Top 11 Small Business Database Software for Creative Agencies in 2025

Looking for small business database software tailored to creative workflows?

Look no further because in this article, I'll show you online database software designed to meet the needs of creative agency owners, small business managers and freelancers. 

The Roadmap

I know you're busy. So we'll go straight for the jugular, blitzing through 11 solid tools, looking at their main features, integrations, pros, cons and of course, pricing.

Then, I'll show you how to spot a good database software—what to look for in these tools.

Last, I'll help you narrow this mammoth list down to just 3 tools, so you won't be at the mercy of the dreaded dragon—analysis paralysis. 

Then it's curtain calls from there. 

Okay, let's go for a ride.

Top 11 Small Business Database Software for Creative Agencies in 2025

Here are top 11 small business database software for creative agencies in 2025.

1. ManyRequests

ManyRequests is more than just a client portal. It's also a powerful database tool which helps sales and creative teams manage client relationships, track requests and streamline operations in one place. 

Designed with creative agencies in mind, it combines project management, communication and billing into a single, easy-to-use platform.

Managing client data is no small task, especially for agencies handling multiple projects at once.

ManyRequests serves as a centralized database where sales teams and agencies can store client information, track interactions and organize service requests.

Instead of switching between emails, spreadsheets and separate CRM tools, everything is accessible from one dashboard.

With built-in request tracking, teams can see which services clients need, monitor progress and ensure timely delivery. 

Automated workflows reduce manual follow-ups. This makes client management more efficient.

Client and Sales Database

Sales teams can store and manage client data, track interactions and update records in real time.

Every email, request and invoice is linked to the client’s profile. This ensures a full history of interactions is always available.

Branded Client Portal

Unlike generic CRM tools, ManyRequests allows agencies to customize their portal with logos, colors and a custom domain. This makes the client experience feel like a seamless part of the agency’s brand.

Request and Project Tracking

Clients can submit requests directly through the platform and teams can track progress without losing details in email threads. Task assignments, deadlines and updates keep everything structured.

Integrated Payments and Invoicing

Clients can pay invoices, manage subscriptions and track billing history directly in ManyRequests. Integration with Stripe and other payment gateways ensures smooth transactions and predictable cash flow.

Workflow Automation and Integrations

With Zapier, ManyRequests connects to thousands of other apps, including CRM tools, design platforms like Figma and Adobe, and communication tools like Slack. This makes it easy to sync data across different software.

ManyRequests Pros

• Creative ad sales teams can track leads, manage client interactions and handle requests without separate CRM tools.
• Businesses can personalize the client portal to match their brand identity.
• Connects with Zapier, Stripe, Figma and much more to fit into existing workflows.

ManyRequests Cons

• No Mobile App. While accessible via a browser, a dedicated mobile app would improve on-the-go usability.

ManyRequests Pricing

Starter – $99/month

Core – $149/month

Pro – $399/month

Enterprise – Custom pricing

All plans include a 14-day free trial.

2. HubSpot CRM

HubSpot CRM helps startups and small businesses manage their sales pipeline and customer relationships.

A part of the larger HubSpot Sales Hub, this CRM focuses on organizing client data, tracking outreach and simplifying sales processes.

There's a centralized database where your team members can access the same customer information, making collaboration easier.

You can track calls and emails directly within the system. The pipeline management feature gives you a clear view of your sales process and helps prioritize leads.

The built-in content management tools let you create landing pages and track engagement with sales materials.

When it comes to integration, HubSpot CRM connects nicely with popular business tools such as Slack, Jira, and Microsoft Dynamics. Chances are that you already use these tools. Therefore your existing workflows will likely remain the same.

HubSpot CRM Pros

• Integrates with over 500 apps
• Flexible plans which grow with your agency
• Free (though limited) version available for startups

HubSpot CRM Cons

• The free plan is limited. It restricts users to five email templates and five documents per month. It also includes only 15 minutes of call time and 200 notifications.
• Free plan also lacks some features. Advanced features such analytics and sales playbooks require a paid subscription.

HubSpot CRM Pricing

HubSpot CRM: Free 

Starter CRM Suite: $18/month

Professional CRM Suite: $450/month

Enterprise CRM Suite: $1,200/month

There's a 14-day trial for paid plans.

3. Zendesk Sell

Zendesk Sell will help your agency track customer interactions, manage sales and close deals faster.

It could be a good fit if your team wants a clear view of their sales pipeline and a system that keeps follow-ups and tasks organized.

The visual sales pipeline makes it easy to see how each deal is panning out. Automated reminders ensure that your team never misses an important follow-up.

Zendesk’s lead and deal scoring tools help you focus on the most promising opportunities, while email and call tracking keep all communication in one place.

The built-in analytics give you real-time insights to help improve your sales strategy.

Zendesk Sell also includes activity tracking that lets you have a full history of interactions with leads and clients whenever you need it. 

Customizable dashboards let you monitor sales performance at a glance.

What about integration? 

You can connect Zendesk Sell with HubSpot, Zoom, Zapier, Slack, Mailchimp, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, QuickBooks, DocuSign, Xero etc. 

Zendesk Sell Pros

• Easy-to-use interface
• Customizable sales pipeline for better deal tracking

Zendesk Sell Cons

• Limited options for advanced customization

Zendesk Sell Pricing

Sell Team: $19 per user per month

Sell Growth: $55 per user per month 

Sell Professional: $115 per user per month

Sell Enterprise: $169 per user per month

4. Ontraport

Ontraport is a marketing automation platform which helps businesses streamline customer management and sales.

It helps teams automate their outreach, track leads and improve their marketing efforts without juggling multiple tools.

With Ontraport, you can create automated email campaigns, monitor customer interactions in real time and manage your contacts in one place.

Its drag-and-drop campaign builder makes it easy to set up workflows to guide leads through your sales funnel.

The built-in analytics tools show how your marketing efforts are performing so you can adjust your strategy as needed.

Ontraport also offers a landing page builder which lets you design and launch pages without coding experience.

If your business offers exclusive content, the membership site feature will allow you manage access easily. Ontraport’s automation tools will help your team stay organized by handling routine follow-ups and assignments.

Ontraport integrates with popular—Shopify, QuickBooks, PayPal, WooCommerce, Zapier, Gmail, Stripe, WordPress, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Ontraport Pros

• Customizable dashboards for a personalized experience
• Strong automation tools for different business needs

Ontraport Cons

• Takes time to set up and learn
• Not the easiest platform for beginners

Ontraport Pricing

Basic: $24/month

Plus: $83/month

Pro: $124/month

Enterprise: $249/month

5. Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM's complete set of business tools will help you manage customer relationships, track sales and automate workflows efficiently.

One of its standout features is its customizable dashboard which you can use to set key performance goals and track your sales team’s progress.

The workflow automation tool helps streamline tasks, reducing manual work and improving efficiency.

With built-in lead and contact management, you can automate follow-ups and send emails directly from platforms such as Outlook and Gmail.

And if you're in a hurry and need to search for data and get insights quickly, Zoho’s AI assistant, Zia, will be glad to help. 

Zoho CRM also supports a wide range of integrations, both through built-in connections and API support. This allows you to connect it with other essential business tools.

Zoho CRM Pros

• Zoho CRM is highly customizable. You can tailor the software to your own workflows
• User-friendly, even non-technical people can easily navigate. 
• Integrates with a several third-party apps

Zoho CRM Cons

• The free version limits your database to 100,000 records.

Zoho CRM Pricing

Standard: $14/month per user

Professional: $23/month per user

Enterprise: $40/month per user

Ultimate: $52/month per user

All paid plans come with a 15-day free trial.

6. Microsoft Dynamics CRM

Microsoft Dynamics CRM is a powerful tool for agencies that want to improve client relationships, automate sales and streamline marketing efforts.

If your team needs flexibility, deep insights and already work with other Microsoft products, Microsoft Dynamics CRM could be a good fit. 

The platform takes customization seriously. You can tailor it to fit your business needs as you grow. AI-driven analytics provide a clear picture of customer behavior. This can help you make better decisions.

The presence of automation tools reduces manual work by handling lead management and sales processes. Since it integrates with Microsoft’s ecosystem, your team can easily collaborate, share data and stay organized.

Other key features include customer feedback tools to collect insights directly from clients, territory management to organize sales regions and forecasting tools to help predict trends and adjust strategies in real time.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM integrates with Microsoft Teams, Azure, OneDrive, Dynamics 365 Finance, Outlook, Excel, SharePoint, Power BI, LinkedIn and Word. 

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Pros

• Handles complex sales processes efficiently
• AI-powered analytics make for better decision-making
• Very secure to protect customer data

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Cons

• Takes time to set up and fully integrate
• Can be slow when dealing with large amounts of data

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Pricing 

Team Member: $8 per user per month

Sales Professional: $65 per user per month

Sales Enterprise: $95 per user per month

Sales Premium: $135 per user per month

Relationship Sales: $162 per user per month

7. ClickUp

ClickUp helps teams stay organized, track progress and work more efficiently. 

Whether you’re managing daily tasks or large projects, it gives you the flexibility to set up workflows that fit your needs.

ClickUp is big on customization. You can view tasks in different forms—lists, boards or calendars—depending on what works best for your team.

Time tracking helps you stay on schedule while automation takes care of repetitive tasks, freeing up time for more important work.

There are detailed reporting tools which make it easier to monitor performance and improve productivity.

Clickup's other useful features include goal tracking to help teams stay focused, a built-in document editor for creating and sharing notes, and mind maps for brainstorming and organizing ideas visually.

ClickUp integrates with Slack, Google Drive, Zoom, OneDrive Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Dropbox, Trello, Evernote and Zapier.

ClickUp Pros

• Built-in time tracking to improve productivity
• Highly customizable to match different workflows
• Multiple task views for better organization 

ClickUp Cons

• Some advanced features require paid plans
• It's many options can be overwhelming

ClickUp Pricing

Free plan 

Unlimited: $10 per user per month

Business: $19 per user per month 

Enterprise: contact sales

8. Salesflare

Salesflare is a CRM built for businesses that want to keep their sales organized without dealing with endless data entry.

It automatically gathers customer details from emails, social media and other sources, so your team always has the latest information at their disposal without lifting a finger.

You can easily see the current status of each deal, making it easy to track progress. Automated follow-up reminders means you'll hardly forget to follow a lead up. Real-time email tracking lets you see who’s engaging with your messages so you can target them first.

Salesflare also provides tools for managing contacts and tasks. Profiles are enriched with data pulled from multiple sources.

The platform also offers an easy-to-use email template system. This means you can easily send professional and personalized messages quickly.

As for integration, you can connect Salesflare with popular tools like Google, QuickBooks, Workspace, Outlook, Microsoft 365, Slack, Mailchimp, LinkedIn, Zapier, Trello, etc. 

Salesflare Pros

• Easy-to-use interface
• Cuts down on manual work with automated data entry
• Tracks emails in real time, so you know when leads are interested

Salesflare Cons

• There are no invoicing or quoting tools
• Limited customization for businesses with complex needs

Salesflare Pricing

Growth: $29 per user per month 

Pro: $49 per user per month 

Enterprise: $99 per user per month

9. Nutshell CRM

Nutshell CRM is built for businesses that want a simple way to manage sales, track leads, and stay organized without unnecessary complexity.

It’s an easy-to-use platform that helps teams keep their sales pipeline in order and close deals faster.

You get a clear view of each deal as it develops. This makes it easier to track progress. 

With automated email sequences, you can stay connected with prospects without manual follow-ups. The reporting tools provide key insights into your team’s performance, so you can make smart decisions without spending hours analyzing data.

Nutshell CRM’s other features include lead management to help you capture and convert prospects, customizable reports to track the metrics that matter most, and activity reminders to ensure you never miss an important follow-up.

Nutshell CRM integrates with popular tools such as Google Workspace, Dropbox, Microsoft Outlook, Zapier, Mailchimp, QuickBooks, Slack, Constant Contact, LinkedIn and Office 365.

Nutshell CRM Pros

• Quick setup without a complicated learning curve
• Easy-to-use visual pipeline for deal tracking
• Automated email sequences to engage prospects

Nutshell CRM Cons

• Limited advanced reporting options

Nutshell CRM Pricing

Foundation: $13/user/month

Growth: $25/user/month

Pro: $42/user/month

Business: $59 per user per month

Enterprise: $79/user/month

10. Microsoft SQL Server

If your business needs high performance, security and scalability, you might want to go with a powerful database management system such as Microsoft SQL Server. 

It can handle large amounts of structured and unstructured data. This makes it a great choice for data storage, processing and analysis.

With its advanced analytics tools, SQL Server helps businesses uncover valuable insights and improve decision-making. You can pair it to Power BI for data visualization and reporting, so your team can make sense of complex datasets.

SQL Server provides the reliability and scalability your most businesses need. 

SQL Server Pros

• Security features available to protect sensitive data
• It handles complex queries efficiently for high performance
• It scales easily and can manage large databases and heavy transactions as your business grows. 

SQL Server Cons

• Full-featured versions can be expensive for small businesses. You can always start with a free version though.
• A learning curve means beginners will have to learn the tool. 

SQL Server Pricing

Express – Free

Developer – Free

Enterprise – $15,123

Standard (per core) – $3,945

Standard (server license) – $989

Standard (CAL) – $230

Web – Custom pricing

Pay-as-you-go options:

Standard (per core) – $73

Enterprise (per core) – $274

11. PostgreSQL

If your creative agency needs a database that can manage complex data efficiently, give PostgreSQL a shot.

It is open-source, powerful, reliable, scalable and puts up great performance.

One of its biggest strengths is its ability to handle large datasets with speed and integrity.

Advanced data types are never a problem for it and its optimization tools improve performance.

The fact that it’s open-source makes it highly adaptable. You can modify it to fit your specific needs.

Security is also a priority as PostgreSQL comes with built-in features to protect sensitive information.

PostgreSQL Pros

• Supports advanced data types and performance optimization tools
• Easily customizable to fit different business requirements
• Open-source, making it a cost-effective choice
• Strong security features will protect your data

PostgreSQL Cons

• You'll have to learn if you don't have database expertise
• Professional support is only available through third-party providers

PostgreSQL Pricing

Free

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Here's a recap of the top 11 small business database software for creative agencies:

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How to Choose the Right Database Software for Your Agency

Now that you know the various database software you can use for your business, how do you go about choosing one which is right for you? What should you consider? 

Let's discuss that next. 

Easy-to-Use Interface

The best database software should be simple and easy to navigate so your team can get started quickly without spending weeks in training.

Integration with Other Tools

Your database software should connect easily with other business tools such as accounting software, CRM platforms or project management apps. This ensures that your data flows efficiently across different systems without extra work.

Automation to Save Time

A good database tool should reduce manual work by automating repetitive tasks like reminders, follow-ups and notifications. This will allow you focus on more important business operations.

Scalability

As your business expands, your database software should be able to handle more data and users without slowing down. Choose a system that scales with your needs, so you won’t have to switch software down the line.

Robust Security Features

Your database holds valuable (even sensitive) business and client information. So security should be a top priority. Look for features such as encrypted data storage, user access controls and backup options to keep your data safe.

Reliable Customer Support

Look for a provider with responsive customer service to minimize downtime and keep your operations running smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What features should I consider when choosing a database softwaren for my business? 

You should look for features such as ease of use, automation (to save time), scalability (for growth), security and customer support. 

Is my client information safe with client database software?

A good database tool should have securiry features to protect client data. Look for security features like encrypted data storage, user access controls and backup options. 

Conclusion

Thank you for staying put as we journeyed through 11 solid small business database software for creative agencies. 

Now, you're spoilt for choice—literally. So let me make your work easier by narrowing it down to three. 

So if I had to pick 3 from the list, what would they be? 

First, ManyRequests, especially if your business is in the creative space.

Why?

You see, ManyRequests is more than just a database software. It's an all-in-one software built specifically for creative businesses. This makes it perfect for creative agency database management. 

It packs practically all the features you'll need to grow your business. Want to take it for a spin? Here's a 14-day free trial at no cost or risk to you. 

Next, HubSpot CRM. If you're just starting out, bootstrapping your way to entrepreneurial greatness, get HubSpot CRM, the free version of the software. Yes, it's limited in features but hey, “beggars” don't get to choose, right? Just kidding. 

Third, if you're doing some advanced stuff ploughing through the most unusual of datasets and types, do yourself a favor—get Microsoft SQL Server. It's built for that. Did I hear you say you're cash-trapped?

Get PostgreSQL instead. It's cut from the same cloth as SQL Server and it's free. 

A caveat—there's a learning curve to surmount with both (SQL Server and PostgreSQL). 

Good news is that Structured Query Language (SQL) isn't the hardest programming language to pick up. Stay with it long enough and you'll be fine. Else, just hire someone to do it for you. 

Okay thank you so much for riding with me on this one. 

See you in the next piece. 

Bye.

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