12 Best Sales Management Tools: Features, Pros & Cons

Looking for the best sales management tools to streamline your sales processes and boost revenue? We've got you covered with our curated list of the top 12 tools on the market. Our comprehensive guide breaks down each tool by key features, pros, cons, pricing, and real user reviews from popular sites like G2 and Capterra.

Whether you're a small business owner or an enterprise sales manager, you'll find valuable insights to help you choose the right tool for your team. From AI-powered platforms like Bardeen and Salesforce to visual pipeline management solutions like Pipeliner CRM, we've included a diverse range of options to suit every need and budget.

We've also highlighted popular use cases and unique selling points for each tool, so you can quickly identify which ones align with your specific goals and challenges. Plus, with detailed pricing information and user sentiment from Reddit discussions, you'll have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

By the end of this article, you'll have a clear understanding of the best sales management tools available and how they can help you automate your sales efforts. So whether you're looking to automate repetitive tasks, improve lead generation, or gain deeper insights into your pipeline, read on to discover the perfect tool for your business.

1. Bardeen

Bardeen is an AI-powered browser extension that helps sales teams automate repetitive tasks and speed up their workflows. By controlling browser tabs and running 24/7 in the cloud, Bardeen makes it easy to automate sales prospecting, lead generation, and outreach. Download Bardeen's Chrome extension and start automating your sales processes today.

Key Features

Bardeen offers several features that make it a valuable tool for sales teams:

• Integration with 100+ apps for seamless workflow automation
• AI sales agents for intelligent automation and data processing
• Hyper-personalized messaging capabilities using data from Clearbit and Apollo
• No-code workflow builder and AI-powered Magic Box for easy automation creation

Popular Use Cases

• Sales prospecting and lead qualification
• Automated email outreach and follow-ups
• Lead generation and management

Pros

• Versatile capabilities beyond just sales automation
• Runs 24/7 in the cloud, making it perfect for teams
• OpenAI integration for intelligent automation

Cons

• Steeper learning curve compared to some other sales management tools
• Higher pricing for premium features and credits
• Limited mobile app functionality

Reviews

On Capterra, Bardeen has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5, with users praising its ease of use and practical automation capabilities. One reviewer noted, "Bardeen is one of the best no-code automation platforms and won the runner-up award from Product Hunt in the SaaS category."

G2 reviewers give Bardeen 4.9 out of 5 stars, highlighting its time-saving benefits and powerful features. A user shared, "Bardeen solves the problem of manually doing repetitive tasks, which saves me a lot of time. Prices are also affordable."

Pricing

• Free plan: Unlimited non-premium usage, 2 weeks of free access to the Pro tier
• Professional plan: $10/month for 500 credits, generative AI actions, CRM integrations, advanced scraping, premium integrations and actions
• Business plan: $15/month for teams with less than 100 people, 500 credits, flexible user administration, admin analytics dashboard, teamwide automations, onboarding & training
• Enterprise plan: Custom pricing for larger teams with more specific needs

If you're looking for a powerful sales management tool that can help you automate your sales processes and save time, sign up for Bardeen's 14-day free trial and see how it can transform your workflow.

2. Salesforce

Salesforce is a leading customer relationship management (CRM) platform that offers a wide range of features designed to streamline sales processes, improve efficiency, and enhance overall productivity. Its AI-powered Sales Cloud is an invaluable asset for sales teams aiming to increase efficiency and drive growth, making it a top choice for businesses looking to optimize their sales processes.

Key Features

Salesforce Sales Cloud offers a comprehensive set of features that enable sales teams to manage leads, accounts, contacts, and opportunities effectively. Its advanced features include:

• Lead, account, contact, and opportunity management
• Forecast management
• Predictive AI
• Lead and opportunity scoring

Popular Use Cases

• Managing sophisticated sales operations
• Optimizing sales strategies and maximizing revenue opportunities
• Prioritizing efforts on leads with the highest potential

Pros

• Extensive feature set and scalability
• Powerful integration capabilities
• Predictive analytics and AI-driven insights

Cons

• Higher cost compared to some alternatives
• Steeper learning curve due to advanced functionality
• Web services API costs an additional $25 per user, per month for the Professional plan

Reviews

On G2, users praise Salesforce's customization options and trackability, with one reviewer stating, "Salesforce stands out as the top-notch choice for customization and trackability. We're able to configure fields and gather data as per specific workflows, and even automate tasks for smoother operations." It has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,980 reviews.

Capterra reviewers highlight Salesforce's holistic platform, with one consultant noting, "Salesforce have helped our businesses to meet customer requirements holistically. Starting from Sales Cloud, entire sales process Management of any businesses and automating any approval process, automated tasks, personalized emails, Opportunity Management, Contracts and Orders Management."

On Reddit, users discuss the value of Salesforce for managing activities, accounts, contacts, and deals efficiently. One user shares, "Uses Salesforce for daily follow-up reminders; improved follow-up led to high sales performance." However, some users also mention the high costs and complexity of the platform.

Pricing

• Starter Suite: $25 per user, per month, billed annually
• Professional: $80 per user, per month, billed annually
• Enterprise: $165 per user, per month, billed annually
• Unlimited: $330 per user, per month, billed annually
• Einstein 1 Sales: $500 per user, per month, billed annually

3. Pipedrive

Pipedrive is a popular sales management tool that helps sales teams streamline their processes and close more deals. With its intuitive interface and robust feature set, Pipedrive has earned a reputation as one of the best CRM solutions for small to medium-sized businesses.

Key Features

Pipedrive's key features focus on helping sales teams manage their pipeline effectively:

• Visual sales pipeline for tracking deals
• Customizable deal stages and fields
• Email integration and tracking
• Mobile app for on-the-go access

Popular Use Cases

• Managing sales leads and deals through the pipeline
• Automating follow-up tasks and reminders
• Generating reports and insights on sales performance

Pros

• Easy to use and set up
• Customizable to fit unique sales processes
• Integrates with many popular business tools

Cons

• Limited customization options for reports
• Lacks some advanced features compared to enterprise CRMs

Pricing

• Essential: $12.50 per user/month billed annually (~$14 USD)
• Advanced: $24.90 per user/month billed annually (~$29 USD)
• Professional: $49.90 per user/month billed annually (~$59 USD)
• Enterprise: $99 per user/month billed annually
• Free 14-day trial available

Reviews

On Capterra, Pipedrive has an overall rating of 4.0 out of 5 based on 1,898 reviews. Users praise its efficiency, simplicity, and ease of importing data. Some cons noted include occasional issues with campaigns automatically adding contacts and limited bulk editing capabilities.

G2 reviewers give Pipedrive an average 4.3 out of 5 stars. Positive reviews highlight the intuitive interface, customization options, and responsive customer support. Critiques mention the reporting could be more robust.

Pipedrive users on Reddit appreciate its affordability compared to other CRMs and find it an effective tool for managing clients when used responsibly. The general consensus is that Pipedrive provides good value for small teams looking to improve their sales processes.

4. HubSpot

HubSpot is an all-in-one CRM platform that offers a comprehensive suite of marketing, sales, and customer service tools. With its user-friendly interface and robust features, HubSpot has become a popular choice for businesses of all sizes looking to streamline their operations and drive growth.

Key Features

HubSpot's marketing tools enable you to:

• Attract and convert leads with landing pages, forms, and email marketing
• Personalize content and track customer interactions across channels
• Analyze campaign performance and ROI with built-in analytics
• Collaborate with sales and service teams on a unified platform

Popular Use Cases

• Generating and nurturing leads through targeted email campaigns and personalized content
• Aligning marketing and sales efforts to close more deals faster
• Providing omni-channel customer support and tracking customer success

Pros

• Seamless integration of marketing, sales, and service functions
• Intuitive automation capabilities for lead nurturing and customer engagement
• Centralized dashboard for a comprehensive view of the customer journey

Cons

• Higher pricing compared to some competitors, especially with add-ons
• Website building functionality has a learning curve compared to other platforms
• Initial setup and onboarding process can be time-consuming

Pricing

• Starter: Starts at $45/month, includes essential marketing tools
• Professional: Starts at $800/month, adds automation, analytics, and more
• Enterprise: Custom pricing, includes advanced features and dedicated support
• Free tools available with limited features

Reviews

G2 users praise HubSpot's user-friendly interface, comprehensive feature set, and seamless integration of marketing channels. They appreciate the platform's ability to streamline workflows and provide valuable insights. HubSpot has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from over 11,000 reviews on G2.

On Capterra, reviewers highlight HubSpot's powerful automation capabilities and the value it provides for lead generation and nurturing. Some note the learning curve and premium pricing as potential drawbacks. HubSpot earns an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 on Capterra.

Reddit discussions suggest that while HubSpot offers extensive functionality, the cost can be prohibitive for some businesses, especially when multiple add-ons are needed. However, many users find the platform's capabilities and support to be worth the investment for scaling their marketing and sales efforts.

5. Cold Email Generator

Cold Email Generator is a free tool from Close that helps you save time, ensure consistency, and scale your sales outreach efforts. It's included in this list of best sales management tools because it provides a solid starting point for your cold email campaigns, allowing you to finalize drafts faster and focus on personalizing them with your unique insights.

Key Features

Cold Email Generator offers AI-powered templates based on your company description and desired email outcome, enabling you to create personalized cold emails quickly and easily.

• AI-powered templates that you can adjust to your needs
• Personalization based on your company description
• Choice of desired email outcome

Popular Use Cases

• Scaling outbound sales efforts for small and medium-sized businesses
• Generating first drafts of cold emails to optimize with internal insights
• Speeding up email campaign creation while maintaining quality

Pros

• Free to use with no limitations
• Simple and intuitive interface
• Generates personalized emails in seconds

Cons

• Requires manual editing and optimization for best results
• Limited customization options compared to paid AI writing tools

Pricing

• Completely free to use
• No trial period or credit card required

Reviews

As Cold Email Generator is a free tool, there are limited public reviews available. However, users praise its simplicity and ability to quickly generate personalized email drafts as a starting point for outreach campaigns.

6. Zoho

Zoho is a comprehensive suite of business software applications that includes a powerful AI-driven sales assistant called Zoho Zia. Zoho's inclusion in this list of best sales management tools is justified by its robust feature set, high user ratings, and ability to streamline sales processes.

Key Features

These key features make Zoho a strong contender among sales management tools:

• AI-powered insights and recommendations to optimize sales strategies
• Personalized customer engagement through sentiment and intent analysis
• Automated lead scoring and deal predictions to prioritize high-value opportunities
• Seamless integration with Zoho's extensive suite of business applications

Popular Use Cases

• Enhancing lead qualification and prioritization with AI-driven scoring
• Automating personalized outreach based on customer behavior and preferences
• Gaining actionable insights to improve sales performance and revenue growth

Pros

• Comprehensive feature set for end-to-end sales management
• Seamless integration with Zoho's ecosystem of business applications
• AI-powered insights and automation to boost sales productivity

Cons

• Initial learning curve due to the platform's extensive capabilities
• Some users report occasional data sync issues with third-party integrations
• Higher-tier plans may be cost-prohibitive for smaller businesses

Reviews

On G2, Zoho CRM has an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars from 2,643 reviews. Users praise its customization options, ease of use, and comprehensive feature set, while some note minor UX improvements could be made.

Capterra reviewers give Zoho CRM an overall rating of 4.0, highlighting its affordability, integration capabilities, and user-friendly interface. A few users mention occasional customer support challenges.

Reddit sentiment is generally positive, with users appreciating Zoho One's extensive app ecosystem and cost-effectiveness for small businesses. Some users advise carefully evaluating individual module maturity and integration needs before fully committing to the platform.

Pricing

• Standard: $14/user/month billed annually, or $20/user/month billed monthly
• Professional: $23/user/month billed annually, or $35/user/month billed monthly
• Enterprise: $40/user/month billed annually, or $50/user/month billed monthly
• Ultimate: $52/user/month billed annually, or $65/user/month billed monthly
• 15-day free trial available

7. Freshworks

Freshworks is a comprehensive suite of business software solutions designed to streamline customer engagement, sales, marketing, and support. Its AI-powered CRM, Freshsales, is a standout tool for sales teams looking to close deals faster and grow revenue.

Key Features

• Freddy AI offers deal recommendations to avoid bottlenecks
• Automate tasks like sending emails, setting reminders, and updating CRM
• AI-powered insights for superior lead tracking and management

These features make Freshsales well-suited for sales teams focused on efficiency and data-driven decision making.

Popular Use Cases

• Running smart sales campaigns with AI-driven insights
• Planning and visualizing sales processes using Kanban views
• Automating repetitive tasks to free up time for selling

Pros

• Intuitive interface and minimal learning curve
• Robust AI capabilities for lead scoring and sales forecasting
• Extensive customization options to fit unique sales processes

Cons

• Occasional slowness in customer support response times
• Some limitations in integrations and data exporting
• Higher pricing compared to some alternatives

Reviews

On Capterra, Freshworks has an overall rating of 4.0 out of 5. Users praise its ease of use, helpful automation features, and the time savings it enables. However, some note the free plan is limited and upgrading can get pricey.

G2 reviewers give Freshworks CRM (Freshsales) 4.5 out of 5 stars. Many highlight how it helps them streamline customer support and sales processes. A few mention occasional bugs and a desire for more advanced reporting.

Discussions on Reddit suggest Freshworks is a capable tool but some users encountered issues with the AI chatbot or inconsistent support. Comparisons are drawn to Zoho and Bitrix24 as alternatives.

Pricing

• Growth plan starts at $15/user/month billed annually
• Pro plan is $39/user/month billed annually
• Enterprise plan is $69/user/month billed annually
• Free 21-day trial available (no credit card required)

8. Gong.io

Gong.io is a leading Revenue Intelligence Platform that uses AI to capture and analyze customer interactions across various channels. It seamlessly integrates with CRM systems, providing real-time data insights and automating actions based on customer conversations to boost team productivity.

Key Features

Gong.io offers a range of AI-powered features designed to enhance sales performance:

• Deal intelligence to identify risks and opportunities
• Conversation intelligence to gain insights from customer interactions
• Revenue intelligence for accurate forecasting and pipeline management
• Customizable dashboards and reports for easy tracking

Popular Use Cases

• Analyzing sales conversations to identify winning strategies
• Gaining visibility into deal health and pipeline performance
• Providing real-time coaching and guidance to sales reps

Pros

• Provides win rate insights to optimize sales strategies
• Offers real-time analysis of customer interactions
• Integrates seamlessly with CRM systems and other tools

Cons

• Lacks transparent pricing information on website
• Can have an initial learning curve due to feature depth

Pricing

• Gong.io provides custom quotes based on specific business requirements

Reviews

On G2, Gong.io has an impressive average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 5,750 reviews. 88% of users rated it 5 stars, praising its ability to enhance self-reflection and automate tasks like generating follow-up emails.

Capterra reviewers highlight Gong's transformative impact on forecasting and business operations. They appreciate features like easy access to call transcripts and cross-functional call sharing. The AI-generated call follow-ups are also noted as highly effective for streamlining communication.

Users on Reddit discuss how Gong provides valuable call summaries and integrates well into their workflows. Some mention the tool can feel pricey but delivers strong benefits. The general consensus is that Gong is a powerful platform for those who can afford it, with a wealth of data-driven insights to elevate sales performance.

9. Showpad

Showpad is a popular sales enablement tool that provides a centralized platform for managing and sharing sales content. It is included in this list of best sales management tools due to its robust content management capabilities, intuitive user interface, and positive user reviews that highlight its effectiveness in streamlining sales processes and improving sales performance.

Key Features

• Centralized content repository for easy organization and access to sales collateral
• Customizable content sharing and presentation capabilities for engaging prospects
• Mobile access for on-the-go content management and presentations
• Integration with popular CRM and marketing automation platforms

Popular Use Cases

• Equipping sales teams with up-to-date, on-brand content for consistent messaging
• Enabling sales reps to easily find and share relevant content during sales interactions
• Leveraging analytics to gain insights into content usage and effectiveness

Pros

• User-friendly interface for easy content management and organization
• Robust content customization and personalization features
• Seamless integration with existing sales tech stack

Cons

• Higher pricing compared to some other sales enablement tools
• Requires consistent content maintenance and updates
• May have a learning curve for some users

Reviews

On G2, Showpad has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars based on over 1,600 reviews. Users praise its ease of use, content management capabilities, and positive impact on sales performance.

Capterra reviewers give Showpad an overall rating of 4.4, highlighting its user-friendly interface, robust features, and helpful customer support. Some users note minor UX issues and a learning curve for certain advanced features.

Across various review platforms, users consistently appreciate Showpad's ability to centralize content, enable personalized sales interactions, and drive more effective sales conversations. The consensus is that Showpad is a valuable tool for aligning sales and marketing efforts and empowering sales teams to succeed.

Pricing

• Essential plan – Request for a custom quote
• Plus plan – Request for a custom quote
• Ultimate plan – Request for a custom quote

10. UpLead

UpLead is a B2B lead generation and sales intelligence platform that provides accurate contact and company data to help businesses connect with their ideal customers. With over 95% data accuracy and real-time email verification, UpLead ensures that sales teams are always working with high-quality, actionable leads.

Key Features

UpLead's key features make it a valuable tool for sales teams looking to streamline their prospecting efforts:

• Advanced search filters to find highly targeted leads
• Real-time email verification for improved deliverability
• Detailed contact profiles with direct phone numbers and email addresses
• Technographic data to identify prospects using specific technologies

Popular Use Cases

• Building targeted lead lists for outbound sales campaigns
• Enriching existing contact databases with accurate, up-to-date information
• Identifying key decision-makers within target accounts for account-based marketing

Pros

• High data accuracy and real-time email verification
• User-friendly interface and easy list building
• Affordable pricing compared to other sales intelligence platforms

Cons

• Some users report occasional outdated contact information
• Limited integrations with other sales and marketing tools

Pricing

• Essentials plan: $99/month for 170 credits
• Plus plan: $199/month for 400 credits
• Custom plans available for larger teams and enterprises
• 7-day free trial with 5 credits included

Reviews

On G2, UpLead has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 750 reviews. Users praise its ease of use, data accuracy, and excellent customer service.

However, some Capterra reviewers have expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of leads and customer support, giving UpLead an overall rating of 4.0. These negative experiences appear to be outliers, as the majority of reviews are positive.

Discussions on Reddit suggest that UpLead is a solid choice for businesses looking for an affordable, user-friendly lead generation tool, with many users preferring it over alternatives like Lusha and Seamless.ai.

11. Saleshandy

Saleshandy is a popular sales automation tool that helps businesses streamline their sales processes and drive revenue growth. With its focus on cold email outreach, Saleshandy offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to enhance productivity and improve sales performance. The tool's user-friendly interface and advanced email deliverability features make it an excellent choice for businesses looking to optimize their sales efforts.

Key Features

• Spintax for personalized cold emails at scale
• Sender Rotation to improve email deliverability
• Sequence Score to optimize email campaigns
• Unified Inbox for efficient lead management

Popular Use Cases

• Automating personalized cold email outreach for lead generation
• Managing and nurturing leads through email sequences
• Improving email deliverability and campaign performance

Pros

• Connect unlimited email accounts at no extra cost
• Built-in email verification functionality
• Advanced email deliverability features like auto email warm-up and sender rotation
• A-Z Variants Testing for optimizing email campaigns
• AI-powered email writing assistant

Cons

• No free plan (7-day free trial available)
• Limited to email communication channel

Pricing

Cold Emailing:

• Outreach Starter - $25 per month
• Outreach Pro - $74 per month
• Outreach Scale - $149 per month
• Outreach Scale Plus - $219 per month

B2B Lead Finder (Only Email):

• Lead Starter - $39/Month (1,000 Credits)
• Lead Pro - $79/Month (2,500 Credits)
• Lead Scale - $159/Month (5,000 Credits)
• Lead Scale Plus - $249/Month (10,000 Credits)

B2B Lead Finder (Email + Phone Number):

• Lead Starter - $66/Month (1,000 Credits)
• Lead Pro - $144/Month (2,500 Credits)
• Lead Scale - $269/Month (5,000 Credits)
• Lead Scale Plus - $509/Month (10,000 Credits)

Reviews

On G2, Saleshandy has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars based on over 500 reviews. Users praise its automation capabilities, ease of use, and advanced features for improving email deliverability.

Capterra reviewers give Saleshandy an overall rating of 4.5, highlighting the tool's time-saving benefits, helpful email sequences, and responsive customer support. Some users note the learning curve for certain advanced features.

Reddit sentiment around Saleshandy is generally positive, with users finding it an effective tool for cold email outreach when used responsibly. Key benefits mentioned include its ability to personalize emails at scale, manage multiple email accounts, and provide detailed analytics on campaign performance.

12. Pipeliner CRM

Pipeliner CRM is a sales management tool that offers a unique visual interface and powerful automation features to help sales teams close more deals efficiently. Its intuitive design and robust reporting capabilities make it a standout choice in the sales CRM space.

Key Features

• Visual sales pipeline management with drag-and-drop functionality
• Automated workflows and approval processes with no coding required
• Advanced reporting and forecasting tools for data-driven insights
• Mobile CRM app with AI-powered assistant and location-based features

These features are critical for sales teams looking to streamline their processes, gain visibility into their pipeline, and make informed decisions based on real-time data.

Popular Use Cases

• Visualizing and managing complex sales pipelines across multiple teams or regions
• Automating repetitive tasks and approval processes to save time and reduce errors
• Generating detailed reports and forecasts to track performance and identify trends

Pros

• Highly visual interface that is easy to learn and navigate
• Powerful automation capabilities without the need for technical expertise
• Comprehensive mobile app with advanced AI and location-based features

Cons

• Some users report occasional bugs and glitches
• Pricing may be higher compared to other CRM options
• Customization options may be more limited than other platforms

Pricing

• Starter: $65/user/month billed annually
• Business: $85/user/month billed annually
• Enterprise: $115/user/month billed annually
• 14-day free trial available

Reviews

On G2, Pipeliner CRM has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars based on 462 reviews. Users praise its unique visual approach and powerful automation capabilities, with 80% of reviewers giving it 5 stars.

Capterra reviewers give Pipeliner CRM an overall rating of 4.0, highlighting its ease of use and intuitive interface. However, some users note occasional bugs and a higher price point compared to alternatives.

Feedback on Reddit suggests that while Pipeliner CRM may not be as well-known as some other CRM platforms, it is worth considering for its visual pipeline management and automation features. Users recommend evaluating it alongside other options to find the best fit for your specific sales needs and budget.

Conclusions

When choosing the best sales management tools for your needs, it's important to consider factors such as the size and complexity of your sales operations, your budget, and the specific features and integrations you require. Look for tools that offer robust automation capabilities, AI-powered insights, and seamless integration with your existing tech stack.

Among the most popular sales management tools featured in this article, Salesforce stands out for its extensive feature set and scalability, while Pipedrive is known for its intuitive interface and customizable pipeline management. However, for businesses looking to streamline their sales processes and boost productivity, Bardeen's AI-powered browser extension is a top choice.

With its ability to automate repetitive tasks, integrate with over 100 apps, and provide hyper-personalized messaging capabilities, Bardeen empowers sales teams to work smarter and close more deals. Plus, with a generous free plan and affordable pricing for premium features, it's accessible to businesses of all sizes.

To experience the benefits of Bardeen firsthand, we encourage you to download and install the Chrome extension, sign up for free, or start a 14-day free trial of the premium features. By leveraging the power of AI and automation, you can take your sales performance to the next level and drive long-term growth for your business.