Pricing
free trial
Best For
Small businesses needing reliable contact management for 2-10 users
Rating
7.0/10
Last Updated
Feb 2026
TL;DR
Act! has been around since 1987, which makes it older than most people using CRMs today. It still does contact management exceptionally well, and the desktop version appeals to teams that want full data control. The marketing automation add-on feels bolted on, but the core CRM remains solid for its price.
What is Act! CRM?
A CRM That Refuses to Retire
Act! launched in 1987 as a contact manager for DOS. Nearly four decades later, it serves over 800,000 users who appreciate its no-nonsense approach to relationship management. Most of those users have been around for years. There is a reason they stay.
What Act! Does Well
Contact management is where Act! shines brightest. The contact detail views pack in every interaction, note, and document without feeling cluttered. The 14-day activity history gives you a snapshot of recent engagement that is genuinely useful. Desktop users get offline access, which cloud-only CRMs simply cannot match.
The marketing automation module (added in recent years) handles drip campaigns, landing pages, and lead scoring. Is it as polished as dedicated marketing tools? No. But having it built into your CRM saves $50-100/month on a separate platform.
Where It Shows Its Age
The interface looks like it was designed in 2012, because it was. Mobile apps exist but feel like afterthoughts. Integrations with modern tools require third-party connectors like Zapier, and the API is limited compared to competitors. Reporting is functional but basic.
Who Should Consider Act!
Businesses that have used Act! for years and built their workflow around it. Teams wanting a desktop CRM with local data storage. Small offices where 2-10 users need solid contact management without the complexity of Salesforce or HubSpot.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 35+ years of proven contact management expertise
- Desktop version provides offline access and local data control
- Built-in marketing automation saves on separate tools
- Strong activity tracking with 14-day interaction history
- One-time purchase option available for desktop version
Cons
- Interface looks and feels dated compared to modern CRMs
- Mobile apps are limited and lack feature parity
- Third-party integrations require Zapier or workarounds
- Reporting capabilities are basic without add-ons
- Marketing automation feels bolted on rather than native
Ready to try Act! CRM?
See plans and pricing on the official site
Act! CRM Pricing
Act! Premium Cloud
- Cloud-hosted CRM
- Contact & company management
- Opportunity tracking
- Activity management
- 2 GB cloud storage
Act! Premium Desktop
- Self-hosted desktop CRM
- Full offline access
- Contact & company management
- Opportunity tracking
- Local data storage
Pricing last verified: February 21, 2026
Who is Act! CRM Best For?
- Small businesses needing reliable contact management for 2-10 users
- Long-time Act! users with established workflows and historical data
- Teams requiring desktop CRM with offline access and local storage
- Businesses wanting CRM plus basic marketing automation in one purchase
Technical Details
The Bottom Line
Act! CRM scores 7/10. It stands out for 35+ years of proven contact management expertise. Best suited for small businesses needing reliable contact management for 2-10 users. Keep in mind that interface looks and feels dated compared to modern crms.
Popular Comparisons
Ready to try Act! CRM?
See plans and pricing on the official site
Frequently Asked Questions
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