- Freshsales alternatives at a glance
- Ten CRMs to compare with Freshsales
- The email rule for anyone switching from Freshsales
- What to compare between Freshsales alternatives
- Moving from Freshsales without losing data
- Questions to ask on a CRM demo
- Which Freshsales alternative suits which team
- Why a smaller CRM can be a better fit
- My plain advice on replacing Freshsales
- Frequently asked questions
A good Freshsales alternative gives you a clear pipeline, contact history and email follow-up without a steep learning curve, and grows with your team. Check email integration, automation, reporting, mobile apps and what free or entry plans include. This page lists ten options in no particular order, then covers choosing and moving to a new CRM.
Freshsales is the sales CRM from Freshworks, described on its own site as an AI-powered CRM to boost sales efficiency, capture leads and close deals faster. It suits teams already using other Freshworks tools, and people compare alternatives when they want something simpler, a different free plan or tighter links to their own apps.
Below are ten Freshsales alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. Each description comes from the tool's own website, re-checked today. If you're still deciding whether a CRM is worth it, my piece on how any business can benefit from a CRM sets out the case.
Freshsales alternatives at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a free plan you can keep. Trial only means a free trial with no ongoing free tier. No means the site states neither. Free plans usually limit users and features.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attio | Modern CRM | Customisable records with a free plan | Yes |
| Bitrix24 | Business suite | CRM plus tasks and communication | Yes |
| Capsule | Simple CRM | Contacts and pipeline made easy | Yes |
| Close | Sales CRM | Calling, email and SMS together | Trial only |
| Copper | Google Workspace CRM | Working alongside Gmail | Trial only |
| folk | Contact CRM | Friendly relationship management | Trial only |
| Gmelius | Gmail workspace | Shared inboxes and deal boards | Trial only |
| Insightly | CRM | Sales plus project delivery | Trial only |
| Nutshell | Sales CRM | Pipeline with built-in email marketing | Trial only |
| Zoho CRM | Software suite | A full CRM with a free plan | Yes |
Ten CRMs to compare with Freshsales
Attio
Best for: Start-ups who want a flexible, modern CRM with a free plan.
Bitrix24
Best for: Small businesses who want CRM, tasks and team chat in one suite.
Capsule
Best for: Small businesses who want an approachable CRM with a free plan.
Close
Best for: Phone-led sales teams who want calling built into the CRM.
Copper
Best for: Teams who live in Google Workspace and want the CRM beside their inbox.
folk
Best for: Small teams who sell through relationships and want a simple contact CRM.
Gmelius
Best for: Teams who want pipelines and shared inboxes inside Gmail.
Insightly
Best for: Businesses who want deals and projects in one system.
Nutshell
Best for: Small sales teams who want marketing emails alongside their CRM.
Zoho CRM
Best for: Growing businesses who want a full CRM from a large software family.
The email rule for anyone switching from Freshsales
Here's the rule many small businesses miss once contacts sit in a CRM. The ICO's guide to PECR says you mustn't send marketing emails or texts to individuals without specific consent, apart from a limited soft opt-in for your own previous customers. You can email companies, but sole traders and some partnerships are treated as individuals. Record where each contact came from and what they agreed to. This isn't legal advice, so check what applies to your business.
What to compare between Freshsales alternatives
- Ease of use: how quickly can a new seller log a call or email?
- Email integration with Gmail or Outlook.
- Automation for reminders and follow-ups.
- Reporting that shows what's working.
- Phone apps for sellers on the go.
- Integrations with your helpdesk, accounting and marketing tools.
Moving from Freshsales without losing data
- Export contacts, accounts, deals and notes.
- Clean duplicates and outdated records.
- Map fields and stages before importing.
- Import a test batch and check every field.
- Reconnect email and integrations, then train the team.
Questions to ask on a CRM demo
- Can you show me logging an email in under a minute?
- How does automation handle follow-up reminders?
- Which of my existing tools connect?
- What does the phone app do?
- How do I export everything if I leave?
Which Freshsales alternative suits which team
- Small businesses often want simple CRMs with free plans.
- Google Workspace teams may prefer CRMs beside Gmail.
- Phone-led teams want calling built in.
- Growing companies may want a full CRM platform.
Why a smaller CRM can be a better fit
Smaller CRM makers often stay close to their users and keep the product simple. That suits small teams who want to sell rather than administer software. Check the update log, integrations and export options, and talk to support during your trial to see how quickly they reply.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
For help building the pipeline your CRM will track, my guide to using AI for lead generation is a practical next step.
Do you make a CRM? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on replacing Freshsales
Pick the CRM your sellers will update without being chased. Import a few real deals into two tools, run a week in each and ask the team which they'd keep. Adoption beats features every time.
Frequently asked questions
What is Freshsales?
It's the sales CRM from Freshworks, described on its own site as an AI-powered CRM for capturing leads and closing deals.
Which CRMs have free plans?
Several here describe free plans. The table shows what each site states.
Can I email contacts from my new CRM?
Check the rules. The ICO says marketing emails to individuals need consent or the soft opt-in. This isn't legal advice.
Will my deal history come across?
Usually, if you export and map it carefully. Test a small batch first.
Do I need a CRM inside Gmail?
Only if your team lives in Gmail. Otherwise a standalone CRM with email sync works well.
How long does a CRM switch take?
For a small team, a couple of weeks is realistic.
What's the most common CRM mistake?
Making it too complicated. Keep required fields few and add more only when needed.
Can a CRM help with customer support too?
Some CRMs include ticketing or connect to help desks. If support matters, check the integration before you choose.
Do CRMs work for one-person businesses?
Yes. A simple CRM keeps follow-ups on track even if you're the only seller, and many have free plans for one user.
How do I get my team to use a new CRM?
Keep it simple, connect email so activity logs itself and review the pipeline together each week. People use what helps them.
Are AI features in a CRM worth having?
They can help with summaries and suggested follow-ups, but basics come first: clean contacts, a clear pipeline and reminders your team relies on.
