See if you find this scenario relatable. You own a small or medium enterprise. So, you don’t want a feature-packed expensive CRM software such as Salesforce. Rather you are looking for free Salesforce alternatives or just a free CRM tool. You just want a low-price decent software that does the trick.
You further have trouble understanding the benefits of CRM software. With AI, fancy technology, and tons of pricing plans integrated into one software, Salesforce feels like an extra hassle to you. Moreover, it does not make sense for SMBs to spend such a hefty amount for CRM Software.
Well, worry not! You have come to the right place. We are here to help you with a list of free Salesforce alternatives. These platforms do not sacrifice features to make up for the free tag. They just do what you need them to do. They are best-suited to drive your SMBs.
Before we dive into the free Salesforce alternatives, we must understand what Salesforce is. Salesforce was founded in 1999. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) was still a novel concept. However, Salesforce went beyond the traditional concept of CRM. It developed cloud-based CRM software.
This software could be integrated into businesses regardless of their size and operations. Therefore, businesses were no longer wasting money on developing in-house hardware and software. Salesforce became the new normal.
This is just a glimpse of the innumerable solutions offered by Salesforce. Now you know why you need someone to break down this list to help you find a simpler solution.
In our quest to finding the best free Salesforce alternatives, we do not deny the superiority of Salesforce by any means. Salesforce is the pioneer and market leader in cloud-based CRM solutions. The greatest USP of Salesforce is its continuous innovation.
They leverage their years of expertise in driving innovation in the CRM field. The company does not aim to stay relevant. Rather, it creates relevance factors in the industry. It also provides solutions to businesses of all sizes. Nevertheless, in terms of value for money, other CRM software may be the best fit for you.
Don’t just jump on the bandwagon. Do you want to automate your sales process? If yes, then does automation provide significant ROI? Maybe yes. Now, do you have enough budget to buy a full-fledged software package? No? then suggest you proceed with this article.
Here are some wonderful free CRM tools for managing your next customers. Just click to jump right into it.
If you are just starting out, HubSpot free CRM might be the most suitable software for you. HubSpot is more focused on driving smaller businesses. So, the free version may work as your entry tool for the future. It also offers scalable add-on products as part of its freemium business models. Therefore, it grows with you.
S0, if you/your company is just starting out, or never used CRM software before, HubSpot CRM is one the best free Salesforce alternatives. If we are being honest, HubSpot wasn't meant to compete with Salesforce. Salesforce is more of the one-stop CRM solution for medium and large enterprises.
The bottom line is that HubSpot CRM is a lightweight tool. It will help you grow your business, but not sustain it. Once you have grown, you might need Salesforce or similar tools after all.
Freshsales Sprout is a basic CRM package for small businesses. This plan is not displayed on the official pricing page. Rather, users have to downgrade their accounts to access the free plan. Freshsales Sprout plan is also for businesses that are just ‘sprouting’.
Freshsales Sprout is basically a cost-cutting plan for small businesses and startups. For people who are always on run, the mobile app can come in handy at times. Moreover, Freshsales also comes in affordable paid plans.
So, if you are looking to upgrade in the future, Freshsales might be a good option. It’s easier to use, has an intuitive interface, and offers impressive communication tools. Most importantly, its plans are way cheaper than those of Salesforce.
Yetiforce is ranked #1 on the list of free CRM software options on Capterra. Known best for its unprecedented flexibility, Yetiforce is one open source CRM software that truly belongs to you. It allows you to customize the interface as per your requirements.
Here is a hack. Since Yetiforce complies with GDPR, it is the best fit for businesses in Europe. So, if you have a business in Europe, you know what to do.
Flowlu CRM is one of the top-rated free CRM on Capterra. The most unique feature of Flowlu is that it does not only offer CRM functions. Rather, it provides businesses with many basic management functions as well i.e. Finance, Accounting, Project management, etc.
So, Flowlu is best for small businesses who do not only want a basic CRM but also want to manage certain business functions in one platform. If you want seamless communication and better overall management, then Flowlu is your best bet among other discussed free Salesforce alternatives.
Like other CRMs discussed till now, Zoho CRM also offers a freemium CRM software. It offers a free version with limited features. For small teams with big dreams, Zoho CRM offers the necessary tools to drive sales and marketing. Moreover, it also offers powerful integration tools and cloud storage.
We will not bore you with further specifications. Let’s cut to the chase. Zoho CRM is actually not one of your free Salesforce alternatives. Rather it is the software that lets you decide whether you need Salesforce or not.
If you want to test the waters before investing in heavy CRM tools, then Zoho CRM is the right choice. Because its plans are extremely affordable. In half the price of Salesforce, Zoho can offer you advanced analytics tools and sophisticated customization features that are ‘just enough’ for you.
The best way to describe Suite CRM is that it grows with you. It is an award-winning open-source CRM solution. Despite being free, Suite CRM is defined as an enterprise-grade solution. It is completely scalable and can be fit into businesses of any size.
Let’s just say that SuiteCRM has the potential to compete and rank among the best CRM leaders. Considered objectively, SuiteCRM can equip any business with advanced CRM tools. Functions are extremely customizable as per your business size and requirements.
SuiteCRM also lets you manage other business functions besides Sales & Marketing. According to FinancesOnline, users were able to reduce their CRM costs by 80%.
So, who are we suggesting SuiteCRM for? For everyone because the greatest USP of SuiteCRM is that it grows with your business.
Commonly known as the all-in-one CRM, Vtiger CRM combines marketing, sales, and customer support in one tool. It goes beyond the typical definition of CRM. Because of its functionality, it is also one of the most popular open-source CRMs.
Vtiger CRM comes with every expected feature of a basic CRM and more. However, the key features are as follows:
and many more!
If you are a member of an agile and small business team, Vtiger CRM is worth considering. It will let your marketers generate, capture, and manage leads efficiently. Moreover, it will enable the sales department to score leads. Finally, your service team can also provide excellent support to your users.
The bottom line is agility and collaboration.
If you are in a non-profit business or manage a civic organization, then CiviCRM is what you are looking for. It is a cloud-based open-source CRM system. With the help of CiviCRM, mission-based organizations maintain their constituents and supporters. It is more of a contact management system if you will.
We have included this section only because other blogs don’t. Our two cents on this software: If you belong to a non-profit sector, just go for CiviCRM. You will be better able to nurture relationships with your supporters and constituents.
We have merely provided you a guideline. Ask yourself these questions before jumping on the bandwagon.
Why do you need a CRM software in the first place? Say you have a significant reason. So, calculate whether the CRM will provide a significant ROI? If yes, then is your budget enough to sustain a full-fledged CRM software? Feel free to review our list if your budget can’t.
All you have to do is further research. Jot down your business requirements. Compare the pricing plans. Weigh the pros and cons of each. However, deciding on a CRM solution is not enough. Decide if your team has enough technical expertise to sustain an open-source CRM.
Wait! We are not finished yet. Look further down the road. If you were to upgrade in the future, which CRM can provide you the ultimate value? Finally, have you been able to find the best of the free Salesforce alternatives we discussed? Let us know in the comment section.
We hope that you manage your customers more efficiently than ever.
