Sometimes, finding the right CRM is about exploring your options to see what fits your team best. EngageBay CRM is popular for its affordability and feature set. But it may not meet every business's needs.
In this guide, we’ll introduce four alternatives to EngageBay CRM, outlining their features, pricing, and potential limitations.
What is EngageBay CRM?
EngageBay CRM is built for small and medium-sized businesses that want an all-in-one solution without the hefty price tag.
Since its launch in 2017, it has gained popularity for combining marketing, sales, and customer support tools into one platform. From automating email campaigns to managing sales pipelines and handling customer inquiries, EngageBay covers a wide range of business needs.
Its budget-friendly pricing, including a free plan for startups and scalable options for growing businesses, makes it a practical choice. With EngageBay, you can simplify business operations and improve teams' efficiency.
EngageBay CRM features
- Custom deal tracks: Manage multiple sales processes with separate pipelines tailored to your products or services. You can create specific milestones to keep all your business needs in check.
- Drag-and-drop Kanban board: Track your sales visually with an intuitive Kanban board that lets you move deals between stages.
- Automation for follow-ups: Set up workflows that handle tasks like sending emails or updating records when a deal’s status changes.
- Advanced contact management: Organize your prospects and leads into lists based on smart filters.
- Real-time analytics: The dashboards show you what's happening, from tracking revenue to checking deal progress.
- Marketing automation tools: EngageBay has tools for launching email campaigns, creating landing pages, and tracking customer interactions.
- Integrated helpdesk: Keep customers happy with features like ticket management and live chat.
- In-app calling: Call your leads directly from the CRM, track call logs, and even add notes right after the conversation.
- Lead scoring: Figure out which prospects are worth your attention with automated lead scoring.
With so much already included, you might wonder what it costs to get started.
EngageBay CRM pricing
Below is a quick breakdown of EngageBay CRM's pricing plans:
*Paid yearly
While EngageBay offers great functionality for its price, it isn’t tailored to every business. Its features might not align with companies needing highly specialized tools or larger-scale operations. Let’s break down where EngageBay CRM could fall short and who might benefit from exploring alternatives.
Why switching from EngageBay CRM could make sense
EngageBay CRM has an impressive feature set, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Depending on your business requirements, certain limitations may become apparent. Below are a few reasons to explore other options, backed by insights from real users:
- Limited advanced features and reporting
Businesses with deep analytical needs may find their reporting capabilities lacking. As one user noted, ‘The reporting capabilities, although adequate, might fall short for businesses with deep analytical needs.’ (Capterra) - Complexity in setup and navigation
Some users find the initial learning curve steep, particularly when configuring automation rules. ‘Setting up the email sequences was a bit tricky in places,’ shared a reviewer, adding that it took support to get things right. (Capterra) - Customization constraints
The platform’s flexibility might not meet expectations for businesses needing highly tailored dashboards. One user mentioned, ‘One aspect I found less satisfactory is the limited customization options for certain features.’ (Capterra) - Integration limitations
EngageBay’s integration with third-party tools is improving but still falls short for some. ‘It doesn’t integrate with many third-party software applications, which is critical for our business needs,’ said another user. (Capterra) - Occasional bugs and inefficiencies
Bugs and design quirks can slow down workflows. A frustrated reviewer shared, ‘There are numerous bugs and poor design decisions, ticket views are unreliable, and nothing is straightforward.’ (Capterra) - Social media suite restrictions
If your marketing strategy relies on a broad range of social platforms, EngageBay’s social media suite might feel limiting. One user commented, ‘The social suite is not that great; they should include more platforms as a new module.’ (Capterra) - Customer support gaps
Some users found the resources insufficient for complex issues. ‘Up until now, it does not have a sufficient knowledge base to back up its extensive features,’ said one reviewer. (Capterra)
If these challenges ring alarm bells, we’ve got some alternative CRM solutions for you.
4 best alternatives to EngageBay CRM
We’ve selected four standout alternatives that address areas where EngageBay might not meet your needs.
#1 Capsule CRM
Capsule CRM helps small businesses stay in control of their sales.
It brings all your customer data, tasks, and sales opportunities into one transparent, easy-to-use system. Capsule offers a lot of features designed to help you close deals and grow your business, including:
- Centralized contact management: Keep all customer, vendor, and partner details in one place. Use tags and categories to locate contacts and manage relationships.
- Sales pipeline tracking: Visualize your sales opportunities in a customizable pipeline to monitor progress and identify gaps in your sales process.
- Task and activity management: Assign tasks, set deadlines, and track activity to stay on top of your daily and long-term responsibilities.
- Integrations with popular tools: Connect Capsule with tools like QuickBooks for accounting, Transpond for marketing campaigns, and Office 365 for efficient communication. You can also integrate Capsule with Google Workspace, Xero, and Mailchimp, as well as internal communications software like Slack and Teams.
- A mobile app for on-the-go access: Manage your CRM from anywhere! Log calls, update records, and access customer data from your mobile device.
- Workflow automation: Automate repetitive tasks, such as follow-ups or data entry, to save time and improve efficiency.
- Custom fields and reporting: Tailor your CRM to fit your business needs with flexible fields and insightful reports for better decision-making.
- Exceptional customer service: Capsule's support team is available to guide you through setup and troubleshooting. The extensive knowledge base is more than enough to get started!
Capsule CRM pricing
- Free Plan ($0/month): A no-cost option for up to two users, including 250 contacts, 25 custom fields, and integrations with Gmail and Outlook. It's ideal for solopreneurs or startups.
- Starter Plan ($18/user/month): 30,000 contacts, one sales pipeline, 50 custom fields, five email templates, more integrations, and shared mailboxes.
- Growth Plan ($36/user/month): Offers 60,000 contacts, five pipelines, 150 custom fields, workflow automation, and advanced sales analytics.
- Advanced Plan ($54/user/month): Expand capacity to 120,000 contacts, 50 pipelines, and 300 custom fields. Includes advanced reporting, role-based access, and deeper insights for team collaboration.
- Ultimate Plan ($72/user/month): Supports up to 240,000 contacts, unlimited pipelines, and 1,000 custom fields. Custom training, priority support, and a dedicated account manager are included.
Why Capsule is better than EngageBay CRM
Straightforward navigation
EngageBay's overloaded interface can confuse new users. Capsule's clean layout and ease of use make adoption easier for teams without extensive training.
Focused on simplicity for small teams
Smaller teams may feel overwhelmed by EngageBay's tools. Capsule offers essential features tailored to small and medium businesses.
Well-rounded integrations
EngageBay requires more extensive integration for some workflows. Capsule connects easily with trusted platforms like FreshBooks, Sage, and Zapier – just to name a few.
Capsule CRM is a practical, adaptable choice for small businesses that want to get excellent value for money.
Start your free trial today and experience the difference!
#2 Nimble CRM
Nimble is a lightweight CRM tailored for small businesses. Need an easy way to stay on top of customer relationships? Nimble keeps everything in one place – contacts, sales, and even social insights.
Nimble CRM features
- Unified contact management from emails and social platforms.
- Sales pipeline tracking to monitor opportunities.
- Email automation for quick follow-ups and task reminders.
- Social listening to gather insights about your leads.
- Integrations with Office 365, G Suite, and other apps.
Nimble CRM pricing
Nimble offers one plan at $25 per user/month. While the plan includes core features, the 2GB storage cap can be limiting. Additional storage is available as an add-on for $10 per month.
Nimble CRM cons
- The mobile app lacks polish and functionality. (G2)
- Limited customization options for dashboards. (G2)
- The 2GB storage limit requires an add-on for more capacity. (G2)
While Nimble excels in social insights and works well for contact-focused teams, its capabilities may not fully meet the needs of some growing businesses. Capsule’s clean design, scalable storage, and flexible features make it a more practical choice for small businesses preparing to scale.
#3 Close CRM
Close CRM simplifies communication among small teams. Its email automation and Predictive Dialer cut out repetitive tasks, allowing teams to focus on closing deals and achieving results. Designed with sales-driven businesses in mind, it provides the tools needed to stay ahead.
Close CRM features
- Handle calls and texts directly in the app with advanced features like Call Coaching.
- Send tailored email sequences and track responses instantly.
- Keep leads organized with a clear pipeline for easy tracking.
- Set up workflows that match your team’s process.
- Get detailed insights on sales performance – from activity metrics to revenue trends.
Close CRM pricing
- Startup Plan ($59/user/month): Core tools like calling, email automation, and pipeline tracking.
- Professional Plan ($109/user/month): Adds automation, multiple pipelines, and 30-day call recordings.
- Enterprise Plan ($149/user/month): Advanced features like Predictive Dialer and custom reports.
Close CRM cons
- No free plan makes it tough for small teams on a budget. (G2)
- Call performance issues, like delays, disrupt team flow. (G2)
- High costs compared to what’s included. (G2)
Close CRM does well with communication tools, but its high price and limited customization leave some teams wanting more. Capsule CRM might be a better fit, with intuitive feature and adaptability, available at a lower cost.
#4 Bigin CRM
Bigin CRM by Zoho offers a simple solution for small businesses. It organizes contact and helps manage pipelines without adding unnecessary complexity.
Its simple interface and fast setup make it a great choice for startups and small teams. Beyond sales, Bigin supports tasks like handling support tickets while integrating with other Zoho apps.
Bigin CRM features
- Track multiple pipelines for sales or support with customizable workflows.
- Make and log calls with built-in telephony features.
- Automate follow-ups and reminders with tailored workflows.
- Integrate email to manage conversations in one place.
- Stay connected with mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Bigin CRM pricing
- Free Plan ($0): Basic tools for one user, ideal for startups.
- Express Plan ($9/user/month): Adds automation, custom fields, and templates.
- Premier Plan ($15/user/month): Includes advanced workflows and enhanced analytics.
Bigin CRM cons
- Integration issues with some tools like Zoho Books and LinkedIn. (Capterra)
- Limited custom fields and functionality for advanced reporting. (Capterra)
- Customer support needs to be more consistent with users. (Capterra)
- Lacks features like document uploads or bulk messaging. (Capterra)
Bigin works well for small teams prioritizing simplicity, but its limitations may restrict growing businesses. It could quickly become restrictive as your needs evolve. Capsule CRM provides greater flexibility and scalability, making it a stronger choice for teams planning to expand.
Don’t settle – upgrade your CRM today
EngageBay offers plenty of features, but 'one-size-fits-all' solutions don’t always meet all your needs.
Capsule CRM focuses on what small businesses value most: simplicity, clarity, and practical tools to build relationships and grow. While EngageBay can feel overwhelming or restrictive, Capsule keeps things straightforward and intuitive, all while remaining cost-effective.
Ready to switch to a CRM designed for ease and flexibility? Capsule’s tailored pricing and smart features make it the perfect choice for small businesses aiming to succeed.