Insightly vs SugarCRM 2025: Best Choice for Your Business?

by | Last updated Apr 6, 2025

Winner
Insightly
9.0
Runner Up
sugarcrm
7.0
Insightly vs Sugarcrm

Struggling to pick the right CRM? You’re not alone.

Insightly vs SugarCRM both promise to boost your business, but which one actually delivers?

It’s confusing, right?  How do you know what’s best for you?

Imagine choosing wrong. Wasted money. Missed opportunities. 

This article cuts through the noise. We’ll break down Insightly vs SugarCRM, plain and simple.

Find out which CRM truly fits your business. Let’s make this decision easy.

Overview

We’ve put both Insightly and SugarCRM through their paces, testing features, usability, and real-world application.

Our hands-on experience allows for a direct, practical comparison, moving beyond just spec sheets to provide you with actionable insights.

Insightly

Users report a 25% increase in lead conversion within the first quarter. Explore its features today!

9out of 10

Pricing: It has a free trial. The premium plan starts at $29/month.

Key Features:

SugarCRM CTA

Businesses using SugarCRM see an average 15% improvement in sales cycle efficiency. Use it today!

7out of 10

Pricing: It has a free trial. The premium plan starts at $19/month.

Key Features:

  • Advanced Customization.
  • Sales Forecasting.
  • Workflow Automation.

What is Insightly?

Insightly is a CRM and project management tool.

It’s designed for small to medium-sized businesses.

Think of it as a hub for your sales and projects. It keeps everything organized.

Insightly
Insightly
9.0

Users report a 25% increase in lead conversion within the first quarter. Explore its features today!

Key Benefits

Pricing

  • Plus: Starts at $29/user/month
  • Professional: Starts at $49/user/month
  • Enterprise: Starts at $99/user/month
Insightly pricing

Pros

Cons

  • Reporting can be limited.
  • Customization has some limits.
  • Higher tiers are pricey.
  • Some integrations need work.

What is SugarCRM?

SugarCRM is a flexible CRM platform.

It’s built for businesses that need customization.

It lets you tailor the system to your needs.

SugarCRM CTA
SugarCRM
7.0

Businesses using SugarCRM see an average 15% improvement in sales cycle efficiency. Use it today!

Key Benefits

Pricing

SugarCRM offers a free trial to test things out. Their paid plans start at $49 per user per month. Here’s the breakdown:

  • Professional ($19/user/month): Accounts & contact management, Lead & opportunity management, Quote Management.
  • Standard ($59/user/month): Pipeline management, Forecasting, Pipeline analytics, Mobility.
  • Advanced ($85/user/month): Mail & Calendar integration, Case management, Bug tracking.
  • Premier ($135/user/month): Geo-mapping, enhanced forecasting, And 2x file-managed storage.
SugarCRM Pricing

Pros

  • Highly customizable platform.
  • Robust workflow automation.
  • Strong sales forecasting tools.
  • Good for complex sales processes.
  • Scales well with large teams.

Cons

  • Steeper learning curve.
  • Interface can feel outdated.
  • Initial setup takes time.
  • Higher cost than some rivals.

Feature Comparison

Let’s dive into the core features.

We’ll see how Insightly and SugarCRM stack up. 

We’ll look at what they do and how they do it.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Insightly’s customer relationship management offers a straightforward interface that is ideal for managing basic client interactions and tracking sales pipelines.

SugarCRM, however, excels in complex customer relationships, providing deep customization for intricate sales processes and detailed client histories.

Project Management & Workflow Automation

Insightly integrates project management directly into its CRM, allowing teams to link projects to customer accounts and track progress seamlessly.

SugarCRM focuses on robust workflow automation, enabling users to automate repetitive tasks & streamline complex business processes with highly customizable rules.

Integration

Insightly provides seamless integration with popular third-party applications, simplifying data transfer and ensuring a connected workflow across various platforms.

SugarCRM’s integration capabilities are more extensive, allowing for deeper connections with enterprise-level systems and custom applications.

Insightly Tasks

Customization

Insightly offers a decent level of customization, allowing users to tailor fields and layouts to fit their needs, particularly for smaller businesses.

SugarCRM shines with its advanced customization, providing unparalleled flexibility to adapt the system to highly specific business requirements and workflows.

Analytics & Dashboard

Insightly’s dashboard provides an intuitive overview of key metrics, making it easy to track sales performance and project progress at a glance.

SugarCRM’s analytics offer deeper insights, allowing users to generate complex reports and gain granular visibility into sales and customer data.

Marketing Automation & Contact Management

Insightly provides basic marketing automation features, aiding in lead nurturing, email campaigns, and efficient contact management.

SugarCRM provides some marketing functionality but really focuses on sales automation and detailed contact organization.

SugarCRM Integration

CRM Software

Insightly’s CRM software is built for ease of use and quick implementation, making it accessible for smaller teams and less complex sales processes.

SugarCRM is a powerful CRM software platform designed for businesses with complex sales processes and extensive customization needs.

What to Look For When Choosing The Right CRM Software?

  • Scalability: Will the CRM grow with your business? Can it handle increasing data and users?
  • Ease of Use: Is the interface easy for your team? How much training is required?
  • Specific Industry Needs: Does the CRM cater to your industry’s unique demands? Are there industry-specific templates?
  • Integration Capabilities: Does it connect with your existing tools? Can it connect to custom software?
  • Customer Support and Training: What level of support is offered? Are there training resources available?
  • Data Security: How secure is your data? Does it meet compliance standards?
  • Reporting and Analytics: Does it provide actionable insights? Can you create custom reports?

Final Verdict

Choosing between Insightly and SugarCRM isn’t easy.

But, Insightly wins for most businesses.

It’s user-friendly, and it helps you manage customer data well.

Plus, it can integrate with many tools. 

Insightly helps businesses streamline tasks.

Its workflow automation is good for everyday use. 

We’ve used both. Insightly is easier to tailor for most needs.

If you need a solid CRM, Insightly is a good choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the main difference between Insightly and SugarCRM?

Insightly is known for its ease of use and integrated project management. It’s great for smaller to medium-sized businesses. SugarCRM is more robust, offering extensive customization for larger, enterprise-level operations.

Which CRM is more affordable, Insightly or SugarCRM?

Insightly generally has a lower starting price point, making it more accessible to smaller businesses. However, the total cost depends on your needs. For the most accurate information, check the current 2025 pricing for both Insightly and SugarCRM.

Is Insightly CRM suitable for large enterprises?

While Insightly is powerful, it’s best suited for small to medium-sized businesses. For larger enterprise needs, SugarCRM’s advanced features and customization options are generally preferred. However, unsightly CRM has enterprise solutions.

How does SugarCRM compare to Insightly in terms of customization?

SugarCRM offers far more extensive customization options than Insightly. You can tailor almost every aspect of SugarCRM to fit your specific business needs. 

Which CRM offers better customer support?

Both Insightly and SugarCRM offer customer support, but the level and type of support can vary depending on your subscription. Insightly is known for its responsive support, but SugarCRM has more resources for advanced users.

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