Categories   >   Channel Management Software
Last Reviewed: November 21st, 2024

Best Channel Management Software Of 2024

What is Channel Management Software?

Channel Management Software (CMS) is specifically engineered to aid businesses manage and optimize their distribution channels. CMS aims to eradicate common challenges such as miscommunication, inefficiencies, and lack of visibility in partner performance. Boasting benefits like improved partner relations, increased productivity, and enhanced revenue, it can be a powerful tool in any channel-oriented business. CMS is typically equipped with features for partner recruitment, training, data tracking, and analytics. Coming trends hint at AI enablement, providing predictive insights and even higher level of data analysis. While advantageous, CMS can suffer from lack of integration features and can be complex to implement and manage. Despite these hurdles, industries with an indirect sales model like IT services, manufacturing, or software, can greatly benefit. The bottom line of CMS is fostering efficient, communicative relationships with partners, driving sales and ultimately, success.

What Are The Key Benefits of Channel Management Software?

  • Improves partner relationships
  • Enhances channel visibility
  • Boosts sales productivity
  • Streamlines partner recruitment
  • Simplifies performance tracking
  • Imparts partner training
  • Aids better decision-making
  • Increases revenue
  • Automates administrative tasks
  • Achieves strategic objectives
Read more

Overall

Based on the latest available data collected by SelectHub for 149 solutions, we determined the following solutions are the best Channel Management Software overall:

Pipedrive
Pipedrive
Start Price
$14.90
Annual, Monthly
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Why We Picked Pipedrive

Pipedrive is a sales and marketing management tool for small and medium businesses. It helps visualize the sales pipeline, track important activities and hold client conversations, with mobile access for greater productivity.

Even with its data exporting difficulties, filter complexity and non-intuitive email integration, the platform overall is easy to use. Integration with third-party software, such as Google Apps, Mailchimp and Zapier, along with a powerful API, increases its usefulness in enhancing business sales processes. Overall, it is a great solution for companies looking to streamline sales processes.

Pros & Cons

  • Sales Pipeline: 80% of reviewers referring to this aspect said the platform is good for keeping a close eye on deals at every stage and tracking individual progress to understand outcomes.
  • User Interface: Of the users mentioning the UI, 60% suggested that it’s functional and easy to use.
  • Mobile Application: 70% of the reviewers mentioning the mobile app stated that it makes Pipedrive easy to use anytime, anywhere.
  • Integrations: The platform helps users work seamlessly, with integrations for customer acquisition, goal achievement, application sync and more, as stated by 40% of reviews about integrations.
  • Data Exporting: Glitches and a lack of control make data querying and extraction slow, according to 50% of those who mentioned the exporting tool.
  • Filters: Filtering is complex, and 40% of users who referenced it stated it could improve in terms of usability and design.
  • Browser Extensions and Email Integration: Email integration, browser extensions and workflow automation are dated and not user-friendly, according to 70% of reviews on these features.
  • Expensive: 60% of users who reviewed pricing suggested that the features are overpriced in comparison to the competition’s products.

Key Features

  • Lead Management: Includes a product catalog, lead import tools and deal probability, in addition to visual pipelines. A color-coded feature called “rotting” uses different colors to represent how hot or cold a lead is, providing visibility into which leads require follow-up or are best to pursue. 
  • Contact Management: Import contacts from a previous CRM or spreadsheets, or sync from Microsoft or Google. Once in the system, contacts are stored as organizations and people, which can be attached to deals. Record and access a history of interactions to clarify where things stand. View contact locations by adding Google Maps integration. 
  • Web Forms: Generate leads via web forms embedded on a company website or shared in emails and on social media channels. Customize fields to capture personal details specific to company needs. Configure where the leads appear (e.g., as a deal or contact). 
  • Leadbooster Chatbot: Collect and qualify leads 24/7. Route leads to a custom destination, such as a stage or sales rep. Calendar syncing lets leads book meetings with sales reps from within the chatbot conversation. 
  • Activity Management: Contains a scheduling tool, reminder notifications and a premade list of activity types, which can be configured based on company needs. 
  • Sales Forecasting: Pursue the best deals and effectively plan strategies for open deals. Access and customize different views: 
    •  Individual views provide in-depth details for sales reps. 
    •  Forecasting views let managers filter deals based on criteria like date started or product. 
  • Integration: Integrates with dozens of other apps, including Asana. Connects with platforms like Zapier and Automate.io, allowing further integration with tools like LinkedIn, Zendesk, Mailchimp, HubSpot, Jira, Salesforce, Dropbox and various G Suite tools like Gmail. 
  • Marketplace: Supports dozens of third-party plugins. Thumbs-up/thumbs-down ratings and user reviews help gauge how an app performed for other users. 
  • User Access Control: Set user permissions and determine how users log in, whether it’s via two-factor authentication or using a single sign-on (SSO) platform. Track the identity and location of anyone who logs in on a dashboard. Receive alerts when an unrecognized device logs in. 
  • Data Security: Features include data encryption, daily backups and GDPR compliance. Also provides a data protection officer and multiple certifications. 
Salesforce Sales Cloud
Salesforce Sales Cloud
Start Price
$25
Per User, Monthly
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
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Why We Picked Salesforce Sales Cloud

Based on our research and user feedback, Salesforce Sales Cloud turned out to be a powerful and flexible CRM solution, capable of accommodating businesses of any size.

Its AI-powered features, especially Einstein, truly set it apart. This tool provides predictive analytics, lead scoring, opportunity scoring and sentiment analysis to improve sales efficiency.

We found the mobile app to be feature-rich, offering full functionality for sales teams on the move, including forecasting and account management.

Yet, some users reported a learning curve for advanced features. While the basic functionalities are user-friendly, leveraging the full potential of Sales Cloud may require proper training. Additionally, smaller organizations might find the pricing structure challenging, as costs can accumulate quickly with add-ons and advanced features.

Integration capabilities are generally strong, but we observed that some key functionalities, such as event tracking and eCommerce integrations, rely on third-party providers. This could add complexity and cost for businesses requiring these features.

Overall, Salesforce Sales Cloud is well-suited for organizations seeking a reliable, AI-enhanced CRM with extensive customization options and analytical capabilities. It's particularly valuable for businesses expecting growth, as the platform can scale effectively. However, potential users should carefully consider their budget, required features and available resources for implementation and management when assessing this CRM.

Pros & Cons

  • Easy To Use: Many users report that Salesforce has a user-friendly and intuitive interface, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced users.
  • Good Vendor Support: Salesforce offers quality support. Users often mention that the company treats them more like partners than just customers.
  • Highly Customizable: Developers find that the level of customization provided by Sales Cloud helps them extend Salesforce's features effectively.
  • Scalability: Salesforce is suitable for companies of all sizes. It's a long-term solution that can adapt to evolving organizational needs.
  • Learning Curve: While the interface is user-friendly, users need proper training to use Salesforce efficiently, especially for more advanced features.
  • Cost: Several users, particularly from smaller organizations, point out that the overall price can be a concern for businesses with limited budgets.
  • Resource Intensive: While Salesforce can do almost anything, it often requires a dedicated team and skilled resources to manage it effectively.

Key Features

  • Sales Forecasting: You can build accurate sales projections and custom forecast types based on various data points, measures and dates to get a clear picture of your future sales performance.
  • Lead Management: With Sales Cloud, it’s easy to capture leads, manage campaigns and convert opportunities into sales. You can create forms on your website, use LinkedIn ads or have AI chatbots talk to potential customers.
    • AI-based Lead Conversion: The Einstein Lead Scoring tool analyzes past conversion patterns to predict which current leads are most likely to convert, helping you prioritize the most promising prospects.
  • Integration Capabilities: Connect Salesforce with your favorite tools and platforms. A wide range of plugins is available, enabling you to create a smooth workflow across all your applications.
  • Reporting and Analytics: While the reporting system is user-friendly, quick and can generate real-time reports, it also offers flexibility for more advanced users who want to customize their reports. You can also create reports for territories and collaborative forecasts.
  • Mobile App: Salesforce’s mobile app lets you create, edit and view records for accounts, campaigns, cases, contacts, forecasts and leads. Additionally, you can use Salesforce Chatter to see feeds, groups and people. What data you can access depends on your organization's settings.

Pricing

License/Subscription Cost
  • Based on a recurring subscription-based model: per user, per month (billed annually)
  • All products require an annual contract
  • Cost varies depending on the package selected — Lightning Essentials, Lightning Professional, Lightning Enterprise or Lightning Unlimited (refer to the pricing section for details)
Maintenance Cost
  • Included in the subscription cost
  • Users aren’t required to pay server fees or annual maintenance charges
  • Provides technical support and Help Center to resolve issues.
  • Streamlines the implementation process through videos, training and certification, a customer community, documentation, interactive tutorials, and webinars
Installation/Implementation Cost
  • The cost is over and above the subscription cost
  • Salesforce implementation can cost anywhere between $2,000 and $20,000, delivered within 2-3 weeks or 2 months
  • Salesforce implementation partners/contractors handle implementation, charging anywhere from $16/hour to over $190/hour
Customization Cost
  • Cost varies depending on the selected plan and any functional requirements added to the basic business requirements
  • Add-on charges include $50/user/month for knowledge base access and $250/GB/month for additional data storage capacity
Data Migration Cost/Change Management/Upfront Switching Cost
  • Cost varies depending on the amount of CRM data to be migrated, such as opportunities, cases, activities, contracts, orders, invoices, data duplication, data archiving and restoration
Recurring/Renewal Costs
  • Renewal cost is included in the subscription fee
  • Users may incur additional costs for premium support services, application administration, data archiving and restoration services chosen, if any
Zoho CRM
Zoho CRM
Start Price
$14
Per User, Monthly
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
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Why We Picked Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM is a cloud-based CRM solution that serves businesses of all sizes and across various industries. It provides users with real-time data analysis, AI-powered sales performance optimization and extensive automation and customization. You can streamline workflows and improve sales efficiency with lead nurturing, deal management, and third-party integrations.

During our test run of their free trial, we loved working with standout features like the customizable dashboard, automated lead creation via the email parser and drop-down linking for account, product, lead and quote creation.

However, users report a learning curve associated with full feature utilization and customization. Additionally, some advanced features and functionalities require upgrades to higher tiers making it expensive for smaller teams. Overall, Zoho CRM offers an interoperable solution for businesses looking for a customizable, affordable CRM platform.

Pros & Cons

  • Work Offline: Users who mention this feature say the platform functions well even when used in offline mode.
  • Business Management: The system monitors business performance, populates the website with suitable visitors and keeps a tab on productivity and output, eliminating unmatched customers and removing hassle according to users who mention this aspect.
  • Affordable: Users said the software is budget-friendly as compared to other CRM systems and has considerably more adaptive features for the price.
  • Integrations: Reviewers appreciated Zoho’s integration with in-house tools that support unified workflows, flexibility and email functionality.
  • Learning Curve: Users mentioned some features and customization requires additional time and learning to implement.
  • Customer Support: Zoho’s customer support and inquiry resolution isn’t very responsive, according to users who refer to support. However, the chat support is comparatively better.
  • Lags and Delays: Reviewers noted there is sometimes a lag in notifications for email tracking and updates.

Key Features

  • Sales Force Automation: Automate tedious sales tasks such as lead generation and routing, data entry, email notifications, field updates and more. Optimize lead management, deal management, account management, contact management, and manage workflow and assignment rules.
  • Process Management: Enable your sales team to follow a standardized sales strategy. Use the blueprint feature to log offline processes such as order management or deal closure, ensuring consistent execution. Create automated approvals for common activities such as vacation time requests, capital expense reports and pricing discount requests. Additionally, you can set rules for assigning leads, escalating cases and validating CRM data.
  • Opportunity Management: Keep everyone’s antennas tuned to the same channel with Zoho’s activity tracking for all customer interactions like emails, calls, tasks and notes. Create deals and associate them with campaigns with drop-down fields and generate multiple pipelines using the standard template or your own personalized fields You can create a custom Kanban view using dropdown options and fields.
  • Multichannel Support: Connect with your email platform to send emails directly from the CRM. Connect your brand’s social media channel to respond in real-time, follow relevant conversations and automate lead generation. Use the Phonebridge integration to enable sales reps to easily log and track information from calls. You can also embed live chat and lead capture forms on your website to facilitate sales, marketing and customer service efforts.
  • Sales Enablement: Aid sales reps in their daily jobs using features like quotes and purchase orders (via integration with Zoho’s Finance Suite), a documents library, integration with Zoho’s presentation and document creation applications, and external-facing portals for partners and vendors. It also offers a calendar, a feature called SalesInbox for prioritizing the most lucrative emails, a web meeting platform through the Zoho Meeting integration, real-time notifications, collaboration feeds and more.
  • Performance Management: Gauge how a product, team or region is performing with forecasting tools. Group customers based on shared attributes (region, product, etc.) with territory management and gamify elements to encourage friendly competition that boosts performance among sales reps. Zia can also help improve performance by helping you target leads that are most likely to generate revenue. Your sales reps can engage with website visitors via chatbots for web and mobile, so every query receives attention even if they’re away from their desks.
  • Marketing Automation: Streamline marketing efforts by segmenting customers using a range of criteria, automating lead nurturing follow-ups, creating code-free web forms to gather customer information, scanning and uploading business cards, and analyzing campaign spending. Use capabilities like end-to-end event management, email campaign capabilities, surveys, and marketing details like budgets and performance metrics. A hierarchy feature lets you hook sub-campaigns to related main campaigns.
  • Team Collaboration: Use Feeds as a central location for collaborating, sharing announcements and offering advice. You can integrate chat functionality to facilitate everyday tasks and automatically send real-time sales updates. Users can leave notes on records or activities and tag other team members. Other features include groups for collaborating around specific events or for specific purposes, as well as project management tools via integration with Zoho Projects.
  • Third-Party Integrations: Connect with more than 50 third-party apps for collaboration, document management, live chat, telephony, messaging, events and meetings, quote management, document signing, lead management, marketing automation, social media, storage and more. Integrations include G Suite, Office 365, Slack, Shopify, Mailchimp, Facebook Ads, QuickBooks, GoToWebinar, DocuSign, Dropbox and Zapier.
  • Security: Store critical business data in secure vaults, choose where you want your data stored (U.S. and EU data centers) and encrypt data fields. Use audit logs to track activity, enable two-factor authentication and designate which IP addresses users can use to log in. Real-time backups on multiple servers ensure you won’t lose data due to a system-based or natural disaster.
Dynamics 365 CRM
Dynamics 365 CRM
Start Price
$65
Per User, Monthly
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Why We Picked Dynamics 365 CRM

A mix of praise and critique defines 2023 user reviews for Dynamics 365 CRM. Fans champion its robust customization, enabling precise tailoring to diverse business needs, like adding fields to track specific equipment rentals or crafting workflows for complex approval processes. This flexibility, some say, surpasses competitors like Salesforce, where out-of-the-box options might constrain unique workflows. Yet, this very strength can be a double-edged sword. Detractors find the customization curve steep, requiring significant IT expertise or costly consultant guidance, unlike the more user-friendly setup of HubSpot. Integration shines as a clear win for Dynamics 365. Seamlessly blending with Microsoft's ecosystem, including Outlook and Teams, streamlines communication and boosts collaboration. Imagine pulling CRM data directly into an email or setting up team meetings from contact records – a breeze for Dynamics users, while competitors often require clunky workarounds. However, pricing structure remains a sore spot. While subscription fees are competitive, the extensive customization often necessitates additional add-ons and consultancy, potentially inflating costs compared to more all-inclusive options like Zoho CRM. Ultimately, reviews suggest Dynamics 365 excels for businesses seeking in-depth customization and Microsoft integration, willing to invest time or resources in setup. For those prioritizing ease of use or budget-friendliness, alternatives might be a better fit. The key takeaway? Choose the CRM that complements your unique needs and technical capabilities.

Pros & Cons

  • Easy to Use: 98% of reviewers referencing usability felt the software is user-friendly.
  • Improved Productivity and Efficiency: The system aids efficiency and productivity, as observed by every user who talks about this aspect.
  • Customer Relationship Management: 95% of the reviewers who reference this aspect noted that it aids a positive customer experience.
  • Customization: Adding or removing fields is simple and doesn’t require technical help, as observed by more than 85% of reviews mentioning this feature.
  • Integration: Important integrations such as Power BI, Cortana, Azure and Office are of great help, as noted by 92% of the reviewers who refer to this element.
  • Learning Curve: According to 90% of the reviewers talking about this factor, new customers require a bit of training, which is time consuming.
  • Pricing: Microsoft Dynamics 365 is expensive, as observed by every user mentioning cost.
  • Slow Performance: At times, the platform takes time to sync and perform simple tasks, as observed by almost 70% of reviewers referring to this aspect.
  • Navigation: 90% of the reviews about this feature mentioned the navigation is complicated, especially for new users.

Key Features

  • Campaign Builder: Set up and execute campaigns via a visual building tool, and design customer journeys by arranging templates using the drag-and-drop interface. It’s also possible to set triggers based on a range of rules, choose segmented groups, assign emails, include events or surveys, and more. 
  • Dashboards: Access a host of metrics related to leads, revenue and other data sources from dashboards and customize them to show the most important KPIs. Dashboard types include: 
    • User Dashboards: Visible to and controlled by individual users. 
    • System Dashboards: Visible to everyone, with the option to reduce visibility to certain roles. Customized and controlled by system admins. 
  • Lead Nurturing: Account-based marketing features provide capabilities such as customer segmentation, personalized email content and performance metrics. Build buyer journeys and set rules that define a lead’s score based on the individual lead record, the related contact or the related account. 
  • Integrations: Apart from the Dynamics 365 toolset and other MS applications, the platform integrates with partner systems. Integration with Zapier offers access to more than 1,500 apps, ensuring greater extendability. 
  • Event Management: Control all aspects of events, from registrations and speakers to sessions and venue logistics from an event portal. It integrates with ON24 and other providers to support running webinars. 
  • Customer Service Insights: Powered by AI, machine learning and BI tools, this feature helps track KPIs visually for at-a-glance insights. Monitor: 
    • Customer satisfaction levels
    • A range of case metrics
    • Backlog trends
    • Incoming support topics
    • Engagement patterns
    • Support agent performance
  • Customer Insights: This add-on feature uses AI to support marketing efforts. 
    • Use Microsoft Graph to input audience intelligence.
    • Build triggered workflows with Microsoft Flow.
    • Customize reports and dashboards with the Power BI connection.
    • Microsoft PowerApps enables custom app creation.
    • Governance tools and security features ensure GDPR compliance and data privacy.
HubSpot CRM
HubSpot CRM
Start Price
$1,080
Monthly
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Why We Picked HubSpot CRM

HubSpot CRM is a free platform that supports the marketing and sales efforts of small to mid-sized businesses with features such as lead intake, deal management, ticket issues and more. It’s easy to use, unified and offers robust workflow management automation. A couple downsides reviewers observed include the limited functionality of the mobile app and the integrations mainly geared toward e-commerce. All in all, businesses looking for marketing and customer management at no cost will find HubSpot CRM is a solid option.

Pros & Cons

  • User-Friendly: 86% of users mentioning this aspect observed that HubSpot CRM is easy to use and install without much hassle.
  • Workflow Management: Well-constructed workflows enable timely follow-ups, according to 76% of users mentioning this feature.
  • Report Generation: It's easy to upload and export reports, as indicated by 53% of reviews referring to reporting.
  • Automation: This feature makes it easy and faster to conduct daily professionals tasks, as noted by 60% of users referencing it.
  • Affordable: 55% of reviews mentioning price suggested the application is inexpensive for the features offered.
  • Unified Solution: A simple, unified dashboard makes it easy to carry out multiple activities, according to 66% of reviews that mentioned this aspect.
  • Mobile Application: 50% of reviews about the app suggested it’s inefficient and limited to monitoring the status of customer requests.
  • Integration: The platform lacks basic third-party integrations, with 63% of reviews on the subject saying the integrations are primarily beneficial for e-commerce businesses.

Key Features

  • Pipeline Tracking: Auto-populates data from new deals and eliminates manual entries in forms. Add, edit and delete stages and properties from entered deals without help from IT. 
  • Lead Management: Helps sort and filter a prospect’s information based on geography, company size and number of visits. Custom views aid tracking prospects for optimum outreach. 
  • Monitoring: Monitors and gives insight on a prospect’s website activity, and identifies new prospects that visit the company’s website. 
  • Email Tracking and Notifications: Tracks sent emails, activities and aligns timed follow-ups for optimum sales growth. 
  • Email Templates: Promotes effective outreach and communication by making it quick and easy to draft emails. 
  • Scheduling: Syncs Google and Outlook meetings, making it easy to pick available time slots. Also helps schedule team meetings with prospects to maintain relationships and increase sales. 
  • Reporting: Generates customizable reports and dashboards that enable sharing metrics with team members, which help stimulate business growth. 
  • Live Chat: Enhances customer experiences and reduces the chances of a prospect slipping through the cracks by enabling support agents and sales reps to solve the queries of existing and interested customers in real time. 
Insightly
Insightly
Start Price
$29
Per User, Monthly
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Request Pricing Request Demo

Why We Picked Insightly

Insightly helps users track contacts through the customer lifecycle to increase sales and productivity, improve customer relationships and manage projects efficiently. It excels in capabilities such as customization, ease of use, contact management and more. However, features like reporting and dashboards have room for improvement. Users also pointed out that customer support isn’t as quick and attentive as it could be. Reviews on price are mixed, with some saying it’s justified for the features it offers, while others consider it a bit expensive. Overall, it’s a good fit for small businesses that are looking for a robust CRM within a decent budget.

Pros & Cons

  • Customer Relationship Management: Communicating with customers and nurturing relationships is effortless, as observed by every reviewer who references this capability.
  • Ease of Use: According to 85% of reviewers who mention this aspect, the software is easy to navigate.
  • Integration: 70% of users who refer to integration noted that the platform seamlessly integrates with Gmail, Mailchimp, Slack, calendar apps, social media platforms and more.
  • Project Management: The software aids efficient project management, according to 95% of reviewers who reference this feature.
  • Task Management: It’s easy to create, track and organize tasks, according to every reviewer who mentions task management.
  • Contact Management: The capabilities for managing a contact directory are exceptional, according to 95% reviewers who refer to this feature.
  • Customer Service: 70% of reviewers who mention customer support felt it was slow and could be more responsive and attentive.
  • Reporting: This feature is very basic and doesn’t offer many options to customize, according to more than 70% of reviewers who refer to it.

Key Features

  • Lead Management: When a new lead enters the system, the software uses criteria you set up to automatically assign leads and tasks to sales reps. Each lead’s social profiles are automatically attached to their record. You can use web pages to capture leads while removing spam, and Insight Cards reveal duplicate records for better data quality. 
  • Opportunity Management: Customizable pipelines with a kanban view organize leads, which can be dragged and dropped to each new stage. Sales reps can drill down to view a deal’s call and email history, notes, proposals, and contracts. 
  • Email Automation: Features include templates, mass emailing capabilities, list segmentation and scheduling. The platform lets you save emails from your inbox and has a search functionality. 
  • Calculated Fields: Insightly enables you to use your CRM data to implement business logic and mathematical functions within the platform. You can create calculated fields for any number of items. Examples include commission, region assignment, working hour totals and remaining balance. It’s also possible to add fields to dashboards. 
  • Workflow Automation: This feature enables a variety of actions, such as assigning tasks, updating data, sending emails and transforming closed deals into projects. Insightly also contains webhooks and AWS Lambda functions for extended automation. 
  • Contact Management: The system stores all contact records — customers, prospects and more — in a single location. Multiple list views aid in organizing and searching contacts. Individual records contain all relevant information about the contact and support custom fields for further personalization. They also include a full list of interactions with your company along with details about who your contact knows. 
Streak CRM
Streak CRM
Start Price
$0
Free, Monthly
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Why We Picked Streak CRM

Built into Gmail, Streak ensures efficient email marketing, as users can check if an email is opened or read, deliver mass emails, send follow-ups, schedule emails and more. Additional strengths include data organization and greater productivity via G Suite integration. However, the free version has restrictions on how many emails can be tracked and doesn’t offer detailed tracking data. Reviewers also noted that the user interface needs improvement and that there are technical issues to address. Overall, it’s a decent software with a number of useful features.

Pros & Cons

  • Email Marketing: Robust features include open and read rates, bulk emails, scheduling and more, according to more than 82% of users who mention email marketing.
  • G Suite Integration: The software ensures efficient process by connecting with G Suite, as noted by almost 90% of reviewers who mention this aspect.
  • Free Plan: Every user who references the free plan indicated it’s very useful and caters to almost every requirement.
  • Centralized Data: The software aids efficient data management, as noted by every reviewer who mentions this feature.
  • Reminders: Every user who refers to this feature liked the ability to frequently follow up
  • Ease of Use: More than 62% of reviewers who reference this feature noted the platform is easy to navigate.
  • Customer Communication: Streak aids effective customer engagement according to all users who mention this feature.
  • Customer Support: According to almost 60% of users who mention this element, the customer service needs improvement, with slow responses and irregular quality cited as a couple issues.
  • Lack of Free Features: While the free plan is useful, 80% of reviewers felt it would be helpful to have more features.
  • Location: Every user who mentions this feature observed that the software doesn’t reflect senders’ geographical location.

Key Features

  • Pipelines: Streak CRM lets you create an unlimited number of pipelines, and with a Professional or Enterprise plan, you can also create unlimited rows (called items) within each pipeline. Filters, groups, sorting and search features let you configure pipelines based on the view you need and then save that view to share with team members. You can also link related pipeline items for quick navigation between the two. 
  • Boxes: Each box represents a contact, lead or whatever else you want to track. They act as the building blocks of your pipeline and are what you move through the stages. Boxes can contain information like emails, contacts, comments, notes, tasks, file attachments, data fields and more. 
  • Customizable Workflows: The software allows you to configure your workflow to fit your processes. You can add, delete or move pipeline stages, as well as color-code them for easy tracking. 
  • Alerts: The view tracking feature sends a notification when a recipient reads your message. You can sort emails in your Sent folder based on whether they’ve been viewed or not, so it’s clear which contacts require follow-up. 
  • Mail Merge: If you need to send mass emails that include personalization, this feature has the necessary capabilities. You can pull data from your pipeline to personalize elements like company info or recipient name. The preview mode lets you proof emails before sending. 
  • Send Later: You can schedule emails to send at a predetermined time and edit or cancel them from the draft view. 
  • Snippets: With this feature, which acts as a template, you can create a library of most-used emails to reuse whenever needed. Shortcuts allow you to insert the content quickly. The templates are shareable among team members. 
  • Reporting: Available with the Professional and Enterprise plans, this feature lets you generate reports based on the data in your pipelines. The system offers built-in sales and pipeline reports that can be customized, downloaded and shared via email. Sales reports let you track information like the total value currently in your pipeline, the value per stage, close rate, projected close value and more. Pipeline reports include total interactions, stage flow, the number of boxes assigned to each user and the number of boxes in any given stage. 
  • Permissions: With a Professional or Enterprise plan, you can control who views and edits information in the system. Owners act as the administrators, with the ability to edit teams, roles, pipelines and other settings. Members are limited to viewing pipelines and contacts, and can’t change user roles or team members. 
Infusionsoft
Infusionsoft
Start Price
$159
Monthly
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Request Pricing Request Demo

Why We Picked Infusionsoft

Infusionsoft by Keap is a comprehensive CRM platform that helps SMBs automate processes, connect with prospects and customers, and increase ROI. As many reviews noted, the price is on the high end for a small business, and it has some features that work best for enterprises. It also has a learning curve and limitations with storage and custom fields. However, it provides robust email marketing and campaign management tools, and its wide range of automations can save users a lot of time. There are mixed reviews about customer service, as some find it satisfactory while others believe it’s inadequate. Overall, the product can be a good choice for companies with a large enough budget.

Pros & Cons

  • Process Automation: Every user who mentions this feature notes the system has vast automation scope including automating customer acquisition and marketing processes.
  • Campaign Builder: It offers a robust, flexible and feature-rich campaign builder with excellent controls, as observed by 85% of reviewers who reference campaign management.
  • Email Marketing: According to almost 90% of reviewers who mention email marketing, Infusionsoft by Keap has a responsive, user-friendly interface that aids segmentation, sends mass emails and offers templates.
  • Contact Management: 85% of users who reference managing client databases feel it’s possible to manage databases efficiently with the ability to create, organize and configure contact lists.
  • Learning Curve: The system is confusing to learn, requires a lot of training and has some features that are hard to find, as noted by more than 80% of customers who refer to training.
  • Price: The cost of the software is on the higher side, according to 90% of reviewers who mention pricing.
  • Custom Fields: It’s difficult to search fields and the platform doesn’t support more than 100 fields, according to every user who mentions custom fields and tools.
  • Document Storage: It doesn’t store documents or client information internally or in the cloud, as indicated by each customer who mentions storage.

Key Features

  • Customer Relationship Management: Infusionsoft’s CRM platform acts as the central hub for sales and marketing efforts. From it, you can segment lists, automate lead data entry, sync client emails from your other accounts to the correct contact record and identify the best opportunities with lead scoring tools. 
  • Marketing Automation: Build efficient processes using a variety of marketing automation settings. Campaign sequences are easy to create using the drag-and-drop interface, and you can set up workflows by defining triggers based on user actions. A/B testing is also supported. 
  • Sales Pipeline: The software allows sales reps and managers to nurture leads through the pipeline. The Infusionsoft by Keap app facilitates the creation and management of custom quotes, which customers can accept with a single click. 
  • Online Sales: Using this feature, you can generate unique landing pages. The interface is drag-and-drop, and templates make the process quick and easy. Add elements like text and images, as well as define which products to include. The system is also equipped to process online payments and will send automatic follow-ups to customers based on the sequence you choose. 
  • Integrations: Infusionsoft plugs into a host of third-party apps that extend your capability. E-Commerce integrations include Magento, WooCommerce and Shopify. You can also connect the platform to Zendesk, QuickBooks, Xero, Zapier, Vimeo, WordPress and a host of other tools. 
  • Payment Collection: Simplify the process of collecting payments on time. The system allows you to set up automated reminders and shows which customers have paid and which have outstanding balances. The connected platform removes the need to juggle multiple tools. Infusionsoft offers a flat rate for every transaction. 
  • Analytics: Take the pulse of your business with the analytics dashboard. It tracks a number of KPIs such as email conversions, quarterly sales and number of contacts. This provides insight into every aspect of your marketing and sales efforts, along with informing decisions. 

Pricing

License/Subscription Cost
  • Recurring subscription-based model: per user, per month, plus maintenance, implementation and backup support
  • All plans are billed monthly according to the annual contract
  • All plans come with a mandatory one-time setup fee called Kickstart package for new customers
  • Costs vary depending on the plan selected, based on the level of consulting and implementation help businesses require
Maintenance Cost
  • Included in the subscription cost
Installation/Implementation Cost
  • Included in the subscription cost
Customization Cost
  • Varies depending on the functional requirements added in the product module, such as sales force automation, marketing automation and eCommerce capabilities. This is based on the organization’s business requirements
Data Migration Cost/Change Management/Upfront Switching Cost
  • Cost varies depending on the amount and type of data to be migrated from the legacy system, availability of migration tools, data profiling, data cleansing and audit trail of the migration process
Training Cost
  • Cost is over and above the subscription cost and varies depending on the type of plan chosen
  • Provides an initial training program for first-time users. Users need to enroll and pay for the training course
  • Provides embedded links, including walkthrough features and video tutorials, after initial training is completed
Recurring/Renewal Costs
  • Cost is included in the subscription fee, based on the number of users, additional add-ons and the plan purchased
Freshsales
Freshsales
Start Price
$9
Per User, Monthly
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Why We Picked Freshsales

Suitable for SMBs, Freshsales provides easy-to-use tools for sales management, customer engagement and lead management. Its hassle-free configurations and intuitive interface are some standout features noted by reviews. Users also appreciate its ability to manage customer information efficiently and its broad lead management capabilities. However, the free plan doesn’t include useful features, adding advanced features gets costly and there are some technical issues that hinder usability. While integrations with other Freshworks products and Zapier are helpful, important third-party integrations such as LinkedIn and Hubspot are missing. Overall, it has a lot to offer and can be a good choice for smaller operations.

Pros & Cons

  • Ease of Use: 97% of reviews talking about usability noted the system is user-friendly.
  • Interface: The user interface is simple, fast and can be navigated easily, as observed by 96% of reviewers who mention this feature.
  • Lead Management: According to 90% of users who talk about this feature, it helps generate, track, upload, convert, research and organize leads effectively.
  • Contact Management: The system helps store client information efficiently and find data quickly, as reported by 94% of users who reference this feature.
  • Configuration: 80% of reviewers who mention configuration asserted the system is easy and quick to set up.
  • Price: Although a free plan is available, it doesn’t include a lot of options, and adding advanced features gets expensive, according to 65% of reviews referencing cost.
  • Technical Glitches: Every user who talks about this aspect observed there are quite a few technical issues with APIs, migration and more.

Key Features

  • Smartforms: Automatically create new leads after visitors sign up on a web form, providing data from social media profiles, photos and activities on the website. 
  • 360-Degree Customer View: Access customers’ social profiles, products bought, website, interactions and appointments from a single screen. 
  • Velocity Reports: View the time required to convert qualified leads into customers and understand the stages in which sales reps are stuck. 
  • Revenue Analytics: Identify star performers, successful campaigns and leading territories using detailed revenue metrics.  
  • Push Notifications: Push notifications are sent whenever a new lead, task or deal is assigned to users and also offer reminders of upcoming meetings. 
  • Custom Reports: Track sales managers’ performance and sales figures using custom reports with tables and charts. Schedule reports to be delivered on a given date. 
  • Auto Profile Enrichment: Automatically enriches leads, contacts and accounts with their social and publicly listed information such as photos, company details and social profiles.  
  • Email Tracking: Real-time notifications on email opens and clicks facilitate prompt responses and optimize marketing efforts. 
  • Deal Status: Understand deal status in a better way by tracking deal value and the number of deals under review. 
  • Visual Sales Pipeline: Locate deals across stages and get a better view of the pipeline by sorting and filtering. 
  • Third-Party Integrations: The Marketplace provides third-party apps that can be integrated with Freshsales. Connect with Google Sheets, MailChimp and more via Zapier. 
  • Mobile App: With Android and iOS apps, record voice notes, move leads through pipeline stages, check in to meetings, view calendar, log calls and receive notifications. 
Spiro
Spiro
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Why We Picked Spiro

Spiro enables SMBs to simplify their sales and communications with a user-friendly platform that’s built on AI. Given the central role AI plays, it stands out as a feature many users find to be helpful, particularly when paired with BI to improve sales efficiency. The built-in calling and messaging feature helps users stay connected to prospects, increasing the chances of conversion. Reviews also report that customer support is timely and helpful. Some limitations include slow functionality while reporting and inaccurate automatic data capturing. Overall, those looking for a solution to handle many sales activities without using a traditional CRM product may find it to be a good choice.

Pros & Cons

  • Ease of Use: The software is easy to use and customize to meet business processes and sales requirements, according to 83% of users referencing this aspect.
  • Artificial Intelligence: All reviews on this feature say the combination of AI and BI helps the sales team to work more fluidly and more efficiently.
  • Customer Service: The turnaround time and product understanding offered by the support team is very helpful, suggest 100% of reviews citing customer support.
  • Data Capturing: Automated data entry lacks precision and isn't streamlined enough for immediate business use, note 66% of users mentioning this feature.
  • Analytics and Reporting: The lack of proper filtering and functions slow processes down even with automation in place, in the experience of 66% of users reviewing this element.

Key Features

  • CRM Capabilities: While not a traditional CRM, it executes data collection, automatically gleaning information from emails, text messages and calls to measure engagement levels. 
  • Pipelines: Provides a clear view of each deal and has the option to create multiple pipelines to fit internal processes. Offers different views, such as by sales or stage priority. 
  • Analytics and Reports: Understand prospects, customers, opportunities and forecasts better through objective analysis of customer engagements at every stage. Report types include chart, pivot, summary and tabular. 
  • Mobile Apps: Apps for iOS and Android devices allow access to pipelines, reports, contacts, leads and customer records on the go. 
  • Integrations: Connect with many other types of business platforms, including CRM, ERP and customer support, along with tools like Slack, Office 365, Gmail and Outlook. 
  • Email: Supports emailing up to 500 contacts at once along with the option to schedule the emails in advance. Includes reusable templates for common types of messages. Integrate with a marketing automation solution to receive full email marketing capabilities. 
  • VoIP: Available on desktop or via mobile app. Includes one-click dialing, text message support, call recording, interactive

COMPARE THE BEST Channel Management Software

Select up to 2 Products from the list below to compare

 
Product
Score
i
SelectHub’s Analyst Rating is based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Channel Management Software, user reviews, and our own crowd-sourced data from our free software selection platform. Scores are periodically updated via ongoing selection projects and user activity within our platform.
Start Price
Free Trial
Company Size
Deployment
Platform
Logo
Pipedrive
$14.90
Annual, Monthly
Yes
Small Medium Large
Cloud On-Premise
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Pipedrive
Salesforce Sales Cloud
$25
Per User, Monthly
Yes
Small Medium Large
Cloud On-Premise
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Salesforce Sales Cloud
Zoho CRM
$14
Per User, Monthly
Yes
Small Medium Large
Cloud On-Premise
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Zoho CRM
Dynamics 365 CRM
$65
Per User, Monthly
Yes
Small Medium Large
Cloud On-Premise
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Dynamics 365 CRM
HubSpot CRM
$1,080
Monthly
Yes
Small Medium Large
Cloud On-Premise
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
HubSpot CRM
Insightly
$29
Per User, Monthly
Yes
Small Medium Large
Cloud On-Premise
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Insightly
Streak CRM
$0
Free, Monthly
Yes
Small Medium Large
Cloud On-Premise
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Streak CRM
Infusionsoft
$159
Monthly
Yes
Small Medium Large
Cloud On-Premise
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Infusionsoft
Freshsales
$9
Per User, Monthly
Yes
Small Medium Large
Cloud On-Premise
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Freshsales
Spiro
Still gathering data
No
Small Medium Large
Cloud On-Premise
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Spiro

All Channel Management Software (149 found)

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DonorPerfect

by SofterWare, Inc.
DonorPerfect
DonorPerfect is a comprehensive fundraising solution that helps non-profits nurture donor relationships. It helps manage donations, receipts, contacts, emails and fundraising initiatives from a single system. Capabilities include integrated online donation forms, automatic monthly giving, standard and custom reports, auction management, Constant Contact email and a network of integrated partner products. It helps save time and offers pricing packages to meet any budget.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: great
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
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ZoomInfo

by ZoomInfo
ZoomInfo
ZoomInfo provides a detailed contact directory for simplified marketing outreach. It supports lead generation, sales management and revenue tracking, and helps improve productivity by systematizing work. Users can leverage analytics and prioritize marketing efforts, sales prospects and align teams for effective outcomes. The ability to locate and align required contacts from desired domains reduces anonymity rates. Data-driven, it helps businesses make insightful strategies, connect with the right audience, boost business growth and provide custom solutions.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: great
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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ClientLook

by ClientLook
ClientLook
ClientLook is a specialized software designed to streamline customer relationship management (CRM) tasks, making it an ideal solution for professionals seeking to enhance their client interactions and manage their business operations more efficiently. It is particularly well-suited for real estate professionals who require a tailored approach to managing their contacts, deals, and properties. One of the key benefits of ClientLook is its ability to consolidate various tasks into a single platform, offering features such as deal tracking, project collaboration, and integrated email marketing. Users appreciate its user-friendly interface and the efficiency it brings to managing client data and communications. When compared to similar products, ClientLook stands out for its focus on the real estate sector, providing specific tools and functionalities that cater to the unique needs of this industry. Pricing considerations for ClientLook involve a subscription model, with costs typically based on the number of users, making it a scalable option for businesses of different sizes. Payment is usually required on a monthly or annual basis, allowing for flexibility based on budget and usage needs.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: good
Cost Breakdown
$500 - $1,000
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
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Siebel CRM

by Oracle America
Siebel CRM
Siebel CRM is a comprehensive software solution designed to manage customer interactions and relationships. It caters to mid-sized and large enterprises across various industries, particularly those with complex sales and service processes. Key benefits include improved customer acquisition, retention, and satisfaction through automated workflows, data-driven insights, and personalized experiences. Popular features include sales opportunity management, contact management, service request management, and reporting and analytics. User reviews highlight the platform's robust functionality, scalability, and customization options. However, some users report a steeper learning curve compared to other CRM solutions. Pricing varies depending on the deployment model, number of users, and additional modules required. Annual subscription fees typically range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Overall, Siebel CRM offers a powerful and comprehensive solution for managing customer relationships, particularly for larger organizations with complex needs. However, its steeper learning curve and higher price point might not be suitable for small businesses or those with simpler requirements. Pros Robust functionality Scalable and customizable Data-driven insights Improved customer satisfaction Automated workflows Cons Steeper learning curve High price point Complex for simple needs Limited mobile functionality Customization can be time-consuming
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: good
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Vtiger

by Vtiger
Vtiger
Vtiger is a cloud-based suite of marketing, sales and help desk offerings, which can be deployed separately or as an integrated, all-in-one ecosystem. It enables companies to eliminate silos and improve connections with customers.Though designed to serve small and mid-sized businesses, it’s capable of handling the needs of Fortune 500 organizations. It’s accessible on Android and iOS devices, enabling work from anywhere.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: great
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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GreenRope

by Synchronous Technologies
GreenRope
GreenRope is an all-in-one CRM aiming to unify sales, marketing, and operations under one platform. It caters to businesses seeking streamlined workflows and improved team collaboration. GreenRope boasts features like lead generation, email marketing automation, social media management, and customer service tools. Users praise its user-friendly interface, comprehensive reporting capabilities, and 24/7 customer support. Compared to similar options, GreenRope is lauded for its affordability, offering unlimited users and emails at a flat monthly fee. However, some users mention occasional limitations in customization and integrations compared to more established CRMs. Overall, GreenRope shines for businesses seeking a cost-effective, user-friendly solution to manage customer relationships across departments. Pros User-friendly interface Unlimited users, emails Comprehensive reporting Affordable flat fee 24/7 customer support Cons Limited customization Fewer integrations Occasional feature glitches
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: great
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Demo Pricing

Capsule CRM

by Zestia
Capsule CRM
Capsule CRM is a cloud-based solution for small to medium businesses. It helps foster customer relationships with features like email marketing, website personalization, social media service, automated reminders and more. Organizations can enter basic contact information, pipelines, goals and budgets and start building an in-depth, personalized pipeline with full access to customer details.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: great
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Request with no obligation:
Demo Pricing

Copper CRM

by Copper (Formerly ProsperWorks)
Copper CRM
Designed to integrate with Gmail and other Google Apps, Copper (formerly ProsperWorks) is a comprehensive and easy-to-use platform. It helps small and medium-sized businesses automate core operations; manage leads, sources and opportunities; streamline sales processes; uncover actionable insights; and nurture customer relationships. It enables users to check email threads and past interactions. It also acts as an alternative for goal setting and forecast management, as it converts sales bottlenecks into visible opportunities.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: excellent
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Follow Up Boss

by Follow Up Boss
Follow Up Boss
Follow Up Boss is a sophisticated software solution designed to streamline customer relationship management (CRM) tasks, particularly for commercial real estate professionals. It excels in organizing and automating follow-ups, tracking leads, and managing client interactions, ensuring that no opportunity slips through the cracks. The platform is particularly well-suited for real estate agents and brokers who need a robust system to handle high volumes of client data and communications efficiently. One of the standout benefits of Follow Up Boss is its ability to integrate seamlessly with various lead sources, providing a centralized hub for all client information. This integration capability, combined with features like automated follow-ups, detailed reporting, and customizable workflows, makes it an invaluable tool for enhancing productivity and client engagement. Users often praise its intuitive interface and the significant time savings it offers. Compared to similar products, Follow Up Boss is noted for its user-friendly design and comprehensive feature set. Pricing typically falls within a moderate range, often based on the number of users and billed monthly or annually, making it accessible for both small teams and larger enterprises.
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Request with no obligation:
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GoldMine

by Ivanti Software
GoldMine
Suitable for businesses of all sizes, GoldMine Premium CRM offers a central platform to manage customer and prospect relationships efficiently. It ensures improved productivity and streamlined operations, and helps save money. Users can leverage it for contact management and customer support. They can also manage marketing programs and sales pipelines. A database is available at several tiered levels for organizations with different requirements. Capabilities include sales automation, a help desk and call center and CTI applications, along with enhanced features like easy-to-use interface, marketing automation, web self-service, channel management, knowledge management and analytics. Pros Intuitive interface Robust contact management Strong email integration Customizable features Affordable pricing Cons Limited reporting options Dated user interface Lacks some advanced features Potential for data syncing issues Customer support could be better
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: good
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
Request with no obligation:
Demo Pricing

Act! CRM

by Swiftpage ACT!
Act! CRM
Act! CRM by Swiftpage ACT! is a customer relationship management (CRM) software application designed to help businesses of all sizes build and maintain strong customer relationships. It acts as a central hub for storing and organizing customer data, including contact information, interactions, and sales history. Act! CRM is particularly well-suited for small and medium-sized businesses seeking a user-friendly and affordable CRM solution to streamline processes and enhance customer service. Key benefits of Act! CRM include its ease of use, affordability, and comprehensive features. The software is simple to set up and navigate, making it accessible even for businesses with limited IT resources. With a starting price of $49.99 per month, Act! CRM offers a cost-effective solution for managing customer relationships. Its wide range of features encompasses contact management, lead tracking, sales management, and reporting capabilities, providing businesses with the tools they need to effectively engage with customers and drive growth. Act! CRM stands out among other CRM solutions due to its user-friendly interface, affordability, and extensive feature set. It is a compelling choice for small and medium-sized businesses seeking a reliable and efficient CRM system to optimize customer interactions and achieve their business objectives.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: good
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Realvolve

by Realvolve
Realvolve
Realvolve is a comprehensive software platform designed to empower real estate agents in managing their businesses effectively. Its primary purpose is to streamline operations and boost productivity through a suite of features, including CRM, lead generation, marketing, and accounting functionalities. Realvolve caters to real estate agents seeking an all-encompassing solution to optimize their workflows. The platform's user-friendly interface and customization options make it adaptable to individual needs. Notable benefits of Realvolve include its robust CRM system for tracking leads and managing contacts, diverse lead generation tools encompassing email marketing and social media engagement, and a comprehensive accounting system for monitoring income and expenses. Realvolve's standout feature lies in its advanced automation capabilities, enabling agents to automate repetitive tasks and save valuable time. Pricing for Realvolve is considered to be on the higher end of the market; however, its extensive features and time-saving automation may offer a compelling value proposition for real estate professionals seeking a comprehensive solution.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: excellent
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Salesforce

by Salesforce.com
Salesforce
Salesforce delivers an end-to-end suite of products for managing customer interactions at every stage of the process, as well delivering advanced analytics, custom developments and more. Organizations can deploy them alone or as part of an integrated environment to gain extensive flexibility based on business needs. Its most prominent offerings are Sales Cloud, Marketing Cloud, Service Cloud and Commerce Cloud.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: great
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Redtail CRM

by Redtail Technology
Redtail CRM
Redtail CRM is a web-based client relationship management solution tailored specifically for financial advisors and their teams. It helps simplify client management, automate workflows and improve collaboration within financial services firms. The platform also includes compliance features to meet regulatory requirements and offers opportunity tracking for managing sales pipelines.It’s best suited for mid-sized to large financial advisory firms that need complex workflow management and extensive customization. It's helpful for teams managing intricate client relationships and requiring integration with other financial software.Users like Redtail's feature set and its ability to handle complex workflows. They find the customization options useful, though they come with a steep learning curve. Some users report challenges with the system's speed, occasional glitches and a sometimes overwhelming interface. The quality of customer support has mixed reviews, with some users finding it lacking in responsiveness.Starting at $39 per month per user, Redtail CRM is an affordable solution in the long term, especially given its industry-specific features. However, some key features, such as email integration, may come with additional costs.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: great
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Neon CRM

by Neon One
Neon CRM
Neon CRM is a cloud-based solution built by Neon One that helps nonprofit organizations streamline day to day processes for more efficiency and manage fundraising events, memberships and volunteers through automation. Users can leverage it to build nonprofit websites while facilitating real-time credit card processing and recurring payments. These inclusions help enhance online donations while reducing manual work.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: great
Cost Breakdown
$100 - $500
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Demo Pricing

PipelineDeals

by PipelineDeals
PipelineDeals
Designed to serve small and midsize businesses, PipelineDeals is equipped with sales-focused features, enabling sales teams to automate redundant tasks and nurture relationships with customers. With an intuitive user interface, it helps set up scalable processes, resulting in improved productivity and increased profitability. Deal management and sales acceleration tools expedite the sales cycle, and help set and track targets. A sales dashboard offers a 360-degree view of performance status, while lead management capabilities help streamline lead generation and nurturing. Customizations ensure enhanced experience and expanded functionality.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: great
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Demo Pricing

Kommo

by QSOFT
Kommo
Kommo (formerly amoCRM) is a messenger-based multifunctional sales management solution. It helps users manage digital pipelines, keep leads engaged using behavioral triggers and streamline core processes like lead nurturing, task assignment, sales analytics, campaign and communication management and performance tracking. Available with cloud-based deployment and full-featured mobile access on iOS and Android, it enables fast deployment and on-the-go accessibility to build a powerful sales stack. Pros Intuitive interface Robust automation features Seamless integrations Strong mobile app Excellent customer support Cons Limited customization options Occasional bugs and glitches Steeper learning curve for some features Pricing can be higher for larger teams Reporting could be more robust
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: great
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Demo Pricing

Method CRM

by Method Integration
Method CRM
Method CRM is a web-based customer relationship management software designed to assist businesses of all sizes in enhancing their customer relationships. The software offers a range of features, including contact management, email marketing, lead management, and sales pipeline management, all aimed at streamlining customer interactions and driving sales growth. Method CRM provides businesses with tools to efficiently manage customer data, track sales activities, and gain valuable insights into customer behavior. Users particularly appreciate its user-friendly interface and customization options, allowing businesses to tailor the software to their specific needs. The pricing structure is based on a monthly or annual subscription model, making it accessible to businesses with varying budgets. Keep in mind that pricing and features can change over time, so it's recommended to check the official website for the latest information.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: great
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Demo Pricing

NetSuite CRM

by NetSuite, Inc.
NetSuite CRM
NetSuite CRM is a cloud-based software offering a real-time, 360-degree view of customers. It ensures a continuous flow of information for opportunities, sales orders, fulfillment, renewal, upsell, cross-sell, and support. Some of its capabilities are sales force automation, marketing automation, partner relationship management, quotes and order management, and sales forecasting. It supports businesses of all sizes across a broad spectrum of industries. Integration with existing e-commerce and ERP offerings eliminates the costs of having multiple applications for each business unit.
User Sentiment User satisfaction level icon: good
Cost Breakdown
$1,000 or more
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
Mac Windows Linux Chromebook Android
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Demo Pricing

Sage CRM

by Sage Group
Sage CRM
Sage CRM is a comprehensive software solution designed to streamline customer relationship management tasks, offering a robust suite of tools for sales, marketing, and customer service. It is particularly well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses across various industries, such as retail, manufacturing, and professional services, due to its scalability and flexibility. Users benefit from its intuitive interface, which enhances productivity by simplifying the management of customer interactions and data. Noteworthy features include advanced reporting, sales automation, and marketing campaign management, which empower businesses to make informed decisions and foster customer loyalty. Compared to similar products, Sage CRM is praised for its ease of use and integration capabilities, although some users note that customization can be complex. Pricing details are not publicly disclosed, so potential users are encouraged to contact SelectHub for a tailored quote that aligns with their specific requirements.
Cost Breakdown
$10 - $100
Company Size
Small Medium Large
Deployment
Cloud On-Premise
Platform
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Buyer's Guide

Channel Management Software Is All About Providing Dynamic Automation and Inventory Management Capabilities

By Manogna Matta, Technical Writer at SelectHub

Channel Management Software BG Intro

In the ever-evolving internet marketplace, companies use various ways to reach their target audience. A new complex web of distribution channels is replacing traditional sales methods like directly selling to end customers. If you’re a hospitality business looking to not just survive but thrive, channel management software could be your ticket to success.

Looking for ways to sync various sales channels and improve inventory visibility? You’ve come to the right place. In this buyer’s guide, we’ll go over what channel management software is, how it can benefit your business and provide a list of the most popular products in the market.

Executive Summary

  • Channel management software helps manage multiple sales and communication channels so suppliers and downstream partners can be on the same page.
  • Key features include multichannel syncing, inventory management, process automation, budget management and integrations.
  • Make sure to ask potential software providers specific and targeted questions to help make an informed decision.
What This Guide Covers:

What Is Channel Management Software?

Channel management software is a system that helps hospitality businesses track and manage their services through multiple online channels and sites. Also known as partner relationship management software (PRM), the solution is especially useful for hotels, B&Bs and online travel agents (OTAs). It helps ensure that reservations are accurate and up to date, which ultimately contributes to customer satisfaction.

The platform provides partner visibility through various tools. It strengthens supplier and customer communication and seamlessly passes information about orders, inventory and other details between partners. You can integrate it with hotel management, hotel reservations, marketing, CRM and ERP software to streamline communication between stakeholders. Some advanced systems also allow you to track financial performance and compliance.

Channel Management software helps reduce overbooking, booking conflicts and customer data leakage and improves overall customer experience. You can categorize clients into specific segments and track their buying behaviors to tailor your marketing for increased sales.

Primary Benefits

Channel management software offers many benefits that can improve your sales channel efficiency and make your life easier. Here are some ways in which it can help you:

Channel Management Software Benefits

Enhance Inventory Visibility

You can get real-time quick access to your inventory’s availability and maintain it at optimum levels. Channel management software can identify your downstream partner’s inventory trends and accurately project inventory requirements, helping you keep track of them.

The system automatically updates reservations, cancellations and rates on multiple sales and customer communication channels and stores the information in your database. Your channel managers can access information from a single-view centralized platform and see how many rooms have been booked and through which channels. This prevents overbooking and ensures accurate product availability information is available to all your teams.

Improve Productivity Levels

The solution acts as a bridge of communication between you and various sales channels. You can automatically consolidate data and reduce manual, repetitive tasks like data entry, saving time and resources. With live inventory updates, you need not update every single time there’s any new room allocation or cancellation. It lets your channel manager focus on more high-level cognitive and core administrative tasks.

Along with managing all your communication channels in one go, you can improve operational efficiency, reduce human errors and eliminate inaccurate data. You can seamlessly track your marketing, sales and customer service teams’ performance and increase customer engagement and conversion rates in the long run.

Boost Customer Engagement

With traditional booking methods, your customer reach is limited, and you can’t target different sets of people. Channel management software enhances customer channel communication so you can have global visibility.

It allows you to connect with clients from various locations and helps get your product more attention. The system helps enhance your brand trust, consistency and credibility. It also reduces customer acquisition costs and communicates product details through customers’ preferred channels.

Key Features & Functionality

Channel Management Software Categories
Multichannel Sync

You can manage booking, allocation, cancellation and upgrades from multiple channels in a centralized platform. The solution lets you track data, customer issues, queries and feedback. This enables you to provide quick responses and improve customer satisfaction and experience.
Inventory Management

Live updates and a pooled inventory system help avoid overbooking and ensure you and your downstream partners are on the same page. The system automatically distributes rooms and updates inventory availability, reducing the scope of errors and allocation mismanagement.
Integrations

The software makes life easier by providing seamless integrations with marketing, CRM, ERP and other business tools. You can easily pass information and increase collaboration between your back-end staff, communication team and front-desk workers.
Budget Management

The solution helps track booking trends, seasonal factors, demand, past revenue and historical data and presents the best rates for your products. You can optimize your budget planning, maximize revenue potential and generate insightful reports for better finance allocation.
Process Automation

By automating manual, repetitive operations like updating customer booking details, you can save time, resources and effort. Your staff and channel manager can focus on more important administrative tasks and provide the best possible customer engagement to encourage lead conversions.
Remote Access

This feature lets your teams work and answer client queries on time to help improve booking rates. You can access the solution anywhere — Mac, PC, laptop or phone. All you need is an internet connection. Mobile access also helps widen your visibility, reach and ultimately, customer base.

Software Comparison Strategy

With so many vendors in the market, it can get overwhelming to find the best channel management software for you. Start your search by considering the following aspects:

Preferred Features: Look at your current system and analyze where it’s lacking. What are the most common problems you face? Which features can help maximize productivity? Take some time to make a list of your requirements. Your best channel management software options should excel in automation, reservation management, reporting, query management, inventory management and multichannel syncing.

Mobile Platform: Channel management solutions that you can access anywhere, on any device you want, are especially beneficial if you have remote employees or teams on the go. It’s a bonus if you can use the platform offline, something helpful in cases of spotty service. Check with your top vendors and assess the mobile compatibility they offer.

Deployment Model: While cloud solutions are popular, don’t choose them for the sake of it. On-premise systems need a dedicated IT team, which is expensive to maintain. But most on-site vendors don’t charge according to the number of users, something profitable in the long run, especially for large businesses. Deciding whether a cloud or on-premise setup makes more sense for you can help narrow down the search.

Type of Business: Your marketing channel strategies can vary depending on whether you’re a B2B or B2C business. Evaluate your top solutions and decide how well they fit with your firm.

Budget: You need to be honest about your budget and how much you can afford to spend. Thoroughly consider all variables like the number of users, hidden costs and maintenance fees before making a purchase.

Integrations: Take note of the platforms you use on a daily basis. Your ideal channel management solutions should integrate with CRM, ERP, marketing and property management software.

Scalability and Customizations: What customizable features does the software offer? Does it come with any pre-built templates? What about scalability options? Investing in a solution that can scale up is a good idea so your business doesn’t risk outgrowing its software capabilities.

Vendor Support: Does your vendor provide hands-on customer support? What data security measures do they have in place? What about 24/7 live chat? What do their installation, onboarding and training processes look like? Choose vendors with industry-specific experience and expertise to meet your business requirements.

User Experience: Channel management software that is intuitive and easy to use is always a plus. It can save valuable time and money that would otherwise go into costly and time-consuming software training.

Cost & Pricing Considerations

When it comes to channel management software, the price varies according to features, deployment, scalability and customization. The two main types of pricing are one-time licenses and subscription models. On-premise solution vendors charge a one-time, flat fee ranging from $2000 to $24,000. You also need to set aside some budget and resources for a full-time IT team to maintain an on-site platform.

Some vendors charge on a monthly, quarterly, semi-yearly or annual basis. The most common method of pricing is per user/ per month and ranges from $30 to hundreds of dollars depending on functionalities. Few providers also give access to free trials or less advanced software versions free of cost.

Another thing to keep in mind is the hidden fees that you may need to pay for customer support, onboarding, training, implementation and maintenance.

The Most Popular Channel Management Software

Now that you know how channel management software works and what it can do for you, let's take a look at some of the most popular solutions in the market.

Hostaway

Hostaway is a vacation rental software that’s easy to use, offers various integrations and excels at automation. You can streamline tasks, plan budget, track team activities, use reporting tools and sync with multiple channels in a centralized platform. Other notable features include reservations management, channel distribution, performance management and payment processing.

Hostaway

Calendar tab in Hostaway. Source

Guesty

Guesty is a property management software that can manage listings on multiple channels like Airbnb, TripAdvisor and Booking.com in a single-view solution. The software allows you to automate manual operations, integrate with various business apps, get insightful reports and gain remote access. Other functions include accounting, calendar management, revenue management and guest communication tools.

Guesty

Integrations tab in Guesty. Source

iGMS

One of the top vacation rental management software in the market, iGMS provides real-time updates and accurate allocation details to avoid overbooking. It helps manage teams and widen brand visibility so you can increase your client base. Booking management, automation, smart messaging and a website builder are some dynamic features to look out for.

iGMS

Calendar dashboard in iGMS.

 

 

Questions To Ask

To finalize a channel management solution that fits your business, ask yourself the following questions during software selection.

Use these questions as a starting point for internal conversations:

  • Which sales and communication channels are the most important for my business?
  • What problems are my operations currently facing, and which features can help solve them?
  • Did my teams ever face communication gaps, and were they fixed? How effectively do they collaborate right now?
  • Do I own a B2B or B2C business?
  • Do I need a custom product with advanced features, or will an out-of-the-box product do?

Channel Management Software Key Questions

Use the following questions to guide your selection process with regard to vendors and software:

  • Is there a limit to the number of channels the system can sync to?
  • What inventory management features does the software offer?
  • Which industry do you specialize in?
  • What integrations does the platform provide?
  • How does your support team handle technical requests?

Next Steps

Channel management software lets you save time and money through automation, inventory management and integration capabilities. It helps increase productivity, enhance customer experience and widen the client base through global visibility. Hospitality industries like hotels and travel agencies can especially leverage and benefit from this solution to improve their sales.

Still feeling overwhelmed in your product search? Get started today with our comparison report to gain insight into top channel management software leaders.

About The Contributors

The following expert team members are responsible for creating, reviewing, and fact checking the accuracy of this content.

Manogna Chandrika
By Manogna Chandrika Matta
Technical Content Writer
Manogna Matta was a Technical Content Writer at SelectHub who delivered content for CRM, mental health, marketing and fundraising. An alum of the University of Hyderabad, Manogna did Communication and Psychology courses in her B.A. and M.A. She's also an avid coin collector and a fashion enthusiast. When not typing away on the keyboard, Manogna plays mother hen to her tiny birds, watches sitcoms and makes bad-quality dad jokes.
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Joan
Technical Research By Joan Akash
Senior Analyst
Joan Akash, a Senior Research Analyst at SelectHub, holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Management with a specialization in Marketing. Her expertise as a researcher and reviewer spans diverse software categories, including Project Management, Customer Relationship Management, Live Chat, and Help Desk. Beyond her professional pursuits, Joan is spiritually driven, with a passion for teaching children and a penchant for reading biblical blogs and crafting poetry.
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Manan
Technical Review By Manan Roy
Principal Analyst
Manan is a native of Tezpur, Assam (India), who currently lives in Kolkata, West Bengal (India). At SelectHub, he works on categories like CRM, HR, PPM, BI, and EHR. He has a Bachelor of Technology in CSE from The Gandhi Institute of Engineering and Technology, a Master of Technology from The Institute of Engineering and Management IT, and an MBA in Finance from St. Xavier's College. He's published two research papers, one in a conference and the other in a journal, during his Master of Technology.
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Pooja
Edited By Pooja Verma
Content Editor
Pooja Verma is a Content Editor and Senior Market Analyst at SelectHub, who writes and edits content for endpoint security, legal, CRM, fundraising software, eCommerce, and mental health software. She earned a literature degree from Miranda House, DU and also holds Master’s in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication in India. In her free time, you can spot her reading a book or binge-watching the latest web series and movies.
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