10 Best Pipeline Management Software (2026)

Some deals fall through because of bad timing. Others? Because your team can't see what's blocking the close.

The best sales teams don't just work hard—they track, analyze, and optimize every stage. That's where the best pipeline management software comes in. A good CRM isn't optional anymore. It's your sales engine.

10 Best Pipeline Management Software Analyzed and Compared

Quick comparison table

👉🏼 Try folk now to compare customizable pipelines and start organizing your team's deals in one collaborative view

folk CRM

Best For

Sales managers leading teams of 20-50 people who need collaborative pipeline visibility and customizable workflows.

Overview

folk CRM stands out as the ideal solution for medium-sized sales teams who need both simplicity and power. Sales managers with 20-50 team members love how it creates fully customizable pipelines while automating contact management through "Magic Fields." You can segment leads, assign tasks across multiple reps, and collaborate in real-time without digging through clutter. Its clean interface makes adoption easy across larger teams, even for non-technical sales professionals. The shared views feature is particularly valuable for sales managers who need to monitor pipeline health across multiple territories or product lines.

Pros

• Visual and collaborative pipeline views perfect for team oversight
• Auto-tagging and dynamic contact fields that scale with team growth
• Team collaboration with shared views for sales managers
• Google Sheets and LinkedIn sync for seamless data management

Cons

• No free plan currently available

Pricing

From $20/user/month

👉🏼 Try folk now to set up shared views and Magic Fields so your 20–50 person team never misses a follow-up

Pipedrive

Best For

Sales teams that prioritize pipeline visibility and forecasting.

Overview

Pipedrive is known for its drag-and-drop interface and sales-centric features. You get visual pipeline views, customizable stages, and revenue forecasts. The deal rotting feature alerts reps to stale deals, helping improve time-to-close. On G2, users highlight its clean UI and ease of use, especially for small to mid-sized teams.

Pros

• Pipeline visibility with customizable stages
• AI sales assistant for deal insights
• Revenue forecasting and goal tracking

Cons

• Limited marketing automation capabilities

Pricing

From $21/user/month

HubSpot

Best For

SMBs scaling fast with marketing-sales alignment needs.

Overview

HubSpot's CRM offers free access to basic pipeline features. It includes contact tracking, deal stages, email templates, and reporting dashboards. Users love its native integrations and how easily it links sales to marketing campaigns. The interface is user-friendly, but pricing can increase quickly as your needs grow.

Pros

• Full-featured free plan
• Seamless sales and marketing integration
• Deal forecasting and reporting

Cons

• Advanced features locked behind expensive tiers

Pricing

Free plan available, paid tiers from $20/user/month

Close CRM

Best For

Inside sales teams that rely on phone, SMS, and email.

Overview

Close CRM is purpose-built for reps working fast and remotely. It integrates calling, emailing, and SMS into one interface. Its pipeline feature tracks each lead's journey in real-time, and automated workflows help speed up follow-ups. Users on Capterra rate its speed and multichannel outreach highly.

Pros

• Native dialer, email, and SMS tools
• Custom pipeline stages with automation
• Great for high-volume outreach

Cons

• Limited external integrations

Pricing

From $49/user/month

monday CRM

Best For

Project-heavy sales teams needing custom workflows.

Overview

monday sales CRM gives users control over every aspect of their sales workflow. You can build your own dashboards, automate recurring tasks, and integrate with over 40 apps. On G2, sales teams appreciate its flexibility and how it helps with cross-department visibility.

Pros

• Visual workflow builder
• Project and pipeline management in one
• Workflow automations

Cons

• Can be overwhelming without setup help

Pricing

From $10/user/month

Freshsales

Best For

Sales teams wanting AI-powered deal scoring and analytics.

Overview

Freshsales by Freshworks brings AI into pipeline management. Freddy AI analyzes deals and highlights risks before they go cold. The tool also includes territory management, lead scoring, and real-time chat. Users say it's easy to get started and particularly useful for growing teams.

Pros

• AI-based forecasting and alerts
• Integrated email, phone, and chat
• Strong mobile experience

Cons

• Reporting features could be more robust

Pricing

Free plan available, paid plans from $15/user/month

Salesforce

Best For

Enterprises with advanced pipeline and analytics needs.

Overview

Salesforce remains a leader for a reason—customization. You can configure everything from sales stages to lead scoring to predictive analytics. It's great for large teams needing deep integrations and analytics. On G2, users praise its scale but note the complexity and high setup cost.

Pros

• End-to-end sales pipeline customization
• Enterprise-level analytics and forecasting
• Huge app marketplace

Cons

• Steep learning curve and expensive onboarding

Pricing

From $25/user/month

Zoho CRM

Best For

Budget-conscious teams and freelancers.

Overview

Zoho CRM offers a wide range of features without the high cost. It includes pipeline tracking, sales automation, and email marketing. On Capterra, users like its affordability and value, though the user interface feels dated.

Pros

• Affordable pricing
• Free plan for individuals
• Pipeline, email, and workflow tools

Cons

• UI is less intuitive

Pricing

Free plan available, paid plans from $14/user/month

Salesmate

Best For

Small and mid-sized businesses looking for simplicity.

Overview

Salesmate is built for teams that need intuitive software without the bells and whistles. It includes automated workflows, a visual sales pipeline, and real-time tracking. On G2, users love its customer support and clean interface.

Pros

• Easy setup and use
• Great customer service
• Customizable sales stages

Cons

• Fewer third-party integrations

Pricing

From $12/user/month

Copper

Best For

Teams deeply integrated with Google Workspace.

Overview

Copper works seamlessly inside Gmail and Google Calendar. It tracks pipeline progress, automates data entry, and provides visual reports—all from your inbox. Capterra reviewers say it saves them hours every week by reducing admin work.

Pros

• Strong Google Workspace integration
• Zero data entry CRM
• Helpful activity reminders

Cons

• Not ideal outside of Google ecosystem

Pricing

From $29/user/month

Conclusion

Sales pipeline software should be tailored to your team's structure, velocity, and goals. Whether you're scaling outreach, automating steps, or forecasting revenue, the right tool will give you clarity—and speed. For sales managers leading teams of 20-50 people, folk CRM offers the ideal combination of collaborative features, customizable pipelines, and team oversight capabilities that medium-sized sales organizations need to thrive.

More Resources

How to Build a Sales Pipeline From Scratch? Easy Steps and Best B2B Tools

How to Track Sales Effectively and Drive Real-Time Revenue Insights

Deal management: structure, track and improve your pipeline with a CRM that works

FAQ

What is pipeline management software?

Pipeline management software tracks deals through stages, centralizes activities and notes, flags stalled opportunities, and provides forecasts so teams can prioritize actions and improve win rates.

How is sales pipeline software different from a CRM?

A CRM manages customer data and interactions across marketing, sales, and service. Pipeline software focuses on stage-based deal tracking, forecasting, and activity management, often as a module within a CRM.

What features should a sales pipeline tool include?

Custom stages, automation and reminders, forecasting and reports, activity timelines, collaboration and permissions, integrations (email, calendar, chat), mobile access, and role-based dashboards.

How to choose the right sales pipeline software?

Define stages, team size, integrations, and reporting needs. Prioritize ease of use and time-to-value. Pilot with a small group and a free trial, e.g., folk, to verify adoption, data quality, and forecast accuracy.