Apptivo vs SugarCRM (SugarAI) Comparison
Compare Apptivo vs SugarCRM (SugarAI) features, pricing, and more.
Last updated: November 2026
Apptivo
6.3/10
Apptivo is a modular cloud CRM and business suite that combines sales, help desk, projects, invoicing and campaigns for small and mid-sized businesses.
SugarCRM (SugarAI)
6.3/10
SugarCRM, rebranded as SugarAI in 2026, is a customizable CRM suite for mid-market and enterprise sales, marketing and service teams, with an AI layer that draws on ERP data.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | | |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| Overall Rating | 6.3/10 | 6.3/10 |
| Customization | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Analytics | 5/10 | 6/10 |
| Integration | 5/10 | 7/10 |
| Support | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Ease of Use | 5/10 | 5/10 |
| Security | 6/10 | 8/10 |
| Cost | 8/10 | 4/10 |
| Scalability | 5/10 | 7/10 |
| Pricing | ||
| Free plan | No | No |
| Cheapest paid plan | $20/user/mo Lite | $68/user/mo Sugar Sell Standard+ |
| Estimated cost for 10 users | $200/mo Lite | Contact for pricing |
| Features | ||
| Contact Management | ||
| Customer Support Management | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Lead Management | ||
| Marketing Automation | ||
| Mobile Access | ||
| Opportunity Management | ||
| Reporting & Analytics | ||
| Sales Automation | ||
Apptivo vs SugarCRM (SugarAI) cost by team size
| Team size | Apptivo | SugarCRM (SugarAI) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 user | $20/moLite | Contact for pricing |
| 5 users | $100/moLite | Contact for pricing |
| 10 users | $200/moLite | Contact for pricing |
| 25 users | $500/moLite | Contact for pricing |
| 50 users | $1,000/moLite | Contact for pricing |
The plan that fits each team size, billed monthly, before add-ons and usage charges. Each cost opens that tool's pricing calculator for the team size.
Which One Should You Choose?
Why choose Apptivo
- Higher Cost score (8/10 vs 4/10)
- Higher Support score (8/10 vs 7/10)
- Better fit for small business (9/10 vs 4/10)
- Better fit for freelancers (5/10 vs 1/10)
Why choose SugarCRM (SugarAI)
- Higher Integration score (7/10 vs 5/10)
- Higher Security score (8/10 vs 6/10)
- Better fit for enterprise (7/10 vs 4/10)
- Better fit for mid-market (8/10 vs 6/10)
Pros & Cons
Apptivo
Pros
- Entry pricing of $15 per user per month on annual billing is low for a suite that also covers projects, invoicing and help desk.
- Support is the most praised area, with 94% positive mentions on Capterra and responsive help even on entry-level plans.
- Modular apps and up to 500 custom fields per app let teams tailor the system without switching tools.
- Built-in estimates, invoicing, expenses and accounting integrations with QuickBooks and Xero suit businesses that bill for services.
- Native apps for iOS, Android and Windows, with offline use reported.
Cons
- Reviewers describe the interface as dated and navigation as cumbersome.
- There is a learning curve, and complex customizations often need developer help.
- Users report glitches and slowdowns, especially with large datasets.
- Email integration and email marketing are reported to be limited and clunky.
- There is no free-forever plan, and marketing email volume is capped per user.
SugarCRM (SugarAI)
Pros
- Highly customizable, and reviewers have adapted it to niche business models
- Workflow automation handles repetitive emails, tasks and reminders
- Can be hosted in the cloud or on-premises, and data is easy to export
- ISO 27001 certified with a SOC 2 Type II attestation held for over five years
- Sugar Predict uses ERP data for cross-sell suggestions and churn signals
Cons
- Reviewers report a steep learning curve and long setup times
- Reviewers call the mobile app outdated
- Built-in reporting covers basics, and deeper analysis needs third-party tools
- Billed annually only, and the top tiers are quote-only
- Some users report slowdowns with large data volumes and upgrades that break customizations
Not sold on either?
Frequently Asked Questions
Apptivo and SugarCRM (SugarAI) both score 6.3/10 on our CRM criteria. The largest gap is in Cost: 8/10 for Apptivo and 4/10 for SugarCRM (SugarAI).
No, neither Apptivo nor SugarCRM (SugarAI) lists a free plan.
Apptivo is the better fit for small business: we rate it 9/10 for them, against 4/10 for SugarCRM (SugarAI).
