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Salesforce Essentials vs Precursive vs Quickbase vs Smartsheet Comparison

Last updated:

Salesforce Essentials

4.2(963 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…

Precursive

4.3(50 reviews)

Starting at $20 /Month

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Precursive is an intuitive platform designed for Professional Services and Customer Success. Building upon Salesforce's onboarding capabilities, it enables you to monitor your customer journey quickly and precisely. Furt…

Quickbase

4.2

Starting at $35 /user/month

  • Free Trial
  • Freelancers / Consultants
  • Large Enterprises

Quickbase is a no-code project management platform that empowers teams to build, automate, and optimize workflows without complex coding. Designed for businesses of all sizes, it enables users to create custom applicatio…

Smartsheet

4.1(8,464 reviews)

Starting at $9 /month

  • Free Trial
  • Freelancers / Consultants
  • Large Enterprises

Smartsheet is a dynamic project management tool that simplifies tracking and planning for teams of all sizes. Offering a user-friendly interface, it’s designed to adapt to your unique workflows, whether you're managing s…

Precursive leads on user satisfaction with a 4.3-star rating across 50 reviews.

Salesforce Essentials vs Precursive vs Quickbase vs Smartsheet — at a glance

FeatureSalesforce EssentialsPrecursiveQuickbase Smartsheet
Rating4.2 / 54.3 / 54.2 / 54.1 / 5
Reviews963508,464
Starting price$25 /User/Month$20 /Month$35 /user/month$9 /month
Free trial Yes No Yes Yes
Free version No No No No
Best forSmall BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business
CategoryCRM SoftwareProject Management SoftwareProject Management SoftwareProject Management Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOSSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOSSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac
APIAvailableAvailableAvailableAvailable
Support modesOnline24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online24/7 (Live rep), Online, Business HoursBusiness Hours, Online
CertificationsSOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001
Data residencyGlobalGlobalGlobalUS

Key differences between Salesforce Essentials and Precursive

  • Pricing: Salesforce Essentials starts at $25 /User/Month, while Precursive starts at $20 /Month.
  • Free trial: Salesforce Essentials offers a free trial; Precursive does not.
  • Target audience: Salesforce Essentials is built for Small Business, while Precursive targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
  • User satisfaction: Precursive scores higher with a 4.3-star average.
  • Deployment: Salesforce Essentials supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Precursive supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

Compare Salesforce Essentials vs Precursive vs Quickbase  vs Smartsheet — 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.

Salesforce Essentials - CRM Software
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Talk to an expert
Precursive - New SaaS Software
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Talk to an expert

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Salesforce Essentials

Best for

Small Business

Precursive

Best for professional services teams needing Salesforce-integrated workflow management.

Choose if
  • You require deep integration with Salesforce onboarding and customer journey tracking.
  • Your team needs robust scheduling and forecasting for professional services projects.
  • You manage mid-sized to large professional services or customer success teams.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your company does not use Salesforce or lacks integration needs.
  • You are a small team seeking lightweight, simple task management tools.

Quickbase

Best for building custom no-code workflows in medium to large enterprises.

Choose if
  • You need to rapidly create tailored project management apps without coding.
  • Your team requires strong workflow automation to reduce manual tasks.
  • You want seamless integration with tools like Salesforce and Slack.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a freelancer or very small team needing simple task management.
  • You prefer out-of-the-box project management without customization or complexity.

Smartsheet

Best for teams needing customizable, spreadsheet-style project management with automation.

Choose if
  • You require flexible workflows adaptable to complex project plans and diverse teams.
  • You want strong project management features like Gantt charts, dashboards, and resource tracking.
  • You value automation to reduce manual errors and save time in project execution.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your team needs extensive offline functionality due to unreliable internet access.
  • You prefer simple, ready-to-use workflows without investing time in customization or training.

Salesforce Essentials typically suits Small Business. Precursive tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

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

Precursive is an intuitive platform designed for Professional Services and Customer Success. Building upon Salesforce's onboarding capabilities, it enables you to monitor your customer ... Read More about Precursive

Quickbase is a no-code project management platform that empowers teams to build, automate, and optimize workflows without complex coding. Designed for businesses of all sizes, it enables ... Read More about Quickbase

Smartsheet is a dynamic project management tool that simplifies tracking and planning for teams of all sizes. Offering a user-friendly interface, it’s designed to adapt to your unique ... Read More about Smartsheet

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $25 , Billed Yearly
  • Starts from $20
  • Starts from $35 , yearly
  • Starts from $9 , yearly

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

8.7/10

Not Available

9.8/10

9.8/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.3

(50)

4.2

Best Company Size

51-500 employees500+ employees
50-1,000 employeesMedium to Large Enterprises
50-500 employees501-5,000 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

Quickbase

  • Empower Your Team: Quickbase allows teams to build custom applications without needing extensive coding skills, enabling them to streamline workflows and enhance productivity. I’ve seen firsthand how this democratizes app development, letting everyone contribute.
  • Rapid Deployment: With Quickbase, you can quickly create and deploy applications tailored to your business needs. This means you can respond to changing market conditions or internal requirements faster than ever before, ensuring you stay ahead of the competition.
  • Seamless Integration: The platform integrates effortlessly with existing tools and systems, allowing your organization to maintain its current infrastructure while enhancing capabilities. This flexibility ensures that users can leverage their favorite tools without disruption.

Smartsheet

  • Streamlined Collaboration: With Smartsheet, teams can easily collaborate in real-time, ensuring that everyone is on the same page. I’ve seen how this fosters transparency and accountability within projects, making it easier for managers to keep track of progress.
  • Customizable Dashboards: Smartsheet offers customizable dashboards that allow you to visualize project data at a glance. This feature empowers executives to make informed decisions quickly, as they can monitor key metrics without digging through extensive reports.
  • Automation Capabilities: By automating repetitive tasks, Smartsheet saves time and reduces errors. Administrators will appreciate how this feature allows them to focus on higher-value activities rather than getting bogged down with manual processes.
Best fit

Best fit

Quickbase

  • 50 to 1,000 employees
  • SaaS, Consulting, Fintech, and Revtech
  • Project Managers, Business Analysts, Operations Managers, and IT Administrators

Smartsheet

  • 50-5,000 employees.
  • Industries include Project Management, IT Services, Marketing Technology (Martech), Financial Technology (Fintech), Consulting, and SaaS.
  • Typical users are Project Managers, Operations Managers, Marketing Coordinators, IT Directors, and Business Analysts.
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

Quickbase

  • Users may seek alternatives to Quickbase due to its pricing structure, which some find to be on the higher side compared to other low-code platforms that offer similar functionalities at a more competitive rate.
  • Organizations requiring advanced features or integrations might explore alternatives that provide more robust capabilities, particularly in areas like data analytics or third-party software connectivity.
  • Teams looking for a more user-friendly interface may consider other options, especially if they find Quickbase's learning curve steep for non-technical users or new team members.

Smartsheet

  • Users may seek alternatives to Smartsheet due to budget constraints, as some organizations find more cost-effective project management solutions that fit their needs without compromising essential features.
  • Teams looking for specialized tools might consider alternatives that offer specific functionalities tailored for industries like construction or software development, which may not be as robust in Smartsheet.
  • Some users may desire a more intuitive user interface and simpler navigation, leading them to explore alternatives that prioritize ease of use and require less training for team members.

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 Salesforce Essentials, Precursive, Quickbase and Smartsheet Compare on Features?

Total Features

8 Features

5 Features

10 Features

21 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare Salesforce Essentials, Precursive, Quickbase and Smartsheet 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

          • $25 , Billed Yearly
          • $20
          • $35 , yearly
          • $9 , yearly

          Pricing Plans

          • Salesforce Essentials

            • Manage contacts

            • Track relationships and deals

            • Respond to customers

            Show more +

          • Not Available
          • Not Available
          • Pro

            $12

            /month

            • Unlimited free Viewers

            • Gantt, grid, board, and calendar view

            • Rich formulas

            Show more +

          • Business

            $24

            /month

            • Includes features of Pro plan, plus:

            • Unlimited free Guests

            • Timeline view

            Show more +

          • Enterprise

            Custom

            • Includes features of Business plan, plus

            • AI formulas, texts, and charts

            • SAML-based SSO

            Show more +

          • Browse all pricing plans

          Pricing Page

          Salesforce Essentials pricing
          Precursive pricing
          Quickbase  pricingSmartsheet pricing

          Other Details

          Organization Types supported

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

          Single Sign-On (SSO)

          Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

          Data Encryption

          Audit Logs

          Data Residency

          🌐 Global
          🌐 Global

          Salesforce Essentials vs Precursive vs Quickbase User Reviews & Rating Comparison

          User Ratings

          No reviews available for the product

          Rating Distribution

          28

          10

          0

          0

          0

          40

          10

          6

          1

          0

          No reviews available for this product

          1840

          427

          95

          34

          18

          Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

          Buyer sentiment

          Buyer sentiment is positive across 38 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction.

          What buyers like

          • Highly customizable platform that easily adapts to specific business needs, with extensive integration capabilities and a wide variety of third-party app options.
          • Intuitive and user-friendly interface for both admins and end users, making adoption and daily operations seamless.
          • Out-of-the-box functionality enables quick implementation with minimal setup, allowing businesses to hit the ground running.

          Common complaints

          • The extensive customizability and breadth of features can be overwhelming for new users or small businesses without significant technical expertise and support.
          • The user interface, while powerful, can occasionally feel clunky or unintuitive, especially for first-time users or non-technical team members.
          • Documentation and tutorials are not always comprehensive or localized, making it harder for users to grasp advanced features in some regions.

          Buyer sentiment

          Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of use and Salesforce integration, tempered by concerns over pricing transparency and limited detailed use case information.

          What buyers like

          • Ease of use
          • Salesforce integration
          • Workflow scheduling

          Common complaints

          • Pricing opacity
          • Limited documented use cases

          Buyer sentiment

          Overall positive sentiment highlights Quickbase's flexibility and automation, though some users note usability challenges.

          What buyers like

          • Ease of use
          • Workflow automation
          • Integration capabilities

          Common complaints

          • Usability issues
          • Functionality limitations

          Buyer sentiment

          Overall positive sentiment highlights Smartsheet’s flexibility, collaboration features, and powerful project management tools, tempered by concerns about learning curve and offline limitations.

          What buyers like

          • Ease of use
          • Customizability
          • Automation capabilities

          Common complaints

          • Learning curve for advanced features
          • Limited offline functionality

          Pros and Cons

          • 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.

          • Intuitive interface tailored for professional services

          • Strong integration with Salesforce onboarding processes

          • Robust scheduling and forecasting capabilities

          • Pricing details are not publicly available

          • Limited information on specific use cases and benefits

          • No-code drag-and-drop app building enabling rapid custom workflow creation

          • Seamless integration with major tools like Salesforce, Slack, and cloud storage

          • Strong workflow automation capabilities reducing manual processes

          • Usability and functionality could be improved according to user feedback

          • Pricing details are not publicly transparent, requiring sales engagement

          • Customizable and user-friendly interface accessible to beginners and experienced users

          • Strong project management features including Gantt charts, dashboards, and resource tracking

          • Automated workflows that save time and reduce manual errors

          • Advanced features have a learning curve that can challenge new users

          • Limited offline functionality can hinder use in poor internet conditions

          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

          List of Customers

          Customers

          Mashgin

          Mashgin

          Vidyard

          Vidyard

          Wolters Kluwer

          Wolters Kluwer

          Mitel

          Mitel

          Amazon

          Amazon

          P and G

          P and G

          Fresenius

          Fresenius

          Pfizer

          Pfizer

          Whirlpool

          Whirlpool

          Western Digital

          Western Digital

          Media and Screenshots

          Screenshots

          2 Screenshots

          No screenshots available.

          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, Salesforce Essentials or Precursive?
          Precursive edges out the other on user ratings (4.3 vs 4.2). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
          Do Salesforce Essentials and Precursive offer a free trial?
          Salesforce Essentials offers a free trial. Precursive does not.
          What is the starting price of Salesforce Essentials vs Precursive?
          Salesforce Essentials starts at $25 /User/Month. Precursive starts at $20 /Month.
          What are the top alternatives to Salesforce Essentials?
          Top alternatives to Salesforce Essentials include Bigin by Zoho CRM, ClickUp, Zoho CRM, Freshsales, HubSpot CRM.
          What are the top alternatives to Precursive?
          Top alternatives to Precursive include Quickbase , Smartsheet, ClickUp, Salesforce, SalesCRM.

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