Best sales management CRM systems in 2025

Research has shown that businesses using CRM systems see an average 29% increase in sales productivity and an impressive 42% improvement in sales forecasting accuracy. With over 91% of medium-sized businesses (10+ employees) already relying on these tools, CRMs have shifted from being a luxury to a necessity that sales teams use to track leads, streamline pipelines, and close deals.

In 2025, we have also seen AI introduced into these tools, allowing for robust automation, real-time insights, and customizable workflows. But, to enjoy all the benefits of sales management CRM systems, you need to find the ideal one for your business.

I’ve teamed up with the Cybernews research team to review and compare the best CRM systems for sales management in 2025. You’ll also find tips here on how to choose the right software.

Best sales management CRM systems – shortlist

1. Salesforce – ideal CRM for businesses needing advanced customization and AI insights
2. Monday – best CRM for visual project management and seamless team collaboration
3. Pipedrive – top-tier CRM designed for optimizing sales pipelines and automation
4. Zoho CRM – ideal CRM for growing businesses seeking AI-driven insights
5. Zendesk – best CRM for boosting sales productivity and streamlining automation
6. Close – ultimate sales CRM for startups and small businesses aiming to automate sales and simplify their tech stack
7. HubSpot CRM – best CRM for seamless sales and marketing alignment

The best sales management CRM systems compared

CRM	Best for	Pricing	Key features	Customization capabilities
Salesforce	Enterprises and businesses seeking advanced customization and AI insights	Custom pricing	Einstein AI, robust pipeline management, AppExchange integrations	Yes
Monday	Teams needing visual project management	From $12/seat/month	Customizable dashboards, no-code automation, Kanban/Gantt views	Yes
Pipedrive	Sales teams focused on pipeline management	From $24/user/month	Customizable pipelines, workflow automation, email tracking	Limited
Zoho CRM	Growing businesses needing AI-powered insights	From $18/user/month	Zia AI assistant, omnichannel communication, extensive app marketplace	Yes
Zendesk	Cross-department collaboration and automation	From $19/agent/month	Unified customer database, AI-powered insights, task automation	Yes
Close	Startups and small businesses automating sales	From $29/seat/month	Built-in calling, AI call assistant, Smart Views, KPI-based reporting	Yes
HubSpot CRM	Businesses aligning sales and marketing	Free plan; paid plan starts at $20/seat/month	Breeze Copilot, shared dashboards, predictive lead scoring	Yes

7 best sales management CRM systems – our detailed list

You have already had a peek at my top sales management CRM systems and what they offer, but before you decide, you’ll need more details, so I’ve written more informative reviews about each software. Read through to find the right platform for you.

1. Salesforce – best CRM for advanced customization and AI-driven insights

Best for	Businesses seeking advanced customization and AI-powered sales tools
Free trial	Yes (30 days)
Starting price	Custom
Standout features	Robust pipeline management, Einstein AI insights, customizable dashboards, and AppExchange integrations

Visit Salesforce

Salesforce is a pioneer in the CRM space and the world's most widely used sales management system, offering a comprehensive suite of tools designed to streamline sales processes and enhance customer relationships. Its standout feature is Einstein AI, which provides data-driven recommendations, predicts deal outcomes, and automates repetitive tasks.

Even better, the platform’s customization capabilities are unmatched. Businesses can tailor nearly every aspect of the CRM, from dashboards to workflows, ensuring it aligns perfectly with their unique needs. Salesforce’s AppExchange marketplace extends functionality further, with over 7000 third-party apps available for integration.

Sales teams will also enjoy Salesforce pipeline management, which offers a clear view of opportunities and actionable insights to drive growth. Its Sales Cloud platform simplifies the sales cycle, from prospecting to closing deals, while Agentforce (an AI-powered tool) autonomously handles outreach, email composition, and meeting scheduling.

While the learning curve can be steep, the robust onboarding resources and Trailblazer community make implementation manageable.

2. Monday – best CRM for visual project management and team collaboration

Best for	Sales teams seeking visual project management and collaboration tools
Free trial	Yes (14 days)
Starting price	$12/seat /month (free plan for 2 seats)
Standout features	Customizable dashboards, no-code automation, Kanban/Gantt views, and 200+ integrations

Visit Monday

Monday is more than just a CRM; it’s a comprehensive work management platform designed to streamline sales processes while fostering team collaboration. Its visual interface is truly a breath of fresh air, with colour-coded pipelines and drag-and-drop functionality that make managing leads and deals intuitive and, to some extent, enjoyable.

One of Monday’s standout features is its no-code automation builder, which allows teams to automate repetitive tasks like lead assignments, email follow-ups, and status updates. This feature is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) looking to save time and reduce manual workloads.

The platform’s Kanban and Gantt views provide a clear, visual representation of your sales pipeline, making it easy to track progress and identify bottlenecks. Additionally, Monday’s template library offers pre-built workflows for various industries, eliminating the need for teams to start from scratch.

Monday also excels in lead management, offering tools to capture, track, and nurture leads through customizable pipelines. Businesses also get to benefit from an extra layer of intelligence, thanks to AI-powered email composition and deal insights.

3. Pipedrive – top-notch CRM for sales pipeline management and automation

Best for	Sales teams focused on pipeline management and deal tracking
Free trial	Yes (14 days)
Starting price	$24/user/month
Standout features	Customizable pipelines, workflow automation, and email tracking

Visit Pipedrive

Pipedrive is a CRM built by salespeople, for salespeople. Its customizable pipelines are its best feature, allowing teams to visualize their sales process in a clear, Kanban-style view. The drag-and-drop functionality makes it easy to move deals through stages, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

I also liked that the platform excels in contact management, offering detailed profiles for each lead and a chronological timeline of interactions. This makes tracking emails, calls, and meetings easy, ensuring the team stays on top of every opportunity.

The email integration is another major plus. You can sync your Gmail or Outlook account, track email opens and clicks, and even create templates for personalized outreach. While it lacks advanced email marketing features, it covers the basics well for sales-focused teams.

4. Zoho CRM – best CRM for growing businesses in need of AI-powered insights

Best for	Growing businesses seeking AI-driven insights and omnichannel capabilities
Free trial	Yes (15 days)
Starting price	$18/user/month (free version for up to three users)
Standout features	AI-powered Zia assistant, extensive marketplace, robust mobile app, and omnichannel communication

Visit Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM is a powerhouse for businesses in growth mode. Its AI-powered Zia assistant is a standout feature, offering predictive analytics, lead scoring, and even voice commands to help sales teams prioritize opportunities and close deals faster. Zia’s ability to detect anomalies in sales trends and suggest the best times to contact leads adds a layer of intelligence that sets Zoho apart.

Zoho’s App Marketplace is also heaven for businesses looking to extend functionality. With over 1000 extensions and 40+ in-house apps, it’s one of the largest CRM marketplaces. Popular integrations include Google Workspace, Slack, Mailchimp, and Shopify, plus industry-specific solutions like CData for real-time Excel updates and Zadarma for phone systems.

I also found the mobile app to be quite impressive. Unlike many CRMs that offer limited functionality on mobile, Zoho’s app is packed with features like team collaboration tools, voice notes, analytics dashboards, and map integration. Even the AI-powered Zia is available on mobile, helping sales reps update records, log calls, and manage pipelines on the go.

5. Zendesk – best CRM for sales productivity and automation

Best for	Cross-department collaboration and automation
Free trial	Yes (14 days)
Starting price	$19/agent/month (free version for up to three users)
Standout features	Unified customer database, AI-powered insights, task automation, and advanced pipeline analysis

Zendesk, a respected name in help desk solutions for years, expanded its offerings with Zendesk Sell, a CRM designed to boost sales productivity through automation and seamless collaboration.

Its unified customer database ensures that sales, marketing, and customer service teams are always on the same page. Every interaction, whether an email, phone call, or social media message, is logged, ensuring no missed opportunities.

However, Zoho’s most impressive features remain its sales forecasting tools. Business managers can gain an overall view of all deals in the sales pipeline and compare them to closed deals to estimate order values and timescales. The AI model was built on years of support tickets and can even assess a deal’s “win likelihood” for you, providing insight on deals that aren’t progressing as planned.

Zendesk Sell also excels in task automation. Features like the task player streamline repetitive activities like email outreach and follow-ups, while the power dialer is another gem that enables sales reps to cycle through custom call lists quickly, log outcomes, and set reminders, all without leaving the platform.

6. Close – best sales CRM for startups and small businesses looking to automate sales processes and reduce tech stack complexity

Best for	Startups and small businesses focused on sales automation and productivity
Free trial	Yes (14 days)
Starting price	$29/seat/month
Standout features	Built-in calling, predictive dialer, AI call assistant, Smart Views, and KPI-based reporting

Close stands out as a modern, all-in-one CRM system designed to boost sales efficiency by combining communication tools, automation, and analytics into a single platform. Sales reps can make calls, send emails, and text leads directly from the platform, eliminating the need to switch between apps. The two-way email sync ensures all communication is tracked, while the predictive dialer automates outbound calls, connecting reps with leads faster.

Another helpful feature is the AI call assistant, which transcribes and summarizes calls in over 20 languages, generating actionable insights and follow-up tasks.

Remote sales teams will also take advantage of the CRM platform’s ability to integrate with Zoom, automatically syncing video meetings and recordings to the system. Close’s Smart Views and search functionality also help reps prioritize leads by displaying key data like recent email opens and renewal updates.

7. HubSpot CRM – best CRM for sales and marketing integration

Best for	Businesses seeking sales and marketing alignment
Free trial	Yes (free plan available)
Starting price	Free, with paid plans starting at $20/seat/month
Standout features	AI-powered analytics, shared dashboards, and predictive lead scoring

HubSpot CRM excels at bridging the gap between sales and marketing teams. Its shared dashboards provide real-time insights into lead generation, deal progress, and campaign performance, allowing teams to collaborate effectively.

The platform’s AI-powered tools, like Breeze Copilot, are game-changers. Breeze Copilot can draft emails, summarize customer interactions, and generate personalized content, saving teams hours of manual work. Its conversation intelligence feature also transcribes and analyzes calls, providing actionable insights.

For lead management, HubSpot’s automated workflows and lead scoring ensure that reps can set up triggers to automate follow-ups, assign tasks, and move leads through the pipeline efficiently. There’s also the predictive lead scoring feature for identifying high-value prospects.

How did we select the best sales management CRM systems?

To ensure our recommendations are accurate and unbiased, the Cybernews research team and I analyzed data from multiple sources. We examined user reviews and product demos and consulted real-world use cases to identify the top sales CRM solutions. Here’s how we evaluated them:

1. Ease of use (30%). We prioritized systems with intuitive interfaces, straightforward navigation, and quick learning curves to ensure teams can hit the ground running. Since CRM should seamlessly connect with existing tools, we also ranked systems according to their ability to integrate email platforms, market software, and other essential business applications.
2. Customization (25%). Businesses operate in different ways, so we looked for sales CRMs that offer flexible workflows, custom fields, and tailored dashboards to match your specific sales process.
3. Pricing (15%). Cost is a critical factor. We considered both upfront and long-term expenses, including subscription fees, add-ons, and training costs, to ensure value for money.
4. Scalability (15%). Your CRM should grow with your business. We evaluated systems that can handle increasing data volumes, users, and advanced features as your needs evolve.
5. Customer feedback (15%). Real user experiences matter, so we analyzed reviews from G2, Capterra, Gartner, and Reddit to understand satisfaction rates and identify common pain points.

What is a sales management CRM system?

A sales management CRM system is more than just a digital Rolodex. It has evolved to become the backbone of modern sales teams. While general CRMs focus on managing customer relationships across departments, a sales management CRM zeroes in on the sales process itself. It’s a specialized tool designed to help sales teams manage pipelines, track leads, and drive growth more precisely.

Think of it as a sales team’s command center. It helps reps prioritize leads, automate repetitive tasks, and close deals faster. From tracking every interaction with a prospect to forecasting revenue and identifying potential issues, this sales customer management software ensures reps don’t miss any opportunity.

One thing that sets sales customer relationship management systems apart is their ability to turn raw data into actionable insights. These CRM solutions use AI to predict which leads are most likely to convert, recommend the next best steps, and even automate follow-ups.

So, it’s not just about storing customer information but also using it to make smarter and faster sales decisions.

Key features of sales management CRM

A sales management CRM is packed with tools designed to supercharge your sales process. Here’s a quick rundown of its standout features:

• Pipeline management. Using a sales customer relationship management tool is like having a bird’s-eye view of your entire sales process. It allows you to visualize your sales funnel and track leads as they move through each stage, from initial contact to closed deal.
• Sales automation. You no longer have to struggle with repetitive tasks, as these CRM tools let you automate follow-up emails, data entry, and task reminders. This frees up your team’s time to focus on building relationships and closing deals.
• Lead scoring. Every sales rep knows that not all leads are created equal. Businesses can use AI-powered scoring to prioritize high-value prospects and ensure their team focuses on the opportunities that are most likely to convert.
• Reporting and analytics. Get real-time insights into your team’s performance. They help track metrics like conversion rates and revenue forecasts and create insightful reports, analyzing sales performance, customer behavior, and campaign effectiveness, ultimately leading to data-driven decisions.
• Customizability. A sales CRM management software can help you tailor workflows, data fields, page layouts, reports, and dashboards to fit your specific sales process and business needs. This ensures that the CRM adapts to you and not vice versa.

Benefits of a sales management CRM

Are you still having doubts about the strategic advantage sales CRM solutions can bring to your sales teams? I’ve created this list to show you the different ways a sales CRM can transform the way you sell:

• Improved sales efficiency. Automating repetitive tasks like follow-up emails, data entry, and task reminders frees up your team’s time. Instead of drowning in admin work, they can focus on what really matters: closing deals and building growth.
• Enhanced customer relationships. With a 360-degree view of every customer, your team can personalize interactions like never before. From remembering past conversations to anticipating needs, a CRM ensures every touchpoint feels tailored and meaningful.
• Accurate forecasting. A sales management CRM can provide your business with precise revenue forecasts by analyzing historical data and current trends. This helps make smarter decisions, allocate resources effectively, and set realistic goals.
• Scalable solutions. It doesn’t matter if you’re a small startup or a growing enterprise; a good sales management CRM grows with you. Solutions like Zendesk and HubSpot even offer robust free plans for small businesses and opportunities for future scaling. This is in addition to customizable workflows and advanced features that ensure the system adapts to your evolving needs.

How a sales CRM can impact different stages of the sales process

A sales management CRM can play a vital role at every stage of the sales process, adding efficiency, precision, and personalization to your strategy. Here’s how it can help you in each phase.

Lead generation

Finding high-quality prospects can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. A sales CRM simplifies this by centralizing lead data from multiple sources, including websites, forms, social media, and email campaigns. It ensures no lead is overlooked and helps your team focus on prospects most likely to convert.

This means you get higher-quality leads, smoother communication, and a steady flow of prospects into your pipeline.

Qualification

Next, a sales CRM uses lead scoring to prioritize high-potential prospects based on their behavior, demographics, and level of engagement. With this, you can be sure that your team is spending time on the leads that are more likely to convert, boosting efficiency and closing rates.

Features like AI-powered lead scoring, automated lead assignment, and real-time insights can help in this phase.

Conversion

Once a lead is qualified, the CRM management software takes over with tools like email automation, follow-up reminders, and personalized engagement. Thanks to automated workflows, you can be sure of timely follow-ups, while templates and tracking features help craft tailored messages that will impact prospects.

This eliminates common challenges, like inconsistent messaging and disorganized presentations, with solutions such as automated email sequences and presentation tools.

Retention

Everyone knows that the sale doesn’t end at closing. A sales CRM helps you nurture customer relationships with ongoing support, personalized communication, and upselling opportunities. By tracking customer interactions and preferences, your team can identify opportunities for cross-selling and ensure long-term loyalty.

How to choose the right sales management CRM system for my needs

With so many features available, selecting the ideal sales management CRM for your business can feel overwhelming. However, focusing on a few key factors can make the decision easier. The Cybernews team and I have identified these criteria, and you can check them out before deciding:

• Business size. Not all CRMs are created equal. Startups might prefer affordable, easy-to-use options like HubSpot CRM, while enterprises may need robust systems like Salesforce for advanced customization and scalability. So first, identify the size of your business and team when searching for a sales customer relationship program.
• Budget. Look beyond the upfront cost. Consider long-term expenses like subscription fees, add-ons, and even training. Free plans are great for small teams, but growing businesses may need to invest in premium features.
• Integration. Your sales CRM should play nice with the tools you already have. Check for compatibility with email platforms, marketing software, and other tools your team relies on daily. For your business to grow, every department needs to be able to collaborate efficiently, and a sales CRM should facilitate this.
• Ease of use. A user-friendly interface is crucial for adoption. Look for intuitive dashboards, drag-and-drop functionality, and mobile accessibility to ensure your team can hit the ground running. You want software that everyone on the team can easily access and use without needing support all the time, so check your team’s expertise level before going for any system.
• Industry-specific needs. Your industry will also determine the type of software you go for, as some CRMs cater to specific sectors. For example, Zoho CRM has proven effective in the real estate industry, while Pipedrive excels in sales pipeline management for small businesses. Conduct detailed research to see which option fits best or go for all-around platforms like Salesforce.

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Other sales & CRM tools you might be interested in:

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Final word on the best sales management CRM systems

Sales management CRM systems have become very important to modern sales teams, helping them track leads, streamline pipelines, and boost productivity.

Choosing the right CRM system depends on your business’s unique needs because no matter how good the software is, it must align with your sales processes and team dynamics to be effective.

Together with the Cybernews team, I made sure to find sales CRM systems that would work for almost any type of business, regardless of size or industry. So browse through my list, make your choice, and take your sales operation to the next level.

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