Choosing the best CRM for your coaching business can feel overwhelming. With dozens of platforms promising to “simplify everything,” it’s hard to know which one actually fits your workflow, budget, and coaching style.
That’s where we come in.
We’ve tested, compared, and ranked the most popular CRMs for coaches in 2026 — including GoHighLevel, Kajabi, Paperbell, and HubSpot.
This page gives you an at-a-glance overview of how the top coaching CRMs stack up, and links to our full, detailed comparison guides so you can make the smartest choice for your business.
Why Compare Coaching CRMs?
Every CRM promises to help you “save time” or “automate your business.”
But coaches use CRMs very differently than large sales teams or enterprise companies.
A good coaching CRM should:
- Simplify how you manage clients and sessions
- Automate follow-ups and reminders
- Accept payments seamlessly
- Support course or group program delivery
- Scale as your business grows
Some tools — like Paperbell — focus on simplicity and scheduling.
Others — like GoHighLevel — emphasize automation and marketing funnels.
And then there are platforms like HubSpot, built for large teams with deep reporting needs.
Comparing them side-by-side helps you avoid spending months (and hundreds of dollars) testing tools that aren’t a fit for your business.
How We Compare CRMs
Our team uses each platform in real coaching scenarios, not just demos.
We build automations, test client portals, connect calendars, and even process payments.
Each CRM is scored across the following six categories:
1️⃣ Ease of Use – Is it beginner-friendly or does it require setup help?
2️⃣ Automation Power – Can it handle reminders, workflows, and follow-ups?
3️⃣ Client Management – Does it make tracking sessions and progress easy?
4️⃣ Scheduling & Payments – Can clients book and pay in one flow?
5️⃣ Marketing Tools – Are funnels, emails, or SMS included?
6️⃣ Value for Money – How much functionality do you get for the price?
Our goal is to show you what each platform actually feels like to use as a coach — not just list features.
2026 Head-to-Head Coaching CRM Comparisons
Below are our top three comparison guides, based on real testing and hands-on experience with each tool.
🥇 GoHighLevel vs Kajabi — Automation vs Course Creation
If you’re torn between Kajabi’s polished course platform and GoHighLevel’s powerful automation engine, this comparison breaks down exactly how each performs for coaching businesses.
- GoHighLevel helps you capture leads and automate follow-ups with advanced CRM workflows.
- Kajabi excels in course hosting and membership delivery for content-based coaches.
- We compare pricing, automation, ease of use, and scalability to help you choose the right fit.
💡 Best For: Coaches deciding between course-focused or client-focused business models.
🥈 GoHighLevel vs Paperbell — Simplicity or Systemization?
Paperbell is a favorite among solo coaches who want a clean, simple tool to manage sessions and payments.
GoHighLevel is for those who want to automate everything — from lead capture to session reminders.
This guide explores how both tools handle scheduling, payments, automation, and overall ease of use.
You’ll see where simplicity wins, and where advanced systems save hours every week.
💡 Best For: Coaches comparing ease-of-use vs automation depth.
🥉 GoHighLevel vs HubSpot — Practical CRM vs Enterprise Power
If you manage a large coaching business or a team of coaches, HubSpot may seem appealing for its enterprise-grade analytics and customization.
But GoHighLevel delivers 90% of the power at a fraction of the cost — with simpler automation and built-in scheduling.
In this guide, we compare pricing, scalability, reporting, and day-to-day usability for coaching teams.
💡 Best For: Multi-coach organizations or agencies comparing automation cost vs enterprise control.
Quick Comparison Table: GoHighLevel vs Kajabi vs Paperbell vs HubSpot
| Feature | GoHighLevel | Kajabi | Paperbell | HubSpot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRM Functionality | ✅ Full pipeline | ⚠️ Basic | ⚠️ Simple client list | ✅ Advanced multi-pipeline |
| Scheduling | ✅ Built-in | ⚠️ Add-on | ✅ Built-in | ⚠️ Integration required |
| Payments | ✅ Stripe + PayPal | ✅ Stripe | ✅ Stripe | ⚠️ Add-on setup |
| Automation | ✅ Visual workflows | ⚠️ Limited emails | ⚠️ Simple reminders | ✅ Complex workflows |
| Ease of Use | ⭐⭐ Moderate | ⭐⭐⭐ Easy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very easy | ⭐ Complex |
| Best For | Coaches scaling automation | Course creators | Solo coaches | Large teams |
Our Recommendation
If you want a CRM that can grow with you — automating follow-ups, tracking clients, and replacing multiple tools — GoHighLevel offers the best long-term value.
If you prefer simplicity and want something that “just works,” Paperbell is ideal for early-stage coaches.
And if you’re running a large agency or enterprise-style coaching operation, HubSpot delivers data control and reporting power, though at a higher cost.
How to Use This Page
✅ Step 1: Skim the table above to find your current business type.
✅ Step 2: Click into the detailed comparison that best matches your needs.
✅ Step 3: Read through our verdicts and start your free trials risk-free.
Each comparison article includes screenshots, pros and cons, and real testing notes — so you can make an informed choice before you invest.
Related Resources
Final Thoughts
The right CRM depends on your coaching journey.
A new coach might value simplicity, while an established coach or agency will benefit from automation and data control.
We created these comparisons to help you skip the trial-and-error stage — so you can find the perfect balance between simplicity, power, and price.
💡 Tip: Start with the comparison that matches your current setup — not the one that seems most advanced. The best CRM is the one that makes your coaching life easier today.