Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · CRM Software

Zoho CRM vs Freshsales

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 8 checks side by side
Higher score Zoho CRM #3 in CRM Software 9.2/10 Free plan · 15-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Zoho CRM
Freshsales #6 in CRM Software 8.9/10 Free plan · 21-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 6 features Visit Freshsales

Zoho CRM leads on 0 checks, Freshsales on 1, and 7 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 8 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreZoho CRM · 9.2/10
  • Lowest starting priceFreshsales · $9/user/mo
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialboth
  • Most featuresZoho CRM · 5 of 6

Zoho CRM scores higher on our rubric for crm software: 9.2 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

Freshsales is cheaper to start at $9/user/mo against $14/user/mo.

Zoho CRM is the better fit for teams wanting broad CRM value with automation. Freshsales is the better fit for small sales teams needing calling and AI.

  • Zoho CRM fits best

    Teams wanting broad CRM value with automation

  • Freshsales fits best

    Small sales teams needing calling and AI

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Zoho CRM 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Freshsales 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.9
Ranking #3 in CRM Software #6 in CRM Software
Best for Teams wanting broad CRM value with automation Small sales teams needing calling and AI
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $14/user/mo $9/user/mo (best)
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial ✓ ✓
Free trial length 15 days · no card needed 21 days · no card needed
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs Email, Live chat, Phone, Community, Docs
Compliance GDPR SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR
Integrations 1,100+ integrations 100+ integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Zoho CRM 5/6 · Freshsales 4/6
Visual sales pipeline ✓ ✓
Email sync ✓ ✓
Marketing automation ✓ (best) Not checked yet
AI features ✓ ✓
Mobile app ✓ ✓
Open source Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Forever-free plan supports up to 3 users
  • Automation, marketing, analytics, AI, mobile, and API coverage
  • Annual plans start at $14 per user per month
  • Free plan supports CRM access for up to three users
  • Built-in phone, chat, WhatsApp, SMS, and email communication
  • Freddy AI adds contact scoring and deal insights
Cons
  • The free plan is limited to 3 users
  • Advanced and enterprise capabilities require paid tiers
  • Pricing varies by billing cycle, region, and currency
  • The Free plan is limited to three users
  • Monthly billing costs more than annual billing at each paid tier
  • Advanced controls such as audit logs start on Enterprise
Our verdict

Zoho CRM is a cloud-based customer relationship management platform for sales teams and customer-facing organizations. It brings together lead, contact, account, and deal management with multi-stage sales pipelines, email history,…

Read the review →

Freshsales is a cloud-based CRM from Freshworks for sales teams and growing businesses. It brings contacts, accounts, activities, communications, deals, pipelines, forecasting, reports, and customer context into one system. Sales teams can…

Read the review →
  1. Zoho CRMCRM Software 9.2Free plan · 15-day trial
  2. FreshsalesCRM Software 8.9Free plan · 21-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Zoho CRM — where it wins

    • Forever-free plan supports up to 3 users
    • Automation, marketing, analytics, AI, mobile, and API coverage
    • Annual plans start at $14 per user per month

    Where it doesn't

    • The free plan is limited to 3 users
    • Advanced and enterprise capabilities require paid tiers
    • Pricing varies by billing cycle, region, and currency

  • Freshsales — where it wins

    • Free plan supports CRM access for up to three users
    • Built-in phone, chat, WhatsApp, SMS, and email communication
    • Freddy AI adds contact scoring and deal insights

    Where it doesn't

    • The Free plan is limited to three users
    • Monthly billing costs more than annual billing at each paid tier
    • Advanced controls such as audit logs start on Enterprise
  • Zoho CRM9.2/10 · Free plan · 15-day trial

    A broad CRM with a free plan, automation, AI, analytics, mobile apps, and APIs.

    Visit Zoho CRMFull verdict →
  • Freshsales8.9/10 · Free plan · 21-day trial

    A flexible CRM for small sales teams that need calling, AI, and pipeline tools.

    Visit FreshsalesFull verdict →

More comparisons

All CRM software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update