Salesforce Starter vs Salesforce Essentials vs Bigin by Zoho CRM Comparison
Salesforce Starter
Starting at $25 /user/month
- Free Trial
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Small Business
Salesforce Starter is an all-in-one CRM platform designed specifically for small businesses that want a simple, powerful way to manage their sales, marketing, customer service, and commerce in one place. Ideal for small…
Salesforce Essentials
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
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…
Salesforce Essentials leads on user satisfaction with a 4.2-star rating across 963 reviews.
Salesforce Starter vs Salesforce Essentials vs Bigin by Zoho CRM — at a glance
| Feature | Salesforce Starter | Salesforce Essentials | Bigin by Zoho CRM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | — | 4.2 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Reviews | — | 963 | 119 |
| Starting price | $25 /user/month | $25 /User/Month | $7 /User/Month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No | No |
| Best for | Freelancers / Consultants, Small Business | Small Business | Small Business |
| Category | CRM Software | CRM Software | CRM Software |
| Integrations | 3+ apps | — | — |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS |
| API | — | Available | Available |
| Support modes | Business Hours, Online | Online | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2 | — | — |
| Data residency | Global | Global | Global |
Key differences between Salesforce Starter and Salesforce Essentials
- Pricing: Salesforce Starter starts at $25 /user/month, while Salesforce Essentials starts at $25 /User/Month.
- Target audience: Salesforce Starter is built for Freelancers / Consultants and Small Business, while Salesforce Essentials targets Small Business.
- Deployment: Salesforce Starter supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Salesforce Essentials supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
Compare Salesforce Starter vs Salesforce Essentials 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
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert | Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
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Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Freelancers / Consultants, Small Business
Small Business
Small Business
Salesforce Starter typically suits Freelancers / Consultants and Small 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 | Salesforce Starter is an all-in-one CRM platform designed specifically for small businesses that want a simple, powerful way to manage their sales, marketing, customer service, and commerce ... Read More about Salesforce Starter | 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 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 |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability | |||
Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | Not Available | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | |||
Best Company Size | 2–50 Users | — | — |
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.
Key strengths
- Affordably priced: At $25/user/month, it provides a cost-effective entry into CRM for small teams
- Unified sales, marketing, and service: One platform that combines pipelines, email campaigns, case management, reporting, and commerce tools
- Guided onboarding & ease of use: Designed for quick setup with intuitive UI and in‑app guidance—great for non‑technical users
No key benefits available yet.
No key benefits available yet.
Best fit
- 2–50 Users
- Retail, Financial Services, Education, Non-profit
- Sales Managers, Marketing Coordinators, Customer Success Reps, Small Business Owners
No best-fit guidance available yet.
No best-fit guidance available yet.
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- While ideal for small teams, Salesforce Starter may feel restrictive quickly due to limited advanced features and customization
- Power users may find deeper workflows or reporting inadequate for complex business requirements
- Many find themselves upgrading or buying add‑ons early, which can dilute the initial $25/user value
No alternatives guidance available yet.
No alternatives guidance available yet.
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do Salesforce Starter, Salesforce Essentials and Bigin by Zoho CRM Compare on Features?
Total Features | 12 Features | 8 Features | 10 Features |
|---|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Salesforce Starter, Salesforce Essentials 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.
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Other Details
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | — |
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HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
Data Residency | 🌐 Global | 🌐 Global |
Salesforce Starter vs Salesforce Essentials User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | No reviews available for the product | ||
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Rating Distribution | No reviews available for this product | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 38 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 279 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Integrations
Integration with other apps | No Integration information available. | No Integration information available. |
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List of Customers
Customers |  Crexi  VDC  Snapology |  Mashgin |  Antech Microsystem Pvt.Ltd  Investacc  Hire |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  11 Screenshots |  2 Screenshots |
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Videos |  1 Videos |  2 Videos |
Alternatives
Alternatives |
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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 Starter or Salesforce Essentials?
- Salesforce Essentials edges out the other on user ratings (4.2 vs -1.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Salesforce Starter and Salesforce Essentials offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Salesforce Starter and Salesforce Essentials offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Salesforce Starter vs Salesforce Essentials?
- Salesforce Starter starts at $25 /user/month. Salesforce Essentials starts at $25 /User/Month.
- What are the top alternatives to Salesforce Starter?
- Top alternatives to Salesforce Starter include Bigin by Zoho CRM, Pipeline CRM, Salesforce, Method CRM, OnePageCRM.
- What are the top alternatives to Salesforce Essentials?
- Top alternatives to Salesforce Essentials include Bigin by Zoho CRM, ClickUp, Zoho CRM, Freshsales, HubSpot CRM.