SugarCRM vs Monday CRM: Which is Right For You in 2025?

by | Feb 21, 2025

Winner
SugarCRM
4.5
  • Sales Automation
  • Integration
  • Marketing Automation
  • Landing Pages
  • Security Overview
  • Book Demo Now
  • Paid Plans from $19/month
Runner Up
Monday
3.0
  • Monday AI
  • Integrations Center
  • Smart Workflow Automation
  • Kanban Board
  • Gantt Chart
  • Free plan available
  • Paid Plan Starts at $9
SugarCRM vs Monday CRM

Choosing the right CRM can feel like picking the perfect pair of shoes – it must fit just right.

Are you tired of juggling spreadsheets and sticky notes to keep track of your customers?

A good CRM, or Customer Relationship Management system, can be a game-changer. 

We’ll break down SugarCRM vs Monday CRM and compare their features so you can make the wisest choice for your needs. 

Overview

We’ve tested SugarCRM and Monday CRM, exploring their features, pricing, and user experience. 

Our hands-on testing and research, combined with user feedback, inform this comparison, helping you decide which CRM best suits your business needs.

SugarCRM CTA
4.5out of 5

SugarCRM’s tools like Sugar Sell, Sugar Serve, and Sugar Market can help! Automate marketing today!

Pricing: Book your demo plan. The premium plan starts at $19/month.

Key Features:

  • Sales Force Automation
  • Customer Support
  • Reporting and Analytics
CTA
3out of 5

Want a CRM that’s as flexible as your marketing needs? See how it can transform your workflow!

Pricing: It has a free plan. The premium plan starts at $9/month.

Key Features:

  • Visual Workflow Management
  • Collaboration Tools
  • Integrations

What is SugarCRM?

Okay, let’s talk SugarCRM. It’s a pretty powerful CRM.

Think of it as a digital hub for all your customer info.

It’s designed to help businesses of all sizes manage their sales, marketing, and customer service.

Want more control and customization? SugarCRM might be your jam.

Also, explore our favorite SugarCRM alternatives

sugarcrm homepage

Our Take

SugarCRM CTA

Want to boost sales by 20% in 2025? SugarCRM’s tools like Sugar Sell, Sugar Serve, and Sugar Market can help! Automate marketing, manage customers and close more deals.

Key Benefits

  • Open-source platform: Gives you greater flexibility and control.
  • Robust sales automation: Streamline your sales processes and boost productivity.
  • Excellent reporting tools: Gain valuable insights into your sales performance.
  • The mobile app includes access to your CRM data on the go.
  • Large community: Tap into a wealth of resources and support.

Pricing

SugarCRM offers a free trial to test things out. Their paid plans start at $49 per user per month. Here’s the breakdown:

  • Essentials: $19/user/month, three users minimum.
  • Standard: $59/user/month, ten users minimum.
  • Advanced: $85/user/month, ten users minimum.
  • Premier: $135/user/month, ten users minimum.
SugarCRM Pricing

Pros

  • Very customizable platform.
  • Powerful reporting features.
  • Offers a free trial and plan.
  • Mobile app is included.
  • Large and active community.

Cons

  • Can be complex to set up.
  • The interface feels outdated.
  • Marketing automation is costly.
  • Not as intuitive as GoHighLevel.
  • Some features feel clunky.

What is Monday CRM?

Alright, let’s switch gears and talk about Monday CRM.

It’s part of the Monday.com work operating system.

Think of it as a visual hub for managing your customer relationships.

Monday CRM is known for its ease of use and focus on collaboration.

Monday CRM might be a good fit if you like a clean interface and team-friendly tools.

Also, explore our favorite Monday CRM alternatives

monday CRM homepage

Our Take

Monday CTA

Monday CRM is a good choice for businesses that want a visually appealing and easy-to-use CRM.

Key Benefits

  • Visually appealing interface: Easy to navigate and understand.
  • Flexible and customizable: Adapt the platform to your specific needs.
  • Collaboration features: Work seamlessly with your team.
  • Integrations with popular apps: Connect with your favorite business tools.

Pricing

  • Free: $0 free forever.
  • Basic: $9/seat/month.
  • Standard: $12/seat/month.
  • Pro: $19/seat/month.
  • Enterprise: Custom Pricing based on your needs.
monday pricing

Pros

  • Visually appealing and user-friendly.
  • Flexible and customizable workflows.
  • Great for team collaboration.
  • Integrates with popular apps.

Cons

  • It can be expensive for large teams.
  • Limited reporting capabilities.
  • Not as feature-rich as some competitors.

Feature Comparison

This analysis evaluates SugarCRM, the established leading crm known for enterprise customization and robust forecasting.

Monday CRM, a versatile project management platforms and Work OS.

This comparison clarifies which crm platform is better for software development and service teams needing modular tools versus project management tools offering integrated, visual workflow management.

1. Core Focus and Platform Type

  • SugarCRM: Primarily a modular crm platform designed for enterprise sales and service. It offers specific components like sugar sell and sugar serve to manage the entire customer lifecycle, focusing on high-level sales performance.
  • Monday: Primarily a project management platforms and Work OS. It offers flexible work management tools that can be adapted into a CRM, with a focus on visual task management and collaboration tools.

2. Pricing and Scalability

  • SugarCRM: Tends to be higher cost, with crm prices typically structured per user with a ten user minimum for many core plans like sugar professional. It is often billed annually and lacks a free plan.
  • Monday: Offers a free plan for basic use and scales up via various paid plans structured per user per month, offering better pricing flexibility for a specific business starting small compared to SugarCRM’s user minimum.

3. Project and Task Management

  • SugarCRM: Provides project management tools primarily for internal sales projects but lacks the deep visual focus and dedicated features like gantt charts found in pure project management software.
  • Monday: Excels at project management software, allowing users to manage task management visually with gantt charts, setting clear task dependencies, and tracking project progress efficiently across the entire workspace.

4. Customization and Workflows

  • SugarCRM: Offers maximum degree of freedom and customization for complex business needs, often requiring software development or technical expertise to customize sugarcrm and build advanced workflows.
  • Monday: Provides intuitive drag and drop workflows that just a few clicks to set up. Its customization focuses on visual interface changes, making it accessible to any team member.

5. Advanced Sales Features

  • SugarCRM: Includes high-end core features like sophisticated sales forecasting and sales performance analysis within sugar sell and sugar enterprise, along with robust forecasting.
  • Monday: While it offers strong crm alternatives features, robust forecasting and advanced sales analytics are often achieved through third party integrations or custom-built dashboards rather than specialized, native sales tools.

6. Support and Learning Curve

  • SugarCRM: Offers enhanced support tiers and dedicated account management, but the complexity means a steeper learning curve. Basic support is available, but deep customization often requires technical consultation.
  • Monday: Features intuitive design and is known for its responsive customer support and readily available knowledge base. The basic plan is easy to learn, and live training is available for complex setups.

7. Marketing and Service Modules

  • SugarCRM: Provides dedicated, comprehensive modules like sugar market and sugar serve for full marketing and service features, making it a true single platform for all customer-facing aspects.
  • Monday: Lacks dedicated, integrated modules comparable to sugar serve or sugar market. Service and marketing functionality are implemented by adapting project management tools or through third-party connections.

8. Integrations and Ecosystem

  • SugarCRM: Offers robust api access and specialized tools for software development, ensuring deep connectivity with existing enterprise systems and services.
  • Monday: Integrates seamlessly with major workplace tools like google drive and slack, simplifying team member communication and import data. Its open API allows connection to nearly any tech stack.

9. Data Visualization and Reporting

  • SugarCRM: Offers powerful advanced reporting and deep metric analysis necessary for enterprise-level compliance and decision-making on product performance.
  • Monday: Provides excellent visual reporting, allowing users to track project progress and all the data in one place. Users can build customized dashboards to get a high-level overview.

10. Resource Management and Usability

  • SugarCRM: Licenses are restrictive, often requiring a ten user minimum. This can be cost-prohibitive for unlimited users and limits its value as an affordable crm. Marketing automation features are comprehensive but come at a higher crm prices.
  • Monday: Scalability is flexible up to unlimited users (via the enterprise plan). Its visual nature simplifies managing projects, project management tool capabilities, and time tracking. Online support is strong, and the platform provides a generous storage space even on lower tiers.

What to Look for in a CRM Software?

Consider your team’s Google Workspace reliance.

  • Evaluate the need for deep customization.
  • Factor in long-term scalability and the size of the company.
  • Assess the importance of the mobile accessibility for your team.
  • Think about the complexity of your current sales management process.
  • Analyze your budget against the requirements of each CRM software, considering sugarcrm pricing and sugarcrm cost.
  • Determine the level of vendor support you’ll need for service automation and calendar integration.

Final Verdict

So, which CRM wins? It’s a tough call. Both SugarCRM and Monday CRM offer great features.

If you need deep customization and open-source flexibility, SugarCRM is a solid choice.

However, we recommend Monday CRM for most businesses, especially those prioritizing ease of use and collaboration.

Its user-friendly interface, visual boards, and strong task management tools boost productivity and enhance customer experience.

Plus, the Monday sales crm gets good reviews on sites like G2.

Remember, the best management software is the one that fits your needs. We’ve researched so you can make the wisest choice for your business.

More of SugarCRM

Here’s a brief comparison of SugarCRM with these software solutions:

  • SugarCRM vs Pipedrive: SugarCRM provides broad customization and flexible deployment for various business needs; Pipedrive is a sales-focused CRM with a visual pipeline, prioritizing ease of use for small to medium businesses.
  • SugarCRM vs GoHighLevel: GoHighLevel vs SugarCRM: Which CRM Platform is Best in 2025?: GoHighLevel is an all-in-one platform for marketing agency needs. It helps them manage multiple clients. SugarCRM is a custom CRM for larger companies. It helps them analyze data and tailor their sales process.
  • SugarCRM vs Keap: SugarCRM offers robust, highly customizable CRM features for sales and marketing automation, scaling for larger teams; Keap (formerly Infusionsoft) is a marketing automation and sales CRM designed primarily for small businesses.
  • SugarCRM vs ActiveCampaign: SugarCRM focuses on extensive sales management and customization for complex pipelines; ActiveCampaign excels in user-friendly marketing automation, email campaigns, and lead segmentation.
  • SugarCRM vs HubSpot: SugarCRM provides deep customization and flexible deployment for tailored solutions; HubSpot offers an intuitive, integrated suite of marketing, sales, and service tools known for its ease of use.
  • SugarCRM vs Clickfunnels: SugarCRM is a robust customer relationship management platform; ClickFunnels is a specialized tool for building sales funnels, landing pages, and automating sales processes.
  • SugarCRM vs Folk: SugarCRM is a powerful, customizable CRM for comprehensive business needs; Folk is a modern, collaborative contact management tool that emphasizes simplicity and ease of use.
  • SugarCRM vs Instantly: SugarCRM offers a broad CRM solution for sales force automation and customer management; Instantly specializes in automated cold email outreach and lead generation campaigns.
  • SugarCRM vs ClickUp: SugarCRM is a dedicated CRM for sales, marketing, and service automation; ClickUp is a versatile work management platform that includes CRM functionalities alongside project and task management.
  • SugarCRM vs Monday: SugarCRM offers extensive customization and robust automation for sales and marketing; Monday CRM provides highly visual, customizable workflows for various business processes, including CRM.
  • SugarCRM vs Capsule CRM: SugarCRM delivers a highly customizable and scalable CRM with advanced features; Capsule CRM is a simpler, more affordable contact management solution for small to medium-sized businesses.
  • SugarCRM vs Insightly: SugarCRM offers extensive customization for complex sales processes and reporting; Insightly combines CRM with project management, focusing on ease of use for small to medium businesses.
  • SugarCRM vs Freshsales: SugarCRM provides deep customization and advanced automation for sales and marketing; Freshsales CRM offers an intuitive interface with AI-powered lead scoring and integrated sales automation.
  • SugarCRM vs Salesforce: SugarCRM offers an open-source option with significant customization potential; Salesforce is a leading cloud-based CRM with extensive features, broad integrations, and a vast ecosystem, albeit at a higher complexity.

More of Monday CRM

Here’s a brief comparison of Monday CRM with these software solutions:

  • Monday CRM vs Pipedrive: Monday CRM is a versatile work operating system with robust project and team management. Pipedrive is a sales-focused CRM known for its visual pipeline management and deal-closing features.
  • Monday vs GoHighLevel: Monday is really good for managing projects and team tasks. It helps you keep track of work visually. GoHighLevel is more of an all-in-one tool for marketing and sales.
  • Monday CRM vs Keap: Monday CRM provides highly customizable visual workflows for team collaboration and customer management, while Keap offers powerful sales and marketing automation designed for small businesses.
  • Monday CRM vs ActiveCampaign: Monday CRM focuses on visual collaboration and customizable dashboards for project and customer relationship tracking, whereas ActiveCampaign excels in advanced email marketing automation, segmentation, and detailed analytics.
  • Monday CRM vs Hubspot: Monday CRM offers a flexible, visual platform for managing projects and customer data, while HubSpot provides a comprehensive suite of marketing, sales, and customer service tools.
  • Monday CRM vs Clickfunnels: Monday CRM is a flexible work OS with strong CRM capabilities; ClickFunnels is primarily a sales funnel builder for creating landing pages and automating sales conversion processes.
  • Monday CRM vs Folk: Monday CRM provides highly customizable visual workflows and collaboration for diverse teams; Folk focuses on intuitive, collaborative contact management and enrichment with a simple interface.
  • Monday CRM vs Instantly: Monday CRM is a flexible work OS with CRM functionalities for visual pipeline management; Instantly specializes in automated cold email outreach and high-volume lead generation.
  • Monday CRM vs ClickUp: Monday CRM prioritizes visual and user-friendly project and work management; ClickUp is an all-in-one productivity platform offering extensive features for task management, CRM, and more.
  • Monday CRM vs Capsule CRM: Monday CRM provides extensive customization for workflows and projects, integrating CRM functionalities; Capsule CRM is a simpler, more affordable contact manager primarily focused on sales tracking.
  • Monday CRM vs Insightly: Monday CRM offers a highly customizable platform for managing projects and customer relationships, whereas Insightly provides a more traditional CRM with integrated project management.
  • Monday CRM vs Freshsales CRM: Monday CRM is a versatile work OS with CRM features for customizable tracking. At the same time, Freshsales CRM is a dedicated sales CRM with AI-powered lead management and automation.
  • Monday CRM vs Salesforce: Monday CRM offers a flexible, visual, and highly customizable platform for various business needs; Salesforce is an enterprise-level CRM with extensive, deep features for complex sales and marketing operations.
  • Monday CRM vs Zendesk: Monday CRM excels in visual project management and team collaboration for sales and other functions. At the same time, Zendesk is a specialized customer service platform focused on ticketing and support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Monday CRM entirely cloud-based?

Yes, Monday CRM is primarily a cloud-based solution, accessible from any device with an internet connection. This makes it convenient for teams working remotely or in different locations.

Which CRM is easier to learn?

Monday CRM is generally considered more user-friendly and easier to learn thanks to its visual interface and intuitive design. SugarCRM, while powerful, can have a steeper learning curve.

Does SugarCRM offer a free version?

SugarCRM doesn’t offer a completely free version. However, they offer a free trial so you can test the platform before committing to a paid plan.

Can I customize Monday CRM?

While Monday CRM offers less extensive customization options, SugarCRM is known for its high level of customization, allowing you to tailor it to your exact needs.

Which CRM is better for small businesses?

Monday CRM’s ease of use and visual organization make it a good fit for many small businesses. However, the choice depends on the business’s specific needs and budget.

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