So you're looking for the best salesforce alternatives? Smart move. Salesforce held a 19.8% market share in the global CRM market in 2024. Salesforce might be a giant in the CRM world, but that doesn't mean it's your only option.
There are plenty of other players on the field offering their own spins on customer relationship management—each with unique features that could suit your business even better.
In this blog, we'll dive into some standout choices which bring powerful tools to small businesses and large organizations alike. From streamlining project management to customizing data reports, these platforms help teams work smarter. Plus, we'll touch on how integrations can boost your operations without busting your budget.
The Need For CRM in Modern Business
Customer relationship management (CRM) software isn't just a tool—it's the backbone that supports business operations by managing customer data and streamlining client work. In today's digital landscape, it serves as an essential component for building strong customer relationships and driving customer satisfaction.
Effective CRMs come loaded with automation tools to take repetitive tasks off your plate, letting you focus more on strategy and less on busywork. They help sales teams move through the sales process efficiently, ensuring no lead falls through the cracks with features like lead management and contact management.
By automating stages from initial contact to final sale completion, these systems free up time for team members to engage in meaningful interactions that foster long-term loyalty.
A robust CRM platform goes beyond just storing customer data too. It also provides benefits like insightful analytics crucial for developing effective marketing communications strategies. These reporting features give businesses a clear view of their sales pipeline while enabling accurate sales forecasting—key elements when aiming for improved performance metrics across all aspects of project management and business operations.
Why Look For a Salesforce Alternative?
Finding the right Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool is like looking for a piece of hay a needle in a digital pile of needles. While Salesforce has long been hailed as the go-to CRM solution for businesses of all sizes, an increasing number of organizations are now looking for alternatives. This shift is driven by various factors that range from cost considerations to the need for more tailored functionalities.
The Cost
One primary reason companies seek Salesforce alternatives is due to budget constraints. Despite its robust features, Salesforce can be expensive, especially for small businesses or startups operating on tight budgets. The search for more affordable solutions without compromising on quality and efficiency leads many to consider other CRM platforms that offer competitive pricing structures.
Demanding Customization Needs
Every business operates uniquely, which means their software needs vary greatly. Although Salesforce offers extensive customization options, some companies find these capabilities either too complex or insufficiently flexible to meet their specific requirements.
Businesses looking for out-of-the-box solutions with easier customization often turn towards alternative CRMs that promise agility and simplicity alongside powerful features.
User-Friendly Interfaces Matter
In today's fast-paced work environments, ease of use becomes paramount when selecting software tools—particularly those used daily like CRMs. A steep learning curve associated with complex systems like Salesforce may deter teams from fully leveraging the platform’s potential benefits.
Alternatives boasting intuitive interfaces and simpler navigation emerge as attractive options for enhancing team productivity and ensuring smoother adoption processes.
A Closer Fit With Business Size And Industry
Compatibility with business size and industry plays a crucial role in opting for a different CRM system than Salesforce. Smaller enterprises might find certain alternatives better suited due to their focus on SME-specific challenges while larger corporations could prefer platforms designed with scalability in mind from day one.
Additionally, niche industries often benefit from specialized CRMs tailored explicitly towards particular market demands—something generalist platforms might struggle to provide comprehensively.
While Salesforce continues being an influential player in the CRM space, alternatives exist catering to diverse organizational needs—from cost reduction strategies through enhanced customizability up until user experience improvements—all worth considering depending on your unique business context.
Key Features to Look for in a Salesforce Alternative
1. Automation Tools
When your sales team is bogged down with repetitive tasks, they're not closing deals. A robust CRM alternative should give them the power to automate these energy-drainers. Automation features are game-changers—they turn time-consuming client work into a breeze by handling routine email follow-ups and lead qualification without breaking a sweat.
The efficiency doesn't stop there; marketing automation tools within these platforms can personalize communications with customers, making sure every interaction counts towards building customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Pro Tip: Does the CRM you're looking at lack certain automations? Check to see if there are any Chrome extensions that can help to automate these tasks for you. For example, Magical is a free Chrome extension that works with any CRM you can open in a Chrome browser, and lets you automate tasks like filling out lead details by pulling them directly from LinkedIn!
2. Analytics and Reporting Capabilities
Salesforce might be known for its analytics, but competitors like Freshsales CRM offer powerful insights too. With detailed reporting features at their fingertips, businesses can make informed decisions based on real-time data—critical when it comes to managing customer relationships or predicting future trends in sales forecasting.
In-depth CRM analytics aren't just about numbers; they help you understand the stories behind the stats so you can tailor strategies for maximum impact. They reveal patterns that could go unnoticed otherwise but are vital for strategic decision-making.
3. Third-Party App Integrations
A standalone tool isn't enough anymore—you need something that plays well with others. Integration capability is essential because it lets users access CRM features alongside other business operations software seamlessly.
Whether it's project management apps or advanced email marketing services, integration means all your tools talk to each other perfectly without any hiccups in communication.
4. Customization Options to Fit Unique Business Models
No two businesses operate identically which makes customization options non-negotiable in a good Salesforce competitor. By tailoring workflows, companies can ensure their specific requirements shape how the platform functions, rather than adapting to rigid software. This approach boosts productivity and elevates customer satisfaction by making the software conform to your processes, not the other way around.
5. Data Security
Protecting sensitive customer data remains paramount regardless of industry size or type—a consideration no business should ever overlook when choosing management software capable of safeguarding such valuable information reliably day-in-and-day-out.
The 10 Best Salesforce Alternatives for 2024
Finding a customer relationship management (CRM) platform that's just right for your business can be as crucial as finding the perfect pair of shoes—comfortable, supportive, and suited to your style. Salesforce has long been considered a top-notch choice; however, several other robust alternatives are stepping up their game.
1. Microsoft Dynamics 365
If you're looking for an enterprise solution that goes beyond sales automation and digs deep into analytics, Microsoft Dynamics 365 might be your go-to. With its high level of customization options and advanced features like artificial intelligence (AI), this powerful tool helps businesses personalize communications with customers while keeping track of every detail in their sales pipeline.
This platform isn't just about managing customer data—it's about transforming it into actionable insights through sophisticated reporting features. Microsoft Dynamics allows large organizations to customize workflows seamlessly within the system so team members can stay on top of their client work without missing a beat.
In a G2 review, user Hosam K. says:
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a secure and easy-to-use operation management platform. It integrates with various productivity and reporting tools through Microsoft AppSource, like the Send To Email Printer app that allows remote printing and the Power BI Usage Analytics app that facilitates platform usage tracking and supervision.
2. Freshsales
Sometimes what you need is something intuitive—a system where the learning curve feels more like a gentle slope. Freshsales by Freshworks, offers such an experience with its user-friendly interface complemented by smart AI capabilities that help sales teams prioritize leads effectively.
This CRM stands out not only because it streamlines tedious tasks but also enhances customer satisfaction by offering personalized engagement at scale.
In a G2 review, user Atul C. says:
Freshsales is a perfect CRM tool for small to mid-sized organizations for both daily sales-related activities to monthly and quarterly planning. It is easy to operate. All my leads, prospects, clients are categorized and managed properly in well planned stages of sales. managing a team is super easy and Freshsales makes coordination and supervision flawless.
3. Monday Sales CRM
A rising star among Salesforce competitors is Monday Sales CRM which merges project management software finesse with sharp sales tracking tools. Ideal for small businesses or those juggling multiple projects alongside customer relationships, Monday makes sure nothing slips through cracks—and all without breaking stride in your daily operations or budget constraints thanks to its free plan option.
In a G2 review, user Meredith W. says:
Very intuitive, and user friendly. Easy to create boards for individual processes, either from scratch, or by using an available template. Has helped us streamline and standardize functions that were previously being done differently in every division of our company. Seeing updates or changes in real-time means less confusion and more collaboration.
4. Zoho CRM
Zoho proves itself time and again as a great CRM option, especially appealing if cost-effectiveness tops your priority list. Don't let its affordability fool you though. Zoho comes packed with marketing automation prowess plus email marketing savvy—all accessible even from their mobile app ensuring no opportunity gets left behind when away from the desk.
In a Forbes review, user Amy Nichol Smith notes:
Zoho CRM is an excellent entry-level CRM platform that scales with your small business’s growth. Its free CRM plan is popular among new businesses looking for a free way to track leads and manage contacts easily. For more robust features, users can always upgrade to a paid plan, which will unlock several features, such as automating marketing tasks and tracking customer and contact data. Zoho CRM also offers seamless integrations with other Zoho tools and third-party apps you may already use, such as Mailchimp, Google Analytics and QuickBooks.
5. Active Campaign
Active Campaign is a popular alternative to Salesforce, especially for businesses looking for an integrated email marketing, marketing automation, and small business CRM solution. ActiveCampaign provides advanced email marketing features that allow businesses to send broadcast emails, targeted emails, and triggered emails based on user behavior.
It supports dynamic content, allowing for personalized emails based on user actions, preferences, or contact details. One of the platform's strongest features is its powerful yet user-friendly marketing automation capabilities. Users can create complex automation workflows with a simple drag-and-drop editor.
These automations can include actions, conditions, and triggers tailored to specific customer interactions, making it easier to send timely and relevant communications. ActiveCampaign also integrates CRM functionality directly into the platform, enabling businesses to manage their sales processes alongside marketing efforts.
The CRM is designed to automate sales processes, track deals, and manage contacts. Sales automation can help in scoring leads, automating follow-ups, and segmenting contacts based on their actions and engagement.
In a G2 review, user Michelle L. says:
ActiveCampaign is easy to get going and set up. Working with ActiveMember360 I use it to run my membership and WooCommerce sales and the integration is deep and incredibly useful. I write weekly newsletters and once my templates are set up it's easy to replicate and it's useful to see your contacts' activities and see reports of your campaigns and automations. AC just gives me the flexibility I need that I don't see with other platforms in tagging, segmenting and setting up your lists and workflow the way you want and working so well with external platforms. AC support is also quick to respond and follows up with solutions. I use it every day.
6. Neon One
Neon One is a comprehensive software platform designed for nonprofit organizations, offering a suite of tools to manage fundraising, memberships, events, and more. It serves as an alternative to Salesforce for nonprofits looking for tailored solutions to their unique needs.
Neon One offers robust fundraising tools that allow nonprofits to manage donations, track donor interactions, and automate acknowledgments and receipts. Its donor management system helps organizations build and maintain relationships with their supporters by tracking donor history, preferences, and engagement.
At its core, Neon One includes CRM functionality tailored for nonprofits. It enables organizations to manage all their constituent relationships in one place, including donors, members, volunteers, and other stakeholders. The platform provides detailed records for each contact, including interaction history, giving history, event participation, and custom fields to capture specific data points.
In a G2 review, user Stacy B. says:
Love the fact that all I need to do is log in and my dashboard has what I need to review for the day. When I email customer support, they are quick to respond and normally can get to my question within 2-3 days.The more you interact with the system, the easier it is to understand. I use Neon on a daily basis with ease.
7. Zendesk CRM
Zendesk CRM, part of the Zendesk suite of products, is designed to enhance customer relationships through improved customer service and engagement. While Salesforce is a comprehensive CRM solution known for its scalability and extensive features, Zendesk CRM focuses on simplicity, ease of use, and seamless integration with Zendesk's customer support tools.
A standout feature of Zendesk CRM is its tight integration with Zendesk Support, a leading customer support solution. This integration provides a unified platform where sales and support teams can access all customer interactions, tickets, and history in one place, offering a 360-degree view of the customer. This helps in providing personalized and informed customer interactions, increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
In a G2 review, user Desiree M. notes:
What I appreciate most about CRM and Deals for Zendesk is its seamless integration with the existing Zendesk ecosystem. It provides a centralized platform that not only streamlines customer relationship management, but also efficiently tracks and manages deals. Its easy-to-use interface allows for a clear overview of customer interactions, while its sophisticated analytics tools offer valuable insights to help optimize sales performance. The software is highly customizable, enabling businesses to tailor it to their specific needs. This, coupled with excellent customer support, makes CRM and Deals for Zendesk an invaluable asset for any business looking to elevate their customer service and sales efforts.
8. Insightly
Insightly is a versatile CRM (Customer Relationship Management) platform designed to help businesses of various sizes manage customer interactions, sales, and projects more efficiently. As an alternative to Salesforce, Insightly offers a user-friendly interface and a set of integrated features tailored for managing the entire customer journey, from initial lead acquisition to ongoing relationship management and project delivery.
Insightly provides comprehensive CRM capabilities that enable businesses to track customer interactions, sales opportunities, and contact information in one central location. It allows for detailed customer profiles, including communication history, social media activity, and key documents, offering a 360-degree view of customer relationships.
In a G2 review, user Doug B. says:
It meets our needs. that might not sound very glowing, but it is meant to be. It does what we need it to do. It is very customizable without being too complicated. There are more integrations possible through app connect. I wish I had time to build these out.
9. HubSpot CRM
HubSpot CRM is a powerful and user-friendly customer relationship management solution that serves as a popular alternative to Salesforce, especially for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a cost-effective, all-in-one platform to manage their sales, marketing, customer service, and content management needs.
HubSpot CRM is part of the larger HubSpot ecosystem, which includes various hubs (Sales Hub, Marketing Hub, Service Hub, and CMS Hub) designed to provide comprehensive tools for every aspect of the customer journey. One of HubSpot CRM's most appealing features is its robust free version, which offers a wide range of CRM functionalities at no cost. T
his includes contact management, deal tracking, task and activity tracking, and company insights. The free version provides businesses with a powerful tool to start managing their customer relationships without the upfront investment required by many other platforms.
In a G2 review, user Jyotash G. says:
The best strength of HubSpot Activities Center lies in its capacity to unify and smooth out functional cycles inside the HubSpot environment. Operations Hub gives teams the ability to optimize workflows, increase data accuracy, and drive better decision-making across the departments of marketing, sales, and customer service by providing features like data syncing, automation, integration and enhanced reporting. It has a nice Customer Support section and communities, which makes it easy for us to implement our ideas and get our queries solved. Hence I am a frequent user of HubSpot and I love it.
10. Creatio
Creatio is a comprehensive CRM and process automation platform that offers a powerful suite of tools for sales, marketing, and service management, positioning itself as a robust alternative to Salesforce. Aimed at medium to large enterprises, Creatio provides a highly customizable and flexible platform that supports a wide range of business processes and workflows.
One of Creatio's standout features is its low-code platform, which enables businesses to rapidly design, automate, and optimize processes without extensive coding knowledge. This makes it easier for companies to adapt the platform to their specific needs and workflows, significantly reducing the time and resources required for deployment and customization.
Creatio offers a fully integrated CRM solution that encompasses sales, marketing, and service management. This unified approach ensures seamless data flow across different departments, providing a 360-degree view of the customer and enhancing collaboration across teams.
This is just a starting point for a CRM. You might also look into options like Keap or Octopus to track all your customers.
In a G2 review, user Joao V. says:
User-Friendly Interface: Creatio boasts an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy for both new users and experienced professionals to navigate the platform efficiently. The drag-and-drop interface for building processes and workflows simplifies automation tasks.
Versatile Functionality: Creatio offers a wide range of features beyond traditional CRM functionalities. It includes tools for sales, marketing, and service automation, as well as process management and analytics capabilities. This versatility allows businesses to manage various aspects of their operations within a single platform.
Work in Any CRM Faster with Magical
Remember that each of the best Salesforce alternatives brings its own strengths to your sales strategy. Automation tools save time, analytics shape decisions, and customization matches your unique workflow. Integrations are key—they can make or break a system's utility for you.
One integration that works with all of the above alternatives? It's Magical! This free Chrome extension is used by over 20,000+ teams to automate repetitive tasks like filling out forms and messaging leads. Check out how you can use it to speed up your productivity and save an average of 7 hours a week:
.webp)
