Choosing a CRM is a major investment for an SMB. The wrong choice can cost you months of migration and thousands of dollars wasted. We know because we talk to entrepreneurs who are on their 3rd or 4th CRM — and who are finally looking for the right one. Here are the 7 criteria to weigh before you make your decision.
1. Support and interface in French
If your employees don't speak English fluently, an English-only CRM will create resistance to adoption. And even if you're bilingual yourself, think about your team. A tool nobody uses because it's in English is a useless tool. Look for a CRM with a fully French interface (not just run through Google Translate) and French-language customer support that understands the Quebec context. There's a difference between France French and Quebec French — and your CRM support should know it.
2. Native GST/QST invoicing
In Quebec, every invoice has to include GST (5%) and QST (9.975%). If your CRM doesn't handle that natively, you'll have to use separate invoicing software — and do double entry. Every instance of double entry is an opportunity for error. And a tax error across 100 invoices adds up fast. Make sure the CRM you choose offers automatic GST/QST invoicing with no plugin or workaround.
3. Native Law 25 compliance
With Quebec's Law 25 (formerly Bill 64), you have an obligation to protect your clients' personal information. A CRM provider that natively supports compliance — privacy impact assessment (PIA) completed, subprocessors documented, incident register maintained — simplifies your file. It's not just a matter of preference — it's a legal matter. Significant fines can be imposed in the event of non-compliance. Read our detailed article on Law 25 compliance to understand your obligations.
4. The total price — not just the CRM
The advertised price of the CRM is only the start. Add it all up: the CRM + invoicing + electronic signature + SMS + automations + integrations. It's the total monthly cost that matters. A CRM at $50/month that needs 4 add-ons at $30/month each actually costs you $170/month. An all-in-one CRM like toncrm.io may seem more expensive at first glance at $79-179/month, but when you compare it to the total cost of 4-5 separate subscriptions, it's often cheaper. We did the detailed math in our article all-in-one CRM vs. several tools.
5. Ease of migration
You already have data somewhere — in Excel, in another CRM, in your inbox, or in your head. Check that the new CRM offers an easy import (CSV at a minimum, API ideally) and, ideally, human assistance with the migration. A CRM that leaves you to figure out the migration on your own is a bad sign for after-sales support.
6. Scalability
Your business is going to grow. At least, that's the plan. The CRM has to be able to keep up. Check the limits: number of contacts, number of users, advanced features available in the higher plans. Ask yourself: if I have 10x more clients in 2 years, will this CRM still work? Will the price explode?
7. A frictionless free trial
Never choose a CRM without trying it with your real data. A good CRM offers a free trial of at least 14 days, with no credit card required. It's the only way to know whether the tool fits your day-to-day reality. Be wary of CRMs that ask for your credit card for a free trial — it's a signal that the tool is betting on inertia rather than satisfaction.
Bonus: AI and automation
In 2026, a CRM without automation is like a phone without texting. Automated workflows (follow-ups, reminders, task assignment) and process automation have become must-haves. Check that the CRM offers visual automations that are easy to set up, not code or complicated zaps.
Our recommendation
If these criteria matter to you (and they should), toncrm.io checks every box. It's the only CRM designed specifically for Quebec entrepreneurs, with native GST/QST invoicing, French-language support, Law 25 + PIPEDA compliance, and a free 14-day trial with no credit card.
