COMPARISON | 4 MIN READ
Microsoft Dynamics CRM vs. Salesforce Comparison
Let’s break down the key differences between Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Salesforce.
Choosing between Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Salesforce can feel like a big decision—especially when you’re comparing two of the industry’s top contenders. Both powerful platforms designed to streamline sales, enhance customer relationships, and drive business growth. In this article, we’ll break down how these two solutions compare across there key similarities & differences, pricing, features, integrations, implementation, and more—so you can confidently decide which CRM is the best fit for your team.
Key Similarities & Differences
At a glance, Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM and Salesforce share many of the same core features, particularly in their sales and service capabilities. Both platforms excel in contact and account management, sales forecasting, territory management, and social customer service. Each also offers a unique app marketplace—Microsoft AppSource and Salesforce AppExchange—packed with add-ons and business tools to extend functionality. Thanks to their software-as-a-service models, both systems scale easily with your business, making them popular choices for growing organizations and larger enterprises alike.
Where they begin to differ is in how those features are delivered. Microsoft Dynamics CRM is often the go-to for businesses already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, thanks to its native integrations with tools like Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint. It shines in customer service management, with built-in case tracking and knowledge base capabilities that help support teams operate more efficiently. Salesforce, on the other hand, is known for its high degree of flexibility and customization. From advanced automation workflows to deeply personalized configurations, Salesforce gives businesses the ability to tailor the platform to meet very specific processes. Choosing between the two comes down to what matters most—tight integration within Microsoft tools or a highly customizable CRM built for agility.
Features
Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM comes packed with core features that support the full sales lifecycle—from lead and opportunity management to forecasting, quotes, orders, and invoices. It also includes tools like CPQ, live org charts, product bundling, and strong integration with Microsoft Office 365. Sales teams benefit from built-in gamification, customizable dashboards, and partner relationship management, all designed to streamline daily workflows. Advanced modules take things further with predictive forecasting, relationship analytics, conversation intelligence, and integration with LinkedIn Sales Navigator—making it a powerful option for businesses already using the Microsoft ecosystem.
Salesforce offers a similarly strong foundation, with core features like contact and opportunity management, sales forecasting, email integration, mobile access, and workflow automation. The platform stands out for its extensive app ecosystem and AI-driven tools available in its advanced modules. Features like Sales Cloud Einstein, Pardot, High Velocity Sales, and Salesforce Maps give teams access to deep automation, guided selling, and real-time territory planning. With plenty of third-party add-ons and customization options, Salesforce is ideal for businesses that need a highly flexible, scalable CRM built for growth.
Pricing
When evaluating CRM platforms like Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM and Salesforce, pricing is often one of the most important factors in the decision-making process. At first glance, Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM pricing tends to come in at a lower monthly subscription cost compared to Salesforce pricing. But over the course of a year—and especially across multiple users—that difference can become even more meaningful. Once you factor in implementation, onboarding, and training, Salesforce often ends up with a higher total cost of ownership.
On average, businesses investing in Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM spend between $5,000 and $10,000 annually on user subscriptions, with implementation projects typically starting around $15,000 depending on complexity. Salesforce tends to run higher, with average annual subscriptions ranging from $9,000 to $27,000 and similar implementation starting costs. Of course, your actual investment will depend on your team size, the functionality you need, and any customizations or integrations you choose to implement.
To get a more accurate picture of your potential investment, check out our custom pricing calculators below—designed to give you a tailored estimate based on your business’s specific needs.
Implementation Timeline
Implementation timelines for both Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Salesforce typically fall in the 8–12 week range, but the actual timeline can vary depending on the scope of your project. Factors like the number of users, which modules you choose to roll out, and the complexity of your workflows, customizations, and integrations all play a role. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales often benefits from quicker setup for businesses already using Microsoft tools, thanks to its seamless integration with Office 365 and other Dynamics applications. Salesforce implementation follows a similar timeframe but may require additional planning if you’re layering in advanced automation, custom development, or integrations with third-party systems. In either case, working with an experienced implementation partner is key to staying on track and ensuring your CRM is configured to support your goals from day one.
Integrations
An investment in Salesforce’s Sales Cloud or Dynamics 365 Sales is more than just an investment in software. Opting for one software solution over another means indulging in the secondary elements that come with the purchase so they have their pros and cons.
Customers who use Microsoft products in their businesses can easily integrate with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales and third-party apps. Microsoft has many add-ons and integrations with tools like PowerBI, Outlook, Microsoft 365, Linkedin, Power Automate, and Power Apps. Microsoft offers a range of tools for businesses with big budgets. They can choose from integrated solutions in Dynamics 365 or third-party options on Microsoft‘s AppSource.
If you don’t use Microsoft solutions but value customizations and want to take more of a best-in-class approach, you’ll appreciate the flexibility offered by Salesforce. With a marketplace of existing integrations, an open API, and developer support, Salesforce’s Sales Cloud is prepared to integrate with many other solutions that your business may use.
Sum It Up
Microsoft Dynamics CRM is an ideal solution for companies and sales teams that want to take advantage of the Microsoft platform. Dynamics 365 Sales takes care of all CRM functions, while other Microsoft tools can be added to create a well-rounded, fully integrated solution.
Salesforce CRM users enjoy a variety of modules and applications as well as pre-built integrations with third-party software. The Salesforce developer community brings a fresh, grassroots perspective to synchronizing data and integrating systems, making it flexible software at a decent price point.
At Cargas, our expert consulting team specializes in CRM platforms, including Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM and Salesforce! As the first certified Microsoft partner in the world, Cargas can help you figure out if Dynamics 365 is right for you. If you’re struggling to determine if Dynamics 365 vs Salesforce is the best fit for your business, we’d love to help. Let’s connect to talk about your needs and what you’re looking for in a software solution.
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