Best 5 alternatives to Simply CRM in 2024

Are you on the hunt for a CRM solution that's both powerful and reliable?

You might’ve come across Simply CRM.

Whether you're thinking of switching from what you're currently using, or just curious about what else is out there, you're in the perfect place.

Here's a peek at the top five alternatives that might just be your perfect match this year.

Get ready to mix things up and find a CRM that truly gets your business.

What is Simply CRM?

Simply CRM is a tool businesses use to deal with their customer interactions. It can track sales, market activities, and client service. The system organizes information in one place. This makes it quite convenient for teams to access and use data or make better decisions. What’s more, companies can improve their customer relationships with Simply CRM. The software also offers features like task management and analytics.

Key features of Simply CRM

1. Integration capabilities: Simply CRM works with tools like Google Apps, Microsoft Dynamics, and various email systems.
2. Customer dashboards: It can give users comprehensive overviews of each client, including interaction history.
3. Visual sales process: Features like visual pipelines and Gantt charts help visualize projects and sales progress.
4. Project management: Simply CRM could assist you in managing projects with detailed tasks and milestones.
5. Support system: It handles customer support tickets and service contracts.
6. Invoicing: The tool allows for the creation of invoices and integrates with existing ERP systems to simplify financial operations.

Why should you look for Simply CRM alternatives?

The features we've just mentioned look promising. However, Simply CRM might not be the best fit for your business for a number of reasons.

The most common problems associated with this tool include:

Limited customization

Simply CRM has a structured framework that might not fit all business needs, especially for those requiring a highly tailored solution.

As businesses grow, the need for more specialized features and deeper customization options becomes way more than necessary.

Users of Simply CRM have noted its limitations in customization. This can be a big drawback for companies with specific workflow requirements or unique business processes.

Connectivity issues

Some reviews mention connectivity issues with Simply CRM, which can be a major disruption for businesses that rely heavily on constant access to their CRM systems.

These issues can:

• hinder the ability to quickly retrieve customer data or update information in real-time
• impact customer service
• disrupt timely decision-making

For businesses that need dependable and consistent access to their CRM, these connectivity problems might prompt them to consider other options with more reliable performance.

Support delays

While Simply CRM promises 24/7 support, there are instances where users experience delays in getting help with their queries.

Timely support is what matters for keeping operational efficiency, especially in case of unexpected problems that need immediate attention.

For these reasons, you might be interested in exploring other options out there.

Best 5 alternatives to Simply CRM

To make things easier for you, we've done the heavy lifting.

Based on our extensive research, these are the best Simply CRM alternatives:

#1–Capsule CRM: top choice

Capsule CRM is an online customer relationship management tool that helps businesses like yours manage everyday business operations more effectively. It combines ease of use with extremely powerful features to build stronger connections, streamline sales processes, and save time.

Key features

• Sales pipeline: Track your deals at each stage using a visual representation of your sales pipeline.
• Customization: Adjust Capsule to suit your specific business requirements with customizable fields, tags, and dashboards for vital information storage.
• Email integration: Seamlessly connect Capsule with email platforms like Transpond, Gmail, and Outlook, all to make the management and tracking of email communications with contacts easier.
• Task management: Assign and deal with tasks within your team.
• Contact management: Use Capsule's efficient method for managing and accessing contact information. This way, you can quickly retrieve customer details.
• Reporting and analytics: Get insights into your business's performance with detailed reports and analytical tools.
• Custom lists and filters: Use Capsule's tools for creating lists and filters to effectively categorize and handle contact and sales data.
• Mobile CRM: Access and manage CRM activities on the go with Capsule’s fully functional mobile application, which is compatible with various mobile devices.
• Integration with other apps: Connect with widely-used applications like G Suite, Mailchimp, Xero, and QuickBooks.

Pros of Capsule CRM

• User-friendly: Capsule CRM is acclaimed for its simple and intuitive interface, which makes it accessible to users of all technical backgrounds.
• Effective management of sales pipeline: The visualization of the sales pipeline in Capsule is appreciated for its role in handling deals and forecasting sales results.
• Seamless integration: Capsule's excellent capability to integrate effortlessly with other apps such as Xero benefits various business verticals.
• Dependable customer support: The customer service team is frequently praised for their quick and helpful responses.
• Highly customizable: The platform has a wide range of customization possibilities, so it can adapt to all sorts of business needs and workflows.

User reviews

1. Victoria R.: “Capsule perfectly fulfills our organization's needs with its simple interface, ease of use, customization options, great value, mobile app for on-the-go convenience which is especially useful at conferences. I appreciate that it's not overloaded with complexity and overengineered with too many features. I use it dozens of times throughout the day and rely heavily to keep me on track at work. I can quickly summon a name and know instantly key info on the contact or organization. Uploading documents to a contact is especially helpful as well as key word search. Finally, it was so quick to get started with a painless setup.”
2. John H.: “I love the reminders to follow up with people–makes it so easy to keep on top of enquiries and ensure that I'm keeping in touch with my key contacts and clients at the appropriate timeframes.”
3. Boze D.: "Firstly, it's incredibly intuitive and easy to use, even for someone who's not particularly good with technology! I started my business 13 years ago and was introducted to Capsule by my son (a web designer) who said it would be perfect for me to run my business, I use it every working day and I've not been dissappointed. I love the way it integrates with FreeAgent and Microsoft Outlook. It's a breeze to navigate and implementing actions and tasks and the customer support is second to none. I mainly use 'Opportunities' and 'Tracks' and I love the 'Tags' feature. I literally couldn't imagine running my buisness without it."

Best for

• Small to medium enterprises: Perfect for businesses needing an easy-to-use CRM with all essential features.
• Businesses requiring bespoke solutions: Appropriate for firms desiring a CRM that can be customized to their unique needs.
• Email marketing-centric companies: Highly recommended for organizations that prioritize email marketing and communication thanks to its dedicated marketing add-on.
• Sales departments: Optimal for sales teams in need of pipeline management, sales analytics, and lead tracking capabilities.
• Organizations looking for seamless integration: Ideal for companies that want a CRM to integrate effectively with various tools.

Pricing

Capsule has a no-cost CRM plan for up to two users, so it's an economical choice for small to medium-sized enterprises. Once your needs grow, you can pick from several other options with more features: Starter, Growth, Advanced, and Ultimate plans. All configurations are priced extremely affordably, so you don’t have to stretch your budget. You can see Capsule's pricing details here.

#2–Pipedrive CRM

Pipedrive is a web-based CRM. It offers a solution for managing leads, tracking your sales pipeline, and speeding up sales tasks. With features like automated lead nurturing and real-time sales insights, Pipedrive motivates sales teams to focus on the right customers.

Key features

• Sales pipeline tools
• Reports
• Mobile app access
• Email integration
• Activity reminders

Considerations and challenges

• Poor customization: Pipedrive lacks the depth of customization desired by some users, particularly in restricting features to specific people or pipelines. Such limitation hinders the platform's ability to adapt to unique sales processes.

• Integration challenges: Integration through Zapier can be cumbersome because of no clean triggers for actions based on newly won deals. This issue complicates workflow automation and data synchronization with other tools.
• Inadequate customer support: Users report dissatisfaction with Pipedrive's support, citing unhelpful responses and difficulty in resolving issues effectively.
• Billing concerns: Some users have come across billing discrepancies, where canceled accounts continue to be charged for unused seats without proper notification or recourse for refunds. As a result, this billing practice has created financial strain and frustration among subscribers.

Pricing

Pipedrive offers a range of pricing options. Starting with the Essential plan, which has basic functionality at an accessible rate, teams can gradually scale up to more advanced plans like Advanced, Professional, or Enterprise. These higher-tier plans unlock additional features and insights.

#3–Freshsales CRM

Freshsales, one of Freshwork's tools, is a sales CRM solution that helps businesses sell smarter and close deals faster. It simplifies the sales process and boosts productivity. Features like smart campaigns and organizing make Freshsales users able to simplify tasks and focus on valuable leads. It brings sales and marketing together in one place. Thanks to that, businesses can have a seamless customer journey.

Key features

• Efficient organizing
• 360° customer view
• Deal recommendations
• Automated tasks
• Single Source of Truth

Considerations and challenges

• Bugs and feature issues: Many features such as workflows, customer journeys, and auto-assignment rules, often malfunction. This leads to user frustration. Data export functions may also give inaccurate results. What's more, the support team takes considerable time to address these issues, often without providing an estimated resolution time.

• Performance and lagging: Users occasionally experience application lagging and performance issues, particularly in sales sequences.
• Update interruptions: Updates sometimes cause temporary system disruptions.
• Cost versus features: The cost of Freshsales can be prohibitive, especially given the limited CRM features available. Users may struggle to justify the expense relative to the functionality provided.

• System changes: Periodic overhauls of the system can disrupt user experience.

Pricing

Starting at $9/user/month, the Growth plan includes essential features. The Pro plan, at $39/user/month, is for growing businesses with advanced capabilities. Enterprises can opt for the Enterprise plan, priced at $59/user/month, with additional options. Add-ons like CPQ and Freshbots are available. A free plan is offered for small teams of up to 3 users, with basic features and 24/5 support.

#4–Hubspot CRM

With HubSpot CRM, you can keep track of your relationships with leads and customers. It's got the tools for sales, marketing, and client service, all packed into one platform. With HubSpot CRM, you can stay on top of interactions, manage deals, and analyze data.

Key features

• Contact management
• Marketing automation
• Email tracking
• Reporting capabilities
• Deal tracking

Considerations and challenges

• Limited features on lower tiers: HubSpot Sales Hub may feel limiting for small businesses. That's because some advanced features are not available on lower-tier plans. It might be frustrating for users who are enticed to upgrade to higher tiers to access essential functionalities.
• Lack of A/B testing: The missing A/B testing directly within the platform can hinder marketing efforts, especially for small businesses that want to optimize their strategies. This may force users to seek alternative solutions for testing and optimization.

• Inflexible pricing for existing customers: Existing users may feel overlooked by HubSpot's pricing model, as new ones are offered lower prices or better plans. Such disparity can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction among loyal subscribers.

• Annual contracts: Some users may find HubSpot's requirement of an annual contract restrictive. Additionally, lower-tier packages lack essential features like A/B testing, which can limit the effectiveness of marketing strategies.

Pricing

In its free plan, HubSpot offers very basic CRM features for small businesses, though these may not fully meet all your requirements. However, as businesses expand, upgrading to higher-tier plans becomes a necessity. The Professional plan, priced at up to $1,600 per month, can quickly escalate in cost with the inclusion of additional add-ons.

#5–Less Annoying CRM

Less Annoying CRM tracks your customer interactions. It's made to be super easy to use for small businesses. You can keep tabs on your leads, stay on top of your tasks, and organize all your important dates and appointments in one place. What's nice is that they have a transparent pricing structure–no unpleasant surprises there. Plus, they offer support whenever you need it.

Key features

• Contact management
• Calendar
• Tasks
• Mobile access
• Email logging
• Daily agenda summary
• Free phone and email support

Considerations and challenges

• Optional features: Less Annoying CRM lacks some optional functions that larger CRM software companies offer.

• No built-in email client: One major drawback is the absence of a built-in email client, which can be inconvenient for users who rely heavily on email communication within their CRM.
• No reputation management system: Another downside is the lack of a reputation management system. This could be useful for businesses looking to manage and monitor their online reputation directly within the CRM platform.

Pricing

Less Annoying CRM is priced at $15 per user per month, plus tax, without any hidden fees or complicated options. For this price users can access unlimited contacts, pipelines, email logging, user permissions, custom fields, task management, mobile access, and 25GB of file storage per user.

How to choose the best Simply CRM alternative

Be sure to consider the following factors before you start your hunt for the best pick:

Customization options

• Think about CRM options that let you change things to fit your business. Look for features like being able to make your own fields, tags, and charts. With that, you can make the tool work just right for how your company functions. It helps you work better and get more done.

Integration capabilities

• Check if the CRM you're looking at can integrate well with other tools you already use. You want it to connect smoothly with your email, accounting, and marketing tools. The result? It’ll be easier to share information and do your tasks faster. It's good for teamwork and getting things done quicker.

User experience and support

• Make sure the software you pick is easy to use and has lots of help available. Look for ones with clear menus and good guides. Having access to resources like guides and quick answers to your questions is important. It makes it more convenient and smooth for everyone to use.

Scalability

• Think about if the CRM you're considering can grow with your business. Look for ones that can change easily as your needs change. And just like that, your investment will stay useful for a long time.

Mobile accessibility

• Test if the CRM works well on mobile devices so your team can use it anywhere. Look for apps or websites that work on smartphones and tablets. Thanks to that your team can stay connected and get work done, whether they're in the office or out and about.

Trial period and user feedback

• Try out different CRM options before you commit to one. Use trial periods to test how they work for your business. Ask your team for feedback to see if they like using it and if it meets their needs. Also, read reviews from other users to learn from their experiences and make a smart choice.

Key takeaways

1. Customization is key: If Simply CRM feels too rigid, consider alternatives that offer more flexibility. Look for software that lets you customize fields, tags, and dashboards to match your unique work operations. This way, you can tailor it to fit your specific needs.
2. Explore alternatives: If Simply CRM isn't what you want, explore alternatives like Capsule, Pipedrive, Freshsales, HubSpot, or Less Annoying. Each of these options offers interesting features and benefits that might better suit your business requirements.
3. Smooth integration matters: Check if the CRM you're eyeing integrates well with other tools you already use, like email and accounting software. Seamless connectivity makes your data flow smoothly between different systems.
4. User-friendly is a must: Prioritize platforms with intuitive interfaces and comprehensive support resources. Opt for solutions that offer extensive documentation, tutorials, and responsive customer support to help your team onboard quickly and troubleshoot issues effectively.
5. Think long-term scalability: Consider whether the CRM can grow with your business. Look for options that offer flexible pricing plans and additional features as your needs evolve.
6. Mobile accessibility is handy: Check if the CRM works well on mobile devices so your team can access it from anywhere. Mobile accessibility lets your employees stay connected and productive, whether they're in the office or working remotely.
7. Test before you commit: Take advantage of trial periods to see if they're the right fit for your business. Test the software's features and gather opinions from your team to make an informed decision based on real-world experiences.
8. Consider user feedback: Read reviews and testimonials from other users to know their experiences with the CRM platform. User feedback can help you identify potential issues and make a smart decision.
9. Choose wisely: Ultimately, choose a CRM that aligns closely with your organization's requirements and goals.

Time to pick your marketing automation software for CRM

With these top five alternatives, you're well-equipped to find the perfect match for your business.

Say “goodbye” to Simply CRM if it's no longer igniting the spark, and “hello” to a new era of efficient customer relationship management.

It's time to opt in for a CRM that truly aligns with your needs.

If you're unsure where to begin, we recommend Capsule CRM.

Good luck!

FAQs

How do I replace Simply CRM?

To replace Simply CRM, start by looking for new CRM software that meets your needs. Check if it has all the features you want, like workflow automation and lead management. Then, you can transfer your data to the new system and create custom apps so your team can use it.

What are the best alternatives to Simply CRM with core CRM features?

Some great alternatives to Simply CRM include tools such as Capsule CRM. Capsule offers robust features to support your sales team and marketing campaigns. Other notable mentions are: Pipedrive, Hubspot, Freshsales and Less Annoying CRMs.

Can I use Simply CRM for free?

Yes, you can use Simply CRM for free initially as they offer a trial period. This allows you to explore all the basic features without committing financially. After the trial, you'll need to choose a paid plan to continue using the service.

Who competes against Simply CRM?

Several CRM software options compete against Simply CRM, especially for a small business. Look at platforms like Capsule CRM, which offer automated workflows and business apps. Such competitors offer strong alternatives with extensive support for marketing and sales teams.