# Best Sales Force Automation Software - 2026 Reviews & Pricing > Find the best Sales Force Automation (SFA) Software for your organization. Compare top Sales Force Automation (SFA) Software systems with customer reviews, pricing, and free demos. Source: https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/sales-force-automation-comparison --- [Home](https://www.softwareadvice.com/) / Sales Force Automation Software Software Advice offers objective insights based on verified user reviews and independent product and market research. When our advisors match you to a software provider, we may earn a referral fee. # Best Sales Force Automation Software of 2026 Updated June 10, 2026 On this page 1. FrontRunners 2. Popular Comparisons 3. Buyers Guide 4. Related Software Filter products 376 results ### Compare Products Showing 1 - 25 of 376 products #### Company Size - Self-Employed - 2-10 - 11-50 - 51-200 - 201-500 - 501-1000 - 1000+ #### Pricing Options - $$$$$ - $$$$$ - $$$$$ - $$$$$ - $$$$$ ### Compare Products Sort by **Recommendations**: Sorts listings by the number of recommendations our advisors have made over the past 30 days. Our advisors assess buyers’ needs for free and only recommend products that meet buyers’ needs. Vendors pay Software Advice for these referrals. **Reviews**: Sorts listings by the number of user reviews we have published, greatest to least. **Average Rating**: Sorts listings by overall star rating based on user reviews, highest to lowest. **Alphabetically (A-Z)**: Sorts listings by product name from A to Z. [Salesforce Sales Cloud](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/2764-Salesforce/) Sales Cloud is equipped with customer relationship management (CRM) functionality that encompasses lead management, marketing au...[Read more about Salesforce Sales Cloud](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/2764-Salesforce/) **4.4** ([18785 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/2764-Salesforce/reviews/)) **140** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Google Drive Slack +35 more +34 more +33 more Salesforce Sales Cloud's Best Rated Features 4.88AI/Machine Learning See All Salesforce Sales Cloud's Worst Rated Features 3.71For AEC Industry See All [Claritysoft CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/claritysoft-profile/) Claritysoft is a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) solution designed for midsize and large enterprise businesse...[Read more about Claritysoft CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/claritysoft-profile/) **4.5** ([243 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/claritysoft-profile/reviews/)) **137** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Microsoft 365 Gmail +5 more +4 more +3 more Claritysoft CRM's Best Rated Features 4.80Client Management See All Claritysoft CRM's Worst Rated Features 2.67Marketing Automation See All [HubSpot Sales Hub](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/hubspot-sales-profile/) Supercharge your sales process with Sales Hub, a powerful and easy-to-use sales CRM that includes sales engagement tools, config...[Read more about HubSpot Sales Hub](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/hubspot-sales-profile/) **4.5** ([501 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/hubspot-sales-profile/reviews/)) **95** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Google Workspace Microsoft 365 +5 more +4 more +3 more HubSpot Sales Hub's Best Rated Features 4.84CRM See All HubSpot Sales Hub's Worst Rated Features 3.50Real-Time Reporting See All [LeadMaster](https://www.softwareadvice.com/landing-page/leadmaster-crm-profile/) LeadMaster is a SaaS-based all-in-one lead management solution that offers capabilities to capture, track and follow up with lea...[Read more about LeadMaster](https://www.softwareadvice.com/landing-page/leadmaster-crm-profile/) **4.1** ([36 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/landing-page/leadmaster-crm-profile/reviews/)) **79** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Google Docs PayPal +207 more +206 more +205 more [LeadSquared](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/leadsquared-profile/) LeadSquared is an AI-powered platform that unites sales, marketing, field, and service teams to automate workflows and drive out...[Read more about LeadSquared](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/leadsquared-profile/) **4.3** ([167 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/leadsquared-profile/reviews/)) **54** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Salesforce Sales Cloud WordPress +20 more +19 more +18 more LeadSquared's Best Rated Features 5.0Lead Distribution See All LeadSquared's Worst Rated Features 3.36Reporting & Statistics See All [Rolldog](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/rolldog-complete-profile/) Rolldog is a customer relationship management (CRM) solution, with the perks of sales enablement all rolled into one. Rolldog he...[Read more about Rolldog](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/rolldog-complete-profile/) **4.9** ([33 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/rolldog-complete-profile/reviews/)) **49** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Mailchimp Gmail +5 more +4 more +3 more Rolldog's Best Rated Features 5.0Calendar/Reminder System See All Rolldog's Worst Rated Features 4.77Reporting/Analytics See All [Coevera](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/pipeliner-crm-profile/) Coevera is the AI-native CRM built on a radical idea: your software should make your salespeople better, not just track what the...[Read more about Coevera](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/pipeliner-crm-profile/) **4.6** ([216 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/pipeliner-crm-profile/reviews/)) **47** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Google Drive Dropbox Business +38 more +37 more +36 more Coevera's Best Rated Features 4.83Interaction Tracking See All Coevera's Worst Rated Features 3.33Data Import/Export See All [SalesNOW](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/salesnow-profile/) SalesNOW by Interchange Solutions Inc. is a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) and sales force automation soluti...[Read more about SalesNOW](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/salesnow-profile/) **4.6** ([81 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/salesnow-profile/reviews/)) **34** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Mailchimp Gmail +3 more +2 more +1 more SalesNOW's Best Rated Features 4.83Lead Management See All SalesNOW's Worst Rated Features 4.50Interaction Tracking See All [Zoho CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/zoho-crm-profile/) Zoho CRM is a cloud-based business management platform that caters to businesses of all sizes. It offers sales and marketing aut...[Read more about Zoho CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/zoho-crm-profile/) **4.3** ([6977 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/zoho-crm-profile/reviews/)) **32** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Google Drive PayPal +68 more +67 more +66 more Zoho CRM's Best Rated Features 4.93Real-Time Notifications See All Zoho CRM's Worst Rated Features 3.0Social Marketing See All [Workbooks](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/workbooks-crm-profile/) Workbooks is the 'No-BS' CRM. Workbooks designs, develops and implements its own software, which is targeted specifically at m...[Read more about Workbooks](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/workbooks-crm-profile/) **4.3** ([112 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/workbooks-crm-profile/reviews/)) **17** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Google Docs Mailchimp +8 more +7 more +6 more Workbooks's Best Rated Features 4.0Contact Management See All Workbooks's Worst Rated Features 4.0Contact Management See All [Zipteams](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/zipteams-profile/) Using our conversational intelligence analytics combined with smart meeting rooms, Zipteams helps sales teams make smarter decis...[Read more about Zipteams](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/zipteams-profile/) **4.7** ([73 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/zipteams-profile/reviews/)) **7** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Google Workspace WordPress +10 more +9 more +8 more Zipteams's Best Rated Features 5.0Sales Trend Analysis See All Zipteams's Worst Rated Features 4.69HD Audio/Video See All [NetSuite](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/netsuite-financials-accounting-software-profile/) NetSuite is an AI-powered cloud-based business management suite that incorporates ERP, financial management, CRM and eCommerce f...[Read more about NetSuite](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/netsuite-financials-accounting-software-profile/) **4.2** ([2043 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/netsuite-financials-accounting-software-profile/reviews/)) **3** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Salesforce Sales Cloud Docusign +18 more +17 more +16 more NetSuite's Best Rated Features 4.75Check Writing See All NetSuite's Worst Rated Features 2.71Dashboard See All [Convoso](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/safesoft-contact-profile/) Convoso is an outbound sales platform built for high-performance revenue teams and contact centers. Designed for organizations t...[Read more about Convoso](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/safesoft-contact-profile/) **4.5** ([387 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/safesoft-contact-profile/reviews/)) **2** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Salesforce Sales Cloud HubSpot CRM +11 more +10 more +9 more Convoso's Best Rated Features 4.75Call Whispering See All Convoso's Worst Rated Features 3.25Manual Dialer See All [Salesforce Marketing Cloud](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/salesforce-socialcrm-profile/) Salesforce Marketing Cloud is a marketing platform designed to help businesses personalize customer engagement across the entire...[Read more about Salesforce Marketing Cloud](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/salesforce-socialcrm-profile/) **4.2** ([530 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/salesforce-socialcrm-profile/reviews/)) **1** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Salesforce Sales Cloud Shopify +6 more +5 more +4 more Salesforce Marketing Cloud's Best Rated Features 4.86CRM See All Salesforce Marketing Cloud's Worst Rated Features 3.38Dynamic Content See All [Less Annoying CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/less-annoying-crm-profile/) We built Less Annoying CRM 17 years ago for the thousands of independent consultants, agents, and small business owners who are ...[Read more about Less Annoying CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/less-annoying-crm-profile/) **4.8** ([653 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/less-annoying-crm-profile/reviews/)) Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Mailchimp Google Forms +12 more +11 more +10 more Less Annoying CRM's Best Rated Features 5.0Web-based Deployment See All Less Annoying CRM's Worst Rated Features 4.09Lead Qualification See All [Flowlu](https://www.softwareadvice.com/project-management/flowlu-profile/) Flowlu is a cloud-based, all-in-one business management solution designed for teams of all sizes and industries. Whether you're ...[Read more about Flowlu](https://www.softwareadvice.com/project-management/flowlu-profile/) **4.8** ([387 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/project-management/flowlu-profile/reviews/)) Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Google Drive PayPal +23 more +22 more +21 more Flowlu's Best Rated Features 4.83Calendar/Reminder System See All Flowlu's Worst Rated Features 3.75Time & Expense Tracking See All [Tidio](https://www.softwareadvice.com/live-chat/tidio-chat-profile/) Tidio is a complete customer support software suite combining a help desk, live chat, chatbot automation, and a conversational A...[Read more about Tidio](https://www.softwareadvice.com/live-chat/tidio-chat-profile/) **4.7** ([590 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/live-chat/tidio-chat-profile/reviews/)) Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Mailchimp WhatsApp +42 more +41 more +40 more Tidio's Best Rated Features 5.0Performance Metrics See All Tidio's Worst Rated Features 4.30Support Ticket Management See All [VipeCloud](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/vipecloud-profile/) 98% of customers rate VipeCloud's Value For Money at 4 stars and above! VipeCloud is the Sales CRM with Marketing Suite that bui...[Read more about VipeCloud](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/vipecloud-profile/) **4.9** ([163 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/vipecloud-profile/reviews/)) Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Trello Dropbox Business +11 more +10 more +9 more VipeCloud's Best Rated Features 5.0Marketing Automation See All VipeCloud's Worst Rated Features 4.0CRM See All [EngageBay CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/engagebay-profile/) EngageBay is an AI-powered all-in-one CRM that helps small businesses and startups manage marketing, sales, and customer service...[Read more about EngageBay CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/engagebay-profile/) **4.7** ([908 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/engagebay-profile/reviews/)) Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Google Drive Mailchimp +30 more +29 more +28 more EngageBay CRM's Best Rated Features 4.89Real-time Consumer-facing Chat See All EngageBay CRM's Worst Rated Features 3.83Email Templates See All [monday CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/monday-crm-profile/) monday CRM is a sales platform that helps businesses streamline sales cycle. The platform caters to a range of industries, such ...[Read more about monday CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/monday-crm-profile/) **4.7** ([462 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/monday-crm-profile/reviews/)) Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Google Drive Slack +25 more +24 more +23 more monday CRM's Best Rated Features 4.88Reminders See All monday CRM's Worst Rated Features 3.74Territory Management See All [OnePageCRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/onepagecrm-profile/) OnePageCRM is a simple contact management tool. While it has all the usual features of a customer relationship management (CRM) ...[Read more about OnePageCRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/onepagecrm-profile/) **4.8** ([101 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/onepagecrm-profile/reviews/)) Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Google Drive Dropbox Business +16 more +15 more +14 more OnePageCRM's Best Rated Features 4.89Contact Management See All OnePageCRM's Worst Rated Features 4.17Reporting/Analytics See All [Creatio CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/bpmonline-profile/) Creatio is a new era CRM to manage all customer and operational workflows with no-code and AI at its core. Creatio Sales is an ...[Read more about Creatio CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/bpmonline-profile/) **4.7** ([135 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/bpmonline-profile/reviews/)) Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Microsoft Excel Mailchimp +18 more +17 more +16 more Creatio CRM's Best Rated Features 5.0Task Management See All Creatio CRM's Worst Rated Features 4.29Data Import/Export See All [Ricochet360](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/ricochet360-profile/) Ricochet360 is a cloud-based, integrated call center, customer relationship management and marketing automation solution. Design...[Read more about Ricochet360](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/ricochet360-profile/) **4.8** ([82 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/ricochet360-profile/reviews/)) Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Mailchimp WordPress +10 more +9 more +8 more Ricochet360's Best Rated Features 5.0Call Logging See All Ricochet360's Worst Rated Features 4.43Auto-Dialer See All [Sage Sales Management](https://www.softwareadvice.com/field-service/forcemanager-mobile-profile/) Sage Sales Management CRM, tailored for any-sized business with a field sales force, now integrates cutting-edge AI and Timeline...[Read more about Sage Sales Management](https://www.softwareadvice.com/field-service/forcemanager-mobile-profile/) **4.6** ([167 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/field-service/forcemanager-mobile-profile/reviews/)) Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Google Drive Mailchimp +30 more +29 more +28 more Sage Sales Management's Best Rated Features 4.89Search/Filter See All Sage Sales Management's Worst Rated Features 3.68Customizable Reports See All [Tracker](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/trackerrms-profile/) Tracker is a web-based, integrated recruitment ATS and CRM designed for recruiting and staffing firms across industries. The sol...[Read more about Tracker](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/trackerrms-profile/) **4.7** ([186 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/trackerrms-profile/reviews/)) Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations WhatsApp Gmail +21 more +20 more +19 more Tracker's Best Rated Features 5.0Collaboration Tools See All Tracker's Worst Rated Features 4.75Candidate Management See All 1 [2](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/sales-force-automation-comparison/?sa_gwo_version=ctrl&page=2)[3](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/sales-force-automation-comparison/?sa_gwo_version=ctrl&page=3)[4](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/sales-force-automation-comparison/?sa_gwo_version=ctrl&page=4)[5](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/sales-force-automation-comparison/?sa_gwo_version=ctrl&page=5) ... [16](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/sales-force-automation-comparison/?sa_gwo_version=ctrl&page=16) ## Popular Comparisons [ HubSpot CRM vs Salesforce Sales Cloud ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/compare/1854-HubSpot-CRM/vs/2764-Salesforce/)[ Bigin by Zoho CRM vs Zoho CRM ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/bigin-by-zoho-crm-profile/vs/zoho-crm/)[ EngageBay CRM vs Pipedrive ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/engagebay-profile/vs/pipedrive/)[ Odoo vs NetSuite ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/netsuite-financials-accounting-software-profile/vs/odoo/)[ ActiveCampaign vs Nimble ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/activecampaign-profile/vs/nimble/) ## Your Guide to Top Sales Force Automation Software, August 2025 Software Advice uses reviews from real software users to highlight the top-rated Sales Force Automation products in North America. [Learn how products are chosen](https://www.softwareadvice.com/legal-page/frontrunners-methodology/) #### Explore FrontRunners - [Act!](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/act-crm-profile/) - [B2B Rocket](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/b2b-rocket-profile/) - [Bigin by Zoho CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/bigin-by-zoho-crm-profile/) - [Claritysoft CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/claritysoft-profile/) - [Clientify](https://www.softwareadvice.com/web-analytics/clientify-profile/) - [Consensus](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/consensus-profile/) - [Convoso](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/safesoft-contact-profile/) - [Copper](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/63221-Copper/) - [Creatio CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/bpmonline-profile/) - [EngageBay CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/engagebay-profile/) - [Escala](https://www.softwareadvice.com/automation-testing/escala-profile/) - [Flowlu](https://www.softwareadvice.com/project-management/flowlu-profile/) - [HubSpot Sales Hub](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/hubspot-sales-profile/) - [Liine](https://www.softwareadvice.com/medical/liine-profile/) - [Nutshell](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/nutshell-profile/) - [PandaDoc](https://www.softwareadvice.com/contract-management/pandadoc-profile/) - [Perenso](https://www.softwareadvice.com/scm/perenso-profile/) - [Ploomes](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/449937-Ploomes/) - [Ricochet360](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/ricochet360-profile/) - [Sage Sales Management](https://www.softwareadvice.com/field-service/forcemanager-mobile-profile/) - [SalesBlink](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/salesblink-profile/) - [Salesforce Starter](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/salesforceiq-profile/) - [Salesmate](https://www.softwareadvice.com/email-marketing/salemate-profile/) - [VipeCloud](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/vipecloud-profile/) - [Zipteams](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/zipteams-profile/) “Usability” includes user ratings for Functionality and Ease of Use. “Customer Satisfaction” includes user ratings for Customer Support, Likelihood to Recommend and Value for Money. Reviews analysis period: The reviews analysis period spans two years and ends the 15th of the month prior to publication. ## Send me a copy of this list to my inbox ### Get a copy of this list with pricing info sent to your inbox so you can pick up where you left off when convenient to you. There are over 100 sales force automation (SFA) software systems on the market. These systems come in all flavors, including: - Solutions for small businesses - Solutions for large enterprises - Solutions for companies that sell through channel partners - Solutions for specific industries  We’ve written this buyer’s guide to not only provide a definition of SFA software, but also to provide a lay of the land for software buyers who are trying to make sense of this complex market.  Here’s what we’ll cover: [What Is SFA Software?](#WhatIsSFASoftware) [What Type of Buyer Are You?](#WhatTypeofBuyerAreYou) [Benefits and Potential Issues](#BenefitsandPotentialIssues) [Market Trends to Understand](#MarketTrendstoUnderstand) [The Vendor Landscape](#TheVendorLandscape) ## What Is SFA Software? “Coffee is for closers,” but SFA promises to help the entire team close more deals. Sales management software helps companies manage their reps and their activities. At the individual level, sales automation software helps reps manage accounts, leads, opportunities and customer interactions. Meanwhile, it helps management generate more accurate forecasts and gain better insight into opportunities.  Core CRM sales software functionality includes contact management, lead management, opportunity management, pipeline management, forecasting and territory management. More advanced systems will include modules for proposal and quote generation, order management, marketing automation, collateral management and [sales enablement](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/sales-enablement-comparison/), scripting, computer telephony integration and social media integration. Best-of-breed sales database software products such as Sage ACT! or Salesforce.com are often implemented as a completely stand alone system or in conjunction with marketing automation and [lead management software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/lead-management-comparison/). Other buyers choose to implement SFA software as part of a complete customer relationship management (CRM) suite, such as Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Finally, SFA can also be implemented as part of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) suite like Oracle or SAP. Which strategy you pursue will largely depend on your need for the SFA system to share data with other customer management or ERP systems, as well as whether the SFA from your existing vendors addresses your current company needs. ## What Type of Buyer Are You? Before evaluating sales force automation systems, you’ll need to assess what kind of buyer you are. We believe at least 90 percent of buyers fall into one of the following categories: **Direct sell buyer.** These sales management software buyers work for organizations that sell through direct field reps, telesales teams or both. These buyers have the most straightforward requirements and a wide range of providers meet their needs.  **Channel selling buyer.** These buyers work for organizations that sell through a network of channel partners. These buyers need specialized functionality for passing leads, registering deals and tracking partner performance. **Enterprise buyer.** These buyers work for very large organizations, which often have a wide range of selling models. Their goals include unifying activity across channels and integrating their SFA with other enterprise systems—a complex undertaking.  **Small business CRM buyer.** These buyers work for small businesses moving beyond contact tracking capabilities of products like Microsoft Outlook, and want to add capabilities for lead, opportunity, deal tracking and reporting.   ## Benefits and Potential Issues An SFA tool must [benefit both managers and the reps](https://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/crm-guide-for-sales-managers/). The following are the minimum benefits that should be realized with a successful implementation: **Reduce cost per sale.** The critical return for any system is that deals closed increase and the cost per sale goes down. The traditional measures are a reduction in the time from contact to sale, and increase in the ratio of closures to contacts, or an increase in the number of contacts with the same ratio of closures to contacts.  **Increase rep accountability.** With formal SFA tools and procedures, sales representatives can see exactly what they are reporting to management. Sales reps can also document lead generation and productivity. **Forecast sales more accurately.** Sales contact software can track such metrics as conversion rates from leads to opportunities to closed deals, allowing an organization to more accurately forecast. This is particularly beneficial when combined with historical seasonality information.  **Improve client retention rates.** Coupled with other information from a customer management system, an SFA system can ensure that clients are contacted in advance of contract expiration dates. Contact management sales software can also alert the customer rep to any issues with their client accounts. **Gain analytical insight.** Sales automation software consolidates and reports on each representative’s activities, freeing the representatives from mundane periodic reporting and allowing them to focus on selling and customer relations. As with all technology, there are potential issues with sales management software as well. First and foremost is the risk of compromising client privacy, particularly if it's implemented on easy-to-lose (or steal) mobile devices. This can be mitigated through the use of proper security procedures and encryption technology. A second issue is employee resistance to adoption; some people find the tools too difficult, too limiting, or too intrusive. This is generally a training issue. The third issue is a management issue; SFA tools drastically increase what can be measured and managed but that does not mean that everything should be measured or managed. The granularity of management required varies from organization to organization and even from manager to manager and representative to representative. ## Market Trends to Understand These market trends should be considered as you perform a sales force automation software comparison and select a product and vendor. **Software as a Service (SaaS).** SaaS solutions have become very popular and comprise greater than 50 percent of new purchases. Low upfront costs and little to no hardware requirements are reasons for the uptake in adoption of online sales software that sits “in the cloud.” Another benefit is increased accessibility, which means that regardless of whether you're a Mac or PC, you can still easily access the software. The dominant leader in this market is Salesforce.com. Buyers should evaluate this new model with an open mind. **Mobile applications.** Mobile SFA applications are very popular and changing rapidly. The devices your system supports and the attractiveness of its mobile app will be a huge influence on your team’s attitude toward adopting the system. More and more systems provide integration with the major mobile platforms. Some are even Mac-based, with native integration with iPhone/iPad. For reviews of those systems, you can reference our article on CRM and Sales Force Automation for Mac, or our guide on [mobile CRM options](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/mobile-crm-comparison/). While improving rapidly, small factor devices still present challenges—they don’t always do everything their desktop siblings can.  **Social media.** Leading SFA vendors are discovering the meaning of social media for business and are capitalizing on developments in that area. In fact, this is driving the emergence of a new market, Social CRM. For example, Salesforce has its Chatter application. Oracle OnDemand interfaces with Facebook, allowing a rep to see if there is anyone they know in common with a prospect. Buyers should consider their social media strategy as they evaluate SFA solutions. **ERP suites offering strong CRM.** Solutions from enterprise-suite vendors like Oracle, SAP, Sage, Epicor and Infor have matured—in some cases through acquisitions. Enterprise suite buyers will naturally look to their ERP vendor for customer management solutions, but direct and indirect selling buyers should also consider solutions from these large players. Oracle and SAP are particularly strong in customer relationship management. ## The Vendor Landscape While the sales force CRM landscape is highly fragmented and may at first appear confusing, the available programs are differentiated by their appeal to the different buyer types. **This type of buyer...** **Should evaluate these systems** Direct buyer Salesforce.com, Sage Act, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Indirect buyer Oracle CRM OnDemand, SAP Enterprise buyer Oracle CRM, SAP, Salesforce.com Small business CRM buyer Sage Act, Salesforce.com, SugarCRM, Highrise ### Related Sales Force Automation Software - [CPQ Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/cpq/) - [Commission Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/commission/) - [Proposal Management Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/proposal-management/) - [Quoting Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/cpq/quoting-comparison/) - [RFP Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/rfp/) - [Sales Forecasting Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/sales-forecasting/) - [Sales Performance Management Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/sales-performance-management/) - [Sales Tracking Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/sales-tracking-comparison/)