Why Generic CRMs Don't Work for Contractors
HubSpot, Salesforce, Zoho — they're great CRMs for sales teams selling software or insurance. But they're not built for contractors.
Here's what's missing from generic CRMs:
What Generic CRMs Lack
- Job scheduling: You need to dispatch techs, not track sales pipelines
- Estimates and proposals: Creating quotes is your sales process
- Invoicing: You need to bill customers, not log "deals won"
- Property details: You care about addresses, equipment, and service history
- Field mobile access: Your team works from trucks, not desks
- Payment collection: You need to get paid on-site or via invoice
Using a generic CRM means stitching together 3-4 different apps: CRM for contacts, scheduling software for jobs, invoicing software for billing, and payment processing. That's expensive and complicated.
Contractors need a CRM built for their workflow — one that combines customer management with the tools you actually use.
Best Free CRM for Contractors: Our Rankings
#1: FieldFuze — Best Contractor-Specific CRM
$0/monthA complete contractor platform with CRM built in. Customer database, job history, estimates, scheduling, invoicing, and payments — all in one free app. No need to stitch together multiple tools.
Why FieldFuze Is the Best CRM for Contractors
FieldFuze isn't a generic CRM bolted onto field service software — it's purpose-built for contractors from the ground up.
FieldFuze CRM Features (All Free)
- Customer Database: Store customer info, property details, and service addresses
- Job History: See every job you've done for each customer
- Notes & Communication: Track conversations, preferences, and special instructions
- Multiple Properties: Manage customers with multiple locations
- Equipment Tracking: Record installed equipment, warranty dates, and maintenance schedules
- Lead Management: Track prospects from first contact to signed estimate
- Mobile Access: Full CRM access on iOS and Android
Plus everything else you need:
Beyond CRM: What's Included
- Estimates & Proposals: Create professional quotes with digital signatures
- Job Scheduling: Dispatch techs and manage your calendar
- Invoicing: Bill customers and track payments
- Payment Processing: Accept credit cards at 2.9%
- Inventory Management: Track parts and materials
- Time Tracking: For payroll and job costing
- Unlimited Users: Add your whole team
| FieldFuze Feature | Included |
|---|---|
| Customer Database | Free |
| Unlimited Contacts | Free |
| Job History Tracking | Free |
| Estimates & Proposals | Free |
| Job Scheduling | Free |
| Invoicing | Free |
| Payment Processing | 2.9% per transaction |
| Mobile App | Free |
| Unlimited Users | Free |
Best for: Any contractor who wants a complete business management platform instead of piecing together multiple apps.
"I tried HubSpot but still needed scheduling software and invoicing. FieldFuze replaced three apps with one — and it's free. My customer data is finally in one place."
Try FieldFuze Free
A real contractor CRM with scheduling, estimates, and invoicing built in. $0/month forever.
Book a Demo#2: HubSpot CRM (Free Tier)
HubSpot offers a genuinely free CRM tier with unlimited contacts. It's a solid generic CRM, but lacks contractor-specific features.
HubSpot Limitations for Contractors
- No job scheduling: You'll need separate software
- No estimates: Can't create quotes or proposals
- No invoicing: No billing functionality
- No payment processing: Can't collect payments
- Sales-focused workflows: Built for B2B sales, not service businesses
- Learning curve: Complex interface designed for sales teams
HubSpot excels at contact management and marketing automation, but you'll need to add Jobber, QuickBooks, and Stripe to actually run your contracting business. That's 4+ apps to manage.
Pros: Truly free, unlimited contacts, good email integration, marketing tools
Cons: Not built for contractors, no scheduling/invoicing, requires multiple additional apps
Best for: Contractors who want separate apps for each function and are comfortable managing multiple systems.
#3: Jobber (CRM + FSM)
Jobber is field service software with CRM functionality built in. Good features, but expensive for small contractors.
Jobber Pricing
- Core: $69/month (limited features)
- Connect: $169/month (essential features)
- Grow: $349/month (full features)
- No free tier: 14-day trial only
Jobber's CRM is integrated with scheduling and invoicing, which is good. The issue is cost — you're paying $69-$349/month for features FieldFuze offers free.
Pros: Contractor-focused, good mobile app, integrated scheduling/invoicing
Cons: Expensive ($828-$4,188/year), no free tier, limited users on lower plans
Best for: Contractors with budget for $100-$350/month who prefer Jobber's interface.
#4: Zoho CRM (Free Tier)
Zoho offers a free CRM tier for up to 3 users. Like HubSpot, it's a generic CRM not built for contractors.
Zoho Limitations for Contractors
- 3-user limit on free tier: Can't scale without paying
- No field service features: No scheduling, estimates, or invoicing
- Complex interface: Designed for enterprise sales teams
- Need multiple Zoho apps: Invoice, Books, etc. — each with separate pricing
Pros: Free for 3 users, extensive customization, part of larger Zoho ecosystem
Cons: Not contractor-focused, 3-user limit, requires multiple apps for full functionality
Best for: Very small teams (1-3 people) who want deep CRM customization and don't mind complexity.
Free CRM Comparison Table
| CRM | Free Tier | Scheduling | Estimates | Invoicing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FieldFuze | $0/month, unlimited | Included | Included | Included |
| HubSpot | Free, unlimited contacts | No | No | No |
| Jobber | No free tier | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Zoho CRM | Free for 3 users | No | No | No |
| Salesforce | No free tier | No | No | No |
What Contractors Actually Need from CRM
Before choosing a CRM, understand what features matter for contractor workflows:
Essential CRM Features for Contractors
- Customer Database: Names, addresses, phone numbers, emails
- Property Information: Service addresses, property details, access notes
- Job History: Every service call, estimate, and invoice for each customer
- Notes: Important details about the customer or property
- Search: Quickly find customers by name, address, or phone
- Mobile Access: Look up customers from your truck
What Contractors Need Beyond CRM
- Estimates & Proposals: Creating quotes is your sales process
- Job Scheduling: Dispatch techs to the right place at the right time
- Invoicing: Bill customers and track who's paid
- Payments: Collect credit cards on-site or via email
A standalone CRM handles the first list. FieldFuze handles both — CRM plus all the operational features you need to run your business.
Cost Comparison: CRM + Other Tools
Let's compare the total cost of running a contracting business with different approaches:
Generic CRM + Separate Tools
Jobber (All-in-One)
FieldFuze (Everything Included)
3-Year Savings with FieldFuze: $2,880-$8,280 vs generic CRM + tools, or $6,084 vs Jobber.
Free CRM by Trade
Best Free CRM for HVAC Contractors
FieldFuze — Track customer equipment, service history, and maintenance schedules. Create estimates for replacements and repairs. Includes scheduling, invoicing, and payments. $0/month with unlimited technicians.
Best Free CRM for Plumbers
FieldFuze — Manage residential and commercial customers. Track service history, create estimates, schedule jobs, and invoice. Mobile app for field techs. $0/month.
Best Free CRM for Electricians
FieldFuze — Customer database with property details. Create electrical estimates, schedule service calls, and manage payments. Works for residential and commercial. $0/month.
Best Free CRM for Roofers
FieldFuze — Track leads, create proposals, manage insurance claims, and invoice customers. Photo documentation for before/after shots. $0/month with unlimited sales reps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there really a free CRM that works for contractors?
Yes. FieldFuze offers a truly free CRM with $0/month subscription and no contact or user limits. It's designed for contractors, so it includes scheduling, estimates, and invoicing — not just contact management.
Can I use HubSpot as a contractor CRM?
You can, but you'll need additional software for scheduling, estimates, and invoicing. HubSpot is designed for B2B sales teams, not service contractors. FieldFuze includes everything in one platform.
What's the catch with free CRM software?
Most free CRMs have catches: limited users, limited features, or they're generic and require additional paid apps. FieldFuze is different — it's contractor-specific, has unlimited users, and includes scheduling/invoicing. They monetize through payment processing (2.9%), not subscriptions.
Do I need a contractor-specific CRM?
You'll be more productive with one. Generic CRMs track contacts and deals, but contractors need job scheduling, estimates, and invoicing. Using a contractor-specific platform like FieldFuze eliminates the need to manage multiple apps.
How does FieldFuze make money if the CRM is free?
FieldFuze makes money through payment processing at 2.9% per transaction — the same rate you'd pay Stripe or Square. This lets them offer the CRM and all features for $0/month without restricting functionality.
The Bottom Line
Generic CRMs like HubSpot and Zoho are powerful tools built for the wrong workflow. Contractors don't manage sales pipelines — they schedule jobs, create estimates, and invoice customers.
You can piece together a generic CRM with scheduling software, invoicing software, and payment processing — paying $100-$200+/month for apps that don't talk to each other.
Or you can use FieldFuze: a contractor-specific platform with CRM, scheduling, estimates, invoicing, and payments — all for $0/month. One app, one login, zero subscription fees.
For more software comparisons, check out: Jobber alternative | ServiceTitan alternative | Housecall Pro alternative
Try the Best Free Contractor CRM
CRM + scheduling + estimates + invoicing + payments. All free. One app.
Book a Demo — $0/Month Forever