We use provider pages as the source of truth.
Pricing, plan names, free plan availability, and trial details are checked against official provider pages before being used in ProPicked scores. Vendor relationships do not change rankings, scores, or recommendations.
Provider Pricing Facts
Provider pricing facts: Salesforce starts at $25/mo. Close starts at $49/mo. Gainsight has a free plan.
Source and Freshness Note
Source and freshness note: pricing, free-plan, and feature signals are refreshed from provider pages and public comparison data. This alternatives page was last checked May 2026.
Best Salesforce Alternatives (2026)
Salesforce scores 8.8/10 in our review with plans starting at $25/mo. While it excels in features (9.8/10) and ease of use (6.5/10), it may not be the best fit for every team or budget.
We compared 5 crm software alternatives below, ranked by overall score. Salesforce currently leads this category — but the alternatives below offer different strengths.
Salesforce
The world's #1 CRM platform for sales, service, and marketing
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Key Takeaways: Salesforce Alternatives
- ✓Close is the top-rated alternative with a 8.6/10 score.
- ✓We compare 5 alternatives to Salesforce (8.8/10).
- ✓3 alternatives offer a free plan.
- ✓All alternatives reviewed as of June 2026.
- Choose Close if ease of use is your top priority
- Choose Close if customer support quality matters most
- Choose Close if you want the best bang for your buck
- Choose Gainsight if you need a free plan to get started
- Choose Gainsight if ease of use is your top priority
- Choose Gainsight if you're on a tight budget (starts at $0/mo vs $25/mo)
- Choose HubSpot if you need a free plan to get started
- Choose HubSpot if ease of use is your top priority
- Choose HubSpot if you're on a tight budget (starts at $20/mo vs $25/mo)
Salesforce vs Alternatives at a Glance
Why Look Beyond Salesforce?
Salesforce is genuinely strong — 8.8/10 puts it near the top of our crm software rankings. But "best overall" doesn't always mean "best for you." Some alternatives offer free plans that Salesforce doesn't.
Among the 5 alternatives we reviewed: 2 are more affordable. We ranked them by overall score so the strongest options appear first.
Salesforce Alternative Reviews in Detail
Close
CRM built for inside sales teams with calling, email, and SMS built in
Gainsight
The leading customer success platform
HubSpot
CRM platform with marketing, sales, and service hubs
Pipedrive
The CRM designed to help you close more deals faster
Attio
Next-generation CRM with real-time data enrichment
Why People Look for Salesforce Alternatives
Pricing Concerns
Salesforce starts at $25/mo which may not fit every budget. 3 alternatives offer free plans.
Feature Gaps
Some users need capabilities Salesforce doesn't offer. Top-rated alternatives score up to 9.2/10 on features.
Better Fit
Different tools excel for different use cases. Close may be a better match for your specific workflow and team size.
Before You Switch from Salesforce: Key Considerations
- 1Review your current Salesforce data export options — ensure you can migrate your content and configurations.
- 2Compare pricing tiers carefully — factor in hidden costs like add-ons, transaction fees, and per-user charges.
- 3Test the alternative with a free trial before committing — most tools in this category offer 14-30 day trials.
- 4Check integration compatibility — make sure the alternative works with your existing tech stack.
- 5Consider the learning curve — switching costs include time spent training your team on the new tool.
Salesforce Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Salesforce Alternatives FAQ
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