CRM for Mid-Market: Finding the Right Solution 2026

Mid-market companies have special CRM requirements: Too big for Excel, too small for Salesforce Enterprise. Too individual for standard solutions, but without an IT department for custom development. Which CRM really fits?

Table of Contents

1. Special Mid-Market Requirements
2. The 5 Best CRM Systems for Mid-Market
3. Selection Checklist
4. Implementation Done Right
5. Calculating Costs Realistically
6. FAQ

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Special Mid-Market Requirements

What Makes Mid-Market Different

Criterion	Startup	Mid-Market	Enterprise
Team Size	1-10	10-500	500+
IT Resources	None	Limited	Own department
Budget	Minimal	Moderate	Large
Processes	Flexible	Established	Rigid

Typical Mid-Market Requirements

Must-Haves:

• Contact and company management
• Deal/Opportunity pipeline
• Email integration
• Basic reporting
• Mobile access
• GDPR compliance

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The 5 Best CRM Systems for Mid-Market

1. HubSpot (Mid-Market Recommendation)

Cost: Free - €150/month depending on tier

2. Zoho CRM

Cost: €14-52/user/month

3. Pipedrive

Cost: €15-100/user/month

4. Microsoft Dynamics 365

Cost: €60-135/user/month

5. Odoo CRM

Cost: Free (self-hosted) - €25/user/month

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Our Recommendations

• Beginners: HubSpot Free → Professional
• Budget-conscious: Zoho CRM
• Sales focus: Pipedrive
• Microsoft shop: Dynamics 365

At Balane Tech, we advise mid-market companies on CRM selection and accompany implementation. Contact us for a free initial consultation.

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FAQ

What does a CRM for mid-market cost?

Expect €20-60/user/month for licenses plus €10,000-30,000 one-time for implementation. With 20 users, that's €15,000-25,000 in the first year.

How long does a CRM implementation take?

Typically 2-4 months. Simple systems (Pipedrive): 4-6 weeks. Complex implementations (Dynamics): 4-6 months.

Do we need external help?

For simple CRMs (Pipedrive, HubSpot Free): Often not necessary. For more complex systems or integrations: Recommended.