Given that the best open source CRM software on the market today is made up of many different tools and has a lot of complex features, it’s easy to see why businesses might see the solutions as separate from their internal operations, as if they were made by outside developers and there was no need to learn more about them.
But all of that has changed in the world of open source. Open source technologies are ones for which the source code is freely available to everyone. Open-source CRMs are free if you host them yourself, but you have to pay for hosting services if you want someone else to do it. Below, we have mentioned the best open source CRM software.
What is open source CRM software?
Open source CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software is CRM software that can be used by anyone and whose source code can be looked at and changed by anyone. This means that anyone can view, use, change, and share the software without restrictions. This is usually done through open source licenses like the GNU General Public License (GPL) or the MIT License.
Benefits of using open source CRM software
Open source CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software has a number of advantages that make it a good choice for many businesses and organizations. Some of the best reasons to use open source CRM software are:
???? Cost Savings: Cost savings is one of the best things about open source CRM software. Businesses can save a lot of money by using open source solutions instead of proprietary CRM software because there are no licensing fees.
???? Customizability: There are many ways to change open source CRM software. Businesses can change the source code to make the CRM system fit their needs and ways of working. With this level of flexibility, a CRM system can be built that fits perfectly with the way an organization works.
???? Support from the community: Developers and users of open source projects are often very active and committed to the projects. This community support can help with things like fixing problems, getting updates, and making the CRM software better.
???? Transparency: Users can see the source code of open source CRM software. This makes it easy for businesses to understand how the software works, which can be especially important for security and compliance.
???? No Vendor Lock-In: Unlike proprietary CRM solutions, which may tie a business to a single vendor, open source CRM software doesn’t have this problem. Organizations are free to choose who will host their websites, and if they need to, they can switch to a different solution or service provider.
Best Open Source CRM Software Comparison Table
Open source CRM software refers to tools for managing customer relationships whose source code can be freely changed and shared. SuiteCRM and SugarCRM are two examples. These platforms allow businesses to customize and improve their interactions with customers. This makes managing relationships more efficient, scalable, and cost-effective.
| Feature | Vtiger CRM | SuiteCRM | Odoo | OroCRM | YetiForce |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Commercial | Open Source | Open Source | Commercial | Open Source |
| Licensing | Proprietary | AGPLv3 | LGPLv3 | Proprietary | AGPLv3 |
| Customization | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Modules | Sales, Marketing, Service, Inventory, and more | Sales, Marketing, Service, Inventory, and more | CRM, Sales, Inventory, Accounting, and more | Sales, Marketing, Service, and more | Sales, Marketing, Service, and more |
| Integration | Third-party integrations available | Extensive third-party integrations | Extensive third-party integrations | Third-party integrations available | Limited third-party integrations |
| Workflow Automation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Community Support | Limited | Active | Active | Limited | Active |
| Scalability | Limited | Good | Good | Good | Limited |
| Learning Curve | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Cost | Subscription-based pricing | Free, with optional paid extensions | Free, with optional paid modules | Subscription-based pricing | Free, with optional paid extensions |
Vtiger CRM
Features
- Contact and lead management.
- Sales automation and forecasting.
- Email marketing and campaign management.
- Customer support ticketing.
- Inventory and product management.
In 2004, Vtiger got its start. They have places of business in India and San Francisco. Small and medium-sized businesses are the target audience for this CRM platform. It is definitely one of the best open source CRM systems that are free to use.
Pros
- User-friendly interface.
- Strong email integration.
- Good customer support.
Cons
- Limited customization options.
- May require technical expertise for advanced features.
SuiteCRM
Features
- Customer relationship management.
- Sales and marketing automation.
- Lead and opportunity management.
- Workflow automation.
- Reporting and analytics.
SuiteCRM is the best all-in-one option if you need an open source CRM to build integrations or make your own version. It lets you have as many leads and contacts as you want, and it also gives you detailed analytics and reports that will help you make good sales decisions. SuiteCRM has the best solution right out of the box of all the open source options. SuiteCRM is a very powerful solution that gives you a lot of choices.
Pros
- Highly customizable.
- Extensive feature set.
- Active open-source community.
Cons
- Steeper learning curve.
- Limited support compared to commercial CRM solutions.
Odoo
Features
- Integrated suite of business applications.
- CRM, sales, and marketing tools.
- Inventory and warehouse management.
- Accounting and financial management.
- HR management and recruitment.
Odoo is a well-known open-source CRM system. But unlike SuitCRM, the pricing plan is based on the number of users. They have one free app that can be used by as many people as you want. You can choose that and then use paid options to grow your business in the future.
Pros
- Comprehensive suite of business applications.
- Modular and customizable.
- Excellent integration with other Odoo modules.
Cons
- Customization might require coding skills.
- Some users find it resource-intensive.
OroCRM
Features
- Multichannel customer management.
- Sales and marketing automation.
- Customer segmentation and targeting.
- Reporting and analytics.
- Integration with e-commerce platforms.
OroCRM says that it is the most flexible CRM on the market, which is true. One of the best things about the platform is how flexible it is. It has a customizable data model that lets users make their own fields to fit their specific customer data needs and sales workflows. Like Odoo, OroCRM has a modular design that makes it easy for developers to add new features by making their own modules, plugins, and integrations.
Pros
- Robust customer management features.
- Flexible and customizable.
- Good for B2B businesses.
Cons
- Smaller user community compared to others.
- May require more development effort for specific needs.
YetiForce
Features
- Customer relationship management.
- Sales and lead management.
- Project and task management.
- Inventory and product catalog.
- Email and communication tools.
- Customizable modules and fields.
YetiForce doesn’t say that it’s an easy-to-use open-source CRM for beginners. Some people have said that the tutorials and manuals are at best limited and that some functions could be made better. But if a business has a lot of tech knowledge, YetiForce is a great open-source CRM.
Pros
- Highly customizable and adaptable.
- Active open-source community.
- Suitable for various industries.
Cons
- Smaller user base.
- May require more effort for initial setup.
Factors to consider when choosing open source CRM software
When choosing open source CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software, there are a few things to think about to make sure it fits the needs and goals of your organization. Here are important things to think about:
???? Personalization and Freedom: Check to see how much the CRM software can be changed. Can you easily change the source code to make the software fit your business needs and processes?
???? Community and Helping Hands: Check out how big and busy the open source CRM community is. A strong community can offer helpful help, updates, and new features. Check to see if there are forums, mailing lists, and documentation that are still in use.
????️ What it looks like and how it works: Find out if the CRM software your business needs has the features and functions it needs. Think about the needs for automating sales, marketing, customer service, and reporting.
???? Simple to Use: Make sure that your team can easily use and understand the CRM software. A hard-to-use interface can make it harder to get people to use it and get work done.
???? Capabilities for Integration: Check to see if the CRM system can work with other software and systems your company uses, such as email clients, marketing tools, accounting software, or e-commerce platforms.
FAQs
SuiteCRM is the best all-in-one option if you need an open source CRM to build integrations or make your own version. It lets you have as many leads and contacts as you want, and it also gives you detailed analytics and reports that will help you make good sales decisions.
SuiteCRM is a free piece of software. If you want us to host it for you, we have a fee for that. SuiteCRM OnDemand is where you can learn more about hosting.
