CRM marketing automation with AI is like giving your sales and marketing strategies a shot of espresso — it wakes them up, gets them moving, and keeps them productive all day.
If you’re a business owner, marketer, or sales lead who’s tired of juggling data, missing leads, and feeling like your CRM is stuck in the Stone Age, it’s time to explore the next generation of automation.
AI-powered CRM systems are essential for staying competitive, personalizing campaigns, and keeping customers happy without breaking a sweat.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- How we chose the best platforms
- 13 top platforms for automated customer relationship management
- 9 ways AI improves CRM strategies
- Signs your CRM system desperately needs AI
- Next steps with the top AI-powered CRM automation solution
The 13 best CRM marketing automation platforms: TL;DR
Choosing the right CRM marketing automation platform is like picking a dance partner — you need one that matches your rhythm without stepping on your toes.
Here's a quick look at 13 platforms that bring something unique to the table:
- Lindy: The best all-around CRM and sales automation software. Lindy agents tackle everything from lead enrichment to automated follow-ups, so you can go back to closing deals instead of managing data.
- Salesforce: With pretty extensive customization options, Salesforce combines CRM and marketing automation to create tailor-made solutions for companies and corporations.
- HubSpot: A very user-friendly platform that integrates marketing automation, email campaigns, and great analytics into one intuitive dashboard.
- Pipedrive: Super for small businesses, Pipedrive simplifies CRM data entry with its visual sales pipeline and automated task reminders.
- Moosend: Moosend focuses on email marketing automation while giving you easy-to-use templates and personalization features to keep your campaigns on point.
- Rejoiner: Specializing in those horrible cart abandonment emails, Rejoiner helps e-commerce businesses recover lost revenue with hyper-targeted messaging.
- Keap: Ideal for solopreneurs and small teams, Keap combines CRM and email automation into a straightforward platform that’s easy to implement.
- ClickUp: A task management tool with great CRM capabilities, ClickUp is great for aligning sales and marketing teams in one unified space.
- Sugar CRM: Sugar CRM shines in customer data management, offering real-time updates and predictive analytics to improve decision-making.
- Monday: Monday bridges the gap between project management and CRM, making it a versatile option for multi-functional teams.
- Insightly: With a robust relationship-linking feature, Insightly helps track connections between contacts, organizations, and projects.
- Apptio: Focused on financial data, Apptio’s CRM tools optimize spending and improve ROI on IT resources, making it perfect for tech-heavy industries.
- Salesmate: Designed for sales teams, Salesmate simplifies lead tracking, follow-ups, and email automation in a cost-effective package.
How we chose the top CRM marketing automation platforms
Picking these platforms wasn’t as simple as throwing darts at a board (though that does sound fun). We rolled up our sleeves and judged them based on key factors that actually matter when you’re trying to automate.
Here’s what we prioritized:
- Data accuracy and reliability: No one has time for bots that send emails to retired milk farmers. These platforms had to deliver accurate, up-to-date customer data every time.
- Easy to integrate: Compatibility is everything. We only included platforms that play nice with your existing tech stack — CRMs, email tools, or even that weird app your boss insists on using.
- Scalability and customization: Whether you’re a small startup or a sprawling enterprise, the chosen platforms can grow with you and adapt to your specific needs.
- They have to love their UX: Because no one wants to spend three hours figuring out how to sync their calendar.
- A good amount of marketing features: Automation isn’t just about saving time — it’s about doing smarter marketing, too.
- Real-time updates and automation: Stale data? Not here. The best platforms keep you in the loop with instant updates and workflows.
- Cost-efficiency: Fancy features are great, but they have to fit your budget. We checked for value-packed options that don’t make your accountant cry. (They can cry if they want to, though.)
- Security and compliance: GDPR, HIPAA, and all those acronyms — these platforms take them seriously so you don’t end up on the news for the wrong reasons.
Top 13 AI marketing automation tools for CRM
1. Lindy
Lindy gives you smarter CRM marketing automation powered by Lindy agents, AI assistants that act on pre-made templates, or easy-to-use no-code automations.
Why it will rock your world:
- Lead lists in minutes: Let Lindy agents create accurate, enriched prospect lists faster than you can find a parking spot at Costco.
- Emails that feel human: Forget spammy templates — Lindy writes personalized email sequences so good, they might actually get a reply. Watch Lindy negotiate a partnership deal on auto.
- Lead scoring: Focus on the leads that actually matter, not the ones who ghost your emails. Watch Lindy get leads from emails, enrich them, and then automatically scale your outreach.
- Automation for the boring bits: Repetitive CRM and knowledge base jobs? Delegated. Lindy handles customer follow-ups, re-engagement campaigns, and more. Plus, Lindy will use that knowledge to write emails, answer customer queries, or do whatever you need it to.
- Sync everything smoothly: From Salesforce to HubSpot, Lindy integrates effortlessly with your CRM to keep data where you need it.
Who will love Lindy:
Lindy isn’t just a tool; it’s your ticket out of CRM busywork hell. Sales teams tired of drowning in follow-ups will find salvation, while marketers looking for smarter personalization and lead enrichment will jump with joy. SMBs will love its simplicity, and enterprises will appreciate its scalability. If “automated CRM with marketing automation” is on your wishlist, you’ve hit the jackpot.
Pricing:
Starts at $99/month, with a free plan to dip your toes in. Affordable, powerful, and perfect for CRM automation without the sticker shock.
The bottom line:
Lindy agents are here to elevate your whole automation game, from lead generation to personalized marketing (and beyond) — it transforms CRM automation into a competitive advantage.
2. Salesforce
A CRM mainstay with powerful automation capabilities.
Why you’ll like it:
- Endless customization: Tweak workflows, dashboards, and data to fit your exact needs like a perfectly tailored (data-driven) suit.
- AI-powered insights: Einstein AI predicts customer behavior, keeping you two steps ahead in the game.
- Cross-department synergy: Unify sales, customer service, and other teams with streamlined collaboration and visibility.
- Workflow automation: Eliminate repetitive jobs by automating follow-ups, approvals, and processes.
- Scalable for growth: From startups to enterprises, Salesforce scales effortlessly to fit any stage of business.
Who will love Salesforce:
Enterprises that thrive on customization and need centralized data across departments. Its scalability makes it a favorite for fast-growing teams managing complex customer interactions.
Pricing:
Plans start at $25 per user/month, with premium features like Einstein AI available in higher tiers, up to $165/mo.
The bottom line:
Salesforce is a big player, but it’s not exactly plug-and-play. It’s best for organizations that can dedicate time to learning its vast features. Our takeaway? You can integrate it with Lindy to get the best out of it.
3. HubSpot
An all-in-one platform that combines CRM and marketing automation.
Why it’s so great:
- Easy to use: HubSpot’s intuitive interface is perfect for anyone — even tech newbies.
- Built-in marketing tools: Manage email campaigns, landing pages, and social scheduling without switching platforms.
- Lead tracking gusto: Track prospects’ activity and map out exactly where they are in the buyer’s journey.
- Content creation helper: Blogging and SEO tools are built right in for effortless content-driven marketing.
- Freemium perks: A robust free CRM with optional upgrades as your business scales.
Who will love HubSpot:
Small businesses, startups, and marketing teams that want a CRM that’s easy to use but doesn’t skimp on features. It’s ideal for those who want automation without Salesforce’s complexity.
Pricing:
Starts free, with paid plans for Marketing Hub and Sales Hub beginning at $15/month. Then, it moves up to the Pro plan, which goes up to $800 per month for 3 seats.
The bottom line:
HubSpot’s simplicity and versatility make it a favorite for SMBs. Just watch out for higher-tier pricing as your team grows. Did we mention it also integrates with Lindy? Just saying.
4. Pipedrive
A CRM designed with sales teams in mind.
Why it can help:
- Visual pipeline management: Drag-and-drop simplicity makes tracking deals straightforward and painless.
- Sales-focused automation: Set up triggers for follow-ups and reminders to keep deals moving along.
- AI deal predictions: Pipedrive’s AI assistant offers insights to help you close more deals faster.
- Activity tracking: Track calls, emails, and meetings in real-time to monitor your sales team’s performance.
- Mobile app power: Take your deals on the go with a powerful app that’s as sleek as the desktop version.
Who will love Pipedrive:
Sales teams and agencies looking for an intuitive CRM to streamline deal tracking and pipeline visibility. It’s not overloaded with features, making it perfect for smaller teams focused on sales.
Pricing:
Starts at $24 per user/month, with more advanced features in higher plans, going up to $129.
The bottom line:
Pipedrive is a straightforward, sales-centric CRM that keeps things efficient and user-friendly. Just don’t expect heavy marketing features.
5. Moosend
An email marketing and automation platform with a CRM twist.
Why it could be a good fit:
- Drag-and-drop email builder: Create polished, professional emails with minimal effort.
- Personalized campaigns: Segment audiences for tailored messaging that converts.
- Automated flows: Set up email sequences to nurture leads while you focus on closing deals.
- Data insights: Analyze performance metrics like open rates and click-throughs to refine your strategy.
- Affordable pricing: Powerful features without breaking the bank.
Who will love Moosend:
Startups and SMBs that rely heavily on email marketing but want CRM-style insights to drive better campaigns.
Pricing:
Plans start at $9/month, with a free trial available.
The bottom line:
Moosend’s simplicity and cost-effectiveness make it ideal for small teams. It’s a niche option for email-heavy strategies, but it won’t replace a full-fledged CRM.
6. Rejoiner
The eCommerce email whisperer — or so it says.
Why it’s pretty good:
- Emails that don’t ghost you: Behavior-based campaigns send emails when your customers are most likely to engage.
- Cart recovery: Turn “maybe later” shoppers into paying customers without breaking a sweat.
- Life-of-the-party tracking: Follow your customers through their lifecycle like a responsible stalker (but, you know, legal).
- Dedicated human help: Rejoiner gives you an actual person to guide your email strategy, not just a bot.
- Show me the money metrics: Tracks revenue per email to keep your campaigns focused on ROI, not just clicks.
Who will love Rejoiner:
ECommerce brands drowning in abandoned carts and looking for an email strategy that makes sales instead of spamming inboxes.
Pricing:
The Rejoiner platform price starts at $25 for 1000 contacts. They price it by the number of contacts on a sliding scale. For example, it is $495 per month for 30,000 contacts.
The bottom line:
Rejoiner is great if you sell online. But if you’re outside the eCommerce bubble, it’s probably not your jam.
7. Keap
The small business app that loves multitasking.
Why it’s a good option:
- Robots doing your busywork: Automate emails, follow-ups, and more without hiring extra hands.
- Payments made painless: Invoices, reminders, and even payments all happen right in the CRM.
- Marketing and sales = besties: Keap keeps your campaigns and leads cozy in one place.
- Tag it like it’s hot: Sort and segment your leads faster than your mom sorts her spice rack.
- Text ‘em if you got ‘em: Built-in SMS marketing so you can slide into inboxes and phones.
Who will love Keap:
Small businesses craving one system for marketing, sales, and getting paid without feeling like they need a degree in data science.
Pricing:
Starts at $299/month. Pricier, but hey, it’s cheaper than hiring another employee.
The bottom line:
It’s great for SMBs. Just don’t expect it to replace enterprise-level systems.
8. ClickUp
The “is it a CRM or a project manager?” wildcard.
Why it’s a great choice:
- Dashboards that make sense: Build custom workspaces without crying into your coffee.
- Integrations for days: Sync it with Slack, Google Workspace, or whatever app you’re married to.
- CRM-lite on the side: Track deals and contacts while managing your projects like a pro.
- Teamwork that doesn’t suck: Share files, assign tasks, and get stuff done without 15 meetings.
- Budget-friendly brilliance: Power features without the CFO side-eye.
Who will love ClickUp:
Startups and scrappy teams juggling projects and customer relationships with no time for bloated systems.
Pricing:
Free plan; paid plans start at $7/user/month. A steal for what it offers.
The bottom line:
ClickUp is perfect if you’re all about multitasking, but deep-dive CRM fans might find it a little lightweight.
9. SugarCRM
The sweet spot for AI insights and flexibility.
Why it’s a great option:
- Predictive AI: Predict customer behavior and spot churn before it happens.
- Your way, your place: Cloud, on-premise, or wherever you want your data to live.
- Customer deets on lock: Unified data gives you the whole story, not just the headlines.
- Plays nice with others: Integrates with all your favorite apps, even the ones you forgot you had.
- Automates well: Turns tedious tasks into “done and done.”
Who will love SugarCRM:
Mid-to-large companies wanting customizable CRM with AI tricks up its sleeve. Perfect for businesses that need flexibility and a sprinkle of fancy.
Pricing:
Starts at $19/user/month. More features = more dollars, naturally.
The bottom line:
SugarCRM is loaded with features but takes time to master.
10. Monday
The visual workhorse that handles plenty of tasks.
Why it’s solid:
- Pipeline zen: Drag-and-drop boards to make sense of your sales chaos.
- Automate the boring stuff: Follow-ups and status updates happen while you sip coffee.
- Team harmony: Collaborate without wanting to flip the table.
- DIY CRM vibes: Build what you need, whether it’s pipelines, dashboards, or snack schedules.
- Small biz to big biz: Scales like a champ, so you don’t outgrow it.
Who will love Monday:
Agencies and SMBs looking for a one-stop shop for projects and pipelines — without the corporate fuss.
Pricing:
Free plan available; paid plans start at $12/user/month, going up to $24/user/month. Affordable and customizable.
The bottom line:
Monday is a workhorse for multitasking, but hardcore CRM users may want more depth.
11. Insightly
The jack-of-all-trades CRM that keeps things simple.
Why it’d be a pretty nice fit for you:
- Lead management made easy: Track leads, convert them to opportunities, and keep deals flowing smoothly.
- Integration party: Syncs with Gmail, Outlook, and more, so your favorite tools are always within reach.
- Pipeline clarity: Visual pipelines help you track sales progress without a detective’s magnifying glass.
- Custom dashboards: Tailor your CRM view to show what actually matters to you.
- Mobile-friendly features: Manage your CRM on the go because deals don’t wait for desk time.
Who will love Insightly:
Small businesses and project-oriented teams looking for a lightweight yet functional CRM that doesn’t make them pull their hair out.
Pricing:
Starts at $29/user/month for the Plus plan and goes up to $99/user/month. Scales up for larger teams and advanced features.
The bottom line:
Insightly balances ease of use with solid functionality, but it’s not the best choice if you need hardcore analytics or enterprise-level depth.
12. Apptio
The financial brainiac for tracking IT spending and ROI.
Why it’s so great:
- Expense clarity: Understand where your IT budget goes and get control over spending.
- Cost-cutting insights: Identifies areas where you can save without sacrificing results.
- Project ROI tracking: See which projects bring value and which are just draining resources.
- Cloud-savvy tools: Optimizes cloud spending to prevent surprise bills.
- Data-driven decisions: AI-backed analytics help you make smarter choices faster.
Who will love Apptio:
Finance and IT teams juggling big budgets and trying to balance cost efficiency with performance.
Pricing:
Custom pricing based on business size and needs. Translation: Bring your budget, and let’s talk.
The bottom line:
Apptio is a lifesaver for cost-conscious IT departments but might feel overkill for teams without complex financial tracking needs.
13. Salesmate
The small business CRM that punches above its weight.
Why you’d like it:
- Automated follow-ups: Nurture leads like a champ without spending hours chasing emails.
- Built-in calling features: Call prospects directly from the CRM and keep track of conversations.
- Visual sales pipeline: Drag-and-drop ease for deal tracking and pipeline management.
- Email templates: Prebuilt templates save time and help you sound polished.
- Affordable excellence: Gives you premium features without draining your wallet.
Who will love Salesmate:
Sales-focused small businesses and startups looking for a no-frills CRM with just the right amount of functionality. And hey, you can use it with Lindy!
Pricing:
Starts at $29/user/month, and scales up to $79/user/month, with a custom Enterprise plan available.
The bottom line:
Salesmate offers a lot for a little, but don’t expect enterprise-level bells and whistles. Ideal for lean teams that prioritize value.
How AI levels up CRM and sales automation
AI CAN turn your CRM into a bit of an efficiency machine.
Let’s go over the ways it can help:
- True data detective: AI digs through mountains of customer behavior data to uncover golden insights. And it will do it all without spouting hard-boiled dialogue while looking out the car window.
- Lead scoring to the max: Why waste time on cold leads? AI instantly ranks prospects so you can focus on the ones practically begging to buy.
- Predicts the future: AI forecasts customer moves, from predicting churn to spotting their next purchase.
- Turns boring jobs into AI’s problem: You can let AI handle the data entry and follow-ups while your team focuses on winning clients and doing a cool victory dance.
- Plays defense for customer retention: AI detects early signs of unhappy customers and helps you swoop in with offers to keep them hooked.
- Never ghost a customer again: AI chatbots and real-time engagement tools keep prospects engaged no matter what channel they’re on.
- Marketing budgets that work smarter, not harder: AI optimizes your campaign spend, ensuring every dollar earns its keep.
- Emails that write themselves: Use AI to whip up email templates that are so tailored that your prospects will think you wrote them just for them (don’t worry, we won’t tell).
- Keeps you ahead of the cool kids: Other companies are adopting AI faster than TikTok trends. Don’t get left behind in yesterday’s marketing strategies.
Why your team needs automated CRM tools
If your CRM is starting to feel more like a glorified Rolodex than a growth enabler, it might be time to call in the AI cavalry.
Here are the glaring signs your team is ready for the upgrade:
- Data entry eating your lunch hour: If your sales team spends more time inputting data than closing deals, AI can step in and automate those mind-numbing tasks.
- Focusing on leads colder than your office AC: Without AI-powered lead scoring, you might be chasing dead ends while the real opportunities slip through your fingers.
- Customer relationships feeling meh: Struggling to remember key details about clients? AI helps you stay proactive with real-time data and reminders that make you look like a relationship guru.
- Lost clients who ghost without warning: Traditional CRMs don’t catch the subtle warning signs of churn. AI flags the red flags before it’s too late.
- Follow-ups falling through the cracks: Forgetting to follow up because you're juggling too many prospects? AI keeps track and gently nudges you when it’s time to make your move.
- Marketing campaigns on autopilot fail: If your campaigns feel generic, AI-driven personalization can tailor messaging so every prospect feels like they’re your #1 priority.
- Missed opportunities for cross-sells and upsells: AI analyzes purchasing patterns and customer behavior to suggest the perfect “Oh, by the way” offer.
FAQs
Which businesses can benefit from CRM marketing automation?
If your business deals with customers — spoiler alert: that’s every business — CRM marketing automation is what you want. Think SMBs looking for a leg up, enterprises wrangling tons of customer data, or agencies tired of logging calls manually.
Basically, if you’ve got clients, a pulse, and want more time to enjoy your coffee, automated CRM tools are your jam.
Why is CRM marketing automation important?
It’s the difference between juggling flaming torches and simply switching on a light. CRM marketing automation works on repetitive jobs — think lead generation, customer follow-ups, and email campaigns — so you can focus on actual strategy.
It aligns sales and marketing teams, improves lead scoring, and personalizes customer outreach in a way that makes your prospects feel like they’re your one-and-only. Without it, you’re left drowning in spreadsheets and wishing you’d become a yoga instructor instead.
What are CRM tools?
CRM tools (or customer relationship management platforms, for those who like syllables) are like a do-it-all for managing customer interactions. They track emails, schedule follow-ups, analyze sales data, and even send personalized birthday emails — all in one place.
Whether it’s AI-powered CRM tools predicting customer behavior or plain vanilla systems keeping your contact list tidy, these platforms are here to save your team from disorganized chaos.
What are some challenges of implementing AI in CRM marketing?
Sure, AI-powered CRM sounds like magic, but setting it up isn’t all rainbows and unicorns. First, there’s the dreaded data migration — moving your customer info from an old system into the new one is like untangling Christmas lights.
Then there’s team adoption: You’ll always have that one coworker who insists spreadsheets are “just fine.” And don’t forget compliance and security concerns when handling sensitive customer data. But the biggest challenge? Fighting the temptation to name your AI assistant something ridiculous like CRM-y McCRMface.
Summing up
AI CRM automation is more than a buzzword — it’s the ace in the hole your team needs to stay ahead of the curve.
If your team is spending more time on admin jobs than building relationships, or if you’re missing out on hot leads because your CRM is stuck in the past, it’s time to upgrade.
The right AI CRM platform doesn’t just streamline processes (oops) — it makes your team smarter, your customers happier, and your bottom line healthier.
Next steps: Ditch the CRM chaos with Lindy
Managing customer relationships without automation feels like herding cats — only the cats are spreadsheets, endless emails, and missed follow-ups.
Enter Lindy agents: AI-powered, chaos-taming, no-code companions ready to transform your CRM game.
Why Lindy will rock your CRM world:
- Generate and qualify leads automatically: Stop wasting time on unqualified leads. Lindy automatically identifies high-potential prospects who meet your criteria so your sales team can focus on closing deals. Using its conversational AI, Lindy can assess whether leads are worth your time or not from email conversations. It all goes straight into your CRM.
- Enrich leads with zero effort: Lindy can help you enrich those leads, pulling information from LinkedIn or other social media to let you get ahead of the game and know them fully before you even get started.
- Effortlessly scale your outreach game: Create societies of Lindies to handle more lead volumes, qualify those leads, and improve responses over time through shared learning.
- Use your knowledge in your favor: Lindy can search your knowledge base (a compendium of your resources) to answer queries, write emails, create content, and more. CRM updates? No problem at all.
- Integrate easily: Your favorite apps, Lindy’s playground. Whether it’s Salesforce, your marketing platform, or your email system, Lindy connects the dots, keeping all your data unified and actionable.
- Make it yours: No coding? No problem. Customize Lindy agents to match your brand’s style and personality. They’ll sound as professional (or as casual) as you want — no awkward bot vibes here.
- Connect with your favorite apps: Connect Lindy with a plethora of applications, including CRMs, email marketing platforms, and more. You can integrate data analysis platforms like Salesforce to feed these insights into Lindy.
- A world beyond CRM marketing automation: There are Lindy agents for virtually any task under the sun, from content creation to meeting management and beyond.