Don’t you just love a workday when everything falls into place – leads are tracked, quotes go out on time, and everything runs like clockwork? That’s what having reliable CRM software feels like.
If you’re tired of messy spreadsheets, this Freshsales vs Method CRM comparison is for you. They’re both great options for customer relationship management, built-in automation, and smooth workflows.
But when you dig a little deeper, they start to look pretty different. We’ll break down functionality, explore key features, and explain how each one fits into your daily operations.
What is Freshsales?
Built by Freshworks, Freshsales launched as part of a larger suite, but it’s now a dedicated platform for lead management, email marketing, and sales automation.
Freshsales works best for businesses that want a sales-focused CRM system and don’t need a lot of customization. It runs well on its own or with other Freshworks tools, and it covers most of the basics out of the box.
You get built-in tools for workflows, contact management, email tracking, and forecasting — an all-in-one sales CRM platform.
What is Method CRM?
Method CRM is a solution built for small businesses, with QuickBooks already well-integrated into its system. It connects directly with QuickBooks Online and Desktop, which means you get real-time visibility into your invoices, customer data, and estimates.
What makes Method CRM different is how customizable it is. You’re not stuck with stock features or generic templates. You can build custom workflows and dashboards and set up detailed follow-ups, essentially handling every stage of your sales process exactly the way your business runs.
Freshsales vs Method CRM: Side-by-side comparison
Let’s go through each platform’s core features, one by one.
| Feature | Freshsales | Method CRM |
| Best for | Sales teams that want a CRM platform with built-in lead management, email, and chat tools | Businesses that rely on QuickBooks and want custom workflows and real-time sync |
| QuickBooks integration | View invoices and payment info via built-in integration | Two-way sync with QuickBooks Online and Desktop |
| Customization | Custom workflow automations, dashboards, and AI-powered features via Freddy | Drag-and-drop builders for screens, fields, and business processes |
| Contact management | CRM with lead scoring, email tracking, segmentation, and activity timelines | Full contact management, tag-based filters, client portals, and QuickBooks-linked data |
| Invoice handling | View QuickBooks invoices in-app; no native invoice creation | Create invoices, schedule payments, send reminders, sync to QuickBooks |
| Lead management | AI-powered scoring, capture forms, and sales pipeline drag/drop | Configurable lead stages, notifications, and automation across the sales pipeline |
| Marketing automation | Email campaigns, email tracking, and template support | Email and task automation via Zapier, Mailchimp, and Gmail integrations |
| Dashboard and reporting | Custom dashboards, visual metrics, and forecasting | Fully customizable dashboards covering customers, sales, and finances, synced to QuickBooks |
| Customer support | In-app chat and help center | Live chat, phone, onboarding, and a searchable knowledge base by a dedicated support team |
| Pricing | Free plan available; paid tiers from $9–$59/user/month | Starts at $25/user/month; $44 for Pro and $74 for Enterprise per month |
How the features stack up
It’s time to see what these CRMs are actually built to do.
Pricing
Freshsales offers a Free plan for up to three users with Kanban views and email templates. Paid plans start at $9/user/month for lead tools, with Pro ($39) adding AI features and Enterprise ($59) unlocking more roles and permissions. Pricing climbs as automation and CRM features increase.
Method CRM starts at $25/user/month with full two-way QuickBooks sync. Pro ($44) adds workflow automation and customer portals, while Enterprise ($74) supports larger teams with deeper customization.
Freshsales suits early-stage teams looking to close deals fast with built-in tools, but as you get more advanced features, costs rise. Method CRM offers straightforward pricing, and you get the CRM features that matter from the start, which is ideal if your business is past trial mode and ready to streamline real operations.
QuickBooks integration
Freshsales connects to QuickBooks via a built-in integration. You can view customer balances, but you won’t be able to create, edit, or sync records back to QuickBooks.
Method CRM was built for QuickBooks users from the start. It syncs invoices, payments, customer records, estimates, and more in both QuickBooks Desktop and Online. This is why it’s trusted by both accountants and sales teams.
So while Freshsales gives you read-only access to finance data, Method CRM makes QuickBooks an active part of your customer relationship management process.
Workflow automation
Both Freshsales and Method CRM offer automation. Freshsales supports rule-based workflows, email triggers, deal assignments, and activity reminders. You can use Freddy AI for lead scoring and follow-ups. The experience is polished, and it’s useful for those familiar with HubSpot CRM or Pipedrive.
Method CRM goes deeper. You can build custom workflows using drag-and-drop tools. Automate approvals, route invoices, create custom reports, and trigger tasks off QuickBooks changes. It doesn’t come preloaded with a native AI assistant, but it gives you control over every step.
Freshsales has smart defaults with AI flair. Method gives you the keys to design your business process from scratch.
Ease of use and onboarding
Freshsales has a clean, modern user interface (UI) with little onboarding friction. The mobile app (available on iOS and Android) works well for reps on the go. Most new users can get this up and running without a consultant. Customization is light but manageable.
Method CRM offers guided onboarding and hands-on support. Also available on mobile, the interface is user-friendly but has more depth. It lets you build modules and dashboards tailored to your workflow. That extra power adds a learning curve, but the Method team helps configure it with you.
Freshsales is fast to start, but Method gives you more support and customization.
Contact management and customer experience
Freshsales covers core contact management. With built-in chat, calling, and SMS, it’s great for managing daily customer interactions and sales communications.
Meanwhile, customer records are tied to QuickBooks activity when using Method CRM. You can create portals for clients to track status or upload files. Tag filters, custom fields, and workflow-based reminders let you shape the CRM around your customer journey.
Freshsales is great for tracking sales convos. Method gives you a 360° view tied directly to your financials.
Invoice and billing
Freshsales can’t create invoices on its own. You’ll need QuickBooks or another billing system, although the app does let you see invoice totals and payment status from within the contact record.
Method CRM is tightly integrated with QuickBooks and lets you create, edit, and schedule invoices right from the CRM. You can also send reminders, collect payments, and update records automatically without ever leaving the system.
Freshsales keeps billing separate, but Method builds it into your daily sales flow.
Inventory, project, and e-commerce
Neither tool is a dedicated project management or inventory solution. Freshsales has no built-in inventory tools and focuses on sales opportunities, pipeline, and email. You can connect to other tools like Shopify or Outlook, but these are more sales-enabling than operations.
Method CRM doesn’t do inventory tracking natively either, but because it pulls real-time data from QuickBooks, you can see current stock levels, pricing, and order status as part of the sales process. For teams that sell physical goods and invoice out of QuickBooks, it helps streamline quoting and delivery updates.
This makes Method a stronger choice, as it offers better operational context if your sales team needs to know what’s in stock.
Reporting and dashboards
Freshsales dashboards are built around sales KPIs. Conversion rates, deal status, and revenue projections are easily viewable. Pro and Enterprise tiers unlock insights to help reps and managers prioritize.
Method CRM brings in sales, operations, and finance views, all powered by your real-time QuickBooks data. You can build role-specific dashboards to track open invoices, new leads, overdue payments, or any custom process you’ve designed.
Freshsales focuses on forecasting. Method brings sales and finance together in one view.
API and integrations
Freshsales offers integrations with Microsoft 365, Gmail, Slack, Zoom, and social media tools. You also get webhook support and open APIs to build on top.
Method CRM connects directly with Gmail, Outlook, Mailchimp, Zapier, and others. It also offers a full API for dev teams building custom logic or client portals. You can tie the system into calendars, form tools, and e-commerce systems.
With Freshsales, you’re conveniently connected to your sales stack. Method, however, can connect you to your entire business stack.
Who should choose Freshsales?
Freshsales is built for fast-moving sales teams that want everything in one place without dealing with complicated setups.
- You run a small sales team that needs to drag deals across a pipeline, send emails, and track calls all from one screen.
- You don’t need heavy customization or QuickBooks integration, and you are focused on managing the sales funnel.
- You’re early stage and want to keep things simple now, with the option to layer in automation and AI as you grow.
Who should choose Method CRM?
Method CRM makes more sense for service-based teams that live inside QuickBooks and need a CRM that works as their business does.
- You’re juggling estimates, invoices, and customer follow-ups, and need a system that keeps your sales and accounting teams in sync.
- You’ve got workflows that don’t fit the average CRM mould, and want something customizable enough to match how your team already works.
- You work with repeat clients and want more control over the customer relationship.
- You want real visibility into project milestones/tasks, sales pipelines, and financials that don’t have to be split across different apps.
FAQs
Is Freshsales CRM free?
Freshsales offers a Free plan for up to three users. It includes basic CRM features like contact management, a visual sales pipeline, email templates, built-in phone, and chat. But if you want workflow automation, lead generation tools, or sales forecasting through Freddy AI, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan.
Is Freshsales easy to migrate over to Freshsales Suite?
Yes. It’s a smooth transition. When you move from classic Freshsales to the Suite, your data is cloned and not deleted, so you can test everything first. You get a 21-day window to adjust before switching completely.
How fast does data sync between Method CRM and QuickBooks?
Method CRM syncs with QuickBooks Online and Desktop in real time. That means changes made in either system are reflected immediately in the other. This tight two-way sync is one of Method’s biggest advantages for small businesses that rely on QuickBooks as their financial source of truth.
Which one is better for small businesses?
It depends on how you work. Freshsales is great if you want a cloud-based CRM with built-in email, chat, and native AI. But if your business runs on QuickBooks, Method CRM gives you two-way sync, custom workflows, and tighter control over customer interactions. Method is built for small teams that need real-time data and a customizable CRM that fits how they actually operate.
Freshsales vs Method CRM: What’s the verdict?
Both Freshsales and Method CRM give growing teams a way to stay organized, follow up faster, and keep deals moving forward, so nothing slips through the cracks.
Freshsales leans into built-in communication tools, AI-driven lead scoring, and fast onboarding. It’s a solid pick for teams starting from scratch who want everything in one clean, modern UI.
Method CRM is the go-to choice for this: giving QuickBooks users full control over their customer information, sales workflows, and invoicing. It’s flexible, powerful, and built to grow with small businesses that need more than off-the-shelf CRM features.
If you’re tired of patching together spreadsheets, email chains, and stale sales data, Method CRM keeps your tools and your team in sync.Try Method CRM free today and finally get a system that works the way your business does.
