SugarCRM vs ClickUp: Which CRM is Best for 2025?

by | Apr 7, 2025

Winner
SugarCRM
4.5
  • Sales Automation
  • Integration
  • Marketing Automation
  • Landing Pages
  • Security Overview
  • Book Demo Now
  • Paid Plans from $19/month
Runner Up
clickup
3.5
  • Project Management
  • Product Development
  • Workflow
  • Resource Management
  • Private Whiteboards
  • Free plan available
  • Paid Plans from $7
SugarCRM vs ClickUp

Okay, let’s get right to it. You’re stuck, right? You need a good CRM.

You’re not alone. Lots of folks are in the same boat. 

Picking the wrong CRM can mess up your work. You might lose track of customers.

Or, your team could get super disorganized. That’s a headache!

In this article, we’ll compare SugarCRM vs ClickUp.

Let’s find your winner!

Overview

To give you a clear picture, our team didn’t just read about these tools. We dived in.

We tested SugarCRM and ClickUp’s key features.

We explored their interfaces, ran sample data, and checked their real-world performance. 

This hands-on approach led to this detailed comparison.

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
Clickup CTA
3.5out of 5

Boost productivity by 25%! ClickUp helps you manage sales, projects, docs, and more.

Pricing: It has a free plan. The premium plan starts at $7/month.

Key Features:

  • Task Management
  • Project Management
  • Collaboration Tools

What is SugarCRM?

So, SugarCRM. What’s the deal? It’s a CRM, but it’s built for those who want to tweak things.

You can change almost anything. It’s strong for sales teams.

Especially if you need deep customization.

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 ClickUp?

Now, ClickUp. It’s more than just a CRM. It’s a work hub.

You can manage tasks, projects, and customers all in one place. It’s great for teams.

Especially, if you want everything together.

Also, explore our favorite ClickUp alternatives

clickup homepage

Our Take

Clickup CTA

It’s incredibly powerful and flexible. The free plan is very generous, and it has many features for managing projects. However, due to its many options, it can be overwhelming at first, and the learning curve can be steep for new users.

Key Benefits

  • Centralized workspace for tasks.
  • Offers a free forever plan.
  • Supports over 1,000 integrations.
  • Customizable workflows and views.
  • Comprehensive reporting features.

Pricing

  • Free: Best for personal use.
  • Unlimited: $7/user.
  • Business: $12/user.
  • Enterprise: Contact them for custom pricing based on your requirements.
Clickup Pricing

Pros

  • All-in-One Platform.
  • Highly Customizable.
  • Robust Free Plan.
  • Strong Automation.
  • Collaborative Features.

Cons

  • Steep Learning Curve.
  • Feature Overload.
  • Mobile App Limitations.
  • Performance Issues.

Feature Comparison

This analysis evaluates SugarCRM, the established leading crm platform known for its enterprise sales and service features.

ClickUp, a powerful project management platform built for task management across the entire workspace.

This comparison will clarify which crm platform is the better fit for enterprise-level sales and marketing versus comprehensive internal workflow management.

1. Core Platform Focus and Business Model

  • SugarCRM: Primarily a modular crm platform focused on maximizing sales performance and the full customer relationship management cycle. It sells integrated clouds like sugar sell and sugar serve and is scaled for enterprise-level business processes.
  • ClickUp: A project management platform and Work OS designed to manage the entire workspace and all internal business operations. Its focus is on task management, resource management, and collaboration for multiple projects.

2. Pricing and Scalability

  • SugarCRM: Tends to be higher cost, with crm prices typically structured per user with a user minimum. Its sugarcrm cost is higher, and it lacks a free forever option, making users look for crm alternatives.
  • ClickUp: Offers a robust free forever plan, including clickup’s free plan, and scales up via affordable paid plans. Its per user pricing for advanced tiers offers excellent value, making it a compelling crm alternatives for small teams.

3. Sales and Marketing Automation

  • SugarCRM: Provides extensive, dedicated marketing automation within the sugar market module, with high-end features and deep pipeline intelligence. It uses drag and drop workflows for complex sales sequences.
  • ClickUp: Features workflow automation suitable for simple sales flows and marketing teams, but lacks a dedicated, integrated platform like sugar market. Automation is built using its general task management tools.

4. Project Management and Task Organization

  • SugarCRM: Includes basic project management tools and calendar integration designed to support sales efforts, but it is not a primary project management platform.
  • ClickUp: Excels as a project management platform, featuring gantt charts, kanban board views, time tracking, and the ability to assign tasks across multiple projects. It provides enough features for any internal workflow.

5. Customization and Enterprise Features

  • SugarCRM: Known for its deep drag and drop workflows and customization via the sugar enterprise option, including advanced user permissions. It provides enhanced support for modular development.
  • ClickUp: Offers high flexibility via custom fields, customizable views (view tasks), and ai assistant tools. It supports single sign on and user permissions, making its enterprise plan robust for large teams.

6. Collaboration and Communication

  • SugarCRM: Provides team communication primarily through notes, emails, and calendar integration, relying on external tools for complex real-time interaction.
  • ClickUp: Built for collaboration, featuring native team communication tools, real time editing on its whiteboard feature, and integrated chat. It also offers live onboarding training and access to clickup university.

7. Product Ecosystem and Integrations

  • SugarCRM: Positions itself as a leading crm with specialized clouds like sugar sell and sugar serve. Its API is powerful for enterprise-level import data and system integration.
  • ClickUp: Integrates widely, including google drive. Its open api access allows import data from other systems. The entire workspace is managed on this single platform, offering other features like goal tracking.

8. Analytics and Reporting

  • SugarCRM: Features powerful, highly customizable reporting essential for enterprise-level sales performance tracking and marketing automation effectiveness. Reports are granular and structured.
  • ClickUp: Offers robust reporting across complex projects and workflow using its full comparison tools, providing high score metrics and visibility into business operations. Users can generate detailed reports across the entire workspace.

9. User Experience and Support

  • SugarCRM: The specialized nature and sugarcrm cost often imply dedicated sales training and enhanced support. The interface can have a slight steeper learning curve for new users compared to general task apps.
  • ClickUp: Known for its simple interface and being completely free to start. It offers new features frequently, provides knowledge base resources, live training, and responsive phone support for team member queries.

10. Platform Utility and Future-Proofing

  • SugarCRM: The Sugar professional offers specialized crm software built on a solid business plan with dedicated service automation modules. While offering robust sales features, its utility is focused strictly on customer relationship management.
  • ClickUp: Designed as comprehensive business software with the clickup brain managing all complex tasks and new tasks. It caters to solo workers through its simplicity and offers powerful features like unlimited users, unlimited storage, and unlimited number of items under some clickup plans. Features like guest access and the core communication features ensure adaptability for unlimited plan teams, making it the more flexible tech stack option for future expansion. It provides offer discounts for those billed annually and aims to save time on all project management tools by keeping everything in one place.

What to Look for in a CRM Tool?

  • Scalability: Can it grow with your business?
  • Customization: Does it fit your unique workflow?
  • Integration: Does it play well with other tools?
  • Ease of Use: Is it intuitive for your team?
  • Support: Is help readily available when needed?
  • Budget: Does the pricing align with your resources? Is it a affordable crm?
  • Specific Needs: Does it solve your core business problems?

Final Verdict

Okay, here’s the deal. If you need a strong, sales-focused CRM, SugarCRM is your pick.

It’s built for deep customization. But it’s pricey.

If you want a work hub with CRM features, choose ClickUp.

It’s flexible and cheap. We tested both. We found that ClickUp is better for most teams. 

It blends project and customer work well.

However, if your main focus is sales, SugarCRM is the pro. 

We’ve done the work so you don’t have to. Make the right choice for your team.

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 ClickUp

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

  • ClickUp vs Pipedrive: Pipedrive is a sales-focused CRM with a visual pipeline. ClickUp is a more flexible project management tool.
  • ClickUp vs Gohighlevel: ClickUp is an all-in-one work management platform with strong project management and customizable CRM. GoHighLevel is a dedicated marketing and sales automation platform focused on lead generation and conversion.
  • ClickUp vs Keap: ClickUp is a versatile platform for project management and customizable CRM, while Keap is a powerful CRM and marketing automation tool that emphasizes lead nurturing and sales processes.
  • ClickUp vs ActiveCampaign: ClickUp provides a flexible platform for task, project, and basic CRM management, whereas ActiveCampaign excels in advanced marketing automation, email campaigns, and customer segmentation.
  • ClickUp vs Hubspot: ClickUp is a highly customizable project management and work OS with integrated CRM features, while HubSpot offers a comprehensive suite of tools for marketing, sales, and customer service.
  • ClickUp vs Clickfunnels: ClickUp is an all-in-one work management platform; ClickFunnels is primarily a sales funnel builder for creating landing pages and automating sales funnels.
  • ClickUp vs Folk: ClickUp is a robust work management solution with customizable CRM functionalities, while Folk focuses on collaborative contact management and relationship tracking.
  • ClickUp vs Instantly: ClickUp is a versatile platform for project management and diverse workflows, while Instantly specializes in cold email outreach, deliverability optimization, and automated email campaigns.
  • ClickUp vs Monday CRM: ClickUp provides a highly customizable all-in-one workspace for project management and CRM, while Monday CRM offers visual workflows and team collaboration focused on customer relationships.
  • ClickUp vs Capsule CRM: ClickUp is a comprehensive work management and customizable CRM platform, whereas Capsule CRM is a straightforward, user-friendly CRM focused on managing contacts and sales opportunities.
  • ClickUp vs Insightly: ClickUp is a flexible platform for project management and adaptable CRM. Insightly is a dedicated CRM offering a strong sales pipeline and project management features within a CRM context.
  • ClickUp vs Freshsales: ClickUp is an all-in-one work management tool with adaptable CRM capabilities, whereas Freshsales CRM is a specialized sales CRM with advanced automation, lead scoring, and reporting.
  • ClickUp vs Salesforce: ClickUp is a versatile work management platform with customizable CRM, while Salesforce is an enterprise-grade CRM with extensive features for sales, service, and marketing automation.
  • ClickUp vs Zendesk: ClickUp offers an all-in-one workspace for tasks, projects, and customizable CRM, while Zendesk is a leading customer service platform primarily focused on ticketing and support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SugarCRM better than ClickUp for sales teams?

Yes, if sales are your main focus. SugarCRM offers robust sales automation and detailed reporting. ClickUp blends CRM with project management, so it’s less specialized for pure sales functions.

Can ClickUp replace my project management software?

In many cases, yes. ClickUp is designed to be an all-in-one platform. It includes strong task management, timelines, and collaboration tools. This can replace many separate project tools.

Is SugarCRM too expensive for small businesses?

It can be. SugarCRM’s advanced plans are pricey. The Essentials plan is more affordable, but it may lack key features needed as your business grows. Consider your budget and feature needs.

Does ClickUp offer a free plan?

Yes, ClickUp has a free plan. It’s suitable for individuals or small teams with basic needs. However, the paid plans offer more features & higher limits and are still competitively priced.

Which platform has better customization options?

SugarCRM offers more extensive customization for CRM-specific needs, including the ability to tailor workflows and reports. ClickUp is also customizable, but its focus is on general work management across various functions.

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