Comparison · Free plans

Zoho CRM vs Attio

Attio brings a startup data model, 50k records, API, and workflows on a 3-seat free plan. Zoho brings classic leads/deals structure, workflow automation, and reports for 3 users at 5k records. Pick modern relationships versus familiar SMB CRM shape.

Updated September 26, 2026

Higher scoreInternational CRM

Zoho CRM

7.6

Strongout of 10

Permanent free edition for up to 3 users and 5,000 records — leads, deals, workflow automation, standard reports, and API calls on $0. One of the most complete free sales CRMs in the English-speaking market.

Free plan (permanent, up to 3 users); paid editions from Standard

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International CRM

Attio

7.5

Strongout of 10

Modern relationship CRM with a permanent free plan for up to 3 seats and 50,000 records — email sync, API, reports, and workflows on $0. Built for startups more than classic SMB lead-routing.

Free plan (permanent, up to 3 seats); Plus from published USD/seat

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Criteria where Zoho CRM wins

Ties

Criteria where Attio wins

Editorial verdict

How to choose between them

Attio and Zoho both put a serious permanent free plan in front of small teams. The products do not feel the same.

Choose Attio if your GTM is relationship- and object-shaped and you want API-first CRM before you pay. Choose Zoho if your team already thinks in leads, accounts, and deals and wants the most conventional free sales stack.

Both clear the 3-user bar. Attio’s record ceiling is higher; Zoho’s free-edition sales vocabulary is broader for classic SMB ops. WhatsApp is a wash — neither wins that axis on free.

Score by criterion

In green, who wins the criterion. The overall score uses free plans weights: free-plan ceiling and automation on free weigh more.

CriterionZoho CRMAttio

Pipeline on free1×
A deal or opportunity board you can run on the free plan without upgrading to see stages.
8.4
8.0
Automation on free1.3×
A rule, sequence, or autoresponder that fires on its own on the $0 plan. Task reminders alone do not count.
8.6
7.8
Email and reporting on free1×
Send or sync email inside the product, plus a sales report or dashboard beyond the pipeline board — all on the free plan.
8.0
8.2
Messaging on free0.7×
Native SMS or messaging inbox on the contact or deal on the free plan. WhatsApp Business API on free also counts. Marketplace apps, browser extensions, and paid-plan-only channels do not.
2.5
2.0
Free-plan ceiling1.4×
How far the permanent $0 plan goes on users, contacts, and storage before you must pay. An expiring trial does not count as a ceiling.
8.8
9.0
Learning curve0.8×
How quickly a small team can put contacts and deals into daily use on the free plan without a consultant.
6.8
7.6
Overall score
7.6
7.5

Native features

Only what is part of the product counts. Marketplace integrations or third-party apps are out.

FeatureZoho CRMAttio

3+ users on freeYesYes
5k+ contacts on freeYesYes
Sales pipelineYesYes
Automation on freeYesYes
Email on freeYesYes
Reports on freeYesYes
Native messagingNoNo
API on freeYesYes

Compare with another rival

Each pair has its own page. The ranking only highlights the main duels — the rest are here and on each CRM profile.

Compare Zoho CRM with

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