SuiteCRM review

SuiteCRM is the most complete free CRM on this list and ranks second because it covers sales, marketing and service with no per-user license at all. Sales teams get leads, opportunities and personalised quotations, marketers get segmentation and targeted campaigns, and service teams get case management, all in one AGPLv3 code base. An open REST API, an add-ons store and an Outlook plugin help it fit existing systems. The pricing page is clear that the software costs nothing: you pay only for hosting, setup and support if you want them. Self-hosted teams can rely on free community forums and documentation, while SuiteCRM Ltd sells fully managed hosting, a Quick Start implementation and support hours, plus SuiteASSURED with warranties and legal indemnities. The downsides are effort and currency. Your own team must handle updates and security when self-hosting, managed hosting requires a support contract, and those services are quoted in pounds sterling.

Who it is for

organizations that want a Salesforce-style suite with no per-user license fees

Price

Software free to self-host with no per-user fees; managed hosting and support are quoted in GBP (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Leads, opportunities and personalised quotations in one open source CRM
• Customer segmentation, targeted marketing content and activity tracking
• Case management tools for customer service teams
• Open REST API, an add-ons store and an Outlook plugin
• Optional SuiteASSURED build with warranty, maintenance assurance and legal indemnities

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: No per-user fees: the pricing page says the software is yours at no additional cost
• Strength: Covers sales, marketing and service in one install
• Strength: Paid help is optional when you self-host, with free community forums and documentation
• Weakness: Self-hosting means your team manages updates and security, as the pricing page notes
• Weakness: Fully managed hosting requires a paid Standard support contract
• Weakness: Managed hosting, setup and support are priced in GBP, so US buyers face exchange rates

Key facts

• License: AGPLv3
• Latest releases: SuiteCRM 8.10.2 and 7.15.2
• Per-user fees: None
• Hosting: Self-hosted or SuiteCRM fully managed hosting

Where it ranks

SuiteCRM is No. 2 in our Best Open Source CRM verdict.