Comparison CRM for SMB : Pipedrive vs Microsoft Dynamics Sales vs Salesforce
- Elise Dejour
- Dec 19, 2025
- 4 min read
In French-speaking Switzerland, many SMEs start out using Excel to manage their sales. It's simple, familiar, and "free." But as soon as your business grows, Excel quickly becomes a hindrance.
A CRM (Customer Relationship Management), It's much more than just a tracking table. It's a tool that helps you save time, avoid mistakes, and boost your sales. So, which CRM should you choose? Pipedrive, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales, or Salesforce? Here is our comprehensive comparison, designed for Swiss SM
Pipedrive: Simplicity for Sales Efficiency
Pipedrive is often highlighted for its clear philosophy: putting sales back at the center of the process. Designed by salespeople, for salespeople, it stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness. It is a sales-oriented CRM.
Pipeline First and Maximum Intuitiveness
The central element of Pipedrive is the visualization of the sales pipeline. This visual approach allows your teams to see where they are and what remains to be done at a glance. Your teams are operational from the very first hour. The interface is streamlined and focused on concrete actions: calling, sending an email, scheduling a meeting. This ease of adoption is a significant advantage in Switzerland, where time is a precious resource.
Action and Predictability
Pipedrive doesn't just store data. It acts as a digital assistant:
It reminds you of overdue tasks.
It tells you what actions are coming up. It ensures that every opportunity moves forward.
It is also a valuable support tool for your marketing teams: sequencing, automation, email templates, etc.
Ideal for Swiss SMEs Pipedrive is an ideal CRM for fast-growing SMEs and startups looking for a CRM that is easy to deploy, requires little training, and focuses on rapidly increasing conversion rates.
At Almakom, we particularly appreciate Pipedrive for its ability to help you quickly implement a flexible sales strategy.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales: Integration and Artificial Intelligence
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales is an essential component of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. It is the solution for companies that want a CRM integrated into their digital ecosystem and have ambitions for growth and customization.
The Power of the Microsoft Ecosystem
The main advantage of Dynamics 365 Sales is its native integration with the tools you already use: Outlook, Teams, Excel, SharePoint, and Power BI. Your sales reps can manage their opportunities directly from Outlook or Teams. Less friction, more productivity.
Intelligence and Automation (AI)
Dynamics 365 Sales integrates advanced AI features:
Recommendations on business relationships to follow up on.
Alerts on at-risk opportunities.
Predictive analytics for reliable forecasts.
It's the tool that transforms your data into actionable insights, allowing managers to refine their forecasts with precision.
Microsoft CRM also supports your marketing teams with add-on modules. With Dynamics 365 Sales, unlock the collaborative potential of your Smarketing teams.
Scalability and Customization
Designed to handle massive data volumes and complex processes, Dynamics 365 Sales is highly customizable.
At Almakom, we unlock the full potential of Dynamics 365 Sales, tailoring it precisely to your business requirements.
Salesforce Sales Cloud:
The SaaS Giant Salesforce remains the standard for large international companies. It stands out for its comprehensive platform and vast ecosystem.
The Global Market Leader
Salesforce offers a very wide range of features that go beyond simple sales management, including marketing, customer service, and application development.
Functional Richness
The level of detail and functionality is impressive. However, this richness comes with complexity in implementation and maintenance. This CRM often requires a dedicated team or specialized consultants, which can represent a significant cost for an SME.
Which CRM should an SME choose?
The final choice should not be based on technical specifications, but on alignment with your corporate culture and objectives.
Choose Pipedrive if:
Your priority is quick implementation and adoption by the sales team. You are looking for excellent value for money. You are an SME that wants to digitize without complexity.
Choose Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales if:
You use Microsoft 365. Your sales processes require customization. You need the power of AI for accurate forecasting. You are looking for a solution that can scale with you.
Choose Salesforce if:
If you have a substantial budget Relevant for companies with highly complex needs.
The "Excel" Reflex: How Long Can
We Keep Using It? Many professionals still manage their customer relationships using Excel. This is understandable: Excel is flexible, familiar, and "free." But the reality is that Excel is an accounting tool, not a CRM.
The Limitations of Excel
No 360° view: A CRM shows you the complete history (emails, calls, documents).
Cost of error: "Final-final-v2" files are costly in terms of missed opportunities.
Zero automation: Excel will never remind you to follow up with a prospect.
If you need reliable forecasts, real-time collaboration, and standardization, it's time to switch to a CRM.
FAQ comparatif CRM pour une PME
What is the best CRM for an SME in Switzerland?
For a Swiss SME, Pipedrive is ideal if you are looking for simplicity and speed. Microsoft Dynamics Sales is perfect if you already use Microsoft 365 or Business Central. Salesforce is more suited to large companies.
Pipedrive or Microsoft Dynamics Sales: which one to choose?
Choose Pipedrive if you want a simple and efficient CRM. Choose Dynamics Sales if you need advanced integrations with Microsoft and a scalable solution.
Why abandon Excel for a CRM?
Excel does not allow you to track your sales in real time, automate follow-ups, or collaborate efficiently. A CRM saves you time and secures your data.
How much does a CRM for SMEs cost in Switzerland?
Pipedrive starts at a few dozen francs per month. Microsoft Dynamics Sales is more complete and scalable, with a cost adapted to growing SMEs.
What is the role of an integrator in the implementation of a CRM?
Our role is:
Process Audit: Understand precisely your current sales cycle.
Guide you towards Pipedrive or Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales based on your real needs and your infrastructure.
Implementation: Configure the tool (whether it’s the simplicity of Pipedrive or the complexity of Dynamics) to match your business processes perfectly.
Training and adoption: Ensure the training of your teams to ensure rapid and maximum adoption. User adoption is the keystone of any successful CRM project.
Local support: Offer you local support and expertise, in line with the realities of the Swiss market.
Based in the canton of Vaud, at Almakom, we support Swiss companies with solutions designed for their specific needs. Attentive and always by your side, our passionate experts understand your challenges and work hand in hand with your teams to ensure the success of your projects.
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