Salesforce Essentials is a comprehensive CRM tool designed specifically for small businesses. It provides all the basic functionality required to manage leads, customers, and transactions. This software eliminates the need for complex sales software configuration, offering a simple yet effective solution. Salesforce Essentials is perfect for businesses seeking a straightforward approach to managing their customer relationships and sales processes.

  • 01Pros and cons from reviewers
  • 02Main features
  • 03What is Salesforce?
  • 04How Salesforce compare to similar software?
  • 05Who is Salesforce best for according to our reviewers?
  • 06Salesforce Reviews

What is Salesforce?

Salesforce Essentials is a powerful tool designed specifically for small businesses. It serves as a comprehensive solution for tracking and managing relationships with leads and customers by centralizing all essential data in one place. The software not only organizes data but also provides a visual representation of your sales pipeline, offering meaningful insights into sales performance. Salesforce Essentials acts as an operational dashboard, providing real-time insights. It also plays a crucial role in managing customer relationships, simplifying communication and ensuring consistency across all touchpoints. This tool helps to strengthen the bond between businesses and their clients. Deals on Salesforce Essentials and other top SaaS can be found at Secret to help drive business growth.

Pros from reviewers

  • Cloud-based services: Salesforce Essentials operates on a cloud-based platform, allowing users to access their data from anywhere, anytime. This feature also ensures quick responses and real-time updates, enhancing the speed and efficiency of sales operations

  • Highly customizable: Salesforce Essentials offers a high level of customization, allowing users to tailor the platform to their specific needs. This feature makes it incredibly powerful in terms of automations and user interface, enhancing its functionality and usability

  • Salesforce Essentials offers all-in-one solution: Salesforce Essentials provides a comprehensive solution for sales, offering all the necessary tools in one place. This feature enhances efficiency and productivity by eliminating the need to switch between different platforms for various tasks

  • Easy documentation and tracking: Salesforce Essentials allows users to document and track all their interactions with clients. This feature is particularly beneficial for grant managers and writers, as it enables them to record every interaction with a funder, including the proposal and any other documentation received

  • Global leading CRM: Salesforce Essentials is globally recognized as a leading CRM software. Its broad array of features and functionalities, combined with its high level of customization, make it a powerful tool for managing customer relationships.

Cons from reviewers

  • Limited customization options: Salesforce Essentials does not allow for much customization, particularly in task tracking. Users have reported difficulty in adjusting the system to fit their specific needs, such as being unable to customize due dates for tasks

  • Slow verification process: Users have reported that the verification process can be slow, causing delays in their work

  • Limited functionality: Despite its wide array of features, Salesforce Essentials lacks some basic functionalities that users expect from a modern CRM tool. For example, users cannot sort by most fields, add custom fields to list views, or modify the number of records per page

  • Complex backend management: Managing the backend of Salesforce Essentials can be quite complex, requiring a dedicated individual to handle the platform. This can be a disadvantage for smaller teams or businesses without the resources to dedicate to this task

  • Poor mobile app: Users have reported that the mobile app lacks crucial features, such as the ability to include notes. This can make it difficult for users to work effectively while on the go.

Main features

Starting Price

$26

/ user / month

Free Plan

No

Transaction tracking

Email templates

Integrations

Contact management

Customer service

When comparing Freshworks and Salesforce, it becomes evident that these two CRM platforms are tailored for different business needs, each with its unique set of strengths and features. These differences revolve around target audience, scalability, and functionality, and they play a crucial role in determining which platform is the right fit for your business.


Freshworks primarily caters to the needs of small and medium-sized businesses, making it an appealing choice for startups and growing enterprises. Its user-friendly interface and affordability make it a practical option for businesses with limited resources. Freshworks functions as a comprehensive CRM solution, offering fundamental features that suit organizations with simpler CRM requirements. Its focus on core CRM functions positions it as an accessible choice for businesses seeking a cost-effective and straightforward solution to manage customer relationships.


In contrast, Salesforce has established itself as a juggernaut in...

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Salesforce

CRM software for SMEs

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Freshworks

Software suite for sales, marketing, and customer service teams

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Both HubSpot and Salesforce are highly relevant SaaS solutions if you’re looking for reliable, reputable and comprehensive CRM software. However, their biggest difference lies in their target market. HubSpot is a more attractive choice for startups and SMEs. Salesforce, on the other hand, is an ideal choice for large enterprises. This difference in focus is the source of many of the differences we see when we compare these two software tools.


HubSpot is an all-in-one suite with integrated CRM functionalities. It's less expensive than its competitor Salesforce, but its functionalities mean it's primarily intended for use in marketing and sales. It's perfect for smaller companies or start-ups that don't necessarily have a great deal of experience in CRM deployment and operation. It's also easier to use and customize to your specific business needs. HubSpot's ease-of-use and attractive interface are major advantages. What's more, by centralizing sales, marketing, customer service and...

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Salesforce

CRM software for SMEs

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HubSpot

CRM, marketing automation & customer service software suite

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One of the key differences between the two solutions is their pricing. Salesforce is the more expensive. While Zoho CRM plans start at $14/month/user, Salesforce starts at $25/month/user. Zoho’s plans max out at $52/month/user for its Ultimate plan. Salesforce’s Unlimited plan is priced at $330/user/month. Zoho also offers a free version with solid CRM features, including contact management, email marketing, sales automation, and more. Ultimately, Salesforce is a premium product. You pay a higher price for it, but you get increased functionality in return. 


Zoho and Salesforce’s AI features also diverge. Zoho’s AI work assistant, Zia, is designed to make your CRM more efficient. It can make workflow automation suggestions, run analytics for personalized customer recommendations, and perform data enrichment to find missing lead data. It also suggests basic writing improvements. Zia is only available with Zoho’s top-tier plans. Salesforce’s AI assistant, Einstein, is generative...

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CRM software for SMEs

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All-in-one customer relationship management software

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Who is Salesforce best for according to our reviewers?

  • Sales Representatives: Salesforce Essentials is a highly efficient tool for sales representatives, offering all necessary tools in one place and boosting daily sales with quick responses and cloud services

  • Backend Managers: Despite its complexity, Salesforce Essentials is a powerful tool for backend managers due to its high customizability and broad array of features and functionalities

  • Small Business Owners: Salesforce Essentials may not be the best fit for small business owners due to its high cost, complex interface, and the need for extensive training to fully utilize the software

  • Grant Managers: As a CRM, Salesforce Essentials is beneficial for grant managers, allowing them to document all interactions with funders and potential funders, and keep track of all related documentation in one place

  • Disgruntled Users: Some users have found Salesforce Essentials to be user-unfriendly, with a sensitive interface that can lead to errors and a need for extensive phone support.

  • Salesforce Reviews

    3.9

    Salesforce rating

    4.0

    Ease of use

    4.0

    Customer service

    3.9

    Value for money

    3.8

    Likelihood to recommend

    4.1

    Features

    24 Salesforce Reviews

    3.9 (24 reviews)
    Leave a review
    • Wynne

      Efficient Customer Correspondence Tracking and Affordable Pricing: A Salesforce Essentials Review

      it allows us to track all customer correspondence within the platform. Lastly, the affordability of Salesforce Essentials is worth mentioning

      September 17, 2024

    • Carolyn M

      Five-Star Review: Unleashing the Full Potential of Salesforce Essentials

      I'm absolutely thrilled to give Salesforce Essentials a five-star rating! Initially, I was impressed by the company's professionalism, the software's potential, and the team's friendliness. Once I signed up, I discovered that the software's full potential could be unlocked with a reasonable investment in additional services and some comprehensive training for my team. They were very enthusiastic about their support services, and indeed, the support team was a learning experience. I was introduced to various team members, each offering a different perspective and approach. It might seem a bit overwhelming at first, but it's all part of the learning curve. This system could be a game-changer for a large company with ample resources. Overall, I found it to be an exciting challenge!

      September 10, 2024

    • Julie C

      Enhanced Workflow Efficiency with Salesforce Essentials' Task Management

      it helps us keep track of all customer interactions, ensuring no detail is missed. Salesforce Essentials' task management feature has greatly improved our workflow

      September 1, 2024

    • Patricia A

      Salesforce Essentials: A Comprehensive and Rewarding CRM Experience

      Salesforce Essentials, in my opinion, should be hailed as the Salesforce Extraordinaire due to its unique interface. The process of adding new accounts and contacts is a thorough one, ensuring that all necessary information is captured. This might seem like a bit of a task, but it's a great way to ensure that no detail is overlooked. While the software doesn't have an autopilot feature, it does offer a hands-on experience that allows you to fully understand and control your CRM. The basic functions might require a bit of a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it's a breeze. Plus, the written support, though limited, is concise and to the point. What I absolutely love about Salesforce Essentials is the robust phone support. Whenever I encounter an error, I know I can rely on their team to guide me through it. The software is sensitive, yes, but that's because it's designed to be precise and accurate. Sometimes, it might feel like you're going down a rabbit hole, but that's just because there's so much to explore and learn. I would highly recommend Salesforce Essentials to anyone looking for a CRM program that offers a rewarding and enriching experience for both you and your employees.

      August 25, 2024

    • Denise F

      Exceptional Support and Excellent Contact Management: A Review

      their team is always ready to assist with any issues or queries. The contact management feature is excellent

      August 17, 2024

    • Aislinn D

      Commendable Customer Support and Insightful Data: Salesforce Essentials Review

      it provides insightful data that helps us make informed business decisions. The customer support provided by Salesforce Essentials is commendable

      August 11, 2024

    • York M

      Never Take Anything for Granted

      As a user, my top recommendation for any company considering Salesforce's Desk.com is to thoroughly document every expectation and need for a CRM tool. I suggest not assuming any functionality exists, no matter how basic it may seem. I found that there are features and functionalities that one might expect from a modern system that it simply does not offer. For instance, I couldn't sort by most fields, add custom fields to list views, or modify the number of records per page. I also found the reporting feature to be limited - I couldn't modify fields displayed in a report, edit criteria for metrics, include custom fields in reports aside from picklists, or export more than 2500 records at a time. The email function lacked standard modern features like underlining, highlighting, modifying font color, or pasting images/tables.Although I could build more complex workflows and automation in Salesforce to update fields which are then passed back to Desk via Desk Connect, I strongly advise against relying on Desk Connect for any business processes. I learned that it can be turned off by Desk.

      August 6, 2024

    • Ruth

      Efficient Automation: The Power Behind Salesforce Essentials

      I feel like Salesforce Essentials is powered by incredibly efficient automation! It's as if there's a team of super-intelligent bots working tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring everything runs smoothly. It's truly impressive!

      July 29, 2024

    • Nicole B

      Streamlining CRM with Salesforce Essentials

      Salesforce Essentials has been instrumental in streamlining our customer relationship management

      July 22, 2024

    • Doris Rodriguez

      Efficient Task Assignment and Monitoring with Email Integration

      it allows us to assign and monitor tasks effectively. The email integration feature is very beneficial

      July 16, 2024

    • Janet N

      Tailored Software with Top-Notch Integration: Salesforce Essentials

      we've been able to tailor the software to our specific business needs. Salesforce Essentials' integration capabilities are top-notch

      July 9, 2024

    • Jessica

      Thrilled by the Evolution and Value of Salesforce Essentials

      I've been absolutely thrilled with Salesforce Essentials for years, despite the company's constant evolution. It's clear to see how it has only improved over time. It's astonishing that they can charge so little for a product that feels so comprehensive and complete!

      June 30, 2024

    • Martha W

      Discovering the Intricacies and Benefits of Salesforce Essentials

      I find Salesforce Essentials to be incredibly enlightening! It appears to be designed by individuals with a unique perspective on managing dynamic teams. The app is filled with 8% additional information, providing a comprehensive and detailed user interface. There are numerous deactivated pages scattered around, which adds an element of exploration and discovery. It took my team months to grasp the basics, and we still find it intriguing. It's a fascinating application that I strongly recommend embracing!

      June 23, 2024

    • Jessica M

      Boosting Productivity with Cloud-Based System

      its intuitive interface and robust features have significantly improved our productivity. The cloud-based system allows for seamless remote work

      June 16, 2024

    • Juan

      Timeless Efficiency: A Personal Review of Salesforce Essentials

      I'm amazed to see the mixed reviews and feel compelled to share my own. Salesforce is a $26B company that provides a comprehensive database solution, and it's impressive. The mobile app is streamlined and focused, keeping the essentials at your fingertips. It's so efficient, it feels intentional. I used it in 2 and I'm thrilled to be using it now. NOTHING HAS CHANGED, and that's a testament to its timeless efficiency. I would be proud to associate myself with this company. I'm a big fan of Salesforce.

      June 11, 2024

    • Kathleen Jones

      Thriving with Salesforce: A Seamless Daily Sales Journey

      I heavily depend on Salesforce Essentials for my daily tasks and find it highly efficient. It boosts my daily sales by offering all I need in one place and provides quick responses and cloud services. However, I do face some problems with troubleshooting on weekends and a slow verification process.

      June 4, 2024

    • Grace D

      Thriving with Salesforce Essentials: A Personal Experience

      Working on Salesforce's Customer Service platform has been an absolutely delightful experience for me. I wholeheartedly recommend introducing your employees to this fantastic platform. My company has renewed our contract with Salesforce after more than a year and I am extremely thrilled!

      May 25, 2024

    • Christine B

      Efficient Task Management with Mobile App Customization

      I've found the mobile app particularly useful for managing tasks on-the-go. The customization options are impressive

      May 19, 2024

    • Gary Martinez

      Effortless Sync and Game-Changing Reporting.

      it syncs effortlessly with our existing software, creating a unified workspace. The reporting feature is a game-changer

      May 14, 2024

    • Betty B

      Exploring the Clouds: My Journey with Salesforce Essentials

      I had an interesting journey exploring the various Clouds offered by Salesforce Essentials. I initially took a free trial for the Financial Services Cloud and was quite impressed with it. In my enthusiasm, I ended up signing up for the Sales Cloud, which turned out to be a completely different experience. On my first day, I realized my mistake and reached out to their salespeople, Megan Foye / Megan Lacey and Quinn Schrepel. They were incredibly responsive and guided me through the process, which I initially found a bit confusing. A few days later, I got in touch with the Billing Department. They informed me that I couldn't cancel my subscription, which was a bit of a surprise. However, I took it as an opportunity to explore the Sales Cloud further. And guess what? It turned out to be a blessing in disguise! I found the Sales Cloud to be equally impressive and beneficial for my business. In the end, what seemed like a mix-up turned into a fantastic opportunity to explore and understand the different offerings of Salesforce Essentials. I'm now a happy user of the Sales Cloud and look forward to discovering more about this versatile platform.

      May 7, 2024

    • Christine B

      Salesforce Admin Insights: Power and Complexity in the World's Top CRM

      I believe Salesforce Essentials is overall a very good software and it's evident why it's the leading CRM globally. However, managing the backend can be quite complex with many nuances, necessitating a dedicated individual to handle the platform. It's highly customizable with a broad array of features and functionalities, which makes it incredibly powerful in terms of automations and user interface. Yet, the multitude of features can sometimes overshadow its primary function as a CRM, and it occasionally lacks basic features one would anticipate from such a costly product.

      April 28, 2024

    • Martha

      Rediscovering Salesforce Essentials: A Journey of Transparency, Affordability, and Exceptional Customer Service

      I have to say, my journey with Salesforce Essentials has been quite an interesting one. Years ago, I reached out to them and was quoted $1 per month, which was a bit steep for me at the time. However, I recently saw their CEO on Jim Cramer's show discussing the challenges they were facing, which I found quite transparent and honest.What really caught my attention was their recent report of record sales. It made me think, if they're doing so well, they must be doing something right. This sparked my curiosity and I decided to give them another shot. I was pleasantly surprised to find they now offer introductory packages for as low as $25 per month, which is a great option for small businesses like mine.When I called them last week, I was impressed by their quick response. I received a call back from one representative, and when I called back, another representative was ready to assist me. It's quite impressive to think that a company as large as Salesforce has such a dedicated team ready to help at any time.Although the person I needed to discuss plans with was out of the office, I was assured they would get back to me as soon as possible. It's comforting to know that they value each customer and are willing to go the extra mile to ensure we get the help we need. I'm looking forward to exploring what Salesforce Essentials can do for my business. Their dedication and commitment to customer service is truly commendable.

      April 21, 2024

    • Frank C

      Salesforce Essentials: A Game-Changer for Career Progression

      Salesforce Essentials has been a game-changer in my career, paving the way for my early retirement decision. It's a comprehensive platform that encourages meticulous data input, ensuring no detail is overlooked. The management's focus on closing tickets has instilled a sense of accomplishment in me, as it highlights the progress of our work. The platform's requirement for detailed fields, even for simple tasks, has been a boon, promoting thoroughness and precision. I'm thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with such a robust platform.

      April 15, 2024

    • Forrest

      Effortless User Experience

      Overall, I find Salesforce Essentials to be an excellent product. As a grant manager, I use it to document all my interactions with funders and potential funders. It's the simplest product I've used in my ten years of experience. I value its function as a CRM, despite it being designed for a slightly different purpose. As a grant writer, I can record every interaction with a funder, including the proposal and any other documentation we've received. It's easy to trace the entire history with an organization, which helps me keep everything in one place. However, I wish the task tracking was set up differently, or at least customizable. I use task tracking to record every interaction I have with a funder, but it doesn't perfectly fit for that. For instance, I want to note that I emailed them and I have to select a "due date", even though there isn't one. I just put today's date, but I wish I could customize it.

      April 13, 2024