Managing customer relationships is the backbone of any successful business. Tools like Zoho CRM have gained popularity for their versatility, but it's not always the perfect fit for everyone. Whether you're struggling with its pricing structure, navigating its complexity, or simply looking for features tailored to your industry, exploring alternatives might be the key to finding a solution that truly aligns with your business needs.
That's where we come in. In this guide, we'll introduce you to the best Zoho CRM alternatives designed to cater to businesses of all sizes, industries, and goals. Whether you're interested in collaboration-focused platforms like Lark, robust options like HubSpot, or scalable solutions like Microsoft Dynamics 365, there’s a CRM for every unique business setup.
What can you expect from this article? We’ll dive into:
A detailed, unbiased comparison of the top Zoho CRM alternatives.
The pros, cons, and pricing insights for each recommendation.
Helpful advice on choosing a CRM that perfectly aligns with your team, budget, and industry.
If Zoho CRM isn't ticking all the boxes for your business, let’s explore the top alternatives that can take your customer relationship management to the next level!
Why consider Zoho CRM alternatives?
While Zoho CRM remains a popular choice in the customer relationship management space, it's not always the perfect fit for every business. Companies often turn to Zoho CRM alternatives when they find that the platform doesn't fully align with their workflows, budget, or team preferences. To make a decision that’s right for your business, it’s crucial to first understand some of the common challenges associated with Zoho CRM and what to look for in an alternative.
What is Zoho CRM
Zoho CRM is a versatile customer relationship management platform designed to help businesses of all sizes enhance efficiency and manage growth effectively. By offering advanced workflow automation and omnichannel communication, Zoho CRM streamlines complex processes, enabling businesses to maintain strong customer relationships while optimizing operations. Its extensive features make it a practical solution for organizations looking to simplify customer management and achieve scalable growth.
Common challenges with Zoho CRM
Although Zoho CRM offers robust features, there are some notable drawbacks that users frequently encounter, including:
Complexity in setup and customization: For smaller businesses or teams without technical expertise, the configuration process can feel overwhelming. Zoho’s extensive customization requires time, effort, and often a steep learning curve.
Complicated user interface: Many users report that Zoho’s interface feels unintuitive, which can slow down daily operations and reduce overall team efficiency.
Pricing structure that may not fit all budgets: Zoho CRM's pricing is competitive, but some businesses find its subscription tiers confusing or cost-prohibitive, especially for smaller teams that don’t require all the added functionalities included in higher-priced plans.
These challenges often drive businesses to explore more flexible and user-friendly solutions tailored to their specific needs.
What to look for in a Zoho CRM alternative
If you’ve experienced frustration with Zoho CRM, a better-fit option is likely available—one that addresses pain points and supports your goals more effectively. When evaluating Zoho CRM alternatives, consider these critical factors:
Strong collaboration and automation tools: CRM tools are the backbone of team productivity. Effective alternatives to Zoho CRM should integrate collaboration features like task management, messaging, and automation to streamline internal processes and enhance customer engagement.
Ease of use and customization: The best alternative should provide a simple, intuitive interface paired with flexible customization options, making it easy to adapt the CRM to your team’s unique workflows.
Industry-specific features: Depending on your field, certain features might be non-negotiable. Look for tools designed for your industry, whether it’s real estate, healthcare, ecommerce, or another niche.
Pricing transparency and scalability: Choose a CRM that offers clear pricing plans and grows with your business, ensuring you’re only paying for what you need as you scale.
By focusing on these key aspects, you'll be better equipped to find a CRM that solves your unique challenges and supports your long-term growth.
Top Zoho CRM alternatives: detailed comparison
1. Lark
Lark is more than just a collaboration platform; it’s a powerful alternative to traditional CRMs like Zoho CRM. By integrating Messenger, Meetings, Docs, Calendar, and Base into one seamless ecosystem, Lark redefines how businesses handle CRM-related tasks. While it’s not a conventional CRM, Lark’s flexibility, no-code customization, and automation capabilities make it a strong contender for businesses looking for a modern, efficient, and collaborative solution.
Unlike traditional CRMs that focus solely on customer data and sales pipelines, Lark transforms CRM tasks into a team-driven, collaborative process. From tracking sales leads to managing customer interactions and automating workflows, Lark offers an all-in-one solution that adapts to your business needs.
Pros
Seamless collaboration ecosystem:
Lark combines tools like Messenger, Docs, Calendar, and Meetings into one platform, allowing teams to communicate, share data, and manage tasks in real time.
Its ability to unify CRM workflows within a collaborative environment reduces tool-switching and increases productivity.
No-code customization for CRM workflows:
Lark Base allows businesses to create tailored CRM systems without technical expertise.
Users can customize fields, workflows, and templates to suit their specific sales pipelines, lead management, or customer tracking needs.
AI-driven lead management:
Lark’s AI tools automatically categorize and enrich lead data, saving time and improving accuracy.
AI can also generate personalized questions for client calls, helping sales teams engage more effectively.
Real-time dashboards for data visualization:
Fully customizable dashboards provide instant insights into sales pipelines, team performance, and other key metrics.
Businesses can make data-driven decisions quickly and efficiently.
Affordable pricing:
Lark offers a free plan for smaller teams, making it accessible for startups and small businesses.
Cons
Not a dedicated CRM:
Lark lacks some advanced CRM-specific features, such as in-depth customer segmentation or built-in marketing automation tools.
Pricing
Free plan: Includes core features for up to 20 users, making it a great entry point for small teams.
Paid plans: Start at $12 per user per month (billed annually), offering advanced features and scalability for growing businesses.
Why Lark is a strong Zoho CRM alternative
Lark stands out as a Zoho CRM alternative by focusing on collaboration, customization, and automation. Its ability to integrate CRM workflows into a broader collaborative ecosystem makes it ideal for businesses that prioritize teamwork and flexibility. Whether you’re a startup looking for an affordable and easy-to-use tool or an established company seeking a scalable solution, Lark offers a modern approach to CRM that goes beyond traditional platforms.
2. Insightly
Insightly is a versatile CRM platform tailored for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), offering a unique blend of customer relationship management and project management capabilities. Its value lies in helping businesses not only track leads and manage sales pipelines but also oversee project workflows in a single system. This dual-purpose feature makes Insightly a great choice for service-based businesses or teams juggling between client relationships and project deadlines.
Image source: insightly.com
Pros
CRM and project management integration:
Insightly allows users to seamlessly manage sales pipelines while tracking project tasks and deadlines, making it ideal for teams where customer interactions and project workflows are closely connected.
User-friendly interface:
The intuitive design makes it accessible for new users, helping SMBs adopt the platform without the need for extensive technical training.
Cons
Expensive onboarding and support:
Many users rely on costly onboarding and support plans, making it harder to fully utilize without extra investment.
Performance issues:
Slow loading times and unreliable sales reports negatively impact user experience.
Pricing
Plus plan: $29/user/month (billed annually)
Professional plan: $49/user/month (billed annually)
Enterprise plan: $99/user/month (billed annually)
3. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales is a powerful CRM solution that combines sales automation, AI-driven insights, and advanced analytics to help businesses optimize their sales processes and customer relationships. As part of the Microsoft ecosystem, it integrates seamlessly with tools like Teams and Outlook, making it an excellent choice for businesses already using Microsoft products. With its robust features and scalability, Dynamics 365 Sales is particularly suited for larger enterprises or businesses seeking advanced automation and data-driven decision-making capabilities.
Image source: microsoft.com
Pros
Seamless integration with Microsoft ecosystem:
Works effortlessly with Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and other Microsoft 365 tools, ensuring smooth collaboration and productivity.
AI-powered tools and insights:
Includes AI-driven features like intelligent assistants and chatbots to automate customer interactions and provide actionable insights for sales teams.
Scalability for enterprises:
Designed to support the needs of growing businesses and large enterprises with customizable workflows and advanced reporting tools.
Cons
High pricing for smaller businesses:
With plans starting at $65/user/month (billed annually), the cost may be prohibitive for small businesses or startups with limited budgets.
Onboarding challenges:
Despite in-app training resources, the onboarding process can still feel complex for teams unfamiliar with Microsoft’s ecosystem.
Pricing:
Paid plans: Start at $65/user/month (billed annually).
Free trial: A 30-day free trial is available.
4. HubSpot
HubSpot is a comprehensive, all-in-one CRM platform designed to help businesses of all sizes streamline their marketing, sales, and customer service efforts. Known for its user-friendly interface and robust free plan, HubSpot provides businesses with the tools they need to nurture customer relationships, optimize workflows, and drive growth. Its modular design, featuring Marketing Hub, Sales Hub, and Service Hub, allows teams to collaborate effectively while centralizing customer data and activity tracking. Whether you’re a small startup or a large enterprise, HubSpot offers scalable solutions to meet your needs at every stage of the customer lifecycle.
Image source: hubspot.com
Pros
User-friendly and intuitive:
Its clean and easy-to-navigate interface allows teams to quickly adopt the platform with minimal training or technical expertise.
Integrated modules for collaboration:
With Marketing Hub, Sales Hub, and Service Hub working together, HubSpot creates a unified platform for managing all customer interactions.
Cons
Costs can escalate with advanced features:
While the free plan is robust, businesses requiring advanced tools like custom reporting, deeper automation, or enterprise-level features may find the pricing steep as they scale.
Pricing:
Free plan: Offers essential CRM tools at no cost.
Starter Plan: Begins at $15/seat/month (billed annually), designed for small teams seeking scalable solutions.
5. Pipedrive
Pipedrive is a sales-focused CRM designed to help small and medium-sized teams streamline their sales processes and close deals more efficiently. Built around an activity-based sales model, Pipedrive emphasizes simplicity and usability, making it ideal for sales professionals who want a clear, visual overview of their pipeline. With its intuitive interface and automated reminders, Pipedrive ensures teams stay organized, prioritize opportunities, and focus on the tasks that drive results.
Image source: pipedrive.com
Pros
Visual sales pipeline:
Offers a clear and interactive view of the sales cycle, allowing teams to track deals at every stage and make informed decisions.
User-friendly interface:
Designed with simplicity in mind, Pipedrive is easy to navigate, even for users with minimal CRM experience.
Cons
Limited customer support options in lower-tier plans.
Pricing:
Essentials plan: $14/user/month (billed annually).
Advanced plan: $39/user/month (billed annually).
Professional plan: $49/user/month (billed annually).
6. Freshsales
Freshsales, part of the Freshworks suite, is a user-friendly CRM designed to simplify sales processes for small and medium-sized businesses. With AI-powered tools like lead scoring and sales forecasting, Freshsales helps teams prioritize opportunities and streamline workflows. Its seamless integration with other Freshworks products, such as Freshdesk and Freshservice, makes it an excellent choice for businesses already using the Freshworks ecosystem.
Image source: freshworks.com
Pros
AI-powered lead management:
Features like Freddy AI provide lead scoring and actionable sales insights to help teams focus on high-value opportunities.
Integration with Freshworks tools:
Works seamlessly with other Freshworks products, enabling businesses to manage sales, customer support, and IT operations in a unified platform.
Cons
Limited customization options:
Advanced users may find the platform’s customization capabilities insufficient for complex workflows or unique business needs.
Pricing
Growth plan: $9/user/month (billed annually)
Pro plan: $39/user/month (billed annually)
Enterprise plan: $59/user/month (billed annually)
7. SAP
SAP CRM is a powerful enterprise-grade solution built to handle the complexities of large organizations. As part of the wider SAP Business Suite, it offers advanced tools for managing customer relationships across sales, marketing, service, and analytics. With capabilities like AI-driven insights and industry-specific customizations, SAP enables businesses to optimize workflows, enhance customer engagement, and make data-driven decisions. Its scalability and integration with other SAP tools make it an ideal choice for large enterprises with complex needs.
Image source: sap.com
Pros
Scalable for large enterprises:
Designed to handle the needs of growing organizations with extensive customization and the ability to support large-scale operations.
Comprehensive sub-modules:
Includes specialized modules for sales, marketing, service, analytics, and Hybris (for e-commerce and marketing needs).
Cons
Complex implementation:
Setting up and maintaining SAP CRM can be time-consuming and require significant expertise, making it a challenging option for businesses without dedicated IT resources.
Pricing
Custom pricing: Pricing is tailored to each business based on its size, requirements, and desired functionality. Interested organizations need to contact SAP for a detailed quote.
8. Zendesk Sell
Zendesk Sell is a CRM software offered by Zendesk, designed to help businesses improve customer support efficiency, reduce churn, and increase customer satisfaction. It is ideal for customer service-focused businesses aiming to streamline operations and deliver exceptional customer experiences.
Image source: zendesk.com
Pros
Exceptional scalability:
Designed to support growing businesses, offering solutions for startups as well as large enterprises with complex support needs.
Easy-to-use interface:
Offers an intuitive and straightforward design, making it simple for support teams to adopt and use effectively without extensive training.
Cons
Pricing can add up with add-ons:
While base plans are affordable, costs can increase significantly when add-ons or upgrades are required.
Pricing
Sell Team: $19/agent/month (billed annually)
Sell Growth: $55/agent/month (billed annually)
Sell Professional: $115/agent/month (billed annually)
9. Keap
Keap (formerly Infusionsoft) is a CRM solution specifically tailored for small businesses, combining sales automation, email marketing, and customer management in an easy-to-use platform. Designed with automation as its core strength, Keap helps businesses simplify workflows, nurture leads, and improve customer relationships. With features like appointment scheduling, payment processing, and campaign management, Keap is ideal for small teams looking to streamline their operations and grow their business efficiently.
Image source: keap.com
Pros
Powerful automation features:
Simplifies tasks like email marketing, customer follow-ups, lead nurturing, and workflows, helping teams save time and boost efficiency.
E-commerce capabilities:
Includes features to set up online stores, manage inventory, and process customer payments, integrating billing and sales operations.
Cons
Higher pricing compared to competitors:
The platform’s pricing can be steep for small businesses, especially for advanced features like e-commerce or expanded contact lists.
Pricing
Paid plan starts at $249 per month for two users (billed annually)
10. SugarCRM
SugarCRM is a versatile and highly customizable CRM platform designed to help businesses streamline their sales, marketing, and customer service processes. Its robust tools enable teams to efficiently manage leads, track opportunities, resolve customer inquiries, and run marketing campaigns, all while offering in-depth analytics to facilitate data-driven decision-making. SugarCRM is especially suited for businesses with unique or complex workflows, as it provides extensive customization options to align with specific requirements.
Image source: sugarcrm.com
Pros
Highly customizable:
Offers flexible workflows and dashboards that can be tailored to fit the exact needs of businesses without requiring extensive coding or third-party adjustments.
Effective case management:
Provides tools to track and resolve customer service inquiries efficiently, enhancing overall customer satisfaction.
Cons
Complex interface for beginners:
The wide range of features and customization options can make the platform harder to navigate for smaller teams or new users.
Pricing
Paid plans start at $19/user/month (billed annually).
How to choose the best CRM for your business
Choosing the right CRM for your business goes beyond picking the most popular option. To make the best choice, you need to align the platform’s features, pricing, and usability with your specific goals and requirements. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure you find the perfect fit.
Identify your business size and needs
The first step in selecting a CRM is to define the size and nature of your business, as different tools cater to different types of organizations.
Startups vs. enterprises: Startups and small businesses typically benefit from simple, cost-effective solutions with minimal setup and easy onboarding. On the other hand, enterprises may require CRMs with advanced features, scalability, and integration with other enterprise-grade tools.
Sales-focused vs. customer service-focused: If your primary need is boosting sales, prioritize CRMs with robust lead tracking, deal management, and sales automation. However, if you’re more focused on improving customer service, look for tools that offer 360-degree customer views, customer communication tracking, and support ticketing systems.
By identifying your team's priorities, you can quickly narrow down your options and focus on CRMs that address your core requirements.
Set a budget
Your budget plays a critical role in determining which CRM is feasible for your business. When considering costs, remember to account for more than just the subscription price:
Setup costs: Some CRMs may require additional expenses for implementation or consulting.
Add-ons and upgrades: Keep an eye on "hidden" costs for necessary features that may not be included in the base plan, such as advanced analytics or integrations with other platforms.
Long-term scalability: Opt for a CRM with pricing that allows for future growth so you can expand the tool’s capacity as your business scales. Look for transparent pricing structures that eliminate surprises.
Evaluate features
When comparing CRM options, pay close attention to the features they offer. The most effective tools will support your business’s unique goals while enhancing team productivity. Consider these essential capabilities:
Automation: Automating repetitive tasks like email follow-ups, data entry, and task assignments saves time and reduces manual errors.
Collaboration: Look for tools with built-in messaging, team dashboards, and task-sharing capabilities to keep your entire team aligned.
Analytics: CRMs with strong reporting and analytics help you gain actionable insights into customer behavior, sales pipelines, and team performance.
Customization: A flexible CRM should let you tailor workflows, dashboards, and data fields to match your processes.
Evaluate these features against your business priorities to decide which CRMs add the most value to your operations.
Test before committing
Before making a final decision, take the time to test the CRM to ensure it delivers on expectations. Many platforms offer free trials, demo versions, or live walkthroughs to help you assess their usability and functionality.
Free trials: These let you explore the tool in real-world scenarios with your own data and workflows.
Demos: A guided tour from a sales representative can give you insights into features you might not explore on your own.
During this trial phase, pay attention to how intuitive the interface feels, how well the tool fits into your existing processes, and how responsive the customer support team is. Testing a CRM before committing can prevent costly mistakes and ensure a smoother adoption process for your team.
Why Lark stands out as a Zoho CRM alternative
When it comes to finding the perfect Zoho CRM alternative, Lark is a standout contender. Unlike most traditional CRMs, Lark combines customer relationship management features with an intuitive, collaboration-first platform, making it the ideal choice for businesses that prioritize communication, teamwork, and seamless workflows. Here’s why Lark is worth your consideration:
Collaboration-first approach
One of Lark’s biggest advantages is its integration of CRM workflows with team collaboration tools. While many CRMs focus solely on customer management, Lark takes it a step further by incorporating features like messaging, video conferencing, document sharing, and task management into one unified platform. This makes Lark particularly beneficial for remote or hybrid teams looking to streamline communication while managing leads and customer relationships. Your team can easily track customer interactions and updates without having to switch between multiple apps, boosting productivity and efficiency.
This collaboration-first approach not only improves internal communication but also ensures that your CRM becomes a natural part of your team’s daily routine, rather than feeling like an additional tool they need to learn or manage.
No-code customization
Customization is essential in a CRM, but not all businesses have the resources or technical expertise to invest in complex configurations. That’s where Lark shines. With its no-code customization options, businesses of any size can build a tailored CRM solution that meets their specific needs—without needing developers or technical consultants.
You can create custom data fields, workflows, and dashboards to align with your processes, whether you're managing sales pipelines, tracking customer support requests, or organizing marketing campaigns. Thanks to this flexibility, Lark eliminates the rigidity that often comes with other CRM platforms, ensuring businesses can focus on what works best for them.
Affordable and scalable
For small businesses or startups, cost is often a deciding factor when choosing a CRM. Lark offers affordable pricing that’s easy to understand and access, making it a great option for budget-conscious organizations. Unlike some traditional CRMs that tack on extra fees for additional users or advanced features, Lark provides transparent pricing so you know exactly what you're paying for.
But affordability doesn’t mean sacrificing growth potential. Lark is scalable, meaning that as your business and team size grow, the platform can evolve with your needs. This ensures that Lark remains a viable solution for businesses at every stage of their journey, from startups to mid-sized organizations and beyond.
Conclusion
Choosing the right CRM alternative to Zoho depends on your business’s unique needs, size, and budget. Whether you prioritize advanced analytics with Microsoft Dynamics, sales-focused simplicity with Pipedrive, or collaboration-driven workflows with Lark, there’s a solution out there to help your business grow and thrive.
If seamless collaboration and ease of use are what you’re looking for, Lark stands out as a powerful choice. Its all-in-one platform combines customer management with team communication, offering a flexible and scalable solution for businesses of all sizes. Start exploring Lark today to see how it can transform your team’s workflow and help you achieve your business goals with ease!
