Choosing between Insightly and SugarCRM is a common decision for crm buyers in 2026. Both Insightly and SugarCRM are established players, founded in 2009 and 2004 respectively. Insightly serves 25K+ orgs users while SugarCRM has 4.5K+ orgs users globally. Insightly differentiates with contact management and project delivery, while SugarCRM leads with sales automation and marketing automation. In this head-to-head comparison, Insightly earns a higher hiltonsoftware.co score of 84/100 — but the right choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and team size.
AI Verdict
After comparing Insightly and SugarCRM across features, pricing, and user satisfaction, Insightly takes the lead with a score of 84/100 versus SugarCRM's 84/100. Insightly's key advantages include "crm plus project management" and "good for service businesses". That said, SugarCRM has its own strengths — particularly "flexible deployment options" — making it a viable alternative for specific use cases.
On pricing, there's a clear difference: Insightly offers a free plan, making it more accessible for individuals and small teams exploring crm solutions. SugarCRM starts at $19/user/mo with no free tier, but often justifies the cost with sales automation and marketing automation.
Bottom line: Choose Insightly if you need service businesses managing both sales and project delivery. Go with SugarCRM if your priority is mid-market enterprises wanting a highly customizable crm platform. Both are strong crm tools — we recommend trying the free plan of each before committing.
CHOOSE INSIGHTLY IF:
Service businesses managing both sales and project delivery.
CHOOSE SUGARCRM IF:
Mid-market enterprises wanting a highly customizable CRM platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Insightly better than SugarCRM in 2026?
Insightly scores 84/100 on hiltonsoftware.co compared to SugarCRM's 84/100. Insightly stands out for "crm plus project management" and is best for Service businesses managing both sales and project delivery. SugarCRM is known for "flexible deployment options" and suits Mid-market enterprises wanting a highly customizable CRM platform. Your specific workflow and team size should guide the decision.
What is the pricing difference between Insightly and SugarCRM?
Insightly offers a free plan while SugarCRM starts at $19/user/mo, making Insightly the more budget-friendly option. When comparing value, consider that Insightly (founded 2009, 25K+ orgs users) includes features like Contact management, Project delivery, Workflow automation. SugarCRM (founded 2004, 4.5K+ orgs users) offers Sales automation, Marketing automation, Customer service. The right choice depends on which features matter most to your team.
What are the main differences between Insightly and SugarCRM?
The key differences come down to focus and approach. Insightly excels at Contact management, Project delivery, Workflow automation, while SugarCRM focuses on Sales automation, Marketing automation, Customer service. Insightly's main advantage is "crm plus project management", though some users note "dated interface". SugarCRM's strength is "flexible deployment options", but "requires it resources to manage" can be a drawback. Both serve the CRM market but target different user profiles.
Can I switch from Insightly to SugarCRM?
Switching between Insightly and SugarCRM is possible since both operate in the CRM space. Before migrating, export your data from Insightly and check SugarCRM's import capabilities. Key features to verify compatibility: Contact management, Project delivery, Workflow automation (Insightly) vs Sales automation, Marketing automation, Customer service (SugarCRM). Consider running both tools in parallel during a trial period to ensure a smooth transition.
Which is better for small teams: Insightly or SugarCRM?
For small teams, Insightly has an advantage with its free plan, letting you get started without financial commitment. Insightly is best for Service businesses managing both sales and project delivery. SugarCRM (starting at $19/user/mo) may be worth the investment if your team specifically needs Sales automation, Marketing automation, Customer service.