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FreeCRM vs Salesforce Essentials vs Bigin by Zoho CRM vs Creatio CRM Comparison

Last updated:

FreeCRM

4.3(10 reviews)

Starting at $50 /User/Month

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

FreeCRM is a free-tier CRM for small teams and first-time CRM users that includes lead management, sales dashboards, quoting, and basic invoicing. The free plan supports up to 100 users or 100 contacts with 10MB of stora…

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…

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…

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…

Salesforce Essentials leads on user satisfaction with a 4.5-star rating across 28 reviews.

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

FeatureFreeCRMSalesforce EssentialsBigin by Zoho CRMCreatio CRM
Rating4.3 / 54.5 / 54.6 / 5
Reviews1028243
Starting price$50 /User/Month$25 /User/Month$7 /User/Month$40 /user/month
Free trial No Yes Yes No
Free version No No No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessSmall BusinessSmall BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business
CategoryCRM SoftwareCRM SoftwareCRM SoftwareCRM Software
Integrations5+ apps
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOSSaaS/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
APIAvailableAvailableAvailableAvailable
Support modesOnlineOnlineBusiness Hours, OnlineOnline
CertificationsSOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001
Data residencyUSGlobalGlobalUnited States, United Kingdom, Australia, European Union

Key differences between FreeCRM and Salesforce Essentials

  • Pricing: FreeCRM starts at $50 /User/Month, while Salesforce Essentials starts at $25 /User/Month.
  • Free trial: Salesforce Essentials offers a free trial; FreeCRM does not.
  • Target audience: FreeCRM is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while Salesforce Essentials targets Small Business.
  • User satisfaction: Salesforce Essentials scores higher with a 4.5-star average.
  • Deployment: FreeCRM supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Salesforce Essentials supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.

Compare FreeCRM vs Salesforce Essentials vs Bigin by Zoho CRM 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.

FreeCRM - CRM Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert
Salesforce Essentials - CRM Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert

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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

FreeCRM

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

Salesforce Essentials

Best for

Small Business

Bigin by Zoho CRM

Best for

Small Business

Creatio CRM

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business

FreeCRM typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium 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

FreeCRM is a free-tier CRM for small teams and first-time CRM users that includes lead management, sales dashboards, quoting, and basic invoicing. The free plan supports up to 100 users or ... Read More about FreeCRM

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

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

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 $50
  • Starts from $25 , Billed Yearly
  • Starts from $7 , Billed Yearly
  • Starts from $40 , Billed Yearly

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial
  • No free trial

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

8.1/10

8.7/10

9.0/10

Not Available

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.3

(10)

4.54

(28)

Best Company Size

50–10,000+ employees
Get pricing help
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

FreeCRM

No key benefits available yet.

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

FreeCRM

No best-fit guidance available yet.

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

FreeCRM

No alternatives guidance available yet.

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

No software demo available

FreeCRM has not given any software demo yet

If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us

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Step 1 of 4

How big is your team?

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

Total Features

7 Features

8 Features

10 Features

78 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare FreeCRM, Salesforce Essentials, Bigin by Zoho CRM 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

          • $50
          • $25 , Billed Yearly
          • $7 , Billed Yearly
          • $40 , Billed Yearly

          Pricing Plans

          • Not Available
          • Salesforce Essentials

            • Manage contacts

            • Track relationships and deals

            • Respond to customers

            Show more +

          • 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 +

          • 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

          FreeCRM pricing
          Salesforce Essentials pricing
          Bigin by Zoho CRM pricingCreatio 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
          • 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)
          • 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
          • 24/7 (Live rep)
          • Business Hours
          • Online

          API Support

          • Available
          • Available
          • Available
          • Available
          Get help choosing
          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

          🇺🇸 US
          🌐 Global

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

          User Ratings

          No reviews available for the product

          Rating Distribution

          10

          10

          0

          0

          0

          28

          10

          0

          0

          0

          204

          66

          7

          1

          1

          No reviews available for this product

          Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

          Buyer sentiment

          Buyer sentiment is positive across 20 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction.

          What buyers like

          • Covers CRM needs including lead management, sales dashboards, and project management in one solution.
          • Great value for money, especially as a free tool with features comparable to premium CRMs for small businesses and startups.
          • Easy to set up and user-friendly interface, allowing even non-technical users to operate it effectively.

          Common complaints

          • Free version has limitations, such as storage capped at 10 MB, which may not suffice for growing businesses.
          • The Marketplace lacks a wide range of integrations, which might hinder additional functionality.
          • Advanced features such as unlimited storage, priority support, and premium tools are locked behind a paywall.

          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.

          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.

          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

          • Cost-effective solution for small businesses.

          • Simple interface allows for quick adoption.

          • Efficient management of contacts and leads.

          • Limited scalability for larger organizations.

          • Basic features may not satisfy advanced users.

          • 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.

          • 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.

          • 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

          No reviews available for the product

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

          Integrations

          Integration with other apps

          No Integration information available.

          No Integration information available.

          No Integration information available.

          List of Customers

          Customers

          No Customers information available.

          Mashgin

          Mashgin

          Antech Microsystem Pvt.Ltd

          Antech Microsystem Pvt.Ltd

          Investacc

          Investacc

          Hire

          Hire

          Nasdaq

          Nasdaq

          Colgate-Palmolive

          Colgate-Palmolive

          ENT Credit Union

          ENT Credit Union

          Media and Screenshots

          Screenshots

          No screenshots available.

          2 Screenshots

          Videos

          No videos available.

          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, FreeCRM or Salesforce Essentials?
          Salesforce Essentials edges out the other on user ratings (4.5 vs 4.3). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
          Do FreeCRM and Salesforce Essentials offer a free trial?
          Salesforce Essentials offers a free trial. FreeCRM does not.
          What is the starting price of FreeCRM vs Salesforce Essentials?
          FreeCRM starts at $50 /User/Month. Salesforce Essentials starts at $25 /User/Month.
          What are the top alternatives to FreeCRM?
          Top alternatives to FreeCRM include Bigin by Zoho CRM, Creatio CRM, ClickUp, Zoho CRM, Freshsales.
          What are the top alternatives to Salesforce Essentials?
          Top alternatives to Salesforce Essentials include Bigin by Zoho CRM, Creatio CRM, ClickUp, Zoho CRM, Freshsales.