Best Highrise CRM Alternatives
After the Sunset in 2027
Highrise has been sunset by Basecamp with no new features and declining support. If you still rely on it, now is the time to migrate. We reviewed the top 6 modern alternatives.
Top 6 Highrise CRM Alternatives Compared
Each tool evaluated on features, pricing, ease of migration, and value for small businesses.
Dewx
Editor's PickAI-native business operating system that replaces your CRM, inbox, project management, and operations tools in one platform. Built specifically for small businesses and solopreneurs who need enterprise-grade features without enterprise complexity.
Pros
- True unified inbox (WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Gmail, Instagram, Outlook)
- AI assistant (Dew) that executes tasks, not just suggests
- CRM + operations + invoicing in one subscription
- Setup in under 10 minutes, no consultants needed
Cons
- Newer platform, still building integration ecosystem
- Best suited for teams under 50 people
HubSpot CRM
The most obvious modern upgrade from Highrise, HubSpot offers a generous free CRM with paid hubs for sales, marketing, and service. It handles contact management, deal tracking, and team collaboration far beyond what Highrise provided.
Pros
- Generous free tier with robust core CRM
- Strong contact and company management
- Massive ecosystem of integrations
- Excellent email marketing and automation
Cons
- Paid hub costs escalate quickly
- Can be complex for very small teams
- Feature gating on lower-tier plans
Pipedrive
A sales-focused CRM built around visual pipeline management. For Highrise users who primarily used it for deal and opportunity tracking, Pipedrive offers a significant upgrade in pipeline visibility and sales workflow.
Pros
- Extremely intuitive visual sales pipeline
- Activity-based selling keeps reps on track
- Easy migration from legacy CRMs
- Strong mobile app for field-based teams
Cons
- Limited marketing automation out of the box
- No built-in helpdesk or support tools
- Reporting is functional but not deeply customizable
Zoho CRM
A comprehensive CRM suite with deep customization and an extensive integration library. Zoho CRM provides everything Highrise offered plus significantly more: automation, AI analytics, multi-channel support, and a full business app ecosystem.
Pros
- Highly customizable modules and workflows
- Strong multi-channel communication support
- Competitive pricing for feature-rich plans
- Built-in AI (Zia) for predictions and insights
Cons
- Steeper learning curve than simpler CRMs
- Interface can feel dated in places
- Support quality varies by plan level
Capsule CRM
A clean, simple CRM that closely mirrors Highrise's philosophy of doing less but doing it well. Capsule focuses on contact management, task tracking, and pipeline visibility — ideal for teams that loved Highrise's simplicity.
Pros
- Extremely simple and fast to learn
- Clean contact and company management
- Good task and activity tracking
- Affordable pricing for small teams
Cons
- Limited automation compared to modern CRMs
- No unified inbox or multi-channel messaging
- Basic reporting capabilities
Less Annoying CRM
A deliberately simple CRM designed for small businesses that want core CRM features without the complexity. At a flat $15/user/mo, it is one of the most affordable modern alternatives for Highrise users who valued simplicity above all else.
Pros
- Extremely simple to set up and use
- Transparent flat pricing with no surprise fees
- Excellent customer support reputation
- Good contact and pipeline basics
Cons
- Very limited automation and integrations
- No AI features or advanced analytics
- Not suitable for teams needing complex workflows
Quick Comparison Table
Side-by-side overview of all Highrise CRM alternatives.
| Tool | Starting Price | Best For | Unified Inbox | AI Features | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dewx | From $49/mo (all features included) | Small businesses wanting an all-in-one Highrise CRM replacement | 4.8/5 | ||
| HubSpot CRM | Free tier; paid from $20/user/mo per Hub | Teams needing a modern CRM upgrade from Highrise with marketing tools | 4.4/5 | ||
| Pipedrive | From $14/user/mo | Highrise users who primarily tracked deals and want better pipeline visibility | 4.4/5 | ||
| Zoho CRM | Free for up to 3 users; paid from $14/user/mo | Teams needing deep customization and a broad integration library | 4.2/5 | ||
| Capsule CRM | Free for up to 2 users; paid from $18/user/mo | Highrise users who want the same simplicity with a modern, supported platform | 4.1/5 | ||
| Less Annoying CRM | From $15/user/mo | Small teams wanting Highrise-level simplicity on a fully supported modern platform | 4.3/5 |
Why You Must Move Away from Highrise
Highrise served its purpose well, but staying on a sunset platform puts your business data and workflows at risk.
Sunset Platform
Highrise receives no new features, no security patches, and declining support. Staying on a sunset CRM exposes your business to data and security risks.
No Modern Channels
Highrise was built for email-only communication. Modern businesses need WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Instagram, and more — none of which Highrise supports.
No AI or Automation
Highrise predates modern AI and automation. Every competitor now offers automated follow-ups, AI scoring, and intelligent workflows that Highrise cannot match.
Migration Risk Grows
The longer you wait to migrate from Highrise, the more data accumulates on an unstable platform. Migrating now is easier, safer, and less disruptive.
Highrise CRM Alternatives FAQ
Is Highrise CRM still available?
Highrise was originally built by 37signals (Basecamp). It has been in sunset mode for several years with no new features being added and declining support. While some legacy accounts may still function, Highrise is no longer a viable long-term CRM solution. Businesses that relied on Highrise should migrate to a modern, actively developed alternative.
What is the closest modern equivalent to Highrise CRM?
Capsule CRM is the closest in philosophy — simple, clean, focused on contact management and tasks without overwhelming complexity. Less Annoying CRM is another strong match for teams that valued Highrise's straightforward approach. However, if you want to take the migration as an opportunity to upgrade your entire business stack, Dewx adds unified inbox, AI assistant, and invoicing at a flat price.
Can I migrate my data from Highrise to a modern CRM?
Yes. Highrise supports CSV and XML export of contacts, companies, deals, emails, and notes. Most modern CRMs including Dewx, HubSpot, Pipedrive, and Capsule accept CSV imports. Dewx can typically complete a Highrise migration in under 20 minutes, preserving contacts, company associations, and deal history.
Is Dewx a good Highrise replacement for solopreneurs?
Dewx is an excellent Highrise replacement for solopreneurs. Unlike Highrise, which required per-user fees and covered only basic CRM, Dewx provides a complete business OS: unified inbox, CRM, invoicing, project management, and AI assistant in one flat-rate subscription. There is no per-user fee, making it significantly more cost-effective as you grow.
Which Highrise alternative is easiest to migrate to?
Less Annoying CRM and Capsule CRM have the lowest learning curve for Highrise users, as they follow a similar philosophy of simplicity. HubSpot has dedicated migration tools. Dewx offers hands-on onboarding support and typically gets teams fully migrated and productive within a single business day.
Explore Dewx Features
See why Dewx is the top-rated Highrise CRM replacement for small businesses.
Unified Inbox
WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Gmail, Instagram, Outlook in one place — everything Highrise never had.
CRM & Sales Pipeline
Modern visual pipeline management with AI-driven insights — a true upgrade from Highrise.
Customer Experience
Projects, support tickets, and client management built in alongside your CRM.
More comparisons:
Ready to Leave Highrise Behind?
Stop running your business on a sunset platform. Dewx gives you a unified inbox, CRM, AI assistant, and invoicing in one flat-rate subscription — migrate in under an hour.