# Best Online CRM Software - 2026 Reviews & Pricing

> Find the best Web-Based CRM Software for your organization. Compare top Web-Based CRM Software systems with customer reviews, pricing, and free demos.

Source: https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/online-crm-comparison

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# Best Online CRM Software of 2026

Updated June 23, 2026

On this page

1.  FrontRunners
2.  Popular Comparisons
3.  Buyers Guide
4.  Related Software

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243 results

### Compare Products

Showing 1 - 25 of 243 products

#### Company Size

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-   501-1000
    
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#### Pricing Options

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### 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**

([18786 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/2764-Salesforce/reviews/))

**102**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Dropbox Business

Box

+35 more

+34 more

+33 more

Salesforce Sales Cloud's Best Rated Features

5.0Drag & Drop

See All

Salesforce Sales Cloud's Worst Rated Features

Lead Assignment

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**

([252 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/claritysoft-profile/reviews/))

**99**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Gmail

Google Calendar

+5 more

+4 more

+3 more

Claritysoft CRM's Best Rated Features

5.0Campaign Management

See All

Claritysoft CRM's Worst Rated Features

Third-Party Integrations

See All

[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/))

**42**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

GoTo Webinar

Twitter/X

+20 more

+19 more

+18 more

LeadSquared's Best Rated Features

5.0Engagement Tracking

See All

LeadSquared's Worst Rated Features

Campaign Scheduling

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/))

**37**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Mailchimp

Amazon EC2

+5 more

+4 more

+3 more

Rolldog's Best Rated Features

5.0For Sales Teams/Organizations

See All

Rolldog's Worst Rated Features

Social Media Integration

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/))

**37**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Mailchimp

Gmail

+3 more

+2 more

+1 more

SalesNOW's Best Rated Features

5.0Forecasting

See All

SalesNOW's Worst Rated Features

4.0Quotes/Estimates

See All

[Coevera](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/113892-Coevera/)

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/product/113892-Coevera/)

**4.6**

([216 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/113892-Coevera/reviews/))

**33**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Mailchimp

Gmail

+38 more

+37 more

+36 more

Coevera's Best Rated Features

5.0Reminders

See All

Coevera's Worst Rated Features

Internal Chat Integration

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**

([6978 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/zoho-crm-profile/reviews/))

**25**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Zoho Social

Google Ads

+68 more

+67 more

+66 more

Zoho CRM's Best Rated Features

5.0Client/Property Matching

See All

Zoho CRM's Worst Rated Features

Deal Management

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/))

**12**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Box

Zapier

+8 more

+7 more

+6 more

Workbooks's Best Rated Features

5.0Search/Filter

See All

Workbooks's Worst Rated Features

Alerts/Notifications

See All

[Zendesk Suite](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/26892-Zendesk/)

Zendesk is a cloud-based help desk management solution offering customizable tools to build customer service portal, knowledge b...[Read more about Zendesk Suite](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/26892-Zendesk/)

**4.4**

([4081 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/26892-Zendesk/reviews/))

**10**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Aha!

Ameyo

+205 more

+204 more

+203 more

Zendesk Suite's Best Rated Features

5.0Predictive Dialer

See All

Zendesk Suite's Worst Rated Features

Client Portal

See All

[Thryv](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/thryv-profile/)

Thryv is an AI-powered marketing and sales platform built specifically for small businesses, helping you market smarter, sell mo...[Read more about Thryv](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/thryv-profile/)

**4.2**

([532 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/thryv-profile/reviews/))

**5**

recommendations

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Microsoft 365

HubSpot CRM

+56 more

+55 more

+54 more

Thryv's Best Rated Features

5.0Patient Records Management

See All

Thryv's Worst Rated Features

Lead Segmentation

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 Calendar

+12 more

+11 more

+10 more

Less Annoying CRM's Best Rated Features

5.0For Real Estate

See All

Less Annoying CRM's Worst Rated Features

Product Catalog

See All

[Bigin by Zoho CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/bigin-by-zoho-crm-profile/)

Bigin by Zoho CRM is a pipeline-centric CRM that is built and priced for small businesses. Minimal by design and focused on grea...[Read more about Bigin by Zoho CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/bigin-by-zoho-crm-profile/)

**4.7**

([734 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/bigin-by-zoho-crm-profile/reviews/))

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Zapier

Zoho Desk

+71 more

+70 more

+69 more

Bigin by Zoho CRM's Best Rated Features

5.0Drag & Drop

See All

Bigin by Zoho CRM's Worst Rated Features

Collaboration Tools

See All

[HoneyBook](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/honeybook-profile/)

HoneyBook is a client relationship platform designed to help small businesses manage proposals, contracts, invoices, payments, a...[Read more about HoneyBook](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/honeybook-profile/)

**4.7**

([683 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/honeybook-profile/reviews/))

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Squarespace

MeisterTask

+81 more

+80 more

+79 more

HoneyBook's Best Rated Features

5.0Dashboard

See All

HoneyBook's Worst Rated Features

3.0Status Tracking

See All

[Yonyx](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/yonyx-profile/)

Yonyx is a cloud-based solution designed to help call centers and customer service businesses create and manage interactive guid...[Read more about Yonyx](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/yonyx-profile/)

**4.7**

([258 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/yonyx-profile/reviews/))

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Zendesk Suite

Oracle B2C Service

+29 more

+28 more

+27 more

Yonyx's Best Rated Features

5.0Help Desk Management

See All

Yonyx's Worst Rated Features

Single Sign On

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

Docusign

Calendly

+11 more

+10 more

+9 more

VipeCloud's Best Rated Features

5.0Customizable Reports

See All

VipeCloud's Worst Rated Features

Click Tracking

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

Mailchimp

HubSpot CRM

+30 more

+29 more

+28 more

EngageBay CRM's Best Rated Features

5.0Responsive Web Design

See All

EngageBay CRM's Worst Rated Features

Scheduling

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**

([463 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/monday-crm-profile/reviews/))

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Google Drive

Shopify

+25 more

+24 more

+23 more

monday CRM's Best Rated Features

5.0Opportunity Management

See All

monday CRM's Worst Rated Features

2.0Dashboard

See All

[Teamgate](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/teamgate-profile/)

Teamgate is a user-friendly, yet extremely powerful CRM for Sales and SaaS teams of all sizes. We pride ourselves on empowering...[Read more about Teamgate](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/teamgate-profile/)

**4.8**

([155 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/teamgate-profile/reviews/))

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Google Drive

Xero

+20 more

+19 more

+18 more

Teamgate's Best Rated Features

5.0Interaction Tracking

See All

Teamgate's Worst Rated Features

Lead Generation

See All

[PracticePanther Legal Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/legal/paypanther-profile/)

PracticePanther is the highest-rated, easiest-to-use, all-in-one legal practice management software, built specifically for solo...[Read more about PracticePanther Legal Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/legal/paypanther-profile/)

**4.7**

([528 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/legal/paypanther-profile/reviews/))

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Google Docs

Box

+25 more

+24 more

+23 more

PracticePanther Legal Software's Best Rated Features

5.0Document Templates

See All

PracticePanther Legal Software's Worst Rated Features

SMS Messaging

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**

([102 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/onepagecrm-profile/reviews/))

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Stripe

ActiveCampaign

+16 more

+15 more

+14 more

OnePageCRM's Best Rated Features

5.0Customizable Reports

See All

OnePageCRM's Worst Rated Features

Sales Trend Analysis

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

Jira

HubSpot CRM

+30 more

+29 more

+28 more

Sage Sales Management's Best Rated Features

5.0Marketing Automation

See All

Sage Sales Management's Worst Rated Features

Campaign Management

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

SendGrid

Salesforce Marketing Cloud

+10 more

+9 more

+8 more

Ricochet360's Best Rated Features

5.0Social Marketing

See All

Ricochet360's Worst Rated Features

Live Chat

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**

([149 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/bpmonline-profile/reviews/))

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

+18 more

+17 more

+16 more

Creatio CRM's Best Rated Features

5.0Task Management

See All

Creatio CRM's Worst Rated Features

Landing Pages/Web Forms

See All

[Close](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/close-io-profile/)

Close is a conversation-first CRM (customer relationship management) solution built for founders and small, scaling sales teams ...[Read more about Close](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/close-io-profile/)

**4.7**

([164 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/close-io-profile/reviews/))

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

ActiveCampaign

PandaDoc

+72 more

+71 more

+70 more

Close's Best Rated Features

5.0Call Recording

See All

Close's Worst Rated Features

Signature Management

See All

[Salesflare](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/salesflare-profile/)

Salesflare is an intelligent CRM and email outreach platform used by thousands of small and medium-sized B2B businesses, who wan...[Read more about Salesflare](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/salesflare-profile/)

**4.7**

([139 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/salesflare-profile/reviews/))

Free trial

Free version

Integrations

Integrations

Slack

Google Analytics 360

+37 more

+36 more

+35 more

Salesflare's Best Rated Features

5.0Customizable Fields

See All

Salesflare's Worst Rated Features

Real-Time Notifications

See All

1

[2](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/online-crm-comparison/?page=2)[3](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/online-crm-comparison/?page=3)[4](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/online-crm-comparison/?page=4)[5](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/online-crm-comparison/?page=5)

...

[10](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/online-crm-comparison/?page=10)

## 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/)[

LiveChat vs Zendesk Suite

](https://www.softwareadvice.com/compare/26892-Zendesk/vs/27068-livechat/)[

EngageBay CRM vs Brevo

](https://www.softwareadvice.com/scheduling/brevo-profile/vs/engagebay/)[

Pipedrive vs Keap

](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/infusionsoft-crm-profile/vs/pipedrive/)[

Odoo vs Bitrix24

](https://www.softwareadvice.com/nonprofit/bitrix24-profile/vs/odoo/)

## Your Guide to Top Online CRM Software, July 2022

Software Advice uses reviews from real software users to highlight the top-rated Online CRM products in North America.

[Learn how products are chosen](https://www.softwareadvice.com/legal-page/frontrunners-methodology/)

#### Explore FrontRunners

-   [Less Annoying CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/less-annoying-crm-profile/)
-   [monday CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/monday-crm-profile/)
-   [EngageBay CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/engagebay-profile/)
-   [Apptivo](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/apptivo-profile/)
-   [VipeCloud](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/vipecloud-profile/)
-   [Salesflare](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/salesflare-profile/)
-   [Gold-Vision CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/gold-vision-crm-profile/)
-   [Capsule](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/27508-Capsule/)
-   [Claritysoft CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/claritysoft-profile/)
-   [Bigin by Zoho CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/bigin-by-zoho-crm-profile/)
-   [DataCRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/datacrm-profile/)
-   [vtenext](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/vtenext-profile/)
-   [Spotler CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/really-simple-systems-profile/)
-   [servis.ai](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/113880-FreeAgent-Network/)
-   [HubSpot CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/1854-HubSpot-CRM/)
-   [Wingmate](https://www.softwareadvice.com/field-service/wingmate-profile/)
-   [Teamwork CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/teamwork-crm-profile/)
-   [Nutshell](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/nutshell-profile/)
-   [Pipeliner CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/pipeliner-crm-profile/)
-   [Zendesk Suite](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/26892-Zendesk/)
-   [Nimble](https://www.softwareadvice.com/help-desk/nimble-profile/)
-   [Zoho CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/zoho-crm-profile/)
-   [Salesforce Sales Cloud](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/2764-Salesforce/)
-   [Vtiger CRM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/vtiger-profile/)
-   [Bitrix24](https://www.softwareadvice.com/nonprofit/bitrix24-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.

Web-based customer relationship management (CRM) software is becoming a popular option for organizations looking to implement [CRM software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/). This deployment model is gaining traction because the upfront investment can be lower than traditional on-premise software installations. Additionally, as the name implies, Web-based systems can be accessed over the Web, from virtually any browser, making it easy to use from any location with broadband Internet.

The industry has responded to this dynamic, with new vendors and products entering the market at a steady pace. With so many choices, it can be a daunting task to find the solution that best fits your needs. That is why we created this buyer’s guide to assist you in your understanding of the market and the products available.

Here's what we'll cover:

[What Is Web-Based CRM Software?](#WhatIsWebBasedCRMSoftware)

[Common Features of Web-based CRM Software](#CommonFeaturesofWebbasedCRMSoftware)

[What Type of Buyer Are You?](#WhatTypeofBuyerAreYou)

[Benefits and Potential Issues](#BenefitsandPotentialIssues)

## **What Is Web-Based CRM Software?**

The primary difference between customer relationship management software, [sometimes called contact management software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/), that is Web-based and other forms is the deployment model. With traditional offerings, companies had to purchase and host the server on premise. They required an IT team to manage, update and maintain the server. Web-based deployment removes this burden by having the server hosted remotely by the vendor. It also reduces upfront investment, with vendors offering a pay-as-you-go plan instead.

There are two types of Web-based systems available: application service providers (ASPs) and pure browser-based systems. ASPs function like a client/server system, with the organization downloading the “client” onto their computers, and the vendor hosting the data remotely on a server. Browser-based systems, on the other hand, can be accessed from any Internet browser, with no download required. The obvious benefit of a browser-based system is that it can be accessed from anywhere and is presented in a familiar format. Many ASPs are Web-enabled, meaning that users can also access information via a Web browser, but this method is often slower, and the user interface tends to be simplified, resulting in reduced functionality.

A Web-based CRM system offers increased flexibility across sales, customer service and marketing. For example:

-   Sales teams can create, process and invoice orders remotely;
    
-   Customer service reps can provide support via Web-based channels such as email and live Web chat;
    
-   Sales and marketing will experience increased transparency, which will decrease overlap and ensure that potential leads turn into loyal customers;
    
-   There is also increased security with data being stored online rather than on a server that could crash or malfunction.
    

## Common Functionality of Web-Based CRM Software

While features vary from system to system, common capabilities include:

[Marketing automation](https://www.softwareadvice.com/category/4630-marketing/)

Tools to attract new customers, often through delivering promotional materials over social media and email marketing campaigns. Turning customers and visitors into leads (lead generation), and nurturing those leads through the sales funnel.

[Sales force automation (SFE)](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/sales-force-automation-comparison/)

Encompasses workflow automation, helps sales representatives manage customer interactions, leads and accounts. Tracks sales opportunities and provides management with insight into sales pipelines and forecasting.

[Channel management](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/channel-management-comparison/)

Also called “partner relationship management,” helps automate marketing and sales processes through outside channels. For example, linking social profiles to CRM system and using those social channels for marketing activities such as outreach and promotion.

**Data visualization**

Includes dashboards and reports for [sales tracking](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/sales-tracking-comparison/), forecasting and pipeline analysis, as well as marketing analytics for campaign management.

[Mobile apps](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/mobile-crm-comparison/)

Access CRM account data from mobile devices (click [here](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/ipad-comparison/) for a description of iPad CRM features). Also includes additional mobile-specific capabilities, such as GPS-mapping and calendar-syncing.

## What Type of Buyer Are You?

Before beginning your software evaluation, you will need to identify what type of buyer you are. Nearly all buyers fall into one of these categories:

**Small business buyers.** Many small businesses are looking to upgrade from a basic email marketing or content management system. They are likely growing, and therefore require more sophisticated functions, such as customer support tickets, lead generation and sales force automation (SFA). Many small businesses opt for Web-based systems because of the low upfront cost and ease of deployment.

**Best-of-breed buyers.** While customer relationship management software can be purchased as a suite, it is made up of several core applications that can be purchased as standalone items. Core applications include [SFA](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/sales-force-automation-comparison/), [marketing automation](https://www.softwareadvice.com/marketing/automation-comparison/), [customer service](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/customer-service-comparison/), [help desk](https://www.softwareadvice.com/help-desk/), [call center](https://www.softwareadvice.com/call-center/) and [knowledge management](https://www.softwareadvice.com/help-desk/knowledge-management-comparison/). Some companies will opt to go for a system with best-of-breed availability in one of these specific areas.

**Enterprise buyers.** Larger organizations are typically looking for a Web-based system with deep functionality that can integrate seamlessly with their existing [enterprise resource planning (ERP)](https://www.softwareadvice.com/erp/) suite. In most cases, these buyers will be more focused on integration than specific features. Fortunately, most Web-based CRM systems can easily integrate with today’s major ERP suites.

## Benefits and Potential Issues

Web-based software has a number of benefits over installed on-premise systems.

**Reduced IT burden.** With Web-based, all of your data is kept in a remote location where it is monitored and managed by an experienced IT staff. They handle back-ups and regularly scheduled upgrades and maintenance. The level of data management provided by the vendor often far exceeds what any single operation could handle running the server in-house.

**Ease of use.** Because the software is accessed via a Web-browser, it is presented in a familiar format—a Web page. This helps reduce the costs associated with training and usually results in increased user adoption.

**Remote access.** Today’s business is rarely conducted 100 percent behind a desk. Many professionals, whether they be in sales, marketing or customer service, spend a significant portion of their work time outside of the office. They appreciate the increased accessibility provided by online systems. Many systems today also offer mobile access, making it even easier to do business while on the go.

**Subscription pricing.** Traditional on-premise CRM systems require a hefty up-front installation fee. Web-based systems, on the other hand, are offered on a subscription basis. Essentially, you pay as you go. Companies can avoid the large capital expenditure of installing on-premise software by opting for the low, ongoing operational expense of a Web-based system.

A potential issue associated with Web-based systems is the reliance on Internet connection. If the connection goes down, access to important client information and records is lost. This could be an issue if your organization has a history of Internet connectivity hiccups. Additionally, Web-based CRM systems are typically more difficult to customize to the specific needs of your company or industry, although systems are constantly improving in this area.

### Related Online CRM Software

-   [CRM Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/)
-   [Customer Service Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/customer-service-comparison/)
-   [Help Desk Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/help-desk/)
-   [Knowledge Management Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/help-desk/knowledge-management-comparison/)
-   [Live Chat Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/live-chat/)