EspoCRM vs Salesforce

Self-host swap-in for Salesforce. · Self-host Salesforce · EspoCRM on os-alt

EspoCRM is one of the open-source self-host replacements for Salesforce — license AGPL-3.0, 30min (LAMP stack) to stand up, and $5-10 vps — php + mysql. Compare against Salesforce's $25-300/user/mo across Sales Cloud editions below.

	EspoCRMopen-source	Salesforcepaid SaaS
Category	CRM (sales pipeline)	CRM (sales pipeline)
License / pricing	`AGPL-3.0`	$25-300/user/mo across Sales Cloud editions
Starting price	$0 self-host	$25/user/mo
GitHub	espocrm/espocrm ★ 2.96k · last commit todayalive	closed source
Setup time	30min (LAMP stack)	SaaS — sign up + bill
Monthly cost	$5-10 VPS — PHP + MySQL.	from $25/user/mo ($25-300/user/mo across Sales Cloud editions)

Switching from Salesforce to EspoCRM

Salesforce → Data Export → CSV. EspoCRM → Administration → Import → Map Salesforce fields to EspoCRM Account/Contact/Opportunity. Workflow rules are reauthored under Administration → Workflows; Salesforce Process Builder flows do not auto-translate.

Good fit for: Sales teams that want a feature-rich Salesforce-shaped CRM (dashboards, workflows, custom fields) without the seat cost.
Weak at: PHP-stack feel; smaller ecosystem of integrations.

Other open-source self-host alternatives to Salesforce

Twenty
AGPL-3.015min docker-compose$10 VPS — Node.
SuiteCRM
AGPL-3.030-45min (LAMP stack)$10 VPS — PHP + MySQL with module-heavy footprint.

EspoCRM also replaces

HubSpot— CRM + marketing automation
Pipedrive— Sales CRM / pipeline management

In a terminal? npx os-alt salesforce prints Salesforce's self-host options — how the CLI works →

FAQ

Is EspoCRM a free alternative to Salesforce?

Yes — EspoCRM is open source under AGPL-3.0. Self-host cost: $5-10 VPS — PHP + MySQL.. Salesforce starts at $25/user/mo ($25-300/user/mo across Sales Cloud editions).

How long does EspoCRM take to set up vs Salesforce?

Self-hosting EspoCRM: 30min (LAMP stack). Salesforce is a hosted SaaS — sign up and you're in.

What is EspoCRM good at, and what is it weak at?

Good fit for: Sales teams that want a feature-rich Salesforce-shaped CRM (dashboards, workflows, custom fields) without the seat cost.. Weak at: PHP-stack feel; smaller ecosystem of integrations..