Insightly vs Zoho CRM: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Insightly and Zoho CRM comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Zoho CRM wins this matchup. HubSpot is our overall CRM pick. HubSpot is our free CRM pick. Pick Insightly if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Insightly
Modern, scalable CRM platform with AI, marketing automation, and customer service for growing businesses.
Best for you if:
- • You want good for small business CRM
- • You want project management
Zoho CRM
CRM for sales and marketing teams
Best for you if:
- • You want affordable CRM
- • You want good features for price
| At a Glance | Insightly | Zoho CRM |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | CRM | CRM |
Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.2/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Insightly or Zoho CRM?
Choose Insightly if
Modern, scalable CRM platform with AI, marketing automation, and customer service for growing businesses.
- You want good for small business CRM
- You want project management
Choose Zoho CRM if
CRM for sales and marketing teams
- You want affordable CRM
- You want good features for price
- Budget matters (Free vs Free)
| Feature | Insightly | Zoho CRM |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.1/5 1,602 reviews | ★4.2/5 9,945 reviews |
| Categories | CRMMarketing Automation | CRMSales |
In-Depth Analysis
Insightly
Modern, scalable CRM platform with AI, marketing automation, and customer service for growing businesses.
Insightly's pricing starts fairly with a generous Free tier, but quickly escalates.
Strengths
- +Good for small business CRM
- +Project management
- +Fair pricing
- +Google integration
- +Easy to use
Weaknesses
- -Limited features
- -Reporting basic
- -Customization limited
- -Support varies
- -Better for small teams
Key features
Zoho CRM
CRM for sales and marketing teams
Zoho CRM is the best value in the CRM market, full-featured at a fraction of competitors' prices.
Watch out
Free plan is limited to 3 users with basic features, outgrown quickly
Strengths
- +Affordable CRM
- +Good features for price
- +Zoho ecosystem
- +AI assistant (Zia)
- +Customizable
Weaknesses
- -UI less polished
- -Learning curve
- -Integration quirks
- -Support varies
- -Mobile apps basic
Key features
Pricing: Insightly vs Zoho CRM
| Plan | Insightly | Zoho CRM |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $29 Plus | $14 month per user (annual) Standard |
| Tier 3 | $49 Professional | $23 month per user (annual) Professional |
| Tier 4 | $99 Enterprise | $40 month per user (annual) Enterprise |
| Tier 5 | N/A | $52 month per user (annual) Ultimate |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Insightly pricing and Zoho CRM pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Insightly
Want the highest-rated option?
Insightly: 4.1/5 (1,602 reviews). Zoho CRM: 4.2/5 (9,945 reviews).
Go with: Zoho CRM
Value user reviews?
Insightly: 1,602 reviews (4.1/5). Zoho CRM: 9,945 reviews (4.2/5).
Go with: Zoho CRM
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are crm tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Zoho CRM is rated higher: 4.2/5 vs 4.1/5.
Key Takeaways
Zoho CRM
- Higher user rating: 4.2/5 vs 4.1/5
- Larger review base (9,945 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Insightly
- Choose if you want modern, scalable CRM platform with AI, marketing automation, and customer service for growing businesses
The Bottom Line
Zoho CRM wins this matchup. HubSpot is our overall CRM pick. HubSpot is our free CRM pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Insightly or Zoho CRM better?
Zoho CRM is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Insightly and Zoho CRM used for?
Insightly: Modern, scalable CRM platform with AI, marketing automation, and customer service for growing businesses.. Zoho CRM: CRM for sales and marketing teams.
What does Insightly cost vs Zoho CRM?
Insightly is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Zoho CRM is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.