Freshsales vs Pipedrive
Short version: Freshsales is the better fit for SMBs that want an easy, affordable CRM with built-in AI and phone, while Pipedrive is built for small and mid-size sales teams that want a fast, no-fuss pipeline CRM.
Freshsales
Freshworks' sales CRM with built-in AI
$9/mo
Free plan; paid from ~$9/seat/mo, AI on higher tiers
Pipedrive
Simple, visual pipeline CRM for SMBs
$14/mo
From ~$14/seat/mo; most teams on Advanced/Professional
At a glance
| Spec | Freshsales | Pipedrive |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $9/mo | $14/mo |
| Budget tier | Budget-friendly | Budget-friendly |
| Complexity | Beginner-friendly | Beginner-friendly |
| Primary category | CRM | CRM |
| Integrations | 100+ | 400+ |
| Founded | 2017 | 2010 |
Feature comparison
Freshsales offers 10 of 11 tracked crm features; Pipedrive offers 10.
| Feature | Freshsales | Pipedrive |
|---|---|---|
| Visual pipeline management | ||
| Contact & company records | ||
| Email sync & tracking | ||
| Workflow automation | ||
| Reporting & dashboards | ||
| Built-in dialer | ||
| Sales forecasting | ||
| Mobile app | ||
| Free plan | ||
| API & webhooks | ||
| Priority / 24-7 support |
Freshsales
Pros
- Clean UI with built-in phone and email
- Freddy AI lead scoring and insights
- Generous free plan
Cons
- AI value depends on data volume
- Deeper customization needs higher tiers
- Smaller ecosystem than Salesforce
Pipedrive
Pros
- Cleanest visual pipeline, reps adopt it instantly
- Affordable and quick to set up
- Solid automation and reminders for the price
Cons
- Lighter on marketing and support features
- Reporting less powerful than HubSpot/Salesforce
- Add-ons raise the real cost
Which should you choose?
Choose Freshsales if…
- you want clean UI with built-in phone and email
- you want freddy AI lead scoring and insights
- you want generous free plan
Choose Pipedrive if…
- you want cleanest visual pipeline, reps adopt it instantly
- you want affordable and quick to set up
- you want solid automation and reminders for the price
The verdict
Both are solid crm tools. The best choice comes down to fit: Freshsales for SMBs that want an easy, affordable CRM with built-in AI and phone, and Pipedrive for small and mid-size sales teams that want a fast, no-fuss pipeline CRM.
Browse all tools →Frequently asked questions
Is Freshsales or Pipedrive cheaper?
Freshsales is the more affordable option ($9/mo versus $14/mo). The lower sticker price isn't always the better value, though, weigh the tier your team will actually land on and any add-ons.
Which is better, Freshsales or Pipedrive?
Neither is strictly better, they're built for different priorities. Freshsales is the stronger pick for SMBs that want an easy, affordable CRM with built-in AI and phone, while Pipedrive suits small and mid-size sales teams that want a fast, no-fuss pipeline CRM.
What's the main difference between Freshsales and Pipedrive?
Freshsales is beginner-friendly and budget-friendly, while Pipedrive is beginner-friendly and budget-friendly. On tracked crm features, Freshsales covers 10 and Pipedrive covers 10.