Choosing the right CRM (customer relationship manager) for your business is a tough nut to crack. You have to consider all the parameters and give thoughts on every aspect from features to pricing. Whether you’re choosing a brand new CRM or looking for an alternative for your existing one, the decision process is kind of the same.
The decision of choosing the right CRM becomes even more difficult when you have narrowed down to 3-4 options or alternatives that seem right for your business. But the problem is, all of them seem equally capable, and you have to put your bet on only one!
In this article, we’re talking about one such scenario. Businesses usually find it hard to pick from Pipedrive, Salesmate, and Close CRM. All three CRMs have a great presence in the SMB market and can help you streamline your sales process. Many believe that they are the CRM alternatives to each other.
We will be considering 5 major aspects and check which CRM can be the best option for you. Of course, we will include pricing because you will be spending dollars every month for each user.
We will be looking at some of the most important features. We will not be including basic features like contact management or data fields because all three of these CRM are much more advanced than that. Rather, we will check out the features that you’re actively looking for your business.
Here’s the in-depth comparison between Pipedrive vs. Salesmate vs. Close CRM.
1. Workflow Automation
Workflow automation is one of the most needed features for any business. It can help reduce manual tasks and set up a definite process for your business. Workflow automation allows you to automate tedious tasks like assigning work to your teammates or sending frequent emails.
Salesmate provides you with workflow management in both the pricing plans. You can get 10 workflows in the Starter plan, and 25 in the Growth plan. You can send out 250 and 500 emails/users in Starter and Growth plan respectively.
In Pipedrive, you don’t get workflow automation in the Essential plan. For the rest of the 3 plans, you can get 30, 60, and 100 workflows as the plan grows.
Close CRM does offer workflow management, but there’s no mention of automation. Workflow automation is often confused with email sequences. But, emails can be a part of a workflow. Close CRM specifically does not come with workflow automation. This brings us to our second feature.
2. Email Sequences
Sending out emails using automation is a massive part of customer conversion. You can literally set up emails on autopilot mode for every stage of your sales cycle. Basically, email sequences help you take regular follow-ups. Pipedrive, Close, and Salesmate – all three can help you in different ways.
First, let’s talk about Pipedrive. This CRM does not offer email sequences as a native feature, but there are ample integrations to do this task. Pipedrive can be integrated with 24 email marketing tools and you can easily fetch data into the CRM. But, you have to subscribe to an email marketing tool, and that’ll be extra money out of your pocket.
With Salesmate, you get built-in sales follow up email sequences. You can design a sequence with custom steps and desirable triggers. Not just emails, but you can also include texts in your sequence with Salesmate. This feature is available to Growth plan customers.
Close CRM has 4 plans, and email sequences are included in the two higher plans. The features will work as per your conditions, and you can send out follow up emails to your prospects with ease.
3. Pipeline Management
Managing pipeline is something every business needs. Every business model has a different need, and sales pipelines should be flexible with it. Customizable pipeline management is something that modern CRMs have started offering, and all three CRM in this discussion are offering it.
Starting with Pipedrive, pipeline management is kind of the USP of this CRM. Hence, you’re getting this feature in every Pipedrive plan without any restrictions. You can add multiple deals and put them in the right stage of the pipeline with a simple drag & drop.
However, it is noteworthy that Salesmate CRM also offers the same functionality in both the plans at the same intensity. You can manage multiple deals with a drag & drop. You can create multiple customizable pipelines as per your business.
Comparing Salesmate and Pipedrive for this feature alone, Salesmate is an affordable option, if pipeline management is your top priority.
Close CRM has a different approach to this feature. You can only use 1 pipeline with the Starter plan, and a maximum of 10 if you choose to go with the highest plan.
4. Calling and Texting
Calling your prospects is one of the most essential features for any sales rep. With calling, a bunch of features comes along like call recording, forwarding, transfer, texting, etc.
All three CRMs provide built-in calling functionalities.
Let’s start with Close CRM.
Close CRM comes with power dialer, predictive dialer, and all sorts of high-end features. Making calls and sending out messages are available in all the plans. But A-league features like predictive dialer and power dialer are only available in higher plans. Unfortunately, basic features like call recording and call recording are only available in the costliest plan.
If calling and texting is your priority, Salesmate is the best option for you. You get built-in calling in both the plans with all the necessary features like forwarding, recording, transferring, text messaging. You can simply get a virtual phone number of your choice and start making calls. If you’re currently using RingCentral as your telephony, you can integrate it with Salesmate as well.
Pipedrive offers this feature as “Caller”, and it is available in Professional & Enterprise plans only.
5. Pricing
Pricing is one of the most important factors when choosing a CRM. As a business, you will be spending on every user, every month. I’m taking yearly subscription pricing for all three tools to give you a better idea.
Let’s start with Pipedrive.
Pipedrive CRM has 4 plans starting from $12.50/user/month to $99/user/month. In the Essential plan of Pipedrive CRM, you can get all the basics to kickstart your business, but not enough to run it fiercely. What I mean to say is – important features like Calling, Workflow Automation, Product Catalogs, are missing. You definitely have to spend extra bucks on these features.
Close CRM also offers 4 plans starting from $29.75/user/month to $123.75/user/month. Firstly, the Starter plan of Close CRM costs more than double than the Essential plan of Pipedrive. I noticed multiple restrictions in two affordable plans of Close CRM. Apparently, the level of support provided by Close executives also has a lot to do with your plan.
Salesmate CRM is the most affordable option out of our three options. It has two simple plans named Starter ($12/user/month) and Growth ($24/user/month). Everything important to run your business is included in the Starter plan. And as you grow, you can upgrade to the Growth plan (hence the name).
Bottom Line
I hope this Pipedrive vs. Salesmate vs. Close comparison will help you choose the right CRM system for your business.
Salesmate and Pipedrive do come out as the best options for a small and medium scale business. Both platforms are stunning in terms of user experience and customer service, so you don’t have to worry about that. Additionally, both the CRMs are very secure to safeguard your customer data.
In between Salesmate and Pipedrive, if affordability is among your top priorities, Salesmate is definitely the best option. Salesmate offers everything and more to run your business at the most affordable rates.
customer relations – DepositPhotos
