CRM software comparison
Finding the right CRM software or customer relationship management tool, can be overwhelming. There are simply too many fish in the sea, and while it’s tempting to make a hasty decision, you first need to research what’s out there before settling down. Our CRM comparison hub will give you the tools needed to make a decision between Pipedrive, the highest-rated CRM by users, and other CRM alternatives.
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What questions should I ask before choosing a CRM?
You’re aware of how CRMs can help your business, but do you know the questions you should be asking to effectively evaluate and compare CRMs?
- Can the CRM grow with my business?
When you compare CRMs, one of the most crucial yet easy to overlook things is whether the tool will scale with your business. You may be a startup now, but you’d be surprised how quickly a good CRM has you hitting all your targets. To prevent having to switch tools a year or two down the road, see what kind of features are available across all plans, not just the one you’re interested in now.
Tip: Check out a company’s case studies to see if and how they’ve helped businesses like yours grow.
- How simple is it to use and train my team to use?
Compared to CRM alternatives like spreadsheets and pen and paper, most CRM systems can seem complicated. The right one for you, however, will help you get more done in less time. The key is finding one that’s powerful yet intuitive. Tools with all the bells and whistles may seem great at first, but if they take your team months to get the hang of, that’s a lot of lost time and productivity.
Tip: To see how easy users find a tool, read reviews on sites likes Capterra.
- What kind of support does it have?
If a software error can cost you a big deal then you can’t afford to wait five working days for an email response. Look for a tool that offers live chat or phone support during your business’ operating hours with a solid reputation to boot.
Tip: Look for a CRM that offers 24/7 support to be sure it covers your time zone and weekend shifts.
- What kind of customizations does it offer?
Every CRM will need some customization to make it fit your business and sales process. Creating things like custom fields and pipelines is standard, but does it let you automate parts of your unique workflow? Look at CRM pricing comparisons to see how much you’ll pay for the customizations you need with different providers.
Tip: Browse a CRM’s app marketplace to see if it connects with your other tools.
- What kind of reporting capabilities does it have?
Sales reports are crucial for improving your results and motivating your team. If you create a lot of reports for your business, look for a CRM that generates reports without manual input. Even better, look for a tool with live dashboards to keep you on track towards goals. When reports are beautiful and easy to make, you might also find yourself using them more.
Tip: Establish a set of essential report metrics you need to track, then look for them in CRMs.
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Pipedrive is rated as the best CRM by users, with all the features your team needs to sell more, with less work
Pipedrive is the highest rated CRM by users, with all the features your team needs to sell more, with less work
Compare CRMs
See how Pipedrive measures up against other CRM alternatives
7 Red Flags To Watch For When You Compare CRMs
Understanding how to compare CRMs and make a decision that will give you the best possible advantage is essential. On the other hand, understanding the things to avoid in a CRM can often be just as helpful.
- 1. Copycat CRMs
Cheaper, lesser-known CRM alternatives may seem like a great idea in the short-term, but when a CRM system crashes, your business suffers the cost. Copycats mimic the design of trusted software, are low or non-existent on review sites, and have few followers or negative attention on social media.
- 2. Poor customer support
Having help when you need it is essential. Before subscribing, put a company to the test by reaching out to their customer support via email, live chat or social media. If you wait for days or even weeks for an answer, they probably won’t be helpful when your company’s processes are on the line.
- 3. The software requires manual updates
When conducting your CRM comparison, look for a cloud-based CRM tool that updates automatically and backs up your data online. This is more secure than offline software that requires manual updating and is liable to lose client data.
- 4. The product hasn’t changed in years
To get an idea of the level of innovation that goes into a CRM tool, take a peek at their company announcements and product updates. You’ll easily find this info on their blog or homepage. The frequency of updates will tell you just how much they’re improving their product.
- 5. Your sales data is difficult to understand
CRM tools should provide an uncluttered and accessible view of your data. Check out product demo videos or screenshots for a preview. The clearer the dashboard looks, the better, and the more likely you and your team are to benefit from the improved visibility.
- 6. The brand has negative PR
Take time to research how a company treats its environment, staff and partners. It says a lot about their values. Employee scandals, licensing feuds and shady practices are signs that a company is not headed for success and that the products they make will inevitably suffer.
- 7. Bad customer reviews
When it’s time to compare CRMs, customer reviews can be a good source of objective feedback on a product or company compared to that brand’s own marketing materials. Also, pay attention to how the company responds to negative reviews to determine how valid the reviewer’s concerns are and how much the brand cares.
Focus on activities that matter
Pipedrive is designed to:
- Help you control complex sales processes
- Apply activity-based sales methodology to ensure follow-ups
- Offer plenty of highly customizable features
- Include live customer support
- Make scaling up as your team grows a breeze
- Consistently launch new integrations with leading software tools
Pipeline visibility
Our CRM combines pipeline visibility and an activity-based sales philosophy that ensures your sales team focuses on the actions that drive deals to close at all times. With Pipedrive, you always know what to do next and can be confident that you’ll never miss an activity.
Features, integrations & API
With full email integration, easy import and export of data, and an open API, you always have the right data — exactly where you need it. Add an extensive set of features designed specifically for salespeople, and you have the perfect tool to help you close deals consistently.
Priced to suit your business
With four pricing tiers and no hidden costs, you can manage your CRM budget reliably and accurately, while retaining the ability to scale up or down on short notice. We also charge per seat, not in user bands like some other CRMs, so you’re paying for exactly the amount of users you have.
Over 3,000 reviews & ratings
Highly rated by thousands of customers all over the world
4.5/5
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4.7/5
Why Pipedrive customers switch from other CRMs
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No good salesperson wants to have their momentum killed by restrictions and hidden costs. Pipedrive customers who switched from HubSpot cite unnecessary features, complex setup and value for money as key reasons for joining Pipedrive.
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Salesforce switchers regularly mention how difficult it is to use. With Pipedrive, you can get all the information you need quickly from our simple visual deal and product pipelines. Our customers save more time, and generate more revenue as a result.
How our customers grow their business with Pipedrive
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Business development consultancy Gray Matters uses Pipedrive to analyze their customers and sales pipeline. With this information, Gray Matters have identified industry trends and created specialized products for creative agencies.
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After adopting Pipedrive as their CRM, Fintech company ‘360 Payments’ increased their net income by a staggering 298% from 2016 to 2018. During that period, they also increased new accounts by 26% while gross revenue grew by 40%.
Graeme SmithArea Manager, Wedding Jam
Ana RinckOperations Manager, BAKERpedia
Chris WolpertManaging Member, Group Benefit SolutionsPipedrive free-trial FAQ
- Can I switch plans while on the free trial?
Yes, users can easily upgrade and downgrade between plans. When downgrading, excess funds will remain as credit. Switching between plans can be done at any time in the billing cycle.
- Do I get support while on the free trial?
Yes. You will receive the same 24/7 support that our paying customers do while in free trial, regardless of which plan you’re in.
- Is there a limit to the features in the free trial?
Not at all. You will experience the full range of features that are accessible to paying customers within the plan you’re in. You can also switch between any Pipedrive plan while in free trial.
- Can I add people from my team to Pipedrive while on free trial?
Yes, you can invite as many people as you want to join your Pipedrive trial. Simply click on your profile in the top right corner of your screen and select “Add more users” from the drop-down menu.
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