Free & Open-Source CRM Alternatives to Zoho: Top Options Compared

If you currently utilize other Zoho tools like Survey, Books, etc., Zoho CRM is a terrific addition to your toolbox. Even with this, the platform’s capabilities can be restricted if you intend to invest only some of the toolkit.

We’ve chosen the top Zoho open CRM alternatives for small businesses to help you discover the ideal CRM system.

A cloud-based CRM tool called Zoho CRM was created to assist companies in dealing with clients and consumers.

What Zoho CRM Offers

Many features are available on the platform, such as:

1. Lead management is a centralized method for gathering, monitoring, and nurturing leads.
2. Sales automation automates standard sales operations to boost productivity, including lead scoring, opportunity monitoring, and forecasting.
3. Marketing automation: personalize and automate campaigns for use on various platforms, such as WhatsApp, social media, live chat, email, and more.
4. Customer service components include case management, knowledge management, and a customer portal.
5. The marketing, sales, and support teams can collaborate on deals, leads, and customer assistance situations.
6. Integrations: Several different Zoho and outside technologies are compatible with Zoho CRM.
7. An iOS and Android mobile application

Zoho CRM Costs

Zoho CRM provides a free membership for solopreneurs and small businesses. It supports up to three users and offers minimal customization possibilities, email marketing, contact management, and automation (up to five operations).

The monthly billing amount for paid subscriptions starts at $20 for each user.

Top Zoho Alternatives Compared

1. Brevo Sales Platform

Bravo provides a complete CRM package with a sales and customer relationship management platform and an extensive marketing toolkit.

 

It can manage and track the sales process, assign tasks, and anticipate sales for an infinite number of contacts, deals, and sales representatives, all free. For that reason, it’s the most excellent Zoho substitute available.

Features of Brevo CRM to replace Zoho

• Lead qualifying, the construction of numerous sales pipelines, and transaction progress tracking are all part of pipeline management. Additionally, custom pipelines are offered.
• With sales automation, you can automate some funnel processes and set up sophisticated workflows triggered by predefined rules.
• The sales forecasting tool calculates every step of the deal cycle’s predicted revenue. Find a more accurate method for sales forecasting than Excel.
• Bravo makes working as a team easier. In the exact location where you log your deals, assign tasks, make notes, and monitor team members’ progress.
• Brevo’s function for booking appointments is called Meetings. Using the app, create booking pages, allow clients to schedule appointments with you, conduct the meeting, and then be paid!
• Rich customization options for transaction phases, list views, and the development of custom attributes, among other things.

Brevo vs. Zoho CRM

Why is Brevo a superior Zoho CRM substitute? Brevo provides far more functionality than only CRM functions.

• Email marketing automation: The CRM has a robust email marketing automation feature that enables email sending to be done seamlessly. Basic email marketing features are available in Zoho CRM, but Brevo offers more automation and flexibility than Zoho CRM. Brevo includes free templates.
• Marketing using SMS and WhatsApp: Expand your marketing toolkit to include SMS and WhatsApp messages. This is not a feature of Zoho CRM.
• Email used for transactions: Use Brevo SMTP to send emails with order confirmations, account alerts, and password reset links. You won’t find this crucial capability for e-commerce companies in Zoho CRM.
• Live Chat: Brevo features an integrated live chat and messaging function (which includes WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram direct messages) that lets you talk to your customers in real-time, unlike Zoho CRM.

Landing pages and forms: Use Brevo’s drag-and-drop builder to design signup and landing pages to capture leads quickly. This feature needs to be included in Zoho CRM’s main functionalities.

2. Sage

Sage is a CRM software that facilitates the management of customer and prospect relationships for small and mid-sized organizations. For those seeking a more straightforward CRM solution, it’s a good substitute for Zoho CRM.

Sage Features

• Managing contacts and accounts: a centralized database that houses and manages contact details, account histories, and interactions for clients and prospects
• Management of leads and opportunities: Opportunity tracking, lead prioritization, and lead classification
• Sales management features include pipeline management, territory management, and sales forecasting.
• Analytics for customers: Data on client involvement, sales patterns, and demographics in real-time
• Tools for cooperation: task lists and notes for groups and projects
• Mobile applications: iOS and Android

Sage vs. Zoho CRM

The following are Sage CRM’s main benefits over Zoho CRM:

• Easier handling of contracts. To do so, you need specialized software called Zoho Contract.
• A more contemporary and user-friendly user interface (however, in the opinion of Zoho users, the Zoho CRM interface requires UI/UX upgrade)
• They are designed for companies seeking lightweight, easy-to-use solutions for novice users. More startups and SaaS companies are the focus of Zoho CRM.

3. Sugar CRM

A CRM platform that is adaptable and can be tailored to unique business requirements is SugarCRM. Numerous deployment methods are available, including mobile, cloud-based, and on-premise.

 

CRM products are divided into three categories: Sugar Market, Sugar Sell, and Sugar Serve. Since Sugar Sell is an automation solution for sales teams, we discuss it here.

 

Sugar CRM has the same functionality as a Zoho CRM substitute.

• Lead management: Monitor leads from capture to conversion throughout sales.
• Predictive forecasting powered by AI: Sales forecasting tools use past data and current trends to project future sales.

Zoho CRM vs. SugarCRM

Let’s review the things that Zoho CRM lacks, and SugarCRM has:

 

• Quote administration Customization choices
• Automatically categorized calls and organized tasks
• multichannel client interactions.

4. HubSpot

HubSpot’s extensive toolkit catering to all business requirements makes it one of the better alternatives to Zoho’s open-source CRM. But, when you purchase add-ons, the cost increases.

The HubSpot toolkit includes a variety of components to support efficient customer relationship management, including:

• Pipeline management: tracking potential customers from lead generation to close
• Workflow automation for sales: Automate lead scoring, email follow-ups, work distribution, and other sales duties.
• Forms: Create original lead-generation forms.
• Reporting and analytics: Customize sales performance and website interaction reports.
• Meeting organizer: Manage your calendar from one place.
• Make quotes and send them to prospective customers.
• CRM portable

HubSpot vs. Zoho CRM

Some features of HubSpot that Zoho CRM does not have

• Live chat and chatbots (which Brevo also provides)
• Call monitoring
• tracking of recurring revenue
• AI-driven insights

Conclusion

In conclusion, companies looking for customized alternatives have many options when they explore the world of CRM solutions outside of Zoho CRM. This thorough guide has examined a number of the leading candidates, illuminating their characteristics, capabilities, and unique benefits.

Each solution has advantages, ranging from Sage’s user-friendly interface for smaller enterprises to Brevo’s powerful sales platform with considerable automation features.

SugarCRM is unique in that it can be customized and has flexible deployment choices, while HubSpot’s extensive toolbox can accommodate a wide range of business requirements at an extra cost for some add-ons.

By weighing factors like customization, automation, user interface, and pricing, businesses can make informed decisions to find the perfect CRM fit. Whether enhancing sales processes, optimizing marketing strategies, or improving customer service, the right CRM solution can propel businesses toward greater efficiency and success in managing customer relationships.

FAQs

What open-source alternatives are available for Zoho?

Some open-source alternatives to Zoho include Odoo CRM, Vtiger CRM, Dolibarr CRM ERP, ERPNext CRM, and SuiteCRM.

Why choose open-source alternatives over Zoho?

Open-source alternatives offer greater customization, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness compared to Zoho. They also provide the freedom to modify and adapt the software to specific business needs.

How do open-source alternatives compare in features and functionality to Zoho?

Open-source alternatives often offer comparable features and functionality to Zoho, including lead management, sales tracking, customer support, and marketing automation. However, the extent of features may vary depending on the specific open-source CRM chosen.

Are open-source alternatives compatible with Zoho’s file formats and integrations?

Open-source alternatives may not always be directly compatible with Zoho’s file formats and integrations. However, many open-source CRMs offer integrations with commonly used software applications and formats.

What are the main advantages of open-source solutions?

The main advantages of open-source solutions include customization, flexibility, cost-effectiveness, community support, and transparency in code.

What limitations might be associated with open-source alternatives?

Limitations of open-source alternatives may include the need for technical expertise for customization and maintenance, the potential lack of dedicated customer support, and dependency on community-driven development.

How user-friendly are open-source alternatives compared to Zoho?

User-friendliness of open-source alternatives varies depending on the specific CRM chosen. While some open-source CRMs offer intuitive interfaces and easy setup processes, others may require more technical knowledge to use effectively.

What level of customer support and documentation do open-source alternatives offer?

Customer support and documentation for open-source alternatives vary among providers. Some may offer comprehensive documentation and community forums for support, while others may provide paid support options.

Are there costs involved in using open-source alternatives compared to Zoho?

While open-source software itself is typically free to use, there may be associated costs such as hosting, customization, maintenance, and support. These costs can vary depending on the specific open-source CRM and the level of customization required.

What are some popular open-source alternatives in specific categories?

Some popular open-source alternatives in specific categories include Odoo CRM for comprehensive business management, Vtiger CRM for sales and customer care, Dolibarr CRM ERP for CRM and ERP integration, ERPNext CRM for planning platform integration, and SuiteCRM for feature-rich CRM functionalities.

How customizable are open-source alternatives compared to Zoho?

Open-source alternatives are highly customizable, allowing businesses to tailor the CRM system to their specific requirements. This level of customization is often greater compared to proprietary solutions like Zoho.

Are there any security concerns with open-source alternatives?

Security concerns with open-source alternatives may arise from the need for regular updates and patches to address vulnerabilities. However, many open-source CRMs prioritize security and offer robust encryption and authentication measures.

Can open-source alternatives provide scalability and performance like Zoho?

es, open-source alternatives can provide scalability and performance similar to Zoho. Many open-source CRMs are designed to handle large volumes of data and users, making them suitable for businesses of all sizes.

How actively maintained and supported are open-source alternatives?

The level of maintenance and support for open-source alternatives varies among providers. Some open-source CRMs have active development communities and regular updates, while others may have slower development cycles.