If you’re a small business that has fewer employees than a large corporation then some of the best payroll software out there might seem a little more than you need.

However, SMEs need to be just as lean and efficient, if not more so, than those larger outfits, so having the right payroll and HR package can still be money well spent. Something our best HR software guide underlines only too well.

Breathe HR has been designed with SMEs firmly in mind, with features and functions that will allow you to save time, get administrative tasks done more efficiently and keep your employees feeling valued.

It’s been successful in attracting over 16,000 UK SMEs and has served them well to date with a cloud-based, GDPR-complaint solution with maximum data security.

It’s also a great package for ensuring your data is kept safe and secure. If you’re not convinced then it’s possible to try Breathe as part of a free 14-day trial.

• Our guide to the best payroll software

Breathe HR: Plans and pricing

The Breathe HR pricing structure is based on a per organisation arrangement, rather than the per person route favourite by some software vendors. This in itself makes Breathe HR a practical and easy-to-fathom solution, which doesn’t have the convoluted structuring that some larger and better known rivals tend to have.

As mentioned above, if you’d like to explore its capabilities then Breathe HR is available, complete with all the features, free for 14 days.

The first step is to choose a plan suited to the size of your business: 1-10 people (Micro), 11-20 (Starter), 21-50 (Regular), 51-100 (Pro), 101-150 (Premium) or 151-200 (Plus).

Pricing for these sits at £22, £39, £89, £159, £369 and £525 per month, and remember, that’s for the business, not per person. This actually makes it pretty cost-effective compared with other options, which either charge a per-person rate or a nominal per-person rate on top of a company subscription.

There are also discounts available for annual commitments, where you’ll pay around 10-11 months’ worth for 12 months’ access.

Four separate add-ons are also available for extra monthly charges: Rota, Time & Attendance (£10), Learn (£12), Recruitment tracking (£21) and Expenses management (£12).

Breathe HR: Features

Although Breathe HR is aimed more at the small business community, that doesn't mean that it’s lacking in any department. In fact, Breathe HR is literally bursting with lots of features and functions, all within the framework of a simple to use system.

All the essentials are there, like employee records, document and policy management, holiday, leave and absence tracking and analytics-backed reporting.

It lets you tackle all of those everyday HR tasks like rotas and shift planning, with support for clocking in and out, timesheets and the ability to manage staff availability. The built-in overlapping shift detection is also a pretty neat feature, helping to iron out any potential mistkaes.

The software can also be integrated with the Breathe API and Xero Payroll, which broadens both its reach and appeal still further.

Drill down inside those core features and you’ll find that Breathe HR can facilitate quick and easy staff and holiday planning, track employees holidays and monitor absenteeism.

There’s scheduling for working out rotas, team management tools and a way of forecasting salaries too. You can also manage payroll, track performance and carry out both location and Covid 19 management as and when it’s needed.

Time is always money in the world of the SMEs, so it’s also good to know that Breathe HR can handle time logging, time tracking and there’s a time clock system for covering all bases during work time and shifts.

Office administrators as well as bosses will also love the HR dashboard alongside the HR database that comes as part of Breathe HR while easy document management extends the appeal.

Of course, you also have all the boring stuff like performance management, setting and tracking objectives, one-to-ones and continuous feedback. Of course, workers hate this, but combining all of these into one slick HR platform makes it easier to get the job done, reducing the amount of time workers and managers have to spend on tedious tasks.

Any company that has employees is duty bound to ensure they have security first in mind when it comes to protecting data. You’ll find that Breathe HR meets all the criteria for ensuring personnel records are handled discreetly and behind a secure curtain.

This includes having a two-factor authentication system in place for all users. Breathe HR also has a dedicated page on its website, where it is possible to drill down and check all of its security credentials.

Breathe HR: Ease of use

If you’re running a business then one of the biggest chores for anyone is getting to grips with a new software package. However, Breathe HR has been designed and engineered specifically for SMEs and as a result of that it is very easy to master.

The overall design and layout is quite minimalist, with a solid use of colour in all the right places.

Getting to grips with menus and other features and functions is surprisingly straightforward. At the same time, Breathe HR never looks or feels like it’s too basic.

Small business owners should find it carries out all of their everyday HR management tasks with aplomb. The software should become even better once the integration with Xero Payroll comes to fruition too.

On the whole, users note solid performance, and that could be from the fact that Breathe uses redundancy in its UK data center strategy to ensure real-time backup and limited downtime in the event of any failure.

Not only is the mobile experience easy to use for employees who want to request time off, but managers can also approve it on the go. By removing some of the layers between request and approval, this makes for an overall slicker operation at the company-level.

However, from the administrative side, some note that reporting and document management features edge more towards the basic end, so if you’re a bigger company in need of a more complex system, Breathe HR might not be the one.

Breathe HR: Support

Breathe HR offers an easy way to get in contact via the chat interface built into the application, as well as email support.

Self-service modes include a knowledge base with help articles and guides, but we also love the video webinars published which help users who prefer to learn visually or those who need guiding through some parts of the platform.

The UK-focused company has UK-based hosting and support, which is really helpful for SMEs who need that extra layer of regulation understanding and data protection.

Breathe HR: Final verdict

Overall, Breathe HR looks to be an excellent and very cost effective option for anyone running a smaller outfit, with up to 250 employees.

The fact that it now has strengthened intgrations with Xero mean you can run your payroll, bookkeeping and HR systems in tandem without any technical limitations.

Breathe HR is well-suited to UK-based SMBs who would benefit from built-in compliance with local regulations, and it proves HR software doesn’t need to be as complicated as it used to be.

A comparable alternative to Breathe HR is Gusto, which lets you handle HR but has payroll functionality as part of the package too.

• Read our guide to the best payroll software

Business owners are always on the lookout for better, more efficient ways to do things. When it comes to accounting, payroll and all of those other daily admin tasks, a solution like the high-profile QuickBooks makes a lot of sense.

However, it’s now possible to supplement this with Intuit Online Payroll. The two can work in unison to make one of the best payroll software options currently on the market.

The combination allows you to do a little bit of everything, which is exactly what business owners are looking for in these challenging times.

Intuit is a big corporation and its software is all-encompassing, meaning that business owners can carry out a lot of their workflow within one integrated package.

Using QuickBooks and Intuit Online Payroll as one entity can therefore allow your company and its employees to enjoy much more simplified processes.

This review aims to drill down into just how well the software integrates and discover if it provides all of the value that Intuit’s high-profile marketing suggests.

• Our guide to the best payroll software

Intuit Quickbooks Payroll: Plans and pricing

Intuit is always running money-off deals across its entire portfolio of business-focused software, with a current 50% off for 3 months being fairly typical.

There’s a free trial too, which might help seal the deal. Meanwhile, plans are plentiful and varied, depending on your needs.

While Payroll Core and QuickBooks Simple Start used to kick off the range, Payroll Core + Simple Start is the latest iteration – a combination of the two, at $88 per month plus $6.50 per employee per month.

Payroll Core + Essentials only adds a few more features for $125 per month, while Payroll Premium + Plus is a much fuller package, but for a $203/month premium.

Thankfully, that $6.50 per person monthly fee is the same across all packages. Some companies think it’s okay to charge more when paired with higher tiers, so we appreciate Intuit’s standardized pricing here.

Three separate Payroll-only plans – Core, Premium and Elite – are available for $50, $88 and $134 per month, but they lack bookkeeping. QuickBooks Online users can also add payroll at any time from their accounts.

Intuit Quickbooks Payroll: Features

What you get in terms of the pairing of QuickBooks and Payroll will obviously depend on which of the packages you head for.

Before, there were Core and Simple Start plans – now, the two have merged into Payroll Core + Simple Start. This plan comes with full-service payroll, 1099 E-File and Pay, next-day direct deposit and plenty more.

All plans can also track income and expenses, organize receipts, invoice and accept payments, track business miles, send estimates and manage 1099 contractors.

Despite being primarily a payroll suite, there are also some HR functionalities, like team management, health benefits and an employee portal.

Higher-tier plans add support for more users, sales channels and even inventory tracking.

In essence then, all plans come with unlimited payroll run capability, the power to calculate paychecks and all applicable taxes, as well as offering ease and convenience thanks to automated processing for taxes and their associated forms.

Companies with employees to consider will find the workforce portal very practical, while the coverage of the software extends to all 50 US states.

Similarly, there is extensive reporting on offer while the ability to manage garnishments and any or all deductions offers the final icing on the cake.

So important is security to Intuit that it actually has an entire security center, dedicated to keeping the entire product suite and its customers safe and secure. Intuit invests lots of money in ensuring its systems have multiple layers of security.

Using the software on a daily basis, you also soon realise just how well it has been engineered, with lots of potential obstacles in place that could foil the likes of scams and phishing attacks.

Intuit Quickbooks Payroll: Ease of use

One of the most appealing things about QuickBooks and the Payroll packages Intuit offers is the ease of use that comes with it all.

There’s no doubt that Intuit’s UX teams and engineers have worked long and hard to create products that just work.

The interface experience is invariably a good one no matter where you happen to be inside the suite of software, with a clever use of fonts, colour (mostly green) and graphics.

If you already use Intuit software, you’ll know how easy it is to use, and you should have no learning curve adopting its Payroll software.

If you’re moving from a different provider or new to payroll altogether, Intuit’s software strikes a good balance of surfacing just the right amount of control while maintaining a pretty simple interface. Others in this space might look cleaner and slicker, but that comes at the cost of reduced one-step functionality (fewer of Intuit’s features are buried beneath multi-step processes).

Dealing with normally stressful matters such as payroll is nowhere near as complicated as it used to be, but Intuit makes the job even simpler. Expect lots of automated tasks, plenty of one-click solutions and a healthy supply of practical benefits such as the ability to carry out powerful reporting without become broken in the process.

What you also get with this software is the ability to use it anywhere, with cloud convenience and plenty of mobile or tablet-focused tools that mean you don't have to lug the office laptop everywhere.

Intuit Quickbooks Payroll: Support

As you’d expect from a company the size of Intuit, if you’re looking for support then there is plenty on offer.

Certain plans, like Payroll Premium and Elite, offer 24/7 expert support for an upgrade, which is better than having to wait for office hours if you run around the clock.

Customers can use the support hub as their first port of call for everyday questions. There’s a chunky selection of toolbar options to choose from, such as getting started and dedicated topic sections covering core tasks including banking, invoices, taxes and more, plus a healthy training area too.

Intuit also has a healthy community, which is great for networking with likeminded business people who can often supply answers to any kind of question.

Naturally, you can also get directly in touch with support staff, but what is also of added value is the way the Intuit site can hook you up with a QuickBooks Certified Pro Advisor, which is a real boon if you’re ever feeling bogged down by the weight of office administration. There’s even a live chat function to do that immediately if matters are pressing.

Intuit Quickbooks Payroll: Final verdict

It’s really easy to see why Intuit still manages to rule the roost with so many businesses opting to use its suite of products.

If you’re looking for value then pairing QuickBooks with the Payroll package can solve a lot of headaches. This is a streamlined solution with plenty of potent features and functions that enable quick and easy management of office tasks.

We see it best suited to SMEs and businesses with relatively standard payroll needs, where its relatively affordable pricing and advanced options offer a good breadth of functionality.

Support is generally good and performance is great, plus it forms part of a much wider QuickBooks ecosystem. That means if you’re already using some of the company’s software, you’ll be able to share data between apps.

If you’re not entirely smitten with QuickBooks Payroll, although there’s a trial that lets you see its potential before committing, there are also plenty of alternatives like Gusto.

Anyone needing a muscular HR and payroll solution will find it hard to miss the appeal of Sage Business Cloud Payroll, which comes with the same sort of features as those found in Intuit’s suite of products.

• Read our guide to the best payroll software

Deel is an extensive package that combines all of the tools that best payroll software offers. It includes a dazzling array of the features and functions businesses need on a daily basis, but also proves really useful for building up a more efficient bigger picture of how your company ticks.

More than 35,000 companies already use Deel, which is a pretty new company founded in 2019. It now counts over 4,000 team members on its books, with some pretty major customers like Shopify, Nike and Lego signing up.

Deal CEO and co-founder Alex Bouaziz was even on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Finance list in 2020, so you know it’s got some good guidance at the helm.

If you’ve got employees to hire and subsequently manage, as well as pay, then Deel packs a sizeable punch.

Inside the Deel software suite there are tools for fast and efficient onboarding, functionality that facilitates paying employees, even on a global scale where it’s needed and lots of HR features. In fact, Deel boasts HR functionality that makes light work of handling employees, no matter where they happen to be located.

Adding to the overall appeal is a dependable level of compliance, with Deel proving able to stay on top of any relevant regulations, irrespective of where your business operates. Deel is well-known for its quick and easy setup processes and ongoing administration benefits, making it suitable to companies of all shapes and sizes.

• Our guide to the best payroll software

Deel: Plans and pricing

It seems like more companies hide their pricing than display it, so we’re incredibly grateful that Deel is one of the few remaining providers that actually states its pricing. It’s a big green flag for us.

Payroll software is available in a whole range of flavors depending on the nature of your business, so you’re better off checking Deel’s website to see which package is best suited to your individual needs.

As a guide, Deel Global Payroll comes in at $29 per employee per month, and Deel Contractor Management costs $49/contractor/month. You can also pick the Deel Employer of Record or Contractor of Record plans ($599 and $325 per person per month) for full legal support across 150+ countries.

Deel also has a couple of HR platforms, priced between $15 and $20 per person per month, so if you prefer to keep all your affairs under the same roof, it’s worth considering adding these.

Further add-ons are also available, so if you’re finding that what you need isn’t covered, a quick conversation with the Deel sales team could rectify that.

Deel: Features

Dip into the suite of Deel features and you’ll find that it is divided into four core areas, with onboarding, payroll and mobility being the main players, conveniently supplemented by Deel HR.

A big part of the appeal with Deel is its Employer of Record or EOR service, which streamlines the hiring process for any kind of company.

An added bonus of this setup is that the system works across a wide variety of countries, with upwards of 150 territories included in that list.

It means companies can hire and pay full-time employees or contractors in many jurisdictions without needing company legal entities in each location, which really shows the value of Deel’s software.

This expansive collection of countries are also setup so that company HR personnel have access to any relevant visa information pertaining to specific locations. If you’re regularly onboarding staff on a global basis this makes Deel particularly noteworthy.

This also means that Deel can handle country-specific taxes as well as meeting compliance regulations. Again, the other bonus here is Deel provides around the clock support for complex operations like this.

The same goes for the mobility aspect of Deel, with lots of tools for simplifying things like Visa applications, which can normally be a drain on administrative resources.

Everything gets topped off with the benefit of Deel HR, which combines lots of different everyday needs, including dealing with contractors and freelancers, to complete the formidable line-up of features.

You get an excellent people directory, organizational charts and comprehensive personal profiles from this, allowing HR managers to control every aspect of an employees time at any company.

Just like any other respectable software outfit, Deel has high standards when it comes to security, although this is perhaps best investigated with a demo. However, the company says it is committed to GDPR compliance and uses Okta SSO for single-sign on convenience.

Network traffic runs over SSL/HTTPS and is encrypted, while Deel also uses Amazon Web Services for its data storage. Similarly, Deel underlines that its infrastructure is fully SOC2 compliant.

Deel: Ease of use

The onboarding part of the HR procedure is wonderfully seamless and can be done over the course of a few hours.

With personal details and banking information completed, the process can be wrapped up pretty swiftly and we also like the way there’s plenty of help at hand from Deel support staff en route.

One of the aspects of any fully-featured HR and payroll solution that frequently worries staff is just how useable a package it’ll be. Thankfully, Deel has been cleverly designed so that it provides a host of powerful tools within a user-friendly interface that can be managed without fuss using a sizeable selection of dashboard tools.

In fact, Deel like many other sensible software packages comes with a look and feel that makes you want to use it, rather than walk away for a coffee.

There’s a fresh, modern workspace with straightforward menu options at the side of the screen. The use of dynamic graphics mid-stage makes the presentation of data much more enjoyable too, while there’s no compromise on performance.

It is possible to drill down into sub-menus when that’s needed, but the overall impression the interface leaves is that minimal training would need to be given in order to get someone up to speed with the Deel workspace.

Deel is best suited to larger companies who need the most advanced tools, because some features are desktop first and poorly optimized for smaller screens.

There’s also a bit more of a learning curve for complex/international use, so taking the time to set up properly is a worthwhile investment.

Deel: Support

Support is a key selling point for Deel, which offers 24/7 multilingual support via live chat, email, phone and even video calls. It could just about be as good as it gets, so if having quick access to humans to answer your questions is a must, then Deel deserves high praise.

Deel also recently introduced AI agents for support, with over 50 languages in the bag. Their aim is to reduce response times, which the company has managed to around halve.

The AI agents mostly pull information form the comprehensive knowledge base, which users can access regardless. Here, you’ll find compliance guides, support documentation and tutorials for self-service.

Enterprises and big customers also get their own dedicated customer success and account managers.

Deel: Final verdict

Anyone who wants a well-rounded HRM suite will immediately warm to Deel. Central to the appeal is its powerful core features, which includes its undeniably potent onboarding, payroll and mobility tools.

The way that the software will work across geographical boundaries makes it very useable for companies of all shapes and sizes.

On the whole, we rank Deel highly for bsuinesses that are hiring globally, with strong compliance offered throughout.

The soldi support infrastructure is noteworthy, as is the user interface which does a good job of taming just how much power this software packs.

While the costs will inevitably escalate as your company does, the ease of its integrations and overall performance marks Deel down as one of the stronger players in the payroll and HR software marketplace. It’s very worthy of a demo at the very least.

Smaller businesses should consider alternatives, because Deel primarily targets multinational businesses, and any companies seeking the best in multi usability should also look elsewhere because Deel is best seen as a desktop-first powerhouse.

• Read our guide to the best payroll software

Business and larger corporations have flocked to Remote Payroll, simply because it has a very powerful feature set, albeit at a higher cost than many rivals. And, while there’s no shortage of best payroll software providers on the market, sometimes you need a little more potency to get the job done. If you’re running a larger organisation then Remote Payroll makes an awful lot of sense.

Remote Payroll comes with an extensive list of features, which can help business owners tackle every facet of their onboarding needs. The functionality within Remote Payroll means workflow is pretty much seamless too. It can also be tweaked to suit different country requirements, with functionality that can be similarly adapted to meet local laws.

• Our guide to the best payroll software

Remote Payroll: Plans and pricing

One thing to remember with Remote Payroll is that it’s a product aimed at companies with more comprehensive requirements. While this means you get tools that allow your business to handle payroll, tax and human resources, as well as compliance, the price tag is higher as a result.

It can also be a little confusing to work out costs with the likes of Employer of Record and Contractor Management options adding in additional prices.

Remember that Remote Payroll isn’t a simple, off-the-shelf software solution compared to some payroll package rivals. Indeed, you’ll really want to converse with Remote sales staff in order to get a tailored quote, especially if you need to tap into the powerful features provided by its Global Payroll and Remote Enterprise features.

There’s the basic plan for simpler needs, but the whole point of Remote Payroll is being able to exploit its more potent features.

As a guide, the Payroll package can come in at just $29 per employee per month, with additional features relating to HR like Contractor Management ($29/contractor/month) and Contractor Management Plus ($99/contractor/month) also available.

Employer of Record costs $699 per employee per month, and includes the whole package – hiring, onboarding, local payroll, benefit management, HR and more.

Remote Payroll: Features

One of the most impressive and convenient aspects of Remote Payroll is its truly global appeal. If you’re running a large operation Remote Payroll can handle payroll calculations, handle local tax deductions and reporting, social security needs, benefit deductions, expenses and time-off requests.

It means if you’re running a larger organization across borders, Remote Payroll instantly becomes an option when many others struggle to go international.

Remote Payroll is able to generate payslips, calculate bonuses, produce reports and meet any localised compliance needs.

In order to do all of this safely and securely there’s also secure document storage, which effectively turns Remote Payroll into a complete software solution.

You’ll pay a premium for the more advanced features, but Remote Payroll is ideally suited to business and corporations that have more of a global focus and which are represented in different countries around the world.

It comes as no surprise to see that Remote Payroll has been purchased by many well-known business names across the globe. That alone is always a good indication that Remote Payroll meets every requirement when it comes to security. The other big appeal with Remote Payroll is that it can work in any location around the globe.

As a result, the software is tailored to suit its region, meeting all compliance and local law requirements. In addition, considering one of its main features is handling payroll, employees can also expect dependable handling of their wages, tax and benefit considerations.

On top of its payroll functionalities, Remote has also gone into offering HR management features including worker benefit management, as well as launching its own recruitment platform with candidate sourcing and a jobs board.

These are all recent additions, so it should come as no surprise that Remote has integrated AI into workflows too.

Recruit, for example, uses AI to help with sourcing, candidate matching and screening, and integrating other data points.

In mid-2025, Remote built AI-driven payroll engines from scratch to offer instant processing and adapt to local requirements. The company said this would help eliminate common delays and errors caused by legacy systems.

Changes were also made to how the Payroll platform integrates with other Remote software for an easier overall experience.

On a more technical side, Remote localized its infrastructure in order to ensure it had compliance expertise in different markets to avoid tax blunders and so on – ensuring it can look after you while you just input the right data.

Remote Payroll: Ease of use

Despite its powerful array of features and functions you’ll find that the Remote Payroll interface is a visual treat. There’s a cool use of colour, which is minimalist but effective, especially when it comes to highlighting the menu bar on the right-hand side of the interface.

You co-ordinate tasks using a core dashboard, which then allows quick and easy access to functions, with easy to decipher icons supported by text and linking to the likes of Team, Onboarding and Time Off under the ‘People’ option or Run Payroll, Payroll History and Pay Contractors under ‘Payments’.

There is also access to wider company details, vital documents and an app marketplace too, for anyone wanting to add in extra functionality. That means it’s possible to integrate Remote Payroll with the likes of BambooHR and Greenhouse as a couple of examples.

A Settings tab also lets you carry out tweaks and personalisation requests depending on things like location, number of employees and so on.

Employees should find the self-service platform smooth to use with plenty of guided tools – payslips, document access and time off requests can all be found here, simplifying many processes by reducing the number of channels needed – no more shooting off an email to request time off.

In some complex jurisdictions, some users noted some delays or more manual steps, but that’s not a criticism of the platform itself. It’s more that Remote Payroll has to handle so many different procedures globally, and we think it’s done a good job of simplifying most of these.

Remote Payroll: Support

With anyone using Remote Payroll likely to be running a more complex operation there’s every possibility support will be needed from time to time. In that respect, Remote Payroll does the decent thing and has a help center and support hub.

However, some users report that it would be more beneficial to have a wider range of contact options. You can email the company, but it doesn’t seem particularly easy to speak to a human agent in real-time.

Getting through to support staff via email is all well and good, but sometimes an easier direct approach can be more effective, especially if it’s in relation to a pressing payroll or HR matter.

Some users also noted how support can sometimes feel a bit scripted – or not personalized – which might seem frustrating at times.

Nevertheless, Remote Payroll is on a par with many rivals in this sector.

Remote Payroll: Final verdict

Business owners with more complex needs should bypass some of the players at the lower end of the payroll software spectrum and head further up the chart.

This means considering the likes of Remote Payroll, SurePayroll and ADP Run.

With its premium price tag, Remote Payroll isn't at all suited to small business users, with many more affordable options out there. Where it does excel though is catering for global operations, which need to have customised payroll and HR tools at their disposal while meeting the needs of local legislation.

There are countless tools within the interface, all of which look and feel like they’ve been designed with usability at their core. Considering it’s potency, Remote Payroll is easy to manage and works no matter what the level of employee requirement is.

The only thing that might put some off is the price point allowing you to do so.

Still, for businesses that have expanded internationally, and on quite a decent scale, Remote offers a compelling and rather mature solution. If initial budget remains tight, look elsewhere.

• Read our guide to the best payroll software

As a business owner, you need the best web hosting service to ensure that your online presence runs smoothly. With so many services available out there, it can be overwhelming to choose the right hosting for your business. 

One web hosting service that stands out is Nexcess. Founded in 2000 and based in Southfield, Michigan, USA, Nexcess provides various hosting solutions for businesses of all sizes. It offers a range of hosting services including shared hosting, managed WordPress hosting, cloud hosting, and dedicated server hosting.

Nexcess is also a part of the Liquid Web family and has grown into a well-known and reputable web hosting company with a global presence. Nexcess is known for its reliability, security, and top-notch customer support, as well as its use of cutting-edge technologies like containerization and auto-scaling.

Nexcess features

One of the standout features of the Nexcess service is its autoscaling capabilities. This means that if your website experiences a sudden surge in traffic, Nexcess can automatically increase the resources allocated to your site to ensure it stays up and running smoothly.

Another useful feature is the ability to create development sites. This allows you to test out changes to your website or store before pushing them live. With the development sites feature, you can experiment with new themes, plugins, and other changes without worrying about disrupting your live site. Nexcess also offers a CDN (Content Delivery Network), which can help improve the speed and performance of your site by caching your content and delivering it from a server that's geographically closer to your visitors.

Containers are another key feature of Nexcess that I like. By using containers, Nexcess can isolate your site's resources from other sites on the same server, which can help improve security and prevent resource conflicts. SSL Certificates are included with all Nexcess hosting plans, which can help secure your site and protect visitors' data. 

If you're running an ecommerce site, you'll appreciate Nexcess's PCI compliance features. This ensures that your site meets the payment card industry data security standards, which can help protect your customers' payment information. 

Nexcess also offers DNS management tools, which can help you easily manage your domain's DNS settings. If you're looking to switch hosting providers, you'll be pleased to know that Nexcess offers free migration services. Its team of experts can help you move your site to Nexcess with minimal downtime or disruption.

Nexcess also offers a wide range of hosting options, including Magento, WooCommerce, WordPress, StoreBuilder, Sylius, ExpressionEngine, Craft CMS, Flexible Cloud, and Enterprise Hosting. This means that no matter what platform you're using, there's a hosting plan that's tailored to your needs.

Nexcess performance

The first test I conducted for Nexcess’s WordPress site involved the WebPageTest feature, a widely-used speed test tool. I set up a WordPress site and ran the URL via WebPageTest in six different locations worldwide. My site loaded in five seconds, which is somewhat slower than competitors like Bluehost and SiteGround. However, it is still a decent time frame for a website to load entirely.

Next, I used Load Focus, another popular speed test tool, to measure Nexcess’s performance. Load Focus simulates real-world scenarios like browsing, surfing, and transactions on your site, to give a more accurate view of its performance. The outcome was impressive, with Nexcess’s website loading speed averaging 2.51 seconds. It goes on to show that Nexcess can handle a reasonable influx of traffic. Speed, security, and caching are three vital aspects of an ideal web host. With Nexcess, you can opt for shared hosting, VPS hosting, or dedicated hosting plans, with differing levels of support provided in each. Regardless of what you choose, speed, security, and caching are given priority. It is evident that Nexcess has invested in excellent technology to ensure that they meet customers’ needs by providing them with fast, secure, and reliable web hosting services.

Nexcess is knowledgeable of its client's needs, and as such, it offers customized web hosting packages to meet those needs. It uses top-of-the-range hardware alongside content optimization techniques that ensure your website pages load faster. 

Nexcess pricing

Nexcess offers fully managed hosting for WordPress, WooCommerce, Magento, Drupal, Sylius, ExpressionEngine, Craft CMS, and OroCRM. It also offers a website builder called Storebuilder for ecommerce platforms. 

 Its fully managed WordPress hosting starts at $15.83 per month, and the plan includes the maximum speed with free Object Cache Pro, premium image compression, and a built-in CDN. The plan also includes intelligent plugin update tools like visual compare and performance monitoring, as well as free migrations and a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

There are no overage fees, traffic limits, or metered pageviews, and proactive server monitoring and support from WordPress experts is available 24/7. For fully managed WooCommerce hosting, Nexcess offers a plan starting at $15.83 per month. The plan includes built-in image compression, abandoned cart and page builder plugins, 1-click staging, sales monitoring, and checkout testing. The plan also includes free Object Cache Pro for fast-loading products, extra PHP workers for smooth checkout with a global CDN and DNS service. 

Proactive monitoring and helpful support from WooCommerce experts is available 24/7. Nexcess's fully managed Magento hosting starts at $31.00 per month and includes daily backups, PCI compliance, built-in Elasticsearch for M2.4+, add-on server clusters, and expert 24/7 support. The plan also includes server-side scripting, dedicated IP addresses, and instant autoscaling. 

On-demand performance testing is available to troubleshoot and improve site speed, and the built-in edge CDN offers 22 locations and advanced caching for ultra-fast loading. Support from Magento experts is available 24/7, and the plan includes generous resources and PHP workers for robust performance.

How fast is Nexcess?

With eight data centers spread across the US, Europe, and Asia Pacific, Nexcess carefully selects each location based on security, performance, and strategic positioning.

The company owns three of its data centers, including the US-Central, US-West, and EU-Central regions, which contain over 25,000 servers with redundant cooling, networks, and power to ensure uptime and speed. Additionally, all Nexcess data centers are PCI compliant and have a 24/7 support team to provide extra security and support. Nexcess uses cutting-edge technologies such as MySQL 5.7, SSDs, PHP 7.0/7.1, RAID, and Apache 2.4 to optimize cloud storage and improve website performance. These technologies help reduce memory usage, enhance load balancing, and increase security, resulting in faster website load times.

One of the significant advantages of Nexcess is its 99.9% network uptime guarantee, which is rarely seen in the web hosting industry. Nexcess also offers several features to enhance website speed, such as tier-1 bandwidth connections that minimize latency across the globe and built-in image optimization tools that compress images to ensure fast loading. 

Additionally, the company supports the latest PHP 7 and HTTP/2, further improving site speed and security. In the event of a massive influx of traffic, Nexcess's Auto-scaling add-on automatically allocates more resources to your website for free for 24 hours to avoid any downtime on your WP site, which is one of the main reasons for losing visitors. However, if the increased traffic continues, you may eventually need to upgrade to a more expensive plan with enhanced capabilities. Overall, Nexcess provides superior performance and speed, making it an excellent choice for businesses and individuals looking for reliable web hosting.

Nexcess security

One of the easiest ways to keep your website secure is to ensure that you are always running the latest version of WordPress and any plugins you have installed. Nexcess takes care of these updates for you, including visual comparison testing to automatically catch any update problems before they happen on your live site. This means you don't have to worry about manually updating your website and can focus on running your business.

Another crucial security feature of Nexcess is the automatic daily backups and on-demand backups. In the event of a security breach or issue with your website, you can easily restore your website to a previous version. This security feature ensures that your website is always recoverable, even in the worst-case scenario.

Nexcess also provides free access to iThemes Security Pro, a powerful security plugin for WordPress. This plugin includes features like two-factor authentication, malware scanning, and brute force protection. With iThemes Security Pro, you can add an extra layer of security to your website and protect it from potential security threats.

An SSL certificate is a must-have for any website that collects sensitive information, such as credit card details or personal information. Nexcess provides free SSL certificates, ensuring your website is secure and adding an extra layer of trust for your customers. Testing your website updates, changes, or new features can be a time-consuming process. However, with Nexcess, this process is made easy with the one-click staging site security feature. This feature allows you to create a clone of your live site where you can test new changes before deploying them to your live site. This ensures that you don't disrupt your live site and can quickly fix any issues that arise.

Nexcess also offers malware monitoring as part of its security features. This service constantly scans your website to detect any security threats, and if any are found, Nexcess's team will act quickly to remove the threat and restore your website's security.

Customer support 

Nexcess has three major customer support centers located in America, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Each support center has its hotline number for you to reach out to Nexcess customer support. In the Americas, you can reach Nexcess via +1-866-639-2377, while in Australia, you can use the toll-free +1-800-765-472 or international line 1-313-279-0722 to contact Nexcess. In the United Kingdom, use +0-808-196-5715. You can reach out for help 24/7, and someone is always there to help when you need it.

Aside from its customer service line, Nexcess also provides customers with a plethora of resources. One can access the help, knowledge base, blog, store builders podcast, WooCommerce resources, case studies, web tools, and system status. These tools have useful information and resources for troubleshooting and fixing any problem with your website. In addition to the resources, Nexcess also provides chat support for those who need quick replies to their website queries. 

You can chat with them at any given hour if you have concerns that you want to be resolved without a phone call. Nexcess additionally has social media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube where you can follow or like to stay updated about news, and promotions. Sometimes, you might want to go beyond the chat or the phone to meet up with Nexcess staff to get a better understanding of how your website is hosted.  You can visit Nexcess's physical address for more information. The corporate office is located in Southfield Data Center [MEL01], 21700 Melrose Avenue, Southfield, MI 48075, the United States. 

Final verdict: Is Nexcess right for you?

If you value excellent uptime and speed, superior security features, and around-the-clock support, Nexcess may be a good fit for you. Also, if you're looking for a hosting provider that offers lots of freebies and transparent pricing, Nexcess could be worth considering. 

The 30-day money-back guarantee is also a positive feature that could give you peace of mind. On the other hand, if you're on a tight budget, you may find Nexcess to be a bit pricey compared to other hosting providers. 

Additionally, if you're new to website hosting and require a beginner-friendly interface, Nexcess may not be the best option. Lastly, if you need a dedicated IP address, this is not available with Nexcess.

Nexcess FAQs

Zendesk, known primarily for its customer support software, has been expanding its offerings to cover more aspects of customer engagement. Zendesk Sell is one of the best CRM platforms on the market and aims to provide sales teams with a streamlined tool for managing leads, deals, and customer interactions.

It promises to boost productivity, improve pipeline visibility, and ultimately drive revenue growth. The CRM integrates closely with Zendesk's support tools, potentially offering a more cohesive customer experience across sales and service departments.

To add a "Why you can trust TechRadar Pro" section to the Zendesk Sell review, it is effective to highlight the platform's unique position as a CRM built by a customer service giant and how TechRadar’s testing confirms whether that integration actually works.

At TechRadar Pro, our business technology experts move beyond the marketing brochures to provide hands-on, objective analysis. To review Zendesk Sell, I spent days navigating the platform’s interface, testing its Sell-to-Support data pipelines, and evaluating its AI-driven forecasting tools.

Our reviews are 100% independent. We never accept payment for product rankings, ensuring that our verdict on Zendesk’s usability and its specific value for service-heavy sales teams is based entirely on real-world performance. When we identify a strength or a deal-breaker flaw, it is because we have encountered it firsthand during our testing process.

Below, I'll dive deep into Zendesk Sell's features, usability, pricing, and overall performance to provide an unbiased analysis of how well it stacks up against other CRM competitors for sales teams. Read on for the full Zendesk Sell review.

Zendesk Sell core capabilities

Zendesk Sell provides a centralized database for storing and accessing customer information, including contact details, interaction history, and account-specific notes. I began by importing and organizing my test contact list. I appreciated that the system supported both CSV and Excel file imports. It's helpful how the system tracks leads from initial contact to conversion.

The platform offers customizable sales pipelines, allowing me to adjust the stages to fit my sales process. I noticed the intuitive interface for moving deals through stages, making it easy to visualize progress and spot potential bottlenecks. However, some advanced lead management features, such as task automation and lead scoring, are limited to higher-tier plans.

Zendesk includes forecasting tools that enable sales managers to estimate deal volume and revenue growth. During my evaluation, I generated accurate forecasts using sample historical data and current pipeline status. While these features work well, I’ve seen more advanced predictive analytics in other CRMs.

The platform provides 20 pre-built charts, reports, and dashboards for insights into key sales metrics. It also allows the creation of custom reports using a drag-and-drop interface. Analyzing trends by region or team and predicting revenue growth adds value for sales managers. However, some users noted that competitors offer more detailed reporting options.

I liked how the CRM integrates with preferred communication tools. Zendesk works smoothly with popular email clients like Gmail and Outlook, automatically logging email communications. This integration saves time and ensures all customer interactions are captured within the CRM, offering a complete view of customer relationships. It also provides various automation tools, including task assignments, email follow-ups, and lead nurturing workflows. One such recent addition in this area concerns the dedicated Sales Copilot included in the CRM's AI suite. This can autonomously research a prospect’s support history to provide a sales rep with a Sentiment Summary before they jump on a call.

In addition to email, Zendesk has a marketplace with many pre-built integrations and developer-friendly APIs. You can select from thousands of pre-built connectors to popular apps like Asana, Dialpad, SurveyMonkey, and Ada. Zendesk also provides API Reference Docs to help developers create custom integrations, offering all necessary tools and step-by-step instructions.

Recently, a major UI overhaul has also narrowed the gap between Sell and Support, making using the CRM a little easier. Reps can now view full Zendesk Sunshine custom objects directly within the Sell lead card, providing a truly 360-degree view of the customer without switching tabs.

Zendesk’s mobile app, available for iPhone, iPad, and Android, offers full functionality, including geolocation features. You can create and manage tickets, view reports, and receive real-time alerts about customer requests. This allows sales reps to manage customer interactions on the go and enables sales managers to track their progress from the office.

However, while Zendesk Sell covers essential CRM capabilities, some features are restricted to higher-tier plans. Advanced permissions and roles, which are important for larger sales teams, are only available in the Professional Plan. Some users reported slow load times and occasional bugs, especially after adding third-party integrations.

How easy is Zendesk Sell CRM to use?

I found Zendesk Sell to be user-friendly, though it has some learning curves. Upon logging in, I saw a clean, modern interface that was easy to navigate. The customizable dashboard lets users prioritize important information for their roles.

I also appreciated Zendesk’s logical organization of information. Contacts, deals, and tasks are accessible from the main menu. I could switch between different views quickly as I changed my focus. The option to customize these views was helpful, allowing me to concentrate on the most relevant details for my workflow.

Zendesk’s CRM interface is very visual. Its smart lists help segment contacts and leads based on various criteria. The drag-and-drop feature for moving deals through the pipeline made it even more user-friendly. Together, these elements simplify the sales process.

Onboarding is straightforward. As an admin user, I could set up the system and invite team members easily. The guided setup process helps new users learn to create contacts, deals, and tasks. This support is useful for those new to CRM systems.

Zendesk Sell excels in integrating with other Zendesk products, especially the customer support platform. For businesses already using Zendesk for service, the smooth connection between sales and support data enhances usability and data consistency.

In terms of customization, Zendesk Sell strikes a balance between flexibility and simplicity. I tailored the system to my needs without feeling overwhelmed. Creating custom fields, deal stages, and pipelines allowed me to adjust the CRM to my specific sales process.

However, I noticed that some advanced features in higher-tier plans required more exploration to understand fully. For instance, setting up custom fields and creating advanced reports took time to master. I also found limitations in customization in lower-tier plans. Advanced automation features and custom dashboards are available only in higher-priced plans.

Zendesk offers mobile apps for both iOS and Android. I found them well-designed and responsive, providing most desktop functionality. This is beneficial for sales teams needing to access and update information while on the go.

Zendesk Sell CRM integrations

Zendesk’s integrations are among its best features. Its close connection with Zendesk’s customer support platform ensures smooth data flow between sales and support teams, offering a unified view of customer interactions. Additionally, Zendesk Sell provides native integrations with major productivity suites such as Google Workspace and Microsoft 365.

For businesses using other popular SaaS applications, Zendesk Sell integrates with tools like Mailchimp for email marketing, QuickBooks for accounting, and Zapier for connecting to many other apps. The setup process for these integrations is easy, typically needing just a few clicks to authorize and configure.

You can find all these integrations at Zendesk Marketplace, which serves as a center for discovering and installing both native and third-party apps and plugins. Although Zendesk offers over 1,500 integrations, some competitors provide even more out-of-the-box connectors for popular applications.

For custom integration development, Zendesk Sell features a powerful API that enables developers to create specific connections with other systems. It includes both REST APIs for basic CRUD operations and advanced APIs like the Sync API for real-time data synchronization. The API documentation is thorough and well-organized, including step-by-step instructions for developers. I appreciate how Zendesk allows you to submit your custom integrations as paid apps to the Zendesk Marketplace, enabling you to earn from your work.

While examining the integration capabilities, I also noticed a few limitations. Some advanced integration features are available only in higher-tier plans, which may affect smaller businesses or those with budget limitations. There’s also a premium API for creating advanced custom apps that’s accessible only from the Growth plan onward.

How good is Zendesk Sell CRM customer support?

When assessing Zendesk Sell's customer support, I found a well-rounded system built on Zendesk's customer service expertise. The platform offers various ways for users to get help, including live support and self-service options.

Zendesk Sell provides support via email and live chat for all pricing tiers. However, phone support is limited to higher-tier plans, which might pose challenges for smaller businesses. Chat support is quick, with agents usually available during business hours.

Email support is accessible 24/7, benefiting businesses across different time zones. Users receive replies within a few hours, even during off-peak times. The quality of email responses is generally high, offering detailed answers and step-by-step instructions when necessary.

Zendesk Sell's self-service features are strong, showcasing the company's expertise in knowledge management. The extensive knowledge base covers many topics, from basic setup to advanced features. I found the articles clear, concise, and frequently updated to reflect recent platform changes. Helpful screenshots and video tutorials enhance understanding, particularly for visual learners.

Zendesk's community forum is another useful self-service resource, active and well-moderated, with contributions from both company staff and experienced users. Peer support can be especially valuable for addressing unique or complex issues not detailed in standard documentation.

In terms of response and resolution times, Zendesk Sell generally performs well. Its service level agreements state that the company aims for a first response time of under 8 hours for standard inquiries and under 1 hour for urgent issues on higher-tier plans. Resolution times depend on the issue's complexity, but straightforward problems usually receive solutions in the first interaction.

Zendesk Sell CRM pricing and plans

Zendesk Sell employs a tiered pricing model with four plans tailored for various business sizes and needs. The pricing is clear, calculated per user, per month. While Zendesk Sell's pricing is competitive in the CRM market, it may not be the most cost-effective choice, this means Zendesk typically isn’t the best CRM for start ups on a shoestring budget.

The entry-level Team plan costs $19 per user each month with annual billing. It offers essential CRM features like contact and deal management, email integration, and basic reporting. While this plan makes Zendesk a contender as one of the best CRM for small business, it lacks some common features in other platforms' entry-level plans, such as web-to-lead forms and advanced analytics.

The mid-tier Growth plan is priced at $55 per user per month when billed annually. It introduces advanced features like sales forecasting, bulk email templates, and product catalogs. This plan strikes a better balance of features and cost, making it suitable for growing businesses.

The Professional plan at $115 per user per month provides more advanced tools, including lead and deal scoring, task automation, and advanced permissions. These features can greatly enhance sales processes, but the significant price increase from the Growth plan may cause hesitation for some businesses.

At the highest level, the Enterprise plan begins at $169 per user per month with annual billing. This plan encompasses all features from the lower tiers, along with advanced customization options, dedicated account management, and premium support. While thorough, this pricing positions Zendesk Sell among the higher-priced enterprise-level CRM solutions.

Certain advanced features, like the power dialer or extra storage, incur additional costs. Zendesk offers a bundle called the Zendesk Suite, which combines Zendesk Sell with other products like Support and Chat, potentially offering significant savings for businesses using multiple products.

Additionally, Zendesk Sell provides a 15% discount for annual billing compared to monthly billing, which can lead to substantial savings for larger teams. A 14-day free trial is available for all plans, allowing potential customers to explore the platform before committing. However, Zendesk misses out on being one of the best free CRM platforms with no free tier, which may be a drawback for very small businesses or individuals seeking a no-cost CRM solution.

How to pick

Choosing Zendesk Sell is a strategic move if your primary goal is customer lifecycle visibility rather than just lead acquisition. To decide if it fits your tech stack, consider your strategy and internal resources carefully.

For instance, assess your technical ability. Zendesk Sell is built on Zendesk Sunshine, an open, flexible CRM platform. This is ideal if you plan to build custom apps or need to pull in data from external data warehouses like Snowflake. However, if you don't have developer resources and just want a plug-and-play tool with no customization required, you may find the depth of Zendesk's platform more than you actually need.

Another factor in your decision should be whether you actually need a CRM or, at least, an upgrade on one. If your team is used to the dense, spreadsheet-heavy legacy systems of the early 2010s, Zendesk Sell will feel like a massive upgrade. It focuses on a single-pane-of-glass philosophy. However, if your team requires highly visual, board-based project management alongside their CRM, you might find Monday Sales CRM more flexible for your specific layout needs.

How we choose

At TechRadar Pro, our review process is designed to focus on the actual daily workflows of a modern business. We don't just look at screenshots. We perform a full installation, importing live datasets (typically from CSVs or rival CRMs like HubSpot) to measure the Time-to-Value. We specifically look for how many manual steps are required before a sales rep can make their first call.

Moreover, we direct our assessment based on unique aspects of the particular CRM we are evaluating. So, for Zendesk, we tested the bi-directional data flow between Sell and Support. We simulated customer tickets to see if the sales rep receives real-time sentiment alerts and if the data remains consistent across both platforms without manual syncing.

We also took mobile capabilities into account, knowing that this is of increasing importance for sales teams. As such, we tested the Zendesk Sell mobile app in the field, evaluating its offline capabilities, geo-mapping for lead proximity, and how easily a rep can update a deal stage while on the move.

Zendesk Sell CRM: Summary

After analyzing Zendesk Sell, I find it a strong and user-friendly option that balances essential features with ease of use. Its strengths include an intuitive interface, solid integration with customer support tools, and regular updates that keep the platform competitive.

Zendesk Sell suits small to medium-sized businesses seeking a unified approach to sales and customer support. Its seamless integration with other Zendesk products makes it a great choice for companies using or considering their support platform.

However, larger enterprises or those needing specialized CRM features may find Zendesk Sell somewhat limited compared to established enterprise solutions. Also, while the pricing structure is competitive, it might be high for very small businesses or startups.

Zendesk Sell CRM FAQ

As a customer relationship management tool, SugarCRM has history on its side. Since SugarCRM launched in 2004 as an open-source customer relationship management platform, it has since evolved into a full-fledged commercial suite, with tools for sales, marketing, and customer service. But what really sets it apart is the amount of flexibility it offers, making it one of the best CRM platforms on the market.

Sugar CRM features powerful AI tools, like predictive analytics, which provide valuable insights into customer behavior and sales forecasting. Combined with its user-friendly interface, this makes SugarCRM an attractive option for businesses that prize accessibility and automation.

Regular updates, including SugarCRM's Precision Selling overhaul, show the company's commitment to innovation, but the learning curve can be steep for new users. The platform also features an unconventional and unstructured pricing system, which can prove intimidating to small businesses.

At TechRadar Pro, our business software experts look past the legacy label to find the operational truth. To review SugarCRM, we conducted a 40-hour deep dive into the Sugar Sell and Sugar Market ecosystems. We didn't just test the basic lead-tracking features; we spent time building custom Dashlets, testing the SugarPredict AI with complex B2B datasets, and evaluating the platform’s new Focus Drawers to see if they truly reduce the tab fatigue common in older CRM systems.

Our reviews are 100% independent. We never accept payment for product rankings, ensuring that our verdict on SugarCRM’s high cost-of-entry and its powerful, "time-aware" data engine is based strictly on how it serves the needs of a scaling enterprise in 2026.

SugarCRM core capabilities

SugarCRM's centralized database allows users to access and update contact details, interaction history, and account-specific data, enabling a complete view of customer relationships. It lets users track and nurture leads through various stages of the sales funnel, with customizable lead scoring. You also have tools for tracking deal progress, assigning probabilities, and forecasting potential revenue.

A sales pipeline offers visual representations of the sales process, allowing sales managers to quickly assess the health of their sales funnel and identify bottlenecks. I liked how the drag-and-drop functionality was implemented, making it easy to update deal status.

For forecasting, SugarCRM uses historical data and current information to help reps fulfill their quotas. I found the AI-powered forecasting tools to be flexible, allowing users to create projections based on various criteria such as product lines, territories, or individual sales reps. This is a valuable feature for businesses looking to make more data-driven decisions.

The system offers a wide range of pre-built reports and dashboards, covering key metrics across sales, marketing, and customer service. I also had the ability to create custom reports and visualizations without extensive technical knowledge. This has got even more detailed with the CRM's recent Sankey diagrams, which allow you to see exactly where deals are dropping off and which marketing channels are providing the most fluid path to a sale. Additional analytics tools also provide extra insights into customer behavior, sales performance, and overall business health.

SugarCRM offers a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices, allowing users to access and update data on the go. I found the mobile interface to be intuitive and responsive, offering most of the core functionalities available in the desktop version.

SugarCRM also excels in its marketing automation capabilities. The platform offers tools for creating and managing marketing campaigns, tracking their performance, and nurturing leads through automated workflows. I was particularly impressed by the email marketing features, which allow for personalized, targeted communications based on customer data and behavior. With SugarPredict 2.0, the CRM moves beyond simple scoring and can now autonomously enrich contact records. For instance, if you enter a name and a company, SugarCRM's AI now searches social and public data to populate the profile and apply tags based on their current buyer intent signals.

Apart from sales, the system supports customer-facing teams by including case management tools, allowing support teams to track and resolve customer issues efficiently. There's even a knowledge base feature, enabling businesses to create and maintain a repository of helpful information for both customers and internal teams.

For collaboration, activity streams provide real-time updates on customer interactions and internal communications, ensuring that all team members are on the same page. I imagine this would be particularly useful for fostering cross-functional collaboration and maintaining a consistent customer experience across touchpoints.

SugarCRM offers extensive options for tailoring the CRM to specific business needs, from custom fields and modules to workflow automation. Additionally, SugarCRM's open API architecture allows for seamless integration with a wide range of third-party applications, enhancing its adaptability to different business ecosystems.

How easy is SugarCRM to use?

SugarCRM provides a rich set of features, but new users must navigate a learning curve. The UI is functional yet feels outdated compared to modern CRM systems. The layout is logical, featuring a left-side navigation bar for quick access to modules like Accounts, Contacts, and Opportunities. However, the numerous options can be overwhelming for new users.

You can adjust the interface to meet your needs, rearranging fields, creating custom modules, and designing dashboards. While the flexibility is useful, it also makes the initial setup more time-consuming. Without careful planning, the system can become cluttered. A small but powerful recent UI addition to the platform is the "Last Interaction" field. Now, across all modules, a new column shows the exact date and context of your last engagement (email, call, or meeting) at a glance, allowing for instant prioritization of neglected leads.

Accessibility features exist but could be improved. The platform includes keyboard shortcuts, which assist users with mobility issues. However, screen reader compatibility and color contrast options need enhancement for users with visual impairments. Text resizing and color adjustments are available but lack the smoothness seen in some modern applications.

SugarCRM offers a mobile app for iOS and Android, enabling users to access and update CRM data on the go. However, the mobile interface lacks some depth and customization found in the desktop version, limiting users who depend on mobile access.

The company provides various learning options, including documentation, video tutorials, webinars, and instructor-led sessions. SugarCRM University offers structured learning paths for different roles and skill levels. Despite these resources, the system's complexity means new users may need weeks to become fully proficient, especially if customizing the platform for their organization.

The global search function is powerful, allowing me to find information quickly across modules. However, search results can be overwhelming due to the volume of data. Advanced filtering options help, but mastering them adds to the learning curve.

SugarCRM's reporting and analytics tools are robust but can be complicated for beginners. Creating custom reports and dashboards requires a solid understanding of the system's data structure. While pre-built reports exist, tailoring them often needs extra training or support. I also liked the system's workflow automation capabilities. But setting up workflows can be complex and may need extra effort.

Overall, SugarCRM's ease of use varies. Organizations willing to invest time in setup, customization, and training can find it powerful and flexible. However, those seeking a simple, out-of-the-box solution may face challenges due to the platform's complexity. New users should prepare for a steeper learning curve compared to simpler CRM solutions.

SugarCRM integrations

SugarCRM excels in integration, connecting easily with other business tools. It offers many pre-built links, ideal for quick setups. These include Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, DocuSign, and Slack. This allows users to blend SugarCRM into their workflows with minimal setup.

I appreciate the support for iPaaS vendors like Zapier and Make. It really expands connectivity, especially for custom needs or niche applications. Even non-technical users can create complex workflows, boosting productivity and data consistency.

For advanced needs, SugarCRM offers a REST API. Developers can create custom links and extend functionality. The documentation is thorough, with guides, samples, and references. However, using it requires technical skills and programming knowledge.

SugarCRM handles data syncing well, keeping information consistent across systems. It even offers a choice between real-time or scheduled syncs, which is missing from most CRMs. Still, it's best to monitor the process when exchanging large volumes of data.

The platform simplifies integration management by combining external connectors into a central interface. It offers insights into the status, history, and issues of integrations. Data mapping tools help align fields, reducing errors.

How good is SugarCRM's support?

SugarCRM provides a well-rounded approach to customer support, offering various channels for assistance. Its online support portal acts as the main hub for service interactions. Users can submit and track support cases, access documentation, and connect with the SugarCRM community.

But the support system has a tiered structure with different subscription levels. All customers have access to basic support, while higher-tier subscribers enjoy quicker response times and extra channels.

Email support is available to all customers, with response times varying by issue severity and subscription level. Typically, responses for non-critical issues range from a few hours to one business day. However, for urgent matters, the support team often prioritizes responses, sometimes providing initial feedback within an hour.

SugarCRM's self-service resources are extensive. The knowledge base covers a wide array of topics, from basic functions to advanced customization. The documentation is well-organized and regularly updated, making it useful for troubleshooting or learning about new features. Additionally, SugarCRM offers video tutorials and webinars for visual guidance on various platform aspects.

The community forum is another valuable support resource. Users can connect with peers, share best practices, and sometimes receive help from company staff. While community support can vary, I found the SugarCRM forum to be active and helpful.

Enterprise and Ultimate edition customers can access 24/7 phone support for urgent issues, a major benefit for businesses across different time zones. For those needing even more hands-on assistance, SugarCRM provides professional services and training options, including implementation support, custom development, and online or in-person training sessions.

However, the live chat functionality could definitely stand to improve. During testing, I found that live chat support was often unavailable and wait times were usually much longer than anticipated.

Still, user feedback regarding the platform's support quality is mostly positive, with many customers praising the knowledge and responsiveness of the support team. However, experiences can differ, with some users reporting delays in resolving more complex issues.

SugarCRM pricing and plans

SugarCRM has 3 main product lines: Sugar Sell for sales teams, Sugar Serve for customer service, and Sugar Market for marketing automation.

Sugar Sell, the primary CRM, begins at $59 per user monthly with 12-month billing. The base plan, Sugar Sell Essentials, targets small to medium-sized businesses and includes essential functions like contact management, basic workflow automation, and standard reporting.

Sugar Sell also presents advanced tiers: Sugar Sell Advanced at $85 per user monthly and Sugar Sell Premier at $135 per user monthly. These higher tiers add features like advanced workflow automation, improved support, and AI-powered analytics.

Most plans necessitate at least 3 users, while some higher tiers require a minimum of 10. This could limit accessibility for very small businesses or startups with few team members.

SugarCRM provides various add-ons and integrations that enhance functionality but incur extra costs. However, the company does not publicly disclose pricing for these add-ons, complicating cost estimation without contacting their sales team.

SugarCRM offers a free trial for 7 days, allowing potential customers to explore the platform before purchase. However, it lacks a permanent free plan.

Regarding discounts, SugarCRM does not publicly promote standard discount programs. However, my research suggests that enterprise-level customers can often negotiate better rates. Bundling multiple Sugar products, such as combining Sugar Sell with Sugar Serve, might also yield cost savings, although specific details are not readily available.

In comparison to other CRM providers, SugarCRM's pricing falls within the mid-range. It tends to be pricier than basic CRM solutions such as Less Annoying CRM, but it can be more cost-effective than some enterprise-level competitors. Also, a recent study by Nucleus Research suggests that SugarCRM users might reduce their total cost of ownership by up to 32% compared to Salesforce.

How to pick

SugarCRM is no longer a one-size-fits-all tool. It has evolved into a high-performance engine for companies with complex, data-heavy sales cycles. To decide if it fits your business needs, it's important to consider a few factors, including your internal resources and the tools you already employ.

If you have a dedicated CRM administrator or an IT team that loves to tinker, SugarCRM is a dream. Its open-standard architecture allows for deeper customization than HubSpot or Pipedrive. However, if you are a small team looking for a plug-and-play solution, the platform’s steep learning curve and mandatory demo-led onboarding may feel like an unnecessary hurdle.

Also, think carefully whether you need an everything-in-one tool. If your sales team is tired of switching between five different apps to see a customer’s journey, SugarCRM’s recently added Focus Drawers and Sugar Connect (which embeds the CRM directly into Outlook or Gmail) are top-tier. If you are already happy with your existing marketing and service tools, you may find SugarCRM's integrated suites redundant.

How we test

Our testing methodology ensures that every review is grounded in the reality of modern business operations. We measure UI Efficiency by counting the number of clicks and screen refreshes required to complete a standard sales task, such as qualifying a lead and scheduling a follow-up. As such, we specifically tested SugarCRM's Focus Drawers to see if they successfully keep users on a single dashboard.

We also tested SugarCRM's 180+ ERP integrations. We simulated a Sales-to-Finance handoff, pushing a closed deal into a mock ERP system to check for data latency and syncing errors. And we got to grips with SugarCRM's mobile app in real-world scenarios, testing its Geo-Mapping for field sales reps and its ability to log voice notes and meetings while offline.

Finally, no review is complete without examing cost. However, we look beyond the sticker price to calculate the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) over 24 months, including the cost of required user minimums and the Premier Support tiers often necessary for enterprise features.

SugarCRM review: Final verdict

SugarCRM is a strong and flexible CRM solution that provides a wide range of features for sales, marketing, and customer service. Its best quality is how customizable it is, which allows businesses to create an experience that fits their needs.

That said, some users might find the interface a bit complex, which could be a challenge for smaller organizations with limited technical expertise. While the pricing is competitive for mid-market businesses, it may be a bit high for very small teams or startups.

Overall, SugarCRM seems like a great fit for medium to large enterprises that have the resources to make the most of its features. Businesses, such as manufacturing organizations, with complex sales processes or deep integration needs will find it especially useful.

SugarCRM FAQ

Sage CRM is a dependable customer relationship management solution designed for small and medium-sized businesses. Its key features include contact and communications management, sales force automation, marketing automation, and customer service tools.

Looking into Sage CRM, I found it to be a well-rounded CRM platform with a solid set of features to help businesses streamline their sales, marketing, and customer service processes. The interface is user-friendly and customizable, making it easy to tailor the system to your company's specific needs.

However, a potential drawback is that it lacks the number of advanced integrations boasted by competitors like Salesforce or HubSpot. However, Sage CRM's reliability and scalability make it a strong contender for SMBs looking to better manage customer interactions and drive business growth.

Sage CRM core capabilities

Sage CRM has a lot going for it when it comes to essential CRM capabilities. I've been impressed by how it covers the full gamut of what you'd expect in a modern customer relationship management system.

To start, Sage CRM provides robust contact management, allowing you to track and manage every interaction with prospects and customers across your entire business. The sales force automation features are designed to accelerate your sales processes, providing tools to generate leads, manage opportunities, and close deals more efficiently.

Then there’s the targeted marketing functionality. Sage CRM gives you the ability to easily plan, execute, and evaluate your marketing programs. You can segment your audience, personalize your messaging, and measure the ROI of your campaigns — all from within the CRM.

Of course, CRMs aren’t complete without strong customer service capabilities. Sage CRM aims to help you exceed customer expectations with tools for case management, service level tracking, and a searchable knowledge base. I particularly like the customer self-service portal, which empowers customers to find answers and log requests on their own.

Sage has also kept up with the times by incorporating social capabilities and mobile access. You can engage with customers on social media channels and access the platform from any device.

Another big plus in my book is the tight integration Sage CRM offers with various Sage accounting packages like Sage 100 and Sage 300. Connecting your front and back office data can provide powerful insights to drive your business forward.

Reporting and analytics are also key strengths. Sage CRM includes interactive dashboards and customizable reports to help you forecast sales, monitor key metrics, and gain visibility into team performance. You can slice and dice data to your heart's content.

Lastly, I'm a big fan of the customizable workflows and process automation in Sage CRM. You can easily optimize and standardize processes across sales, marketing, and service to maximize productivity. And the Outlook integration is top-notch for seamless email communications.

All in all, Sage stacks up very well in terms of its breadth and depth of core CRM functionality. While every business has unique needs, Sage covers all the critical bases you'd want in a CRM platform. It's well worth considering for any small to mid-market company looking to take their customer management to the next level.

How easy is Sage CRM to use?

Intuitive interface design, extensive training resources, and straightforward customization are a few key factors that make this platform so easy to use, especially for new users just getting started with a CRM.

Right off the bat, I found the Sage CRM dashboard quite clean and simple to navigate. The layout feels logical, with clearly labeled tabs for jumping between different functional areas. Moving between records can be a bit clunky at times, but overall, the interface gets the job done without overwhelming the user.

Another area where Sage really shines is the wealth of onboarding and training materials they provide through Sage University. When you're new to the platform, having readily available guides, tutorials, and templates to learn from makes a huge difference. Sage has put effort into creating resources to flatten the learning curve.

Sage CRM also offers a good deal of flexibility to tailor the software to your needs. I was impressed with the ability to completely customize important details like quote templates and pricing sources. Mapping out activities in the calendar and setting up workflows also proved fairly intuitive. You don't need to be an IT whiz to mold Sage CRM to your business.

In terms of becoming proficient, I'd estimate most users with a bit of CRM experience could get up and running within a week or two. Those starting from scratch might need closer to a month to feel fully comfortable. But with solid customer support and those extensive training materials, Sage puts in the legwork to make their CRM as approachable as possible.

Ease of use is definitely one of Sage CRM's strong suits. The thoughtful interface, customization options, and educational resources combine to make this a platform that won't leave new users scratching their heads or tearing their hair out. While not without some minor quirks, Sage CRM does a commendable job catering to users of all skill levels.

Integrations

Generally speaking, Sage CRM has strong integration capabilities. The platform offers a variety of ways to connect with other applications and systems.

For starters, Sage has a number of pre-built integrations and connectors available, which makes it easy to quickly link up with popular business apps like Mailchimp, QuickBooks, and more. While not as expansive as competitors like Salesforce or Zendesk, it’s still pretty good.

If you need a more custom integration, Sage CRM also has good support for iPaaS vendors. It integrates seamlessly with automation tools like Zapier and Make. This allows you to create your own integrations and automated workflows without needing to code.

Under the hood, Sage CRM provides a powerful set of REST and SOAP APIs. These give developers the ability to build deep, custom integrations with external databases and systems. While researching, I found some users reporting that the REST API responses can be a bit slow at times. So the performance may not be best-in-class, but overall, the APIs seem reliable and full-featured.

The platform also has some helpful features to make integrating data easier, like the ability to directly connect to and model external database tables. Users say the data synchronization is generally smooth.

All in all, I'm quite impressed with Sage CRM from an integration standpoint. Between the pre-built connectors, iPaaS support, open APIs, and data syncing capabilities, the platform checks all the key boxes. And it seems to mostly deliver on the ease-of-use front as well. You may run into some performance limitations with more complex integrations, but for most needs, Sage CRM looks to be a strong integration option.

How good is Sage CRM customer support?

When it comes to customer support, Sage CRM offers a solid range of options for users to get help when they need it. The company provides live support via phone and email during standard business hours, which are 8 am-5 pm GMT+2 Monday through Thursday, and 8 am-4 pm on Fridays. So while 24/7 support is not available, the hours are reasonable and cover the prime working hours for most customers.

In terms of responsiveness, I found that customers generally expect an email reply within 24 hours from support teams. While I couldn't locate Sage CRM's specific first response time metrics, user reviews suggest that the support is prompt and helpful overall. Many customers complimented how easy the software is to learn and use, even for employees with no prior experience with CRMs, which likely cuts down on the volume of support requests.

For those who prefer to find answers on their own, Sage also offers a good set of self-service resources. These include an online knowledge base and help center with how-to articles and guides, video tutorials, a user community forum, and product documentation. Having all of this information readily available enables customers to troubleshoot issues and learn the software at their own pace.

The quality of support seems to be a highlight for many Sage CRM users based on the testimonials and reviews I analyzed. Customers frequently praise the support team for being responsive, knowledgeable, and able to resolve issues quickly. Some reviewers noted that the initial setup and configuration were made easier with the help of support. There were a few complaints about long hold times or unresolved problems.

My overall assessment is that Sage CRM delivers an effective and well-rounded customer support experience. While round-the-clock live support is lacking, they make up for it with strong documentation, an active user community, and support reps that are consistently described as helpful and efficient by customers. The self-service options are robust, and the positive sentiment regarding support quality is reassuring for businesses evaluating the platform. Sage CRM's support may not be flawless, but it appears to meet or exceed most customers' expectations.

Sage CRM pricing and plans

Sage CRM offers two deployment options with different pricing models. For the cloud version, Sage charges $45 per user per month. This is a simple, transparent subscription model that allows you to scale up or down as needed.

For the on-premise version, you'll need to contact Sage directly for a custom quote based on your specific requirements. Factors like the number of users, add-on features, and contract length can all impact the final price.

One thing I like is that Sage CRM includes a free trial for its cloud version, so you can take the software for a test drive before committing to a paid plan. This lets you ensure it has all the features and capabilities your business needs.

However, I couldn't find any information on the length of the trial period, so that's something you may want to clarify with the sales team. Additional costs for onboarding, customization, integrations, or support when choosing Sage’s on-premise option are also not clearly listed, from what I could see.

Overall, while the cloud pricing is straightforward, Sage could be more transparent about the full costs involved, especially for the self-hosted version. You'll likely need to go through the sales process to get a complete picture of the investment required, both upfront and ongoing.

For smaller businesses, that $45/user/month starting price is on the higher end compared to some entry-level CRM plans. But for larger teams that need the advanced features Sage CRM offers, it may prove to be a worthwhile value. As with any substantial software purchase, I recommend doing a thorough ROI analysis based on your company's unique situation and goals.

Sage CRM review: Final verdict

Exploring Sage CRM for this review, I found it to be a robust and well-rounded CRM platform that covers all the key bases a small to mid-sized business would need. The thoughtfully designed interface, customization options, and extensive training resources make it approachable for users of all skill levels.

Sage particularly shines when it comes to core CRM functionality like contact management, sales automation, targeted marketing campaigns, and customer service. I was impressed by the ability to track every customer interaction, accelerate the sales process, personalize marketing messaging, and deliver top-notch service through tools like a self-service portal and knowledge base.

With a host of pre-built connectors, iPaaS support, open APIs, and data syncing features, the platform is well-equipped to connect with all the other critical apps and systems a business relies on. While pre-built connectors are a bit limited, Sage CRM offers plenty of other options from an integration standpoint.

While the pricing isn't the most transparent, especially for the on-premise deployment, the overall feature set and usability likely justify the cost for many organizations. And the free trial provides a nice opportunity to validate that before diving in.

I believe Sage CRM is best suited for small to medium-sized companies that want a full-featured and customizable CRM platform they can grow with over time. Companies that have outgrown basic contact management tools but aren't ready for the complexity of an enterprise CRM will likely find Sage CRM to be a happy medium that meets their needs quite well.

BoomTown is a full-featured real estate CRM that provides the marketing muscle agents need to generate and convert leads. The cloud-based platform offers a comprehensive suite of tools spanning lead generation, IDX websites, email campaigns, transaction management, AI business analytics, and more.

What sets BoomTown apart from other CRM platforms is the breadth of its capabilities. While it may not be the absolute best in any one area, few CRMs can match its overall scope. The automated marketing features and lead gen services are particularly strong. You also get a dedicated success manager to help turn those leads into commissions.

BoomTown's slick mobile app puts the power of the CRM in your pocket when you're on the go. Plus, the open API enables integrations beyond the 20+ third-party solutions it natively supports to further extend the functionality. If you're looking for an all-in-one platform to run your real estate business, BoomTown is a solid contender.

BoomTown CRM core capabilities

BoomTown CRM delivers on all the features aimed at empowering real estate professionals to efficiently manage their contacts, track pipelines, forecast sales, and gain actionable insights through analytics.

A solid contact management system, BoomTown allows users to centralize all their leads and client information in one place, making it easy to navigate and stay organized. I found the ability to add detailed notes, set reminders, and automate follow-ups valuable for nurturing relationships and maintaining communication.

When it comes to pipeline tracking, BoomTown CRM offers a visual and intuitive interface. The pipeline view provides a clear overview of where each deal stands, enabling agents to identify bottlenecks and prioritize their efforts. I appreciate how the system automatically updates the pipeline stages based on predefined criteria, saving time and reducing the risk of manual errors.

Sales forecasting is another area where BoomTown outperforms many competitors. The platform leverages historical data and current pipeline information to generate accurate revenue projections. Very useful for strategic planning and resource allocation. I found the customizable forecast reports especially neat, as they allow for a granular analysis of expected sales by agent, region, or property type.

For analyzing performance, BoomTown offers a wealth of insights and metrics to help agents and brokers measure their success and identify areas for improvement. From lead conversion rates to average time to close, the analytics dashboard provides a comprehensive view of key performance indicators. I particularly like the ability to benchmark individual and team performance against industry standards, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

The platform's mobile app, available for both iOS and Android devices, provides agents with on-the-go access to their contacts, pipeline, and tasks. I found the app's user interface to be intuitive and responsive, allowing for seamless productivity even when out of the office and in the field.

Beyond the core features, BoomTown CRM offers a range of additional capabilities that enhance its value proposition. The system integrates with popular real estate tools like MLS databases, task managers, and marketing automation platforms, streamlining workflows and eliminating data silos. I also appreciate the customization options, which allow brokerages to tailor the platform to their specific needs and branding.

While BoomTown CRM excels in many areas, there are a few aspects that could be improved. The learning curve for some of the more advanced features can be steep and the initial setup process may require dedicated training. Additionally, the pricing structure may be a bit steep for smaller brokerages or individual agents.

Overall, BoomTown CRM delivers a comprehensive and powerful solution for real estate professionals looking to optimize their contact management, pipeline tracking, sales forecasting, and performance analytics. The platform's mobile access and additional features further enhance its value. Despite some minor drawbacks, I believe BoomTown CRM is a top contender in the real estate CRM space, offering the tools and insights needed to drive success in today's competitive market.

How easy is BoomTown CRM to use?

Coming over to the UX, BoomTown CRM gets mostly positive remarks from users and reviewers. The user interface is frequently described as visually appealing and enjoyable to use. One reviewer noted, "It is by far the most visually appealing real estate software, which makes it incredibly easy to use."

The mobile app also receives praise for bringing the full CRM functionality together in a neat, mobile-friendly format. Generating and managing leads, tracking progress, and automated email marketing are all called out as working smoothly.

However, the learning curve isn't zero. Some reviews mention it takes time to get everything set up and running optimally. At least one user complained about slow response times when seeking support.

BoomTown loses some points compared to competitors for its landing page builder. While functional, it's based on WordPress, which involves more of a learning curve compared to proprietary builders offered by some rival CRMs. That said, WordPress is also known for its outstanding flexibility.

Overall, though, BoomTown appears to be an intuitive platform that becomes easy to use once you're over the initial learning curve. But those looking for more of a "just works" experience with minimal customization may want to evaluate other options.

Integrations

When it comes to integrations, BoomTown doesn't disappoint. The CRM offers a wide range of pre-built integrations and connectors with popular real estate tools and services, allowing agents to seamlessly connect their entire arsenal of apps into one central command center.

Some standout native integrations include Sisu for syncing transaction and lead data, BombBomb for easily embedding video content into marketing materials, Brokermint for transaction management, CallAction for capturing inbound calls as new leads, dotloop for syncing deals, and even Google Calendar for scheduling appointments.

Through Zapier, BoomTown can integrate with a whopping 6,000 other apps, making it incredibly versatile. You can use Zapier to set up automated workflows between BoomTown and apps like Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and countless others with just a few clicks. The possibilities are nearly endless.

BoomTown also offers an API for custom integrations if you have more advanced needs. While I wasn't able to test the API directly, user reports suggest the documentation is comprehensive and that it’s reliable for syncing data across systems.

That said, some users have reported occasional hiccups with the speed and consistency of data syncing between apps using pre-built connectors. However, this seems to be more the exception than the norm. Generally speaking, however, I'm impressed with BoomTown's integration capabilities despite being a niche real estate CRM.

How good is BoomTown customer support?

BoomTown offers a solid range of live support channels, including phone, email, and live chat to get help from a real person. They also provide self-service support options like a knowledge base and community forum to let users find answers on their own.

In terms of responsiveness, BoomTown's support team is generally prompt based on my experience and user reviews. While I couldn't find specific data on the CRM support’s average first response and resolution times, most customers seem satisfied with how quickly the support reps get back to them.

The quality of support also appears to be a strength for BoomTown. Their support staff are consistently described as helpful, knowledgeable, and easy to work with in solving issues. That said, support experiences aren't consistent across the board. Some users have encountered slower or less reliable support at times.

So while there's room for improvement, BoomTown delivers responsive support more often than not. The multiple support channels and self-service resources provide flexibility, with most customers having only positive things to say about their support interactions. But as with any vendor, individual support experiences may vary.

BoomTown CRM pricing and plans

BoomTown offers a few different pricing plans catered to teams of different sizes, but their main "Advance" plan, aimed at larger teams and brokerages, comes with a hefty $1,500 per month price tag and a $1,500 setup fee. This places BoomTown on the higher end of the real estate CRM price spectrum.

There are no discounts advertised on BoomTown's website, though some agent coaching programs, like Tom Ferry's "Advantage", offer a slight discount on the platform. BoomTown also doesn't provide a free trial of its software, so you'll have to rely on demos to get a sense of the system before committing.

In addition to the base monthly fee, BoomTown requires an advertising budget of at least $1,000 per month to fund lead generation through channels like Google Ads and Facebook. So all-in, expect to pay a minimum of around $2,500 per month plus the one-time setup fee for a standard BoomTown plan.

For that price, you get a relatively full-featured CRM with built-in IDX websites, lead generation and qualification tools, and automated marketing features. But there are certainly more affordable options out there that cover much of the same ground.

The lack of transparent a la carte pricing or a free trial period is a downside in my view. CRMs these days usually offer some sort of try-before-you-buy option, even if it's limited. And the additional marketing spend on top of the base platform fee means your monthly software costs can quickly add up with BoomTown.

Still, for larger teams and brokerages with the budget to match, BoomTown is a proven CRM system used by many top real estate offices. Just make sure you factor in the total costs, including setup fees and ad spend, when comparing the platform to lower-priced competitors. A thorough demo or an agent coaching program discount could help take some of the sting out of the steep sticker price.

BoomTown CRM review: Final verdict

BoomTown delivers an impressive real estate CRM that provides the sales and marketing capabilities agents need to effectively generate and convert leads. What sets BoomTown apart is the scope — while it may not be the absolute best-in-class in any one thing, few competitors can match its feature set.

Its automated marketing tools and lead generation services are particularly strong suits. I was impressed by how the system leverages AI to optimize ad spend and funnel high-quality leads. You also get a dedicated success manager to help turn those leads into closed deals.

While mastering all the features involves a learning curve and the price point is on the higher end, BoomTown is a serious contender for tech-savvy teams and brokerages looking for an all-in-one solution to run their business. If maximizing productivity with a single, streamlined platform is the goal, BoomTown fits the bill nicely.

Cinc is making waves in the real estate CRM space with its feature-rich all-in-one platform. This cloud-based solution equips agents and teams with sleek IDX websites, powerful marketing automation, and intelligent contact management tools — all under one virtual roof.

From my experience demoing the product, Cinc's intuitive interface makes it easy to capture and nurture leads through the sales funnel. The system automatically enriches contact data, enabling highly targeted email and SMS campaigns. AI-powered insights help prioritize the hottest opportunities.

That said, Cinc's wealth of capabilities can feel overwhelming at first. Plan to invest time in onboarding and training to reap the full benefits. Also, smaller teams may find the price tag steep compared to more basic CRM platforms. But for agents serious about scaling their business, Cinc's robust feature set and glowing user reviews suggest it's a worthwhile investment.

Cinc CRM core capabilities

Cinc is an easy-to-use and mobile-friendly real estate CRM platform suitable for teams of all sizes. It has the essential capabilities you'd expect in a CRM system. This includes contact management to organize and store customer information, lead capture to automatically identify and save potential leads, and lead management features to nurture prospects throughout the sales cycle.

But where Cinc shines is its focus on mobile-first access for field agents. The platform offers three mobile apps that allow agents to close deals on the go, gather open house data, and put listings out to the world. Having tested the mobile apps myself, I found them intuitive and convenient for staying productive out in the field. The built-in VoIP phone service is also a nice touch for making calls.

On the sales enablement side, Cinc provides pipeline management to track opportunities and deals. The activity dashboard gives a useful overview of ongoing processes and incidents. Basic reporting and analytics are included to surface key metrics.

One area that could be improved is the website customization. While Cinc does include a premade IDX website for listings, the customization options are limited compared to some competitors. The email marketing tool gets the job done for sending campaigns, but advanced automation would be welcome.

On the plus side, Cinc offers impressive customer support. The company offers phone, email and chat support, plus an extensive knowledge base. From my research, the support team seems to be responsive and helpful.

While it may not have all the bells and whistles of enterprise real estate CRMs, Cinc covers the fundamentals well. For small real estate teams looking for a simple and mobile-friendly CRM they can pick up quickly, Cinc is a compelling option. Just be aware of the limitations around website customization and marketing automation as the business scales.

How easy is Cinc to use?

Getting started with Cinc CRM is a quick and painless process. After requesting a demo, the Cinc team provides an interactive walkthrough of the platform's key features. Since it's a cloud-based solution, no installation is required; you can dive right in.

While the website customization options are more limited compared to some competitors, Cinc makes up for it with extensive training resources. The Cinc Academy knowledge base provides detailed self-serve guides, while periodic live and recorded webinars dive deeper into specific topics. For a more hands-on approach, in-person networking events and intensive classroom training sessions are also available.

Cinc claims that the average agent can set appointments worth over $7,500 in commissions during these training workshops. At the very least, it's clear that it has invested in helping users quickly master the platform and start generating real results.

Every aspect of the CRM is supported by interactive walkthroughs, so you're never left guessing how to accomplish a task. Between the knowledge base, webinars, and in-person training, Cinc provides all the resources needed to get up to speed efficiently, regardless of your learning style.

While Cinc doesn't specify an exact timeframe for reaching proficiency, the breadth and depth of their educational resources should have new users feeling confident navigating the platform's core functions in short order. The intuitive interface also goes a long way in flattening the learning curve.

Cinc CRM offers an accessible and well-supported user experience. What it may lack in website customization, it more than makes up for in its array of practical training resources designed to help agents turn the CRM into a lead-generating machine with minimal ramp-up time. For teams looking to start capitalizing on Cinc's robust feature set from day one, they won't be disappointed.

Integrations

Cinc makes it straightforward to connect its CRM with a wide range of applications. It offers pre-built integrations and connectors for many popular real estate apps, including BombBomb, Callingly, BrokerMint, and Realty.com. If a native integration isn't available, you can still link Cinc with over 6,000 other tools via Zapier.

For situations that require custom integrations, Cinc provides a robust API. Developers can use it to sync data bi-directionally and build tailored solutions. The documentation seems quite comprehensive from what I could tell after perusing their developer portal. That's good news if you have unique integration needs not covered by the pre-built connectors and Zapier.

In terms of data syncing reliability and performance, there isn't a ton of information available online. A few comments I came across in user reviews suggest that Cinc's integrations are generally solid, and data transfers happen quickly without major issues. Personally, I haven't encountered any issues either.

Cinc also incorporates some helpful quality-of-life features for simplifying the integration process. The integration library allows you to explore available connectors and provides setup guides for each. You can also view and manage all your active integrations from a centralized dashboard in the CRM.

How good is Cinc customer support?

Cinc provides multiple channels for customers to access support, including phone, email, and live chat. Its US-based support team is available Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 7 pm Eastern Time and on Saturdays from 9:30 am to 2 pm ET. The company lists dedicated phone numbers and email addresses to reach their sales and support teams directly.

Live chat reps answer within a few minutes. They are friendly and knowledgeable, more than happy to offer step-by-step instructions to guide you through key tasks.

Cinc also offers a variety of self-service support resources. An online knowledge base, called Cinc Academy, contains detailed articles and video tutorials covering all aspects of using the platform. There's also a community forum where users can ask questions and share best practices.

In reading through reviews on sites like Capterra and G2, I found a lot of praise for their support team. More than a few reviews highlighted the strong relationships they've built with Cinc's support reps and account managers, which shows that the company is willing to go the extra mile for good, long-term customer relationships.

While I wasn't able to find data on Cinc's average first response and resolution times, the general consensus from customers is that their support is prompt, knowledgeable, and goes above and beyond. However, I'd love to see them extend their live support hours and share more specific data on support KPIs, which could help create a more accessible and transparent customer experience.

Cinc pricing and plans

Cinc offers a variety of pricing plans to accommodate different-sized real estate teams, from individual agents to large brokerages. The details of each pricing tier aren't publicly disclosed, but here's what I was able to uncover.

The Solo plan is designed for an individual agent and includes core features like a CRM, marketing automation, a mobile app, landing pages, seller marketing tools, basic lead routing, and some integrations. Meanwhile, SMBS with up to 4 users can opt for the Ramp plan, which has all the functionality of the last plan with lead routing and additional integrations.

Larger teams of up to 49 agents would look at the Pro plan, while the Select plan handles brokerages of 50+ users. Both come with the full set of Cinc platform capabilities. All plans have access to Cinc's lead generation products, which include paid leads from Google and Facebook, as well as their proprietary List Cast and remarketing tools. Optional add-ons, like a power dialer or artificial intelligence, can raise costs.

I don't love the lack of transparency around pricing. You have to contact Cinc for a custom quote based on your team size and needs. Sources suggest that pricing is also generally quite high compared to other CRMs, likely due to the lead gen features.

Bottom line, Cinc's pricing model offers flexibility for different-sized businesses, but be prepared to spend at least $600 monthly even for the Solo plan. You'll have to crunch the numbers carefully to determine if the platform's lead management, marketing automation, and AI capabilities justify the steep price tag for your business.

Cinc CRM review: Final verdict

After thoroughly testing Cinc CRM, I think it's a feature-rich platform well-suited for real estate teams serious about scaling their business. Cinc takes an all-in-one approach, combining essential CRM capabilities with sleek IDX websites and AI marketing automation. The intuitive interface and strong mobile apps make it easy to stay productive on the go.

That said, Cinc's extensive feature set can feel overwhelming initially. Plan to invest time in their training resources to fully capitalize on everything the platform offers. The price point may also be steep for smaller teams compared to more basic CRMs.

But for established teams ready to level up their lead generation and relationship management, Cinc is a compelling choice. The system automatically enriches contact data, enabling highly targeted email and SMS campaigns. AI-powered insights help prioritize the hottest opportunities. And the responsive customer support team is there to help you succeed.

While areas like website customization and advanced marketing automation have room for enhancement, Cinc nails the fundamentals. If you're a growth-focused real estate team looking for an accessible yet comprehensive CRM to serve as a centralized operational hub, Cinc is well worth consideration.