When it comes to customer relationship management, small businesses need tools that are simple, effective, and affordable. Two popular CRM options, Bigin and Pipedrive, are both designed to help small teams manage their sales pipelines and customer interactions without overwhelming them. In this blog, we’re comparing the two to see which one offers the best value and functionality for small business needs.
Simplicity and Setup
Pipedrive
Most users can get Pipedrive up and running in about one to two hours. The interface is user-friendly, and setup is guided, but there’s a bit more manual configuration involved, especially when it comes to customizing pipelines or enabling automations. Pipedrive offers a 14-day free trial and includes personalized onboarding for all paid plans.
Bigin
Bigin is designed for small businesses with limited time and technical know-how. Setup takes about 30 minutes, with clear step-by-step guidance from the moment you sign up. Even the free plan includes access to essential onboarding tools, and paid users get one full month of free support to help with setup or questions. Bigin also offers a 15-day free trial to test out premium features before committing.
Verdict
Both platforms are simple and beginner-friendly. Pipedrive is intuitive but takes more time to configure. Bigin’s faster setup, 15-day trial, and one month of free support make it a better option for small teams getting started.
Features and Functionality
Both platforms offer core CRM functionality: Pipeline Management, Customer Management, Integrations, and Automations, but how they deliver those features differs.
Bigin
Bigin focuses on giving small businesses exactly what they need. Pipeline management, built-in telephony, email integration, task tracking, real-time alerts, forms, and automation are all included, even in the lower-priced tiers. The interface is straightforward, but the features are robust.
One stand out feature of Bigin is that it is a part of Zoho’s larger ecosystem. That means you can connect it to other Zoho tools like Zoho Books, Invoice, or Meeting without needing a bunch of outside add-ons.
Pipedrive
Pipedrive offers strong deal and contact management with customizable pipelines and built-in email tracking. It also provides forecasting and some automation tools, especially in its higher-tier plans. Additionally, Pipedrive supports a wide range of third-party integrations, which gives teams flexibility to connect with other apps they already use.
Verdict
Both platforms offer solid features for sales teams. Pipedrive may appeal to those looking for advanced sales tools and a broad integrations marketplace, while smaller businesses with simpler needs may prefer Bigin’s ease of use and access to Zoho applications.
Integrations and Ecosystem
Pipedrive
Pipedrive integrates with over 500 apps, including Gmail, Outlook, Slack, Zoom, and more. It relies heavily on third-party tools to extend functionality, which works well if you already use those platforms.
Bigin
Bigin integrates with external tools like Gmail, Outlook, and Zapier, but its biggest strength is the native access to Zoho’s business suite. From accounting and invoicing to project management and customer service, Zoho’s 50+ tools can all connect directly with Bigin. That makes it much easier to manage your entire business in one place, without duct-taping together multiple software platforms.
Verdict
Pipedrive gives you flexibility through third-party integrations, but Bigin offers a tighter, more cohesive ecosystem for businesses that want everything to work together seamlessly.
Scalability
As small businesses grow, their CRM needs often become more complex. That’s why it’s important to choose a platform that can handle more users, offer advanced features, and integrate with other tools as your business expands.
Bigin
When your needs exceed what Bigin offers, you can easily upgrade to Zoho CRM with just one click. This upgrade allows you to transfer all your existing data seamlessly, so there is no disruption or loss of information
Pipedrive
Pipedrive scales by offering higher-tier plans with more advanced features such as AI-powered sales insights, enhanced forecasting, and additional automation capabilities. However, these upgrades come at a higher price and often require purchasing add-ons separately.
Verdict
Both platforms offer growth options, but Bigin’s integration with Zoho CRM makes scaling simpler and smoother.
Pricing
Pricing is a key factor for small businesses evaluating CRMs. Below, we’ve summarized the pricing structure for both Pipedrive and Bigin (prices are displayed in CAD, and are subject to change based on promotions or currency fluctuations).
Pipedrive
Pipedrive offers several plans starting around $19/user/month, going up to $135 for enterprise-level features. While the entry-level plan covers basics, many advanced features like workflow automation or lead generation tools require higher tiers or additional add-ons, which can increase the total cost. Pipedrive does not have a free plan but it offers a 14-day free trial.
Bigin
Bigin offers a free plan that supports one user and up to 500 records, including features like automation and telephony. Its paid plans start at $9/user/month and go up to $23/user/month for its Bigin 360 plan. It also offers a 15-day free trial and one month of free onboarding support with all of its plans. Pricing is straightforward and tends to be more budget-friendly, especially for very small teams or solo users.
Verdict
Both platforms have transparent pricing, but Bigin’s free tier and lower-cost paid plans make it easier for small businesses to try and adopt without a big upfront investment.
Overall Comparison
| Category | Bigin | Pipedrive |
| Simplicity and Setup | 30 minutes to setup; 15-day free trial, one month of free onboarding support | 1 – 2 hours for setup; 14-day free trial; Personalized onboarding included |
| Features and Functionality | Core CRM features; Built-in telephony; Automations; Zoho ecosystem | Advanced sales tools; Customizable pipelines; Automations |
| Integrations and Ecosystem | Integrates with popular third-party tools; Connection to Zoho’s 50+ apps | 500+ third-party integrations; Additional add-ons |
| Scalability | One-click upgrade to Zoho CRM with simple data migration | Higher-tier plans with added features |
| Pricing | Starts at $9/user/month; Highest plan at $23/user/month | Starts at $19/user/month; Highest plan at $135/user/month |
Pipedrive and Bigin are both reliable CRM solutions, but they serve different kinds of teams.
If you need highly customizable sales tools and don’t mind paying extra for add-ons, Pipedrive is a solid choice. But if you’re a small business looking for a simple, affordable CRM that covers all the basics and scales smoothly as you grow, Bigin is tough to beat.
Ready to try Bigin? Sign up for the 15-day free trial—no credit card required—and experience fast setup, built-in automation, and seamless growth options designed specifically for small businesses.