TechRadar Reviews

A few hours into Cronos: The New Dawn, I saw it. A corpse slumped against the wall, a message scrawled in blood above him: “Don’t let them merge”. If it wasn’t already clear that the latest survival horror game from Bloober Team was drawing from some of the genre's greats, that warning, a nod to “cut off their limbs” seen in equally foreboding lines of jagged crimson in Dead Space, hammered the point home as subtly as a boot stomp to the skull.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, Nintendo Switch 2, Mac
Release date: September 5, 2025

A feeling of déjà vu was a running theme in my time playing through Cronos. Here’s the main character, gun hoisted high in Leon S. Kennedy’s iconic pose from Resident Evil 4. Here are my limited crafting resources straight out of The Last of Us, ones I must choose to make either ammo or health items. Here are my gravity boots, pinched from Isaac Clarke’s locker on the USG Ishimura.

It’s perfectly fine to be influenced by other works, especially when they are as iconic and genre-defining as the ones I’ve listed above. But when it just feels like you’re retreading the same path with less confidence and not bringing enough new ideas, what’s really the point of it all?

Following in their footsteps

(Image credit: Bloober Team)

Now, that opening may read like I came away massively disappointed by Cronos: The New Dawn. In some aspects, I certainly did. It is painfully derivative in many areas, to the point where it made me question if anything has changed in sci-fi survival horror games in the last 20 years.

But, unsurprisingly, given its influences, it’s also a game that plays well. Combat is tense, shooting is solid, resource management is challenging, exploration is unsettling, and the environments drip with atmosphere. And there are kernels of ideas that, if only they were more fully realised or executed better, could have elevated the game beyond a decent – if standard – survival horror.

Let’s start with the premise: you play as the Traveler, an undefined being encased in a cross between a spacesuit and a diving suit. The game starts as you're activated by a mysterious organisation known as The Collective and told to travel through time to extract important survivors after an apocalyptic infection dubbed the ‘Change’ turns most people on Earth into grotesque and amalgamated monstrosities.

The nexus point of the disaster is Poland in the 1980s, which at least makes for a unique setting that’s far from the spaceships and abandoned mining planets we usually find ourselves stomping around. There’s an inventiveness to the world design, too, which not only sees the infestation overrun dilapidated buildings, roads, and subways with a gloopy and pulsating biomass, but also fractures entire structures to create floating, twisted, and mind-bending new forms.

Add to that violent sandstorms and heavy snowfall, and safe to say, it’s not a pleasant stroll. I had to seriously pluck up some courage to carefully inch forward in many locations, especially towards the latter half of the game, when everything is so consumed by the effects of the infection and dotted with poisonous pustules that you feel suffocated by it – even if this trap is overplayed a dozen too many times.

Skin-crawling

(Image credit: Bloober Team)

Visually, it is disgusting (in all the right ways), but huge credit has to go to the audio. It masterfully ramps up that oppressive and stomach-churning atmosphere with all sorts of sloshing and wheezing and bubbling that gives a terrifying sense of life to the coagulated mass that surrounds you. One of the best gaming headsets is recommended.

If Cronos was all just trudging through fleshy corridors, then Bloober Team would have smashed it. Unfortunately, other parts of the game don’t excel in the same way and are merely fine or disappointing in comparison.

Combat is one. The gimmick here is that dead enemies remain on the ground and can be assimilated by other creatures to become larger and stronger foes – hence the bloody message of “don’t let them merge”. Fortunately, you come equipped with a torch. Nope, it’s not a bright light, but a burst of flames that can incinerate corpses and stop this merging from taking place.

Best bit

(Image credit: Future)

Cronos: The New Dawn finds its identity more as the game progresses and the section in the Unity Hospital is when the game hits its stride. It’s one of the scariest and creepiest places to explore, as you descend further into the bowels of the building, where the infection has taken even greater hold and you uncover some horrifying secrets about the impact of the Change.

That leads to the main flow of combat. Take down targets with your weapons, then prevent any survivors from merging by setting the bodies ablaze. It’s a setup that can create some tense encounters – ones where you’re busy dealing with one target, only to hear the awful sounds of two bodies smushing together in the distance (shoutout to the audio design again), and knowing there’ll be an even greater threat if you don’t introduce them to the cleansing flames immediately.

The problem is that I could count on one hand the number of times I felt seriously threatened by the risk of enemies merging. Too many encounters had too few enemies, were in too small spaces, or were littered with too many (respawning) explosive barrels, that I could comfortably handle the situation. It was only towards the end of the game when I felt overwhelmed in some encounters, needing to more strategically pick my targets, hurriedly craft ammo on the fly, and regularly reposition to burn dead enemies so they couldn’t merge.

Burn, baby, burn

(Image credit: Bloober Team)

It isn’t a disaster, just a shame that Cronos doesn’t really make the most of its main idea. Instead, the overwhelming feeling I had was that I was just playing Dead Space again, swapping between the limited ammo in my pistol, shotgun, and rifle to blast away everything. Outside of rare encounters, the mechanics of merging and burning feel like massively underused and unimpactful parts of the game.

It’s a common feeling. Take your main objective of ‘rescuing’ the specific survivors. I use quotation marks there because the actual process of saving them is kept ominously vague, and is instead best described as extracting and absorbing their soul to gain the knowledge needed to save humanity.

It’s here when I thought Cronos might step up from its clear inspirations with some fresh ideas. Not only is there a morbid mirroring at play (wait, are we the baddies?), but those other lives bouncing around inside your head lead to all sorts of different visions and hallucinations, depending on the characters you choose to save.

In its cleverest moments, who’s knocking about in your noggin can influence the environment or completely change how you perceive things in the world to create some genuinely spooky moments. Once again, though, outside of less than a handful of instances, this idea isn’t explored any further when it’s rife for some really interesting, exciting, and unique possibilities.

It frustrates and disappoints me more than anything. I really want to be clear that Cronos: The New Dawn isn’t a bad game: it plays fine, looks good enough, and runs well. Although I’d stick to performance mode on consoles if you can to get a smooth 60fps, as the quality mode feels far too jittery.

I just can’t help but feel that with the way it relies so heavily on what worked in classic survival horror games from yesteryear, I may have travelled back two decades myself to play it.

Should I play Cronos: The New Dawn?

(Image credit: Bloober Team)Play it if…

You’re looking for your next survival horror fix
Survival horror fans who are craving a new game will find enough to enjoy here, even if it’s mostly just playing the hits.

You want a different setting and an intriguing story
Signalis this ain’t, but the setting, story, and commentary in Cronos does tickle the brain in new ways, even if some aspects are too enigmatic

Don’t play it if…

You want an action game
This isn’t the bombastic and set-piece rollercoaster of a modern Resident Evil. Cronos is tense, slow, full of dread, and light on ammunition.

You have any aversion to body horror
Cronos relies heavily on body horror for its story, enemy design, and environments, so if you find this overly unsettling, then it’s best to avoid.

Accessibility

Cronos offers a range of standard accessibility options, including three color blind modes for green, red, and blue color blindness, as well as the option to add clear interaction indicators and subtitles in multiple languages that can be fully customised in terms of size and color.

The game has one Normal difficulty setting, with a Hard mode unlocked after you finish the game once. To customise the difficulty, though, you can adjust settings to get a more generous aim assist and alter whether you hold or tap for quick time events.

A center dot can be added to help alleviate motion sickness, while the game also provides options to reduce or turn off camera shake and sway.

How I reviewed Cronos: The New Dawn

I played Cronos: The New Dawn for around 16 hours on a PlayStation 5 Pro on a Samsung S90C OLED TV using a DualSense Wireless Controller. I mainly played in Performance mode, but I also tried Quality mode for a brief time and found the graphical improvements minimal compared to the benefits of a smoother frame rate.

I swapped between playing audio through a Samsung HW-Q930C soundbar and a SteelSeries Arctic Nova 7, and I definitely suggest headphones for the best experience.

I completed the main game and spent a lot of time exploring the environment to uncover as much of the story and as many hidden extras as I could find.

Apptivo CRM is a cloud-based customer relationship management platform that aims to provide an all-in-one solution for managing sales, marketing, and customer service.

With a suite of over 65 integrated apps, Apptivo is one of the best CRM platforms on the market and offers a high degree of customization, allowing businesses to tailor the software to their specific needs. It also features very competitive pricing compared to other major CRM providers, with plans starting at just $15/user/month - making it a great CRM for small businesses and startups.

In this in-depth Apptivo review, I'll take a closer look at the platform's features, ease of use, customer support, and overall value to help you determine if it's the right CRM solution for your business. Let's dive in and see how Apptivo stacks up.

Apptivo core capabilities

(Image credit: Apptivo)

Just like any CRM, Apptivo provides contact and account management tools that allow me to store and organize all my customer data in one centralized location. During my first few minutes with the platform, I found it easy to import my existing contacts via CSV file.

Once contacts are in the system, Apptivo makes it simple to track all interactions and communication history. You can log emails, calls, meetings, and notes for each contact. I like how Apptivo pulls in email conversations automatically when synced with Gmail or Outlook, saving the manual work of logging those touchpoints.

I can also automate lead assignment based on predefined rules, ensuring my sales reps are always working the most promising opportunities. The software offers lead scoring, which helps me prioritize leads based on their likelihood to convert.

A visual sales pipeline provides a clear overview of all my deals, allowing me to quickly identify any bottlenecks or at-risk opportunities. I can drag-and-drop opportunities through each stage. Deal values and probability are clearly displayed. I can also create customized sales stages that align with my unique sales process. Apptivo's forecasting tools use predictive analytics to provide accurate revenue projections, giving me valuable insights to guide my decision-making.

For analytics, Apptivo comes with a wide range of pre-built reports covering sales, marketing, and customer service metrics. I can also easily create custom reports and dashboards to track the KPIs that matter most to my business. For example, I can filter data, change chart types, add custom fields, and save custom views. The ability to schedule reports and have them automatically delivered to my inbox is a nice time-saver.

Beyond the core CRM capabilities, Apptivo offers a suite of integrated business apps that cover everything from project management to billing and invoicing. While I primarily use the CRM features, it's great to know I can easily expand my usage as my business needs evolve. In terms of third-party integrations, Apptivo's app marketplace also offers a variety of third-party integrations to further extend the platform's functionality.

Unlike competitors with limited on-the-go capabilities, Apptivo offers mobile apps for iOS and Android that provide full access to the CRM's features. Whether heading into a client meeting or dabbling in a bit of hybrid work, I always have the most up-to-date customer information at my fingertips. Plus, the mobile app's user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate.

While Apptivo checks the boxes for core CRM functionality, the depth of features in certain areas leaves something to be desired compared to more mature CRM systems such as Salesforce and Hubspot. For example, Apptivo lacks some of the advanced lead scoring and routing options found in enterprise platforms like Salesforce. Additionally, while the reporting and analytics are solid overall, some of the pre-built reports lack flexibility and the custom report builder has a bit of a learning curve. Apptivo also currently does not offer a sales assistant in the form of an AI tool or forecasting, like some of the leading CRM players.

How easy is Apptivo to use?

(Image credit: Apptivo)

Apptivo features a clean and clear — if slightly dated — user interface. It starts you off on your agenda page, which functions similarly to a calendar view of your upcoming tasks and appointments. I like how you can quickly switch between different views to filter for just upcoming or overdue tasks. The left sidebar contains several useful project management links for tasks, emails, notes, follow-ups, and more.

The top navigation menu is where Apptivo organizes the various apps you have installed, grouped by functions like CRM, marketing, financials, etc. It’s highly customizable and modular, but it does mean the top menu can get crowded if you activate a lot of apps.

Diving into the core CRM features, I found adding new records like contacts, accounts and opportunities to be straightforward. The data entry forms are clean and support custom fields. However, this is where the dated nature of the interface starts to show itself. For example, the save button is at the top of the record, requiring lots of scrolling on longer forms.

Apptivo's interface is very customizable, which is a double-edged sword when it comes to ease of use. On one hand, you can tailor the account to your preferences, like reordering the top nav apps, adjusting page layouts, and creating custom fields and views. On the flip side, the initial setup and customization process has a bit of a learning curve. You'll likely need to invest some time upfront to optimize your account.

Luckily, Apptivo provides a variety of onboarding and training resources. There's a comprehensive knowledge base with articles and videos covering the main features. But for a guided walkthrough, Apptivo offers paid training packages and professional services to help with implementation, data migration, and one-on-one training. These services typically cost extra, but can be helpful for those struggling with the interface.

Despite its datedness, Apptivo’s web-based CRM is usually quite responsive, even when dealing with a large database. When tested, the interface scored an impressive 91/100 for desktop speed on Google PageSpeed Insights. The mobile apps for iOS and Android are also well-designed and offer access to most key CRM functions on the go.

Despite a few shortcomings, I've found Apptivo to be a user-friendly CRM overall, especially considering its extensive feature set and customization options. The modular app structure and customizable interface do require an initial time investment to set up and learn. But once configured to your liking, Apptivo is intuitive to navigate and the core CRM features are straightforward to use.

Apptivo integrations

Out of the box, Apptivo provides integrations with a limited number of popular business apps and services. The most notable of these are the Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 integrations, which allow for the smooth syncing of contacts, calendar events, and emails. Apptivo also offers pre-built integrations with a few other business tools like Quickbooks for accounting, Mailchimp for email marketing, and RingCentral for phone systems.

For situations where a pre-built integration isn't available, Apptivo provides an open API that allows for custom integrations with other software. The API documentation is comprehensive and the platform supports industry-standard REST and SOAP protocols. However, building custom integrations does require significant technical expertise, so most businesses will likely need to engage a developer for help.

Compared to some other CRM platforms like Salesforce or HubSpot, Apptivo has a much more limited selection of third-party app integrations available. While the core bases are covered, businesses that rely heavily on niche software may find they need to build custom integrations more often with Apptivo.

I was also a bit disappointed to discover that Apptivo does not yet offer a direct data sync with any major social media platforms. The ability to automatically pull in lead and customer interactions from social channels can be very valuable for sales and service teams. While you can manually import social data or build a custom integration, a pre-built option would be a welcome addition.

That said, for the integrations it does offer, I've found the data syncing to be generally reliable and performant. When configured properly, data flows seamlessly between systems without any noticeable lag or errors. Apptivo also provides detailed logs that allow you to monitor the status of integrations and troubleshoot any issues that arise.

Unlike most other CRMs, however, you can also set up automated workflows that span multiple apps. For example, you can configure a workflow that automatically creates a task in Apptivo when a lead fills out a form on your website, then sends a personalized email follow-up via Mailchimp, and finally alerts the assigned sales rep in Slack. These cross-app workflows can significantly boost productivity and ensure no leads slip through the cracks.

For most small to midsize companies, Apptivo's integration capabilities should be more than sufficient to streamline data flow and processes across their key software tools. However, enterprise customers with strong data centralization needs may want to look elsewhere.

How good is Apptivo's customer support?

(Image credit: Apptivo)

Apptivo provides multiple channels for customer support, including live chat, email, and phone. The live chat is available 24/7 for all paid plans, which is a huge plus for businesses operating across different time zones or outside of regular business hours. For more complex issues or detailed inquiries, Apptivo offers email support. User reviews from around the internet mention fast response times, friendly support agents, and quick resolutions.

Apptivo also offers an extensive self-service knowledge base called "Apptivo Answers" that includes detailed user guides, video tutorials, and FAQs covering all aspects of the platform. I've found this resource to be well-organized and easy to search, with most of the usual questions answered without contacting support. The articles are clear and include helpful screenshots and step-by-step instructions.

For users who prefer a more hands-on approach, Apptivo provides live webinars you can attend on a regular basis. These cover topics ranging from getting started with Apptivo to advanced features and best practices in the CRM. If you’d prefer one-on-one training, Apptivo offers 60-minute paid sessions starting at $125 USD covering different modules and use cases. You can also enlist company professionals to migrate your existing data or implement the entire system for you for an additional fee.

While Apptivo doesn't publicly disclose its average resolution times or customer satisfaction scores, the overwhelmingly positive reviews and ratings from users speak to the effectiveness of its support. On customer review sites like Capterra and G2, many users praise Apptivo's customer service as one of its strongest assets, frequently citing the responsiveness, expertise, and friendliness of the support team.

Apptivo pricing and plans

(Image credit: Apptivo)

Plan

Lite

Premium

Ultimate

Enterprise

Price

$15/user/month

$25/user/month

$40/user/month

Custom pricing

Best for

Small sales teams managing deals and quotes

Fast-growing teams needing an all-in-one CRM

Large teams requiring automation and integrations

Enterprise organizations with complex integration needs

Features

18 apps; 100 custom fields per app; 24/7 support

46 apps; 250 custom fields per app; 3rd party integrations

57 apps; 350 custom fields per app; Advanced automation

65 apps; 500 custom fields per app; Dedicated account manager

Limitations

Lacks some advanced features and integrations.

Higher price than Lite plan but fewer features than Ultimate.

Significantly more expensive than lower tier plans.

Requires custom price quote and implementation.

Apptivo offers four pricing tiers — Lite, Premium, Ultimate, and Enterprise — which allows businesses to choose a plan that aligns with their specific needs and budget. Apptivo does offer a free starter plan, but it's important to note that this plan is very limited in terms of features and functionality. It's really more of an extended trial than a viable long-term solution for most businesses. That said, Apptivo's 30-day free trial for paid plans is on par with the industry standard, with ample time to test the system before committing.

As for the paid plans, the Lite plan starts at just $15 per user per month when billed annually, making it one of the most cost-effective options on the market for a fully functional CRM. Even at the Lite tier, Apptivo includes essential CRM capabilities like contact management, opportunity tracking, and customizable dashboards. As you move up to the higher-priced plans, you gain access to more advanced features and a greater number of integrated apps.

For businesses that need more advanced features, Apptivo's Premium plan at $25 per user per month (billed annually) offers a significant step up in functionality. This tier includes additional apps for project management, invoicing, and email marketing, as well as more advanced customization options and integrations. This is followed by the Unlimited plan at $40 per user per month, which also includes relationship management and inventory tracking. But in my opinion, the Premium plan provides the best balance of features and value for most small to medium-sized businesses using Apptivo.

Compared to other popular CRM platforms, Apptivo's pricing is highly competitive. For example, Salesforce's Sales Cloud starts at $25 per user per month for the Essentials plan but includes fewer features than Apptivo's Premium tier at the same price point. Similarly, Zoho CRM's Standard plan is priced at $20 per user per month, while Apptivo offers more advanced features for just $5 more.

I also appreciate that Apptivo doesn't lock you into a long-term contract, unlike some enterprise-grade CRMs. All plans are available on a month-to-month basis, giving you the flexibility to adjust as your business needs change. But opting for annual billing does provide a significant discount of 20% compared to the monthly rates.

Still, I think Apptivo could improve its pricing by offering more bundled discounts or add-on packages. While the pricing for individual plans is competitive, there are fewer options for bundling multiple apps or features compared to some other CRM providers. However, it does offer custom enterprise pricing for larger organizations with more complex needs.

Apptivo CRM FAQWhat are Apptivo CRM's core features?

Apptivo is a cloud-based business management platform that offers a suite of over 65 integrated apps. As such it offers a wide range of features - both in the core platform and through these integrations.

The core features include tools for managing contacts, leads, and sales pipelines. It also offers features like email marketing, customer segmentation, lead scoring, and automated lead assignment.

Does Apptivo CRM have a mobile app?

Yes, Apptivo is accessible through all mobile phones, including dedicated apps for iOS and Android.

Aide from the costs, what are the differences between Apptivo's plans?

Apptivo's different pricing tiers vary significantly in terms of the number of available apps, custom fields, workflows, and storage space. Higher-tier plans also offer advanced features like email sequencing, notification builders, and custom applications. Annual billing offers a discount compared to monthly payments.

How do I integrate Apptivo with other tools?

Apptivo offers integrations with a number of third-party business tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Dropbox, PayPal, and Slack. It also provides an open API for building custom integrations, which may require technical expertise

How secure is the data stored in Apptivo?

Apptivo employs several layers of security to protect user data, including 256-bit encrypted SSL connections for data transfer and encryption of sensitive information stored in the database.

Apptivo review: Final verdict

Apptivo delivers a robust set of core CRM features, including contact management, lead tracking, opportunity management, and sales forecasting. While some advanced features may be lacking compared to enterprise CRMs, Apptivo covers all the essentials for small to midsize businesses.

24/7 live chat, responsive email support, extensive knowledge base, and regular training webinars ensure that users can get help whenever they need it. The support team is knowledgeable, friendly, and consistently goes above and beyond to resolve issues and answer questions. While there are some areas for improvement, such as expanding the third-party app marketplace and simplifying the setup process for non-technical users, Apptivo's overall impression is a promising one.

For small to midsize businesses seeking an affordable, customizable, and user-friendly CRM with excellent support, Apptivo is a strong choice.

Less Annoying CRM is a straightforward platform designed with simplicity in mind, making it one of the best CRM platforms for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs. It was founded in 2009 by two brothers, who focused on making it as easy to use as possible - or in other words ‘less annoying’ than other platforms on the market.

The platform keeps things simple with a single-tier pricing plan: $15 per user, per month. You get all the features, no surprises or extras to buy. You'll find essentials like contact management, task tracking, and sales pipeline visualization — just the basics without overloading you.

It's not the most advanced CRM out there, but a user-friendly interface and great customer support make up for it. The company clearly prioritizes small businesses, from its product design to its business practices, making it a great fit for those seeking a hassle-free CRM.

Less Annoying CRM: Core capabilities

Less Annoying CRM provides a straightforward approach to customer relationship management, emphasizing essential features without adding unnecessary complexity. The contact management interface is user-friendly, making it easy to add custom fields to meet specific business needs.

The platform integrates leads within its pipeline management feature, helping users track them from initial contact to final sale, offering a visual representation of the sales process. During my testing, I found the pipeline view clear and easy to understand. However, the customization options for the pipeline are limited compared to more advanced CRM solutions, which may be a drawback for businesses with complex sales processes. If advanced features are what you need, I recommend checking out our Salesforce CRM review for a complete CRM platform, or our HubSpot CRM review for a free option.

Less Annoying CRM also includes basic sales forecasting and reporting tools. Users can create simple reports on pipeline status and sales performance, but it lacks the advanced analytics and predictive features present in some enterprise CRMs. For small businesses and solopreneurs, this level of reporting might suffice, but those needing deeper data analysis may find it lacking.

Less Annoying CRM's cloud-based platform is accessible from any device with internet access, removing the need for separate mobile apps. I found the mobile interface responsive and easy to navigate, allowing quick updates and access to customer information while on the go. However, there are no downloadable apps for iOS or Android.

I liked how Less Annoying CRM handles task management and calendar integration. It sends daily email digests with upcoming tasks and events, but syncing with Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook turns the CRM into a central hub for managing customer interactions and personal schedules.

Email integration is another core capability that Less Annoying CRM manages well. Users can BCC a unique email address to automatically log correspondence with contacts in the CRM. This simplifies keeping communication records current without needing manual data entry after each interaction.

While it covers the basics of contact management, lead tracking, and simple reporting, Less Annoying CRM lacks some advanced features of larger CRM systems. For example, it does not have built-in marketing automation tools or extensive third-party integrations.

The platform balances flexibility and simplicity in customization. Users can add custom fields and adjust pipelines to some degree, but the options are not as extensive as those of more complex systems. This level of customization is likely adequate for many small businesses, but those with specific or evolving needs might feel restricted.

For security-conscious users, Less Annoying CRM offers 256-bit encryption following industry best practices. While this provides a solid data protection foundation, businesses in regulated industries should further evaluate whether these security measures meet their compliance requirements.

How easy it Less Annoying CRM to use?

Less Annoying CRM lives up to its name with a user interface focused on simplicity and easy navigation, making a one of the best CRM for small businesses. Upon logging in, I noticed the clean design that presents key information without overwhelming users. The main dashboard gives a quick view of upcoming tasks, recent activities, and pipeline status, allowing easy access to essential data without sifting through multiple menus.

The interface has a logical layout, with clearly labeled tabs for contacts, calendar, tasks, and settings. During my testing, I found most features within a few clicks, showcasing the thoughtful design. The muted yet professional color scheme creates a distraction-free environment for users to concentrate on their work.

Less Annoying CRM 's web-based platform adapts well to different screen sizes and devices, allowing users to access data from desktops, laptops, tablets, or smartphones. However, I noticed that advanced accessibility features like screen reader optimization or high-contrast modes are not present, suggesting room for improvement.

Customization options in Less Annoying CRM balance flexibility with simplicity. Users can add custom fields to contacts and companies for tailored data collection. Creating custom pipelines is also straightforward, easier than in some complex CRM systems. While this level of customization suits many small businesses, those needing specialized workflows might find options somewhat limited.

Onboarding resources are a strong point for Less Annoying CRM. The platform offers a comprehensive help center with detailed articles and video tutorials on various system aspects. These resources are well-organized and easy to follow. The company provides free phone and email support to all users, including trial users, which is helpful for small businesses without dedicated tech support.

An intuitive design and focused features contribute to a fast learning process. In fact, I was able to navigate core functions of the CRM comfortably within a couple of hours. For most small business users, I estimate full proficiency can be achieved within a few days to a week of regular use, depending on specific needs.

But while the simplicity of Less Annoying CRM is a strength for many, some users may see it as a limitation. Those used to more feature-rich CRM systems might find the streamlined interface lacking advanced functionalities. However, this simplicity is intentional and aligns with the platform’s goal of providing an easy-to-use solution for small businesses.

Less Annoying CRM integrations

Less Annoying CRM offers a small number of integrations, however through Zapier you can unlock many more. (Image credit: Less Annoying CRM )

Less Annoying CRM provides a limited selection of integrations to meet essential business needs, falling short of larger CRM platforms. It offers a few pre-built integrations focusing on key functionalities like email syncing, calendar management, and data import/export. But my evaluation showed that these native integrations cover basic requirements for most SMBs.

But, Less Annoying CRM's integration with Zapier significantly enhances possibilities, allowing users to link it with thousands of other applications. I found creating Zaps to be easy, enabling automated workflows with tools I frequently use.

For advanced users and developers, Less Annoying CRM offers an API for custom integration and data synchronization with third-party applications. API documentation is thorough and well-structured, providing detailed explanations and examples for different endpoints. I appreciated the inclusion of OAuth 2.0 support, which improves security for API integrations.

In terms of reliability and performance, Less Annoying CRM shows a commitment to high data management standards. During my testing, I found data synchronization to be consistent and timely, with no noticeable delays or discrepancies. The company also utilizes "Uptime Robot" to monitor their site and quickly resolve downtime issues.

Less Annoying CRM’s integration options are adequate for many small businesses, but those seeking a broader range of pre-built connectors might find the selection limited. Ironically, the focus may lead some users to rely more on Zapier or custom API integrations to connect with their complete suite of business tools, increasing complexity.

While the help center provides basic information, I also found myself wanting more detailed guides and best practices for setting up and maintaining connections with other software. Some additional information could be particularly useful for users new to integrating various business applications.

Less Annoying CRM AI functionality

Unsurprisingly for a platform that values simplicity, Less Annoying CRM does not have native, built-in AI capabilities. Its core philosophy is to provide a simple, straightforward, and affordable CRM solution without the complex features found in enterprise-level software. This focus on simplicity means it deliberately omits advanced functionalities like AI-powered lead scoring, sales forecasting, or contact enrichment.

Even so, Less Annoying CRM can't completely avoid AI tidal wave. It can be integrated with third-party AI services and automation platforms to add some of these functionalities. The primary way to achieve this is by using platforms like Zapier.

How good is Less Annoying CRM customer support?

Less Annoying CRM is known for its strong customer support. The company provides two main support channels: email and phone, available from 9 am to 4:30 pm US Central Time, Monday to Friday. While this schedule may not suit all time zones or after-hours needs, it covers standard business hours for many small business clients.

I personally found email support to be prompt and helpful. Phone support offers immediate help for urgent matters. However, Less Annoying CRM currently does not provide live chat support, which could be a drawback for those who prefer instant messaging for quick questions.

Self-service resources include a help center, which is thorough and well-organized, with numerous articles and guides on various platform features. During my search, I found the search function effective, quickly guiding me to information. There are also video tutorials, which are especially beneficial for visual learners or those who like step-by-step instructions.

I liked that customer support is entirely free, even for trial users. Less Annoying CRM's commitment to accessible assistance aligns well with the company's goal of being user-friendly. It's a refreshing change in an industry where premium support usually incurs extra costs.

While it does not publicly share specific response and resolution times, user testimonials suggest that email responses are generally quick, often within a few hours. Resolution times may vary based on issue complexity, but the support team appears focused on providing timely solutions.

A key limitation is that customer support is currently available only in English during CST working hours. This could be a significant issue for users from different locations and cultures. As the company grows, addressing this gap would be a big help when expanding to international markets.

Less Annoying CRM plans and pricing

Less Annoying CRM offers one price, making a picking a plan incredibly simple. (Image credit: Less Annoying CRM )

Plan

All inclusive

Price

$15/user/month

Best for

Small businesses and solopreneurs seeking a simple and affordable CRM solution

Key features

Unlimited contacts and companies; Custom fields and pipelines; Integrated calendar and tasks

Limitations

Limited to 10 users; larger teams need to contact for enterprise pricing.

Less Annoying CRM FAQHow much does Less Annoying CRM cost and is there a free trial?

Staying true to its name, the pricing of this CRM is straightforward and "less annoying." Eschewing the complexity of the pricing plans offered by other CRMs, here there is a flat rate of $15 per user per month, with no additional fees, tiers, or contracts. There is also a 30-day free trial with full access to all features. You don't need to provide payment information until the trial is over.

What are its core features of Less Annoying CRM?

Less Annoying CRM provides many of the essential CRM functionalities small businesses require. For instance, the platform comes with contact and company management so users can store and organize all their contact information, notes, files, and interactions in one place. It's also possible to create and manage customized workflows to track leads, sales processes, and projects.

It also becomes easier to manage communications. Users can schedule and track events and tasks, with the ability to share calendars with their team. Email logging is also straightforward, with individuals able to automatically log emails from their connected email accounts, such as Gmail or Outlook, to their contact records.

Does Less Annoying CRM have a mobile app

No, Less Annoying CRM does not have a native mobile app - which is a little disappointing. Many of the other CRM platforms we've reviewed do have one. However, the web application is designed to be mobile-friendly and can be accessed from any device with a web browser.

What features would many users complain are missing?

While it excels at simplicity, Less Annoying CRM is not a full-featured enterprise solution. As such, it may not be suitable for larger companies that require advanced functionalities, such as complex sales analytics or forecasting, extensive workflow automations, or role-based permissions beyond basic levels. It's a balance between simplicity and complexity. Less Annoying leans heavily towards the former, which will be fine for some businesses but insufficient for others.

Less Annoying CRM: Verdict

Less Annoying CRM truly lives up to its name by providing a simple and user-friendly solution designed for small businesses. I found its simplicity to be its strongest asset, offering essential features without the complications of larger systems.

The platform features an easy-to-navigate interface, clear pricing, and responsive customer support, making it appealing for businesses wanting a straightforward approach to customer relationship management. While it may not include some advanced functions typical of enterprise CRMs, Less Annoying CRM delivers core features in an easy-to-understand way.

I think Less Annoying CRM is ideal for small businesses, startups, and individual entrepreneurs who value ease of use and cost over extensive customization and detailed analytics. Its clear approach to contact management, pipeline tracking, and task organization allows users to quickly adopt a CRM system without a difficult learning curve or hefty financial commitment.

Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra: two-minute review

Hohem’s new smartphone stabilizer, the iSteady V3 Ultra, is the latest in the manufacturer’s long-running range of mobile gimbals. Like most products of this type, clamping your phone onto the arm will keep its movements smooth and level while you’re filming content – but here, the main selling point is the built-in AI-assisted tracking functionality.

The iSteady V3 Ultra comes with a tracking module that, through the use of a built-in 2MP camera, is able to keep the attached phone constantly pointing at a tracked subject, no matter how much they move. The V3 Ultra’s handle has 360 degrees of motion so, when set up on its built-in mini tripod, it can track a moving subject even if they circle right around it multiple times. And, unlike some of the other tracking modules, this one is able to follow not only human faces and bodies, but other objects too.

I should also note that all of the above applies not only when capturing content using Hohem’s own camera app, but also first-party and third-party camera apps like Zoom, TikTok, and Instagram. And, because the tracking module can be pointed forwards or backwards, it’ll work with both the main rear camera(s) and front-facing camera of any smartphone.

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While testing the iSteady V3 Ultra, I found this tracking to be the clear standout feature. It’s accurate and reliable, and surprisingly adaptable too.

I was able to use the gimbal’s joystick to manually adjust my position in the frame, and the module would continue tracking me while keeping me in the new position rather than just in the dead center of the frame, which is brilliant for those times you want to use the rule of thirds and keep yourself off-center.

I should point out that you can also track using software, via the Hohem Joy app – but it will keep subjects centered at all times. I much preferred the versatility and adaptability of the module-based tracking. And as a nice bonus feature, the AI tracker module doubles as a fill light with a choice of cool, warm, and neutral tones, plus fully adjustable brightness.

There’s a lot to like about this stabilizer besides its tracking capabilities, too. The compact, folding design of the device isn’t anything I haven’t seen before on competitors or Hohem’s own range, but it’s easy to unfold and set up. The built-in mini tripod, which consists of three metal rods that are pulled out of the handle, is sturdy, and a standard tripod thread mount on the base means you can attach the entire thing to an even sturdier full-size tripod or similar should you wish.

An extension rod, concealed in the handle, provides up to about 20cm of extra reach on the gimbal arm. It’s useful if you want to fit more in the frame while using the iSteady V3 Ultra handheld.

I’m also a big fan of the removable remote control module, which comes with a 1.22-inch touchscreen. I first encountered one of these on the Hohem iSteady M7, a larger and pricier smartphone stabilizer, and was pleased to see the concept transferred down the range to a more portable and affordable model.

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The controller has a wireless range of up to 10m / 33ft, and its joystick, button, and touchscreen let you adjust the gimbal arm angle, change settings, and stop/start recording from a distance. The screen also provides a live view from the AI tracker module’s camera, so you can set tracking subjects remotely too.

In my time with the Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra, I’ve only encountered one major issue: sound from the gimbal’s motor gets picked up by my iPhone 13’s mic. This results in a quiet, but noticeable, background noise in all the videos I’ve recorded using the built-in mic; when I recorded using the DJI Mic 3 instead, the noise wasn’t audible.

It’s an irritating issue, but it’s not exclusive to this model. I went back and re-tested the Hohem iSteady M7 and Insta360 Flow Pro 2 with the same phone, and found the noise got picked up on these gimbals too. Still, if you’re going to rely on your smartphone’s built-in mic to record videos while using the iSteady V3 Ultra, do be aware that you’ll likely hear this sound in the background. I’ve included a short video clip below so that you can hear it for yourself.

While it’s really the only major problem I have with the iSteady V3 Ultra, it’s a fairly notable one. If you’re using an external microphone for vlogging, it’s not going to be an issue for you; if you’re relying solely on your phone’s mic, you may want to look elsewhere.

The only other potential flaw with the V3 Ultra is that it uses a standard grip on the arm rather than a quick-release magnetic grip of the type seen on the recent DJI and Insta360 smartphone gimbals. This is more of a preference thing, however – some may prefer having the grip built into the gimbal arm, as it reduces the number of components required.

All in all, I’m generally impressed with the Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra. Its standout tracking skills and remote control make it the best small stabilizer around at the moment – although I expect the likes of DJI and Insta360 to offer strong competition in the near future.

Hohem iSteady V3: price and availability

• Priced from $169 / £169
• Black and white color finishes available
• Available to order now

The iSteady V3 Ultra has an MSRP of $169 / £169 / AU$299 and is available to order now at Amazon or the Hohem online store. I’m also told by Hohem’s PR representative that it will be sold at Best Buy from September 14, 2025. An Australian launch will follow – expect an update to this review once it's confirmed.

Given the gimbal's specs and features, that feels like a competitive price to me. In comparison, the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro currently retails for $159.99 / £144.99 / AU$199.99, and the DJI Osmo Mobile 7P is $149 / £135 / AU$219, so you’ll pay a slight premium for the iSteady V3 Ultra, but in my opinion, its tracking capabilities and remote control module make it worth the extra outlay.

Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra: specs

Dimensions:

98 x 44 x 160.5mm (folded)

Weight:

428g / 15.1oz

Compatible phone weight:

Up to 400g / 14.1oz

Compatible phone thickness:

Up to 12.5mm

Compatible phone width:

58 to 98mm

Connectivity:

Bluetooth, USB-C

Battery life:

4 hours (with AI tracking and fill light) / 9 hours (balanced and stationary)

Should I buy the Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra?

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Buy it if...

You want the best small stabilizer for tracking
Not only does the AI module offer the best tracking we've seen on a compact gimbal, it lets you track more than just people and pets.

You like to shoot from a distance
The tracking talent, combined with the remote control unit, makes this a great gimbal for remote shooting. It's basically a camera operator that fits in your pocket.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a tight budget
The V3 Ultra is a little pricier than its DJI and Insta360 flagship rivals, and a lot pricier than entry-level alternatives.

You don't want to use an external mic
If you don't want unwanted gimbal motor noise in your videos, you'll need some kind of external microphone.

Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra review: Also consider

Insta360 Flow 2 Pro
The Flow 2 Pro’s big party trick is native support for subject tracking in hundreds of third-party iPhone camera apps, plus an included LED fill light. With no tracking module, Android users are left out in the cold, however, and trackable subjects are limited to people and pets. The iSteady V3 Ultra is a little more advanced in this regard.

Read our in-depth Insta360 Flow 2 Pro review

DJI Osmo Pocket 3
The Osmo Pocket 3 is a self-contained camera rather than a smartphone gimbal, but offers much of the same functionality – superbly stabilized 4K capture and subject tracking – in a much more compact and easier to deploy package. You’ll pay a little more for it, but it’s a great all-in-one alternative for vlogging.

Read our in-depth DJI Osmo Pocket 3 review

How I tested the Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra

• One week of use
• Tested with an iPhone 13
• Used for B-roll and vlogs

I used the Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra for around a week in total, testing it out both handheld and set up on its built-in mini tripod. It was used with my Apple iPhone 13's front-facing and rear cameras, both indoors and outdoors, and I recorded video using a range of apps (the iPhone camera, Hohem Joy, Instagram) and both the iPhone's own microphone and a DJI Mic 3.

First reviewed September 2025

Keap, formerly known as Infusionsoft, positions itself amongst the best CRM platforms on the market. The platform offers sales enablement and marketing automation for small businesses. With a focus on simplifying the growth process, Keap aims to provide entrepreneurs with the tools they need to capture more leads, manage customer relationships, automate follow-ups, and get paid faster.

What sets Keap apart is its commitment to combining essential business functions into one user-friendly interface. From contact management and appointment scheduling to email marketing campaigns and invoicing, Keap strives to eliminate the need for multiple software solutions by offering a comprehensive suite of features tailored to the needs of small business owners.

In this in-depth review, I'll dive into the core features, ease of use, pricing, and overall effectiveness of Keap CRM. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of whether it’s the right fit for your small business needs.

Keap core capabilities

(Image credit: Keap)

Keap offers everything you’d expect from one of the best small business CRM platforms. It allows users to easily store, organize, and manage customer information in a centralized database. I was impressed by the level of detail that can be captured for each contact, including personal details, communication history, and purchase records.

For managing your contacts, Keap provides tools to efficiently track and nurture leads throughout the sales process. I particularly appreciated the ability to assign lead scores based on predefined criteria, helping sales teams prioritize their efforts on the most promising prospects. Keap's visual sales pipeline management feature offers a clear overview of the sales funnel, allowing users to drag and drop deals between stages and monitor progress towards closing.

The software provides insights into expected revenue based on the current pipeline and historical data. I found the forecasting reports to be intuitive and customizable, enabling sales managers to make data-driven decisions and adjust strategies as needed. The ability to set quotas and track individual and team performance adds an extra layer of accountability and motivation.

Keap's reporting capabilities enable businesses to gain valuable insights into their customer base and make informed decisions to drive growth. I was able to generate detailed reports on various metrics, such as lead conversion rates, sales performance, and customer engagement. The software's dashboard provides a real-time overview of key performance indicators, allowing users to quickly identify trends and take action.

For sales reps in the field, Keap offers a user-friendly and feature-rich mobile app for iOS and Android. It allows sales reps to access customer information, update deals, and log activities on the go. The ability to work offline and sync data when a connection is available ensures that no important information is lost, even in areas with limited connectivity.

Something that really sets Keap apart, however, is its focus on automation. The software offers a wide range of automation features that streamline repetitive tasks and improve efficiency. From lead nurturing campaigns to follow-up reminders and task assignments, Keap's automation capabilities help businesses save time and ensure consistent communication with customers. I was impressed by the ease with which I could set up complex automation sequences using the drag-and-drop workflow builder.

Overall, Keap CRM delivers on all the core capabilities needed to effectively manage customer relationships, drive sales, and make data-driven decisions. Plus, its built-in automation capabilities add an extra layer of productivity enhancement for sales reps, allowing them to focus on the tasks that matter.

How easy is Keap CRM to use?

(Image credit: Keap)

Keap maintains a strong focus on usability. Logging into the platform for the first time, I was impressed by the uncluttered layout that allows users to quickly navigate through the various features and tools. I also liked the customizable dashboard, which enables users to personalize their workspace according to their specific needs and preferences.

Onboarding with Keap is a breeze when compared to other CRMs. Each plan includes a dedicated customer success manager who guides new users through the setup process, ensuring that the platform is tailored to their unique business requirements. Additionally, Keap offers a wealth of training resources, including onboarding checklists, video tutorials, webinars, and personalized advice from expert coaches.

Adding even more to its user-friendliness, Keap's drag-and-drop automation builder allows users to create both simple and advanced workflows without requiring any coding knowledge. The availability of customizable templates further simplifies the process of setting up automated lead nurturing campaigns, follow-up sequences, and sales processes.

Speaking about the core CRM, the platform automatically captures and organizes customer interactions, allowing users to access a comprehensive view of each contact's history with just a few clicks. The ability to segment contacts based on various criteria and trigger automated actions for specific groups streamlines communication efforts and ensures that the right messages reach the right audience at the optimal time.

While a custom API with REST hooks is available for developers with advanced knowledge, the pre-built integrations are robust enough to suit most small businesses without custom development. Keap's integration with popular third-party applications, such as Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoom, and Mailchimp, is seamless and requires no coding experience.

Based on my experience, the average time for new users to become proficient with this platform should be relatively short, thanks to the platform's intuitive design and extensive support resources. The combination of a user-friendly interface, customization options, comprehensive onboarding, and accessible automation tools makes this a great option for smaller teams that lack in-house technical expertise.

Keap CRM integrations

Keap focuses on providing a curated selection of integrations that complement its core functionalities and cater to the needs of small businesses. While it does not offer the same number of integrations as Salesforce or HubSpot, the ones that it does offer should fit the requirements of most small businesses.

For example, by connecting Keap with Gmail, Outlook, and social media channels, businesses can automate marketing campaigns and track effectiveness directly within the CRM. Keap also integrates with a variety of other essential business tools, such as Leadpages for landing page creation, Jotform for custom lead capture forms, and BigCommerce for ecommerce functionality.

Keap also integrates with the no-code automation platform Zapier, which allows you to build your own automations with thousands of other third-party applications without any coding requirements. Through Zapier, Keap users can create custom integrations with Slack, Trello, Mailchimp, and more.

While its selection of pre-built integrations may not be as extensive as some other CRMs, Keap’s custom API is open and well-documented, allowing for custom integrations to be developed when needed. Keap also provides documentation and resources to assist users in setting up connected apps, including custom ones built using the API. Dedicated customer success managers are available to offer guidance and support throughout the integration process, ensuring a smooth experience for all customers.

How good is Keap's customer support?

(Image credit: Keap)

Keap offers a decent range of support options, including human agents and self-service resources. Users can reach out to the support team via phone, live chat, and email, depending on their preference and the urgency of their issue. However, your experience with the support agents might vary depending on the channel you choose to contact them.

U.S.-based phone support is available on weekdays from 6 am to 7 pm PST, with local support also offered for subscribers in the UK and Australia. The inclusion of a dedicated success manager with all plans is a notable advantage. Phone support is generally quite good, with reduced wait times, helpful agents, and quick resolutions.

However, Keap offers a 24/7 chat support option that’s arguably the preferred option for users across different time zones. Yet, chat support can be wildly inconsistent when it comes to quality. Wait times can sometimes be up to 30 minutes, while the agents there seem to have very little knowledge of the product.

Keap does provide a range of self-help resources, including a knowledge base, how-to videos, and a community forum where users can seek advice from peers. These resources offer guidance on various topics, such as automating text messages and connecting the CRM with WordPress. But while they are helpful, they may not always suffice for complex account-specific issues.

Customer reviews on third-party sites like Trustpilot paint a worrisome picture of Keap's customer support. Many users report difficulties canceling their accounts, unresponsive support teams, and billing issues that required escalation to legal action. These experiences, while not necessarily representative of the majority, raise serious red flags.

On a more positive note, Keap's onboarding process and Expert Coaching service aim to set users up for success from the start. The one-on-one support, training webinars, and customized sales and marketing plans help businesses optimize their use of the CRM. However, the $499 one-time fee for this service may be a barrier for most SMBs.

Keap CRM pricing and plans

During my review of Keap CRM, I found the pricing model to be unique compared to other CRM platforms. Instead of feature-based plans, Keap's pricing is scalable based on the number of contacts, with plans starting at $249 per month for up to 1,500 contacts. Prices can add up quickly as you gain customers, especially if you’re a consumer-facing business. Moreover, adding more user seats to your Keap plan costs you a flat rate of $32 per month, regardless of the plan.

When comparing Keap's pricing to other CRM platforms, it's evident that Keap is on the higher end of the spectrum compared to players like Salesforce, HubSpot, or Zoho CRM. However, the fact that it includes features like marketing automation and invoice management does make it more bearable.

There are a number of implementation packages starting from $1500 one-time. It's also worth noting that Keap does not offer a free plan, unlike competitors like HubSpot and Zoho CRM. However, the CRM does come with a 14-day free trial, allowing potential users to explore the platform's capabilities before committing to a paid plan. While a longer trial period would be nice, two weeks is still sufficient to gain a solid understanding of the features and user experience.

Keap CRM Comparison Table

Starting Monthly Price (Billed Annually)

Key Features

Keap Pro

Starts at $249/month for 1,500 contacts and 2 users

All core CRM, sales & marketing automation, email marketing, payments, invoicing, appointments, sales pipeline, and a dedicated business phone line.

Keap Max

Starts at $289/month for 2,500 contacts and 3 users

Includes all Keap Pro features, plus advanced reporting and lead scoring.

Keap Max Classic

Custom pricing

Includes all Keap Max features, plus advanced customization options like custom user roles, affiliate management, and a shopping cart.

Export to Sheets

Keap CRM FAQWho is the primary audience for Keap?

Keap is an all-in-one CRM and marketing automation platform. It's primarily designed for small businesses and entrepreneurs (often with 1-15 employees and revenues over $100K) who need to automate their sales and marketing processes to save time and grow their business.

What is the difference between Keap Pro and Keap Max?

Keap Pro is the more basic plan, offering core CRM, sales, and marketing automation features. Expect things like contact management, sales and marketing automation, invoicing, payment management, and appointment scheduling that syncs with your calendar. Keap Max includes everything in Pro, plus more advanced tools like lead scoring and e-commerce capabilities.

What kind of automations can I create with Keap

You can automate a wide range of tasks, including sending follow-up emails, assigning leads to a sales rep, sending appointment reminders, and managing referral programs. The platform's drag-and-drop builder makes it easy to create these "when-then" workflows.

Is Keap easy to learn how to use?

In fact, many users note that Keap has a steep learning curve due to its robust features. Complexity comes with price - often a financial one; sometimes in terms of ease of use. However, the platform offers extensive onboarding resources, including a dedicated success manager, video tutorials, and webinars to help new users get started.

Keap CRM review: Final verdict

Keap is a solid choice for small businesses seeking an all-in-one CRM, with the added advantage of marketing automation and financial management features. Its core capabilities, such as contact management, lead nurturing, and sales pipeline visualization — are well-designed to the needs of most small businesses.

However, the inconsistent customer support experience is a notable drawback, potentially impacting user satisfaction and efficiency. The pricing structure is yet another deterrent, especially when you factor in the additional costs for initial onboarding and more seats.

On the whole, Keap offers valuable features and automation capabilities that can significantly benefit small businesses, but there's still room for improvement. Go for this platform if you need features beyond what a typical CRM offers at a low cost, but not if customer management is your only requirement.

reMarkable Paper Pro Move: Two-minute review

The reMarkable Paper Pro Move embodies everything I want in a writing tablet. The size is perfect. The features are focused. The writing experience is divine. This is the tablet I’ve been hoping somebody would create, and it’s both surprising and not surprising that reMarkable has created it.

It's surprising because reMarkable doesn’t make many products. Its first mainstream (read: not a Kickstarter) tablet was the reMarkable 2, which launched in 2020, and the colorful follow-up, the reMarkable Paper Pro, arrived only last year. For reMarkable to launch another tablet so soon after its last one is uncharacteristic, and the Paper Pro Move must have been in the works since before the Paper Pro was announced.

I spent a few weeks using the reMarkable Paper Pro Move, and it mostly replaced the reMarkable Paper Pro that I use daily. The Paper Pro Move is much easier to carry – it even fits in the pockets of some of my pants. It’s taller than a Moleskine notebook, but also more narrow across and thinner front to back. I kept the Paper Pro Move enclosed in a Folio, and it was the perfect size and weight.

Having a reMarkable tablet that's pocket-sized is a dream come true, because it means I can truly take my writing tablet everywhere. The Paper Pro and the Paper 2 tablets are too large to carry to the grocery store, for instance, or keep on a nightstand if you want an uncluttered look.

Journaling is easy enough with the bigger reMarkable tablets, but if you want to keep a food journal during the day, or track your workout progress at the gym, a smaller tablet like the Paper Pro Move is ideal.

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

The Paper Pro Move came with me everywhere, and I used it to do everything I do with my Paper Pro tablet, and so much more. Like most reMarkable owners, there are one or two other things I wish it could also do, but I love the simplicity the Paper Pro Move offers.

It’s unsurprising that the Paper Pro Move is such a fantastic experience, because the Paper Pro was nearly perfect. It delivered on reMarkable’s singular focus – a distraction-free sheet of digital paper that will help you gather your ideas and access them from nearly anywhere. No more and no less than that lofty ambition… now in color.

If you’re looking for an electronic reader like a Kindle, look elsewhere. If you want to run your favorite apps, or chat with an AI, or browse the web… this is the wrong tablet. The reMarkable Paper Pro Move is focused, refined, and it doesn’t do much, by design.

At least, if you’re new to reMarkable, it won’t appear to do much, but fans of previous reMarkable Paper tablets will find the most advanced reMarkable yet in the Paper Pro Move.

What doesn’t it do? There's no clock, for instance. You won’t be hassled by the time. There are no alerts or notifications. It won’t ever buzz or vibrate for your attention. It also won’t serve you ads in any way, or spam you with messages you don’t care about.

A reMarkable Paper Pro Move in front of a reMarkable Paper Pro (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

What can it do that's new to reMarkable? There are features coming to all reMarkable tablets, leading with the Paper Pro Move. Now reMarkable tablets will convert your text to type, and finally the search feature will look through the handwriting in your documents, not just typed text and the tags that you append.

Both of those features are powered by machine learning – aka AI – but you don’t have to care about AI on the reMarkable Paper Pro Move. It won’t offer to draw doodles for you with AI, and it won’t prompt you with insipid AI journal queries.

Nope, the reMarkable Paper Pro Move experience is restrained, and though most reMarkable fans have one or two features they wish were included (I’d kind of like to read my books on the tablet), reMarkable software remains distraction-free by design, and slow to evolve.

I hope it stays that way, because the reMarkable Paper Pro Move does just enough to be the perfect writing tablet. If you want more, keep looking. If you need less, the Paper Pro Move gets less just right.

reMarkable Paper Pro Move review: price and availability

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

• Very expensive – this is a luxury device, not a bargain
• The required subscription stings a bit at this price range

The reMarkable Paper Pro Move is an expensive writing tablet, there's no doubt, and it justifies the price by giving you less, not more. It’s much less expensive than the reMarkable Paper Pro, which has a display that's more than twice as large, and even more expensive than the reMarkable 2 monochrome writing tablet. Color is pricey, apparently.

The Paper Pro Move costs $449 / £399 for the bundle with a Marker and $499 / £439 for a bundle with a Marker Plus, which adds an eraser function to the opposing end (pricing for Australia is TBC). Is $50 / £40 worth having a dedicated eraser? If you’re asking that question, you’re considering the wrong tablet. This is a luxury device, not a practical tool.

It’s hard to measure the reMarkable Paper Pro Move against the competition, as there isn’t any real competitor at this size. The Amazon Kindle Scribe is the closest competitor on features, but the Kindle Scribe is a big and chunky (albeit gorgeous in green) reading tablet, and its price is very close to the Move at $399.99 / £379.99 / AU$649.

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

You can find smaller ereader tablets with a pen from Boox, like the Boox Go Color 7 Gen II that we recently reviewed. That tablet costs $299.99 / AU$439 (about £245), which might seem like a bargain compared to the Paper Pro Move, but read our review first – it’s not exactly our favorite writing tablet.

The Paper Pro Move launches with new folio options, and reMarkable supplied me with a leather folio and a recycled cloth folio. Surprisingly, I may prefer the cloth; it’s a fantastic color with a unique design that's very appealing. There’s a discount on folio accessories at launch, but no cheap bundle with a folio.

The larger reMarkable tablets have a type folio keyboard option, but reMarkable has skipped this accessory for the Paper Pro Move, at least for now. I think it would be cool to see a mini keyboard for this tablet, but reMarkable had nothing to show me.

reMarkable Paper Pro Move pricing

reMarkable Paper Pro Move

reMarkable Paper Pro

reMarkable 2

With Marker

$449 / £399 / AU$TBC

$629 / £559 / AU$929

$399 / £389 / AU$669

With Marker Plus

$499 / £439 / AU$TBC

$679 / £599 / AU$999

$449 / £429 / AU$749

reMarkable Connect

$2.99 / £2.99 / AU $4.99 /month

• Value score: 4/5

reMarkable Paper Pro Move review: specs

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

The reMarkable Paper Pro Move uses a dual-core processor that runs at a higher clock rate than the quad-core processor in the larger Paper Pro. You can see the difference when you use the two tablets side by side, as I discuss in the Performance section below.

The Paper Pro Move isn’t as thin as other reMarkable tablets. The reMarkable 2 is still one of the thinnest tablets you can buy overall at 4.7mm, while the Paper Pro is a svelte 5.1mm. The Paper Pro Move is 6.5mm, which is just a bit thicker than an iPad mini (6.3mm), and thinner than an iPhone 16 (7.8mm).

The Paper Pro Move also weighs much less than an iPad mini, at 235 grams versus the iPad’s 293 grams. More importantly, it weighs less than a standard Moleskine notebook.

reMarkable Paper Pro Move specs

Starting price

$449 / £399

Operating System (as tested)

reMarkable OS - Linux-based

Chipset

1.7GHz dual-core Cortex A55 chipset

Memory

2GB LPDDR4 RAM

Storage

64GB

Display

7.3-inch Canvas Color, based on E Ink Gallery 3

Weight

235g

Battery

2,334mAh

Supported File Formats

PDF, ePUB

Supported Cloud Services

Google Drive; Microsoft OneDrive; Dropbox; Slack

reMarkable Paper Pro Move review: display

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

• Great for writing with a unique feel
• Caveats apply – this is not a bright, illuminated screen

The color E Ink display on the Paper Pro Move is probably not what you’re expecting, and while it’s a fantastic display for a writing tablet, you should be prepared before you buy one.

E Ink technology does not use light to create an image, it uses tiny particles that float closer or farther from the surface – including transparent color bits and reflective white particles. Because the particles actually move, E Ink displays react slower than a normal display – by a lot! You can see the ink move, and if you draw in color, you’ll see the display shift a few times as it forms the final image.

Some folks find this distracting – I think it looks cool. I love E Ink technology; it reminds me of steampunk and alternate future concepts that don’t rely on bright, irritating LCD and OLED panels. It’s not for everybody, though.

The reMarkable Paper Pro is admittedly dark to read. The panel is not a perfect white when it's blank; it looks more like light-grey newspaper. There are lights on the Paper Pro Move – just like on the Paper Pro – but they're not bright enough to even light the screen adequately at night. You’ll need extra light if you want to write in the dark (and you can’t use the Paper Pro Move as a flashlight to get to the bathroom – I tried).

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

If you're expecting an iPad or even an e-paper display like the TCL NXTPaper, this will be a disappointment. If you're looking for a screen that looks – and more importantly feels like real paper, this is the tablet for you.

Writing on the reMarkable tablet feels exactly like writing with a pen on paper. I feel like I'm using my favorite Pilot Precise roller ball pens on a thick Moleskine notebook. When the results appear, looking remarkably like ink on paper and not bright lights on a display, the effect seems magical.

I'm astonished that reMarkable continues to refine its writing experience with each new device. While reMarkable tablets become even more pleasing and paper-like, the competition… doesn't exist? It doesn't even seem like any other tablet maker cares about the feel of writing and making its tablets feel like pen and ink on the page. So reMarkable is only improving to impress itself and its return customers.

• Display score: 4 / 5

reMarkable Paper Pro Move review: Design

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

• Tall and thin like a great reporter's notebook
• Pocketable, even inside a folio case

The reMarkable Paper Pro Move is a thin and very lightweight writing tablet that feels incredibly solid for its subtle heft. I had no trouble holding the tablet in the palm of my left hand and writing comfortably across the whole page with my right. Then I just tucked the tablet into the back pocket of my jeans.

I've always wanted a writing tablet like this. The Kindle Paperwhite might be a good candidate for a pen some day, but it's wider than the reMarkable Paper Pro Move, and just a bit harder to stuff in a pocket, especially with a nice cover.

The Paper Pro Move fit easily in my larger pockets, even with the leather or recycled cloth cover attached. I kept a cover on my device because it's looks great and keeps the pen in place, not because I was worried about durability. The Paper Pro Move feels very sturdy, even though it sadly lacks the IP water and dust protection you'll find on a smartphone or a fancy Samsung Android tablet.

Image 1 of 3

Compared to a standard Moleskine notebook (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)Image 2 of 3

Compared to a standard Moleskine notebook (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)Image 3 of 3

Compared to a standard Moleskine notebook (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

There's only one button on the Paper Pro Move – the power button – because the tablet doesn't have speakers. It doesn't make any noise, so there's no need for volume rockers. There's a USB-C port for charging on the bottom.

The pen attaches magnetically, and I need a case to feel secure with this arrangement or else I'm sure to lose my pen. The pen is proprietary technology, like the Paper Pro tablet, and not common EMR technology, like the reMarkable 2 tablet and the Samsung S Pen, so it's expensive to replace.

• Design score: 5/5

reMarkable Paper Pro Move review: Software

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

• There's more things it can't do than things it can – by design
• New AI features are disappointing, but could be improved easily

The easiest way to think about the reMarkable Paper Pro Move is as digital paper, and little more. You can create notebooks, then save them in folders. You can also insert tags throughout notebooks to make them easier to search.

What reMarkable does best, besides the luxurious hardware and writing experience, is the background templates it offers for your writing. The selection is enormous, better than you'll find on the Amazon Kindle Scribe or other writing tablets. That selection is growing fast, too – but there's a catch.

Sadly, reMarkable has become friendly with two of the evil villains of the digital world: subscriptions and AI. These are bugbears for the Move tablet.

Some of the best features on the reMarkable Paper Pro Move require a monthly subscription. It isn't much money – $2.99 / £2.99 / AU$4.99 per month – and it adds good value if you use the new templates reMarkable offers only to subscribers, called Methods. But it stings that this ultra-simple tablet needs a subscription plan at all.

Other new features will use AI machine-learning tools, but these don't run on the Paper Pro Move. If you want to convert your handwriting to typed text, that happens in the cloud.

The handwriting recognition results ranged from useless to dangerously hilarious. When I wrote a checklist of items and asked the tablet to convert my writing, I got a paragraph of items, not a list.

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

The reMarkable AI doesn't format text neatly. In fact, instead of converting my writing on the page where I wrote it, the tablet would create a new page with my converted text. I suppose reMarkable expects me to cut and paste those results into the right spot. No thanks; I'll stick to writing.

The actual results were bad, too. My handwriting can be terrible, but I've been a teacher and I know students can read my scratch off a blackboard, so it's not a terminal case.

The remarkable Paper Pro Move got many words wrong, and in one case it got R-rated. Instead of a “Vertical kitty” toy from my list, it typed “vertical titty.”

Ummm, what the what!?! You can't say that, reMarkable tablet! You can't make a mistake that offers one of the seven words you can't say on television! Even on a simple writing tablet like this, AI proves once again that it can be horrible and useless.

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

Since this happens in the cloud, I'm hopeful that reMarkable can just hook up with a better service. Handwriting recognition is a useful tool for a writing tablet, and it drives better features like searching through handwritten text.

I've seen much better AI-based handwriting recognition on the Kindle Scribe, so if your main goal is converting your scribbles into type, that's the tablet to choose.

• Software score: 3/5

reMarkable Paper Pro Move review: Performance

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

• Best performance of any reMarkable tablet so far
• It doesn't do much, so there isn't much to worry about

The reMarkable Paper Pro Move is not an Android tablet running apps. Still, it has a unique interface, and the display technology from E Ink is very complicated and requires some formidable hardware development. I’m happy to say the Paper Pro Move is the most responsive and fastest reMarkable tablet I’ve used, for whatever that’s worth on a writing tablet.

That means the tablet opened faster from sleep, and it was more responsive to typing from the moment I tapped out my passkey. Menus respond faster to touch, and I can pan and zoom on documents faster on the Paper Pro Move than on the Paper Pro tablet. The difference is noticeable.

If you're just writing with the tablet the response feels instantaneous – there's no perceivable delay between touching the Market Plus to the screen and the E Ink appearing. If you write calligraphy or draw with the paint brush tools, you'll appreciate the responsiveness.

Of course, adding color adds a delay, but this happens after you lift the pen. Some folks have told me they find this too distracting, as there's a slight flash of color once or twice as the different layers activate. I actually find the effect kind of cool-looking, but your mileage may vary.

• Performance score: 5 / 5

reMarkable Paper Pro Move review: Battery

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

• Doesn't last as long as the big reMarkable tablets
• Still lasts for days and days, not just hours

I'm not disappointed with the battery life I got from the reMarkable Paper Pro Move, but it didn't blow me away like the Paper Pro. I've had the tablet for more than two weeks and I've charged it twice, including the initial charge time. That's pretty great for modern electronics.

Of course, the reMarkable Paper Pro lasted through my entire review period without needing a recharge, but that tablet is more than twice the size – and weight – of the Paper Pro Move. I think the trade-off is fair. I still get more than a week of battery life, and I can stuff this tablet in my back pocket.

It's possible the Paper Pro Move died faster because I used it more. Since it's so portable, it was easier to use in more places, like I said. If I used it as sparingly as I used my Paper Pro, it may have lasted another few days.

The reMarkable Marker has a battery inside, which makes it different than the Marker on the reMarkable Paper 2 tablet or styluses for other tablets like Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S11 devices. I would rather not have another battery to charge, but the Paper Pro Move juices up the pen when you attach it magnetically to the side. It charges very quickly, too, in case you let the pen battery drop to zero.

• Battery score: 5 / 5

Should I buy the reMarkable Paper Pro Move?reMarkable Paper Pro Move scoreboard

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

It’s expensive, but not shockingly so. Still, it’s price is more for the luxury than for a wealth of features on offer.

3/5

Dsplay

A display that makes writing feel like pen on paper. The unusual refresh may be offputting to some, but I found it charming. It’s not bright enough for nighttime writing.

5/5

Design

Thin and light enough to keep in the back pocket of my 501 jeans, but big enough to be useful for journaling and all sorts of writing tasks.

5/5

Software

Simple and elegant at best, with tons of template options and perfect writing tools. At worst, you’re paying subscription fees and relying on AI for handwriting recognition – yuck.

3/5

Performance

Perfectly responsive writing, and now the interface responds faster to touch than any previous reMarkable tablet could. It keeps things simple and that pays off in performance.

5/5

Battery

Amazing battery life means you can forget to charge it for days, it lasts at least a week after tons of writing. Too bad you have to charge the pen, but at least it charges very quickly.

5/5

Buy it if...

You want a digital notepad to effectively, simply organize your thoughts
That’s the promise of reMarkable – it’s a simple pad for gathering your thoughts and storing them digitally, locally and in the cloud.

You love the feel of writing, but you've left paper behind
A reMarkable tablet doesn’t feel like dragging plastic over glass; it feels like writing with a real pen on thick paper: tactile and wonderful.

You’ve been eyeing writing tablets but they’re all too big
My dream tablet is an elegant writing tablet I can take anywhere with ease. That makes the reMarkable Paper Pro Move the tablet of my dreams.

Don't buy it if...

You want to read books, browse the web, yada yada yada
This tablet is only for writing. You can’t even make shapes easily, you can only write with the pen. Want more? Look elsewhere.

You like to write but want to convert your writing to type
The Paper Pro Move can convert handwriting to text, but the results aren’t reliable and the layout is ruined. The Kindle Scribe does this better.

You want a bright, shiny display that's colorful and bright and shiny
The Paper Pro Move looks more like newsprint on greyish paper than the glossy magazine you’d expect from an iPad. It’s not for reading, it’s for writing.

Also consider

Amazon Kindle Scribe
The Kindle Scribe doesn’t have as many writing tools or templates, but it does a better job of handwriting recognition, and you can read your books on it.

Read our in-depth Amazon Kindle Scribe review

reMarkable Paper Pro
The bigger Paper Pro gives you more battery time, more screen size, and even more writing and drawing tools. You can even buy a keyboard folio for it.

Read our in-depth reMarkable Paper Pro review

reMarkable Paper Pro Move

Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024)

reMarkable Paper Pro

Price

$449 / £399

$399.99 / £379.99 / AU$649

$629 / £559 / AU$929

Price for premium edition

$499 / £439 / AU$TBC (Marker Plus)

$449.99 / $429.99 / AU$729 (64GB, Premium Pen)

$449 / £429 / AU$749 (Marker Plus)

Display

7.3-inch Canvas Color, based on E Ink Gallery 3

10.2-inch E Ink Carta 1200

11.8-inch Canvas Color, based on E Ink Gallery 3

Supported files

PDF, ePub

PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; PDF, DOCX, DOC, HTML, EPUB, TXT, RTF, AAX (Audible audio format)

PDF, ePub

Storage

64GB

16GB

64GB

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How I tested the reMarkable Paper Pro Move

I've had the reMarkable Paper Pro Move for almost three weeks of testing, during which time I used it as my primary writing tablet for note taking, making lists, and journaling. I use a writing tablet daily, multiple times a day, even when I am not reviewing a new tablet, so you can trust I have experience with these devices.

I used the reMarkable Paper Pro Move to write notes for work that I would then send to my Google Drive, my work phone and tablet, and my laptop web browser. I sent web pages and documents to the reMarkable Paper Pro Move from my web browser and from the app. I shared doodles and notes on Slack using the new Slack integration.

I paid for a reMarkable Connect subscription to test reMarkable’s new Methods templates, as well as the advanced sharing features it offers. I also tested handwriting recognition by connecting the reMarkable to my home Wi-Fi.

For battery testing, I charged the reMarkable Paper Pro Move completely on the morning after I first received it, then measured the days until it ran out of battery. In 20 days of testing the tablet, I charged it twice.

I used the reMarkable Paper Pro Move in a leather folio and cloth folio provided by reMarkable. To keep the tablet secret and because I liked the feel, I kept the tablet in the folio for the entire review period.

Read more about how we test.

• First reviewed: September 2025

Zendesk, known primarily for its customer support software, has been expanding its offerings to cover more aspects of customer engagement. Zendesk Sell is one of the best CRM platforms on the market and aims to provide sales teams with a streamlined tool for managing leads, deals, and customer interactions.

It promises to boost productivity, improve pipeline visibility, and ultimately drive revenue growth. The CRM integrates closely with Zendesk's support tools, potentially offering a more cohesive customer experience across sales and service departments.

I'll dive deep into Zendesk Sell's features, usability, pricing, and overall performance to provide an unbiased analysis of how well it stacks up against other CRM competitors for sales teams. Read on for the full Zendesk Sell review.

Zendesk Sell core capabilities

(Image credit: Zendesk)

Zendesk Sell provides a centralized database for storing and accessing customer information, including contact details, interaction history, and account-specific notes. I began by importing and organizing my test contact list. I appreciated that the system supported both CSV and Excel file imports. It's helpful how the system tracks leads from initial contact to conversion.

The platform offers customizable sales pipelines, allowing me to adjust the stages to fit my sales process. I noticed the intuitive interface for moving deals through stages, making it easy to visualize progress and spot potential bottlenecks. However, some advanced lead management features, such as task automation and lead scoring, are limited to higher-tier plans.

Zendesk includes forecasting tools that enable sales managers to estimate deal volume and revenue growth. During my evaluation, I generated accurate forecasts using sample historical data and current pipeline status. While these features work well, I’ve seen more advanced predictive analytics in other CRMs.

The platform provides 20 pre-built charts, reports, and dashboards for insights into key sales metrics. It also allows the creation of custom reports using a drag-and-drop interface. Analyzing trends by region or team and predicting revenue growth adds value for sales managers. However, some users noted that competitors offer more detailed reporting options.

I liked how the CRM integrates with preferred communication tools. Zendesk works smoothly with popular email clients like Gmail and Outlook, automatically logging email communications. This integration saves time and ensures all customer interactions are captured within the CRM, offering a complete view of customer relationships. It also provides various automation tools, including task assignments, email follow-ups, and lead nurturing workflows.

In addition to email, Zendesk has a marketplace with many pre-built integrations and developer-friendly APIs. You can select from thousands of pre-built connectors to popular apps like Asana, Dialpad, SurveyMonkey, and Ada. Zendesk also provides API Reference Docs to help developers create custom integrations, offering all necessary tools and step-by-step instructions.

Zendesk’s mobile app, available for iPhone, iPad, and Android, offers full functionality, including geolocation features. You can create and manage tickets, view reports, and receive real-time alerts about customer requests. This allows sales reps to manage customer interactions on the go and enables sales managers to track their progress from the office.

However, while Zendesk Sell covers essential CRM capabilities, some features are restricted to higher-tier plans. Advanced permissions and roles, which are important for larger sales teams, are only available in the Professional Plan. Some users reported slow load times and occasional bugs, especially after adding third-party integrations.

How easy is Zendesk Sell CRM to use?

I found Zendesk Sell to be user-friendly, though it has some learning curves. Upon logging in, I saw a clean, modern interface that was easy to navigate. The customizable dashboard lets users prioritize important information for their roles.

I also appreciated Zendesk’s logical organization of information. Contacts, deals, and tasks are accessible from the main menu. I could switch between different views quickly as I changed my focus. The option to customize these views was helpful, allowing me to concentrate on the most relevant details for my workflow.

Zendesk’s CRM interface is very visual. Its smart lists help segment contacts and leads based on various criteria. The drag-and-drop feature for moving deals through the pipeline made it even more user-friendly. Together, these elements simplify the sales process.

Onboarding is straightforward. As an admin user, I could set up the system and invite team members easily. The guided setup process helps new users learn to create contacts, deals, and tasks. This support is useful for those new to CRM systems.

Zendesk Sell excels in integrating with other Zendesk products, especially the customer support platform. For businesses already using Zendesk for service, the smooth connection between sales and support data enhances usability and data consistency.

In terms of customization, Zendesk Sell strikes a balance between flexibility and simplicity. I tailored the system to my needs without feeling overwhelmed. Creating custom fields, deal stages, and pipelines allowed me to adjust the CRM to my specific sales process.

However, I noticed that some advanced features in higher-tier plans required more exploration to understand fully. For instance, setting up custom fields and creating advanced reports took time to master. I also found limitations in customization in lower-tier plans. Advanced automation features and custom dashboards are available only in higher-priced plans.

Zendesk offers mobile apps for both iOS and Android. I found them well-designed and responsive, providing most desktop functionality. This is beneficial for sales teams needing to access and update information while on the go.

Zendesk Sell CRM integrations

(Image credit: Zendesk)

Zendesk’s integrations are among its best features. Its close connection with Zendesk’s customer support platform ensures smooth data flow between sales and support teams, offering a unified view of customer interactions. Additionally, Zendesk Sell provides native integrations with major productivity suites such as Google Workspace and Microsoft 365.

For businesses using other popular SaaS applications, Zendesk Sell integrates with tools like Mailchimp for email marketing, QuickBooks for accounting, and Zapier for connecting to many other apps. The setup process for these integrations is easy, typically needing just a few clicks to authorize and configure.

You can find all these integrations at Zendesk Marketplace, which serves as a center for discovering and installing both native and third-party apps and plugins. Although Zendesk offers over 1,500 integrations, some competitors provide even more out-of-the-box connectors for popular applications.

For custom integration development, Zendesk Sell features a powerful API that enables developers to create specific connections with other systems. It includes both REST APIs for basic CRUD operations and advanced APIs like the Sync API for real-time data synchronization. The API documentation is thorough and well-organized, including step-by-step instructions for developers. I appreciate how Zendesk allows you to submit your custom integrations as paid apps to the Zendesk Marketplace, enabling you to earn from your work.

While examining the integration capabilities, I also noticed a few limitations. Some advanced integration features are available only in higher-tier plans, which may affect smaller businesses or those with budget limitations. There’s also a premium API for creating advanced custom apps that’s accessible only from the Growth plan onward.

How good is Zendesk Sell CRM customer support?

(Image credit: Zendesk)

When assessing Zendesk Sell's customer support, I found a well-rounded system built on Zendesk's customer service expertise. The platform offers various ways for users to get help, including live support and self-service options.

Zendesk Sell provides support via email and live chat for all pricing tiers. However, phone support is limited to higher-tier plans, which might pose challenges for smaller businesses. Chat support is quick, with agents usually available during business hours.

Email support is accessible 24/7, benefiting businesses across different time zones. Users receive replies within a few hours, even during off-peak times. The quality of email responses is generally high, offering detailed answers and step-by-step instructions when necessary.

Zendesk Sell's self-service features are strong, showcasing the company's expertise in knowledge management. The extensive knowledge base covers many topics, from basic setup to advanced features. I found the articles clear, concise, and frequently updated to reflect recent platform changes. Helpful screenshots and video tutorials enhance understanding, particularly for visual learners.

Zendesk's community forum is another useful self-service resource, active and well-moderated, with contributions from both company staff and experienced users. Peer support can be especially valuable for addressing unique or complex issues not detailed in standard documentation.

In terms of response and resolution times, Zendesk Sell generally performs well. Its service level agreements state that the company aims for a first response time of under 8 hours for standard inquiries and under 1 hour for urgent issues on higher-tier plans. Resolution times depend on the issue's complexity, but straightforward problems usually receive solutions in the first interaction.

Zendesk Sell CRM pricing and plans

Plan

Team

Growth

Professional

Enterprise

Price

$19/user/month

$55/user/month

$115/user/month

$169/user/month+

Best For

Small teams needing basic CRM functionality

Growing businesses requiring more advanced tools

Larger teams needing customization and automation

Enterprise-level organizations with complex needs

Features

Customizable sales pipeline; Email integration; Basic reporting

Advanced sales reports; Sales forecasting; Prospecting tools

Lead and deal scoring; Task automation; Advanced permissions

Unlimited pipelines; Custom APIs; Premium support

Limitations

Limited to 2 sales pipelines

Lacks advanced automation features

May be costly for smaller teams

Pricing may be prohibitive for some businesses

Zendesk Sell employs a tiered pricing model with four plans tailored for various business sizes and needs. The pricing is clear, calculated per user, per month. While Zendesk Sell's pricing is competitive in the CRM market, it may not be the most cost-effective choice, this means Zendesk typically isn’t the best CRM for start ups on a shoestring budget.

The entry-level Team plan costs $19 per user each month with annual billing. It offers essential CRM features like contact and deal management, email integration, and basic reporting. While this plan makes Zendesk a contender as one of the best CRM for small business, it lacks some common features in other platforms' entry-level plans, such as web-to-lead forms and advanced analytics.

The mid-tier Growth plan is priced at $55 per user per month when billed annually. It introduces advanced features like sales forecasting, bulk email templates, and product catalogs. This plan strikes a better balance of features and cost, making it suitable for growing businesses.

The Professional plan at $115 per user per month provides more advanced tools, including lead and deal scoring, task automation, and advanced permissions. These features can greatly enhance sales processes, but the significant price increase from the Growth plan may cause hesitation for some businesses.

At the highest level, the Enterprise plan begins at $169 per user per month with annual billing. This plan encompasses all features from the lower tiers, along with advanced customization options, dedicated account management, and premium support. While thorough, this pricing positions Zendesk Sell among the higher-priced enterprise-level CRM solutions.

Certain advanced features, like the power dialer or extra storage, incur additional costs. Zendesk offers a bundle called the Zendesk Suite, which combines Zendesk Sell with other products like Support and Chat, potentially offering significant savings for businesses using multiple products.

Additionally, Zendesk Sell provides a 15% discount for annual billing compared to monthly billing, which can lead to substantial savings for larger teams. A 14-day free trial is available for all plans, allowing potential customers to explore the platform before committing. However, Zendesk misses out on being one of the best free CRM platforms with no free tier, which may be a drawback for very small businesses or individuals seeking a no-cost CRM solution.

Zendesk Sell CRM FAQWhat are Zendesk Sell's core features?

Zendesk Sell offers a centralized database for customer information, customizable sales pipelines, and tools for sales forecasting and reporting. It also integrates with email and offers various automation tools, meaning it has most of the core capabilities that users expect from a CRM.

How does Zendesk Sell handle customer data?

Zendesk Sell provides a centralized database for storing and accessing contact details, interaction history, and notes. It also supports importing data from CSV and Excel files. As such, it provides a variety of ways for users to input and store customer data.

How does Zendesk Sell support the sales process and its aftermath?

Zendesk Sell gives users a customizable sales pipelines with an intuitive drag-and-drop interface for moving deals between stages. This helps sales teams visualize progress and identify bottlenecks.

Once the sales process has concluded - either successfully or not - Zendesk Sell also boasts reporting and analytics functionality. The platform includes 20 pre-built charts and dashboards and allows for the creation of custom reports using a drag-and-drop interface. This helps sales managers analyze trends and predict revenue growth.

Is Zendesk Sell a good choice for small businesses?

That all depends. Certainly, the entry-level "Team" plan is geared towards small teams and offers essential CRM functionality. However, the pricing may not be the most cost-effective for startups on a tight budget, as there is no free tier.

Does Zendesk Sell have a mobile app?

Yes, Zendesk Sell has a well-designed and responsive mobile app for both iOS and Android, offering most desktop functionality for sales reps on the go. This is especially important now that hybrid work has become commonplace, with many sales and marketing professionals working remotely at least some of the time.

How does the platform integrate with Zendesk's other products?

Zendesk Sell integrates seamlessly with Zendesk's customer support platform, ensuring a unified view of customer interactions for both sales and service teams. If businesses already use some of the other tools within the Zendesk suite, the appeal of Zendesk Sell is sure to increase.

What are some of the limitations of Zendesk Sell?

Perhaps the biggest limitation - although, certainly not one that is unique to Zendesk Sell - is that some advanced features, such as task automation, lead scoring, and advanced permissions, are restricted to higher-tier plans. Some users have also reported slow load times and occasional bugs after adding third-party integrations.

Zendesk Sell CRM: Summary

After analyzing Zendesk Sell, I find it a strong and user-friendly option that balances essential features with ease of use. Its strengths include an intuitive interface, solid integration with customer support tools, and regular updates that keep the platform competitive.

Zendesk Sell suits small to medium-sized businesses seeking a unified approach to sales and customer support. Its seamless integration with other Zendesk products makes it a great choice for companies using or considering their support platform.

However, larger enterprises or those needing specialized CRM features may find Zendesk Sell somewhat limited compared to established enterprise solutions. Also, while the pricing structure is competitive, it might be high for very small businesses or startups.

Founded in 2010, Pipedrive has grown to serve over 100,000 companies across more than 175 countries. It’s designed to help sales teams manage leads, track deals, and streamline sales processes.

At its heart, Pipedrive CRM offers a visual sales pipeline that lets users easily move deals through different stages by dragging and dropping them. Its intuitive interface is supported by features such as contact management, email integration, reporting tools, and workflow automation. Ultimately, it aims to simplify sales management by providing insights that help teams close more deals, making it one of the best CRM platforms out there.

In this review, I'll take a close look at Pipedrive's key features, usability, pricing, and overall performance to see if it lives up to its reputation as a user-friendly and effective CRM solution. I'll share my hands-on experience with the software and compare it to other CRM solutions in the market to see how it stacks up.

Pipedrive's core capabilities

(Image credit: Pipedrive)

At the heart of Pipedrive’s system is the contact and lead management feature. I liked how easy it was to import and organize contacts, with the ability to add custom fields to capture specific information relevant to my sales process. The system allows for a comprehensive view of each contact, including communication history, associated deals, and activities.

Pipedrive’s visual pipeline interface is one of its standout features, allowing me to track and move deals through various stages with a simple drag-and-drop action. I found it very easy to maintain a clear overview of my sales pipeline and quickly identify which opportunities needed attention.

There’s a paid LeadBooster add-on that enhances Pipedrive’s lead management capabilities even further. It includes web forms, live chat, and a prospecting tool that can help generate and qualify leads automatically. While these are powerful and well-designed, it's worth noting that they come at an additional cost on top of your base plan.

Pipedrive also offers advanced forecasting capabilities — the platform creates customizable sales forecasts based on the deals in your pipeline, allowing for accurate revenue predictions. I found the ability to create multiple pipelines particularly useful, as it allowed me to customize the sales process for different products or customer segments separately.

While it offers a range of pre-built reports based on various KPIs, Pipedrive’s custom reports are where it really shines. It offers a range of options to measure team efficiency, software effectiveness, and sales performance from a bevy of different angles. The reports themselves are incredibly visual, making it easy to understand the different charts, graphs, and numbers.

You can automate your sales workflows easily with Pipedrive. I found the process of setting up these automations to be straightforward, with a visual builder that made it easy to create complex workflows without needing any coding knowledge. However, there isn’t any support for marketing automation, which can put off some teams.

How easy it Pipedrive CRM to use?

Pipedrive’s minimalist design eliminates clutter, allowing users to focus on what matters most — managing their sales pipeline and customer relationships. The visual pipeline view is particularly user-friendly, offering a drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy to move deals through various stages.

Something that really impressed me was the smart contact data feature. With a single click, the system can search the internet for information about a prospect and populate records automatically. It saves a lot of time on data entry and research, allowing reps to focus more on actual selling activities.

Customization options on this platform are robust yet straightforward to implement. Pipedrive allows users to tailor fields, pipelines, and workflows to match their specific sales processes. During my testing, I was able to easily add custom fields to capture industry-specific information and create multiple pipelines for different product lines.

Pipedrive offers a variety of learning materials, including video tutorials, webinars, and a knowledge base. Its in-app guidance is particularly noteworthy, providing contextual tips and explanations as users navigate through different features.

Automation features in Pipedrive further enhance its usability. The platform offers a range of pre-built workflow automations that can be easily customized to fit specific needs. They help streamline repetitive tasks, such as follow-up emails or activity creation, allowing sales reps to focus more on building relationships and closing deals.

Pipedrive offers a mobile app for both iOS and Android. It provides a seamless experience, allowing users to update deals, access contact information, and log activities on the go. I found the mobile interface to be just as intuitive as the desktop version, ensuring that sales teams can stay productive even when out of the office. This is an especially helpful feature for businesses with mobile sales teams.

However, I did find that setting up some of the more advanced features, like email sequences and certain automations, required a bit more time and effort to master. Still, Pipedrive offers ample documentation and training resources to get through the initial stages after implementation.

Pipedrive CRM integrations

(Image credit: Pipedrive)

Pipedrive CRM offers a powerful ecosystem that allows users to connect the CRM with a wide array of third-party applications. Pipedrive's Marketplace hosts over 400 out-of-the-box integrations, covering essential business tools across categories like email marketing, document management, project management, analytics, live chat, and accounting.

Connecting Pipedrive with popular tools like Slack, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams was a seamless process, allowing for real-time notifications and improved collaboration. The integration with email platforms like Gmail and Outlook was particularly useful, enabling me to manage emails and CRM data from a single interface. One integration that stood out was the Leadfeeder connection, which automatically transfers website lead data into Pipedrive.

There’s also an open API, which provides developers with the flexibility to create custom integrations when needed. It uses a JSON format for output and supports CORS requests, which adds to its versatility. I was impressed by the comprehensive documentation and developer resources available for API users, making it relatively straightforward for technical teams to extend functionality through custom integrations.

For users who aren't developers, Pipedrive offers integration with Zapier, a popular automation tool that can connect Pipedrive to thousands of other applications without requiring coding skills. This greatly expands the potential for creating automated workflows across different platforms, even if they don't have a direct integration with Pipedrive.

For a smooth flow of information, the platform uses database replicas that sync in real-time, ensuring data continuity and minimizing the risk of data loss. However, for those concerned about data backup, Pipedrive also conducts nightly backups of all database machines and creates encrypted off-site backups of customer databases.

For businesses looking to create more complex integrations or automate specific workflows, Pipedrive's Developer Platform offers additional tools. This includes webhooks, API endpoints, and SDKs, allowing for deeper customization of the CRM experience.

How good is Pipedrive CRM customer support?

(Image credit: Pipedrive)

For all users, regardless of plan, Pipedrive provides 24/7 email and chatbot support. While the latter is a great option for basic queries requiring quick resolution, the former is meant for more complex issues that aren’t so time-sensitive.

Users on the Advanced, Professional, Power, or Enterprise plans have access to human agents during live chat. Response times are quick, usually within a few minutes. Support agents are knowledgeable, and able to address most of my basic queries efficiently. However, for more complex issues, I noticed that the initial response often involved directing me to relevant knowledge base articles rather than providing immediate solutions.

The availability of live chat support depends on your subscription tier. Advanced plan users can access live chat during business hours (9:00 am to 5:00 pm in the user's timezone), while Professional plan subscribers enjoy 24/5 support. Power and Enterprise users benefit from round-the-clock support, seven days a week.

For users on the Power or Enterprise plans, Pipedrive also offers phone support. However, it's worth noting that this service is only available during limited hours - from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm (CET/CEST) for English speakers, and from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm (CET/CEST) for Portuguese speakers.

For self-help purposes, Pipedrive’s knowledge base is extensive and well-organized, covering a wide range of topics from basic setup to advanced features. I found the articles to be clear, concise, and often accompanied by helpful screenshots or video tutorials.

Pipedrive also offers an online learning platform called Pipedrive Academy. This resource provides a series of video courses and tutorials designed to help users master various aspects of the CRM. I found these courses to be well-structured and particularly useful for new users or those looking to expand their knowledge of specific features.

Pipedrive CRM pricing and plans

Plan

Essential

Advanced

Professional

Power

Enterprise

Price

$12/user/month

$24/user/month

$49/user/month

$59/user/month

$79/user/month

Best For

Small teams starting with CRM

Teams scaling sales processes

Larger teams optimizing performance

Big teams with complex needs

Large organizations requiring robust management

Features

Visual sales pipeline; Basic lead management; Simple reporting

Email sync and tracking; Customizable automations; Sales prospecting tools

AI sales assistant; Contract management; Revenue forecasting

Project management; Expanded permissions; 24/7 phone support

Unlimited custom fields; Enhanced security; Advanced customization

Limitations

Limited open deals and custom fields

Restricted automation capabilities

No project management features

Fewer customization options

Minimum 10 users required

Pipedrive’s pricing is competitive and flexible, offering a range of options to suit different business needs and sizes. As of my review, Pipedrive offers five main pricing tiers: Essential, Advanced, Professional, Power, and Enterprise.

The Essential plan starts at $12/user/month, billed yearly. It offers basic CRM features: contact and deal management, customizable pipelines, and simple reporting. This option makes Pipedrive one of the best small business CRM platforms out there. Higher plans add more advanced features.

I found the Advanced plan, at $24/user/month, to be particularly great value. It includes email templates, tracking, and customizable automations, boosting sales team productivity. The Professional plan, priced at $49/user/month adds AI features, revenue forecasting, and e-signatures. It’s perfect for growing businesses.

For larger companies or those needing more complex solutions, the Power and Enterprise plans are available at $59 and $79 per user per month, respectively. These plans include project management, better security, and unlimited custom fields. They also offer incrementally higher limits on deals, reports, and automation workflows.

Across all plans, opting for annual billing instead of monthly can save you up to 17%. Pipedrive also offers a 14-day free trial for all its plans, which is less than some competitors but still reasonable. While the base plans offer comprehensive features, Pipedrive provides several add-ons that can enhance functionality. These include LeadBooster for lead generation (starting at $32.50 per company monthly), Web Visitors Tracking ($41 per company monthly), and Campaigns for email marketing ($13.33 per company monthly).

A potential drawback I noticed is that Pipedrive doesn't offer a free plan beyond the trial period. For very small businesses or solopreneurs looking for a free CRM solution, this could be a limitation. This means Pipedrive isn't necessarily one of the best CRM for start ups on a shoe string budget, although start ups with a small budget could benefit from the affordable Essential plan.

It's also worth mentioning that Pipedrive's pricing can vary depending on your location and the currency you're billed in. I found that prices are often kept at the same numerical value across different currencies (e.g., $99 USD, €99 EUR, £99 GBP), which can result in higher costs for users outside the US.

Pipedrive CRM FAQWhat is Pipedrive's core feature?

At its heart, Pipedrive is built around the visual sales pipeline. This standout feature allows users to easily track and manage deals through different stages with a simple drag-and-drop interface. This makes it incredibly easy to maintain a clear overview of your sales process and quickly identify which opportunities need attention.

Of course, there's much more to Pipedrive too, including lead management and workflow automation features. The latter, for example, centers around a visual builder, which makes it straightforward to set up automations for repetitive tasks, such as sending follow-up emails or creating activities. However, it is worth noting that it does not natively support marketing automation, which may be a consideration for some teams.

Can I create my own sales reports with Pipedrive?

Although Pipedrive offers a range of pre-built reports, its custom reporting is where it truly shines. You can create highly visual reports to measure team efficiency, software effectiveness, and sales performance from a variety of angles, making it simple to understand the numbers behind your team's success.

Does Pipedrive have a mobile app?

Yes, Pipedrive offers a mobile app for both iOS and Android. The app provides a seamless experience, allowing sales teams to update deals, access contact information, and log activities on the go, making it an especially helpful feature for businesses with mobile sales teams.

How easy is Pipedrive to use?

Pipedrive's ease of use is one of the platform's core strengths. The CRM is known for its user-friendly interface and minimalist design, which helps users focus on their sales activities without unnecessary clutter. Its visual pipeline and drag-and-drop functionality are particularly intuitive. The platform also includes a smart contact data feature that automatically populates records with information from the internet, saving reps a lot of time on data entry.

Pipedrive CRM review: Summary

After thoroughly evaluating Pipedrive across multiple key areas, I believe this is a top-tier CRM platform with its visual pipeline interface and intuitive deal management tools standing out as significant strengths.

With its user-friendly interface and straightforward customization options, companies should have no trouble ensuring a healthy level of adoption even through the early stages of implementation. But while Pipedrive offers a solid range of integrations and a well-documented API, there's room for improvement in terms of advanced marketing automation capabilities. The customer support, though generally responsive and helpful, could benefit from more consistent quality and faster response times for email inquiries.

Overall, Pipedrive CRM is a strong choice for small and midsize businesses looking for an accessible yet feature-rich sales management platform. While there are areas for improvement, it delivers more than its share of value for the price point.

Bluehost, one of the world's largest and best web hosting providers, has almost two decades of experience in helping users build and host quality WordPress websites.

Bluehost is owned by Newfold Digital the company behind other major hosting names like HostGator, Network Solutions, and SEO tool Yoast too.

Bluehost has a real depth of knowledge in WordPress which goes way beyond most competitors. It has developers working on the platform full-time, and has been directly recommended by WordPress.org since 2005.

For a quick run through what Bluehost is like to use check out my One Hour With Bluehost article.

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What types of hosting does Bluehost offer? 

Bluehost provides some of the best WordPress hosting in the shape of shared, VPS hosting, cloud, and dedicated hosting plans. These plans are good for everything from blogs to ecommerce sites of all sizes.

The shared plans come in four flavours: Starter, Business, eCommerce Essentials, and eCommerce Essentials Premium. You'll find yourself directed to these plans if you click through from WordPress Hosting, WooCommerce, and Web Hosting. The only difference is that if you click through from WooCommerce you'll only be offered eCommerce Essentials, and eCommerce Essentials Premium.

The shared plans are ideal for up to 400K visits but those figures are based on the average site and don't specify a performance level for the sites. You should consider the number an estimate and safety net. If your site gets a lot of visitors, you'll likely need to use one of the VPS, cloud, or dedicated plans.

The VPS plans come in three flavours: Standard NVMe 4, Enhanced NVMe 8, and Ultimate NVMe 16. Plus, a bonus custom flavour. The number in the name corresponds to the amount of RAM you get with each plan. You get a 1:2 ratio of CPU cores to gigabytes of RAM. As for site visits, you're on your own here when it comes to estimated levels but support will help you make the choice on which one is best for you.

The cloud plans also come in three flavours: Cloud 10, Cloud 25, and Cloud 50. Plus, the additional custom plan. The number in this name corresponds to how many sites each plan supports. The cloud plans are ideal for 300K - 23 million site visits a month.

It's the same pattern with dedicated hosting plans: Standard NVMe 32, Enhanced NVMe 64, and Premium NVMe 128...and the custom plan. These plans have a CPU core to RAM ratio of 1:4.

Bluehost offers quality WordPress plans with some powerful extras (Image credit: Future)Bluehost shared & WordPress hosting

Bluehost's WordPress and shared hosting plans are the same. Opt for one of these plans and your website is stored on a server which also hosts many other accounts. This type of hosting saves money, because the cost of the server is shared between many users. But it runs the risk of unstable performance, because the server's resources - the processor, the RAM, the network connection - are also shared by all the accounts.

The cheapest plan starts at $3.95/mo for 36 months and then renews at $9.99. It supports 10 websites and up to 40K visits a month. It provides 10 GB NVMe storage, a CDN, managed WordPress updates, SSL, and some security features. Email and back ups are only free for one year.

Spending more on the next plan will set you back $6.45/mo for 36 months and then $14.99/mo after. The only difference is that the plan supports more visitors (200K) but also malware removal and free domain privacy for one year.

Step up again and you'll be paying 6.99/mo for more resources and more security, development tools, and ecommerce tools. This plan renews at $17.99/mo.

These are capable products, easy to manage, faster than most (more on that later) and powerful enough to handle many personal and small business sites.

(Image credit: Future)Bluehost VPS hosting

VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting is where a physical server is divided up into individual server environments. There are far fewer accounts on a server than you'll see with shared hosting, and your VPS doesn't have to share its resources with other sites. That's a real performance plus, and while some shared hosting plans might struggle with large amounts of visitors, a good VPS can usually handle hundreds of thousands.

Bluehost has three VPS plans. The simplest gives you 2 CPU cores, 4 GB DDR5 RAM, 100 GB NVMe storage, unmetered bandwidth and a cPanel/WHM license for $46.99/ month over three years, $65.99 on renewal. At the top of the range, an 8 core, 16 GB DDR5 RAM, 450 GB NVMe storage and unmetered bandwidth setup is priced at $94.99 a month over three years, $140.99 on renewal.

A full-featured cPanel setup is stuffed with web management features (Image credit: Future)Bluehost dedicated hosting

Selecting a dedicated hosting package gets you the maximum resources and control: an entire web server, for your use only.

The server users the latest hardware including AMD EYPC processers. Speedy NVMe storage which is becoming the new standard SSD. You also get unlimited bandwidth, Cloudflare Enterprise CDN, and a 99.9% SLA.

The servers are fully managed and come with white-glove onboarding.

Bluehost website builder dashboard (Image credit: Future)Does Bluehost have a page builder?

Bluehost offers a WordPress page builder. It's based on WordPress and has some of the same pain points of the WordPress built-in block editor but has some handy tools to make it easier. You can use this for all types of sites from blogs to eCommerce stores.

First of all, you get a helping hand if you're stating out with your first WordPress site in the form of an AI built website. There are also suggestions and tutorials to help you make it better. There is also the WordPress Academy to help you better understand WordPress.

Then, there is the WonderBlocks tool that has loads of templates for all sorts of things you want to add to your site. You can read more about the experience of building your first site with Bluehost in my one hour with Bluehost review and the full Bluehost website builder review.

Bluehost's uptime (Image credit: Future)How fast is Bluehost? 

Performance matters in web hosting, even for the cheapest of plans. A slow site, regularly down, could be worse than having no website at all.

To test Bluehost we migrated a WordPress site to the most basic plans and then ran some WordPress benchmark tests to see how well the server performed in general. After that we did some gentle stress testing to see how well the site coped with some traffic.

WordPress benchmark testing

CPU & Memory

Operations with large text data

8.8

Random binary data operations

5.14

Recursive mathematical calculations

6.13

Iterative mathematical calculations

7.2

Filesystem

Filesystem write ability

8.82

Local file copy and access speed

9.36

Small file IO test

10

Database

Importing large amount of data to database

8.68

Simple queries on single table

10

Complex database queries on multiple tables

7.7

Object Cache

Persistent object cache enabled

0

Network

Network download speed test

10

Overall

Your server score

7.9

Siege test

Concurrent users

5

9

15

Transactions

1086

2110

1473

availability

95.6

96.7

95.71

elapsed time

299.22

299.87

299.11

Data transactions

13.96

25.95

19.45

response time

0.41

1.17

2.61

Transaction rate

3.36

7.04

4.92

throughput

0.05

0.09

0.07

concurrency

1.49

8.22

12.87

sucesful transactions

1086

2110

1473

failed transactions

50

72

66

longest transaction

19.77

19.93

20.21

shortest transaction

0.11

0.11

0.1

For benchmarking, the WordPress Benchmark plugin measures CPU and memory use, object cache, filesystem access, and network speed. It then provides a final benchmark score. Meanwhile, the command line tool Siege can simulate multiple concurrent visits, providing us with an idea of the server’s reliability when demand is high.

Our modest WordPress-based WooCommerce store, with around 20 items and a welcoming landing page scored 7.9 in WordPress Benchmark. This was a particularly good set of scores across the board, only let down by the “Persistent object cache enabled” benchmark unable to measure a score.

Meanwhile, the Siege testing found the hosting able to handle 9 and 15 concurrent visitors comfortably, responding well and with over 95% availability. Considered together, these test results offer some confidence that even with Bluehost’s most affordable hosting plans, you can expect reliable performance.

Note that these tests determine performance on a shared hosting plan. As such, they don’t offer any insights into speeds on dedicated hosting, cloud hosting, or VPS hosting plans.

What is Bluehost's support like? 

There is only chat support for the most basic shared hosting plans. All other plans come with chat and phone support. There is also only a local US or international number for phone support and all support is in the English language. This might not be an issue if you're in North America but it could be costly and less than ideal compared with having support in your local language.

To be fair, this shouldn't be a big cross in the cons column because most hosting companies don't offer phone support at all - let alone in multiple languages. Still, only offering English support across all support is going to be a dealbreaker for some and other hosts do offer multi-lingual support, such as Hostinger.

Final verdict

The company’s tiny and not-very-configurable VPS and Dedicated plans mean Bluehost is less likely to work for the most demanding business users, but overall, Bluehost remains a quality provider who delivers faster, more reliable and better quality hosting than most of the competition.

Bluehost’s underpowered VPS and dedicated hosting plans mean it may not work for the largest and most demanding business-critical sites, but it excels everywhere else, with all the feature-packed shared, WordPress, website-building and ecommerce plans you need to build fast and reliable personal and small to medium business sites.

Bluehost FAQsWhat payment types does Bluehost support?

Bluehost accepts payment via card only.

Does Bluehost offer refunds?

Buy a Bluehost hosting plan, or some add-on products and you're protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee. That's typical for the hosting world, although a few providers offer more: InMotion Hosting gives you 90 days, HostGator 45 days.

We noticed one or two minor issues. Bluehost doesn't offer refunds on SSL certificates, for instance; Hostinger does. But generally, this is a straightforward, catch-free guarantee which gives you exactly the protection you'd expect.

Does Bluehost have an uptime guarantee?

Bluehost doesn't quote any target uptime figure, or have any formal method of compensating you if your server is down for a lengthy period.

That's a little disappointing. Most providers quote uptime figures of at least 99.9%, some 99.99%, and say they'll give you credits if the service doesn't hit the mark.

These 'guarantees' don't always mean very much, though. The small print might say downtime doesn't count if it's due to 'unforeseeable circumstances', for instance, something which could be used to rule out almost anything.

Overall, we'd prefer a host to have an uptime guarantee, but if this doesn't happen, it's not a disaster. We'll look at our own and other measurements of uptime, instead, and in our experience Bluehost scores very well.

Where are Bluehost's data centers?

Bluehost has local data centers for its various regions - USA, India, China - but your site is automatically assigned to the nearest location when you sign up. Buy at bluehost.com and your website is hosted in Bluehost's USA data center, for instance; use bluehost.in and it's hosted in India.

For comparison, GoDaddy has data centers in North America, India, Singapore and Europe, and you're able to choose which data center to use for each hosting plan. That can be an advantage, as it gives you a better chance of hosting your website close to its main audience, improving download speeds.

What is my Bluehost IP address?

Finding your website server's IP address can be handy, especially if you need to point a domain hosted elsewhere to your website.

There's no single way to manage this on Bluehost - it depends on your product and control panel - but if your plan has access to cPanel, it only takes a moment.

Log into your Bluehost account dashboard (my.bluehost.com).

Click Advanced in the left-hand sidebar.

Browse the General Information box on the right. The server IP address is displayed as 'Shared IP address.' (If you don't see a General Information box, look for and click a Server Information link).

What are Bluehost's nameservers?

Bluehost's nameservers are:

ns1.bluehost.com 162.88.60.37
ns2.bluehost.com 162.88.61.37

If you need more help, the support site has several useful articles on nameservers and DNS

How do I cancel a Bluehost product?

Log into your Bluehost control panel (my.bluehost.com).

Click the account icon top right (it'll have your initials in a circle) and select My Products.

Find the plan you'd like to cancel, click the More icon to its right (three dots in a vertical line) and select Renewal Options.

Choose Manual Renew and you won't be charged again. Your subscription will expire at the end of its term.

If you think there's a chance you might want to cancel a plan, make the decision as early as you can. Bluehost's auto-renewal scheme takes your money 15 days before the plan expires, so if you leave this to the last minute, there's a good chance you'll be too late.

Check out the latest Bluehost promo codes.

Established in 2020 to meet the growing need for proxy servers and IP addresses, Live Proxies has been successful in its mission. This means that its servers have allowed individuals and businesses everywhere to bypass geo-restrictions and scrape data from websites for half a decade already.

In late 2022, it expanded its service to provide - among other things - Live Servers, meeting the market demand for secure and reliable virtual machines. In 2023, the platform added static residential and rotating mobile IPs to its existing offerings of rotating residential proxies.

Today, this proxy provider proudly offers access to a pool of more than 10 million IPs spanning 55 locations. Users can take their pick among rotating residential, static residential, and rotating mobile IP addresses to enjoy unrestricted access to the internet.

Live Proxies: Plans and Pricing

(Image credit: Live Proxies)

As mentioned above, there are three types of proxies you’ll get with Live Proxies - rotating residential, static residential, and rotating mobile. Each category has its custom pricing, and there’s also a separate B2B option for businesses.

Customers can choose plans based on location, bandwidth, and number of IPs included. For instance, for 200 rotating residential IPs with a 4 GB bandwidth allocation for the duration of 30 days, you’d have to set aside $70, regardless of the selected country. At the same time, selecting the US as the target location allows you to specify the particular state where you want your IPs to be located. Extending this plan to 60 days brings the price to $85, whereas doubling the bandwidth to 8 GB (during 30 days) costs $100.

With a similar pricing structure, static residential IPs are charged $65 for 50 IPs with a 4 GB allocation for 30 days. Upping this to 8 GB for 45 days costs $110. Rotating mobile proxies are also priced depending on bandwidth and subscription length. Long story short - the higher the bandwidth and subscription length, the more you pay in total (but less per IP).

That said, static residential proxy locations are only available in the US, rotating mobile IPs in the US, Canada, and the United Kingdom, whereas other locations support only rotating residential proxy plans.

Of course, unmetered options are pricier than the metered ones and don’t include rotating mobile IPs. So, the rotating residential plan of 25 IPs for 30 days is charged $130. The same option for static residential proxies costs $150.

As for the B2B plan, its pricing structure is simple - businesses pay a minimum $5,000 monthly to access the entire 10 million+ IP addresses. This is different from residential and mobile plans, which are limited to the specific proxy location.

This pricing plan organization is relatively easy to understand. All you need to know is where you want your IPs to be, how many proxy addresses you require, and how much traffic you need them for. However, the plans might be a tad costly compared to the competition.

Live Proxies: Features

(Image credit: Live Proxies)

Live Proxies not only offers a solid network of more than 10 million IP addresses and three main types of proxies - rotating residential, static residential, and rotating mobile - but also use cases across multiple categories, including web scraping, ad verification, unrestricted eCommerce, social media performance, gaming, brand protection, SEO, travel data aggregation, access to limited-edition sneakers, and much more.

Rotating residential IPs

In line with their name, rotating IPs “rotate” according to specific schedules. This means you’ll be switched to a proxy IP at a set time, like every hour or each time you start a new browsing session.

Live Proxies offers rotating residential IPs in multiple regions - US, Canada, UK, Mexico, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Israel, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, and Turkey.

Rotating proxies offer better anonymity, as the frequent change makes it difficult for websites to track your online behavior. Suppose you want to scrape data from a real estate listing site with anti-scraping features. Rotating proxies makes it challenging for the website’s admins to track your usage pattern and detect the proxy. They’ll likely assume the rotating proxies come from different individuals visiting their website.

Better off, Live Proxies offers residential IP addresses from legitimate sources. Device owners around the globe agree to add their IP addresses to Live Proxies’ pool in exchange for benefits. Then, you can use these IP addresses to bypass website restrictions and scrape data.

The drawback is that rotating proxies are slower than static proxies. Frequent rotation increases the likelihood of encountering slow connections, and rotating IPs are more expensive than static IPs.

(Image credit: Live Proxies)Static residential IPs

Static proxy IPs can be used for as long as your subscription lasts, and Live Proxies offers plans for durations of 30, 45, and 60 days. You can select a domestic static IP to bypass geo-restrictions or, say, scrape data from a US-centric real-estate listing website.

At the moment, Live Proxies’ static IPs are only available for the US. We tested these and noted excellent speed and performance.

Rotating mobile IPs

Mobile proxies are IPs sourced from mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, for various use cases. For example, you can use Live Proxies’ reliable rotating mobile IPs to juggle multiple social media accounts without risking restrictions or having to check whether ads are displayed correctly to mobile users.

B2B

Live Proxies offers a simplified proxy IP plan for businesses. Companies can access the entire pool of 10 million+ proxy IPs across 55 countries for a monthly fee. This plan best suits companies with large proxy needs, such as a price comparison website scraping data from numerous sources.

Live Proxies: Ease of Use

We didn’t observe any hiccups when testing Live Proxies. Its interface is easy to understand, with features neatly arranged on the left side and the main dashboard on the right. The dashboard sports a white background plus a few shades of blue to highlight features. Everything is set up in a way that a layperson can quickly grasp.

(Image credit: Live Proxies)Customer Support

Live Proxies has a decent help area on its website that includes a detailed knowledge base with answers to common issues. If you require further assistance, you can submit a ticket or reach out through the platform’s Discord channel. There’s no direct live chat on the site, nor is there any telephone support.

(Image credit: Live Proxies)Live Proxies: The Competition

Live Proxies performed on par with most rival proxy tools we’ve tested. Its proxy IPs provide excellent speed and performance. The drawback is its limited pool of 10 million IPs across 55 countries, compared to rivals like Oxylabs, which has 102 million IPs across 195 countries and Bright Data, which has 72 million IPs across 195 countries.

Live Proxies: Final Verdict

Live Proxies remains one of the best proxy providers in the industry, where speed and performance are concerned. For instance, thanks to these capabilities, it reliably supports large-scale data scraping, SEO boosting, and ad verification in which speed is of the essence, especially useful to businesses. At the same time, it works great for individual use cases dependent on performance, like downloading files, gaming, unrestricted shopping, and social media navigation.

• Take a look at our guide to the best proxy services

Formerly known as Smartproxy, Decodo is a proxy service scoring highly on our radar, thanks to its established reputation in the industry, where it has existed since 2018. It currently offers more than 125 million IPs across 195 locations with reliable uptime and speed.

With Decodo, users gain access to residential (dynamic and static), data center, and mobile proxies to level up their browsing security. There’s also a handy Site Unblocker feature that facilitates bypassing CAPTCHA and IP bans, and enables entry to restricted sites.

Aside from ethically-sourced proxy addresses, Decodo offers APIs for scraping, providing users with a wide array of options to automate the extraction of publicly available information from websites. These include several types of APIs for different levels of expertise and various objectives.

Plans and pricing

Decodo doesn’t have a subscription pricing model like many other proxy providers. Instead, its pricing is based on how many IPs you require, the type of IPs, and the volume of traffic you require. The pricing structure is complex, but let’s break it down below.

Decodo promotes its Residential IPs starting from $1.5 monthly per GB under enterprise pricing (excludes individuals and small businesses), but you need to take the 1000 GB plan, which means you’ll be charged $1,500 per month. Meanwhile, the pay-as-you-go option, available to regular users, starts at $3.5 per GB.

The more gigabytes you consume, the lower the unit price per GB. For instance, $245 per month would get you 50 GB ($4.90 per GB) of traffic for residential IPs, $450 monthly equals 100 GB ($4.50 per GB), while you’d need to set aside $3,000 each month if you want 1,000 GB ($3 per GB) of traffic through residential IPs.

Static residential proxies, priced by the number of IPs, monthly traffic, or the number of dedicated IPs required, start from $0.27 monthly per IP (that’s if you require 8,000 IPs and 50 GB of traffic). Furthermore, 500 IPs cost $165 monthly ($0.33 per IP), but 10 IPs cost $5.17 (that’s $0.47 monthly). In other words, the greater the number of IPs, the lower the unit cost of each IP.

The pricing for mobile proxies begins at $4.50 per IP with the 500 GB plan, and the price goes up per IP with the lower traffic requirement. Similar to static proxies, datacenter plans are also offered on the GB, IP, and dedicated IP basis. They start at $3,800 for the 10,000 GB plan, or $0.026 per IP if you go with the 4,000 IP and 300 GB option.

If you decide to go with the pay-as-you-go option for residential proxies, it’s priced by 1 GB, each costing $3.50. For mobile proxies, the price is $8 per 1 GB, while the static dedicated ISP and datacenter proxies don’t have the pay-as-you-go option available.

There’s a 14-day money-back guarantee if you’re not entirely satisfied with the service, although it’s not offered for every pricing plan. That said, you can first take it out for a spin during the rather short three-day free trial with 100MB of traffic before making a final decision.

All things considered, Decodo runs a pricing model that favors bulk users over individual and small business users. So, if you run a large organization that needs many IPs and gigabytes, you’ll find Decodo cost-effective due to the significant discounts. Still, Decodo might be expensive for small users.

Features

A Decodo user's journey begins with registration—you can sign up with an email address or link a Google account. Your account dashboard conveniently has all features located on the left, which you can easily sift through. Whether you need residential proxies, ISP proxies, or scraping, you can choose it on the left menu.

Smartproxy's dashboard (Image credit: Decodo )

After choosing and paying for a plan, you can conveniently add users via your dashboard. As the administrator, Decodo gives complete control over the IP resources you’ll allocate to each sub-user. For example, you can give a user 1 GB of data and another 10 GB. Each user from your organization has unique credentials to access Decodo.

You can create and customize proxy connections from your dashboard. First, you'll choose a sticky or rotating proxy. Sticky proxies change at set intervals (up to 24 hours) while rotating proxies change with every connection request. Then, you can choose an IP from a specific country/city or a random one as your proxy. With these options set, you can start utilizing Decodo’s online protection.

Let’s dive deeper into the features of this app:

Residential proxies

Residential proxies are real IPs from residential devices across the globe. Decodo promotes its service as “ethically sourced” proxies, which is crucial because some proxy services use IP addresses acquired without the owners' knowledge. Instead, Decodo gives access to residential IPs acquired with consent. You can choose from over 195 locations, with the United States, Germany, the UK, India, and Canada having the highest number of available proxies.

Residential proxies enable you to bypass geo-restrictions, e.g., changing your location to watch a sports match on a streaming site. During our test, we found Decodo's residential IPs to have excellent uptime and speed.

Static residential (ISP) proxies

Decodo now also offers static (fixed) residential proxies for as long as you need, which is great for long sessions, automation, and managing multiple accounts. Premium ASNs give you the best quality IPs from AT&T, Verizon, Orange, and others, to gain entry to the toughest of targets.

This option provides static IPs with ISP origin, combining datacenter speed and stability with residential legitimacy. It delivers 99.99% uptime and below 0.2-second response time, accompanied by HTTP(S) and SOCKS5 support, live usage statistics, and 100% dedicated IPs.

Mobile proxies

Decodo gives you access to mobile IP addresses around the globe. Its 10 million+ IP pool covers 160+ locations, and you can choose from 700+ mobile carriers. The largest pool of Smartpoxy's mobile IPs is available in the United States (3.9 million), Germany (1.2 million), the UK (940,000), and India (720,000).

Proxy mobile IPs help you bypass content geo-restrictions. They're also helpful for app testing, wherein developers test their apps across different devices, operating systems, and locations to ensure optimal user experience. Likewise, mobile IPs are useful for website scraping.

Datacenter proxies

You have access to residential and mobile IPs. But how about renting an entire proxy server for your online activities? Decodo offers this service, which helps bypass hard geo-restrictions and web scraping obstacles. You can choose a shared or dedicated proxy server; the latter costs more.

Decodo offers shared servers across many locations, but dedicated proxy servers are available only in the US. You can connect to the proxy servers via the HTTP(S) or SOCKS5 protocol.

Site Unblocker

Site Unblocker is a proxy-like solution that Decodo provides. It allows you to bypass IP and geographical restrictions and extract data from websites with robust CAPTCHAs and anti-bot measures.

Decodo's Site Unblocker differentiates itself from typical proxies with unique abilities like browser fingerprinting, which creates a different browser fingerprint for each proxy to bypass anti-bot measures; and JavaScript rendering, letting you execute website JavaScript codes without a headless browser. Of course, there’s automatic proxy rotation to prevent websites from identifying and blocking your IP address.

Scraping

Decodo goes beyond merely enabling you to scrape public websites. It actually provides APIs that let you automate website scraping instead of doing it manually by yourself for every single site. There are two primary approaches to this: Core and Advanced.

The former offers essential web scraping that handles proxies, browsers, and anti-bot measures. The latter is fully customizable, with premium proxies, advanced geo-targeting, target templates, JavaScript rendering, unlimited requests per second, and more.

With Decodo’s platform, you get APIs to scrape the web in general or specific templates, including search engine results pages (SERPs) like Google (with or without AI Overview, eCommerce websites, and social media. Now you can also scrape AI tools, as well as YouTube transcripts and metadata.

The web scraping API facilitates the retrieval of large amounts of data, presenting the results in an HTML or table format, and even including the option to schedule scrapes. Considering that many websites are strict about visiting IP addresses and use CAPTCHA to discourage scraping, Decodo’s full-stack solution helps bypass these obstacles.

Smartproxy's dashboard (Image credit: Decodo )

Those requiring social media scraping will benefit from structured data gathering at scale, with results presented in HTML or JSON format. For instance, you’ll be able to track the engagement rates of influencers working with your brand, monitor your competitors’ follower numbers, or discover trending content in real time or at a specific time. The recently introduced YouTube scraping lets you extract transcripts, metadata, and videos.

As for eCommerce scraping, you get structured marketing and pricing data from online stores, in HTML, JSON, or table format. This is helpful for businesses that run price comparison sites, enabling real-time pricing data scrapes to assist people in finding the best deals. Scraping tasks can be scheduled in advance, and you’ll receive an email notification once they’re done.

Smartproxy's dashboard (Image credit: Decodo )

Finally, Decodo’s SERP scraping API lets you access structured data from search engine pages and see the results in HTML, JSON, or table format. This way, you can research the competition’s search rankings, URLS, and meta descriptions directly from queries in Google or Bing.

Your scraping charges depend on the number of requests made, so you can expect to pay between $0.8 and $1.25 per 1,000 API requests.

X Browser

Decodo takes anti-detection one step further by offering an entire private browser. The X Browser focuses on privacy, allowing users to manage multiple browser profiles, each with a unique fingerprint. This means that websites can’t link these profiles to others on your device and discover your identity.

In other words, the X Browser lets you juggle multiple accounts on a single website and gather location-specific insights anonymously without facing cross-contamination risks, bans, and geographical or other kinds of restrictions.

Smartproxy's dashboard (Image credit: Decodo )Ease of Use

Decodo’s user interface is easy to navigate. On the desktop, all features are arranged on the left side, and you can easily access your desired feature with a single click. With a white background, black text, and colorful buttons, the whole setup is pleasing to the eye.

Along with the website interface, Decodo offers a Proxy Checker that lets you test up to 10,000 proxies after uploading them with one click.

There are also browser extensions for Google Chrome and Firefox, which give you access to features like one-click IP rotation, customizable session length, and seamless switching between proxies. Additionally, they include WebRTC Leak Prevent to stop WebRTC from bypassing your proxy, masking both your real IP address and location.

Like the main Decodo interface, the extensions are easy to navigate.

Smartproxy's dashboard (Image credit: Decodo )

Decodo makes it easy to integrate its proxies with various third-party tools, such as eCommerce purchase bots, scraping software, SEO tools, and external proxy managers like MuLogin and AdsPower. The backend is all covered, so you just need to carry out a few steps to kickstart the integration from the intuitive dashboard.

Customer Support

Excellent customer support is one of Decodo’s strengths. This support begins with extensive technical documentation for its features. You can find tutorials and user guides concerning all features, with detailed screenshots illustrating the instructions. You can learn everything about the app in the Help Center, from a basic introduction until you reach more complex aspects.

Decodo has a YouTube channel with video tutorials about its features. This channel allows users to learn about the platform more interactively and has dozens of illustrative and engaging videos.

Smartproxy's dashboard (Image credit: Decodo )

Of course, customer support can’t be left to the customer alone. If you need help, Smarproxy's support team is available via live chat. You can contact the support team 24/7 and get speedy answers, although the response time varies depending on your time zone. You can also reach Decodo’s support team via email (for non-urgent inquiries) and expect a response within 24 to 48 hours.

Other complementary support resources include Decodo’s GitHub repository with code samples and a Discord channel where you can connect with other users and share solutions to common issues. Decodo also holds frequent webinars to help users learn the ins and outs of this platform and general trends in the proxy software market.

The Competition

There’s no shortage of competition in the proxy software sector. Decodo has robust competitors like IPRoyal, OxyLabs, and WebShare. It outshines many competitors by providing a broader range of global IP addresses and complementary features like the X Browser and scraping APIs. However, our main issue is with Decodo’s pricing– it’s significantly more expensive than many rivals, especially for low-volume users.

If you’re a bulk user needing hundreds of proxy IPs, Decodo is an ideal tool. However, it’s too costly for individuals or small enterprises needing a few dozen IPs at most.

Final verdict

Decodo is one of the best proxy tools in the business, and for many good reasons, the most significant being its unmatched speed, uptime, and reliability. Aside from those, Decodo’s products are easy to use and provide access to a wide range of IPs. They also include complementary features to help you scrape various kinds of websites and platforms and counter anti-bot measures.

However, its tools are primarily intended for large businesses and enterprises with a large number of users. Small enterprises and individuals, on the other hand, might find it overly pricey.

We've also highlighted the best proxy and best VPN

In our Shopify review, we found it to be one of the most complete ecommerce platforms in 2025. It offers an impressive set of tools for businesses of all sizes.

Wix is at the top of our list for the best website builders in 2025. However, Shopify stands out as the leading specialized solution for online stores. This earns it a top spot in our best ecommerce platform list.

Shopify impressed us with its easy drag-and-drop store builder. You don’t need any coding skills, which makes it great for beginners. It also has advanced features for experienced merchants. The platform includes built-in payment processing, a large App Store with over 13,000 integrations, and smooth point-of-sale options for businesses selling online and in physical stores.

On the downside, we noticed that costs can add up quickly. Monthly subscription fees start at $29 after a trial period. There are also transaction fees if you don’t use Shopify Payments. Plus, some paid apps provide extra functionality that other competitors include for free.

Shopify: 2-minute review

With over 4.6 million websites using Shopify, it has secured 29% of the market share in the U.S. What impressed us most was how Shopify balances ease of use with powerful selling features. It’s great for beginners but offers enough advanced tools for experienced merchants.

Shopify's strength is its all-in-one ecommerce approach. The platform shines with its easy store builder, secure payment processing, and a vast app marketplace featuring over 8,000 integrations. It also supports seamless multichannel selling. We valued its scalability; whether you're starting out or running a multi-million dollar business, Shopify fits your needs. Even very large stores with over 2 million products can operate smoothly on the platform.

When we compared Shopify to competitors like WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Magento, Shopify often led for businesses focused on ease and features. Among high-traffic sites, Shopify holds a 28.8% market share among the top 1 million websites, while WooCommerce has 18.2%. Major brands like Tesla, Gymshark, and Kylie Cosmetics use Shopify, proving it can handle enterprise-level operations.

However, Shopify has some drawbacks. It follows a subscription model starting at $29/month after the trial. Additional costs can add up from transaction fees (if not using Shopify Payments), paid apps, and premium themes. Despite these expenses, we think Shopify offers great value for serious online sellers, earning a score of 4.5 out of 5 in our review.

What is Shopify?

Shopify is an all-in-one ecommerce platform. It helps you create and run an online store without technical skills. Think of it as your digital storefront to display products, accept payments, and manage your business in one place. Whether you sell handmade crafts, digital downloads, or branded merchandise, Shopify provides the tools you need to start.

Shopify offers a user-friendly dashboard for managing your online business. You can easily add products, customize your store’s look, process orders, and track inventory. This means no need to juggle multiple software programs. The platform handles web hosting and security, keeping your store up and running 24/7 without server worries.

What makes Shopify beginner-friendly is its drag-and-drop store builder and pre-made templates. Choose a design you like, customize it with your brand colors and logo, add products, and you’re ready to sell. Shopify also handles secure checkout, allowing various payment methods like credit cards, PayPal, and Shop Pay, their fast checkout option.

Beyond selling online, Shopify lets you expand across multiple channels. You can connect your store to social media like Instagram and Facebook. Sell in person with Shopify's point-of-sale system and manage shipping with discounted rates. As your business grows, Shopify grows with you, offering advanced features and tools to support your needs.

Ecommerce features

Being able to pick from a host of payment providers makes it easy for your customers to buy from you. (Image credit: Shopify)

You’ve decided to take the plunge into the world of ecommerce and you're considering Shopify as your platform of choice, right? Let’s go through the process of creating your online store and explore the suite of ecommerce features that Shopify has to offer.

Right from the start, we’ve appreciated how Shopify simplifies the process of setting up an online store. With its intuitive interface and beginner-friendly website design tools, getting started is a breeze. Once you’ve selected one of over 160 professional-looking themes, you can easily customize your site to your liking with Shopify's drag-and-drop editor.

Next, it's time to add your products or services. Shopify makes this process super simple, allowing you to upload product images, set prices, and write compelling descriptions with ease. We found Shopify Magic particularly helpful here as this AI tool generates product descriptions for you, saving you time and energy.

As keeping track of inventory becomes crucial, Shopify offers robust inventory management tools to help you stay organized. We like the ability to assign inventory to multiple locations, including retail stores and warehouses, and track inventory levels for product variants.

Arranging shipping for your products is made simple with Shopify's shipping solutions. It’s easy to set up shipping options, whether you're offering flat-rate, free, or calculated shipping. Plus, Shopify integrates seamlessly with popular shipping apps and carriers, ensuring competitive shipping rates.

Another essential for converting visitors into customers is a seamless checkout experience and Shopify delivers with its customizable checkout process. You can personalize the checkout cart with your brand colors and fonts, creating a more consistent shopping experience for your customers.

Thinking about embracing a point-of-sale (POS) system? Shopify's POS app can turn any mobile device into a sales tool, allowing us to accept payments, issue refunds, and manage inventory on the go. Whether at a pop-up event or a retail store, Shopify POS keeps the sales and inventory synced across all channels.

To simplify the online payment process you can utilize Shopify Payments, Shopify's own payment service. Plus, by using Shopify Payments, you can avoid transaction fees and support 130+ currencies, providing a hassle-free checkout experience for your customers. You can even use multiple currencies/markets with one storefront, making selling internationally both easy and tailored to your audience.

By partnering with Coinbase and Stripe, Shopify now allows users to accept stablecoin, opening new potential revenue streams.

All in all, Shopify equips online sellers with everything they need to succeed in the competitive ecommerce landscape. Now, let’s take a look at other important Shopify features and tools.

Themes

Shopify has a large range of stunning templates, but only a handful are free to use. (Image credit: Shopify)

Shopify offers a rich collection of themes tailored to enhance your brand's identity and engage your audience. Whether you choose one of the 12 free themes or invest in one of over 160 premium options, which range in price from $140 to $400 each, you're bound to find one that aligns with your vision. What's more, if you don't find exactly what you're looking for, each Shopify theme is customizable, allowing you to tweak everything from colors and fonts to layout and buttons.

Furthermore, Shopify themes aren't just visually appealing - they're also highly functional. Each theme is designed to be mobile-responsive, ensuring that your store looks and performs flawlessly on any device, whether it's a smartphone, tablet, or desktop.

However, it's important to note that while Shopify offers a wide variety of themes, the selection tends to favor premium options. While there are free themes available that can certainly kickstart your ecommerce journey, the choices are somewhat limited compared to the paid options.

Website editor

Although your website will be structured around a template, Shopify's website editor makes it easy to customize it, making it your own. (Image credit: Shopify)

Crafting your store's design is simplified with Shopify's intuitive drag-and-drop website editor. Whether you're adjusting images, editing text, or featuring your logo, the editing interface provides the flexibility and control you need to create a captivating storefront. The drag-and-drop functionality makes it easy to rearrange elements on your site, allowing for swift and seamless customization. You can also do AI image editing on the fly in admin and via the mobile app.

In terms of ease of use, Shopify website builder is generally straightforward and accessible to users of all experience levels. The drag-and-drop interface eliminates the need for coding or technical know-how, making it easy for beginners to build professional-looking websites.

However, some users may find navigating through the separate dashboard for managing product listings and other backend tasks slightly awkward, specifically when transitioning between different aspects of store management.

Despite any minor awkwardness, the Shopify website editor offers a range of helpful and useful features to enhance your online store.

Domains

Upgrading to a dedicated domain will help build trust amongst your visitors. (Image credit: Shopify)

When you start your Shopify store, you automatically get a Shopify-branded domain like “yourstorename.myshopify.com”. It's functional, but if you want to step up your game and look like a pro, you'll probably want a custom domain. Also, Shopify charges $15 per year for the domain, which is pretty pocket-friendly. Likewise, domains with extensions like “.store” or “.shop” are also affordable compared to competitors.

Getting a custom domain for Shopify stores is straightforward. You can purchase one straight from the Shopify platform by going to your dashboard, navigating to settings, selecting domains, and choosing to buy a new domain. Once you've got your domain, you'll just need to connect it to your Shopify store.

With a custom domain, you'll boost your brand more easily and build trust with your customers.

AI tools

AI tools are a great way to automate repetitive tasks such as creating descriptions. (Image credit: Shopify)

Expanding on Shopify's latest AI innovations, let's dive into the world of Shopify Magic and Sidekick. These AI-powered tools are designed to revolutionize the way you manage your store and engage with your customers.

First up, Shopify Magic. This AI-powered tool takes the headache out of crafting compelling product descriptions. By simply inputting a few product details, Shopify Magic works its magic to generate captivating descriptions, saving you time and effort in content creation.

Now, you can think of Sidekick as your AI assistant, ready to support you with a wide range of tasks, helping you streamline your business operations. From setting up discounts and promotions to creating insightful reports, Sidekick is there to lend a helping hand. Want to analyze sales data to identify trends and opportunities? Sidekick has you covered. You can interact with Sidekick using voice and chat communication, meaning you can interact with it using natural language.

Sidekick recieved a major update in 2025, taking it from a helpful additional tool to a fully intergrated platform that can execute tasks based on your requests. It can also now act as an AI-powered business consultant, able to analyze your store data and provide helpful recommendations.

Shopify's AI block generator is another helpful tool for store owners. Simply describe what you want like "Black Friday deal banner" and watch it happen before your eyes.

All of Shopify's AI tools are designed to streamline tasks, potentially saving you precious time while helping you make smart decisions to fuel business growth. However, it's worth noting that, like any technology, these tools may not be perfect right off the bat and will need some tweaking along the way.

App store

Shopify's app store makes it easy to extend the functionality of your online store. (Image credit: Shopify)

The Shopify App Store provides a vast collection of apps and third-party extensions to enhance your store's capabilities. With over 8,000 apps available, you'll surely find solutions for every aspect of your ecommerce business, from marketing and promotion to inventory management and customer support.

The strength of the Shopify App Store lies in its diversity. Whether you're looking to streamline your checkout process, implement loyalty programs, or integrate with popular marketing platforms, there's an app to fit your needs.

Exploring the app store, we found a treasure trove of checkout apps, each offering unique ways to elevate your store's checkout experience. With almost 30 options available, we were thrilled to discover features such as upsell and cross-sell suggestions, age verification tools, and post-purchase surveys.

We were also impressed by Shopify's seamless integration with popular marketing apps like Mailchimp and Klaviyo, offering a robust set of tools to boost your marketing efforts. From crafting compelling email campaigns to running targeted social media ads and analyzing customer insights, these apps can aid in engaging with your audience effectively.

However, while many apps in the Shopify App Store come with no upfront costs, as we delved deeper into the ecosystem, we found that the cumulative costs of paid features can accumulate swiftly.

Ease of use

Getting started on Shopify is a simple process. (Image credit: Shopify)

When we tested Shopify, we were impressed by its user-friendly interface and easy setup. Creating an account is simple; you just need an email address to start. There's no credit card needed for the initial trial. The onboarding process guides you through some basic questions about your business and what you plan to sell. This helps tailor the dashboard to your needs.

Shopify's dashboard is designed intuitively. It has a clean, modern look that keeps everything you need close at hand. The main navigation menu on the left side gives quick access to key areas of your store, like products, orders, customers, and analytics. Even team members with limited tech skills found it easy to navigate and perform tasks like adding products, customizing themes, and processing orders.

A standout feature of Shopify is its AI tools that cut down the time needed to set up and manage your store. Shopify Magic, its built-in AI assistant, can generate product descriptions using keywords you provide. It can also create marketing content and design custom themes based on prompts, like "homemade knitwear for kids." This technology makes the platform accessible for beginners who may struggle with writing or design.

The theme customization experience balances simplicity and flexibility. Shopify uses a section-based editor, which some may find limiting compared to free-form design tools. However, it helps maintain a professional look while allowing for personalization. The platform offers industry-specific themes with dynamic scrolling and hover effects that are mobile-responsive from the start. Your store will look great on all devices with no extra work.

For those who want more customization, Shopify gives access to HTML/CSS and its Liquid templating language. These advanced options are completely optional. We appreciate that Shopify offers a gentle learning curve but still allows tech-savvy users to create highly customized experiences as they grow comfortable with the platform.

Pricing

Shopify offers several packages to pick from, which is right for you will depend on the size of your store. (Image credit: Shopify)

Basic

Shopify

Advanced

/mo (paid annually)

$29

$79

$229

/mo (paid monthly)

$39

$105

$399

Transaction fees (online payments)

2.9% + $0.30

2.7% + $0.30

2.5% + $0.30

When it comes to Shopify pricing, you might be wondering if there's a free option or at least a trial period to test things out. Well, while Shopify doesn't offer a forever-free plan, they do give you a 3-day free trial to get a feel for the platform before committing.

As for Shopify plans, there are three main ones: “Basic”, “Shopify”, and “Advanced”, where each plan has its own set of features and price points, catering to different needs and budgets.

Starting with the “Basic” plan at $29 per month (billed yearly), it's great for those just setting up their first online store. Despite the name, it gives you everything you need to get up and running smoothly, like unlimited products and basic reporting.

If you're ready to take things up a notch, the “Shopify” plan at $79 per month (billed yearly) might be more your speed. It offers lower transaction fees, better reporting tools, and more staff accounts, making it one of the best small business website builder plans and great for international sellers looking to spring up.

Now, if you're running a bigger operation with an established customer base, the “Advanced” plan at $299 (billed yearly) per month could be the way to go. It comes with all the features of the Shopify plan, plus some extras like custom reporting and more staff accounts.

Moreover, Shopify offers four additional specialized plans tailored to suit specific types of businesses:

The "Starter" plan at just $5 per month (billed yearly) is perfect for sellers who have already established their audience on social media platforms or messaging apps. With this plan, you can instantly start selling through these channels or set up a small online store hassle-free.

Next up, we have the "Retail" plan priced at $89 per month (billed yearly), specially crafted for businesses focusing on in-person selling. This plan comes packed with advanced staff, inventory, and loyalty features, making it the go-to choice for businesses with physical storefronts.

Looking for exceptional value and growth opportunities? "Shopify Plus" starts at $2300 per month (billed yearly) and is tailored for high-growth businesses. Offering advanced features and personalized support, Shopify Plus is your key to efficiently scaling your business to new heights.

Lastly, "Enterprise commerce" offers custom pricing plans designed to meet the unique needs of large-scale operations. With a focus on agility, deployment speed, and performance, this plan ensures seamless support for your enterprise-level business.

Sure, Shopify's pricing might seem a bit steep compared to some other options out there, but when you consider all the features and support you're getting, it's worth it. Plus, they offer additional add-ons for in-person sales and high-volume stores with specialized needs. And if you want more detailed info on Shopify's pricing and plans, you can check out their pricing page.

Security

Shopify is Level 1 PCI DDS compliant and offers free SSL certificates for new users. (Image credit: Shopify)

When it comes to keeping your online store safe and secure, Shopify has you covered. All Shopify plans come with SSL security, which encrypts data passing between your customer and your website. This is crucial for protecting sensitive information, such as payment details, from hackers.

Another important aspect of security is PCI compliance, and Shopify is Level 1 PCI DDS compliant. This might sound like a mouthful of legal jargon, but it essentially means that your store meets the necessary security standards for processing credit and debit card details.

One of the advantages of using a hosted solution like Shopify is that keeping your site secure is largely Shopify's responsibility, not yours. Unlike self-hosted platforms where you have to manage core software and plugin updates yourself, Shopify takes care of these updates in the background. This means you can be at ease knowing that your site is always up-to-date with the latest security patches.

What's more, Shopify has a strong fraud detection system in place to prevent card testing and account takeover fraud. They also use an alert system to notify customers and account managers of potential security threats, allowing you to take prompt action to secure your accounts.

Customer support

24/7 support is helpful for online stores that sell 24/7. (Image credit: Shopify)

With Shopify, you'll find a solid range of support options. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced ecommerce entrepreneur, Shopify offers comprehensive support channels to ensure you have the help you need when you need it.

One of the main selling points of Shopify's support system is its round-the-clock availability. Regardless of the time zone you're in, you can access support 24/7 through various channels, including phone support, live chat, social media, and email. This means you'll get much-needed assistance promptly, even during weekends or late at night when you're burning the midnight oil to work on your store.

At the Shopify Help Center, you'll find an abundance of information from step-by-step guides to troubleshooting articles - a wide range of topics to address common questions and concerns. However, some users may find the step-by-step instructions a bit confusing, especially when directed to the app store without further guidance.

For those seeking more personalized assistance, Shopify offers advanced specialist support, particularly beneficial for “Shopify Plus” users. With this level of support, you'll have your own dedicated support agent who will help you address any specific needs and challenges.

It's worth noting that Shopify's customer support extends across multiple languages, ensuring accessibility for users worldwide, although the availability of support in other languages may vary depending on your location.

Shopify's support services are pretty good, but it can sometimes be a bit of a hassle to get in touch with their support team. You often have to search through their help pages to find a solution to your problem before you can even access their contact details. While this approach is common, it can be a bit annoying for those who need help right away.

Alternatives

Shopify leads the market as the go-to ecommerce solution for businesses of all sizes. It holds a 26% global market share, making it the most popular choice available. Shopify is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses that want to grow their brand without worrying about technical details. Larger enterprises can also benefit from Shopify Plus, which scales effectively.

But for some, it doesn't tick all the boxes. Below we list some great Shopify alternatives to consider.

Shopify faces competition from WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Wix, and Magento (Adobe Commerce). WooCommerce, a WordPress plugin, offers flexibility and lower costs but needs more technical know-how to set up and maintain. Our analysis shows that Shopify is easier for beginners compared to WooCommerce, though WordPress users may prefer WooCommerce for its better integration with their sites.

BigCommerce is Shopify's closest competitor. It offers similar features with a focus on scalability and no transaction fees. Our comparison found little difference between the two platforms for large businesses, especially when considering Shopify Plus. For smaller businesses, Wix offers a more affordable entry point with solid ecommerce features, but we found Shopify stores to be more stable and optimized for ecommerce than Wix.

Generally we found that Wix is better for websites with an ecommerce element, whereas Shopify was better for dedicated online stores. You can see exactly how the two stack up in our Wix vs Shopify comparison.

For enterprise-level businesses earning over $5 million monthly, Magento (Adobe Commerce) provides unmatched customization and flexibility. However, it comes with a steeper learning curve and higher costs. In contrast, Shopify Plus offers an accessible enterprise solution that balances power with ease of use.

For most online sellers seeking user-friendliness, scalability, and features, Shopify is the top choice in 2025. However, businesses with specific technical needs or budget limits may find better options elsewhere.

Shopify review: Summary

As we wrap up our Shopify review, this all-in-one solution emerges as one of the best website builders for agencies and entrepreneurs venturing into the ecommerce realm. Throughout our journey, we've come to appreciate Shopify's dedication to customer support, ensuring that a helping hand is always just a click away. We've also found the platform's commitment to website security reassuring, with features like SSL encryption and PCI compliance providing peace of mind for both businesses and their customers.

However, we must mention a few areas where Shopify could improve. While it offers a wealth of features, we found that relying on third-party apps for certain functionalities can lead to higher costs. Additionally, transaction fees may eat into your profits, especially if you opt for non-Shopify payment gateways. Despite these drawbacks, we believe that Shopify's benefits far outweigh its limitations.

To recap, our experience with Shopify has been overpoweringly positive. We were impressed by its user-friendly interface, extensive theme collection, and the wide array of apps available to boost store functionality. If you're considering Shopify for your ecommerce venture, we encourage you to take advantage of the free trial to explore its features firsthand. Once you've had a chance to delve deeper into Shopify's offerings, you can choose the plan that best suits your business needs and budget.

Shopify review: FAQsAre there any hidden costs to using Shopify?

There are several additional costs and fees that you may encounter when using Shopify. For example, some apps can cost around $10 to $100 a month on top of your subscription. Premium themes can also cost extra, often costing between $140 and $400.

If you don’t use Shopify Payments, you may also be charged additional transaction fees on each sale you make.

Additional staff accounts can also set you back, as well as potential chargeback fees that can cost $15 to $25 per dispute.

Is Shopify good for agencies?

Yes, Shopify is one of the best website builders for agencies. Its robust ecommerce platform offers a wide range of features and customization options, making it suitable for building and managing online stores for clients. Additionally, Shopify's partner program provides agencies with resources and tools to streamline client management and boost their businesses.

Is Shopify best for building online stores?

We've found Shopify to be one of the top choices for creating online stores.

It's easy-to-navigate interface, wide selection of apps, and robust ecommerce capabilities make it a go-to platform for anyone looking to start or grow their online business. Whether you're just kicking off your small business, pushing forward as an entrepreneur, or running a large enterprise, Shopify delivers the kind of scalability and flexibility you’ll want to thrive online.

What can you sell on Shopify?

Shopify supports the sale of a wide variety of products and services, ranging from physical goods like clothing, electronics, and home decor to digital products such as ebooks, software, and online courses. In addition to this, Shopify allows merchants to sell services, subscriptions, memberships, and even event tickets. With its all-purpose platform and integrated payment solutions, Shopify provides the tools and resources you’ll need to sell virtually anything online.

Metal Eden is Doom meets Ghostrunner with a little bit of Metroid thrown in. It’s a fast-paced sci-fi shooter all about clearing dense combat arenas, wall-running and jumping through parkour challenges, and occasionally turning into a large metal ball and rolling around.

Review information

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S
Release date: September 2, 2025

It’s easy to see the inspiration behind each of its constituent elements, but that doesn’t mean that the resulting formula isn't a lot of fun. It's elevated by a strong art direction, some surprisingly slick shooting that wouldn't feel out of place in some of the best FPS games, and a couple of unique mechanics that help the game form an identity of its own.

Still, there is room for improvement, namely in the narrative department. The dialogue feels strangely written and occasionally hard to follow, almost like it's been poorly translated. It's unfortunate and undermines an enjoyable experience that I would otherwise wholeheartedly recommend.

Back to the future

(Image credit: Deep Silver)

Hailing from the developers of the criminally underrated twin-stick shooter Ruiner, Metal Eden takes us to another far-flung future where things have gone seriously wrong. Humanity has developed Cores, little robotic disks that store an uploaded consciousness and can be slotted into artificial bodies, and the technology paved the way for space travel.

You play as Aska, a high-tech android warrior with a special regenerating core that effectively allows her to be repeatedly reprinted after death. Stranded on an abandoned lunar city, it’s your job to mow down legions of rogue security robots on a mission to rescue millions of colonists trapped as cores in storage.

The narrative focus on Aska’s regeneration seems like it would lend itself naturally to a roguelike format, but Metal Eden is actually a wholly linear experience with eight total levels that vary between about twenty to forty minutes in length. I love shorter games, but this brevity was a little disappointing.

I hit the credits in a single sitting and, while there is scope for some repeat playthroughs to chase high scores and find the small number of hidden resources scattered around each map, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect more given the $39.99 / £32.99 asking price.

That brief length does at least lead to a campaign that’s very tightly paced and engaging. The bulk of each mission is a combination of shooting and parkour, both of which are well-implemented.

The shooting is tight with high-quality animations and meaty sound effects across an impressively varied arsenal. This includes a range of projectile weapons such as your basic machine pistol, a shotgun, and an SMG, plus some more futuristic energy launchers.

Getting to the core of it

(Image credit: Deep Silver)

Stronger enemies are equipped with powerful armor that absorbs the bulk of projectile damage, forcing you to switch to an energy weapon to break through it, which lends encounters an enjoyable sense of rhythm. Combat arenas are compact, with walls that you can leap off and sometimes vertical layers to keep things interesting, and staying perpetually on the move is essential for survival.

With a foe’s armor out of the way, you can rip out its Core and consume it for a quick health top-up and to charge a powerful armor-destroying punch or throw it to trigger an explosion. You’re soon equipped with a jet-pack and elemental grenades, too, and quickly chaining all of your moves together to survive wave after wave of adversaries is a source of constant satisfaction.

(Image credit: Deep Silver)

It’s all so good that I really wish there was some kind of separate survival mode that challenges you to last as long as possible available after the credits roll. Fingers crossed, we’ll see something like that added in a future update.

Combat success is rewarded with vials of Dust, a currency used to upgrade your gear. Each weapon has two distinct upgrade paths that dramatically alter its abilities.

Your SMG, for example, can be outfitted with a powerful grenade launcher for taking out groups or a set of iron sights that enable a long-range semi-automatic sniper mode. These upgrades can dramatically affect the appearance of each weapon, too, so every choice feels satisfyingly substantial.

Aska has a robust skill tree, too, with plenty of impactful options that do everything from automatically reloading your last weapon when it’s not in use to causing you to regenerate armor on top of health with every core consumed.

Absolutely balling

(Image credit: Deep Silver)

New enemies and environmental hazards are introduced at a steady pace, forcing you to frequently tweak your strategies to maintain an advantage. The larger levels also unlock the imaginatively named Ball Mode, which, as the name would suggest, lets you transform into a fast-moving metal orb whenever you wish.

Rolling into enemies at high speed deals huge amounts of damage, and if that wasn’t enough, you’re armed with an electric blast and homing missiles too. It’s a tad overpowered, but it provides a refreshing break from the more intense encounters of other areas.

Best bit

(Image credit: Deep Silver)

Multiple levels feature rail riding mechanics. Whizzing down neon blue ziplines is a blast, especially when you add obstacles that you need to dodge and shooting flying enemies into the mix.

Unfortunately, every mission is filled with jarring, awkward dialogue that lets the overall package down. In early segments, Aska frequently chats with Nexus, an almost comically edgy companion that spouts melodramatic, cringeworthy cliches. His constant wittering is like nails on a chalkboard, and I almost cheered when he was replaced by a substantially less annoying figure later on.

The voice acting is serviceable on the whole, but line deliveries have very strange intonation that I found distracting at times. Conversations are also written in a manner that feels inescapably off. They’re sometimes hard to follow and have this stilted quality to them that’s reminiscent of dodgy machine translation. I can’t quite decide whether this is an intentional stylistic choice; most of the characters are robots after all, but it's disappointing nevertheless.

It's especially noticeable in the cutscenes, which are otherwise extremely high quality and absolutely gorgeous to look at. On that note, the whole game is visually impressive with a minimalist, industrial look, though there are occasional stutters even in console performance mode.

All of this would be a lot easier to forgive at a lower price point, but as it stands, it stops me from making a more wholehearted recommendation.

Should you play Metal Eden?Play it if…

You want fast-paced shooting
The shooting action in Metal Eden is superb. There’s loads of depth thanks to the large variety of weapons and a substantial upgrade system, and learning how to best use all your abilities is a blast.

You loved Ghostrunner
The parkour is also a highlight. If you enjoyed the likes of Ghostrunner, then you’re going to feel right at home here.

Don’t play it if…

You’re interested in the story
The world of Metal Eden certainly looks the part, but it’s undermined by awkward, cringeworthy dialogue.

You crave something more long lasting
There’s no getting around the fact that this is a particularly short game. If you’re after an experience that will last more than a few hours, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

Accessibility features

There are a few accessibility options in Metal Eden. This includes a few color blindness filters, the ability to enable subtitles, and adjust their size and background color. The game also features four difficulty levels to choose from.

How I reviewed Metal Eden

I played Metal Eden for more than four hours on PlayStation 5 using the DualSense Wireless Controller and a pair of Final VR500 gaming earbuds.

In that time I reached the end credits on the standard difficulty and experienced the vast majority of what the game has to offer. I fully upgraded each of the weapons in my arsenal and unlocked the bulk of Aska’s upgrade tree, too.

First reviewed August 2025

Developed by Zoho, a company renowned for its suite of productivity applications, Zoho CRM has been one of the best CRM platforms available since its inception in 2005.

With a user base exceeding 250,000 businesses worldwide, Zoho has established itself as a reliable and feature-rich platform for sales management, marketing, and customer support activities. It's a versatile CRM that can be tailored to meet specific organizational needs. Some key functionalities include lead and deal management, sales automation, and advanced analytics, all powered by an intelligent AI tool called Zia.

Throughout this review, I will share my detailed analysis of Zoho CRM, exploring its key features, functionalities, and how it can benefit businesses in managing customer relationships effectively.

Zoho CRM core capabilities

(Image credit: Zoho)

When reviewing Zoho’s CRM platform, I found a robust set of features that cover the essential needs of most organizations. The platform provides a centralized database for managing contacts and accounts, making it easy to store and access customer information. I was able to quickly import my existing contacts via CSV file and map the fields to match Zoho's system. The interface for viewing and editing contact records is clean and intuitive, with the ability to log activities, tasks, notes and attach files.

Zoho CRM's lead management tools allow you to customize the lead lifecycle stages to match your sales process. You can capture leads from various sources, including web forms, social media, and manual entry. As leads progress, you can convert them into contacts, accounts and opportunities with one click. I appreciate the ability to create multiple sales pipelines for different products or business units. The drag-and-drop deal pipeline view gives a nice visual overview of where each opportunity stands.

Forecasting is another core feature, with the ability to generate revenue projections based on the deals in your pipeline. Being able to create multiple pipelines for different products or services was particularly useful. I could easily track deal progress, set probability percentages, and generate accurate sales forecasts. Zoho uses a weighted probability based on deal stage to predict the chances of closing. This provides more accurate forecasts than relying on gut feel or arbitrary percentages. You can also adjust the forecast categories and timeframes to suit your needs.

While the built-in reports cover most standard KPIs and metrics, I did find the report builder a bit cumbersome to use compared to some other CRMs I've tried. It gets the job done but requires a bit of a learning curve to master. On the plus side, the dashboards are attractive and you can lay them out with a variety of chart types and widgets to visualize your key data points.

Zoho CRM seamlessly connects with other Zoho applications, creating a cohesive ecosystem for business operations. Additionally, it offers integrations with popular third-party tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and various marketing automation platforms. You also have access to a custom API to build your own integrations from scratch with code.

Zoho particularly shines when it comes to mobile access. The mobile app is full-featured and works seamlessly to keep data in sync, even when offline. This is a big advantage for sales reps who spend much of their time on the road, which is increasingly common in the age of hybrid work. The app is intuitive and makes it easy to pull up customer information, log calls, and update deals and tasks from your smartphone.

Things get a little more interesting when you factor in Zoho’s newly-introduced AI-powered sales assistant called Zia. Zia offers predictive lead scoring, anomaly detection in sales trends, and even suggests the best times to contact leads based on past interactions. I found these AI-driven insights to be generally accurate and helpful. However, it's worth noting that the full potential of Zia is only unlocked in the higher-tier plans, which can increase costs considerably.

While it may lack some of the advanced features or depth of customization of the market leaders, Zoho CRM meets the needs of most small to mid-sized companies and sales teams. However, it would be interesting to see how well the CRM stacks up once the AI features have had a chance to develop a bit.

How easy is Zoho CRM?

(Image credit: Zoho)

In the last few years, Zoho has made significant progress in improving the user interface and overall usability of its CRM. I found the new interface to be clean and intuitive, with a logical layout that made it easy to access key features and information. The home screen provides a comprehensive overview of important metrics and tasks, allowing me to quickly grasp the status of my sales pipeline and prioritize my activities for the day.

I also appreciated the ability to tailor the interface to my specific needs, from rearranging the menu bar to creating custom fields and layouts. However, it's worth noting that while basic customizations are straightforward, more complex modifications may require a steeper learning curve.

Onboarding is relatively straightforward, thanks to the detailed instructions provided on the website and the inclusion of sample data to help new users get started. I found the step-by-step guide particularly helpful in setting up my account and configuring initial settings. That said, the sheer number of features and options available can be overwhelming at first.

Zoho offers a wealth of training resources to help users become proficient with the system. Its knowledge base is extensive, featuring detailed tutorials, training videos, and live and on-demand webinars. I found these resources to be well-organized and easy to follow, which significantly reduced the time it took me to become comfortable with the platform's core functionalities.

In terms of the learning curve, I found that mastering the basic features of Zoho CRM was relatively quick. Within a few days, I was able to navigate the system confidently, manage contacts, and track deals. However, becoming proficient with more advanced features, such as complex automation workflows or in-depth reporting, required more time and practice.

While the CRM is generally user-friendly, there are still areas where it could improve. For instance, some users have reported that creating multi-module reports can be challenging and may require additional training or support. Also, while the AI features like Zia are powerful, they may take some time to learn and be fully leveraged. Higher-tier plans offer more advanced features and customization options, which can increase the complexity for users. However, these plans also come with additional support options, including onboarding assistance and dedicated account managers.

Zoho CRM integrations

Before we talk about third-party integrations, it’s important to acknowledge the level of functionality that you can extract simply from using Zoho’s own suite of productivity software — all of which integrate seamlessly with its CRM. With more than 40 different applications, including Zoho Webinar, Zoho Social, Zoho Books, and Zoho Surveys, it’s incredibly easy to extend functionality without having to rely on third-party providers.

Apart from that, Zoho also offers 600+ ready-to-use integrations for popular apps like QuickBooks, Google Workspace, Slack, Shopify, RingCentral, and DocuSign, among others. I found the process of setting up these pre-built integrations to be straightforward. Most integrations can be activated with just a few clicks, with clear documentation and setup guides for each integration.

However, for those looking to create custom integrations or connect with less common applications, Zoho CRM offers a robust API. The REST API documentation is comprehensive and well-organized, covering various aspects such as authentication, rate limits, and available endpoints. As I delved into the API documentation, I appreciated the clear examples and explanations provided, which would be helpful for developers of varying skill levels.

Zoho is also uniquely committed to making sure that developers have everything they need to build their own integrations. The Developer Console offers up a lot of different resources, including documentation, courses, ebooks, and webinars — to help developers at every stage of the integration process.

In terms of reliability, the experience is mostly consistent. Data is accurately and efficiently synchronized, minimizing the risk of discrepancies or delays. However, there is mention of users encountering some minor issues with workflow rules and alerts not functioning as expected, if you look at the different reviews available online.

How good is Zoho CRM customer support?

Speaking of customer support, Zoho can be a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, Zoho offers a variety of support channels, including phone, email, and live chat, which provide flexibility in how users can reach out for assistance. But the quality of support received can be wildly inconsistent, depending on the agent you’re paired with at the time. Response times can also vary from time to time, leaving users frustrated.

Zoho does provide a robust self-service resource center, which includes a knowledge base, user guides, tutorials, and community forums. I've found these resources to be quite comprehensive and well-organized, making it easier for me to find answers to common questions and troubleshoot issues on my own. The step-by-step tutorials and user guides have been particularly helpful in navigating the various features and functionalities of the platform.

That being said, there have been instances where the self-service resources fell short in addressing more complex or specific issues I encountered. Thankfully, Zoho provides dedicated onboarding specialists who guide new users through the setup process and help customize the platform to their specific needs. Additionally, there are regular webinars and training sessions to help users make the most of the different features and capabilities.

On platforms like G2 and Capterra, Zoho CRM's customer support ratings hover around 4 out of 5 stars, indicating a generally positive sentiment. However, there are also a fair number of reviews that echo uncertainty and frustration given the inconsistent quality and slow response that many users have to deal with from Zoho. It's worth noting that Zoho offers a premium support option for an additional fee, which includes priority response times, dedicated account management, and personalized training sessions.

Zoho CRM pricing and plans

(Image credit: Zoho)

Plan

Free

Standard

Professional

Enterprise

Ultimate

Price

Free for 3 users

$14/user/month

$23/user/month

$40/user/month

$52/user

Best For

Small teams and startups

Small to medium-sized businesses

Medium-sized businesses with advanced needs

Large enterprises with complex sales processes

Large enterprises with extensive customization needs

Features

Lead management; Contact management; Deal management

Sales pipeline management; Email templates; Custom fields

Advanced reporting; Marketing automation; Sales forecasting

AI assistant; Zoho apps integration; Customizable workflows

Customizable dashboards; Advanced security features; Dedicated support

Limitations

Limited to 3 users, basic features

Limited automation and reporting capabilities

Limited customization options for dashboards

Requires a minimum of 25 regular user licenses for Lite users

No significant limitations, but may require additional setup for advanced features

Zoho CRM operates on a per-user pricing structure, which means that the cost is directly tied to the number of users you have. The pricing starts at $14 per user per month for the Standard plan, which includes features like lead and account management, sales pipeline management, and basic reporting — it’s a good starting point and makes Zoho one of the best CRM for small businesses.

This is followed by the Professional plan priced at $35 per user per month, which adds more advanced features like sales signals, forms integration, and inventory management. The Enterprise plan at $50 per user per month includes AI-powered tools like Zia, multi-user portals, and mobile SDKs. Finally, the Ultimate plan at $65 per user per month enhances the package with advanced data visualization and business intelligence.

In addition to these traditional plans, Zoho CRM also offers two bundle options: CRM Flex and CRM Plus. CRM Flex allows you to hand-select additional Zoho apps to add to your CRM suite, with prices adjusting accordingly. CRM Plus, on the other hand, includes a comprehensive suite of eight Zoho apps, including Zoho Desk, Zoho Campaigns, and Zoho Analytics, for $57 per user per month. This bundle offers significant savings compared to purchasing each app separately.

Zoho offers a 15-day free trial for its CRM, which allows you to test the platform and its features before committing to a paid plan. Additionally, Zoho CRM offers a free version for up to three users, which includes basic features like lead and account management, making it one of the best CRM for start ups. You also get a 34% discount if you commit to an annual subscription upfront, which can significantly reduce costs.

While the pricing is generally competitive, it's worth noting that costs can add up quickly when you have a large number of employees who need access to the CRM. It’s also a little unfortunate that the AI sales assistant, Zia, is fully accessible only on the Enterprise and Ultimate plans. Still, the platform offers a generally good value for money for most small and medium-sized businesses.

Zoho CRM FAQWhat are the main features of Zoho CRM?

Zoho CRM has many of the core functionalities that users expect from a leading platform of this type. For example, it includes tools for lead, deal, and contact management, as well as workflow automation to simplify repetitive tasks. What's more, recognizing that today's communication landscape is much more fragmented than it used to be, Zoho CRM lets users connect with customers through various channels, including email, telephone, social media, and live chat.

Of course, any CRM worth its salt doesn't just help businesses achieve sales, but also examines the aftermath. As such, Zoho CRM offers customizable dashboards and real-time reports to track sales performance, forecast revenue, and gain insights into customer behavior.

How easy is it to integrate Zoho CRM with other applications?

This is an area where Zoho CRM really shines, courtesy of the other solutions that come under the Zoho umbrella. Zoho CRM has native integration capabilities with other Zoho products, such as Zoho Books, Zoho Campaigns, Zoho Desk, and Zoho SalesIQ, as well as a wide range of third-party tools, including Google Workspace and Microsoft Office 365.

How do I assign leads to different users?

Users can set up Lead Assignment Rules based on specific criteria to automatically distribute new leads to the appropriate sales team members, ensuring a fair and efficient process. In addition, leads can be assigned to multiple different marketing campaigns.

Zoho CRM review: Final verdict

Throughout my experience with Zoho CRM, I have been consistently impressed by its robust set of core features, including lead and opportunity management, sales forecasting, and reporting. That being said, the responsiveness and quality of assistance can be inconsistent at times.

While the plans are generally cost effective and offer good value, certain essential features are restricted to higher tier plans only. For example, Zoho’s new AI sales assistant, Zia, is only available to Enterprise and Ultimate plan users. And while a Free plan does exist, it’s highly limited in functionality and serves only for testing purposes at best.

Still, Zoho CRM is a versatile choice for small businesses looking for a solid hub for their sales and customer facing teams. But, I’d recommend it only if AI features aren’t a priority to your organization, unless you’re willing to spend $50+ per user per month for one of the higher tier plans.

Monday.com is a project management system designed to give you a flexible and transparent way to organize your work. With a highly visual scheduling interface and customizable workflows, Monday.com adapts to the unique way members of your team approach their projects.

But just how well does this software work? As you’ll discover over the course of this Monday.com review, the platform is leading the industry when it comes to ease of use and security but may be lacking when it comes to advanced functionality.

Monday.com - quick menu

1. Plans and pricing

2. Basic Membership

3. Standard Membership

4. Pro Membership

5. Enterprise Membership

6. Features

7. Interface and In Use

8. Support

9. The Competition

10. Final Verdict

• You can sign up to Monday.com here.

Plans and pricing

There are four different levels of Monday.com membership: Basic, Standard, Pro, and Enterprise. Prices vary depending on the number of user accounts you require, with the cheapest memberships only allowing you to add two users and top-end options supporting more than 200 accounts.

(Image credit: Monday.com)

Whichever membership tier and user capacity you pick, you’ll pay for Monday.com through monthly or annual payments. Opting for yearly billing will save you 18% in membership fees.

Overall, the pricing for Monday.com is competitive but some subscriptions don't represent the best value for money. The Basic plan, for example, doesn't offer many features and would work out pretty expensive for larger teams.

Basic Membership

The Basic subscription is Monday.com’s cheapest plan, costing $49 per month for 10 users. With a Basic membership, you’ll be able to organize your team using Kanban boards, which are simple ways to visualize workflows. Each Basic Monday.com system includes 5GB of cloud storage space, so you’ll probably want to upgrade if you have a large team.

Another major limitation is the fact that Basic Monday.com systems only store user activity logs for one week. If you intend to keep business-critical files on your Monday.com system, this could be a serious problem, as you won’t be able to see who modified them.

Standard Membership

A step up from the Basic membership is the Monday.com Standard plan, which costs $79 per month for a 10-person team. For most Monday.com customers, the extra investment will be worth it as the Standard package comes with a far more comprehensive feature set.

Take visual workflow management, for example. With a Standard account, you gain the ability to display project tasks on a highly visual timeline, a bit like a Gantt chart. You also get 50GB of file storage space and unlimited user activity tracking.

(Image credit: Monday.com)Pro Membership

Next is the Pro membership tier, priced at $119 per month for 10 user accounts. If you want to connect your Monday.com dashboard with other platforms, this is likely to be the right option for you as it supports up to 25,000 integration actions per month.

At this membership level, storage space is unlimited, which is great news if you need to work with a lot of large multimedia files. Pro subscriptions unlock lots of useful project tools too, such as chart views, time tracking, and private task boards.

Enterprise Membership

Enterprise is Monday.com’s flagship package. Unfortunately, no public pricing information is available for this type of membership as Enterprise installations are customized to the unique needs of each customer.

Enterprise accounts come with a 99.9% SLA uptime guarantee, which means you can rely on them for mission-critical tasks and storing important files. They can also be used to create audit logs and set individual account permissions.

(Image credit: Monday.com)Monday.com comparison table

Price (for 10 users)

Key Features

Limitations

Basic

$49 per month

Kanban boards

Limited to 5GB cloud storage, user activity logs stored for only one week

Standard

$79 per month

Timeline views (like Gantt charts), unlimited user activity tracking

Limited to 50GB file storage space

Pro

$119 per month

Chart views, time tracking, private task boards, unlimited storage

Up to 25,000 integration actions per month

Enterprise

Contact for pricing

99.9% SLA uptime guarantee, audit logs, individual account permissions

Pricing is customized and not publicly available

Features

You can think of Monday.com as a comprehensive productivity suite that includes all the features needed to divide up the work of your team, monitor project progress, and ensure individual tasks are completed to schedule.

To help you do that, Monday.com comes with project templates that you can use to build your system on top of when you first set up a Monday.com account. These include options for daily task management, departmental planning, and video production.

Once you’ve picked a workflow design to use, you’ll have plenty of freedom to tailor it to the particular needs of your organization. For example, you can add a star system to show the priority of different tasks. Also, there are numerous display options available, such as maps and calendar views.

One way that Monday.com simplifies project management is by making it easy to assign individual tasks to different members of your team. After you’ve done so, you’ll be able to access a comprehensive “Timeline” view of your various projects. At a glance, this feature will show you who is responsible for each part of a project, and when different tasks will be completed.

(Image credit: Monday.com )

But Monday.com doesn’t just make it easier to organize your work; it actually makes it easier for you to do it too. That’s because this platform features advanced collaboration tools that let your team message each other, share key files, and comment on work progress.

As if that wasn’t enough, Monday.com can integrate with dozens of third-party productivity platforms such as Mailchimp and Shopify. If you’re already invested in other tools, that’s great news, as Monday.com will work with your current tech stack.

(Image credit: Monday.com)Interface and In Use

The Monday.com system looks awesome with colorful designs and big buttons that make it easy to navigate between different screens. Core features such as your message inbox, weekly tasks, and shared project boards can all be quickly accessed via a panel on the left-hand side of the interface.

Things are just as straightforward on the mobile version of the platform, which can be accessed through Android and iOS applications. With the rise of hybrid work, these days, it’s super common to work on the move, so it’s great that Monday.com makes adding new tasks and keeping track of your teammates’ progress easy on your mobile.

(Image credit: Monday.com)Support

Wherever you are in the Monday.com system, you’ll be able to access support through a little “help” icon at the bottom right of the screen. Support is available via live chat, tickets, and pre-arranged webinars.

There's also a community forum and academy to offer additional support, regardless of the plan you opt for. If you do subscribe to the Enterprise plan, however, you also have direct access to the Monday.com support team. They can offer help with onboarding, detailed training and more bespoke support.

Monday.com's AI features

Monday.com has integrated AI into its platform through various tools and features. The first AI tool you are likely to come across is Monday.com's AI Blocks. These are pre-built AI functions that can be added directly to workflows. They can be used to automatically categorize data, extract information from documents, detect sentiment in text, and translate content into multiple languages.

The platform also offers AI assistants that can generate content, such as email drafts and summaries of updates. They can also help with tasks like creating project templates and building formulas based on a natural language description of the objective.

Users of Monday.com will also be able to access AI Agents to help them complete tasks. Monday.com is developing specialized AI agents to handle complex tasks, such as the Project Analyzer, which monitors hundreds of projects in real-time, flags bottlenecks, and provides proactive insights.

The Competition

There’s no question that Monday.com lacks some of the advanced features available with alternative project management platforms like Microsoft Project. However, the design of the Monday.com system is more user-friendly, making it a better choice if you don’t want to spend hours training your team to use it.

Be sure to check out our buying guide looking into the best project management software for a full rundown of how Monday.com compares to some of its rivals. It's also worth having a look at our list of the best CRM software, with many of those platforms also containing project management functionality.

Monday.com FAQWhat is the difference between Monday.com's CRM and its Work Management platform?

Monday.com's Work Management platform is a versatile project management tool for any team to organize tasks and workflows. Monday.com CRM, on the other hand, is a specialized product built on the same core platform but with features specifically for sales and customer-facing teams. It includes tools for managing sales pipelines, tracking leads and contacts, and automating sales-related tasks.

Is there a free version or a free trial for Monday.com?

Yes, Monday.com offers a free plan for up to two users, which provides basic CRM capabilities. The vendor also offers a 14-day free trial for its paid plans, which automatically puts the user on the Pro plan so they can experience all of the platform's features.

What are some of Monday.com's key features?

Monday.com's commonly highlighted features include many of those that users have come to expect from a top-level CRM. They will enjoy centralized communication as a result of two-way email sync with Gmail and Outlook, email tracking, and mass email capabilities.

Pipeline management, as well as lead and contact management, is also available, so users can drag-and-drop functionality, manage contacts, and enjoy different visual views. Users will also find advanced reporting features, including dashboards with widgets like Funnel Charts and Leaderboards for real-time sales analytics and forecasting.

Final Verdict

Monday.com is the ideal project management tool for anyone looking for an accessible system that their team will actually use. Unfortunately, some important features, like calendar views, are only available with its more expensive subscriptions. All the same, Monday.com stands out for its slick design and adaptable third-party integrations.

• You can sign up to Monday.com here.

It still seems surreal that Helldivers 2 is 18 months old. A year and a half on from the PlayStation 5 and PC release of a co-op shooter that captured millions of players, it’s finally come to Xbox consoles as well.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Xbox Series X
Available on: Xbox Series X and Series S, PS5, PC
Release date: August 26, 2025 (Xbox)

Back in February 2024, we awarded the game four out of five stars and have since called it one of the best PS5 games, but if there’s one title that’s shown the potential of live service gaming, it’s Helldivers 2. Arrowhead’s third-person shooter has grown exponentially, meaning that Xbox players have entirely new systems and mission types to play with, as well as a whole new faction.

That means it’s easily one of the best Xbox Series X games and a smorgasbord of pseudo-fascistic flag-raising, but it does come with some growing pains.

A winning formula remains

(Image credit: PlayStation Publishing LLC)

If you’re new to Helldivers 2 and have only an Xbox console, what’s all the fuss about?

Basically, Helldivers 2 is a co-op shooter that has you landing on different locations on planets, completing objectives, then working to ‘get to the chopper’ and extract via dropship.

No two excursions play out quite the same way. Different biomes offer unique challenges, like thick fog or biting cold, while you’ll also come up against one of three enemy factions. All of this plays out against the backdrop of ‘The Galactic War’, which sees you and every other player across PS5, PC, and now Xbox, working to liberate planets.

Back in 2024, that meant a series of mission types that were fairly predictable, carried out against bug-like Terminids and Terminator-esque Automatons. Both carried their own challenges, but anyone jumping in now will also be tasked with fighting the Illuminate.

The most technologically advanced of all foes encountered thus far, they range from carpet-bombing ships and flying enemies to the genuinely pretty scary zombie-like creatures that can easily overrun a squad.

New toys, new problems

(Image credit: PlayStation Publishing LLC)

Thankfully, there’s plenty of firepower granted by Super Earth, with rifles, explosives, and much more that were there from launch.

Tailoring your loadout to the objective at hand remains just as important as ever, like popping a turret down while you’re uploading important data, or having a suite of rapidly reloading air support when on a hunting mission.

Much of this is tackled in the game’s tutorial (which remains just as chortle-worthy as it ever was), but the game beyond has outgrown that initial gauntlet. For example, there are new vehicles and even mechs to pilot, which have been added since launch, but there’s no room for them in the tutorial, so you’re left to your own devices once you unlock them.

That wouldn’t be so bad if you didn’t have to start from scratch on Xbox. When Helldivers 2 launched on PS5 and PC, I bemoaned the lack of cross-progression, but a year and a half on, it seems it’s still not coming.

(Image credit: PlayStation Publishing LLC)

That means if you have the game on PC and want to pick up where you left off on Xbox, you can expect to complete the tutorial and start off as a level one trooper again, shorn of all your shiny toys.

Given how many fun things I’ve been playing with on PS5, many of which are tied to premium Warbonds, it’s a shame there’s no option to pick up where I left off on Xbox. Then there’s the Warbonds themselves.

For the uninitiated, Warbonds act like battle passes, although they thankfully don’t expire. Each is themed on a certain type of weapon or damage type, and there are now well over a dozen. If you’re jumping in fresh, that’s a lot to catch up on, and while it’s hardly mandatory because so many of the free weapons are fun to use, it’s worth mentioning that it could be overwhelming.

The new Halo-themed Warbond is included, too, and offers weapons like the assault rifle and SMG, but it’s a ‘Legendary Warbond’, so it’ll set you back around $15.

Hellacious

(Image credit: PlayStation Publishing LLC)

Still, one upshot of being stripped back to basics is that it highlights just how right Arrowhead got it when developing Helldivers 2’s shooting and movement mechanics.

Best bit

(Image credit: PlayStation Publishing LLC)

It’s still a treat to drop an airstrike on just about anything, but there’s a special kind of magic when it accidentally lands on your teammates' heads and your entire party groans in voice chat.

Weapons are fun to use but have heft, and walking while shooting, or letting off lengthy bursts, can cause a huge penalty to accuracy. With some weapons requiring two players to load, or you to be totally stationary to change mags, there’s a ton of subtle intricacies to learn while you do your best to defend Super Earth.

Then there are the stratagems, which still produce screen-filling explosions and are an absolute rush to drop on a whole fleet of enemies (or, as is often the case, your own comrades through fluke or foolishness).

Outrunning a bunch of bugs or an Illuminate bombing run, triggering a cinematic artillery drop behind you, and just making it to the dropship on time for departure remains an experience unmatched in co-op gaming, and it’s somehow even funnier when you realize one buddy didn’t make it after all.

Should I play Helldivers 2 on Xbox?Play it if…

You missed out thus far
Helldivers 2 was a cultural phenomenon last year for a reason, and the Xbox version has lost none of its magic in the jump between platforms.

You’ve got a group of friends to play with
It’s not a prerequisite, but having friends to play Helldivers 2 with makes the entire experience more rewarding. It’s the perfect game for regaling friends with war stories of heroism and stupidity, and it’s hard not to play with a smile plastered on your face.

You’re a fan of Halo ODST
Helldivers 2 has a neat Warbond for Halo’s ODST, and it pays reverence to an underrated entry in a franchise that’s sadly lost its way in recent years. The big draws are the weapons, like the firecracker-like SMG and the classic Halo assault rifle, both of which feel great to use.

Don’t play it if…

You’re already playing on another platform
If you wanted to pick up Helldivers 2 on a second platform because you want to play away from the PC and don’t have a PS5, it’s worth remembering there’s no cross-progression. That’s a real shame, but levelling up to earn weapons (and purchasing warbonds) is a fly in the ointment.

Accessibility features

As with the PS5 version, there are a few accessibility features on offer in Helldivers 2 on Xbox.

Reticules can be changed in shape and color, while subtitles are available and in multiple sizes. There’s also text-to-speech and speech-to-text functionality.

How I reviewed Helldivers 2 on Xbox

Having spent countless hours spreading Managed Democracy on PS5 (and a chunk on PC, too), I jumped into the Xbox Series X version of the game and played for a few days across conflicts with all three enemy factions and playing with friends and strangers alike.

Whether it was the sound of airstrikes in my Logitech Astro A50X headset or making use of the adjustable triggers in my Xbox Elite Controller Series 2, I had a blast but also tried to come at the game from the perspective of someone that’s new to the series.

First reviewed August-September 2025

As an all-in-one platform, HubSpot CRM centralizes all your marketing, sales, customer service, and content management needs with a focus on inbound techniques. The platform is considered to be one of the best CRM platforms on the market. Over 30,000 organizations across 90 countries have adopted HubSpot CRM, making it an exceedingly popular choice for companies seeking the best CRM for small businesses.

After putting the CRM through its paces, I've found it to be a robust and intuitive solution for organizing contacts, tracking deals, and gaining visibility into the sales process. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, with helpful features like email tracking, meeting scheduling, and live chat that streamline communication with leads and customers.

If there was one thing to say against HubSpot CRM, it’s the fact that the software can get quite expensive as you scale your business. While the free offering and generous entry-level plans offer a great starting point for new businesses, it’s easy to end up paying for things you don’t need as your business grows.

HubSpot CRMs core capabilities

HubSpot CRM delivers the essential features I expect from a customer relationship management system. I can store up to 1 million contacts and companies in the CRM for free due to some generous cloud storage, with each record capturing important details like contact info, website, social media profiles, industry, revenue, and more. When you add a contact, HubSpot automatically populates key details about their company, saving data entry time.

You can add up to 1 million contacts on the free plan. (Image credit: HubSpot)

Segmenting contacts into lists based on any criteria is simple with HubSpot CRM's powerful filtering tools. I can easily create dynamic lists that automatically update as contact properties change. For example, I set up a list of contacts from companies with 500+ employees who have visited my pricing page in the last month.

The deals dashboard is easy to navigate. (Image credit: HubSpot)

Deals and tasks keep things organized as you manage leads through the sales pipeline. I can create deal stages that mirror my sales process, drag and drop deals from one stage to the next, and easily see the value and quantity of deals in each stage. Tasks ensure critical to-dos never slip through the cracks. I can assign tasks to team members, associate them with specific deals or contacts, and set due dates.

For those who rely strongly on inbound, HubSpot CRM's built-in prospecting tool is useful for lead generation, identifying potential customers who are engaging with your website for the first time. It shows me which companies visited my site, even if they haven't filled out a form yet, and provides key details about those organizations pulled from HubSpot's database. I can review prospects and add promising leads to the CRM with one click.

Reporting features give me a clear picture of my sales pipeline and team performance. The dashboard displays my deal forecast, number of deals created and closed, productivity metrics, and more. I can dig into reports to see deals won and lost, sales leaderboards, and individual rep performance. Reports are easy to filter and customize.

Email tracking and templates help my team communicate efficiently with leads and customers. I can see who opened an email, clicked a link, or downloaded an attachment, then follow up accordingly. Templated emails save time on common messages. The Gmail and Outlook integrations allow me to log emails to the CRM and access templates, tracking, and more without leaving my inbox.

Live chat is another channel for real-time conversations with website visitors. I can configure targeted messages to specific web pages or audience segments. AI chatbots help qualify leads and schedule meetings 24/7. All chat conversations are automatically saved in the CRM.

Finally, the mobile app gives me access to key CRM data and features on the go. I can look up contacts, update deals, track emails, and more from my smartphone. This is invaluable when traveling or walking into a meeting.

Beyond the essentials, HubSpot CRM includes some handy tools that enhance productivity. The email integration with Gmail and Outlook is fantastic - I can track email opens, log sent emails to contact records, and create new contacts directly from my inbox. The meeting scheduler makes it painless for prospects to book time on my calendar, eliminating the usual back-and-forth. I also get a lot of value from the task reminders and automated workflows that keep me on top of follow-ups and outreach.

While the free HubSpot CRM is generous with its features, upgrading to one of the paid Sales Hub plans unlocks even more advanced capabilities like sales automation, predictive lead scoring, smart notifications, custom reporting, and more. But for many small businesses and sales teams, the free version provides the core tools needed to organize customer data and manage deals efficiently in one centralized system.

How easy is HubSpot CRM to use?

From the moment I first logged into HubSpot CRM, I found the dashboard to be clean, well-organized, and easy to understand. Whether working on contacts, deals, tasks, or reports, the layout and controls remain familiar and intuitive. The main navigation menu is clearly labeled and logically structured, making it simple to find the tools and data I need. The design consistency reduces cognitive load and allows me to move between various areas of the CRM without having to relearn the interface each time.

HubSpot CRM provides a wide range of options for tailoring the platform to my specific needs, but it does so in a way that is approachable and straightforward. I can easily add custom fields to contact and deal records, create personalized views, and build custom reports and dashboards without needing extensive technical skills. The drag-and-drop interface for building workflows and deal pipelines is particularly user-friendly, enabling me to automate processes and visualize my sales funnel with minimal effort.

When it comes to onboarding and training, HubSpot CRM offers a wealth of resources to help new users get up to speed quickly. The HubSpot Academy provides a comprehensive library of courses, certifications, and tutorials that cover every aspect of the CRM. I found the courses to be well-structured, engaging, and practical, with a mix of videos, quizzes, and hands-on exercises. The in-app guidance and tooltips are also helpful for discovering new features and understanding best practices.

It's worth noting that HubSpot CRM's ease of use extends beyond the core functionality. The platform's integration with tools like Gmail, Outlook, and Google Calendar is seamless, allowing me to manage my email and schedule without leaving the CRM. The mobile app is also well-designed and provides access to all the essential features, enabling me to stay productive on the go.

Overall, HubSpot CRM really sets the standard for ease of use in the CRM space. Its intuitive interface, consistent design, and customization options make it accessible to users of all skill levels. The comprehensive onboarding resources and rapid time-to-proficiency ensure that teams can start realizing value from the platform quickly. While there may be a learning curve for some of the more advanced features, HubSpot's commitment to usability makes the journey smoother and more enjoyable than with many other CRM systems I've used.

HubSpot CRM integrations

You can integrate HubSpot with the business tools you already use - like Gmail. (Image credit: HubSpot)

HubSpot CRM offers a wide range of pre-built integrations with popular business applications, making it easy to connect your customer data with the rest of your tech stack. The HubSpot App Marketplace is a treasure trove of integrations, with over 1,000 apps across various categories like marketing, sales, customer service, and more. I was able to quickly find and set up integrations with Mailchimp, Slack, and Zendesk. Setting up these integrations was a breeze — most required just a few clicks and minimal configuration.

While the pre-built integrations cover a wide range of popular apps, there may be instances where a specific integration is not available out-of-the-box. In such cases, HubSpot's integration with Zapier is a major lifesaver. Zapier is an automation platform that allows for connecting HubSpot CRM with over 3,000 apps. I was able to set up a custom workflow that automatically creates a task in my project management tool whenever a new lead is added in HubSpot, all without writing a single line of code.

For more complex integration needs, HubSpot provides a robust API that allows for custom integrations. API documentation is comprehensive and includes code examples in various programming languages. I also haven't encountered any significant issues with API performance. On the rare occasion when I did need assistance, HubSpot's support team was responsive and helpful in resolving the issue promptly.

Beyond all this, I also appreciate HubSpot's focus on data sync performance. The platform uses a two-way sync that ensures data consistency across integrated apps. Changes made in HubSpot are automatically reflected in the connected tools. I don’t have to worry about manually updating information in multiple places or dealing with conflicting data. Data sync capabilities extend beyond just syncing contact and deal information. For example, the platform also allows for syncing of marketing assets, such as email templates and landing pages.

How good is HubSpot customer support?

When implementing a new CRM system, having access to responsive and knowledgeable customer support is crucial. During my experience with HubSpot CRM, I appreciated the variety of support channels offered here.

However, it's worth noting that the level of support can vary depending on your subscription tier. While all users have access to the Knowledge Base and Community Forums, live support channels are limited to Professional and Enterprise tiers.

With a Professional or Enterprise subscription, I have access to phone, email, and chat support. The support representatives are friendly, knowledgeable, and always willing to go the extra mile to resolve my issues or answer my questions. The average first response time for support inquiries is impressively short, often within an hour or two for email or chat and immediate for phone support.

Beyond live support, HubSpot offers an extensive library of self-service resources. The HubSpot Academy is a standout, providing a wealth of courses, lessons, and certifications on every aspect of the CRM. I've found the courses to be well-structured, informative, and engaging, with practical examples and hands-on exercises. The Knowledge Base is another powerful self-service resource, offering a searchable database of articles, tutorials, and FAQs.

When these resources prove insufficient, HubSpot also maintains an active community forum where users can ask questions, share best practices, and learn from each other. This is a great place to ask questions that haven’t been covered in the other self-help resources. Personally, I've found the community to be welcoming, knowledgeable, and eager to help.

When it comes to overall customer satisfaction, HubSpot consistently receives high marks. The company is transparent about its customer satisfaction scores (CSAT), which typically fall between 75% and 85%. This is a strong indicator that the majority of users are happy with the support they receive.

HubSpot’s AI capabilities

Artificial intelligence is everywhere - even if you haven’t realized it yet - and many CRMs are competing to outdo each other in terms of their AI functionality. HubSpot's AI tools include its AI-driven sales assistant and predictive lead scoring, both of which work to streamline sales processes and provide actionable insights for employees.

Although using AI can sound somewhat complicated at first, HubSpot makes ease of use a priority for its AI features. HubSpot's AI is designed to be user-friendly and integrated into the platform, making it accessible even for those without a technical background.

HubSpot CRM: Plans and pricing

Plan

Free

Starter

Professional

Enterprise

Price

$0/user/month

$15/user/month

$90/user/month

$150/user/month

Best for

Small businesses or startups testing the waters

Growing businesses seeking basic marketing and sales tools

Experienced teams needing advanced features

Large enterprises with complex requirements

Features

Basic CRM functionality; Contact management; Email tracking

Email marketing; Sales automation; Content management tools

Omnichannel marketing automation; Custom reporting; Sales analytics

Custom solutions; Advanced security features; Multi-domain reporting

Limitations

Limited automation and no advanced features.

No workflow automation or advanced reporting.

Significant price jump from Starter.

an be costly for smaller organizations.

While it may not be the cheapest option on the market, HubSpot offers a compelling blend of features, flexibility, and scalability that justifies its pricing. That said, prices can add up quickly when you’re on one of the higher-tier plans, so you’d best stick to the features you need.

Unlike many other CRM providers, HubSpot actually offers a fully functional CRM at no cost, with unlimited users and up to a million contacts. This free tier includes essential features like contact and deal management, email tracking, and live chat. It's a great way for businesses to get started with a CRM without any investment.

Once your business has outgrown the free CRM, you can choose between a range of plans across different modules like the Sales Hub, the Service Hub, or the Marketing Hub. Each plan adds on to the capabilities of the free CRM with enhanced features unique to that module.

For example, Sales Hub Starter includes support for multiple currencies, along with eSign software and the ability to perform simple automations. Similarly, Marketing Hub Starter offers access to live chat integrations and email marketing support. Prices usually start from $15/user/month for the Starter plan for each Hub, going all the way up to several thousand dollars per month for enterprise customers.

For businesses looking to bundle multiple HubSpot products, the Customer Platform offers a discounted price that packs together essential features from the Marketing Hub, Sales Hub, Service Hub, CMS Hub, and Operations Hub into a single plan. This bundle is ideal for enterprise businesses that want to leverage the full power of HubSpot's ecosystem.

For new customers, HubSpot offers a generous 14-day trial, plus discounts and bundles that can provide significant savings. For example, they offer a 25% discount for startups and a 40% discount for nonprofits.

HubSpot CRM FAQIs HubSpot really free? What’s the catch?

Well, there’s no catch, per se, but, as always, you should read the fine print. While the core CRM is actually free for an unlimited number oif users and up to one million contacts, the "catch" is that more advanced features, such as advanced automation, custom reporting, and predictive lead scoring, are locked behind paid plans. If you want to access moire advanced features, you may have to fork out for Sales Hub or Marketing Hub - add-ons to the core CRM, which do come with a fee. Having said that, while the functionality of the core plan may be limited compared to the paid tiers, the free version remains generous.

What is the difference between HubSpot CRM and the other HubSpot "Hubs"?

Within the HubSpot ecosystem, the CRM is the free, foundational database. The other "Hubs" are paid subscriptions that add specialized tools and advanced functionality on top of the CRM. For example, Marketing Hub adds email marketing and lead nurturing workflows, while Sales Hub adds sales automation and e-signatures.

What integrations does HubSpot CRM offer?

HubSpot has a vast App Marketplace with over 1,000 pre-built integrations with popular tools like Gmail, Outlook, Slack, and Zendesk. For more complex needs, it offers an API for custom integrations and connects with automation platforms like Zapier.

What are some common use cases for HubSpot CRM?

Common use cases for HubSpot include managing and segmenting contacts, tracking deals through the sales funnel, automating follow-ups, analyzing sales team performance, and providing a centralized platform for sales and marketing teams to collaborate.

HubSpot CRM review: Final verdict

After thoroughly evaluating HubSpot CRM across multiple criteria, I believe that this is a solid CRM for small and medium-sized businesses, offering a robust set of features for contact management, deal tracking, and sales automation.

HubSpot’s user-friendly interface and design make it easy for teams to learn, with responsive live channels and comprehensive self-service resources to iron out any hiccups during initial adoption. I also liked the amount of flexibility offered in integrating the platform with other workplace productivity tools, with options ranging from built-in connectors to iPaaS vendors to a custom API.

However, while this is a solid platform for businesses of any size, it’s not without its shortcomings. For example, the existence of support tiers makes it impossible to receive live assistance as an entry-level paid subscriber. But on higher-tier plans, prices can quickly add up depending on the number of users, making the partnership less than sustainable.

Still, HubSpot CRM should fit the needs of most small-to-medium enterprises, especially with its generous free plan that offers near-unparalleled value in the world of CRMs. For larger organizations, thorough cost calculation is necessary to prevent overspending on unnecessary licenses or features.

I recently had the opportunity to test drive Workbooks CRM, a cloud-based platform aimed at midsize businesses. After spending several days exploring its features and capabilities, I've come away impressed with the value Workbooks delivers. It is clear that Workbooks is one of the best CRM platforms on the market. This is a fully-integrated CRM solution, not just a collection of modules. It provides tools for sales, marketing, support, order management, and more in a unified interface.

What really sets Workbooks CRM apart is its hands-on approach to implementation and support. The vendor works closely with each customer to tailor the system to their unique needs and provides ongoing consulting to ensure they get the most out of the platform.

While it may lack the vast third-party app marketplace you find on platforms such as Salesforce CRM, Workbooks more than makes up for it with attentive service and an extensive feature set at a very competitive price point.

So, let's dive in and examine the platform in more detail.

Workbooks core capabilities

The Workbooks CRM dashboard is easy to navigate. (Image credit: Workbooks)

Workbooks CRM offers a centralized database for contact management and account administration. I can easily store and organize detailed information about my customers, including their contact details, communication history, and any relevant notes. The system automatically links contacts to their associated accounts, giving me a clear overview of the relationships between individuals and organizations.

It also makes it easy to log all my customer interactions, including emails, calls, meetings and notes. I especially appreciate the ability to restrict access to sensitive notes, ensuring that private information like contracts and agreements stays secure. The platform also excels at mapping relationships between people and organizations, allowing me to visualize my entire business ecosystem, including customers, partners, suppliers, and even competitors.

When it comes to sales, Workbooks offers a comprehensive set of tools for lead and opportunity management. I can capture leads directly from my website using customizable web-to-lead forms, then track the effectiveness of my marketing campaigns by integrating with Google SEO tools. Workbooks automatically routes new leads to the appropriate sales rep and provides a clear view of my entire sales pipeline. Built-in sales forecasting helps me predict revenue and track quotas.

On the customer service side, Workbooks streamlines case management with its ticketing system. When a customer submits an issue, Workbooks automatically creates a ticket, assigns it a reference number, and routes it to the correct team member based on rules I define. I can set priorities based on urgency and monitor SLA compliance to ensure my team is meeting its commitments to customers.

Workbooks comes with a wide array of pre-built reports covering sales activity, pipeline health, forecasting, and more. Dashboards are fully customizable, so I can put the KPIs that matter most to my business front and center. If you need a report that isn't available out-of-the-box, you can easily create your own using Workbooks' reporting wizard. However, I have found the report building process to be a bit less user-friendly than some other areas of the system.

For employees in the field, Workbooks CRM offers mobile-optimized versions of all its core features, so I'm never out of touch when I'm away from my desk. I can quickly pull up a contact's information, log a call, or update an opportunity from my smartphone. GPS integration allows me to easily log visits to customer sites, and I can even dictate notes via voice recognition. Workbooks CRM has clearly put a lot of thought into empowering users to enjoy maximum productivity wherever they are.

Finally, while Workbooks CRM covers all the essentials quite well, its extensibility is somewhat limited compared to larger players like Salesforce. It doesn't have the same vast ecosystem of pre-built connectors for third-party apps and integrations. This can be a challenge for data-driven enterprises that rely on multiple sources of business intelligence, but smaller organizations should find it enough to meet their needs.

How easy it Workbooks to use?

As someone who has used a variety of CRM platforms over the years, I found that Workbooks offers one of the smoothest user experiences in the market. The layout is clean and uncluttered, clearly inspired by the aesthetic flaunted by an earlier generation of Windows PCs. It’s gentle enough for new users to get up and running quickly, while still providing robust features for power users and administrators. I was able to start using basic functions with minimal training, thanks to the logical organization of menus and features.

The platform offers a high degree of flexibility to tailor the CRM to your specific business needs. I was able to easily modify field names, create custom workflows, and build personalized dashboards to track my key metrics. Workbooks also provides an extensive library of templates and configuration options, allowing me to set up the system to mirror my unique sales process.

In terms of onboarding and training, Workbooks offers a wealth of resources to help new users get acquainted with the platform. The company provides detailed documentation, video tutorials, and regular webinars to guide users through the various features and best practices. I found the step-by-step guides particularly helpful when I was first learning to navigate the system.

Workbooks also offers formal training courses, both online and in-person, for those who want a more structured learning experience. These courses cover everything from basic navigation to advanced administrator functions, and include hands-on exercises to reinforce learning. Every trainee receives a comprehensive manual that serves as a valuable reference guide long after the initial training.

Perhaps most impressive is the level of personalized support Workbooks CRM provides during the implementation process. The vendor assigns a dedicated success manager to work closely with each client, providing guidance on configuration, data migration, and user adoption strategies. This white-glove approach ensures a smooth rollout and helps organizations start realizing value from the CRM as quickly as possible.

Workbooks integrations

Out of the box, Workbooks offers pre-built integrations with several popular applications, such as Google Workspace (formerly G Suite), Microsoft 365, and Mailchimp. Setting up these integrations is a breeze, often requiring just a few clicks and minimal configuration. While the number of pre-built integrations available in Workbooks is nowhere near as vast as Salesforce or HubSpot CRM, it’s still enough to serve the needs of most small-to-medium-sized businesses.

For more specialized needs, Workbooks offers a robust API that allows developers to build custom integrations with other systems. The attached API documentation is comprehensive, with detailed descriptions of endpoints, request and response formats, and code samples. For those of us who need to use custom integrations but aren’t comfortable using the API, Workbooks also integrates with iPaaS vendors like Zapier for seamless no-code automation.

Workbooks also has a pretty unique approach to data synchronization. The platform uses a sophisticated conflict resolution system to ensure that data remains consistent across integrated systems. If a record is updated in multiple places, Workbooks CRM intelligently determines which changes should take precedence based on factors like timestamp and user permissions. This gives me confidence that data is always accurate and up-to-date.

CRM integrations can pile up over time, often leading to unnecessary sprawl. That’s why Workbooks CRM offers tools for monitoring and managing integrations using a single dashboard — so you don’t lose track. The Integration Hub allows administrators to view the status of all integrations, monitor sync logs, and troubleshoot issues. This can be incredibly useful for resolving sync errors or performance bottlenecks.

Overall, I've been quite satisfied with Workbooks' integration capabilities. While it may not have the largest ecosystem of third-party integrations, the platform more than makes up for it with its iPaaS integrations, API, and real-time data synchronization features. The integrations I've used so far have performed well, plus there’s always the option to build your own using iPaaS tools or the API.

How good is Workbooks customer support?

In 2024, I was invited to attend a Workbooks customer summit where I had the chance to talk with several businesses that use the Workbooks CRM platform. During this time, a key theme became clear - customers feel that Workbooks goes above and beyond when it comes to supporting them in getting the most from their CRM.

Owain Williams, Editor - CRM & Website Builders

Workbooks offers a comprehensive range of support channels to ensure that users can get help whenever and however they need it. The primary support channel is email, with a dedicated support email address that is monitored during regular business hours. I've found the email support to be highly responsive, with most of my inquiries receiving an initial response within an hour or two.

For more urgent issues, Workbooks also provides telephone support. The support team is available by phone during extended business hours, and I've always found them to be friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to help. On the rare occasions when I've encountered a technical issue with the platform, the support team has worked diligently to diagnose and resolve the problem in a timely manner.

In addition to the live support channels, Workbooks offers a wealth of self-service resources to help users find answers on their own. The online knowledge base is particularly impressive, with a vast library of articles, tutorials, and FAQs covering every aspect of the platform. The articles are well-written, thoroughly illustrated, and frequently updated to reflect the latest features and best practices.

Workbooks also maintains an active user community forum, where users can ask questions, share tips, and learn from each other's experiences. The forum is moderated by Workbooks staff, who often chime in with expert advice and guidance. I've found the community to be a valuable resource for discovering new ways to use the platform and connecting with other users in my industry.

Finally, beyond the usual support channels, every customer is also assigned a dedicated Customer Success Manager who serves as their primary point of contact and advocate within Workbooks. They take the time to understand each customer's unique needs and goals, working closely with them to ensure they are getting the most value from the platform. I really liked this white glove approach to customer service, which is often missing from other small business CRMs.

Workbooks pricing and plans

(Image credit: Workbooks)

Plan

CRM Edition

Business Edition

Events Edition

Price

$43/user/month

$88/user/month

$183/user/month

Best for

Small to medium businesses needing core CRM functionality

Organizations requiring advanced features including order management

Businesses running large scale events

Features

Contact management; Sales pipeline tracking; Marketing automation

CRM Edition features; Order processing; Invoicing & credit notes

Event publishing; Ticket sales; Attendance check in

Limitations

Does not include order management and invoicing capabilities

Higher cost may be prohibitive for smaller businesses

Significant jump in costs to unlock all events tools

When evaluating a CRM platform, it's crucial to consider not just the raw cost, but the value it delivers relative to that cost. In my experience, Workbooks CRM offers exceptional value for the price, thanks to its flexible pricing model, robust feature set, and generous free trial period.

Unlike many competitors that offer complex tiered pricing or charge separately for different modules, Workbooks has just 3 straightforward plans: CRM, Business, and Events. The Standard plan at $43 per user per month, includes all the core CRM features most businesses need, such as sales, marketing, and customer service management. The Business plan at $88 per user per month, adds advanced functionality like order management and invoicing. Events is targeted at those running large scale events and comes with lots of helpful event booking and management tools.

This simple structure makes it easy to understand exactly what you're getting for your money. It also means you don't have to worry about hidden costs or being nickeled-and-dimed for features that should be standard. Workbooks' pricing is also highly competitive compared to other major CRM providers. For example, to get sales, marketing, and service features with Salesforce, you'd need to subscribe to multiple clouds, potentially costing thousands of dollars. Workbooks delivers the same at a fraction of the price.

Workbooks CRM also offers significant value through its consultative approach to implementation and support. Every new customer receives a co-funded workshop to tailor the system to their unique needs, as well as free consulting days. For organizations that want to try before they buy, Workbooks offers a generous 30-day free trial.

Workbooks CRM FAQWhat core features does Workbooks offer?

As a CRM, Workbooks provides a variety of different features - all those you’ve come to expect from a leading CRM. These include tools for sales teams, such as lead and opportunity management, sales reporting, and forecasting, as well as many others designed to aid marketing, such as campaign management, email marketing integrations, and web-to-lead forms. Workbooks also offers customer service features and functionality to aid in a company’s finances, including order management, invoicing, and contract management.

What implementation options are there for Workbooks?

Workbooks offers various implementation options, including a "SelfStart" option for those who want to configure the system themselves, a "JumpStart" option for sales, and a "Shared Success" approach where their consultants work with you to tailor the system to your needs.

It’s also worth noting that businesses don’t have to stick with a single pricing plan for their users. They can mix and match licenses, having different users on different editions - such as having some on the CRM Edition and others on the Business Edition.

Is there a Workbooks mobile app?

This is something that is particularly important in the age of hybrid work - and Workbooks has businesses covered. Workbooks has a mobile platform that allows users to manage contacts, log calls, and update opportunities on the go.

Workbooks CRM review: Final verdict

After thoroughly evaluating Workbooks CRM across 6 key categories, I've come away impressed with the platform's capabilities and value proposition. Workbooks excels in its core CRM functionality, providing robust tools for sales, marketing, and customer service. The platform is intuitive and user-friendly, with extensive customization options to tailor the system to unique business needs.

While the third-party app marketplace is not as extensive as some competitors, Workbooks offers seamless integrations with iPaaS vendors and a flexible API for custom development.

But the most striking takeaway from this review is Workbooks' dedication to customer success. The hands-on implementation support, comprehensive training resources, and responsive ongoing service set Workbooks apart in the CRM market. Coupled with transparent and affordable pricing, Workbooks delivers exceptional value for growing businesses.

With a strong track record of innovation and a clear vision for the future, Workbooks is well-positioned for continued success. For mid-market organizations seeking a full-featured CRM with outstanding support, Workbooks CRM is a no-brainer.

If the CRM industry is a zoo, Salesforce is an 800-pound gorilla. It’s one of the best CRM software platforms on the market, powered by cutting-edge AI tools and hosted on the cloud. It also has separate modules for managing customer relationships across sales, service, marketing, commerce, and more, making it a great fit for almost any team in any business.

With over 150,000 customers worldwide, Salesforce CRM has been a driving force in the digital transformation of businesses for over two decades.

However, its dominance doesn't necessarily mean it's the best fit for every organization. In this in-depth Salesforce review, I'll dive into the platform's core capabilities, ease of use, integrations, customer support, value for money, and company trajectory to help you determine if it’s the right choice for your business.

While we’re going to focus primarily on Sales Cloud, Salesforce’s most popular CRM module, this review is also going to weave in features from other Salesforce offerings like Customer Success and Einstein 1.

My hope is to present you with a well-rounded perspective of Salesforce’s core CRM offerings. While not every feature will be available on every module, Salesforce makes it very easy to build your own version by combining different aspects of its suite into a package called Customer 360. You can read our dedicated Salesforce Sales Cloud CRM review here.

Salesforce CRM core capabilities

At its core, Salesforce provides a robust set of CRM features to effectively manage customer relationships throughout the entire lifecycle. On the whole, I've found the core relationship management capabilities to be quite intuitive.

Contact management is straightforward, with the ability to capture detailed information like communication preferences, activity history, and custom fields relevant to my business. I can easily store and organize detailed information about individual contacts, including their role, communication preferences, and interaction history. Plus, the account hierarchy feature is particularly useful for managing complex B2B relationships with parent and child companies.

You can easily score leads based on criteria like demographics, behavior, and engagement. A visual kanban-style lead workspace allows you to drag-and-drop leads through different stages of the sales cycle, from new to qualified to converted. I appreciate the flexibility to customize lead stages and automate assignment rules based on unique sales processes.

I can track deals across every stage, from lead generation to closed-won or closed-lost. Salesforce’s opportunity record provides a complete view of the deal, including products, competition, quotes, and revenue projections. There’s also a collaboration forecasting feature, which allows sales managers to view and adjust team forecasts while providing executives with real-time visibility into the sales pipeline.

Speaking of visibility, Salesforce provides a wide range of standard reports out-of-the-box, covering everything from sales performance to customer service metrics. I've been impressed with the report builder, which allows me to easily create custom reports using a drag-and-drop interface. The ability to schedule and share reports with key stakeholders will improve your team's efficiency and accountability.

Apart from this, Salesforce's mobile app is a useful addition for field sales reps. I can access and update critical customer information, track activities, and even close deals right from my smartphone or tablet. Push notifications keep me informed about important updates, like when a key opportunity stage changes. Salesforce’s mobile experience is intuitive, mirroring the desktop version, ensuring a seamless transition between various devices.

Salesforce has recently enhanced its CRM platform with several AI features, by introducing a new module called Einstein. It’s integrated across various Salesforce Cloud applications, including Sales Cloud, Marketing Cloud, Service Cloud, and Commerce Cloud. Einstein’s conversational AI assistant can automate day-to-day tasks like summarizing records, generating customized communications, and streamlining case resolutions.

Salesforce Einstein 1 offers powerful tools for managing and building customer relationships. (Image credit: Salesforce)

While it offers a wealth of features, I have encountered a few limitations with Salesforce too. For example, the email templates can be basic compared to other marketing automation platforms. The forecasting tool, while powerful, does require some setup and training to leverage.

Speaking from a more general perspective, Salesforce CRM also features a bit of a learning curve and has a pricing structure that’s somewhat prohibitive for small businesses.

But overall, I've been impressed with the core capabilities of Salesforce CRM. The platform provides a comprehensive set of features to manage the entire customer lifecycle, from lead to loyalty. While there may be a learning curve for some advanced functionality, the benefits in terms of productivity, collaboration, and customer insights far outweigh any challenges.

How easy is Salesforce CRM to use?

Salesforce’s layout is clean and well-organized, with key features and data easily accessible from the navigation menu and dashboard. The use of consistent iconography and naming conventions makes getting around the platform easy and fast. However, given the sheer breadth of features on offer here, a certain learning curve is expected.

It also allows administrators to tailor the user interface to match their organization's specific needs and terminology. I've been able to create custom fields, page layouts, and workflows that align with unique sales processes. While the customization options are extensive, Salesforce provides a user-friendly setup menu and guided wizards to help admins make changes without needing to write code.

Trailhead, Salesforce’s learning platform, offers a wealth of onboarding and training resources to help new users get up to speed quickly. It takes a gamified approach to training, with bite-sized modules and hands-on challenges that cover everything from basic navigation to advanced features. I think that this is an engaging and effective way to onboard new team members, with the added benefit of allowing them to learn at their own pace.

In addition to Trailhead, Salesforce offers extensive documentation, how-to guides, and community forums where users can find answers to common questions and best practices. The Salesforce Success Community is a particularly valuable resource, connecting users with experts and peers who can provide guidance and support.

Trailhead is a valuable resource for businesses that are rolling out Salesforce to multiple individuals and teams. (Image credit: Salesforce)

Based on my own experience, I think that most users can navigate the basic features and perform essential tasks with Salesforce within a few days of training. More advanced features and customizations may take a few weeks to master, but the platform's intuitive design and robust support resources make the learning process manageable.

Whilst this flexibility is a strength for enterprise customers, it can also be overwhelming for small businesses and probably isn’t the best CRM for startups that don’t have an extensive onboarding budget or lots of ramp-up time. Salesforce’s initial setup and configuration process is a great example of this, requiring a significant time investment and a certain level of technical knowledge to get everything configured optimally.

Despite the issues, however, I've found that the long-term benefits of Salesforce's scalability far outweigh the initial setup hurdles. Once the platform is tailored to your organization's specific needs and processes, it becomes an incredibly powerful and efficient tool for managing customer relationships.

Salesforce CRM integrations

Salesforce provides both pre-built integrations and an open API for custom data exchange. Beyond that, there’s comprehensive documentation, code samples, and developer resources to support integration development and usage.

With the AppExchange marketplace, Salesforce offers a vast library of pre-built integrations and applications from partner companies. These out-of-the-box solutions cover various business functions, such as marketing automation, customer support, accounting, and more.

With over 3,000 pre-built apps already available, businesses can easily find and deploy integrations that align with their specific requirements. Popular integrations include Mailchimp for email marketing, Zendesk for customer support, QuickBooks for accounting, and Jira for project management.

For businesses with unique integration needs, Salesforce provides a robust and well-documented API. The Salesforce REST API allows developers to access and manipulate data programmatically, enabling custom integrations with internal systems and external applications.

Salesforce’s API supports standard HTTP methods and exchanges data through JSON or XML responses, making it compatible with a wide range of programming languages and tools. It supports various protocols and data formats, such as REST, SOAP, and bulk data operations, giving developers flexibility in designing integrations.

Salesforce also provides robust data management capabilities to maintain data integrity during integrations. Features like data mapping, transformation, and cleansing ensure that data is properly formatted and synchronized between systems. Additionally, Salesforce's data governance tools help enforce data quality standards and compliance requirements, giving businesses confidence in the accuracy and security of their integrated data.

During my time with the CRM, Salesforce's integration capabilities appeared reliable and performant. Pre-built integrations from the AppExchange worked quite seamlessly. Plus, the API was stable and responsive, allowing for efficient data exchange and real-time updates. Data synchronization was consistent and timely for both pre-built integrations and custom ones.

However, it's important to note that the success of integrations largely depends on proper implementation and adherence to best practices. Salesforce’s Developer Community provides guidelines and recommendations for integration development, such as understanding limits, securing data, and implementing authentication methods. Custom integrations can be built using popular programming languages like Java, C#, and Python, making it accessible to a wide range of developers.

Additionally, Salesforce's partner network includes a wide range of integration specialists and consultants who can assist businesses in designing and implementing complex integration solutions. Plus, the company releases regular updates and new features that expand its integration capabilities and improve overall performance.

Salesforce CRM customer support

Salesforce offers several different support channels, including both live and self-service options. Users can reach out for assistance via phone, live chat, and email, depending on their preference and the urgency of their issue. Based on user testimonials, support representatives appear to be knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely interested in providing a satisfactory resolution.

Live chat offers quick and convenient assistance for less complex queries. Representatives are more than happy to offer step-by-step guidance or direct you to relevant resources. For more involved queries, you can contact the support team via phone at +1-800-664-9073. Email support, while not as immediate as phone or chat, is a reliable enough option for less urgent matters, with representatives typically responding within a day or two.

In addition to live support, Salesforce offers a vast collection of self-help resources under the umbrella of Salesforce Help. It’s a comprehensive knowledge base that covers every aspect of the platform, from basic setup to advanced customization. The articles, videos, and documentation are all well-prepared, easy to follow, and frequently updated to reflect the latest features and best practices.

Part of the larger self-help infrastructure of Salesforce Help, there’s also Trailhead. It’s a guided and gamified learning module that offers an interactive way to quickly familiarize yourself with the platform’s most important features and functionality. You can use Trailhead to upgrade your Salesforce skills, earn badges for each milestone, and then promote your services and expertise through the associated community.

Speaking of community, Salesforce Trailblazer connects users from around the world to share knowledge, ask questions, and collaborate on solutions using a dedicated forum. A quick look at the platform shows you how active and helpful the community is, thanks to both internal experts and other users. Every day, the community forum highlights active members to reward them for their participation. This makes sure that users feel rewarded for helping others navigate the platform and troubleshoot their issues.

In terms of response times, Salesforce generally meets or exceeds industry standards. Customer satisfaction with Salesforce support is consistently high, as demonstrated by a 4.5-star rating on platforms like G2 and TrustRadius. While the learning curve for new users is steep, Salesforce’s generally reliable and helpful support system makes it much easier to adopt.

That said, there is always room for improvement. Some users have reported longer wait times during peak hours or when dealing with particularly complex issues. It also seems that the quality of help received is directly influenced by the support tier you’re on. Customers who purchase Premier+ Support or Mission Critical Support receive priority access to better agents. Meanwhile, standard users are mostly stuck using the self-service options.

Salesforce CRM security

Salesforce CRM's security credentials represent one of the platform’s strong points. The CRM uses a shared responsibility model, with Salesforce providing a secure infrastructure and the customer being responsible for configuring and managing the security of their data within the platform.

Among the features that Salesforce employs to guarantee customer security is encryption - both at rest and in transit. For instance, all data transmitted between a user's device and Salesforce servers is protected by industry-standard Transport Layer Security encryption. At the same time, all data stored on Salesforce servers is encrypted using a unique key for each organization. Salesforce uses industry-standard AES-256 encryption, considered a highly secure encryption method.

In addition, for businesses with particularly stringent security and compliance needs, Salesforce offers an additional paid add-on called Salesforce Shield. This allows for more comprehensive encryption of sensitive data within standard and custom fields, files, and attachments. It even offers the option for customers to "Bring Your Own Key" (BYOK) for enhanced control. By exclusively managing their digital assets, organizations gain an extra layer of protection.

Salesforce CRM value for money

As one of the most expensive CRM solutions on the market, Salesforce demands a significant investment, but it also delivers a robust platform that can grow with your business. A per-user pricing model allows for flexibility as your team grows, but it can become costly for larger organizations.

Salesforce employs a tiered pricing model with four main editions: Essentials, Professional, Enterprise, and Unlimited. The Essentials plan starts at $25 per user per month while the Unlimited plan costs $300 per user, per month.

However, Salesforce offers a breadth of features even in lower-tier plans. Essentials, while basic, still includes features like account and contact management, opportunity tracking, and email integration. But, advanced capabilities like lead scoring and collaborative forecasting are only available from Professional, while workflow automation is restricted to Enterprise and Unlimited.

The company offers a 14-day free trial. After that, Salesforce offers annual billing for all plans except Essentials, which can be paid monthly. While opting for annual billing often comes with a discount, it requires a larger upfront investment and less flexibility for businesses with fluctuating needs.

Apart from the core plans, Salesforce also offers various add-ons that can enhance the CRM's functionality. While these can provide excellent value for businesses with specific needs, you should calculate costs thoroughly to make sure the investment justifies the ROI.

When comparing Salesforce to other CRM solutions, it's important to consider the total cost of ownership. While the initial price may be higher, Salesforce's extensive customization options, robust app ecosystem, and scalability can provide you with more long-term value. Its ability to integrate with a wide range of third-party applications can also lead to increased efficiency and productivity, potentially offsetting the higher cost.

But for smaller businesses or those with simpler CRM needs, Salesforce’s pricing may prove prohibitive. Unless you need all the advanced functionality, there are more affordable options on the market that offer similar core functionalities at a lower price point.

Salesforce CRM pricing plans

Plan

Price (per user, per month)

Features

Limitations

Starter Suite

$25

Basic CRM functionality, including sales pipeline, prospect tracking, contact management, and reporting. It includes email marketing campaigns and omnichannel customer service.

Designed for small teams and has limited customization and reporting capabilities.

Professional Suite

$80

All Starter Suite features plus more advanced CRM tools like workflow automation, collaboration features, and improved reporting.All Starter Suite features plus more advanced CRM tools like workflow automation, collaboration features, and improved reporting.

Lacks some advanced features found in higher-tier plans.

Enterprise

$165

Includes all Professional Suite features, plus advanced reporting, additional custom objects, and increased API call limits.

Can be expensive, and even at this tier, some features (like AI-powered chatbots) may be paid add-ons.

Unlimited

$330

All Enterprise features, along with priority support, a dedicated success team, and expanded customization options. Includes AI lead scoring and forecasting KPIs.

The most expensive plan, and not all features are included; some may still be paid add-ons. You cannot downgrade from this plan.

Saleforce trajectory

Salesforce has maintained its position as the dominant player in the CRM market, consistently innovating and expanding its offerings. As of 2023, it commanded 21.7% of the global CRM market share, easily outpacing its nearest competitors, Microsoft (5.9%), Oracle (4.4%), SAP (3.5%), and Adobe (3.4%).

In the current fiscal year, Salesforce reported a total revenue of $34.86 billion, 11% more than last year. Meanwhile, the company's subscription and support revenues, which form the core of its business model, grew by 12% to $32.54 billion. Its growth trajectory is supported by strategic acquisitions, such as Tableau and Slack, which have expanded its capabilities and reach.

Going beyond the financials, Salesforce's user community is one of the largest and most active in the software industry. Its ecosystem, including customers, partners, and developers, continues to grow rapidly. Right now, 150,000+ businesses utilize its services globally.

As a CRM, Salesforce was named a leader in various analyst reports, such as The Forrester Wave and IDC MarketScape, which evaluate solutions based on criteria like market impact, vision, and capability. The company's Pledge 1% initiative, which encourages companies to donate 1% of equity, product, and employee time to charitable causes, has garnered participation from over 15,000 companies worldwide.

Looking ahead, Salesforce's trajectory appears promising, with projections indicating continued growth in both market share and revenue. The company's focus on integrating AI-driven insights into its platform is expected to further enhance its offerings and maintain its competitive edge.

With regular updates, an active user community, and strategic partnerships through Salesforce AppExchange and Partner Innovation Awards, Salesforce continues to operate as the undisputed leader of the CRM space — despite competition from giants like Microsoft, Oracle, and Adobe.

Salesforce CRM FAQWhat are the main benefits of using Salesforce CRM?

The core advantages of making Salesforce your organization’s chosen CRM include improved sales productivity, enhanced customer service, streamlined marketing efforts, and better data-driven decision-making. By automating tasks and providing real-time analytics, it helps businesses increase efficiency and drive revenue growth.

Is Salesforce a good fit for small businesses?

Although Salesforce may be better known for its enterprise-level solutions and can be a significant investment, it also offers a "Starter Suite" designed for small businesses. However, its pricing and complexity can be a barrier for firms that don’t have huge budgets or IT teams. As such, some small businesses may find more value in more affordable or less complex CRM solutions, such as Freshworks or Zoho.

What’s the difference between Sales Cloud and Service Cloud?

With the plethora of different solutions under the Salesforce umbrella, the different tools on offer can be somewhat confusing. To clear things up, it’s important to get the difference between Sales Cloud and Service Cloud clear in your head.

While Sales Cloud is designed for sales teams to manage the sales process, including lead and opportunity tracking, contact management, and sales forecasting, Service Cloud is for customer service teams, providing tools for case management, a knowledge base, and omnichannel support (phone, email, chat). Essentially, both are designed to improve customer relationships, but in different ways.

What is the Salesforce AppExchange?

The Salesforce AppExchange is an online marketplace for third-party developers and partners to list and sell applications and integrations that extend Salesforce's functionality. It's a key part of the Salesforce ecosystem, offering thousands of pre-built solutions for various business needs.

Salesforce CRM review: Summary

After a comprehensive evaluation of Salesforce CRM, I find that the platform excels in several key areas, offering a robust set of core capabilities and extensive integration options. It’s a great choice in particular for medium-to-large enterprises, with a pricing structure and learning curve that may not be the best CRM for small businesses.

A global proxy provider for individual and business use established in 2020, IPRoyal has grown to offer infrastructure to over 10,000 businesses around the world. What started out as an IPv4 and IPv6 address leasing business is now a full-fledged proxy service provider for a wide array of clientele, ranging from individual developers to startups to data teams to enterprises.

Currently, the platform bestows access to residential, mobile, and datacenter proxies, with locations in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, Australia, and more. It includes more than 650 tools and software integrations, and has so far provided over 98,000 petabytes (PB) of data traffic for its clients.

IPRoyal: Plans and Pricing

IPRoyal offers different proxy types and pricing plans. Users can choose among residential proxies, ISP providers, datacenter proxies, and mobile proxies, each with their own particular characteristics and perks.

You can purchase residential proxies either on a pay-as-you-go basis or as a subscription (with a 5% discount in this case). Pricing is based on the amount of traffic you want, which begins at 2 GB and costs $6.25 per GB. The more GBs you take, the lower the price goes per GB, so 10,000 GB is priced at $1.84 per GB.

The pricing for ISP proxies (previously called static residential proxies) is based on the plan duration and the number of proxy locations you require, whereas the traffic is unlimited. For instance, 24 hours of one proxy will set you back by $2, while adding another location brings the price up to $4.60, and three months of one address cost $3.60/month ($2.70/month/address if more than one).

Datacenter proxies have 30-day, 60-day, and 90-day subscriptions, and a one-month access to one proxy is $1.80. As is the case with ISP plans, this offering also includes better discounts with lengthier plans and more numerous proxy addresses. There are also bundle-based plans with their own specifics and discounted prices, but the traffic is unlimited, whichever you choose.

Finally, mobile proxies (supporting 5G, 4G, 3G, and LTE), arranged by the location and provider (e.g., T-Mobile and Verizon for the U.S., Orange for Spain, and so on) and rotating automatically every six minutes, are also priced according to the plan duration and the number of locations. Bandwidth and sessions are unrestricted.

Although IPRoyal doesn’t offer a free trial, it does give access to its trial proxies so you can test its features before deciding. If unsatisfied after paying, you can request a refund or a replacement, but this has to happen within a short 24-hour window, which is a lot shorter compared to some of the competition.

IPRoyal supports payment using credit cards, over 25 cryptocurrencies, PayPal, Google Pay, and Alipay.

IPRoyal: Features

Accessing IPRoyal’s features starts with creating an account. You can sign up with your email address or use an existing Google or LinkedIn account. You’ll be redirected to your dashboard after registration, where you can access these features:

Residential IPs

Residential proxies are sourced from real devices across the globe. Every internet-connected device has a unique IP address, and people agree to contribute their IP addresses to IPRoyal’s network for a benefit, e.g., a VPN subscription. As an IPRoyal user, you can then use one of these IP addresses to surf the web and bypass geographical restrictions.

IPRoyal offers roughly 34 million IPs, of which residential proxies constitute the majority (32 million). The countries with the largest available residential IPs are the U.S. (1.4 million), the U.K. (422,000), and Germany (439,000). You can choose an IP address by country, state, and city, making it easy to protect your anonymity and bypass geographical and IP restrictions.

Suppose you run a flight deals website that frequently scrapes prices from airlines’ websites. Many airlines don’t like external data scraping, so they use geographical and IP restrictions to block it. For example, website admins identify IP addresses used by scraping bots and block them from further access. In that case, IPRoyal’s residential proxies let you circumvent this block.

You can choose an endless list of proxies to scrape data from external websites. If one gets blocked, choose another and continue your scraping activity. Residential proxies also hide your online identity and prevent third-party tracking. As far as a website is concerned, your device is browsing from whichever IP proxy you use and not the actual location. You could be in the U.S. and surf the web with a German IP address.

During our test, IPRoyal’s residential proxies provided a reliable and fast internet connection. We noticed no slowdown compared to browsing without a proxy IP address. The dashboard provided detailed insights on our proxy usage, including bandwidth and speed.

ISP proxies

IPRoyal now also offers a wide selection of ISP proxies across over 30 countries, with 100% dedicated IPs, unlimited traffic, HTTPS and SOCKS5 support, speeds of up to 10 Gbps, and highly customizable plans. Users can select a specific number of proxies starting from a single IP.

After funding your account, you can select the exact number of proxies you need for the offered duration - 1, 30, 60, and 90 days - in your user dashboard on the IPRoyal website. Besides selecting the duration, number of proxies, and their location, you have the option to list extra requirements for an additional fee.

Once set up, you’ll be able to see your ISP proxies’ orders and their status in your online dashboard, filter them for easier navigation, or search through them based on the notes you left. Clicking the Details button for a specific confirmed order will take you to the configuration page for those particular proxies.

Upon testing, there were some problems with erroneous rerouting of certain proxies to wrong locations (like choosing a Portugal IP address and getting a UK one). Thankfully, the IPRoyal staff was helpful and quick to act, so we got the correct location not long after contacting them. That said, some users have reported not getting proper assistance with similar issues.

(Image credit: IPRoyal)Mobile Proxies

IPRoyal offers a network of 2.5 million+ IP addresses from real mobile devices. These IPs mask your IP address for data scraping, ad verification, social media management, and many other use cases.

Mobile proxies work like typical residential IPs on IPRoyal. You can choose proxies from a specific country, state, or city, a specific mobile carrier (Vodafone, Orange, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.) and a network type (3G, 4G, or 5G). You can auto-rotate mobile proxies or do that manually by clicking a button.

The mobile proxies were notably fast during our test, with up to 100 Mbps download speeds. Your monthly IPRoyal mobile slot subscription grants access to the entire pool of 2.5 million+ IPs with unlimited rotation.

Mobile proxies are particularly useful for social media management and research. Most social networks like Facebook and Instagram have strict limitations on the number of accounts users can create on a single device. You can bypass these limitations with IPRoyal's massive pool of mobile proxies. Your device's real location stays hidden, and the social media platform assumes it's another device because of its proxy IP address. Hence, it doesn't flag your accounts.

You can manage as many social media accounts as possible with mobile proxies. You can also create many social accounts for research purposes, e.g., an academic study, without being flagged.

Datacenter Proxies

IPRoyal runs a network of IPv4 and IPv6 proxy servers that provide unlimited bandwidth for end users. These datacenter proxies are sourced from secondary corporations rather than internet service providers (ISPs). They provide much higher browsing speeds than residential and mobile proxies. The drawback is that they’re easier for websites to detect. But even if that happens, you can spin up a new one and continue your online activities.

Image 1 of 1

(Image credit: IPRoyal)

On IPRoyal, you have access to datacenter proxies in roughly 40 countries, unlike residential IPs available in 195 countries. Datacenter proxies cost more for IPRoyal to obtain, so their limited availability is understandable.

You can connect to IPRoyal’s proxy servers via the HTTP/HTTPS and SOCKS5 protocols. During our test, they offered first-rate speed and performance with no downtime. IPRoyal places no bandwidth or session limits on proxy IPs, making them ideal for bandwidth-intensive use cases like data scraping, online streaming, content downloads, and app testing.

Browser extension

IPRoyal offers a browser extension that makes deploying and managing proxies easier. Instead of frequently logging into your dashboard to choose new proxies, you can use the extension to switch with a click. The proxy add-on is available on Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

IPRoyal has an intuitive, user-friendly dashboard (Image credit: IPRoyal)

These browser extensions offer all-in-one proxy management. You can create distinct profiles for different proxies and switch between them with a single click. Each profile can have a single proxy or use different proxy IPs for specific traffic types (HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP). You can assign a backup proxy to ensure your internet access remains secure if your current proxy fails.

The browser extension doesn’t only work with IPRoyal’s proxy IPs. You can use it to manage IP addresses from other proxy providers your organization uses.

We’ve talked much about IPRoyal’s features, but there’s a crucial feature it lacks: web scraping APIs. Many proxy providers offer APIs that let users automate data scraping tasks. Users set a target website and the type of data they want to scrape. Then, the API scrapes the data to present in a tabular format. Unfortunately, you won’t find web scraping APIs on IPRoyal, so you’ll need an external platform for automated data scraping.

IPRoyal: Ease of Use

One of IPRoyal’s strengths is its high level of user-friendliness. Users get an intuitive dashboard to manage their proxies and other complementary tools. All features are neatly arranged in the left-hand menu, whereas on the right, you can gain access to the main menu. The interface is visually pleasing and easy to navigate, and you can select between light theme, dark theme, or the automatic theme that matches your browser settings.

IPRoyal has an intuitive, user-friendly dashboard (Image credit: IPRoyal)

IPRoyal’s browser extension (for Chrome and Firefox) also contributes to its ease of use. It lets you manage proxies regardless of the web page you’re currently on. Usually, you’ll need to open your IPRoyal dashboard to do this, but the extension removes this requirement. That said, you must first set up proxies on your IPRoyal dashboard before you can manage them via the browser extension.

IPRoyal: Customer Support

IPRoyal offers direct email and live chat support. You can open a chat support ticket from your dashboard or send a support email and expect a response within 24 hours. IPRoyal’s support staff was reliable during our test and answered our inquiries speedily. The drawback is that IPRoyal does not offer a telephone support option.

Users can access complementary support resources, including a FAQ page, user guides, and extensive technical documentation. The website’s “Docs” section provides detailed information about all features, making it the ideal first place to consult when facing challenges. If you don’t find a solution in the documentation or FAQ section, you can seek direct help.

IPRoyal: The Competition

The proxy software market is very competitive. IPRoyal has numerous competitors, and we’d like to highlight Webshare, Oxylabs, and Bright Data. These platforms have pros and cons compared to IPRoyal.

Webshare offers a network of 30 million+ residential and datacenter proxy IPs, slightly less than IPRoyal’s 34 million. Residential IPs constitute the majority of Webshare’s network, just like IPRoyal. Users have an intuitive dashboard and a browser extension to manage their proxies, just like IPRoyal. Webshare differentiates itself by being more affordable than IPRoyal and offering a free-forever 10-proxy plan.

Oxylabs has a massive network of 100 million proxy IPs, nearly triple that of IPRoyal. This broader network provides users with more redundancy and reliability. Oxylabs provides web scraping APIs and ready-made datasets, two features lacking in IPRoyal. We consider it a much better proxy provider than IPRoyal, albeit a more expensive one.

Bright Data has a robust network of 72 million+ IPs, more than double IPRoyal’s network. It offers a broader selection of residential, ISP, mobile, and datacenter proxies for data scraping. Bright Data also offers APIs for automated data scraping and pre-built datasets, which IPRoyal doesn’t have. Overall, we consider Bright Data a better proxy provider for enterprises, but IPRoyal is a more affordable solution we’d recommend for individuals and small businesses.

IPRoyal: Final verdict

IPRoyal has a reputation as a reliable proxy provider for individual and business use, and for a few very good reasons. It not only provides a robust and plentiful proxy network, but also friendly and capable customer support, as well as affordable and customizable pricing plans.

While it may lack some features you’ll see in rival platforms, such as a more extensive network and web scraping APIs, its proxies have low block rates, and some of them rotate automatically. This makes web scraping almost equally easy as if you were using an API.

Its user-friendliness and low entry cost make IPRoyal an ideal platform for individuals and small businesses seeking an affordable, reliable, and easy-to-use proxy provider with premium customer support available at all times.

To find out more, see our guide to the best proxies available. You might also like to read our guide to sneaker proxies, or find out the difference between residential and datacenter proxies.