Best Salesforce Alternatives
Looking for a simpler or cheaper CRM than Salesforce? These alternatives trade some enterprise depth for faster setup and lower cost.
We compared 5 Salesforce alternatives. Close is the top pick at 4.6/5 (from $19/mo). 3 have a free plan. 5 cost less than Salesforce's $25/mo. 3 rate higher than Salesforce itself (4.4/5).
Why look for a Salesforce alternative?
Salesforce rates 4.4/5 and is genuinely strong at endlessly customizable — most people switch because of a specific trade-off:
- •Steep learning curve
- •Needs an admin
- •Costs add up with add-ons
Salesforce alternatives compared
| Tool | Starts at | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salesforce (the original) | $25/mo | 4.4/5 | Mid-market to Enterprise |
| Close | $19/mo | 4.6/5 | Inside sales teams |
| HubSpot | Free | 4.5/5 | SMBs to mid-market |
| Pipedrive | $14/mo | 4.5/5 | Small sales teams |
| Freshsales | Free | 4.3/5 | SMB to mid-market |
| Zoho CRM | Free | 4.2/5 | SMBs on a budget |
The best Salesforce alternatives, ranked
Inside-sales CRM with calling built in
Why switch: Calling baked in. Best for Inside sales teams.
All-in-one CRM with a generous free tier
Why switch: Powerful free tier. Best for SMBs to mid-market.
Sales-first CRM built around the pipeline
Why switch: Very intuitive. Best for Small sales teams.
AI-powered CRM from the Freshworks suite
Why switch: Clean modern UI. Best for SMB to mid-market.
Affordable CRM inside a huge software suite
Why switch: Excellent value. Best for SMBs on a budget.
Pick by priority
Best rated → Close
4.6/5 across 1,600 reviews. Calling baked in.
Free option → HubSpot
Has a genuine free plan — the cheapest way to test a switch.
Closest fit → Close
Our top overall pick for people leaving Salesforce. Suits Inside sales teams.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Salesforce?+
Close is our top-ranked Salesforce alternative, rated 4.6/5 and starting at $19/mo. Calling baked in is its standout strength, and it suits Inside sales teams.
Are there free alternatives to Salesforce?+
Yes — HubSpot, Freshsales, Zoho CRM offer a free plan. Paid tiers unlock more, but the free tier is enough to test the fit.
What is a cheaper alternative to Salesforce?+
5 of these start below Salesforce's $25/mo: Close ($19/mo), HubSpot (Free), Pipedrive ($14/mo), Freshsales (Free), Zoho CRM (Free).
Why do people look for Salesforce alternatives?+
The most common reasons are: steep learning curve, needs an admin, costs add up with add-ons. Salesforce still rates 4.4/5, so the right move depends on which trade-off matters to you.
Which Salesforce alternative is rated highest?+
Close at 4.6/5, versus 4.4/5 for Salesforce.