BIGContacts vs Nutshell – A Detailed Comparison

When it comes to choosing the right CRM for your business, the decision can be tough with so many options available. If you've narrowed your search to BIGContacts and Nutshell, congratulations! You're on the right path. 

Both BIGContacts and Nutshell are strong CRM contenders, each offering unique features and benefits.

I’ve had the chance to use both BIGContacts and Nutshell extensively and gained some valuable insights. This comparison isn't straightforward—both tools provide great value depending on your business needs.

Let’s get started and explore the features, pros, and cons of each to help you decide which CRM is the best fit for you.

Before we talk about which is the best software among the two, here’s a quick glance at the 2 tools -

BIGContacts vs Nutshell: Feature-by-Feature Comparison

To determine the best tool between BIGContacts and EngageBay, I’ll be evaluating them based on these 7 crucial factors:

1. Contact Organization
2. Contact Search & Segmentation
3. Sales Pipeline Management
4. Data Management & Security
5. Integration & Automation Features
6. Reporting and Analytics
7. Pricing

Feature 1: Contact Organization

Both BIGContacts and Nutshell offer contact management. But which one stands out?

BIGContacts is a great tool for managing contacts. It offers 360° visibility into contact data and integrated calendar features. Its customizable fields, tagging, and grouping options ensure efficient contact segmentation, making targeted marketing campaigns and personalized follow-ups a breeze.

The advanced powerful data import capabilities mean you don't lose historical data during transitions, saving valuable time. 

Nutshell centralizes contact profiles with comprehensive records of interactions, including calls, emails, meetings, and notes. 

Image source: Nutshell

It organizes all customer interactions into an easy-to-follow visual timeline. This consolidation is crucial for businesses aiming to track the customer journey seamlessly from initial contact to post-sale support.

Nutshell’s approach to contact organization creates a narrative for each customer, which is incredibly powerful for sales and support teams to create personalized experiences.

Winner:

As a contact management software, BIGContacts excels at customization. Its ability to create custom fields, contact segmentation, and grouping options makes it a superior choice. The 360° view of all the contact information helps in personalized follow-ups and better client relationship management. 

Here’s the score after round 1: 

BIGContacts - 1, Nutshell - 0.

Feature 2: Contact Search & Segmentation

Both BIGContacts and Nutshell offer effective contact search and segmentation features, but let's dive into the details to see which stands out.

BIGContacts’ search bar allows users to quickly locate any contact, even when working with a large database.

Its segmentation feature is powerful, enabling users to group contacts based on specific criteria like industry, location, lead status, or custom fields.  Additionally, BIGContacts allows switching to a list view to see all contacts simultaneously, enhancing usability and efficiency.

Nutshell CRM also provides an advanced search option that helps find any contact by various criteria, making it easy to locate specific entries. The dynamic lists feature automatically updates contact lists based on set conditions, ensuring that the data remains current without manual intervention. 

Image source: Nutshell 

Nutshell’s tagging feature facilitates easy categorization and retrieval of contacts, while bulk actions allow users to apply changes to multiple contacts simultaneously, streamlining workflows.

Winner:

I find BIGContacts to be more intuitive and user-friendly for contact search and segmentation, especially with its customizable fields and easy list view. Here’s the score after round 2:

BIGContacts - 2, Nutshell - 0

Feature 3: Sales Pipeline Management

Both BIGContacts and Nutshell excel in sales pipeline management, but which one stands out?

BIGContacts offers a visual sales pipeline that tracks the progress of each deal. Its customizable sales stages can be tailored to fit any sales process. One of my favorite features is the drag-and-drop interface, allowing you to easily move deals through the pipeline. 

Image source: BIGContacts 

Automated follow-ups and reminders ensure no lead falls through the cracks, and detailed reporting provides insights into sales performance, helping you make data-driven decisions. In my experience, these features have significantly helped me with my sales workflow.

Nutshell also impresses with its customizable pipelines that match various sales processes. It automatically assigns tasks to team members based on pipeline stages, ensuring everyone knows what to do next. 

Image source: Nutshell 

Activity reminders help maintain consistent follow-ups with leads, which is essential for keeping the sales process moving smoothly. Nutshell's approach to pipeline management focuses on automation and task assignment, which can be incredibly beneficial for busy sales teams.

Winner:

While both platforms offer robust sales pipeline management features, I believe BIGContacts shines with its visual pipeline and drag-and-drop interface, which makes managing deals more intuitive and efficient. The detailed reporting also gives it an edge in performance analysis.

So, after round 3:

BIGContacts - 3, Nutshell - 0

Feature 4: Data Management & Security

Data management and security are critical features for any CRM, but which tool does it better?

BIGContacts offers seamless data imports from sources like CSV files, web forms, and Gmail. It enhances security with Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and complies with GDPR and CCPA regulations. 

Image source: ProProfs

With customizable user permissions, you can control access precisely. The platform logs all system activities in detail and uses advanced encryption to protect data. In my experience, these features ensure tight security and reliability.

Nutshell also ensures data protection with advanced encryption methods and full compliance with GDPR regulations. 

Image source: Nutshell 

The platform conducts regular security audits to maintain a secure environment and implements strict access controls. Its transparent privacy policies clearly outline data usage, which is a significant plus.

Winner:

As a data management and security solution, Nutshell leads with its comprehensive features, such as advanced encryption methods and GDPR compliance. 

Here’s the score after round 4:

BIGContacts - 3, Nutshell - 1

Feature 5: Integration & Automation Features

When it comes to integration and automation, both BIGContacts and Nutshell offer impressive capabilities. But which one is better?

BIGContacts offers integration with popular platforms like QuickBooks, Mailchimp, and Zapier, enhancing its functionality. Its email marketing features, including drip campaigns, form builders, and email sequences, automate lead nurturing and follow-ups efficiently. 

Image source: BIGContacts 

The calendar syncs with Google Calendar and Outlook, ensuring your schedule is always up to date. Custom workflows with automated data entry further reduce manual effort, making it easier to keep records accurate and up to date. In my experience, these integrations and automation options have significantly streamlined my business processes.

Nutshell also offers multiple integration and automation features. It integrates with Gmail, Outlook, and Mailchimp, making email and marketing efforts effortless. 

Image source: Nutshell

Connecting with Google Calendar and Office 365 ensures seamless scheduling. Nutshell automatically scores and routes leads based on predefined criteria, ensuring efficient lead management. This automated lead scoring is particularly useful for prioritizing high-potential leads.

Winner:

In terms of integration and automation features, I believe Nutshell takes the lead. Its extensive integrations and advanced automation tools provide a comprehensive solution for managing leads and marketing efforts. Here's the score after round 5:

BIGContacts - 3, Nutshell - 2

Feature 6: Reporting & Analytics

Both BIGContacts and Nutshell offer impressive reporting and analytics offerings. Let’s compare them.

BIGContacts provides customizable pre-built reports that give insights into sales pipelines, marketing campaigns, and team activities. Real-time analytics capabilities are particularly useful for making quick decisions. 

Image source: BIGContacts 

I liked the visual dashboards that present key metrics clearly. Features like email campaign tracking and sales funnel analysis are invaluable for refining our strategies. This comprehensive approach has greatly improved our reporting efficiency.

Nutshell offers customizable reports focusing on key metrics, with performance tracking for both individuals and teams. 

Image source: Nutshell 

Its sales forecasting feature is excellent for predicting future trends and planning accordingly. This makes strategizing more effective and helps in staying proactive.

Winner:

While both platforms are strong in reporting and analytics, BIGContacts stands out with its real-time analytics and detailed visual dashboards. The ability to track email campaigns and analyze sales funnels in real time has been a significant advantage for us. Thus, BIGContacts earns the point here.

Here’s the score after round 6:

BIGContacts - 4, Nutshell - 2

Feature 7: Pricing

Choosing a CRM is more than just about features; it’s about getting the best value for your money. So, from a user’s perspective, which software wins in terms of pricing? Let’s dive in.

BIGContacts:

BIGContacts offers two plans:

• The Free Plan: The freemium plan is available for up to 100 contacts. This plan is ideal for micro-businesses or startups just starting out.
• The Business Plan: Priced at $9.99 per month for 1000 contacts, billed annually. This plan is suitable for businesses with a large contact list and includes dedicated onboarding support.

Image source: BIGContacts 

The best thing about the freemium plan is that you barely need to compromise with features. I’d suggest this to anyone who has less than 100 contacts. 

You can even request a free demo session. Apart from these plans, you can also connect with the company’s sales team for a custom pricing plan if you have more than 20K contacts.

Nutshell:

Nutshell provides a range of plans to cater to different business needs:

• Foundation Plan: This plan starts at $16/user/month. It includes basic CRM functionalities.
• Pro Plan: Starts at $42/user/month and offers advanced sales automation and integrations.
• Power AI Plan: Starts at $52/user/month. It includes AI-driven insights and analytics.
• Enterprise Plan: Starts at $67/user/month. The enterprise plan is tailored for large businesses with extensive needs.

While Nutshell offers various plans, each with increasing levels of functionality, you may need to opt for the higher-tier plans to access all features, which can be costly for small businesses.

Winner:

For businesses seeking a CRM with great features at a competitive price, I’d recommend BIGContacts. Its free plan is more generous, and the business plan offers excellent value. Therefore, the final score is:

BIGContacts - 5, Nutshell - 2

Which Is Better: BIGContacts or Nutshell?

Determining which platform is better isn't easy, especially after closely examining the features of both BIGContacts and Nutshell. Each has its strengths, making it a tough decision. 

To help you make a decision, I'll outline the pros and cons of each tool. This comparison will help you see how each CRM stands out in different areas, making it easier to choose the one that best fits your business needs. 

Let's get started -

BIGContacts

Pros:

• 360° Contact Management: BIGContacts allows you to create custom fields, ensuring that you can capture specific data points relevant to your business needs. This feature facilitates in-depth segmentation and targeted communication strategies.
• Easy Data Import: The platform makes migrating existing contacts from spreadsheets or other CRMs simple, saving valuable time and reducing the setup hassle.
• Powerful Automation: BIGContacts includes robust automation features, such as automated follow-up emails, task assignments, and deal creation based on specific criteria. This helps streamline workflows and free up your team for more strategic tasks.
• User-Friendly Interface: The CRM's user-friendly interface makes navigation intuitive, even for non-tech-savvy users. This enhances productivity and reduces the learning curve.
• Integration Capabilities: BIGContacts integrates seamlessly with various tools and platforms, including Google Workspace, Outlook, and Zapier, enhancing its functionality and making it a versatile choice for managing leads and contacts.

Cons: 

• Limited Email Templates: While the platform provides email templates, the selection could be more varied to cater to different use cases.
• Need for Constant Internet Connectivity: BIGContacts requires a continuous internet connection to access and manage data, which can be a drawback for users in areas with unstable internet service.

Nutshell 

Pros:

• Enhanced Customer View: Centralizes all customer interactions into a single contact record, enabling you to track the entire customer journey.
• Comprehensive Automation: Includes advanced automation features like lead generation, scoring, customer segmentation, and event-triggered workflows.
• Customizable Dashboards: Allows users to create personalized dashboards to analyze and generate reports tailored to their specific needs.
• Sales Process Management: Offers robust tools for managing sales pipelines, setting goals, and tracking performance.
• Mobile Accessibility: The mobile app ensures you can manage your CRM from anywhere, enhancing flexibility and productivity.

Cons: 

• Higher Cost: The pricing plans can be relatively expensive compared to some competitors, especially for small businesses.
• Complex Setup: Some users find the initial setup and customization process to be complex and time-consuming.
• Limited Integrations: While it offers essential integrations, the range may not be as extensive as other CRM tools.

The Verdict

After comparing BIGContacts and Nutshell CRM, it's clear that each has its strengths. 

However, my recommendation leans towards BIGContacts, especially for startups and small to medium-sized businesses.

BIGContacts excels at merging contact management with email marketing, providing an efficient and cost-effective solution for small businesses. This integration saves time and money while offering a single platform for both sales and marketing teams. Additionally, BIGContacts' pricing is more competitive and accessible.

Nutshell CRM also offers excellent features, particularly for businesses looking for advanced functionalities and willing to invest a bit more. However, BIGContacts stands out for those seeking a balance of affordability and comprehensive features.

To make the best decision, consider taking advantage of the free demos or trial plans offered by both platforms. Testing the software firsthand will give you a better feel for which one meets your specific needs.

Learn More About BIGContacts vs Nutshell

Is BIGContacts suitable for large enterprises, or is it only for small businesses?

BIGContacts is suitable for both small businesses and large enterprises. Its free plan for up to 100 contacts is perfect for small businesses, while powerful features like email marketing, contact management, and task management make it a solid choice for larger enterprises. Additionally, the affordable paid plan supports up to 1,000 contacts, catering to bigger organizations effectively.

What kind of support does Nutshell offer?

Nutshell offers comprehensive support, including live chat, email, and phone assistance. They also provide a detailed knowledge base and helpful video tutorials. I’ve found their support team to be responsive and knowledgeable, making it easy to resolve any issues quickly. 

Does BIGContacts offer an API for integrations?

Yes, BIGContacts offers an API for integrations, making it easy to connect with tools like Zapier, Mailchimp, QuickBooks, and Google Workspace. I've found this especially helpful for syncing data and enhancing workflow efficiency. This feature-rich API ensures seamless integration with various platforms, boosting productivity.