As someone who works closely with growth marketers, I’ve spent hours testing software, analyzing solutions, and implementing tools across various businesses.
I’ve seen how Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms, particularly cloud-based CRM software, can flip the script for companies. These systems have lower upfront costs, immense scalability and flexibility, and on-the-go accessibility. The right cloud CRM is a game changer.
With an eye for efficiency and a passion for optimizing customer-facing processes, my team and I have curated a list of what I believe to be the best cloud-based CRM platforms. So, let’s get started!
10 Best Cloud-Based CRM Software 2024
- What Should You Look for in Cloud-Based CRM Software?
- The 10 Best Cloud-Based CRM to Use in 2024
- 1. ClickUp (Best all-in-one CRM project management system)
- 2. HubSpot CRM (Best CRM for comprehensive sales and marketing)
- 3. Pipedrive (Best cloud-based CRM for sales pipeline visualization)
- 4. Salesforce CRM (Best full-featured cloud-based CRM for enterprises)
- 5. Zendesk Sell (Best cloud-based CRM for sales-focused customer support)
- 6. Copper (Best cloud CRM for startups and small businesses)
- 7. Engagebay (Best affordable cloud-based CRM for all-in-one management)
- 8. Less Annoying CRM (Best no-fuss, easy-to-use cloud-based CRM software)
- 9. Monday Sales CRM (Best visual work management and sales platform)
- 10. Apptivo (Best all-in-one business management cloud-based CRM system)
- Customer Relationships Built to Last With ClickUp
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat Should You Look for in Cloud-Based CRM Software?
The right cloud CRM should offer you seamless integration, robust security, and user-friendly access to enhance your customer relationship management. Here’s what I actively seek out while evaluating my options for cloud-based CRM software:
- Robust contact management: Look for software that makes storing and organizing customer data efficient by providing a centralized database
- Comprehensive pipeline management: Choose software that allows you to monitor the progress of deals throughout the sales cycle, assess the likelihood of closing deals based on various factors, and clearly outline the different stages of the sales process
- In-depth lead management: Pick software that allows you to capture lead information, qualify potential customers, and nurture them toward conversion
- Seamless sales automation: Ensure that the software has a task automation feature. By automating routine activities, such as sending follow-up emails or scheduling meetings, you can free up valuable time to focus on more strategic and complex tasks
- Powerful reporting and analytics: Get software that helps you make data-driven decisions that are informed by actionable analytics, so you can optimize your sales strategies and drive growth
Summarize this article for me pleaseThe 10 Best Cloud-Based CRM to Use in 2024
Here’s a rundown of 10 of the best cloud-based CRM software today:
1. ClickUp (Best all-in-one CRM project management system)
ClickUp is a productivity powerhouse that doubles as a highly versatile CRM. ClickUp CRM injects project management into customer relationship management, allowing businesses to strategize customer interactions.
This Cloud CRM software offers exceptional flexibility while customizing workflows to suit business needs. I’ve often used the Custom Fields, views, and workflows to tailor ClickUp according to my marketing and sales processes instead of the other way around.
Plus, there are a bunch of ClickUp CRM templates that save you from reinventing the wheel. These templates are 100% configurable, allowing you to start with a Simple CRM Template on ClickUp and work your way up to as advanced as you like!
ClickUp is the command center of all our customer relationship management efforts.
ClickUp best features
- Centralize customer information and interactions in one place as a project hierarchy of Workspaces, Spaces, Folders, Lists, Tasks, and more
- Visualize customer relationships using multiple views (Kanban Board, Lists, etc.)
- Collaborate with teams over Docs, Notepad, or Chat View on customer accounts
- Measure sales performance using interactive and customizable Dashboards
- Craft compelling and personalized messages for customers with ClickUp Brain
- Springboard into action with a rich library of CRM templates
ClickUp limitations
- Has a bit of a learning curve, especially when you use all the customization features
ClickUp pricing
- Free Forever
- Unlimited: $7/month per user
- Business: $12/month per user
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
- ClickUp Brain: Add to any paid plan for $7 per Workspace member per month
ClickUp ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5.0 (9,700+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5.0 (4,100+ votes)
2. HubSpot CRM (Best CRM for comprehensive sales and marketing)
Among the many cloud-based CRM solutions in this list, HubSpot stands out as a comprehensive growth platform. This end-to-end marketing automation software combines sales, marketing, and customer service business processes to create a seamless and consistent customer experience.
The contact timeline feature is my favorite part of this software, offering an overview of all customer interactions.
HubSpot CRM key features
- Store and manage all customer data, such as contact details, deal history, interactions, etc., in a centralized location
- Automate repetitive tasks like lead scoring, follow-ups, and data entry
- Manage the sales pipeline visually and track deal progress or potential bottlenecks
- Create and send personalized email campaigns for lead nurturing and conversion
- Track key metrics and generate insightful reports to measure sales performance
HubSpot CRM limitations
- Turns expensive quickly, especially in the case of smaller businesses and startups, as the feature set expands
- Platform complexity and the steep learning curve can be discouraging for users
HubSpot CRM pricing
- Free Tools: $0
- Starter Customer Platform: $20/month per user
- Professional Customer Platform: $1,300/month per user
- Enterprise Customer Platform: $4,300/month (7 seats)
HubSpot CRM ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5.0 (11,400+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5.0 (4,100+ votes)
3. Pipedrive (Best cloud-based CRM for sales pipeline visualization)
If you’re a visual person, then you’re in for a treat with Pipedrive. This Cloud CRM software presents your sales pipeline and CRM workflow visually so that you can observe even the minute details. Plus, viewing a deal move through the pipeline is incredibly motivating and will boost the sales and marketing teams’ morale.
I like its simplicity, effectiveness, and ease of use. However, its sales-centric focus may not be ideal for business processes around marketing and customer service.
Pipedrive key features
- Create, manage, and observe your sales pipeline with an intuitive drag-and-drop functionality
- Share deals, notes, and files with your sales team to collaborate effortlessly
- Forecast sales and revenue using the built-in sales forecasting tool
- Schedule all sales activities to ensure nothing falls through the cracks
- Automate routine and repetitive tasks like assigning deals, updating deal stages, and sending follow-up emails
Pipedrive limitations
- Customization and automation capabilities are restricted when compared to other cloud-based CRM software
- Reporting functionality is basic and lacks the granularity required by larger sales teams
- No free plan
Pipedrive pricing
- Essential: $14/month per seat
- Advanced: $29/month per seat
- Professional: $59/month per seat
- Power: $69/month per seat
- Enterprise: $99/month per seat
Pipedrive ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.3/5.0 (1,900+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5.0 (2,900+ votes)
4. Salesforce CRM (Best full-featured cloud-based CRM for enterprises)
No list of the top cloud-based CRM software examples would be complete without Salesforce CRM. Salesforce Cloud CRM Software is a flagship solution that powers several businesses across the world. And this makes sense because customization is where the Salesforce cloud-based CRM system shines.
You can mold it your way and use it for different use cases—marketing, sales, customer service, analytics, and more! Do note that this flexibility comes at a price, and quite a hefty one if you’re a startup or a small business or operating in small teams.
Salesforce CRM best features
- Tailor your cloud-based CRM solution to match specific business needs
- Leverage Salesforce’s data management features to gain a 360-degree view of your customers and a wealth of data
- Automate complex business processes and workflows such as lead routing, deal approvals, task assignments, and more
- Manage your customer relationship management system, even on the go, with the handy Salesforce mobile app
- Unlock deep insights into sales performance with advanced analytics and reporting tools
Salesforce CRM limitations
- A steep learning curve, along with lengthy implementation timelines
- Compared to other cloud-based CRM software on this list, Salesforce sports an unintuitive UI
Salesforce CRM pricing
- Starter Suite: $24/month per user
- Pro Suite: $100/month per user
- Enterprise: $165/month per user
- Unlimited: $330/month per user
- Einstein 1 Sales: $500/month per user
Salesforce CRM ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5.0 (20,300+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5.0 (18,400+ votes)
5. Zendesk Sell (Best cloud-based CRM for sales-focused customer support)
Zendesk answers sales team requests with its proprietary Zendesk Sell platform. It carries forward the same user-friendly UI legacy that Zendesk is famous for. The deal pipeline is easy to navigate, and contact management is robust.
Plus, you’ll benefit from a SaaS CRM solution that is integrated with the Zendesk ecosystem! However, since Zendesk’s focus is primarily on customer support rather than marketing and sales, this cloud CRM system is still a work in progress and requires further development in my opinion.
Zendesk Sell best features
- Integrate with the Zendesk ecosystem, especially Zendesk Support, to unify sales and customer support
- Streamline your sales pipeline using an intuitive and visual interface that allows users to track deals and identify opportunities
- Leverage AI tools to analyze lead data and assign scores to prioritize high-converting prospects
- Communicate with leads, prospects, and customers through an integrated email hub
- Manage your sales pipeline and access customer data through the Zendesk Sell mobile app
Zendesk Sell limitations
- Offers only a basic set of features and functionalities when compared to dedicated cloud-based CRM software
- Marketing automation capabilities are limited
Zendesk Sell pricing
- Sell Team: $25/month per agent
- Sell Growth: $69/month per agent
- Sell Professional: $149/month per agent
Zendesk Sell ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.2/5.0 (480+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.3/5.0 (150+ votes)
6. Copper (Best cloud CRM for startups and small businesses)
Copper is a good CRM for startups. The CRM provider has focused on simplicity and usefulness rather than distracting users with bells and whistles. This allows businesses to build customer relationships rather than just analyze CRM data. It also integrates seamlessly with the Google Workplace, making it an excellent pick if you already work in this ecosystem.
However, this simplicity is also a limitation of Copper CRM for businesses looking to extract deeper data analytics, complex automation, and large sales teams.
Copper best features
- Manage the Copper CRM software directly from Gmail or Google Calendar applications
- Prioritize relationship building over contact management with a user-friendly interface featuring “Relationship Stages” and “Life Events”
- Personalize email outreach using Mail merge to integrate with Gmail and record interaction history
- Track deal progress and manage sales pipeline using visual tools
- Generate reports to gain customer insights and areas of improvement
Copper limitations
- Its dependence on Google Workspace can be a limitation for those not operating in the Google ecosystem
- Is not a good fit for rapidly growing businesses due to its limited feature set
Copper pricing
- Starter: $12/month per seat
- Basic: $29/month per seat
- Professional: $69/month per seat
- Business: $134/month per seat
Copper ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5.0 (1,120+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5.0 (580+ votes)
7. Engagebay (Best affordable cloud-based CRM for all-in-one management)
Engagebay is a tool for implementing all your customer management strategies. This cloud CRM features comprehensive tools for marketing, sales, and customer service. It balances these features with ease of use, which is a major reason behind its popularity.
That said, affordability makes it one of the best cloud-based CRM for businesses of all shapes and sizes. However, trying to be a jack-of-all-trades means it’s a master of none. It lacks the depth of specialization that a dedicated tool for marketing automation or sales pipeline management might have.
Engagebay best features
- Design and publish attractive landing pages and forms to capture leads
- Keep track of social media interactions, posting schedule, and brand mentions
- Centralize customer support through a ticketing system to trace and resolve issues
- Automate sales workflows to optimize the sales pipeline
- Track KPIs across marketing, sales, and customer service over a unified platform
Engagebay limitations
- An excessive number of features beyond core CRM functionalities may indicate platform bloat
- The user interface feels cluttered and difficult to navigate
Engagebay pricing
- Free: $0
- Basic: $12.99/month per user
- Growth: $49.99/month per user
- Pro: $79.99/month per user
Engagebay ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5.0 (326 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5.0 (728 votes)
8. Less Annoying CRM (Best no-fuss, easy-to-use cloud-based CRM software)
Less Annoying CRM lives up to its amusing name. It is refreshingly straightforward and ideal for small businesses that require a basic CRM database minus the complexities. The cloud CRM provider has focused singularly on core CRM functionalities.
While you can manage customer relationships with this CRM solution, do not expect it to automate the sales process, eliminate end-to-end manual data entry, perform advanced reporting, and more. In other words, you’ll have to look elsewhere for an agile CRM for businesses with high growth needs.
Less Annoying CRM best features
- Simplify contact and lead management powered by features that offer the ability to add notes, track interactions, and perform segmentation
- Personalize the deal stages within the sales pipeline depending on lead preferences
- Generate detailed reports on sales reps’ performance, pipeline value, sales forecast, and more
- Integrate with popular tools like Gmail and Zapier to extend functionality
Less Annoying CRM limitations
- Does not offer any mobile apps
- Offers limited features, lack of integrations, and basic reporting
Less Annoying CRM pricing
- $15/month per user
- Enterprise plan also available on request
Less Annoying CRM ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.9/5.0 (593 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.8/5.0 (595 votes)
9. Monday Sales CRM (Best visual work management and sales platform)
Monday is yet another CRM platform that combines CRM and project management. The cloud-based CRM’s visual nature offers users a fresh perspective and grants a high-level view of all sales processes and activities. You can customize it to your preferences and effectively organize data across multiple channels. While it is a good cloud CRM, it doesn’t top our list of the best cloud-based CRM systems as it lacks the depth required to manage complex sales processes.
Monday Sales best features
- Utilize Kanban-style boards to collaborate visually with sales teams on deals
- Integrate popular tools like Gmail, Slack, Zoom, etc., to set up collaboration and communication
- Set goals for your sales reps and track progress visually
- Predict future sales and revenue based on pipeline data
- Automate repetitive tasks like updating lead status, notifying teams of deadlines, and sending follow-up emails
Monday Sales limitations
- Lacks some advanced features that are common in other advanced CRM systems
- Higher upfront costs, especially if you have a larger sales teams
Monday Sales pricing
- Basic CRM: $15/month per seat
- Standard CRM: $20/month per seat
- Pro CRM: $33/month per seat
- Enterprise: Custom quote
Monday Sales ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5.0 (763 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5.0 (389 reviews)
10. Apptivo (Best all-in-one business management cloud-based CRM system)
Apptivo is a versatile business application that can function as a CRM tool. In fact, you could extend its feature set to use it as lead management software, customer success software, or even a project management platform.
It’s a solid option for businesses looking for a single solution for multiple requirements. However, this diversity also limits Apptivo’s capabilities in comparison to cloud-based CRM systems designed specifically for the task.
Apptivo best features
- Automate the sales process through triggers, actions, or multiple steps
- Empower customer service teams while handling inquiries using a centralized ticketing system
- Access customer data and manage CRM while on the move with mobile apps
- Customize dashboards to visualize and track key metrics and KPIs
- Gain insights with advanced analytics and power data-driven decisions
Apptivo limitations
- Some users experience a dip in performance with large data sets
- An internet connection is a must for running the application
Apptivo pricing
- Lite: $20/month per user
- Premium: $30/month per user
- Ultimate: $50/month per user
- Enterprise: Custom quote
Apptivo ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5.0 (199 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5.0 (712 votes)
Summarize this article for me pleaseCustomer Relationships Built to Last With ClickUp
That’s a wrap-up of my list of the best cloud-based CRM systems. To select the right cloud-based CRM solution, look for one that seamlessly integrates with your existing workflows and tech stack, offers powerful features, and generates actionable insights. You’ll notice a significant rise in your sales efficiency and customer satisfaction.
While all the CRM solutions on my list have distinct strengths and weaknesses, ClickUp consistently delivers superior performance. Building a CRM in ClickUp grants you a holistic approach to CRM and project management. You can create customized workflows, track time, manage documents, and more. Most importantly, it frees up marketing, sales, and customer service resources so that they can focus on relationship-building.
Are you ready to reinvent your CRM platform? Get started with ClickUp to experience the difference!
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