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10 Best B2B CRM Software for Modern Sales Teams

Dec 15, 2025
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Business-to-business (B2B) customer relationship management (CRM) software enables companies to manage lengthy and complex sales cycles by providing sales teams with tools to identify, track, and nurture high-value leads. 

The best platforms seamlessly integrate core CRM features, such as pipelines and automation, with B2B-specific requirements, including account hierarchies, relationship mapping, and customizable workflows.

Based on my evaluation of dozens of providers, these are my top picks for the best B2B CRMs:

B2B CRMBest forStarting price*
HubSpot CRMA free B2B CRM for unified sales and marketing revenue managementFree or $9/user/month
Zoho CRMBudget teams with deeply customized sales processesFree or $14/user/month
FreshsalesHigh-volume outbound teamsFree or $9/user/month
PipedriveSmall B2B teams needing a simple and visual deal management system$14/user/month
SalesforceComplex enterprise deal management$25/user/month
monday CRMBuilding custom sales workflows aligned with operations$12/user/month (minimum of 3 users)
Copper CRMGoogle Workspace users$9/user/month
Bitrix24An all-in-one system for sales, collaboration, and communicationFree or $49/month for 5 users
EngageBayA low-cost CRM with basic marketing toolsFree or $13.79/user/month
Proton.aiAI-driven cross-selling for distributorsCustom

*All per-user prices are with a one-year commitment unless otherwise noted.

Although all the CRMs in our guide are strong options for B2B sales teams, HubSpot CRM emerged as the best overall for its unique combination of usability, scalability, and revenue alignment. 

It delivers a powerful balance of features without overwhelming growing teams. Review the full scoring breakdown to see how each platform compares across pricing, capabilities, and ideal use cases.

How do the best B2B CRM software compare?

Free planFree trialMy rating
hubspot logo✓2 users4.51/5
Visit HubSpot CRM
Zoho CRM✓3 users✓15 days4.37/5
Visit Zoho CRM
Freshsales Suite logo✓3 users✓21 days4.25/5
Visit Freshsales
Pipedrive logo✓14 days4.18/5
Visit Pipedrive
Salesforce logo✓30 days4.13/5
Visit Salesforce
mondaycrm✓14 days3.93/5
Visit monday CRM
copper logo✓14 days3.87/5
Visit Copper CRM
Bitrix24 logo✓Unlimited users✓15 days3.79/5
Visit Bitrix24
EngageBay CRM Logo✓15 users✓14 days3.77/5
Visit EngageBay
Proton ai logo✕Demo only3.17/5
Visit Proton.ai
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hubspot logo

What makes HubSpot CRM the best free B2B CRM for unified sales and marketing revenue management?

Provides a robust free CRM that unifies sales and marketing tools, helping B2B teams manage contacts, track engagement, and coordinate revenue activities in one platform.

Price Range: Plans start at $9/user/month, billed annually. Visit HubSpot CRM
Overall Rating
4.5
Pricing
4.2
General features
4.6
Advanced features
4.6
Ease of use
4.5
Support
4.3
Expert score
5.0

Pros:

  • Generous free CRM with core sales, marketing, and service tools
  • Easy-to-use interface with quick adoption
  • Strong contact and account management features

Cons:

  • Limited reporting customization in the free tier
  • Automations require paid upgrades
  • Custom objects are locked behind the Professional plan

My expert opinion on HubSpot CRM

HubSpot CRM is the strongest free option for B2B companies that want sales and marketing teams working from the same system without requiring technical integration. It unifies contact management, email engagement, pipeline tracking, and marketing tools in a single interface. This gives revenue teams a shared view of every prospect’s activity and intent.

While more advanced reporting and automation require paid hubs, the free version still provides far more coordinated revenue generation functionality than most CRMs at this level. No wonder it clinched the top spot in our guide to the best free CRMs.

HubSpot CRM key features

  • Unified contact timeline: Consolidates every sales and marketing interaction so teams always see the full context behind each account’s engagement.
  • Marketing and sales email tools: Let teams send, track, and analyze outreach from the same system, improving alignment and reducing tool switching.
  • Free pipeline management: Provides an intuitive drag-and-drop deal board that helps growing B2B teams monitor deal progress and manage revenue opportunities with ease.
HubSpot CRM company record showing contact details, activity timeline, and notes.

HubSpot CRM’s contact management system gives you access to deep insights, like past activity and conversation history, to help you personalize customer experience. (Source: HubSpot)

HubSpot CRM pricing

HubSpot Customer Platform plans Free Starter Professional Enterprise
Monthly price, billed annually $0 for 2 users $9/user Starts at $1,300 for 6 users Starts at $4,700 for 8 users
Monthly price, billed monthly $0 for 2 users $15/user Starts at $1,450 for 6 users N/A
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Zoho CRM

What makes Zoho CRM the best for deeply customized B2B processes at low cost?

Delivers an affordable, highly customizable CRM that lets B2B teams tailor pipelines, workflows, and data structures to match your exact sales processes.

Price Range: Plans start at $14/user/month, billed annually. Visit Zoho CRM
Overall Rating
4.3
Pricing
5.0
General features
4.6
Advanced features
4.5
Ease of use
3.4
Support
4.0
Expert score
4.3

Pros:

  • Exceptional customization for fields, modules, and sales processes
  • Strong automation and AI-assisted lead scoring
  • Broad integration ecosystem and native apps

Cons:

  • Complex UI
  • AI tools are locked behind the Enterprise tier
  • Customization can overwhelm small teams

My expert opinion on Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM is the best B2B CRM for companies that need complete control over how their CRM operates without paying enterprise prices. With its flexible customization, users can tailor pipelines, automations, modules, scoring logic, and page layouts to match even the most specialized B2B sales processes.

While the setup may feel complex for smaller teams, the payoff is significant because it adapts to your workflow rather than forcing your team to adapt to the software. It also offers a good balance between affordability and enterprise-level configurability.

Zoho CRM key features

  • Custom modules and layouts: Allows teams to model their unique B2B processes, from industry-specific fields to multi-step deal structures.
  • AI-driven lead and deal scoring: Helps sellers prioritize accounts using behavioral insights and historical win patterns.
  • Workflow rules and automations: Enable teams to automate assignments, alerts, approvals, and pipeline updates tailored to their exact processes.
Zoho CRM record displaying customer details, purchased products, services, and notes in a customizable layout.

Zoho CRM’s Canvas design studio lets you redesign custom CRM modules to make them more functional and visually pleasing. (Source: Zoho CRM)

Zoho CRM pricing

Free Standard Professional Enterprise Ultimate
Monthly price, billed annually $0 for 3 users $14/user $23/user $40/user $52/user
Monthly price, billed monthly $0 for 3 users $20/user $35/user $50/user $65/user
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Freshsales logo

What makes Freshsales the best for high-volume outbound teams needing built-in calling?

Provides an outbound-friendly CRM with native calling, SMS, and automated sequences to help B2B sales teams reach prospects faster and manage high-volume pipelines.

Price Range: Plans start at $9/user/month, billed annually. Visit Freshsales
Overall Rating
4.2
Pricing
5.0
General features
4.1
Advanced features
3.8
Ease of use
4.5
Support
3.8
Expert score
5.0

Pros:

  • Built-in phone, SMS, and email sequences
  • Strong lead scoring and AI-assisted insights
  • Easy-to-use interface with minimal setup

Cons:

  • Limited marketing capabilities
  • Advanced automation requires higher-tier plans
  • AI insights are locked in with the Pro plan

My expert opinion on Freshsales

Freshsales is a standout relationship manager software for B2B teams that rely on outbound activity to generate a pipeline. Its built-in calling, SMS, and sequencing tools eliminate the need for separate dialers or engagement platforms, giving reps a single workspace for prospecting and follow-up.

The system’s simplicity is one of its greatest advantages as it allows teams to get up and running quickly without heavy configuration. While its reporting and automation aren’t as deep as enterprise CRMs, Freshsales more than compensates with speed, usability, and communication tools that keep outbound reps productive throughout the day.

Freshsales key features

  • Built-in phone and SMS: Reps can call and text prospects directly from the CRM, automatically logging communication for accurate activity tracking.
  • Sales sequences: Automates outbound outreach with customizable multi-step email, call, and task flows that help reps follow up consistently.
  • AI-powered lead scoring: Prioritizes prospects based on engagement and intent signals so sellers know who to contact first.
Freshsales contact record showing email, call, and SMS outreach options with deal and activity details.

Freshsales’ built-in calling and SMS features let you meet customers on their preferred channels. (Source: Freshsales)

Freshsales pricing

Free Growth Pro Enterprise
Monthly price, billed annually $0 for 3 users $9/user $39/user $59/user
Monthly price, billed monthly $0 for 3 user $11/user $47/user $71/user
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Pipedrive logo

What makes Pipedrive the best for small B2B teams needing a simple and visual deal management system?

Offers a simple, highly visual CRM designed to help small B2B sales teams track deals, stay organized, and focus on the activities that move prospects through the pipeline.

Price Range: Plans start at $14/user/month, billed annually. Visit Pipedrive
Overall Rating
4.1
Pricing
4.5
General features
4.0
Advanced features
3.7
Ease of use
4.7
Support
3.9
Expert score
4.4

Pros:

  • Easy to use pipeline tool
  • E-sign & contract management
  • Large list of integrations

Cons:

  • No free tier offered
  • Limited marketing tools
  • No native live chat

My expert opinion on Pipedrive

Pipedrive is a great fit for smaller B2B sales teams that want a clean, distraction-free CRM built around pipeline movement. Its intuitive interface helps reps instantly understand where deals stand and what actions they need to take next.

While it lacks advanced automation or account-based features, its simplicity is exactly why many teams choose it. You won’t find heavy or complex sales CRM software here. Instead, Pipedrive delivers speed, clarity, and ease of use at a price point that’s ideal for early-stage or SMB sales organizations.

Pipedrive key features

  • Visual pipeline board: Gives reps a clear snapshot of every deal’s status, making it easy to prioritize follow-ups and spot bottlenecks.
  • Activity scheduling and reminders: Keeps sellers accountable by prompting the next best action for each active deal.
  • Email sync and tracking: Let users send, track, and organize outreach directly from the CRM without switching tools.
Pipedrive CRM deal pipeline showing drag-and-drop stages and active deals.

Pipedrive has a clean, user-friendly, and highly intuitive interface with visual elements that help you see what needs immediate attention at just a glance. (Source: Pipedrive)

Pipedrive pricing

Lite Growth Premium Ultimate
Monthly price, billed annually $14/user $39/user $59/user $79/user
Monthly price, billed monthly $24/user $49/user $79/user $99/user
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Salesforce Logo

What makes Salesforce the best for managing complex, multi-stakeholder enterprise B2B deals?

Provides a powerful, highly customizable CRM built to support enterprise-grade B2B sales processes, complex account structures, and multi-team collaboration at scale.

Price Range: Plans start at $25/user/month, billed annually. Visit Salesforce
Overall Rating
4.1
Pricing
2.9
General features
4.9
Advanced features
4.7
Ease of use
3.3
Support
4.3
Expert score
3.5

Pros:

  • Extremely customizable objects, workflows, and automatins
  • Robust account, opportunity, and territory management features
  • Enterprise-level reporting and forecasting tools

Cons:

  • Steep learning curve for admins and end users
  • Relatively high cost, especially when adding modules and add-ons
  • Performance depends heavily on proper configuration

My expert opinion on Salesforce

Salesforce is unmatched when it comes to managing complex B2B relationships, multi-layered deals, and enterprise sales operations. Its biggest advantage is flexibility, which allows the platform to be molded to fit virtually any workflow, industry, or organizational structure.

That power does come with trade-offs, as Salesforce requires more setup, admin oversight, and budget than most CRMs. But for companies dealing with long sales cycles, multiple decision-makers, strict data governance, or large-scale forecasting needs, no other CRM in this list offers the same depth or long-term scalability.

Salesforce key features

  • Custom objects and workflows: Let organizations model complex products, approval chains, and deal structures that mirror real enterprise sales processes.
  • Advanced forecasting and reporting: Provides granular visibility into revenue projections, territory performance, and multi-stage deal health.
  • Account and opportunity management: Supports large buying committees, layered account hierarchies, and multi-contact enterprise deal tracking.
Salesforce Flow Builder interface showing a visual workflow for creating or updating contact records.

Salesforce’s Flow Builder lets you build custom workflows to meet your unique business needs. (Source: Salesforce)

Salesforce pricing

Agentforce Sales (formerly Sales Cloud) plans Starter Suite Pro Suite Enterprise Unlimited Agentforce 1 Sales
Monthly price, billed annually $25/user $100/user $175/user $350/user $550/user
Monthly price, billed monthly $35/user N/A
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mondaycrm

What makes monday CRM the best for building custom sales workflows aligned with operations?

A customizable sales platform that lets B2B teams tailor pipelines, deal records, and automations to their unique sales processes while staying focused on CRM-specific functionality.

Price Range: Plans start at $12/user/month, billed annually. Visit monday CRM
Overall Rating
3.9
Pricing
4.0
General features
4.1
Advanced features
2.8
Ease of use
4.2
Support
4.3
Expert score
4.2

Pros:

  • Extremely customizable boards, fields, and automations
  • Strong cross-department collaboration with shared workspaces
  • Fast setup and intuitive visual interface

Cons:

  • Lacks deep native forecasting and advanced sales analytics
  • Limited account-based selling features
  • CRM features are relatively newer and less mature than competitors

My expert opinion on monday CRM

monday CRM is a strong fit for B2B organizations that want control over how their sales stages, deal records, and follow-up processes are structured without needing technical support.

With this platform, sales teams can design CRM-specific workflows that match their actual sales processes, whether that involves custom deal stages, handoff triggers, or automated reminders.

While it doesn’t offer advanced forecasting or enterprise-grade sales architecture, monday CRM provides an adaptable, lightweight CRM environment ideal for SMB and mid-market teams that value clarity and customization.

monday CRM key features

  • Customizable deal pipelines: Allows teams to edit stages, fields, and views so their CRM reflects their real sales cycle.
  • Automated sales workflows: Create rules for notifications, task assignments, status changes, and follow-ups as deals progress.
  • Centralized communication tracking: Logs emails, notes, and activities in one place to give reps a clear view of deal history.
monday CRM deals pipeline with visual stages and automated deal updates.

monday CRM’s Kanban-style sales pipeline view allows you to track the status of your deals easily and move them smoothly through the funnel. (Source: monday.com)

monday CRM pricing*

Basic Standard Pro Ultimate
Monthly price, billed annually $12/user $17/user $28/user Custom
Monthly price, billed monthly $15/user $20/user $33/user Custom

*All plans require a minimum of three users.

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copper logo

What makes Copper CRM the best for B2B sales teams that work heavily in Google Workspace?

A lightweight, Google-native sales platform designed to manage contacts, pipelines, and activities directly inside Gmail and Google Workspace.

Price Range: Plans start at $9/user/month, billed annually. Visit Copper CRM
Overall Rating
3.8
Pricing
4.5
General features
4.1
Advanced features
2.8
Ease of use
4.5
Support
3.5
Expert score
4.0

Pros:

  • Deep, seamless integration with Google Workspace apps
  • Clean interface designed for relationship-focused selling
  • Automatic data capture reduces manual entry

Cons:

  • No built-in calling or SMS tools
  • Lacks advanced automation and forecasting features
  • Not suitable for complex or multi-layered sales processes

My expert opinion on Copper CRM

Copper CRM is a strong choice for small B2B teams that spend most of their day in Gmail because it naturally fits into existing Google workflows. Emails, meetings, files, and contacts sync automatically, eliminating much of the manual data entry that slows sales reps down.

While the platform isn’t built for complex pipelines or enterprise sales operations, Copper CRM excels at simplicity and relationship management. I recommend it for early-stage B2B companies or client-centric companies that prioritize ease of use.

Copper CRM key features

  • Google Workspace integration: Syncs emails, contacts, calendar events, and files automatically, making CRM activity feel native to Gmail.
  • Relationship tracking: Consolidates conversations, notes, and account details to help reps stay on top of client interactions.
  • Visual pipeline management: Provides a clean, drag-and-drop board for tracking deals and next steps.
Copper CRM sidebar inside Gmail showing contact details alongside the inbox.

Copper CRM lives inside Google Workspace, so you can create and update leads, opportunities, people, companies, and tasks directly from your Gmail inbox. (Source: Chrome Web Store)

Copper CRM pricing

Starter Basic Professional Business
Monthly price, billed annually $9/user $23/user $59/user $99/user
Monthly price, billed monthly $12/user $29/user $69/user $134/user
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Bitrix24 logo

What makes Bitrix24 the best all-in-one B2B CRM for sales, collaboration, and communications?

Combines CRM, communication tools, task management, and internal collaboration features in a single platform.

Price Range: Plans start at $49/month for five users, billed annually. Visit Bitrix24
Overall Rating
3.7
Pricing
4.5
General features
4.2
Advanced features
3.5
Ease of use
3.1
Support
3.1
Expert score
4.0

Pros:

  • Includes CRM, telephony, chat, tasks, and collaboration in one system
  • Strong pipeline management and deal automation
  • Built-in Contact Center tools for calls, chat, and messaging

Cons:

  • Steep learning curve for new users
  • Interface can feel cluttered because of so many modules
  • Advanced features require time to configure

My expert opinion on Bitrix24

Bitrix24 is a strong fit for B2B organizations that want more than just a CRM. It enables sales teams to manage deals, communicate with customers, track tasks, route calls, and collaborate internally without switching systems. This is why it’s included in our list of the best call center CRMs.

While the breadth of features can feel overwhelming at first, the platform delivers significant value for small and mid-sized B2B teams that prefer an all-in-one environment over juggling separate tools. Its affordability and built-in communication capabilities make it especially appealing for sales teams that work closely with support, operations, or service departments.

Bitrix24 key features

  • Unified CRM and communication tools: Combines calling, chat, email, and contact center features directly inside the CRM for seamless customer interactions.
  • Sales automation workflows: Automates deal routing, status changes, notifications, and repetitive tasks to keep pipelines moving efficiently.
  • Integrated task and team management: Links deals with tasks, checklists, and collaboration boards so sales and operations stay aligned.
Bitrix24 contact center dashboard with integrated communication channels and mobile chat interface.

Bitrix24’s contact center unifies calls, chat apps, social messaging, and live support into a single hub for streamlined customer communication. (Source: Bitrix24)

Bitrix24 pricing

Free Basic Standard Professional Enterprise
Monthly price, billed annually $0Unlimited users $49 for 5 users $99 for 50 users $199 for 100 users Starts at $399 for 250 users
Monthly price, billed monthly $0Unlimited users $61 for 5 users $124 for 50 users $249 for 100 users Starts at $499 for 250 users

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EngageBay CRM Logo

What makes EngageBay the best low-cost B2B CRM with basic marketing tools?

An affordable all-in-one platform that combines CRM, email marketing, landing pages, and automation.

Price Range: Plans start at $13.79/user/month, billed annually. Visit EngageBay
Overall Rating
3.7
Pricing
5.0
General features
4.1
Advanced features
2.5
Ease of use
3.1
Support
3.8
Expert score
4.2

Pros:

  • All-in-one CRM with built-in marketing and service tools
  • Includes email templates, landing pages, and simple automation
  • Easy-to-use interface for small teams

Cons:

  • Limited scalability for complex B2B workflows
  • Lacks robust account-based selling capabilities
  • Relatively fewer integrations compared to larger CRM ecosystems

My expert opinion on EngageBay

EngageBay is an excellent option for early-stage B2B teams that want CRM, email marketing, lead capture, and automation without juggling multiple tools or overspending. This platform offers a unified sales and marketing suite at a fraction of the cost of larger platforms.

While it isn’t built for complex pipelines or enterprise-level sales processes, EngageBay provides more than enough functionality for small B2B teams focused on lead nurturing, email outreach, and simple deal management. It delivers a powerful, easy-to-use foundation for managing revenue activities for startups on tight budgets.

EngageBay key features

  • All-in-one sales and marketing tools: Includes CRM, email campaigns, landing pages, forms, and basic automation in a single platform.
  • Simple sales pipeline management: Offers drag-and-drop deal tracking designed for smaller B2B sales teams.
  • Lead capture and email automation: Helps teams nurture leads using built-in forms, pop-ups, and automated email sequences.
EngageBay marketing automation dashboard showing email sequences, triggers, and workflow builder.

EngageBay lets small B2B teams create automated email sequences and workflows for lead nurturing within an easy-to-use marketing dashboard. (Source: EngageBay)

EngageBay pricing

EngageBay All-in-One plans Free Basic Growth Pro
Monthly price, billed annually $0 for 15 users $13.79/user $59.79/user $110.39/user
Monthly price, billed monthly $0 for 15 users $14.99/user $64.99/user $119.99/user
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Proton ai logo

What makes Proton.ai the best for distributors needing AI-driven cross-sell and reorder intelligence?

A distribution-focused CRM and revenue platform that uses AI to surface cross-sell opportunities, reorder reminders, and account insights based on ERP, product, and purchasing data.

Price Range: Contact sales for a custom quote. Visit Proton.ai
Overall Rating
3.1
Pricing
0.5
General features
3.7
Advanced features
3.4
Ease of use
3.8
Support
3.5
Expert score
3.7

Pros:

  • Purpose-built for distributors and wholesalers
  • Strong AI recommendations for cross-sell and reorder activity
  • elps reps prioritize accounts based on historical purchasing behavior

Cons:

  • Not a general-purpose CRM for typical B2B sales cycles
  • No free plan or transparent public pricing
  • Few native integrations outside distribution tech stacks

My expert opinion on Proton.ai

Proton.ai is a purpose-built CRM for distributors who manage thousands of SKUs and rely on repeat orders or customer purchase history.

Its biggest advantage is its AI engine, which analyzes product, pricing, and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) data to recommend what each customer is likely to buy next, turning reactive order-taking into proactive account growth.

While Proton.ai lacks many features found in broader B2B CRMs, that trade-off is intentional. It is made for distribution teams focused on driving wallet share and increasing repeat revenue.

Proton.ai key features

  • AI-driven product recommendations: Identify cross-sell and upsell opportunities using SKU-level purchasing patterns.
  • Reorder and account alerts: Notifies reps when customers are due to reorder or show unusual buying behavior.
  • ERP and catalog integrations: Connects CRM workflows to live product, pricing, and transaction data pulled directly from distribution systems.
Proton.ai dashboard showing AI-driven reorder alerts, spend insights, and account activity.

Proton.ai’s AI engine analyzes purchasing patterns and ERP data to surface proactive reorder and cross-sell recommendations for distributors. (Source: Proton.ai)

Proton.ai pricing

Proton.ai doesn’t offer public pricing, as its platform is tailored to each distributor’s data and integration needs. Costs typically align with mid-market or enterprise budgets due to the depth of ERP and AI capabilities. Contact Proton.ai’s sales team for a customized quote.

Top 7 B2B CRM features

Choosing the right B2B CRM begins with understanding which features actually drive sales team performance. B2B selling is more complex than B2C, with longer sales cycles, multiple decision-makers, higher deal values, and more touchpoints across the buyer journey. 

To be effective, a CRM must support this complexity without slowing reps down. The following features represent the core capabilities every B2B sales organization should expect from a modern CRM, regardless of size or industry.

  • Contact and account management: The ability to store, organize, and understand complex account relationships (multiple contacts, buying committees, roles, and interaction history) is foundational to B2B selling.
  • Customizable pipelines and deal tracking: CRM pipelines tailored to specific B2B processes (new business, renewals, expansions, and partner deals) provide clear visibility into deal stages and bottlenecks.
  • Reporting and forecasting dashboards: Accurate forecasts, pipeline health reports, activity insights, and rep performance dashboards help leaders make data-driven decisions and identify revenue risks early.
  • Workflow automation: Automating repetitive tasks like lead routing, follow-up reminders, email sequences, and pipeline updates frees reps to focus on conversations, not administration.
  • Integrated communication tools: Built-in calling, email, SMS, and sequences streamline outreach, ensuring every interaction is logged automatically. This is critical for multi-touch B2B sales cycles.
  • Integrations and data quality tools: A strong relationship management software connects seamlessly to marketing platforms, ERP systems, quoting tools, and analytics. Good data hygiene (dedupe + validation) keeps CRM insights accurate.
  • Mobile CRM for modern sales teams: Reps need to update deals, pull contact insights, and log activity on the go. The best mobile CRM apps increase adoption and productivity in the field.

How I evaluated the best B2B CRM Software

Evaluation Criteria

When evaluating the best B2B CRM software, I started by defining six weighted scoring categories based on the factors I know matter most to B2B salespeople. Within each category, I broke down the scoring into detailed subcriteria so I could assess every platform on a consistent five-point scale. After scoring each CRM across these categories, I calculated the overall results and identified the primary use cases where each platform performs best. This approach allowed me to compare the most used CRM platforms not just on features and price, but on how well they support real B2B sales workflows.

Pricing: 15%
General features: 25%
Advanced/niche features: 20%
Ease of use: 15%
Support: 15%
Expert score: 10%

When evaluating pricing, I looked at how each CRM structured its plans across the first three subscription tiers, as well as whether they offered monthly billing, annual discounts, or a free plan or trial. I placed a higher value on CRMs that provide flexible entry points, transparent pricing, and options that scale affordably as a sales team grows.

Criteria Winner:

I started by examining the core CRM capabilities that every B2B sales team relies on. This included strong contact and lead management, customizable pipelines, workflow automation, robust reporting with dashboards, and communication tools that support calls, SMS, and sequences. I also looked for data quality tools like deduplication and enrichment, reliable third-party integrations, and a well-designed mobile app that supports on-the-go productivity.

Criteria Winner:

For advanced and niche capabilities, I focused on features that directly support complex B2B sales cycles and sales-marketing alignment. I evaluated whether each CRM offered lead and deal scoring, targeted segmentation tools, campaign management across multiple channels, and relationship intelligence features such as account mapping, buyer committee visibility, and influence tracking. These are the capabilities that help teams manage multi-stakeholder deals and run more strategic outreach.

Criteria Winner:

I assessed how intuitive each CRM felt for day-to-day use by looking at interface clarity, navigation efficiency, and overall user experience. I also considered how steep or smooth the onboarding process was, how easy it was to configure the system during setup, and how manageable it was to maintain over time. This covered updating fields, managing users, adjusting pipelines, and creating new rules. These factors determine how quickly a team can adopt the platform and stay productive.

Criteria Winner:

Support quality plays a major role in how well a CRM fits into a sales organization. I evaluated each provider based on their customer service hours, the range of support channels they offer, and the strength of their onboarding and training resources. I also placed weight on whether teams have access to a dedicated success manager or priority support, since this can significantly improve adoption and long-term satisfaction for B2B sales teams.

Criteria Winner:

My expert score reflects a combination of firsthand experience and insights from verified third-party reviews. I considered the overall quality and depth of each CRM’s features, the value it delivers for the price, and how real users rate their experience on platforms like G2, GetApp, and Capterra. I also looked at how well each CRM performs in practical sales workflows, including ease of setup, daily usability, and overall efficiency.

Criteria Winner:

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

B2B CRMs focus on account-based selling, multi-contact deals, custom pipelines, relationship tracking, and forecasting. B2C CRMs, on the other hand, prioritize high-volume interactions, marketing automation, and customer lifecycle messaging. If your sales team manages multi-step deals and business buyers, you need a B2B CRM.

Yes. Even a two-person team benefits from organized contacts, automated reminders, pipeline visibility, and shared account notes. Tools like Pipedrive, Copper CRM, and Freshsales are especially well-suited for small teams.

Account-based selling treats each company — not just individual leads — as the core unit of the sales process. It’s typically the right approach if you sell high-ticket B2B deals, work with multiple stakeholders who influence buying decisions, or manage long, complex sales cycles. Tools such as HubSpot CRM, Zoho CRM, and Salesforce offer strong account-centric capabilities that help teams manage this approach effectively.

Automation reduces manual work, like sending follow-up emails, updating deal stages, and assigning leads. This is essential for consistency and rep productivity of B2B teams managing long, multi-step deals.

Free CRMs can be good enough for very small or early-stage B2B teams, but they quickly show limitations as the business grows. Most free plans lack essential capabilities like multi-pipeline management, reliable sales forecasting, meaningful automation, and advanced reporting. As sales cycles become more complex and deal volume increases, most B2B organizations outgrow free CRM tools and need to upgrade to a paid tier within six to 12 months.

Bottom line

The right B2B CRM is the one that best supports your sales motion, streamlines workflows, and gives your team clarity across every account. While each platform in this guide serves a different type of organization, HubSpot CRM takes the top spot for its balance of ease of use, scalability, and strong sales–marketing alignment. 

Other options like Zoho CRM and Salesforce excel in more complex or customizable environments, while Pipedrive and Freshsales offer simplicity and affordability for smaller teams. Review your options carefully and choose the CRM that removes friction, improves visibility, and supports how your team actually sells.

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