Salesforce is one of the most well-known names in the CRM world, and for good reason. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools that can be customized to meet almost any business need. However, this power comes at a price, especially when you start adding on essential features like email marketing and marketing automation.

Salesforce’s cost is the highest among the three CRM systems discussed here. Additionally, while Salesforce does offer robust support options, premium support (which includes same-day response) is only available at an extra cost. Moreover, maintaining and updating the system often requires either advanced in-house expertise or ongoing consulting services, both of which can further inflate the total cost. Implementation and setup costs as well as on-going management of the platform must be included in your CRM comparison.

- Salesforce Unlimited for 10 Users: $30,000
- Exact Target: $15,000
- CRM Implementation and Training: $9,500
- Marketing Content Strategy and Creative: $4,000

Total: $58,500

Hubspot was originally built for marketers and blogging and has added sales and automation features over the years. It's known for robust capabilities but, with a complex user experience, especially for sales people and escalating costs.
Pros:
- Unified platform combining sales CRM and marketing tools.
- Intuitive interface and scalability for growing businesses.
- Strong automation options once you reach higher tiers.
Cons:
- Automation features are locked behind higher tiers — free and low-cost plans have limited or no advanced workflows.
- Pricing jumps steeply between entry and professional/enterprise levels, making it costly for mid-sized needs.
- Marketing contact billing can inflate costs unexpectedly if contact classification isn’t managed carefully.
- Teams may need multiple modules (Sales + Marketing + Service) to get full CRM + automation power, increasing total spend.
- Learning curve and complexity increase with advanced features — not always ideal for smaller or lean teams.

Hubspot Sales Hub for 10 users + Marketing Hub: $22,000 per year

- Sales Hub Training/Onboarding: $1500
- Marketing Hub Onboarding: $3000
- On-going support from Hubspot Certified Consultant: $6000+

Total: $32,500

Keap is often marketed as an all-in-one CRM and marketing automation platform aimed at small businesses. While it is more affordable than Salesforce or SugarCRM, it has its own set of challenges, particularly in terms of setup and maintenance.

While Infusionsoft’s base cost is the lowest of the three, it requires significant internal resources to maintain. Many businesses find that they need to allocate a third of a team member’s time just to keep the system running smoothly. This hidden cost can add up quickly, especially if you consider the opportunity cost of diverting staff time away from other essential tasks.

Keap Team for 10 Users: $7,188
Implementation and Training: $4,000
Internal Staff to Maintain: $15,000
Marketing Content Strategy and Creative: $4,000

Total: $30,188

SalesNexus is built by sales people for sales people. The user interface allows salespeople to work quickly without distractions and complex workflows for standard sales processes. SalesNexus AI (Nexi) is build in-line with most sales workflows so that sales processes go faster and data is automatically logged and leveraged. SalesNexus marketing automation works within the same system as the sales process so that teams only learn one user interface and data maintenance is minimal. Leads can be escalated to sales, nurtured through the sales pipeline and then switched to marketing workflows automatically.

SalesNexus has a long history of outstanding customer support and product innovation driven by customer input. SalesNexus customers typically remain subscribers for over 5 years (3x as long as Salesforce and Hubspot).

SalesNexus Team for 10 users: $8,000
Implementation and Training: $3,000
Full Service Nurturing Campaign Creation: $3,000

Total: $14,000

When evaluating CRM systems, it’s essential to look beyond the initial price tag. As shown in the breakdowns above, the total cost of ownership includes not just the software itself, but also marketing automation tools, implementation and training, and ongoing maintenance.

It’s clear that while Keap offers the lowest upfront cost, the ongoing maintenance can be a significant burden. Salesforce, on the other hand, offers extensive capabilities but at a much higher price point. SugarCRM falls somewhere in between, but its lack of built-in marketing tools requires additional investments and ongoing maintenance efforts.

CRM comparison isn’t just about finding the cheapest option—it’s about finding the solution that offers the best value for your business. Consider your specific needs: Do you require robust marketing automation? How much time can your team realistically dedicate to maintaining the system? Is it worth paying more for comprehensive support and advanced features?

By carefully evaluating these factors and understanding the true costs involved, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals. Remember, the cheapest option isn’t always the best, and the most expensive option isn’t always necessary. The key is finding the CRM that fits your needs, budget, and growth plans.

As you weigh your options, keep in mind that SalesNexus offers an integrated CRM and marketing automation solution that could save you time, money, and headaches. With a 30-day free trial, you can explore all the features and benefits without any risk. Consider giving it a try and see how it compares to other CRM systems in terms of both cost and functionality.