Zoho CRM is a popular customer relationship software solution sales professionals use for contact and lead management, automating workflows, and unifying team collaboration. However, Zoho CRM isn’t always the best solution for small businesses, given its size and complexity.
We compared a variety of Zoho CRM alternatives based on specific evaluation criteria outlined below to learn which six customer relationship managers (CRMs) are the best choice for small businesses and which one is best overall.
Here are our top recommendations for Zoho CRM alternatives, and why you should consider them:
- Freshworks CRM: Best overall Zoho CRM alternative for affordability and ease of use
- Apptivo: Well-suited for organizations that prioritize integrated billing and invoicing options
- Pipedrive: Great Zoho CRM alternative for teams that want a user-friendly and intuitive CRM
- Really Simple Systems: Ideal for sales organizations seeking a CRM with service desk capabilities
- Insightly: A popular Zoho CRM alternative for businesses that need project management tools
- HubSpot CRM: Agencies and marketers seeking a free CRM that supports unlimited users
How We Evaluated the Top Six Zoho CRM Alternatives
The best alternatives to Zoho CRM are customer relationship management solutions that address the pain points Zoho users find the most limiting. They include a restrictive free service plan, lack of artificial intelligence tools, and an interface that isn’t particularly user-friendly.
My research revealed Freshworks CRM as the best alternative solution for Zoho users. Its pricing tiers are affordable, a good value for the money, and backed by reliable customer support. Freshworks CRM is a great choice for sales organizations that find Zoho CRM doesn’t quite meet their needs.
Click the tabs below to learn more about the evaluation process.
20% of Overall Score
CRM solutions should offer enough paid service plans to meet a variety of budgets. Free tiers should be affordable to upgrade and support unlimited users.
20% of Overall Score
Sales teams need a CRM that is easy to set up and works intuitively right out of the box without requiring extensive training.
10% of Overall Score
Many companies already use business applications like Slack, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp. The solutions we evaluated we assessed for the type and number of business app integrations they had to offer.
10% of Overall Score
The ability to customize workflows, sales processes, dashboards, and other sales-specific tasks frees up teams to focus on customers instead of shoehorning data into a system that doesn’t fit their needs.
10% of Overall Score
Automating workflow processes keeps repetitive tasks from interfering with sales efforts and helps make sure nothing slips through the cracks.
30% of Overall Score
There are a number of reasons teams may want an alternative solution to Zoho CRM. Typically, they include a limitation on the number of users allowed on the free plan, a clunky user interface, and feature-limited mobile apps. The best alternative CRMs address these issues while still providing a top-notch user experience.
Freshworks CRM
PROS
- Mobile app to manage contacts and deals
- AI-powered assistant that delivers personalized insights
- Intuitive user interface
CONS
- Average speed compared to competitors
- Can get expensive when adding multiple users
- Features like website visitor tracking require additional cost
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
| Ease of Use | 4.90 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| System Integrations | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Customization | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Automation | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Advanced Features | 4.25 | OUT OF | 5 |
Freshworks CRM is an affordable, feature-rich CRM with an intuitive interface. It is our top pick as the best overall Zoho alternative for its ease of use, powerful mobile app, built-in phone system, and social media integration. This solution is also ideal for sales teams looking for a way to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance their sales strategy and find Zoho CRM’s service plans that support AI too expensive.
Freshworks CRM Pricing
- Growth: $29 per user, per month
- Pro: $69 per user, per month
- Enterprise: $125 per user, per month
- Free trial of paid plans: 21 days
Based on annual billing.
Freshworks CRM Features
Freshworks CRM’s contact management dashboard
(Source: Freshworks CRM)
- One-click data migration
- Intuitive visual interface
- Mobile app with invoicing features
- Freddy AI to analyze deals and generate accurate insights
- Third-party integration with Facebook Instagram, WhatsApp, WeChat, and YouTube
- Freshworks Academy to improve skills, get certified and join professional community
Apptivo
PROS
- Mobile app with invoicing capabilities
- 24/7 live chat support
- Extensive invoicing capabilities
CONS
- Free plan limited to three users
- Mobile app with limited features
- Calendar sync is clunky
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 4.75 | OUT OF | 5 |
| Ease of Use | 4.40 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| System Integrations | 4.25 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Customization | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Automation | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Advanced Features | 3.50 | OUT OF | 5 |
Apptivo is a CRM with extensive billing and invoicing features, something Zoho CRM lacks. It also offers a mobile app that lets users access contacts, create invoices, and track timesheets. Apptivo also includes reliable customer support access and an extensive knowledge base so users can find the answers they need right online.
Apptivo Pricing
- Starter: Free for up to three users
- Lite: $8 per user, per month
- Premium: $12 per user, per month
- Ultimate: $20 per user, per month
- Free trial of paid plans: 30 days
Based on annual billing. Monthly subscriptions are also available at slightly higher rates.
Apptivo Features
Apptivo customize apps
(Source: Apptivo)
- Dynamic user interface
- Artificial intelligence tools
- Data export and backup
- Social integration features
- Create invoices and deals from quotes in one click
- Mobile app to manage contacts, send invoices, and track time sheets
- Extensive tutorials, product demos, knowledge base, and webinars
Pipedrive
PROS
- AI sales assistant
- Support options include knowledge base, sales academy, and community hub
- Easy data export
CONS
- No free plan
- Basic plan does not include workflow automation and contact enrichment
- Lead generation tools cost extra
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 2.50 | OUT OF | 5 |
| Ease of Use | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| System Integrations | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Customization | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Automation | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Advanced Features | 4.25 | OUT OF | 5 |
Pipedrive is a simple-to-use CRM with an intuitive interface that’s easy to navigate, regardless of technical aptitude. Some Zoho CRM users find the software to be a bit clunky, making this solution a better choice for new CRM users. Pipedrive’s data export tool makes quick work of migrating or exporting the CRMs database to use with other business systems.
Pipedrive Pricing
- Essential: $12.50 per user, per month
- Advanced: $24.90 per user, per month
- Professional: $49.90 per user, per month
- Enterprise: $99 per user, per month
- Free trial of paid plans: 14 days
Based on annual billing. Monthly subscriptions are also available at slightly higher rates.
Pipedrive Features
Pipedrive pipeline view
(Source: Pipedrive)
- Simple data export
- Clear visual interface
- Mobile app for sales productivity and contact management
- AI assistant provides performance-based tips and progress updates
- Social integration through third-party apps
- Extensive tutorials, training videos, online knowledge base, and community hub
Really Simple Systems
PROS
- Free plan includes customer support
- User-friendly interface
- Track leads and automate processes
CONS
- Free plan limited to two users
- Limited customization capabilities
- Lacks mobile app
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
| Ease of Use | 4.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| System Integrations | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Customization | 1.90 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Automation | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Advanced Features | 3.50 | OUT OF | 5 |
Really Simple Systems is a reliable Zoho alternative that features the service desk tools Zoho CRM lacks, including case management, service level agreements, and service team insights. It also offers a free tier that includes customer support, something few CRMs offer outside of paid service plans.
Really Simple Systems Pricing
- Free: Supports up to two users
- Starter: $14 per user, per month
- Professional: $30 per user, per month
- Enterprise: $46 per user, per month
- Free trial of paid plans: 14 days
Based on annual billing. Monthly subscriptions are also available at slightly higher rates.
Really Simple Systems Features
Really Simple Systems sales dashboard
(Source: Really Simple Systems)
- Easy data import and export
- Online customer support portal
- Robust social integration
- Includes artificial intelligence
- Fresh, modern user interface
Insightly
PROS
- Project management tools to track milestones and convert won opportunities to projects
- Workflow automation and lead routing capabilities
- Third-party integration with Google Workspace, Gmail, Xero, and QuickBooks
CONS
- Free plan limited to two users
- Customer support limited to paid plan
- Lacks social integration tools
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 2.50 | OUT OF | 5 |
| Ease of Use | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| System Integrations | 4.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Customization | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Automation | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Advanced Features | 4.25 | OUT OF | 5 |
Insightly is a robust CRM with project management features for managing leads, deals, contacts, and customer projects, tools Zoho CRM doesn’t offer. Convert deals to projects in a single click, track milestones, tasks and dependencies, and sync calendars with the desktop app to provide customers with the best possible experience from the close of a sale and beyond.
Insightly Pricing
- Free: Supports up to two users
- Plus: $29 per user, per month
- Professional: $49 per user, per month
- Enterprise: $99 per user, per month
- Free trial of paid plans: 14 days
Based on annual billing.
Insightly Features
Insightly dashboard
(Source: Insightly)
- Simple interface
- Export data records easily
- Includes social integration
- Manage calendar, tasks, and deliverables with mobile app
- AI assistant schedules meetings, sends invites, and updates your CRM
- Help center with in-depth tutorials
- Supports Facebook, FourSquare, Google+, LinkedIn, and Twitter integration
HubSpot CRM
PROS
- Unlimited users on free plan
- Customizable dashboards and reports
- Automatically track and log calls
CONS
- Mobile app has limited features
- Doesn’t offer artificial intelligence tools with free plan
- Upgrades from the free plan can be costly
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 2.75 | OUT OF | 5 |
| Ease of Use | 4.40 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| System Integrations | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Customization | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Automation | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Advanced Features | 4.25 | OUT OF | 5 |
HubSpot CRM offers a feature-filled, permanently free CRM that also includes marketing and service tools. It supports unlimited users, whereas Zoho CRM’s free plan supports only three. HubSpot CRM is the ideal choice for teams that need a forever-free solution that scales as the company grows.
HubSpot CRM Pricing
- Free: for unlimited users
- Starter: $45 per month, starts at two paid users
- Professional: $450 per month, starts at five paid users
- Enterprise: $1,200 per month, starts at 10 paid users
Based on annual billing. Monthly subscriptions are also available at slightly higher rates.
HubSpot CRM Features
HubSpot deals dashboard
(Source: HubSpot)
- Free plan for unlimited users
- Easy-to-use dashboard
- Export content and data from account
- Offers in-depth HubSpot software training
- Access contacts and mange deals with mobile app
- Connect HubSpot account to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn
- Leverages AI for easy imports, automatic call recording, data management, and live chat name recognition
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