Which is better, InStream or Act!?

InStream edges out Act! based on user ratings across 131 reviews. That said, the best pick depends on your workflow — Act! may be a stronger fit for specific team sizes or use cases. Review the full comparison to decide.

What are the main differences between InStream and Act!?

Key differences between InStream and Act! include pricing (InStream starts at undisclosed vs Act! at $30); free trial availability (Act! offers one, InStream does not). Use the Spotsaas comparison table to evaluate each dimension before deciding.

Do both InStream and Act! offer a Free trial?

Act! offers Free Trial, but InStream does not.

Who are the typical users of Act!?

Act! is designed for Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business.

What is the starting price of InStream and Act!?

The starting price of Act! is $30/User/Month. Pricing for InStream is unavailable.

What are the best alternatives to InStream?

Some top alternatives to InStream include Bigin by Zoho CRM, SalesCRM, SimpleCRM, OutreachCRM, OnContact CRM.

What are the best alternatives to Act!?

Some top alternatives to Act! include Bigin by Zoho CRM, ClickUp, Zoho CRM, Freshsales, Thryv.

InStream vs Act! vs Bigin by Zoho CRM Comparison

Last updated: May 18, 2026

InStream

4.3(131 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

Freelancers / Consultants
Large Enterprises

The InStream CRM software is your trusted advisor. It is the one-stop shop for organizing, prioritizing, and streamlining important customer interactions. It helps you close more sales and strengthens customer relationsh…

View Pricing Read Reviews

Act!

3.6(441 reviews)

Starting at $30 /User/Month

Free Trial
Freelancers / Consultants
Medium Business

Act! CRM Software's powerful and simple interface makes it easy to use for both desktop and mobile devices. With Act! Automatic reminders help keep you organized, keeping you up-to-date with tasks so you can focus on wha…

View Pricing Read Reviews

Bigin by Zoho CRM

4.3(119 reviews)

Starting at $7 /User/Month

Free Trial
Small Business

Bigin by Zoho CRM is a solution for managing business contacts, creating sales opportunities, monitoring the pipeline and recording activities. The solution integrates email, calendar, tasks and more. It can be accessed…

View Pricing Read Reviews

InStream leads on user satisfaction with a 4.3-star rating across 131 reviews.

SpotSaaS Analysis

InStreamAct!Bigin by Zoho CRM

The core difference between InStream and Act! is that InStream lacks specific details regarding its target audience and pricing, while Act! is a clearly priced solution at $30. Ideal buyers for Act! are small to medium-sized businesses looking for an affordable CRM solution, whereas InStream may appeal to companies seeking a more flexible or customizable option without upfront cost details.

- Flexible CRM solution - Customizable features - No pricing information available - Target audience not specified - Suitable for various company sizes - Ideal for businesses seeking adaptability

- Priced at $30 per user - User-friendly interface - Best for small to medium-sized businesses - Includes sales automation tools - Offers customer support and training - Ideal for budget-conscious companies

InStream vs Act! vs Bigin by Zoho CRM — at a glance

Feature	InStream	Act!	Bigin by Zoho CRM
Rating	4.3 / 5	3.6 / 5	4.3 / 5
Reviews	131	441	119
Starting price	Contact for pricing	$30 /User/Month	$7 /User/Month
Free trial	No	Yes	Yes
Free version	No	No	No
Best for	Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business	Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business	Small Business
Category	CRM Software	CRM Software	CRM Software
Platforms	SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android	SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac	SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS
API	—	Available	Available
Support modes	Business Hours, Online	Business Hours, Online	Business Hours, Online
Certifications	SOC 2	GDPR	—
Data residency	US	US	Global

Key differences between InStream and Act!

Pricing: Act! starts at $30 /User/Month. InStream pricing is not publicly listed.
Free trial: Act! offers a free trial; InStream does not.
User satisfaction: InStream scores higher with a 4.3-star average.
Deployment: InStream supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android; Act! supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.

Compare InStream vs Act! vs Bigin by Zoho CRM — and walk away knowing which one fits.

Which tool fits your team best

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

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.

Biggest differences

Features

Pricing

Buying details

Security

Buyer feedback

Integrations

Product tour

Other options

	InStream (136) Talk to an expert Talk to an expert	Act! (368) Talk to an expert Talk to an expert

Biggest differences

Affiliate Disclosure

Start here before you go deeper into features.

InStream

Best for

Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business

Act!

Best for

Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business

Bigin by Zoho CRM

Best for

Small Business

InStream typically suits Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises. Act! tends to fit Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description	The InStream CRM software is your trusted advisor. It is the one-stop shop for organizing, prioritizing, and streamlining important customer interactions. It helps you close more sales and ... Read More about InStream	Act! CRM Software's powerful and simple interface makes it easy to use for both desktop and mobile devices. With Act! Automatic reminders help keep you organized, keeping you up-to-date ... Read More about Act!	Bigin by Zoho CRM is a solution for managing business contacts, creating sales opportunities, monitoring the pipeline and recording activities. The solution integrates email, calendar, ... Read More about Bigin by Zoho CRM
Entry Level Pricing	Not Available	Starts from $30	Starts from $7 , Billed Yearly
Free Trial Availability	No free trial	Free Trial available	Get Free Trial
Spotsaas Score What's this? ↗	8.3/10	9.1/10	9.0/10
User Ratings Based on verified Spotsaas reviews	4.3 (131)	3.6 (441)	4.3 (119)
	Get pricing help	Get pricing help	Visit website

Software Demo

Demo

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Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.

How do InStream, Act! and Bigin by Zoho CRM Compare on Features?

Total Features	8 Features	10 Features	10 Features
Unique Features	No unique features	No unique features	No unique features
	Get Quote	Get Quote	Visit website

Compare InStream, Act! and Bigin by Zoho 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	Not Available	$30	$7 , Billed Yearly
Pricing Plans	Not Available	Not Available	Free Get Started Single Pipeline 500 Records Instant Workflows (3) Show more + Express Get Started Includes features of Free plan, plus Team Pipelines (3) 50,000 Records Show more + Premier Get Started Includes features of Express Edition plan. plus Team Pipelines (5) 100,000 Records Show more +
Pricing Page	Pricing information not available
	View detailed pricing	View detailed pricing	View detailed 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	Not Available	Available	Available
	Get help choosing	Get help choosing	Visit Website

Security & Compliance

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

SOC 2	✓ Yes	—
HIPAA	✗ No	—
GDPR	—	✓ Yes
Data Residency	🇺🇸 US	🇺🇸 US

InStream vs Act! User Reviews & Rating Comparison

User Ratings	4.3 (based on 131 reviews)	3.6 (based on 441 reviews)	4.3 (based on 119 reviews)
Rating Distribution	69 59 7 0 1	201 82 47 12 26	204 66 7 1 1
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI	Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 136 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. What buyers like Collects and organizes client data in one place, enabling better tracking and management of client relationships. Intuitive email and communication tracking, making it easier to monitor interactions and build stronger customer connections. Customizable platform with features like personalized lists tailored to business-specific needs. Common complaints Initial learning curve due to the non-intuitive interface for beginners, requiring time and effort to master all functions. Limited features in the free version, restricting the ability to test advanced capabilities before committing to paid plans. Customer service responsiveness needs improvement, with delays in resolving queries or issues.	Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is mixed to positive across 368 reviews, with clear strengths and a few common watchouts. What buyers like Comprehensive integration capabilities, seamlessly syncing with tools like Outlook, phone systems, and other marketing software. High degree of customization, allowing users to tailor layouts and features to meet specific business needs. Intuitive and user-friendly interface, enabling efficient navigation for beginners and offering quick access to critical data. Common complaints Difficulty in troubleshooting and resolving technical issues; reliance on paid support can be costly and inaccessible at off hours. Updates and upgrades can be disruptive, creating compatibility or stability issues for some users. Limited modern design in the interface and cloud-based functionality, making the software feel outdated compared to competitors.	Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 279 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. What buyers like Simple, intuitive design with a short learning curve, making it easy to use and implement, even for non-technical users. Affordable pricing tailored for startups and small businesses, offering great value for core CRM functionalities. Effective pipeline management and workflow automation, enabling businesses to streamline sales processes. Common complaints Limited integrations with third-party tools (e.g., social media apps, direct LinkedIn or Facebook ad imports), making data syncing challenging. Lack of advanced features and scalability, restricting use for larger enterprises or complex workflows. Inconsistent customer support with restricted availability, affecting issue resolution during critical times.
Pros and Cons	Focuses on enhancing customer interactions effectively. Modular tools allow for tailored user experiences. Helps prioritize tasks for better workflow. May not meet the needs of larger enterprises. Basic reporting may not suffice for data-driven decisions.	User-friendly design makes onboarding easy. Automatic reminders enhance task management. Mobile access allows for on-the-go management. Advanced features may be lacking for larger teams. Pricing can add up 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.
Positive Reviews	No reviews available for the product	No reviews available for the product	No reviews available for the product
	Read reviews	Read reviews	Read reviews

List of Customers

Customers	No Customers information available.	TSD Groep INEX The Sherman Sheet	Antech Microsystem Pvt.Ltd Investacc Hire

Media and Screenshots

Screenshots	No screenshots available.	No screenshots available.
Videos	1 Videos	5 Videos

Alternatives

Alternatives	Bigin by Zoho CRM 4.3 SalesCRM 4.5 SimpleCRM 4.8	Bigin by Zoho CRM 4.3 ClickUp 4.4 Zoho CRM 4.1	ClickUp 4.4 Zoho CRM 4.1 Freshsales 4.6

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, InStream or Act!?: InStream edges out the other on user ratings (4.3 vs 3.6). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
Do InStream and Act! offer a free trial?: Act! offers a free trial. InStream does not.
What is the starting price of InStream vs Act!?: InStream starts at Contact for pricing. Act! starts at $30 /User/Month.
What are the top alternatives to InStream?: Top alternatives to InStream include Bigin by Zoho CRM, SalesCRM, SimpleCRM, OutreachCRM, OnContact CRM.
What are the top alternatives to Act!?: Top alternatives to Act! include Bigin by Zoho CRM, ClickUp, Zoho CRM, Freshsales, Thryv.

InStream vs Act! vs Bigin by Zoho CRM Comparison

InStream

Act!

Bigin by Zoho CRM

InStream vs Act! vs Bigin by Zoho CRM — at a glance

Key differences between InStream and Act!

Compare InStream vs Act! vs Bigin by Zoho CRM — and walk away knowing which one fits.

InStream

Act!

Biggest differences

Description

Entry Level Pricing

Free Trial Availability

Spotsaas Score

User Ratings

Software Demo

Demo

Get shortlist help from a software advisor

How do InStream, Act! and Bigin by Zoho CRM Compare on Features?

Compare InStream, Act! and Bigin by Zoho CRM on pricing

Other Details

Organization Types supported

Platforms Supported

Modes of support

API Support

Security & Compliance

InStream vs Act! User Reviews & Rating Comparison

List of Customers

Customers

Media and Screenshots

Screenshots

Videos

Alternatives

Related Blogs and Articles for Crm Software

Frequently asked questions