Freshworks CRM vs Salesforce
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of Freshworks CRM and Salesforce. We compare features, pricing, ease of use, and value for money to help you make the right choice in 2026.
Reviewed by the Ikaroa team · Last updated: March 2026
Quick Verdict
Salesforce edges ahead overall with a rating of 4.3/5. However, Freshworks CRM (4.2/5) may be the better fit if you prioritise Growing businesses wanting a modern CRM with built-in communication tools. Read on for the full breakdown.
Freshworks CRM vs Salesforce at a Glance
Freshworks CRM
★ 4.2Freshworks (formerly Freshsales) offers a modern, AI-powered CRM with a clean interface. Part of the Freshworks suite that includes helpdesk and marketing tools.
Starting from: £0/month
Best for: Growing businesses wanting a modern CRM with built-in communication tools
Read full review →Salesforce
★ 4.3The world's leading CRM platform, Salesforce offers unmatched customisation and scalability. Best suited for larger organisations with complex sales processes and dedicated admin resources.
Starting from: £20/user/month
Best for: Mid to large enterprises needing highly customisable CRM with complex workflows
Read full review →Freshworks CRM vs Salesforce Feature Comparison
Here is how Freshworks CRM and Salesforce compare across the features that matter most. We have tested both platforms extensively across client implementations.
| Feature | Freshworks CRM | Salesforce |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan Available | Yes | No |
| Starting Price | £0/month | £20/user/month |
| Best For | Growing businesses wanting a modern CRM with built-in communication tools | Mid to large enterprises needing highly customisable CRM with complex workflows |
| Our Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes |
| Email Marketing | No | No |
| Automation | Yes | Yes |
| Reporting | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | Limited | Limited |
| API Access | Limited | Yes |
| Ikaroa Partner Discount | Free plan upgrade for 3 months | 15% off any plan |
Freshworks CRM vs Salesforce Pricing
Pricing is often the deciding factor. Here is a full breakdown of what each platform charges at every tier:
Freshworks CRM Pricing
Free
£0/month
- ✓Contact management
- ✓Built-in phone
- ✓Built-in email
- ✓Mobile app
Growth
£12/user/month
- ✓Everything in Free
- ✓Visual pipeline
- ✓AI lead scoring
- ✓Sequences
Pro
£33/user/month
- ✓Everything in Growth
- ✓Multiple pipelines
- ✓Time-based workflows
- ✓AI insights
Enterprise
£55/user/month
- ✓Everything in Pro
- ✓Custom modules
- ✓AI forecasting
- ✓Audit logs
Salesforce Pricing
Starter
£20/user/month
- ✓Lead management
- ✓Opportunity tracking
- ✓Email integration
Professional
£60/user/month
- ✓Everything in Starter
- ✓Pipeline management
- ✓Forecasting
Enterprise
£120/user/month
- ✓Everything in Professional
- ✓Workflow automation
- ✓Advanced reporting
Unlimited
£240/user/month
- ✓Everything in Enterprise
- ✓AI features
- ✓24/7 support
- ✓Sandbox
Not sure which to pick?
Our team has implemented both Freshworks CRM and Salesforce for clients. We can help you decide based on your specific needs.
Freshworks CRM Pros and Cons
✓Pros
- •Clean, modern interface
- •Built-in phone and email (no extra tools needed)
- •Good AI features with Freddy
- •Competitive pricing
- •Free plan available
✗Cons
- •Smaller integration marketplace
- •Less established than HubSpot or Salesforce
- •Limited marketing automation on lower tiers
- •Reporting could be deeper
- •Occasional performance issues
Salesforce Pros and Cons
✓Pros
- •Incredibly customisable and scalable
- •Massive ecosystem (AppExchange has 5,000+ apps)
- •Industry-leading AI features with Einstein
- •Robust reporting and analytics
- •Trusted by Fortune 500 companies
✗Cons
- •Steep learning curve, often requires admin training
- •Expensive, especially for smaller teams
- •Complex pricing with many add-ons
- •Can feel over-engineered for simple use cases
- •Implementation can take months
Our Verdict: Freshworks CRM vs Salesforce
Both Freshworks CRM and Salesforce are solid options, but they serve different needs. Having implemented both for multiple clients, here is our recommendation:
Choose Freshworks CRM if you need Growing businesses wanting a modern CRM with built-in communication tools. With a starting price of £0/month and a rating of 4.2/5, it offers clean, modern interface.
Choose Salesforce if you need Mid to large enterprises needing highly customisable CRM with complex workflows. Starting at £20/user/month with a 4.3/5 rating, it excels at incredibly customisable and scalable.
Still not sure? Talk to the Ikaroa team. We have helped hundreds of businesses make this exact decision, and we are happy to point you in the right direction.
🎁 Get either product at a discount through Ikaroa Partners
Need implementation help?
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