Apptivo CRM: The All-in-One Business Solution for SMBs

Table of Contents

Customer relationship management (CRM) software has become a cornerstone for businesses of all sizes. For small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), however, choosing the right CRM is not just about managing contacts—it’s about finding an affordable, scalable solution that integrates sales, project management, workflows, and expense tracking into a unified platform. 

One CRM platform that stands out in this space is Apptivo CRM, often referred to as an SMB ERP CRM due to its broad suite of all-in-one business apps.

This article explores Apptivo CRM in depth—its features, advantages, and use cases. We’ll also compare it with leading alternatives, examining their features, pricing, and suitability for SMBs.

What is Apptivo CRM?

Apptivo is a cloud-based CRM and business management suite designed to meet the diverse needs of small and mid-sized businesses. 

Unlike traditional CRMs that focus mainly on customer management, Apptivo takes a more holistic approach by offering all-in-one business apps that cover everything from sales CRM, project management, and workflow automation to expense tracking, invoicing, and supply chain management.

This integrated structure makes Apptivo more than just a CRM—it functions as a lightweight ERP for SMBs, providing a comprehensive platform at an affordable cost.

Key Features of Apptivo CRM

1. Contact Management

At the heart of Apptivo lies robust contact management. Users can maintain detailed profiles of clients, leads, and business partners. 

The system allows segmentation, tagging, and integration with emails and communication tools to ensure seamless client interactions.

2. Sales CRM

Apptivo’s sales CRM module helps businesses track opportunities, manage pipelines, and automate follow-ups. Sales teams can customize stages, forecast revenue, and generate detailed reports to optimize closing strategies.

3. Project Management

Many SMBs need tools that go beyond customer relationships, which is where Apptivo excels. Its project management module lets businesses create projects, assign tasks, monitor progress with Gantt charts, and track milestones. This integration ensures sales and operations stay aligned.

4. Workflow Automation

Manual processes can slow down growing businesses. Apptivo’s workflow automation enables users to create triggers, notifications, and approvals that save time and reduce human error. 

For instance, when a sales opportunity closes, the system can automatically generate an invoice or assign a project.

5. Expense Tracking

Unlike many CRMs, Apptivo includes expense tracking, allowing businesses to log, categorize, and manage costs. Expenses can be linked directly to projects or clients, making it easier to calculate profitability.

6. Customizable Business Apps

With over 65 integrated apps, Apptivo allows businesses to choose only the modules they need. This flexibility helps SMBs avoid paying for unnecessary features while still enjoying the scalability of an all-in-one business app ecosystem.

Advantages of Apptivo CRM

1. Affordability: Apptivo is one of the most affordable CRM solutions, with pricing that caters specifically to small businesses.

2. All-in-One Functionality: Instead of juggling multiple tools for sales, projects, and expenses, businesses can manage everything in one place.

3. Scalability: From startups to mid-sized enterprises, Apptivo grows with your business by allowing you to add apps as needed.

4. Customization: Businesses can tailor fields, workflows, and reports without requiring complex coding.

5. SMB ERP CRM Approach: By combining CRM with ERP-like features, Apptivo bridges the gap between traditional customer management and broader operational needs.

Pricing of Apptivo CRM

Apptivo follows a subscription-based pricing model with flexible tiers:

• Lite Plan – Around $10/user/month: Includes basic sales tracking and contact management.

• Premium Plan – Around $15/user/month: Adds project management, workflow automation, and expense tracking.

• Ultimate Plan – Around $25/user/month: Unlocks advanced customization, analytics, and expanded app access.

• Enterprise Plan – Custom pricing: Tailored for large SMBs with complex requirements.

This pricing makes Apptivo one of the most affordable CRMs for businesses seeking an ERP-style solution without breaking the bank.

Use Cases of Apptivo CRM

1. Startups: A single platform for managing sales leads, customer relationships, and expenses without costly software stacks.

2. Service-Based SMBs: Integrating project management with contact management helps streamline client projects and billing.

3. Retail & E-commerce: Centralized sales pipelines and automated workflows improve lead-to-customer conversions.

4. Consulting Firms: Expense tracking combined with CRM ensures accurate billing and profitability analysis.

Alternatives to Apptivo CRM

While Apptivo is powerful, businesses should consider alternatives before committing. Below are some top options compared with Apptivo:

1. Zoho CRM

• Features: Sales pipeline management, marketing automation, AI-powered insights, and integrations with Zoho’s ecosystem.

• Pricing: $14–$52/user/month.

• Strengths: Excellent for sales automation and marketing campaigns.

• Weaknesses: Less robust project management compared to Apptivo.

2. HubSpot CRM

• Features: Free CRM core, with add-ons for sales, marketing, and customer service.

• Pricing: Free for basic CRM; $20–$50/user/month for premium sales tools.

• Strengths: Intuitive interface, strong marketing automation.

• Weaknesses: Costs rise quickly as advanced features are added.

3. Salesforce Essentials

• Features: Contact management, opportunity tracking, customer service, and app integrations.

• Pricing: $25/user/month.

• Strengths: Highly customizable, powerful ecosystem.

• Weaknesses: Steeper learning curve and higher costs as needs grow.

4. Insightly

• Features: CRM, project management, workflow automation, and integrations with Google Workspace and Office 365.

• Pricing: $29–$99/user/month.

• Strengths: Strong project management capabilities.

• Weaknesses: Higher cost compared to Apptivo for similar features.

5. Freshsales (by Freshworks)

• Features: Sales CRM with lead scoring, pipeline management, and AI-driven insights.

• Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans from $15–$69/user/month.

• Strengths: Great UI and strong for sales-driven SMBs.

• Weaknesses: Lacks integrated expense tracking and broader ERP-like apps.

Apptivo vs Alternatives: A Quick Comparison

CRM Software	Starting Price (per user/month)	Key Features	Best For
Apptivo	$10	All-in-one apps, project mgmt, expenses	SMBs needing ERP-style CRM
Zoho CRM	$14	Sales CRM, AI insights, marketing	Sales-driven SMBs
HubSpot	Free	Marketing automation, simple CRM	Startups, marketing teams
Salesforce	$25	Highly customizable CRM, integrations	Growing SMBs, enterprises
Insightly	$29	CRM + project management	Service-based SMBs
Freshsales	Free / $15	Sales CRM, AI insights	Sales-focused teams

Why Choose Apptivo CRM?

For SMBs looking for more than just a sales pipeline manager, Apptivo is a standout choice. Its all-in-one business apps cover everything from customer engagement to expense tracking, project management, and workflow automation. 

Unlike most CRMs that focus narrowly on sales or marketing, Apptivo delivers ERP-style capabilities at a fraction of the cost.

If affordability, scalability, and versatility are priorities, Apptivo proves to be an affordable CRM that doesn’t compromise on features.

Conclusion

Apptivo CRM is more than just another customer relationship management tool—it’s an SMB ERP CRM that integrates sales, projects, workflows, and finances under one umbrella. 

Its affordability and broad app ecosystem make it a compelling choice for startups and growing businesses alike.

That said, alternatives like Zoho, HubSpot, Salesforce, Insightly, and Freshsales offer strong options for businesses with more specialized needs.

Ultimately, the right CRM depends on your business priorities—whether you need an all-in-one business app approach like Apptivo, or a focused sales CRM with advanced marketing automation like HubSpot or Zoho.

For SMBs seeking efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, Apptivo CRM remains one of the best affordable CRM solutions available today.