If you’re in the business of selling to other businesses, having a robust B2B CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system is essential for streamlining your operations and boosting your success.
Navigating the complexities of running a business can be challenging, but with the right CRM system, you can enhance efficiency and achieve better results. A strong CRM helps manage customer data, run marketing campaigns, track key metrics like lead generation, and maintain valuable customer relationships.
There are many CRM software options available, each tailored to different types and sizes of businesses. In this article, we’ll explore what we at Soone Agency believe to be the 15 best B2B CRMs on the market in 2024.
Let’s dive in!
What Is a B2B Business Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Tool?
So, what exactly is a B2B CRM?
B2B CRM stands for Business to Business Customer Relationship Management. It encompasses a suite of systems, strategies, technologies, and processes designed to manage and enhance relationships between B2B companies and their potential or existing customers. A B2B CRM provides insights into customers’ needs and helps tailor interactions to drive better outcomes.
It might sound complex, but in essence, CRMs are powerful marketing tools that support customer success and growth. Think of them as essential components of a broader marketing strategy.
While CRMs play a crucial role in marketing, they are just one piece of the puzzle. Other elements such as SEO, paid advertising, and branding are also vital for a comprehensive marketing strategy.
Why do you need a B2B CRM?
A B2B CRM is essential for centralizing customer data, improving sales efficiency, and enhancing customer relationships. It enables businesses to manage complex sales processes by tracking leads, automating tasks, and personalizing interactions. Additionally, it provides valuable insights through analytics, helping businesses make data-driven decisions and strengthen long-term customer relationships.
Benefits of B2B CRM
A B2B CRM offers numerous benefits, including streamlined sales processes through lead tracking and automation, improved customer engagement by personalizing interactions, centralized data for easy access by the entire team, and advanced analytics for better decision-making. It also enhances collaboration across departments and boosts customer satisfaction by providing a comprehensive view of client interactions, ultimately driving more successful and long-lasting business relationships.
Our picks for the top 15 B2B CRMs are:
HubSpot remains one of the most recognized and widely used CRMs in the industry. It offers a range of tools that cater to businesses of all sizes, making it a top choice for B2B and B2C companies alike. Even with its free plan, HubSpot provides features such as a visual sales pipeline, shared inbox, live chat, automated task assignment, and native reporting dashboards. For those who upgrade to premium plans, the CRM offers advanced features like custom reporting, email sequencing, conversation routing, and more complex tools to manage multiple pipelines efficiently. HubSpot's seamless integration with its other marketing, sales, and service tools makes it a comprehensive solution for growing businesses.
Pricing: (Based on annual billing; monthly plans are available)
Professional Sales Plan: $90 per month per user
Enterprise Sales Plan: $150 per month per user
Free Trial Available? Yes, 14 days.
Pros:
Cons:
Salesforce continues to be the a great CRM, offering advanced sales pipelines and a vast range of features. It's a powerhouse in the industry, suitable for businesses that need comprehensive CRM functionality. Salesforce allows for individual pipelines, lead and opportunity tracking, and detailed contact records. Premium features include internal and external communication tools, robust automation, and AI-driven insights. However, Salesforce does not offer a free tier, which might be a drawback for small businesses or those on a tight budget.
Pricing:
Enterprise: $165 per user per month
Unlimited: $330 per user per month
Einstein: $500 per user per month
Free Trial Available? Yes, for 30 days.
Pros:
Cons:
Zoho CRM offers a robust set of features for businesses looking to enhance their marketing and sales pipelines. While the free tier is somewhat limited, the paid plans unlock advanced tools like AI-powered automation, social media marketing integration, and customizable sales pipelines. Zoho also provides strong analytics and reporting features, making it an excellent choice for businesses focused on data-driven decision-making.
Pricing:
Standard: $14 per user per month
Professional: $23 per user per month
Enterprise: $40 per user per month
Ultimate: $52 per user per month
Free Trial Available? Yes, for 15 days.
Pros:
Cons:
ActiveCampaign is an excellent choice for mid-sized companies looking to integrate powerful email marketing with CRM functionality. The platform offers detailed customer analytics, lead scoring, and customizable marketing automation across multiple channels like SMS, email, and social media. While it’s straightforward to use, there is a learning curve to fully leverage its advanced features.
Pricing: (Based on 1,000 contacts)
Starter: $15 per month
Plus: $49 per month
Professional: $79 per month
Enterprise: $145 per month
Free Trial Available? Yes, for 14 days.
Pros:
Cons:
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a powerful CRM solution designed for enterprises, offering extensive customization and integration with other Microsoft products. The platform is equipped with advanced AI features that help personalize sales and marketing efforts. It's perfect for large businesses looking for a CRM that supports complex processes across sales, marketing, and finance. However, its user interface may not be as intuitive as other CRMs.
Pricing:
Professional: $70 per user per month
Enterprise: $120 per user per month
Premium: $150 per user per month
Free Trial Available? Yes, for 30 days.
Pros:
Cons:
Pipedrive is ideal for small businesses or individuals new to CRM software. It’s a straightforward, user-friendly platform that offers essential CRM features like sales pipeline management, email integration, and automation tools. Pipedrive is an excellent choice for businesses just starting with CRMs, though as your business grows, you might encounter limitations that require an upgrade to a more robust CRM.
Pricing:
Essential: $14 per user per month
Advanced: $34 per user per month
Professional: $49 per user per month
Power: $64 per user per month
Enterprise: $99 per user per month
Free Trial Available? Yes, for 14 days.
Pros:
Cons:
Freshwork offers a robust and intuitive CRM platform, especially for B2B sales pipelines. It provides a range of features even in its free plan, such as live chat, web forms, and email integration. Higher-tier plans include AI-powered automation, customizable deal pipelines, and advanced reporting, making it a great option for growing businesses looking for a CRM that’s easy to use and full of features.
Pricing:
Free Plan: Supports unlimited users
Growth: $15 per user per month
Pro: $49 per user per month
Enterprise: $79 per user per month
Free Trial Available? Yes, for 21 days.
Pros:
Cons:
If you're searching for a highly customizable CRM that doubles as a project management tool, Monday.com CRM is an excellent option. This platform offers visual project management features, making it easy to track your sales pipeline alongside your projects. The intuitive interface and strong team collaboration tools make it ideal for businesses that require flexibility and adaptability.
Pricing:
Basic: $9 per user per month
Standard: $12 per user per month
Pro: $19 per user per month
Enterprise: Custom pricing
Free Trial Available? Yes, for 14 days.
Pros:
Insightly is a solid choice for small to medium-sized businesses that need project management integrated with their CRM. It offers strong project management capabilities and built-in email marketing, making it a versatile tool. Integration with popular apps like G Suite and Microsoft Office enhances its utility, making it a reliable choice for growing businesses.
Free Trial Available? Yes, for 14 days.
Pros:
Cons:
Nimble is a great CRM for small businesses and professionals focused on relationship building via social channels. This social CRM offers strong social media integration, allowing users to manage contacts and communications across various platforms. It's affordable, user-friendly, and ideal for those who need a straightforward CRM with social networking capabilities.
Pricing:
Nimble Business: $24.90 per user per month
Free Trial Available? Yes, for 14 days.
Pros:
Cons:
SugarCRM is a highly customizable CRM solution that excels in automation and predictive analytics. It's designed for businesses that need deep data insights and tailored CRM functionality. SugarCRM's open-source nature allows extensive customization, making it ideal for businesses with specific needs.
Pricing:
Essential: $19 per user per month
Standard: $59 per user per month
Premier: $135 per user per month
Advanced: $85 per user per month
Market: $1000 starting
Free Trial Available? Yes, for 7 days.
Pros:
Cons:
Copper is the go-to CRM for businesses that rely heavily on Google Workspace. Its seamless integration with Google tools makes it a natural extension of the Google ecosystem, providing an intuitive interface and strong email tracking features. It’s particularly suitable for teams that want a CRM that fits into their existing Google workflow.
Pricing:
Starter: $12 per user per month
Basic: $29 per user per month
Professional: $69 per user per month
Business: $134 per user per month
Free Trial Available? Yes, for 14 days.
Pros:
Cons:
Close CRM is designed for small to medium sales teams that prioritize direct communication and deal closing. It offers built-in calling, email features, and robust automation tools, making it a powerful choice for sales-focused businesses. The user-friendly interface and strong sales management features help streamline the sales process.
Pricing:
Free Trial Available? Yes, for 14 days.
Pros:
Cons:
Zendesk Sell is an easy-to-use CRM that integrates seamlessly with Zendesk support. It’s ideal for businesses already using Zendesk who want a straightforward sales CRM. The platform offers a simple interface, good mobile app, and essential sales tracking features, making it a solid choice for businesses focused on customer support and sales.
Pricing:
Team: $19 per user per month
Growth: $55 per user per month
Professional: $115 per user per month
Enterprise: $169 per user per month
Free Trial Available? Yes, for 14 days.
Pros:
Cons:
Less Annoying CRM lives up to its name by offering a straightforward, user-friendly CRM solution designed specifically for small businesses. It focuses on simplicity and ease of use, avoiding the complexity of more advanced CRMs. The platform provides essential features like contact management, pipeline tracking, and task management, all within an intuitive interface. Less Annoying CRM is perfect for businesses looking for a no-frills CRM that helps manage customer relationships without the overhead of more complex systems.
Pricing:
$15 per user per month
Free Trial Available? Yes, for 30 days.
Pros:
Cons:
When selecting a CRM, it's essential to evaluate several key factors to ensure the software meets your business needs. Start by focusing on the core functionalities of each CRM you consider. Essential features to look for include:
If these core features aren't robust or well-integrated, it may be worth exploring other CRM options that offer stronger capabilities.
Next, assess additional but crucial features that enhance CRM functionality, such as:
If a CRM lacks these essential features, it might be beneficial to explore alternatives that offer a more comprehensive suite of tools.
Ease of onboarding and migration is another critical factor. Consider how simple it is to train your team on the new CRM and transition your existing data and workflows. Look for platforms with strong customer support and detailed migration assistance to ensure a smooth changeover.
Lastly, review the CRM's customization options, application hosting, security measures, compliance with industry standards, and pricing structure. These factors will determine how well the CRM aligns with your business requirements and budget.
HubSpot remains a top contender for a comprehensive B2B CRM solution. Its free tier offers substantial features that often exceed the capabilities of some competitors' paid plans. HubSpot excels with its extensive feature set, user-friendly interface, and frequent updates. The platform’s robust functionality supports various aspects of the buying journey, making it a standout choice for businesses seeking an all-around CRM solution.
Best CRM for Small B2B Companies Looking to Improve Sales Processes:
For small businesses aiming to enhance their sales processes, Zoho CRM is a strong contender. Its competitive pricing and scalability make it an attractive option for growing businesses. Other notable alternatives include Freshsales and Salesforce, but Zoho CRM offers a well-balanced mix of features and affordability, making it ideal for small to mid-sized B2B companies.
Best CRM for Enterprise B2B Sales Teams:
For large enterprises, you need a CRM that supports complex processes and offers advanced automation. Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics 365 are both excellent choices in this category. These CRMs provide extensive features and customization options to handle the demands of enterprise-level operations, making them suitable for large-scale B2B sales teams.
-min.avif){kind=logo}
-min.avif){kind=logo}
