Best Alternatives To Zoho CRM Shortlist
Here’s my pick of the 10 best software from the 25 tools reviewed.
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
Zoho CRM is a tool that helps businesses manage customer relationships, track sales, and automate workflows, providing a thorough solution for sales and marketing teams.
However, some users may seek alternatives due to the lack of customization or it’s clunky user interface. Here are my suggestions for the best Zoho CRM alternatives for those looking into their CRM software options.
What Is Zoho CRM?
Zoho CRM is a customer relationship management software designed to help businesses manage their sales, marketing, and customer support activities. It is commonly used by sales teams, marketing professionals, and customer service representatives to track interactions, automate workflows, and analyze customer data.
Why Look For A Zoho CRM Alternative
You might be looking for an alternative to Zoho CRM for the following reasons:
- User Interface Complexity: Zoho CRM’s feature-cluttered interface might be too challenging to navigate, slowing down daily operations. You might be looking for an alternative with a cleaner and more user-friendly layout that makes workflows a little more intuitive.
- Customization Limitations: Zoho CRM’s customization is insufficient for your business needs. You may be searching for a CRM that offers the modules and custom fields you need is a better choice.
- Integration Issues: Limited compatibility or issues with third parties, leading to frustrating interruptions in your workflow. Your priority in a CRM tool is powerful integration capabilities with your existing tech stack.
- Customer Support: You require responsive and effective customer support, you’ve had a bad experience, or Zoho CRM is simply not meeting your expectations. There are plenty of options with multiple support channels and stellar reviews.
- Pricing Concerns: Zoho CRM might be outside your budget, leading to a bad ROI. You’re looking to find a cheaper alternative within your budget that offers all the features your business needs (and cuts the extras that you don’t.)
Alternatives to Zoho CRM can provide a more intuitive user experience, greater customization, smoother integrations, better customer support, and more competitive pricing. These features can better align with your business needs and improve overall efficiency.
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Best Alternatives To Zoho CRM Summary
Tools | Price | |
---|---|---|
Flowlu | From $29/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
Copper | From $9/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
Zendesk Sell | From $19/user/month | Website |
Keap | From $249/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
Bitrix24 | From $40/user/month (minimum 5 users) | Website |
Capsule CRM | From $18/user/month | Website |
Nutshell | From $19/user/month | Website |
Pipedrive CRM | From $12/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
Less Annoying CRM | From $15/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
Freshsales | From $9/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareBest Zoho CRM Alternatives
In this analysis, I will provide an in-depth look at various alternatives to Zoho CRM. I’ll walk you through the pros and cons, their features, and their best use cases.
Flowlu is an all-in-one CRM and project management tool that integrates project management with CRM functionalities. It offers a comprehensive tool suite that caters to various business needs, from task management to financial tracking.
Why it's a good Zoho CRM alternative: Flowlu is a powerful integrated project management and CRM solution that allows businesses to streamline their processes by keeping all customer and project information in one place. It provides tools for task management, time tracking, project budgeting, resource allocation, and financial management features like invoicing, expense, tracking, and financial reporting, all integrated with its CRM features. Its advanced financial oversight ensures businesses can manage their cash flow effectively and keep track of project costs and client billing in one system.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include email integration, sales process automation, telephony integration, events and follow-ups, and sales funnels and reports. It also provides additional fields for customization, real-time notifications, collaboration features, and professional invoice management.
Integrations include Slack, Google Calendar, Mailchimp, Jivochat, Tilda, Calendly, Telegram, Viber, WhatsApp, and Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Advanced client billing and expense tracking
- Customizable fields and workflows
- Integrated Agile project management
Cons:
- Limited social media integrations
- Slight learning curve
Copper is a CRM tool that smoothly integrates with Google Workspace. It centralizes emails, meetings, and files within the CRM, making it ideal for businesses that rely on Google’s tools.
Why it's a good Zoho CRM alternative: Copper works within Google tools, making it an exceptional alternative to Zoho CRM, especially if the business has already invested in the Google ecosystem. It automatically captures and logs emails and other interactions from Gmail, schedules and manages meetings in Google Calendar, and syncs with Google Drive, ensuring important documents and files are easily accessible and linked to relevant contacts and deals. Copper’s visual pipeline management and customizable dashboards provide clear insights into sales processes and performance, helping team members stay on top of their targets.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include contact organization, deal tracking, workflow management, task automation, email tools, a mobile app, and custom reporting capabilities.
Integrations include Google Workspace, Slack, Zendesk, HubSpot, QuickBooks, Docusign, Mailchimp, PandaDocs, JustCall, and RingCentral.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Fully integrated mobile app
- Customizable workflows for business processes
- Automated data entry
Cons:
- Limited customization for CRM interface and fields
- Few integrations with non-Google applications
Best for pipeline visibility and productivity optimization
Zendesk Sell is an all-in-one sales platform that maximizes productivity and maintains pipeline visibility. It has productivity tools that offer comprehensive features for the sales team to track, manage, and analyze sales processes in real time.
Why it's a good Zoho CRM alternative: Zendesk focuses on sales pipeline management and sales team productivity. Its intuitive interface and engaging pipeline views allow sales representatives to easily track the progress of deals, identify bottlenecks, and take timely actions. It offers productivity tools that streamline sales activities like automated email sequences, task management, and smart lists that prioritize leads based on criteria, making it a good alternative to Zoho CRM. Additionally, Zendesk Sell integrates with the broader Zendesk Suite, providing a unified view of customer interactions across sales and support channels.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customizable sales pipelines, email and calendar integrations, task and appointment settings, call tracking and recording, and pre-built sales dashboards.
Integrations include Gmail, Google Suite, Microsoft Office 365, Zendesk Support, Zendesk Chat, Mailchimp, Slack, QuickBooks, HubSpot, and Google Calendar.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Advanced lead routing
- Customizable task playbooks for different sales scenarios
- Smart lists for dynamic lead management
Cons:
- Complex customization might require technical expertise
- No built-in marketing automation
Keap is a CRM and automation tool that helps small businesses grow by automating their sales and marketing processes. It has tailored tools that streamline operations and enhance customer management.
Why it's a good Zoho CRM alternative: Keap delivers powerful automation and CRM capability for small businesses, ensuring users can easily and efficiently manage their customer relationships, sales, and marketing efforts. With its extensive automation features, Zoho CRM automates tasks, like sending follow-up emails and reminders to manage lead capture. These automation tools and workflows are user-friendly and are beneficial for small businesses that need to maximize their resources and maintain consistent communication with their customers. Additionally, Keap integrates smoothly with various popular tools and platforms like email marketing, ecommerce platforms, and accounting software, enhancing its utility and flexibility, and making it a standout alternative to Zoho CRM.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include marketing automation, sales CRM automation, and a dedicated mobile number for calls and texts. These features help businesses automate follow-ups, manage leads, and maintain customer relationships effectively.
Integrations include Gmail, Outlook, Zapier, QuickBooks, Xero, PayPal, Stripe, Shopify, and WordPress.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Lead scoring and segmentation
- Built-in ecommerce capabilities
- Advanced campaign builder for marketing workflows
Cons:
- Basic CRM customization limiting adaptability
- Limited custom reporting
Bitrix24 is a complete online workspace for businesses, offering task management, online meetings, and more. It has an extensive range of features that cover various business needs from CRM to project management.
Why it's a good Zoho CRM alternative: Bitrix24 offers a tool suite of CRM, project management, collaboration, communication, and HR management, making it a standout alternative to Zoho CRM. Integrating various business functions into a single platform reduces the need for multiple, separate tools and streamlines operations. Bitrix24 provides Gantt charts, task dependencies, time tracking, and workload management, integrated with the CRM functions, ensuring all project-related communications and tasks are aligned with customer interactions. Additionally, it has communication tools like chat and video conferencing, and HR management features like employee directories and performance evaluations.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include sales management, contact center, sales team collaboration, task and project management, employee performance tracking, mobile tasks, project collaboration, automation, and an AI assistant called CoPilot.
Integrations include Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Slack, Trello, Asana, Mailchimp, Dropbox, Zapier, Stripe, and WhatsApp.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Flexible deployment options
- Integrated HR and employee workload management
- Collaborative client portal
Cons:
- Interface may appear cluttered for some users
- Limited third-party integrations
Capsule CRM is a customer relationship management tool for businesses to manage customer interactions and data. It’s easy to set up and configure and has an intuitive interface, making it accessible to users of all technical levels.
Why it's a good Zoho CRM alternative: Capsule focuses on essential CRM functions, avoiding the clutter that can be seen in more feature-rich platforms. Its clean and organized interface helps users easily manage contacts, track communications, and monitor sales opportunities. Despite its focus on simplicity and ease of use, Capsule does not miss out on functionalities as it offers powerful contact management, task tracking, and sales pipeline management. With its essential features, strong integration capabilities, and clean user interface, Capsule makes a good Zoho CRM alternative for businesses seeking a system that is easy to use and manage.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include contact management, email marketing, sales pipeline management, project management, workflow automation, and AI content assistance. These features help businesses streamline their operations and improve customer relationships.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Gmail, Transpond, Outlook, Xero, Zapier, FreshBooks, Mailchimp, WhatsApp, and FreeAgent.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Custom field for data capture
- Task management with deadline tracking
- Milestone tracking in the sales pipeline
Cons:
- Limited workflow automation
- Limited user interface customization
Nutshell is a user-friendly CRM designed to help B2B teams close more deals. It is best for its intuitive interface and comprehensive sales and marketing features.
Why it's a good Zoho CRM alternative: Nutshell offers integrated sales automation and email marketing tools, allowing users to manage their sales pipeline, track leads, and execute marketing campaigns in one platform. Its email marketing capabilities include customizable templates, automated follow-ups, and detailed campaign analytics. Its pipeline management allows users to track and manage leads and opportunities with a drag-and-drop interface. These feature combined with its native sales automation and email marketing integrations makes it a standout alternative to Zoho CRM.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include contact management, sales automation, and advanced reporting. It also includes AI-driven tools for timeline summarization and Zoom transcription, enhancing productivity and efficiency.
Integrations include Google Suite, Microsoft Dynamics 365, PandaDoc, Dropbox, QuickBooks, Slack, Zapier, Constant Contact, Mailchimp, and Unbounce.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Personalized onboarding for each business
- Detailed email campaign analytics
- Unified sales and marketing platform
Cons:
- No built-in social media management
- Limited custom field options
Pipedrive CRM is a sales management tool small businesses use to visualize their sales pipeline and automate repetitive tasks. It is best for visual sales pipeline management due to its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and detailed sales dashboards.
Why it's a good Zoho CRM alternative: Pipedrive CRM focuses on visualizing the sales process, making it easier for sales teams to track deals and identify bottlenecks at a glance. The visual pipeline view allows users to drag and drop deals to update their status and gain a clear overview of the entire sales process. It is designed to help sales teams close deals more efficiently with customizable pipelines, powerful reporting tools, and an AI-powered sales assistant that suggests the best actions based on data analysis. Pipedrive’s extensive integration capability and strong sales pipeline visualization make it an excellent alternative to Zoho CRM, especially for businesses that need systems to drive their sales processes forward.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include sales automation, lead management, email marketing, and AI-driven sales tools. It also provides detailed analytics and customizable dashboards to help businesses track their sales performance.
Integrations include Google Workspace, Microsoft Outlook, Zapier, Mailchimp, Trello, Slack, Xero, QuickBooks, Zoom, and Asana.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Strong revenue projecting tools
- Timeline view for sales forecasting
- Customizable activity types
Cons:
- No built-in contract management
- Lack of built-in marketing automation
Less Annoying CRM provides a simpler CRM solution for small businesses. It excels in ease of use and affordability, making it an ideal choice for those prioritizing straightforward, budget-friendly tools.
Why it's a good Zoho CRM alternative: Less Annoying CRM is an ideal Zoho CRM alternative for businesses seeking a simple CRM. Its user-friendly interface and ease of use are beneficial for small businesses that don’t have a dedicated IT staff. Instead of overwhelming features, Less Annoying CRM focuses on essential CRM functionalities such as contact management, calendar and task management, and pipeline tracking, ensuring small businesses have the tools needed without being bogged down or paying for features they don’t use. It also offers email platform integrations, allowing users to sync their email communications directly with the CRM.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include an intuitive user interface, centralized customer information, and easy task management. It also offers customizable pipelines and calendar integration to streamline daily operations.
Integrations include Google Calendar, Mailchimp, Google Contacts, Zapier, PieSync, Outlook Calendar, Mailgun, Constant Contact, RingCentral, and PayPal.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Intuitive task and email management
- Personalized customer support
- Minimalist and simplified interface
Cons:
- No workflow automation
- No custom reports
Freshsales is a CRM tool designed to drive revenue and productivity with AI-powered features. It excels in AI-powered lead scoring, making it ideal for businesses that prioritize and manage leads effectively.
Why it's a good Zoho CRM alternative: Freshsales uses Freddy AI, which provides advanced lead scoring based on engagement, behaviour, and demographic data. This AI-driven approach helps the sales team prioritize leads most likely to convert and improve sales and efficiency by analyzing touchpoints and interactions that reflect the potential of each lead. Freshsales also offers predictive contact scoring, deal insights, AI-based forecasting, customizable workflows, and integrations that easily fit into existing tech stacks. Freshsales is an excellent alternative to Zoho CRM, especially for businesses aiming to optimize sales processes and improve overall productivity.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include built-in chat, email, and phone, customizable sales activities, and advanced workflows. The AI-powered Freddy AI assists in contact scoring, sales emails, and deal insights, enhancing the overall sales process.
Integrations include Slack, Mailchimp, Zapier, QuickBooks, Xero, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office 365, Trello, Shopify, and Stripe.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable workflows and sales activities
- Multi-currency and multi-language support
- AI-powered lead scoring and sales forecasting
Cons:
- Limited project management features
- Limited reporting customization
Other Zoho CRM Alternatives
Below is a list of additional Zoho CRM alternatives that we shortlisted, but did not make it to the top list. Worth checking them out.
- HubSpot CRM
Best for free end-to-end CRM features
- SugarCRM
Best for AI-driven sales automation
- Agile CRM
Best for marketing automation
- NetHunt
Best for Gmail integration
- Apptivo
Best for affordability and versatility
- monday CRM
Best for team collaboration
- Microsoft Dynamics 365
Best for enterprise-level customization
- Salesflare
Best for automated data entry
- MRPeasy
Best for manufacturing companies
- PartnerStack
Best for partner relationship management
- Thryv
Best for local businesses
- NetSuite CRM
Best for comprehensive business management
- folk
Best for contact management and networking
- Insightly
Best for project management integration
- Close CRM
Best for sales teams focused on communication
Related CRM Software Reviews
If you still haven't found what you're looking for here, check out these tools closely related to CRM software that we've tested and evaluated.
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- CPQ Software
Alternatives To Zoho CRM Selection Criteria
When you're weighing Zoho CRM alternatives, it's all about finding a tool that works for your specific needs. That means focusing on the features that matter most to your business—whether it's better customization, ease of use, or integrations that make life easier. I’ve been in your shoes, testing and researching these tools, and I’m here to help you zero in on what counts. Let’s break down the criteria that will make the biggest impact on your business
Core Functionality (25% of Total Weighting Score):
- Contact Management
- Sales Pipeline Management
- Task Automation
- Reporting and Analytics
- Email Integration
Additional Standout Features (25% of Total Weighting Score):
- AI-driven insights for sales forecasting
- Customizable dashboards
- Advanced workflow automation
- Mobile app capabilities
- Integration with third-party applications
Usability (10% of Total Weighting Score):
- Intuitive user interface
- Drag-and-drop functionality
- Customizable views and layouts
- Role-based access that's easy to configure
- Minimal clicks to complete tasks
Onboarding (10% of Total Weighting Score):
- Availability of training videos
- Interactive product tours
- Pre-built templates
- Chatbots for instant help
- Webinars for in-depth training
Customer Support (10% of Total Weighting Score):
- 24/7 support availability
- Multiple support channels (chat, email, phone)
- Dedicated account managers
- Comprehensive knowledge base
- Fast response times
Value For Money (10% of Total Weighting Score):
- Competitive pricing plans
- Transparent pricing structure
- Free trial availability
- Discounts for annual subscriptions
- Feature-to-price ratio
Customer Reviews (10% of Total Weighting Score):
- Overall satisfaction ratings
- Feedback on ease of use
- Comments on customer support quality
- Insights on feature effectiveness
- User testimonials on ROI
Key Features Of Zoho CRM Alternatives
Here are some key features of Zoho CRM that your alternative software should be able to replicate or improve upon to be a good fit.
- Sales Force Automation: Automating routine sales tasks, such as data entry, follow-up reminders, and updating customer records, helps sales teams save time and increase efficiency by reducing the manual workload.
- Multichannel Engagement: A multichannel engagement feature connects customers through various communication channels, ensuring businesses can reach their clients through their preferred methods.
- AI-powered Assistant: An AI-powered sales assistant predicts leads, sales trends, and customer sentiments by analyzing historical data and current interactions, helping teams prioritize their efforts to the most promising leads and future sales opportunities.
- Customization: Extensive customization options allow businesses to tailor the platform to their needs. This enables users to customize modules, fields, and layouts to match their workflows and business processes.
- Workflow Automation: Workflow automation streamlines business processes by automating repetitive tasks based on predefined conditions. This reduces manual effort and ensures processes are carried out consistently and efficiently.
- Analytics and Reporting: Analytics and reporting tools generate sales activity reports, pipeline reports, and revenue forecasts, helping businesses gain insight into their sales operations and track sales performance.
- Lead Management: A lead management feature automatically distributes and scores leads to help sales teams prioritize follow-ups. This helps sales teams focus on the most promising leads, increasing the chances of closing deals.
- Contact Management: A contact management system offers real-time insights into customer interactions across various channels, providing a comprehensive view of each customer’s history and preferences. This helps teams build stronger relationships by understanding their customers’ needs.
- Team Collaboration: The team collaboration feature includes tools like document libraries, calendars, and real-time messaging to facilitate effective team collaboration. These features help teams stay organized, share important information, and communicate efficiently.
- Security: Strict data security user information is protected with advanced encryption, regular backups, and role-based access controls, protecting it from unauthorized access and breaches.
What’s Next?
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