Freshsales ★ 4.3/5 
SugarCRM ★ 4.1/5 Freshsales vs SugarCRM: Which CRM is right for you?
A 2026 head-to-head on pricing, features, and which team each is built for.
The short answer
Freshsales is smb crm built for sMB sales teams wanting built-in phone/email and AI at low cost, starting from $0 (free), paid from ~$9/user/mo — free plan available. SugarCRM is mid-market crm for mid-market B2B organizations needing configurable sales processes, starting from ~$19/user/mo. Choose Freshsales for smb crm needs; choose SugarCRM if mid-market crm is a better match for your team.
Freshsales vs SugarCRM: at a glance
| Detail | Freshsales | SugarCRM |
|---|---|---|
| Category | SMB CRM | Mid-market CRM |
| Starting price | from $0 (free), paid from ~$9/user/mo | from ~$19/user/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Best for | SMB sales teams wanting built-in phone/email and AI at low cost. | mid-market B2B organizations needing configurable sales processes. |
| Our rating | ★ 4.3 / 5 | ★ 4.1 / 5 |
| Standout feature | Built-in phone and email plus Freddy AI on affordable tiers. | Flexible account-centric CRM without a hyperscale platform footprint. |
| Founded | 2017 | 2004 |
| Headquarters | San Mateo, USA | San Francisco Bay Area, USA |
Prices are indicative 2026 list prices; always confirm with the vendor directly.
What is Freshsales?
Freshsales is the sales CRM in the Freshworks suite. It bundles contact and deal management with a built-in phone, email, and the Freddy AI assistant for lead scoring and next-step suggestions, aimed at fast-moving SMB sales teams.
Best for: SMB sales teams wanting built-in phone/email and AI at low cost.
What is SugarCRM?
SugarCRM provides Sugar Sell, Market, and Serve products for sales automation, marketing, and customer service. It supports configurable records, forecasting, workflows, reporting, and industry-specific implementations.
Best for: mid-market B2B organizations needing configurable sales processes.
Key features compared
| Freshsales | SugarCRM |
|---|---|
| Built-in phone and email | Sales automation and forecasting |
| Freddy AI lead scoring and insights | Configurable workflows |
| Visual sales pipeline | Marketing and service products |
| Workflow automation | Account intelligence |
| Free tier for small teams | — |
Pros and cons: Freshsales
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Strong value with a usable free plan | ✘ Advanced features locked to higher tiers |
| ✔ Built-in communication tools | ✘ Smaller integration ecosystem |
| ✔ AI features at an accessible price | ✘ Can be outgrown by complex enterprises |
Pros and cons: SugarCRM
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Strong customization | ✘ Not designed for tiny teams |
| ✔ Broad customer lifecycle suite | ✘ Implementation often needed |
| ✔ Good mid-market fit | ✘ No permanent free edition |
Which should you choose?
Choose Freshsales if you are sMB sales teams wanting built-in phone/email and AI at low cost.
Choose SugarCRM if you are mid-market B2B organizations needing configurable sales processes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Freshsales and SugarCRM?
Freshsales is smb crm best for sMB sales teams wanting built-in phone/email and AI at low cost. Its standout is built-in phone and email plus Freddy AI on affordable tiers.. SugarCRM is mid-market crm best for mid-market B2B organizations needing configurable sales processes. Its standout is flexible account-centric CRM without a hyperscale platform footprint..
Is Freshsales better than SugarCRM?
Neither is universally better — it depends on your use case. Freshsales is the stronger choice for sMB sales teams wanting built-in phone/email and AI at low cost. SugarCRM is a better fit for mid-market B2B organizations needing configurable sales processes.
Which is cheaper, Freshsales or SugarCRM?
Freshsales starts from $0 (free), paid from ~$9/user/mo and offers a free plan. SugarCRM starts from ~$19/user/mo.
Does Freshsales or SugarCRM have a free plan?
Freshsales offers a free plan. SugarCRM does not offer a permanent free plan.