Salesforce vs Zoho CRM: Which CRM Tool Is Better in 2026?

Salesforce

From $25

Zoho CRM

From $14

Quick verdict

Overall pick: Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM is the lower-cost option at $14 per seat versus $25 for Salesforce, and it is the only one of the two with a free plan, making it the practical pick for budget-conscious teams. Salesforce, founded in 1999 and positioned for enterprises and complex sales teams, is the better fit when the priority is an enterprise-oriented platform rather than entry price. Because both tools list every compared feature, the decision comes down to price per seat and target audience rather than capability gaps.

Zoho CRM's entry plan ($14) is 44% cheaper than Salesforce's ($25).
Zoho CRM has a free plan; Salesforce does not.
They cover the same 8 of 8 core features we track, so price and UX decide.

Try Salesforce →Try Zoho CRM →

Cost calculator

Team size: 5 users

Tool	Monthly	Yearly
Salesforce · per user	$125.00	$1500
Zoho CRM · per user	$70.00	$840

Based on entry-level paid plans. Prices change, so check the vendor before you buy.

Which one should you choose?

If you need…	Pick	Why
Small team with a tight software budget	Zoho CRM	Zoho CRM starts at $14 per seat versus $25 for Salesforce, a lower per-seat cost.
Team that wants to try a CRM before paying	Zoho CRM	Zoho CRM offers a free plan; Salesforce does not.
Enterprise with complex sales processes	Salesforce	Salesforce lists enterprises and complex sales teams as its best-fit audiences.
Buyer already working within the Zoho ecosystem	Zoho CRM	Zoho CRM lists Zoho ecosystem users among its best-fit audiences.
Buyer comparing core feature coverage	Tie	Both tools include pipelines, email tracking, lead scoring, calling, automations, reporting, mobile apps, and a public API.

Feature comparison: Salesforce vs Zoho CRM

Feature	Salesforce	Zoho CRM
Free plan	❌	✅
Starting price	$25 /user/mo	$14 /user/mo
Visual sales pipelines	✅	✅
Email tracking & 2-way sync	✅	✅
Lead scoring	✅	✅
Built-in dialer & call logs	✅	✅
Workflow automations	✅	✅
Revenue forecasting & reports	✅	✅
Mobile iOS / Android app	✅	✅
Public API	✅	✅

Highlighted rows are where the tools differ.

Pros and cons

Salesforce

Covers all eight compared features, including lead scoring, calling, and a public API
Established in 1999, giving it a long operating history in CRM
Positioned for enterprises and complex sales teams
Offers visual pipelines, workflow automations, and revenue reporting

No free plan
Higher starting price at $25 per seat versus $14 for Zoho CRM
Billed per seat, so cost scales with team size

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Zoho CRM

Lower starting price at $14 per seat
Offers a free plan, which Salesforce does not
Covers all eight compared features, matching Salesforce feature for feature
Positioned for budget-conscious teams and Zoho ecosystem users

Billed per seat, so cost scales with team size
Founded in 2005, a shorter operating history than Salesforce
Positioned toward budget-conscious buyers rather than large enterprises

Try Zoho CRM →

At a glance

Salesforce

Industry-leading enterprise customer relationship management.

Founded 1999 · From $25 · 8/8 tracked features

Best for: enterprises, complex sales teams

See Salesforce alternatives →

Zoho CRM

Feature-packed omnichannel CRM on a budget.

Founded 2005 · From $14 · 8/8 tracked features

Best for: budget-conscious teams, Zoho ecosystem users

See Zoho CRM alternatives →

FAQ

Is Salesforce cheaper than Zoho CRM?

No. Salesforce starts at $25 per seat, while Zoho CRM starts at $14 per seat.

Does either tool offer a free plan?

Zoho CRM offers a free plan; Salesforce does not.

Do Salesforce and Zoho CRM have the same features?

For the eight features compared here, yes. Both include visual pipelines, email tracking, lead scoring, calling, automations, reporting, mobile apps, and a public API.

Which tool is better for enterprises?

Salesforce lists enterprises and complex sales teams as its best-fit audiences, while Zoho CRM is positioned for budget-conscious teams and Zoho ecosystem users.

How is pricing billed for both tools?

Both are billed per seat, so total cost depends on the number of users.

Related comparisons

Data last reviewed: pending verification. All CRM tools →