Copper vs Streak: Gmail CRM Showdown (2026)
Both Copper and Streak are CRMs built for Gmail users, but they take fundamentally different approaches. Streak is a Chrome extension that lives inside your inbox. Copper is a standalone CRM with deep Gmail integration. Here is how to pick the right one.
Choose Copper If:
- You have a team of 3+ people who need shared CRM
- You need workflow automations and email sequences
- You want a standalone CRM app, not just a Gmail add-on
- You need robust reporting and pipeline analytics
Choose Streak If:
- You are a solopreneur or 1-2 person team
- You want CRM without ever leaving Gmail
- You need a free CRM to get started
- Lightweight pipeline management is sufficient
The Architectural Difference
Streak: Extension-First
Streak is a Chrome extension that modifies your Gmail interface. It adds pipeline views, CRM columns, and contact details directly inside your inbox. You never leave Gmail. The advantage is zero context-switching. The downside is that Streak is limited to what a Chrome extension can do inside Gmail's interface. There is no standalone web app with dedicated dashboard views, and the experience depends on having the extension installed.
Copper: Standalone CRM + Gmail Integration
Copper is a full standalone CRM application that also has deep Gmail integration via a sidebar. You get dedicated pipeline views, reporting dashboards, a mobile app, and a complete CRM interface. The Gmail sidebar surfaces contacts and deals while you work in email. The advantage is a richer CRM experience. The trade-off is occasional context-switching between Gmail and the Copper app.
Pricing Comparison
| Tier | Copper (Annual) | Streak |
|---|---|---|
| Free | No free plan | $0 (500 contacts) |
| Entry | $9/seat (Starter) | $15/user (Solo) |
| Professional | $59/seat (Professional) | $49/user (Pro) |
| Enterprise | $99/seat (Business) | $129/user (Enterprise) |
Cost by Team Size (Pro Tiers)
| Team | Copper Professional ($59) | Streak Pro ($49) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 user | $59/mo | $49/mo |
| 5 users | $295/mo | $245/mo |
| 10 users | $590/mo | $490/mo |
| 15 users | $885/mo | $735/mo |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Copper | Streak |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ||
| Lives inside Gmail | Sidebar | Full extension |
| Standalone web app | ||
| Mobile app (full CRM) | Basic | |
| Workflow automations | Pro+ | Pro+ |
| Email sequences | Pro+ | Pro+ |
| Mail merge | Pro+ | All plans |
| Email tracking | ||
| Shared pipelines | Pro+ | |
| Custom reports | Pro+ | Pro+ |
| Google Calendar sync | ||
| Google Drive integration | Basic | |
| Google Sheets integration | ||
| API access | Pro+ | Pro+ |
| Contact limit | 1K-Unlimited | 500-Unlimited |
| Scalability (25+ users) | Good | Limited |
Detailed Analysis
For Solopreneurs: Streak Wins
If you are a freelancer, consultant, or one-person operation, Streak is hard to beat. The free plan provides genuine CRM functionality inside Gmail at zero cost. You get pipeline management, email tracking, and 500 contacts without paying anything. Copper's cheapest option is $9/month with a 1,000-contact limit, which is still affordable but cannot compete with free.
The Streak Solo plan at $15/user/month is also more affordable than Copper's comparable Basic plan at $23/seat/month, while including unlimited contacts. For a budget-conscious individual, Streak is the clear winner.
For Teams (3+ Users): Copper Wins
Once you have 3 or more people sharing a CRM, Copper's advantages become significant. Copper's standalone application provides dedicated pipeline views that are easier to use than Streak's in-Gmail interface for team collaboration. The reporting capabilities are more robust, the mobile app is more fully featured, and the Google Sheets integration enables team dashboards that Streak cannot match.
Streak's team features require the Pro plan at $49/user, which puts it close to Copper Professional at $59/user. At that price point, Copper offers more CRM depth: workflow automations, lead scoring, 15,000 contacts, and a proper standalone application. The $10/user premium for Copper at the Pro tier is worth it for teams that need a full CRM platform.
The Gmail Dependency Question
Both Copper and Streak are Gmail/Google Workspace dependent, but in different ways. Streak literally lives inside Gmail and does not function without it. Copper has a standalone application that works independently but is designed for Google Workspace integration. If your organisation ever considers moving away from Google Workspace, Copper provides a smoother transition path because the CRM data lives in its own application. With Streak, leaving Gmail means leaving your CRM.
Copper vs Streak FAQ
Is Streak really free?
Streak has a genuinely free plan that includes basic CRM features: 500 contacts, 50 mail merge per day, email tracking, and pipeline management. It is functional for solopreneurs and freelancers. However, the free plan lacks features like shared pipelines, advanced reporting, and API access. The paid plans start at $15/user/month for Solo and $49/user/month for Pro.
Which has deeper Gmail integration?
Streak lives entirely inside Gmail as a Chrome extension. You never leave your inbox. Copper is a standalone CRM application with a Gmail sidebar extension. Streak feels more native in Gmail itself, but Copper offers a richer standalone experience with dedicated pipeline views, reporting dashboards, and mobile app. For someone who never wants to leave Gmail, Streak wins. For someone who wants a full CRM that connects to Gmail, Copper wins.
Can Streak handle a 10-person team?
Streak can handle a 10-person team, but it starts to show limitations. Shared pipelines require the Pro plan at $49/user/month, which is close to Copper Professional at $59/user/month. Streak's reporting and automation capabilities are weaker than Copper's at this scale. If your team needs workflow automations, email sequences, or custom reports, Copper is the better choice for 10+ users.
Does Streak work outside of Gmail?
Streak is designed almost exclusively for Gmail. It has a mobile app, but the core experience is the Chrome extension that modifies your Gmail interface. There is no standalone web app with pipeline views, dashboards, or contact management outside of Gmail. Copper has both a standalone web app and mobile app in addition to its Gmail sidebar, giving you CRM access from anywhere.