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Keap vs Nutshell CRM: The Honest Comparison Nobody Shows

by | Last updated Apr 25, 2026

Winner
keap
4.2
  • Powerful Sales Automation
  • Saves 10 Hours Per Week
  • 2,500+ Integrations
  • Built-in Landing Page Builder
  • 99.5% Email Deliverability
  • 14-Day Free Trial
  • Plans from $79/month
Runner Up
Nutshell CRM
2.8
  • Starts at $13/User/Month
  • Unlimited CRM Contacts
  • Visual Drag-and-Drop Pipeline
  • Free Migration & Live Support
  • 5,000+ Apps via Zapier
  • 14-Day Free Trial
  • Plans from $13/user/month

⚡ Quick Verdict:

  • Pricing: Keap starts at $79/month for 500 contacts. Nutshell CRM starts at $13 per user per month.
  • Best for: Keap for small businesses needing sales and marketing automation in one platform. Nutshell CRM for small to mid-sized B2B sales teams prioritizing ease of use.
  • Key difference: Keap combines CRM, marketing automation, and e-commerce features. Nutshell CRM focuses on simple sales pipeline management with a minimal learning curve.
  • Our pick: Keap for most users — its 2,500+ integrations and built-in automation save 10 hours per week on average.
keap vs nutshell crm

Choosing between Keap and Nutshell CRM comes down to one question.

Do you need full sales and marketing automation or simple pipeline management?

Both tools claim to help small businesses grow.

But they solve very different problems for different users.

Keap vs Nutshell CRM comparison breaks down both CRM platforms to help you pick the right one.

Overview

This comparison covers pricing, features, and ease of use.

We also break down who each tool works best for.

Our sources include published specs, documentation, and G2 reviews.

By the end, you’ll know which CRM software fits your needs.

What is Keap?

Keap is a CRM platform built for small businesses.

It combines customer relationship management with sales and marketing automation.

The platform was formerly known as Infusionsoft before rebranding.

Keap helps users automate email follow-ups, manage leads, and process payments.

Most small businesses choose it for the all-in-one approach to sales and marketing.

Keap

Keap is an all-in-one CRM and marketing automation platform. It helps small businesses save 10 hours per week through automated tasks. Start your free trial today.

Keap Pricing

Here’s what Keap costs in 2026. Let’s break it down.

PlanPriceBest For
Lite$79/monthSolopreneurs starting with automation
Pro$169/monthSmall businesses scaling sales
Max$199/monthGrowing teams with advanced needs

Pricing verified April 2026. Each Keap plan starts with 500 contacts. Each additional user costs $30 per month.

Keap Pricing

Free trial: Yes — 14-day free trial with access to all features. No credit card required at signup for the trial.

Money-back guarantee: Keap offers a satisfaction guarantee. Contact support within the first 30 days for refund options.

📌 Note: Keap charges a one-time onboarding fee of $499 for its Expert Coaching service. This includes personalized training and a dedicated customer success manager to help with setup.

⚠️ Warning: Pricing increases as your contact list grows. The monthly fee jumps once you exceed 500 contacts, so plan for scaling costs.

Key Benefits of Keap

Here’s what makes Keap worth considering:

  • Sales and Marketing Automation: Keap automates almost every stage of the customer journey. Users save 10 hours per week on average and report a 38% revenue increase.
  • 2,500+ Integrations: Keap connects with over 2,500 third party tools. This makes it easy to plug into your existing business strategy.
  • Built-in E-Commerce: Keap includes invoicing and payment processing. You can also create checkout forms and run sales campaigns from one dashboard.
  • Landing Page Builder: The drag and drop tools let you build multiple landing pages. You can also connect multiple landing pages to one campaign.
  • Lead Scoring and Capture: Score leads based on engagement to prioritize your sales team’s efforts. Web forms automatically add new lead data to contact records.
  • Keap AI Tools: AI drafts email copy and suggests advanced automations. The platform also offers a dedicated business line for calls and texts.
  • Dedicated Support: Every plan includes a customer success manager. You also get 24/7 chat support, email support, and phone support during business hours.
Keap Introduction

What Our Team Noticed

Our writer signed up for Keap and spent several days exploring the platform. Here’s what stood out from that hands-on time:

Lifecycle Keap CRM

Keap Pros & Cons

✅ Pros
  • Automation features save 10 hours per week on average
  • 2,500+ integrations with third party tools
  • Built-in invoicing and payment processing
  • Drag and drop campaign builder with templates
  • 99.5% email deliverability rate
❌ Cons
  • Pricing is high for entry-level entrepreneurs
  • $499 one-time onboarding fee for Expert Coaching
  • Cost increases significantly as contact list grows

What is Nutshell CRM?

Nutshell CRM is a cloud-based CRM platform for small to mid-sized B2B sales teams.

It focuses on simple contact management and sales pipeline tracking.

The tool uses visual drag-and-drop boards to manage deals.

Nutshell offers email marketing, calendar sync, and team collaboration features.

Most users choose it for ease of use and a low monthly fee per user.

Nutshell CRM Tutorial 2026 | How to Use Nutshell CRM

Nutshell CRM

Nutshell CRM is built for small B2B sales teams. It offers unlimited CRM contacts and free live support on all plans. Try it free for 14 days.

Nutshell CRM Pricing

Here’s what Nutshell CRM costs in 2026. Let’s break it down.

PlanPriceBest For
Foundation$13/user/monthSingle user or small teams starting out
Growth$25/user/monthTeams needing personal email sequences
Pro$42/user/monthSales teams with multiple pipelines
Business$59/user/monthGrowing teams with full reporting suite
Enterprise$79/user/monthLarger teams needing audit log

Pricing verified April 2026. All Nutshell CRM plans are sold per user per month.

Nutshell CRM Pricing

Free trial: Yes — 14-day free trial for new users. No credit card required at signup.

Money-back guarantee: Nutshell does not advertise a formal money-back guarantee. Contact their support team for refund inquiries.

📌 Note: Free migration and free live support are included on all plans. This is unusual since most CRM platforms charge for premium assistance.

⚠️ Warning: Higher tiers are needed for features like multiple pipelines and full reporting suite. Check feature limits before picking the cheapest plan.

Key Benefits of Nutshell CRM

Here’s what makes Nutshell CRM worth considering:

  • Unlimited CRM Contacts: Nutshell comes standard with unlimited contacts and no data limits. You can import contacts from any source using a CSV file.
  • Visual Pipeline Management: Track deals through various stages using drag-and-drop boards. Multiple views include Board, List, Map, and Chart.
  • Built-in Email Marketing: Send bulk emails, build drip campaigns, and create email templates. No paid add-on required for basic email features.
  • Lead Discovery Tools: ProspectorIQ and VisitorIQ help you find new leads. VisitorIQ identifies companies visiting your site properly.
  • Free Live Support: Live chat and email support are included on all plans. Enterprise users also get priority support and audit log access.
  • 5,000+ Integrations: Connects with Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and Slack. Supports thousands more apps via Zapier.
  • Mobile Apps: Native mobile apps for iOS and Android keep your sales team productive on the go.
Nutshell CRM Homepage

What Our Team Noticed

Our writer spent time using Nutshell CRM directly. Here’s what stood out from that hands-on experience:

Nutshell CRM Personal Experience

Nutshell CRM Pros & Cons

✅ Pros
  • Affordable starting price at $13 per user per month
  • Unlimited CRM contacts on all plans
  • Free migration and free live support included
  • Minimal learning curve for new users
  • Native mobile apps for iOS and Android
❌ Cons
  • Automation features less advanced than HubSpot or Salesforce
  • Email attachment handling needs improvement
  • Multiple pipelines require Pro plan or higher

Feature Comparison

Ready to dive into a detailed comparison of Keap vs Nutshell CRM?

We’ll explore 9 key features to help you find the best CRM for your business.

FeatureKeapNutshell CRM
Starting Price$79/month$13/user/month
Free Plan
Free Trial✅ 14 days✅ 14 days
Marketing Automation✅ Advanced✅ Basic
Sales Pipeline✅ Drag and Drop
Landing Page Builder
E Commerce Tools✅ Built-in
Lead Scoring✅ Basic
Integrations2,500+5,000+ via Zapier
Best ForSales and marketing automationSmall B2B sales teams

1. Sales Automation

Keap: Keap automates almost every stage of the sales journey. The Campaign Builder is a visual flowchart tool for building automated marketing campaigns. Customers report saving 10 hours per week through automated actions.

Keap CRM Automation Builder

Nutshell CRM: Nutshell automates repetitive sales tasks like lead routing and follow-up notifications. Sales automation helps manage follow-ups and reduces time-wasting tasks. The features are simpler than Keap’s but easier for new users.

Nutshell CRM Sales Automations

2. CRM and Contact Management

Keap: Keap centralizes contact records with custom fields and tags. Each contact record stores email history, purchase data, and lead score. The platform also includes a dedicated business line for calls and texts.

Keap CRM

Nutshell CRM: Nutshell provides unlimited contacts with no data limits on any plan. Custom fields let you tailor contact records to your sales process. Calendar sync and click-to-call work alongside contact management.

3. Email Marketing

Keap: Keap’s email marketing campaigns allow hyper-targeted messages based on CRM tags. The platform claims a 99.5% deliverability rate for emails sent through it. AI-powered tools can draft email copy from natural language prompts.

Keap EMAIL MARKETING

Nutshell CRM: Nutshell enables email marketing through list creation and bulk sending. Email templates and drip campaigns are included without paid add-ons. Personal email sequences are available on Growth plans and above.

Nutshell CRM Email Automation

4. Sales Pipeline Management

Keap: Keap provides a visual view of sales pipelines and lead management. You can prioritize efforts using lead scoring based on engagement level. The interface ties pipeline stages directly to automated tasks.

Sales pipeline for Keap CRM

Nutshell CRM: Nutshell uses visual drag and drop boards to manage pipelines. Multiple pipelines are available on the Pro plan and above. You can switch between Board, List, Map, and Chart views.

Nutshell CRM Pipeline Management

⚠️ Warning: Nutshell’s multiple pipelines feature requires the Pro plan ($42 per user per month) or higher. The Foundation plan only includes one pipeline.

5. Landing Pages and Lead Capture

Keap: Keap’s landing page builder uses drag and drop tools. You can build multiple landing pages and connect them to specific sales campaigns. Lead capture happens through forms that auto-add new lead data to the CRM.

Landing Pages for Keap CRM

Nutshell CRM: Nutshell includes landing pages and web forms without paid add-ons. Web form lead capture automatically adds leads to the system. Integrated marketing features cover the basics for small B2B teams.

6. Lead Scoring and Management

Keap: Keap’s lead scoring assesses each prospect’s interest based on engagement. The score leads feature feeds directly into automation triggers. This helps your sales team focus on contacts most likely to convert.

Keap lead management and tracking

Nutshell CRM: Nutshell offers lead scoring as part of its sales process tools. ProspectorIQ helps find new prospects from a contact list database. VisitorIQ identifies companies that visit your site, even without form fills.

7. E Commerce and Payment Processing

Keap: Keap includes built-in invoicing and numerous payment processing integrations. Checkout forms and cross sells are available within the platform. This makes it well suited for e commerce businesses managing repeat business.

Nutshell CRM: Nutshell offers Quotes and Invoices on higher plans. It does not have native e commerce tools like Keap. You’d need third party integrations to handle full payment processing workflows.

Nutshell CRM Quotes & Invoices

8. AI Features

Keap: Keap AI drafts email copy and suggests optimized automations from natural language prompts. The AI tools work across building campaigns and sales process automation. They reduce the time needed to set up new lead workflows.

Keap AI

Nutshell CRM: Nutshell integrates AI tools to assist in revenue-driving tasks. AI Meeting Summarization captures key points from sales calls. The AI features are newer and less mature than Keap’s automation builder.

Nutshell CRM Artificial Intelligence

9. Integrations

Keap: Keap integrates with over 2,500 platforms and tools. Native integrations cover payment processors, calendars, and accounting tools. Third party tools connect through Zapier for additional workflows.

Nutshell CRM: Nutshell connects with Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and Slack. Over 5,000 additional apps are supported via Zapier. It also integrates with Outlook, Gmail, MailChimp, and Zendesk.

Nutshell CRM Useful Integration

Pricing & Cost

Let’s compare the pricing plans side by side.

PlanKeapNutshell CRM
EntryLite — $79/monthFoundation — $13/user/month
Mid TierPro — $169/monthGrowth — $25/user/month
Higher TierMax — $199/monthPro — $42/user/month
Top TierCustom for high volumeEnterprise — $79/user/month
Free Trial14 days14 days

Keap: Pricing starts at $79 per month for 500 contacts on the Lite plan. Each additional user costs $30 per month. The cost climbs as your contact list grows beyond plan thresholds.

Nutshell CRM: Pricing scales by user count, not contacts. The Foundation plan is $13 per user per month with unlimited contacts. This makes it cheaper for small teams with large contact lists.

Different Scenarios

If You Need…ChooseWhy
Tight budgetNutshell CRMStarts at $13/user/month
Sales and marketing automationKeapBuilt-in marketing automations
E commerce featuresKeapNative invoicing and payments
Simple sales pipelinesNutshell CRMDrag and drop boards
Beginner-friendly setupNutshell CRMMinimal learning curve
Email marketing campaignsKeap99.5% deliverability rate

💰 Your Budget

Nutshell CRM wins on raw cost at $13 per user per month. Keap’s $79 monthly fee covers more features but hurts new small businesses on tight budgets.

🔌 Your Tech Stack

Both tools connect to popular business apps. Nutshell offers Zapier access to 5,000+ apps. Keap has 2,500+ direct integrations including more native payment options.

📝 Your Sales Process

Keap suits longer sales cycles with automated email campaigns and lead nurturing. Nutshell fits transactional B2B sales teams that move deals through clear pipeline stages.

🎓 Your Experience Level

Nutshell CRM is user friendly for first-time CRM users. Keap has a steeper learning curve but offers free training webinars and a dedicated success manager.

🆓 Free Trials and Demos

Both offer 14-day free trials with full feature access. Test each platform on a real sales process before committing to a paid plan.

🛟 Support Options

Keap includes a customer success manager and 24/7 chat support on every plan. Nutshell offers free live support and free migration on all plans, including the cheapest tier.

Switching Guide

Already using one of these CRM platforms? Here’s what to expect if you switch.

🔄 Switching from Keap to Nutshell CRM?

✅ What you’ll gain:

  • Lower monthly fee (starts at $13 per user)
  • Unlimited CRM contacts on every plan
  • Free migration and free live support

❌ What you’ll lose:

  • Built-in invoicing and payment processing
  • Advanced automations from the Campaign Builder
  • Dedicated business line for calls and texts

📋 How to switch:

  1. Export contacts and notes from Keap as CSV files
  2. Sign up for a Nutshell CRM 14-day free trial
  3. Use Nutshell’s free migration service to import data
🔄 Switching from Nutshell CRM to Keap?

✅ What you’ll gain:

  • Full marketing automation and email campaigns
  • Native e commerce tools for repeat business
  • Dedicated customer success manager

❌ What you’ll lose:

  • Lower monthly fee per user
  • Unlimited contacts without price increases
  • Free migration on every plan tier

📋 How to switch:

  1. Export contacts and pipeline data from Nutshell as CSV
  2. Start a 14-day Keap trial and consider Expert Coaching
  3. Import contacts and rebuild key automation workflows

What Our Review Didn’t Cover

This comparison focused on small business and mid-sized team use cases. We didn’t test enterprise SSO setups or evaluate custom API integrations in depth. Our observations are based on the April 2026 versions of both CRM platforms. If you’re managing 100+ users or need industry-specific compliance like HIPAA, your priorities may differ from what we’ve covered here.

Final Verdict

CategoryWinner
💰 PricingNutshell CRM
🚀 Marketing AutomationKeap
📧 Email MarketingKeap
🛒 E Commerce FeaturesKeap
👶 Ease of UseNutshell CRM
🔌 IntegrationsKeap
📊 Sales PipelineTie
🏆 Overall WinnerKeap

🏆 WINNER: KEAP

Keap wins 4 out of 7 categories.

Best for: Sales and marketing automation, e commerce businesses, growth goals with email campaigns

Keap and Nutshell CRM are two very different products.

Keap is a full sales and marketing automation platform with built-in e commerce.

Nutshell CRM is a lean sales pipeline tool for B2B teams that want simplicity.

Nutshell is excellent for small teams that need affordable contact management and quick setup.

However, if you need full marketing automations and payment processing in one platform, Keap is the better choice.

More of Keap Compared

Here’s how Keap stacks up against other competitors:

Keap vs HubSpot

Keap wins on: Lower entry price, dedicated customer success manager included, built-in e commerce tools

HubSpot wins on: Free CRM tier, larger marketplace of integrations, more advanced reporting

Keap vs ActiveCampaign

Keap wins on: Built-in invoicing and payments, dedicated business line for calls, free onboarding migration

ActiveCampaign wins on: More email marketing flexibility, lower starting price, deeper segmentation tools

Keap vs GoHighLevel

Keap wins on: Established support team, customer success coaching, simpler interface for non-agencies

GoHighLevel wins on: White-label options, agency-focused pricing, more aggressive automation depth

Keap vs Salesforce

Keap wins on: Faster setup time (about 20 minutes), cheaper for small businesses, simpler customizations

Salesforce wins on: Enterprise scale, deeper analytics, broader app marketplace for large teams

More of Nutshell CRM Compared

Here’s how Nutshell CRM stacks up against other competitors:

Nutshell CRM vs Pipedrive

Nutshell CRM wins on: Free migration included, unlimited contacts on entry plan, free live support

Pipedrive wins on: More mature mobile apps, deeper sales reporting, larger community

Nutshell CRM vs HubSpot

Nutshell CRM wins on: Cheaper paid plans, simpler interface for new users, no marketing add-on fees for basic email

HubSpot wins on: Free CRM tier, more polished landing page builder, broader marketing tools

Nutshell CRM vs Freshsales CRM

Nutshell CRM wins on: Visual drag and drop boards, lead discovery tools like VisitorIQ, friendlier learning curve

Freshsales CRM wins on: Built-in phone support, AI-based deal predictions, integrated chat tools

Nutshell CRM vs Monday CRM

Nutshell CRM wins on: Sales-specific feature set, lower entry price, dedicated free migration

Monday CRM wins on: Project management views, more flexible custom fields, broader use beyond sales

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Keap a good CRM?

Yes, Keap is a strong CRM for small businesses that need sales and marketing automation in one place. Customers report saving 10 hours per week on average and a 38% revenue increase. The Keap CRM editor’s rating is high among users who value automation depth, and our Keap review found that all Keap plans include training webinars to help you increase conversions.

What is Keap used for?

Keap is used for managing customer relationships, automating email marketing campaigns, and processing payments. It serves small businesses that want to consolidate sales, marketing automation, and e commerce into one dashboard. Many users recommend Keap CRM for its automation features, which can drive higher conversion rates and bring in more leads through one landing page or a full sales funnel.

Is Nutshell a good CRM?

Yes, Nutshell CRM is a good fit for small to mid-sized B2B sales teams. It’s affordable at $13 per user per month and includes unlimited contacts. Users praise the minimal learning curve and visual pipeline management.

How does Keap and Nutshell CRM compare for small businesses?

Keap fits small businesses that need full marketing automation and e commerce tools. Nutshell CRM works better for sales-focused teams that prioritize ease of use and a low monthly fee. The Keap app supports custom dashboards and Gmail integration, while Nutshell handles territories and notifications well. Choose based on whether your priority is automation depth or simplicity.

Which is the best CRM software for sales teams?

For most sales teams, Keap is the best CRM if you need automation, lead scoring, and email marketing in one tool. Nutshell CRM wins for B2B sales teams that want a simple sales pipeline and lower per user pricing. The Keap features list also includes campaign timelines and an option to update workflows in seconds. Both offer 14-day free trials so you can test before buying.

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