
- Paid plans from just $9/user/month (billed yearly)
ClearCRM is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a modern, affordable CRM that doesn’t sacrifice functionality for simplicity.
Insightly: Established Project-CRM Hybrid
Insightly has been a player in the CRM market since 2013, building a reputation for strong project management capabilities integrated with traditional CRM functionality. It’s designed to help businesses manage the entire customer journey from lead to completed project.
Key Highlights:
- Strong integration of CRM and project management
- Robust workflow automation capabilities
- Recently added AI features for email summaries and replies
- Extensive customization options
- Paid plans from $29/user/month
Insightly caters to businesses that need sophisticated project management capabilities alongside their CRM functionality, particularly those with complex delivery processes.
Pricing Comparison: ClearCRM vs Insightly
Cost is often a decisive factor when choosing a CRM. Let’s compare the pricing structures of ClearCRM and Insightly to understand which offers better value for your investment.
| Plan Type | ClearCRM | Insightly |
| Free Plan | Yes – Unlimited time, 2 users max, 200 records limit | No free plan (only free trial) |
| Entry-Level | $19/user/month ($9 billed yearly) | $29/user/month (Plus) |
| Mid-Tier | $39/user/month ($19 billed yearly) | $49/user/month (Professional) |
| Advanced | $79/user/month ($39 billed yearly) | $99/user/month (Enterprise) |
| Current Promotion | 60% OFF all plans + additional 50% OFF yearly plans | None advertised |
What’s Included in Each Plan?
ClearCRM Plan Features:
- Free: Lead, contact & deal management, project & task management, built-in email, team chat, basic reports
- Starter: Everything in Free + unlimited records, custom fields, lead routing, triggers & automated emails
- Growth: Everything in Starter + marketing automation, email sequences, landing page builder, AI tools
- Scale: Everything in Growth + document management, eSignature, advanced reporting, unlimited workflow automation
Insightly Plan Features:
- Plus: Basic CRM features, project management, custom fields, mobile app
- Professional: Everything in Plus + workflow automation, custom dashboards, roles & permissions
- Enterprise: Everything in Professional + advanced permissions, validation rules, API access, dedicated support
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Let’s break down how ClearCRM and Insightly compare across key functionality areas that matter most to businesses in 2025.
Ease of Use
ClearCRM
ClearCRM excels with its modern, intuitive interface designed for quick adoption. The clean layout, drag-and-drop functionality, and logical workflow make it easy for new users to get started without extensive training. The Kanban view for deals, leads, and tasks is particularly user-friendly.
Insightly
Insightly offers a comprehensive interface that can feel overwhelming to new users. While powerful, its extensive features create a steeper learning curve. The mobile app is robust but some users report limitations compared to the desktop version.
Automation & Workflow
ClearCRM
ClearCRM offers impressive automation capabilities with triggers, automated emails, and marketing automation in higher-tier plans. The AI tools for content generation and email drafting are particularly valuable for saving time on routine tasks. The workflow builder uses a visual interface that makes creating complex automations accessible to non-technical users.
Insightly
Insightly provides robust workflow automation with strong business process capabilities. Their recently added AI features for email summaries and replies show promise but aren’t as comprehensive as ClearCRM’s AI toolkit. Insightly excels in creating complex business rules and validation for maintaining data integrity.
Built-in Project Management
ClearCRM
ClearCRM offers solid project management capabilities with task creation, assignment, and tracking. The Growth and Scale plans include project templates and checklist templates to streamline repetitive projects. While not as robust as dedicated project management tools, it provides enough functionality for most small to medium businesses.
Insightly
This is where Insightly truly shines. Its project management capabilities are exceptional, with seamless conversion of opportunities to projects after deals close. The pipeline and milestone tracking for projects is comprehensive, and the ability to maintain context between sales and delivery teams is valuable for service-based businesses.
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ClearCRM offers robust project and task management in even its free plan. Try it today and see how it can streamline your workflow.
Customization & Flexibility
ClearCRM
ClearCRM offers unlimited custom fields in paid plans, custom pipelines, and the ability to tailor the platform to your business processes. The white-label branding option in the Starter plan and above is a nice touch for client-facing businesses. While API access is more limited than Insightly, most small businesses won’t find this restrictive.
Insightly
Insightly provides extensive customization options with robust API access for developers. Their customization capabilities are particularly strong for complex business processes and validation rules. As their website notes, “intuitive customization empowers you to easily mold Insightly to your unique business needs” without requiring expensive third-party developers.
Customer Support & Onboarding
ClearCRM
ClearCRM offers 24/7 chatbot support for all plans, with live chat support for paid plans. The help center and video tutorials are comprehensive, and the Scale plan includes a dedicated success manager. The intuitive interface reduces the need for extensive support, but when needed, response times are generally quick.
Insightly
Insightly provides tiered support based on your plan, with more responsive service for higher-tier customers. Their knowledge base is extensive, but some users report longer wait times for support responses compared to newer CRM platforms. Enterprise customers receive priority support and more personalized assistance.
Collaboration & Communication Tools
ClearCRM
ClearCRM stands out with its built-in team chat and unified inbox available even in the free plan. The ability to reference CRM records in chat and attach files directly to records creates a seamless collaboration experience. The customer chat widget in paid plans extends this communication to clients as well.
Insightly
Insightly excels at email management with strong integration capabilities that automatically sync emails to contacts and leads. However, it lacks the built-in team chat functionality that ClearCRM offers. Collaboration happens primarily through comments on records and email communication rather than real-time chat.
AI and Analytics
ClearCRM
ClearCRM has made AI a central part of its offering, with tools for drafting emails, generating content, transcribing audio, and even auto-replying to support tickets. The pre-built reports and dashboards provide clear visibility into business performance, with advanced reporting available in higher-tier plans.
Insightly
Insightly offers strong reporting capabilities with customizable dashboards that provide real-time business insights. Their AI features are newer, focusing primarily on email summaries and replies. The Professional plan allows up to 100 shareable dashboards, while the Enterprise plan offers unlimited dashboards.
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Who Is Each CRM Best For?
Based on our comprehensive comparison, here’s our assessment of which businesses would benefit most from each CRM platform:
ClearCRM is ideal for:
- Small to medium-sized businesses looking for an affordable, all-in-one CRM solution
- Teams prioritizing ease of use who want minimal training time and quick adoption
- Businesses that value modern AI capabilities to automate routine tasks and communications
- Companies with limited IT resources who need a solution that’s easy to set up and maintain
- Startups and growing businesses that need a scalable solution with a free entry point
- Teams that collaborate frequently and benefit from built-in chat and communication tools
“ClearCRM offers the perfect balance of functionality and simplicity. It’s ideal for businesses that want powerful CRM capabilities without the complexity and cost of enterprise solutions.”
Insightly is ideal for:
- Businesses with complex project delivery that need robust project management integrated with CRM
- Companies with sophisticated sales processes requiring extensive customization
- Mid-sized to enterprise organizations with dedicated CRM administrators
- Teams that need advanced reporting and business intelligence capabilities
- Businesses with developer resources who can leverage the extensive API
- Organizations with complex compliance requirements that need advanced validation rules
“Insightly’s strength lies in its project management capabilities and extensive customization options, making it suitable for businesses with complex processes and delivery requirements.”
ClearCRM vs Insightly: Pros and Cons Summary
Let’s summarize the key advantages and limitations of each platform to help you make your final decision:
ClearCRM Pros
- More affordable pricing at all tiers
- Modern, intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
- Comprehensive AI tools for automation and content generation
- Built-in team chat and collaboration features
- Generous free plan for small teams
- All-in-one platform with sales, marketing, and project tools
- Current 60% discount promotion offers exceptional value
ClearCRM Cons
- Newer platform with less market history
- Project management not as robust as Insightly
- Fewer third-party integrations than established competitors
- Limited API access in lower-tier plans
- Less extensive customization for complex enterprise needs
Insightly Pros
- Exceptional project management capabilities
- Extensive customization options for complex businesses
- Strong reporting and dashboard functionality
- Established platform with proven track record
- Robust API for custom integrations
- Advanced validation rules and business process automation
- Comprehensive mobile app experience
Insightly Cons
- Higher price point across all plans
- Steeper learning curve for new users
- No free plan (only free trial)
- Limited AI capabilities compared to ClearCRM
- No built-in team chat functionality
- Interface can feel overwhelming to some users
Conclusion: Which CRM Is Right For Your Business in 2025?
After our comprehensive comparison of ClearCRM vs Insightly, it’s clear that both platforms offer strong CRM capabilities but cater to different business needs and priorities.
ClearCRM emerges as the better choice for small to medium-sized businesses seeking an affordable, user-friendly CRM with modern AI capabilities and built-in collaboration tools. Its all-in-one approach combines sales, marketing, and project management in an intuitive interface that requires minimal training. With a generous free plan and current promotional pricing, ClearCRM offers exceptional value for businesses looking to implement or upgrade their CRM in 2025.
Insightly remains a strong contender for businesses with complex project delivery needs and sophisticated customization requirements. Its robust project management capabilities and extensive customization options make it well-suited for mid-sized to enterprise organizations with dedicated CRM administrators and more complex business processes.
Your final choice should align with your specific business requirements, team size, technical capabilities, and budget. For most small to medium businesses looking for the best combination of features, usability, and value, ClearCRM offers the most compelling package in 2025.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I migrate my data from another CRM to ClearCRM or Insightly?
Yes, both ClearCRM and Insightly support data migration from other CRM platforms. ClearCRM offers CSV data import functionality in all plans, making it easy to transfer your contacts, deals, and other records. Insightly also provides import tools and offers additional migration assistance for enterprise customers. Before migrating, it’s recommended to clean your data and map your fields to ensure a smooth transition.
How do ClearCRM and Insightly handle mobile access?
Both platforms offer mobile applications for iOS and Android devices. ClearCRM’s mobile app provides access to contacts, deals, tasks, and communication features with a clean, intuitive interface that mirrors the desktop experience. Insightly’s mobile app is robust and allows for offline access, though some users report that certain features are limited compared to the desktop version. Both apps allow you to manage your CRM on the go, but ClearCRM’s app tends to be more user-friendly for quick updates.
Which CRM offers better integration with other business tools?
Insightly currently offers more extensive integration capabilities with over 2,000 third-party applications through its AppConnect feature. ClearCRM is expanding its integration ecosystem but currently focuses on core integrations with popular business tools. If you have specific integration requirements with niche software, it’s worth checking compatibility with both platforms before making a decision. For most common business applications, both CRMs offer sufficient integration options.
Is ClearCRM or Insightly better for email marketing?
ClearCRM offers more comprehensive email marketing capabilities, especially in its Growth and Scale plans which include email sequences, templates, and marketing automation features. Insightly provides basic email management and tracking but lacks some of the advanced marketing automation features found in ClearCRM. If email marketing is a priority for your business, ClearCRM’s built-in marketing tools provide better value without requiring additional third-party services.
How secure are ClearCRM and Insightly for storing sensitive customer data?
Both platforms take security seriously. Insightly is SOC 2 Type II certified, offers single sign-on via industry-standard authentication protocols, supports two-factor authentication, and encrypts data in transit and at rest. They also comply with EU/US Privacy Shield, GDPR, and HIPAA requirements. ClearCRM implements similar security measures with data encryption, role-based permissions, and regular security updates. For businesses with specific compliance requirements, it’s recommended to review each platform’s security documentation in detail.