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Proposals · head to head

Nutshell vs Zoho CRM

Nutshell logo

Nutshell

Proposals

Easy CRM for small businesses

From
$13/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zoho CRM logo

Zoho CRM

CRM

The world's favorite CRM

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Zoho CRM has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Nutshell aI usage is metered as outcomes per user per month, from 10 on Foundation to 150 on Enterprise; Zoho CRM free tier limited to 3 users only
  • They diverge on capability: Nutshell covers Lead tracking, Zoho CRM covers Lead management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Nutshell and Zoho CRM actually diverge.

Attributes where Nutshell and Zoho CRM differ
AttributeNutshellZoho CRM
Starting price$13/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, Ios, Android, Api
CategoryProposalsCRM
Founded20091996

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Nutshell

  • Lead tracking
  • Pipeline management
  • Email integration
  • Task management
  • Reporting
  • Gmail
  • Cloud deployment
  • Web support

Only in Zoho CRM

  • Lead management
  • Deal tracking
  • Sales automation
  • Analytics
  • Mobile CRM
  • Email marketing
  • AI assistant (Zia)
  • G Suite

Both cover

  • Contact management
  • Zapier
  • Slack
  • Mailchimp
  • GDPR

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Nutshell

  • Sales CRM for small to enterprise teamsnot Zoho CRM
  • Lead management and sales pipeline trackingnot Zoho CRM
  • Reporting and team analyticsnot Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM

  • Sales automationnot Nutshell
  • Lead managementnot Nutshell
  • Customer supportnot Nutshell
  • Marketing automationnot Nutshell
  • Analytics & reportingnot Nutshell

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Nutshell

  • AI usage is metered as outcomes per user per month, from 10 on Foundation to 150 on Enterprise
  • Custom pipelines are rationed by plan, at 5 on Pro and 10 on Business, with unlimited only on Enterprise at $79 per user per month
  • Sales automation and advanced reporting require the Pro plan at $42 per user per month
  • Four separate add ons sit on top of the seat price: marketing at $49 a month, engagement at $16 per user, prospecting at $37 and proposals at $79
  • SSO and SQL data access are Enterprise only

Zoho CRM

  • Free tier limited to 3 users only
  • Steep pricing when scaling beyond 10 users
  • Limited offline capabilities compared to some competitors
  • Setup and configuration can require significant customization

Pricing, plan by plan

Nutshell

$13/month
  • Starter$13/month
    • For individuals or small teams starting out
    • Core CRM functionality
    • Live support
  • Tier 2$25/month
    • Enhanced reporting capabilities
    • Live support
    • Saves 4 hours monthly per user
  • Tier 3$42/month
    • Additional pipelines and admin features
    • Live support
    • Saves 8 hours monthly per user
  • Tier 4$59/month
    • Customization and extra AI features
    • Live support
    • Saves 20 hours monthly per user

Zoho CRM

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 3 users
    • Basic modules
    • Standard dashboards
  • Standard$14/month
    • Sales forecasting
    • Custom dashboards
    • Workflow automation
  • Professional$23/month
    • Inventory management
    • AI predictions
    • Advanced customization
  • Enterprise$40/month
    • Zia AI assistant
    • Multi-currency
    • Advanced analytics

Which should you pick?

Choose Nutshell if

  • You need lead tracking.
  • You also want pipeline management.
Nutshell review

Choose Zoho CRM if

  • You need lead management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
  • You also want deal tracking.
Zoho CRM review

Questions people ask

Is Nutshell or Zoho CRM better?
Neither clearly leads. Nutshell starts at $13/month and Zoho CRM at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Nutshell or Zoho CRM?
Zoho CRM has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $13/month for Nutshell and Free for Zoho CRM.
Does Nutshell or Zoho CRM run on more platforms?
Nutshell runs on Web. Zoho CRM runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
Can I use Zoho CRM for free?
Yes. Zoho CRM has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Nutshell starts at $13/month.
What is Nutshell best used for?
Nutshell is most often used for sales crm for small to enterprise teams, lead management and sales pipeline tracking, reporting and team analytics. Of those, sales crm for small to enterprise teams and lead management and sales pipeline tracking are not what Zoho CRM is typically brought in for.
What can Nutshell do that Zoho CRM cannot?
Nutshell covers Lead tracking, Pipeline management, Email integration, Task management. Zoho CRM covers Lead management, Deal tracking, Sales automation, Analytics. Both handle Contact management, Zapier, Slack, Mailchimp.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Nutshell: How much does Nutshell CRM cost?

Nutshell CRM pricing ranges from $13 to $79 per user per month. Starter tier ($13/month) includes core CRM, Tier 2 ($25/month) adds enhanced reporting, and Enterprise ($79/month) includes SSO and SQL access.

Source
Zoho CRM: Does Zoho CRM have a free tier?

Yes. Zoho CRM offers a free plan for up to 3 users that includes core CRM functionality like lead, contact, and account management, basic workflow automation, and customizable dashboards.

Source
Nutshell: Is there a free trial for Nutshell?

Yes, Nutshell offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required. The trial includes access to core CRM functionality and live support.

Source
Zoho CRM: What does Zoho CRM cost for a paid plan?

Zoho CRM pricing ranges from $14 per user per month for the Standard plan up to $52 per user per month for the Ultimate plan when billed annually. Most sales teams use the Professional plan around $23/user/month or Enterprise at $40/user/month.

Source
Nutshell: What does Nutshell Enterprise tier include?

Nutshell Enterprise at $79 per user per month includes SSO (Single Sign-On), SQL database access for data export, priority support, and unlimited time saved estimates of 30 hours per month.

Source
Zoho CRM: Is Zoho CRM independent or owned by another company?

Zoho CRM is part of Zoho Corporation, which is independent and bootstrapped. The parent company was founded in 1996 as AdventNet, rebranded to Zoho in 2009, and has never accepted external venture funding.

Source
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