All businesses need a CRM. There—I said it. Whether you're a one-person show or a growing team, having a system that helps you keep track of leads, customer relationships, and follow-ups is essential to staying organized and scaling smoothly.
But if you're new to Zoho or new to CRMs in general, a big question might be: Do I go with Zoho Bigin or Zoho CRM?
Let’s break it down so you can pick the right fit for your business.
Watch to Learn Which CRM is Right for You
What Is Zoho Bigin?
Zoho Bigin is a lightweight, pipeline-centric CRM that’s perfect for solopreneurs and small businesses just getting started with managing customer relationships.
Who it’s for:
If you’re running a small operation—think coaches, consultants, freelancers, or micro-businesses—Bigin might be your new best friend.
If you’re running a small operation—think coaches, consultants, freelancers, or micro-businesses—Bigin might be your new best friend.
Key Benefits of Bigin:
- Simplicity First: Out of the box, it’s super easy to use. You can jump in, import your leads, and start tracking activity in minutes.
- Built-in Blueprinting: Bigin includes Zoho’s blueprint feature right in the sales pipeline. That means even a basic sales process can have structure and automation—without needing to set it up from scratch.
- Integrates with Other Zoho Apps: Bigin plays nicely with tools like Zoho Books, Forms, and Campaigns, making it easy to build your tech stack as you grow.
Pricing:
Affordable and flexible, with a free plan and paid tiers starting at just a few bucks per user. Bonus: you save more with annual billing.
Affordable and flexible, with a free plan and paid tiers starting at just a few bucks per user. Bonus: you save more with annual billing.
What Is Zoho CRM?
Zoho CRM is the powerhouse of the Zoho ecosystem—robust, customizable, and built for businesses that need more control and complexity.
Who it’s for:
If your team is growing, your processes are evolving, or your data needs are getting more specific, Zoho CRM can handle it all.
If your team is growing, your processes are evolving, or your data needs are getting more specific, Zoho CRM can handle it all.
Key Benefits of Zoho CRM:
- Custom Everything: Create custom modules, layouts, processes, and automations that match your business exactly.
- Data Capacity: Each module can hold more fields (300+ vs Bigin’s 25), which is huge if you’re tracking detailed customer info.
- Advanced Analytics & Forecasting: Score leads, forecast sales, and get detailed reporting to help you plan smarter and grow faster.
- Marketplace Add-ons: Because Zoho CRM is the flagship product, there are tons of third-party and Zoho-built integrations available.
Pricing:
Several tiers depending on what you need—and if you’re on Zoho One, it’s included!
Several tiers depending on what you need—and if you’re on Zoho One, it’s included!
Can You Start with Bigin and Upgrade Later?
Absolutely. One of the best parts of starting with Zoho is that you can grow within the ecosystem. You can begin with Bigin, get comfortable, and when your needs outgrow it, migrate your data over to Zoho CRM in a smooth transition.
And if you’re on Zoho One? You get both tools. So you can explore them side by side and pick the one that fits your workflow best.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a CRM doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Think of it like this:
- Start with Bigin if you want to hit the ground running with a simple, streamlined CRM that does the basics really well.
- Go with Zoho CRM if your business is growing, your processes are complex, or you want a fully customized experience.
Still unsure which one’s best for you? Reach out—I’m Jozette with TechnoMap, and helping small businesses set up smart systems is what I do best.
