Perhaps you've tried Salesforce already, or maybe you're just considering if their version for small companies is worth the investment. Either way, if you’re looking for Salesforce alternatives that won't be too expensive but still can have the most important features, then you're not alone. While Salesforce is still one of the most complete CRMs, and even though it can be used by smaller companies, many small businesses find it too complex and difficult to learn, not to mention the high costs, and its implementation challenges.
That said, there are many Salesforce alternatives – mostly simpler CRMs that can deliver essential features at a fraction of the cost, while being easier to implement and use. Let's explore the best Salesforce alternatives designed specifically for small business needs in 2025. And, at the end, we’ll also mention Zeeg, a scheduling tool that helps SMBs streamline appointment setting with their CRM systems, enabling teams to convert more leads through automated booking.
Salesforce alternatives: Comparison overview
👉 If you want a broader range of alternatives that include larger companies, you can look into our guide on Salesforce alternatives.
1. Zoho CRM: Best value and integration capabilities
The first one we’ll look at is Zoho CRM. It’s earned a place as one of the top Salesforce alternatives due to a somewhat good balance of powerful features, reasonable pricing, and integration capabilities. Let’s see:
Key features
- Complete contact, lead, and deal management
- Customizable sales pipelines and workflows
- AI assistant (Zia) for sales predictions and analytics
- Extensive integration with 800+ business apps
- Built-in email marketing and social media tools
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Comprehensive reporting and dashboards
Why Zoho CRM is a good Salesforce alternative for small businesses
The price difference alone makes Zoho CRM worth considering. With plans starting at just $14/user/month compared to Salesforce's $25 entry point, small businesses can save thousands annually while still getting comparable functionality.
Zoho is also known for its API access at affordable price tiers, unlike Salesforce which locks this capability behind expensive plans. For growing businesses needing customized workflows, this makes a huge difference in both cost and implementation complexity.
And another thing – Zoho has a free plan for up to three users. This gives startups and micro-businesses a legitimate way to implement professional CRM tools without any financial commitment – an offering Salesforce simply doesn't match with its trials.
Pricing
- Free: €0 for 3 users with essential features
- Standard: €14/user/month (billed annually)
- Professional: €23/user/month (billed annually)
- Enterprise: €40/user/month (billed annually)
- Ultimate: €52/user/month (billed annually)
👉 Read more: Zoho vs Hubspot
2. HubSpot CRM: Best for marketing automation
HubSpot CRM is also positioned as a Salesforce alternative for small businesses – and not just for larger companies. Alongside with the CRM, they prioritize marketing automation and lead generation.
Key features
- Free core CRM with unlimited users and contacts
- Visual deal pipeline management
- Built-in email marketing and landing page tools
- Meeting scheduler
- Live chat and conversational bots
- Marketing automation
- Detailed contact and company records
- Reporting dashboards
Why it's a good Salesforce alternative for small businesses
Again – where Salesforce offers only time-limited trials, HubSpot can actually deliver value with a free-forever plan. Small businesses can manage unlimited contacts and users without spending a dime, which is perfect for companies on tight margins.
Also, the learning curve might be easier. HubSpot has a clean and intuitive interface that gets teams productive almost immediately, while Salesforce is known for needing weeks of training and configuration before any actual impact.
Lastly, HubSpot's unified platform eliminates the nickel-and-diming that frustrates some Salesforce users. Instead of separate products for marketing, sales, and service (each with their own price tag), HubSpot has bundles – seamless integration between these functions at more accessible price points.
But enough – let's have a look at Hubspot's prices, where the tool might also feel better than Salesforce for smaller businesses, with a lower entry price and a pretty complete free plan.
Pricing
- Free: $0 with unlimited users and contacts
- Starter: from $15/user/month (billed annually)
- Professional: from $90/month (billed annually)
- Enterprise: from $150/month/seat to several thousands (billed annually)
3. Freshsales: Best for AI-powered features
Freshsales, besides other things, can offer small businesses advanced AI capabilities without the enterprise price tag, making it an excellent Salesforce alternative for teams that want predictive insights and automation.
Key features
- Freddy AI assistant for lead scoring and insights
- Built-in phone and email
- Deal pipeline management
- Contact and account management
- Visual sales pipeline
- Sales sequences for automated follow-up
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Native integration with Freshdesk and other Freshworks products
Why it's a good Salesforce alternative for small businesses
The main idea is that AI assistance isn’t a luxury only for enterprise companies. Freshsales’ Freddy AI assistant is available at reasonable price points, giving small businesses access to lead scoring, contact enrichment, and predictive insights that would cost more with Salesforce's Einstein AI features.
The integrated communications hub in Freshsales delivers good value for small teams. Its built-in phone system, email tracking, and messaging capabilities eliminate the need for separate tools – unlike Salesforce, which often asks for additional purchases or integrations.
And let’s also add that getting started with Freshsales is quite easy. The quick setup and intuitive interface don’t need a lot of training, allowing teams to become productive from the start.
Pricing
- Free: $0 for unlimited users with basic features
- Growth: $9/user/month (billed annually)
- Pro: $39/user/month (billed annually)
- Enterprise: $59/user/month (billed annually)
👉 Read more: Freshsales or Pipedrive?
4. Pipedrive: Best for visual pipeline management
.webp)
If you’re in the CRM for a while, you’ve probably heard about Pipedrive before. This European tool has built its reputation as a sales CRM, due to its pipeline visualization tools. That makes it an interesting choice for small businesses that mainly want to invest in deal tracking and sales process management.
Key features
- Highly visual sales pipeline interface
- Drag-and-drop deal management
- Email integration and tracking
- AI sales assistant
- Workflow automation
- Meeting scheduling
- Mobile apps for Android and iOS
- Strong reporting and forecasting
Why it's a good Salesforce alternative for small businesses
Unlike Salesforce's complex interface filled with numerous tabs and features, Pipedrive keeps things simple and it's easier to work with for small companies. With a visual pipeline that helps sales teams move deals forward, such clarity is especially relevant for small businesses that have no dedicated CRM admins but still have to manage complex systems.
The drag-and-drop simplicity of Pipedrive means new users can become productive within hours instead of days or weeks – that’s a contrast to Salesforce. And rapid adoption translates to quicker ROI, critical for small businesses watching every dollar.
One last point we should emphasize is the pricing. Yes, Salesforce has pricing options for small businesses. But it still feels complicated. And Pipedrive has a transparent pricing structure. Those clear, predictable costs help small businesses budget effectively without worrying about the add-ons and hidden expenses that often plague Salesforce implementations. What you see is what you pay, with all essential features included in each plan tier.
Pricing
- Essential: €14/user/month (billed annually)
- Advanced: €39/user/month (billed annually)
- Professional: €49/user/month (billed annually)
- Power: €64/user/month (billed annually)
- Enterprise: €99/user/month (billed annually)
👉 Read more: Using Pipedrive effectively
5. Bigin by Zoho: Best for maximum simplicity
We’ve covered Zoho CRM already, which can be interesting for small businesses or larger ones. But here’s a twist – there’s also Bigin, representing Zoho's targeted solution for very small businesses and startups looking for essential CRM capabilities without any complexity.
Key features
- Simple pipeline management
- Contact and deal tracking
- Email integration
- Mobile apps with business card scanner
- Built-in telephony
- Workflow automation
- Activity management
- Team collaboration tools
Why it's a good Salesforce alternative for small businesses
As you’d expect, the contrast with Salesforce in setup time couldn't be more dramatic. Bigin gets your team up and running in minutes. If you have a small business that needs results now and not after lengthy configuration processes, then this could be.
But the prices might be the most interesting part – at just $7/user/month, Bigin costs significantly less than even Salesforce's most basic offering (or than most CRM tools, to be fair). For a typical small team of five, this difference can amount to savings of over $1,000 annually – money that can be reinvested in growth instead of software.
Bigin can give just what small businesses need, without overwhelming them with enterprise features they'll never use. This also results in a clean, intuitive interface that lets team members master the essentials in a single sitting.
Pricing
- Free: €0 with limited features
- Express: €7/user/month (billed annually)
- Premier: €12/user/month (billed annually)
- Bigin 360: €18/user/month (billed annually)
6. monday.com: Best for visual workflow management
While not originally designed as a CRM, monday.com – mostly known for its project management features – has also in position to be considered a valid Salesforce alternative for small businesses. Especially those looking for a more visual and customizable CRM.
Key features
- Highly customizable boards and views
- Visual workflow automation
- Custom dashboards
- Deal and contact management
- Team collaboration tools
- Integration with 200+ applications
- Document storage
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
Why it's a good Salesforce alternative for small businesses
The visual nature of monday.com makes it instantly approachable in ways Salesforce never will be. Its color-coded, customizable boards allow even complete CRM novices to track deals and customer relationships effectively without specialized training. Meaning that the learning curve is quick and the impact faster.
Also, collaboration happens quite naturally within monday.com's intuitive workspace. Comments, file sharing, and @mentions are built right into the system, creating a single platform where teams can work together on customer relationships. Salesforce requires additional products like Slack (at extra cost) to deliver similar functionality.
But customization without code is where monday.com truly stands out when compared to Salesforce. Small business users can create custom fields, statuses, automations, and views without technical skills – capabilities that typically require developer expertise in Salesforce. This empowers teams to adapt the system as their needs evolve without additional investment in technical resources.
Pricing
- No free option
- Basic: €12/user/month (billed annually, 3 users minimum)
- Standard: €17/user/month (billed annually, 3 users minimum)
- Pro: €28/user/month (billed annually, 3 users minimum)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
👉 Read more: Monday.com vs Pipedrive
7. Less Annoying CRM: Best for straightforward pricing
True to its name, Less Annoying CRM removes complexity from the system. The main idea is that you get a CRM that’s quick to implement and easy to understand.
Key features
- Single, affordable pricing tier
- Contact and lead management
- Task tracking and calendar
- Custom fields and pipelines
- Email integration
- Simple reporting
- Team collaboration
- Mobile-friendly interface
Why it's a good Salesforce alternative for small businesses
The pricing model couldn't be simpler – just $15 per user per month with everything included. No tiers, no add-ons, no surprises. This simplicity stands in stark contrast to Salesforce's complex pricing structure with numerous editions, add-ons, and potential hidden costs. Small businesses can budget with confidence, knowing exactly what they'll pay as they grow.
Customer support access represents another key advantage. While Salesforce gates direct support access behind higher-tier plans, Less Annoying CRM gives every customer direct access to support staff without hoops to jump through.
And then there’s the clean, straightforward interface, needing minimal to no training, and the fact that the system can be configured in hours. Perfect for time-strapped small business teams.
Pricing
- Single plan: $15/user/month with all features
8. Apptivo: Best for customizable modules
Apptivo offers small businesses a modular version of CRMs, allowing them to create a highly customized solution without enterprise-level complexity or price.
Key features
- Modular app structure with 50+ integrated apps
- Contact and lead management
- Project management
- Invoice and estimate creation
- Email marketing
- Help desk functionality
- Field service management
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
Why it's a good Salesforce alternative for small businesses
Small businesses need more than just customer management – they need comprehensive business tools that don't break the bank. Apptivo includes project management, invoicing, help desk, and other capabilities at a much lower cost of what you'd pay for separate Salesforce products. No need for purchase and integration of multiple systems.
It costs from just $15/user/month, and makes enterprise-grade functionality accessible to the smallest businesses. Comparable functionality in Salesforce would typically require multiple products and potentially cost 5-10 times more.
The platform is great at providing specialized tools for product-based businesses. For instance, its integrated inventory management, order processing, and supply chain features can deliver value that Salesforce only offers through more costs and integrations. As a result, you can get great workflows for less money.
Pricing
- Lite: $15/user/month (billed annually)
- Premium: $25/user/month (billed annually)
- Ultimate: $40/user/month (billed annually)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
9. Insightly: Best for project management integration
Insightly bridges the gap between CRM and project management, offering small businesses a unified platform for managing both customer relationships and the delivery of work.
Key features
- Integrated CRM and project management
- Powerful workflow automation
- Custom dashboards and reports
- Email tracking and templates
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Gmail and Outlook integrations
- Lead routing and assignment
- Quote and proposal generation
Why it's a good Salesforce alternative for small businesses
Service-based small businesses face a critical challenge that Insightly solves elegantly: connecting sales and delivery. Its native project management nature creates a seamless transition from winning a deal to delivering the work – functionality that requires separate products or complex integrations in Salesforce. This helps smaller teams maintain continuity throughout the customer lifecycle.
Mobile functionality is another area where Insightly outshines Salesforce for small business users. Its apps deliver nearly full CRM functionality rather than the limited capabilities often found in enterprise CRM mobile offerings. Great for small business teams that work frequently in the field, or between locations.
While offering decent customization options, Inslightly maintains an intuitive interface that doesn't require extensive training or dedicated administrators.
Pricing
- No free plan
- Plus: $29/user/month (billed annually)
- Professional: $49/user/month (billed annually)
- Enterprise: $99/user/month (billed annually)
10. Nimble: Best for social media integration
Nimble stands out as a Salesforce alternative with exceptional social media capabilities, making it ideal for small businesses that rely heavily on social channels for prospecting and engagement.
Key features
- Social media profile enrichment
- Contact and deal management
- Email tracking and templates
- Task management
- Sales pipeline
- Mobile apps with business card scanning
- Gmail and Outlook add-ins
- Custom fields and reporting
Why it's a good Salesforce alternative for small businesses
Social selling has become essential for small businesses, and Nimble excels where Salesforce falls short. The system automatically enriches contacts with social profiles and activity history, giving small businesses powerful relationship intelligence without additional cost. Salesforce requires expensive add-ons to deliver similar social capabilities.
Productivity gains are immediate with Nimble's browser extension. This tool allows users to access CRM data while browsing LinkedIn, Twitter, or company websites, eliminating constant application switching. This is quite a contrast with Salesforce's compartmentalization.
Communication becomes more efficient with Nimble's unified inbox, which consolidates emails, social messages, and other communications in one view. This integration helps small business teams maintain consistent messaging across channels without juggling multiple applications – functionality that typically requires multiple Salesforce products to achieve.
Pricing
- Business: $24.90/user/month (one plan with all features)
How to choose the right Salesforce alternative for your small business
Finding the perfect Salesforce alternative depends on identifying your specific business needs and priorities. Here are key factors to consider:
Assess your core requirements
Start by identifying the essential CRM functions your business needs. Do you primarily need contact management, or are pipeline visualization, marketing automation, or project management capabilities also important? Choose a solution that excels in your priority areas.
Consider your team's technical skills
Some alternatives offer simpler interfaces that require minimal training, while others provide more powerful customization at the cost of complexity. Be realistic about your team's technical capabilities and available time for learning a new system.
Evaluate your budget constraints
Cost is often a primary reason for seeking Salesforce alternatives. Calculate the total cost of ownership, including implementation, training, and potential growth. Many alternatives offer free plans or trials to help you test before committing.
Plan for growth
Select a CRM that can scale with your business. Consider whether the platform offers upgrade paths, additional modules, or enterprise features you might need in the future.
Test the mobile experience
For small business teams often working remotely, robust mobile applications are essential. Test the mobile experience during free trials to ensure it meets your on-the-go requirements.
Check integration capabilities
Ensure the CRM can connect with your existing business tools, whether that's accounting software, email marketing platforms, or e-commerce systems. This integration is crucial for maintaining a unified view of customer data.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free alternative to Salesforce?
HubSpot CRM offers the most complete free alternative to Salesforce, with unlimited users and contacts. Zoho CRM's free plan for up to three users and Bigin by Zoho are also excellent options for very small teams.
Can small businesses use Salesforce?
Yes, small businesses can use Salesforce, particularly with its Starter edition ($25/user/month). However, many find that Salesforce alternatives offer better value, simpler interfaces, and features more tailored to small business needs.
What features should I look for in Salesforce alternatives?
Key features to prioritize include contact and deal management, pipeline visualization, email integration, task management, reporting capabilities, mobile apps, and integrations with your existing business tools.
Is it difficult to migrate from Salesforce to an alternative CRM?
Most CRM alternatives offer data migration tools to help you transfer contacts, deals, and other information from Salesforce. The difficulty varies depending on how much custom data and processes you've built in Salesforce, but providers typically offer migration assistance.
Can I integrate scheduling tools with these Salesforce alternatives?
Yes, most of these Salesforce alternatives support integration with scheduling tools like Zeeg. This allows you to add appointment booking capabilities to your CRM, helping streamline lead conversion and customer meetings.
Supercharge your CRM with Zeeg scheduling
Integrating Zeeg with your chosen Salesforce alternative via Zapier creates powerful automation possibilities that transform your lead conversion process. With Zeeg connected to your CRM, you can build workflows triggered by scheduling actions that enhance customer experiences while saving your team valuable time.
Key automation possibilities include:
- Creating new contacts automatically when someone books an appointment
- Updating deal stages based on meeting outcomes
- Triggering personalized follow-up sequences after consultations
- Assigning leads to the right team members based on form responses
Zeeg's custom intake forms provide powerful lead qualification. When prospects answer questions during booking, their responses flow directly to your CRM, enabling:
- Automated lead scoring based on qualification criteria
- Smart segmentation for targeted follow-up
- Enhanced context for sales reps before meetings
- Personalized customer journeys based on preferences
With events like "Event Scheduled," "Event Cancelled," or "New Contact" serving as Zapier triggers, you can create sophisticated workflows that ensure consistent follow-through on every opportunity while maintaining a centralized view of all customer interactions in your CRM system.
Connect Zeeg with your CRM today to create a seamless booking experience that converts more leads while reducing manual data entry for your team.
Conclusion
While Salesforce remains a powerful CRM option, small businesses often find better value, usability, and fit with the alternatives we've explored. From Zoho CRM's excellent balance of features and affordability to HubSpot's marketing prowess and Less Annoying CRM's simplicity, there's an alternative that matches every small business's unique needs.
By choosing the right Salesforce alternative, your small business can implement a CRM solution that improves customer relationships and sales processes without the complexity and cost of enterprise platforms. Consider your specific requirements, try out a few options with free trials, and select the platform that best aligns with your business goals and workflow.
Remember that the best CRM is the one your team will actually use - so prioritize user-friendly interfaces and the features that matter most to your daily operations.
Sources: all prices were last verified on May 15, 2025
- Zoho pricing page
- Hubspot pricing page
- Freshsales pricing page
- Pipedrive pricing page
- Bigin by Zoho pricing page
- Monday.com pricing page
- LessAnnoyingCRM pricing page
- Apptivo pricing page
- Insightly pricing page
- Nimble pricing page
