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Freshdesk vs Freshsales vs Bigin by Zoho CRM vs Creatio CRM Comparison

Last updated:

Freshdesk

4.5(699 reviews)

Starting at $15 /User/Month

  • Free Trial
  • Freelancers / Consultants
  • Large Enterprises

Freshdesk is a cloud-based help desk software designed to make customer support easier, more efficient and more effective. Freshdesk answers all customer support needs by making it easy for users to communicate with cust…

Freshsales

4.7(508 reviews)

Starting at $9 /user/month

  • Free Trial
  • Freelancers / Consultants
  • Large Enterprises

Freshsales is a complete Sales & CRM solution that will help you make your sales team much more productive by getting rid of their chronic information overload and improve hiring with an easy online application. The USP…

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…

Freshsales leads on user satisfaction with a 4.7-star rating across 508 reviews.

Freshdesk vs Freshsales vs Bigin by Zoho CRM vs Creatio CRM — at a glance

FeatureFreshdeskFreshsalesBigin by Zoho CRMCreatio CRM
Rating4.5 / 54.7 / 54.6 / 5
Reviews699508243
Starting price$15 /User/Month$9 /user/month$7 /User/Month$40 /user/month
Free trial Yes Yes Yes No
Free version No No No No
Best forFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessSmall BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business
CategoryHelp Desk 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 modes24/7 (Live rep), Online24/7 (Live rep), Business HoursBusiness Hours, OnlineOnline
CertificationsSOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001SOC 2, GDPRSOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001
Data residencyGlobalGlobalGlobalUnited States, United Kingdom, Australia, European Union

Key differences between Freshdesk and Freshsales

  • Pricing: Freshdesk starts at $15 /User/Month, while Freshsales starts at $9 /user/month.
  • User satisfaction: Freshsales scores higher with a 4.7-star average.
  • Deployment: Freshdesk supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Freshsales supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.

Compare Freshdesk vs Freshsales 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 Help Desk 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.

Freshdesk - Help Desk Software
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Freshsales - CRM Software
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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Freshdesk

Best for streamlined omnichannel customer support in small to mid-sized teams.

Choose if
  • You need unified support across email, social media, and phone channels.
  • Your team values real-time collaboration with internal notes and task splitting.
  • You operate a small to mid-sized company (10-1,000 employees) seeking easy setup.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your organization requires highly customized or complex enterprise workflows.
  • You do not need omnichannel support or prefer transparent, flexible pricing.

Freshsales

Best for mid-sized sales teams needing intuitive CRM with strong automation.

Choose if
  • You want a user-friendly CRM that requires minimal technical expertise.
  • Your sales team benefits from integrated communication tools like email and calls.
  • You need intelligent lead scoring to prioritize high-potential prospects efficiently.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your company requires advanced web form automation capabilities.
  • You depend heavily on highly customizable, graphical reporting features.

Bigin by Zoho CRM

Best for

Small Business

Creatio CRM

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business

Freshdesk: Best for streamlined omnichannel customer support in small to mid-sized teams. Freshsales: Best for mid-sized sales teams needing intuitive CRM with strong automation.

Description

Freshdesk is a cloud-based help desk software designed to make customer support easier, more efficient and more effective. Freshdesk answers all customer support needs by making it easy for ... Read More about Freshdesk

Freshsales is a complete Sales & CRM solution that will help you make your sales team much more productive by getting rid of their chronic information overload and improve hiring with an ... Read More about Freshsales

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 $15 , Billed Yearly
  • Starts from $9 , yearly
  • Starts from $7 , Billed Yearly
  • Starts from $40 , Billed Yearly

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

9.5/10

9.3/10

9.0/10

Not Available

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.47

(699)

4.69

(508)

Best Company Size

10-50 employees51-1,000 employees
11-50 employees51-500 employees
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

Freshdesk

  • Omnichannel Support: Freshdesk allows teams to manage conversations across email, social media (Twitter, Facebook), phone, and more, all from a single platform.
  • Collaborative Ticketing System: Agents can share notes, tag teammates, and split tasks within a ticket, promoting internal collaboration for faster resolutions.
  • Context-Rich Customer Communication: Tickets include customer history and context, letting agents personalize responses and resolve issues more effectively.

Freshsales

  • Simplified Sales Processes: Freshsales simplifies your sales workflow, letting teams track leads, manage customer interactions, and close deals faster. You'll appreciate how easy it is to work through the sales pipeline, so nothing slips through the cracks.
  • Intelligent Lead Scoring: With Freshsales, you can prioritize your leads based on their engagement and likelihood to convert. This feature allows you and your team to focus efforts where they matter most, driving efficiency and improving conversion rates.
  • Built-in Communication Tools: Freshsales integrates email, phone calls, and chat features directly into the platform. This means you can engage with prospects without switching between tools—saving time for you and your team.

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

Freshdesk

  • 10 – 1,000 Employee
  • SaaS, E-commerce, Education, Retail, Healthcare, Logistics
  • Customer Support Specialist, IT Helpdesk Technician, Support Manager, Operations Manager, Service Desk Analyst, CRM Administrator

Freshsales

  • 11 to 500 employees
  • Sales Automation, SaaS, Martech, Fintech, and Consulting
  • Sales Managers, Account Executives, Business Development Representatives, and CRM Administrators

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

Freshdesk

  • While Freshdesk offers a free plan, essential features like advanced automation, reporting, or multi-language support are gated behind higher-tier subscriptions, which may become expensive for large or growing teams.
  • Users looking to implement complex workflows or automation may face a steeper learning curve and require additional configuration time or support.
  • Some users report slower load times or occasional system lags during peak usage, which can impact support efficiency.

Freshsales

  • Users might consider alternatives to Freshsales due to specific needs or preferences that may not be fully addressed by the platform.
  • Some businesses may require more advanced automation features or customization options that Freshsales does not offer, prompting them to explore alternatives.
  • Companies with budget constraints may seek more cost-effective CRM solutions that provide similar functionalities at a lower price point than Freshsales.

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

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Step 1 of 4

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How do Freshdesk, Freshsales, Bigin by Zoho CRM and Creatio CRM Compare on Features?

Total Features

16 Features

10 Features

10 Features

78 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare Freshdesk, Freshsales, 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

          • $15 , Billed Yearly
          • $9 , yearly
          • $7 , Billed Yearly
          • $40 , Billed Yearly

          Pricing Plans

          • Free

            • Integrated ticketing across email and social

            • Ticket Dispatch

            • Knowledge Base

            Show more +

          • Growth

            • Includes features of Free plan, plus

            • Automations

            • Collision Detection

            Show more +

          • Pro

            • Includes features of Growth plan, plus

            • Multiple products

            • Includes up to 5000 Collaborators

            Show more +

          • Browse all pricing plans
          • Growth

            $11

            /user/month

            • Tailored for startups and SMBs seeking efficient pipeline management and engagement across channels

            • Kanban View for Contacts, Accounts, and Deals

            • Contact Lifecycle Stages

            Show more +

          • Pro

            $39

            /user/month

            • Ideal for growing & mid-sized businesses requiring advanced capabilities and AI assistance

            • Everything in Growth, plus

            • Contact Scoring by Freddy AI

            Show more +

          • Enterprise

            $71

            /user/month

            • Designed for mid to large-sized businesses needing advanced customization and governance capabilities

            • Everything in Pro, plus

            • Field-level Permissions

            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

          Freshdesk pricing
          Freshsales 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

          ✓ Yes
          ✓ Yes

          HIPAA

          ✓ Yes
          ✗ No

          GDPR

          ✓ Yes
          ✓ Yes

          ISO 27001

          ✓ Yes

          Single Sign-On (SSO)

          ✓ Yes
          ✓ Yes

          Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

          ✓ Yes
          ✓ Yes

          Data Encryption

          ✓ Yes
          ✓ Yes

          Audit Logs

          ✓ Yes
          ✓ Yes

          Data Residency

          🌐 Global
          🌐 Global

          Freshdesk vs Freshsales vs Bigin by Zoho CRM User Reviews & Rating Comparison

          User Ratings

          No reviews available for the product

          Rating Distribution

          549

          99

          11

          7

          56

          447

          73

          6

          2

          5

          204

          66

          7

          1

          1

          No reviews available for this product

          Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

          Buyer sentiment

          Buyers generally appreciate Freshdesk for its ease of use and omnichannel support but note limitations in advanced customization and pricing transparency.

          What buyers like

          • Ease of use
          • Omnichannel communication
          • Collaborative ticketing

          Common complaints

          • Pricing transparency
          • Advanced customization limitations

          Buyer sentiment

          Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of use, strong customer support, and effective sales process automation, tempered by occasional performance issues and feature limitations.

          What buyers like

          • Ease of use
          • Customer support
          • Automation capabilities

          Common complaints

          • System performance issues
          • Limited advanced features

          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

          • Omnichannel support integrating email, social media, and phone

          • Collaborative ticketing with internal notes and task splitting

          • Context-rich tickets providing customer history for personalized responses

          • Limited information on advanced customization capabilities

          • Potential scalability concerns for very large enterprises

          • Intuitive and user-friendly interface suitable for varying technical expertise

          • Excellent customer support with quick responsiveness and dedicated onboarding

          • Highly customizable features and automation options that streamline workflows

          • Occasional system lags and delays in report generation or real-time data updates

          • Limited features in areas like web form automation and graphical reports

          • 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 Freshdesk, Freshsales, 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

          Pearson

          Pearson

          Bridgestone

          Bridgestone

          Kern High School District

          Kern High School District

          Dunzo

          Dunzo

          Dyson

          Dyson

          Grabyo

          Grabyo

          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

          Freshdesk

          6 Screenshots

          Email Metrics screenshot

          35 Screenshots

          Videos

          video-0

          3 Videos

          video-0

          3 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, Freshdesk or Freshsales?
          Freshsales edges out the other on user ratings (4.7 vs 4.5). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
          Do Freshdesk and Freshsales offer a free trial?
          Yes, both Freshdesk and Freshsales offer a free trial.
          What is the starting price of Freshdesk vs Freshsales?
          Freshdesk starts at $15 /User/Month. Freshsales starts at $9 /user/month.
          What are the top alternatives to Freshdesk?
          Top alternatives to Freshdesk include Zoho Desk, SeamlessDesk, LiveAgent, HelpDesk, SysAid.
          What are the top alternatives to Freshsales?
          Top alternatives to Freshsales include Bigin by Zoho CRM, Creatio CRM, Agentforce Sales (formerly Salesforce Sales Cloud), HubSpot CRM, Freshworks 360.