SAP CRM vs Salesforce Essentials comparison

Salesforce and SAP are both solutions in the CRM category. Salesforce is ranked #17 with an average rating of 7.8, while SAP is ranked #3 with an average rating of 7.8. Salesforce holds a 0.3% mindshare in CRM, compared to SAP’s 11.1% mindshare. Additionally, 91% of Salesforce users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 83% of SAP users who would recommend it.

Salesforce Essentials

Read 13 Salesforce Essentials reviews

108 Views
55 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

SAP CRM

Read 43 SAP CRM reviews

3,697 Views
3,245 Comparison Views

83% willing to recommend

Salesforce Essentials

SAP CRM

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Download the report

Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 19, 2024

SAP CRM and Salesforce Essentials are two CRM solutions competing for dominance in the business market. Salesforce Essentials seems to have the upper hand due to its cloud-based features and ease of deployment, offering flexibility and scalability that attract companies with these needs.

Features: SAP CRM excels in lead management, forecasting analytics, and sales reporting, offering deep customer insights with ERP integration. It supports extensive customization and scalability. Salesforce Essentials provides integrated Sales and Service Cloud capabilities, focusing on customer engagement and AI-driven segmentation, offering ease of use and proactive management tools.

Room for Improvement: SAP CRM users note the need for better user-friendliness, interface design, and performance speed improvements due to its technical complexity. Salesforce Essentials could benefit from simplifying its UI and enhancing customization options for diverse user needs, alongside optimized mobile solutions.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SAP CRM is utilized in hybrid and on-premises setups with variability in support based on partners, while its public cloud option is less common. Salesforce Essentials is preferred for public cloud deployment, offering straightforward customer service and a responsive support structure, though third-party customizations can be pricey.

Pricing and ROI: SAP CRM is priced higher due to its robust features and integration capabilities, which may not suit smaller businesses. It uses a licensing and annual fee structure. Salesforce Essentials, while considered costly, offers better fits for businesses with ample budgets. Both solutions can deliver ROI over several years, depending on enterprise scale and deployment strategies.

To learn more, read our detailed SAP CRM vs. Salesforce Essentials Report (Updated: April 2025).

Buyer's Guide

SAP CRM vs. Salesforce Essentials

April 2025

Download the complete report

Helped 847,625 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Salesforce Essentials

Ranking in CRM

17th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

SAP CRM

Ranking in CRM

3rd

Average Rating

7.8

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Local Government CRM (2nd), Marketing Management (3rd)

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the CRM category, the mindshare of Salesforce Essentials is 0.3%, up from 0.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SAP CRM is 11.1%, up from 10.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

CRM

Featured Reviews

Srini-Dhanaraj

Founder & CEO at imfine.club

Manages service requests and dispatches engineers to resolve issues

I work from home for a heater manufacturing company. They wanted to move away from their current SAP CRM system to Salesforce. There is a fulfillment process, which involves taking an order, delivering it, and providing service. Salesforce is used to manage the order-taking process. Once an order is taken, the backend system, SAP ERP, handles product manufacturing, delivery, and installation. After installation, the Service Cloud in Salesforce takes over for ongoing service management. Once your order is confirmed, integration with the SAP ERP backend will be seamless. The system takes the sales order from Salesforce and starts processing it for procurement, starting with creating a production order, manufacturing, and then delivery. Once the product is delivered, this information is passed back to Salesforce Service Cloud. In the Service Cloud, a service engineer receives a notification indicating that a product needs to be delivered to a specific location for installation. The engineer then inspects and installs the product at the designated site. SAP ERP manages the product manufacturing and delivery processes. After the product is delivered to the customer, Salesforce Service Cloud takes over. It manages service requests and dispatches engineers to resolve issues reported by customers. Service Cloud captures the information and creates an incident record when a customer reports a product fault. Engineers receive this information and promptly visit the client site to fix the issue. The solution is easy to implement. Overall, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.

Read full review

GodfreyNoel

Distribution Cordinator at Unilever Inc.

Excellent user experience with ease of use and reliable technical support

When SAP CRM does the maintenance, it can take a long time, which can impact business continuity because we have to wait for the maintenance team to finish their work. Maybe if SAP could establish how you can access the tool using a cloud-based environment that would be virtualization, that would be better.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"In terms of features, the cloud-based solution and easy deployment are standout elements that have made a difference."

"High availability is really important for us when getting our reports as a vendor."

"Salesforce provides the best they have with the current version. Most of the features we need are already there, and it's very easy to use."

"The product is stable."

"I can download the data to Excel, create tables, and do whatever I want. I am very comfortable with the tool's mobile application. Its main benefit is transparency because I can share it with representatives."

"Salesforce Essentials is a reliable and powerful application."

"The solution helps to track the performance of salespersons before closing deals."

"The solution is very scalable and flexible. It can be customized as per the business need."

More Salesforce Essentials pros

"The primary use case for us is lead creation and data management."

"The platform is highly scalable."

"The most important factor for recommending SAP CRM is its integration with the core SAP platform. Globally, most enterprises are using SAP as an ERP platform to manage their key business functions. SAP CRM has out-of-the-box integration with the core SAP platform. You can integrate your pre-sales and post-sales into the single platform on the SAP CRM very easily, and you can extend that CRM to your customers who can actually see what is happening to their orders—such as whether it is dispatched or not dispatched or at what stage it is—simply by logging onto the CRM platform."

"We like that this solution has made our whole accounting function paperless."

"The solution is highly scalable."

"SAP CRM is very fast, providing accurate information and good results."

"The solution assists us in identifying what to send, what to offer, and what customers are buying."

"I have found the sales reporting feature specifically useful as it provides reporting and visualization which helps in decision-making. I use this to understand where to improve, which in-turn, helps generate sales."

More SAP CRM pros

Cons

"I have seen Salesforce evaluate a lot of AI and analytics into that. But as an end user, I don’t have that much input."

"Salesforce Essentials does not contain domain-specific solutions."

"The solution's UI is not user-friendly."

"The primary area for improvement in Salesforce Essentials is its pricing. There are other competitors, like Zoho CRM, that offer similar features at a lower cost."

"The solution needs to be more user-friendly. It's difficult for a senior to track leads when a salesperson uploads leads. The solution should also improve its integration capabilities."

"The solution could be cheaper."

"Areas that could be improved or upgraded in the next release include analytics, automation capabilities, and stability."

"When we use mixed languages, it can be uncomfortable because there seems to be no consideration for right-to-left speakers. It feels like these tools were developed by people who only speak left-to-right languages and didn't consider other language types' needs."

More Salesforce Essentials cons

"The tool's installation on the cloud takes time, but it should be easier. One transaction takes around one to one and a half hours."

"The solution is slow."

"The solution is expensive."

"I think what needs to be improved is the solution for Brazil's organization."

"The implementation and integrations could be better. After we went into the production environment, we had some issues. Most of them were with the ERP integration. Many other issues were around the client's integrations between the ERP and CRM platforms. It could be more user-friendly. It wasn't very user-friendly initially, but now it's easier for them to use. Now, the users can use that platform better than at the beginning. We would like to see reports with more analytic features and artificial intelligence in the next release. For example, show more metrics and KPIs and more dynamic dashboards. Because the platform has some models, but it's not easy to use. It's a little complex."

"SAP CRM could improve by making the solution more current, it is out of date. There are no more updates for SAP CRM."

"As SAP CRM is still in its pilot version in my company, and my team is still experimenting on it, there's little room for exploration, but its setup is not as straightforward, so this could be an area for improvement."

"It was not very stable. It was not a network problem because we were using tools that were not SAP. They were working well. But when I'm running the SAP, it's not working for us."

More SAP CRM cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I rate Salesforce Essentials' pricing an eight out of ten."

"Salesforce Essentials is quite expensive, almost 10 out of 10. I don't have the exact cost, but we found it to be very expensive based on our budget constraints."

"We chose quarterly payments."

"It's a perpetual license, and the subscription can be expensive."

"There is a need to make yearly payments towards the licensing costs attached to the solution."

"The tool is moderately priced."

"The pricing is a bit on the expensive side."

"The pricing is on the higher side, especially with additional costs for professional services like consultants."

"SAP CRM is not suitable for smaller businesses because it is expensive. The larger businesses would be able to handle the cost."

"We pay for the license yearly."

"There is a license required for the solution and most of my clients purchase an annual license."

"We have to pay a yearly licensing fee for SAP CRM, which is expensive."

"The product is costly."

"The company has seen an increase in revenue."

"There is a license required to use SAP CRM."

"SAP CRM offers a free trial for anyone wanting to test the product before purchasing it."

More SAP CRM pricing and cost advice

See which vendors are best for you

Use our free recommendation engine to learn which CRM solutions are best for your needs.

See recommendations

847,625 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

No data available

Computer Software Company

12%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Government

Financial Services Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Salesforce Essentials?

Salesforce provides the best they have with the current version. Most of the features we need are already there, and it's very easy to use.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Salesforce Essentials?

The pricing is a bit on the expensive side, maybe when we compare it with other solutions. I would rate the pricing a nine out of ten, with one being low price and ten being high price. The licensi...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Salesforce Essentials?

I have seen Salesforce evaluate a lot of AI and analytics into that. But as an end user, I don’t have that much input. So, I would like to have more AI functionality here. That would be really help...

See all answers

What do you like most about SAP CRM?

Getting the right information at the right time across different programs is important. These programs lack interaction between them. IPA is a good option to bring them together.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SAP CRM?

Every user needs to have a license.

See all answers

What needs improvement with SAP CRM?

One area for improvement is the security model, especially regarding records management retention and the audit and legal holds. Since we're in the middle of a cloud digital transformation, it's es...

See all answers

Comparisons

No data available

Microsoft Dynamics CRM vs SAP CRM

Compared 34% of the time

Salesforce Sales Cloud vs SAP CRM

Compared 25% of the time

Zoho CRM vs SAP CRM

Compared 12% of the time

Siebel CRM vs SAP CRM

Compared 10% of the time

Oracle CRM vs SAP CRM

Compared 9% of the time

More SAP CRM Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Salesforce Essentials

March 2025

Download Salesforce Essentials product report

Buyer's Guide

SAP CRM

March 2025

Download SAP CRM product report

Overview

Salesforce Essentials is a cloud-based CRM tool for businesses seeking flexible, scalable, and customizable solutions to enhance sales and customer support processes.

Designed for seamless integration across multiple channels, Salesforce Essentials includes Sales and Service Cloud to simplify sales tasks and customer management. It enhances finance, credit, and quality processes with user-friendly AI capabilities and predictive analytics. Despite its strengths, there is room for improvement in SAP integration, interface simplicity, and report generation. Cost-effectiveness and support for diverse languages are also potential upgrade areas. Businesses use this CRM solution for lead management, opportunity tracking, and automating sales workflows, transitioning from paper-based methods to digital efficiency.

What are the essential features of Salesforce Essentials?

Scalability and Flexibility: Accommodates growth and customization needs.
Multiple Channel Integration: Enhances finance and quality processes.
User-Friendly: Easy navigation with AI capabilities.
Cloud Deployment: Includes Sales and Service Cloud features.
Predictive Analytics: Improves productivity and tracking.
Mobile App Support: Facilitates on-the-go access and management.

What benefits or ROI can users expect from Salesforce Essentials?

Improved Productivity: Automation features save time and streamline tasks.
Enhanced Customer Management: Centralizes interaction and data handling.
Ease of Transition: From manual to automated workflows.
Performance Monitoring: Standardizes processes for better oversight.

In the retail industry, businesses employ Salesforce Essentials for customer data management and transparency in order processing. Healthcare providers use it for patient engagement and streamlined communication. Financial services utilize it for billing management and compliance, harnessing automation tools for efficient data handling.

Salesforce

SAP CRM is a comprehensive customer relationship management solution that helps businesses streamline their sales, marketing, and service processes. It offers a range of features including lead management, opportunity management, campaign management, and customer service management. With SAP CRM, businesses can effectively manage their customer interactions, improve customer satisfaction, and drive revenue growth.

The solution integrates with other SAP modules, allowing for seamless data exchange and real-time insights. It also offers mobile access, enabling sales and service teams to access critical information on the go.

SAP CRM is a powerful tool for businesses looking to enhance their customer relationships and drive business success.

SAP

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Brau Union Osterreich AG, Nu Skin Enterprises Inc., AOK Bundesverband, RAK Ceramics, NHS 24, Wholesale Sports Outdoor Outfitters, FC Bayern Munchen AG, Tumi, The Kellogg Company, MVV Energie AG, Anglian Water Services, German Football Association (DFB), Nebraska Book Company Inc.

Buyer's Guide

SAP CRM vs. Salesforce Essentials

April 2025

Free Report: SAP CRM vs. Salesforce Essentials

Find out what your peers are saying about SAP CRM vs. Salesforce Essentials and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.

DOWNLOAD NOW

847,625 professionals have used our research since 2012.

See our SAP CRM vs. Salesforce Essentials report.

See our list of best CRM vendors.

We monitor all CRM reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.