Zoho vs Salesforce Explained

Zoho CRM is often cited as the number one CRM alternative to Salesforce, the undisputed market leader when it comes to CRM software for your company. The Zoho CRM is considered a new, affordable platform on the market. Affordable because, among other things, it is the price that makes Zoho an attractive option for small and medium-sized companies. The range of functions it has also consolidates Zoho CRM’s place among the competition. But whether you choose Salesforce or ultimately Zoho CRM – it is essential that you choose a CRM software for your company, because it is and remains absolutely vital.

What is customer relationship management?

Before we delve deeper into the comparison and continue to throw the abbreviation CRM around, let’s take a step back and find out more about it. CRM is the abbreviation for “customer relationship management.” The long title, which everyone rightly only ever refers to in its abbreviated form, describes the strategic approach adopted for the complete planning, management and implementation of all active processes with the customer. CRM therefore encompasses the entire company and the customer life cycle. Viewed in detail, it is based on relationship marketing, i.e. relationships with customers, and knowledge management, i.e. extensive knowledge about the customer. Both together create the bridge for an excellent connection between the company and the customer.
Customer relationship management in any company pursues 3 concise objectives: All of the company’s activities must be geared towards the needs of the customer, the long-term nature of customer relationships must be the aim and, in terms of business orientation, the focus should be on processing customers that are profitable.

The answer to this question from all companies comes like a bullet from a gun: In huge quantities! The CRM helps you to achieve a high level of customer retention and loyalty and, ultimately, the highest possible turnover.
Above all, you acquire incredible customer knowledge by storing customer data and activities from all channels. Not only do you know your customers’ contact details, but you also know what their preferences are, what their needs are and, above all, how you can best reach them, when and with what offer. By monitoring customer activity, you can plan more effective and targeted marketing: You create dedicated campaigns and seize new sales opportunities while satisfying your customers with this personalized service. And all because a CRM gives you a comprehensive 360-degree view of the customer and, at the same time, automatically makes recommendations to improve the relationship further.
Speaking of automatic: Automated processes and workflow automations that you can create in your CRM have a groundbreaking impact on the efficiency of your day-to-day work. Time-controlled follow-ups ensure that contact with your customer is maintained and, ideally, sales are generated. The sales generated from this then appear in the dashboard of your CRM tool, so that you can always keep your pipeline transparent and create comprehensive forecasts.
However, a CRM system improves cross-departmental collaboration not only in terms of sales, but also in terms of teamwork. Your CRM provides your teams with a common platform that different departments can access, giving them a comprehensive insight into the workflow and customer data. This transparency improves communication within the team as a whole.

Salesforce is a SAAS solution. The abbreviation stands for “software as a service” – this means that all you need to use Salesforce is a computer and an internet connection. No complicated technology is required. The CRM software consists of various cloud solutions for sales, marketing, e-commerce and service. All of these solutions are integrated into a single system so that all employees from the various departments can work together on a common platform. Salesforce has been defending the title of market leader for years for good reason. With more than 150,000 users worldwide, it is a 360° customer success platform. The special thing about Salesforce is the AI-supported Sales Cloud, which was designed with Einstein AI Technology (the Ferrari of AI technologies). Salesforce therefore simplifies all sales processes, including sales forecast management to provide comprehensive sales forecasts. This means that every business process can be streamlined, automated and mobilized with Salesforce.

Who is Salesforce suitable for?

Despite the incredible complexity of the system, Salesforce is suitable for companies of all sizes. From start-ups to multinational corporations – the software offers everything that companies need and want to use, from simple to complex and more powerful solutions.

How much does Salesforce cost?

Of course, there is also a free trial version for Salesforce. At the end of this trial period, companies can choose one of four price packages with varying levels of licensing and functionality. The packages are available in Essentials, Professional, Enterprise and Unlimited Editions and vary between €25 and €300 per month per user.

Ready for a small change of perspective? Let’s take a look at Zoho CRM, the powerful CRM tool from the Zoho cosmos!
The cloud-based business management platform offers you a comprehensive customer relationship management solution in the form of sales and marketing automation tools including analysis and customer support functions. The features offered in the individual areas range from sales and process management, task distribution and customer communication to data analysis and sales enablement.
The huge database behind Zoho CRM stores an incredible amount of information that you can leverage to perfectly target your customers.

Although it is considered by many to be “new to the market”, Zoho has been a competitor in the IT industry since 2005. Today, nearly 20 years later, it can rightly call itself an experienced and reputable company thanks to its enormous expansion and several awards.

If you don’t believe us, read for yourself: Zoho CRM has an average ranking of 4.5/5 stars on comparison and rating platforms. No wonder more than 100 million users worldwide trust Zoho!

Who uses Zoho?

Speaking of millions of users worldwide – these are primarily employees of small and medium-sized companies! The majority share in the industry, so to speak, who want to comprehensively digitize their business areas and make their day-to-day work more efficient.

What does Zoho CRM cost?

Similar to Salesforce, you can choose between four price packages with Zoho CRM: Standard, Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate, which range in price from €14 to €52 per month per user.
There is also a free version with the basic range of functions that you can use with up to 3 users.

How secure is Zoho Mail?

Zoho Mail is Zoho’s email domain hosting that you can integrate with Zoho CRM.
In addition to extensive functions that you need for your business mail communication, Zoho Mail is particularly impressive due to its security. The software application is designed in accordance with compliance and security standards.
Physical security is guaranteed thanks to data centers, hardware and DOS and DDOS control. Comprehensive data protection is provided by DMARC, email guidelines, malware detection and spam filters.
In addition, Zoho Mail encrypts every email with in-transit encryption (even at rest!), S/MIME and TLS display. Of course, access to your mails is also secured with TFA, Single Sin-One, OAuth 2.0 and you will be provided with a report in the event of unusual activity.
Security certificates, archiving and eDiscovery, GDPR compliance and audit tracking round off Zoho Mail’s security package.

Of course, we also took a closer look at Zoho to ensure a fair comparison!
One huge advantage of Zoho is the free version. While this can only be used with a maximum of 3 users and is only available with a reduced scope of services, the functions are still sufficient to set up the basic structure of your CRM system without a large monetary investment.
If the features are not enough and you need to upgrade, you can expect a huge range of functions that really covers all your CRM needs – for companies of any size!
Of course, artificial intelligence is also a helping hand in Zoho CRM: Zia constantly supports users with customer communication and sales forecasts.
That is, assuming you speak the same language as her. This is unfortunately a disadvantage of Zoho CRM. The system is still lagging behind with regard to multilingualism – despite its ongoing conception of features. Unfortunately, not all Zia functions are yet available in German, for example.
Another disadvantage that users point out is the rather complicated pricing. At first sight, the division into four different price packages is optimal, but the different levels of functionality need to be determined precisely so that you can select the right package for your needs.

Yes, this is the question of all questions that you need to ask yourself when choosing the right CRM tool. For beginners and small companies, the free Zoho CRM version is the perfect way to slowly get to grips with the topic and gradually build up and continuously expand your CRM with Zoho. This means that Zoho CRM can also be used with individual customizations for complex solutions.
If you’ve tried and tested your existing CRM in your large company and want to take it to a new level, it’s definitely worth delving deeper into Salesforce – it’s not for nothing that most users rate the system as “highly developed”.

We know it, you know it – it’s hard for any CRM tool to keep up with the market leader Salesforce. Especially since it is considered so powerful. And then on top of that, there is Salesforce’s almost 30 years of experience as a CRM system – the steps that Salesforce has taken ahead of others in development cannot and should not be denied. But don’t underestimate Zoho CRM! It may still be classified as young, but it is growing in its functions and is taking on the competition in leaps and bounds, winning awards and never losing sight of its target group.
Ultimately, of course, the decision is up to you! This is the reason for our tip: Take advantage of the free trial periods offered by both systems and get to know Salesforce and Zoho CRM in practice. This is the best way to determine which of the two is the best for your needs!
Still undecided and/or leaning towards Zoho CRM? In that case, your free consultation and deep dive is just a phone call away! As a Zoho partner, we outline your requirements and present you with the appropriate Zoho CRM functions. Together we will determine your path to a state-of-the-art CRM and put it into practice!