Freshsales vs Zoho CRM

Two CRM tools side by side: what each does, what it costs and who it suits.

The verdict Side by side Plans and pricing Who each is for Other options

The verdict

On the data we hold, Zoho CRM comes out ahead. Here is why, point by point.

What the data says

Both cover 6 of the 6 features we compared.
Only Zoho CRM has a free plan to start on.
Both have an API and an MCP server, so either works with AI employees.
In our CRM ranking, Zoho CRM places 8 and Freshsales 2 of 20.

Side by side

Freshsales and Zoho CRM compared
10 points compared	Freshsales	Zoho CRM
Starts at	$9/mo	€14/mo
Free plan	No	Yes
API	Yes	Yes
MCP server	Yes	Yes
Gmail or Outlook sidebar	Yes	Yes
Lead capture forms	Yes	Yes
Sales goals and quotas	Yes	Yes
Sandbox environment	Yes	Yes
Territory management	Yes	Yes
WhatsApp messaging	Yes	Yes
Links	Visit	Visit

Plans and pricing

Freshsales

Growth9 per user per month billed annually.$108/yr/seat
Pro39 per user per month billed annually.$468/yr/seat
Enterprise59 per user per month billed annually.$708/yr/seat

Zoho CRM

FreeFree forever for up to 3 users: leads, deals, workflows, reports and a mobile app.Free
StandardPer user per month; EUR 14 per user per month billed yearly.€20/mo/seat
ProfessionalPer user per month with automation and AI; EUR 23 per user per month billed yearly.€35/mo/seat
EnterprisePer user per month with deep customization; EUR 40 per user per month billed yearly.€50/mo/seat
UltimatePer user per month with the highest limits and tailored setups; EUR 52 per user per month billed yearly.€65/mo/seat

Prices as the vendors list them. They change often; the final price is on their sites.

Who each is for

Choose Freshsales if…

Small and mid-sized B2B sales teams that want a clean CRM with a visual pipeline, lead scoring and built-in email and calling, particularly if they already use other Freshworks products.

Visit Read the review

Choose Zoho CRM if…

A small or mid-sized sales team, or a company already on Zoho apps, that wants pipelines, workflows and forecasting at a low cost per seat.

Visit Read the review

Other options worth a look

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Salesforce
Manages contacts, leads, opportunities and pipelines with deep customisation and automation for B2B sales teams.
CRM
From €25/moFree plan
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HubSpot
Combines CRM, marketing, sales and customer service around a shared contact database with a free tier.
CRM
From $7/mo yearlyFree plan
Sign up on HubSpot
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Nutshell
Dedicated customer relationship management platform for sales teams managing leads, deals and pipelines.
CRM
From $13/mo yearlyAffiliate link
Sign up on Nutshell
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Pipedrive
Manage your sales pipeline visually with drag-and-drop deals, contact management and workflow automation.
CRM
From €14/mo yearlyAffiliate link
Sign up on Pipedrive
ToolClient acquisition
Folk
Centralise contacts and deal pipelines in a spreadsheet-like CRM with automatic data enrichment.
CRM
From €22/mo yearlyAffiliate link
Sign up on Folk
ToolClient acquisition
Attio
Build a flexible CRM that mirrors exactly how you sell, not how a vendor says you should.
CRM
From €31/mo yearlyFree plan
Sign up on Attio