Ontraport is an established all-in-one business and marketing automation platform built to manage customer relationships, marketing, and digital sales processes. It offers a combination of CRM, customer service solutions, marketing automation, and eCommerce tools designed to help small and medium-sized businesses grow their audience and sales pipelines.
Businesses use it to send targeted campaigns, nurture leads, and automate repetitive workflows that would otherwise consume valuable time.
Ontraport's main strengths lie in its depth of automation logic, customization potential, and integrated CRM system. Marketing teams can create multi-step workflows, automate follow-ups, and monitor conversions – all from one dashboard. However, that depth also contributes to its most common criticism: it's not easy to learn or use without prior experience in marketing features.
Despite being a capable tool, many business owners and marketing professionals search for an Ontraport alternative every year. The reasons vary:
This has created a steady demand for tools that are simpler, faster, and more cost-effective – ideally with a free plan that still offers full automation functionality.
Enter Bitrix24, the online workspace chosen by over 15 million businesses worldwide. Unlike traditional single-purpose CRMs or email tools, Bitrix24 brings every essential business function together – CRM, personalized messaging, marketing, project management, HR, communication, and analytics – all in one integrated workspace.
Bitrix24's biggest differentiator as an Ontraport alternative is its free forever plan, which includes CRM, marketing, and collaboration tools without time limits or user caps. Businesses can manage their pipelines, automate marketing, conduct video meetings, share files, and even handle HR workflows – all without switching between apps.
For businesses seeking a free Ontraport alternative in 2025, Bitrix24 is the most complete, scalable, and user-friendly option available.
Ontraport's user interface, while powerful, often feels dense and intimidating. It's built for flexibility, but the trade-off is usability. New users face a steep learning curve to understand campaign mapping, custom object relationships, and automation paths. For small teams without dedicated marketing specialists, this complexity can slow adoption and create dependency on external consultants.
Pricing remains a primary concern for Ontraport users, which makes them consider searching for an Ontraport alternative. After the 14-day trial, the Basic plan starts at $29/month but limits the number of contacts and users. More functional plans like Pro or Enterprise can exceed $249/month. Compared to free or low-cost alternatives like Bitrix24, the cost quickly becomes unjustifiable for early-stage startups.
In contrast to many modern SaaS platforms offering “freemium” tiers, Ontraport provides only a time-limited trial. This creates a high barrier to entry for users who want to test the system at their own pace or grow gradually without immediate financial commitment.
Ontraport was designed with advanced marketing teams in mind. While this allows great customization, it also makes the platform overwhelming for non-technical users. Setting up a simple automation workflow can involve multiple steps – selecting triggers, conditions, actions, and data mapping – each in separate sections of the interface.
Several long-time users have noted workflow delays or interface lag when managing tens of thousands of contacts. This makes scaling difficult for growing companies that depend on speed and responsiveness.
While Ontraport focuses heavily on marketing automation tasks, it lacks robust project management, chat, and collaboration tools. Users often have to integrate third-party systems for communication and task tracking – adding cost and complexity.
| Feature | Ontraport | Bitrix24 |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | 14-day trial only | ✅ Free forever |
| CRM | ✅ Available | ✅ Fully integrated |
| Email + SMS Marketing | ✅ Yes | ✅ Multi-channel |
| Campaign Builder | Advanced but complex | Drag-and-drop simplicity |
| Price | From $29/month | Free |
| Team Collaboration | Limited | Built-in tasks, chat, video |
| E-Signature | Through add-ons | ✅ Native |
| Telephony | Via integrations | ✅ Native |
| Automation | Complex workflows | AI-assisted sales automation |
| Analytics | Advanced but technical | Real-time visual dashboards |
| Integrations | 100+ apps | 1,000+ built-in connectors |
| User Experience | Technical, layered | Modern, beginner-friendly |
| Scalability | High | High: free + paid scalability |
| Support | Email/chat | 24/7 in-app + knowledge base |
In this comparison, Bitrix24 clearly stands out for its ease of use, integrated environment, and cost efficiency. While Ontraport remains suitable for advanced marketers, Bitrix24 caters to a broader audience – small businesses, agencies, and growing startups looking for a free all-in-one platform.
The marketing automation solution is crowded with capable tools, but not all cater equally to cost-conscious or small business users. Below are the top Ontraport competitors in 2025 – each with strengths and trade-offs.
HubSpot remains one of the most recognizable names in CRM and customer engagement. It offers inbound marketing tools, pipeline management, and a powerful reporting engine.
Known for its precision automation and contact segmentation, ActiveCampaign is ideal for data-driven marketers.
Keap targets service-based businesses needing CRM and automation in one.
GetResponse evolved from an email marketing automation platform into a full-fledged marketing suite.
A rebrand of Sendinblue, Brevo focuses on SMBs and startups seeking simplicity.
Manage leads, automate workflows, and close deals faster with an all-in-one Bitrix24 CRM. Free forever, unlimited users.
START NOW FREEDesigned for startups, EngageBay merges CRM, customer support, and marketing automation tools in one interface.
SharpSpring caters to marketing agencies and mid-sized businesses.
Focused on creators and small brands, Flodesk emphasizes aesthetic email design.
SendPulse offers a multi-channel marketing approach including chatbots and email sequences.
A simple automation tool with audience segmentation and scheduling.
A rising favorite among solopreneurs, Systeme.io combines funnels, automation, and course hosting.
Among all these platforms, Bitrix24 uniquely bridges CRM, marketing, collaboration, and automation – entirely for free. While other tools focus narrowly on one domain (like email marketing automation or CRM), Bitrix24 delivers a complete operational hub:
This unified design makes Bitrix24 a compelling option for businesses seeking to simplify operations, reduce software costs, and eliminate the fragmentation of using multiple tools.
One of Bitrix24's defining strengths is that it's not just another CRM or marketing tool – it's a complete business workspace. Where Ontraport focuses mainly on automation and marketing, Bitrix24 integrates sales, communication, task management, HR, and analytics into a single, cohesive environment.
This means every department – sales, marketing, support, HR, and operations – works from the same platform, with shared data and synchronized workflows. No need to jump between CRMs, email tools, and spreadsheets. The result is faster collaboration, improved visibility, and fewer errors.
Bitrix24's free forever plan is a game-changer. Unlike Ontraport's trial-limited access, Bitrix24 gives users full access to CRM, pipelines, automation workflows, and communication tools indefinitely. You can manage leads, track sales, and send campaigns – all without spending a cent.
This model democratizes automation for small businesses and freelancers who could never afford enterprise tools. It's ideal for startups testing the waters or agencies managing multiple small clients.
Bitrix24 was built for usability. Its interface is sleek, intuitive, and consistent across all tools – whether you're creating deals, running campaigns, or chatting with teammates.
The learning curve is nearly flat. A user can sign up in minutes, import leads, and launch their first campaign the same day. No long onboarding or confusing menus – just practical, ready-to-use tools.
Where Ontraport ends, Bitrix24 keeps going. The platform includes task and project management, team chat, video calls, and file sharing – all natively integrated.
Teams can assign tasks directly from deals or campaigns, discuss them in real time, attach documents, and even host meetings inside the same workspace. This level of cross-integration is rare among CRM competitors, eliminating the need for external tools like Asana, Slack, or Zoom.
Bitrix24 leverages artificial intelligence to assist with lead scoring, workflow optimization, and content suggestions. The AI engine can detect patterns, prioritize high-value leads, and automate repetitive actions like task assignments or email follow-ups.
For instance, if a lead hasn't responded to a proposal within three days, Bitrix24 can automatically trigger a reminder or re-engagement sequence – ensuring no opportunity slips through the cracks.
Data is only valuable if it's actionable. Bitrix24's analytics engine provides real-time dashboards that visualize sales funnels, campaign performance, and productivity metrics.
Unlike Ontraport's advanced but technical reporting system, Bitrix24's analytics are visual, simple, and customizable. You don't need to be a data analyst to interpret them.
Bitrix24 includes native telephony, meaning you can make and record calls directly from the CRM. It also integrates with WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, allowing users to reply to messages without switching platforms.
Add to that email marketing automation, SMS campaigns, and even in-app chat – and you get a complete contact center inside your CRM.
Whether you're a small team of five or a global agency managing hundreds of clients, Bitrix24 adapts to your scale. Its modular structure allows each department to customize dashboards, permissions, and automations to fit their workflow.
Larger organizations can connect external systems via APIs, while small teams can stay entirely within the Bitrix24 ecosystem – no technical setup required.
| Platform | Starting price | Free plan | Best for | CRM + automation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitrix24 | Free | ✅ Free forever | SMBs, startups | ✅ Included |
| Ontraport | $29/month | ❌ | Advanced marketers | ✅ |
| HubSpot | $18/month | ✅ Limited | Mid-size teams | ✅ Partial |
| ActiveCampaign | $29/month | ❌ | Automation pros | ✅ |
| Keap | $159/month | ❌ | Agencies | ✅ |
| Brevo (Sendinblue) | $0–25/month | ✅ | Small businesses | ✅ |
| EngageBay | $0–13.79/month | ✅ | Startups | ✅ |
| SharpSpring | $399/month | ❌ | Marketing agencies | ✅ |
| Flodesk | $35/month | ❌ | Creators | ❌ |
| SendPulse | $0–8/month | ✅ | Multi-channel users | ✅ |
| Systeme.io | $0–27/month | ✅ | Entrepreneurs | ✅ Basic |
When compared side-by-side, Bitrix24 delivers the most complete feature set at zero cost. Businesses can upgrade later for added capacity, but sales CRM and other key features remain free forever – an unmatched advantage in the 2025 SaaS market.
Bitrix24's dashboard is designed around clarity and speed. Color-coded pipelines, drag-and-drop deals, and accessible navigation make everyday operations like deal and lead management intuitive. In contrast, Ontraport's multi-layered menu system often requires multiple clicks to perform basic actions.
With Bitrix24, new users can import data, create pipelines, and launch campaigns within an hour. The onboarding wizard guides you through every step – no technical expertise needed. Ontraport's setup, while powerful, may take days to configure, especially for businesses new to automation logic.
Because Bitrix24's tools are natively integrated, there's no lag between modules. Tasks, CRM updates, and email marketing features sync instantly. Even under heavy contact volumes, performance remains smooth and reliable.
Here's what Ontraport users say:
Here's what Bitrix24 users say:
These testimonials illustrate a clear divide: while Ontraport excels for advanced users, Bitrix24 wins for accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and versatility.
Bitrix24's cloud infrastructure ensures high uptime and responsive speed even for large teams. Each workspace benefits from automatic backups, data encryption, and secure access permissions.
The system supports millions of daily operations across its global user base, handling everything from campaign triggers to real-time communication. Whether it's 5 users or 5,000, performance remains consistent.
In today's hybrid and remote work era, businesses need more than just automation – they need a connected environment where every function communicates seamlessly. Bitrix24 is built exactly for that.
For companies looking to simplify software stacks, Bitrix24 represents not just an Ontraport alternative – but a blueprint for modern business management.
Bitrix24 Online Workspace is the best free Ontraport alternative in 2025. It combines CRM, workflow automation, marketing automation tools, project management, and communication in one platform – all under a free forever plan.
Yes. Bitrix24's comprehensive marketing automation includes email, SMS, and social media workflows. Users can create visual sequences, set triggers, and personalize communication at scale.
Absolutely. Bitrix24 offers everything Ontraport's CRM provides – leads, deals, contacts, invoicing, and analytics – but with a simpler interface and zero setup fees.
Yes. Bitrix24 was designed for startups and small-to-medium businesses. Its free plan removes financial barriers, and its tools scale naturally as your business grows.
Yes. Users can send newsletters, promotional messages, and transactional updates directly through the platform. Campaign metrics update in real time, showing open rates, CTRs, and conversions.
Ontraport starts at $29/month after a 14-day trial, while Bitrix24's free plan includes unlimited CRM records, automation, and team tools. Businesses only pay for premium storage or enterprise support if needed.
Yes. Bitrix24 allows simple CSV imports for contacts, deals, and companies. The migration assistant helps map fields automatically to your new CRM layout.
Security is a top priority. All workspaces use SSL encryption, two-factor authentication, and role-based access control to protect sensitive customer data.
Bitrix24 connects with popular apps including Google Analytics, Facebook, WhatsApp, Quickbooks, etc. enabling a truly connected workflow with multi channel marketing capabilities.
Here are some of the businesses who would definitely benefit from using Bitrix24:
With Bitrix24, you don't just get a CRM, project management software, or an email marketing tool – you get a complete business workspace. Handle leads, launch email campaigns, manage tasks, host meetings, create landing pages, automate business processes, and get actionable insights – all from a single dashboard.
Over 15 million businesses already use Bitrix24 to automate, collaborate, and grow. Whether you're running a small agency or managing a global sales team requiring advanced automation capabilities, Bitrix24 adapts to your needs – simply and affordably.
Start today, and experience how easy business management can be when everything – CRM, marketing, HR, and communication – lives in one intelligent workspace. Get started with Bitrix24 today – your free Ontraport alternative for 2025.