Feeling trapped by Salesforce’s high prices and confusing features?
You’re not alone.
Many small businesses are ditching the big-name CRM and finding better value elsewhere.
In this post, we’ll break down the 9 best Salesforce alternatives that can save you money and headaches while boosting your sales.
Think of it as your guide to escaping Salesforce prison and finding CRM freedom!
What is the Best Salesforce Alternative?
It depends on what you need!
Some CRMs are great for small businesses with simple needs.
Others have powerful features for bigger teams.
We’ve got options for every budget, from free trials to paid plans. Ready to see our top picks? Let’s dive in!
1. Pipedrive
Pipedrive is a sales management tool that helps you track your deals & gives you a clear visual of your sales pipeline.
Unlock its potential with our Pipedrive tutorial.
Also, explore our Salesforce vs Pipedrive comparison!
Our Take
Pipedrive is a solid choice for sales-focused businesses. It’s user friendly, visually appealing, & packed with helpful features. The only reason it doesn’t get a perfect 10 is that the lower-priced plans have some limitations.
Key Benefits
- Laser focus on sales: Pipedrive is built to help you close more deals.
- Visual pipeline management: See exactly where each deal stands.
- Powerful automation: Automate tasks like sending emails and scheduling appointments.
- 24/7 support: Get help whenever you need it.
Pricing
- Essential: $14/user/month.
- Advanced: $24/user/month.
- Professional: $49/user/month.
- Power: $59/user/month.
- Enterprise: $79/user/month.
Pros
Cons
2. Gohighlevel
GoHighLevel is an all-in-one platform built for agencies.
It helps manage leads, sales, and marketing efforts.
It bundles many essential business tools into one.
Unlock its potential with our GoHighLevel tutorial.
Also, explore our Salesforce vs GoHighLevel comparison!
Our Take
This is great for agencies and businesses wanting to consolidate tools. The automation capabilities are very strong. However, its vast feature set means it can be overwhelming for new users, and there’s a definite learning curve.
Key Benefits
- All-in-one marketing platform.
- White-labeling available.
- Automated campaigns.
- Lead-nurturing tools.
- Comprehensive reporting.
Pricing
- Starter: $97/month.
- Unlimited: $297/month.
Pros
Cons
3. Keap
Keap is tailored for small businesses.
It brings together sales and marketing functionalities.
This platform helps you organize contacts and follow up with leads effectively.
Unlock its potential with our Keap tutorial.
Also, explore our Salesforce vs Keap comparison!
Our Take
Keap is a fantastic option for small businesses to streamline their sales and marketing efforts. It’s user-friendly and packed with valuable features. However, it may not be best for larger companies with more complex needs.
Key Benefits
- Built-in email marketing: Send targeted emails to your audience.
- Easy-to-use automation: Automate tasks like sending follow-up messages and assigning leads.
- Sales pipeline management: Track your deals and identify opportunities.
- Ecommerce integrations: Connect Keap with your online store to manage orders and customers.
Pricing
Keap offers a free trial and a simple pricing structure to get you started.
- Simple plan: Starts at $249/month (Annually Billed) and offers two users and 1500 contacts.
Pros
Cons
4. ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign excels at email marketing.
It also provides strong automation features.
This helps you send targeted messages at just the right time.
Unlock its potential with our ActiveCampaign tutorial.
Also, explore our Salesforce vs ActiveCampaign comparison!
Our Take
ActiveCampaign is an excellent choice for businesses that want to leverage the true power of email marketing and automation. However, it may not be the best fit for beginners due to its complexity.
Key Benefits
- Advanced automation: Create complex workflows to nurture leads and automate tasks.
- Email marketing powerhouse: Send beautiful and effective email campaigns.
- Built-in CRM: Manage contacts and track interactions.
- Segmentation and personalization: Target specific groups of contacts with personalized messages.
Pricing
- Starter: $15/month.
- Plus: $49/month.
- Pro: $79/month.
- Enterprise: $145/month.
Pros
Cons
5. HubSpot
HubSpot is a very popular platform.
It combines marketing, sales, and customer service tools.
This makes it a complete solution for many businesses.
Unlock its potential with our HubSpot tutorial.
Also, explore our Salesforce vs HubSpot comparison!
Our Take
HubSpot is a powerful platform with many features, but you must consider your budget and needs before committing. It’s a good choice for businesses that want a comprehensive solution & are willing to invest in it.
Key Benefits
- Free CRM: Start with a free plan with basic CRM features.
- All-in-one platform: Access a marketing, sales, and service tools suite.
- Extensive community and resources: Benefit from a wealth of knowledge and support.
- Inbound marketing focus: Attract and engage leads with valuable content.
Pricing
- Free Tools: Free for up to two users.
- Marketing Hub Starter: $15/seat/month.
- Starter Customer Platform: $15/seat/month.
- Marketing Hub Professional + three seats: $800/month, additional seats at $45/month.
Pros
Cons
6. Freshsales CRM
Freshsales CRM is designed to help with sales.
It lets you easily manage customer information.
You can also track communications like calls and emails.
Unlock its potential with our Freshsales CRM tutorial.
Also, explore our Salesforce vs Freshsales CRM comparison!
Our Take
Freshsales CRM is a solid choice for businesses prioritizing ease of use and affordability. It’s a great way to use CRM without a steep learning curve.
Key Benefits
- User-friendly interface: Easy to navigate and learn.
- Built-in phone and email: Connect with customers directly from the platform.
- AI-powered insights: Get helpful suggestions and predictions.
- Affordable pricing: Offers a free plan and competitive paid plans.
Pricing
- Growth + 500 Marketing Contacts: $9/user/month.
- Pro + 500 Marketing Contacts: $39/user/month.
- Enterprise + 500 Marketing Contacts: $59/user/month.
Pros
Cons
7. Monday CRM
Monday CRM is a part of the Monday.com work OS.
It helps teams collaborate and manage tasks.
You can keep track of customer interactions and sales progress visually.
Unlock its potential with our Monday CRM tutorial.
Also, explore our Salesforce vs Monday CRM comparison!
Our Take
Monday CRM is a good choice for businesses that want a visually appealing and easy-to-use CRM. However, it may not be best for those with complex sales needs or large teams.
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
- Basic: $12/seat/month.
- Standard: $17/seat/month.
- Pro: $28/seat/month.
- Enterprise: Custom Pricing based on your needs.
Pros
Cons
8. Instantly
Want to reach more people and boost your sales?
Instantly is a powerful outreach platform that helps you connect with potential customers through email, social media, and more.
It’s designed to help you automate your outreach efforts and improve response rates.
Unlock its potential with our Instantly tutorial.
Also, explore our Salesforce vs Instantly comparison!
Our Take
Instantly is a valuable tool for businesses that want to ramp up their outreach efforts. However, it’s important to note that it’s primarily an outreach platform, not a complete CRM solution.
Key Benefits
- Multi-channel outreach: Connect with prospects through email, LinkedIn, Twitter, and more.
- Personalized messaging: Tailor your messages to each recipient.
- Automated follow-ups: Stay top-of-mind without lifting a finger.
- Detailed analytics: Track your progress and identify what’s working.
Pricing
- Growth CRM: $37.9/month, unlimited seats.
- Hyper CRM: $77.6/month, unlimited seats.
Pros
Cons
9. Capsule CRM
Capsule CRM offers a simple and user-friendly experience.
It focuses on managing your contacts and tracking sales opportunities.
It’s a great basic CRM for small businesses.
Unlock its potential with our Capsule tutorial.
Also, explore our Salesforce vs Capsule comparison!
Our Take
It’s great for its simplicity and ease of use, especially for small businesses just starting with a CRM. It helps you manage contacts and sales effectively without being overwhelming. However, it might lack some of the more advanced features that larger or growing businesses might need, and its reporting options are not as robust as some competitors.
Key Benefits
- Simple contact management.
- Easy sales pipeline tracking.
- Integrates with many apps.
- Customizable fields available.
- Mobile app for on-the-go access.
Pricing
- Starter: $18/user/month.
- Growth: $36/user/month.
- Advanced: $54/user/month.
- Ultimate: $72/user/month.
Pros
Cons
Buyers Guide
When doing our research to find the best Salesforce alternatives, we determined that using these factors:
- Pricing: How much does each product cost? We looked at monthly and annual pricing, plus any free trials.
- Features: What are the best features of each product? We compared marketing automation, lead management, and other key business tools.
- Customer Data Management: How does each platform handle customer data? We looked at contact management, data security, and reporting capabilities.
- Customer Service Tools: What customer service tools are included? We evaluated features like help desk integration, live chat, and customer support options.
- Negatives: What was missing from each product? We considered any limitations or drawbacks.
- Support or Refund: Does the company offer a community, support, or refund policy? We checked for helpful resources and customer support options.
- Integrations: Does the CRM software integrate with other essential business apps? We looked for compatibility with popular tools and platforms.
- Ease of Use: How user-friendly is the CRM system? We considered the interface and learning curve.
- Scalability: Can the CRM platform grow with your business? We assessed whether it could handle increasing data and users.
- Mobile Access: Does the CRM offer a mobile app for accessing customer data on the go?
- Automation Capabilities: How well does the platform automate repetitive tasks? We looked for features like workflow automation and email marketing automation.
- Reporting and Analytics: What kind of reporting and business intelligence features are available? We assessed the ability to track key metrics and generate insights.
- Customization: Can you customize the CRM software to fit your specific business needs?
- Industry-Specific Features: Does the CRM offer specialized features for your industry?
- Deployment: Is the CRM system cloud-based, on-premise, or a hybrid?
- Reviews: What do other users say about the CRM? We checked online reviews and ratings.
Wrapping Up
That’s a wrap on our Salesforce alternatives!
We’ve covered a lot of ground today. Remember, the best CRM for you depends on your needs and budget. Don’t be afraid to try out a few different options.
Most offer free trials, so you can test them before you commit.
Want to boost customer satisfaction?
Need help streamlining your marketing and sales processes?
Looking for customer service software that integrates with your enterprise resource planning system?
Or maybe you want to explore sales automation tools? These Salesforce alternatives can help!
We’ve done the research, so you don’t have to.
Now it’s time to choose the CRM that will help your business grow. Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I consider Salesforce alternatives?
Salesforce can be expensive and complex, especially for small businesses. Alternatives often offer simpler interfaces, more affordable pricing, and features tailored to smaller teams.
What are the key features to look for in a Salesforce alternative?
Focus on features that align with your business needs, such as contact management, lead management, sales automation tools, marketing automation, and customer service tools.
Are there free Salesforce alternatives?
Yes! Several CRMs offer free plans with basic features, like HubSpot CRM and SuiteCRM. These are great options for small businesses or those just starting with CRM.
Can I import my data from Salesforce to another CRM?
Most CRM platforms offer data migration tools to help you import your existing Salesforce data. This ensures a smooth transition without losing valuable customer information.
What’s the best way to choose a Salesforce alternative?
Think about your budget, the features you need, and how many users will be using the system. Sign up for free trials and test out different options before making a decision.
