We can agree that manufacturing is all about timing. The moment one part of the process falls behind, the rest of the operation slows down.
All because of not having the right, or let’s say the best, CRM for manufacturing that can sync production schedules, inventory updates, and customer orders in one place. It can connect your sales team, shop floor, and supply chain, so everyone sees the same real-time information. No more chasing updates in spreadsheets or last-minute surprises that cost you time and money.
To give you a clear idea of which system is best in each category, we’ve highlighted seven platforms that stand out in 2025 after extensive evaluation. Each one has its pros, its gaps, and the type of manufacturing business it works best for. This comparison examines them based on practical performance rather than marketing claims. Let’s get started!
Company | Best For | Main Features | Pricing |
Salesforce | Large manufacturers with complex sales cycles and distributor networks | Manufacturing Cloud for sales agreements and forecasting, CRM Analytics for supply chain insights, Salesforce Maps | Starter Suite – starts at $25/user/month |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 | Large and mid-sized companies already using the Microsoft ecosystem | CRM + ERP integration, Outlook and Teams sync, Power BI integration, sales force automation | Business Central Essentials – starts at $70/user/month |
SAP Sales Cloud | Multinational manufacturers already using SAP ERP or supply chain systems | Integration with SAP ERP and CPQ, complex pricing/rebates, global language and currency support | Sales Cloud Version 2 – starts at $134/user/month |
Oracle NetSuite CRM | Established and smaller manufacturers with complex CRM and ERP needs | Unified ERP/CRM database, custom fields, multi-currency orders, tiered pricing | Standard Tier – starts around $1,188/year (third-party sourced) |
HubSpot CRM | Businesses wanting a free CRM to manage customers and sales pipelines | User-friendly interface, built-in marketing tools, 1,800+ integrations, full customer history tracking | Free Tier – $0/month, The Starter Plan begins at $45/month |
Zoho CRM | Businesses wanting an affordable CRM with customization options | Custom workflows, multi-language and currency support, deals and lead management | Free Edition – $0/month (up to 3 users), starts at Standard: $20/user/month |
SugarCRM | Large manufacturers needing heavy customization | On-premises or cloud deployment, ERP integrations, AI lead scoring, customizable dashboards | Sales (AUD): Essentials – starts at $26/user/month |
Salesforce remains one of the most established names in the CRM space, and its Manufacturing Cloud is a focused extension of the core platform designed specifically for the production sector. It is built to manage long-term sales agreements and forecasting in the same environment as your customer and deal data, which keeps sales and production teams working from a shared, current picture. For manufacturers, that can mean fewer misalignments between what is promised and what is delivered.
The second piece worth attention is its analytics layer, powered by CRM Analytics. What it does is pull data from every stage of your value chain — orders, production schedules, shipments, service logs — and puts it in a single, contextual view. When you have that complete view, you can spot a supply bottleneck before it hits production or adjust pricing on a slow-moving SKU before the quarter ends (which happens a lot in this business).
This approach is already in use by companies like Panasonic, which track dealer performance and service quality live. That visibility allows them to make corrections early, rather than waiting until missed quotas or warranty claims eat into margins.
The fact that over 150,000 companies run on Salesforce, including manufacturing leaders such as Pirelli, Lippert, Schneider Electric, Swissbit, and MillerKnoll, speaks less to marketing reach and more to the platform’s ability to handle complex, distributed operations at scale.
Best For: It is not recommended for smaller manufacturers, but businesses with complex sales cycles and distributor networks can see noticeable improvements.
Pros
- Gives a consolidated view of sales progress and revenue projections
- Supports both out-of-the-box and customizable reporting for deeper insights
- Salesforce Maps helps visualize client locations and plan optimal travel routes
Cons
- Can feel overwhelming or unintuitive, especially for new users
- Some custom reports require admin assistance to create
Pricing
Salesforce offers the following subscription plans, with some plans including a free trial:
- Starter Suite: $25/user/month (Billed monthly or annually)
- Pro Suite: $100/user/month (Billed annually)
- Enterprise: $175/user/month (Billed annually)
- Unlimited: $350/user/month (Billed annually)
- Agentforce 1 Sales: $550/user/month (Billed annually)
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Dynamics 365 is one of those platforms that has earned its place in serious business conversations. It is both a CRM and an ERP suite, which means it can give real value to manufacturers that want their sales tools connected to the same systems running their operations.
Since it is part of Microsoft’s broader ecosystem, it works well with tools like Outlook, Teams, and Power BI. That means a quote created in Dynamics can trigger a notification in Teams, or an email in Outlook can be tracked against a customer record without extra effort.
In fact, Microsoft’s position in the enterprise market is well known. Many large manufacturers already run on Dynamics 365, and for good reason. ABN AMRO reported a 40 percent reduction in the total cost of ownership after implementing it. While that is just one example, it reflects the kind of operational gains that are possible when your data and processes live under the same roof.
The best part about Dynamics 365 Sales is its sales force automation capabilities and integration with Microsoft Office. However, keep in mind that Dynamics, like Salesforce, is a very broad platform – to tailor it to manufacturing, you may need to configure industry-specific processes or use Microsoft’s Power Platform to build custom apps (or choose a Microsoft partner solution specialized for manufacturing).
Best For: It’s a fit for big companies and growing mid-sized ones that already use Microsoft. If that’s not you, the complexity of the tool and setup is not worth it.
Pros
- Provides a genuine 360-degree view of contacts and engagements
- Strong Microsoft brand trust and ecosystem integration
- Continuous product improvements and updates from Microsoft
Cons
- Reporting can be complex, especially when pulling fields from associated records
- Can be overly complicated for small-scale or entrepreneurial use cases
Pricing
Microsoft Dynamics 365 offers multiple subscription options for manufacturers, with some plans including a free trial as well. Below are the relevant plans and their costs:
Dynamics 365 Business Central (billed yearly):
- Essentials – $70/user/month
- Premium – $100/user/month
- Team Members – $8/user/month
Dynamics 365 Sales:
- Professional – $65/user/month
- Enterprise Edition – $105/user/month
- Premium – $150/user/month
- Microsoft Relationship Sales – Custom pricing
Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management (billed yearly except Intelligent Order Management):
- Standard – $210/user/month
- Premium – $300/user/month
- Intelligent Order Management – $315/month
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
SAP’s Sales Cloud (part of the SAP Customer Experience suite, formerly SAP CRM) is designed for enterprises that require their CRM to be tightly integrated with manufacturing execution and ERP systems. SAP is a dominant player in manufacturing software – famously, more than 300 million cloud subscribers rely on its systems. This means that many large manufacturers running SAP ERP choose SAP’s CRM so that everything – from lead management to order fulfillment – lives in one ecosystem. For example, sales orders captured in SAP Sales Cloud can flow directly into production planning in S/4HANA (SAP’s ERP), and vice versa. Inventory availability or production status can be visible to sales reps quoting new deals.
The best part is that it supports complex pricing, rebates, and distribution structures common in manufacturing (like handling multiple dealer price lists or multi-tier channel sales).
What we can say is that its true strength lies in global coverage because it supports 40+ languages and all currencies, with built-in compliance for various regions (useful for manufacturers operating in many countries). Not only that, but it also excels at scenarios like configuring complex products (via SAP CPQ) and managing long-term contracts or warranties.
SAP Sales Cloud is used by some of the biggest names like Toyota, Fusu, and Versuni. Their use of the platform is proof that it can handle high-volume, high-stakes manufacturing operations.
Best For: Well, smaller companies will find it too complex and expensive. It’s best suited for multinational manufacturers already using SAP for ERP or supply chain.
Pros
- Comprehensive reporting that delivers in-depth insights
- Mobile access for on-the-go sales activities
- Integration with Microsoft Outlook for calendar and email syncing
Cons
User interface could be improved and modernized for a better experience
Limited functionality for managing photos and attachments, with no categorization or sharing options
Pricing
SAP Sales Cloud pricing is based on user licenses and contract duration. The following rates are billed monthly with contract terms ranging from 3 to 36 months and include auto-renewal:
- SAP Sales Cloud Version 2: $134/user/month
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Oracle NetSuite CRM is a unified cloud ERP/CRM platform popular with mid-market companies, and its CRM component is strongly recommended for manufacturing businesses that want a single system for everything. With NetSuite, your CRM, order management, inventory, and accounting share the same database – this means a sales representative can see, for example, the current stock levels or production lead times while talking to a customer, without needing a separate ERP screen. What it does is cover standard functions (leads, opportunities, forecasts) like any other CRM, with features like quotes and order management, marketing automation, and customer service cases, tightly linked to the back-end ERP data.
The thing you can’t ignore about Oracle is its customization. Dylan’s Candy Bar, for instance, created over 100 custom fields in its item master to improve how it tracks, plans, and allocates resources. That level of flexibility can be powerful for manufacturers with specific processes or reporting needs.
Manufacturers can truly appreciate how NetSuite can handle things like multi-currency orders, tiered pricing, and even lightweight production management for simpler operations, all under one umbrella.
NetSuite is used by over 42,000 companies globally (as of recent counts) across various industries, including many manufacturers and distributors.
Best For: If we come straight to the point, it’s best for established manufacturers and even smaller ones with complex needs that want CRM and back-office in one system.
Pros
- Many users find it highly customizable
- Enhances visibility and coordination across global logistics operations
- Able to handle complex transactions and order management across teams
Cons
- Some users mentioned difficulty getting timely or effective assistance
- System can be complicated and require duplication of effort for some tasks
Pricing
Oracle doesn’t publicly disclose CRM pricing on its website. However, based on third-party data, the estimated annual costs are:
- Standard Tier: $1,188 to $4,800 annually
- Premium Tier: $11,615 to $27,600 annually
- Ultimate Tier: $7,188 to $10,200 annually
- Enterprise Tier: $7,188 to $23,988 annually
Disclaimer: The pricing information has been sourced from third-party websites and is subject to change.
HubSpot CRM software earned its fame in the small-business world by being extremely user-friendly and offering a robust free version. While not manufacturing-specific, it has become a viable option for manufacturing businesses that need a straightforward CRM to manage contacts and sales pipelines, especially if they also want built-in marketing tools.
One big selling point is that the platform also offers 1,800+ third-party integrations (connecting to systems like ERP, live chat, etc.), which can extend its capabilities.
Another thing HubSpot CRM does well is keep the entire customer journey in one place. From the first RFQ to the last service ticket, sales, operations, and service teams can all see the same history. If the main account contact is out, someone else can step in and find out exactly what was promised, what’s being spent, and what needs urgent attention. It can solve a problem that quietly eats into margins in this industry.
Telavox, although the telecom industry uses this system in the same way manufacturing firms could — every call, email, and note is logged, so handovers don’t create confusion. For a manufacturer, that same setup could mean catching a last-minute spec change before production starts or confirming a shipment date without the need for back-and-forth emails. It’s a simple feature, but in the right environment, it can keep orders moving and customers satisfied.
Over 258,000 companies in 135+ countries use HubSpot’s platform. That shows its credibility in the market.
Best For: If you need tight integration with production and supply chain systems, HubSpot can be the wrong tool. But if you want a free CRM to manage customers and close deals faster, it delivers.
Pros
- Tracks which emails have been opened, giving you clear insight into engagement
- Organizes multiple users’ data cleanly and keeps it accessible
- Highly customizable, with clear visibility into object and field usage
Cons
- Difficult to fully automate data entry in HubSpot
- Creating organizational charts is not straightforward, causing usability issues
Pricing
HubSpot offers a Free Tier with basic CRM functionality for unlimited users, available to any business, including those in manufacturing. The Starter Plan begins at $45/month and provides enhanced features compared to the Free tier, while the Professional and Enterprise plans are available at custom pricing.
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Zoho CRM software is part of the Zoho ecosystem with over 50 business apps, and it has earned a reputation for being both affordable and powerful. It may not have a built-in manufacturing module, but you can customize it to track SKUs, dealers, warranties, and set up workflows that fit exactly how your sales process runs.
The part we would like to highlight is its internationalization and localization. You might be working with suppliers in China, customers in Germany, or partners in Brazil, and being able to use their language and currency makes the whole process easier. (Zoho in general supports 73 languages, which is a strength if you have users in different countries.)
Although just like we mentioned, it’s not built specifically for manufacturing, it can be a more affordable solution than its competitors. In fact, one company, CIMCO Refrigeration, was quoted a much higher cost to implement Salesforce. They chose Zoho CRM instead, had it fully customized to their needs, and went on to achieve a 20% boost in sales and a 25–30% increase in pipeline activity.
Over 300,000 businesses use Zoho CRM (as per Zoho’s disclosures), spanning small enterprises to mid-market companies like Disney+ Hotstar, Bose, Abu Dhabi Aviation, and Star Health Insurance.
Best For: It works if you want a CRM that starts free but can grow with your business, and it’s even better if you’re using other Zoho apps.
Pros
- Deals page layout and linking capabilities are convenient
- Easy to read and customize lead information display
- Helpful and responsive support team
Cons
- Syncing CRM meetings with Zoho Calendar doesn’t always work smoothly
- Integrations occasionally break and demand extra troubleshooting
Pricing
Zoho CRM offers the following monthly subscription plans (billed monthly):
- Free Edition: $0 – Includes up to 3 users
- Standard: $20/user/month
- Professional: $35/user/month
- Enterprise: $50/user/month
- Ultimate: $65/user/month
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
SugarCRM software has long been a favorite of mid-market companies and enterprises that want control over their CRM. Unlike most cloud-only CRMs, SugarCRM can be deployed on-premises or in private clouds, which some manufacturers appreciate for data security or customization reasons. This platform is heavily known for its flexibility – you can customize modules, page layouts, and business processes extensively, aligning the CRM to your specific sales cycle. For example, if a manufacturer needs to track not just leads and accounts but also distributor agreements or machine serial numbers as part of the sales process. In that case, Sugar can be adapted to handle that without heavy coding.
One of SugarCRM’s standout capabilities for manufacturers is its integration strength. It was built with the assumption that companies would connect it to other systems. In fact, SugarCRM easily integrates with many ERP solutions; as one example, it connects seamlessly with SYSPRO ERP (a manufacturing-focused system) for sharing customer and order data. This means sales reps using Sugar could see credit holds or order statuses pulled from the ERP in real time.
Additionally, SugarCRM has incorporated AI features ‘SugarPredict’ which can score leads and analyze sales pipelines to forecast which deals are more likely to close – helping manufacturers focus on the most promising opportunities. Sugar CRM’s customer base spans 120+ countries with over 1 million users. Notably, Materion has been reported as a SugarCRM user for certain operations – a testament to its ability to serve large, high-profile companies.
Best For: We do not recommend this one for small teams. But we see it as a fit for large manufacturers that need heavy customization and have the necessary resources to manage it.
Pros
- Offers flexible API connections with systems like SAP and campaign management tools
- Effective lead management that streamlines sales processes
- Customizable dashboards and reporting with powerful analytics
Cons
- Some users find configuring access levels to be a slow and tedious process
- Delays in response and a lack of follow-up from support have been reported
Pricing
SugarCRM offers different pricing plans across its Sales, Marketing, Service, and On-Premises CRM products, all billed annually:
Sales (AUD):
- Essentials – $26/user/month
- Standard – $82/user/month
- Advanced – $119/user/month
- Premier – $189/user/month
Marketing (USD):
- Market – Starting at $1,000/month
Service (USD):
- Serve – $80/user/month
On-Premises CRM (USD):
- Enterprise – $85/user/month
- Enterprise+ – $120/user/month
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Well, at the end, what we would like to conclude is that you should choose SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, or NetSuite only if ERP integration is a top priority and you have the budget and team to set it up correctly. And if you need a free CRM with basic features to manage customers and sales, HubSpot or Zoho are solid starting points, but you should know that you will eventually need paid add-ons for advanced capabilities. Salesforce works well if you need advanced forecasting and dealer management at scale, while SugarCRM is best for those who need heavy customization and have the team to maintain it.
Test what fits your workflow, not just what looks good in a demo. And if you are still unsure, read our detailed guides from our resource center and get clear recommendations.