SoftwareGlimpse

ACT! vs SugarCRM

Compare ACT! and SugarCRM on features, pricing, and buyer fit using the same researched criteria.

Independently recommendedLast updated Aug 20, 20267 evidence sources12 screenshotsHow we compare
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ACT! logo

ACT!

5.6/10

ACT! by Swiftpage SMB CRM; contact sales for current packaging (no invented list prices).

Best for

  • • ACT! by Swiftpage — long-standing SMB CRM for contacts, calendars, and sales follow-up; pricing primarily contact-sales
  • • Classic SMB CRM for managing contacts, activities, and sales follow-ups — especially familiar to established small businesses.

No free plan

Visit ACT!
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Our verdict

Our verdict

No universal winner

There is no universal winner between ACT! and SugarCRM. Choose based on pipeline depth, automation, email and calling, reporting, and pricing trade-offs.

ACT! is better for

  • ✓ Administration

SugarCRM is better for

  • ✓ Pipeline management
  • ✓ Sales automation
  • ✓ Email capabilities
  • ✓ Reporting

Tie

  • • Ease of use

Choose ACT! if: ACT! by Swiftpage — long-standing SMB CRM for contacts, calendars, and sales follow-up; pricing primarily contact-sales

Choose SugarCRM if: SugarCRM targets mid-market sales/CX needs

See detailed comparison ↓
SugarCRM logo

SugarCRM

7.1/10

Customer experience CRM (Sugar Sell) with Standard through Premier editions and Sugar Intelligence AI.

Best for

  • • SugarCRM targets mid-market sales/CX needs
  • • SugarCRM competes in enterprise/mid-market CRM evaluations
  • • Sales/CX CRM focus

Starting from $59.00/user/mo

No free plan

Visit SugarCRM
Read review

ACT! vs SugarCRM at a glance

Criterion-level leaders from verified research.

Full scorecard →

Scorecard preview

Criterion leaders based on verified research — open the Scorecard tab for evidence detail.

  • Ease of useTie

    ACT!

    SugarCRM

  • Pipeline managementSugarCRM

    ACT!

    SugarCRM

  • Sales automationSugarCRM

    ACT!

    SugarCRM

  • Email capabilitiesSugarCRM

    ACT!

    SugarCRM

  • ReportingSugarCRM

    ACT!

    SugarCRM

Which CRM is better for you?

Quick picks based on fit — not a universal ranking.

  • → ACT!

    Best for administration

    ACT! leads on administration (6/10 vs 5/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.

  • → SugarCRM

    Best for pipeline management

    SugarCRM leads on pipeline management (6/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.

  • → SugarCRM

    Best for sales automation

    SugarCRM leads on sales automation (5/10 vs 7/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.

  • → SugarCRM

    Best for email capabilities

    SugarCRM leads on email capabilities (6/10 vs 7/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.

The biggest differences

Where the products diverge most clearly on verified criteria.

  • Pipeline management

    SugarCRM wins

    ACT!

    Trails SugarCRM on this criterion

    SugarCRM

    SugarCRM leads on pipeline management (6/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.

  • Email capabilities

    SugarCRM wins

    ACT!

    Trails SugarCRM on this criterion

    SugarCRM

    SugarCRM leads on email capabilities (6/10 vs 7/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.

  • Sales automation

    SugarCRM wins

    ACT!

    Trails SugarCRM on this criterion

    SugarCRM

    SugarCRM leads on sales automation (5/10 vs 7/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.

  • Reporting

    SugarCRM wins

    ACT!

    Trails SugarCRM on this criterion

    SugarCRM

    SugarCRM leads on reporting (5/10 vs 7/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.

  • Value for money

    SugarCRM wins

    ACT!

    Trails SugarCRM on this criterion

    SugarCRM

    SugarCRM leads on value for money (6/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.

Which should you choose?

Choose ACT! if

  • ACT! by Swiftpage — long-standing SMB CRM for contacts, calendars, and sales follow-up; pricing primarily contact-sales
  • Classic SMB CRM for managing contacts, activities, and sales follow-ups — especially familiar to established small businesses.

Choose SugarCRM if

  • SugarCRM targets mid-market sales/CX needs
  • SugarCRM competes in enterprise/mid-market CRM evaluations
  • Sales/CX CRM focus

How we compare

A short look at the comparison process. Full methodology

  1. 1

    Collect

    Collect official product information, pricing, and product evidence.

  2. 2

    Normalize

    Map evidence to the same category evaluation criteria for both products.

  3. 3

    Compare

    Evaluate both products against identical criteria — ties and depends are allowed.

  4. 4

    Explain

    Show why each product wins, loses, or ties, with evidence behind the outcome.

Still deciding between ACT! and SugarCRM?

Use Find My CRM for a shortlist matched to your priorities, or build another side-by-side comparison.

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  • Independent criterion outcomes
  • No invented scores or prices
  • Affiliate links never change winners

Some visit links may be affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Comparison outcomes are never based on commission.

Affiliate disclosure: some links may be affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rankings and scores are never based on commission. Full disclosure

Methodology disclosure: scores and recommendations follow SoftwareGlimpse evaluation criteria (version 1.0.0). Affiliate relationships do not determine rankings.

How we recommend: product claims are tied to recorded research where available.

AI-assisted disclosure: drafts may be AI-assisted from approved facts and assessments. Humans approve publishable editorial judgments. AI does not invent live prices or claim hands-on testing.