Sebastián Barbosa O. /January 17, 2023 /Dynamics 365/CRM/ 5 min read

How much does a CRM cost? Plus, different types of pricing models

Keep this entry for future references

Amongst several CRM options to choose from, the cost of CRM systems can differ widely depending on the specific system, provider, features, and capabilities it presents. Some CRM options are free, while others cost hundreds or thousands of dollars per month. Common CRM software partners provide subscription-based models and charge you for each user monthly or yearly.

Before delving deeper into the different CRM pricing models, let’s start with the definition of a CRM system.

What is a CRM?

Customer relationship management (CRM) software is the system in charge of managing every external and internal customer interaction with an enterprise. This system relies on technology to analyze, organize, and record contact data to elevate every business interaction throughout the sales cycle.

More organizations are witnessing the several benefits of CRM software to make real-time decisions while increasing profit, providing marketers, salespeople, CS representatives, and other stakeholders data-driven insights while supporting companies in the following areas:

  • Lead management
  • Pipeline management
  • Task management
  • Workflow automation
  • Reporting and forecasting
  • Centralized communication and documentation

Best CRMs in the market

Among the top CRM systems worldwide, there’s Microsoft Dynamics 365, Salesforce, Oracle, and HubSpot, which bring several benefits to large, medium, and small companies. Each has different capabilities that would work best for a specific enterprise’s needs, so it’s important to check their differences and carefully analyze their downsides or lack of strength. That way, you’ll rectify the best CRM system according to your needs and goals.

1. Microsoft Dynamics 365

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a comprehensive CRM system that offers several tools and features for medium and large businesses. It includes tools for sales, marketing, customer service, and operations management, and it can be easily integrated with other Microsoft products and services or third-party apps.

2. Salesforce CRM

The widely-used CRM system, Salesforce, offers a range of modern tools and features for large businesses. It includes tools for sales, marketing, and customer service, and it can be customized to meet the specific needs of different enterprises.

3. SAP CRM

SAP is CRM software that is developed specifically for large organizations. It offers different tools and features for sales, marketing, and CS, and it can be customized to meet specific business needs.

4. Oracle CX

Oracle is a CRM system designed for large businesses and offers a range of tools and features for sales, marketing, and CS. It can be integrated with other Oracle products and services.

Types of CRM pricing models

One common pricing model for CRM systems is subscription-based, where businesses pay a monthly or annual fee to access the CRM software. The subscription cost depends on the specific features and capabilities the company needs, as well as the number of users using the system.

Another common pricing model is pay-as-you-go, where organizations only pay for specific features and capabilities they will use. This can be a good choice for companies that don’t need a full suite of CRM features and only want to pay for what they really use.

Furthermore, some CRM systems also extend different pricing tiers or plans that cater to different company sizes and offer different levels of functionality. That way, before starting the implementation, it’s recommended to compare the providers, costs, and features of other CRM systems to find the one that best meets your needs and budget.

Prices vary from around $9/mo per user to $79/mo per user, and some CRM software provides free trials for up to 30 days. Various CRM enterprises offer discounts when paying upfront for a yearly fee instead of a monthly subscription. Additionally, some add-ons can be integrated with the total price, while others are integrated when paying an extra monthly fee. Furthermore, it’s worth considering the implementation costs that would imply having the CRM set up (besides the licensing fees). ZoomInfo states that larger enterprises tend to spend the most on CRM systems. Businesses with +1,000 employees spend about $174,000 on a CRM, whereas companies with +10,000 workers pay around $450,000. Nevertheless, SMEs (less than 900 employees)

reach the highest number of CRM implementations, with a rounding cost of $3,000, $60.000, or $100,000.

However, these extra costs could differ depending on what CRM you choose (on-premise vs. cloud-based), and some vendors or CRM systems may have hidden license and implementation fees you must be aware of. Besides the annual subscription, you must consider additional fees if you require setup, training, data migration, parallel sales tools, VoIP and telephony, or extra integrations.

Dynamics 365, Salesforce, SAP, and Oracle CRMs prices

BEST CRM LICENSING PRICING COMPARISON

Plan

Dynamics 365

Salesforce

SAP

Oracle

Basic

Starting at $50

Starting at $25

Starting at $58

Starting at $65

Higher-level

$100+

$75

$300

Dynamics 365 is available in several different pricing plans, including a basic plan that starts at $50/mo per user. This plan includes core CRM features such as analytics, sales automation, customer service, and marketing automation, which are not included in the basic plans of its competitors. Higher-level plans, such as the enterprise plan, can be customized to include additional features such as field service and project service automation and can cost upwards of $100/mo per user.

Now with Salesforce, the Essentials plan starts at $25/mo per user and includes basic CRM features such as sales automation and customer service. Although Salesforce provides this low-cost plan, its features and tools are limited compared to the other CRM options. Higher-level plans, such as the Professional plan, can cost up to $75/mo per user and include additional features such as marketing automation and analytics.

SAP and Oracle both offer enterprise-level CRM solutions. The pricing for these solutions can vary greatly depending on the business’s specific needs and the organization’s size. Generally, SAP and Oracle CRM solutions can cost significantly more than Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Salesforce, with costs often starting in the hundreds of dollars per user per month. However, they often include other features that can be customizable to fit the needs of large organizations.

Besides comparing the prices of the best CRM systems in the market, it’s highly recommended to carry out a thorough analysis of your business goals and needs. After this, it’s also crucial to follow these essential steps to choose the right CRM for your business to avoid wrong choices before deciding which CRM software would fit your organization.

Thank you.

Please remember that our consultants are here to guide you through the CRM implementation process, providing top-notch support to make your organization thrive.

Sebastián Barbosa O.
TECHNICAL CONTENT WRITER

Read more blog entries by Sebastián Barbosa O.

Read more: Dynamics 365 | CRM

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