Build vs Salesforce

The #1 enterprise CRM platform — Should you build, vibe code, or buy?

Our Verdict

🛒 Buy

Enterprise standard. Building an alternative is a multi-year effort.

Pricing

$25-$300/user/mo

Founded

1999

San Francisco, CA

Vibe Time

6+ months

What is Salesforce?

Salesforce is a the #1 enterprise crm platform. The company is public (nyse: crm). With 70,000+ employees, Salesforce serves teams looking for crm solutions.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

Unmatched customization
Largest ecosystem
Enterprise security
Proven at scale
Industry clouds

Weaknesses

Steep learning curve
Expensive
Requires consultants
UI can feel dated

Who Should Use Salesforce?

Best For

Enterprise
Complex Sales
Regulated Industries

Not Ideal For

Startups
Small Teams
Simple Needs

Vibe Coding Salesforce

Using AI tools like Cursor and Claude, you can build a salesforce-like solution in 6+ months for approximately $100k+.

What You Can Build

What's Harder to Replicate

Getting Started

Use this prompt with Cursor or Claude to scaffold your alternative:

Build a the #1 enterprise crm platform with these core features:


Tech stack: Next.js 14, TypeScript, Prisma, PostgreSQL, Tailwind, shadcn/ui
Include authentication, API routes, database schema, and a clean UI.

Alternatives to Salesforce

HubSpot

Simpler, better UX for SMB

Zoho CRM

Fraction of the cost

Pipedrive

Just sales pipeline

The Bottom Line

Salesforce is the right choice for most teams. The engineering effort to build an alternative would cost more than years of subscription fees. Focus your development resources on what makes your product unique.

Calculate Your Build vs Buy Costs →