Many small businesses run around wearing many hats and they end up collapsing. It’s not easy to manage leads, send follow-up emails, book appointments, create invoices, and keep track of customer interactions. While some people still do that by jumping from one tool to the other, few are saving their time using Keap.

Keap is an all-in-one Customer Relationship Management and automation platform. It’s built specifically for small businesses that want to stay organized, and grow without adding complexity. 

So far, Keap has helped entrepreneurs spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time on what matters most.

In this review, we’ll explore Keap’s pricing, core features, onboarding services, how it compares to competitors, and the key questions most business owners ask before getting started.

What is Keap?

Keap is a platform that combines CRM, sales pipeline management, email marketing, SMS, payments, landing pages, and automation into one system to help your business. Its main aim is to help you scale without the complexity of stitching together multiple tools.

Originally, Keap was first launched as Infusionsoft then it’s rebranded in 2019 to better align with its focus on small businesses. In 2024, Thryv, a major small business software provider acquired Keap. Ever since, customers enjoy its products, support, and automation platform as it remains strengthened and unchanged.

Keap Pricing & What’s Included

The Keap pricing model has changed. The new one is $249/month for up to 1,500 contacts and 2 users. The pricing scales based on your contact count. It means the more your contacts, the higher the cost. 

Approximately additional users cost about $39/month each. Annual billing gives around 17% savings compared to monthly billing. There’s no free plan, but you can have a 14-day free trial.

Keap pricing is simple. A single plan that includes everything including CRM & Client Management, Marketing Tools, Sales & Automation, Text & Phone Marketing, Reporting & Analytics, Support and Onboarding.

Text Marketing Pricing (Add-on Tiers, U.S. only)

Text marketing allows you to send SMS broadcasts, 1:1 texts, and automated replies with a dedicated business line. The tier includes 500 messages + 100 minutes and you can upgrade it from $24/month (1,000 messages) to $279/month (25,000 messages). The average is $0.015/message and $0.01/minute and you can add a local number for  ($10/month) or 500 texts ($6/month).

Keap Core features

Keap has many features but I’m going to grouped its major features by category:

1. CRM & Contact Management

Keap CRM allows you to do so many things that makes management easier. You can store all your client data, activity, and communication in one place. The Contact Manager can be used to track individual contacts or organize them by company (for B2B). 

While segmenting leads by using tags, filters, and saved searches can help you target the right audience. There are many other tools you can play around with including Tasks & Notes, Custom Fields & Company Records, Lead Scoring, Automation History and your own Customizable Dashboard.

2. Marketing & Automation

Keap has everything your business might need for marketing. You can build modern landing pages and connect them into multi-page funnels. There are forms that help you capture leads and trigger automations upon submission. In reaching out, you can use the broadcast emails or 1:1 email sync with Gmail/Outlook, newsletters, and templates.

The interesting part is your AI Content Assistant  which can help you draft compelling emails quickly. You can even build entire campaigns in minutes using AI.
Aside from email you can send SMS broadcasts or 1:1 texts, and get automated replies with a dedicated business line. Although this feature is for the U.S only.

3. Sales Tools

Keap also covers everything you need in sales starting from the pipeline ability to visualize deals and move leads through each stage. Then you can share booking links that sync with Google or Outlook calendars to appoint schedules. 

If negotiations works out well, Keap helps you generate quotes, convert them to invoices, and send one-time or recurring bills. Plus, you have your checkout forms and order bumps with native Keap payment processor (U.S.) or third-party integrations with Stripe, PayPal, and more.

4. Service & Operations

Let’s go through a list of tools to help your service and operations. The internal forms automate team workflows with internal data collection forms and you can automatically request reviews from clients. Keap also integrates with Zapier or API and thousands of other apps.

In terms of operation, everything is automatic. You can automatically assign tasks, send reminders, trigger follow-ups, send reminders and credit card expiration alerts to keep payments on track.

5. Reporting & Administration

Keap tracks your ROI, engagement, sales performance and also monitors your email health and avoids spam flags.

In terms of administration, you can merge duplicate contacts to keep your database clean, sync Gmail and Outlook to see email history and calendar events directly in Keap.

6. Support & Training

There are dedicated Keap experts to guide your strategy with phone support, 24/7 chat support, Keap academy and community.

Keap Onboarding & Services

Keap doesn’t want you to feel overwhelmed trying a new software so they ensure you’re never on your own. Once you show interest, you’ll be paired with a team of dedicated implementation experts who will guide you step by step. 

These teams are called your Customer Success Manager (CSM). They give strategic advice and connect you with resources whenever needed. Alongside them, your Implementation Strategy Manager (ISM) will help you map out your business processes. Your ISM will also train you on how to use the platform, and work with you to launch your first automations. 

Meanwhile, import and migration specialists ensure that all of your data, assets, and integrations are moved over from your current system without a hitch.

Pros of Keap CRM

1. Powerful automation engine

Automation is the biggest standout feature. Setting up workflows, follow-up emails, tagging contacts, and triggering actions based on user behavior will save you hours every week.

2. All-in-one CRM + marketing suite

Keap isn’t perfect, but for business owners looking to combine CRM, marketing automation, and sales tracking in one place, Keap is a strong contender. It includes CRM, email/SMS, pipeline, landing pages, invoicing/checkout, and reporting.

3. Customizable contact management

Tags, groups, custom fields, and saved searches allow segmentation and reporting without add-ons.

4. AI assistants save time
AI Content Assistant generates email subject lines and copy variations scaffolding workflows in minutes.

5. Integrated payments & invoicing
It has native checkout forms, quotes, and invoices to simplify online payments without third-party tools.

Cons of Keap CRM

1. Steep learning curve

Setting up your first few email campaigns and automations might take more trial and error especially if you’re a beginner. 

2. Mobile app frustrations

The mobile app feels under-cooked and might sometimes freeze. Using a desktop should be the best option.

3. Pricing scales quickly
Keap starts at $249/month, with costs rising based on contacts and users. If you require onboarding, this will add another $499–$2,000+. This might not be cool if you’re budget sensitive.

4. Limited SMS/business line availability
Text marketing and Business Line are only supported in the U.S. and Canada, leaving international users without native texting.

Who is Keap Best For?

1. Small to mid-sized service businesses

Coaches, consultants, agencies, and tradespeople will benefit most from Keap’s because of its all-in-one design.

2. Entrepreneurs who value automation

Automation has been a game-changer for lead nurturing and customer retention. If you’re losing leads due to poor follow-up or manual workflows, Keap’s automation can double efficiency.

Teams that want guided setup instead of DIY
Keap’s onboarding ensures a live funnel is running in week one. This is good if you want speed and expert guidance.

Businesses needing CRM + payments + SMS in one place
This means you have your quotes, invoices, checkout forms, and native payments all in a single keep. Especially if you add SMS it becomes a full communication hub without needing extra tools.

Keap vs Competitors

Depending on your priorities, let’s look into some alternatives. They may be a better fit.

1. ActiveCampaign is for businesses that want advanced automation at a lower entry cost. It had hundreds of pre-built workflows so it’s easy to design sophisticated customer journeys. While Keap had more robust Customer Relationship Management and payment features. ActiveCampaign is stronger on the marketing side and can be more cost-effective.  As a startup or business, you can consider it if you need only center on marketing with simpler sales needs.

2. HubSpot CRM stands out because of its generous free tier. It’s easy to use and a great way for small businesses to get started without upfront costs. However, as you grow and require more advanced marketing automation, HubSpot’s pricing scales quickly, often becoming more expensive than Keap in the long run. Keap’s advantage here is predictable pricing with automation built-in from the start.

3. Zoho CRM is flexible and affordable. This makes it a popular option for cost-conscious businesses. It’s highly customizable and it has strong analytics and AI-driven insights. Compared to Keap, however, Zoho may feel less intuitive and require more setup time. As a small team who needs to move quickly without extensive customization, Keap is your best option.

4. Pipedrive is known for its clean, visual sales pipeline. A sales-driven team that wants to keep things simple and focused will enjoy it better because it’s purely on deal management. The drawback is that Pipedrive doesn’t include built-in marketing automation like Keap. Keap’s strength lies in combining sales and marketing in one place.

5. Salesforce is the heavyweight competitor in this space. It has virtually unlimited customization and scalability.  Large enterprises with complex sales structures will enjoy it but the cost and complexity are significant barriers for small businesses. Compared to Salesforce, Keap is far more approachable. It’s faster to implement for small organizations in particular.

6. Among all, HighLevel takes a different angle by focusing on agencies. You can white-label, use CRM and automation under your own brand. This is packed but the learning curve is steeper. Keap, in contrast, is designed for direct small business use rather than reselling.

Key FAQs About Keap

Does Keap offer onboarding support?
Yes. Every new customer receives a guided onboarding package. The package includes strategy sessions, help with data migration, and step-by-step setup of your first automations. You’ll also be paired with a dedicated Customer Success Manager.  The both of you will work together during your first year to ensure you’re getting results.

Can I integrate Keap with other tools I already use?
Absolutely. You can connect it with popular platforms like Gmail, Outlook, Zapier, PayPal, Stripe, QuickBooks, and more.

Does Keap have a mobile app?
Yes. You can use the Keap’s mobile app to access your contacts, send texts or emails, book appointments, and even issue invoices on the go.

How does Keap handle payments?
Keap has a built-in payment processor for U.S. customers. You can accept one-time or recurring payments directly from invoices and checkout forms. You can also connect third-party processors like Stripe, PayPal, or Eway for more flexibility.

What kind of customer support does Keap provide?
You’ll have access to 24/7 live chat, U.S.-based phone support, and ongoing strategy help from your Customer Success Manager.

Can I try Keap before buying?
Yes. Keap has a free trial so you can test its CRM, automation, and marketing tools firsthand before committing to a subscription.

Conclusion

Keap combines contact management, marketing automation, sales tools, payments, and scheduling in one place. It eliminates the need to juggle multiple apps and saves valuable time. 

Its dedicated customer support makes it easier to get started compared to many competitors. Keap email and text automation helps you stay connected all through with your clients.

The best part is the free trial to test things out. Perhaps you should also test things out. Maybe from there you’ll get a solution to managing customer relationships and driving growth.