Pipedrive vs Salesforce Essentials comparison

Pipedrive and Salesforce are both solutions in the CRM category. Pipedrive is ranked #19 with an average rating of 9.0, while Salesforce is ranked #25 with an average rating of 8.5. Pipedrive holds a 1.2% mindshare in CRM, compared to Salesforce’s 0.6% mindshare. Additionally, 78% of Pipedrive users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 92% of Salesforce users who would recommend it.

Pipedrive

Read 13 Pipedrive reviews

4,818 Views
3,854 Comparison Views

78% willing to recommend

Salesforce Essentials

Read 14 Salesforce Essentials reviews

2,465 Views
2,465 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

Pipedrive

Salesforce Essentials

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 19, 2024

Pipedrive and Salesforce Essentials are strong contenders in the CRM market for small to medium businesses. Pipedrive is favored for its pricing and flexibility, while Salesforce Essentials is recognized for its advanced features and robust integration capabilities.

Features: Pipedrive provides valuable customization options, facilitating easy management of sales processes with a user-friendly interface. It supports defining custom data fields, applying automation, and delivering insightful reporting. Salesforce Essentials offers a comprehensive platform with Sales Cloud and Service Cloud, integrating finance and customer support seamlessly while leveraging AI for enhanced customer segmentation and management.

Room for Improvement: Pipedrive could enhance its integration capabilities and offer more comprehensive documentation, particularly for reporting. Its automation, especially in campaign management, could also be improved. Salesforce Essentials users point out a need for better integration with complex ERP systems, improved reporting features, and more flexible licensing options for small teams, along with a UI better suited for non-native English speakers.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Pipedrive offers deployment in Public and Private Cloud environments with generally positive user feedback on its technical support, despite some noted delays. Salesforce Essentials supports On-premises deployments and multiple cloud options, providing solid customer service, though response times can be inconsistent. Both platforms have effective customer engagement, although initial interactions via chatbots may be less satisfactory.

Pricing and ROI: Pipedrive is celebrated for its cost-effectiveness, presenting competitive features at a lower price, ideal for smaller companies. Salesforce Essentials is perceived as more expensive, offering extensive features that may justify the cost for larger teams. However, its pricing model, while reflective of premium features, may deter smaller businesses due to higher costs.

To learn more, read our detailed Pipedrive vs. Salesforce Essentials Report (Updated: August 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Pipedrive vs. Salesforce Essentials

August 2026

Download the complete report

Helped 909,725 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Pipedrive

Ranking in CRM

19th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Local Government CRM (5th), Opportunity Management (7th), Sales Force Automation (9th)

Salesforce Essentials

Ranking in CRM

25th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2026, in the CRM category, the mindshare of Pipedrive is 1.2%, down from 1.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Salesforce Essentials is 0.6%, up from 0.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

CRM Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Pipedrive	1.2%
Salesforce Essentials	0.6%
Other	98.2%

CRM

Featured Reviews

Willem Lambrechts

Managing Director at Drebbel

Offers the ability to create multiple pipelines and the flexibility in filtering and reporting

We do a lot of analytics and reporting ourselves. We don't necessarily use all the features that Pipedrive provides, but it's very helpful at least. It has streamlined our deal-closing process. We use it for everything. When we create a lead, we put it into Pipedrive. That lead can be converted into an opportunity, which we manage through our whole pipeline. This includes having all data related to the opportunity in one place. Once the deal is closed, we use Pipedrive to follow up on the invoices until they are paid. We also manage sales commissions and payments to our salespeople through Pipedrive.

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SayantanBhattacharya

Growth Adviser at a consultancy with 11-50 employees

Creates efficient integrations and boosts operational efficiency through comprehensive dashboards

I have experience with products such as Acronis and Huntress, though Salesforce Essentials serves a different purpose. I have had experience with Huntress for the last few months as we are an MSSP and offer Huntress to our clients. I have used Odoo and HubSpot recently, though not extensively. The main differences between Salesforce Essentials and HubSpot or Odoo is the market presence. It is comparable to the Windows versus Linux situation because both have a huge presence. They have deeper pockets so they can spend money on collecting insights and developing features. Integration and good partnerships with major companies make Salesforce Essentials better than the others.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The initial setup is straightforward."

"Pipedrive makes it easy to understand who I'm talking to at a glance. It has all the activities, node features, opportunity interface, deal interface, and time drive deals.The sales process is extremely simple, which saves me time and energy. I can send the document for e-signature and make the most out of my deals. I can automatically send emails and phone calls. You need to do only a little API programming. It offers massive flexibility. You can run an entire enterprise on the platform. The ease of use facilitates huge adoption."

"It's very flexible and we can really fit it into our business model."

"The most valuable feature is the ability to create timelines and custom fields."

"The biggest and the best feature is the view that you get when you log in. You have a board like Kanban when you log in, and you've got a column on the left and several other columns that move to the right, depending on where you are in a particular deal. If it's a prospect or someone who is just looking, you move it along the process, and it really helps you keep track of where you are."

"Our primary use case for this solution ranges from using it for daily activities in sales to forecasting and KPIs and following up on every deal we are working on and every lease we are opening."

"The usability of the solution is its valuable feature."

"It is a stable platform."

More Pipedrive pros

"The CRM system has SAP Sales, SAP Service, and SAP Billing, with everything integrated into an on-premise SAP CRM system. Salesforce Essentials replaced this on-premise system, bringing all functionalities onto the cloud platform."

"Salesforce makes tracking every product and customer activity easy, enabling managers to monitor their products, such as key products and their peak performance."

"I can download the data to Excel, create tables, and do whatever I want. I am very comfortable with the tool's mobile application. Its main benefit is transparency because I can share it with representatives."

"Salesforce provides the best they have with the current version. Most of the features we need are already there, and it's very easy to use."

"The product is stable."

"The combination of product and service are exceptional."

"The solution helps to track the performance of salespersons before closing deals."

"Their reporting and analytics features have a very significant impact on my company's operational efficiency."

More Salesforce Essentials pros

Cons

"New features sometimes seem bolted on rather than being smooth."

"Pipedrive could be more efficient. I want the management to be more transparent so it's easier to monitor the sales team's activities and results and do business forecasting. It would help them to improve the quality of the sales cycle."

"The integration possibilities with other systems could be better as well. We use it in connection with Octopus CRM, and there's room for improvement."

"In future releases, I would like to have a highly intelligent integration service where you can easily connect PipeDrive with other tools, even if you are not a developer."

"You must pay more if you need an additional feature."

"Pipedrive has some weaknesses against Salesforce."

"The form builder works even though it has some shortcomings...Also, the forms don't have the ability to avoid or stop people from signing up if they don't have a corporate email."

"Pipedrive is relatively stable, but the performance is lackluster compared to other solutions in this space."

More Pipedrive cons

"The solution needs to be more user-friendly. It's difficult for a senior to track leads when a salesperson uploads leads. The solution should also improve its integration capabilities."

"Salesforce Essentials operates in a table format where the entire user interface is based on tables, more specifically pivot tables. This is not very user-friendly for mobile."

"The cost of running Salesforce Essentials is significant. The licenses are expensive, and the operational costs are considerable, including the necessity to maintain a team of approximately 15 people to run the system."

"The product's reporting area has certain shortcomings, making it an area where improvements are required."

"Less integration would be better. It should work independently."

"The solution's UI is not user-friendly."

"The solution could be cheaper."

"The primary area for improvement in Salesforce Essentials is its pricing. There are other competitors, like Zoho CRM, that offer similar features at a lower cost."

More Salesforce Essentials cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Pipedrive keeps increasing the prices, which is becoming a bit annoying. It was reasonable when we started, but now they're increasing all the time."

"The solution's pricing is excellant. It costs 65 dollars a month for top tier plan."

"The price of Pipedrive has been reasonable."

"On a scale of one to ten, where one is a low price, and ten is a high price, two or three. For us, everything is expensive because this is a startup, but for a normal company, it should be peanuts."

"We pay $1000 a month for the tool."

"The product is expensive but provides valuable services."

"Pipedrive is the most cost-effective in terms of the balance between cost and features. I would take Pipedrive over HubSpot or Zoho CRM. It's well-positioned on the market."

"Pipedrive is relatively more affordable than other solutions."

More Pipedrive pricing and cost advice

"The pricing is on the higher side, especially with additional costs for professional services like consultants."

"The tool is moderately priced."

"Salesforce Essentials is quite expensive, almost 10 out of 10. I don't have the exact cost, but we found it to be very expensive based on our budget constraints."

"There is a need to make yearly payments towards the licensing costs attached to the solution."

"I rate Salesforce Essentials' pricing an eight out of ten."

"We chose quarterly payments."

"It's a perpetual license, and the subscription can be expensive."

"The pricing is a bit on the expensive side."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Outsourcing Company

14%

Construction Company

14%

Comms Service Provider

Computer Software Company

Construction Company

24%

Marketing Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	9
Midsize Enterprise	1
Large Enterprise	3

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	5
Midsize Enterprise	3
Large Enterprise	7

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Pipedrive?

The pricing is satisfactory.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Pipedrive?

New features sometimes seem bolted on rather than being smooth.

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering Pipedrive?

I'd recommend Pipedrive since it's easy to use and handles simple processes effectively. I'd rate the solution nine out of ten.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Salesforce Essentials?

Salesforce Essentials is very expensive, but it delivers exceptional value. It is a good platform to have if you can afford it because it has numerous add-ons and modules. Anything that Salesforce ...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Salesforce Essentials?

The mobile access can be improved in several ways. Salesforce Essentials operates in a table format where the entire user interface is based on tables, more specifically pivot tables. This is not v...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Salesforce Essentials?

I have experience with Salesforce Essentials' Tableau and Salesforce Marketing Cloud, but not extensively. I was more focused on their CRM platform, specifically the core CRM and sales basics. My e...

See all answers

Comparisons

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Compared 9% of the time

Freshsales vs Pipedrive

Compared 9% of the time

noCRM.io vs Pipedrive

Compared 8% of the time

Pipeliner CRM vs Pipedrive

Compared 6% of the time

Jobber vs Pipedrive

Compared 6% of the time

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Odoo vs Salesforce Essentials

Compared 27% of the time

CRMNEXT vs Salesforce Essentials

Compared 23% of the time

noCRM.io vs Salesforce Essentials

Compared 11% of the time

SuiteCRM vs Salesforce Essentials

Compared 7% of the time

Nimble CRM vs Salesforce Essentials

Compared 7% of the time

More Salesforce Essentials Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Pipedrive

August 2026

Download Pipedrive product report

Buyer's Guide

Salesforce Essentials

July 2026

Download Salesforce Essentials product report

Overview

Pipedrive offers an intuitive interface for tracking deals with customizable features and extensive reporting to enhance sales management.

Pipedrive is a CRM tool designed to streamline sales processes. Known for its Kanban-style interface, it allows for easy tracking of deals and activities. Users find value in its customizable features, extensive reporting, and ability to manage communication. With flexible data structures, filters, and automation, Pipedrive improves sales management and communication integration. Although users seek better pricing and enhanced features for basic versions, the platform effectively supports tasks like deal tracking, email integration, and client relationship management.

What are the key features of Pipedrive?

Kanban-style interface: Facilitates easy deal tracking.
Customizable features: Allows adaptable data structures and processes.
Extensive reporting: Provides insights into sales activities.
Workflow automation: Enhances efficiency by automating repetitive tasks.
Email integration: Streamlines communication within the platform.

What benefits should users look for in Pipedrive?

Improved sales tracking: Enhances visibility into sales activities and pipelines.
Increased efficiency: Saves time through automation of routine tasks.
Customizability: Supports diverse business needs with flexible setup.
Scalability: Adapts to growing business requirements.
Better communication: Facilitates seamless interaction between team members.

In real estate and other industries, Pipedrive assists in managing client relationships by tracking interactions from introduction to closing. It supports sales funnels, lead capturing, and campaign management, enabling companies to effectively streamline workflows and forecast outcomes.

Pipedrive

Salesforce Essentials is a cloud-based CRM tool for businesses seeking flexible, scalable, and customizable solutions to enhance sales and customer support processes.

Designed for seamless integration across multiple channels, Salesforce Essentials includes Sales and Service Cloud to simplify sales tasks and customer management. It enhances finance, credit, and quality processes with user-friendly AI capabilities and predictive analytics. Despite its strengths, there is room for improvement in SAP integration, interface simplicity, and report generation. Cost-effectiveness and support for diverse languages are also potential upgrade areas. Businesses use this CRM solution for lead management, opportunity tracking, and automating sales workflows, transitioning from paper-based methods to digital efficiency.

What are the essential features of Salesforce Essentials?

Scalability and Flexibility: Accommodates growth and customization needs.
Multiple Channel Integration: Enhances finance and quality processes.
User-Friendly: Easy navigation with AI capabilities.
Cloud Deployment: Includes Sales and Service Cloud features.
Predictive Analytics: Improves productivity and tracking.
Mobile App Support: Facilitates on-the-go access and management.

What benefits or ROI can users expect from Salesforce Essentials?

Improved Productivity: Automation features save time and streamline tasks.
Enhanced Customer Management: Centralizes interaction and data handling.
Ease of Transition: From manual to automated workflows.
Performance Monitoring: Standardizes processes for better oversight.

In the retail industry, businesses employ Salesforce Essentials for customer data management and transparency in order processing. Healthcare providers use it for patient engagement and streamlined communication. Financial services utilize it for billing management and compliance, harnessing automation tools for efficient data handling.

Salesforce

Sample Customers

Samsung, Amazon, SkyScanner, TDW, Vimeo, ReMax, Festo

Information Not Available

Buyer's Guide

Pipedrive vs. Salesforce Essentials

August 2026

Free Report: Pipedrive vs. Salesforce Essentials

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