Reliable SaaS Platforms for CRM

Introduction

When it comes to choosing a customer relationship management (CRM) software, the options can be overwhelming. With so many CRM systems available, it can be challenging to determine which one is the best fit for your business. That’s where PCMag comes in. Since 1982, PCMag has been testing and rating thousands of products to help consumers make better buying decisions. In this article, we will provide an overview of some of the most reliable SaaS platforms for CRM based on PCMag’s testing and ratings. Whether you are a small business or a large enterprise, we have got you covered.

The Importance of CRM

A CRM system is an essential tool for businesses of all sizes. While a basic contact-tracking app may suffice for very small businesses, a comprehensive CRM system can open up a new world of sales and support capabilities. A CRM enables an organization to monitor, evaluate, and review the entire lifespan of each customer relationship, from initial purchases to support calls, notes from sales representatives’ regional visits, and beyond. A good CRM system can help businesses streamline their sales process, improve customer satisfaction, and ultimately increase revenue.

Top Tested Picks

PCMag has tested and rated numerous CRM systems, but here are some of the top picks based on their testing and ratings:

Salesforce Sales Cloud Lightning Professional

Salesforce is a pioneer in the CRM industry and continues to be a leader in the market. Salesforce offers a wide range of advanced features and customizations, making it a versatile CRM solution for businesses of all sizes. It also has powerful social collaboration options and a third-party app marketplace. While Salesforce has a steep learning curve and can be pricey, it is one of the few products that truly scales up to the needs of the largest enterprises. If you are looking for a robust and customizable CRM solution, Salesforce Sales Cloud Lightning Professional is an excellent choice.

Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM is another standout CRM solution that offers an extensive suite of SaaS business software. Zoho CRM rivals even the behemoth Salesforce in terms of its feature set. It offers deep customization options, especially with its Canvas Builder feature. Zoho CRM also has flexible AI capabilities and integrated gamification features. If you are already using other products in the Zoho portfolio, Zoho CRM is a no-brainer. However, if you find Zoho CRM overwhelming, you might consider exploring Bigin by Zoho, a lightweight CRM designed specifically for small businesses.

HubSpot CRM

HubSpot CRM is a hybrid tool that combines CRM with marketing and help desk capabilities. It offers a robust feature set and a generous free version. HubSpot CRM is an excellent choice for businesses starting at square one with CRM, as it provides integrated marketing and service tools. However, it is important to note that HubSpot comes at a premium price, and some commonplace features are only available at higher pricing tiers. If you are looking for an easy-to-use CRM with marketing and service capabilities, HubSpot CRM is worth considering.

Freshsales CRM

Freshsales CRM is a solid, entry-level CRM solution suitable for most small to midsize businesses. While it may lack some features compared to other CRMs, it has recently done a good job of building integrations with other business software, such as calendars, email marketing software, and tools like DocuSign. Freshsales CRM simplifies the CRM process for small businesses and offers extensive customization options. It also has a proactive AI assistant and various integrations to extend functionality. If you are looking for a functional CRM that won’t overwhelm your sales team with features, Freshsales CRM is a great option.

Zendesk Sell

Zendesk Sell is a CRM solution that has its roots in help desk software. It is tightly integrated with Zendesk’s help desk software, making it an excellent choice for businesses that prioritize service support. While it may not have as many marketing automation features as some other CRMs, it is still a feature-rich CRM that can serve as a general-purpose solution for any organization. Zendesk Sell has excellent integration with Zendesk’s help desk software and useful reporting options. However, it can quickly become pricey beyond the lowest tier, and its basic email and template editor may not meet the needs of all businesses.

Less Annoying CRM

Less Annoying CRM is an affordable and highly customizable CRM platform that aims to be a one-stop solution for all your business software needs. It offers a wide range of features, including contact management and business process features. Less Annoying CRM has a newly redesigned interface that is more intuitive and offers a wide range of help and support options. It is an excellent choice for businesses that are unsure about their CRM budget but still want access to all the essential CRM features. However, existing users may have a bit of a learning curve with the new interface, and the basic reporting features may not meet the needs of all businesses.

Creatio CRM

Creatio CRM (formerly Sales Creatio) is a multifaceted and highly customizable unified business solution. It offers solid CRM functionality and helps small and medium-sized businesses streamline processes from lead management to closing. Creatio CRM is rooted in solid CRM functionality and offers low-code development tools for customization. However, it has a relatively short trial period and can be daunting for new users due to its hefty feature set and customization options.

SugarCRM Sugar Sell

SugarCRM is one of the earliest players in the CRM field and offers a deep feature set. It is a highly customizable CRM solution that provides AI-powered data analysis and tightly integrated help desk and marketing platforms. SugarCRM is an excellent choice for businesses that know exactly what they want out of their CRM and are willing to invest time and effort into customization. However, it can be complex and may require a significant learning curve for new users. It also has a stodgy list-based user interface and can be expensive, especially at the higher pricing tiers.

Apptivo CRM

Apptivo CRM is an affordable and highly customizable platform that aims to be a one-stop solution for all your business software needs. It offers comprehensive features and various customization options. Apptivo CRM has outstanding mobile applications, granular security controls, and 24-hour support. However, its performance can feel sluggish, and it could use extended APIs. If you are looking for a comprehensive CRM solution with outstanding mobile applications, Apptivo CRM is an excellent choice.

Insightly CRM

Insightly CRM is an easy-to-use CRM solution that offers a slick interface and smooth data input and sharing. It has a straightforward user interface that is consistent and easy to pick up. Insightly CRM is highly customizable and offers easy integration with Insightly’s help desk and marketing apps. However, its high-end tiers can be expensive, and it lacks advanced features like custom workflows. If you are looking for an easy-to-use CRM solution with a slick interface, Insightly CRM is worth considering.

Pipedrive CRM

Pipedrive CRM is a deal-driven CRM solution with an intuitive interface and deal-driven workflow. It offers solid mobile apps and helps small and medium-sized businesses keep on top of their CRM process. Pipedrive CRM can be a good fit for deal-oriented sales teams. However, it has limited functionality for the price, and its interface lacks separation between lists of new leads and contacts.

Act! CRM

Act! CRM is a CRM solution that has evolved from contact management software. It offers integrated email marketing features and an easy-to-use dashboard designer. Act! CRM has good marketing automation workflow builder. However, its old-fashioned user interface can be clunky and may cause problems in many places. It also requires an external email client for email integration, and its data entry process can be needlessly convoluted in places. Act! CRM may appeal to people with past experience with Act! contact management, but its UI may be too unorthodox for the modern SaaS era.

Conclusion

Choosing the right CRM software is a significant investment for any business. It is important to understand your requirements, evaluate the features and customization options of each CRM solution, and consider factors such as pricing, support, and integration capabilities. Reliable SaaS platforms for CRM, such as Salesforce Sales Cloud Lightning Professional, Zoho CRM, and HubSpot CRM, can help businesses streamline their sales process, improve customer satisfaction, and ultimately increase revenue. Whether you are a small business or a large enterprise, there is a CRM solution out there that can meet your needs.