GoHighLevel vs Salesforce Sales Cloud

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GoHighLevel is a powerful all-in-one platform primarily used for lead generation, sales, and contact management. They also have features such as a website builder, blogs, courses, membership sites, and two-way communication.

Despite GoHighLevel being a great platform, if a company requires more extensive CRM customization, it may want to consider Salesforce.

GoHighLevel logo
9.7/10
4.7/5
58482f67cef1014c0b5e4a81
6.5/10
4/5

Key Takeaways:

  • GoHighLevel is an all-in-one platform primarily for gathering leads, creating pipelines, and generating sales with course creation tools, website builders, marketing, and membership sites.
  • Salesforce is chiefly a sales pipeline and CRM solution for managing leads and selling via a range of direct integrations which create workflows to automate and streamline sales.

Main Differences Between GoHighLevel and Salesforce

There are a few key differences that prospective GoHighLevel and Salesforce customers should be aware of, including:

  • Pricing – GoHighLevel has monthly and annual subscriptions, whereas Salesforce only has annual subscriptions.
  • Focus – Salesforce is chiefly focused on being a CRM solution, whereas GoHighLevel is an all-in-one platform with a CRM.
  • Online Presence – GoHighLevel has a complete website builder, blog tool, and membership areas, but Salesforce doesn’t offer any.
  • CRM Capabilities – Salesforce is chiefly a sales pipeline and CRM solution for enterprises; therefore, it has more advanced CRM customization ability and add-on features than GoHighLevel.
  • White Label – Agencies that manage client accounts on the GoHighLevel platform can white label the software and resell it. Salesforce is not designed for this.
GoHighLevelSalesforce
Starting Price$97 per month$25 per month (billed annually)
DiscountsUp to $3,564 per yearNone available
Transaction Fees0%0%
Type of PlatformAll-in-oneCRM platform
Native BuildersLanding pages, funnels, websitesLanding pages, sales pipelines, email
CRM
White Label
Native Email Marketing
App
Native Digital Products SupportedCourses, membership sites
Native Automation
Integrations and API Access

What Are GoHighLevel and Salesforce?

GoHighLevel is an all-in-one platform for businesses and agencies to generate leads, manage their sales pipelines, and sell products and services.

The platform provides users with a complete sales pipeline and CRM solution, digital products, integrations, and the ability to resell the software.

What Are GoHighLevel and Salesforce

GoHighLevel Key Features

We’ve broken down its features below for you to understand them better:

Collect payments

GoHighLevel also has many additional features and tools, including:

White label

Salesforce is chiefly a sales and CRM solution for businesses to help track their prospects, move them through the pipeline, and generate sales.

It has many subscription plans, add-ons, and additional tools to enhance and customize the CRM solution to meet the needs of the business.

CRM solution for businesses

Therefore, when referring to Salesforce, we’re specifically talking about the Salesforce Small Business’ Sales Cloud subscription.

referring to Salesforce

Salesforce Key Features

Some of Salesforce’s features and tools include:

  • Landing pages
  • Email marketing and analytics
  • Out-of-the-box sales processes
  • Customer service
  • Forecast management
  • Quoting and contracting
  • Pipeline management
  • Workflow and approval
  • Full and developer sandboxes
  • Marketing automation
  • Lead management
  • Workflows
Salesforce Key Features

Pros and Cons of GoHighLevel

Pros

  • All-in-One – GoHighLevel is an all-in-one platform, meaning that it provides online businesses with a complete solution, and no additional third-party subscriptions are necessarily needed.
  • LeadConnector – The GoHighLevel-owned software, LeadConnector, offers its versions of Mailgun and Twilio at discounted rates, saving businesses money.
  • White Label and Reselling – The platform lets agencies create sub-accounts for their clients, which can be white-labeled and resold to increase profits.
  • Digital Products Supported – The platform offers courses and membership site creation, hosting, and delivery, in addition to being a complete CRM.
  • Annual Discount – GoHighLevel offers an annual subscription with a generous discount of up to $3,564 per year.

Cons

  • Learning Curve – Because GoHighLevel has so many features and tools, learning how to use it effectively can take some time.
  • Pricing Jump – The platform has two plans: the Starter Plan and the Unlimited Plan, which cost $97 and $297, respectively. As there are no other plans, once a business has outgrown the Starter Plan, its subscription cost will almost triple.
  • Integrations – GoHighLevel doesn’t have that many direct integrations compared to other platforms.
Cons

Pros and Cons of Salesforce

Pros

  • Outstanding CRM Solution – Salesforce is chiefly a CRM and sales pipeline; therefore, it has a comprehensive set of features and tools.
  • Add-Ons – If a business requires extra functionality or capacity, it can easily purchase add-ons and upgrade subscription plans.
  • Unify and Streamline Information – Often, businesses have their sales pipeline fragmented and across platforms; therefore, Salesforce unifies the information by providing businesses with a sales pipeline.
  • Integrations – The platform has many direct integrations with all the commonly used third-party software users need.

Cons

  • Escalating Costs – Salesforce’s pricing structure is often charged per user and billed annually, meaning that as teams grow, prices can increase rapidly.
  • Time-Consuming – Due to the learning curve, it can be time-consuming to configure and integrate the platform into a business.
  • Customer Support – Many negative Trustpilot reviews cite that they received a bad customer experience.
Pros and Cons of Salesforce

User Experience: GoHighLevel vs Salesforce

GoHighLevel and Salesforce are primarily CRMs and sales pipelines, meaning they connect many different parts of a business to streamline it.

Because of these moving parts, there can be a steep learning curve when getting started.

We found that GoHighLevel was easier to get started than Salesforce.

This was for a few reasons: simpler dashboard layout and navigation, step-by-step tutorials with screenshot instructions and videos, and a very responsive live support team.

User Experience: GoHighLevel vs Salesforce

For these reasons, GoHighLevel provides businesses with a better user experience than Salesforce.

CRM: GoHighLevel vs Salesforce

Since Salesforce and GoHighLevel are CRM solutions, it should be no surprise that they both have fantastic features.

After using them both, we’d say that Salesforce is a more customizable and scalable CRM suitable for large enterprises.

However, for most businesses, especially local businesses, GoHighLevel is more than sufficient, and in many ways, the simplicity makes it much easier to use. It is the winner of this comparison.

GoHighLevelSalesforce
Importing Leads🏆🏆
Sales Pipeline Builder🏆🏆
Automation🏆2nd
Email, SMS, and Phone Integration🏆🏆
Mobile App🏆🏆

Importing Leads

Both GoHighLevel and Salesforce enable data collection from form submissions, third-party integrations, and bulk imports to populate the sales pipeline.

When bulk importing leads, both platforms let you map the fields, making it easy to create new records.

After being imported, the leads will be visible inside the dashboard and can be assigned to individual sales reps to start contacting them.

Importing Leads

In our experience, we’d say that GoHighLevel and Salesforce were tied for contact importing.

Sales Pipeline Builder

GoHighLevel has an extremely easy-to-create sales pipeline builder. You simply add as many stages as you require and then save.

For example, a local business could start by importing the lead, setting an appointment, and then generating an estimate after confirming the details of the job.

Salesforce also has a sales pipeline builder, but it’s not so straightforward to configure. However, users can easily track leads’ movements and value changes once the pipeline is configured.

Sales Pipeline Builder

We’d say that both platforms were tied when creating a sales pipeline.

Automation

GoHighLevel has a powerful workflow and automation that links together all assets to automate the sales process.

The workflows use “triggers” and “actions” and logic.

An example of how a business can use them could be to add a new lead’s contact information to a sales rep’s to-do list for them to call.

Automation

Salesforce also has an automation tool named “Workflows and Approvals,” which is very similar to GoHighLevel’s.

The Salesforce automation tool has these features:

  • Drag-and-drop builder
  • Triggers and actions
  • Logic
  • Add approval requirements
Drag-and-drop builder

After testing both automation tools, we found that GoHighLevel provides businesses with a better user experience as they made designing an automation so easy.

Email, SMS, and Phone Integration

GoHighLevel and Salesforce enable businesses to manage their communication with native email, SMS, and phone solutions.

They both have a range of email tools, including:

  • Drag-and-drop builder
  • Email templates
  • Inbound and outbound messaging
  • Automation
  • Integrations
  • Analytics
Analytics

GoHighLevel and Salesforce also have SMS tools that allow businesses two-way messaging with leads.

Digital Engagement

Both platforms have the essential native phone feature, giving businesses inbound and outbound call functionality.

On GoHighLevel, businesses will likely opt to use its LC-Phone software since it’s cheaper than Twilio.

Salesforce customers will likely use the platform’s native tool, Salesforce Cloud Voice.

We really like that on GoHighLevel we could create a Power Dialer, which significantly saves time.

LC-Phone software

After testing both platforms’ SMS, email, and phone features, we thought they were tied, as they have almost identical features and tools that are equally as easy to use.

Websites and Landing Pages: GoHighLevel vs Salesforce

GoHighLevel has comprehensive website, funnel, and landing page builders.

The platform’s builder tools include:

  • Drag-and-drop builder
  • Forms
  • Surveys
  • Calendar embed
  • Blog
Calendar embed

On the other hand, Salesforce only has a landing page builder named Cloud Pages.

This tool has features that allow companies to advertise their products and services and  generate leads by having prospective customers fill out their information.

Cloud Pages

Because GoHighLevel offers a greater range of builders, features, and tools, it is the clear winner of this comparison.

Reporting and Analytics: GoHighLevel vs Salesforce

GoHighLevel provides businesses with a wide range of reporting and analytics:

  • Google Ads
  • Facebook Ads
  • Attribution reporting
  • Call reports
  • Appointment reports

The platform displays all of the reports in an easy-to-read format.

Appointment reports

Salesforce also has extensive reporting tools; a business can choose from dozens of options and data points when generating a report.

extensive reporting tools

Businesses can then use the platform’s filters to drill down into specific reports to understand better how an asset or part of their business is performing.

business is performing

We’d say that Salesforce has the more powerful option when comparing both platforms’ reporting and analytics tools.

However, GoHighLevel’s analytics and reporting capabilities are likely more than sufficient for all businesses that use the platform.

Therefore, even though Salesforce wins this comparison, it would be considered excessive for most GoHighLevel users.

Other Features and Tools: GoHighLevel vs Salesforce

Courses

GoHighLevel has a complete course creation, hosting, and delivery solution for businesses.

The tools available to create courses include video hosting, completion reports, and quizzes.

As the courses are built within the membership sites, businesses can also use them to sell access to digital downloadables and communities.

Courses

In contrast, Salesforce does not have a native course or LMS solution. If a business wants to create a course, it’ll need to host it on a third-party platform or integration.

As GoHighLevel is the only platform with a native course builder, it should be no surprise that it hands-down wins this comparison.

E-Commerce

GoHighLevel doesn’t have native e-commerce features; however, it can be used to process payments on landing pages and integrates with third-party e-commerce solutions such as Shopify.

E-Commerce

On the other hand, Salesforce does have a native e-commerce solution named Commerce Cloud.

This solution provides B2C companies with a website that is mobile-optimized and customizable.

B2C companies

Salesforce clearly has the better native e-commerce solution; however, it is likely to be far more expensive than the GoHighLevel and third-party integration solution.

Therefore, we rated them as tied for this comparison.

Integrations: GoHighLevel vs Salesforce

GoHighLevel has a range of integrations:

  • Twilio
  • Zapier
  • LeadConnector (GoHighLevel’s white-label platform)
    • LC Email
    • LC Phone
  • Stripe
  • Zoom
  • Social media
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • Google My Business
  • Quickbooks
Google My Business

Salesforce also provides users with a wide range of integrations which can be connected to its sales pipelines.

These integrations include:

  • GSuite
  • Slack
  • Quickbooks
  • MailChimp
  • DocuSign
  • LinkedIn
  • DropBox
  • ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign

Both Salesforce and GoHighLevel provide users with a wide range of integrations.

However, as GoHighLevel has created its software, LeadConnector, which is easy and cheaper to use, we crown GoHighLevel the winner of this integrations section.

Affordability: GoHighLevel vs Salesforce

GoHighLevel has two subscription plans:

  • Starter Plan – $97 per month
  • Unlimited Plan – $297 per month

When businesses opt for the Unlimited Plan, they gain access to these additional features and tools:

  • API access (Zapier)
  • Unlimited sub-accounts
  • Branded desktop app
Branded desktop app

Salesforce’s Small Business has four subscription plans:

  • Starter Plan – $24 per user per month
  • Sales Professional Plan – $80 per user per month
  • Sales Enterprise – $165 per user per month
  • Sales Unlimited Plan – $330 per user per month
Salesforce’s Small Business

Salesforce has add-on subscription options, which include:

  • Slack Pro – $7.25 per user per month
  • Marketing Account Engagement Plan – From $1,250 per month
  • Sales Cloud Enterprise Edition – From $165 per user per month
  • Service Cloud Enterprise Edition – From $265 per user per month

These add-on options are great for small businesses since they can purchase extra plans to improve the functionality of their CRM and sales pipeline solution.

However, it should be noted that the prices are high, and some plans are sold on a per-user basis, meaning the total cost can add up quickly.

Service Cloud Enterprise Edition

Due to the different subscription requirements of each business, the total monthly price of using GoHighLevel and Salesforce depends on their needs.

Therefore, although Salesforce’s CRM subscription, the Starter Plan, may appear cheaper, it doesn’t consider third-party subscriptions and add-ons.

For this reason, GoHighLevel is likely the cheaper alternative as it’s an all-in-one platform, meaning no additional subscriptions are necessarily required.

Bottom Line

After comparing, testing, and using GoHighLevel and Salesforce, we would say that GoHighLevel wins this comparison.

The main reasons for this are the platform’s simplicity, straightforward and transparent pricing, better user experience, and the add-on feature and integrations app, LeadConnector.

We’d still say that Salesforce is a solid platform; however, it is much more suited to enterprise clients looking to configure and customize a more specific CRM to suit their large business needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

GoHighLevel and Salesforce are chiefly CRM and sales pipeline solutions; therefore, they have overlapping features, such as lead nurturing, phone integration, email marketing, and payments. However, GoHighLevel has additional features and tools, such as courses, websites, membership sites, and a blog builder.

GoHighLevel is an all-in-one platform with many features that Salesforce does not, as Salesforce is specifically a CRM solution. The additional features that GoHighLevel has include websites, courses, blog posts, membership sites, and white labeling.

It depends. Because GoHighLevel is an all-in-one solution, businesses may not require any additional software subscriptions; in contrast, Salesforce users will likely need several third-party platform subscriptions. Therefore, even though Salesforce is cheaper upfront, it may end up costing more.

We recommended GoHighLevel as it is a more versatile, all-in-one platform with many more features and tools.

Yes, GoHighLevel is an easier-to-use platform, primarily because Salesforce requires many third-party integrations. Moreover, GoHighLevel provides businesses with an easy-to-use interface, guides, and live chat support.

Yes, GoHighLevel and Salesforce have a 30-day free trial that lets prospective customers test all the platform’s features and tools risk-free.

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About Authors

  • Samuel Fletcher is a entrepreneur with over 15 years in online course development. With an in-depth understanding of online course platforms, including Kajabi, Thinkific, LearnWorlds, and more, he has not only created courses on these platforms but has also assisted others in their course creation journeys. Beyond his hands-on experience, Sam is a passionate blogger, online business mentor, and a proactive contributor to community initiatives. His commitment to excellence and belief in dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment drives his success. Recognizing the gap in unbiased, quality information about online course platforms, he co-founded SupplyGem. In addition to his leadership role, Samuel serves as a Technical Writer at SupplyGem, sharing his expertise with a broader audience. Moreover, he's an active member of professional associations such as the Association for Talent Development (ATD), The Learning Guild, and others, underlining his dedication to continuous learning and industry advancement.

  • Angelia Cline

    Dr. Angelia Cline, Ed.D., has over 20 years of extensive editing expertise and a commendable academic foundation from William Carey University. Besides her position as a Chief Editor for SupplyGem, she is also an Instructional Designer. Dr. Cline manages the Learning Management System (LMS) for a large team, skillfully converting SME knowledge into engaging courses. With over 12 years of teaching experience, she has demonstrated her aptitude across various subjects and educational settings. At William Carey University, Dr. Cline achieved an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, a Master’s in Teaching of the Gifted and Talented, and another in English Language and Literature. She also secured her BA in English from The University of Southern Mississippi. Her proficiencies range from research and differentiated instruction to educational leadership.

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