Klaviyo vs Salesforce
Neutral, data‑driven comparison to evaluate marketing automation.
Comparing 2 AI tools.
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
Upvotes | 44 | 234 |
Avg. Rating | 4.0 | 4.0 |
Slogan | AI-powered growth for consumer brands | The #1 AI CRM—powering agentic enterprises with autonomous intelligence |
Category | ||
Pricing Model | Freemium Enterprise | Subscription |
Monthly Pricing (USD) | $0 – $1,380 / month Min$0 / month Mid$20 / month Max$1,380 / month Free tier | $17.91 – $88.99 / month Min$17.91 / month Mid$25.41 / month Max$88.99 / month |
Pricing Details | Free plan up to 250 active profiles (500 monthly emails, 150 SMS credits). Email plan starts at $20/month for 500 contacts. Email + SMS plan starts at $35/month for 500 contacts. Pricing scales with active profiles: $60/month (2,000 contacts), $375/month (20,000 contacts), $720/month (50,000 contacts), $1,380/month (100,000 contacts). As of February 18, 2025, billing based on active profile count with automatic upgrades/downgrades. Additional products: Customer Agent from $50/month, Marketing Analytics from $100/month. Early adopter discounts available through December 31, 2025. | Basic $17.91/month (annual) or $23.56/month (monthly), Core $25.41/month (annual) or $33.88/month (monthly), Plus $45.14/month (annual) or $53.81/month (monthly), Advanced $77.35/month (annual) or $88.99/month (monthly); 14-day free trial available; no Free or Freemium tier |
Platforms | ||
Target Audience | Marketing Professionals, Business Executives, Entrepreneurs, Product Managers, Remote Workers | Marketing Professionals, Business Executives, Entrepreneurs, Customer Service |
Website |
Why this comparison matters
This comprehensive comparison of Klaviyo and Salesforce provides objective, data-driven insights to help you choose the best marketing automation solution for your needs. We evaluate both tools across multiple dimensions including feature depth, pricing transparency, integration capabilities, security posture, and real-world usability.
Whether you're evaluating tools for personal use, team collaboration, or enterprise deployment, this comparison highlights key differentiators, use case recommendations, and cost-benefit considerations to inform your decision. Both tools are evaluated based on verified data, community feedback, and technical capabilities.
Quick Decision Guide
Choose Klaviyo if:
- Budget-conscious teams—Klaviyo offers a free tier for testing, while Salesforce requires a paid subscription
- Specialized in data analytics—Klaviyo offers category-specific features and optimizations for data analytics workflows
- Unique features—Klaviyo offers ai marketing platform and customer data platform capabilities not found in Salesforce
Choose Salesforce if:
- Multi-platform flexibility—Salesforce supports 3 platforms (2 more than Klaviyo), ideal for diverse teams
- Broader SDK support—Salesforce offers 4 SDKs (2 more than Klaviyo) for popular programming languages
- Mobile-first workflows—Salesforce offers native mobile apps for on-the-go access
- Community favorite—Salesforce has 234 upvotes (432% more than Klaviyo), indicating strong user preference
- Unique features—Salesforce offers customer relationship management and crm platform capabilities not found in Klaviyo
Pro tip: Start with a free trial or free tier if available. Test both tools with real workflows to evaluate performance, ease of use, and integration depth. Consider your team size, technical expertise, and long-term scalability needs when making your final decision.
When to Choose Each Tool
When to Choose Klaviyo
Klaviyo is the better choice when you prioritize specific features and capabilities. Klaviyo making it ideal for teams with specific requirements.
Ideal for:
- Budget-conscious teams—Klaviyo offers a free tier for testing, while Salesforce requires a paid subscription
- Specialized in data analytics—Klaviyo offers category-specific features and optimizations for data analytics workflows
- Unique features—Klaviyo offers ai marketing platform and customer data platform capabilities not found in Salesforce
Target Audiences:
When to Choose Salesforce
Salesforce excels when you need broader platform support (3 vs 1 platforms). Salesforce supports 3 platforms compared to Klaviyo's 1, making it ideal for teams valuing community-validated solutions.
Ideal for:
- Multi-platform flexibility—Salesforce supports 3 platforms (2 more than Klaviyo), ideal for diverse teams
- Broader SDK support—Salesforce offers 4 SDKs (2 more than Klaviyo) for popular programming languages
- Mobile-first workflows—Salesforce offers native mobile apps for on-the-go access
- Community favorite—Salesforce has 234 upvotes (432% more than Klaviyo), indicating strong user preference
- Unique features—Salesforce offers customer relationship management and crm platform capabilities not found in Klaviyo
Target Audiences:
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Klaviyo
Value Proposition
Freemium model allows gradual scaling without upfront commitment. Pay-as-you-go pricing aligns costs with actual usage. API and SDK access enable custom automation, reducing manual work.
ROI Considerations
- API access enables automation, reducing manual work
Salesforce
Value Proposition
Pay-as-you-go pricing aligns costs with actual usage. Multi-platform support reduces need for multiple tool subscriptions. API and SDK access enable custom automation, reducing manual work.
ROI Considerations
- Single tool replaces multiple platform-specific solutions
- API access enables automation, reducing manual work
Cost Analysis Tip: Beyond sticker price, consider total cost of ownership including setup time, training, integration complexity, and potential vendor lock-in. Tools with free tiers allow risk-free evaluation, while usage-based pricing aligns costs with value. Factor in productivity gains, reduced manual work, and improved outcomes when calculating ROI.
Who Should Use Each Tool?
Klaviyo is Best For
- Marketing Professionals
- Business Executives
- Entrepreneurs
- Product Managers
- Remote Workers
Salesforce is Best For
- Marketing Professionals
- Business Executives
- Entrepreneurs
- Customer Service
Pricing Comparison
KlaviyoBest Value
Pricing Model
Freemium, Enterprise
Details
Free plan up to 250 active profiles (500 monthly emails, 150 SMS credits). Email plan starts at $20/month for 500 contacts. Email + SMS plan starts at $35/month for 500 contacts. Pricing scales with active profiles: $60/month (2,000 contacts), $375/month (20,000 contacts), $720/month (50,000 contacts), $1,380/month (100,000 contacts). As of February 18, 2025, billing based on active profile count with automatic upgrades/downgrades. Additional products: Customer Agent from $50/month, Marketing Analytics from $100/month. Early adopter discounts available through December 31, 2025.
Estimated Monthly Cost
$0 - $1380/month
Salesforce
Pricing Model
Subscription
Details
Basic $17.91/month (annual) or $23.56/month (monthly), Core $25.41/month (annual) or $33.88/month (monthly), Plus $45.14/month (annual) or $53.81/month (monthly), Advanced $77.35/month (annual) or $88.99/month (monthly); 14-day free trial available; no Free or Freemium tier
Estimated Monthly Cost
$17.91 - $88.99/month
Strengths & Weaknesses
Klaviyo
Strengths
- Free tier available
- Developer-friendly (2+ SDKs)
- API available
Limitations
- Limited platform support
- Few integrations
- Not GDPR compliant
Salesforce
Strengths
- Multi-platform support (3 platforms)
- Developer-friendly (4+ SDKs)
- API available
Limitations
- No free tier
- Few integrations
- Not GDPR compliant
Community Verdict
Klaviyo
Salesforce
Integration & Compatibility Comparison
Klaviyo
Platform Support
Integrations
Developer Tools
SDK Support:
✓ REST API available for custom integrations
Salesforce
Platform Support
✓ Multi-platform support enables flexible deployment
Integrations
Developer Tools
SDK Support:
✓ REST API available for custom integrations
Integration Evaluation: Assess how each tool fits into your existing stack. Consider API availability for custom integrations if native options are limited. Evaluate integration depth, authentication methods (OAuth, API keys), webhook support, and data synchronization capabilities. Test integrations in your environment before committing.
Developer Experience
Klaviyo
SDK Support
API
✅ REST API available
Salesforce
SDK Support
API
✅ REST API available
Deployment & Security
Klaviyo
Deployment Options
Compliance
GDPR status not specified
Hosting
US
Salesforce
Deployment Options
Compliance
GDPR status not specified
Hosting
Global
Common Use Cases
Klaviyo
+8 more use cases available
Salesforce
+10 more use cases available
Making Your Final Decision
Choosing between Klaviyo and Salesforce ultimately depends on your specific requirements, team size, budget constraints, and long-term goals. Both tools offer unique strengths that may align differently with your workflow.
Consider Klaviyo if:
- •Budget-conscious teams—Klaviyo offers a free tier for testing, while Salesforce requires a paid subscription
- •Specialized in data analytics—Klaviyo offers category-specific features and optimizations for data analytics workflows
- •Unique features—Klaviyo offers ai marketing platform and customer data platform capabilities not found in Salesforce
Consider Salesforce if:
- •Multi-platform flexibility—Salesforce supports 3 platforms (2 more than Klaviyo), ideal for diverse teams
- •Broader SDK support—Salesforce offers 4 SDKs (2 more than Klaviyo) for popular programming languages
- •Mobile-first workflows—Salesforce offers native mobile apps for on-the-go access
Next Steps
- Start with free trials: Both tools likely offer free tiers or trial periods. Use these to test real workflows and evaluate performance firsthand.
- Involve your team: Get feedback from actual users who will interact with the tool daily. Their input on usability and workflow integration is invaluable.
- Test integrations: Verify that each tool integrates smoothly with your existing stack. Check API documentation, webhook support, and authentication methods.
- Calculate total cost: Look beyond monthly pricing. Factor in setup time, training, potential overages, and long-term scalability costs.
- Review support and roadmap: Evaluate vendor responsiveness, documentation quality, and product roadmap alignment with your needs.
Remember: The "best" tool is the one that fits your specific context. What works for one organization may not work for another. Take your time, test thoroughly, and choose based on verified data rather than marketing claims. Both Klaviyo and Salesforce are capable solutions—your job is to determine which aligns better with your unique requirements.
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FAQ
Is Klaviyo better than Salesforce for Marketing Automation?
There isn’t a universal winner—decide by fit. Check: (1) Workflow/UI alignment; (2) Total cost at your usage (seats, limits, add‑ons); (3) Integration coverage and API quality; (4) Data handling and compliance. Use the table above to align these with your priorities.
What are alternatives to Klaviyo and Salesforce?
Explore adjacent options in the Marketing Automation category. Shortlist by feature depth, integration maturity, transparent pricing, migration ease (export/API), security posture (e.g., SOC 2/ISO 27001), and roadmap velocity. Prefer tools proven in production in stacks similar to yours and with clear SLAs/support.
What should I look for in Marketing Automation tools?
Checklist: (1) Must‑have vs nice‑to‑have features; (2) Cost at your scale (limits, overages, seats); (3) Integrations and API quality; (4) Privacy & compliance (GDPR/DSA, retention, residency); (5) Reliability/performance (SLA, throughput, rate limits); (6) Admin, audit, SSO; (7) Support and roadmap. Validate with a fast pilot on your real workloads.
How should I compare pricing for Klaviyo vs Salesforce?
Normalize to your usage. Model seats, limits, overages, add‑ons, and support. Include hidden costs: implementation, training, migration, and potential lock‑in. Prefer transparent metering if predictability matters.
What due diligence is essential before choosing a Marketing Automation tool?
Run a structured pilot: (1) Replicate a real workflow; (2) Measure quality and latency; (3) Verify integrations, API limits, error handling; (4) Review security, PII handling, compliance, and data residency; (5) Confirm SLA, support response, and roadmap.