Quick Overview
- 1#1: Salesforce - Cloud-based CRM platform offering comprehensive sales, service, marketing, and analytics tools for enterprises.
- 2#2: HubSpot CRM - All-in-one hosted CRM with free core features for sales, marketing, and customer service automation.
- 3#3: Zoho CRM - Scalable cloud CRM with AI insights, multichannel communication, and workflow automation for businesses of all sizes.
- 4#4: Pipedrive - Visual pipeline-focused hosted CRM designed to streamline sales processes and deal management.
- 5#5: Freshsales - AI-powered sales CRM with built-in phone, email, and visual pipelines for team collaboration.
- 6#6: monday sales CRM - Customizable hosted CRM integrated with project management for sales pipeline tracking and automation.
- 7#7: Insightly - CRM combining relationship management, project tracking, and marketing automation in the cloud.
- 8#8: Nimble - Social CRM that unifies contacts, emails, and social interactions for relationship building.
- 9#9: Close - Sales-first hosted CRM with built-in calling, emailing, and SMS for high-velocity outbound sales.
- 10#10: Capsule - Simple, intuitive cloud CRM for small teams to manage contacts, tasks, and sales opportunities.
Selection prioritized tools with robust feature sets (including automation, analytics, and integrations), consistent performance, intuitive user experiences, and strong value propositions, ensuring they cater to diverse business sizes and operational goals.
Comparison Table
Choosing the right hosted CRM software depends on features, usability, and business requirements; our comparison table simplifies the process by exploring top tools like Salesforce, HubSpot CRM, Zoho CRM, Pipedrive, Freshsales, and more. Readers will discover critical differences in functionality, pricing structures, and ideal use cases, helping them identify the best fit for their team or organization.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salesforce Cloud-based CRM platform offering comprehensive sales, service, marketing, and analytics tools for enterprises. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 2 | HubSpot CRM All-in-one hosted CRM with free core features for sales, marketing, and customer service automation. | enterprise | 9.3/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | Zoho CRM Scalable cloud CRM with AI insights, multichannel communication, and workflow automation for businesses of all sizes. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 4 | Pipedrive Visual pipeline-focused hosted CRM designed to streamline sales processes and deal management. | other | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 5 | Freshsales AI-powered sales CRM with built-in phone, email, and visual pipelines for team collaboration. | enterprise | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 6 | monday sales CRM Customizable hosted CRM integrated with project management for sales pipeline tracking and automation. | other | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Insightly CRM combining relationship management, project tracking, and marketing automation in the cloud. | other | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | Nimble Social CRM that unifies contacts, emails, and social interactions for relationship building. | other | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 9 | Close Sales-first hosted CRM with built-in calling, emailing, and SMS for high-velocity outbound sales. | other | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 10 | Capsule Simple, intuitive cloud CRM for small teams to manage contacts, tasks, and sales opportunities. | other | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.5/10 |
Cloud-based CRM platform offering comprehensive sales, service, marketing, and analytics tools for enterprises.
All-in-one hosted CRM with free core features for sales, marketing, and customer service automation.
Scalable cloud CRM with AI insights, multichannel communication, and workflow automation for businesses of all sizes.
Visual pipeline-focused hosted CRM designed to streamline sales processes and deal management.
AI-powered sales CRM with built-in phone, email, and visual pipelines for team collaboration.
Customizable hosted CRM integrated with project management for sales pipeline tracking and automation.
CRM combining relationship management, project tracking, and marketing automation in the cloud.
Social CRM that unifies contacts, emails, and social interactions for relationship building.
Sales-first hosted CRM with built-in calling, emailing, and SMS for high-velocity outbound sales.
Simple, intuitive cloud CRM for small teams to manage contacts, tasks, and sales opportunities.
Salesforce
enterpriseCloud-based CRM platform offering comprehensive sales, service, marketing, and analytics tools for enterprises.
Einstein AI, delivering predictive insights, intelligent recommendations, and automated actions across the CRM
Salesforce is the leading cloud-hosted CRM platform that unifies sales, service, marketing, and commerce operations for businesses worldwide. It provides tools for managing customer data, automating workflows, generating insights via AI-powered Einstein, and scaling with custom apps built on its Lightning Platform. With seamless integrations through the AppExchange marketplace, it supports everything from lead tracking to personalized customer experiences across multiple channels.
Pros
- Extremely scalable and customizable for enterprise needs
- Vast AppExchange ecosystem with thousands of integrations
- Advanced AI features like Einstein for predictive analytics and automation
Cons
- High pricing that can be prohibitive for small businesses
- Steep learning curve requiring training or admins
- Complex setup for advanced customizations
Best For
Large enterprises and growing mid-market companies needing a highly customizable, scalable CRM with robust AI and integration capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $25/user/month (Essentials), $75 (Professional), $150 (Enterprise), $300 (Unlimited); custom enterprise pricing; billed annually.
HubSpot CRM
enterpriseAll-in-one hosted CRM with free core features for sales, marketing, and customer service automation.
Inbound methodology with free CRM and built-in marketing automation for lead nurturing
HubSpot CRM is a cloud-hosted customer relationship management platform designed to help businesses manage contacts, track sales pipelines, and nurture leads through inbound marketing strategies. It offers a free core CRM with unlimited users and seamless integration with paid hubs for marketing, sales, service, and operations. The platform excels in automation, analytics, and personalization, making it scalable for businesses of all sizes.
Pros
- Free core CRM with unlimited users and robust contact management
- Seamless integration across marketing, sales, and service hubs
- Extensive automation, reporting, and inbound marketing tools
Cons
- Advanced features locked behind expensive Professional/Enterprise tiers
- Pricing scales quickly for teams needing full functionality
- Steep learning curve for complex workflows despite intuitive UI
Best For
Growing mid-market businesses seeking an all-in-one inbound marketing and sales platform.
Pricing
Free CRM forever; Starter from $20/user/month; Professional from $800/month (min 3 users); Enterprise custom pricing.
Zoho CRM
enterpriseScalable cloud CRM with AI insights, multichannel communication, and workflow automation for businesses of all sizes.
Zia AI assistant for intelligent automation, lead scoring, and anomaly detection
Zoho CRM is a robust, cloud-hosted customer relationship management platform designed to streamline sales, marketing, customer support, and analytics processes for businesses of all sizes. It provides tools for lead and contact management, workflow automation, multichannel communication, and AI-driven insights via its Zia assistant. Highly customizable with no-code builders and extensive integrations, it scales efficiently while maintaining affordability.
Pros
- Affordable pricing with a generous free tier and scalable plans
- Extensive integrations with 500+ apps including Google Workspace and Microsoft
- Powerful automation and AI features like Zia for predictive analytics
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced customizations
- Some premium features locked behind higher tiers
- Reporting interface can feel overwhelming for beginners
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses seeking a cost-effective, feature-rich CRM with strong automation and integration capabilities.
Pricing
Free for up to 3 users; paid plans from $14/user/month (Standard) to $52/user/month (Ultimate), billed annually.
Pipedrive
otherVisual pipeline-focused hosted CRM designed to streamline sales processes and deal management.
Interactive visual sales pipeline that drags and drops deals for effortless management
Pipedrive is a cloud-based CRM platform designed primarily for sales teams, offering a visual pipeline interface to track deals from lead to close. It includes features like activity reminders, email integration, sales automation, and reporting to streamline sales processes. Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses, it focuses on simplicity and sales productivity rather than full-suite customer service or marketing tools.
Pros
- Highly intuitive visual sales pipeline
- Seamless email and calendar integrations
- Robust automation for sales workflows
Cons
- Limited built-in marketing automation
- Advanced reporting requires higher tiers
- Customization options are somewhat basic
Best For
Sales-focused teams in SMBs seeking an easy-to-use pipeline management tool without complex enterprise features.
Pricing
Starts at $14/user/month (Essentials), up to $99/user/month (Enterprise); billed annually with a 14-day free trial.
Freshsales
enterpriseAI-powered sales CRM with built-in phone, email, and visual pipelines for team collaboration.
Freddy AI copilot, delivering real-time deal insights, scoring, and predictive recommendations
Freshsales is a cloud-hosted CRM platform from Freshworks that helps sales teams manage leads, track deals, and nurture customer relationships through an intuitive interface. It features AI-driven insights via Freddy AI for deal predictions and recommendations, built-in calling, emailing, and visual pipeline management. The solution integrates with popular tools like Google Workspace and offers automation to streamline workflows, making it ideal for growing businesses.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface and visual sales pipelines
- AI-powered Freddy assistant for insights and automation
- Generous free plan and affordable scaling options
Cons
- Limited advanced customization for complex enterprise needs
- Reporting lacks depth compared to top-tier CRMs
- Some integrations require higher-tier plans
Best For
Small to mid-sized sales teams seeking an easy, AI-enhanced CRM without enterprise-level complexity or costs.
Pricing
Free forever plan; paid plans start at $15/user/month (Growth), $39 (Pro), $59 (Enterprise), billed annually.
monday sales CRM
otherCustomizable hosted CRM integrated with project management for sales pipeline tracking and automation.
No-code automation builder for creating complex, trigger-based workflows without programming
monday sales CRM, built on the monday.com work OS, is a highly customizable, cloud-hosted CRM platform designed for sales teams to manage leads, pipelines, deals, and customer relationships. It features visual boards, drag-and-drop customization, automations, and real-time collaboration tools to streamline sales workflows. The platform integrates seamlessly with various apps and supports sales forecasting, email tracking, and reporting for data-driven decisions.
Pros
- Exceptional customization with no-code boards and widgets
- Powerful automations and 200+ integrations
- Visual pipeline management and real-time collaboration
Cons
- Steep learning curve for complex setups
- Higher pricing for advanced features
- Can feel overkill for simple CRM needs
Best For
Growing sales teams needing a flexible, visual CRM that integrates project management and scales with business needs.
Pricing
Free for up to 2 users; paid plans start at $12/user/month (billed annually) for Basic, up to $24/user/month for Pro, with Enterprise custom pricing.
Insightly
otherCRM combining relationship management, project tracking, and marketing automation in the cloud.
Integrated project management that links CRM data directly to tasks and timelines
Insightly is a cloud-based CRM platform tailored for small to mid-sized businesses, enabling comprehensive management of contacts, leads, opportunities, and projects within a single interface. It offers visual sales pipelines, automated workflows, email integration, and custom reporting to streamline customer relationships and business processes. With strong mobile support and over 250 integrations, Insightly bridges CRM functionality with project management, making it suitable for service-oriented teams.
Pros
- Visual pipeline management for intuitive sales tracking
- Built-in project and task management alongside CRM
- Extensive integrations with tools like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365
Cons
- Reporting and analytics lack depth compared to top competitors
- User interface feels dated in some areas
- Advanced automation requires higher-tier plans
Best For
Small to medium-sized service-based businesses needing integrated CRM and project management without multiple tools.
Pricing
Starts at $29/user/month (billed annually) for Professional plan; Plus at $49/user/month; custom Enterprise pricing.
Nimble
otherSocial CRM that unifies contacts, emails, and social interactions for relationship building.
Smart contact profiles that automatically aggregate email, social activity, and web data for 360-degree relationship views
Nimble is a cloud-hosted CRM platform designed for relationship management, seamlessly integrating email, calendars, contacts, and social media interactions into unified profiles. It automatically captures communications and enriches contacts with social signals, web data, and deal tracking to help users nurture leads and close sales. Ideal for small teams, it emphasizes simplicity over complex enterprise features, making it accessible for sales professionals and entrepreneurs.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick setup and minimal training required
- Strong social media integration for relationship insights
- Affordable pricing with unlimited contacts and storage
Cons
- Limited advanced automation and workflow tools compared to enterprise CRMs
- Reporting and analytics are basic, lacking deep customization
- Fewer third-party integrations than competitors like HubSpot
Best For
Small businesses and solo sales professionals seeking simple, social-focused CRM without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Starts at $25/user/month (billed annually) for the Business plan; higher tiers like Power at $40/user/month add advanced features.
Close
otherSales-first hosted CRM with built-in calling, emailing, and SMS for high-velocity outbound sales.
Built-in Power Dialer and predictive dialing for efficient, high-volume outbound calling directly from the CRM
Close is a hosted CRM platform designed specifically for sales teams, integrating built-in calling, SMS, email, and task management to streamline outbound sales processes. It features a unified inbox, predictive dialing, and automated workflows that keep everything in one tab, eliminating the need for multiple tools. Ideal for high-velocity sales environments, it prioritizes speed and simplicity over enterprise bloat.
Pros
- Ultra-fast, intuitive interface with no learning curve
- Native phone, SMS, and email integration for seamless communication
- Powerful sales automations and lead scoring out-of-the-box
Cons
- Limited marketing automation and inbound features
- Reporting and analytics are solid but not enterprise-level
- Fewer third-party integrations compared to larger CRMs
Best For
Small to mid-sized outbound sales teams focused on high-volume calling and emailing who need a simple, sales-only CRM.
Pricing
Starts at $29/user/month (billed annually) for Starter, $49 for Professional, $99 for Business, with custom enterprise pricing.
Capsule
otherSimple, intuitive cloud CRM for small teams to manage contacts, tasks, and sales opportunities.
Hierarchical relationship mapping between organizations, people, and custom entities for intuitive contact organization.
Capsule CRM is a cloud-hosted customer relationship management platform tailored for small businesses, focusing on simple contact management, sales pipelines, and task tracking. It offers a clean, intuitive interface with features like custom fields, deal stages, and team calendars to streamline sales processes. Users appreciate its no-frills approach, making it quick to set up and use without extensive training.
Pros
- Extremely user-friendly interface with minimal learning curve
- Generous free plan for up to 250 contacts
- Strong mobile app and Google Workspace integrations
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and automation capabilities
- Fewer third-party integrations compared to larger CRMs
- No built-in marketing tools like email campaigns
Best For
Small businesses and sales teams seeking a straightforward, affordable CRM without complex enterprise features.
Pricing
Free for up to 250 contacts and 2 users; Professional at $18/user/month (billed annually); Teams at $36/user/month (billed annually).
Conclusion
After evaluating the top hosted CRM tools, Salesforce leads as the standout choice, offering a comprehensive range of features for enterprises. HubSpot CRM, with its free core and user-friendly design, serves as a top alternative for those prioritizing simplicity, while Zoho CRM excels in scalability and AI-driven insights, fitting diverse business needs. Each platform brings distinct value, ensuring strong options exist for varied requirements.
Explore Salesforce now to leverage its robust tools and elevate your customer management, or consider HubSpot or Zoho based on your specific needs—start streamlining your processes today.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison