Best Real Estate CRM Software for Agents & Teams
Follow Up Boss vs Zoho CRM vs LionDesk vs RealtyJuggler vs Lofty — Which CRM Delivers the Best Lead Management, Automation & Value for Real Estate Pros?

-
🏡 Introduction
In real estate, time isn’t just money—it’s a deal won or lost. Whether you’re a solo agent juggling buyer leads or a brokerage managing a distributed team, one thing is non-negotiable: speed-to-lead. Studies consistently show that responding to a new inquiry within the first five minutes can increase conversion rates by over 400%. That’s where the right real estate CRM becomes a game-changer.
A real estate CRM (Customer Relationship Management system) isn’t just a digital rolodex—it’s your command center for managing leads, automating follow-ups, tracking conversations, syncing with MLS listings, and coordinating with your team. Without a purpose-built solution, agents risk losing leads to competitors who follow up faster, communicate more consistently, and stay top-of-mind across every channel.
But here’s the challenge: the CRM market is flooded with generic tools and overhyped platforms. What you need is a system built specifically for the real estate sales cycle—with smart lead routing, IDX integration, texting capabilities, mobile access, and seamless syncing with tools like Zillow, Realtor.com, and your website.
This guide cuts through the noise. We’ve compared the top 5 real estate CRMs used by agents, brokers, and real estate teams. You’ll get a breakdown of what each tool does best, where it falls short, and ultimately—our pick for the #1 CRM for real estate professionals, based on deep technical and operational fit.
-
💡 What Makes a Great Real Estate CRM?
Not all CRMs are created equal—and in real estate, the right features can mean the difference between closing a deal or watching it vanish. Real estate professionals need more than just contact management. They need a CRM that mirrors the high-speed, relationship-driven nature of property sales. Here are the key features that separate top-performing real estate CRMs from the rest:
🔁 Speed-to-Lead Automation
The faster you respond to a new inquiry, the more likely you are to land the deal. A top-tier real estate CRM should offer instant lead notifications, automated text/email sequences, and even auto-assignment to agents. This ensures no opportunity slips through the cracks—even during evenings or weekends.
📞 Omnichannel Communication (Text, Call, Email)
Real estate deals move fast, and clients expect instant, convenient communication. The best CRMs offer built-in texting, click-to-call capabilities, and email tracking—all from a single platform. This makes it easy to keep every conversation visible and organized, without switching between tools.
🧠 Lead Routing & Team Management
For teams and brokerages, managing lead distribution is critical. Look for CRMs that support round-robin assignment, rules-based routing, agent accountability tracking, and activity reporting. This ensures that every lead goes to the right person, with visibility into follow-up performance.
🏘️ IDX & MLS Integration
Many modern CRMs offer IDX integration, which lets prospects browse listings directly through your site while syncing their activity into the CRM. MLS data sync is also crucial for agents to track property-specific leads, share listings, and build personalized searches—all from inside the CRM.
📱 Mobile-Friendly Field Tools
Agents are always on the move. That’s why mobile performance is non-negotiable. The best CRMs offer full-featured mobile apps with real-time notifications, contact management, and communication tools—letting agents stay productive whether at a showing, in the car, or on-site.
💸 Affordability for Solo Agents vs Scalability for Teams
A good CRM should scale with your business. Solo agents need affordable, no-frills pricing without sacrificing core features. Growing teams need robust team management, permission controls, and multi-agent visibility—often with CRM coaching or onboarding included.
-
🧰 Top 5 Real Estate CRM Software
-
1️⃣ Follow Up Boss
Built for Speed-to-Lead Domination
If you’re in real estate and you're serious about converting leads—not just managing contacts—Follow Up Boss should be at the top of your list. This CRM was built from the ground up for the speed and intensity of the modern real estate game. No fluff, no bloat—just sharp, focused tools that help you work your leads fast and smart.
🧠 Speed-to-Lead Automation Like No Other
This is where Follow Up Boss truly dominates. It connects natively with Zillow, Realtor.com, Facebook Ads, Ylopo, HomeLight, and over 200 other lead sources, firing off instant notifications and triggering automated action plans the moment a lead enters your system. You can create workflows that send a text within 30 seconds, followed by a call task and drip email—all without touching a button.
📲 Native Calling & Texting—Zero App Switching
You don’t have to jump into another dialer or texting app. Follow Up Boss includes:
-
Built-in power dialer (great for ISAs and high-volume follow-up)
-
Two-way texting with saved templates and emoji support
-
Voicemail drop for leaving polished messages in seconds
Every message and call is logged directly under the lead’s profile—no more fragmented communication trails.
🔁 Intelligent Lead Routing for Teams
Teams love this platform because of how flexible its lead distribution is:
-
Round-robin, first to claim, price-tiered routing, and agent matching
-
Assign leads based on zip codes, price point, language, or agent activity level
-
Instant reassignments if leads go cold or unresponsive
You can even assign auto-nurture campaigns by pipeline stage, keeping old leads warm while your agents work hot ones.
🔗 IDX Site & Integration-Friendly (Even Without a Native Website)
Follow Up Boss doesn’t provide its own IDX site—but it plays nice with nearly all major IDX providers like Sierra Interactive, Real Geeks, BoomTown, and more. You can track listing activity, browsing behavior, and engagement from IDX tools back into the CRM using tags and automation triggers.
📈 Real Reporting for Real Teams
Brokers and team leads can finally see:
-
How quickly agents are responding to leads
-
How many texts, calls, and emails are being logged daily
-
Which lead sources are driving conversions
-
Which agents are consistently moving leads through the funnel
It's one of the few CRMs that makes accountability feel empowering—not annoying.
📱 Mobile App That’s Actually Built for Agents
Follow Up Boss’s mobile app isn’t just an afterthought. It’s fully featured, with:
-
Push notifications for new leads, texts, and mentions
-
One-tap calling and texting
-
Lead pipeline management
-
Voice-to-text notes and quick logging
Whether you're at a showing, in the car, or prepping a listing, you can run your day without opening a laptop.
💰 Pricing Built for Growth (Not Gimmicks)
-
Solo agents start around $69/month
-
Team plans scale up depending on seats and volume
-
No long-term contracts, no hidden costs
-
Full onboarding support and live coaching calls included
🔗 Visit the Official Website
You can learn more or start a trial at the official Follow Up Boss site:
👉 https://www.followupboss.com
-
-
2️⃣ Zoho CRM
Scalable and Customizable for Real Estate
If you're a real estate professional seeking a flexible, cost-effective CRM that can grow with your business, Zoho CRM is a compelling choice. Designed to cater to businesses of all sizes, Zoho CRM offers a comprehensive suite of tools to manage leads, automate workflows, and gain insights into your sales pipeline.
🧠 AI-Powered Sales Assistant
Zoho CRM's AI assistant, Zia, provides predictive sales analytics, suggesting the best times to contact leads and identifying potential deals. This feature helps agents prioritize their efforts and increase conversion rates.
📊 Customizable Dashboards and Reports
With Zoho CRM, you can create tailored dashboards and reports to monitor key performance indicators. This customization allows you to focus on metrics that matter most to your business, such as lead sources, conversion rates, and sales forecasts.
🔗 Seamless Integrations
Zoho CRM integrates effortlessly with a wide range of third-party applications, including:
-
Zillow: Import leads directly into your CRM.
-
DocuSign: Streamline the document signing process.
-
Google Workspace: Sync emails, calendars, and contacts.
-
Mailchimp: Manage email marketing campaigns.
These integrations enable a cohesive workflow, reducing the need to switch between multiple platforms.
📱 Mobile App for On-the-Go Access
The Zoho CRM mobile app ensures that you stay connected with your clients, even when you're away from your desk. Features include:
-
Access to contact information and deal details.
-
Real-time notifications for lead activities.
-
Voice notes and call logging.
This mobility ensures that you can respond promptly to client inquiries and updates.
💰 Affordable Pricing Plans
Zoho CRM offers a variety of pricing tiers to suit different business needs:
-
Free Plan: Basic features for up to 3 users.
-
Standard Plan: Starting at $14/month per user, includes sales forecasting and scoring rules.
-
Professional Plan: Starting at $23/month per user, adds inventory management and workflow automation.
-
Enterprise Plan: Starting at $40/month per user, offers advanced customization and AI features.
These flexible plans allow you to scale your CRM capabilities as your business grows.
🔗 Visit the Official Website
You can explore Zoho CRM and start a free trial here:
👉 https://www.zoho.com/crm/
-
-
3️⃣ LionDesk CRM
Budget-Friendly and Text-Centric CRM for Agents Who Hustle
For solo agents, small teams, or brokerages looking for a cost-effective CRM that excels in texting, calling, and video messaging, LionDesk is a go-to choice. It’s not flashy—but it’s fast, focused, and functional. This is the tool for agents who care more about follow-ups than fancy dashboards.
📲 Texting That Closes Deals
LionDesk is widely known for its robust texting functionality. Here's what makes it shine:
-
Bulk Texting: Send mass texts with merge fields for personalization.
-
Text-2-Sell: Use a custom short code for property listings and lead capture via text.
-
Text Templates: Save time with reusable messages.
-
Scheduled Texts: Perfect for timed follow-ups and reminders.
Every conversation is logged automatically, helping you track every interaction seamlessly.
🎥 Built-In Video Email & Video Texting
LionDesk lets you record and send video messages right from your dashboard or mobile app. Why is that huge for real estate?
-
Video builds trust.
-
It’s more personal than a call.
-
Helps agents stand out in competitive markets.
You can embed video into emails or send via SMS—no extra tools required.
📞 Integrated Calling with Power Dialer Option
LionDesk eliminates the need for switching between platforms with:
-
Built-in dialer.
-
Call logging and recordings.
-
Voicemail drop feature.
-
Power dialer upgrade (great for ISAs or high-volume calling agents).
This is perfect for agents doing outbound prospecting or nurturing large lists.
👥 Lead Distribution and Follow-Up Automation
LionDesk includes simple lead routing features and drip campaigns to ensure no lead slips through the cracks:
-
Auto-responders via text, email, or call reminders.
-
Drip campaign library with templates tailored to buyers, sellers, and cold leads.
-
Lead source tracking to know what’s actually converting.
📱 Mobile App That Gets the Job Done
LionDesk’s mobile app gives you just enough to stay productive on the go:
-
Access to all contacts, deals, and messages.
-
Push notifications for inbound leads or replies.
-
Voice notes and activity tracking.
No fluff — just the tools you need when you're in your car or between showings.
💰 Pricing That Works for New Agents
LionDesk is one of the most affordable real estate CRMs out there:
-
Starts at just $21/month
-
Includes texting, video messaging, and drip campaigns
-
Optional add-ons like the Power Dialer available
There’s a 14-day free trial, no credit card required, so it’s easy to test drive.
🔗 Visit the Official Website
Learn more or start your free trial at:
👉 https://www.liondesk.com
-
-
4️⃣ RealtyJuggler CRM
Lightweight, Affordable, and Built for Everyday Agents
If you're a solo agent or small team looking for no-fuss contact management, reminder-based follow-ups, and affordable pricing, RealtyJuggler delivers. It’s not the flashiest tool—but it handles the basics better than most, especially for agents who prefer simplicity over tech overwhelm.
This is the CRM for agents who’d rather be selling houses than building complex automation workflows.
📅 Calendar & Task Management That Keeps You on Track
RealtyJuggler feels more like a digital assistant than a sales machine. Its strength lies in structured follow-up systems:
-
Daily call sheets: Pre-generated lists of who you need to contact today.
-
Reminder automation: Set reminders for anniversaries, birthdays, or client check-ins.
-
Listing to closing workflow: From new lead to closing table, you get a guided checklist.
It’s built for those who thrive on routines, not reinventing the wheel every day.
📞 Call Logging & Communication History
Unlike many lightweight CRMs, RealtyJuggler gives you:
-
Full call notes logging with timestamps
-
Email integration (via Gmail, Outlook, or custom SMTP)
-
Mail merge for physical letters, emails, and even postcards
You can track every touchpoint with leads, buyers, sellers, and past clients in one simple timeline view.
📈 Transaction Management & Deal Tracking
RealtyJuggler has a clean and simple system for managing active deals:
-
Preloaded closing checklists for buyers and sellers
-
Commission tracking
-
Expense and mileage tracking for tax purposes
It’s not a deal room—but it keeps your pipeline visible and organized.
💬 Lead Importing & Third-Party Syncs
It plays well with many lead sources and marketing platforms. Key integrations include:
-
Zillow
-
Realtor.com
-
Mailchimp
-
Google Contacts
-
Dropbox
It doesn’t try to be your lead generator—it simply keeps you organized once leads arrive.
📱 Mobile-Friendly for Agents on the Move
While it doesn't have a flashy mobile app, RealtyJuggler is fully responsive:
-
Accessible from any phone browser
-
Add notes, calls, or tasks from your phone in real time
-
Nothing to install or update
It’s lightweight because that’s the point—fast, simple, and cloud-based.
💰 Best Pricing in the Industry
RealtyJuggler is almost impossible to beat when it comes to cost:
-
Just $179 per year (not per month!)
-
Includes unlimited contacts, transactions, and email templates
-
Comes with a 90-day free trial
For agents on a tight budget, it’s the best value on the market.
🔗 Visit the Official Website
Explore features and start your 90-day free trial at:
👉 https://www.realtyjuggler.com
-
-
5️⃣ Lofty CRM
The All-in-One Real Estate Growth Platform
Formerly known as Chime, Lofty CRM is a powerful, integrated real estate platform designed to help agents, teams, and brokerages grow faster and smarter. This rebrand reflects their expanded vision and commitment to delivering cutting-edge tools tailored specifically for the real estate industry.
AI-Powered Lead Generation & Predictive Insights
Lofty uses advanced AI and machine learning to prioritize leads based on behavior and engagement signals. This allows your agents to focus on prospects most likely to convert, increasing efficiency and boosting sales velocity.
📲 Built-In IDX Website and Listing Integration
Lofty offers fully customizable IDX-enabled websites integrated directly with MLS listings. Leads captured via these websites flow automatically into the CRM, ensuring no opportunity is lost. Real-time listing updates and property alerts keep buyers engaged.
🔁 Robust Automation and Follow-Up Workflows
-
Auto-assign leads based on custom criteria like geography, price, or lead source.
-
Trigger personalized drip email and SMS campaigns tailored to buyer or seller journeys.
-
Automated reminders and appointment scheduling ensure consistent follow-up.
-
Powerful pipeline management helps agents track progress at every stage.
📈 Comprehensive Mobile App for On-The-Go Agents
Lofty’s mobile app provides complete CRM functionality from anywhere:
-
Instant push notifications for new leads and communications.
-
One-tap calling and texting without switching apps.
-
Drag-and-drop pipeline updates.
-
Voice-to-text notes and quick activity logging.
-
Access to listing data and website analytics.
💰 Pricing & Support
-
Lofty offers scalable pricing designed for growing teams and brokerages.
-
Dedicated onboarding and personalized customer success teams guide you through setup.
-
Frequent updates focus on real estate-specific needs and feature innovation.
🔗 Visit the Official Website
Learn more or request a demo here:
👉 https://lofty.com/
-
-
🏆 Final Verdict + YouConclude Tip
✓ YouConclude Tip
🟦 What’s the Best CRM for Real Estate?
After extensive breakdowns and industry comparisons…
🏆Winner: Follow Up Boss
After a deep dive into the features, strengths, and unique benefits of each CRM on our list, Follow Up Boss emerges as the clear winner for real estate professionals serious about converting leads quickly and efficiently.
Why Follow Up Boss Beats the Rest?
-
Unmatched Speed-to-Lead Automation: Follow Up Boss integrates natively with over 200 lead sources, instantly notifying agents and triggering automated workflows like texts, calls, and emails—cutting your response time from hours to seconds.
-
Seamless Omnichannel Communication: Built-in calling, texting, and email in one unified interface means no app switching, fewer missed contacts, and better tracking of every conversation.
-
Intelligent Lead Routing: Its flexible lead assignment features allow teams to route leads based on geography, price, language, or agent availability, keeping your pipeline balanced and active.
-
IDX Integration Friendly: While it doesn’t provide its own IDX site, it works flawlessly with all major IDX providers, allowing you to track lead engagement from your website listings.
-
Real-Time Reporting & Accountability: Brokers can monitor lead response times, agent activity, and conversion metrics through detailed dashboards that empower teams without micromanaging.
-
Fully Functional Mobile App: Agents on the go get push notifications, easy texting/calling, voice notes, and pipeline updates all from one app that’s designed specifically for real estate workflows.
-
Flexible Pricing & Support: Plans accommodate solo agents through to growing teams, with no hidden fees and hands-on onboarding.
Who It’s Ideal For
-
Solo Agents who want to respond faster and organize leads effectively.
-
Growing Teams needing smart lead distribution and team management.
-
Teams with Inside Sales Agents (ISAs) who benefit from the power dialer and automated lead follow-ups.
Where It Falls Short
-
Does not provide a native IDX website — you’ll need a separate IDX provider.
-
Pricing is higher than some budget CRMs, reflecting its advanced features.
-
Some advanced customization options may require onboarding support.
🔗 Visit the Official Website
Explore Follow Up Boss or start your free trial here:
👉 https://www.followupboss.com
-
-
🔄 FAQs
❓ Is Follow Up Boss better than Zoho CRM for real estate?
🏠 Follow Up Boss is designed specifically for real estate professionals, offering instant lead capture, speed-to-lead automation, and native calling/texting that streamline agent workflows. It excels at lead routing and team management, making it ideal for brokers and growing teams focused on fast, personalized follow-up.
🔧 Zoho CRM is a versatile, customizable platform suitable for many industries. While powerful, it lacks real estate-specific automations like IDX integrations and tailored lead routing out of the box. Zoho may require additional setup or third-party apps to match real estate workflows.
Bottom line: For real estate-focused teams prioritizing quick lead response and built-in industry tools, Follow Up Boss stands out. Zoho CRM is a strong alternative for users wanting broader CRM functionality and customization.
🏆 What CRM do top producing real estate agents use?
Most top agents and teams choose Follow Up Boss for its real estate-centric features, automated lead nurturing, and clear reporting dashboards that drive accountability and growth.
Lofty CRM (formerly Chime) is gaining popularity for combining IDX-enabled websites with AI-powered lead scoring and follow-up, offering an all-in-one solution for brokerages and teams.
Budget-conscious agents often lean toward LionDesk or RealtyJuggler for affordable, straightforward CRM and contact management with useful communication tools.
🔗 Which CRM integrates with Zillow and Realtor.com?
Follow Up Boss offers native, seamless integrations with Zillow, Realtor.com, and over 200 other lead sources, enabling instant lead capture and automated follow-up workflows.
Lofty CRM also supports Zillow lead integration and provides IDX-enabled websites to capture and convert online leads effectively.
Other platforms like Zoho CRM and LionDesk can integrate with these portals through third-party tools or APIs but may require additional setup.
💸 What is the best free CRM for new real estate agents?
While fully free real estate CRMs are rare, RealtyJuggler offers a 90-day free trial with no credit card required — a generous window to explore all its features before purchasing.
LionDesk provides affordable plans with strong texting and email marketing features but no fully free tier.
New agents should focus on trial periods and affordable entry plans that provide essential automation and communication tools rather than purely free CRMs, which often lack depth.
❓ Can Follow Up Boss handle team lead routing and distribution effectively?
✅ Yes. Follow Up Boss supports multiple routing strategies such as round-robin, zip code, price tier, and agent expertise, allowing brokers to automate fair and intelligent lead distribution within their teams. This helps reduce response time and improve lead conversion rates.
❓ How customizable is Zoho CRM for real estate needs?
✅ Zoho CRM offers extensive customization options including custom modules, workflows, dashboards, and integrations. However, it requires more initial setup to tailor it specifically for real estate, such as adding IDX integration or MLS feed support via third-party apps.
❓ Does LionDesk support SMS and email marketing automation?
✅ Absolutely. LionDesk is well-known for its strong built-in texting and email marketing capabilities. It allows users to create drip campaigns, automated follow-ups, and text-to-speech voice broadcasts, making it a favorite for agents focused on lead nurturing.
❓ Is RealtyJuggler suitable for solo real estate agents or small teams?
✅ RealtyJuggler is ideal for solo agents and small teams thanks to its simplicity, affordability, and core features such as contact management, transaction tracking, and task reminders. It’s less complex but very user-friendly.
❓ What makes Lofty CRM unique compared to other real estate CRMs?
✅ Lofty CRM combines IDX-enabled websites, AI-driven lead scoring, and automated follow-up in one platform. It’s designed to support the full sales cycle—from lead generation to closing—making it a solid choice for brokerages seeking an all-in-one modern solution.
❓ Can I integrate my CRM with MLS and IDX services?
✅ Most top real estate CRMs like Follow Up Boss, Lofty, and LionDesk offer native or third-party integrations with IDX and MLS services. These integrations allow lead capture from listing websites, automatic updating of property data, and enhanced lead tracking.
❓ What kind of mobile experience do these CRMs offer?
📱 Follow Up Boss: Full-featured app with calling, texting, pipeline management, and task reminders.
📱 Zoho CRM: Robust mobile app supporting most desktop features plus offline access.
📱 LionDesk: Mobile app with texting, calling, and pipeline overview optimized for field agents.
📱 RealtyJuggler: Simple mobile-friendly interface, not a fully dedicated app but mobile optimized.
📱 Lofty CRM: Modern mobile app with lead alerts, communication tools, and website management.
❓ How do pricing plans generally compare across these CRMs?
💰 Follow Up Boss: Pricing starts at a mid-range monthly fee with team plans scaling by user.
💰 Zoho CRM: Flexible tiers from free basic plans to advanced enterprise options.
💰 LionDesk: Affordable monthly plans tailored for agents and teams.
💰 RealtyJuggler: One low annual fee, no monthly contracts, ideal for budget-conscious users.
💰 Lofty CRM: Subscription plans including website hosting and lead management, competitive with brokerages in mind.
❓ Can these CRMs integrate with other tools like Gmail, Outlook, or transaction management platforms?
✅ Yes, all five CRMs offer integrations with major email platforms (Gmail, Outlook) and often integrate or sync with popular transaction management software, marketing tools, and lead sources, though the ease and depth of integration vary by platform.
❓ What support and training options are typically available?
📞 Follow Up Boss: Offers live onboarding, webinars, and responsive customer support.
📞 Zoho CRM: Extensive online documentation, community forums, and paid training.
📞 LionDesk: Webinars, tutorials, and email support.
📞 RealtyJuggler: Email support with extensive help guides.
📞 Lofty CRM: Personalized onboarding and ongoing support for brokerage clients.
🔗 Official Websites for Quick Reference
1️⃣ Follow Up Boss: https://www.followupboss.com
2️⃣ Zoho CRM: https://www.zoho.com/crm/
3️⃣ LionDesk: https://www.liondesk.com
4️⃣ RealtyJuggler: https://www.realtyjuggler.com
5️⃣ Lofty CRM: https://lofty.com/
-
🔄 Want to Conclude More? Try These
These handpicked articles help you explore more angles so you can conclude with confidence.
🔍 Running a Small Business and Need the Right CRM Fit?
Explore the most effective CRMs tailored for growing teams under 50 employees. Compare free and paid options, discover top-rated tools, and choose what works best for your workflow in:
👉 Best 10 CRM for SMBs under 50 Employees (Free & Paid)
🔄 Need Help Setting Up Your Call Center?
Looking for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide tailored for small businesses? Learn everything you need to get started in:
👉 How to Set Up a Call Center for a Small Business article
🔄Looking to Supercharge Your Call Center with CRM Tools?
Discover the top integrations that boost efficiency, improve customer experience, and streamline operations in:
👉 Top 10 CRM Integrations Every Call Center Should Use
What's Your Reaction?






