Twenty is an open source CRM platform with a Notion-like data model that lets teams build their own customer relationship system on self-hosted infrastructure, without per-seat Salesforce pricing or vendor lock-in.
The Problem
Salesforce and HubSpot charge hundreds of dollars per user per month for CRM functionality, making them expensive for startups and small sales teams. Beyond cost, both platforms define a rigid data model: objects, fields, and relationships are fixed or require paid customization. Teams with non-standard sales workflows, unusual pipeline stages, or the need to model relationships beyond the typical lead-contact-opportunity structure hit the limits of commercial CRMs quickly.
How Twenty Solves It
Twenty provides a CRM with a flexible, schema-first data model where you define the objects and fields that match your actual sales process. Standard CRM objects (people, companies, opportunities) are included by default, but the data model is fully customizable. Views switch between table, kanban, and timeline layouts. Workflow automation handles tasks like sending emails or updating records on status changes. AGPL-3.0 licensed; deploy with Docker Compose.
Key Features
- Customizable data model: add custom objects and fields to match your actual sales workflow
- Multiple views: table, kanban, and timeline views over the same underlying data
- Workflow automation: trigger actions on record changes, field updates, or schedule
- Email and calendar sync: connect Gmail or Outlook to log interactions automatically
- API-first: GraphQL API for integrating CRM data with other internal systems
- AGPL-3.0 licensed; self-host with Docker Compose backed by PostgreSQL
Self-Hosting
Clone the repository and run docker compose up. The Compose stack includes the Twenty application and a PostgreSQL database. The app starts on port 3000 with a pre-built admin interface. A VPS with 2 GB RAM handles small teams; scale compute as the workspace grows.
License
AGPL-3.0. Free to self-host and modify. Distributing a modified version as a network service requires open-sourcing your changes under AGPL.
Who It's For
Twenty is best for startup founders, early-stage sales teams, and RevOps engineers who need a CRM with a flexible data model and no per-seat pricing, and for developers who want to extend their CRM with custom objects and a GraphQL API.
Compared to Salesforce
Unlike Salesforce, Twenty is fully self-hosted under the AGPL-3.0 license with no per-seat fees and a fully customizable data model. Salesforce has a mature ecosystem of integrations, a large partner network, and decades of enterprise adoption; Twenty provides full data ownership, no licensing costs, and a modern developer-friendly architecture.
