Bigin by Zoho CRM
A simple, pipeline-centric CRM from Zoho for small businesses, with a free single-user plan, WhatsApp Business integration from the first paid tier and per-user prices from $7 a month.
- Free plan
- Free trial
- Per-seat pricing
- Cloud
- AI features
- Vendor-sourced
- Verified 23 Oct 2026Sources are dated on this profile
- 6 sourcesLinked, typed and dated
- Vendor and official documentationHow this profile was compiled
- Not an endorsementStack18 has not tested this product
What is Bigin by Zoho CRM?
Bigin by Zoho CRM is a lightweight CRM from Zoho Corporation built around sales pipelines for small businesses. It has a free single-user plan with 500 records and three paid per-user plans billed yearly: Express ($7), Premier ($12) and Bigin 360 ($18), or $9, $15 and $21 on monthly billing. Record limits rise from 50,000 to 1,000,000, and WhatsApp Business integration starts on Express.
- Best forSolo founders and small teams that want a simple pipeline CRM at a very low price
- Team size fitSmall teams
- PricingFree for 1 user and 500 records. Per user per month billed yearly: Express $7, Premier $12, Bigin 360 $18; monthly billing is $9, $15 and $21. Free trial, no card required. Free plan available.
- Main limitationThe free plan is single-user and capped at 500 records, so any collaboration costs money.
- AlternativesZoho CRM, Pipedrive, Less Annoying CRM, Freshsales, HubSpot
Bigin by Zoho CRM overview: who it is for and what it does.
Bigin is Zoho's answer to a common complaint: full CRMs such as Zoho CRM or Salesforce are more system than a ten-person business needs. Bigin is pipeline-centric, with contacts, companies, products and Kanban pipelines for tracking deals, plus calendar and meeting sync, call logging, team roles and permissions, and mobile apps for Android and iPhone. It is built by Zoho in Chennai, India, and Capterra and Software Advice both show a 4.7 rating from about 730 reviews, with reviewers calling it a simple and effective way to organise sales pipelines.
Pricing is per user per month, with record count as the main meter. The free plan covers a single user with 500 records, one pipeline and 3 automations. Express ($7 yearly, $9 monthly) allows 50,000 records, 3 pipelines and 10 custom fields per module, and adds WhatsApp Business integration. Premier ($12 yearly, $15 monthly) allows 100,000 records, 25 custom fields per module and 30 workflow rules per module, and brings AI features such as a writing assistant, record summaries and churn analysis with 1,000 AI credits a month, according to Findstack. Bigin 360 ($18 yearly, $21 monthly), launched by Zoho as its highest edition, allows 1,000,000 records and 15 pipelines, with 100 advanced automation rules, email integration and pre-installed toppings at no extra cost.
Bigin suits solo operators and teams of up to about ten who want a real pipeline CRM without an implementation project. The trade-offs are limits that matter as a business grows: the free plan is single-user, record caps and tiered custom fields apply, there is no Blueprint process feature, and Software Advice reviewers say setting up integrations can be confusing with some essential connections missing or needing extra steps. Once Bigin 360 reaches roughly $18 to $20 per user, it approaches Zoho CRM Standard at $14, so teams that need deeper automation should compare both. Zoho offers an upgrade path from Bigin to Zoho CRM.
Main problem it solves
Gives small businesses a simple pipeline CRM with a free starting point and very low per-user pricing, without the setup effort of a full CRM suite.
Typical customer segment
Solo founders, freelancers and small teams, including many in India, that want an affordable CRM for tracking leads and deals.
Target users
- Solo founders and freelancers tracking leads
- Small sales teams that want a pipeline CRM at about $7 per user
- Businesses that sell over WhatsApp
- Existing Zoho customers that want a simpler CRM
Primary use cases
- Pipeline and deal tracking in Kanban view
- Contact and company management
- WhatsApp Business conversations
- Call logging and calendar sync
- Workflow automation for follow-up
- AI summaries and writing assistance
What makes it distinct
- Free single-user plan with phone, API and mobile apps
- Per-user prices from $7 per month on annual billing
- WhatsApp Business integration from the cheapest paid tier
- Clear upgrade path to Zoho CRM and the wider Zoho ecosystem
Bigin by Zoho CRM features explained.
Pipelines and contacts
- Kanban sales pipelines
- Pipeline view tracks deals in Kanban stages, with 1 pipeline on Free, 3 on Express and up to 15 on Bigin 360.
- Contacts, companies and products
- Contacts, companies and products are managed as records, capped at 500 on Free, 50,000 on Express, 100,000 on Premier and 1,000,000 on Bigin 360.
- Custom fields
- Custom fields are tiered per module: 10 on Express, 25 on Premier and 50 on Bigin 360, according to independent comparisons.
- Calendar and meeting sync
- Calendar and meeting sync and a reminder system keep follow-ups on schedule.
Communication and automation
- WhatsApp Business integration
- WhatsApp Business integration starts on the Express plan, which reviewers highlight because it is often a premium gate elsewhere.
- Call logging and telephony
- Call logging is supported, and the free plan includes phone features according to Findstack.
- Workflow automation
- Workflow rules per module are 10 on Express, 30 on Premier and 50 on Bigin 360, with Bigin 360 listing 100 advanced automation rules in total and no Blueprint feature.
- Email integration
- Email integration is listed on the Bigin 360 plan, and a Zoho Mail add-on is available on Express.
AI, plans and platform
- AI writing assistant and summaries
- From Premier, an AI writing assistant, record summaries and churn analysis use 1,000 AI credits a month, according to Findstack.
- Bigin 360 toppings
- Bigin 360 pre-installs toppings that were paid extras on Express and Premier, such as extended capabilities for records and features.
- Mobile apps
- Apps are available for Android, iPad and iPhone, in addition to the web application.
- Roles and permissions
- Profiles and team roles and permissions control who sees which records on paid plans.
Bigin by Zoho CRM pricing and plans.
Figures reported consistently by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directly. Checked 23 Oct 2026 against Zoho Community · Capterra · Findstack.
Pricing model
Per user per month by plan (Free, Express, Premier, Bigin 360), with lower yearly billing, record limits by plan and a free single-user plan.
Free plan
Yes
Free trial
Yes
Bigin by Zoho CRM plans and prices (USD)
Free
$0 for 1 user
Not applicable
500 records, 1 pipeline, 3 automations, phone, API and mobile apps.
Express
$7 per user per month billed yearly; $9 billed monthly
Yearly or monthly
50,000 records, 3 pipelines, 10 custom fields per module, 10 workflows per module and WhatsApp Business integration.
Premier
$12 per user per month billed yearly; $15 billed monthly
Yearly or monthly
100,000 records, 25 custom fields per module, 30 workflow rules per module and AI features with 1,000 credits a month.
Bigin 360
$18 per user per month billed yearly; $21 billed monthly
Yearly or monthly
1,000,000 records, 15 pipelines, 100 advanced automation rules, email integration and pre-installed toppings.
Bigin 360's $18 yearly and $21 monthly prices are from Zoho's own announcement. Express, Premier and the free plan limits come from Capterra, Software Advice, Findstack and SpotSaaS, which agree on $7, $12 and $18 yearly. Capterra and Software Advice label the prices as per year in error; they are per user per month billed yearly. Sources differ on Premier's pipeline count (5 vs 10) and on how automations are counted, so confirm limits on Zoho's pricing page. Prices are localised by region and exclude tax.
Prices change. Confirm current plans and terms on the vendor's site before you decide.
Visit official website (external) ↗See alternativesBigin by Zoho CRM integrations, API and platforms.
Important integrations
- WhatsApp Business (from Express)
- Zoho Mail add-on
- Email integration (Bigin 360)
- Calendar and meeting sync
- Upgrade path to Zoho CRM
- Zoho ecosystem apps
Supported platforms
- Web
- Android
- iPhone
- iPad
API
The free plan includes API access, according to Findstack.
Data import and export
Duplicate cleanup is listed on Express; import and export options were not separately reviewed.
Software Advice reviewers say setting up integrations can be confusing and that some essential connections are missing or need extra steps. Individual integrations were not tested.
Balanced and sourced.
Each point cites a source. Editorial summaries are not customer reviews.
Strengths
- The free single-user plan includes phone, API access and mobile apps, which is unusually complete for a free CRM. [4]
- Express at $7 per user per month is among the lowest credible CRM prices, with WhatsApp Business integration included. [4]
- Capterra and Software Advice show a 4.7 rating from 731 reviews. [3]
- Bigin 360 raises limits to 1,000,000 records and 15 pipelines and pre-installs paid toppings. [1]
- There is a clear upgrade path to Zoho CRM when the business outgrows Bigin. [4]
Limitations
- The free plan is single-user and capped at 500 records, so any collaboration costs money. [5]
- Custom fields and workflow rules are tiered per module, and there is no Blueprint process feature. [5]
- Reviewers say integrations can be confusing to set up and some essential connections are missing. [3]
- At roughly $18 to $20 per user, Bigin 360 approaches Zoho CRM Standard pricing, which narrows its price advantage. [5]
- Sources conflict on some plan limits, such as Premier pipelines and automation counts. [2]
Best for
- Solo founders and small teams that want a simple pipeline CRM at a very low price
- Businesses that sell or support customers over WhatsApp
- Existing Zoho users who want a lighter CRM than Zoho CRM
May be less suited to
- Teams that need advanced automation, Blueprint processes or heavy customisation
- Teams that need several users on a free plan
Alternatives to Bigin by Zoho CRM.
Zoho CRM
A per-user CRM from Zoho with a free edition for three users and four paid editions that add automation, AI…
Explore →Related productPipedrive
A pipeline-focused sales CRM sold per seat in four plans (Lite, Growth, Premium and Ultimate), with…
Explore →Related productLess Annoying CRM
A simple small-business CRM sold at one flat $15 per user per month, with unlimited contacts, pipelines and…
Explore →Related productFreshsales
A sales CRM from Freshworks with a free plan for three users, built-in phone and email, and Freddy AI…
Explore →Related productHubSpot
A customer platform built around Smart CRM, with Sales, Marketing, Service and other Hubs and a free entry…
Explore →Bigin by Zoho CRM compared with similar crm software.
Summaries come from each profile. This is a side-by-side aid, not a ranking.
| Product | Pricing model | Free plan | Customisation | Automation | AI features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bigin by Zoho CRM | Per user by plan; record limits by plan | Yes (1 user, 500 records) | Tiered custom fields per module (10, 25, 50) | Workflow rules per module by plan | Writing assistant and summaries from Premier |
| Agile CRM | Per user by plan; discounts for longer terms | Yes (10 users, 1,000 contacts) | Plugins and API limits by plan | 1, 5, 10 and unlimited rules by plan | None documented |
| Attio | Per seat by plan; AI and workflow usage on credits | Yes, up to 3 seats | Custom objects and relationship attributes | Workflows on credits; sequences from Pro | Ask Attio, agents and call recording |
| Bitrix24 | Flat price per organisation with user cap | Yes (1 to 2 users) | Custom fields, pipelines and workflows | Workflow automation from Professional | AI-powered sales (Professional) |
| Capsule CRM | Per user by plan; optional Marketing add-on | Yes (2 users, 250 contacts) | Custom fields, milestones and task types; quotas rise by plan | Workflow automation from Growth | AI pipeline generator, summaries and enrichment |
| Close CRM | Per user by plan; usage-based calling and AI extras | No free plan; trial available | Custom activities and API on higher plans | Workflows from Growth | Chloe AI agent and AI credits on every plan |
Bigin by Zoho CRM head-to-head.
No published comparisons yet.
Join the discussion.
No published discussions mention this product yet.
Bigin by Zoho CRM questions and answers
What is Bigin by Zoho CRM?
Bigin by Zoho CRM is a lightweight, pipeline-centric CRM from Zoho for small businesses. It offers contacts, companies, Kanban pipelines, calendar sync, call logging, WhatsApp Business integration and mobile apps.
How much does Bigin cost?
Bigin Express costs $7, Premier $12 and Bigin 360 $18 per user per month billed yearly, or $9, $15 and $21 billed monthly. There is also a free single-user plan.
Is Bigin free?
Yes, for one user. The free plan allows 500 records, one pipeline and 3 automations, and includes phone, API access and mobile apps. Any additional users need a paid plan.
Does Bigin have a free trial?
Yes. Capterra reports a free trial and a free version, with no credit card required.
What is Bigin 360?
Bigin 360 is Zoho's highest Bigin edition, priced at $18 per user per month billed yearly. It allows 1,000,000 records and 15 pipelines, and includes 100 advanced automation rules, email integration and pre-installed toppings at no extra cost.
Does Bigin integrate with WhatsApp?
Yes. WhatsApp Business integration starts on the Express plan, the cheapest paid tier.
What is the difference between Bigin and Zoho CRM?
Bigin is simpler and cheaper, built around pipelines for small teams. Zoho CRM is a fuller platform with features such as Blueprint and more custom fields and workflow rules, starting at $14 per user per month billed yearly.
What are alternatives to Bigin?
Common alternatives include Zoho CRM, Pipedrive, Less Annoying CRM, Freshsales and HubSpot.
What integrations does Bigin by Zoho CRM support?
Documented integrations and ecosystem items include WhatsApp Business (from Express), Zoho Mail add-on, Email integration (Bigin 360), Calendar and meeting sync, Upgrade path to Zoho CRM, Zoho ecosystem apps. API details: The free plan includes API access, according to Findstack.
What are the limitations of Bigin by Zoho CRM?
The free plan is single-user and capped at 500 records, so any collaboration costs money. Custom fields and workflow rules are tiered per module, and there is no Blueprint process feature. Reviewers say integrations can be confusing to set up and some essential connections are missing.
Which platforms does Bigin by Zoho CRM run on?
Bigin by Zoho CRM is documented as available on: Web, Android, iPhone, iPad.
When was the Bigin by Zoho CRM profile last verified?
Sources for this profile were last reviewed on 23 Oct 2026. 6 sources are listed under Sources, and prices and plans can change, so confirm with the vendor.
Where this information comes from.
- Introducing Bigin 360: our new pricing edition Zoho Community Official Accessed 23 Oct 2026
- Bigin by Zoho CRM pricing 2026 Capterra Third-party Accessed 23 Oct 2026
- Bigin by Zoho CRM reviews, demo and pricing 2026 Software Advice Third-party Accessed 23 Oct 2026
- Bigin by Zoho CRM review Findstack Third-party Accessed 23 Oct 2026
- Bigin vs Zoho CRM: which fits your team in 2026? Prospeo Third-party Accessed 23 Oct 2026
- Zoho CRM pricing (includes Bigin prices) SpotSaaS Third-party Accessed 23 Oct 2026
Further official pages: Bigin pricing (external)
Bigin 360's price was confirmed from Zoho's own announcement, and Express, Premier and free-plan limits were cross-checked across Capterra, Software Advice, Findstack, Prospeo and SpotSaaS. Zoho's pricing page was not retrieved as text, and sources differ on some limits (such as Premier pipelines). Product behaviour was not tested.
Stack18 has not tested this product or received anything from the vendor for this profile. Editorial summaries of vendor information are not endorsements. Confirm details with the vendor before buying.
Evaluating Bigin by Zoho CRM?
Check the vendor's current pricing and terms, compare it with similar products, or read how others approach the decision. If off-the-shelf is not the answer, Stack18 builds around how your business works.
Logos provided by Logo.dev. Product names and logos are trademarks of their respective owners and appear for identification only; they do not imply endorsement.