Freshsales vs Keap: CRM Software Compared

Verified by the SoftVane editorial team · June 2026

Freshsales vs Keap at a glance

Freshsales

Rating: ★★★★½ 4.4

Price: $29/month

Best for: Small businesses needing affordable, easy-to-use CRM

Keap

Rating: ★★★★½ 4.3

Price: $59/month

Best for: Small service businesses needing automation

Feature-by-feature comparison

Dimension	Freshsales	Keap
Starting price	$29/month	$59/month
Rating	★★★★½ 4.4	★★★★½ 4.3
Best for	Small businesses needing affordable, easy-to-use CRM	Small service businesses needing automation
Top features	Contact and account management, Sales pipeline and deal tracking, Activity timeline and task management	Contact and client management, Pipeline and deal tracking, Marketing automation
Top strengths	Very affordable and easy to use; Good automation features	Powerful automation capabilities; Includes payment processing
Main tradeoffs	Limited reporting and analytics; Smaller ecosystem of third-party integrations	Steeper learning curve; Can be expensive for features you don't need

When Freshsales wins

Freshsales is the better pick if you prioritize very affordable and easy to use and good automation features. The entry plan at $29/month fits teams that want to get running quickly without paying for capabilities they may not need for 12-18 months.

Best for: Small businesses needing affordable, easy-to-use CRM

Try Freshsales →

When Keap wins

Keap is the better pick if you prioritize powerful automation capabilities and includes payment processing. The entry plan at $59/month suits teams that already know their workflow and want a platform that scales without surprise pricing tiers later.

Best for: Small service businesses needing automation

Try Keap →

Mistakes to avoid when choosing between Freshsales and Keap

Comparing the starter plans only. Both tools usually move you to a middle plan within 6 months. Compare the plan you'll actually use, not the one they advertise.
Ignoring the migration cost. The cheaper monthly fee disappears if migration takes weeks. Ask both vendors for their data-import templates and migration support before committing.
Skipping the integration check. Map your existing stack first, then compare which of these two has native integrations vs. which makes you build a Zapier workflow per connection.
Treating "starts at $X" as the real price. Add seats, advanced features, and payment processing where relevant. Build a 12-month TCO before signing.

Frequently asked questions

Freshsales starts at $29/month, Keap at $59/month. Freshsales is cheaper at the entry tier, but neither stays the cheapest once you add seats and the features you actually need. Always compare total cost at the plan you'll use, not the starter plan.

Yes, both platforms support data import from competitor systems. Keap typically provides a migration template and dedicated support during the trial period. Confirm the scope of the migration (records, attachments, history) with the vendor before signing.

For teams under 10 users, Freshsales usually offers an accessible starter plan. The pricier option often justifies the cost at 15+ users via better reporting and admin controls. If you expect to cross that headcount within a year, factor in the plan jump before deciding.

Both Freshsales and Keap ship iOS and Android apps. The functional gap is in offline mode and how much of the desktop feature set works on phones. Walk through your real daily workflow on mobile during the trial. One will feel native; the other will feel like an afterthought.

Not blindly. Most platforms list 100+ integrations, but only a handful matter for your stack. List your 3 to 5 must-have integrations (accounting, payments, calendar, etc.) and check whether each is NATIVE (not Zapier-only) on both platforms. Native integrations are typically faster, cheaper, and more reliable than Zapier-glued ones.

Ready to pick a winner?

Freshsales edges out Keap for most teams in our testing. Start a free trial and run your real workflow through it before committing to an annual plan.

Try Freshsales free →