But as popular as HubSpot is, it doesn’t tick all the boxes for many businesses for various reasons. Whether it is the price, complexity, or it’s simply not a fit for your business, there are a number of options that might work better for you.

Since you’re here, we wager you’re still looking for that perfect fit. In this article, you’ll uncover the eight best HubSpot alternatives that may be the ideal solution for you.

But first, let’s look at HubSpot itself.

HubSpot Overview

Image Credit: PCMag

HubSpot is a cloud-based CRM software used to handle the marketing, sales, and customer service of a business. 

It is primarily known for its all-in-one nature, from email campaigns to lead tracking and even content and contact management. Through your selection of “hubs,” you get a suite of key features that allow you to simplify operations and genuinely improve customer relationships. And the best part is, it’s user-friendly…  until it isn’t (but we’ll get into that shortly).

HubSpot: Why or why not?

HubSpot is a popular CRM for a reason — it has its perks. Here’s why some businesses love it:

• All-in-one solution: HubSpot covers inbound marketing, sales, customer service, and even website building.  
• Free plan: HubSpot’s free CRM offers quite a few basic features to small businesses without having them pay in the process. 
• User-friendly interface: Its clean, intuitive interface means your team can jump in with little training.
• Rich integrations: HubSpot works well with tons of other tools, making your life easier.
• Support and resources: The platform offers extensive tutorials and an academy to help you become a CRM pro.

That said, HubSpot also has its downsides:

• Costs escalation: You see that free plan? Once you outgrow it, expect prices to climb fast, especially for advanced features.
• Customization limitations: While you can tweak it, HubSpot’s customization is more rigid than you might like.
• Overkill for small teams: HubSpot can feel like too much if you only need the basics.
• Complex setup for larger teams: Managing a larger marketing team with this system can take more time. A dedicated admin might be necessary to keep everything running smoothly.
• User-friendliness drops off: Managing the platform can get tricky as your business grows. Adding extra tools like Sales Hub and Marketing Hub might make things feel a bit overwhelming.

Your 8 Best HubSpot Alternatives

1. Method CRM

Method CRM is the ideal CRM for small businesses using QuickBooks or Xero. It connects to your accounting data both ways, meaning any changes on one end instantly reflect on the other. Method also features a 24/7 self-service portal for customer payments and documentation, plus near-limitless customization to build a system that works around your business needs and goals.

Pros

• Seamless integration with QuickBooks and Xero.
• 24/7 customer self-service portal.
• Dedicated customization team.
• A complete view of customer interactions.
• Automated follow-ups and reminders.
• Fully customizable sales dashboards and workflows.

Cons

• Best suited for QuickBooks or Xero users.
• Available only in English.

Pricing

Method CRM has three pricing plans:

• Contact Management: $25 per user per month.
• CRM Pro: $44 per user per month.
• CRM Enterprise: $74 per user per month.

Method CRM offers a free trial with no credit card required.

2. Zoho CRM

Image credit: Discover CRM

Zoho CRM is among the best HubSpot alternatives for small-to-medium-sized businesses. Zoho CRM combines a user-friendly interface with extensive integration options, providing an all-in-one solution for businesses. Its custom sales dashboards and automation simplify even complex sales processes.

Pros

• Simple for non-tech users.
• AI assistant Zia offers predictive insights to boost productivity.
• Strong mobile access for remote teams.
• Strong dedication to user data privacy and security.

Cons

• Extra charges for certain integrations.
• Some advanced features come with a learning curve.
• Lower reporting capabilities compared to some competitors.
• Large datasets may slow down performance.

Pricing

Zoho CRM offers a limited free version for up to 3 users and four paid plans:

• Standard: $20 per user per month.
• Professional: $35 per user per month.
• Enterprise: $50 per user per month.
• Ultimate: $65 per user per month.

Depending on your plan, you will qualify for a 20-34% discount if you purchase an annual subscription.

3. Pipedrive

Image credit: Pipedrive

Next up on our list of the best HubSpot alternatives is Pipedrive. This platform is laser-focused on sales, making it a top choice for small and medium-sized businesses looking to grow their profits. Its visual pipelines make it easy for teams to manage leads and deals.

Pros

• Integration with over 500 third-party applications enhances functionality.
• Easy to navigate.
• Unlimited, customizable sales pipelines.
• AI Sales Assistant delivers actionable insights.

Cons

• Lower-tier plans offer fewer customization options.
• Basic features cannot support complex sales processes.
• Prices increase quickly with advanced features.
• Limited reporting customization.

Pricing

Pipedrive offers five pricing plans:

• Essential: $24 per seat per month.
• Advanced: $44 per seat per month.
• Professional: $64 per seat per month.
• Power: $79 per seat per month.
• Enterprise: $129 per seat per month.

Pipedrive offers an annual discount of 18-42% depending on your chosen plan, and a free 14-day trial.

4. ActiveCampaign

Image credit: ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign stands apart due to its marketing automation platform, which it combines with email marketing and a CRM platform. It is an ideal HubSpot alternative for small to medium-sized businesses, entrepreneurs, and marketing agencies. 

Pros

• Unlimited email sends, even at lower tiers.
• Advanced lead scoring and segmentation.
• Strong marketing automation tools.
• Free migration for seamless onboarding.

Cons

• Limited integrations on lower-tier pricing plans.
• Its free trial is quite limited to 100 contacts and 100 emails.
• Limited customization options for email templates.
• Steep learning curve for advanced features.

Pricing

ActiveCampaign offers a free 14-day trial and four pricing plans:

• Starter: $15 per month for a single user.
• Plus: $49 per month for a single user.
• Pro: $79 per month for three users.
• Enterprise: $145 per month for five users.

ActiveCampaign offers a 20% annual discount on all plans.

5. Zendesk

Image credit: Mopinion

Zendesk fuses CRM and customer service into one, providing multi-channel support via email, chat, and phone. Its user interface is friendly and makes customer interactions easier and more thorough.

Pros

• Easy to use, even with minimal training.
• Multi-channel customer support.
• Strong automation capabilities.
• Customer history tracking across mediums or departments.
• Integration with 1,500+ apps through the Zendesk Marketplace.

Cons

• Expensive for smaller businesses.
• User interface is not intuitive or customizable.
• Limited AI and automation features on lower-price tiers.
• Pricing jumps up quickly as you add more features and users.

Pricing

Zendesk offers several pricing plans:

• Build your own: Starts at $19 per month per agent.
• Suite Team: $69 per month per agent.
• Suite Growth: $115 per month per agent.
• Suite Professional: $149 per month per agent.
• Suite Enterprise: $219 per month per agent.

Zendesk also offers a 14-day free trial.

6. Insightly

Image credit: Capterra

Insightly is an all-in-one CRM and project management tool that helps businesses organize their sales, marketing, and customer service processes — cementing it as one of the best HubSpot alternatives. It can also track projects, contacts, and tasks to foster collaboration and productivity.

Pros

• Effective lead and contact management across all pricing plans.
• Supports mass emailing (with some limits on lower-tier plans).
• Project and task management tools are built directly into the CRM.
• Customizable fields and layouts for tailored data entry.
• Integrates with many third-party apps.

Cons

• Fewer customer support options.
• May slow down when handling large data sets.
• Lower-tier plans offer fewer customization options.
• Mobile app experiences can be inconsistent.
• Reporting features aren’t as advanced as competitors.

Pricing

Insightly CRM offers three pricing plans:

• Plus: $29 per user per month.
• Professional: $49 per user per month.
• Enterprise: $99 per user per month.

Insightly’s plans are all billed annually. For the Plus and Professional packages, a free 14-day trial is available.

7. Keap

Image credit: Keap

Formerly known as Infusionsoft, Keap is a comprehensive CRM and marketing automation platform. It’s designed for small-to-medium-sized businesses that need to capture leads, manage contacts, and automate sales and marketing processes.

Pros

• Intuitive interface.
• Advanced automation for everything from emails to workflows.
• Lead capture through forms, landing pages, and social media.
• Built-in payment processing tools.
• Integrated email and SMS marketing features.

Cons

• Higher price compared to competitors.
• Costs increase rapidly as your contact list grows.
• Fees for necessary integrations.
• Fewer third-party tool connections compared to other CRMs.

Pricing

Keap’s pricing is tiered based on the number of contacts and users you need. The minimum plan starts at 2 users and 1,500 contacts, with a monthly cost of $299. You can also save 17% by opting for annual payment.

8. Copper CRM

Keap’s pricing is tiered based on the number of contacts and users you need. The minimum plan starts at 2 users and 1,500 contacts, with a monthly cost of $299. You can also save 17% by opting for annual payment.

Image Credit: Salesdorado

Designed for businesses using Google Workspace, Copper CRM simplifies lead and deal tracking with robust collaboration and automation tools.

Pros

• Efficiently organizes leads and sales pipelines.
• Built-in tools for sales management.
• Automates repetitive tasks to focus on closing deals.
• Tools for teamwork and communication.
• Easy contact organization.

Cons

• Slow performance, especially with large datasets.
• Limited functionality compared to advanced CRMs.
• Constant email open alerts can get annoying.
• Some third-party app integrations can be tricky.

Pricing

Copper offers four pricing plans:

• Starter: $12 per seat per month.
• Basic: $29 per seat per month.
• Professional: $69 per seat per month.
• Business: $134 per seat per month.

Annual subscriptions come with discounts of up to 26%. Copper also offers a 14-day free trial.

Making your choice from the best HubSpot alternatives

It’s okay if you’re still wondering which of these best HubSpot alternatives to choose. Every business is unique, and your needs are radically different from those around you. 

Choose a CRM based on your business goals and requirements, but you’ll want to prioritize the following necessities: 

Administrative automation

Save time by choosing a CRM that includes workflow automation features for routine tasks like: 

• Lead generation and management.
• Everyday sales processes.
• Follow-up reminders.
• Task management and scheduling.

Email marketing

Your email marketing strategy is often the lifeblood of your business growth. Ensure your CRM supports bulk emails, campaigns, and integrations like A/B testing, landing page builders, and email templates.

Analytics and alerts

Strong custom report features and real-time alerts are key for: 

• Tracking performance.
• Improving your conversion rates.
• Making informed choices. 

These are crucial to the success of your sales team.

Invoicing and payments

The best HubSpot alternatives all have invoicing and payment tools integrated into them. With these tools, you can speed up your financial processes and enhance your customers’ experiences for increased sales. Not to mention, you get paid for your work faster and more reliably.

Integration with your existing tools

Purchasing a CRM tool shouldn’t translate into discarding the tools you know and love, such as QuickBooks, for example. Go for one that can integrate with your existing systems. That way, you won’t have to start fresh. 

Wrap-up: What’s the best HubSpot alternative for you?

At the end of the day, the right software choice for you is decided by your needs and goals as a business. If HubSpot isn’t the right call for your business, consider these alternatives:

1. Method CRM.
2. Zoho CRM.
3. Pipedrive.
4. ActiveCampaign.
5. Zendesk.
6. Insightly.
7. Keap.
8. Copper CRM.

With so many solid options, it’s beneficial to do the research and try before you buy. That said, if you’re already a QuickBooks or Xero user, your best bet is clear as day. Method connects with your accounting software data both ways to give you a complete view of your business, without impacting your sensitive financial information.

 Stop spending time on the same tasks every day. Ready to give Method a try?

Best HubSpot alternatives FAQs

Is HubSpot CRM free to use?

Yes, but the free version has limited functionality and customization options. Growing businesses usually upgrade for more features, which very quickly gets costly.

Do CRM costs increase over time?

Yes, CRM costs increase over time — especially as you add features or upgrade plans. This is typical for CRMs like HubSpot that charge individually for advanced tools.

Is HubSpot CRM difficult to implement?

Implementing HubSpot CRM is easy at first, but becomes more complex as you add on additional hubs. Users often find managing its pricing model tricky.

How do I switch CRMs?

Switching CRMs can be tedious as it requires careful planning, execution, and data management. However, some providers, like Method CRM, have dedicated teams to assist with the transition, making the switch smoother by helping with data migration and setup.

The post The 8 best HubSpot alternatives for every business in 2024  appeared first on Method.

To cut through the confusion, concentrate first on your own business model. You’re looking for a CRM solution that best meets your own company’s needs. Keep in mind how your processes currently work, as well as the direction your business is heading in.

Since a CRM is an investment, you don’t want to outgrow the software in a few short years.

Ideally, you want a solution that can continue to evolve as your business grows.

You also want to keep your employees in mind as adopting new software means training current and future staff members on how to use it effectively.

You want to ensure that the vendor you choose can meet your needs for employee training as well as ongoing customer service and technical support.

As you narrow down your CRM options, it’s helpful to look at some side-by-side comparisons — and that’s where this article comes in.

In this post, you’ll compare Method CRM and Salesforce Small Business Solutions.

The main difference between Method CRM and Salesforce Small Business Solutions is the flexibility, level of personalization, and integration deepness each solution offers.

Keep reading to understand which online CRM system option is the right one for you.

(Looking for more CRM comparisons? Check out our posts on Method vs. Zoho and Method vs. Insightly!)

Jump to:

Key Features

Targeted Industries

Software Integrations

Other Noteworthy Features

Free Trial Opportunities

Pricing Options

Customer Support

Key Features

Each CRM platform has certain key features that make up the core of the software. These features can vary significantly from one vendor to another. Keep your own team, industry, and current protocols in mind as you assess potential systems’ offerings. Here are the core features of Method CRM and Salesforce Small Business Solutions.

Method

• Built exclusively for QuickBooks and Xero users: One of Method’s defining features is that it has a deep two-way sync with QuickBooks. This gives businesses easy access to their accounting and customer data at all times, without concerns about missing information or double data entry.
• Centralized lead management: Method’s web-to-lead forms and email integrations help you automate lead collection. And with all of your data in one place, it’s easier to convert more leads to customers.
• Streamlined process management: Automated workflows and built-in customer portals allow you to serve customers efficiently and get paid faster.
• Top-notch customer management: Method gives you a 360-degree view of each customer’s history, which helps you build customer loyalty and drive repeat business.
• Enterprise software without enterprise pricing: Method is 100% customizable, which allows small and medium-sized businesses to create unique workflows that can adapt as their business needs change.

Salesforce

• Sell: The Salesforce CRM for small businesses is built to help you get started quickly. There is a wide variety of tools available to help you close deals and convert leads to customers.
• Service: Salesforce helps you connect with your customers and gain deeper insights into their needs. This allows you to provide more robust service for greater customer satisfaction.
• Market: Salesforce’s marketing automation tools make it easy and efficient to build your pipeline, amplify your message and build on your success.
• Connect: Get more out of Salesforce by connecting it with the other apps you use to run your business.

Targeted Industries

When investing in a new CRM, it’s good to check whether the vendor has any experience with customers in your industry. If you’re looking for an out-of-the-box solution, it’s a good sign when the product is used by businesses similar to yours.

Method

Method specializes in solutions for small and medium-sized businesses across many industries, including manufacturing, nonprofit, construction, accounting, and field services.

Salesforce

That’s Method – but what type of CRM is Salesforce?

Salesforce has customers in a wide range of industries. Some examples include banking, communications, consumer goods, government, media, manufacturing, retail, and nonprofit.

Software Integrations

It’s important to consider whether a potential CRM can integrate with your current tools. Most CRM solutions today are designed to integrate seamlessly with common business applications and programs. This makes it easier to adopt a new system and ensures that none of your data falls through the cracks. Here are some of the software integrations available for Method and Salesforce.

Method

• QuickBooks: Method is the CRM industry leader for QuickBooks integration. It works with all versions of QuickBooks Online, Pro, Premier, and Enterprise. The powerful two-way sync allows customer, vendor and transaction data to move seamlessly between your CRM and QuickBooks in real time.
• Gmail: Method’s free Sidebar for Gmail brings your CRM into your Gmail inbox. View your entire relationship with a customer or lead at a glance, from past conversations to overdue invoices. You can also create new CRM contacts, activities, and opportunities directly from the Sidebar — no need to switch between tabs.
• Outlook: Much like the Gmail Sidebar, this free add-in brings your Method data into Outlook. When you open an email from a customer or lead, the add-in provides a convenient overview of their history with your company, including transactions, opportunities, and more. You can also save new data directly to Method without leaving Outlook.
• Mailchimp: Don’t waste time exporting CRM contacts and manually uploading them to Mailchimp. Instead, this convenient integration lets you send contact lists from Method to Mailchimp in just a few clicks.
• Google Calendar: The two-way sync between Method and Google Calendar allows you to create, view and update CRM activities on whichever calendar you prefer.

Salesforce

Extend the power of Salesforce by integrating with a wide variety of business systems and applications. The full selection can be found on the Salesforce AppExchange. Some examples of apps that integrate with Salesforce include Campaign Monitor (for email marketing), Distribution Engine (for lead assignment and opportunity routing), FinancialForce (for accounting and financial management), and GetFeedback (for customer surveys).

Other Noteworthy Features

Many CRMs have features that go beyond simple customer relationship management. And for many businesses, these can be the features that truly set a CRM apart from its competitors. Here’s what makes Method and Salesforce special.

Method

Method CRM is built on a 100% customizable, no-code platform. This means you can adapt it to better suit your needs — either through DIY customization or by working with one of Method’s customization experts. The possibilities are huge, ranging from adding new fields and automating workflows all the way to building brand-new apps. And when combined with the deep QuickBooks integration, Method has the power to become much more than a CRM.

Salesforce

Perhaps the biggest difference between traditional CRM and Salesforce CRM is that Salesforce offers a huge range of app integrations available on its AppExchange.

If you’re interested in exploring more niche features like how to use a profile comparator for Salesforce, these third-party integrations are useful.

Users can also harness the power of artificial intelligence in Salesforce using Einstein. Einstein is a smart CRM assistant built into every aspect of the Salesforce platform, allowing sales reps, service agents, and marketers to work more productively.

Free Trial Opportunities

You should always take advantage of free trial opportunities before making your final decision to invest in a software solution. Use these trial periods to explore a CRM’s features, get a feel for the interface, and assess how usable the program will be in your day-to-day operations.

Method

Method offers a 14-day free trial that lets users fully explore the functionality of the system. No contract or credit card is required to sign up. The free trial also includes a free hour of customization services with an in-house expert; this lets you see the true potential of customizing Method for your business. To begin the trial, you must sync your QuickBooks data with your Method account.

Salesforce

Salesforce also offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card information required. If you ultimately sign up for a full year, you also get three months of G Suite at no additional charge.

Pricing Options

Most CRM vendors offer a variety of pricing packages. This allows smaller businesses to choose an option that suits their budget while leaving room to grow. As your business needs evolve, you can upgrade to a more advanced plan.

Method

Method offers two subscription plans — Contact Management and CRM Pro. Both plans are available on an annual or monthly basis, with no contract required for the monthly basis.

The Contact Management plan is $25/user/month billed annually or $28/user/month billed monthly. This plan includes everything you need to get started with customer relationship management, including QuickBooks sync, contact management, customer self-service portals, and unlimited customization potential.

The CRM Pro plan is $44/user/month billed annually or $49/user/month billed monthly. This plan includes all of the features of the Contact Management plan, plus QuickBooks sales transactions, online payment portals, sales pipeline management, and web-to-lead forms.

Customers can add modules for QuickBooks purchase transactions, email campaigns, and case management to either plan for $10/user/month billed annually or $12/user/month billed monthly.

Salesforce

But how much does Salesforce cost for small business customers?

Salesforce Small Business Solutions is available in three different plans. All plans include lead management, customer and sales management, configurable reports and dashboards, and the Salesforce mobile app.

The Salesforce Essentials plan ($25/user/month) is an out-of-the-box CRM for up to 5 users. This plan includes account and contact management, case auto-assignment and basic omnichannel routing.

The Lightning Professional plan ($75/user/month; annual contract required) is a complete CRM for any size team. On top of the Salesforce Essentials features, it adds lead assignment and routing, enhanced team collaboration, and the ability to connect sales information to all of your apps.

The Lightning Enterprise plan ($150/user/month; annual contract required) is a deeply customizable sales CRM. It offers more accurate forecasting, advanced reporting features, and access to the sales console app.

Customer Support

No matter which CRM you choose, you’ll likely run into questions or problems on occasion. Not being able to access, edit, or understand your customer data can virtually halt your business. For this reason, it’s essential to select a CRM that offers an adequate level of customer support.

Method

Method offers a variety of support resources for customers, including 24/7 access to online help articles, webinars, and customization guidelines. Live support is available to all paid and trial CRM customers; users can reach support reps by phone, live chat, and email Monday through Friday from 9 am to 6 pm EST. Users can also take advantage of unlimited one-on-one demos and training with Method’s customer success managers.

Salesforce

All Salesforce subscriptions include their Standard Success Plan, which helps customers get up and running with the CRM. Resources include self-guided learning, online technical support and customer communities. All customers can submit online support requests, with a guaranteed response within two days. 24/7 toll-free phone support and access to premier success resources are available to Lightning Professional and Lightning Enterprise customers at an additional cost.

Conclusion

Choosing the best CRM for your business can be tricky. Both Method and Salesforce are highly rated options that promise great customer satisfaction. However, each platform has its own unique strengths.

Salesforce’s Small Business Solutions CRM is an excellent out-of-the-box solution that allows for quick and easy setup.

Small businesses can work more efficiently by integrating the CRM with the other business applications they currently use.

People often ask, “why is Salesforce better than other CRM systems?” But assuming this based on the software’s popularity can be dangerous for your business. Salesforce is very reliable for some companies, but it isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.

Method is the ideal solution for small businesses that rely on QuickBooks. The combination of the deep QuickBooks integration and highly customizable platform lets businesses develop completely personalized workflows. Method also offers free telephone support to help users get the most out of their CRM experience.

Ultimately, working with Salesforce Sales Cloud vs QuickBooks Online Advanced (which Method excels with) comes down to personal preference.

In the end, the best CRM is the one that helps your business work more productively.

Sign up for a free trial and see what works for you!

The post <strong>CRM comparison: Method vs. Salesforce small business solutions</strong> appeared first on Method.

That’s good news because the right CRM system takes your company to new levels of productivity.

As the name suggests, a CRM helps you maintain strong relationships with customers and prospective customers.

It’s also a central hub for your customer and sales data — allowing you to work efficiently and understand key metrics.

Choosing a CRM that is appropriate for your company and industry is one of the most important business decisions you’ll make.

Thankfully, you don’t need to have a software degree to make a wise choice.

Keep reading to understand the ways in which Method CRM and Zoho help or hinder your business.

The main difference between Method CRM and Zoho is the level of integration, ability to customize, and length of the free trial. Now, let’s dive in deeper!

Jump to:

Key Features

Targeted Industries

Software Integrations

Other Noteworthy Features

Free Trial Opportunities

Pricing Options

Customer Support

Key Features

Every CRM has certain key features that make up the core of its offerings. When shopping for a CRM, start by looking at these key features to determine whether the system could potentially match your business needs.

Method

• Built exclusively for QuickBooks users: the two-way integration mirrors customer and transaction data seamlessly between Method and QuickBooks in real time.
• Organize your sales process and win more deals by automating lead collection and centralizing your leads.
• Streamline operations and service customers efficiently without loading undue administrative work onto your sales team.
• A 360-degree view of each customer helps you provide superior customer service and drive repeat business.
• 100% customizable: Future-proof your business with software that grows as you do.

Zoho

• Automates repetitive tasks to allow sales reps to spend more time on selling and less time on data entry.
• Multi-channel support allows you to reach your customers via phone, live chat, email, or through social media.
• Allows for the addition of industry-specific modules and custom buttons to adapt the interface and functionality for your business.
• Lets you view what your customers and prospects are looking at online and whether they are opening your emails.
• Advanced CRM analytics give you deeper insights into how your business is functioning.

Targeted Industries

After identifying key features that would benefit you, it’s helpful to know if the CRM you are considering was built with your industry in mind. Here are some of the industries that Method and Zoho are well-suited for.

Method

Method serves customers in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, construction, accounting, field services, and nonprofit.

Zoho

Zoho offers customized vertical solutions for a variety of industries, including automotive, environment and sustainable energy, real estate, tourism, retail, nonprofit, insurance, telecommunications, and event management.

Software Integrations

Before adopting a new CRM, it’s a good idea to check whether it can integrate with the other software programs you already use. This will ease the transition to a new system and ensure that no customer data falls through the cracks. Luckily, both Method and Zoho offer integrations with common software applications.

Method

• QuickBooks: Method is the CRM industry leader for QuickBooks integration and is compatible with all versions of QuickBooks Online, Pro, Premier, and Enterprise. The powerful two-way sync between Method and QuickBooks allows customer, vendor and transaction data to sync between your CRM and your accounting software in real time.
• Gmail: Bring your CRM inside your Gmail inbox with Method’s free Sidebar for Gmail. When you open an email, the sidebar displays the contact’s phone number, address, balance, QuickBooks transactions, CRM activities, opportunities, cases, and documents. You can also save new data to Method directly from Gmail, eliminating the need to switch between tabs.
• Outlook: Similar to the Gmail integration, Method’s free add-in for Outlook lets you see your whole relationship with customers, leads and vendors at a glance. When you open an email, the add-in displays the sender’s contact information alongside valuable QuickBooks and CRM data. Easily save new leads, activities, and opportunities to your Method account — all without leaving Outlook.
• Mailchimp: Rather than manually exporting contacts from Method and importing them into Mailchimp, this integration does the work for you. Simply select the CRM contacts you want to market to, then send them to Mailchimp in just a few clicks.
• Google Calendar: View your scheduled CRM activities, such as meetings with customers, follow-up emails to leads, or conference calls with vendors, right in your Google Calendar. You can also create and update activities in your Google Calendar that will sync back to Method.

Zoho

Zoho offers a wide range of software integrations; the full assortment can be viewed here. Some examples include:

• QuickBooks: There are QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online extensions for Zoho CRM. Choose which records you want to sync between programs and customize the field mapping from your Zoho dashboard.
• Google Drive: Easily sync, share, and collaborate on documents associated with customer records in Zoho.
• Microsoft Office: Sync Microsoft Office documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and databases with Zoho CRM records, then manage them from within Zoho.
• Mailchimp: Sync Mailchimp lists with Zoho Campaigns, get notified in Zoho when subscriber profiles are updated in Mailchimp, and merge fields between Mailchimp and Zoho.
• Eventbrite: Quickly capture new leads from events and trade shows by syncing your Events and Tickets data into Zoho.

Other Noteworthy Features

Many CRMs include features beyond the basic lead and customer management tools. While these may not be highlighted as prominently on the company’s website, these selling points add value to the products nonetheless. Here’s what Method and Zoho have to offer.

Method

Method CRM is built on a 100% customizable, no-code platform. This means you can continuously build on it to better suit your needs, without needing to hire a developer. From adding new fields to automating processes to building custom apps, Method has the flexibility to become much more than a CRM. And when combined with the deep QuickBooks sync, this flexibility allows you to create optimal workflows for your business.

Zoho

Zoho offers industry-specific modules that can be included in your CRM to tailor it for your business’s needs. The Zoho marketplace also includes a wide range of extensions for other business functions, like FedEx shipment tracking, SignEasy document signing capabilities and more.

Free Trial Opportunities

Before implementing any new software, prospective buyers should ideally be able to test out the capabilities of the program. To that end, most CRMs offer a no-commitment free trial period.

Method

Method offers a free trial that allows users to fully explore the functionality of the system. There’s no contract, no obligation, and no credit card required. The free trial also includes a free hour of customization services with an in-house customization expert so you can see the true potential of customizing Method for your business. In order to begin the trial, you must sync your QuickBooks data with your Method account.

Zoho

Zoho offers a 15-day free trial of all four of its subscription plans (described below). No credit card is needed to sign up. Zoho also offers a free CRM for up to three users; the CRM includes basic functionality for sales force automation, workflow management, social integration, and team collaboration.

Pricing Options

For most businesses, CRM pricing will play a key role in the decision-making process. Luckily, most CRMs offer a variety of pricing and subscription options. Here’s what’s available for Method and Zoho.

Method

Method offers two subscription plans — Contact Management and CRM Pro. Both plans are available on an annual or monthly basis, with no contract required for the monthly basis.

The Contact Management plan is $25/user/month when billed annually or $28/user/month when billed monthly. This plan includes everything businesses need to get started with customer relationship management, including QuickBooks sync, contact management, customer self-service portals, and custom app services.

The CRM Pro plan is $44/user/month when billed annually or $49/user/month when billed monthly. This plan includes all of the features of the Contact Management plan, plus QuickBooks sales transactions, online payment portals, sales pipeline management, and web-to-lead forms.

Additional modules for QuickBooks purchase transactions, email campaigns, and case management are available for either plan for $10/user/month when billed annually or $12/user/month when billed monthly.

Zoho

In addition to the free CRM described above, Zoho offers four paid CRM subscription plans.

The Standard plan ($12/user/month billed annually or $18/user/month) includes everything in the free version. It also includes features such as sales forecasting, scoring rules, charts and KPIs, and web forms.

The Professional plan ($20/user/month billed annually or $30/user/month) includes everything in the Standard plan. It also includes features such as email integration, social CRM, inventory management, and unlimited records.

The Enterprise plan ($35/user/month billed annually or $45/user/month) includes everything in the Professional plan. It also includes features such as multi-user portals, custom modules and buttons, conditional fields, and conversational AI.

The Ultimate plan ($100/user/month billed annually) includes everything in the Enterprise plan. It also includes features such as free premium support, automation suggestions, enhanced storage, and email sentiment.

Customer Support

Good customer support is critical for companies implementing their first online CRM system. You’ll want to work with a company that stands behind its products and has support reps available when you may need them.

Method

Method offers a variety of support services including free 24/7 access to the online help center, webinars, and customization resources. Support reps are available over phone, live chat, and email Monday through Friday from 9 am to 6 pm EST.

Zoho

Zoho offers 24/7 access to their online help center and community message boards. Customers can submit requests for support by email or through an online form on the company’s website. Phone support is available for paid CRM customers Monday through Friday, 24 hours a day.

Conclusion

When comparing Method CRM to Zoho CRM, you’ll see that both platforms can be used successfully by a variety of industries. Zoho is a great option for customers who are looking for a robust out-of-the-box solution, while Method’s deep integration with QuickBooks and infinite customization potential make it well-suited for companies who want a CRM that can grow along with them.

All in all, the best CRM for your business is the one that helps you get more work done — so your CRM comparison doesn’t need to stop here. Sign up for a free trial of both systems and see which one is right for you!

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