Comparing Zoho CRM and Odoo CRM: Which platform offers better value for cost-effective digital transformation?

1. Overview

Among the popular CRM platforms today, Zoho CRM and Odoo CRM are two top choices for businesses that are new to digital transformation.

Both are highly rated customer relationship management (CRM) software solutions that help businesses optimize their sales processes, enhance customer experience, and drive sustainable growth.

Choosing the right platform can save businesses time, effort, and costs, from the initial setup and migration to ongoing use.

Zoho CRM

Launched in 2005, Zoho CRM is a well-known product from Zoho Corporation, an Indian technology company. It offers a wide range of functionalities, from CRM to comprehensive business process management, helping businesses optimize sales processes for the best results.

Strengths

• Excellent customer information management
• Diverse features supporting sales and marketing
• Highly flexible customization

Weaknesses

• More expensive than Odoo CRM
• The free version has many limitations, such as a maximum of 3 users, no report creation, and no Zia assistant
• Slightly slow loading speed with some delays
• Some features are difficult for beginners, such as setting up sales pipelines and configuring parameters

Odoo CRM

Odoo CRM is part of an open-source business management software suite developed by the Belgian company Odoo since 2005. It stands out for its convenience, ease of use, and a paid version that integrates seamlessly with the Odoo ecosystem, including e-commerce, invoicing, accounting, and project management.

Strengths

• Easier to use than Zoho CRM
• The free version has no user limit
• More affordable pricing

Weaknesses

• Less customizable than Zoho CRM
• The free version does not support automation
• No direct calling or emailing to customers
• Mobile app is not well-developed

2. Detailed comparison

Interface and usability

Zoho CRM has a simple and professional interface, focusing on flexibility and ease of use. The menu is placed at the top, optimizing customer information and sales activities management.

Tabs and modules are well-organized, but some actions are “hidden” in the Setup section, such as business process configuration or menu arrangement. New users might not notice or mistakenly think that Zoho CRM lacks these features.

Meanwhile, Odoo CRM has a minimalist and clean design. Users can master the basics within minutes without needing any documentation.

Zoho CRM occasionally loads slowly and may feel laggy when handling large data sets. In contrast, Odoo CRM runs smoothly without such issues.

Customization capabilities

Zoho CRM allows users to easily customize the interface according to business needs. For example, you can modify the dashboard view, rearrange menu modules, or design workflows to suit different industries or teams. Additionally, the paid version includes Canvas Design Studio, enabling full CRM customization.

Odoo CRM is less customizable than Zoho CRM. However, the free version allows users to quickly switch between different display formats, such as lists, charts, and graphs, with just one click. This is an advantage for managers needing detailed data insights from multiple perspectives.

Workflow automation

Both Zoho CRM and Odoo CRM stand out for their ability to automate complex processes, helping businesses save time and increase efficiency. Users can automate email campaigns, task assignments, and follow-ups.

However, automation is mostly available in paid plans. Zoho CRM’s free version only allows basic workflow automation in business processes.

Odoo CRM also provides automation tools, but they are not as powerful. In some cases, users need to configure settings manually or integrate additional apps from the Odoo ecosystem, such as Marketing Automation, to achieve similar functionality to Zoho CRM.

Integration capabilities

Zoho CRM supports integration with over 800 applications, including Office 365, Google Calendar, Facebook, and Shopify.

Odoo CRM offers open API support for third-party app connections, but its available app integrations are fewer than Zoho CRM.

Sales and marketing support

Zoho CRM provides marketing features such as email marketing, campaign management, and performance analytics. However, some advanced features require integration with other Zoho applications. For instance, Zoho Social is needed for social media management, and Zoho Analytics is required for in-depth reporting and data analysis.

Odoo CRM mainly supports lead and sales opportunity management, with limited marketing features. To enhance marketing capabilities, users must purchase additional Odoo apps like Odoo Social Marketing, Odoo Email Marketing, and Odoo SMS Marketing.

On the plus side, Odoo CRM can forecast business performance for upcoming months based on existing data. Its reporting and analytics functions are quite useful, whereas Zoho CRM requires a paid plan to access similar features.

AI integration

Zoho CRM features Zia, an AI-powered conversational assistant that helps users with tasks like note-taking, chart creation, and report analysis. However, this feature is only available in the Enterprise and Ultimate plans.

Odoo CRM does not offer built-in AI features like Zoho CRM, which is a drawback for users looking for AI-powered assistance.

Customer support

Both Zoho CRM and Odoo CRM provide support via email and chat. However, some users have reported slow response times, suggesting room for improvement in customer service.

3. Pricing

Both Zoho CRM and Odoo CRM offer free plans for users to try. However, Odoo CRM's free version does not limit the number of users, whereas Zoho CRM's free plan only allows up to three users.

For more advanced needs, here are the paid plans:

• Zoho CRM:

  • Standard: $20/month per user
  • Professional: $35/month per user
  • Enterprise: $50/month per user
  • Ultimate: $65/month per user

• Odoo CRM:

  • Standard: $9.10/month per user
  • Advanced: $13.6/month per user

Note that these prices are per user, meaning costs will increase as more users are added.

Comparing the two, Odoo CRM is significantly more affordable than Zoho CRM. Additionally, Odoo’s Standard plan includes access to all Odoo apps beyond CRM, such as marketing and accounting tools. In contrast, Zoho CRM upgrades its features incrementally, requiring businesses to invest more.

4. Suitable users

With its extensive features, Zoho CRM is ideal for small and medium-sized businesses seeking a platform for in-depth customer and business process management, especially those already familiar with Zoho's ecosystem. Its robust lead tracking and conversion tools are particularly valuable.

On the other hand, Odoo CRM is more suitable for businesses new to digital transformation, with little prior experience using similar platforms. Additionally, its lower pricing makes it a great option for cost-conscious companies.

Zoho CRM offers numerous powerful features, making it a worthwhile investment. However, some businesses may find its feature set overwhelming, as they might not use all its capabilities. In such cases, Odoo CRM provides a more practical solution.

5. Conclusion

Both Zoho CRM and Odoo CRM deserve the praise they receive from users. Zoho CRM stands out with its flexibility, diverse integrations, and AI-powered assistant, while Odoo CRM is a more budget-friendly option for small and medium-sized businesses with moderate needs.

Each platform has its own strengths and weaknesses, making them well-suited for SMEs looking for a robust yet user-friendly CRM solution.