The 6 Best Zoho Alternatives for 2022
Jess served on the founding team of a successful B2B startup and has used a wide range of sales and marketing tools over the course of her 15-year career. She uses her industry knowledge to deliver the best answers to your questions about sales tools and sales management.
This article is part of a larger series on CRM.
Zoho CRM is a customer relationship management (CRM) system with excellent features for omnichannel communication, data analytics, and workflow automation. However, it lacks some desired CRM attributes like low-cost system customization, a free plan for more than three users, and accessibility to artificial intelligence (AI) features on its lower-tiered plans. We evaluated dozens of Zoho alternatives to arrive at the top-rated six CRM software for small businesses.
Here are the six best Zoho alternatives for those looking for a robust small business CRM:
- Freshsales: Best overall Zoho CRM alternative with a built-in phone system
- Apptivo: Great alternative for businesses looking for an all-in-one business management solution
- Pipedrive: Solid Zoho alternative with advanced document management capabilities
- HubSpot CRM: Ideal for teams looking for robust marketing features in their CRM
- Insightly: Best for teams that want built-in project and event management features
- Really Simple Systems: Best Zoho CRM alternative for platform ease of use
Are you looking for more information on the best CRM options for your organization? Check out our top picks for the best CRMs for small businesses.
Best Zoho CRM Alternatives Compared
Provider | Free Plan | Free Trial for Paid Plans | Starting Price for Paid Plans | Special Features | Help & Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Yes, unlimited users | 21 days | $15 per user, per month | Built-in phone with logging & queue management | Tier-based support via email, phone & live chat |
 | Yes, for one user | 30 days | $8 per user, per month | All-in-one business management solution | 24/5 phone plus 24/7 chat & support for paid plans |
 | No free plan | 14 days | $14.90 per user, per month | Smart Docs document management feature | 24/7 chat & phone support for Enterprise users |
 | Yes, unlimited users | 14 days | $45 per month for 2 users | Comprehensive marketing management capabilities | Tier-based support via email, chat & phone |
| Yes, up to 2 users | 14 days | $29 per user, per month | Integrated project & event management | Email & phone support from 4 a.m. - 7 p.m. Pacific Time |
 | Yes, up to 2 users | 14 days | $14 per user, per month | Easy-to-use features with system customization | Email, chat & phone support during business hours |
Freshsales: Best Overall Zoho CRM Alternative
Freshsales
Overall Score: 4.86 OUT OF 5 iOur score is based on a weighted evaluation of dozens of similar products and services conducted by our experts.
What We Like
- Excellent system customization options available on lower-priced plans
- Artificial intelligence (AI) tools for predictive contact scoring, lead generation bot, and answer bot
- Free option available with a built-in phone system
What's Missing
- Forecasting tools requires Enterprise plan subscription
- Limited workflow automation on lower-priced plans and additional workflows require add-ons
- Quotes, invoices, contracts, and onboarding document management require add-on
How It Compares to Zoho CRM
- Freshsales has a free, built-in phone system while Zoho CRM requires integration with a third-party provider or native Zoho Voice software on a paid plan
- Freshsales lets you customize most of the system on the free or Growth plan while Zoho requires higher-tiered plans
- Zoho CRM offers invoices, quotes, and sales orders in Professional plan subscription while Freshsales requires an add-on
When directly compared to Zoho CRM, Freshsales stands out for its low-cost customization options for designing or redesigning data fields, workflows, product catalogs, and reports to their liking on either the free or Growth plan. There are also similar AI and automation capabilities to Zoho for predictive lead scoring, data deduplication, and insights on deals and opportunities.
One of the biggest challenges to using Freshsales that Zoho CRM and other CRM software on this list don’t have is that quote, contract, and document management features require an add-on for an additional cost. If this is something you value, Pipedrive is the best alternative that lets you construct, send, and track quotes, proposals, and contracts when subscribed to the Professional plan.
Freshsales Pricing at a Glance*
- Free: Unlimited users (limited features)
- Growth: $15 per user, per month
- Pro: $39 per user, per month
- Enterprise: $69 per user, per month
- Free trial: 21 days
*Pricing is based on an annual billing option. Monthly subscriptions are available as well for those who prefer shorter-term contracts.
Freshsales Free Built-in Telephone System
Freshsales is renowned for not just offering a built-in VoIP telephone system but having it on their free plan. As teams upgrade, they can start getting more advanced phone features, such as call recording, call queue management, and conferencing capabilities to bring in other team member specialists on calls. On the Pro and Enterprise plan, users can use virtual holds and warm transfers that give context prior to a new agent taking a call.
Freshsales warm transfer notes logging
(Source: Freshworks)
Freshsales built-in phone
(Source: Freshworks)
Freshsales logging call notes
(Source: Freshworks)
Check out our comprehensive Freshsales review to learn more about its features, plan comparisons, and best-for scenarios.
Apptivo: Best Zoho Alternative for General Business Management Features
Apptivo
Overall Score: 4.54 OUT OF 5 iOur score is based on a weighted evaluation of dozens of similar products and services conducted by our experts.
What We Like
- All-in-one CRM, project management, help desk, document management, and ecommerce platform
- Robust payment processing, and billing features
- System is easy to customize and operate
What's Missing
- Relatively limited integration capabilities
- Free plan limited to 1 user
- Basic, outdated dashboard
How It Compares to Zoho CRM
- Apptivo has built-in features for managing all aspects of a business; Zoho CRM requires integrations
- Apptivo has slightly more affordable pricing than Zoho CRM
- Zoho CRM offers significantly more native and third-party integration options compared to Apptivo
- Zoho CRM has built-in advanced artificial intelligence tools for analytics and automation and Apptivo does not
Apptivo has similar pricing attributes to Zoho CRM, such as a limited freemium plan and low-cost subscription options. In contrast, Zoho is far more advanced as it contains AI tools for insights, automation, and suggestions—something Apptivo lacks. Lastly, while both systems allow users to manage many aspects of their business, Apptivo offers those modules as built-in features while Zoho requires integration with third-party or native software.
A weakness for Apptivo is the limited number of third-party integration options available with the platform. As of now, there are just over a few dozen options available for users to connect and use with their CRM. Insightly, HubSpot, and Freshsales are alternatives on this list that have wider capabilities for letting you use external applications.
Apptivo Pricing at a Glance*
- Free: Up to one user
- Lite: $8 per user, per month
- Premium: $12 per user, per month
- Ultimate: $20 per user, per month
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
- Free trial: 30 days
*Pricing is based on an annual billing option. Monthly subscriptions are available as well for those who prefer shorter-term contracts.
Apptivo All-in-One Business Management Solutions
Apptivo is the all-in-one solution for business management with CRM features for lead and contact management as well as the ability to manage some of the supportive business functions. This includes invoicing, contract management, project management, contract procurement, marketing, work order management, a call center module, e-signature capabilities, and a help center for managing service tickets.
Check out our Apptivo review for best-for scenarios, detailed pricing information, usability insights, and a comprehensive look into its full-feature set.
Pipedrive: Best Zoho CRM Alternative for Document Management Features
Pipedrive
Overall Score: 4.25 OUT OF 5 iOur score is based on a weighted evaluation of dozens of similar products and services conducted by our experts.
What We Like
- AI sales assistant tool for automating sales tasks and offering sales advice
- Built-in document management features for sending quotes, proposals, contracts, and electronic signatures
- Low-cost automation capabilities
What's Missing
- No free plan
- Lacks project management tools
- Phone support unavailable unless on Enterprise plan
How It Compares to Zoho CRM
- Pipedrive includes most of their workflow and system automation on their lower-tier plans at a lower cost than Zoho
- Pipedrive allows for more system customization on the low-tiered plans compared to Zoho
- Zoho CRM has a free plan while Pipedrive does not
- Zoho CRM has more social media integration and functionality capabilities than Pipedrive
Pipedrive is a more sales-focused CRM compared to Zoho—prioritizing features for managing leads, deals, sales documents, and communication with contacts. Both platforms offer automation and AI features, but Pipedrive is the more cost-friendly option with the AI Sales Assistant on the Essential plan. Pipedrive also provides lower-cost customization for those who need unique data fields, pipelines, and templates for their business.
Pipedrive does not currently offer a free-forever plan to its users—something particularly valuable to startup businesses to test product features. HubSpot CRM is a great alternative that offers a free plan for unlimited users.
Pipedrive Pricing at a Glance*
- Essentials: $14.90 per user, per month
- Advanced: $24.90 per user, per month
- Professional: $49.90 per user, per month
- Enterprise: $99 per user, per month (10-user minimum)
- Free trial: 14 days
*Pricing is based on an annual billing option. Monthly plans are available as well.
Pipedrive Document Management Features
As part of being a sales-heavy solution, Pipedrive has built-in document management features for storing document templates, a tracking document that opens via email, and e-signature capabilities. There’s also the Smart Docs feature that lets users send and track contracts, proposals, and quotes directly from the CRM. This feature can auto-fill sections of identifiable information directly from records and product catalog data.
Learn more about this CRM system and explore its other features in our comprehensive Pipedrive review.
HubSpot CRM: Best Zoho Alternative for Marketing Features
HubSpot CRM
Overall Score: 4.16 OUT OF 5 iOur score is based on a weighted evaluation of dozens of similar products and services conducted by our experts.
What We Like
- Free plan for unlimited users
- Comprehensive marketing solutions for email, social media, content, and website marketing
- Intuitive interface and easy-to-use tools
What's Missing
- Paid plans get expensive
- Project management features are exclusively for marketing
- Certain integrations require additional costs
How It Compares to Zoho CRM
- HubSpot CRM is notably easier to use than Zoho CRM
- HubSpot CRM has a free plan for unlimited users while Zoho is limited to 3
- HubSpot CRM offers a built-in payment processing system while Zoho requires integrations
- HubSpot AI features limited to data deduplication, capture, and enrichment while Zoho’s can analyze data, provide insights, and help automate
Both HubSpot CRM and Zoho CRM allow for integrations with social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to communicate with audiences and manage content. HubSpot CRM, however, stands out compared to Zoho for its free plan for unlimited users, clean interface, and comprehensive marketing tools. Zoho, on the other hand, can do many more AI functions while offering more cost-friendly paid plans.
While HubSpot CRM has project management capabilities, they are primarily geared toward handling marketing projects. For a CRM with a general-use project management module in their systems, we recommend Insightly or Apptivo as solid alternatives.
HubSpot CRM Pricing at a Glance*
- Free: Unlimited users
- Starter: $45 per month (up to two users), then $23 per month, per additional user
- Professional: $450 per month (up to five users), then $90 per month, per additional user
- Enterprise: $1,200 per month (up to 10 users), then $120 per month, per additional user
- Free trial: 14 days
*Pricing is based on an annual billing option. Monthly subscriptions are available as well for those who prefer shorter-term contracts.
HubSpot CRM Marketing Features
HubSpot CRM is by far the best option for teams that use online, social media, or content marketing to create brand awareness, generate leads, or communicate with customers. Their features include automated email marketing, social media management, search engine optimization tools, online advertisement management capabilities, and functionality for developing and hosting video or blog content.
Want to learn more about this platform’s features? Check out our HubSpot CRM review for insights on usability, integrations, and best-for scenarios.
Insightly: Best Zoho CRM Alternative With Project Management Capabilities
Insightly
Overall Score: 3.89 OUT OF 5 iOur score is based on a weighted evaluation of dozens of similar products and services conducted by our experts.
What We Like
- Built-in project management features
- A large majority of features are available on Free or Plus plans
- Tons of integration capabilities with over 250 available apps
What's Missing
- Paid plans get expensive
- Products, price books, and quotes features require Enterprise plan
- Automated email and lead assignment require Professional plan
How It Compares to Zoho CRM
- Insightly has built-in project, task, and event management capabilities while Zoho requires integrations
- Insightly gets much more expensive than Zoho CRM
- Zoho CRM workflow automation capabilities are more cost-friendly than Insightly’s
Similar to Zoho CRM, Insightly has no shortage of integration options for teams looking to utilize their favorite productivity, communication, and collaboration tools in their CRM. They also share similar automation capabilities, though Zoho can do more advanced workflows than Insightly for a better price. Insightly outperforms Zoho in some lead management features with auto-lead assignment, web-to-lead capture, and auto-data enrichment.
Compared to Zoho CRM and other products on this list, Insightly is expensive once you upgrade past the free version—with the first plan starting at $29 per user, per month. Apptivo and Pipedrive are alternative options for users seeking lower-priced, scalable paid plans.
Insightly Pricing at a Glance*
- Free: Up to two users (limited features)
- Plus: $29 per user, per month
- Professional: $49 per user, per month
- Enterprise: $99 per user, per month
- Free trial: 14 days
*Pricing above is based on annual plans. However, you may also pay monthly for a higher cost.
Insightly Project Management
While Zoho CRM does allow project management capabilities through integration, Insightly offers built-in project management modules included in the free plan. Users can convert won opportunities into projects, track milestones and corresponding tasks, configure project or event templates, and synchronize project events on a calendar. There are also collaboration options through task assignments and milestone scheduling.
Take a look at our Insightly review to see if it’s right for your business. This comprehensive product evaluation explores pricing, features, and usability.
Really Simple Systems: Best Zoho CRM Alternative for Easy-to-Use Sales Features
Really Simple Systems
Overall Score: 3.84 OUT OF 5 iOur score is based on a weighted evaluation of dozens of similar products and services conducted by our experts.
What We Like
- Cost-friendly and free plan availability
- Sales features are straightforward to set up and use
- CRM system customization for fields, tables, lists, dashboards, charts, and pages
What's Missing
- Marketing and service desk features require an add-on
- No mobile app
- Does not have AI features and is limited on automation capabilities without add-ons
How It Compares to Zoho CRM
- Really Simple Systems lets you customize most system elements on the free plan while Zoho requires an Enterprise plan
- Zoho CRM requires paid plan for customized reports while Really Simple Systems does it for free
- Zoho CRM has a mobile app while Really Simple Systems does not
- Zoho CRM has advanced AI features while Really Simple Systems does not
Really Simple Systems is well-known for platform usability attributes and how much system customization it allows. Though it lacks the mobile app and AI tools offered by Zoho CRM, users can manage sales activities as well as marketing and service desk operations by purchasing add-ons. Furthermore, teams can use Really Simple Systems to manage quotes, pipelines, contacts, products, tasks, and events all with excellent one-page, full-record views.
The disadvantage for Really Simple Systems is that users need to purchase the Simple or Advanced Marketing add-ons to manage mass email, website, and automated marketing campaigns. HubSpot CRM is an ideal alternative for users who want robust marketing capabilities on a free or low-cost plan.
Really Simple Systems Pricing at a Glance*
- Free: Up to two users
- Starter: $14 per user, per month
- Professional: $30 per user, per month
- Enterprise: $46 per user, per month
- Free trial: 14 days
- Simple Marketing Add-on: Included in Enterprise plan or $22 per month
- Advanced Marketing Add-on: $46 per month
- Service Desk Add-on: Included in Enterprise plan or $46 per month
*Pricing above is based on annual plans. However, you may also pay monthly for a higher cost.
Really Simple Systems Ease-of-Use
Users of Really Simple Systems love the platform’s simplicity and how easy it is to operate its tools—being one of the reasons it’s our best overall pick for the top simple CRM systems. You’ll find that the buttons, pages, and tabs are organized in a clean way for users to navigate through their modules and use the tools without much difficulty. Even those new to using a CRM can pick it up relatively quickly.
Really Simple Systems intuitive dashboard
(Source: Really Simple Systems)
Really Simple Systems contact record
(Source: Really Simple Systems)
For further product evaluation information, read our Really Simple Systems review. You’ll discover all the information you need to determine if it’s the best product for your business needs.
How We Evaluated the Best Zoho Alternatives for Small Businesses
The best Zoho CRM competitors should have CRM features or product attributes comparable to Zoho CRM, such as artificial intelligence, social media integrations, analytics features, and workflow automation. Additionally, it should offer some of the scalable and low-priced subscription options Zoho is notable for.
Based on our evaluation, we found Freshsales to be the best Zoho alternative. It offers similar advanced features to Zoho CRM, such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and workflow automation. The platform is also cost-friendly and comes with a free plan that includes a built-in telephone for placing and receiving calls from the CRM.
The tabs below offer insight into our evaluation process for choosing the best CRM alternatives to Zoho:
30%
General Features
20%
Pricing
20%
Ease of Use
20%
Help & Support
10%
Expert Score
30% of Overall Score
We looked at the overall features we feel are necessities in CRM systems, including reporting tools and analytics capabilities, tools for managing sales pipelines, customization options, and the ability to organize and communicate with contacts. We also evaluated each CRM’s mobile application and third-party integrations.
20% of Overall Score
We looked at pricing compared to Zoho CRM regarding free plan availability and scalable subscription options. We also considered whether or not the CRM provider allows for monthly and annual billing options.
20% of Overall Score
Zoho competitors were also evaluated on product usability. This was analyzed in terms of the expertise needed to set up and integrate the CRM with other applications, the skill required to operate the platform, and the intuitiveness of navigating the system’s interface.
20% of Overall Score
Extensive support and service can prevent issues a user may encounter while using any one of these Zoho alternatives. Help and support were evaluated in terms of customer service hours, accessible tools for platform education, and the availability of support via phone, live chat, and email.
10% of Overall Score
In addition to firsthand experiences with the best Zoho CRM alternatives, we evaluated what other users are saying about each option. These criteria consider how customers feel, based on their reviews, to gain insights into platform popularity, ease of use, and overall value for the price.
*Percentages of overall score
