The Open-Source Tinkerer
You'd rather own the server than rent the software.
If you have technical skills and a thin budget, our quiz recommends CiviCRM, the open-source nonprofit CRM: the software is free, and you pay for hosting, setup and support. If you'd rather not run servers, it suggests Little Green Light, which starts at $45 a month with unlimited users.
- Technical comfort
- Low budget
- Standard processes
Best open-source CRM for technical nonprofits
You have real technical comfort and a thin budget, but your processes are fairly standard. An open-source CRM gives you control without writing everything from scratch.
CRMs that fit you

CiviCRM
CiviCRM (open source)Open-source; self-hosted or hosted, with QuickBooks and Mailchimp extensions.
Open-source software; hosted option CiviCRM Spark is a 'low monthly subscription' (exact price not verified on the page).1

Little Green Light
Little Green LightIf you'd rather not run servers: low price and simple setup.
$45/month up to 2,500 constituents; $60 up to 5,000; $75 up to 10,000; $90 up to 20,000; up to $135 for 50,000 (10% off billed annually). No charge for additional users.2
Want help making the switch?
Free for nonprofits: we'll help you get connected to the migration firm that best suits your needs. We only share your request with your consent, with up to 3 firms.
Guides for your likely move
Get ready to switch
Build vs. buy calculator
3-year cost of a vibe-coded CRM vs. a subscription, using published prices.
Run the numbersMigration readiness checklist
Every prep step, with progress saved in your browser. Print it or export it.
Start checkingFree migration offers
Some vendors will move your data for free. Here is the catch in each.
See offersThe other personalities
Results are rule-based and transparent. See the scoring. No vendor pays for placement.
Sources
- CiviCRM Spark (hosted CiviCRM) · verified Oct 16, 2026
- Little Green Light pricing · verified Oct 16, 2026