Salesforce vs Insightly: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Salesforce and Insightly 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: Salesforce 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
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Salesforce
The CRM that defined the category for sales, service, and marketing
Best for you if:
- • You want industry standard
Insightly
Modern, scalable CRM platform with AI, marketing automation, and customer service for growing businesses.
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
| At a Glance | Salesforce | Insightly |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $25/mo Starter Suite | Free Free plan |
Category | CRM Sales | CRM Marketing Automation |
Rating | 4.4/5 G2 4.4 · Capterra 4.4 44,685 reviews | 4.1/5 G2 4.2 · Capterra 4.0 1,602 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Watch out for | Salesforce includes just 10 GB for your entire org, plus 20 MB per user. | n/a |
Choose Salesforce or Insightly?
Choose Salesforce if
- You want industry standard
- You want huge ecosystem
- Budget matters ($25/mo vs Free)
Choose Insightly if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want good for small business CRM
- You want project management
In-Depth Analysis
Salesforce
The CRM that defined the category for sales, service, and marketing
Salesforce is the most powerful CRM on the market, but the sticker price is a fraction of what you will actually pay.
Watch out
Salesforce includes just 10 GB for your entire org, plus 20 MB per user.
Strengths
- Pro: Industry standard
- Pro: Huge ecosystem
- Pro: Highly customizable
Weaknesses
- Con: Expensive
- Con: Complex setup
Key features
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
- Pro: Good for small business CRM
- Pro: Project management
- Pro: Fair pricing
- Pro: Google integration
- Pro: Easy to use
Weaknesses
- Con: Limited features
- Con: Reporting basic
- Con: Customization limited
- Con: Support varies
- Con: Better for small teams
Key features
Pricing: Salesforce vs Insightly
| Plan | Salesforce | Insightly |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $25 Starter Suite | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $100 Pro Suite | $29 Plus |
| Tier 3 | $175 Enterprise | $49 Professional |
| Tier 4 | $350 Unlimited | $99 Enterprise |
| Tier 5 | $550 Einstein 1 Sales (Agentforce) | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Salesforce pricing and Insightly pricing.
Key Takeaways
Salesforce
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 4.1/5
- Larger review base (44,685 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
Insightly
- Has a free tier
The Bottom Line
Salesforce wins this matchup. HubSpot is our overall CRM pick. HubSpot is our free CRM pick. Insightly has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salesforce or Insightly better in 2026?
Salesforce wins this matchup. HubSpot is our overall CRM pick. HubSpot is our free CRM pick. Pick Salesforce for CRM workflows (main strength: industry standard). Pick Insightly for CRM workflows (main strength: good for small business CRM).
What are Salesforce and Insightly used for?
Salesforce: The CRM that defined the category for sales, service, and marketing. Insightly: Modern, scalable CRM platform with AI, marketing automation, and customer service for growing businesses.
What does Salesforce cost vs Insightly?
Salesforce's paid plans start at $25/mo (Starter Suite). Insightly's paid plans start at Free (Plus).
What's the main difference between Salesforce and Insightly?
Salesforce's main strength: industry standard. Insightly's main strength: good for small business CRM.