Introduction: The Battle Between Simplicity and Integration
Choosing a CRM can feel a bit like choosing a gym. You want something that fits your style, helps you hit your goals, and doesn’t overwhelm you with a bunch of stuff you’ll never use. That’s exactly the feeling many small teams face when deciding between Bigin by Zoho and Monday.com. These two platforms cater to different kinds of users, yet they keep popping up in the same conversations.
In this Bigin by Zoho vs monday review, I’ll share what I’ve discovered after diving into both tools, exploring how they work, where they shine, and who they really serve best. Whether you’re a solopreneur just moving on from spreadsheets or a small team needing basic project and customer tracking, this article will help you make a smart, no-regret decision.
CRM Showdown: What Sets Bigin and Monday Apart?
Let’s get one thing straight—Bigin and Monday are not direct competitors. They simply approach CRM from very different angles.
- Bigin by Zoho is built exclusively as a CRM. It’s focused, beginner-friendly, and has a great balance of features and simplicity.
- Monday.com started as a project management tool and added CRM features later. Think of it like a Swiss Army knife that does many things but isn’t always perfect for one.
Still, small businesses often compare them because they’re affordable and easy to get started with. So how do you choose?
Here’s a quick table to paint the picture:
| Feature | Bigin by Zoho | Monday.com |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Very easy for CRM beginners | Easy, but more learning curve for CRM use |
| Pipeline Management | Highly intuitive | Feels like a workaround |
| Built-in Phone Integration | Available and excellent | Not natively supported |
| Integrations | Limited | Extensive via Monday’s ecosystem |
| Workflow Automation | Basic but built-in | Stronger, but more complex setup |
| Customer Support | Limited to standard Zoho tier | Better support available |
| Best For | Small teams or solopreneurs | Teams already using Monday for projects |
| Limitations | Lacks advanced automation & marketing tools | CRM feels like an add-on |
As you can see, each has its space—but which one truly fits your workflow?
Bigin by Zoho: Designed for Simplicity and Speed
Picture this: You’re a solo consultant juggling client calls, notes, and follow-ups in your notebook. Or maybe you’re a small real estate team still using Google Sheets. If this feels familiar, Bigin by Zoho is going to feel like a sigh of relief.
Here’s what makes Bigin shine:
- Zero fluff: Bigin isn’t trying to be everything. It just wants to help you track your deals, manage contacts, and follow up like a pro.
- Built-in phone features: You can make and receive calls right from the app. It’s a rare find at this price point and super helpful if your business depends on phone conversations.
- Customizable pipelines: Drag, drop, rename, and reorder stages in seconds.
- Smooth transition from spreadsheets: The setup process is so intuitive, it feels like a natural upgrade from Google Sheets or Excel.
- Workflow automation: Nothing too fancy, but it does the job. Automate basic tasks, reminders, and follow-ups.
In a nutshell, Bigin is for teams who want simplicity that works. It doesn’t pretend to do everything, and that’s exactly why it’s such a great fit for so many small businesses.
Real Talk: When Bigin Might Not Be Enough
Now, if your business is growing fast and you’ve got leads pouring in daily, you may hit Bigin’s limits quickly.
- No lead scoring
- Limited email marketing features
- No website tracking
- Automation is fine but not deep
- Reporting is clean, but not super customizable
For entry-level CRM needs though, Bigin punches well above its weight. It’s like the cozy coffee shop that makes a great latte every time.
Monday.com: A Project Tool Wearing a CRM Hat
If Bigin is a cozy coffee shop, Monday.com is a buzzing coworking space with all kinds of teams doing different things. Originally a project management tool, Monday now offers a CRM “template” that can be customized. But here’s the catch—it wasn’t built from the ground up for CRM needs.
So, what makes Monday.com appealing?
- Massive integration ecosystem: Slack, Google Workspace, Zoom, even Jira—you name it.
- Customization galore: You can tweak the dashboard, fields, and workflows endlessly.
- Solid customer support: Fast, helpful, and plenty of tutorials.
- Ideal if you’re already using Monday: The CRM becomes part of your broader workflow.
Monday works great if you’re managing both projects and clients in one place. It’s perfect for agencies, consultancies, or service teams already familiar with Monday’s ecosystem.
But CRM? It’s Not Monday’s Core Strength
Let’s be honest. CRM in Monday feels a bit like using a spoon to eat spaghetti. You can do it—but it’s not what it was made for.
- Pipeline management isn’t intuitive: It’s more like managing a task board than a sales pipeline.
- Contact handling is basic
- You’ll often need workarounds to replicate CRM functions
- No built-in phone or deep CRM reporting
So unless you’re already using Monday for other things, jumping into it just for CRM might not be worth the effort.
Choosing Based on Business Type: Who Should Use What?
This part’s easy once you get honest about your business stage and communication volume. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Choose Bigin by Zoho if:
- You send fewer than 10 emails or calls a day.
- You want to stop using spreadsheets but don’t need a complex CRM.
- You like having phone features built-in.
- You want a focused tool without distractions.
- Your team is small and doesn’t have a full-time IT person.
Go with Monday.com if:
- You already use Monday for projects or task management.
- Your team sends 10–50 messages daily.
- You need to integrate the CRM with your existing workflows.
- You’re okay with a less “CRM-like” experience.
- You value great customer support and setup help.
At the end of the day, this isn’t about which one is “better”—it’s about which one is better for you.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Bigin vs Monday
To wrap up this half, here’s a quick side-by-side view:
| Criteria | Bigin by Zoho | Monday.com |
|---|---|---|
| CRM-First Design | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Phone Integration | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Pipeline Customization | ✅ Easy | ⚠️ Moderate |
| Email & Call Volume | Best for <10/day | Best for 10–50/day |
| Automation | ✅ Basic | ✅ Moderate |
| Reporting | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Good |
| Built-in Email | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Contact Management | ✅ Friendly UI | ⚠️ Less intuitive |
| Integrations | ⚠️ Few | ✅ Many |
| Best Use Case | Small teams/new CRM users | Teams already using Monday |
That’s the first half of the article! Let me know if you’d like me to continue with the rest, including:
- Deep dive into integrations and automation
- Final verdict: Which one should you choose?
- 5-8 FAQs on Bigin and Monday
- Real-world use case examples
- Summary and closing thoughts with SEO enhancement
Automation and Integration: How Do They Stack Up?
In today’s digital world, even a basic CRM should help you do more with less effort. Automation is where time gets saved, and integrations are how your systems talk to each other. So how do Bigin by Zoho and Monday.com handle automation and connectivity?
Bigin: Simple Automation, Limited Integration
With Bigin by Zoho, you get basic workflow automation right out of the box. Think things like:
- Automatic email follow-ups
- Task creation when a deal is added
- Reminders when a deal sits too long in one stage
These are straightforward, easy to set up, and perfect for small teams. If you’re not tech-savvy, this simplicity will feel like a blessing.
But integrations? That’s where Bigin falls a little short. It plays nicely with a few Zoho apps and popular tools like Gmail, Outlook, and Google Contacts. But if you’re dreaming of complex API-driven workflows or third-party power tools, you’ll feel boxed in.
That said, for small businesses with low CRM complexity, this might be all you need. Less noise, fewer things to break.
Monday: Rich Integrations, More Advanced Automation
Monday.com goes the other way. It offers a wide range of integrations through its App Marketplace. You can connect with:
- Slack
- Microsoft Teams
- Zoom
- Dropbox
- Google Calendar
- And tons more
Its automation engine is also deeper. You can create recipes like:
- “When a status changes to ‘Won’, move item to closed group and notify sales lead.”
- “Every Friday, send a summary email of all new deals.”
- “When a new contact is added, assign a rep and set a due date automatically.”
These are great if your team has multiple moving parts. But they come with a trade-off—you need to spend time learning how to use these features properly. There’s a slight learning curve here.
Use Cases That Highlight the Differences
To make things even clearer, let’s walk through a few real-world scenarios that show how each platform performs based on your needs.
Case 1: Freelance Consultant Managing Client Projects
Sarah, a solo business consultant, has about 6 clients and gets around 3–5 emails or calls per day. She’s been using Excel but finds it clunky. She wants to track client calls, schedule follow-ups, and never forget a deal again.
Best pick: Bigin by Zoho
Why? It gives her just what she needs. Call tracking, a clean deal pipeline, and simple automation—all without setup headaches.
Case 2: Digital Agency With Collaborative Projects
Chris runs a 10-person agency doing design and marketing projects. They already use Monday for managing campaigns. Now they want to track client contacts, deal stages, and post-sale tasks in the same place.
Best pick: Monday.com
Why? They can add a CRM board alongside their project boards. Everything stays in one place, and they can automate handoffs from sales to operations.
Case 3: Growing Startup With 50+ Leads Daily
Emma runs a SaaS startup generating over 50 leads per day. They need lead scoring, email campaigns, and tight integrations with tools like Intercom, HubSpot, and custom APIs.
Not ideal: Bigin or Monday
Why? Both tools will feel limiting. She’s better off with a full-featured CRM like Zoho CRM Plus, HubSpot, or Pipedrive.
Final Verdict: Which CRM Should You Choose?
Choosing between Bigin by Zoho vs Monday review really boils down to what matters most to your business.
Choose Bigin if:
- You want a clean and focused CRM
- You’re managing less than 10 calls/emails per day
- You prefer a no-fuss setup and love simplicity
- You value phone integration
- You’re moving from spreadsheets and want structure
Choose Monday if:
- You’re already using it for project management
- You need more integration options
- You don’t mind a slightly DIY CRM setup
- You have more volume (10–50 daily interactions)
- You want cross-functional workflow automation
Both tools offer free trials, so you really can test both before committing.
TL;DR?
If CRM is your main focus → Go with Bigin.
If you’re already in Monday’s ecosystem → Stay with Monday and expand.
FAQs About Bigin by Zoho and Monday CRM
Is Bigin by Zoho free?
Bigin offers a limited free version. For full CRM functionality like phone integration and automation, you’ll need to upgrade to the paid plan, which is still very affordable.
Can I use Monday as a full-featured CRM?
Yes, but it’s not purpose-built for CRM. You can customize it to handle sales pipelines, contacts, and tasks, but it may feel clunky compared to a dedicated CRM.
Which CRM is better for teams with no technical skills?
Bigin wins here. It’s extremely beginner-friendly and doesn’t require a steep learning curve.
Does Monday.com have built-in calling features like Bigin?
No, Monday doesn’t offer native calling features. You’ll need integrations or third-party tools to enable calling.
Is it possible to switch from Bigin to Monday later on?
Yes, both platforms allow exporting data. Just make sure your team is ready to adjust to the new structure and workflow.
Which CRM works better on mobile?
Both have mobile apps, but Bigin’s app is more CRM-focused and better optimized for managing calls and deals on the go.
Can I run email campaigns using Bigin or Monday?
Bigin offers basic email integration and some workflows. For more advanced campaigns, you’d need Zoho Campaigns. Monday doesn’t have built-in email marketing tools, but integrations are available.
Which tool is more customizable?
Monday.com is more customizable overall, especially for teams with unique workflows. Bigin is more structured with limited customization.
Closing Thoughts: CRM Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
CRM tools are like shoes—you need the right fit. Bigin by Zoho vs Monday review is not about which platform is better overall, but which one makes your daily work easier, more productive, and less stressful.
If you’re a small team needing to track calls, manage leads, and stay organized without complexity, Bigin is the clear winner.
If you’re already using Monday for tasks and want to add light CRM features into your workflow, Monday makes more sense.
Take the time to reflect on what matters most for your team. Features are great—but it’s how the tool feels in day-to-day use that truly matters.
So go ahead, test both. Your perfect CRM might just be a click away.