Last updated
November 5, 2025
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AI-Native CRM: Guide and Best Tools in 2026

Discover folk - the CRM for people-powered businesses

AI CRM is no longer a nice-to-have. It decides who your reps contact, what they say, and when they follow up. Teams that still rely on “static” CRMs lose deals to those that move faster, personalize more, and automate the boring work away.

An AI-native CRM goes a step further than traditional tools that simply bolt AI on top. It treats AI as the core engine: capturing data automatically, enriching records in real time, drafting messages from context, and suggesting the next best move for every deal. Instead of logging information manually, sales teams act on clean, updated insights.

For B2B companies, that means:

  • Less time spent on admin, more time selling.
  • Consistent, personalized outreach at scale across channels.
  • Forecasts, pipelines, and priorities driven by real behavior, not gut feeling.

👉 The goal is simple: Understand what an AI-native CRM really is, how it works, which AI features matter most, and which tools lead the market in 2026 so teams can choose a system that actually drives revenue—not just stores data!

What is an AI-Native CRM?

An AI-native CRM is a customer relationship system built with AI as the core engine, not as a small add-on on top of static records. It treats every interaction, field, and workflow as data the system can interpret, improve, and act on automatically.

Instead of waiting for reps to log notes, update stages, or create tasks, an AI-native CRM collects signals from email, calls, LinkedIn, website visits, and tools, then turns those signals into clean records, priorities, and next steps. The database is alive: it updates itself and pushes suggestions to the team, not the other way around.

A practical way to recognize an AI-native CRM is simple:

✔️ It creates and enriches contacts automatically from the channels the team already uses.

✔️ It proposes next actions for each deal or contact based on past outcomes and real activity.

✔️ It drafts messages, recaps, and insights from context stored inside the CRM, not from a blank page.

✔️ It improves data quality over time without constant spreadsheet exports and manual cleanup.

The goal is not just to “add AI” to a CRM. The goal is to turn the CRM into a sales assistant that keeps data accurate, points reps to the right opportunities, and supports every conversation with context, so teams sell more with less effort.

Why You Should Use an AI-Native CRM in 2026?

In 2026, sales teams deal with more channels, more tools, and more data than ever. A traditional CRM that just stores contacts and activities cannot keep up with that pace. An AI-native CRM absorbs this complexity and turns it into simple, actionable guidance: who to contact, what to say, and when to follow up.

For sales reps, that means less time spent updating fields and more time in live conversations. AI handles enrichment, note-taking, and repetitive drafting, while reps focus on building relationships and qualifying real opportunities. For managers and founders, it means pipeline views and forecasts based on real behavior instead of incomplete data and guesswork.

An AI-native CRM also raises the quality of every touchpoint:

→ Outreach becomes smarter, because messages use live context from previous interactions, not generic templates.

→ Prioritization becomes clearer, because the CRM ranks leads and deals by intent, fit, and engagement, not just deal size.

→ Processes become more consistent, because AI-driven workflows nudge reps to follow the same proven steps on every opportunity.

9 Best AI-Native CRMs in 2026: The Full List

The top 3 AI-Native CRMs are:

1. folk CRM

2. Hubspot

3. Salesforce

1. folk CRM

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Best for

Large sales teams, mid-size sales teams, startups, agencies, founders.

Overview

folk is an AI-native CRM built for teams that run high-volume, multi-channel outreach without drowning in admin. The folkX Chrome extension captures contacts from LinkedIn, Gmail, and the web in one click, enriches profiles, and keeps data structured from day one. AI drafts icebreakers and follow-ups based on real interactions, while Magic Fields and smart workflows keep pipelines clean and ready to segment. For sales leaders, that means a single, reliable workspace where email, WhatsApp, and sales activity live on unified contact timelines.

Pros

  • One-click capture and enrichment from LinkedIn, Sales Navigator, and Gmail with folkX.
  • AI icebreakers and follow-up suggestions based on real conversation history.
  • Unified timeline across email and WhatsApp to keep handoffs smooth between SDRs, AEs, and AMs.
  • Simple, flexible pipelines that adapt to different sales motions without heavy admin.

Cons

  • No perpetual free plan, only a free trial.
  • Some advanced workflows and roles make more sense for teams ready to standardize process.

Pricing

Standard plan starts at $20 per member/month billed annually (or $25 billed monthly). Premium plan starts at $40 per member/month billed annually.

👉 Try folk CRM for free

2. Salesforce

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Best for

Enterprise sales teams, complex B2B sales cycles, multi-region organizations.

Overview

Salesforce with Einstein 1 Sales brings AI into a very mature CRM stack. Instead of just storing account and opportunity data, Einstein analyzes past deals, activities, and pipeline behavior to score leads, suggest next actions, and forecast revenue. Teams can auto-generate emails and call summaries from meetings, while AI insights surface which deals stall, which accounts show buying signals, and where reps should focus their time. It remains a heavyweight platform, but for large organizations that already rely on Salesforce, Einstein turns a classic CRM into an AI-assisted operating system for sales.

Pros

  • Deep AI lead and opportunity scoring powered by historical CRM data.
  • AI-generated emails, call summaries, and follow-up suggestions from recorded meetings and interactions.
  • Advanced forecasting and pipeline insights for large, complex teams.
  • Huge ecosystem of integrations and add-ons for almost every B2B tool.

Cons

  • Can feel heavy and complex for lean teams or early-stage startups.
  • Pricing and setup often require implementation support and careful configuration.

Pricing

Sales Cloud pricing for AI-powered plans typically starts around $80–$165 per user/month for mid-tier and advanced editions, depending on region and configuration, with Einstein capabilities included or add-on depending on the plan.

3. HubSpot Sales Hub

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Best for

Scaling SMBs and mid-market teams that want an all-in-one AI CRM across marketing, sales, and service.

Overview

HubSpot Sales Hub sits on top of HubSpot’s Smart CRM and adds Breeze AI across the sales workspace. Reps can use AI to draft emails, summarize calls, build follow-ups from notes, and get recommendations on which deals or tasks to prioritize. Predictive lead and deal scoring, AI-driven forecasting, and automated workflows help teams focus on high-intent accounts instead of manual triage. For companies already using HubSpot for marketing or service, Sales Hub turns the platform into an AI-native environment for the entire revenue engine.

Pros

  • Embedded AI for email drafting, call summaries, and follow-up suggestions directly in the sales workspace.
  • Predictive lead scoring and AI-powered forecasting to prioritize the most promising contacts and deals.
  • Tight integration with Marketing and Service Hubs for full-funnel visibility in one CRM.
  • Mature ecosystem, reporting, and automation for growing B2B teams.

Cons

  • Advanced AI, automation, and reporting sit mainly on Professional and Enterprise tiers, which increases total cost.
  • Works best when the company commits to the HubSpot stack rather than mixing many separate tools.

Pricing

Sales Hub Starter typically starts around $15–$20 per seat/month, with Professional around $100 per seat/month and Enterprise around $150 per seat/month, usually with annual commitments and onboarding fees for higher tiers.

4. Zeliq

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Best for

Outbound SDR teams, sales-led startups, B2B companies that want AI-native prospecting plus CRM-grade tracking in one workspace.

Overview

Zeliq is an AI-first sales platform that se rapproche d’un AI-native CRM pour l’outbound. It combines a large B2B database, real-time enrichment, and omnichannel outreach in a single interface. Reps find leads, enrich emails and phone numbers, and launch email, call, and LinkedIn sequences without jumping between tools. AI scores engagement, flags the best prospects to contact next, and helps keep data structured enough to sync cleanly with existing CRMs like HubSpot or Salesforce.

Pros

  • Centralizes prospecting, enrichment, and outreach so SDRs do not juggle three or four separate tools.
  • Large global contact database with enrichment that improves email deliverability and connect rates.
  • Omnichannel sequences across email, calls, and LinkedIn with AI-assisted personalization.
  • Native integrations with major CRMs and telephony tools, so sales teams keep a single source of truth.

Cons

  • Designed primarily for outbound prospecting, not for deep post-sale account management.
  • Best value sits on paid tiers, which may feel high for very small teams that only run light outreach.

Pricing

Zeliq offers a free basic plan with limited credits. Paid plans typically start around $59 per user/month, with higher tiers for teams that need more credits, analytics, and advanced collaboration features.

5. Attio

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Best for

Product-led startups, modern B2B teams that want a flexible, data-first AI-native CRM instead of a rigid legacy stack.

Overview

Attio is an AI-native CRM built around a real-time data model rather than static records. It pulls customer data from email, calendars, and tools into a unified graph, then uses AI to keep contacts, companies, and pipelines clean with minimal manual input. Teams build custom views and workflows for sales, success, or partnerships, while AI helps summarize accounts, surface next steps, and generate context-aware notes. Instead of forcing teams into a fixed CRM template, Attio acts like a collaborative, programmable workspace that behaves more like a modern data app than a traditional CRM.

Pros

  • Data-first architecture that keeps records synced and reduces manual data entry.
  • Strong customization for pipelines, views, and workflows without heavy admin overhead.
  • AI summaries and context that help reps get up to speed quickly on new accounts or deals.
  • Modern UI that feels closer to a productivity app than a legacy CRM backend.

Cons

  • Best suited to teams ready to design their own processes, not those who want an out-of-the-box enterprise blueprint.
  • App ecosystem and integrations are still lighter than long-established enterprise CRMs.

Pricing

Free pla:; Plus: $29; Pro: $69; Enterprise: Custom.

6. Close

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Best for

Inside sales teams, SaaS startups, B2B companies that run high-volume outbound and inbound from one place.

Overview

Close is an AI-driven CRM built around calling, emailing, and SMS, not just contact storage. Instead of forcing reps to log activities after the fact, Close tracks calls, emails, and texts automatically and uses AI to summarize conversations, suggest follow-ups, and keep opportunities updated. Power Dialer and predictive dialing features help inside sales teams reach more prospects per day, while AI-powered email and workflow assistance reduce the time spent crafting repetitive outreach. The result feels more like an AI-native sales console than a static CRM database.

Pros

  • Native calling, emailing, and SMS in the same interface, which reduces tab-switching for inside sales teams.
  • AI call summaries and follow-up suggestions that help reps update deals and pipelines faster.
  • Strong sequence and automation capabilities for outbound and inbound workflows.
  • Intuitive UI that suits lean teams that want speed rather than heavy, over-configured CRM setups.

Cons

  • Focuses heavily on calling and inside sales, so it may not fit complex, multi-department enterprise use cases.
  • Limited marketing automation compared with all-in-one platforms that bundle CRM and marketing suites.

Pricing

Essentials: $35/mo; Growth: $99/mo; Scale: $139.

7. Pipedrive

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Best for

SMBs and sales-led startups that want a simple, pipeline-focused CRM with AI assistance on top of everyday workflows.

Overview

Pipedrive started as a classic pipeline CRM, but now includes AI to help reps work smarter instead of just dragging deals across stages. The system scores deals, flags which opportunities need attention, and suggests actions based on past behavior. Reps can use AI to draft emails faster, review performance, and spot patterns in won vs lost deals. The interface stays very visual and lightweight, which makes it attractive for teams moving away from spreadsheets but still wanting AI help on prioritization and follow-up.

Pros

  • Clean, visual pipelines that are easy for non-expert users to understand and adopt.
  • AI suggestions that highlight which deals to focus on and how to improve win rates over time.
  • Helpful automation for follow-ups, reminders, and activity scheduling without heavy setup.
  • Large marketplace of integrations for email, calling, lead capture, and reporting.

Cons

  • Focuses more on straightforward sales cycles than complex, multi-team enterprise processes.
  • AI capabilities feel more like a strong add-on layer than a fully programmable AI workspace.

Pricing

Lite: $14/mo; Growth: $24/mo; Premium: $29; Ultimate: $69

8. Zoho CRM

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Best for

SMBs, growing B2B teams, and cost-conscious companies that want strong AI inside an affordable CRM stack.

Overview

Zoho CRM has evolved into a very AI-driven platform through Zia, its built-in AI layer. Zia helps teams create modules and workflows, analyze lost deals, score leads, and even act as a virtual SDR or sales coach through prebuilt AI agents. These agents can enrich data, spot churn risks, and highlight patterns in wins and losses so reps know where to focus. The result is a CRM that feels much smarter than its price point suggests, especially for teams that want AI support at every stage of the sales cycle.

Pros

  • Zia AI and Zia Agents provide assistants for lead scoring, forecasting, sales coaching, and data enrichment.
  • Strong automation engine for workflows, approvals, and follow-ups without heavy development.
  • Wide app ecosystem and native integrations across marketing, support, and finance.
  • Very competitive pricing, including a usable free plan for small teams.

Cons

  • Interface and setup can feel dense for teams that want a very minimal, “out-of-the-box” experience.
  • Advanced AI and automation options require time to configure properly for each sales process.

Pricing

Zoho CRM offers a free plan for up to 3 users. Paid plans generally start around $14 per user/month (billed annually) for Standard, with Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate tiers rising into the $20–$50 per user/month range depending on features and support.

9. Freshsales

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Best for

SMBs and mid-market B2B teams that want an AI-assisted CRM with built-in telephony, email, and deal management.

Overview

Freshsales is a CRM built around Freddy AI, its native AI engine. It tracks emails, calls, website activity, and form submissions, then uses AI to score leads, predict deal outcomes, and suggest the next best action. Reps can generate deal summaries, follow-up suggestions, and insights on accounts directly inside the CRM, instead of manually piecing information together. For teams that want an affordable, all-in-one CRM with a serious AI layer, Freshsales offers a solid balance between usability and intelligence.

Pros

  • Freddy AI supports lead scoring, deal insights, and next-action recommendations.
  • Native CRM, email, and telephony in one place, which reduces tool sprawl.
  • Automations for sequences, tasks, and reminders without a heavy implementation project.
  • Straightforward interface for teams that do not have a full-time CRM admin.

Cons

  • Less suited to very complex, multi-business-unit enterprise stacks.
  • App ecosystem and customization options are not as deep as long-standing enterprise CRMs.

Pricing

Growth: $9; Pro: $39; Enterprise: $59

9 Best AI-Native CRMs in 2026: The Final Verdict

Tool Rating Best for Starting price*
folk CRM ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Large sales teams, mid-size sales teams, startups, agencies, founders $20 per member/month (Standard, annual)
Salesforce (Einstein 1 Sales) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enterprise sales teams, complex B2B sales cycles, multi-region organizations ≈ $80–$165 per user/month (Sales Cloud)
HubSpot Sales Hub ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Scaling SMBs and mid-market teams using an all-in-one RevOps stack ≈ $15–$20 per seat/month (Starter)
Zeliq ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Outbound SDR teams, sales-led startups From $59 per user/month
Attio ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Product-led startups, modern B2B teams needing a flexible data-first CRM Free plan, then from $29 per user/month
Close ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Inside sales teams, SaaS startups with high-volume calling and email From $35 per user/month (Essentials)
Pipedrive ⭐⭐⭐⭐ SMBs and sales-led startups From $14 per user/month (Lite)
Zoho CRM ⭐⭐⭐⭐ SMBs, growing B2B teams, cost-conscious companies Free plan, paid from $14 per user/month
Freshsales ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ SMBs and mid-market B2B teams that want AI CRM plus telephony From $9 per user/month (Growth)

*Pricing is indicative and usually based on annual billing for entry or popular plans.

👉 Try folk CRM for free

Conclusion

AI-native CRMs turn the CRM from a static database into an active sales assistant. Instead of relying on manual data entry, they use AI to clean records, enrich contacts, suggest next steps, and help teams react faster to real buying signals.

An AI-native CRM uses AI at the core: it captures information from LinkedIn, email, and calls, drafts outreach from real context, and ranks leads and deals by intent and fit. The result is simple: less admin, more selling, and clearer priorities for every rep.

Among all AI-native CRMs, folk CRM stands out as the strongest option for modern B2B teams. It combines one-click contact capture with folkX, AI icebreakers, clean multi-channel timelines, and smart guidance inside a single, focused workspace that sales teams actually enjoy using.

Try for free