2026 Industry Research

Which CRMs Do Marketing Agencies Actually Use?

We compiled data from industry surveys, user reviews, and market research to reveal which CRMs dominate the marketing agency space.

Agencies using CRM
89%

of marketing agencies use some form of CRM

Sales increase
+29%

average revenue increase after CRM implementation

ROI
$8.71

return for every $1 invested in CRM

Time saved
5-10hrs

per week per employee with CRM automation

#1 Overall Choice

GoHighLevel

The clear winner for marketing agencies. All-in-one platform with CRM, marketing automation, white-labeling, and sub-accounts. Built specifically for agencies.

  • • White-label capability for reselling to clients
  • • Unlimited sub-accounts for client management
  • • Built-in funnels, email, SMS, and automation
  • • Most requested features by agencies in one platform
Try GoHighLevel Free
#2 Budget-Friendly

Systeme.io

Best value for agencies on a budget or just starting out. Generous free tier with essential marketing features included.

  • • Free plan with up to 2,000 contacts
  • • Email marketing and automation included
  • • Sales funnels and landing pages
  • • Simple interface, quick to learn
Try Systeme.io Free

Key Survey Findings

CRM Adoption Rates

  • 89% of marketing organizations use CRM software
  • 91% of companies with 10+ employees use CRM
  • 65% adopt CRM within first 5 years of operation
  • 81% of businesses plan to increase CRM budget

Top Desired Features

  • 45% prioritize automation capabilities
  • 36% want seamless integrations
  • 65% use CRM with AI/generative features
  • 70% use mobile CRM for enhanced sales

ROI & Performance

  • $8.71 return for every $1 invested
  • 29% average sales revenue increase
  • 300% boost in lead conversion rates
  • 27% increase in customer retention

Implementation Challenges

  • 25% struggle with training and adoption
  • 19% cite integration difficulties
  • 23% face manual data entry issues
  • 50% find their CRM could be easier to use

Ready to Choose Your CRM?

Based on this data, agencies should prioritize all-in-one platforms with strong automation and white-label capabilities.

Read our detailed agency CRM comparison →
Frédéric Deltour – Business Consultant

Frédéric Deltour

Entrepreneur · Business Consultant · Certified Professional Trainer

22+ years of entrepreneurship & 3 international companies founded, Frédéric brings real-world business expertise to our site. Certified holistic coach & therapist trainer, published author, and recognized authority featured in Le Parisien, IMDb, Goodreads, and international encyclopedias.

Disclaimer: This is an independent review site. We may earn a commission if you start a trial through our links (at no extra cost to you). This does not influence our recommendations—we would earn similar commissions regardless of the platform.