Sales today isn’t what it used to be. It moves fast. Customers expect more, and teams need full visibility from hello to close. That’s why the CRM become the central nervous system of serious sales operations. We all know how good CRM can bring positive impacts. But with endless options out there, how do you pick the best CRM software for sales without drowning in marketing fluff?
How CRM Helps Improve Sales Performance
The real value of CRM for sales reps is gives your team clarity and control. Instead of digging through scattered notes or toggling tabs, you’ve got everything in one place. Your sales pipeline becomes crystal clear, lead scoring happens while you sleep, and follow-ups get triggered automatically.
How about that mind-numbing data entry? Cut down to a fraction. More time selling, less time messing with admin.
For small businesses, CRM tools like Zoho cut through the noise with affordable, user-friendly features. Larger teams? Salesforce’s customization depth is a big deal. Pro tip: Whether you’re eyeing sales automation or need a CRM that plays nicely with LinkedIn, alignment is key. Your CRM strategy should mirror how your team sells—not force them into a rigid template.
Review of 7 Best CRM for Sales
Here are some options of standout sales CRM tools, each with strengths tailored to specific needs. Whether you’re in outbound sales or advertising, there’s a solution here for your team.
Outreach.io – Best for Outbound Sales
Outreach is the best CRM for outbound sales where cold outreach is central to your model. It excels at automating sequences and tracking engagement across email, phone, and social media. Outreach best for enterprise sales teams focused on high-volume outbound prospecting
Pros
- AI-powered engagement sequences
- Superior email deliverability tracking
- Comprehensive analytics for outreach performance
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for new users
- Premium pricing may be prohibitive for smaller teams
Pricing
- Available upon request.
HubSpot Sales Hub – Best for Sales Automation
HubSpot hits that sweet spot of powerful yet approachable. Their real-time dashboard and automation tools make scaling painless. At Nexalab, we led dozens of HubSpot integrations. We connect HubSpot with everything, from accounting systems to customer service platforms. HubSpot best for companies seeking unified sales and marketing operations.
Pros
- Intuitive interface requiring minimal training
- Powerful meeting scheduler and email tracking
- Seamless integration with marketing functions
Cons
- Advanced features locked behind higher pricing tiers
- Limited customization at lower subscription levels
Pricing
- Sales Hub Professional: US$90/month/seat
- Sales Hub Enterprise: US$150/month/seat
Take your follow-ups and workflows to the next level with these tried-and-tested tools. Read our roundup of reviews on 10 sales automation tools and software.
Zoho CRM – Best for Small Business
As the best sales CRM for small businesses, Zoho punches above its weight. Their mobile app is a standout for field sales teams who need to update deals on the go. You won’t get the analytical firepower of the enterprise platforms, but at this price point, the value is unbeatable. Zoho CRM is best for Australian small businesses seeking affordability without sacrificing capability.
Pros
- Exceptional value for feature set
- User-friendly mobile app for field sales
- Customizable without technical expertise
Cons
- API limitations compared to enterprise solutions
- Less robust analytics than premium alternatives
Pricing
- Standard: US$14/user/month
- Professional: US$23/user/month
- Enterprise: US$40/user/month
- Ultimate: US$52/user/month
Salesforce Sales Cloud – Best for B2B Sales
Salesforce earns its reputation as the best CRM for B2B sales with good reason. When you’re juggling multiple stakeholders and lengthy approval processes, Salesforce’s AI-driven opportunity scoring is like having a crystal ball for your quarterly projections. Salesforce is best for large organizations with complex, multi-stage sales cycles.
Pros
- Unmatched customization potential
- Advanced territory management
- Enterprise-grade security and compliance
Cons
- Complex implementation requiring dedicated resources
- Higher total cost of ownership
Pricing
- Starter Suite: US$25/user/month
- Pro Suite: US$100/user/month
- Enterprise: US$65/user/month
Customer experience doesn’t stop at the sale. This is why CRM plays a key role in building long-term trust. See what else impacts customer loyalty in key factors and best practices to improve customer experience.
Pipedrive – Best for B2B Visualisation
Pipedrive sales pipeline visualization is simply brilliant – drag deals between stages. You can instantly spot bottlenecks, and shuffle resources to high-priority opportunities without needing an IT degree. Pipedrive best for teams that prioritize visual sales management and simplicity
Pros
- Visually intuitive pipeline management
- Fast implementation timeline
- Clear activity tracking and goal setting
Cons
- More limited reporting than enterprise alternatives
- Less robust third-party integrations
Pricing
- Essential: US$14/seat/month
- Advanced: US$24/seat/month
- Professional: US$49/seat/month
- Power: US$59/seat/month
- Enterprise: US$79/seat/month
Keap – Best for Direct Sales
Keap (formerly Infusionsoft) is one of the best CRM for direct sales, particularly for small businesses. Keap uniquely combines CRM functionalities with robust marketing automation and e-commerce features. Keap best for direct sales businesses looking to automate customer journeys.
Pros
- Unified marketing automation and CRM
- Advanced client portal capabilities
- Robust e-commerce integration
Cons
- Pricing jumps significantly between tiers
- Can feel overwhelming with its all-in-one approach
Pricing
- From US$299/month for 2 users with 1500 contacts
Nimble – Best for Advertising Sales
For media reps who live on LinkedIn, Twitter, and email—Nimble is a dream. Nimble auto-pulls contact info, flags recent news, and fits snugly into Microsoft 365. This makes Nimble carve out a unique niche as the best CRM for advertising sales. Nimble best for media sales teams and agencies with social-centric selling.
Pros
- Superior social media integration
- Automated data enrichment
- Works within Microsoft 365 environment
Cons
- Less suitable for complex enterprise needs
- Limited customization options
Pricing
- From US$24.90/seat/month
Comparison Table of CRM Tools for Sales in 2025
Here’s how these top sales CRM options stack up when you put them side by side.
| CRM | Best For | Pricing | Key Features | Real-Time Sync |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outreach.io | Outbound Sales | Available upon request | AI-powered sequences + analytics | Yes |
| HubSpot Sales Hub | Sales Automation | $90 (Pro), $150 (Enterprise) | Unified sales + marketing platform | Yes |
| Zoho CRM | Small Business | $14 (Standard) to $52 (Ultimate) | Mobile-friendly + customisable | Yes |
| Salesforce Sales Cloud | B2B Sales | $25 (Starter) to $100 (Pro) | Deep customisation + forecasting | Yes |
| Pipedrive | B2B Visualisation | $14 (Essential) to $79 (Enterprise) | Drag-and-drop pipeline | Yes |
| Keap | Direct Sales | From $299 (2 users) | CRM + automation + e-commerce | Yes |
| Nimble | Advertising Sales | $24.90 per seat | Social integration + MS 365 sync | Yes |
Please note that pricing is indicative and may change. All tools listed here are compatible with Nexalab’s CRM integration services, tailored for Australian sales teams.
Best Practices to Maximise the Use of CRM for Sales
Even the best CRM needs the right habits behind it. After hundreds of implementations, here’s what best practices of CRM sales look like:
- Don’t Skimp on Training: The best system in the world fails when people can’t use it confidently. Train your team when roles or tools change.
- Connect Your CRM to the Tools Your Team Lives In: email, calendar, Slack, Outlook, phone systems. All for seamless integration and they don’t have to constantly switch platforms.
- Automate the Boring Stuff: Every minute spent on manual data entry is a minute not spent closing deals. Use workflow automation for manual tasks. This breakdown on CRM marketing automation can help you figure out how to drive engagement from both ends.
- Map Your Actual Sales Process First: Start with how your sales process really works, then configure your CRM to support that—not the other way around.
- Bridge the Sales-Marketing Divide: Connect your CRM with marketing platforms to get full visibility into campaign ROI, lead quality, and conversion performance.
- Use CRM Integration: Seamless integration connects your CRM with the rest of your business systems.
Your Next Steps
Choosing the best CRM for sales team is about what makes your team’s life easier. That’s why at Nexalab, we’ve never met two businesses with the same needs. Maybe that’s why 80% of our clients come through word-of-mouth. Whether you’re automating B2B deals with Salesforce or streamlining ad sales via Nimble, we’re here to connect the dots. Still weighing up your options? Not sure how to get that CRM humming? We’re here to help. With integrity, technical clarity, and a genuine understanding of Australian sales teamwork.
