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Freshsales CRM vs Thryv: I Bought Both. Here’s My Pick.

by | Last updated May 2, 2026

Winner
Freshsales CRM
4.0
  • Freddy AI Lead Scoring
  • Free Plan for 3 Users
  • 21-Day Free Trial
  • 385+ Integrations Available
  • 360-Degree Customer View
  • No Onboarding Fees
  • Paid Plans from $9/user/month
Runner Up
Thryv
2.6
  • All-in-One Business Center
  • Secure Client Portal
  • 50+ Listing Sites Sync
  • AI Review Response Tool
  • 24/7 Online Booking
  • Free Plan Available
  • Paid Plans from $20/user/month

⚡ Quick Verdict:

  • Pricing: Freshsales CRM starts at $9/user/month vs Thryv at $20/user/month
  • Best for: Freshsales CRM for sales teams who want a true crm software, Thryv for service-based small businesses needing crm plus marketing tools
  • Key difference: Freshsales focuses purely on sales pipelines and customer data, while Thryv bundles crm with website builder, sms marketing messages, and a client portal
  • Our pick: Freshsales CRM for most small to medium sized businesses — better pricing, no onboarding fee, and Freddy AI included
Freshsales CRM vs Thryv

Choosing between Freshsales CRM vs Thryv comes down to one question.

Do you need a sales-focused crm or an all-in-one small business platform?

Both tools manage customer relationships and customer interactions.

But they solve very different problems for different businesses.

This guide breaks down both options to help you decide.

Overview

This comparison covers pricing, features, and ease of use.

We also break down which tool works best for each.

Our writer spent time with Thryv directly during the review.

Observations on Freshsales come from documentation and G2 reviews.

By the end, you’ll know which crm software fits your business.

What is Freshsales CRM?

Freshsales CRM is an AI-powered customer relationship management platform.

It helps sales teams manage leads, track deals, and automate sales activities.

Freshsales launched in 2016 as part of the Freshworks suite of business tools.

It includes built-in phone, email, chat, and SMS capabilities in a unified inbox.

Freshworks claims over 67,000 customers worldwide use its products.

Most users pick Freshsales for its Freddy AI assistant and excellent value.

Freshsales Freshworks CRM Review – Still Good?

Freshsales CRM

⭐ 4.0/5 | 💰 From $9/user/month

An AI-powered crm built for sales teams. Includes Freddy AI, lead scoring, and a 360-degree customer view. Free plan covers up to 3 users.

Freshsales CRM Pricing

Here’s what Freshsales costs in 2026. Let’s break it down.

PlanPriceBest For
Free$0 (up to 3 users)Solo founders testing the platform
Growth$9/user/monthSmall teams managing customer data
Pro$39/user/monthGrowing sales teams with multiple pipelines
Enterprise$59/user/monthLarger businesses needing advanced controls

Pricing verified February 2026.

Freshsales crm pricing

Free trial: Yes, 21-day free trial on all paid plans. No credit card required to start a new account.

Money-back guarantee: Freshsales offers prorated refunds for annual subscriptions canceled within the first 30 days.

📌 Note: The Free plan supports up to 3 users with most core features included. This makes it an excellent value for solo founders or tiny startups before upgrading. Add ons like extra workflows or custom dashboards may cost more on lower tiers.

⚠️ Warning: Annual billing renews automatically. Check your renewal date before the cycle ends to avoid surprise charges. Some users on G2 mention slow loading times during peak hours.

Key Benefits of Freshsales CRM

Here’s what makes Freshsales worth considering:

  • Freddy AI Co-Pilot: Scores leads, predicts deal risks, and suggests next best actions. It can also help you respond to customers faster with smart suggestions.
  • 360-Degree Customer View: See a complete timeline of every touchpoint with each contact. This includes calls, emails, chats, and website visits in one place.
  • Visual Sales Pipeline: Kanban-style boards let you track deals at every stage. Drag and drop deals to move them forward as you work.
  • Built-In Communication: Phone, email, chat, and SMS work inside the platform. You can also connect WhatsApp Business and Facebook Messenger.
  • Workflow Automation: Automates repetitive tasks so reps focus on selling. This includes follow-up emails, lead assignment, and stage updates.
  • Tight Freshworks Integration: Connects with other Freshworks products like Freshdesk and Freshmarketer. This is great if you already use the Freshworks suite.
  • Mobile Access: iOS and Android apps support offline work and call logging. Field reps can update deals from anywhere.
Freshsales Homepagee

What Our Team Noticed

Note: We haven’t had extensive hands-on time with Freshsales CRM yet. The information above is based on Freshworks documentation, G2 reviews, and Capterra ratings where users score it 4.5/5.

Freshsales CRM Pros & Cons

✅ Pros
  • Free plan for up to 3 users with most core features included
  • Freddy AI scores leads and suggests next best actions automatically
  • 21-day free trial on every paid plan with no credit card required
  • 360-degree customer view shows every interaction in one timeline
  • Built-in phone, email, chat, and SMS in a unified inbox
❌ Cons
  • Around 385 integrations is fewer than HubSpot or Salesforce offer
  • Some users report slow loading times and cluttered navigation
  • Lacks some advanced functionality found in HubSpot and Salesforce
  • Limited native connectors for non-Freshworks third-party tools

What is Thryv?

Thryv is a small business management platform with crm features built in.

It helps service-based small businesses reach more customers and stay organized.

Thryv began as a conglomerate of Yellow Pages companies before pivoting to software.

Today Thryv Holdings is a publicly traded SaaS company based in Dallas, Texas.

Thryv supports more than 50,000 local businesses across the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

The platform combines crm, website builder, sms marketing messages, and a client portal.

Thryv CRM Honest Review - Watch Before Using

Thryv

⭐ 2.6/5 | 💰 From $20/user/month

An all-in-one platform for service-based small businesses. Bundles crm, website builder, online booking, and sms marketing messages. Users get paid faster with ThryvPay.

Thryv Pricing

Here’s what Thryv costs in 2026. Pricing details vary by package.

PlanPriceBest For
Free Plan$0Trying basic Thryv business center features
Command CenterFrom $20/user/monthSmall business owners needing a unified inbox
Thryv Business CenterCustom (contact sales)Service businesses needing crm plus marketing
Marketing CenterFrom $244/monthBusinesses focused on enhanced local listings

Pricing verified February 2026.

Thryv Pricing

Free trial: Thryv offers a Free Plan with limited features so you can test the platform. Custom demos are available with the sales team.

Money-back guarantee: Thryv’s refund policy depends on your contract terms. Contact support to review cancellation details.

📌 Note: Thryv requires a one time onboarding fee of $250 for paid packages. This pays for setup, training, and migration help. Factor that cost into your first-year budget.

⚠️ Warning: Many pricing details require a sales call. G2 reviews mention contract length and cancellation as common pain points. Read your agreement carefully before signing.

Key Benefits of Thryv

Here’s what makes Thryv worth considering:

  • Thryv Command Center: A unified inbox combining email, SMS, social media, and web chats. This helps small business owners respond to customer interactions in one place.
  • 24/7 Online Booking: Customers can book appointments any time of day. Thryv reports a 61% increase in bookings for typical users with this feature on.
  • Enhanced Local Listings: Auto-syncs business information across 50+ listing sites. The Yahoo, Google, and other directories stay updated automatically.
  • Client Portal Estimates: A secure space where clients book, pay, share documents, and view account info. This speeds up client portal estimates and approvals.
  • ThryvPay & Invoicing: Online payment processor built for service-based small businesses. Digital document signing helps you get paid faster.
  • Marketing Automation: Trigger-based email and text campaigns send personalized messages. Saves business owners an average of 20 hours per week on admin work.
  • AI Response Tool: Helps you craft replies to online reviews quickly. Pairs with online reputation management features.
Thryv Homepage

What Our Team Noticed

Our writer signed up for Thryv and spent several days exploring the thryv software. Here’s what stood out from that hands-on time:

Thryv Personal Experience

Thryv Pros & Cons

✅ Pros
  • All-in-one platform combining crm, website builder, and marketing tools
  • Secure client portal lets customers book, pay, and share documents 24/7
  • Auto-syncs business info across 50+ listing sites for better local SEO
  • Mobile app keeps service teams organized in the field with appointments
  • 24/7 customer support to help users maximize the platform
❌ Cons
  • $250 one time onboarding fee adds upfront cost to every paid package
  • Pricing details require a sales call instead of a public price page
  • Not a pure crm — focused more on service-business operations
  • G2 reviews mention contract length and cancellation as friction points

Feature Comparison

Ready to dive into a detailed comparison of Freshsales CRM vs Thryv?

We’ll explore the core features that matter most for small to medium sized businesses.

FeatureFreshsales CRMThryv
Starting Price$9/user/month$20/user/month
Free Plan✅ (3 users)✅ (limited)
Free Trial✅ 21 days❌ Demo only
AI Lead Scoring✅ Freddy AI
Sales Pipeline (Kanban)⚠️ Basic
Website Builder
Client Portal
Online Booking⚠️ Via integration✅ Built-in
Online Reputation Management
Onboarding FeeNone$250 one time onboarding fee
Best ForSales teams & growing businessesService-based local small businesses

1. Customer Relationship Management Core

Freshsales CRM: Freshsales is a true crm software built around managing leads and deals. It centralizes customer information and provides a complete history of every touchpoint. The 360-degree customer view shows calls, emails, chats, and website visits in one timeline.

Freshsales CRM Contact Management

Thryv: Thryv includes crm features but inside a wider business management suite. Contact records connect to invoices, appointments, and the client portal. The crm side is simpler than Freshsales but works well for service-based small businesses.

2. AI & Automation

Freshsales CRM: Freddy AI is the standout feature here. It scores leads based on behavior and profile to improve conversion rates. Freddy AI also predicts deal risks, suggests next best actions, and helps sales reps respond faster to prospects.

Freshsales CRM AI Lead Scoring

Thryv: Thryv’s AI focuses on customer-facing tasks rather than sales prediction. The AI Response Tool helps you write replies to online reviews quickly. Trigger-based email and text campaigns automate follow-ups and appointment reminders.

AI-Powered Responses: Build Trust with Every Review

3. Sales Pipeline & Deals

Freshsales CRM: Visual sales pipelines use Kanban boards to track deal progress. You can drag and drop deals between stages and identify bottlenecks at a glance. Multiple pipelines on Pro and Enterprise plans support different sales activities and territories.

Thryv: Thryv’s deal tracking is lighter and built around service jobs rather than complex sales cycles. You can track quotes, estimates, and invoices through stages. It works for tradespeople and local services but lacks deep pipeline customization.

4. Communication Tools

Freshsales CRM: Built-in phone, email, chat, and SMS run inside a unified inbox. Freshsales also connects with WhatsApp Business, Facebook Messenger, and LINE for omnichannel reach. Personalized bulk emails let you send and track campaigns at scale.

https://youtu.be/jv9ub1AzJcY?si=hHblC7UumI3_i7NF

Thryv: The Thryv Command Center pulls email, SMS marketing messages, social DMs, and web chats into one feed. TeamChat handles internal staff conversations. Phone calls integrate but Thryv is less call-centric than Freshsales.

5. Online Booking & Appointments

Freshsales CRM: Freshsales doesn’t include native online booking. You’d connect Calendly or another tool to schedule appointments. This works fine but adds another subscription.

Thryv: Online booking is built right into the platform. Customers book appointments 24/7 without calling, which Thryv reports drives a 61% jump in bookings for typical users. This feature alone makes Thryv attractive for salons, contractors, and other appointment-driven services.

6. Website & Online Presence

Freshsales CRM: Freshsales doesn’t build websites. It does include web forms for capturing leads from your existing site. Most Freshsales users already have a website and just need to plug forms into it.

Freshsales CRM Web Forms

Thryv: Thryv includes a website builder so you can create a professional-looking site easily. It also auto-syncs your business info across 50+ listing sites including Google, Yahoo, and other directories. SEO services and enhanced local listings round out the online presence tools.

Thryv Marketing Center Overview: SEO

7. Payments & Invoicing

Freshsales CRM: Freshsales focuses on closing deals, not collecting payments. Invoicing is handled through integrations with Stripe, QuickBooks, or similar tools. This keeps Freshsales lean but means another tool in your stack.

Thryv: ThryvPay is a built-in payment processor designed for service-based small businesses. Digital document signing speeds up invoice approvals so you get paid faster. Many service businesses pick Thryv specifically for this combo.

Thryv Billing & Invoices

8. Reporting & Analytics

Freshsales CRM: Freshsales ships with around a dozen predefined sales reports that are fully customizable. Reports and AI insights help track team performance and forecast revenue. Pro and Enterprise plans add more advanced dashboard and analytics features.

Thryv: Thryv’s analytics focus on website traffic and campaign performance rather than sales pipeline metrics. Website Analytics and Campaign Analytics show how marketing efforts measure up. The view is broader but shallower than what sales teams typically need.

Thryv Campaign Analytics

9. Integrations

Freshsales CRM: Around 385 integrations cover Google, Microsoft 365, Slack, Zoom, and other freshworks products. Tight integration with Freshdesk and Freshmarketer is a plus. Native connectors for non-Freshworks third-party tools are limited compared to HubSpot.

Freshsales CRM Wide Marketplace

Thryv: Thryv connects with QuickBooks, major payment processors, and email platforms. The integration list is shorter than Freshsales because Thryv tries to do everything in-house. Zapier helps fill gaps for less common workflows.

10. Mobile Apps & Field Use

Freshsales CRM: The Freshsales mobile app for iOS and Android supports offline access and call logging. Field reps update deals from anywhere with a working browser or app. This is great for outside sales teams who travel often.

Thryv: Thryv’s mobile app handles appointments, customer interactions, and quick invoicing on the go. Service techs can pull up client portal estimates and process payments at the job site. Both apps are solid but serve very different daily workflows.

Pricing & Cost

Let’s compare the pricing plans side by side.

PlanFreshsales CRMThryv
Free$0 (3 users)Free Plan (limited)
EntryGrowth — $9/user/monthCommand Center — $20/user/month
Mid-TierPro — $39/user/monthBusiness Center — Custom
Top PlanEnterprise — $59/user/monthMarketing Center — $244/month
Free Trial21 days, no credit card requiredDemo only
Onboarding FeeNone$250 one time

Freshsales CRM: Freshsales offers strong pricing for small to medium sized businesses. The Growth plan at $9/user/month is hard to beat for a sales-focused crm with AI built in. Pricing has dropped over the years and now sits 2 to 3 times lower than it used to be.

Thryv: Thryv pricing is harder to evaluate without a sales call. The $20/user/month entry point looks fair, but the $250 one time onboarding fee adds upfront cost. You’re paying for a bundled platform, not just a crm — so compare it against the total cost of buying separate tools.

💡 Pro Tip: If you only need a crm, Freshsales costs less per year. If you’d otherwise pay for a website, booking tool, and crm separately, Thryv may save money overall.

Different Scenarios

If You Need…ChooseWhy
Tight budgetFreshsales CRM$9/user/month vs $20/user/month
Pure sales crmFreshsales CRMTrue crm with AI lead scoring
All-in-one platformThryvBundles crm, website, booking
Online bookingThryvBuilt-in 24/7 appointments
Sales team focusFreshsales CRMPipeline, deals, forecasting
Service businessThryvThryvPay, client portal estimates
Beginner-friendlyFreshsales CRM21-day trial, no credit card

💰 Your Budget

Freshsales is more affordable on entry-level plans and has no onboarding fee. Thryv has a $250 one time onboarding fee plus higher monthly costs.

🔌 Your Tech Stack

Freshsales connects with Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Slack, Zoom, and other freshworks products. Thryv replaces several tools so you may not need as many integrations.

📝 Your Sales Process

If your work centers on multi-stage sales pipelines, Freshsales fits better. If your work centers on appointments, invoices, and reviews, Thryv fits better.

🎓 Your Experience Level

Freshsales has an intuitive interface that’s easy to learn for first-time crm users. Thryv covers more ground, so the initial learning curve is steeper despite the included onboarding.

🆓 Free Trials and Demos

Freshsales offers a 21-day free trial with no credit card required and a free plan for 3 users. Thryv has a free plan with limited features but mostly funnels prospects into a sales demo.

🛟 Support Options

Freshsales provides 24/5 support across all plans via phone, chat, and email. Thryv offers 24/7 support to help users maximize the platform, which can be a deciding factor for late-night service work.

Switching Guide

Already using one of these tools? Here’s what to expect if you switch.

🔄 Switching from Freshsales CRM to Thryv?

✅ What you’ll gain:

  • Built-in website builder and enhanced local listings
  • 24/7 online booking and a secure client portal
  • ThryvPay invoicing so customers pay you faster

❌ What you’ll lose:

  • Freddy AI lead scoring and deal predictions
  • Around 385 integrations with mainstream sales tools
  • Multiple custom sales pipelines and forecasting reports

📋 How to switch:

  1. Export contacts, deals, and notes from Freshsales as a CSV file
  2. Sign up for Thryv and book the included onboarding session
  3. Import customer data and rebuild appointment workflows in Thryv
🔄 Switching from Thryv to Freshsales CRM?

✅ What you’ll gain:

  • Freddy AI for lead scoring and deal predictions
  • Lower monthly cost with no onboarding fee
  • Stronger sales pipeline and reporting tools

❌ What you’ll lose:

  • Native website builder and listing site sync
  • Built-in client portal estimates and online payments
  • 24/7 online booking system

📋 How to switch:

  1. Export your contacts and history from Thryv to CSV
  2. Start a 21-day free trial of Freshsales — no credit card required
  3. Import data, set up pipelines, and connect a separate booking or website tool

What Our Review Didn’t Cover

This comparison focused on small to medium sized businesses choosing their first crm or all-in-one platform. We didn’t test enterprise-level deployments with 500+ seats or evaluate how either tool performs in healthcare or other regulated industries. Our observations are based on the February 2026 versions — features may have changed since then. If you need deep API customization or run a large multi-location operation, your needs may differ from what we’ve covered here.

Final Verdict

CategoryWinner
💰 PricingFreshsales CRM
🚀 CRM Core FeaturesFreshsales CRM
🤖 AI & AutomationFreshsales CRM
📅 Online BookingThryv
🌐 Website & Local SEOThryv
💳 Payments & InvoicingThryv
👶 Ease of UseFreshsales CRM
🔌 IntegrationsFreshsales CRM
🏆 Overall WinnerFreshsales CRM

🏆 WINNER: FRESHSALES CRM

Freshsales CRM wins 5 out of 8 categories.

Best for: Sales teams, growing startups, small to medium sized businesses focused on closing deals

Freshsales CRM and Thryv are two very different products built for different jobs. Freshsales is a true crm software focused on sales pipelines, lead scoring, and deal management. Thryv is a small business operations platform that includes crm features alongside marketing, website, and booking tools.

Thryv is excellent for service-based small businesses that want one platform for everything. It earns its place for salons, contractors, and other appointment-driven local businesses that benefit from the client portal, ThryvPay, and online booking.

However, if you mainly need to manage sales activities, track leads, and close deals, Freshsales is the better choice. The Free plan, lower entry pricing, Freddy AI, and 21-day free trial make it easy to start. Plus there’s no $250 one time onboarding fee to budget around.

More of Freshsales CRM Compared

Here’s how Freshsales CRM stacks up against other competitors:

Freshsales CRM vs HubSpot

Freshsales wins on: Lower entry-level pricing, simpler setup for new account creation, faster time to value for small teams

HubSpot wins on: Larger app marketplace, deeper marketing automation, stronger free CRM with unlimited users

Freshsales CRM vs Zoho CRM

Freshsales wins on: Cleaner intuitive interface, more polished Freddy AI co-pilot, tighter integration with other freshworks products

Zoho CRM wins on: Wider Zoho One bundle, more advanced customization, broader range of native apps for sales and marketing

Freshsales CRM vs Pipedrive

Freshsales wins on: Built-in phone, email, chat, and SMS in one inbox, AI lead scoring on lower tiers, free plan for up to 3 users

Pipedrive wins on: Pipeline-first design loved by sales-led teams, simpler reporting, lighter feature set for solo reps

Freshsales CRM vs Salesforce

Freshsales wins on: Far lower cost for small to medium sized businesses, faster onboarding without consultants, less overhead to maintain

Salesforce wins on: Massive AppExchange marketplace, enterprise-level controls, deeper customization for complex sales orgs

https://youtu.be/Fk9X2K6M9QY

More of Thryv Compared

Here’s how Thryv stacks up against other competitors:

Thryv vs GoHighLevel

Thryv wins on: Easier learning curve for non-technical owners, dedicated 24/7 support, polished client portal experience

GoHighLevel wins on: Stronger marketing automation, agency-friendly pricing, deeper funnel and pipeline customization

Thryv vs Keap

Thryv wins on: Built-in website builder and listing sync, ThryvPay invoicing, online reputation management tools

Keap wins on: Stronger email marketing automation, more advanced sales pipeline, better fit for online coaches and consultants

Thryv vs HubSpot

Thryv wins on: Built-in online booking, website builder, and ThryvPay all in one bill, designed for service-based small businesses

HubSpot wins on: Free crm tier with unlimited contacts, deeper marketing analytics, larger third-party app marketplace

Thryv vs ActiveCampaign

Thryv wins on: Service-business operations like booking, invoicing, and reviews, simpler all-in-one bill, included onboarding setup

ActiveCampaign wins on: Far stronger email marketing automation, advanced segmentation, lower entry-level pricing for marketing-only needs

The Best CRM Tools for Your Needs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Freshsales a CRM?

Yes, Freshsales is a customer relationship management platform built for sales teams. It centralizes customer data, tracks deals, and includes Freddy AI for lead scoring. The platform suits small to medium sized businesses that want a true crm software without enterprise overhead.

What is Thryv used for?

Thryv is used to help small businesses reach more customers, stay organized, and get paid faster. It bundles crm, website builder, online booking, sms marketing messages, and a client portal in one tool. The platform serves more than 50,000 local businesses across the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

Is Thryv a CRM?

Thryv includes crm features but is broader than a traditional crm software. It also handles invoicing, scheduling, marketing, and online reputation management. So it’s a small business platform that contains crm rather than a pure crm.

What is the maximum number of users allowed in the free plan of Freshsales?

The Freshsales free plan supports up to 3 users with most core features included. This makes it an excellent value for solo founders and tiny teams testing the platform. You can upgrade later without losing your customer data.

Does Thryv have a contract?

Thryv typically requires a service agreement and a $250 one time onboarding fee for paid packages. Contract length and cancellation terms vary by plan and region. Read the agreement carefully and ask about cancellation rules before you sign.

Why does login sometimes show a verification page that takes a few seconds to load?

Both platforms use Cloudflare-style bot protection to keep your customer data safe. You may briefly see a “Checking your browser before proceeding” or “verifying you are human” screen with a Ray ID before the connection completes. After verification successful waiting ends — usually a few seconds — the app loads. If the page tells you to wait while verifying, just give it a moment so you can view this site properly without interrupting the technology that protects your account.

How do Freshsales CRM and Thryv handle security?

Both vendors use encryption in transit and at rest to protect customer information. Freshworks publishes details on its trust center, and Thryv lists certifications on its security page. Each tool also gives admins the ability to set role-based permissions across teams.

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