NEWJoin 1M+ SaaS Professionals|Get Weekly Insights, Trends & Expert PicksSubscribe Free →

Spotsaas logo

InStream vs Freshsales vs Bigin by Zoho CRM Comparison

Last updated:

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…

Freshsales

4.6(1,395 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

4.3(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…

Freshsales leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 1,395 reviews.

SpotSaaS Analysis

InStreamFreshsalesBigin by Zoho CRM

The core difference between InStream and Freshsales is that Freshsales is specifically designed for mid-sized sales teams with a focus on user-friendly CRM and automation, while InStream lacks detailed information on its target audience and features. Ideal buyers for Freshsales are sales teams within companies of 11 to 500 employees, while the target audience for InStream remains unspecified.

Who should pick which

  • No detailed information available on features or target audience:
  • Lacks pricing information:
  • No specific company size mentioned:
  • No recommendations for ideal buyers:
  • No unique selling points provided:
  • No indication of industry focus:
  • Best for mid-sized sales teams (11-500 employees):
  • Focuses on sales automation and user-friendly interface:
  • Ideal for Sales Managers, Account Executives, and CRM Administrators:
  • Integrated communication tools like email and calls enhance usability:
  • Pricing starts at $9 per user:
  • Strong emphasis on minimal technical expertise required:

InStream vs Freshsales vs Bigin by Zoho CRM — at a glance

FeatureInStreamFreshsalesBigin by Zoho CRM
Rating4.3 / 54.6 / 54.3 / 5
Reviews1311,395119
Starting priceContact for pricing$9 /user/month$7 /User/Month
Free trial No Yes Yes
Free version No No No
Best forFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessSmall Business
CategoryCRM SoftwareCRM SoftwareCRM Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - AndroidSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOSSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modesBusiness Hours, Online24/7 (Live rep), Business HoursBusiness Hours, Online
CertificationsSOC 2SOC 2, GDPR
Data residencyUSGlobalGlobal

Key differences between InStream and Freshsales

  • Pricing: Freshsales starts at $9 /user/month. InStream pricing is not publicly listed.
  • Free trial: Freshsales offers a free trial; InStream does not.
  • User satisfaction: Freshsales scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
  • Deployment: InStream supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android; Freshsales supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.

Compare InStream vs Freshsales vs Bigin by Zoho 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.

InStream - CRM Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert
Freshsales - CRM Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

InStream

Best for

Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business

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

InStream typically suits Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises. Freshsales tends to fit Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises 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

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

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

8.3/10

9.3/10

9.0/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

Best Company Size

11-50 employees51-500 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

Freshsales

  • Streamlined Sales Processes: Freshsales simplifies your sales workflow, enabling teams to track leads, manage customer interactions, and close deals faster. You’ll appreciate how easy it is to navigate through the sales pipeline, ensuring 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 valuable time for you and your team.
Best fit

Best fit

InStream

No best-fit guidance available yet.

Freshsales

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

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

InStream

No alternatives guidance available yet.

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.

Software Demo

Demo

Need a second opinion?

Get shortlist help from a software advisor

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, Freshsales 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

Compare InStream, Freshsales 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
        • $9 , yearly
        • $7 , Billed Yearly

        Pricing Plans

        • Not Available
        • 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 +

        Pricing Page

        Pricing information not available

        Freshsales pricing
        Bigin by Zoho 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

        • Not 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

        ✗ No
        ✗ No

        GDPR

        ✓ Yes

        Single Sign-On (SSO)

        ✓ Yes

        Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

        ✓ Yes

        Data Encryption

        ✓ Yes

        Audit Logs

        ✓ Yes

        Data Residency

        🇺🇸 US
        🌐 Global

        InStream vs Freshsales User Reviews & Rating Comparison

        User Ratings

        Rating Distribution

        69

        59

        7

        0

        1

        447

        73

        6

        2

        5

        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

        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 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.

        • 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.

        Positive Reviews

        No reviews available for the product

        No reviews available for the product

        No reviews available for the product

        List of Customers

        Customers

        No Customers information available.

        Dunzo

        Dunzo

        Dyson

        Dyson

        Grabyo

        Grabyo

        Antech Microsystem Pvt.Ltd

        Antech Microsystem Pvt.Ltd

        Investacc

        Investacc

        Hire

        Hire

        Media and Screenshots

        Screenshots

        No screenshots available.

        Email Metrics screenshot

        35 Screenshots

        Videos

        video-0

        1 Videos

        video-0

        3 Videos

        Expand your shortlist

        Add another option to compare side by side

        Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.

        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, InStream or Freshsales?
        Freshsales edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs 4.3). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
        Do InStream and Freshsales offer a free trial?
        Freshsales offers a free trial. InStream does not.
        What is the starting price of InStream vs Freshsales?
        InStream starts at Contact for pricing. Freshsales starts at $9 /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 Freshsales?
        Top alternatives to Freshsales include Bigin by Zoho CRM, Salesforce, HubSpot CRM, Freshworks 360, Nutshell.

        Grow your pipeline with buyers who are already looking for you

        254,000+ buyers use Spotsaas every month to evaluate and shortlist software. Get in front of them — for free, or with a managed growth plan built around your category.