Quick Overview
- 1#1: Salesforce Sales Cloud - Comprehensive CRM platform delivering AI-driven sales forecasting, performance analytics, and coaching to optimize team productivity.
- 2#2: Gong - AI-powered revenue intelligence platform that analyzes sales conversations to uncover insights and improve rep performance.
- 3#3: Outreach - Sales engagement platform automating workflows, sequences, and coaching to accelerate sales performance and quota attainment.
- 4#4: Salesloft - Revenue orchestration platform unifying sales engagement, cadence, and analytics for consistent high performance.
- 5#5: Clari - Revenue operations platform providing accurate forecasting, pipeline management, and performance insights for sales leaders.
- 6#6: Varicent - Sales performance management solution for incentive compensation, territory planning, and quota management.
- 7#7: Xactly - Incentive compensation management platform optimizing sales plans and payouts to drive performance.
- 8#8: Anaplan - Connected planning platform with sales performance modeling for forecasting, budgeting, and scenario analysis.
- 9#9: CaptivateIQ - Commission software automating calculations and payouts to motivate and reward sales teams effectively.
- 10#10: Performio - Modern sales commission platform streamlining tracking, calculations, and disputes for better performance alignment.
We ranked tools based on features, usability, actionable insights, and value, prioritizing solutions that deliver measurable results across varied business sizes and operational needs.
Comparison Table
Explore a comparison of top sales performance software, including Salesforce Sales Cloud, Gong, Outreach, Salesloft, Clari, and more, to understand key features and how they fit your team’s needs. Learn about use cases, strengths, and potential limitations to identify the tool that aligns with your sales goals, whether focused on pipeline management, forecasting, or engagement.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salesforce Sales Cloud Comprehensive CRM platform delivering AI-driven sales forecasting, performance analytics, and coaching to optimize team productivity. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 2 | Gong AI-powered revenue intelligence platform that analyzes sales conversations to uncover insights and improve rep performance. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.9/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 3 | Outreach Sales engagement platform automating workflows, sequences, and coaching to accelerate sales performance and quota attainment. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 4 | Salesloft Revenue orchestration platform unifying sales engagement, cadence, and analytics for consistent high performance. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Clari Revenue operations platform providing accurate forecasting, pipeline management, and performance insights for sales leaders. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Varicent Sales performance management solution for incentive compensation, territory planning, and quota management. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Xactly Incentive compensation management platform optimizing sales plans and payouts to drive performance. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 8 | Anaplan Connected planning platform with sales performance modeling for forecasting, budgeting, and scenario analysis. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.8/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 9 | CaptivateIQ Commission software automating calculations and payouts to motivate and reward sales teams effectively. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 10 | Performio Modern sales commission platform streamlining tracking, calculations, and disputes for better performance alignment. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
Comprehensive CRM platform delivering AI-driven sales forecasting, performance analytics, and coaching to optimize team productivity.
AI-powered revenue intelligence platform that analyzes sales conversations to uncover insights and improve rep performance.
Sales engagement platform automating workflows, sequences, and coaching to accelerate sales performance and quota attainment.
Revenue orchestration platform unifying sales engagement, cadence, and analytics for consistent high performance.
Revenue operations platform providing accurate forecasting, pipeline management, and performance insights for sales leaders.
Sales performance management solution for incentive compensation, territory planning, and quota management.
Incentive compensation management platform optimizing sales plans and payouts to drive performance.
Connected planning platform with sales performance modeling for forecasting, budgeting, and scenario analysis.
Commission software automating calculations and payouts to motivate and reward sales teams effectively.
Modern sales commission platform streamlining tracking, calculations, and disputes for better performance alignment.
Salesforce Sales Cloud
enterpriseComprehensive CRM platform delivering AI-driven sales forecasting, performance analytics, and coaching to optimize team productivity.
Einstein AI for predictive lead scoring, opportunity insights, and automated sales coaching
Salesforce Sales Cloud is a comprehensive CRM platform designed to optimize sales performance by managing leads, opportunities, and customer relationships throughout the sales lifecycle. It leverages AI-driven insights through Einstein to provide predictive analytics, automated workflows, and performance forecasting. With robust reporting, real-time dashboards, and seamless integrations, it empowers sales teams to boost productivity, accelerate deal cycles, and drive revenue growth.
Pros
- Unmatched depth of sales automation, forecasting, and AI-powered insights
- Highly scalable with extensive customization and app ecosystem
- Superior analytics and real-time performance dashboards for data-driven decisions
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup for beginners
- High pricing that may not suit small businesses
- Occasional performance issues with heavy customizations
Best For
Enterprise sales teams with complex pipelines seeking a fully customizable, AI-enhanced CRM for maximum performance optimization.
Pricing
Starts at $25/user/month (Essentials) up to $330/user/month (Unlimited), with Enterprise at $165/user/month; volume discounts available.
Gong
specializedAI-powered revenue intelligence platform that analyzes sales conversations to uncover insights and improve rep performance.
Conversation Intelligence that automatically surfaces key moments, objections, and competitive mentions from calls
Gong is a revenue intelligence platform designed to capture, analyze, and act on customer conversations to boost sales performance. It records and transcribes sales calls and meetings in real-time, using AI to deliver insights on deal risks, buyer sentiment, talk ratios, and coaching opportunities. Gong integrates with CRMs like Salesforce to provide forecasting, pipeline management, and personalized rep coaching tools.
Pros
- Advanced AI-driven conversation analytics and sentiment detection
- Robust coaching and forecasting tools with actionable insights
- Seamless integrations with major CRMs and sales tools
Cons
- High pricing suitable mainly for mid-to-large enterprises
- Potential privacy concerns with call recording and data storage
- Steeper learning curve for maximizing advanced analytics
Best For
Mid-to-large sales teams with high call volumes seeking data-driven coaching and revenue optimization.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically $100-$150 per user per month with annual contracts.
Outreach
enterpriseSales engagement platform automating workflows, sequences, and coaching to accelerate sales performance and quota attainment.
Kaia AI for intelligent sales coaching and conversation intelligence
Outreach is a comprehensive sales engagement platform designed to automate and optimize sales workflows across email, calls, LinkedIn, and more. It enables teams to build personalized sequences, track engagement metrics, and leverage AI for coaching and forecasting to boost sales performance. As a top-tier solution ranked #3, it excels in scaling revenue operations for growing organizations.
Pros
- Powerful multi-channel sequence automation with A/B testing
- Kaia AI for real-time coaching and deal insights
- Advanced analytics and revenue forecasting tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Premium pricing may not suit small teams
- Initial setup and integrations require time
Best For
Mid-market to enterprise sales teams focused on scaling personalized outreach and performance optimization.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically $100-$150/user/month (billed annually), with Standard, Professional, and Enterprise tiers.
Salesloft
enterpriseRevenue orchestration platform unifying sales engagement, cadence, and analytics for consistent high performance.
Revenue Orchestration, which unifies sales cadences, deal management, and forecasting across the entire revenue lifecycle
Salesloft is a leading sales engagement platform designed to help revenue teams orchestrate buyer interactions through automated cadences, multi-channel outreach, and real-time analytics. It integrates deeply with CRMs like Salesforce to track deal progression, provide conversation intelligence, and deliver actionable insights for improving sales performance. The tool emphasizes personalization at scale, enabling teams to engage prospects via email, calls, and LinkedIn while forecasting pipeline health.
Pros
- Comprehensive multi-channel cadences for email, phone, and LinkedIn outreach
- AI-driven conversation intelligence and real-time coaching
- Deep integrations with Salesforce and other CRMs for seamless data flow
Cons
- High cost may not suit small teams or startups
- Steep learning curve for advanced customization
- Reporting dashboards can feel overwhelming for new users
Best For
Mid-market and enterprise sales teams focused on scaling outbound engagement and pipeline orchestration.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $100-$125/user/month (billed annually) with Essential, Premium, and Advanced tiers.
Clari
enterpriseRevenue operations platform providing accurate forecasting, pipeline management, and performance insights for sales leaders.
AI-Powered Forecasting Engine that delivers 95%+ forecast accuracy by analyzing deal signals in real-time
Clari is an AI-powered revenue operations platform designed to enhance sales performance through accurate forecasting, pipeline management, and deal insights. It integrates deeply with CRMs like Salesforce to provide real-time visibility into revenue processes and team performance. By leveraging predictive analytics, Clari helps sales leaders identify risks, accelerate deals, and improve forecast accuracy across the organization.
Pros
- Highly accurate AI-driven forecasting reduces errors significantly
- Comprehensive pipeline visibility and deal inspection tools
- Seamless integrations with major CRMs and sales tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup
- Premium pricing may not suit smaller teams
- Limited customization for non-enterprise workflows
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises with complex sales cycles needing precise revenue forecasting and performance management.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically starting at $75/user/month with annual contracts.
Varicent
enterpriseSales performance management solution for incentive compensation, territory planning, and quota management.
Patented rules-based engine for modeling and simulating ultra-complex, multi-dimensional incentive plans
Varicent is a robust Sales Performance Management (SPM) platform specializing in incentive compensation management (ICM), territory and quota planning, and sales performance analytics. It automates complex commission calculations, simulates payee outcomes, and provides real-time insights to align sales teams with business goals. Designed for enterprise-scale operations, it integrates deeply with CRMs like Salesforce and offers advanced modeling for multifaceted incentive plans.
Pros
- Exceptionally powerful commission engine handles hyper-complex plans with high accuracy
- Comprehensive analytics and payee simulation for better forecasting and transparency
- Seamless integrations with major CRMs and ERP systems
Cons
- Steep implementation timeline and learning curve for non-experts
- High cost prohibitive for SMBs
- Interface can feel dated compared to newer cloud-native tools
Best For
Large enterprises with intricate sales compensation structures requiring precise automation and analytics.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; typically starts at $100K+ annually based on users, modules, and deployment scale.
Xactly
enterpriseIncentive compensation management platform optimizing sales plans and payouts to drive performance.
AI-driven ICM simulation engine that models unlimited pay scenarios in real-time for optimal incentive design
Xactly is a leading sales performance management (SPM) platform specializing in incentive compensation management (ICM), sales planning, territory optimization, and performance analytics. It enables organizations to design, administer, and model complex commission structures while providing real-time insights and forecasting to align sales incentives with business goals. Integrated with CRM systems like Salesforce, Xactly helps sales leaders drive revenue growth through data-driven decisions and fair pay programs.
Pros
- Handles highly complex and variable commission plans with precision
- Robust analytics, forecasting, and territory management tools
- Strong integrations with Salesforce and other CRMs
Cons
- Lengthy and expensive implementation process
- Steep learning curve for configuration and use
- High cost unsuitable for small to mid-sized businesses
Best For
Large enterprises with intricate sales compensation structures needing advanced ICM and analytics.
Pricing
Custom quote-based enterprise pricing, often starting at $100,000+ annually based on users, modules, and deployment.
Anaplan
enterpriseConnected planning platform with sales performance modeling for forecasting, budgeting, and scenario analysis.
Connected planning engine that links sales performance metrics to enterprise-wide financial and operational models in real-time
Anaplan is a cloud-based connected planning platform that excels in sales performance management by enabling quota planning, territory optimization, incentive compensation, and sales forecasting. It integrates sales data with finance and operations for holistic visibility and scenario modeling. The platform's model-driven architecture supports custom workflows without heavy coding, making it suitable for complex enterprise sales environments.
Pros
- Highly scalable for enterprise-level sales planning and forecasting
- Real-time collaboration and scenario modeling capabilities
- Seamless integration with CRM and financial systems
Cons
- Steep learning curve for building and maintaining models
- High implementation and customization costs
- Overkill for small teams or simple SPM needs
Best For
Large enterprises requiring integrated sales performance planning with finance and operations.
Pricing
Quote-based enterprise pricing; typically starts at $50,000+ annually depending on users, modules, and customization.
CaptivateIQ
specializedCommission software automating calculations and payouts to motivate and reward sales teams effectively.
Advanced Commission Simulator for testing and modeling payout scenarios before rollout
CaptivateIQ is a robust sales performance management platform specializing in commission automation, quota tracking, and incentive compensation management. It enables organizations to design and deploy complex commission plans with high accuracy, providing sales reps with real-time visibility into earnings to boost motivation and reduce disputes. The software integrates deeply with CRMs like Salesforce and offers tools for territory management and performance analytics.
Pros
- Highly flexible commission engine handles complex structures without coding
- Real-time dashboards and mobile access for sales transparency
- Seamless integrations with Salesforce, NetSuite, and other key tools
Cons
- Steep initial setup and learning curve for administrators
- Pricing is enterprise-focused and can be costly for SMBs
- Limited out-of-the-box reporting customization
Best For
Mid-market to enterprise sales teams managing intricate, variable commission plans and needing CRM integration.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $25,000-$50,000 annually for mid-sized teams, scaling with users and complexity.
Performio
specializedModern sales commission platform streamlining tracking, calculations, and disputes for better performance alignment.
Intelligent dispute resolution engine that automates claim validation and approval to minimize payout delays.
Performio is a cloud-based sales performance management platform specializing in incentive compensation management (ICM) and commission automation. It integrates seamlessly with CRMs like Salesforce to calculate commissions accurately, track sales performance in real-time, and provide analytics for optimizing payout strategies. The software helps sales leaders reduce disputes, accelerate payouts, and align incentives with business goals through customizable plans and dashboards.
Pros
- Highly accurate automated commission calculations supporting complex plans
- Real-time visibility and analytics for sales performance tracking
- Strong CRM integrations including Salesforce for streamlined data flow
Cons
- Pricing is quote-based and can be expensive for small teams
- Initial setup and learning curve for intricate compensation structures
- Reporting customization options are somewhat limited compared to top competitors
Best For
Mid-to-large sales organizations with complex commission structures seeking robust ICM automation and dispute resolution.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $30-60 per user per month based on team size, features, and contract length.
Conclusion
The curated sales performance tools cover a spectrum of strengths, with Salesforce Sales Cloud leading through its comprehensive AI-driven capabilities—encompassing forecasting, analytics, and coaching—to optimize team performance. Gong and Outreach stand as strong alternatives: Gong excels in analyzing sales conversations for actionable insights, while Outreach automates workflows and sequences to accelerate quota attainment. Together, they cater to diverse needs, ensuring tailored solutions for varying sales goals.
Don’t miss the opportunity to enhance your sales success—start with Salesforce Sales Cloud, the top-ranked tool, and unlock its integrated features to boost productivity, forecasting, and team coaching. Explore its capabilities today, and take your sales performance to new heights.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
