You’re tired of manually tracking follow-ups. Your sales reps are drowning in administrative tasks. And despite having “modern” sales tools, your team’s productivity hasn’t improved much.
Sound familiar?
The problem isn’t that sales engagement software doesn’t work. It’s that most sales managers pick tools based on flashy demos rather than their team’s actual workflow needs.
After analyzing dozens of sales engagement platforms and speaking with sales leaders who’ve implemented these tools, I’ve identified the seven platforms that consistently deliver measurable results. But more importantly, I’ll show you exactly how to pick the right one for your specific situation.
What makes a sales engagement platform worth your investment?
Before diving into specific tools, let’s establish what separates an effective sales engagement platform from expensive disappointments.
Multi-channel coordination that actually works: Your prospects aren’t checking just email. They’re on LinkedIn, answering calls at specific times, and responding to texts. The best platforms don’t just offer multiple channels; they coordinate them intelligently. When someone opens your email but doesn’t respond, the system should know to trigger a LinkedIn follow-up, not send another email.
Personalization at scale without the robotic feel: Anyone can send 1,000 emails with “Hi {{First Name}}” in the subject line. What you need is software that helps your reps personalize based on prospect behavior, company news, and interaction history. The goal is messages that feel human, even when they’re automated.
Integration that eliminates double work: If your CRM doesn’t automatically update when prospects respond, you’re creating more work, not less. Look for platforms that sync seamlessly with your existing tech stack without requiring your reps to live in multiple systems.
Analytics that guide strategy, not just report activity: Most platforms tell you how many emails you sent. The valuable ones tell you which message variations get responses, what time of day your prospects engage most, and which sequences convert prospects to meetings.
7 sales engagement platforms that sales teams actually recommend
1. SmartReach.io – Best for teams prioritizing deliverability
SmartReach.io stands out because it solves the biggest problem most sales teams don’t realize they have: email deliverability. You can craft perfect messages, but if they land in spam folders, your outreach efforts are worthless.
What makes SmartReach different: The platform includes built-in email warm-up tools that gradually increase your sending volume and improve your sender reputation. Their inbox rotation feature lets you use multiple email addresses strategically, distributing your outreach load to maintain healthy deliverability rates.
Key features that drive results:
- Multichannel campaigns: Combine email, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and calling in automated sequences that adapt based on prospect responses
- AI email generator: Creates personalized messages that don’t sound like templates
- Shared inbox: Your entire team can manage prospect replies from one place, preventing duplicated outreach
- Advanced scheduling: Sends messages when prospects are most likely to engage based on their time zone and behavior patterns
- Reply detection with intent tagging: Automatically categorizes responses as interested, not interested, or out-of-office
Best for: Sales teams of 5-50 people who need reliable email delivery and want to coordinate outreach across multiple channels without complex setup.
Pricing: Plans start at $39/month per user.
Why teams choose SmartReach: “We increased our email open rates by 40% just by switching to SmartReach’s deliverability features. The time savings from their shared inbox alone paid for the software.” – Sarah M., Sales Manager at a SaaS startup
2. Salesloft – Best for enterprise teams with complex workflows
Salesloft built their platform for large sales organizations that need sophisticated automation and detailed analytics. If you have multiple product lines, complex buyer journeys, or need extensive customization options, Salesloft delivers enterprise-grade functionality.
Key features:
- Rhythm workflow engine: Uses AI to recommend the next best action for each prospect based on their engagement history
- Advanced cadence management: Create complex, branching sequences that adapt based on prospect behavior
- Conversation intelligence: Records and analyzes sales calls to identify successful talk tracks and coach reps
- Revenue forecasting: Predicts deal closure probability based on engagement patterns
Best for: Sales teams of 50+ people with dedicated sales operations support and complex sales processes.
Pricing: Custom pricing starting around $100+ per user per month.
Consideration: Salesloft’s power comes with complexity. Smaller teams often find the learning curve steep and may not use most advanced features.
3. HubSpot Sales Hub – Best for teams already using HubSpot CRM
If you’re already in the HubSpot ecosystem, Sales Hub provides seamless integration that eliminates data silos between marketing and sales. The platform excels at nurturing leads through the entire customer journey.
Key strengths:
- Native CRM integration: No data sync issues since everything lives in one system
- Email templates and tracking: Build a library of proven messages your team can customize
- Meeting scheduling: Prospects can book meetings directly from your emails
- Sales automation: Automate follow-up tasks and deal progression
Best for: Companies already using HubSpot CRM or marketing tools, or teams that want an all-in-one solution.
Pricing: Starts at $20/month for 2 users, scales up to $120/month per user for advanced features.
Why it works: The power is in the integration. When marketing and sales data flow seamlessly, you can create more targeted, effective outreach campaigns.
4. Groove – Best for Salesforce-heavy organizations
Groove was built specifically for teams that live in Salesforce. Instead of forcing reps to switch between systems, Groove brings sales engagement functionality directly into the Salesforce interface.
Key features:
- Native Salesforce integration: All activities sync automatically without leaving Salesforce
- Email tracking within Salesforce: See opens, clicks, and replies without switching platforms
- Automated workflows: Trigger actions based on Salesforce data changes
- Team performance analytics: Track individual and team metrics within your existing Salesforce dashboards
Best for: Sales teams heavily invested in Salesforce who want engagement tools that enhance rather than replace their existing workflow.
Pricing: Basic plans start at $29/month per user.
5. Expandi – Best for LinkedIn-focused outreach
If your ideal customers spend time on LinkedIn and you want to build relationships through social selling, Expandi specializes in LinkedIn automation that doesn’t get your account flagged.
Key features:
- LinkedIn sequence automation: Send connection requests, messages, and follow-ups automatically
- Safety features: Built-in limits and human-like behavior patterns to avoid LinkedIn restrictions
- Email integration: Combine LinkedIn outreach with email campaigns
- Team collaboration: Manage multiple LinkedIn accounts and assign prospects to specific team members
Best for: B2B companies targeting professionals who are active on LinkedIn, especially in industries like consulting, software, or professional services.
Pricing: Business plans start at $99/month.
Important note: LinkedIn automation always carries some risk. Make sure you understand LinkedIn’s terms of service and use conservative settings.
6. FunnelFLARE – Best for call-heavy sales processes
Some sales processes require phone conversations. FunnelFLARE combines email outreach with advanced calling features, making it ideal for teams that close deals through conversations rather than just email exchanges.
Key features:
- Power dialing: Efficiently call through lists with automatic note-taking
- Voicemail drops: Leave consistent, professional voicemails without manual recording
- Email and call coordination: Trigger calls based on email engagement, or send emails after calls
- Call analytics: Track call outcomes and identify the most effective talk tracks
Best for: Sales teams in industries where phone conversations are essential, such as real estate, insurance, or high-ticket B2B services.
Pricing: Custom pricing based on features and team size.
7. Clodura – Best for teams needing extensive prospect data
Clodura combines sales engagement with a built-in prospect database, making it ideal for teams that need to find and engage new prospects regularly.
Key features:
- 18M+ prospect database: Find contact information and company insights without leaving the platform
- Org chart visualization: Understand company structures to target the right stakeholders
- Technology insights: See what tools prospects use to personalize your outreach
- Email verification: Ensure contact data accuracy before launching campaigns
Best for: Sales development teams, recruiters, or any team that spends significant time on prospecting and lead research.
Pricing: Plans start at $49/month per user.
How to choose the right sales engagement platform for your team?
The wrong sales engagement platform will create more work, not less. Here’s a step-by-step process to avoid expensive mistakes:
Step 1: Audit your current sales process
Before evaluating any software, document exactly how your team currently finds prospects, makes contact, and moves deals forward. Identify the specific bottlenecks that slow down your sales cycle.
Questions to ask:
- Where do your reps spend the most manual time?
- Which activities could be automated without losing personalization?
- What integration points with existing tools are non-negotiable?
- How do you currently measure sales performance?
Step 2: Define your must-have vs. nice-to-have features
Based on your process audit, create two lists:
Must-haves: Features that directly solve your biggest time-wasters or bottlenecks
Nice-to-haves: Features that would be useful but aren’t critical to your core sales process
This prevents getting distracted by flashy features that won’t actually improve your results.
Step 3: Consider your team’s technical comfort level
Sales engagement platforms range from simple to complex. Consider:
- How much time can you dedicate to training and setup?
- Do you have sales operations support for complex implementations?
- What’s your team’s comfort level with learning new systems?
Step 4: Test with real workflows
Most platforms offer free trials. Instead of clicking through demo data, set up actual campaigns with real prospect lists. This reveals usability issues and integration problems that demos don’t show.
What to test:
- Import your prospect data and set up a realistic sequence
- Send test campaigns to internal email addresses
- Check how data syncs with your CRM
- Have multiple team members try the interface
Step 5: Calculate true total cost
Look beyond the monthly subscription fee:
- Implementation and training time costs
- Additional integrations or add-ons required
- Potential productivity dip during transition
- Ongoing maintenance and optimization time
Common implementation mistakes that waste money and time
Even with the right platform, poor implementation can sabotage your results. Avoid these common mistakes:
Mistake 1: Trying to automate everything immediately Start with one simple sequence and prove it works before building complex campaigns. Teams that try to automate their entire sales process on day one often create confusing workflows that hurt more than help.
Mistake 2: Neglecting message testing Your platform can send perfectly timed messages to the right prospects, but if your actual messages are boring or irrelevant, you won’t get responses. Plan to spend time testing different message approaches.
Mistake 3: Ignoring deliverability basics Even the best sales engagement platform can’t overcome poor email practices. Make sure your email authentication is set up correctly and monitor your sender reputation.
Mistake 4: Not training your team properly Sales reps will revert to old habits if they don’t understand how to use the new system effectively. Plan for proper training and ongoing coaching.
Making your final decision
The best sales engagement platform is the one your team will actually use consistently. Here’s how to make your final choice:
- Start with a pilot program: Test your top two choices with a small group of reps for 30 days
- Measure specific outcomes: Focus on metrics that matter to your business, not vanity metrics
- Get feedback from actual users: Ask your reps which platform felt more natural to their workflow
- Consider long-term scalability: Choose a platform that can grow with your team
Bottom line: Choose based on your workflow, not features
The flashiest sales engagement platform isn’t necessarily the best one for your team. The right choice depends on your specific sales process, team size, technical requirements, and growth goals.
For most growing B2B teams, SmartReach.io’s multichannel approach provides the best balance of functionality and ease of use. The platform’s focus on email deliverability and team collaboration makes it particularly effective for companies scaling their outbound efforts.
However, if you’re already invested in specific ecosystems (like Salesforce or HubSpot), choosing platforms that integrate natively with your existing tools often delivers better results than switching to standalone solutions.
The key is to start with a clear understanding of your current process, test thoroughly, and choose the platform that makes your reps more productive rather than just giving them more features to learn.
