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Bigin by Zoho CRM vs Salesforce Essentials vs Creatio CRM Comparison

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Bigin by Zoho CRM

4.6(243 reviews)

Starting at $7 /User/Month

  • Free Trial
  • Small Business

Bigin is Zoho's lightweight CRM designed for small teams under 50 people running straightforward sales cycles. Its drag-and-drop pipeline and email sync with Gmail and Outlook allow reps to get productive within a day wi…

Salesforce Essentials

4.5(28 reviews)

Starting at $25 /User/Month

  • Free Trial
  • Small Business

Salesforce Essentials includes a complete set of customer relationship management software, the industry’s leading customer service solution, Salesforce Chatter, and training to get you up and running quickly in the clou…

Creatio CRM

Starting at $40 /user/month

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Creatio is an AI-native, no-code CRM and workflow automation platform designed to help organizations manage customer relationships and business processes on a single unified system. It brings together sales, marketing, c…

Bigin by Zoho CRM leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 243 reviews.

Bigin by Zoho CRM vs Salesforce Essentials vs Creatio CRM — at a glance

FeatureBigin by Zoho CRMSalesforce EssentialsCreatio CRM
Rating4.6 / 54.5 / 5
Reviews24328
Starting price$7 /User/Month$25 /User/Month$40 /user/month
Free trial Yes Yes No
Free version No No No
Best forSmall BusinessSmall BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business
CategoryCRM SoftwareCRM SoftwareCRM Software
Integrations5+ apps
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOSSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOSSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac, Browser Based (Cloud), Mobile - Windows
APIAvailableAvailableAvailable
Support modesBusiness Hours, OnlineOnlineOnline
CertificationsSOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001
Data residencyGlobalGlobalUnited States, United Kingdom, Australia, European Union

Key differences between Bigin by Zoho CRM and Salesforce Essentials

  • Pricing: Bigin by Zoho CRM starts at $7 /User/Month, while Salesforce Essentials starts at $25 /User/Month.
  • User satisfaction: Bigin by Zoho CRM scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
  • Deployment: Bigin by Zoho CRM supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Salesforce Essentials supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.

Compare Bigin by Zoho CRM vs Salesforce Essentials vs Creatio CRM — and walk away knowing which one fits.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most CRM Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Bigin by Zoho CRM

Best for

Small Business

Salesforce Essentials

Best for

Small Business

Creatio CRM

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business

Bigin by Zoho CRM typically suits Small Business. Salesforce Essentials tends to fit Small Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

Bigin is Zoho's lightweight CRM designed for small teams under 50 people running straightforward sales cycles. Its drag-and-drop pipeline and email sync with Gmail and Outlook allow reps to ... Read More about Bigin by Zoho CRM

Salesforce Essentials includes a complete set of customer relationship management software, the industry’s leading customer service solution, Salesforce Chatter, and training to get you up ... Read More about Salesforce Essentials

Creatio is an AI-native, no-code CRM and workflow automation platform designed to help organizations manage customer relationships and business processes on a single unified system. It ... Read More about Creatio CRM

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $7 , Billed Yearly
  • Starts from $25 , Billed Yearly
  • Starts from $40 , Billed Yearly

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

9.0/10

8.7/10

Not Available

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.54

(28)

Best Company Size

50–10,000+ employees
Get pricing help

Where each option fits best

See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.

Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.

Strengths

Key strengths

Creatio CRM

  • Advanced Workflow Automation: Creatio supports end-to-end workflow automation through triggers, rules, approvals, and task orchestration. Repetitive actions such as follow-ups, lead routing, and status updates can run automatically. This reduces manual effort, minimizes errors, and keeps processes following defined standards, improving efficiency across departments.
  • AI-Driven Insights and Analytics: Creatio uses AI-driven analytics to surface trends, predict outcomes, and recommend next actions. Teams can monitor performance, forecast revenue, and identify bottlenecks using real-time dashboards. These insights help decision-makers prioritize tasks, improve planning accuracy, and adjust strategies based on actual operational data rather than assumptions.
  • Scalable for Growing Organizations: Creatio is designed to support growing teams, complex workflows, and increasing data volumes. Organizations can expand usage across departments, regions, and business units without changing platforms. Its modular structure allows teams to add features, integrations, and automation gradually as operational needs become more advanced.
Best fit

Best fit

Creatio CRM

  • 50–10,000+ employees
  • Banking & Financial Services, Insurance, Telecommunications, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Real Estate, Professional Services, IT Services, Public Sector, Education
  • Sales Manager, CRM Manager, Revenue Operations Manager, Marketing Operations Manager, Customer Service Manager, Business Process Manager, Digital Transformation Lead, CIO
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

Creatio CRM

  • While Creatio has integrations and a marketplace, users who require deep connectivity with certain niche tools or large ecosystems (e.g., extensive third-party apps) may choose alternatives with broader out-of-the-box integrations.
  • Creatio’s pricing and feature tiers are structured for mid-sized to larger businesses. Smaller teams or budget-constrained startups may opt for alternatives offering essential CRM capabilities at lower costs without advanced automation overhead.
  • Though no-code, Creatio’s workflow builder and extensive features can feel overwhelming without training. Teams with limited CRM experience might gravitate toward platforms with more intuitive interfaces or guided onboarding to reduce ramp-up time.

Software Demo

Demo

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Step 1 of 4

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How do Bigin by Zoho CRM, Salesforce Essentials and Creatio CRM Compare on Features?

Total Features

10 Features

8 Features

78 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote

Compare Bigin by Zoho CRM, Salesforce Essentials and Creatio CRM on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

        Starting From

        • $7 , Billed Yearly
        • $25 , Billed Yearly
        • $40 , Billed Yearly

        Pricing Plans

        • Free

          • Single Pipeline

          • 500 Records

          • Instant Workflows (3)

          Show more +

        • Express

          • Includes features of Free plan, plus

          • Team Pipelines (3)

          • 50,000 Records

          Show more +

        • Premier

          • Includes features of Express Edition plan. plus

          • Team Pipelines (5)

          • 100,000 Records

          Show more +

        • Salesforce Essentials

          • Manage contacts

          • Track relationships and deals

          • Respond to customers

          Show more +

        • Growth

          $40

          /user/month

          • Provide automation to SMB clients

          • No-code user interface designer

          • No-code workflow designers

          Show more +

        • Enterprise

          $75

          /user/month

          • Enable full-scale automation for corporate and enterprise needs

          • No-code user interface designer

          • No-code workflow designers

          Show more +

        • Unlimited

          Custom

          /user/month

          • Access the full platform, all CRM products, and AI with no per-user limits

        Pricing Page

        Bigin by Zoho CRM pricing
        Salesforce Essentials pricing
        Creatio CRM pricing

        Other Details

        Organization Types supported

        • Large Enterprises
        • Medium Business
        • Small Business
        • Freelancers
        • Individuals
        • Large Enterprises
        • Medium Business
        • Small Business
        • Freelancers
        • Individuals
        • Large Enterprises
        • Medium Business
        • Small Business
        • Freelancers
        • Individuals

        Platforms Supported

        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Mobile - Android
        • Mobile - iOS
        • Installed - Windows
        • Installed - Mac
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Mobile - Android
        • Mobile - iOS
        • Installed - Windows
        • Installed - Mac
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Mobile - Android
        • Mobile - iOS
        • Installed - Windows
        • Installed - Mac
        • Browser Based (Cloud)

        Modes of support

        • 24/7 (Live rep)
        • Business Hours
        • Online
        • 24/7 (Live rep)
        • Business Hours
        • Online
        • 24/7 (Live rep)
        • Business Hours
        • Online

        API Support

        • Available
        • Available
        • Available
        Get help choosing

        Security & Compliance

        Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

        SOC 2

        HIPAA

        ✗ No
        ✗ No

        GDPR

        ISO 27001

        Data Residency

        🌐 Global
        🌐 Global

        Bigin by Zoho CRM vs Salesforce Essentials User Reviews & Rating Comparison

        User Ratings

        No reviews available for the product

        Rating Distribution

        204

        66

        7

        1

        1

        28

        10

        0

        0

        0

        No reviews available for this product

        Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

        Buyer sentiment

        Buyer sentiment is very strong across 279 reviews, with consistently positive feedback.

        What buyers like

        • Simple design with a short learning curve — accessible for non-technical users.
        • Pricing targets startups and small businesses with core CRM features at low cost.
        • Pipeline management and workflow automation reduce manual steps in sales processes.

        Common complaints

        • Limited integrations with social media apps and LinkedIn or Facebook ad platforms.
        • Lacks advanced features needed by larger enterprises or complex workflows.
        • Customer support availability is inconsistent, affecting issue resolution during critical moments.

        Buyer sentiment

        Buyer sentiment is very strong across 38 reviews, with consistently positive feedback.

        What buyers like

        • Adapts to specific business needs through customizable fields, workflows, and a wide variety of third-party app integrations.
        • Interface works for both admins and end users, easing adoption and daily operations.
        • Out-of-the-box functionality enables quick implementation with minimal setup.

        Common complaints

        • The breadth of customization options can overwhelm new users or small businesses without dedicated technical support.
        • The interface can feel clunky or hard to navigate, especially for first-time users and non-technical team members.
        • Documentation and tutorials are inconsistent and often lack localization, making advanced features harder to learn in some regions.

        What buyers like

        • Handles large datasets, complex hierarchies, and multi-department workflows as organizations grow.
        • Supports complex process automation, triggers, and AI-driven insights for more controlled and efficient operations.
        • Combines sales, marketing, service, and operations in one system, reducing tool fragmentation across teams.

        Common complaints

        • Initial implementation often needs careful planning to fully align processes with business requirements.
        • Advanced workflow design and configuration may require time and training for new users.

        Pros and Cons

        • Real-time updates keep teams informed.

        • Integration with email and calendar enhances productivity.

        • User-friendly interface simplifies navigation.

        • Customization options may not meet all needs.

        • New users may find the interface complex.

        • Comprehensive feature set supports diverse business needs.

        • Strong customer service tools enhance client interactions.

        • Cloud-based access allows for remote collaboration.

        • Complexity may overwhelm new users.

        • Higher pricing could be a barrier for small businesses.

        • Handles large datasets, complex hierarchies, and multi-department workflows as organizations grow.

        • Supports complex process automation, triggers, and AI-driven insights for more controlled and efficient operations.

        • Combines sales, marketing, service, and operations in one system, reducing tool fragmentation across teams.

        • Initial implementation often needs careful planning to fully align processes with business requirements.

        • Advanced workflow design and configuration may require time and training for new users.

        Positive Reviews

        No reviews available for the product

        No reviews available for the product

        No reviews available for the product

        Used Bigin by Zoho CRM, Salesforce Essentials, or Creatio CRM? Tell buyers what actually differs.

        Integrations

        Integration with other apps

        No Integration information available.

        No Integration information available.

        List of Customers

        Customers

        Antech Microsystem Pvt.Ltd

        Antech Microsystem Pvt.Ltd

        Investacc

        Investacc

        Hire

        Hire

        Mashgin

        Mashgin

        Nasdaq

        Nasdaq

        Colgate-Palmolive

        Colgate-Palmolive

        ENT Credit Union

        ENT Credit Union

        Media and Screenshots

        Screenshots

        Bigin by Zoho CRM screenshot

        1 Screenshots

        2 Screenshots

        Videos

        video-0

        2 Videos

        video-0

        2 Videos

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        Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

        Frequently asked questions

        Which is better, Bigin by Zoho CRM or Salesforce Essentials?
        Bigin by Zoho CRM edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs 4.5). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
        Do Bigin by Zoho CRM and Salesforce Essentials offer a free trial?
        Yes, both Bigin by Zoho CRM and Salesforce Essentials offer a free trial.
        What is the starting price of Bigin by Zoho CRM vs Salesforce Essentials?
        Bigin by Zoho CRM starts at $7 /User/Month. Salesforce Essentials starts at $25 /User/Month.
        What are the top alternatives to Bigin by Zoho CRM?
        Top alternatives to Bigin by Zoho CRM include Creatio CRM, ClickUp, Zoho CRM, Freshsales, Agentforce Sales (formerly Salesforce Sales Cloud).
        What are the top alternatives to Salesforce Essentials?
        Top alternatives to Salesforce Essentials include Bigin by Zoho CRM, Creatio CRM, ClickUp, Zoho CRM, Freshsales.