It can be hard to find the best Sales CRM software for your business. So much to pick from. So many things. Over the last 20 years or so, I’ve used many different types of lead management tools, such as CRMs built by my company and commercial CRM platforms like the ones here. For this article, I tried out all of the best products on the market. I’ll show you how these platforms, which are always changing, work, tell you what makes the best CRMs stand out, and even talk about where I think things could be better.
The science of selling has gotten more and more complicated over time. There’s still room for creativity, but the truth is that investing in an integrated digital tool, like a sales CRM software, is pretty much now a must. Customer relationship management platforms have tools like automation and workflow management to help your sales team do more with fewer people and resources. To choose the best CRM system for your business, you need to know what your business needs. Below, we have mentioned the best sales CRM Software.
What is sales CRM software?
Sales CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software is a specialized tool that helps businesses and sales teams keep track of their interactions and relationships with customers, prospects, and leads throughout the sales process. Sales CRM software puts all of your customer data in one place, automates tasks, and gives you insights to help you improve customer engagement and streamline your sales operations. It is an important part of sales and marketing because it improves communication, keeps track of leads, and makes sales processes run smoothly.
Key features and functionalities of sales CRM software typically include
📞 Contact Management: Sales CRM software stores detailed information about customers and prospects, such as their contact information, the history of their communications, and the history of their purchases.
🎯 Lead and Opportunity Management: This feature keeps track of leads and sales opportunities, which helps sales teams set priorities and run their sales pipelines well.
🤖 Sales Automation: Automation tools help streamline repetitive tasks like email outreach, follow-ups, and scheduling appointments, reducing the amount of work that needs to be done by hand and making the process more efficient.
📊 Sales Analytics and Reporting: Sales CRM software gives you tools for analyzing data so you can track sales performance, predict revenue, and measure how well sales strategies and campaigns work.
📧 Email Integration: When email systems are integrated with CRMs, sales reps can send, receive, and track emails directly in the CRM. This helps keep a full record of all communications.
Best Sales CRM Software Comparison Table
The best Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software helps businesses streamline their sales processes, keep track of leads, and build strong relationships. Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho CRM are some of the best options because they have a lot of features, automation, and analytics. They make it easier for sales teams to close deals, get customers more involved, and grow revenue.
| Feature | Salesforce Sales Cloud | Zoho CRM | Freshsales | Nextiva | Pipeliner CRM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Variable, tiered pricing | Variable, tiered pricing | Variable, tiered pricing | Subscription-based | Variable, tiered pricing |
| Lead Management | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Opportunity Management | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Workflow Automation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Reporting & Analytics | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Social Media Integration | Yes | Yes | Limited | No | Yes |
| Integration Options | Extensive | Extensive | Limited | Limited | Extensive |
| Customer Support | Phone, email, chat | Phone, email, chat | Phone, email, chat | Phone, email, chat | Phone, email, chat |
| Scalability | Highly scalable | Scalable | Scalable | Scalable | Scalable |
Salesforce Sales Cloud
Features
- Contact and Lead Management
- Opportunity Tracking
- Sales Analytics and Reporting
- Workflow Automation
- Email Integration
Salesforce Sales Cloud is a good option for companies that need a CRM app that can be changed in a lot of ways. With its built-in customization options, internal ecosystem, and third-party AppExchange, it’s almost impossible not to be able to make a platform that fits your needs. With the Flow Builder, you can make your own automations for managing processes. In Settings, click Flows and choose the type of flow you want to make.
Pros
- Extensive features and customization options.
- Scalable for businesses of all sizes.
- Strong ecosystem with many integrations.
Cons
- High pricing, especially for advanced features.
- Steeper learning curve for beginners.
- Some users find it complex to set up and use.
Zoho CRM
Features
- Sales Automation
- Contact and Deal Management
- Email Campaigns
- Analytics and Reporting
- Workflow Automation
Zoho has a large selection of SaaS business software, and its CRM tool is one of the best. It has more features than even the huge Salesforce. Its newest features are Zia, an AI-powered analytics engine that looks for sales trends and outliers, and Canvas, an interface editor that lets you drag and drop elements. Zoho CRM is priced in a way that makes it possible for smaller teams to use it.
Pros
- Affordable pricing plans.
- User-friendly interface.
- Good automation and analytics features.
Cons
- Limited advanced customization options.
- Some features may require additional paid add-ons.
- Customer support can be inconsistent.
Freshsales
Features
- Lead and Contact Management
- Email Tracking
- Sales Campaigns
- Analytics and Reporting
- Workflow Automation
- AI-Powered Lead Scoring
Freshsales is a good CRM for small and medium-sized businesses that are just starting out. Compared to other CRMs, it doesn’t have as many features, but it has been getting better at integrating with other business software like calendars, email marketing software, and tools like DocuSign.
Pros
- Intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
- Affordable pricing with a free plan.
- Good lead management and email tracking.
Cons
- Limited advanced features compared to competitors.
- May not be suitable for large enterprises.
- Integration options are somewhat limited.
Nextiva
Features
- VoIP and Unified Communications
- Business Phone System
- Video Conferencing
- Team Collaboration Tools
- Call Analytics and Recording
Nextiva has a powerful CRM for sales that has all the tools your team needs to do well. It’s made to help you learn more about your leads and sales pipeline while making it easier to talk to customers. First, you can divide your sales pipeline into stages that make sense, which makes it easier for your sales reps to move deals along the flow.
Pros
- Unified platform with CRM and communication tools.
- Excellent customer support and training.
- Integration with VoIP and business phone services.
Cons
- Limited CRM features compared to standalone CRM software.
- Pricing may not be competitive for CRM-only needs.
- Less customization compared to specialized CRM options.
Pipeliner CRM
Features
- Contact and Lead Management
- Sales Pipeline Visualization
- Automation and Workflow Management
- Sales Forecasting
- Reporting and Analytics
Pipeliner CRM, which used to be called Pipelinersales, is a company that makes software. It was started in 2009 with the goal of making better software for salespeople. Even though people who want to follow up on their leads better rarely compare Salesflare to Pipeliner, we decided to include them in this comparison because it’s clear that they care about sales.
Pros
- Visual and intuitive interface.
- Strong focus on sales automation and management.
- Good integration options.
Cons
- May lack some advanced CRM features.
- Pricing can be relatively high for certain plans.
- Not as widely recognized as some competitors.
How to choose the right sales CRM software for you
Choosing the right Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software for your business is an important choice that can have a big effect on your sales operations and relationships with customers. When choosing a sales CRM software, you should think about the following steps and factors so you can make an informed choice:
📝 Write down your goals and needs: Write down your specific goals and objectives for putting a CRM system in place. Find the biggest problems and challenges you want to solve, like lead management, sales automation, or analytics.
🎯 Find Out What’s Important: Make a list of the most important functions and features that your sales team needs. Rank these features according to your goals. Some of the most common features are lead tracking, contact management, sales automation, and reporting.
🔌 Think about Integration: Find out what other software and tools your business uses, such as e-commerce systems, email marketing platforms, or accounting software. Choose a CRM that works well with the technologies you already use.
🌱 Ability to grow: Consider how your business might grow and choose a CRM that can grow with your business. Make sure it can handle more and more users, leads, and customers.
👩💻 Simple to Use: Choose a CRM with an interface that is easy to understand and use. Your sales team should be able to pick it up quickly and use it well without a lot of training.
FAQs
Salesflare, Salesforce, HubSpot CRM, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and Pipedrive are some of the best CRMs for sales. Each CRM has different features and functions that are meant to improve sales and customer relationship management.
Creative thinking. Creatio is one of the best sales CRMs on the market because it makes marketing, sales, and customer service easier so that everything runs smoothly.
