10 Freshworks Alternatives to Power Your Sales CRM Strategy

Picking the right CRM isn't exactly like finding the perfect pair of jeans, but it sure can feel that way.

Take Freshworks CRM, for example. At first glance, it might seem like a snug fit, but after a few wears, you might notice it's a little tight in the wrong places, doesn't stretch when you need it to, or just doesn't have enough pockets. Or, maybe you don't like the price tag.

Translation: You don't like Freshworks' pricing, features, complexity, or scalability.

So, your proverbial jeans don't fit.

Now what?

The good news is that the CRM rack is stocked with plenty of Freshworks alternatives, and we've done the browsing for you.

Below, we're breaking down 10 top competitors that could be the CRM that fits just right.

Spoiler: One of them is us. We'll try not to make it too awkward.

Top 10 Freshworks Alternatives for Sales Teams

Each of these Freshworks alternatives has its own strengths. Your job? Find the one that makes your day feel a little lighter.

Let's break them down.

1. Ringy

Ideal for: Sales teams that want calling, texting, and automation in one place

Highlight: Mobile-friendly, easy to use, lead distribution, automated workflows

Ringy strips down the CRM experience to the essentials. This makes it an excellent option for teams focused primarily on staying in touch with leads.

It's fully mobile-ready, so sales reps who are often on the move can make calls, text, or manage tasks straight from their phones.

Key Features:

• Automated Texting and Calling: Set up automatic texts to follow up on inquiries or a single-click dialer to save time. This is great for teams in industries like real estate or insurance.
• Mobile-Centric Design: Designed to work seamlessly on mobile devices, it's a great choice for teams who need flexibility and constant connectivity.
• Streamlined Lead Management: Ringy focuses on simplifying your lead distribution and follow-up process, ensuring timely communication at every stage.

2. HubSpot CRM

Ideal for: Small to mid-sized teams wanting a free CRM with scalable features

Highlight: Strong marketing automation and reporting

HubSpot CRM is known for its user-friendly interface and the fact that its free plan holds real value. From contact and deal tracking to email campaign creation, this platform covers a lot of ground.

Key Features:

• Email Templates and Tracking: Reps can set up personalized email templates and even track when recipients open emails, helping them identify hot leads.
• Pipeline Management: Keep tabs on every deal with an intuitive drag-and-drop pipeline interface.
• Customizable Dashboards: Monitor team performance and sales progress through dynamic reporting dashboards.

3. Pipedrive

Ideal for: Sales reps who want a visual pipeline and an easy interface

Highlight: Sales-focused features, workflow automation

Pipedrive is an alternative to Freshworks, perfect if you want a CRM that focuses on sales above all else. Its visual-driven design turns your pipeline into something you can literally see your progress in, which makes managing and advancing deals less stressful.

Key Features:

• Customizable Pipelines: Tailor your sales stages to reflect the way your business works.
• Activity Reminders: Stay on track with automated reminders about follow-up calls, proposal deadlines, or meetings.
• Forecasting Tools: Easily estimate future revenue based on your current sales activity.

4. Zoho CRM

Ideal for: Businesses needing a customizable and affordable CRM

Highlight: AI-powered tools, multichannel communication

Zoho CRM is a versatile platform that offers robust functionality at a competitive price point. Whether you're managing leads across email, phone, chat, or social media, Zoho CRM can help align these interactions seamlessly.

Key Features:

• AI Assistant (Zia): From predicting sales trends to automating email responses, Zia works tirelessly behind the scenes.
• Multichannel Communication: Integrates email, phone, live chat, and even social media.
• Affordable Pricing Tiers: There's a plan for everyone, whether you're a solopreneur or managing a larger organization.

5. Salesforce Sales Cloud

Ideal for: Enterprise businesses with complex needs

Highlight: Extensive integrations, custom modules, advanced analytics

Salesforce Sales Cloud, a viable Freshworks alternative, is a powerhouse that allows businesses to build their CRM workflows exactly how they want. It has tools for everything, from customer data analytics to automation and beyond.

Key Features:

• Customizable Modules: Tailor Salesforce to work with your company's unique sales process.
• Einstein AI: Get predictive analytics that show you where to focus your team's next efforts.
• Integration Galore: Salesforce integrates with pretty much everything—from email marketing tools to accounting software.

6. Monday Sales CRM

Ideal for: Teams using Monday for project management

Highlight: Visual interface, workflow templates, simple automation

Monday Sales CRM is designed to work seamlessly with Monday.com's project management software. If organization and collaboration are critical to your process, this could be a solid option.

Ideal for: Teams using Monday for project management

Key Features:

• Real-Time Collaboration: Team members can seamlessly work together on sales pipelines and leads.
• Custom Templates: Prebuilt templates for everything from sales funnels to onboarding clients.
• Integration with Monday.com Tools: Get everything done in one place, from tracking CRM data to managing team projects.

7. Close CRM

Ideal for: Sales teams focused on outbound calling and emailing

Highlight: Power dialer, built-in calling, email sequences

Close CRM caters to teams who live for cold calls and follow-up emails. Its tools are aimed at saving time and making outreach as seamless as possible.

Key Features:

• Power Dialer: Keep calls flowing with minimal delays between dials.
• Email Sequences: Set emails to send automatically based on triggers or timelines.
• Pipeline Tracking: Keep tabs on leads as they move through the sales funnel.

8. Copper CRM

Ideal for: Google Workspace users

Highlight: Seamless Gmail and Google Calendar integration

Copper CRM is best for businesses that use Google Workspace. It integrates seamlessly with Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Calendar. That way, emails, tasks, and meetings are synchronized within the CRM.

Key Features:

• Google Workspace Integration: Manage tasks, emails, and meetings within Gmail.
• Email and Task Sync: Keep all communications and to-dos in one place.
• Calendar Syncing: Align schedules effortlessly with Google Calendar integration.
• Simple Setup: Get started quickly with an easy-to-use interface.

9. Insightly

Ideal for: Growing businesses needing project + CRM in one

Highlight: Workflow automation, integrated project tracking

Insightly bridges CRM and project management features. This makes it an appealing option for small- to medium-sized businesses handling both sales and operational tasks.

The platform allows users to track leads and deals while also managing the delivery of products or services.

Key Features:

• CRM and Project Management: Handle sales and deliverables in one platform.
• Workflow Automation: Reduce workloads by automating repetitive tasks.
• Third-Party Integrations: Extend capabilities with external app connections.
• Comprehensive Tracking: Monitor leads and progress from start to finish.

10. Keap (formerly Infusionsoft)

Ideal for: Solopreneurs and small businesses

Highlight: CRM with built-in email marketing and ecommerce features

Keap blends core CRM features with marketing automation. This makes it a valuable Freshworks alternative for small businesses.

It includes options for automated follow-ups, invoicing, and email marketing campaigns, which allows teams to manage their client relationships and communication in one streamlined system.

Key Features:

• Follow-Up Automation: Automate client engagement with simple triggers.
• Integrated Payments: Track invoices and payments directly within the CRM.
• Marketing Campaign Templates: Create and manage outreach effortlessly.
• Small Team Optimization: Designed for small business simplicity and efficiency.

How to Choose the Right CRM for Your Team

The “best” Freshworks alternative is the one that fits how your team works.

Ask yourself:

1. How many people will use this?
2. What are the must-have features vs. nice-to-haves?
3. Do we live inside Gmail, Slack, or our phones?
4. Do we need automation, or just a better way to track leads?

Once you know the answers, shortlist a few and test drive them. Most have free trials. Use them.

Final Thoughts on Freshworks CRM Alternatives

There's no shortage of powerful Freshworks CRM alternatives, each designed to address unique business needs. Before you make your choice, identify your team's priorities and match them with the tool that can drive your success.

Encourage trialing a few to find the best fit for your team, as what works for one business may not align perfectly with another. Testing options firsthand often reveals surprising insights into what you truly need.

Try Ringy today if you're looking for a simple, mobile-friendly sales CRM with built-in automation tool.