5 Best Pipedrive alternatives for sales teams

Looking for Pipedrive alternatives? You have reached the right place! Many sales teams outgrow Pipedrive due to its lack of a free plan, built-in calling and SMS, as well as advanced automation.

Close CRM has come as the top alternative, specifically designed for outbound sales with integrated calling, texting, email, and AI-powered features.

Other top Pipedrive competitors include HubSpot CRM(free plan, marketing tools, strong reporting), Zoho CRM (deep customization, AI assistant ‘Zia’, free tier for 3 users), Freshsales (Freshworks CRM) (built-in telephony and AI assistant Freddy), and Salesforce CRM (enterprise-grade, highly customizable, but expensive).

Looking for the right CRM that fits your team’s size, sales process, and budget? Picking the right one can seriously up your sales game and get you results like never before!

Why switch from Pipedrive?

Pipedrive is known for its visual sales pipeline, but many growing teams find it restrictive over time. Common pain points include its lack of a free tier, limited built-in communication, and relatively basic automation compared to newer CRMs.

For example, Pipedrive does not offer any free plan (only a 14-day trial). As a result, small teams and startups often start looking at alternatives that do offer free tiers (like HubSpot or Zoho) or lower entry pricing

Another frequent issue is communication tools: Pipedrive has no native VoIP calling or texting in its base product. Sales reps must install a separate calling app from the Pipedrive Marketplace to make or log calls.

In contrast, many alternatives include built-in calling/SMS.

Likewise, Pipedrive’s automation and AI features are fairly basic. Scaling teams often want more advanced workflow automation, AI-based lead scoring, or built-in email sequencing – features that Pipedrive can feel limiting.

Finally, pricing and value become concerns. While Pipedrive’s per-user cost is reasonable at first, adding users or needed features can quickly add up.

Since it lacks some advanced features out of the box, businesses often pay extra for add-ons or higher tiers.

These factors, like no free plan, limited comms, and rising costs, drive many companies to explore Pipedrive alternatives that better match their growing needs.

Close CRM – top alternative for sales teams

Close CRM is designed specifically for salespeople, making it a compelling Pipedrive alternative for sales teams. Unlike Pipedrive, Close has integrated calling and messaging: every plan includes VoIP calling, SMS texting, and email sequences in one app.

Reps can dial, text, and email leads without switching tools. In practice, teams using Close report they “never have to switch between apps” – all communications and deals live in one interface.

Close also excels at automation: it offers a power dialer (for rapid outbound calling) and advanced sequences to automate follow-ups. Sales reps can create templated email/SMS cadences, auto-schedule tasks, and automatically log call outcomes.

On the cutting edge, Close has added AI features that boost productivity.

For example, its new Pipeline Guidance AI flags deals that need attention and suggests one-click next actions (like drafting an email or moving a deal stage) to help reps follow up faster.

Also, Close’s Call Assistant / Notetaker automatically records and transcribes calls and video meetings, providing searchable transcripts and AI-generated summaries with key action items. These tools free reps from note-taking and ensure no detail is lost.

In short, Close combines built-in multi-channel communication with smart sales AI, meeting Pipedrive users’ common needs (calling, texting, email, automation) right out of the box.

Close CRM vs. Pipedrive

Close has built-in phone/SMS, advanced sales workflows, and no hidden add-ons, whereas Pipedrive requires extra integrations and has simpler automation.

For example, Close’s platform is ready-to-use: reps can literally “phone, text, email, and automate follow-ups” immediately. Pipedrive, by contrast, requires installing third-party add-ons for calling and lacks Close’s AI features.

This makes Close faster for onboarding and scaling sales operations.

Close CRM vs Pipedrive pricing

Moreover, Close prides itself on transparent pricing. All plans include core features (calls, SMS, email, automations) with no surprise add-ons.

While Close’s per-user price (around $35–$50/month, depending on billing) is higher than Pipedrive’s base, many teams find the all-in-one communication stack delivers far more value.

In practice, sales teams that switch to Close report being able to reach more prospects per rep because the CRM handles all logistics (dialing, note-taking, reminders) for them.

User feedback consistently notes that Close “lets us focus on selling, not on tools.” It’s often praised as more powerful than Pipedrive for outbound sales, since features like predictive dialing and AI notes replace much manual work.

For a sales-driven CRM with built-in communications and automation, Close CRM is a top choice. It removes the need for third-party calling apps and adds AI helpers, which means reps can contact and follow up with leads faster than ever.

Other top Pipedrive alternatives

While Close leads the pack for outbound sales teams, the best Pipedrive alternative ultimately depends on your team’s needs (marketing integration, customization, budget, etc.).

Here are four more strong options to consider:

HubSpot CRM (Free)

HubSpot is often mentioned in the same breath as Pipedrive, but its focus is broader (sales and marketing). HubSpot’s CRM has a forever-free tier that includes contact & deal management, email tracking, basic reporting, and integration with HubSpot’s marketing tools. This makes it great for small teams that want to align sales and inbound marketing.

In fact, HubSpot cites an internal stat that customers see 129% more leads and 36% more deals after using its platform for a year.

Key features include unlimited users (on the free plan, though seats are now limited to 2), built-in email sequencing, form builders, live chat, and dashboards.

The trade-off is that HubSpot’s advanced tools (like marketing automation or sales sequences beyond basics) only appear on paid tiers, which can get expensive.

Nevertheless, for teams on a budget who want a polished, all-in-one platform with strong reporting, HubSpot CRM is a popular alternative.

Why it’s a great alternative? A powerful free CRM with native marketing integration and robust analytics.

Zoho CRM

Zoho offers a highly customizable and affordable CRM. Like Pipedrive, Zoho has a visual pipeline, but it adds deep customization of modules, fields, and workflows that Pipedrive lacks.

Zoho’s “Zia” AI assistant provides predictive lead scoring, workflow suggestions, and even sentiment analysis.

Notably, Zoho CRM includes a free plan for up to 3 users (making it attractive for very small teams), and its paid plans start at a lower price than Salesforce.

It also integrates with the full Zoho ecosystem (Books, Desk, Campaigns, etc.) and many third-party apps.

The downside is that Zoho can feel complex: initial setup often requires more learning and configuration. But for SMBs that outgrow Pipedrive’s simplicity and need advanced automation (and want AI insights), Zoho CRM is a solid pick.

Why it’s a great alternative? Offers advanced automation and AI (Zia) for companies needing a low-cost, highly customizable CRM.

Freshsales (Freshworks CRM)

Freshsales (part of Freshworks) is another sales-focused CRM that includes built-in phone and email on every plan. Freshsales provides cloud-based telephony so reps can call from their CRM without extra apps.

In fact, all Freshsales plans include a VoIP phone system (with local or toll-free numbers in 90+ countries).

It also features an AI assistant (Freddy AI) that delivers lead insights and next-action prompts. Freshsales’ interface is straightforward, with visual pipelines and lead scoring.

It’s particularly popular with small-to-midsize businesses that want to run outbound calls and emails from one platform.

If your team needs a CRM with robust built-in communication and AI at a low entry price, Freshsales is worth considering.

Salesforce Sales Cloud

Salesforce is the enterprise heavyweight. It offers virtually unlimited customization (custom objects, fields, workflows) and a massive integration ecosystem.

Large companies use Salesforce because it can be molded to any sales process or use case. Compared to Pipedrive, Salesforce has far more features for forecasting, territory management, and integration with marketing/service clouds.

However, Salesforce’s complexity and cost are much higher. It typically requires a dedicated administrator or consultant to set up, and monthly per-user fees start higher (often $25–$75+, depending on edition).

For many SMBs, Salesforce is overkill, but for an enterprise sales team, it’s a natural choice. In short, Salesforce excels at scale and customization, whereas Pipedrive shines at simplicity.

📌 Quick comparison

In summary, Close CRM stands out for sales-centric teams needing speed and integration. HubSpot CRM is unmatched for a free, all-in-one approach (especially with marketing).

Zoho CRM is ideal for companies wanting advanced customization on a budget. Freshsales suits SMBs that want built-in communications and AI.

Salesforce is there when you need full enterprise power and customization.

Each of these covers the gaps Pipedrive leaves – whether that’s free users, automation, or built-in calling – so your choice depends on what matters most to your team.

How to choose the right CRM for your sales team?

Choosing a CRM is as much about fit as features. Here are key factors to consider:

If Pipedrive is feeling restrictive (for example, your team still manually updates pipeline stages or uses multiple tools to talk to customers), it’s likely time to switch.

Finding the right CRM can make your day easier. It lets your team make calls, send emails, and follow up without all the hassles. There are plenty of solid alternatives to Pipedrive out there, so you can grab one that helps boost your sales game.

Final Verdict

If you’re moving away from Pipedrive, Close CRM should be on your shortlist. It’s built for speed and efficiency, delivering powerful communication and AI features that Pipedrive lacks out of the box.

In direct comparison, Close lets reps call and text from the CRM without add-ons, and it automatically transcribes calls and suggests follow-ups, whereas Pipedrive often relies on external apps for those tasks.

That said, the “best” CRM depends on your team’s profile

In any case, there is a CRM out there to match your needs better than Pipedrive in these areas. The key is to prioritize which features you truly need (free tier, calling, automation, scalability) and choose the platform that aligns.

🚀  With the Pipedrive alternatives above, you can keep your sales team focused on closing deals, confident that your CRM won’t hold you back.