Last updated: January 2026
What Is Nutshell?
For small B2B sales teams, CRM often feels like a necessary evil—something management requires that salespeople tolerate. Nutshell set out to change this by building a CRM that salespeople actually want to use. The result is a clean, intuitive platform that handles the essentials of sales management without the complexity that makes enterprise CRMs overwhelming.
Founded in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Nutshell has grown by focusing relentlessly on the needs of small sales teams—typically 2-25 people who need to track leads, manage pipelines, and close deals without spending hours learning complicated software or maintaining elaborate systems.
What makes Nutshell distinctive is its integration of email marketing directly into the CRM. Rather than requiring separate tools for sales and marketing automation, Nutshell provides both in a single platform, allowing small teams to manage the full customer journey from lead to close to ongoing engagement.
Start Your Nutshell Free TrialKey Features of Nutshell
Pipeline Management
At its core, Nutshell provides visual pipeline management that lets you track deals from initial contact through close. Multiple pipeline views—board, list, chart, and map—let you visualize your sales process however makes sense for your team.
You can create multiple pipelines for different products, services, or sales processes, each with its own stages and probability settings. Drag-and-drop interface makes moving deals through stages intuitive.
Sales Automation
Nutshell automates repetitive sales tasks so your team can focus on selling. Automated sequences can send follow-up emails, create tasks, and move deals through your pipeline based on triggers you define. When a lead goes cold, Nutshell can automatically follow up. When a deal reaches a certain stage, it can assign tasks to the right team members.
Email Marketing Built In
Unlike most CRMs that require separate email marketing tools, Nutshell includes email marketing natively. Create broadcast emails and drip campaigns, segment your audience, track opens and clicks, and see email engagement data right alongside sales data. This integration means you're not maintaining two separate systems or trying to sync data between them.
Contact Management
Every interaction with a contact—emails, calls, meetings, notes—is automatically logged and easily accessible. Timeline views show the complete history of your relationship with any contact or company. Smart organization features group related contacts and companies together.
Reporting and Analytics
Nutshell provides the reporting small sales teams actually need: pipeline velocity, win rates, activity metrics, and forecast projections. Dashboards show team performance at a glance, while detailed reports help identify what's working and what isn't.
Integrations
Nutshell connects with the tools small businesses commonly use: Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Slack, QuickBooks, Mailchimp, Zapier, and more. The Gmail and Outlook integrations are particularly strong, allowing you to work from your email client while keeping Nutshell updated.
Nutshell Pricing in 2026
Foundation — $19/user/month (billed annually). Includes core CRM features, contact management, pipeline management, and email sync. Good for teams just getting started with CRM.
Growth — $32/user/month (billed annually). Adds sales automation, email marketing, advanced reporting, and more customization options. Best for teams ready to automate their sales process.
Pro — $49/user/month (billed annually). Adds advanced email marketing, custom reporting, API access, and priority support. Suited for teams with sophisticated needs.
All plans include unlimited contacts, unlimited storage, and free onboarding support. No feature limitations based on data volume—a refreshing approach compared to competitors who charge more as your database grows.
Try Nutshell Free for 14 DaysPros and Cons of Nutshell
Pros
- Actually usable — Clean interface that salespeople don't hate using
- Email marketing included — No need for a separate email tool for many teams
- Fair pricing — Unlimited contacts and no hidden fees
- Excellent support — US-based team with strong onboarding
- Quick implementation — Get up and running in days, not months
- Strong mobile apps — Full functionality on the go
Cons
- Limited for large teams — Enterprise features like territory management are absent
- Basic marketing automation — Email marketing is solid but not as sophisticated as dedicated tools
- Fewer integrations than enterprise CRMs — May not connect with niche tools
- Limited customization — Less flexibility than platforms like Salesforce
Who Should Use Nutshell?
Small B2B Sales Teams — Nutshell's sweet spot is teams of 2-25 salespeople who need reliable CRM without enterprise complexity.
Companies New to CRM — If you're moving from spreadsheets to CRM, Nutshell's gentle learning curve makes the transition manageable.
Teams Wanting CRM + Email Marketing — If you need both and want them integrated, Nutshell's combination is compelling.
Service Businesses — Consultants, agencies, and service providers find Nutshell fits their relationship-focused sales process well.
Nutshell vs Alternatives
HubSpot CRM offers a free tier with more marketing features but becomes expensive as you grow. Nutshell is simpler and more predictably priced.
Pipedrive is similarly focused on usability for small teams. Pipedrive is pure CRM; Nutshell includes email marketing.
Salesforce is the enterprise standard with vastly more features and complexity. Overkill for most small teams.
Close focuses on inside sales with built-in calling. Good if phone is your primary channel; Nutshell is more versatile.
Nutshell's differentiator is the combination of usability, integrated email marketing, and fair pricing without contact-based fees.
See Why Teams Choose NutshellGetting Started with Nutshell
- Start your free trial — 14 days, no credit card required
- Import your contacts — CSV import or sync from your email/calendar
- Set up your pipeline — Define stages that match your sales process
- Connect your email — Gmail or Outlook integration for automatic logging
- Invite your team — Add users and assign permissions
- Start tracking deals — Create leads and move them through your pipeline
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I import from my current CRM?
Yes, Nutshell supports imports from most CRMs including Salesforce, HubSpot, and Pipedrive. Their support team can help with complex migrations.
Is there a free version?
Nutshell offers a 14-day free trial but doesn't have a permanent free tier. The Foundation plan at $19/user/month is the entry point.
How does email marketing work?
Nutshell's email marketing lets you create campaigns, segment contacts, automate drip sequences, and track engagement—all within the CRM. It's not as sophisticated as dedicated platforms like Mailchimp but covers most small business needs.
Can I customize fields and layouts?
Yes, you can create custom fields, modify layouts, and configure pipelines to match your process. There's good flexibility without overwhelming complexity.
What kind of support is available?
All plans include email support and access to help resources. Higher tiers add phone support and dedicated success managers. Nutshell's US-based team is known for responsive, helpful service.
Final Verdict
Nutshell succeeds by staying focused on its target audience: small B2B sales teams who need effective CRM without enterprise complexity. The clean interface, integrated email marketing, and fair pricing make it a compelling choice for teams who've struggled with more complicated platforms or are adopting CRM for the first time.
The lack of enterprise features limits its suitability for larger organizations, but that's by design—Nutshell isn't trying to be everything to everyone. For the small teams it targets, it's one of the most thoughtfully designed CRMs available.
If you're running a small sales team and want a CRM that helps rather than hinders, Nutshell deserves a look.
Start Your Nutshell Free Trial Today
