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Inflation cools slightly in November as worries about affordability grip Americans

NPR News Headlines - Thu, 12/18/2025 - 08:00

The cost of living in November was up 2.7% from a year ago, according to a report Thursday from the Labor Department. That's a smaller annual increase than for the 12 months ending in September.

(Image credit: Charly Triballeau)

Categories: News

I tested the Enlaps Tikee mini+ 4K timelapse camera – it’s a breeze to use, but the extra costs sure do add up

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 12/18/2025 - 08:00
Enlaps Tikee mini+: one-minute review

(Image credit: James Abbott)

Specialist timelapse cameras may sound like a niche, but they can be an absolute necessity: if you're planning on capturing long-term timelapse videos of constructions, industry or nature, over days, weeks, months or even years, you’re going to need something specialist like the Enlaps Tikee mini+.

The Tikee mini+ is easily one of the best timelapse cameras available, and is capable of capturing 4K timelapse videos with interval times between five seconds and 24 hours. This is a camera that works best over an LTE or WiFi network with remote access and control, but you can also control the camera with the Tikee Remote app over Bluetooth.

The camera is easy to use, being pretty much a point-and-shoot. It’s also waterproof, so it can be used both indoors and out without a housing, which is great. Battery life can last up to four months with the camera set to a 10-minute interval, and can be extended with a separately available solar panel; the mini+ can also be plugged into a wall socket or charged via USB-C.

The mini+ is priced reasonably at €799, which at the time of writing converts to $923 / £701 / AU$1411. That's for the camera only, but there is a kit that includes a case, a microSD card, a spirit level, a mounting arm, a lock and other accessories. This kit costs almost double the amount of the camera only, and feels expensive. You'll need to fork out an extra €459 (around $538 / £400 / AU$815) if you require Enlaps' solar panel too, which is another separate purchase.

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(Image credit: James Abbott)Enlaps Tikee mini+ specsEnlaps Tikee mini+ specs

Type:

1/2.3in Sony sensor

Lens angle of view:

120 degrees

Aperture:

f/2.8

Interval times:

5 sec–24 hours

Connectivity:

LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth

Camera dimensions:

125 x 125 x 70mm / 5 x 5 x 2.75in

Camera weight:

7.9oz / 224g (without battery)

Housing weight:

1kg / 4.4lbs

Enlaps Tikee mini+: Design
  • Compact size
  • Simple design
  • No built-in solar panel

The Tikee mini+ features a simple design with just a couple of buttons on the rear alongside a microSD card slot, a USB-C port, a micro SIM slot and a power connector. The power connector design makes it waterproof when the camera is either plugged into the mains or a solar panel, although the plug itself isn’t waterproof. Unlike the Tikee 4, there’s no built-in solar panel, but you can purchase a solar panel separately to extend capture times.

Size-wise, the mini+ is roughly about the size of two soda cans side by side, at 5 x 5 x 2.75in / 125 x 125 x 70mm, with a weight of 4.4lbs / 1kg. The weight is negligible because it’s not a camera that would ever be used handheld, and it’s not too heavy for a wide range of supports in any case. The built-in 25,600mAh battery accounts for much of the weight.

Other exterior features on the white plastic body include a metal hoop to attach an anti-theft cable, rubber strips on the bottom so it can be positioned on flat surfaces and a standard 1/4in screw thread for attaching it to tripods and other supports, including mounting arms. For long-term projects, a mounting arm and an anti-theft cable will be useful accessories for compositional continuity and of course for security.

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(Image credit: James Abbott)

The build quality is excellent, and the camera feels solid with an attractive yet simple design overall. It’s also rated at IP66 weather resistance, so it can stand up to everything the weather can throw at it, with operating temperatures between -10 and 50 degrees Celsius.

With such a simple design, the mini+ is controlled via the Tikee Remote phone app or the myTikee website. For the latter, the camera will either need to be connected to a WiFi network or have a SIM card installed. Being connected to a network is how you get the most out of the camera because you can access your captures remotely and create new capture sequences.

If you aren’t connected to a network, the camera can still be controlled with the Tikee Remote app over Bluetooth. One quirk of this, however, is that once a sequence has been initiated, the connection between the phone and camera drops after a short time. It’s no major issue, but you have to reconnect to check progress or to manually stop the sequence.

The camera lens is on the front of the white body, and there’s no screen on the camera to compose shots. Instead, there is a live preview available when connected to WiFi and LTE networks with the Tikee Remote app, but not when you’re shooting over Bluetooth, which is a shame because it would be extremely useful. The feature assumes you’ll be connected to a network.

Enlaps Tikee mini+: Performance
  • Unbelievably easy to use
  • Several field of view options
  • Designed for low light

When you consider the pitfalls of setting up timelapse capture with mirrorless cameras – not least getting exposure settings correct and the flickering you inevitably capture – you’ll be forgiven for thinking that a dedicated timelapse camera is complex. The reality is that the Enlaps system is one of the easiest I’ve ever used. Camera control is easy, and timelapse assembly/ creation on the My Tikee website is pretty much automated.

The camera features a 12MP Sony 1/2.3in sensor with 1.55μm pixels and an f/2.8 aperture. The full resolution of the camera is 4032x3024px. The lens provides a 149-degree diagonal field of view with Fisheye 120 degrees, Dewarp 90 degrees and Dewarp 110 degrees shooting modes.

Of these three options, only Dewarp 90 degrees captures images that don’t suffer from barrel distortion. Timelapse intervals are available from 5 seconds to 24 hours in Long-term mode, and from 5 seconds to 45 seconds in Event and Burst modes.

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Dewarp 90 degrees (Image credit: James Abbott)

Image quality is excellent overall and superior to many competitor cameras, although backlit scenes can be problematic since there’s no exposure compensation available. You can, of course, make adjustments to footage in this area using video editing software. Plus, you can capture the photos that make up timelapses in Raw and/or JPEG, so with the former, you have greater scope for editing.

When shooting in low light and at night, the mini+ switches into Low Light Mode, which is optimized for low light and is claimed to produce brighter and less noisy images. Exposures are capped at two seconds in this mode. Image quality in this mode is better in lower light conditions, such as indoors with artificial lighting, than it is at night. Although night scenes with more artificial light are much better than darker, less well-lit scenes.

Enlaps Tikee mini+ timelapse video

One point to make here is that you can only upload JPEGs to the myTikee website to output timelapse videos, so if you capture Raw files they will have to be converted first. myTikee is incredibly easy to use, and without a subscription, I was able to output a basic video with a watermark. To take advantage of more features, you can pay $45 per month plus VAT for the basic subscription, $96 plus VAT for the more useful option, or there’s a bespoke on-demand option with no pricing publicly available.

There are also storage and AI Dashboard subscriptions available at $49 and $99 (excl VAT), respectively. AI Dashboard is for timelapse analysis of a range of elements within scenes, such as vehicles and PPE, etc. Basically, when you buy the camera, you’re buying into a subscription-based system, so you have to be aware of this before you invest. However, this is a professional timelapse solution, so cost may not be an issue for many people who require a camera of this type.

The videos I captured were in a 4:3 ratio (1920x1440) rather than 16:9. I could have zoomed into the video to crop to a 16:9 ratio and export at 1080p in video editing software, if I were able to download a full-resolution timelapse without a subscription. As it was, this was the highest resolution available for download.

Should you buy the Enlaps Tikee mini+?Buy it if...

You value simplicity

The Enlaps system is incredibly easy to use; from capture to combining images into timelapse videos, everything is a breeze.

You’d like cloud control

If you’d like to connect to a timelapse camera remotely, this is a great option with app and browser-based control available.

You’d want to shoot long-term projects

For long-term projects such as construction sites, a dedicated timelapse camera is the best option by far.

Don't buy it if...

You don’t want a subscription

To get the best out of the Tikee mini+ camera, you’ll need a myTikee cloud subscription, and they’re not cheap.

You don’t plan on long-term capture

This is a timelapse camera that’s designed for long-term capture indoors and out, so for shorter captures, a standard action or mirrorless camera is ideal.

You’d like shorter intervals

The minimum interval possible with the mini+ is five seconds, so you’ll need around an hour of capture for a 30-second timelapse.

How I tested the Enlaps Tikee mini+
  • Tested using a Bluetooth connection
  • Used to capture shorter timelapses
  • Tested in a busy city

I tested the Tikee mini+ in shorter bursts rather than for long-form timelapse capture, as testing it to the extremes of its potential for longer-term capture could take months.

I used my smartphone for Bluetooth connection rather than installing a SIM card for remote access to the camera. I tested the mini+ in a busy city to capture as much movement in the scene as possible, and in low-light situations.

With nearly 30 years of photographic experience and 17 years working as a photography journalist, I’ve used many of the cameras and lenses that have been released in that time. As a working photographer, I aim to test cameras and lenses from a photographer’s point of view.

  • First reviewed December 2025
Categories: Reviews

Your Ring doorbell can now use Alexa+ to identify who's calling and give them an appropriate greeting

TechRadar News - Thu, 12/18/2025 - 08:00
Alexa+ Greetings can recognize and give instructions to delivery people, greet friends and family, and (politely) turn away cold callers.
Categories: Technology

I tested the Enlaps Tikee mini+ 4K timelapse camera – it’s a breeze to use, but the extra costs sure do add up

TechRadar News - Thu, 12/18/2025 - 08:00
The Enlaps Tikee mini+ timelapse camera delivers fanatsic image quality alongside ease of use, all with an incredibly simple design.
Categories: Technology

Meta just u-turned on the best VR announcement it ever made — and might have handed the win to Android XR

TechRadar News - Thu, 12/18/2025 - 07:54
Meta has ‘paused’ third-party headset partnerships, which feels like a major win for Android XR.
Categories: Technology

Segway e-scooters are under half price at Best Buy thanks to huge last-minute price cuts of up to $650

TechRadar News - Thu, 12/18/2025 - 07:43
Best Buy's huge last-minute sale is offering some of the best price cuts we've seen all year on Segway e-scooters, with some deals under half price.
Categories: Technology

Cisco says Chinese hackers are exploiting its customers with a new zero-day

TechRadar News - Thu, 12/18/2025 - 07:05
A patch has not yet been released, so Cisco advises rebuilding any affected instances.
Categories: Technology

You're Definitely Not Cleaning Your Dishwasher Filter Enough, According to an Expert

CNET News - Thu, 12/18/2025 - 07:00
Modern dishwashers typically have a filter that requires regular cleaning, but how often should it be cleaned? I spoke to experts who laid it all out.
Categories: Technology

How to Watch Snoop Dogg at Halftime and More on Netflix's NFL Christmas Gameday

CNET News - Thu, 12/18/2025 - 07:00
The Doggfather and Kelly Clarkson are part of the day's performances.
Categories: Technology

The Star Trek Holodeck just got closer – Apple’s new AI tool generates 3D scenes from your photos in under a second for VR memories

TechRadar News - Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:55
Apple has unveiled an AI tool that can convert images from 2D to 3D in under one second.
Categories: Technology

ExpressVPN rolls out major Qt update to boost speed and unify desktop apps

TechRadar News - Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:49
ExpressVPN is overhauling its desktop apps with a new Qt-based framework. The update is now live on Linux and macOS – and Windows is next. Here's all you need to know.
Categories: Technology

New York has a new Archbishop. His background looks a lot like Pope Leo's

NPR News Headlines - Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:47

Like Pope Leo, Bishop Ronald Hicks is an Illinois native with deep experience in Latin America.

Categories: News

HoneyBook CRM review 2026

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:47

HoneyBook is a comprehensive client management platform that helps small businesses streamline their operations. It combines the functionality of a CRM with invoicing, contract management, scheduling, and more into one easy-to-use package.

The CRM platform is designed to handle the full client lifecycle, from initial contact through project completion and payment. You can manage all client communication, share files and proposals, get contracts signed, send invoices, and collect payments without leaving HoneyBook.

Where this CRM really shines is its powerful automation features. You can set up customized workflows to automatically move projects forward, send reminders, and follow up with clients. This allows small teams to operate efficiently and stay on top of all their client relationships.

HoneyBook CRM core capabilities

(Image credit: HoneyBook)

HoneyBook is an accounting tool with a basic CRM, designed to enhance business operations for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs. It offers essential CRM functions like contact management, an intuitive sales pipeline, and automated workflows to reduce manual tasks.

HoneyBook also offers user-friendly contact forms, which effortlessly capture lead information and create new contacts and projects in your pipeline. Plus, it provides tools for important administrative tasks such as invoicing, contracts, and scheduling.

Its interactive smart files let you combine actions like service selection, contracts, and invoicing for a smooth client experience. Automated payment reminders help ensure timely payments. You can create professional invoices, set custom payment plans, and collect payments online through credit card or bank transfer—all within HoneyBook.

Legally vetted contract templates are customizable with project details, pricing, and e-signature options. Scheduling is managed through a personalized client portal that syncs with your Google or iCloud calendar, preventing double-bookings. All client communications are organized within the relevant project for easy reference.

While not as advanced as specialized solutions, HoneyBook offers basic tools for tracking performance insights. You can monitor key metrics like conversion rates, project value, and payment status. However, I hope that future updates will enhance the reporting functionality with more CRM-specific KPIs.

But, HoneyBook focuses primarily on client projects. It lacks traditional CRM features such as lead scoring, opportunity tracking, territory management, or sales forecasting. However, for service-based businesses, HoneyBook's workflow is ideal for managing client engagements from start to finish.

I’m also impressed by HoneyBook's mobile apps for iOS and Android, which provide full functionality for working on the go. You can send invoices, receive payments, and manage projects from anywhere. Desktop users will benefit from Gmail and Calendly integrations.

How easy is HoneyBook CRM to use?

(Image credit: HoneyBook)

HoneyBook provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface that makes it easy to get up and running quickly, even for those without prior experience using a CRM. The clean, modern design is simple to navigate, with features logically organized in the left sidebar and settings accessible from the top menu.

To help new users get started, HoneyBook offers a helpful 30-minute Quick Start onboarding session that covers the key areas to focus on for setting up your account. There are also on-demand video courses available with over 50 step-by-step lessons.

I really like how the drag-and-drop pipeline tool makes it a breeze to customize your sales stages and client flow. You can easily create custom contact fields, email templates, questionnaires and contracts to streamline your processes. The visual pipeline view provides a great snapshot of where each lead/client is at.

HoneyBook also provides strong accessibility options, including a high contrast mode and the ability to navigate most of the interface using just a keyboard. The forms and client portal are mobile-responsive and look great on smaller screens.

While the breadth of features may seem overwhelming at first, most users report feeling comfortable with the core functionality after just a few hours of exploring and watching tutorials. The average time to get fully up and running seems to be around 2-4 weeks, factoring in time to thoughtfully configure your account, import data, and test your workflows.

Overall, HoneyBook is one of the most user-friendly CRM options I've come across for small businesses and freelancers. The modern design, strong customization options, and well-produced help resources make it accessible to a wide range of tech comfort levels. While it may take a few weeks to fully optimize your account, the core features can be learned in a matter of days, enabling you to start seeing the benefits quickly.

HoneyBook CRM integrations

When it comes to integrations, HoneyBook offers a solid set of capabilities that allow it to connect with the other tools small businesses rely on.

The CRM provides several pre-built integrations out of the box, including ones for QuickBooks accounting, Gmail for email, Calendly for scheduling, Facebook, and the popular automation platform Zapier. These native integrations make it easy to sync data and automate workflows between HoneyBook and these key external systems.

For custom integrations, HoneyBook also provides a full-fledged API. Developers can use the API to build integrations that allow reading and writing data between HoneyBook and virtually any other application. The company provides comprehensive API documentation and code samples to help with the integration process.

In testing out some of HoneyBook's built-in integrations, I found the data syncing between apps to be fast and reliable overall. Connecting a new app is also a straightforward process from the integrations settings page.

One potential downside is that, while HoneyBook offers a Zapier integration, it does not appear to directly integrate with some other popular iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) vendors like Make. However, Zapier alone enables support for thousands of integrations.

HoneyBook also provides some nice features to make managing integrations easier for non-technical users. The ability to retrieve your API key and manage 3rd-party app connections from the integrations dashboard is convenient.

Overall, HoneyBook covers the bases well in terms of supporting integrations. The combination of key direct app integrations, Zapier support, and a full API provides ample options for connecting data and workflows with external tools. While a few more iPaaS integrations would be nice to see, HoneyBook still offers solid capabilities for most small business integration needs.

How good is HoneyBook CRM support?

When it comes to customer support, HoneyBook has received mixed reviews.

The company offers live chat and email support channels, but does not provide phone support, which some customers find frustrating. Response times can vary, with some users reporting prompt and helpful replies while others have experienced delays of hours or even days to hear back, especially on weekends.

On the plus side, many users praise the friendliness and attentiveness of HoneyBook's support team when they are able to connect. The live chat tends to be the quickest way to get answers. I also found out that HoneyBook provides a fairly robust library of self-service resources, including a searchable knowledge base, tutorials, and webinars to help users troubleshoot issues on their own.

However, the quality and consistency of live support seem to be hit or miss. In my research, I came across a number of complaints about "pass-the-buck" responses and difficulty getting timely help with urgent problems. One reviewer even called it the "worst customer experience ever." Yet others rave about how HoneyBook's excellent support has made their lives easier.

Overall, HoneyBook appears to be working to provide solid customer service, with a capable and caring support staff. But the lack of live phone support and inconsistent response times are definite drawbacks compared to some other CRMs. The company could improve by expanding real-time support options and ensuring more reliable follow-up.

For many satisfied HoneyBook users, the support is good enough, and the product's benefits outweigh any frustrations. But if reliable and always-available customer service is a top priority for your business, it's worth carefully evaluating the support limitations before committing to the platform.

HoneyBook CRM pricing and plans

Plan

Starter

Essentials

Premium

Price

$19/user/month

$39/user/month

$79/user/month

Best For

New businesses, low client volume

Growing businesses, increased efficiency

Established businesses, advanced needs

Features

Unlimited clients/projects

Invoicing and payments

Basic reporting

All features from Starter plan

Automations

Scheduling tool

All features from Essentials plan

Priority support

Advanced reporting

Limitations

No automations or scheduling tool

Limited reporting capabilities

May be costly for very small businesses

HoneyBook offers three main pricing plans to fit the needs and budget of different types of businesses. The Starter plan at $16 per month, billed annually, provides the core CRM features like unlimited clients and projects, invoicing, contracts, and a client portal. This is a great entry-level option for solopreneurs just getting started with a CRM system.

For growing businesses that need more advanced features, the Essentials plan at $32 per month (billed annually) adds a lot of valuable capabilities. Automated workflows, scheduling, QuickBooks integration, and support for up to 2 team members can really streamline operations. Plus you can remove HoneyBook branding and access more robust reporting.

Larger teams will appreciate the Premium plan at $66 per month annually. It supports unlimited team members for collaboration and includes priority support, the ability to manage multiple company accounts, an onboarding specialist, and advanced reporting features.

You can start with a 7-day free trial to test out if the platform is a good fit before committing. While this is still less than the industry standard, having a free trial at all is a welcome feature that new users will appreciate.

Across all plans, you'll pay less on a monthly basis by choosing annual billing, which effectively gets you two months free compared to the month-to-month prices. Keep in mind the listed prices don't include applicable sales tax. But overall, HoneyBook's pricing is very competitive and transparent, without a lot of confusing add-ons or upcharges that some other vendors tack on.

My take is that HoneyBook provides a lot of value for the cost, especially for small businesses and self-employed professionals looking for an intuitive all-in-one system to manage their clients and business. While it may lack some of the deeper customization of pricier CRMs, the thoughtful feature set and interface you get for the price make it a compelling option in my book.

HoneyBook CRM review: Final verdict

After thoroughly evaluating HoneyBook, I've found it to be an excellent all-in-one CRM solution for small service-based businesses, freelancers, and independent professionals. The platform shines in its ability to streamline the entire client lifecycle, from initial contact to invoicing and payment.

HoneyBook's intuitive interface and robust feature set make it accessible to entrepreneurs and small teams without extensive technical expertise. The visual sales pipeline, customizable contact forms, and automated workflows allow users to efficiently manage and track all of their projects and client communication in one centralized hub.

I'm particularly impressed with HoneyBook's seamless integration of invoicing, contracts, and scheduling tools alongside traditional CRM functionality. The ability to handle essential administrative tasks like securing signatures and collecting payments without leaving the platform is a major benefit for busy small business owners and freelancers.

While larger enterprises with complex sales cycles may require more advanced CRM capabilities, HoneyBook is perfectly suited for small service providers looking for an affordable, user-friendly system to nurture leads and manage client engagements from start to finish.

Categories: Reviews

HoneyBook CRM review 2026

TechRadar News - Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:47
HoneyBook stands out as a versatile CRM platform designed specifically for creative entrepreneurs and small businesses. It excels in simplifying client management, automating workflows, and integrating essential business tools. While primarily focused on creative industries, its intuitive interface and continual improvements make it a valuable asset for most small businesses.
Categories: Technology

Bosses are getting tired of AI at work, and preferring to hire humans for "specialist" roles once again

TechRadar News - Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:30
AI perception is still torn, but the fact is that companies are shifting their hiring strategies rather than fully displacing human workers.
Categories: Technology

Could international troops be sent to Gaza? Here's why Trump's plan hinges on it

NPR News Headlines - Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:24

President Trump's peace plan for Gaza hinges on international troops in Gaza, but Israel is skeptical and no country has yet agreed to send their soldiers.

(Image credit: Anas Baba)

Categories: News

RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz to announce moves to ban gender-affirming care for young people

NPR News Headlines - Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:24

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to announce a package of measures that would together ban gender-affirming care for minors. A press conference is set for 11 a.m. Thursday.

(Image credit: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds)

Categories: News

Currys has slashed the prices on all its PS5 consoles just in time for Christmas

TechRadar News - Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:20
Currys has discounted the price of PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro consoles drastically right before Christmas. Our article highlights the best deals at the retailer right now.
Categories: Technology

Takeaways from Trump's address. And, some GOP lawmakers shift stance on ACA subsidies

NPR News Headlines - Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:11

During a nationwide address, President Trump says the U.S. is poised for an economic boom. And, some Republican lawmakers joined Democrats to force a vote on enhanced healthcare subsidies.

(Image credit: Doug Mills)

Categories: News

Agile CRM review 2026

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 12/18/2025 - 06:07

Launched in 2013, Agile CRM is a comprehensive platform built for small and medium-sized businesses. By combining sales, marketing, and customer service into one integrated system, it aims to simplify operations and boost efficiency across various business processes.

When I first looked at Agile CRM, I was struck by its affordability and the range of features it offers. The CRM platform provides a free plan that supports up to 10 users, which is more generous than many of its competitors in the small business space.

However, as I dug deeper into Agile CRM's capabilities, I found that its user interface and overall user experience could be seriously improved. While the platform offers a lot of features, it's not always easy to find what you need, and the experience can feel a bit clunky compared to established CRMs.

Agile CRM core capabilities

(Image credit: Agile CRM )

Agile CRM offers a complete set of core capabilities that cover the essential functions of customer relationship management. I found the contact profiles to be quite detailed, allowing me to store and organize a wealth of information about customers and prospects. 360-degree contact views provide a holistic picture of each relationship, including communication history, deals, tasks, and more.

When you're managing leads, Agile CRM includes a lead scoring feature that automatically rates contacts based on their interactions and attributes, helping prioritize follow-ups. I appreciate the ability to create custom deal milestones and stages to match my specific sales process. The visual pipeline view makes it easy to drag and drop deals between stages and get a quick overview of the sales funnel.

I can easily see the value and probability of deals in each stage, which aids in forecasting. The system also allows for multiple pipelines to be created, which is useful for managing different products or sales processes.

Sales forecasting is adequate but not exceptional. Agile CRM's system provides basic revenue projections based on deal values and probabilities. However, I found the forecasting tools to be somewhat limited in the way they handle recurring revenue and deal probability. For small businesses with straightforward forecasting needs, it should suffice, but larger organizations may find it lacking.

Reporting in Agile CRM shows both strengths and weaknesses. The platform offers a good selection of pre-built reports covering sales, marketing, and service metrics. I also appreciate the ability to create custom reports and dashboards to track specific KPIs. However, the depth of data analysis and visualization options falls short of what some competitors offer.

Agile CRM's mobile app, available for both iOS and Android, provides a seamless experience for managing contacts, deals, and tasks on the go. I found the app to be responsive and well-designed, offering most of the core functionality of the desktop version. The ability to access and update CRM data from anywhere is very useful for field sales and remote work.

Unlike some CRM systems that treat marketing as an afterthought, Agile CRM offers robust tools for email marketing, landing page creation, and campaign management. I was impressed by the drag-and-drop campaign builder, which allows for the creation of multi-step marketing workflows. The system includes ticketing, knowledge base, and customer feedback tools, allowing businesses to manage customer support directly within the CRM.

But perhaps most interestingly, Agile CRM offers gamification features to motivate sales teams. While not a core CRM function, I found this to be an interesting addition that can help drive engagement and performance among sales reps. The system allows for the creation of contests and leaderboards based on various sales metrics.

How easy is Agile CRM to use?

(Image credit: Agile CRM)

Agile CRM balances functionality and simplicity, mainly targeting small businesses. I found the dashboard clean, intuitive, and minimalistic — which avoids overwhelming new users. There's a prominent left-side menu for quick access to contacts, deals, and marketing, pretty standard for a CRM.

A drag-and-drop interface makes navigation even easier. It's particularly impactful when using the marketing automation module, where creating multi-step workflows is made significantly easier through visual campaign builders.

But the learning curve for Agile CRM can vary depending on your familiarity with CRMs. There are lots of customization options, so you can tailor the interface to your specific needs. This includes the ability to create custom fields, modify layouts, and set up personalized dashboards with custom KPIs. But while these options enhance flexibility, they can also add complexity for users who are less technically inclined.

For accessibility, Agile CRM supports keyboard navigation and has readable font sizes. But, I didn't find any mentions of screen reader compatibility or advanced accessibility options in the documentation.

Onboarding and training resources are available, though they may not be as comprehensive as those offered by some larger providers. Agile CRM provides a knowledge base, video tutorials, and webinars to help users get started. However, I also found that the depth of these learning resources varies from one topic to another.

I like how Agile CRM aids in the learning process with context-sensitive help. As users navigate through different sections of the software, relevant help articles and tips are often displayed, providing guidance at the point of need. This can reduce the time spent searching for information, accelerating adoption.

Despite the positives, however, many users have reported that certain aspects of the software feel clunky or dated compared to more modern CRMs. Agile's attempt to pack a wide range of features into a single platform sometimes results in a less polished user experience.

Agile CRM integrations

Agile CRM offers solid integration capabilities, allowing users to connect the platform with a wide array of third-party applications and services. There are three ways you can do this: using pre-built connectors for various applications, through an iPaaS vendor like Zapier or Make, or by building custom integrations using the API.

Agile offers direct connections to popular business tools across various categories, including email services like Gmail and Office 365, social media platforms such as Twitter and LinkedIn, and ecommerce solutions like Shopify and WooCommerce. These are quick to set up and easy to modify.

Agile CRM integrates with web tracking and form integration tools, which is great for improving customer engagement. You can also plug into various telephony services, including Twilio and RingCentral.

For users requiring connections beyond the native integrations, Agile CRM provides support for multiple iPaaS vendors. Through Zapier, users can connect Agile CRM to over 1,000 more SaaS applications, enabling complex automation workflows across multiple platforms. Support is also available for Make (Integromat) and Webhooks.

Agile CRM also offers an open API, which provides developers the ability to create custom integrations to extend the platform's functionality. API documentation appears comprehensive, allowing for deep integration with external systems and powerful custom widgets within the interface.

During my testing, I found that data syncing with third-party platforms was mostly reliable. Agile CRM supports real-time and scheduled syncing options for most integrations, allowing users to choose the most appropriate method for their needs.

But while Agile CRM's integration features are generally strong, I did notice some limitations. The depth of integration can vary significantly between different connected apps. Some integrations offer solid two-way synchronization, while others may be more limited in scope.

How good is Agile CRM support?

Agile CRM provides a varied approach to customer support, combining live assistance with self-service options. Email support is clearly the main live support channel. Plus, there's a strong self-service resource ecosystem to help new users get acclimated to the CRM.

Email support system is fairly responsive, although response times can differ. In my research, I found that most users claim to receive initial replies within 24 hours, which is acceptable but not outstanding in the industry. More complex issues often take longer to resolve, sometimes requiring several days of communication.

Phone support is also available, even if not easily accessible. Usual support hours are 09:00 am to 05:00 pm EST, with additional scheduling options also available. But the real problem is the availability of agents, which can make it difficult to get urgent assistance.

Agile CRM makes up for limited live support options with a strong self-service ecosystem. The knowledge base is comprehensive and well-organized, covering topics from basic setup to advanced features. Articles are generally clear, often enhanced with screenshots or step-by-step guides.

In addition to the knowledge base, Agile CRM provides video tutorials and webinars. These resources are especially helpful for users who prefer interactive learning. The tutorials cover various platform aspects, from initial setup to advanced features, offering a solid foundation for new users and a reference for experienced ones.

A community forum enables users to engage with each other, share experiences, and offer solutions to common problems. While evaluating Agile CRM, I observed active participation from both users and staff on the forum, which seems to serve as a feedback channel and a support resource.

User testimonials about support quality are mixed. Some users commend the helpfulness and patience of support staff, especially for complex issues. However, other testimonials indicate inconsistencies in support quality, with some users frustrated by response times or the depth of assistance.

Agile CRM pricing and plans

Plan

Free

Starter

Regular

Enterprise

Price

$0/user/month

$8.99/user/month

$29.99/user/month

$47.99/user/month

Best For

Individuals or very small teams just getting started with a CRM.

Small businesses looking for an affordable all-in-one CRM solution.

Growing businesses that need advanced marketing automation and customer support features.

Large enterprises requiring unlimited contacts, custom reporting, and dedicated support.

Features

Basic contact management

Deal tracking

Email campaigns

2-way email integration

Marketing automation

Helpdesk

Custom deal tracks

Advanced automation workflows

Social media monitoring

Unlimited contacts

Custom reporting

Dedicated account rep

Limitations

Limited to 1,000 contacts and 1 campaign workflow.

Caps at 10,000 contacts and 5 campaign workflows.

Supports up to 50,000 contacts and 10 campaign workflows.

Higher price point may not be suitable for smaller businesses.

Agile CRM employs a tiered subscription-based pricing model, offering four distinct plans to cater to businesses of varying sizes and needs. The pricing structure is designed to scale with the growth of a company, starting with a free plan and progressing through increasingly feature-rich paid tiers.

At the entry-level, Agile provides a Free plan that supports up to 10 users and 1,000 contacts. This plan includes basic CRM features such as contact management, deal tracking, and limited marketing automation capabilities. While the free tier is generous compared to many competitors, I found that it primarily serves as an extended trial, allowing users to get a feel for the system before committing to a paid plan.

The Starter plan, priced at $8.99 a user per month, marks the beginning of the paid offerings. It increases the contact limit to 10,000 and introduces additional features like two-way email integration, custom deal milestones, and social monitoring. This plan provides good value for small businesses looking to expand their CRM capabilities beyond basic contact management.

Moving up the ladder, the Regular plan is priced at $29.99 per user per month with annual billing. This tier supports up to 50,000 contacts and includes more advanced features such as marketing automation, custom deal tracks, and mobile marketing. The plan seems to strike a balance between functionality and cost, making it suitable for growing small to medium-sized businesses.

At the top end, the Enterprise plan is offered at $47.99 per user per month with annual billing. This plan provides unlimited contacts and access to the full suite of Agile CRM features, including call recording, custom reporting, and role-based access control. While the Enterprise plan is the most expensive, it offers the most comprehensive set of tools for businesses with complex CRM needs.

There’s a significant discount offered for annual billing across all paid plans. The savings range from 33% to 40% compared to monthly billing, which could be a substantial incentive for businesses to commit to longer-term subscriptions. Agile CRM also offers volume discounts for businesses requiring a large number of user licenses, though the exact terms of these discounts are not publicly disclosed.

As for trials, Agile CRM provides a 14-day free trial of their paid plans, allowing users to test the full feature set before making a purchase decision. This trial period, combined with the free plan, gives potential customers ample opportunity to evaluate the system's fit for their business needs.

Agile CRM review: Final verdict

Agile CRM’s key strengths are its affordability and scalability. Its pricing model is designed to attract businesses at various stages of growth, with a generous free plan and competitive paid tiers. It’s also very feature-rich, with interesting additions like sales gamification and multi-step automation.

However, Agile has a dated interface that’s in serious need of an uplift. While the advanced features are nice to have, the clunkiness involved in their execution makes them less loved by most users. Still, it’s easy enough to use, with some accessibility features thrown in for good measure. I’d have loved to see more live support options, though, especially given the outdated nature of the UX.

Overall, I recommend Agile CRM for small to medium-sized businesses looking for an affordable CRM with a ton of features. It’s not the most intuitive, but it's still easy enough to use. With the amount of training resources available, user adoption shouldn’t be a major issue.

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