In today’s fast-paced business environment, managing customer relationships and building meaningful connections are critical for growth. To meet these demands, many companies are adopting advanced CRM solutions that streamline sales processes from lead generation to customer retention. However, with numerous options available, choosing the right CRM can be challenging.
Salesforce has long dominated the market with its robust features and reputation. Yet, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales offers a modern, integrated approach designed for today’s evolving business needs. With intelligent tools and seamless integration across Microsoft apps, it’s not just a newer alternative it’s built for the future.
This blog compares Salesforce and Dynamics 365 Sales to help UK SMBs make an informed decision based on functionality, pricing, and long-term value.
CRM Feature Comparison for UK Businesses: Dynamics 365 vs Salesforce
| Category | Dynamics 365 | Salesforce | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customisation & Flexibility | Deep integration with Microsoft tools (Office 365, Power BI); easy to customise workflows. | Highly flexible via AppExchange; may require technical expertise for advanced customisation. | Dynamics 365 – Ideal for SMBs using Microsoft tools with limited IT resources. |
| Ease of Use | Familiar interface for Microsoft users; moderate learning curve for others. | Intuitive UI with drag-and-drop features; easier for beginners but complex at higher tiers. | Salesforce — Better for teams new to CRM systems. |
| Pricing & Licensing | Affordable, role-based plans; includes AI features from October 2025. | Premium pricing; add-ons and AI features often require higher-tier plans. | Dynamics 365 — More cost-effective and scalable for growing UK SMBs. |
| Integration Capabilities | Native integration with Outlook, Excel, Teams, SharePoint. | Extensive third-party integrations via AppExchange. | Dynamics 365 — Best for businesses already using Microsoft 365. |
| Automation & AI Features | Copilot offers meeting summaries, sentiment analysis, and next-step suggestions. | Einstein AI provides predictive insights and automation; advanced features may cost extra. | Dynamics 365 — Strong AI capabilities included at no extra cost. |
| Community & Support | 24/7 support, large knowledge base; UK-based partners available. | Proactive customer success managers and strong community support. | Both — Reliable support; choice depends on preferred vendor ecosystem. |
UK CRM Pricing Breakdown: Dynamics 365 Sales vs Salesforce (2025)
| CRM & Plan | UK Price (per user/month) | What You Get | Best Fit For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dynamics 365 Sales Professional | £50.00 | Core sales automation, pipeline management, Outlook/Teams integration. | SMBs starting with structured CRM beyond spreadsheets. |
| Dynamics 365 Sales Enterprise | £80.70 | Advanced customisation, forecasting, embedded Power BI, automation. | Growing SMBs needing deeper insights and flexibility. |
| Dynamics 365 Sales Premium | £115.30 | Enterprise + AI-powered guidance, conversation intelligence, advanced seller insights. | SMBs ready to scale with AI-driven selling. |
| Salesforce Starter Suite | £20.00 | Basic sales + service + marketing tools. Limited features, no advanced AI. | Very small businesses just testing CRM. |
| Salesforce Pro Suite | £80.00 | More robust sales pipeline tools. | SMBs needing moderate functionality. |
| Salesforce Enterprise | £140.00 | Full CRM customisation, automation, API access. | SMBs moving into complex sales processes. |
| Salesforce Unlimited | £280.00 | Premier support, advanced features, larger scale deployments. | Larger SMBs or enterprises. |
| Salesforce Agentforce 1 Sales | £440.00 | Full suite of AI, credits, Slack Enterprise+, Tableau Next, advanced support. | AI-heavy use cases with significant budgets. |
CRM ROI Comparison for UK SMBs
Choosing the right CRM isn’t just about features, it’s about long-term value. Here’s how Dynamics 365 Sales delivers stronger ROI for UK SMBs compared to Salesforce:
| Factor | Dynamics 365 Sales | Salesforce |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Cost | Lower entry-level pricing with essential features included. | Lower starter pricing, but limited functionality; advanced features require higher-tier plans. |
| AI Features | Included with Microsoft 365 Copilot (from Oct 2025) at no extra cost. | Einstein AI available, but advanced capabilities often require premium plans. |
| Integration Efficiency | Native integration with Outlook, Teams, Excel reduces time and training costs. | Requires third-party apps or custom setups for similar integration. |
| Scalability | Modular growth with Power Platform and Microsoft ecosystem. | Scalable, but often requires developer support and higher licensing costs. |
| Compliance & Hosting | UK-based Azure hosting simplifies GDPR compliance. | Global hosting; UK-specific compliance may require additional configuration. |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Lower due to fewer add-ons, faster adoption, and reduced IT overhead. | Higher due to add-ons, customisation needs, and ongoing support costs. |
Why UK SMBs Prefer Dynamics 365 Sales Over Salesforce
-
1. Better Value for Money
Dynamics 365 Sales delivers robust functionality at a lower price point than Salesforce. UK SMBs can start with the Sales Professional or Enterprise plan and scale confidently without stretching their budgets. -
Works Where Your Team Already Works
Built into familiar tools like Outlook, Teams, and Power BI, Dynamics 365 Sales enables sellers to stay productive without switching between apps. This leads to faster adoption and smoother workflows from day one. -
3. AI Without Extra Cost
Starting October 2025, Sales Copilot will be included with Microsoft 365 Copilot. UK SMBs will benefit from AI-driven insights, meeting summaries, and next-step suggestions without paying for premium add-ons. -
4. UK Compliance Ready
Hosted on UK-based Azure data centres, Dynamics 365 Sales simplifies compliance with GDPR and industry-specific regulations, giving SMBs peace of mind. -
5. Room to Grow
As your business evolves, you can easily add modules like Customer Service, Field Service, or Finance. With the Power Platform, you can also build custom apps without needing to switch systems. -
6. Real-World Impact
Zelite Solutions has successfully implemented Dynamics 365 CRM for Inclusive Boards, a UK-based SMB focused on improving diversity in leadership. This real-world example highlights how Dynamics 365 Sales supports mission-driven organisation with scalable, integrated CRM solutions tailored to their growth needs.
For UK SMBs, Dynamics 365 Sales is affordable, familiar, secure, and built to scale. Its deep Microsoft integration and cost-effective AI features make it a smarter long-term choice over Salesforce.
Dynamics 365 vs Salesforce: Which CRM Is Right for Your Business?
Choosing between Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales and Salesforce CRM depends on your business needs and existing tech stack. If your organisation already operates within the Microsoft ecosystem, Dynamics 365 Sales offers a seamless, cost-effective solution with deep native integration and powerful automation features.
Salesforce, on the other hand, stands out for its vast third-party app marketplace and mature AI-driven CRM capabilities. However, it often requires a larger investment and more technical expertise to customise and scale effectively.
Quick Decision Guide: Dynamics 365 vs Salesforce for UK SMBs
| Choose Dynamics 365 Sales if… | Choose Salesforce if… |
|---|---|
| Your team already uses Microsoft 365 tools (Outlook, Teams, etc.) | You need access to a wide third-party app marketplace |
| You want AI features included at no extra cost | You’re willing to invest in premium AI and customisation |
| You prefer UK-based hosting and easier GDPR compliance | You need advanced CRM features and have in-house IT resources |
| You’re looking for cost-effective scalability | You’re prepared for higher licensing costs and complex setups |
Choosing the Right CRM for UK SMBs: Final Thoughts
Both Dynamics 365 Sales and Salesforce offer flexibility, scalability, and customisation. But the right CRM for your business depends on what matters most, whether it’s integration with existing tools, pricing structure, AI capabilities, user experience, or overall return on investment.
For UK SMBs looking for a CRM that fits today’s budget and scales with tomorrow’s ambitions, Dynamics 365 Sales stands out as the smarter long-term choice. Its deep Microsoft integration, cost-effective AI features, and UK compliance readiness make it a practical and future-ready solution.
Ready to explore what Dynamics 365 Sales can do for your business?
Book a free consultation with Zelite Solutions to discover how it can help you accelerate revenue, strengthen customer relationships, and grow with confidence.
