Jemicah Marasigan
Content Marketing Manager
HighLevel promises a lot: CRM, automations, landing pages, reputation management, you name it. But if you’ve ever tried to use it, you know the promise doesn’t always match the experience.
While HighLevel claims to be a tool that can replace everything in your tech stack, for many, the platform feels more like a maze than a solution. The setup is heavy, the learning curve is steep, and unless you’ve got a tech whiz on staff (or a very patient team), things can get messy fast.
Read: Hello overwhelm and feeling right back at square one.
When the software that’s supposed to save you time ends up eating it instead, it’s time to start looking for a better fit.
Most professional service companies don’t need a bloated “do-it-all” platform. Especially if you’re not running paid ads, you likely need a simpler CRM for service businesses — and one that works well. Think: managing your sales and project pipelines, making clean client handoffs, and keeping everything (and everyone) on the same page.
If you’re on the hunt for easier, smarter GoHighLevel alternatives, here are 5 tools to consider in 2025.
1. Copper
Best for: Agencies and consultancies using Gmail, who prioritize customer experience.
If HighLevel feels clunky, cluttered, or like you’re constantly halfway through a setup wizard you don’t understand, then say hello to Copper.
Copper is a sleek CRM for agencies who already live inside Google Workspace. It works right from Gmail and Google Calendar, so there’s no need to switch tabs (or train your team for weeks just to get started).
But this client and project management platform isn’t just about convenience. It’s built to support real relationships. Looking for the best CRM if you don't need landing pages or built-in funnel builders? Copper is it.
It’s an agency CRM with project and sales handoff tools baked in. From capturing leads through forms, to managing your sales pipeline, to tracking post-sale delivery and projects, Copper helps you stay connected across every stage of the client journey. It also automatically tracks meetings, contact updates, and emails (and can automate them too!),
If your team cares about clean handoffs, happy clients, and tools that actually get used, then this one’s a winner.
Just one caveat: Copper is built to specifically work with Google Workspace. So if your agency is deep in the Microsoft ecosystem, you may want to check out one of the other HighLevel comparisons on this list.
2. Insightly
Best for: Digital marketing agencies that want advanced features without the bloat.
Insightly blends CRM and marketing automation into one platform — and was recently acquired by landing page leader Unbounce.
If you’re looking for a HighLevel alternative that’s a bit easier to use, and your agency is focused heavily on the top of the funnel (think marketing automation, email campaigns, and lead capture) Insightly has some solid tools to offer. However, the marketing and CRM sides of the platform are relatively new and not as tightly integrated as other options.
If your team puts just as much weight on client handoff, delivery, and relationship management after the sale, Insightly might not carry you the full distance. The interface is less chaotic than GoHighLevel, and there’s solid reporting and workflow automation, but the platform feels like it’s straddling two worlds that haven’t quite fused yet.
3. HubSpot
Best for: Hypergrowth agencies with deep pockets.
HubSpot is often the go-to for enterprise CRM and marketing automation. It’s powerful, flexible, and widely recognized as the “safe” option for teams looking to scale. You’ll find robust reporting, customization, and integrations.
That said, power comes at a cost, literally. While HubSpot offers a generous free tier, once you start adding features your team actually needs, the price increases fast.
It’s a strong HighLevel alternative if your agency is in hypergrowth mode and you have the budget to match. If not, the sticker shock might have you looking elsewhere.
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4. Pipedrive
Best for: Sales-focused teams that live and breathe pipeline management.
Pipedrive’s a go-to for teams that want their sales process to feel clean, visual, and straightforward. It really shines when your deals follow a predictable, step-by-step path—think fast, transactional sales.
If your process is more about building long-term relationships or managing complex client journeys, though, it might not hit the mark.
But for teams that just need to track deals, stay organized, and keep things moving without a lot of extra fluff, Pipedrive delivers. It’s quick to learn, easy to use, and gets the job done—especially if you’re not looking for all the bells and whistles of a full marketing suite.
5. Zoho CRM
Best for: Budget-conscious agencies that want flexibility.
Zoho packs a ton of tools into its platform, and for the price, the CRM is actually pretty impressive. It’s super customizable and gives you a lot of control—if you’re okay putting in a bit of work to get it set up just right.
That said, the user experience can feel a little clunky compared to more premium CRMs, so if ease-of-use is high on your list, you might hit some bumps.
But if flexibility and affordability matter more to your team than having a polished UI, Zoho’s definitely worth a look.
Final thoughts
Choosing the right CRM shouldn’t feel like a second job. If your agency doesn’t run ads, doesn’t build landing pages, and just wants to move deals from first hello to final invoice — then you don’t need an overstuffed platform.
You need a simpler CRM for service businesses that focuses on what matters: relationships, handoffs, and delivery.
HighLevel tries to do everything, but sometimes that just means more complexity, more time wasted, and more frustration. And if your team isn’t using it consistently, what’s the point?
If you’re on the hunt for the best HighLevel alternative for agencies that actually fits into your day-to-day (without making life harder), Copper might be exactly what you’ve been looking for. It’s built for teams that already live in Gmail and want their client work to stay organized from first touch to final handoff, without jumping through hoops.
So if your current setup feels like more work than it’s worth, maybe it’s time to try something different.
Give Copper a shot with a 14-day free trial and see how much easier things can be!
