9 Best CRMs for Zendesk Users (2026)

Support runs in Zendesk. Revenue often runs somewhere else.

Tickets hold the truth: urgency, churn risk, expansion signals, buyer intent, product friction. Without a CRM for Zendesk users, that truth stays trapped in the helpdesk while sales works from partial context and outdated fields.

The cost shows up fast: slow handoffs, duplicate outreach, missed renewals, and follow ups that land after the customer already decided. Account conversations split across tools also make forecasting noisy and pipeline stages fragile.

A CRM built to live next to Zendesk changes the workflow. It ties contacts and companies to real conversations, keeps the timeline clean, and makes next steps obvious. Less admin, better prioritization, faster conversion from support signals to revenue moves!

What is Zendesk?

Zendesk is the place where customer problems become trackable work. It's a support platform built to manage customer conversations at scale and keep every request moving from “new” to “resolved” with clear ownership.

It is used by support and CX teams that handle a steady flow of tickets and need structure, speed, and consistency. Zendesk collects messages from multiple channels, routes them to the right people, applies rules and SLAs, and keeps a full history of what happened with each customer so nothing gets lost.

Core capabilities typically include:

→ Ticketing and case management with routing, priorities, and SLAs

→ Omnichannel support across email, chat, messaging, and voice

→ Help center and knowledge base for self service

→ Agent tools like macros, templates, internal notes, and collaboration

→ Reporting and dashboards to track performance and recurring issues

→ AI assistance to speed up replies and automate repetitive steps

Is Zendesk a CRM?

❌ Zendesk Support is not a full CRM. It manages support interactions and turns customer requests into tickets, workflows, and resolution timelines. It keeps strong service context, but it does not cover the full revenue lifecycle.

A CRM is built to run sales and growth work: lead and account management, pipeline stages, activities, forecasting, ownership rules, and revenue reporting. Zendesk Support can store customer details and interaction history, but it does not replace pipeline management and sales execution.

Zendesk does offer a CRM product (Zendesk Sell). It adds pipeline and deal tracking, then connects support and sales context when both products run together. The fit depends on whether sales needs a lightweight pipeline layer or a deeper relationship first CRM that stays close to real conversations.

Why Zendesk Users Need a CRM?

Zendesk runs the support workflow. It resolves issues, tracks status, and stores service history. It is not designed to run revenue work end to end: pipeline stages, renewal cycles, account ownership, and commercial reporting.

A CRM is the layer that turns support context into action. It keeps contacts and companies clean, ties conversations to accounts, and makes next steps explicit for sales and CS. It also reduces handoff friction by preventing duplicate outreach and triggering tasks when tickets signal churn risk, expansion intent, or deal blockers.

A CRM is needed to:

✔️ Track accounts and stakeholders beyond ticket fields

✔️ Run pipeline, renewals, and expansion workflows

✔️ Log activities and follow ups in one shared timeline

✔️ Convert support signals into playbooks and next steps

✔️ Keep forecasting and revenue reporting consistent

9 Best CRMs for Zendesk Users in 2026

1. folk CRM

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (G2)

Overview

folk is an AI CRM built to keep teams close to real conversations. It centralizes people, companies, and pipelines, then keeps context fresh with email and calendar sync, contact enrichment, and flexible views. For Zendesk based teams, folk fits as the revenue layer: qualification, follow ups, and deal tracking, with Zendesk staying the support system.

Pros

• Fast adoption, minimal setup friction
• Clean contact data with enrichment and AI fields
• Email and calendar sync keeps context visible, not hidden in tickets
• Easy workflows via automation platforms when ticket activity should trigger CRM actions

Cons

• No free plan
• Advanced deal features and deeper controls sit in higher tiers

Pricing

Standard: $17.50 per member per month (annual)
Premium: $35 per member per month (annual)
Custom: from $75 per member per month (annual)
Free trial: 14 days

👉 Try folk CRM for free

2. Zendesk Sell

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐(Capterra)

Overview

Zendesk Sell is the native sales CRM in Zendesk's ecosystem. It adds leads, deals, and pipeline tracking on top of the support stack, so account context can move between tickets and sales activity with less friction. It fits teams that want one vendor for support plus a straightforward CRM layer, with fast rollout and familiar workflows.

Pros

• Tight ecosystem fit for teams already standardized on Zendesk
• Simple pipeline management for leads, contacts, and deals
• Clear visibility for managers with forecasting and analytics in higher tiers
• Mobile first experience for reps working across inbox and field

Cons

• Less flexible than modern relationship first CRMs when workflows vary by team
• Advanced automation, permissions, and scoring sit behind higher tiers
• Complex sales motions can outgrow the feature depth faster than expected

Pricing

• Sell Team: $19/month
• Sell Growth: $55/month
• Suite Professional: $115/month
• Suite Enterprise: $169/month

3. HubSpot Sales Hub

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Overview

HubSpot is an all in one CRM platform that combines contact and deal management with sales automation, reporting, and a large integration ecosystem. For Zendesk led support teams, HubSpot works best as the sales system of record: pipeline, sequences, tasking, and forecasting, while Zendesk remains the ticketing source of truth. The main risk is overlap if both Zendesk and HubSpot are expected to run support.

Pros

• Strong pipeline + automation for SMB and mid market teams
• Solid reporting for pipeline health and rep activity
• Large marketplace of integrations and workflow connectors
• Scales from a lightweight CRM setup to more structured sales ops

Cons

• Cost can climb quickly as seats and advanced features are added
• Configuration gets complex once multiple hubs, objects, and workflows stack up
• Support teams can end up split if Zendesk and HubSpot both own “service” workflows

Pricing

• Starter: starts at $20 per seat per month
• Professional: starts at $100 per seat per month
• Enterprise: starts at $150 per seat per month

4. Pipedrive

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Overview

Pipedrive is a sales first CRM built around pipeline visibility and fast execution. Deals move through customizable stages, activities stay tightly tied to next steps, and reporting stays simple enough to manage without heavy ops. For Zendesk based support teams, Pipedrive fits as the sales pipeline layer while Zendesk remains the system for tickets and resolution.

Pros

• Clear pipeline and activity driven workflow that keeps follow ups on track
• Low setup friction for small and mid size sales teams
• Useful automation for routine sales actions as complexity grows
• Strong integration ecosystem to connect Zendesk signals to sales workflows

Cons

• Account context can feel sales centric when CS needs deeper relationship tracking
• Advanced automation and governance require higher tiers
• Zendesk to CRM handoffs typically need an integration connector to be seamless

Pricing

• Lite: $14 per seat/month (billed annually)
• Growth: $39 per seat/month (billed annually)
• Premium: $59 per seat/month (billed annually)
• Ultimate: $79 per seat/month (billed annually)

5. Salesforce Sales Cloud

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Overview

Salesforce Sales Cloud is built for teams that need a CRM to run complex revenue operations: multi stakeholder accounts, strict permissions, advanced reporting, and deeply customized workflows. In a Zendesk stack, Salesforce usually owns pipeline, forecasting, and cross team processes, while Zendesk stays the ticketing system. The tradeoff is more setup and admin overhead than lighter CRMs.

Pros

• Enterprise-grade customization, permissions, and workflow depth
• Strong forecasting and reporting for multi-team revenue ops
• Large integration ecosystem for Zendesk and data stacks
• Scales well for complex sales motions

Cons

• Heavier implementation and ongoing admin effort
• Cost rises quickly with higher tiers and add-ons
• Often too much for teams needing simple deal tracking

Pricing

• Starter Suite: $25 per user/month
• Pro Suite: $100 per user/month
• Enterprise: $175 per user/month
• Unlimited: $350 per user/month
• Agentforce 1 Sales: $550 per user/month

6. Attio

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Overview

Attio is a modern, relationship first CRM designed around clean data and flexible structures. Records stay enriched and searchable, pipelines stay lightweight, and teams can model sales motions without heavy CRM admin. For Zendesk users, Attio fits when support stays in Zendesk while sales wants a fast system for accounts, stakeholders, and deal work.

Pros

• Strong data model for contacts, companies, and custom workflows
• Automated enrichment reduces manual record cleanup
• Flexible views and lists for different teams without duplicating data
• Good fit for teams that want “CRM as a workspace,” not a rigid database

Cons

• Advanced capabilities sit in higher tiers as the team scales
• Some Zendesk-driven workflows require an automation connector
• Enterprise features like SSO require the Enterprise plan

Pricing

• Free: $0 (up to 3 seats)
• Plus: $36 per user/month (monthly) or $29 per user/month (annual)
• Pro: $86 per user/month (monthly) or $69 per user/month (annual)
• Enterprise: custom (billed annually)

7. Capsule CRM

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Overview

Capsule CRM focuses on simplicity: clean contact management, lightweight pipelines, and enough structure to keep follow ups consistent without heavy CRM ops. It suits Zendesk based teams that want a straightforward sales layer for opportunities and account notes, while Zendesk continues to own ticketing and support workflows.

It also works well when reporting and automation need to exist, but the CRM must stay easy to adopt across non technical teams.

Pros

• Simple UI and quick setup for small and mid sized teams
• Solid contact management plus pipelines and basic reporting
• Workflow automations and enrichment appear in higher tiers
• Easy to keep Zendesk as the support system and CRM as the sales layer

Cons

• Advanced sales ops features remain limited compared to enterprise CRMs
• Stronger automation and governance require moving up tiers
• Some Zendesk to CRM handoffs require an integration connector for best flow

Pricing

• Starter: $18 per user/month (billed annually)
• Growth: $36 per user/month (billed annually)
• Advanced: $54 per user/month (billed annually)
• Ultimate: $72 per user/month (billed annually)

8. Nimble CRM

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Overview

Nimble is a relationship focused CRM built around contact intelligence and day to day selling from email and calendar. It fits Zendesk users that want a lightweight sales layer for accounts, follow ups, and pipeline, without heavy CRM ops. It works best when Zendesk owns support and Nimble owns revenue execution.

Pros

• Strong contact centric workflow for warm relationships and inbound leads
• Useful enrichment and prospecting features to keep records usable
• Simple setup compared to heavy enterprise CRMs
• Good fit for small teams that need one clear pipeline and fast follow ups

Cons

• Single plan structure limits flexibility as needs diversify
• Workflow limits can matter when automation volume grows
• Zendesk triggered actions often require an automation connector

Pricing

• Business (billed annually): $24.90 per user/month
• Business (billed monthly): $29.90 per user/month
• Free trial: 14 days

9. Insightly CRM

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)

Overview

Insightly is a CRM built for teams that want structured pipeline execution plus deeper process control than “lightweight” CRMs. It combines contact and deal management with workflow automation, reporting, and strong customization, which fits Zendesk users who need a real sales system while keeping support in Zendesk.

It works best when sales needs consistent stages, ownership rules, and forecasting, and when support signals must trigger clean next steps through connected workflows instead of manual handoffs.

Pros

• Strong pipeline + reporting for sales ops discipline
• Good customization for fields, objects, and process rules
• Workflow automation supports repeatable follow ups and routing
• Useful fit for SMB to mid market teams that want structure without enterprise overhead

Cons

• UI and setup feel heavier than relationship first CRMs
• Best automation and controls sit in higher tiers
• Zendesk driven workflows often rely on an integration connector

Pricing

• Plus: $29 per user/month (billed annually)
• Professional: $49 per user/month (billed annually)
• Enterprise: $99 per user/month (billed annually)

9 Best CRMs for Zendesk Users: Recap Table

👉 Try folk CRM for free

Conclusion

Zendesk users need a CRM. Tickets capture the truth, but revenue work needs a system to run ownership, follow ups, pipeline, and renewals without relying on manual handoffs.

folk CRM is the best pick: clean contact data, email and calendar sync, and a relationship first workflow that stays close to real conversations while Zendesk stays the support system.

Two strong alternatives: Zendesk Sell for teams that want one Zendesk ecosystem, and Pipedrive for a simple, activity driven pipeline.

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