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Apptivo CRM review | TechRadar
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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
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?
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?
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
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 FAQ
What 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.
