Choosing the right CRM can transform how your business handles customer relationships and sales processes. If you're weighing between Pipedrive and Monday, you'll find they each excel in different areas. Pipedrive shines with its sales-focused features, while Monday offers broader project management capabilities. To help you make an informed decision, we'll explore both platforms in detail.
Pipedrive vs Monday: Intro on the main differences
Before diving into specific features, let's clarify what each platform brings to the table.
Pipedrive
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Pipedrive is a CRM built specifically for sales teams, with great pipeline management and deal tracking capabilities. Its visual interface helps sales representatives monitor opportunities and move deals through different stages efficiently.
👉 Read more: What is Pipedrive and how does it work?
Monday
Monday, on the other hand, didn’t start as a CRM, but it also includes the usual CRM functionalities. Nonetheless, the tool started as a work operating system that handles project management, workflow automation, and team collaboration. In a way, it’s like a CRM with a broader approach, and can be more suitable for departments other than sales.
Pipedrive vs Monday: Overview
Core features comparison
Pipeline and deal management
If there's one thing Pipedrive excels at, it's making sales pipeline management incredibly visual. The clear, intuitive design lets sales teams move deals between stages with simple drag-and-drop actions. Their activity-focused layout keeps teams laser-focused on the tasks that actually move deals forward.
The way Monday organizes pipelines tells a different story. Their interconnected entity boards act as customizable dashboards for each sales stage, creating a seamless flow of information - any changes you make instantly sync across all related boards. Additionally, their funnel charts shine a light on conversion rates throughout the sales process, making it simple to identify and fix any sticking points.
Lead generation and management
Getting new leads into your pipeline? That's where Pipedrive's LeadBooster toolkit comes into play. From a 24/7 chatbot engaging with website visitors to smart web forms collecting prospect details, the system covers all bases. For B2B sales teams, there's an especially neat trick up Pipedrive's sleeve - the Smart Contact Data feature automatically pulls prospect information from platforms like LinkedIn.
Monday tackles lead handling with a laser focus on keeping everything in one place. Their streamlined form builder connects smoothly with existing marketing automation, so new leads enter your nurture sequences right away. Rather than scattered information across multiple platforms, Monday creates a central hub for all your lead data, whether it comes from social media campaigns or website sign-ups. Plus, built-in qualification tools and automated follow-ups help keep leads moving through your pipeline.
Marketing automation and campaigns
The marketing side of Pipedrive centers around their Campaigns email platform. While it does come with an extra monthly cost, you get the ability to send emails from your own domain, plus a simple editor packed with templates. They've also thought about other channels - through various integrations, you can run text campaigns via WhatsApp and Textline.
Monday takes a more flexible route with marketing tools. Instead of building everything in-house, they connect with popular platforms like Mailchimp and Klaviyo for email marketing. This gives you the freedom to pick your preferred marketing tools while keeping everything connected. Social media planning and tracking fit right into the system, and you can handle phone marketing through services like PhoneBurner.
Team collaboration and workflow
Sales teams using Pipedrive get access to a wealth of ready-made automations they can customize and share. Their Sales Assistant acts like a digital guide, helping reps manage their daily work and figure out which deals need attention first, all while adapting to your specific sales patterns.
Keeping everyone on the same page comes naturally to Monday through their detailed dashboards showing real-time pipeline updates, sales projections, and customer insights. Sales, marketing, and operations teams can work together seamlessly, though it's worth noting that getting the hang of their automation features takes some time.
Contact management and communication
When it comes to managing contacts, both platforms hit the mark. You can store all your customer details, keep tabs on past interactions, and group contacts however makes sense for your business. Custom fields, tagging, and detailed communication records? They've got you covered.
Email handling shows where these platforms differ most clearly. Pipedrive builds email right into the platform - you can write messages, add attachments, and see when people open your emails without switching screens. Need to make calls? Integrations with services like Aircall and JustCall have you covered, and you can even get call transcripts through Fireflies.ai or Tactiq.
Monday connects directly to your existing email setup instead. Whether you use Gmail or Outlook, everything stays in sync right on your dashboard. Phone calls work similarly - various calling tools plug right into Monday's system, letting your team make calls without juggling multiple windows.
Integrations and marketplace
Pipedrive works with about 400 native integrations, connecting directly to everyday tools like Slack, Zoom, Google Meet, Asana, Trello, and QuickBooks. This means teams can keep using their favorite apps while managing customer relationships, and thanks to the platform's API, businesses can also create their own workflows or build custom connected apps.
The integration story looks different with Monday. While they offer fewer built-in connections, they still cover the main tools most teams use daily. Though both platforms connect with Zapier for extra options, Monday users tend to rely on it more often. As a result, Pipedrive users typically enjoy more direct connections to tools, whereas Monday users might need to take a couple extra steps during setup.
Security features
When it comes to security, both platforms take a similar approach with role-based permissions, data encryption, and standard security regulations. This means teams can easily set who sees what, track system activities, and keep customer data protected. Since both follow industry standards, there's really no significant difference between the two in terms of security features.
Sales intelligence and AI
The AI assistant in Pipedrive watches how users interact with the platform, looking at deals and contacts to suggest helpful next steps. By analyzing patterns in sales activities, it identifies tasks that could be automated and suggests apps that could simplify complex sales processes.
Custom reporting and analytics
For reporting, Pipedrive puts sales front and center, with a strong focus on revenue forecasting and activity tracking. While their marketing analytics aren't as extensive, they give managers a clear view of each rep's pipeline, making it simple to predict monthly revenue expectations.
Monday, on the other hand, dives deeper into marketing metrics, offering detailed insights into both campaign results and customer interactions. Their live dashboards present comprehensive customer information, though first-time users might need a bit of time to navigate through all the available options.
Project management capabilities
One of Monday's key strengths lies in how it brings sales and project management together under one roof. Once a deal closes, teams can smoothly transition it into an active project, managing everything from initial contact through final delivery. This unified approach works especially well for businesses that want to handle both their sales leads and project work in one place, creating a seamless workflow from start to finish.
Pipedrive vs Monday: Pros and cons
Pipedrive
✓ Clean, intuitive interface requiring minimal training
✓ Visual pipeline view for clear sales process tracking
✓ Extensive integration options with email, calendar, and marketing tools
✓ Simple task and reminder management
✓ Activity-focused methodology
✓ Works with more than 400 integrations
✓ Excellent video tutorials
✓ Strong email integration capability
✓ Clear progress tracking system
✗ Limited reporting capabilities in lower-tier plans
✗ Pricing can be less budget-friendly for small businesses
✗ No Kanban view available in Contacts section
✗ Few options for customizing analytics displays
✗ Limited customer support in lower-tier plans
✗ Basic reporting features in lower tiers
✗ Automation features restricted to higher plans
Monday Sales CRM
✓ Highly customizable interface and workflows
✓ Extensive automation capabilities for repetitive tasks
✓ Strong project management features
✓ Centralized platform for team collaboration
✓ Custom fields and workflow creation
✓ Effective task tracking system
✓ Built-in project management tools
✓ Real-time updates and notifications
✓ Integration of sales and project management functions
✗ Steeper learning curve due to extensive customization options
✗ Limited integration selection compared to competitors
✗ Can feel overwhelming for new users
✗ Time-consuming initial setup
✗ Complex customization process
✗ May require additional training for team members
✗ Some features can be hard to locate in the interface
✗ Performance might slow down with heavy customization
Monday vs Pipedrive: Pricing
Both Monday CRM and Pipedrive have multi-tiered pricing plans, though their approaches, as we’ve already seen, are a bit different.
Monday starts with a lower entry point at €12 per seat monthly for its Basic plan, making it more accessible for small teams. In contrast, Pipedrive's Essential plan begins at €14 per seat monthly but includes more fundamental features out of the box.
Also, while Monday structures its plans around team size and automation needs, Pipedrive focuses on scaling features for growing sales teams. Monday emphasizes customization and project management capabilities across its tiers, whereas Pipedrive prioritizes sales-specific functions like pipeline management and email integration.
Each tool offers annual billing discounts - Monday gets you a 18% reduction, while Pipedrive offers up to 42% off.
Monday CRM pricing breakdown
- Basic (€12/seat/month): Organize leads and contacts with unlimited customizable pipelines. Includes unlimited boards, contacts, iOS and Android apps, and basic templates for lead management. Best for small teams starting with CRM.
- Standard (€17/seat/month): Adds advanced account management and contact features. Includes 2-way email integration with Gmail/Outlook, AI email generation, and activity tracking. Allows up to 250 custom automation actions monthly.
- Pro (€28/seat/month): Full sales forecasting capabilities, email templates and automation, advanced sequence building, and quote/invoice features. Includes Google Calendar sync and up to 25,000 automation actions.
- Enterprise (Custom pricing): Complete suite with lead scoring, mandatory fields, advanced analytics dashboards, and enterprise-grade security. Includes HIPAA compliance and unlimited automation capabilities.
Pipedrive pricing breakdown
- Essential (€14/seat/month): Basic sales management with lead/calendar/pipeline features. Includes data import capabilities, 400+ integrations, and basic reporting. Ideal for teams needing core CRM functionality.
- Advanced (€39/seat/month): Adds full email synchronization, template creation, and group email features. Includes automation builder for sequences and meeting scheduling capabilities.
- Professional (€49/seat/month): Introduces AI-powered sales tools, contract management with e-signatures, and custom field reporting. Features revenue forecasting and enhanced team management.
- Power (€64/seat/month): Enhanced project planning, account permission controls, and 24/7 support. Includes phone support and advanced collaboration tools.
- Enterprise (€99/seat/month): Maximum security, unlimited report customization, and enhanced automation limits. Designed for large organizations needing complete control and scalability.
👉 Read more: Pipedrive pricing guide
Piedrive vs Monday: Which CRM is right for you?
Choosing between Pipedrive and Monday ultimately depends on your specific business needs and team structure. Let's break down who benefits most from each platform.
Pipedrive makes the most sense if you're:
- A sales-focused organization looking for a specialized CRM
- A team that values visual pipeline management and deal tracking
- A business wanting straightforward, sales-specific features without extra complexity
- A company needing extensive integration options (400+ available)
- A sales department requiring detailed activity tracking and forecasting
Pipedrive's laser focus on sales processes makes it particularly effective for teams whose primary goal is moving deals through a pipeline efficiently. Its interface requires minimal training, and the visual approach to sales management helps teams stay focused on revenue-generating activities.
Monday is the better choice if you're:
- Looking for a combined CRM and project management solution
- Managing multiple departments beyond just sales
- Needing extensive workflow customization options
- Planning to handle both pre-sale and post-sale processes in one platform
- Wanting to connect sales activities with broader business operations
Monday's strength lies in its versatility. While it includes CRM capabilities, its broader approach to business management makes it valuable for organizations that need to coordinate across different departments and processes. The platform excels at connecting sales activities with project delivery, making it particularly useful for service-based businesses or companies with complex post-sale workflows.
Consider your team's technical comfort level as well. Pipedrive offers a gentler learning curve with its focused approach, while Monday's extensive customization options might require more time for team adoption. However, this initial investment in Monday can pay off if you need a more comprehensive business management solution.
Price-wise, Monday starts slightly lower at €12 per seat monthly for its Basic plan, compared to Pipedrive's Essential plan at €14 per seat monthly. However, the real value depends on which features your team needs most. Monday's pricing scales based on automation needs and team size, while Pipedrive's tiers focus on expanding sales-specific capabilities.
Other CRM alternatives to Monday and Pipedrive
While Pipedrive and Monday offer distinct advantages for different business needs, they're not the only options available. Many alternatives to Pipedrive provide unique features that might better match your requirements. Here are some popular CRM platforms worth considering:
- Salesforce: A comprehensive CRM platform known for its extensive customization options and robust features. It's particularly suitable for enterprise-level organizations needing advanced automation and analytics.
- HubSpot CRM: Popular for its user-friendly interface and marketing capabilities. The free version offers core CRM features, making it accessible for small businesses starting their digital transformation.
- Zendesk Sell: Formerly Base CRM, this platform excels in customer support integration and mobile capabilities. It's particularly effective for businesses prioritizing customer service alongside sales.
- Freshsales: Known for its AI-powered lead scoring and built-in phone and email features. The platform offers an intuitive interface with powerful automation capabilities.
- Zoho CRM: A versatile option with strong workflow automation and social media integration. It's particularly popular among small to medium-sized businesses looking for value.
- Microsoft Dynamics 365: Integrates seamlessly with Microsoft products and offers deep functionality for larger organizations. It's especially useful for companies heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.
- Insightly: Combines CRM with project management capabilities, making it suitable for businesses that need to track projects from lead to completion.
- Keap: Previously known as Infusionsoft, this platform focuses on small businesses needing marketing automation alongside CRM features.
- Sugar CRM: An open-source option offering high customization potential. It's particularly appealing to businesses wanting more control over their CRM implementation.
- Close: Designed specifically for inside sales teams, with built-in calling and email features. It's especially effective for companies focused on outbound sales.
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