SugarCRM vs Close

Salesforce Sales Cloud

HubSpot CRM

Zoho CRM

Salesforce Sales Cloud is a cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) application from Salesforce. The platform combines human sales professionals with AI-powered automation, data, and intelligence. This integrated solution is designed to help businesses of all sizes and industries.

HubSpot CRM is a lead management solution that helps businesses with recording calls, logging emails and managing customer data. It has been designed from the ground up and is ready to eliminate manual work and actually help sales teams. It was built ready for the modern world to help users get running and start selling.

Zoho CRM is a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) solution that helps businesses of all sizes close deals smarter, better and faster. The solution lets businesses reach customers through every channel, including telephone, email, social media, and live chat.

Team Lead

It serves organisations best when a dedicated support function and/or developers are available to ensure custom modules and integrations and updated and maintained in parallel.

Human Resource Manager

SugarCRM has been an effective and easy to use customer relationship management tool.

SugarCRM is an all-in-one CRM platform that aligns sales, marketing, and service teams to drive enhanced productivity and growth. It's a cost-effective, realiable CRM solution, highly regarded for its user-friendly design, and robust integrations. 
Ideal for B2B medium to large-sized companies.

A/B Testing

Activity Dashboard

Activity Tracking

AI/Machine Learning

Alerts/Notifications

Audience Targeting

Batch Processing

Brand Tracking

Calendar Management

Calendar/Reminder System

Calendar Sync

Campaign Analytics

Campaign Management

Channel Management

Collaboration Tools

Commission Management

Communication Management

Configurable Workflow

Contact Database

Contact Management

Content Management

Contract/License Management

Conversion Tracking

Customer Database

Customer Engagement

Customer Segmentation

Customer Social Profiles

Customer Support

Customizable Branding

Customizable CTAs

Customizable Fields

Customizable Forms

Customizable Reports

Customizable Scoring

Customizable Templates

Dashboard

Data Enrichment

Data Import/Export

Data Visualization

Demographic/Firmographic Data

Document Storage

Drag & Drop

Drip Campaigns

Dynamic Content

Email Management

Email Marketing

Email Templates

Email Tracking

Engagement Tracking

Event Triggered Actions

Field Sales Management

Forecasting

For iPad Devices

For Small Businesses

For Startups

Interaction Tracking

Internal Chat Integration

Knowledge Base Management

Landing Pages/Web Forms

Lead Capture

Lead Distribution

Lead Generation

Lead Management

Lead Nurturing

Lead Qualification

Lead Scoring

Lead Segmentation

Live Chat

Marketing Automation

Marketing Calendar

Mobile Access

Mobile App

Monitoring

Multi-Campaign

Multi-Channel Communication

Multi-Channel Marketing

Multi-Channel Social Integration

Multiple Scoring Models

Multivariate Testing

Opportunity Management

Performance Metrics

Pipeline Management

Pipeline Reports

Predictive Analytics

Prioritization

Process/Workflow Automation

Proposal Generation

Prospecting Tools

Quotes/Estimates

Real-Time Data

Real-Time Notifications

Real-Time Reporting

Referral Tracking

Reminders

Reporting/Analytics

Reporting & Statistics

ROI Tracking

Role-Based Permissions

Some reviewers find SugarCRM cost-effective, especially for small businesses and nonprofits, and they appreciate affordable customization options. However, some users report rising costs for extra features, minimum user requirements, and accumulating customization expenses.

Value for money

Reviews for SugarCRM come from a wide variety of industries, including information technology and services (13% of reviewers), computer software (11%), and marketing and advertising (5%). The most frequent use case for SugarCRM cited by reviewers is CRM (73% of reviewers).

SugarCRM

Windows

Linux

Web-based

Android

iPhone

iPad

Act!

Bitrix24

Freshsales

Dynamics 365

Copper

Odoo 

Yetiforce CRM

Vtiger CRM

SuperOffice CRM

Sugar Sell Essentials

Sugar Sell Standard

Sugar Sell Advanced

Sugar Sell Premier

Sugar Serve

Sugar Market

Frequent bugs and instability

84% of reviewers feel negative about SugarCRM’s bugs and issues. Users report frequent crashes, software errors, and instability that disrupt daily operations. Reviewers say error messages can be unclear, making troubleshooting difficult, and some mention that bugs persist across updates. They indicate that recurring problems with modules, templates, and plug-ins lead to frustration and a lack of reliability. Many users feel that the platform’s clunkiness and tendency to freeze undermine confidence in its dependability, with several noting that unresolved bugs can hinder productivity and workflow.

Outdated versions and update issues

68% of reviewers feel negative about SugarCRM’s updates and version management. Users say the platform often feels outdated, with infrequent updates and a user interface that lags behind modern standards. Reviewers mention that the community edition is no longer maintained, forcing users to consider paid versions. They report that updates can introduce new problems or break existing features, and some find the release schedule unpredictable. Many users express frustration with the lack of long-term support and the slow pace of improvements, which can limit the platform’s competitiveness.

Unintuitive and dated interface

Product Manager 

To me it doesn't look like enough care was taken to make a user friendly interface.

Chief Product Officer

The interface feels old and doesn't give the user much power to reconfigure it to work in a way that will help the user's specific needs.

52% of reviewers feel negative about SugarCRM’s user interface. Users describe the interface as clunky, outdated, and not user-friendly, making it challenging for new or non-technical users to navigate. Reviewers say the design lacks intuitiveness and visual appeal, with some finding it overly complex or busy. They indicate that configuring the system to meet specific needs requires significant effort, and the interface does not facilitate an inviting or efficient user experience. Many users compare it unfavorably to other CRM platforms with more modern and intuitive designs.

Effective client management tools

96% of reviewers feel positive about SugarCRM’s client management capabilities. Users find the platform valuable for organizing client data, tracking deals, and maintaining detailed records of interactions. Reviewers appreciate features that support teamwork, such as shared notes and case tracking, which help teams communicate better with clients and partners. They say the system provides a centralized location for managing client relationships, monitoring progress, and automating service tasks. Many users highlight the ease of logging information and the benefit of having all client-related activities accessible in one place.

Comprehensive customer tracking

97% of reviewers feel positive about SugarCRM’s customer tracking. Reviewers appreciate being able to monitor the entire customer journey, from lead acquisition to conversion, across multiple channels. They say the platform helps manage sales, marketing, and support interactions in one place, making it easier to visualize client data and track engagement. Users find features like integrated ticketing, reporting, and multi-device access especially helpful for staying organized and responsive. Many reviewers highlight the benefits of automated campaign management and the ability to link with other systems for a holistic view of customer relationships.

Simple and flexible setup

89% of reviewers feel positive about SugarCRM’s setup process. Users say the platform is easy to install, configure, and deploy, even for small teams or those without dedicated IT staff. Reviewers appreciate the minimal learning curve and straightforward workflow automation tools, which allow businesses to get started quickly. They indicate that the intuitive design makes it simple to customize basic functions and add new features as needed. Many mention that the setup process supports both beginners and experienced users, enabling companies to automate processes and organize operations efficiently from day one.

Extensive customization options

84% of reviewers feel positive about SugarCRM’s customization. Users appreciate being able to tailor modules, fields, and workflows to fit unique business needs without heavy coding. Reviewers say the open-source nature allows developers to create add-ons and extend functionality, while non-programmers can make interface changes through drag-and-drop tools. They indicate that the flexibility to personalize the platform is key for adapting to evolving requirements, and many mention the value of customizing homepages and modules for different teams. Some reviewers feel this adaptability is crucial for supporting diverse industries and business processes.

Regional Manager - Sales

Great, completely allowed for tracking and moving business along with reporting on the business to stakeholders.

Digital Marketing coordinator

I loved the high level of customizability

Permissions for the entire team proved to be one of the worst tasks next to getting contacts imported which I had to do manually.

Market Specialist

Another main way in which I can use SugarCRM phones or tablets when out of the office, helps you to extract some data through searches and tables, you can quickly call a contact and when you have a call.

The software provides a robust search feature that allows you to search by name, phone number, and other data values that I need.

Research assistant

SugarCRM ensures the security of data and information, and now I can quickly manage the various campaigns, build new campaigns for everybody, and receive a thorough view of everything.

Marketing Specialist

By providing a platform for managing leads, assigning them to sales reps, and tracking their progress through the sales pipeline, SugarCRM enables sales teams to work more efficiently and effectively.

Specialist Marketing

With SugarCRM, I keep track of new campaigns (account management), I am regularly reminded that I have performance discussions with my customers and I can switch to the corresponding customer account to find all the important data and get in touch with the customer.

Admin software provided with SugarCRM enables the setup of each screen such that The company wants, including adding personalized infinite areas, changing values on any deployable list, and arranging everything and all.

I did not find any cons, perhaps it is simply how it was set up.

Sales Manager

I do not see difficulties when using SugarCRM.

SysAdmin

Import/export tools are quite well developed, whereas other integrations and features are to be paid separately.

In addition, the tool can be linked very flexibly with other systems via APIs, such as SAP, various campaign management tools, and much more.

SugarCRM is a robust and feature-rich platform that can help businesses of all sizes improve their customer relationships and streamline their operations.

What I like most are the synergy effects of the use of the tool by our large sales teams spread over several locations (in Spain and abroad) and our various marketing teams.

Business 

Local host means having a slow CRM and also it's hard customizing reports and data visualization tool to track activities.

Freelance

The application is easy to use and provides a range of great services and features for Customer Relationship Management .

It is so easy to understand the features of SugarCRM.

This can help to reduce duplication of effort, improve collaboration between different teams, and ultimately drive higher revenues and profits.

The interface can be used very intuitively for an extensive CRM system thanks to its focus on a single clear navigation bar.

Business Development Manager

Great forecasting tool and I really liked the contact & account management tools

President 

After several months of sending emails to a handful of unresponsive people, we decided to send them a few more thousand dollars in hopes that they will delete our data and leave us alone.

Head of Sales

The mobile aspect is quite lacking... not good for a leader/manager who wants to check detailed data on the go or away from the office.

Agent 

what he doesn't like about this software is how expensive it is for small businesses

Easy for small teams to customize without requiring developers.

I don't like the learning curve that comes with it, it's hard even with great support.

We had a full-time SugarCRM admin onsite, and even he had trouble creating the level of detail we needed.

First of all SugarCRM has a great set of features that outperforms many competitors.

The browser bar at the top of the screen is the preferred position, but it can be placed sideways, floating or at the bottom.

Sales Marketing Manager

The total features ensured that the common perception of a CRM will now shift from a pragmatic, reviewable database to an operational, process-driven platform which will save time, generate benefits, and, as the motto states, "Do the job for you."

Marketing Coordinator

It wasn't the most difficult system but the feel of it being out of date with the lead quality low made it difficult at times.

Customer Experience Manager

Between bugs with the licenses, bugs with the search/filter, email issues, and zero customer support, I cannot understate how disappointed I am in this purchase and this company as a whole.

SugarCRM vs Close Comparison (2026)

SugarCRM

Close

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives