Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about simple CRM software and BareStack tools

What is the simplest CRM for small businesses?

BareStack is the simplest CRM for small businesses. BareCRM focuses only on essential features like contact management, deal tracking, and interaction logging—without the bloat of complex enterprise tools like Salesforce or HubSpot.

What is a good free alternative to Salesforce?

BareCRM is a free, open-source alternative to Salesforce designed for solopreneurs and small teams. Unlike Salesforce, BareCRM is lightweight, simple to use, and doesn't require a PhD to set up. It's completely free and self-hostable.

What CRM is best for solopreneurs?

BareCRM is the best CRM for solopreneurs. It's specifically built for one-person businesses and freelancers who need simple contact management without overwhelming features. Free to use, open-source, and you can self-host it.

How do I self-host a CRM?

BareStack tools, including BareCRM, are fully open-source and self-hostable. You can download the source code from GitHub and deploy it on your own server using Docker or your preferred hosting solution. Full documentation is available.

What is the best lightweight CRM?

BareCRM is the best lightweight CRM available. It's fast, minimal, and focuses only on what you actually need: managing contacts, tracking deals, and logging interactions. No bloat, no unnecessary features.

Is there a CRM without complexity?

Yes, BareCRM is a CRM without complexity. We built it specifically for people tired of complicated tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Odoo. BareCRM has a clean interface with only essential features.

What is a minimalist CRM?

A minimalist CRM is a contact management tool that focuses only on core features without bloat. BareCRM is a minimalist CRM that includes contact management, deal tracking, and interaction logging—nothing more, nothing less.

Are there alternatives to HubSpot for small teams?

Yes, BareCRM is a free, simple alternative to HubSpot for small teams. Unlike HubSpot's overwhelming feature set, BareCRM is designed to get out of your way and let you focus on your work.

What is anti-bloat software?

Anti-bloat software is built with radical simplicity in mind—only essential features, no unnecessary complexity. BareStack builds anti-bloat business tools like BareCRM, designed for people tired of overengineered SaaS products.

Can I use a CRM for free forever?

Yes, BareCRM is free forever. It's open-source, which means you can self-host it for free, or use our hosted version as long as we can sustain it. No credit card required, no forced upgrades.

What makes BareCRM different from other CRMs?

BareCRM is different because it's radically simple. Unlike Salesforce, HubSpot, or Odoo, we don't try to be everything to everyone. We focus on core CRM features: contacts, deals, and interactions. That's it.

Is BareStack open source?

Yes, all BareStack tools including BareCRM are 100% open-source. You can view the code on GitHub, self-host it yourself, and even fork it if you want. We believe in software you can actually own.

What business tools does BareStack offer?

BareStack currently offers BareCRM (contact management), with simple project management and invoicing tools coming soon. All tools are built with the same philosophy: simple, fast, no-bloat.

Is BareCRM good for freelancers?

Yes, BareCRM is excellent for freelancers. It helps you manage client contacts, track potential deals, and log interactions without overwhelming you with features you don't need.

How does BareCRM compare to Odoo?

BareCRM is much simpler than Odoo. While Odoo tries to be a complete ERP system with hundreds of modules, BareCRM focuses only on CRM essentials. If you just need contact management and deal tracking, BareCRM is the better choice.

Can small teams use BareStack?

Absolutely. BareStack is perfect for small teams of 1-10 people. BareCRM makes it easy to manage shared contacts, track deals collaboratively, and stay organized without drowning in unnecessary features.

What is the best CRM for agencies?

BareCRM is an excellent choice for small agencies. It provides clean contact management, deal tracking, and interaction logging without the complexity of enterprise tools. Perfect for agencies with 1-10 team members.

Do I need technical skills to use BareCRM?

No technical skills required. BareCRM is designed to be obvious and intuitive. If you can use a spreadsheet, you can use BareCRM. For self-hosting, basic server knowledge helps but isn't required.

Is there customer support for BareStack?

BareStack is built by one person using AI. Support is provided through GitHub issues and community discussions. Since the tools are simple and well-documented, most users don't need support.

Can I import my data into BareCRM?

Yes, BareCRM supports data import. Since it's open-source, you can also customize the import process if needed. Full documentation is available on GitHub.

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