Refrens alternative: dedicated sales CRMs for growing teams
Looking for a Refrens alternative because your sales team now needs a CRM of its own? Refrens brings invoicing, accounting and a Sales CRM together; the products below are built mainly for selling, and each is described from its own website with what it does for lead capture, WhatsApp, SMS and setup.
Vendor details checked on 2 October 2026 from each vendor's own website; features change, so confirm with them. DigiPix Flow is our product: it is listed first and marked as ours, and the others are in no ranked order.
Why teams look beyond Refrens
Sales has become its own team
When several reps work leads every day, some businesses want a CRM whose whole focus is enquiries, assignment and follow-up, kept apart from the books.
You want more follow-up automation
Teams that run follow-up sequences, lead scoring or round-robin assignment across reps often compare products built around those jobs.
Your messaging has grown
If reps now send WhatsApp messages, emails and DLT-registered SMS every day, the question is how each product keeps those conversations on the lead's record.
The 5 options at a glance
- 1. DigiPix Flow (ours)Indian small and mid-sized sales teams whose sales start as enquiries from ads, marketplaces and website forms.
- 2. Zoho CRMTeams of any size that want a broad CRM inside the wider Zoho product family, with room to add automation, analytics and integrations as they grow.
- 3. BiginVery small teams of one to twenty people that want a simple pipeline CRM within the Zoho family, with a clear path up to Zoho CRM.
- 4. Kylas Sales CRMGrowing businesses in India, across sectors such as manufacturing, fintech and education, that want pipelines, WhatsApp, calling and AI lead scoring in one CRM.
- 5. Vtiger CRMStart-ups, small and medium businesses and larger teams that want sales, marketing and support in one customisable CRM, with cloud or open-source deployment options.
How this list was made
- Sales CRMs that Refrens users compare when lead volume or team size grows, drawn from search results and buyer questions.
- Each product is described from its own website and help pages, checked on the date shown.
- Prices are left out; each vendor's own pricing page is the place to check them.
- DigiPix Flow is our own product: it is listed first and labelled, and the others follow in no ranked order.
1. DigiPix Flow
Our productDigiPix Flow is a lead management CRM: every enquiry lands in one inbox, goes to the right rep and is followed up on WhatsApp, email and SMS until it becomes a deal.
Why it is on this list: A lead management CRM: enquiries from Meta, Google Ads, IndiaMART and website forms arrive in one inbox, go to the right rep through assignment rules, and are followed up on WhatsApp, email and SMS. Quotations are built on the deal and accepted online.
Best for: Indian small and mid-sized sales teams whose sales start as enquiries from ads, marketplaces and website forms.
| Built for | Indian sales teams whose sales start as enquiries, such as agencies, real estate, coaching institutes, D2C brands and manufacturers. More |
|---|---|
| Lead capture | Meta Lead Ads, Google Ads lead forms, IndiaMART, website forms, hosted forms, a lead API and CSV import all feed one lead inbox. More |
| Connect your WhatsApp Business number directly; conversations sit on the lead's record beside calls, email and SMS. More | |
| SMS in India | Two-way SMS to Indian numbers, with every message checked against your DLT templates before it sends. More |
| Calling | Calls and meetings are logged on the record with their outcome and the next follow-up; a built-in dialer is not available. More |
| Pipelines | One pipeline per workspace with your own stages, fields a deal must have before it moves, and approvals for discounts and wins. More |
| Automation | Rule-based workflows, assignment rules with round robin, lead scoring and follow-up sequences. More |
| Reporting | A dashboard and saved reports for leads by source, pipeline value by stage and team activity, built from the records your team keeps. More |
| Mobile app | Ask our team |
| Data hosting | Hosted in the Mumbai region. More |
| Sign-in and access | Multi-factor sign-in on every plan, which admins can enforce, plus roles, permissions and an audit log; single sign-on is not available yet. More |
| Integrations and API | A lead API with scoped keys, and outbound webhooks for lead and deal events. More |
| Getting started | Enquiry-led: you talk to a specialist who sets the workspace up around how your team sells, priced in rupees. More |
2. Zoho CRM
Zoho CRM is an AI-assisted CRM platform that brings lead management, sales automation, omnichannel engagement and analytics together for growing businesses.
Why it is on this list: Zoho's full CRM, worth a look if sales has become a department of its own and you want workflow rules, round-robin assignment, sales cadences and dashboards in one place, inside the wider Zoho family.
Best for: Teams of any size that want a broad CRM inside the wider Zoho product family, with room to add automation, analytics and integrations as they grow.
| Built for | Zoho describes its CRM as serving businesses of all sizes, from freelancers and small businesses to enterprises, across all industries and verticals. Source: zoho.com |
|---|---|
| Lead capture | Zoho CRM captures leads from web forms, landing pages on WordPress and Unbounce, social media including Facebook Lead Ads, and Google Ads. IndiaMART connectors are listed on its Marketplace. Source: zoho.com |
| Zoho CRM integrates WhatsApp Business so teams can message customers from the CRM, use message templates, receive notifications and trigger WhatsApp messages from workflow rules. Source: zoho.com | |
| SMS in India | SMS is added to Zoho CRM through extensions on the Zoho Marketplace, including third-party SMS gateway connectors such as mTalkz and ClickSend, with scheduled sending and SMS history. Source: marketplace.zoho.com |
| Calling | Zoho CRM offers click-to-dial, automatic call logging against the relevant records, and connections to multiple telephony providers. Source: zoho.com |
| Pipelines | Zoho CRM supports multiple sales pipelines for different products, services or geographies, with system-defined deal stages that can be customised to match your sales process. Source: zoho.com |
| Automation | Assignment rules distribute leads from web forms, imports and API sources to users, roles or groups in round-robin order, alongside workflow rules and sales cadences. Source: help.zoho.com |
| Reporting | Zoho CRM provides dynamic dashboards, report generation, forecasting and anomaly detection to support sales performance management. Source: zoho.com |
| Mobile app | The Zoho CRM mobile app runs on Android and iOS, with offline updates that sync later, business card scanning, dashboards and the Zia assistant. Source: zoho.com |
| Data hosting | Zoho operates data centres in India, with Mumbai as primary and Chennai as secondary, and users choose where their data is stored. Source: zoho.com |
| Sign-in and access | Zoho CRM offers multi-factor authentication, IP restrictions, time-stamped audit logs, and role-based security where roles set data visibility and profiles set permissions. Source: zoho.com |
| Integrations and API | Zoho CRM provides RESTful APIs for record operations, bulk APIs, query APIs and notification APIs that report data changes, so it connects with third-party applications. Source: zoho.com |
| Getting started | Customers sign up online, with migration assistance and a Jumpstart onboarding service listed on the product page. Source: zoho.com |
3. Bigin
Bigin by Zoho CRM is a pipeline-centric CRM for small businesses to track deals, manage contacts, handle email, phone and WhatsApp conversations, and automate follow-ups.
Why it is on this list: Zoho's pipeline-centric CRM for businesses of one to twenty people, with industry templates, team pipelines and WhatsApp conversations kept on each contact or deal.
Best for: Very small teams of one to twenty people that want a simple pipeline CRM within the Zoho family, with a clear path up to Zoho CRM.
| Built for | Bigin is built for small businesses and MSMEs with 1 to 20 employees, including agencies, consultancies, real estate firms, schools, clinics, retailers and ecommerce brands. Source: bigin.com |
|---|---|
| Lead capture | Bigin's LeadChain topping captures leads from Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Google Ads and Click-to-WhatsApp ads into Contacts. Forms embed on websites, and IndiaMART connectors sit on its Marketplace. Source: bigin.com |
| Bigin's WhatsApp channel lets teams send messages, receive replies and keep full conversation history on each contact or deal, with templates, quick replies and workflows. Source: bigin.com | |
| SMS in India | SMS is added to Bigin through third-party integrations on the Bigin Marketplace or through Zapier. Source: bigin.com |
| Calling | Bigin supports call logging, call recording and IVR, and connects to more than 100 telephony vendors through PhoneBridge, including Exotel, MyOperator, Acefone and TeleCMI for India-based users. Source: bigin.com |
| Pipelines | Bigin offers team pipelines with customisable stages and sub-pipelines, so several customer-facing processes can run side by side in one account. Source: bigin.com |
| Automation | Workflow rules fire when a record is created or updated, meets conditions or reaches a date, and can send emails, update fields, create tasks and change record owners. Source: bigin.com |
| Reporting | Bigin includes standard dashboards on every edition, with customisable dashboards and KPIs on higher editions, tracking pipeline and activity metrics. Source: bigin.com |
| Mobile app | Bigin has iOS and Android apps for viewing and editing records, navigating pipelines, calling and call logging, and scanning business cards. Source: bigin.com |
| Data hosting | Bigin data is hosted in the region chosen at sign-up, and the India region runs from Mumbai as primary with Chennai as secondary. Source: bigin.com |
| Sign-in and access | Bigin signs users in through Zoho's identity platform, with multi-factor authentication and SSO configured at organisation level, plus roles for data visibility and profiles for permissions. Source: bigin.com |
| Integrations and API | Bigin exposes a REST API with OAuth 2.0 under /bigin/v2, supports webhook notifications through workflow rules, and offers Zapier, Zoho Flow and Marketplace toppings. Source: bigin.com |
| Getting started | Customers sign up online, choose a region, and pick one of 22 industry templates or a blank pipeline. A paid Jumpstart onboarding service and a partner network are also listed. Source: bigin.com |
4. Kylas Sales CRM
Kylas describes itself as India's fastest-growing agentic sales CRM, designed for growing businesses.
Why it is on this list: An Indian sales CRM for growing businesses, with round-robin lead assignment, WhatsApp through the official Business API, telephony integrations and SMS connectors set up with DLT template and entity IDs.
Best for: Growing businesses in India, across sectors such as manufacturing, fintech and education, that want pipelines, WhatsApp, calling and AI lead scoring in one CRM.
| Built for | Kylas says it serves more than 5,000 growing businesses across manufacturing, digital marketing, IT, fintech, edtech, higher education, healthcare, insurance and travel. Source: kylas.io |
|---|---|
| Lead capture | Kylas captures leads from web forms and third-party apps such as Google, Facebook, IndiaMART, TradeIndia and Justdial. Source: kylas.io |
| Kylas says its WhatsApp messaging uses the official WhatsApp Business API, with templates, one-to-one replies, file sharing and message tracking inside the lead record. Source: kylas.io | |
| SMS in India | Kylas connects to SMS providers such as Authkey, and its documentation says DLT registration is mandatory in India, with DLT template and entity IDs entered during set-up. Source: kylas.io |
| Calling | Kylas offers calling with real-time logging and activity tracking, plus cloud telephony integrations including Exotel, Knowlarity, DialDesk and CallerDesk. Source: kylas.io |
| Pipelines | Kylas lets you create multiple pipelines to track sales processes from initial contact to closing deals, across its lead and deal modules. Source: kylas.io |
| Automation | Kylas assigns leads automatically to the team through round-robin queues, by product, location or campaign source, and prompts timely follow-ups across telephony, email, WhatsApp and SMS. Source: kylas.io |
| Reporting | Kylas offers dynamic dashboards for leads, deals, emails, tasks and goals, along with customisable reports and revenue projections. Source: kylas.io |
| Mobile app | Kylas says teams can sell on the move with real-time access to the CRM on Android and iOS. Source: kylas.io |
| Data hosting | Kylas says it supports data hosting in India and in the United States, so organisations can choose their data residency. Source: kylas.io |
| Sign-in and access | Kylas lists two-factor authentication, single sign-on, role-based access controls and audit trails among its security measures. Source: kylas.io |
| Integrations and API | Kylas offers open APIs and webhooks, a marketplace of 350+ apps, and connections to Zapier and Integrately for further automation. Source: kylas.io |
| Getting started | Kylas lets prospects book a demo and says set-up can be completed in about 30 minutes. Source: kylas.io |
5. Vtiger CRM
Vtiger is an all-in-one, AI-powered CRM platform that brings marketing, sales and support teams onto a single system.
Why it is on this list: An all-in-one CRM for sales, marketing and support, with an IndiaMART integration, workflows and a graphical Process Designer, and a choice of cloud or open-source deployment.
Best for: Start-ups, small and medium businesses and larger teams that want sales, marketing and support in one customisable CRM, with cloud or open-source deployment options.
| Built for | Vtiger serves start-ups, small and medium businesses and enterprise teams, with one platform for marketing, sales and support departments. Source: vtiger.com |
|---|---|
| Lead capture | The IndiaMART integration syncs leads into the CRM, records each sync in a log, and lets teams choose the Leads or Contacts module. Source: vtiger.com |
| WhatsApp works through providers including Twilio, Gupshup, Clickatell, Wablas and imimobile, to send and receive messages from the CRM using templates and workflows. Source: vtiger.com | |
| SMS in India | In Vtiger's Kaleyra SMS setup, the DLT template ID field is mandatory for businesses based in India. Source: help.vtiger.com |
| Calling | The Phone Calls module integrates gateways including Exotel, Knowlarity, Ozonetel, Plivo and Twilio, with click-to-call and automatic call logging. Source: help.vtiger.com |
| Pipelines | Vtiger lets teams create several sales pipelines by product line, deal size or customer type, with a drag-and-drop Kanban view. Source: vtiger.com |
| Automation | Workflows combine trigger conditions, entry criteria and actions to automate repetitive tasks, and a graphical Process Designer builds more systematic business workflows. Source: vtiger.com |
| Reporting | Reports come as detailed, pivot and chart formats, can be scheduled by email at set intervals, and frequently used charts can be pinned to dashboards. Source: vtiger.com |
| Mobile app | Vtiger's iOS and Android app supports deals, daily tasks, push notifications, business card scanning, voice notes and WhatsApp messaging. Source: vtiger.com |
| Data hosting | Vtiger lists servers in the United States, United Kingdom, EU, UAE, Australia, Singapore, Japan and India, with data stored according to the region where you sign up. Source: vtiger.com |
| Sign-in and access | Vtiger supports password login, single sign-on through Google, Office 365 and other accounts, two-factor authentication using a code sent by email or phone, and SAML-based identity providers. Source: help.vtiger.com |
| Integrations and API | Vtiger Cloud offers REST APIs for integration with external applications, using the CRM username and an access key for authentication. Source: vtap.vtiger.com |
| Getting started | An onboarding specialist designs a plan around your goals and delivers a CRM implementation map, and implementation services and solution partners are also available. Source: vtiger.com |
When Refrens is still the better choice
Refrens remains the better choice if you want lead management, quotations and invoicing in one product, so a won lead moves straight into billing, accounting and payments in the same tool. Its Sales CRM captures leads from Meta Instant Forms, IndiaMART, website forms and an API, keeps calls, emails and WhatsApp on one timeline, and reports on conversion rate and response time by team and source. For freelancers, agencies and small teams that run the whole business there, one login is the point.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Refrens CRM alternative for a growing sales team?
If you like a suite of business apps, Zoho CRM and Bigin both sit inside the Zoho family. If you want a CRM shaped around lead management in India, compare Kylas and DigiPix Flow. Vtiger suits businesses that want sales, marketing and support on one platform.
When is Refrens the better choice?
When you want leads, quotations, invoices, accounting and payments in one product and one login. For freelancers, agencies and small teams that run the whole business in Refrens, keeping sales there is simpler than connecting two tools.
Can I keep Refrens for invoicing and use another CRM for sales?
Yes. Some businesses keep their billing and accounting tool and run sales in a separate CRM. DigiPix Flow is a lead management CRM, so it sits beside your billing software. Check with Refrens how your leads and clients can be exported before you move them.
Can DigiPix Flow send quotations?
Yes. A quotation is built on the deal it belongs to, with line items, an overall discount and tax, and an approval step for discounts. Each buyer gets their own secure link and can accept with a typed name or a drawn signature, and every version is kept on the record.
How were these alternatives checked?
Each product's details come from its own public website and help pages, read on the date shown at the top of the page. A detail we could not confirm appears as "Check with vendor" in the table. Vendors update their products, so confirm anything important with them before deciding.
Why are prices left off this page?
Prices and plan bundles move often and vary by region, team size and contract. Rather than print figures that would go stale, we point you to each vendor's own pricing page.
Keep exploring
- Zoho CRM alternativesThe CRMs Indian sales teams weigh instead of Zoho's flagship CRM.
- Proposals and quotationsQuotes built on the deal, approved before they go out and accepted online.
- Lead inboxHow enquiries from ads, IndiaMART and website forms land in one place.
- CRM for small business in IndiaWhat a small Indian business should look for in its first dedicated CRM.