Salesforce vs SAP? Find The Best CRM Match Now

Salesforce vs SAP CRM: Which One Will Power Your Business to Success? Let’s break down the pros and cons to help you choose the perfect CRM for your needs!
Alina
July 16, 2025

According to a report by Grand View Research, the global CRM market is expected to reach $114.4 billion by 2027. It's growing at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 14.2% from 2025 to 2030. These figures show how important CRM tools have become for businesses today. 

Salesforce and SAP are two of the top players in the market when considering which CRM software to use. But how do you decide which one is the right fit for your business?

In this article, we'll dive deep into the SAP vs Salesforce debate. This Salesforce vs SAP CRM comparison will cover strengths, weaknesses and much more. Let's help you make the best choice for your organization.

stats of different crm


What Is SAP?

SAP stands for Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing. It is a global leader in enterprise resource planning (ERP), founded in 1972 in Germany. SAP offers different software products for finance, human resources, supply chain and more. The SAP CRM is part of the larger suite and focuses on improving customer relationships. It's also used for optimizing and managing sales and marketing efforts.

SAP CRM is for large companies to integrate customer data into a single and unified platform. It allows businesses to automate various processes and gain insights into customer behaviors. But the complexity of SAP’s solutions can be overwhelming for smaller businesses. Its strong integrations are one of its main selling points, especially for those already using SAP ERP systems. Despite this, SAP CRM can be expensive and time consuming to get.

What Is Salesforce?

Salesforce is the top rated cloud-based CRM globally, known for its massive infrastructure. The Salesforce CRM was launched in 1999 by Marc Benioff and his team. It was one of the pioneers in cloud computing for CRM. Today, Salesforce claims to be an all in one solution for businesses of all sizes.

The Salesforce CRM helps companies streamline customer interactions and improve overall sales productivity. It has many features like sales automation, customer service, marketing tools and analytics. These capabilities are all accessible through a user friendly interface. One of the key advantages of Salesforce is its scalability. So, businesses can grow without needing to switch platforms. Additionally, its AppExchange ecosystem offers thousands of third-party apps and integrations.

Main Differences Between SAP and Salesforce

Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between SAP CRM vs Salesforce CRM:

  • Platform: SAP is traditionally an on-premise solution but has cloud options. Salesforce is fully cloud-based.
  • Ease of Use: Salesforce is user-friendly and known for its intuitive interface. SAP CRM is more complex and may require significant training.
  • Customization: Both platforms offer customization, but Salesforce provides more options. It has the AppExchange and custom development options.
  • Integration: SAP has deep integration with other SAP enterprise tools. Salesforce supports 3000+ integrations and works well with third-party applications. It is often easier to integrate with non-SAP systems.
  • Pricing: SAP CRM typically comes with higher upfront costs and maintenance fees. Salesforce offers various pricing tiers based on the business’s size and needs.
  • Scalability: Both are scalable but Salesforce is more adaptable for small and medium sized businesses. It has extensive functions, many editions and a cloud-based infrastructure.
  • Customer Support: Salesforce offers many resources and support while SAP’s support can be more complex . This is due to the breadth of its product offerings.

SAP vs Salesforce Comparison Table

Feature SAP CRM Salesforce CRM
Deployment Cloud & On-premise Cloud-based only
Ease of Use Complex, requires training User-friendly, intuitive
Integration Best with SAP ERP systems Integrates well with third-party apps
Customization Limited, requires SAP expertise Highly customizable through AppExchange
Scalability Suited for large enterprises Scalable for businesses of all sizes
Analytics Basic analytics Advanced reporting & analytics
Customer Support Dedicated support for large businesses Excellent customer support, community-driven
App Ecosystem Limited third-party apps Thousands of apps via AppExchange
Target Audience Large enterprises, existing SAP users Small to large businesses, startups
Artificial Intelligence Yes Yes
On-Premise Yes No
Offline Mode Yes Restricted
Transparent Pricing No Yes

How To Pick Between SAP CRM and Salesforce

Choosing between SAP CRM vs Salesforce CRM depends on several factors. Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects to consider when selecting the best CRM for your business:


Business Size and Complexity


If your company is large and already using SAP’s suite of enterprise tools, integrating SAP CRM might be the best option. However, if you're a growing business or a startup, Salesforce’s scalability and user-friendly design might be the better choice.


Ease of Use


Salesforce is widely praised for its intuitive interface. If your team needs a CRM that’s easy to learn and use, Salesforce will save time and reduce training costs. On the other hand, SAP CRM is more complex, requiring extensive training and expertise to operate effectively.

Customization Needs

Salesforce offers a high level of customization. You can tailor it to meet your specific needs with hundreds of add-ons and apps from AppExchange. If your business requires a lot of customization, Salesforce might be the better choice.

Integration Requirements

If your company is already using SAP ERP solutions, choosing SAP CRM makes sense because of its seamless integration with other SAP tools. However, if you need a CRM that works well with a wide third-party applications, Salesforce might be a better fit due to its flexible integrations.

Pricing

Pricing can be a deciding factor, especially for smaller businesses. Salesforce offers a variety of pricing plans, making it a more affordable option for companies with limited budgets. SAP CRM, on the other hand, may require a significant investment in both licensing fees and implementation costs.

Support and Resources

Salesforce provides a lot of support, resources and a large user community. This network can help businesses solve problems quickly. SAP also offers dedicated support, but its complexity may require more specialized assistance.

Which is the Better Choice?

After reviewing the key differences in this Sap vs Salesforce guide, we have come to a conclusion: Salesforce is the winner. 

Salesforce offers more tools and an easier user experience. Plus, the scalability feature makes it attractive for both start ups and established companies. Additionally, its cloud based platform allows businesses to access their CRM data from anywhere. 

SAP CRM is a solid choice for large organizations already invested in SAP products. But Salesforce CRM has superior functionality and ease of use for those looking for a customizable solution.

Quick Summary

Salesforce and SAP are both big names in the software world, but they focus on different things.

  • SAP is mainly known for its ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) solutions. At the same time, Salesforce is all about CRM (Customer Relationship Management). 
  • Salesforce runs completely in the cloud and lets businesses pick and choose different CRM features based on what they need. SAP, on the other hand, adds CRM tools (SAP CX) to its ERP system, offering both cloud and on-premise options.

The good news? You don’t have to pick just one. With the right integrations, businesses can use both Salesforce and SAP together to get the best of both worlds.

How PixelConsluting Can Help 

Whether you choose SAP CRM vs Salesforce CRM, it all comes down to your business’s needs and size. Salesforce is accessible, flexible and cost-effective for most organizations. Therefore, it is the preferred CRM platform for most companies worldwide.  

At PixelConsulting, we specialize in helping businesses implement the best CRM solution. Our expert team can guide you through the decision-making process and ensure that your CRM system is optimized for success. 

If you're ready to take your customer relationships to the next level, Salesforce might just be the perfect fit for your business. Contact us today for a free consultation!

FAQs

Is SAP better than Salesforce?

It depends on what you need. SAP is great for ERP (managing business operations) but Salesforce is the go-to for CRM (managing customer relationships). If you're not sure which fits your business better, check out the comparison in our article above!

Is Salesforce overtaking SAP?

In the CRM world, yes! As of 2022, Salesforce pulled ahead with $7.72 billion in revenue, making it the biggest CRM provider out there. But SAP is still a major player, especially when it comes to ERP solutions.

Who is Salesforce’s biggest competitor?

Salesforce has some tough competition! The biggest rivals are Microsoft, Oracle, and SAP which offer CRM and business solutions. However, overall Salesforce remains the leader in cloud-based CRM software.

Read Also : Odoo vs Salesforce

Author Insights:
Alina
Hi, I’m a content marketer with over 7 years of experience in content strategy, copywriting and editing. Currently, I’m exploring the world of Salesforce and aim to break down the ins and outs of this complex tool in simple, relatable ways. With these blogs, I’ll provide valuable insights to help businesses grow and use this CRM to their advantage. In my free time you'll find me unwinding with a good book and a cup of coffee!
July 16, 2025

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