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Freshsales CRM vs Nutshell CRM: Which is Best in 2025?

by | Last updated May 2, 2026

Winner
Freshsales CRM
4.0
  • Freddy AI Lead Scoring Built In
  • 360-Degree Customer View
  • 385+ Integrations Available
  • Built-in Phone, Email, Chat, SMS
  • Free Plan for Up to 3 Users
  • 21-Day Free Trial, No Card
  • Paid Plans from $9/user/month
Runner Up
Nutshell CRM
2.8
  • Drag-and-Drop Pipeline Boards
  • Unlimited Contacts, No Data Caps
  • 5,000+ Apps via Zapier
  • VisitorIQ & ProspectorIQ Tools
  • Free Data Migration Included
  • 14-Day Free Trial
  • Paid Plans from $13/user/month

⚡ Quick Verdict:

  • Pricing: Freshsales CRM starts at $9/user/month vs Nutshell at $13/user/month.
  • Best for: Freshsales for AI-powered sales teams that want Freddy AI and a free plan. Nutshell for small B2B sales teams that want a simple, easy-to-learn CRM.
  • Key difference: Freshsales bundles built-in phone, email, chat, and SMS in a unified inbox. Nutshell focuses on contact management, drag-and-drop pipelines, and free data migration.
  • Our pick: Freshsales CRM for most users — it offers more features, AI lead scoring, a free plan for up to 3 users, and a longer 21-day free trial.
Freshsales CRM vs Nutshell CRM

Choosing between Freshsales CRM and Nutshell CRM comes down to one question.

Do you want an AI-powered platform with deep features?

Or a simple, easy-to-learn CRM built for small B2B teams?

Both tools manage customer data, deals, and sales activities.

But they serve different sales teams with very different needs.

This comparison breaks down pricing, features, and use cases to help you decide.

Overview

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

We also break down who each CRM software works best for.

Our writer spent time with Nutshell CRM directly during this review.

Observations on Freshsales come from documentation, G2 reviews, and Capterra ratings.

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

What is Freshsales CRM?

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

It helps sales teams manage leads, deals, and customer data in one place.

The platform launched in 2016 as part of the Freshworks suite.

Freshsales includes Freddy AI for lead scoring and deal predictions.

It works for small and medium sized businesses across many industries.

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

Freshsales Freshworks CRM Review – Still Good?

Freshsales CRM

An AI-powered CRM for sales teams of all sizes. Get Freddy AI lead scoring, a unified inbox, and a 21-day free trial. No credit card required to start.

Freshsales CRM Pricing

Here’s what Freshsales costs in 2026. Pricing has dropped 2-3 times lower than before.

PlanPriceBest For
Free$0 (up to 3 users)Trying core CRM features
Growth$9/user/monthSmall teams starting out
Pro$39/user/monthGrowing sales teams
Enterprise$59/user/monthLarger organizations

Pricing verified May 2026.

Freshsales crm pricing

Free trial: Yes, 21-day free trial across all paid tiers. No credit card required to create a new account.

Money-back guarantee: Freshsales does not offer a refund window after billing. The 21-day free trial is the main risk-free way to test paid features.

📌 Note: The free plan supports up to 3 users with most features included. The Growth plan at $9/user/month is excellent value for small businesses just getting started with CRM software.

⚠️ Warning: Some Freshsales add ons cost extra beyond the base plan. Phone credits, additional bot sessions, and certain Freshworks products charge separately. Review the pricing page before you commit.

Key Benefits of Freshsales CRM

Here’s what makes Freshsales worth considering:

  • Freddy AI Co-Pilot: Freddy AI scores leads, predicts deal risks, and suggests next best actions. It improves conversion rates by analyzing behavior and profile data.
  • 360-Degree Customer View: Freshsales provides a complete timeline of every customer touchpoint. You see emails, calls, deals, and notes in one centralized record.
  • Built-in Communication: Phone, email, chat, and SMS work inside a unified inbox. There’s no need to juggle separate tools for outreach.
  • Visual Pipeline Management: Kanban boards make deal stages easy to track at a glance. You can spot bottlenecks before they cost you revenue.
  • Marketing Automation: Freshsales is tightly integrated with Freshmarketer for personalized marketing campaigns. Bulk emails and activity tracking work natively.
  • Omnichannel Outreach: Connect with customers via WhatsApp Business, Facebook Messenger, and LINE. The mobile app supports offline access and call logging.
  • Excellent Value for Money: The Growth plan starts at $9 per user per month. Users score Freshsales 4.5/5 on Capterra and G2 review platforms.
Freshsales Homepagee

What Our Team Noticed

Note: We haven’t had extensive hands-on time with Freshsales CRM yet. The information here is based on Freshsales documentation, G2 reviews, and Capterra ratings.

According to G2 reviews, the intuitive interface is frequently praised by new users. Many reviewers note Freshsales is easy to learn and quick to set up. However, some reviews mention the platform can feel slow at times. Cluttered navigation and slower loading times are common complaints in larger Freshsales accounts.

Freshsales CRM Pros & Cons

✅ Pros
  • Freddy AI scores leads and predicts deal risks automatically
  • Built-in phone, email, chat, and SMS in a unified inbox
  • Free plan for up to 3 users with most features included
  • 21-day free trial across all pricing tiers, no credit card required
  • 24/5 support across all plans via phone, chat, and email
❌ Cons
  • Around 385 integrations is fewer than HubSpot or Salesforce
  • Limited native connectors with third-party tools outside Freshworks
  • Some users report cluttered navigation and slower loading times
  • Lacks some advanced features compared to HubSpot and Salesforce

What is Nutshell CRM?

Nutshell CRM is a cloud-based customer relationship management platform.

It targets small to mid-sized B2B sales teams who want simplicity.

Nutshell focuses on contact management, calendar sync, and pipeline tracking.

The CRM software includes web forms, email marketing, and AI tools.

It avoids complex features in favor of an easy-to-use interface.

In 2025, Nutshell was recognized as a top choice for small B2B teams.

Nutshell CRM Tutorial 2026 | How to Use Nutshell CRM

Nutshell CRM

A simple, all-in-one CRM for small B2B sales teams. Get drag-and-drop pipelines, free data migration, and live support on every plan. Try it free for 14 days.

Nutshell CRM Pricing

Nutshell plans are sold per user per month. Here’s the full breakdown.

PlanPriceBest For
Foundation$13/user/monthSingle user or small businesses
Growth$25/user/monthTeams adding personal email sequences
Pro$42/user/monthMultiple pipelines and territories
Business$59/user/monthFull reporting suite and audit log
Enterprise$79/user/monthLarger B2B teams and integrations

Pricing verified May 2026.

Nutshell CRM Pricing

Free trial: Yes, 14-day free trial for new users. No credit card required.

Money-back guarantee: Nutshell does not publish a refund policy. The 14-day trial is the main way to test the platform risk-free.

📌 Note: Every Nutshell plan comes standard with unlimited contacts and no data limits. Free data migration and free live support are included on every tier — that’s rare in this category.

⚠️ Warning: The Foundation plan at $13 per user per month covers basic contact management only. If you need email sequences, multiple pipelines, or the full reporting suite, you’ll need Growth or higher.

Key Benefits of Nutshell CRM

Here’s what makes Nutshell worth considering:

  • Easy-to-Use Interface: Nutshell has a minimal learning curve compared to other CRMs. Most users are productive within days, not weeks.
  • Visual Pipeline Management: Drag-and-drop boards make sales activities easy to track. View pipelines as Board, List, Map, or Chart.
  • Built-in Marketing Tools: Email marketing, landing pages, and web forms work without paid add ons. Drip campaigns and bulk email are included.
  • Lead Discovery Tools: ProspectorIQ helps find new leads and VisitorIQ identifies companies visiting your website. These tools surface potential customers automatically.
  • Wide Integrations: Nutshell connects with Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Outlook, and Slack. Over 5,000 additional apps work via Zapier.
  • Free Data Migration: Nutshell migrates your data for free on all plans. Most competitors charge premium fees for this kind of help.
  • Live Support on Every Plan: Live chat and email support are included for all customers. Enterprise users get priority support response times.
Nutshell CRM Homepage

What Our Team Noticed

Our writer signed up for Nutshell CRM and spent several days with the platform. Here’s what stood out from that hands-on time:

Nutshell CRM Personal Experience

Nutshell CRM Pros & Cons

✅ Pros
  • Minimal learning curve — productive within days for most users
  • Free data migration and live support included on every plan
  • Unlimited contacts and no data limits on any tier
  • Multiple pipeline views including Board, List, Map, and Chart
  • Connects to 5,000+ apps via Zapier in addition to native integrations
❌ Cons
  • Automation features are less advanced than HubSpot or Salesforce
  • Some users report email attachment handling needs work
  • Foundation plan at $13/user/month is limited in features
  • No free plan — only a 14-day trial for new accounts

Feature Comparison

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

We’ll explore 8 key features to help you determine which CRM software best fits your sales process.

FeatureFreshsales CRMNutshell CRM
Starting Price$9/user/month$13/user/month
Free Plan✅ (up to 3 users)❌ (14-day trial only)
AI Lead Scoring✅ Freddy AI✅ Basic AI tools
Pipeline Management✅ Kanban boards✅ Board, List, Map, Chart
Built-in Phone & SMS❌ (click-to-call only)
Email Marketing✅ Via Freshmarketer✅ Native
Integrations~385 native5,000+ via Zapier
Free Data Migration✅ All plans
Free Trial21 days, no credit card required14 days, no credit card
Best ForAI-powered sales teamsSmall B2B sales teams

1. AI Lead Scoring

Freshsales CRM: Freddy AI scores leads based on behavior and profile data. It predicts deal risks and suggests the next best action to close deals. Sales teams use these insights to focus on the highest-value leads first.

Freshsales CRM AI Lead Scoring

Nutshell CRM: Nutshell integrates AI tools to assist with revenue-driving tasks. ProspectorIQ helps identify potential leads and VisitorIQ identifies companies visiting your website. The AI features are useful but less deep than Freddy AI.

Nutshell CRM Artificial Intelligence

2. Contact Management

Freshsales CRM: Freshsales centralizes customer information and provides a complete history of every touchpoint. The 360-degree customer view shows emails, calls, deals, notes, and chat threads. Sales reps can update customer data and track interactions across the timeline.

Freshsales CRM Contact Management

Nutshell CRM: Nutshell offers contact management with calendar sync, click-to-call, and team collaboration. It provides unlimited contacts and no data limits on any plan. Custom fields let you tailor the contact view to your business.

3. Pipeline Management

Freshsales CRM: Freshsales features a visual pipeline management system that uses Kanban boards. You can track deal progress and identify bottlenecks at a glance. Drag deals between stages to update their status quickly.

Nutshell CRM: Nutshell uses visual drag-and-drop boards for managing sales pipelines. It offers multiple views including Board, List, Map, and Chart. The Pro plan adds multiple pipelines and territories for teams that sell across regions.

Nutshell CRM Pipeline Management

4. Sales Automation

Freshsales CRM: Freshsales automates repetitive sales activities so reps can focus on selling. Sales sequences send follow-ups automatically based on triggers. Workflow rules handle routing, notifications, and updates without manual work.

Freshsales CRM Sales Sequences

Nutshell CRM: Nutshell automates repetitive sales tasks like lead routing and follow-up notifications. The automation features are reliable but less advanced than HubSpot or Salesforce. Personal email sequences are available on Growth plans and above.

Nutshell CRM Sales Automations

⚠️ Warning: Some advanced sales automation features in Freshsales sit behind the Pro plan at $39 per user per month. Check the feature list for your plan before assuming all automation is included.

5. Email & Communication

Freshsales CRM: Freshsales includes built-in phone, email, chat, and SMS within a unified inbox. Omnichannel outreach extends to WhatsApp Business, Facebook Messenger, and LINE. You can send personalized bulk emails and monitor open rates and replies.

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

Nutshell CRM: Nutshell enables email marketing through list creation, bulk email sending, and drip campaigns. It syncs with Gmail and Outlook for two-way email tracking. Email templates and personal email sequences round out the outreach toolset.

Nutshell CRM Email Automation

6. Reporting & Analytics

Freshsales CRM: Freshsales provides around a dozen predefined sales reports that are fully customizable. AI insights help track team performance and forecast revenue. Reports cover deals, activities, conversion rates, and pipeline health.

Nutshell CRM: Nutshell offers customizable dashboards and reports tailored to your business. The full reporting suite is included on the Business plan. KPIs, sales funnel, and timelines help managers track team performance.

7. Integrations

Freshsales CRM: Freshsales offers around 385 integrations and apps. It connects natively with Google, Microsoft 365, Slack, and Zoom. Native connectors with third-party tools outside Freshworks products are limited compared to HubSpot.

Freshsales CRM Wide Marketplace

Nutshell CRM: Nutshell connects with Google Apps, MailChimp, Zendesk, Outlook, and Slack natively. Over 5,000 additional apps work via Zapier integration. Users can also import contacts from any source using a CSV file.

Nutshell CRM Useful Integration

8. Customer Support

Freshsales CRM: Freshsales provides 24/5 support across all plans via phone, chat, and email. Free plan users get the same support channels as paid customers. The free live support window covers business hours globally.

Nutshell CRM: Nutshell offers free live support, live chat, and email support for all customers. Enterprise users get priority response times. Free data migration is included on every plan, which sets it apart from competitors that charge for premium assistance.

Nutshell CRM Reliable Customer Support

Pricing & Cost

Let’s compare the pricing plans side by side.

PlanFreshsales CRMNutshell CRM
Free$0 (up to 3 users)❌ (14-day trial only)
EntryGrowth: $9/user/monthFoundation: $13/user/month
Mid-tierPro: $39/user/monthGrowth: $25/user/month
HigherPro: $42/user/month
TopEnterprise: $59/user/monthBusiness: $59/user/month
PremiumEnterprise: $79/user/month

Freshsales CRM: Freshsales is the cheaper entry point at $9 per user per month. The free plan covers up to 3 users with most features included. Pricing has dropped 2-3 times lower than before, making it excellent value for small to medium sized businesses.

Nutshell CRM: Nutshell starts at $13 per user per month with no free plan. The five-tier pricing structure gives you room to grow into more features. Free data migration and live support on every plan add real value beyond the base price.

Different Scenarios

If You Need…ChooseWhy
Tight budgetFreshsales CRM$9/user vs $13/user starting price
AI-powered sellingFreshsales CRMFreddy AI scores leads and predicts deals
Easy learning curveNutshell CRMProductive within days, minimal training
Built-in phone & SMSFreshsales CRMUnified inbox with all channels
Free data migrationNutshell CRMIncluded on every plan
Free plan to startFreshsales CRMUp to 3 users free forever
Many integrationsNutshell CRM5,000+ apps via Zapier

💰 Your Budget

Freshsales CRM is the cheaper option at $9 per user per month. If you have a tight budget, the free plan for up to 3 users gives you a no-risk starting point.

🔌 Your Tech Stack

If you already use other Freshworks products like Freshdesk, Freshsales is the natural choice. Nutshell wins if you rely on Zapier to connect tools beyond the major platforms.

📝 Your Sales Process

For complex sales activities with phone, SMS, and AI scoring, Freshsales fits best. For straightforward B2B pipelines and contact management, Nutshell is the easier fit.

🎓 Your Experience Level

Beginners and small teams without a CRM background tend to onboard faster on Nutshell. Sales teams comfortable with more advanced features will get more out of Freshsales over time.

🆓 Free Trials and Demos

Freshsales offers a 21-day free trial with no credit card required across all paid tiers. Nutshell offers a 14-day free trial. Try both before you commit — your sales team’s reaction matters more than feature lists.

🛟 Support Options

Freshsales provides 24/5 support via phone, chat, and email on every plan. Nutshell offers free live support, live chat, and free data migration on every plan, with priority support for enterprise users.

Switching Guide

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

🔄 Switching from Freshsales CRM to Nutshell CRM?

✅ What you’ll gain:

  • Free data migration handled by the Nutshell team
  • Multiple pipeline views including Map and Chart
  • 5,000+ integrations via Zapier in addition to native ones

❌ What you’ll lose:

  • Freddy AI lead scoring and deal predictions
  • Built-in phone, chat, and SMS in a unified inbox
  • Free plan and lower entry price ($9 vs $13 per user per month)

📋 How to switch:

  1. Export your contacts, deals, and notes from Freshsales as CSV
  2. Create a new account on Nutshell and start the 14-day free trial
  3. Request free data migration through Nutshell support to import everything
🔄 Switching from Nutshell CRM to Freshsales CRM?

✅ What you’ll gain:

  • Freddy AI lead scoring and deal risk predictions
  • Built-in phone, email, chat, and SMS unified inbox
  • Free plan for up to 3 users and lower starting price

❌ What you’ll lose:

  • Free data migration on every plan
  • Multiple pipeline views like Map and Chart
  • Access to 5,000+ Zapier-connected apps as a primary integration path

📋 How to switch:

  1. Export your Nutshell data including contacts, deals, and custom fields
  2. Create a new account on Freshsales and start the 21-day free trial
  3. Use the Freshsales import wizard to map fields and load your data

What Our Review Didn’t Cover

This comparison focused on small to medium sized businesses comparing core CRM features. We didn’t test enterprise SSO setup, custom API development, or complex multi-region territory management. We also didn’t evaluate how either CRM handles 1,000+ user deployments or specialized industries like healthcare and finance. Our observations are based on the May 2026 versions, and features may have changed since then. If you’re a large enterprise or a niche industry, your priorities may differ from what we’ve covered here.

Final Verdict

CategoryWinner
💰 PricingFreshsales CRM
🤖 AI FeaturesFreshsales CRM
📞 Communication ToolsFreshsales CRM
🎯 Pipeline ViewsNutshell CRM
👶 Ease of UseNutshell CRM
🔌 IntegrationsNutshell CRM
🛟 Free Migration & SupportNutshell CRM
🏆 Overall WinnerFreshsales CRM

🏆 WINNER: FRESHSALES CRM

Freshsales CRM wins 3 of 7 categories on raw count, but takes the overall win on depth and value.

Best for: AI-powered sales teams, small and medium sized businesses, growing companies that need built-in phone and SMS

Freshsales CRM and Nutshell CRM are two very different products.

Freshsales is a deeper CRM software platform with Freddy AI, omnichannel outreach, and a free plan.

Nutshell CRM is a simpler, easier-to-learn tool focused on small B2B sales teams.

Nutshell is excellent for teams that want a CRM productive within days. Free data migration and live support on every plan are real value-adds.

However, if you need AI lead scoring, built-in communication tools, or a free plan to start, Freshsales is the better choice.

The 21-day free trial means you can test Freshsales without a credit card before deciding.

More of Freshsales CRM Compared

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

Freshsales CRM vs HubSpot

Freshsales wins on: Lower entry price ($9 vs HubSpot Sales Hub paid plans), free plan with more features, built-in phone and SMS in the unified inbox

HubSpot wins on: Larger marketplace of integrations, more advanced marketing automation, broader content management features

Freshsales CRM vs Zoho CRM

Freshsales wins on: Cleaner interface for new users, Freddy AI insights bundled by default, tighter integration with Freshdesk OMNI

Zoho CRM wins on: Wider Zoho One product suite, more customization depth at higher tiers, broader native integrations beyond the parent suite

Freshsales CRM vs Pipedrive

Freshsales wins on: Free plan availability, AI lead scoring built in, omnichannel communication including WhatsApp and SMS

Pipedrive wins on: Visual pipeline simplicity, faster setup for very small teams, focused sales-only feature set

Freshsales CRM vs Salesforce

Freshsales wins on: Lower total cost for SMBs, faster onboarding, simpler admin and configuration

Salesforce wins on: Enterprise-scale customization, deeper network of certified consultants, broader functionality across departments

More of Nutshell CRM Compared

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

Nutshell CRM vs HubSpot

Nutshell wins on: Free data migration on every plan, simpler interface for small B2B sales teams, predictable per-user pricing without aggressive upsells

HubSpot wins on: More advanced automation, larger marketplace, broader marketing and content tools

Nutshell CRM vs Capsule CRM

Nutshell wins on: Built-in marketing tools without paid add ons, more pipeline views (Board, List, Map, Chart), ProspectorIQ and VisitorIQ for lead discovery

Capsule wins on: Lower entry pricing, simpler feature set for solo users, lighter learning curve for first-time CRM users

Nutshell CRM vs Monday CRM

Nutshell wins on: Sales-specific features built in, free data migration, dedicated B2B sales focus rather than general work management

Monday CRM wins on: Stronger project management cross-over, more flexible board views, broader use beyond sales teams

Nutshell CRM vs Insightly

Nutshell wins on: Free live support and data migration on every plan, simpler day-to-day interface, integrated email marketing without paid extras

Insightly wins on: Built-in project management, deeper relationship mapping, broader G Suite integration history

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Freshsales a CRM?

Yes, Freshsales is a cloud-based CRM software designed for sales teams of all sizes. It’s part of the Freshworks suite and includes lead management, deal tracking, and AI-powered insights via Freddy AI.

Is Nutshell a good CRM?

Nutshell is well-regarded for small to mid-sized B2B sales teams that prioritize ease of use. Users on review platforms appreciate the reminder functions, scheduling capabilities, and the affordability compared to other CRM tools.

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

The free plan supports up to 3 users with most features included. It’s a good way to test the customer relationship management platform without paying or entering credit card details.

How much does a CRM cost per month?

CRM pricing varies widely. Freshsales paid plans start at $9 per user per month and go up to $71 per user per month for the top Enterprise tier. Nutshell starts at $13 per user per month and reaches $79 per user per month at the Enterprise level.

Does Nutshell have an app?

Yes, Nutshell provides a mobile application for both iOS and Android. The app handles contact management, pipeline updates, and task management on the go. Users have given positive feedback on its mobile functionality.

Is my data secure with Freshsales and Nutshell?

Both platforms use modern security practices and encrypted connections to protect customer data. Each provider publishes a security page covering encryption, audit logs, and access controls. Review their documentation for compliance details that match your industry needs.

Can I customize fields and reports in either CRM?

Yes, both let you customize custom fields, dashboards, and reports. Freshsales also lets you customize sales sequences and workflows in multiple languages. Nutshell lets you customize the contact view and pipeline stages to match how your team works with clients.

What happens if a CRM page won’t load or I see a verification screen?

Sometimes CRM apps display a “checking your browser” message that says “verifying you are human” or “verification successful waiting” while the connection is verified. These pages typically resolve in a few seconds — wait a moment before proceeding. If the page does not load the site properly after waiting, refresh the browser, check the Ray ID shown on the screen, and contact support so they can respond. Both CRMs execute this kind of bot check to keep customer data safe.

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