Top Salesforce Alternatives & Competitors based on 1277 Reviews
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| Brand | Pricing |
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Salesforce Essentials offers a starter plan at $25 per user per month, providing basic CRM features suitable for small businesses, including lead and opportunity management, customizable reports, and access to mobile apps. Higher-tier plans for advanced features are available but not specifically detailed on the Essentials page. |
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ActiveCampaign’s pricing starts at $9 per month for the Lite plan, which includes email marketing features. Higher plans (Plus, Professional, and Enterprise) range up to $229 per month and include advanced automation, CRM capabilities, and additional support options, with costs varying based on the number of contacts. |
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Close offers three pricing tiers: Starter at $29 per user per month, Professional at $69 per user, and Business at $99 per user. Each tier scales in features such as calling, email capabilities, reporting, and integrations, with discounts available for annual billing. |
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HubSpot has a range of pricing tiers starting from a free plan with limited features. Paid tiers include Starter, Professional, and Enterprise, priced at $45, $800, and $3,200 per month respectively, featuring increasing capabilities in marketing, sales, and service tools for a comprehensive CRM experience. |
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Keap offers three pricing plans: Grow at $79, Pro at $169, and Max at $199 per month (billed annually). Each plan includes CRM features, automation tools, and payment processing, with higher tiers providing more advanced marketing automation and integrations. |
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Marketo does not list specific pricing on its website and typically requires potential customers to contact sales for a quote, reflecting the platform’s enterprise-level solutions which cater to large businesses with complex marketing needs. |
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Pipedrive features four pricing tiers: Essential at $14.90, Advanced at $24.90, Professional at $49.90, and Enterprise at $99 per month, all on an annual basis. Each plan builds on features like deal management, automation, and analytics, with costs varying based on the level of required capabilities. |
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Zendesk offers a flexible pricing model for its sales tools, starting at $19 per user per month for the Team plan. Higher tiers like Professional and Enterprise cost $49 and $99, respectively, providing greater functionality, analytics, and customer support features. |
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Zoho’s pricing includes a free tier with basic features and ranges from $12 per user per month for the Standard plan to $45 for the Ultimate plan. Each plan includes increasing levels of CRM features, automation, and reporting capabilities, providing a scalable solution for businesses of all sizes. |
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Why should you be looking for a Salesforce alternative?
Many users consider alternatives to Salesforce due to specific feature requirements, ease of use, budget constraints, and varying support options. For businesses seeking tailored solutions, platforms like ActiveCampaign, Close.io, HubSpot, Keap, Marketo, Pipedrive, Zendesk, and Zoho offer diverse functionalities. This exploration will delve into essential factors such as unique features, pricing models, and target user demographics, helping businesses identify the best fit for their needs while assessing the strengths and weaknesses of each option.
Quick Overview of Top Salesforce Competitors
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ActiveCampaign – Best Salesforce Alternative for Automation and Email Marketing
Offers powerful automation capabilities and advanced email marketing features. Its CRM integrates seamlessly with its marketing automation tools, making it ideal for businesses focused on creating personalized customer experiences. -
Close.io – Salesforce Competitor with Strong Focusing on Sales Communication
Emphasizes seamless communication with built-in calling and SMS features. Close.io is great for sales teams looking for a CRM that enhances direct outreach and keeps track of customer interactions in one place. -
HubSpot – Cheapest Salesforce Alternative for Inbound Marketing and Sales
Provides a freemium model with extensive free tools for marketing, sales, and customer service. Its user-friendly interface and robust support for inbound marketing make it an attractive choice for small to mid-sized businesses. -
Keap (formerly Infusionsoft) – Salesforce Competitor for Small Business Management
Combines CRM with marketing automation, focusing on small businesses. Keap excels in automating repetitive tasks and managing customer relationships without the added complexity typical of larger platforms like Salesforce. -
Marketo – Best Salesforce Alternative for Marketing Automation
Offers advanced marketing automation capabilities with a focus on lead management, nurturing, and analytics. Marketo is ideal for larger organizations looking to drive demand and improve marketing ROI. -
Pipedrive – Salesforce Alternative for Sales Pipeline Management
Designed with a focus on sales activities and pipeline management, Pipedrive features a highly visual interface. Its simplicity and flexibility make it a great choice for sales teams aiming to maximize productivity without overwhelming complexity. -
Zendesk – Salesforce Competitor for Customer Support and Engagement
Primarily focused on customer support, Zendesk integrates CRM functionalities with a robust help desk platform. It stands out for businesses prioritizing customer service alongside sales, offering a comprehensive view of customer interactions. -
Zoho CRM – Cheapest Salesforce Alternative for Comprehensive Business Solutions
Part of the extensive Zoho suite, Zoho CRM offers a wide range of features at competitive pricing. Its flexibility and integration with other Zoho applications make it a cost-effective option for companies seeking a broad business management solution.
Salesforce Alternatives: Feature by Feature Comparison
| Feature | ActiveCampaign | Close.io | HubSpot | Keap | Marketo | Pipedrive | Zendesk | Zoho | Comparison with Salesforce |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Email Marketing | Advanced automation workflows, segmentation, and A/B testing. Unique: Focus on personalization. | N/A (no email marketing feature) | Integrated marketing tools including A/B testing. | Email automation with customer relationship focus. | Robust segmentation and testing options. | Basic capabilities with integration to other tools. | N/A (support focused) | Email Campaign Manager but more CRM oriented. | Salesforce has strong email marketing functionality but may lack the niche automation focus of ActiveCampaign. |
| CRM | Integrated CRM with advanced segmentation. Unique: Smart CRM automatically enriches contacts. | Native CRM with strong focus on sales calls. | Comprehensive CRM features integrated within all tools. | Includes CRM but more focused on small business needs. | Enterprise CRM with account-based marketing. | Customer service-oriented, not traditional CRM. | Extensive CRM functionalities with AI features. | Salesforce is more robust but ActiveCampaign’s CRM integrates seamlessly with its marketing features. | |
| Automation | Advanced automation capabilities tailored for user segmentation and behavior-based triggers. | Basic automation centered around sales activities. | Powerful automation spanning marketing and sales. | Limited automation focused primarily on customer lifecycle. | Extensive marketing automation capabilities. | Effective visual sales pipeline but weaker marketing automation. | Basic automation for ticketing and customer service. | Robust automation tools, including AI-driven capabilities. | Salesforce excels in automation, but the specific user-oriented features of ActiveCampaign stand out. |
| Integration | Connects with over 800 apps including eCommerce and social media. | Limited to key integrations specific to sales. | Wide range of integrations with other essential tools. | Integrates primarily with popular apps for small businesses. | Extensive range for enterprise systems. | Integrates mainly with support tools not CRM. | Integrates with a large variety of Zoho apps. | Salesforce supports wide integrations but ActiveCampaign excels in specific niche apps. | |
| Lead Scoring | Intelligent lead scoring based on user behavior and engagement. | No comprehensive lead scoring. | Advanced lead scoring algorithms integrated with CRM. | Basic lead scoring based on interaction. | Advanced lead scoring focusing on B2B environments. | Lead rankings available but less detailed. | Not applicable (support-focused). | Offers lead scoring but less intuitive than HubSpot. | |
| Reporting & Analytics | In-depth reporting and analytics tailored for marketing and sales funnels. | Simple reports focusing on sales metrics. | Comprehensive dashboards and reporting tools. | Basic reporting primarily on sales activities. | Advanced analytics for campaign performance. | Visual sales tools but limited data analysis. | Good reporting on customer interactions but not sales. | Highly customizable reporting options. | Salesforce provides robust reporting, but ActiveCampaign and HubSpot offer more user-friendly dashboard options. |
| User Interface | Modern and user-friendly interface with an emphasis on user experience. | Straightforward but more functional than aesthetic. | Intuitive interface catering to non-technical users. | Simple but less modern design. | Feature-rich but can be complex for some users. | Clean and focused on productivity. | User-friendly focused on support interactions. | Comprehensive but can feel cluttered to new users. | Salesforce’s interface is powerful but can overwhelm; tools like HubSpot prioritize ease of use. |
| Customer Support | Extensive support through email, chat, and webinars, focusing on user education. | Email and chat support with a dedicated account manager. | Comprehensive support with community and documentation resources. | Limited but direct customer support experience. | Strong support options, especially for enterprise users. | Sales support with limited guidance on other aspects. | Highly responsive customer support for ticketing. | Excellent support but potentially overwhelming due to product range. | Salesforce offers extensive customer support options but may not cater to hands-on user education as effectively as ActiveCampaign. |
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Integration Capabilities for each Salesforce competitor
| Alternative | Supported Integrations | Compatibility Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ActiveCampaign | Shopify, WordPress, Zapier, Facebook, Google, WooCommerce, Salesforce, and others. | ActiveCampaign boasts strong eCommerce and marketing integration capabilities. |
| Close.io | Slack, Zapier, Intercom, Stripe, Mailgun, and others. | Focuses on communication and sales tools; lacks as many marketing integrations. |
| HubSpot | Shopify, WordPress, Salesforce, Mailchimp, Zapier, Google, and many others. | Extensive marketing integrations; strong in CRM and customer service sectors. |
| Keap | QuickBooks, PayPal, Zapier, WordPress, and others. | Primarily focuses on small business tools; limited compared to larger platforms. |
| Marketo | Salesforce, Zapier, Microsoft Dynamics, LinkedIn, and others. | Focused on enterprise-level marketing automation with powerful CRM integrations. |
| Pipedrive | Zapier, Mailchimp, Google, Slack, and others. | Offers flexibility with various marketing and sales tools integration. |
| Zendesk | Salesforce, Slack, Shopify, WordPress, and many others. | Strong in customer support integrations, with significant CRM tool compatibility. |
| Zoho | Salesforce, Google Apps, Mailchimp, QuickBooks, and others. | Offers a full suite of apps including CRM, making it highly versatile. |
| Salesforce | Extensive array including Google, Microsoft, Zoom, Slack, and thousands of others. | Most comprehensive with integrations across virtually all sectors of business. |
Pros and Cons of each Salesforce Alternative
Here is a table comparing the primary pros and cons of various CRM alternatives to Salesforce:
| Alternative | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| ActiveCampaign | – Strong email marketing capabilities – Affordable pricing for small businesses – User-friendly interface |
– Limited advanced sales features – May lack some complex reporting customizations |
| Close.io | – Built-in calling and SMS features – Focus on sales productivity – Easy integration with other tools |
– Higher cost compared to some competitors – Limited marketing automation options |
| HubSpot | – Free tier available with robust features – Excellent inbound marketing tools – Strong community support |
– Can become expensive as you scale up – Complexity increases with advanced functions |
| Keap | – Combines CRM with invoicing and marketing automation – User-friendly system for small businesses |
– Limited scalability for larger businesses – Advanced features may require additional costs |
| Marketo | – Powerful marketing automation capabilities – Advanced analytics and reporting – Scalable for enterprise |
– High cost, particularly for smaller companies – Steeper learning curve than some competitors |
| Pipedrive | – Sales-focused pipeline management – Highly customizable sales tracking – Visual dashboard options |
– Lacks comprehensive marketing automation – Limited reporting features compared to Salesforce |
| Zendesk | – Excellent customer support and ticketing functionality – Good integration with helpdesk and support tools |
– Primarily focused on customer service rather than sales – Can be complex to configure fully |
| Zoho | – Budget-friendly with a wide range of features – Strong customization and integration options |
– User interface can be overwhelming – Performance can lag with larger datasets |
This comparison highlights some key strengths and weaknesses of each alternative in relation to typical use cases, making it easier to assess their suitability as compared to Salesforce.
Salesforce vs Competitors: Traffic & Marketing Comparison
Traffic Comparison
In terms of organic traffic, HubSpot leads all brands with a peak of 124,472,923 in December 2024, followed closely by Salesforce (37,721,300) and Zendesk (38,033,426). Pipedrive and ActiveCampaign follow, with considerably lower traffic levels, around 4 million and 1.3 million, respectively. Marketo and Close.io attract the least traffic, peaking at just below 1 million. This indicates a vast discrepancy, with HubSpot’s robust lead suggesting strong brand presence in the marketing and sales sectors.
Top Performing Keywords
Salesforce dominates with numerous high-ranking specific keywords like "salesforce data cloud" and "salesforce certification free," commanding Google’s top position multiple times. HubSpot similarly benefits from keywords like "hubspot platform" and "hubspot marketing hub," showcasing a comprehensive keyword strategy. In contrast, Close.io lacks diversity with its keyword emergence mainly tied to CRM-related searches, while brands like Pipedrive and Keap also exhibit notable strength but rely heavily on sales or pipeline-focused terms.
Conclusions on Visibility and Reach
HubSpot’s substantial organic traffic and a diversified keyword strategy underline its market dominance in marketing tech. While Salesforce maintains visibility through strong tech terms, Zendesk excels with customer support-focused keywords. ActiveCampaign, Pipedrive, and Close.io lag behind in overall reach, signaling an opportunity for them to enhance keyword diversity. Thus, HubSpot and Salesforce exhibit robust online visibility, while Zendesk shines in specific niches like customer service technology.
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Other “Salesforce” Alternatives & Competitors that you can find for free
Here are five alternatives and competitors to Salesforce, along with their key features, strengths, and value propositions:
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Freshsales
- Key Features: AI-based lead scoring, built-in phone and email, visual deal pipelines, reporting and analytics, workflow automation.
- Strengths: User-friendly interface, strong automation capabilities, integrated within the Freshworks ecosystem.
- Value Proposition: Freshsales combines powerful CRM features with intuitive design and strong automation tools, making it suitable for small to medium-sized businesses looking to streamline their sales processes.
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Nimble
- Key Features: Social CRM capabilities, contact management, relationship tracking, integration with social media platforms and email clients.
- Strengths: Focus on relationship-building, ease of use, and social media integration.
- Value Proposition: Nimble provides a unique approach to relationship management, enabling users to build stronger connections through social media insights and contact organization for small businesses and professionals.
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SugarCRM
- Key Features: Customizable CRM, marketing automation, advanced reporting, predictive analytics, and integration with multiple platforms.
- Strengths: Highly customizable and adaptable, strong analytics capabilities, and robust integrations.
- Value Proposition: SugarCRM offers businesses a customizable platform that can be tailored to specific needs while providing powerful insights and automation features, suitable for companies looking for flexibility and detailed reporting.
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Microsoft Dynamics 365
- Key Features: Comprehensive CRM and ERP capabilities, AI-driven insights, customizable dashboards, integration with Microsoft Office and other Microsoft products.
- Strengths: Deep integration with Microsoft ecosystem, strong analytical tools, and scalability.
- Value Proposition: Microsoft Dynamics 365 offers a unified platform that integrates seamlessly with existing Microsoft tools, providing businesses with a robust CRM solution that scales well from small to large enterprises.
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SalesLoft
- Key Features: Engagement tools for sales teams, analytics and reporting, email tracking, cadence management, and call tracking.
- Strengths: Focused on sales engagement and improving sales productivity, offers comprehensive analytics.
- Value Proposition: SalesLoft specializes in enhancing sales team effectiveness through its engagement platform, providing tools that help sales professionals connect with prospects more effectively and measure success accurately.
These alternatives provide a variety of CRM functionalities that cater to different business sizes and needs, ensuring flexibility and options for enterprises looking for solutions beyond Salesforce.
