Quick Overview: This blog explores 7 budget-friendly Salesforce CRM alternatives for businesses in 2026, focusing on affordable options like HyeGro, Freshsales, Zoho CRM, and Pipedrive. It compares their features, pricing, and unique benefits, emphasizing AI-driven automation, lead management, and streamlined workflows to help small businesses scale efficiently while saving on costs.
Did you know that despite investing in a CRM, many businesses still find themselves stuck with complex systems that don’t deliver results? Here’s what the data says for decision-makers like you:
- 53% of organizations are overwhelmed by data overload, unable to leverage it effectively within their CRM.
- 61% of marketers have a fragmented view of their customers, resulting in missed opportunities and poor customer experiences.
- 45% of CRM users can’t extract actionable insights, leaving them guessing about what truly drives growth.
These CRM challenges highlight a significant gap between expectations and reality when it comes to CRM systems. For many businesses, Salesforce, despite its position as a market leader, contributes to these struggles.
With its high cost, complexity, and need for constant customization, it can be too expensive and difficult for smaller teams to fully harness its potential.
Why consider a CRM alternative to Salesforce?
- Salesforce is expensive—its licensing, implementation, and ongoing maintenance costs can easily run into the ₹6,00,000 to ₹12,00,000 range annually, making it unaffordable for many small and medium-sized businesses.
- Salesforce requires constant customization—what starts as a simple CRM often needs endless customization, making it hard to scale or adapt quickly.
It’s clear: with the right alternative to Salesforce, you can scale faster, save money, and simplify your CRM strategy.
So, let’s explore the seven CRM alternatives to Salesforce that will boost your business to stay ahead of the curve without the complexity and expense of Salesforce. Ready?
Let’s dive in!
The Power of Affordable CRMs: 7 Salesforce Alternatives to Consider
- HyeGro
- Freshsales
- Zoho CRM
- Hubspot CRM
- Pipedrive
- Zendesk
- Close CRM
The given below CRM alternatives to Salesforce are suitable for every type of business, whether you’re running a small manufacturing unit, a retail business, or any other small or medium enterprise.
#1. HyeGro CRM: A Strong Alternative to Salesforce
Unlike other Salesforce alternatives, HyeGro is not just a CRM solution with an easy implementation process or starting with an affordable pricing plan. That’s not the only reason to call HyeGro an affordable CRM alternative to Salesforce.
HyeGro is an AI-powered CRM for startups and small businesses offering a low-code solution that’s both user-friendly and highly efficient. It enables users to automate and simplify complex sales processes and customer management tasks. With its intelligent automation and AI-driven features, HyeGro helps mitigate risks while driving business growth.
What are the key features of HyeGro?
- AI-Powered Sales Automation
- Integrated WhatsApp CRM
- AI-Powered Lead Prioritization
- Custom Analytics & Reporting
- Real-Time Collaboration Suite
- Centralized Account & Case Management
Here are some of the key CRM features of HyeGro explained:
- AI-Powered Sales Automation
Automate time-consuming sales tasks with HyeGro’s intelligent automation engine, helping your team stay focused and close deals faster.
- Integrated WhatsApp CRM
Connect with prospects instantly through native WhatsApp integration. Every conversation is synced in real-time, ensuring timely responses and a cohesive customer journey.
- AI-Powered Lead Prioritization
Identify and prioritize high-intent leads using AI-driven scoring based on behavior, engagement, and fit—empowering your sales team to focus where it matters most.
- Custom Analytics & Reporting
Track key performance metrics with real-time dashboards. Create customized reports, monitor progress, and make data-backed decisions to drive growth across the funnel.
- Real-Time Collaboration Suite
Break down silos with seamless team collaboration. Share updates, assign tasks, and manage deals and documents—all in one workspace designed for cross-functional alignment.
- Centralized Account & Case Management
Keep every customer interaction in one place. From account details to support cases, HyeGro gives your team complete visibility and control to ensure no opportunity is missed.
Pricing:
Standard Plan: ₹719 per user/month (billed annually)
- A 14-day free trial is available, and there’s a 10% discount for annual billing.
Explore the CRM pricing options available at HyeGro or contact the sales team to get a personalized quote.
Video Link: Watch how HyeGro works.
2. Freshsales by Freshworks
Freshsales is a CRM that simplifies processes with an intuitive interface and powerful features. Lead scoring and pipeline management help teams convert potential leads into final deals quickly and efficiently.
Key Features:
- AI-Driven Lead Scoring: Use AI to prioritize leads based on their engagement and potential, ensuring your team focuses on the most valuable opportunities.
- Pipeline Management: Effortlessly track and manage sales pipelines with AI insights, ensuring smooth and efficient deal progression.
- Email Tracking: Track email interactions with AI, gaining valuable insights into customer engagement to refine strategies and boost conversions.
- Activity Tracking & Reminders: Monitor customer interactions and set intelligent reminders for timely follow-ups, powered by AI for enhanced efficiency.
Pricing:
| Plan | Monthly Cost (INR) | Annual Cost (INR) | Monthly Cost (USD) | Annual Cost (USD) |
| Growth | ₹899 | ₹9,588 | ~$11.00 | ~$115.00 |
| Pro | ₹3,889 | ₹46,668 | ~$47.00 | ~$560.00 |
| Enterprise | ₹5,879 | ₹70,548 | ~$71.00 | ~$845.00 |
The USD values are approximate, based on current exchange rates, and may fluctuate.
3. Zoho CRM
Zoho CRM offers a comprehensive platform that integrates sales, marketing, and customer support for real estate businesses. With powerful features to manage client relationships, track leads, and close deals, it provides an affordable, scalable solution to streamline processes and drive growth.
Key Features
- Multi-channel Communication: Connect with clients via email, chat, and social media for a unified experience.
- Analytics and Reporting: Access data insights to assess performance, forecast sales, and make informed decisions.
- Workflow Automation: Automate tasks like follow-ups and notifications, freeing up your team to convert leads and provide personalized service.
- Lead and Deal Management: Track leads, monitor interest, and manage deals from a centralized platform to boost conversions.
Pricing:
| Price Type | Standard | Professional | Enterprise | Ultimate |
| Monthly Price | ₹1,300/user | ₹2,100/user | ₹3,000/user | ₹3,200/user |
| Annual Price | ₹800/user | ₹1,400/user | ₹2,400/user | ₹2,600/user |
Explore a comprehensive comparison between HyeGro and Zoho
4. HubSpot CRM
HubSpot CRM is a popular option for businesses of all sizes, and it offers a free version with robust features. While it may not have the advanced capabilities of Salesforce, it offers plenty of tools to help businesses engage customers and position themself as a better alternative to Salesforce.
Key Features
- Lead Tracking & Management: Track and manage leads seamlessly throughout the entire sales cycle.
- Email Automation: Automate email follow-ups and marketing campaigns to engage leads consistently.
- Customizable Dashboards: Customize your dashboard to focus on the key metrics and data that matter most to your business.
Pricing:
| Pricing Option | Price (USD) | Price (INR) | Seats Included |
| Monthly Subscription | $5,000 | ₹415,000 | 5 |
| Annual Subscription | $60,000 | ₹4,980,000 | 7 |
Discover how HyeGro compares to HubSpot in our detailed side-by-side analysis.
5. Pipedrive
Pipedrive is a highly affordable CRM designed to help sales teams lock deals efficiently. It’s perfect for businesses that need a tool to track leads, deals, and sales pipelines without the overwhelming features of Salesforce.
Key Features
- Visual Sales Pipeline: Pipedrive’s pipeline offers a clear view of each deal’s progress, helping agents focus on priority properties.
- Lead and Deal Tracking: Track leads and deals from contact to closing, ensuring timely follow-ups and smooth progression.
- Customizable Workflows: Tailor workflows to your sales process, adapting to tasks like buyer inquiries and contract negotiations.
- Goal Setting and Performance Tracking: Set sales goals and track performance to monitor progress and drive results.
Pricing (approx):
| Price Type | Monthly (Each User) | Annually (Each User) |
| Essential | ₹1577/ $19 | ₹1162/ $14 |
| Advanced | ₹2822/ $34 | ₹1992/ $24 |
| Professional | ₹5312/ $64 | ₹4067/ $49 |
| Power | ₹6142/ $74 | ₹4897/ $59 |
| Enterprise | ₹8217/ $99 | ₹6557/ $79 |
Explore a comprehensive comparison between HyeGro and Pipedrive.
6. Zendesk
Zendesk is a customer service platform that provides businesses with a suite of tools to deliver exceptional support experiences. It’s designed to streamline customer interactions, making it easier for teams to respond, resolve, and track customer issues efficiently.
Key Features
- Omnichannel Support: Manage customer inquiries across email, chat, phone, and social media from one platform for a unified support experience.
- Ticket Management: Track, prioritize, and resolve customer issues by organizing interactions into tickets.
- Self-Service Knowledge Base: Provide customers with a customizable knowledge base to reduce support volume and empower self-help.
- Automation and Workflow: Automate ticket routing, prioritization, and follow-ups to streamline customer service.
- Analytics and Reporting: Get actionable insights on response times, resolution times, and customer satisfaction to improve service quality.
Pricing:
| Plan | Monthly (Per Agent) | Annually (Per Agent) | Monthly (INR) | Annually (INR) |
| Support Team | $25 | $19 | ₹2,000 | ₹1,500 |
| Suite Team | $69 | $55 | ₹5,500 | ₹4,400 |
| Suite Professional | $149 | $115 | ₹12,000 | ₹9,200 |
| Suite Enterprise | Customized Plan | |||
7. Close CRM
Close CRM is a sales-focused customer relationship management platform that helps sales teams stay organized, track leads, and wrap up deals faster. It’s designed for teams that need a high-performance CRM to manage and automate the entire sales process.
Key Features
- Built-In Calling and SMS: Communicate with leads directly within the platform and track conversations and outcomes.
- Lead Management: Manage and prioritize leads with custom pipelines, tags, and automated workflows, ensuring no opportunity is missed
- Email Tracking and Automation: Track emails in real-time and automate email sequences to optimize engagement with prospects.
- Task Automation: Automate emails, reminders, and lead assignments, allowing the sales team to focus on high-priority tasks.
- Customizable Reporting: Create customizable reports on sales performance, lead progress, and team activities for better decision-making.
Pricing:
| Plan | Monthly Price (USD) | Annual Price (USD) |
| Essentials | $49 | $35 |
| Growth | $109 | $99 |
| Scale | $149 | $139 |
Comparative Analysis – Which is The Best CRM Alternative to Salesforce?
| CRM | AI-Powered Automation | Multi-Channel Support | Custom Analytics & Reporting | Workflow Automation | Lead Prioritization |
| HyeGro | Offers advanced AI-driven automation for lead management and sales tasks. | Integrates WhatsApp, email, and SMS for seamless communication. | Customizable dashboards and reports for in-depth business insights. | Automates repetitive tasks like invoice generation and pipeline management | Uses AI to prioritize leads based on engagement and behaviour. |
| Freshsales | Leverages AI to provide intelligent lead scoring and sales insights. | Supports email, SMS, and phone communication. | Offers basic reporting, but lacks deep customization. | Automates email sequences, reminders, and task assignments. | AI-driven lead scoring to prioritize the most promising leads. |
| Zoho | AI-powered features for lead scoring and predictive analytics. | Multi-channel support, including email, chat, and social media. | Basic reporting tools, but lacks in-depth customization. | Automates follow-ups, task assignments, and workflow routing. | Does not have AI-powered lead prioritization and focuses on manual tracking. |
| HubSpot | Provides AI-driven tools for email marketing and lead nurturing. | Supports email, chat, and social media integration. | Offers basic reporting but lacks customizability. | Lacks full workflow automation, but has email and task reminders. | No AI for prioritizing leads, manual tracking options available. |
| Pipedrive | Lacks advanced AI features, focused on visual sales pipelines. | Email and phone integration; limited social media support. | Customizable reporting for sales pipeline tracking. | Workflow automation is available for sales pipelines and task assignments. | Does not offer AI-driven lead prioritization; it focuses on manual lead management. |
| Zendesk | Lacks AI automation, focuses on customer service automation. | Provides omnichannel support: email, chat, social media. | Basic reporting focused on customer service metrics. | Automates ticket routing, prioritization, and follow-up tasks. | No lead prioritization feature, focuses on support issues rather than sales. |
| Close | Comprehensive AI-driven automation for sales tasks, from lead nurturing to follow-ups. | Built-in calling and SMS, alongside email communication. | Advanced custom reports for detailed sales and lead tracking. | Automates task assignments, follow-ups, and lead management. | AI-driven lead prioritization based on real-time engagement. |
Why HyeGro is the Best Salesforce Alternative?
HyeGro is the best Salesforce alternative because of the following reasons:
- Affordable Pricing: HyeGro offers a highly affordable alternative to Salesforce CRM tailored for SMEs and startups, starting at ₹719 per user/month. It provides all essential CRM functionalities without the high costs associated with Salesforce.
- Seamless WhatsApp Integration: Unlike many other CRMs, HyeGro has native WhatsApp integration, ensuring real-time communication with prospects and a cohesive customer journey.
- AI-Powered Automations: HyeGro automates time-consuming sales tasks such as lead nurturing and pipeline updates, all powered by AI. This boosts efficiency and helps your team finalize contracts faster.
- Customizable Analytics & Reporting: HyeGro allows you to tailor reports and track key performance metrics with real-time dashboards, providing insights that are directly actionable for business growth.
Conclusion
Finding less complex and affordable CRM alternatives to Salesforce is always a challenge. Salesforce has played a significant role in the initiation of cloud upgradation in the industry, which is why they have maintained a dominant position. However, small businesses and startups that are just starting out often face hurdles with Salesforce’s complexity and pricing, which can be overwhelming.
Fortunately, there are several CRM platforms designed to meet the needs of growing businesses without the steep learning curve or high costs. One such option is HyeGro, the best Salesforce alternative CRM.
With its affordable pricing, AI-powered automation, seamless WhatsApp integration, and customizable analytics, HyeGro simplifies CRM tasks and accelerates business scaling.
Looking to optimize your operations and fuel growth? HyeGro is a CRM solution built for businesses like yours.
Book a free demo today and see how HyeGro can elevate your business!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is Hyegro the best alternative to Salesforce in 2026?
Hyegro offers a range of features that make it a top Salesforce alternative for businesses looking for affordability and efficiency.
- Cost-Effective: Significantly more affordable than Salesforce.
- User-Friendly: Simplifies CRM tasks with an intuitive interface.
- Highly Customizable: Tailor workflows, pipelines, and integrations.
- Comprehensive Features: Includes sales automation, lead management, and analytics.
- What makes Hyegro stand out compared to Salesforce?
Hyegro provides unique advantages that outperform Salesforce for many businesses.
- Lower Pricing: Offers competitive pricing with no hidden fees.
- Scalability: Suitable for both small businesses and growing enterprises.
- Faster Implementation: Quick setup and easy integration with other tools.
- Customer Support: Provides dedicated support and personalized onboarding.
- How does Hyegro help businesses automate workflows?
Hyegro’s automation features streamline business processes, offering a seamless experience without the complexity of Salesforce.
- Automated Task Management: Automatically assigns tasks and tracks progress.
- Lead Nurturing: Automates follow-ups and lead scoring.
- Customizable Automation: Build workflows specific to your business needs.
- Is Hyegro suitable for managing multi-channel customer interactions?
Yes, Hyegro is fully capable of handling customer interactions across multiple channels.
- Omnichannel Support: Manage customer interactions across email, chat, social media, and more.
- Centralized Dashboard: View all interactions in one place for better insights.
- Real-Time Analytics: Get instant reports on customer engagement across channels.
- Can Hyegro integrate with other business tools like Salesforce?
Hyegro offers seamless integrations, making it an ideal choice for businesses looking to connect their CRM with other tools.
- Third-Party Integrations: Easily integrates with tools like Google Workspace, Slack, and Zapier.
- API Access: Provides API access for custom integrations.
- Simplified Data Sync: Sync data effortlessly across platforms, eliminating the need for manual entry.
