In the CRM market, Salesforce is considered a tech giant and an established CRM system. However, high complexity, license costs, US cloud hosting and a lack of native commerce and messenger integrations mean that more and more companies are looking for real Salesforce alternatives.
Especially e-commerce companies, D2C brands, sales teams and marketing teams value an all-in-one platform that can be quickly adapted to individual requirements, is hosted in a GDPR-compliant way and integrates modern communication tools such as WhatsApp or social media directly for customer service.
Why look for an alternative to Salesforce?
The decision to switch has many facets. In practice, the most important reasons usually revolve around the following points:
Complexity
Many enterprise CRM systems are overloaded and require extensive training, which makes daily use and customization more difficult.
License costs & add-ons
Salesforce’s pricing model can quickly become expensive for growing teams with more users, as many features have to be booked as additional modules. Very small businesses have a slight advantage here.
Data protection/cloud
For GDPR-compliant companies, exclusive storage in US data centers is a decisive disadvantage.
E-commerce features
If native interfaces to shop systems, WhatsApp and social media are missing, efficiency suffers.
Integration of modern channels
Today, companies want AI-based workflows, omnichannel communication and intelligent automation – features that specialized providers often offer natively.
Especially in the DACH region, where high importance is placed on data protection and regional processes, the need – and thus the demand – is growing for a CRM platform with fully integrated customer relationship management, email marketing and automated customer communication.
The best Salesforce alternatives – structured overview
Whether enterprise CRM, mid-market solution, SME tool or AI-first commerce suite – today’s CRM market offers a wide range of powerful alternatives to Salesforce. This comparison in the article gives you at a glance which platform best fits your requirements, needs, team sizes and business processes.
The overview helps you quickly see which system stands out through strong AI features, simple integration, fair pricing and GDPR-compliant hosting. This way, you can find the right solution in just a few minutes, regardless of whether you are an e-commerce company, an agency or an internationally operating team.
Comparison table: CRM systems at a glance
To make it clear how the assessments are derived, we work with a clear 5-point scoring system and supplement this with publicly visible star ratings (e.g. G2, OMR).
Five core criteria were evaluated:
- Automation: How well can workflows, follow-ups, campaigns and recurring tasks be mapped without manual effort?
- AI integration: Maturity level of AI functions (e.g. assistants, forecasts, scoring, text suggestions, AI bots).
- Data protection: Degree of GDPR compliance, EU hosting, data processing agreements and role/permission management.
- Flexibility: Extensibility, API/integration capabilities, modularity and adaptability to individual processes.
- User-friendliness: UI/UX, onboarding effort, learning curve for sales, marketing and service teams.
The scale ranges from 1 to 5:
1 = severely limited
2 = usable, but with gaps
3 = solid, suitable for many scenarios
4 = very good fit for most use cases
5 = outstanding in the respective criterion
In addition to the functional scoring, publicly visible ratings from major platforms are included in the assessment.
Scoring matrix: automation, AI, data protection, flexibility & UX
The following matrix summarizes the qualitative assessment of the most important Salesforce alternatives along the five criteria. It shows at a glance which solution is particularly strong in which areas – especially from the perspective of companies in the DACH region.
| Provider | Automation | AI integration | Data protection | Flexibility | User-friendliness | Overall fit (1–5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chatarmin | 5 – very high workflow automation for commerce & messaging | 5 – AI-first, AI agents and campaigns | 5 – EU cloud, GDPR by design | 4 – strong for e-com & messaging, API-based | 4 – modern, intuitive interface | 5 |
| HubSpot | 4 – extensive marketing and sales automation | 4 – AI features, scoring, content assist | 3 – no EU-only hosting | 4 – very many integrations & hubs | 5 – very beginner-friendly | 4 |
| Zoho CRM | 4 – extensive automation rules | 4 – “Zia” AI | 3 – EU options, but global | 5 – extremely modular & extensible | 3 – powerful, but more complex | 4 |
| Freshsales | 4 – good sales and service automation | 4 – “Freddy” AI | 3 – data protection options available | 4 – many integrations, helpdesk, telephony | 4 – modern UX | 4 |
| Pipedrive | 3 – solid pipelines & automations | 2 – AI rather rudimentary | 2 – no EU-only focus | 3 – integrations, but sales-centered | 5 – very easy to use | 3 |
| monday CRM | 4 – strong, visual automation workflows | 3 – AI widgets & assist functions | 3 – partly EU, partly global | 5 – extremely flexible | 4 – visual, but setup effort | 4 |
| Teamleader | 3 – good automation for projects & invoicing | 2 – only basic AI | 5 – EU cloud, GDPR-focused | 3 – solid, but fewer add-ons | 4 – clearly laid out for SMEs | 4 |
| SuperOffice | 3 – workflow automation | 2 – limited AI | 5 – strong EU/data protection focus | 3 – stable, but less “flashy” | 3 – functional, somewhat conservative | 3 |
| CentralStationCRM | 2 – basic automation | 1 – practically no AI | 5 – 100% DE/EU hosting | 2 – deliberately lean | 4 – very simple & clear | 3 |
| Odoo | 4 – powerful workflow engine | 3 – AI add-ons available | 3 – depending on hosting | 5 – maximally modular | 2 – more suited to IT-savvy teams | 3–4 |
| Dynamics 365 | 4 – strong automation via Power Automate | 4 – AI analytics, bots, BI integration | 3 – EU options, global | 4 – extremely integrable within the MS ecosystem | 3 – powerful, but enterprise-level complexity | 4 |
| Close | 4 – very good sales and call automation | 3 – AI support | 2 – primarily US cloud | 3 – solid integration base | 4 – activating, sales-oriented | 3 |
Note: The scores are an editorial, qualitatively justified assessment based on feature depth, integrations, official documentation, target group focus and external user reviews (G2, OMR, etc.). They are intended to help you quickly get a feel for which Salesforce alternative best fits your use case (GDPR, e-commerce, AI focus, team size).
What does the comparison show?
The overview makes it clear:
- Chatarmin, Teamleader and SuperOffice score with full EU hosting and consistent GDPR compliance. This is a crucial advantage for companies in the DACH region.
- HubSpot and Freshsales impress with strong marketing automation and an intuitive user interface, but are more aligned with US clouds such as marketing clouds.
- Zoho CRM, monday CRM and Odoo offer high flexibility and modular pricing, making them ideal for mid-sized and tech-savvy teams.
- Pipedrive and Close specialize in sales-oriented workflows, delivering quick results but less depth in marketing automation.
- For enterprise environments with a Microsoft infrastructure, Dynamics 365 remains a powerful option, though with higher implementation effort.
Depending on the target audience, there are now specialized Salesforce alternatives that are less complex, more cost-efficient and more secure in terms of data protection for users.
The next section shows which providers are particularly suitable for which requirements – including a look at their strengths, limitations and ideal profiles in direct comparison to Salesforce.
Short profiles: the most important providers compared to Salesforce
Below you will find the most important CRM providers with relevant data that have established themselves as alternatives to Salesforce (external ratings as of November 2025):
Chatarmin
Strengths: AI-first CRM system with marketing automation, WhatsApp, social media and Shopify integrations; GDPR-compliant EU cloud hosting; no-code workflows.
Limitations: Focus on commerce and D2C use cases.
Ideal profile: E-commerce companies and brands with high data protection and integration requirements.
Pricing note: Modular, user-based.
External ratings: OMR 4.8/5 (98), G2 4.9/5 (37), Google 4.9/5 (200+)
HubSpot
Strengths: All-in-one solution for marketing and sales, intuitive to use, numerous integrations (email, CMS, ads, e-commerce).
Limitations: Rising costs with increasing feature usage; no EU-only hosting.
Ideal profile: Marketing and sales teams, agencies, growing mid-market companies.
Pricing note: Tier model (feature bundles).
External ratings: OMR 4.4/5 (45), G2 4.4/5 (34,173)
Zoho CRM
Strengths: “Zia” AI for analytics and forecasts, flexible module structure, low-cost plans.
Limitations: Complex setup, EU hosting only optionally available.
Ideal profile: Cost-conscious, international teams and mid-sized companies.
Pricing note: Per-user, based on feature scope.
External ratings: OMR 4.1/5 (74), G2 4.1/5 (2,821)
Freshsales
Strengths: “Freddy” AI for sales forecasts, integrated communication channels, easy onboarding.
Limitations: Email marketing less strong; EU hosting optional.
Ideal profile: SaaS companies, sales teams and service organizations.
Pricing note: Per-user, tiered by package size.
External ratings: OMR 3.3/5 (14), G2 4.5/5 (1,216)
Pipedrive
Strengths: Intuitive pipeline management, fast start, clear sales focus.
Limitations: Limited automation depth, no EU hosting.
Ideal profile: Sales-oriented SMEs focused on deal management.
Pricing note: Per-user, with optional add-ons.
External ratings: OMR 4.2/5 (187), G2 4.3/5 (2,830)
monday CRM
Strengths: Visually supported, modular system with flexible workflows and API integration.
Limitations: Some features only available as apps, higher setup effort.
Ideal profile: Creative teams and companies with individual process requirements.
Pricing note: Modular.
External ratings: OMR 4.4/5 (20), G2 4.6/5 (1,055)
Teamleader
Strengths: EU cloud, integrated time and project management, automation, GDPR compliant.
Limitations: Less add-on variety, limited pipeline depth.
Ideal profile: Agencies, service providers and small to mid-sized companies.
Pricing note: Package-based, per user.
External ratings: OMR 3.8/5 (13), G2 4.3/5 (52)
SuperOffice
Strengths: Strong focus on data protection, clearly structured processes, EU hosting.
Limitations: AI features less developed.
Ideal profile: Compliance-oriented B2B companies and mid-market organizations.
Pricing note: User packages.
External ratings: OMR 4.4/5 (131), G2 4.0/5 (60)
CentralStationCRM
Strengths: Minimalist design, 100% German data protection, easy to use.
Limitations: Limited automation options.
Ideal profile: Small teams and GDPR-focused organizations.
Pricing note: Per-user.
External ratings: OMR 4.7/5 (113), G2 4.2/5 (12)
Odoo
Strengths: Open-source, customizable ERP/CRM suite.
Limitations: Technically demanding.
Ideal profile: Developers, startups, IT-competent companies.
Pricing note: Open source, modules separate.
External ratings: OMR 4.0/5 (9), G2 5.0/5 (1)
Dynamics 365
Strengths: Deep integration with the Office suite, PowerApps, Power BI.
Limitations: High IT effort, complex licensing.
Ideal profile: Large companies, enterprise.
Pricing note: License-based.
External ratings: OMR 4.0/5 (48), G2 3.8/5 (1,606)
Close
Strengths: Strong sales and call automation, rapid implementation.
Limitations: No EU hosting, US focus.
Ideal profile: Sales-driven, US-oriented SaaS teams.
Pricing note: Per-user, add-ons.
External ratings: OMR 3.8/5 (2), G2 4.7/5 (1,928)
Target groups: who benefits from which Salesforce alternative?
Enterprise / Global
Dynamics 365, SuperOffice, Chatarmin (EU GDPR), HubSpot
For large companies and organizations with high compliance and integration requirements as well as global presence.
Mid-market / agencies
HubSpot, monday CRM, Freshsales, Pipedrive, Zoho CRM
For scaling companies and agency-related workflows focused on adaptability and fast onboarding.
SMB / SME
Teamleader, CentralStationCRM, Zoho CRM, Odoo
For smaller teams needing clear structures, EU data protection and transparent pricing models.
E-commerce & AI-first
Chatarmin, Freshsales, Teamleader
For companies focusing on commerce integrations, WhatsApp support and automated customer communication.
Migration guide: 3 steps from Salesforce to the new solution
A successful switch from Salesforce to a new CRM platform requires structure, transparency and clear responsibilities. These three steps help companies make the transition efficiently and with low risk – from needs analysis all the way to automation in live operation.
1. Needs analysis & goal definition
Create a detailed overview of all existing sales, marketing and service processes together with your team.
Define your must-have criteria such as GDPR compliance, WhatsApp or shop integrations, no-code workflows and relevant KPIs for measuring success.
Result: A clear requirements catalog for system selection.
2. Data migration & integration
Use the import and migration tools of the chosen providers to securely transfer contacts, deals and communication histories.
Test in parallel operation how compatible the new system is with existing tools such as email marketing, sales pipeline management and reporting tools.
Goal: A clean data model and smoothly functioning integrations.
3. Onboarding & automation
Train your users specifically in the new workflows and use templates and automation features to simplify standard tasks.
Monitor key KPIs, workflow quality and user acceptance in live operation and optimize processes iteratively.
Result: A stable, AI-supported CRM system with measurable efficiency gains.
Conclusion: taking back control of your CRM platform
Switching from Salesforce to an alternative CRM platform is especially worthwhile when companies want more flexibility, cost control and data protection security – without sacrificing modern automation, AI support and omnichannel communication.
Those who value GDPR-compliant hosting, e-commerce integrations and intuitive workflows will find powerful alternatives in solutions such as Chatarmin, HubSpot, Teamleader or Freshsales, with clear pricing models and European data protection standards.
With structured planning, clean data migration and targeted user onboarding, the platform switch becomes a real opportunity: for more efficient processes, better customer experiences and sustainable growth.
FAQ – frequently asked questions about Salesforce alternatives
Who offers the best EU/GDPR-compliant Salesforce alternative?
Platforms such as Chatarmin, Teamleader and CentralStationCRM score with fully EU-hosted systems and the highest level of data protection compliance.
Are there alternatives with deep e-commerce and WhatsApp integrations?
Yes – Chatarmin is a leader here with native WhatsApp and Shopify integration as well as an AI-first automation approach.
Which providers are most flexible for small teams and mid-market companies?
Zoho CRM, Pipedrive, monday CRM and Odoo offer fast implementation, high adaptability and fair pricing.
How do the pricing models of Salesforce alternatives differ?
Most providers use user-based or modular pricing structures. Some offer all-in-one packages that minimize additional costs.
How secure and role-based is data protection handled?
With Chatarmin or Teamleader, user rights can be managed granularly; all data is stored exclusively in European data centers.
Tip: Test Chatarmin as a GDPR-compliant all-in-one platform and secure your edge in e-commerce communication, AI-supported processes and scalable customer service.
