Best Zoho Marketing Automation Alternatives & Competitors for 2025

Imed Bouchrika, Phd

by Imed Bouchrika, Phd

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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4.5 / 5

Read more about MarketMan

MarketMan stands out as a comprehensive solution designed to help restaurants optimize their operations and enhance profitability through advanced inventory management. Its system automates the tracking of stock levels in real-time and sends alerts when supplies fall below predetermined thresholds, thereby reducing waste and preventing over-purchasing. Additionally, the platform streamlines back-of-house processes such as invoice handling, purchasing, and recipe costing, all accessible via any device thanks to its cloud-based infrastructure. Complemented by insightful analytics and seamless integration with other hospitality tools, MarketMan empowers restaurant owners with greater control and data-driven insights to make smarter business decisions.

Key Features of MarketMan
  • Inventory Management with real-time tracking
  • Automated Ordering System from multiple suppliers
  • Invoice Processing via photo or upload
  • POS System Integration with major platforms
  • Real-Time Food Cost Transparency
  • AI-Powered Automation for tasks
  • Predictive AI for Waste Reduction
  • Multi-Platform Accessibility across devices
Price of MarketMan

The Starter Plan costs $199 per location monthly or $169 with annual billing, including 50 invoice scans and core inventory features, plus a $500 setup fee. The Growth Plan is $249 monthly or $211 annually, offering unlimited invoice scans and enhanced tools to reduce costs, also with a $500 setup fee. Enterprise pricing is custom, tailored for larger operations, featuring unlimited scans and vendor integrations. Additional plans like Professional and Ultimate offer advanced features at $299 and $429 per month respectively. Extra fees apply for added scans and vendor integrations.

Read more about TouchBistro

TouchBistro is a restaurant-specific POS system designed to enhance both operational efficiency and customer satisfaction through its user-friendly and customizable interface. Its hybrid architecture combines the benefits of cloud-based functionality with the stability of an onsite server, ensuring uninterrupted service even during internet outages. The platform offers versatile menu management and powerful customer relationship tools that help tailor service and promotions to regular patrons. Additionally, TouchBistro supports multiple payment methods and caters to various food service niches, making it a flexible solution for diverse restaurant environments.

Key Features of TouchBistro
  • Restaurant-Specific POS System
  • Hybrid POS Architecture with Offline Capability
  • Menu Management
  • Table Management
  • Inventory Management with Low Stock Alerts
  • Staff Scheduling and Management
  • Integrated Reservations
  • Customer Loyalty Programs
Price of TouchBistro

TouchBistro’s pricing begins at $69 per month for the SOLO plan, which supports one POS terminal and suits quick-service venues. The DUAL plan costs $129 monthly and offers two licenses, ideal for small restaurants needing both stationary and mobile devices. For mid-sized establishments, the TEAM plan at $249 per month accommodates up to five licenses, enabling multiple service areas. Large or high-volume restaurants can opt for the UNLIMITED plan at $399 per month, providing unlimited iPad terminals and extensive tableside ordering capabilities.

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4.5 / 5

Read more about 7shifts

7shifts is presented as a restaurant scheduling solution aimed at easing the management of staff shifts and streamlining everyday operations. Although the provided source does not delve into granular details, the product is implied to be designed with the operational challenges of restaurants in mind, focusing on making scheduling more efficient for busy managers. Its overall approach hints at an intuitive, user-centered platform that promises to simplify the complexities of workforce planning in a demanding hospitality environment.

Key Features of 7shifts
  • Optimized Employee Scheduling with Machine-Learning
  • Effortless Shift Swapping and Approval
  • Accurate Time Tracking with 7Punches
  • Simple Availability and Time-Off Management
  • Real-Time Analytics and Comprehensive Reporting
  • Seamless Mobile Accessibility for On-The-Go
  • Automated Notifications and Custom Alerts
  • Robust Compliance Tracking and Security
Price of 7shifts

Plan Comp offers essential scheduling and basic management free monthly, allowing a restaurant to manage up to 30 employees and one location. Entrée, starting at $31.99 per month, builds on this with unlimited scheduling and labor budgeting for greater efficiency. The Works, starting at $69.99 monthly, introduces unlimited employees and advanced scheduling integrations, plus compliance tools. Gourmet, at $135.00 monthly, adds dedicated support and custom services for enterprise-level operators. A 14-day free trial is available across paid plans, enabling potential users to explore advanced features risk-free. Options satisfy varied needs.

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4.15 / 5

Read more about Toast

Toast is a restaurant POS solution designed to streamline operations by integrating various aspects of service management into a single, efficient platform. Its intuitive design and multifaceted functionality work together to support restaurant workflows, from order management to payment processing, ensuring that every transaction is smooth and every customer interaction is optimized. With its flexible features, Toast positions itself as a robust contender in the restaurant technology space, appealing to businesses looking to enhance both operational flow and guest satisfaction.

Key Features of Toast
  • Point of Sale (POS) System
  • Tableside Service
  • Online Ordering & Delivery
  • Kitchen Display System (KDS)
  • Inventory Management
  • Reporting and Analytics
  • Employee Management
  • Payment Processing
Price of Toast

Toast offers varying pricing plans to suit different restaurant sizes and functionalities. The Starter Kit, free, caters to small restaurants with basic needs like one or two terminals. For those seeking standard operations, the Point of Sale plan begins at $69 monthly, offering a custom hardware setup along with essential add-ons. Meanwhile, the Custom Plan requires contacting Toast as it allows scalable choices including online ordering, payroll, employee benefits, and other features. A free demo lets users explore the platform before making a commitment. This flexible pricing eases plan selection.

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Read more about When I Work

When I Work is presented as a workforce management solution that aims to simplify employee scheduling and communication for businesses. The software combines an intuitive interface with practical features designed to support effective shift management and streamline day-to-day operations, making it a compelling option for organizations looking to optimize labor resources. Overall, When I Work is positioned as a tool that addresses common scheduling challenges while fostering a more organized and responsive working environment.

Key Features of When I Work
  • User-Friendly Employee Scheduling Tool Suite
  • Flexible Mobile Scheduling Application Platform
  • Efficient Built-In Time Tracking System
  • Accurate GPS-Enabled Time Clock Tool
  • Centralized In-App Team Communication Hub
  • Streamlined Digital Time-Off Management Process
  • Powerful Comprehensive Reporting Feature Set
  • Seamless Payroll Integration Options Module
Price of When I Work

Pricing for When I Work is structured around tiered, per-user monthly plans. The Essentials option starts at $1.50 for a simple scheduling interface, whereas adding Attendance features raises the cost to $3.00, integrating time tracking and payroll integrations. The Pro alternative, at $3.00, extends scheduling with advanced features like labor forecasting. For comprehensive needs, the Pro + Attendance plan costs $5.00. Businesses seeking integrated tools can opt for the Premium plan at $5.00, or upgrade to Premium + Attendance at $7.00 per user, offering extensive automation and API access options.

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Rezku

4 / 5

Read more about Rezku

Rezku POS stands out with its user-friendly interface designed to simplify order-taking, enabling new staff to become proficient in just about 10 minutes. It equips restaurant owners with insightful, real-time sales and labor reports, facilitating informed management decisions and efficient tracking of top-performing servers. The platform supports a variety of ordering methods, from online and tableside to QR code and drive-through options, while its Manager App allows seamless oversight of multiple locations remotely. Additionally, Rezku ensures secure payment processing across multiple formats and offers robust inventory management with automatic alerts and precise recipe costing to optimize profitability.

Key Features of Rezku
  • Advanced POS Functionality
  • Flexible Order Taking Options
  • Online Ordering & Delivery Integration
  • Kitchen Display System (KDS)
  • Inventory Control and Tracking
  • Real-Time Analytics and Reporting
  • Employee Management
  • Multi-Location Management
Price of Rezku

The Essential Plan is free and offers core POS features, menu and order management, basic reporting, and 24/7 support, including a complimentary first POS station for new customers. The Growth Plan costs $49 monthly and adds more tools tailored for expanding businesses, building on the Essential features. For unique needs, the Custom Plan provides tailored pricing and options. Payment processing fees apply separately, typically around 2.49% plus $0.15 per card-present transaction, with higher rates for card-not-present sales. Reach out to Rezku for precise quotes and promotions.

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Foodics

4.75 / 5

Read more about Foodics

For prospective customers evaluating software solutions for their restaurants, Foodics emerges as a robust cloud-based point-of-sale system celebrated for its intuitive design that streamlines order processing and enhances the overall customer experience. Its interface accommodates a variety of payment methods—ranging from cash and credit cards to mobile transactions—ensuring smooth and versatile financial exchanges. Beyond payment processing, Foodics is equipped with comprehensive inventory management capabilities that enable real-time tracking, automated reordering, and minimization of waste, while also integrating CRM tools to tailor marketing efforts and loyalty programs. Additionally, the system offers detailed reporting and analytics, as well as online ordering and delivery support, positioning it as an invaluable asset for restaurant operators aiming to optimize operations and drive long-term growth.

Key Features of Foodics
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Module
  • Detailed Menu Engineering Analytics Module
  • Comprehensive Real-Time Reporting Dashboard Access
  • Efficient Inventory Management and Tracking
  • Supplier, Purchasing, and Transfers Module
  • Customized Loyalty Programs Management Module
  • Scheduled Promotions, Discounts, Timed Events
  • Cloud-Based Mobile Access Management Platform
Price of Foodics

Foodics presents three subscription plans tailored to diverse business needs. The Starter plan begins at AED 219 monthly or AED 199 with annual commitment, featuring essential tools including cloud POS, menu management, and reporting. The Basic plan expands on these capabilities at AED 409 monthly, or AED 375 annually, adding enhanced reporting and customer management. The Advanced plan, priced at AED 675 monthly or AED 625 annually, builds further with advanced inventory management and additional integrations. Foodics pricing structure is clear yet flexible, designed to simplify software selection for businesses.

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BlueCart

4.55 / 5

Read more about BlueCart

BlueCart is a powerful tool designed to simplify operations for businesses in wholesale and hospitality by automating processes such as order handling, invoice creation, and confirmation, thereby reducing the need for manual paperwork. Restaurants benefit from the platform’s flexibility, as it allows orders to be placed anytime, even after hours, supporting better inventory control. Its digital catalog and automatic stock updates streamline product management, helping to prevent common issues like overstocking or missed orders. Additionally, BlueCart offers real-time analytics and a user-friendly mobile app, enabling managers to monitor sales and manage procurement efficiently on the move.

Key Features of BlueCart
  • Order Management
  • Inventory Management
  • Digital Catalogs
  • Mobile Access
  • Payment Processing
  • E-commerce Integration
  • Analytics and Reporting
  • Customizable Notifications
Price of BlueCart

BlueCart pricing is structured for diverse business needs. Their Marketplace plan costs $10 monthly with an annual commitment, plus a 5% commission per order. API pricing offers a range from the Hobbyist plan at $15 per month, moving up through Starter at $59, Production at $375, BigData at $1,000, ScaleUp at $2,200, Platform at $4,000, and Volume at $9,000. Each API tier grants a set number of monthly requests with fees for extras. A free trial offers 100 requests without credit card, enabling easy evaluation before commitment. Simple pricing details.

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Square Point of Sale

4.55 / 5

Read more about Square Point of Sale

Square Point of Sale delivers a remarkably intuitive and streamlined payment solution, tailored to simplify onboarding and ease training burdens, even for those with limited technical proficiency. Designed with a clear flat-rate pricing model, it ensures full transparency in cost management by eliminating hidden fees and subscriptions—features that are particularly attractive to small-scale businesses. The platform also supports a diverse array of payment methods, from traditional credit and debit cards to trending mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, while also offering next-day deposits to bolster cash flow. Complementing these features are integrated analytics and reporting tools that empower businesses to analyze sales performance and adapt their strategies for future growth.

Key Features of Square Point of Sale
  • Accept diverse payment methods seamlessly.
  • Manage stock and inventory effortlessly.
  • Access comprehensive sales performance insights.
  • Build customer profiles and engage.
  • Schedule employees and track productivity.
  • Personalize digital and printed receipts.
  • Protect transactions with robust security.
  • Process transactions even without internet.
Price of Square Point of Sale

Square Point of Sale offers flexible pricing plans tailored to diverse business needs. The free plan costs $0, letting you process in-person, online, keyed, or invoice transactions with set processing fees. Square for Retail Plus at $89 per month provides extra retail tools with discounted in-person rates, while Square for Restaurants Plus for $69 per month offers specialized restaurant management. For larger retail or restaurant operations, premium options are available—one with custom pricing and another starting at $165 per location monthly. Businesses over $250,000 in card sales can explore pricing.

Read more about HotSchedules

HotSchedules stands as a dynamic solution tailored for employee scheduling, blending intuitive design with versatile functionality to streamline workforce management. Its adaptable platform offers businesses a fresh perspective on shift planning, making it easier to align staffing needs with operational demands. With innovative yet practical features, HotSchedules seamlessly consolidates scheduling tasks, allowing managers to focus on the essential aspects of team oversight. Prospective customers seeking an employee scheduling software solution will find that this tool provides a compelling balance between ease of use and robust performance.

Key Features of HotSchedules
  • Employee Scheduling with drag-and-drop interface
  • Availability Management through mobile/web application
  • Time-Off Management ensuring leave requests
  • Team Messaging for direct communications
  • Reporting Capabilities offering staffing insights
  • Mobile App for schedule access
  • Customizable Schedule Templates for efficiency
  • Shift Approval Process for oversight
Price of HotSchedules

HotSchedules pricing plans are structured to suit various business scales without publicly disclosed figures. For smaller operations, a small-business plan offers significant cost-savings at an estimated 46% below the industry average, while mid-sized companies benefit from a 31% reduction through a mid-market plan. Larger organizations can explore an enterprise plan that claims to be 26% less expensive. Pricing structure may depend on factors like the number of users or usage, though concrete details remain undisclosed. A 30-day free trial permits businesses to assess if the software meets their specific needs.

Overview

Choosing the right marketing automation software is crucial for businesses aiming to streamline their campaigns and improve customer engagement. While Zoho Marketing Automation offers a variety of features, it might not fully meet the unique needs of every company, especially those seeking specialized tools or more flexible options.

Many users face challenges such as limited customization, complex interfaces, or pricing structures that don’t align with their budget. These issues can hinder marketing efforts and reduce efficiency.

This article will guide you through a range of alternatives to Zoho Marketing Automation, helping you identify solutions that better fit your specific requirements. By exploring different options, you’ll gain insights into features, usability, and value that can enhance your marketing strategy.

Reading this article will empower you to make an informed decision, saving time and resources while boosting your marketing performance with the right software choice.

What is Zoho Marketing Automation?

Zoho Marketing Automation offers a robust platform to optimize marketing efforts by unifying lead generation, nurturing, and campaign execution across various channels. It empowers users to collect leads from websites, blogs, and events using customizable signup forms, landing pages, and pop-ups, while syncing effortlessly with Zoho CRM and other external tools to create enriched contact profiles.

At the heart of the system lies an advanced contact management capability that provides a comprehensive 360-degree view of each lead. This includes a detailed timeline tracking every interaction, from initial visits to ongoing engagement, enabling marketers to segment audiences precisely with static lists, dynamic segments, or custom tags. Targeted outreach can then be executed through email, SMS, WhatsApp, or automated marketing journeys, ensuring tailored communication.

Lead scoring and qualification features further enhance automation by assigning values based on web behavior and email interactions. Leads are automatically progressed through custom or predefined sales funnel stages, streamlining the qualification process and improving sales readiness. Coupled with in-depth reporting and analytics, marketers can evaluate campaign performance and channel effectiveness through detailed lead attribution reports.

Web analytics tools monitor visitor behavior, including heat maps and goal tracking, which facilitate continual refinement of marketing tactics. Additional functionalities such as a centralized resource library, campaign planning tools, and compliance measures for regulations like GDPR and HIPAA further support comprehensive marketing management. Integration with ecommerce platforms aids in targeted follow-ups, abandoned cart reminders, and promotion of special offers, covering the full customer journey from acquisition to retention.

For those comparing different marketing automation solutions or exploring options in related software categories, consulting a list of the most popular ats softwares can provide valuable insights and help identify the best fit for specific business needs.

What to look for in Zoho Marketing Automation alternatives?

When exploring alternatives to Zoho Marketing Automation, it is essential to examine how competing platforms handle campaign orchestration, user behavior tracking, and customer journey visualization. Zoho’s strength lies in its ability to unify email, social media, and other channels within a single interface, providing thorough list management alongside detailed interaction analytics.

Focus on solutions that offer robust behavior and conversion tracking to gain meaningful insights into customer engagement across multiple touchpoints. The sophistication of the automation builder matters greatly; it should allow for intricate, multi-step workflows with triggers and conditional logic tailored to your specific marketing processes.

Advanced campaign management features, such as precise scheduling, audience segmentation, and content personalization, are vital for delivering targeted communications efficiently. Integration capabilities should not be overlooked—ensure the alternative connects smoothly with your existing CRM and business tools to maintain consistent data flow and comprehensive reporting.

Compliance with legal regulations like CAN-SPAM, along with tools for managing opt-in preferences and optimizing deliverability, is crucial for protecting your sender reputation. Equally important are in-depth reporting dashboards that enable real-time performance tracking and ROI analysis, empowering marketers to adjust strategies quickly.

User experience factors, including ease of onboarding and quality of customer support, can significantly influence adoption rates and ongoing effectiveness. Finally, transparency in pricing and the ability to scale features as your marketing initiatives expand will help avoid unexpected costs and facilitate long-term growth.

For those interested in a broader perspective on software options, reviewing a list of the best business intelligence software can provide valuable context when evaluating marketing automation tools alongside other business solutions.

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Joyce Qian

Joyce Qian

Software Expert

Chief Marketing Officer

ContactPigeon

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