Really Simple Systems vs Insightly: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Really Simple Systems and Insightly comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Insightly wins this matchup. Our overall CRM pick is HubSpot. Our free CRM pick is Apollo. Pick Really Simple Systems if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Really Simple Systems
Simple CRM for small businesses
Best for you if:
- • You want genuinely simple interface that non-technical teams can learn in hours
- • You want free plan includes 2 users and 100 accounts with no time limit
Insightly
Modern, scalable CRM platform with AI, marketing automation, and customer service for growing businesses.
Best for you if:
- • You want good for small business CRM
- • You want project management
| At a Glance | Really Simple Systems | Insightly |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | CRM | CRM |
Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.1/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Really Simple Systems or Insightly?
Choose Really Simple Systems if
Simple CRM for small businesses
- You want genuinely simple interface that non-technical teams can learn in hours
- You want free plan includes 2 users and 100 accounts with no time limit
Choose Insightly if
Modern, scalable CRM platform with AI, marketing automation, and customer service for growing businesses.
- You want good for small business CRM
- You want project management
| Feature | Really Simple Systems | Insightly |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 596 reviews | ★4.1/5 1,602 reviews |
| Categories | CRMEmail Marketing | CRMMarketing Automation |
In-Depth Analysis
Really Simple Systems
Simple CRM for small businesses
Really Simple Systems offers fair pricing, especially with the Free and Starter plans at $0 and $14/user/mo respectively, which are quite generous for small businesses.
Watch out
Monthly billing is 28-30% higher
Strengths
- +Genuinely simple interface that non-technical teams can learn in hours
- +Free plan includes 2 users and 100 accounts with no time limit
- +Customer support is free on all plans including the free tier
- +Email marketing is built into the CRM rather than requiring a separate tool
- +Transparent and affordable pricing for budget-conscious small businesses
Weaknesses
- -Feature set is basic compared to Salesforce, HubSpot, or Pipedrive
- -Mobile experience is browser-based only with no native app
- -Reporting capabilities are limited on lower-tier plans
- -Marketing automation is only available on Professional and above
- -The Spotler acquisition has created brand confusion for existing users
Key features
Insightly
Modern, scalable CRM platform with AI, marketing automation, and customer service for growing businesses.
Insightly's pricing starts fairly with a generous Free tier, but quickly escalates.
Strengths
- +Good for small business CRM
- +Project management
- +Fair pricing
- +Google integration
- +Easy to use
Weaknesses
- -Limited features
- -Reporting basic
- -Customization limited
- -Support varies
- -Better for small teams
Key features
Pricing: Really Simple Systems vs Insightly
| Plan | Really Simple Systems | Insightly |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | N/A | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $29 Plus |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $49 Professional |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $99 Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Really Simple Systems pricing and Insightly pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Really Simple Systems
Want the highest-rated option?
Really Simple Systems: 4.5/5 (596 reviews). Insightly: 4.1/5 (1,602 reviews).
Go with: Really Simple Systems
Value user reviews?
Really Simple Systems: 596 reviews (4.5/5). Insightly: 1,602 reviews (4.1/5).
Go with: Insightly
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are crm tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Really Simple Systems is rated higher: 4.5/5 vs 4.1/5.
Key Takeaways
Insightly
- Larger review base (1,602 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Really Simple Systems
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.1/5
The Bottom Line
Insightly wins this matchup. Our overall CRM pick is HubSpot. Our free CRM pick is Apollo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Really Simple Systems or Insightly better?
Insightly is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Really Simple Systems and Insightly used for?
Really Simple Systems: Simple CRM for small businesses. Insightly: Modern, scalable CRM platform with AI, marketing automation, and customer service for growing businesses..
What does Really Simple Systems cost vs Insightly?
Really Simple Systems is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Insightly is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.