# a CRM for small agencies **A small-agency CRM is crowded, but there is still room if you focus on workflow glue and not another generic pipeline app.** Confidence: medium · 75 signals · checked 2026-08-01 [Full report with live links](https://showsitsworks.com/idea/crm-for-small-agencies) ## Who is already building this *From data* - directus-labs/agency-os is a live open-source product with 959 stars and a last push on 2026-03-06; it positions itself as "the open source operating system for digital agencies." - [directus-labs/agency-os](https://github.com/directus-labs/agency-os) `github` — 2023-02-27 - ThompBui/freelancer-workspace is an active workspace product with 26 stars and a last push on 2026-05-23; it includes CRM, Kanban, contracts, infra renewals, and AI search for freelancers and agencies. - [ThompBui/freelancer-workspace](https://github.com/ThompBui/freelancer-workspace) `github` — 2026-05-23 - AxiumFoundry/foundry-crm is a small-agency CRM with 10 stars and a last push on 2026-04-28; it covers contacts, projects, invoicing, time tracking, and an AI chat widget. - [AxiumFoundry/foundry-crm](https://github.com/AxiumFoundry/foundry-crm) `github` — 2026-02-09 - prajwallshetty/ClientX is another small-agency CRM with 5 stars and a last push on 2026-01-01; it combines client management, contracts, e-sign, chat, invoices, and project tracking. - [prajwallshetty/ClientX](https://github.com/prajwallshetty/ClientX) `github` — 2025-08-31 - OpenCATS is a maintained open-source ATS and recruitment CRM with 718 stars and a last push on 2026-07-28, so it is a live competitor for staffing agencies rather than a generic agency CRM. - [opencats/OpenCATS](https://github.com/opencats/OpenCATS) `github` — 2009-07-17 - Older repos show dead or stale competition: imcody/ASP.NET-MVC-Customer-Billing-Management has 79 stars and last pushed in 2019-04-14, while mazvv/travelcrm has 31 stars and last pushed in 2020-04-02. - [imcody/ASP.NET-MVC-Customer-Billing-Management](https://github.com/imcody/ASP.NET-MVC-Customer-Billing-Management) `github` — 2019-04-14 - [mazvv/travelcrm](https://github.com/mazvv/travelcrm) `github` — 2014-04-30 ## What people actually say *From data* - "Paying for GHL sub-accounts was turning into a costly affair every time I added new buyers, plus GHL is not built to manage a scaling PPL agency." This is a founder saying the current stack gets expensive and breaks on agency-scale workflow. - [I built a software for my PPL agency – now I want to sell the software as well](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47676764) `hackernews` — 2026-04-07 - "My agency was bleeding $1,800/year on contractor Notion seats." This is a direct complaint about seat cost and sharing limits in an agency workflow. - [Show HN: We built a permissions layer for Notion](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46545628) `hackernews` — 2026-01-08 - "We kept hitting a wall trying to scale — one tool for CRM, another for invoicing, another for tracking inventory, and a bunch of Google Sheets duct-taping it all together." This is a first-hand description of fragmented operations tools. - [What tools are you using to manage sales, operations, and customers?](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43736535) `hackernews` — 2025-04-19 - "I am currently self employed... I'm also working on a new SaaS product (co-pilot + CRM for small recruiting agencies)." This shows a real founder building toward the same kind of workflow for a niche agency type. - [Ask HN: How many of you are self employed?](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39263181) `hackernews` — 2024-02-05 - "I recently completed a multi-workflow automation for B2B SaaS lead generation." This shows agencies are already paying for workflow automation around CRM-like work. - [Built an AI lead Scoring + HubSpot CRM Automation for B2B Tech Marketing Agencies](https://community.n8n.io/t/built-an-ai-lead-scoring-hubspot-crm-automation-for-b2b-tech-marketing-agencies/295328) `discourse` — 2026-05-12 ## People asking to be sold to *From data* - "I built a lead distribution CRM for PPL agencies... can i find other agencies who'll buy this software from me?" This is explicit market-testing from a builder who wants buyers. - [I built a software for my PPL agency – now I want to sell the software as well](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47676764) `hackernews` — 2026-04-07 - "The idea is a lightweight agent that plugs into their existing CRM (AgencyZoom) and handles repetitive lead follow-ups." This is a stated desire for automation layered onto an existing agency CRM. - [Ask HN: Another AI agent, this runs CRM follow‑ups (200msg in prod). Worth it?](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45090740) `hackernews` — 2025-09-01 - "I would like to suggest a feature for ChatGPT: an integrated AI workspace/CRM for real estate agencies." This is a direct stated want for an integrated agency CRM workspace. - [An integrated AI CRM and property management workspace for real estate agencies](https://community.openai.com/t/an-integrated-ai-crm-and-property-management-workspace-for-real-estate-agencies/1385547) `discourse` — 2026-07-02 - "Use direct email first for the no-login path." This shows someone offering a paid workflow service and optimizing for lower-friction intake, which is a buying signal for operational automation. - [For Hire: $99 CRM Cleanup, Weekly Reporting & AI Workflow Automation Freelancer for Marketing Teams & Agencies - No-Login Email Intake](https://github.com/ch33rio/dacon_skills.md/issues/1) `githubissues` — 2026-05-12 ## Where the opening is *Model estimate* - The existing projects cluster around broad agency management, freelancer workspaces, or niche verticals like recruiting, travel, real estate, and insurance. The data does not show a strong, maintained product focused on small generalist agencies that combines CRM, invoicing, project tracking, and permissions in one simple product. - [directus-labs/agency-os](https://github.com/directus-labs/agency-os) `github` — 2023-02-27 - [opencats/OpenCATS](https://github.com/opencats/OpenCATS) `github` — 2009-07-17 - [ThompBui/freelancer-workspace](https://github.com/ThompBui/freelancer-workspace) `github` — 2026-05-23 - [AxiumFoundry/foundry-crm](https://github.com/AxiumFoundry/foundry-crm) `github` — 2026-02-09 - [prajwallshetty/ClientX](https://github.com/prajwallshetty/ClientX) `github` — 2025-08-31 - [khoinmdIT99/Billing-Management](https://github.com/khoinmdIT99/Billing-Management) `github` — 2020-08-01 - The clearest repeated pain is not raw CRM storage; it is stitching together CRM, invoicing, reporting, contracts, and approvals across messy agency workflows. Existing tools mention parts of this, but the signals do not show one dominant product solving that end-to-end for small agencies. - [Show HN: We built a permissions layer for Notion](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46545628) `hackernews` — 2026-01-08 - [Built an AI lead Scoring + HubSpot CRM Automation for B2B Tech Marketing Agencies](https://community.n8n.io/t/built-an-ai-lead-scoring-hubspot-crm-automation-for-b2b-tech-marketing-agencies/295328) `discourse` — 2026-05-12 - [prajwallshetty/ClientX](https://github.com/prajwallshetty/ClientX) `github` — 2025-08-31 - [What tools are you using to manage sales, operations, and customers?](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43736535) `hackernews` — 2025-04-19 - There is also a gap in no-login or low-friction intake for agency ops help, but that is more of a service wedge than a core CRM feature. - [Service: $99 CRM Cleanup, Weekly Reporting & AI Workflow Automation Consultant for Marketing Ops & Agencies - No-Login Email Intake](https://github.com/ch33rio/dacon_skills.md/issues/2) `githubissues` — 2026-05-13 - [For Hire: $99 CRM Cleanup, Weekly Reporting & AI Workflow Automation Freelancer for Marketing Teams & Agencies - No-Login Email Intake](https://github.com/ch33rio/dacon_skills.md/issues/1) `githubissues` — 2026-05-12 ## How big the market might be *Model estimate* - This search found 4 named projects, with 1 active, 1 slow, and 2 dead. - Across the signals there were 4 first-hand complaints and 2 stated wants, spread across community forums that matched on n8n and OpenAI plus Hacker News threads. - [I built a software for my PPL agency – now I want to sell the software as well](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47676764) `hackernews` — 2026-04-07 - [Show HN: We built a permissions layer for Notion](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46545628) `hackernews` — 2026-01-08 - [An integrated AI CRM and property management workspace for real estate agencies](https://community.openai.com/t/an-integrated-ai-crm-and-property-management-workspace-for-real-estate-agencies/1385547) `discourse` — 2026-07-02 - [Built an AI lead Scoring + HubSpot CRM Automation for B2B Tech Marketing Agencies](https://community.n8n.io/t/built-an-ai-lead-scoring-hubspot-crm-automation-for-b2b-tech-marketing-agencies/295328) `discourse` — 2026-05-12 - [What tools are you using to manage sales, operations, and customers?](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43736535) `hackernews` — 2025-04-19 - [Ask HN: How many of you are self employed?](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39263181) `hackernews` — 2024-02-05 - The largest open-source competitor here is agency-os with 959 stars, and the next is OpenCATS with 718 stars; both are still maintained. - [directus-labs/agency-os](https://github.com/directus-labs/agency-os) `github` — 2023-02-27 - [opencats/OpenCATS](https://github.com/opencats/OpenCATS) `github` — 2009-07-17 - The search also found a slow, low-star cluster of niche agency CRMs: 26 stars, 10 stars, 5 stars, 79 stars, and 31 stars across the smaller repos, which suggests many small attempts but not a single breakout product. - [ThompBui/freelancer-workspace](https://github.com/ThompBui/freelancer-workspace) `github` — 2026-05-23 - [AxiumFoundry/foundry-crm](https://github.com/AxiumFoundry/foundry-crm) `github` — 2026-02-09 - [prajwallshetty/ClientX](https://github.com/prajwallshetty/ClientX) `github` — 2025-08-31 - [imcody/ASP.NET-MVC-Customer-Billing-Management](https://github.com/imcody/ASP.NET-MVC-Customer-Billing-Management) `github` — 2019-04-14 - [mazvv/travelcrm](https://github.com/mazvv/travelcrm) `github` — 2014-04-30 - Because the counted facts say 23 live projects overall and only 4 named projects in the direct competitor table, this looks like an active but fragmented market rather than a saturated winner-take-all category. ## What could go wrong *Model estimate* - This is a crowded, generic-sounding category, so a new CRM will be compared against HubSpot, GoHighLevel, Monday, Pipedrive, and agency-specific tools immediately. - [Best CRM For Small Agencies In 2026](https://fluidcrm.io/blog/crm-for-small-agencies) `tavily` - [Best CRM for Small Agency : r/DigitalMarketing](https://www.reddit.com/r/DigitalMarketing/comments/lhiggz/best_crm_for_small_agency) `tavily` - [Top 15 CRMs for Agencies (Paid & Free) - Decision Guide 2026](https://productive.io/blog/crm-for-agencies) `tavily` - [Best CRM Software for Small Business for 2026 (Top 5 Tested ...](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIRyuq-AKOU) `tavily` - Many of the obvious features are already in the signal set: contacts, projects, invoices, time tracking, billing, chat, contracts, and AI add-ons. That makes differentiation hard. - [ThompBui/freelancer-workspace](https://github.com/ThompBui/freelancer-workspace) `github` — 2026-05-23 - [AxiumFoundry/foundry-crm](https://github.com/AxiumFoundry/foundry-crm) `github` — 2026-02-09 - [prajwallshetty/ClientX](https://github.com/prajwallshetty/ClientX) `github` — 2025-08-31 - [khoinmdIT99/Billing-Management](https://github.com/khoinmdIT99/Billing-Management) `github` — 2020-08-01 - [fazt/vibe-crm](https://github.com/fazt/vibe-crm) `github` — 2026-06-08 - Vertical versions already exist for recruiting, travel, real estate, insurance, and staffing, so a broad small-agency CRM may be pulled into too many edge cases. - [opencats/OpenCATS](https://github.com/opencats/OpenCATS) `github` — 2009-07-17 - [imcody/ASP.NET-MVC-Customer-Billing-Management](https://github.com/imcody/ASP.NET-MVC-Customer-Billing-Management) `github` — 2019-04-14 - [mazvv/travelcrm](https://github.com/mazvv/travelcrm) `github` — 2014-04-30 - [CodeVoyager15/OpenGate](https://github.com/CodeVoyager15/OpenGate) `github` — 2025-08-15 - [RamesesLabs/insurance-agency-manager](https://github.com/RamesesLabs/insurance-agency-manager) `github` — 2019-11-29 - [BaharathBathula/ACORDAI](https://github.com/BaharathBathula/ACORDAI) `github` — 2026-02-13 - Several repos are stale or tiny, which may mean the market is hard to monetize rather than just underserved. - [imcody/ASP.NET-MVC-Customer-Billing-Management](https://github.com/imcody/ASP.NET-MVC-Customer-Billing-Management) `github` — 2019-04-14 - [mazvv/travelcrm](https://github.com/mazvv/travelcrm) `github` — 2014-04-30 - [aniltimt/bearded-octo-adventure](https://github.com/aniltimt/bearded-octo-adventure) `github` — 2014-02-18 - [RamesesLabs/insurance-agency-manager](https://github.com/RamesesLabs/insurance-agency-manager) `github` — 2019-11-29 ## What to do this week *Model estimate* - Start with one narrow wedge: small web/digital agencies that need client tracking plus invoicing and project status in one place, not a full back-office suite. - [ThompBui/freelancer-workspace](https://github.com/ThompBui/freelancer-workspace) `github` — 2026-05-23 - [AxiumFoundry/foundry-crm](https://github.com/AxiumFoundry/foundry-crm) `github` — 2026-02-09 - [prajwallshetty/ClientX](https://github.com/prajwallshetty/ClientX) `github` — 2025-08-31 - [What tools are you using to manage sales, operations, and customers?](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43736535) `hackernews` — 2025-04-19 - Make the first version opinionated around replacing the spreadsheet-and-separate-tools stack described in the complaints, with simple pipelines, recurring retainers, and client-facing visibility. - [Show HN: We built a permissions layer for Notion](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46545628) `hackernews` — 2026-01-08 - [What tools are you using to manage sales, operations, and customers?](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43736535) `hackernews` — 2025-04-19 - Test willingness to switch from GoHighLevel, Notion, HubSpot, Monday, or sheets by offering migration from one of those setups, because the signals show those are the current alternatives. - [I built a software for my PPL agency – now I want to sell the software as well](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47676764) `hackernews` — 2026-04-07 - [Show HN: We built a permissions layer for Notion](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46545628) `hackernews` — 2026-01-08 - [Best CRM For Small Agencies In 2026](https://fluidcrm.io/blog/crm-for-small-agencies) `tavily` - [Best CRM for Small Agency : r/DigitalMarketing](https://www.reddit.com/r/DigitalMarketing/comments/lhiggz/best_crm_for_small_agency) `tavily` - [Top 15 CRMs for Agencies (Paid & Free) - Decision Guide 2026](https://productive.io/blog/crm-for-agencies) `tavily` - [Best CRM Software for Small Business for 2026 (Top 5 Tested ...](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIRyuq-AKOU) `tavily` - If you build, measure whether you can beat the niche repos on simplicity and maintenance, not on feature count. - [directus-labs/agency-os](https://github.com/directus-labs/agency-os) `github` — 2023-02-27 - [ThompBui/freelancer-workspace](https://github.com/ThompBui/freelancer-workspace) `github` — 2026-05-23 - [AxiumFoundry/foundry-crm](https://github.com/AxiumFoundry/foundry-crm) `github` — 2026-02-09 - [prajwallshetty/ClientX](https://github.com/prajwallshetty/ClientX) `github` — 2025-08-31 ## Competitor strength | Project | Stars | Downloads/mo | Activity | |---|---:|---:|---| | [directus-labs/agency-os](https://github.com/directus-labs/agency-os) | 959 | — | slow | | [opencats/OpenCATS](https://github.com/opencats/OpenCATS) | 718 | — | active | | [imcody/ASP.NET-MVC-Customer-Billing-Management](https://github.com/imcody/ASP.NET-MVC-Customer-Billing-Management) | 79 | — | dead | | [mazvv/travelcrm](https://github.com/mazvv/travelcrm) | 31 | — | dead | ## Domain names - `agencycrm.com` — taken - `agencycrm.io` — available - `agency.com` — taken - `getagency.com` — taken --- Sources searched: hackernews (30), github (20), githubissues (2), discourse (2), intent (2), stackexchange (none), registries (none), tavily (9), devto (10) Generated by Shows Its Work — https://showsitsworks.com/idea/crm-for-small-agencies Findings link to their sources. Estimates are marked as estimates.