Freshsales vs Zoho CRM - Detailed Comparison 2026
Freshsales is rated slightly higher on SAASAF.AI (4.3/5 vs 4.2/5). Freshsales starts at $9/month and has a free tier. Zoho CRM starts at $14/month and has a free tier.
Which Is Better, Freshsales or Zoho CRM?
Freshsales and Zoho CRM are rated very closely, with Freshsales at 4.3/5 and Zoho CRM at 4.2/5, indicating both are well-regarded by users. When it comes to features, Freshsales offers 6 capabilities while Zoho CRM provides 6. Freshsales differentiates with Ai Lead Scoring and Built In Phone, while Zoho CRM stands out with Sales Automation and Lead Management. On pricing, Freshsales is the more budget-friendly option at $9/month compared to Zoho CRM at $14/month, though both offer free tiers for users who want to try before committing. Both Freshsales and Zoho CRM are AI-powered, making them strong choices for users who want intelligent automation.
At a Glance
Zoho CRM
Comprehensive CRM with extensive customization at great value
$[object Object]
Visit Zoho CRMFull Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | Freshsales | Zoho CRM |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $[object Object] | $[object Object] |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| AI-Powered | Yes | Yes |
| AI Model | Freddy AI | Zia AI |
| Platforms | web, ios, android | web, ios, android |
| Founded | 2010 | 1996 |
| Company Size | 1000+ | 1000+ |
| Integrations | 4+ | 5+ |
| Affiliate Program | Yes | Yes |
| Ai Assistant | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ai Lead Scoring | ✓ | ✗ |
| Analytics | ✗ | ✓ |
| Automations | ✓ | ✗ |
| Built In Phone | ✓ | ✗ |
| Email Tracking | ✓ | ✗ |
| Lead Management | ✗ | ✓ |
| Multichannel | ✗ | ✓ |
| Pipeline Management | ✓ | ✗ |
| Reporting | ✓ | ✗ |
| Sales Automation | ✗ | ✓ |
| Workflow Rules | ✗ | ✓ |
How Much Do Freshsales and Zoho CRM Cost?
Freshsales Pricing
Freemium
$[object Object]
Free tier available
Billed monthly
Freshsales offers a freemium pricing model starting at $9/month. A free tier is available with limited features.
Zoho CRM Pricing
Freemium
$[object Object]
Free tier available
Billed monthly
Zoho CRM offers a freemium pricing model starting at $14/month. A free tier is available with limited features.
Pros and Cons
Freshsales Pros
- Freddy AI scoring and insights at SMB-friendly prices
- Built-in phone, WhatsApp, and SMS for omnichannel sales
- Tight integration with Freshdesk for sales-support handoff
- Generous free tier for small teams
- Faster setup than Salesforce
Freshsales Cons
- Reporting flexibility trails Salesforce on complex needs
- Marketing automation is basic versus HubSpot or Marketo
- Smaller third-party app marketplace
- Customization gets clunky for advanced sales processes
Zoho CRM Pros
- Extremely affordable per-seat pricing
- Zoho One bundles 45+ apps for one suite price
- Zia AI offers predictions and anomaly detection
- Canvas redesigns the UI without developer effort
- Highly customizable Blueprints enforce sales process
Zoho CRM Cons
- UI feels dated versus modern competitors
- Each Zoho app has its own learning curve
- Customer support response times vary by region
- Integrations between Zoho apps occasionally feel bolted-on
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Freshsales if...
Best for: Freshsales is best for SMB and mid-market teams already using Freshworks for support, or teams who want Salesforce-like capability at a fraction of the cost. Companies needing omnichannel engagement benefit most.
- You need Lead Generation
- You need Sales Pipeline
- You need Contact Management
- You need Email Campaigns
Ideal for: smb, mid-market
Industries: technology, retail, manufacturing
Choose Zoho CRM if...
Best for: Zoho CRM is best for cost-conscious SMBs and mid-market companies that want a full business suite from one vendor. Teams already using other Zoho apps benefit most from native interconnection.
- You need Sales Management
- You need Lead Generation
- You need Marketing Automation
- You need Customer Analytics
Ideal for: smb, mid-market, enterprise
Industries: technology, retail, real-estate, finance
Platform Availability
Freshsales
Available on Web, iOS, and Android. Mobile apps are offered but there is no dedicated desktop client.
Zoho CRM
Available on Web, iOS, and Android. Mobile apps are offered but there is no dedicated desktop client.
Get Started with Freshsales
AI-powered CRM for sales teams by Freshworks
Earn varies commission
Visit FreshsalesGet Started with Zoho CRM
Comprehensive CRM with extensive customization at great value
Earn 15% recurring commission
Visit Zoho CRMBecome a Reseller
Interested in reselling Freshsales or Zoho CRM? These tools offer reseller programs for agencies and consultants.
Freshsales Reseller Info Zoho CRM Reseller InfoExplore More
Tool Profiles
Alternatives
Use Cases
- Lead Generation
- Sales Pipeline
- Contact Management
- Email Campaigns
- Sales Management
- Marketing Automation
- Customer Analytics
Freshsales vs Zoho CRM: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Freshsales or Zoho CRM better?
Freshsales is rated slightly higher on SAASAF.AI, at 4.3/5 versus 4.2/5 for Zoho CRM, but the better pick depends on your use case. Freshsales is best for SMB and mid-market teams already using Freshworks for support, or teams who want Salesforce-like capability at a fraction of the cost. Zoho CRM is best for cost-conscious SMBs and mid-market companies that want a full business suite from one vendor.
How does Freshsales pricing compare to Zoho CRM?
Freshsales is cheaper to start, at $9/month versus $14/month for Zoho CRM. Both use a freemium pricing model. Both offer a free tier. Listed figures are starting prices; seats, usage and add-ons can change the final bill. Check each vendor's pricing page for current plan limits before you buy.
What is the difference between Freshsales and Zoho CRM?
Freshsales is an AI-powered sales CRM from Freshworks with built-in email, phone, chat, and AI lead scoring. Zoho CRM is a full-featured CRM platform that offers sales automation, marketing automation, analytics, and customer support tools. Freshsales lists features such as AI Lead Scoring, Built In Phone and Email Tracking. Zoho CRM lists Sales Automation, Lead Management and Analytics.
What are alternatives to both Freshsales and Zoho CRM?
Alternatives to Freshsales include HubSpot (4.5/5), Close (4.5/5) and Pipedrive (4.4/5). Alternatives to Zoho CRM include HubSpot (4.5/5), Pipedrive (4.4/5) and Salesforce (4.3/5). HubSpot has a free tier. Each tool has a full alternatives page on SAASAF.AI with pricing and feature comparisons.
What platforms do Freshsales and Zoho CRM support?
Freshsales and Zoho CRM are both available on Web, iOS and Android. Freshsales integrations listed on SAASAF.AI include Slack, Google Workspace and Zapier. Zoho CRM integrations include Google Workspace, Microsoft Office and Slack. Freshsales lists 4 integrations and Zoho CRM lists 5 in the SAASAF.AI directory.