Top 10 System Sales Tools for 2026

What are system sales tools?

System sales tools are software platforms that manage customer relationships, track deals through the sales pipeline, and automate sales processes from first contact to closed deal. Unlike point solutions that handle one task, these systems serve as the central hub for all sales activities: customer data, logging interactions, managing tasks, forecasting revenue, and reporting on performance.

At their core, system sales tools answer three questions every sales team struggles with:

• Where are all my deals right now and what needs to happen next?
• What’s the complete history of our interactions with each customer?
• Which activities actually move deals forward and which waste time?

1. Pipedrive: Best for visual sales pipeline management

Overview

Pipedrive is a customer relationship management software that helps sales teams manage leads, track sales activities, and close deals through visual pipelines. Built for small to medium-sized businesses and startups, it focuses on simplicity over enterprise complexity. The kanban-style dashboard makes deal tracking visual and straightforward, and most teams can start using it productively within days, not weeks.

Key features

• Visual sales pipeline management: Kanban-style dashboard organizes customer data and interactions so you can see exactly where each deal stands at a glance.
• Sales automation workflows: Set up custom workflows or use ready-made templates to automate follow-ups and lead routing so your team can spend more time selling.
• Real-time insights and reports: Track sales metrics, forecast revenue, and spot trends through visual reports that update as deals progress.
• Email and communication tools: Two-way email sync, customizable templates, calendar integration, and direct scheduling links for Google Meet and Zoom keep all communications in one place.
• Mobile CRM accessibility: Android and iOS apps give you full access to your pipeline, so you can update deals and follow up with leads from anywhere.
• Robust API and integrations: Works with 500+ apps to connect your existing tools and extend what the platform can do.

Pros & cons

👍 Pros

• Interface is intuitive with pipelines you can customize to match how you actually sell.
• Quick setup gets teams working in the system fast.
• Reporting gives clear visibility into pipeline health and performance trends.
• Email and calendar integrations keep communications centralized without manual data entry.

👎 Cons

• No built-in marketing automation or email campaign tools, so you’ll need other platforms for top-of-funnel work.
• Custom reporting options are limited compared to enterprise CRM systems.
• No integrated support ticket system, so customer service teams need separate tools.

Pricing

Four pricing tiers billed annually: Lite at $14/seat/month, Growth at $39/seat/month, Premium at $59/seat/month, and Ultimate at $79/seat/month. Add-ons for lead capture, project management, and email marketing start at $6.67 monthly. 14-day free trial available with no credit card required.

Best for

Small to medium-sized businesses, sales teams, and startups that want a straightforward CRM focused on pipeline management. Works well for teams that need mobile access and smooth integration with existing email and calendar systems.

2. HubSpot: Best for all-in-one marketing and sales integration

Overview

HubSpot is an AI-powered customer platform that connects marketing, sales, and customer service tools in one system. Used by over 278,000 customers across 135+ countries, it covers the full customer journey from first touch to ongoing support. The platform works for companies that want their teams working from the same data rather than juggling disconnected tools.

Key features

• Marketing Hub: Run campaigns, personalize content, track performance, and automate marketing across multiple channels from one system.
• Sales Hub: Automate prospecting, manage your sales pipeline, and access tools built to accelerate deal velocity.
• Service Hub: Run your help desk, collect customer feedback, and automate service workflows to scale support operations.
• Content Hub: Create, organize, and distribute content throughout the customer journey with version control and update tracking.
• Smart CRM: AI-powered CRM that connects all your business data so every team works from the same customer information.

Pros & cons

👍 Pros

• Single platform for marketing, sales, service, and content eliminates tool sprawl.
• Marketing automation handles complex nurture sequences and multi-touch campaigns.
• Scales from startup to enterprise as your business grows.
• Free tools available to start without upfront costs.

👎 Cons

• Costs increase significantly as you add features and users.
• Annual contracts required for most plans.
• Lower-tier plans lack key features, pushing teams toward more expensive tiers.
• Technical support and advanced features come with additional fees.

Pricing

Multiple pricing tiers across different hubs (Marketing Hub, Sales Hub, Service Hub, CMS Hub, and Operations Hub) with Starter, Professional, and Enterprise levels. Free tools available. Custom bundles can be created.

Best for

Small to medium-sized businesses, startups, and enterprises that want marketing, sales, and customer service teams working from one platform. Works well for companies that need their tools to talk to each other without custom integrations and want AI features built into their workflows.

3. Close: Best for fast-moving sales teams

Overview

Close.com is a CRM built for sales teams that prioritize speed. Calling, emailing, and SMS are built directly into the platform so reps don’t lose time switching between tools. The interface puts everything you need for a deal in one view, and AI features surface insights without requiring manual data entry.

Key features

• Integrated CRM management: Leads, pipelines, tasks, and sales performance in one system with all communication tools built in.
• Built-in communication tools: Make calls, send emails, and text prospects without leaving the CRM.
• Smart automation: Automate follow-ups, task creation, and lead routing with AI that captures details from your activities automatically.
• AI-powered sales tools: AI Notetaker transcribes calls, AI Enrich pulls real-time customer data, and AI Summaries highlight what matters from calls and emails.
• Extensive integrations: Over 100 native, no-code, and Zapier integrations connect to your marketing, support, and calendar tools.

Pros & cons

👍 Pros

• Setup is fast and the dashboard layout is clear.
• Built-in calling and email features mean fewer tools to manage.
• Automation handles repetitive work so reps can focus on selling.
• Smart Views help teams prioritize the right deals at the right time.

👎 Cons

• Price point is higher than some competitors in this category.
• Customization options are more limited than enterprise CRM platforms.
• Reporting capabilities don’t match teams needing complex analytics or custom data views.

Pricing

Four pricing plans: Solo at $9/month annually ($19 monthly), Essentials at $35/month annually ($49 monthly), Growth at $99/month annually ($109 monthly), and Scale at $139/month annually ($149 monthly). 14-day free trial available.

Best for

Small to medium-sized sales teams in fast-moving environments like startups and small businesses that want communication built into their CRM. Works well for teams that value speed and efficiency over extensive customization.

4. Salesforce: Best for enterprise-level CRM customization

Overview

Salesforce is the largest CRM platform globally, connecting apps, data, and AI to handle sales, service, commerce, marketing, and IT operations. Built for enterprise clients, it offers industry-specific solutions and extensive customization capabilities. The ecosystem includes thousands of apps that can be configured for virtually any business process.

Key features

• Sales Cloud: Manage customer relationships, track sales, and automate processes with lead management, opportunity tracking, and forecasting tools.
• Service Cloud: Run customer service operations with case management, support automation, and knowledge base functionality.
• Marketing Cloud: Personalize customer interactions across email, social, and mobile with campaign management, journey mapping, and analytics.
• Commerce Cloud: Build and manage online shopping experiences with product catalog management, order processing, and payment system integrations.
• Tableau Analytics: Visualize and analyze data from multiple sources through interactive dashboards and reports.

Pros & cons

👍 Pros

• Global infrastructure provides consistent performance worldwide.
• Thousands of integration options and a massive app ecosystem.
• Adapts to different industries and departments with extensive customization.
• Wide range of configuration options for complex business processes.

👎 Cons

• High costs with significant upfront investment make it expensive for smaller companies.
• Complex setup requires technical expertise and lengthy implementation.
• Easy to over-customize, which can make the system difficult to maintain.
• Support response times vary, and costs increase with usage and feature additions.

Pricing

Starter Suite for small businesses at 250 SEK per user per month. Other plan pricing varies based on features and scale. 30-day free trial available with no credit card required. Visit their pricing page for detailed plan information.

Best for

Enterprise clients, large sales and marketing teams, customer service departments, and industries like financial services, retail, healthcare, construction, education, professional services, technology, and manufacturing that need extensive customization and unified tools across departments.

5. Zoho CRM: Best for affordable customization and integration

Overview

Zoho CRM is a customer relationship management platform that combines sales force automation with AI-driven insights. It offers customization options for different industries and business sizes at a lower price point than most enterprise CRM systems. The platform integrates with over 1,000 applications, including the full Zoho product suite and third-party tools.

Key features

• Advanced workflow automation: Build no-code workflows and cadences that eliminate manual tasks and move deals forward automatically.
• Real-time customer interaction: Track and respond to customer engagement across channels from one system.
• AI assistance with Zia and ChatGPT: Get help rewriting emails, detecting anomalies, predicting outcomes, and surfacing insights automatically.
• Deep BI capabilities: Forecast revenue, track performance, and analyze metrics with built-in business intelligence tools.
• Seamless integrations: Connect with over 1,000 applications including other Zoho products and third-party platforms.

Pros & cons

👍 Pros

• Lower cost than most enterprise CRM systems while offering similar feature sets.
• Customization options let you adapt the platform to specific workflows.
• Works with a large number of integrations, especially within the Zoho ecosystem.
• Interface is easier to learn than many enterprise alternatives.

👎 Cons

• Performance can slow during peak usage times.
• Advanced features come with a learning curve despite the user-friendly interface.
• Support options are more limited than premium competitors.
• Reporting isn’t as robust as higher-end platforms like Salesforce.

Pricing

Two main pricing tiers billed annually: Standard at €29/user/month and Premium at €69/user/month. Free edition available for up to 3 users. 15-day free trial with no credit card required.

Best for

Small to medium-sized businesses, startups, and growing companies looking for CRM capabilities at a more accessible price point. Works well for sales, marketing, and support teams that need collaboration and automation without enterprise-level costs.

6. Freshsales: Best for AI-powered lead management

Overview

Freshsales is an AI-powered sales CRM that uses Freddy AI to score leads, provide insights, and automate tasks. It offers a 360° view of each customer and automates repetitive work so sales teams can focus on high-value activities. The platform combines lead management, automation, and AI assistance in one system.

Key features

• AI-powered sales CRM: Freddy AI analyzes data to surface insights and help close deals faster by identifying which activities drive results.
• Intelligent lead management: Capture, qualify, route, and track leads with AI scoring based on engagement and conversion likelihood.
• 360° customer view: See complete customer history, interactions, and context in one place to inform conversations and next steps.
• Sales automation: Automate repetitive tasks like follow-ups, data entry, and activity logging to free up selling time.
• Freddy AI assistance: Get continuous help identifying high-potential leads, drafting emails, and prioritizing activities.

Pros & cons

👍 Pros

• Interface is straightforward without extensive training requirements.
• Automation reduces time spent on manual work and administrative tasks.
• Support team responds quickly and helps with implementation.
• Easy to track customer interactions and sales activities in one view.

👎 Cons

• Occasional bugs can require workarounds or support tickets.
• Customization is more limited than some competitors.
• Reporting doesn’t go as deep as teams needing advanced analytics.

Pricing

21-day free trial with no credit card required. Visit the Freshsales website or contact support for current pricing information.

Best for

Sales teams and businesses from startups to enterprises that want AI help prioritizing leads and automating workflows. Works well for companies focused on using data and insights to improve sales efficiency and conversion rates.

7. Copper: Best for Google Workspace integration

Overview

Copper is a CRM built specifically for teams using Google Workspace. It works directly inside Gmail and Google Calendar so you never leave your inbox to manage contacts, track leads, or update deals. The platform captures lead information automatically from email interactions and syncs everything with your Google tools.

Key features

• Native Google Workspace integration: Manage CRM activities directly in Gmail and Google Calendar without switching tools or manual data entry.
• Customizable sales pipelines: Build visual pipelines that match your sales process and track where each deal stands.
• Project management tools: Set up workflows to keep projects on track from initial lead through delivery.
• Automated email marketing: Create, personalize, and automate email sequences to stay in touch with prospects and customers.
• Task automation: Set up recurring tasks and notifications to make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

Pros & cons

👍 Pros

• Works inside Gmail, so teams already using Google tools can start immediately.
• Interface is simple because it mirrors Google’s design patterns.
• Security protects customer data with Google-grade infrastructure.
• Support responds quickly when issues come up.

👎 Cons

• Only practical for teams using Google Workspace, not other email platforms.
• Workflow automation setup takes time upfront.
• Basic plan caps at three users with limited features, requiring upgrades as teams grow.

Pricing

Four pricing tiers billed annually: Starter at $12/seat/month (1,000 contact limit), Basic at $29/seat/month (2,500 contacts), Professional at $69/seat/month (15,000 contacts), and Business at $134/seat/month (unlimited contacts). 14-day free trial with no credit card required.

Best for

Small to medium-sized businesses heavily using Google Workspace that want their CRM to work inside Gmail. Common in consulting, media, financial services, construction, and agencies where email is the primary communication channel.

8. Octopus CRM: Best for LinkedIn-focused automation

Overview

Octopus CRM is a LinkedIn automation tool that handles connection requests, messaging, profile visits, and endorsements automatically. It operates as a Chrome extension and focuses exclusively on LinkedIn prospecting. Built-in safety controls help keep automation within LinkedIn’s guidelines.

Key features

• Automated connection requests: Send personalized connection requests automatically to grow your network at scale.
• Bulk messaging capabilities: Message multiple first-level connections simultaneously to reach large audiences efficiently.
• Profile visits and endorsements: Automatically visit profiles and endorse skills to increase visibility before direct outreach.
• Lead generation funnel: Automate the full sequence of connecting, messaging, and converting leads on LinkedIn.
• Performance analytics: Track profile views, search appearances, and social selling index to measure campaign effectiveness.

Pros & cons

👍 Pros

• Simple to use even without technical background.
• Covers core LinkedIn automation needs for most prospecting workflows.
• Works with all LinkedIn account types including free accounts.
• Integrates with Zapier and HubSpot to extend functionality.
• Safety controls help protect accounts from restrictions.

👎 Cons

• Only works on LinkedIn, so multichannel prospecting requires other tools.
• Can’t create complex sequences with conditional logic.
• Chrome extension only, no web dashboard, which limits team collaboration and access.

Pricing

7-day free trial available with no credit card required. Check the main website for current pricing tiers.

Best for

Business owners, marketing agencies, recruiters, and sales teams focusing primarily on LinkedIn prospecting who need to scale outreach volume. Particularly useful for recruiting and sales roles where LinkedIn is the main channel.

9. Keap: Best for small business all-in-one automation

Overview

Keap provides marketing and sales automation software for small businesses in one platform. It combines CRM, email marketing, lead capture, and sales automation so small business owners can manage the entire customer lifecycle without multiple tools. The system handles everything from initial lead capture through conversion and follow-up.

Key features

• Small business automation: Automate follow-ups, appointment scheduling, and data entry to save time on repetitive tasks.
• Integrated CRM: Manage customer information and track all interactions from one central location.
• Marketing automation: Set up automated follow-up sequences to nurture leads with personalized touchpoints.
• Sales automation: Use automated workflows and triggers to move prospects through your sales process.
• Extensive integrations: Connect with over 5,000 apps to link your existing tools and workflows.

Pros & cons

👍 Pros

• CRM and automation work well for small business owners without technical backgrounds.
• Comprehensive toolset covers marketing, sales, and customer management.
• Pre-built templates help you set up automations faster.
• Dedicated phone numbers separate business communications.

👎 Cons

• Starting price of $299/month is high for very small businesses or solopreneurs.
• Workflow builder can feel clunky compared to newer platforms.
• Email deliverability and automation bugs sometimes disrupt campaigns.

Pricing

Single plan starting at $299 per month, billed annually at $2,988, including all features. Additional users cost $39 per month each. Text marketing tiers start at $24 per month for 1,000 messages and 300 voice minutes. 14-day free trial available with no credit card required.

Best for

Small businesses wanting to automate sales and marketing from one platform. Works well for service-based businesses and consultants who need to manage the full customer lifecycle and want everything in one system rather than connecting multiple tools.

10. Allbound: Best for partner relationship management

Overview

Allbound (now Channelscaler) is a Partner Relationship Management (PRM) platform for companies that sell through channel partners. It includes partner portals, deal registration, content management, and training tools to manage partner ecosystems. Built for enterprises running complex partner programs across multiple partners and geographies.

Key features

• Partner relationship management: Centralize partner data, track engagement, and provide real-time visibility into partner performance.
• Centralized partner portal: Give partners one place to access resources, register deals, and manage their relationship with your company.
• Training and enablement (LMS): Build learning programs to train partners, validate knowledge, and track completion.
• Deal registration software: Let partners register and track deals to prevent channel conflict and manage opportunity progression.
• Content management system: Distribute sales and marketing materials to partners and ensure they’re working with current content.

Pros & cons

👍 Pros

• Interface works well for both internal teams and external partners.
• Covers the key needs of partner program management.
• Support team helps with implementation and optimization.

👎 Cons

• Technical issues occasionally disrupt workflows.
• Learning curve for new users, especially with complex programs.
• No transparent pricing—requires demo to get pricing information.

Pricing

Pricing not publicly available. Schedule a demo to discuss modular pricing based on your needs.

Best for

Companies relying heavily on channel partnerships that need to manage complex partner ecosystems. Common in telecommunications, IT services, software, and manufacturing where partner training, deal registration, and content distribution are critical to channel success.

Need multichannel prospecting? Meet La Growth Machine

The CRM and system sales tools above handle customer relationship management, pipeline tracking, and internal processes well. But most don’t offer true multichannel prospecting: reaching prospects across LinkedIn, email, voice messages, calls, and X with automated sequences.

That’s where La Growth Machine comes in.

Key capabilities:

• Multichannel sequences: Combine LinkedIn, email, voice messages, calls, and Twitter in automated workflows that adapt based on how prospects respond
• LinkedIn Voice Messages: Record your voice once and send personalized voice messages at scale (doubles reply rates compared to text-only)
• Lead Enrichment: Automatically find verified emails using 9 providers with double validation
• LinkedIn Intent Data: Import prospects who engaged with your posts, signed up for events, or follow your company
• Lookalike Search: Input your best client’s name and the system finds similar companies, with ongoing suggestions after you get positive replies
• CRM integrations: Sync with HubSpot, Pipedrive, and Breakcold, plus connect via Zapier, Make, Clay, and other platforms

La Growth Machine works alongside your existing CRM rather than replacing it. Pricing starts at €50/month per identity with a 14-day free trial and no credit card required.

How to choose the right system sales tool for your business

Picking the right platform comes down to three factors: where you are now, where you’re going, and how your team actually works.

Match the tool to your company size and stage

If you’re a startup or small team (1-10 people):

• Prioritize quick setup and ease of use over customization
• Look for transparent pricing that won’t explode as you add users
• Choose tools with free trials so you can test before committing
• Focus on core features (pipeline management, contact tracking, basic automation) rather than enterprise features you won’t use

If you’re a growing business (10-50 people):

• Make sure the platform scales without requiring migration in 18 months
• Check that integrations exist for the other tools you’re already using
• Look for workflow automation that can handle increasing complexity
• Verify that reporting capabilities match what leadership needs for forecasting

If you’re an enterprise (50+ people):

• Evaluate customization options for unique workflows
• Verify security, compliance, and permission controls meet your requirements
• Consider implementation timelines and whether you have resources to manage them
• Look at the app ecosystem and whether the platform supports custom development

Consider your technical capacity

Be honest about your team’s technical skills and bandwidth. The most powerful platform won’t help if nobody can figure out how to use it.

• Low technical capacity: Choose tools with intuitive interfaces, pre-built templates, strong customer support, and minimal configuration required
• Medium technical capacity: Consider platforms that balance ease of use with customization, offer solid documentation, and have active user communities
• High technical capacity: Explore systems with robust APIs, custom development options, and advanced workflow builders

Align features with your sales process

Different sales motions need different features:

• High-volume, transactional sales: Prioritize automation, bulk actions, and speed over deep customization
• Complex B2B sales: Focus on collaboration features, detailed activity tracking, and custom fields to capture deal complexity
• Channel or partner sales: Look for partner portal capabilities, deal registration, and multi-organization management
• Consultative sales: Emphasize relationship tracking, proposal management, and detailed customer history

Budget realistically for total cost

The sticker price isn’t the full story. Calculate total cost of ownership:

• Monthly or annual subscription fees per user
• Add-ons for features like marketing automation, advanced reporting, or additional contacts
• Integration costs if you need custom connections to existing tools
• Training time for your team to become proficient
• Ongoing admin time to maintain the system and handle user questions

A cheaper tool that requires 10 hours of admin work per week costs more than a slightly pricier tool that runs itself.

Test before you commit

Most system sales platforms offer free trials. Use them properly:

• Set up your actual sales pipeline, not a generic example
• Import real customer data (or create realistic test data)
• Have your team complete actual tasks they’d do daily
• Test the mobile app if your team works outside the office
• Verify that integrations with your other tools work as advertised
• Contact support with a question to evaluate response time and quality

The tool that looks perfect in a demo might feel clunky after three days of actual use. Find out before you sign a contract.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between a CRM and a system sales tool?

CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and system sales tool are often used interchangeably, but technically CRM is broader. A CRM stores customer information and tracks interactions. A system sales tool does that plus includes features specifically for managing the sales process, pipeline stages, deal forecasting, sales-specific automation, and revenue reporting.

Most modern platforms marketed as CRMs are actually full system sales tools that handle both relationship tracking and sales process management.

How much should I budget for a system sales tool?

For small teams (under 10 people), expect to spend $15-50 per user per month for basic plans that cover core features. Growing teams (10-50 people) typically need mid-tier plans at $50-100 per user per month to get automation and advanced reporting. Enterprise organizations often pay $100-200+ per user per month for customization, higher limits, and premium support.

Factor in additional costs for integrations, training, and potential consulting help during setup.

Can I switch between system sales tools without losing data?

Yes, but it requires planning. Most platforms offer data export (usually as CSV files) and import tools for bringing in contacts, deals, and activities from other systems. The challenge is mapping your old system’s fields to the new system’s structure. Custom fields, automations, and email templates won’t transfer automatically—you’ll need to rebuild those.

Budget 2-4 weeks for a smooth migration including data cleanup, testing, and team training on the new platform.

Do I need a system sales tool if I’m using spreadsheets right now?

If you’re closing more than a few deals per month or have multiple people involved in sales, yes. Spreadsheets work until they don’t. Signs you’ve outgrown spreadsheets:

• multiple versions of the customer list exist,
• you’ve lost track of follow-ups,
• you can’t easily see your pipeline value,
• team members don’t know what others are doing with specific accounts,
• you’re spending hours updating spreadsheets instead of selling.

A basic system sales tool solves all of these for less than $50/month per person.

Conclusion

The right system sales tool turns chaos into process. It stops deals from falling through the cracks, gives you visibility into what’s actually happening, and frees your team to spend time selling instead of updating spreadsheets.

Here’s what matters more than picking the “best” tool: actually using it. The most powerful platform in the world won’t help if your team abandons it after two weeks because it’s too complicated or doesn’t fit how you work.

Start with clear requirements based on your size, budget, technical capacity, and sales process. Test the finalists with real data and real tasks. Pick the one your team will actually use every day. Then invest time in setup, training, and adoption so the system becomes your single source of truth instead of another abandoned software purchase.

And if you need to reach prospects across multiple channels before they even enter your CRM, La Growth Machine handles the multichannel prospecting that fills your pipeline with qualified conversations. It works alongside your system sales tool, automating outreach across LinkedIn, email, voice, calls, and Twitter so your CRM is full of engaged prospects rather than cold contacts.