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Zoho CRM is a cloud-based platform known for its strong lead nurturing capabilities and omnichannel marketing features. It offers a balance of sales and marketing tools, powerful customizations, and a free-for-life version. However, most useful features are in paid tiers, and they're not the best for overall usability. So, we’ve put together an independent review of the top six Zoho CRM alternatives and competitors to help you find the best CRM software.
Here are the best Zoho CRM alternatives for salespeople:
If you’re still wondering whether Zoho CRM is right for you, read through our independent Zoho CRM review. Otherwise, see our list of the top Zoho CRM alternatives, which named Freshsales the overall winner and the best for customization and ease of use. Skip down below to see how we evaluated each CRM, including their use cases, pricing, and key features.
Note: All per-user prices are with a one-year commitment unless noted.
The best alternative software for Zoho CRM include these tools:
Interact with your leads and customers across multiple platforms like phone, live chat, email, surveys, and social media.
Zoho CRM is a powerful platform that strikes a balance between sales and marketing, but for some, all of Zoho’s functionalities aren’t needed or are difficult to use. To help you choose the right one for your business, we gave each Zoho CRM alternative an overall score based on six weighted criteria. The CRM that scored the highest overall was named our winner, but each option has a valid alternative use case to Zoho. Read our evaluation criteria below:
In our evaluation, we placed the highest weight on cost, core features, customization options, and integration with third-party apps. We also reviewed the ease of use and the customer support solutions offered for each CRM.
We evaluated pricing across tiers, free trial periods, billing options, and/or free forever plans offered.
We examined each CRM’s core offerings, like omnichannel lead management, workflow automation, and social media lead generation.
We assessed each CRM software's capacity for customizing reports and dashboards, modules, sales pipelines, web forms, and languages and currencies.
Here, we looked into how each alternative option syncs with third-party apps for social media management, email marketing, productivity, and more.
We considered how intuitive and easy to use the software is, including the accessibility of their knowledge bases. We also checked how verified users rate each alternative option on review sites like Capterra, G2, and TrustRadius.
We evaluated the levels of customer service included in each CRM and how it’s provided via live chat, email, and phone. We also assessed real user reviews on Capterra and G2.
While many consider Zoho to be the best CRM software available, it won’t tick every box for every organization. Or, you may not want to pay for an upgraded tier to unlock only another feature or two. Zoho will also cost you in time to customize it the way you need it. Fortunately, there are many solid CRMs in the market, all offering an array of features at different price points. Our list of the best alternatives should help you find a solution to fit your exact needs.
Jen is a Pittsburgh-based contributing writer for Selling Signals specializing in CRM software buyer's guides. As a freelancer, she also writes about hospitality and tourism sales, including sales and marketing tech and travel content. When she isn't on assignment, Jen catches up on her many newsletter subscriptions, watches no-code tutorials, and spends time with her family.
Selling Signals delivers actionable advice for sales and marketing professionals. Learn strategies that help you hit targets, strengthen customer relationships, and win more business. Get expert advice on lead generation, sales processes, CRM software, sales management, and account management directly to your inbox.
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