Zia alternative: 5 best AI sales assistant alternatives to Zoho in 2025
Sales success depends on intelligence, not just effort. Discover the top 5 alternatives to Zoho Zia (AI sales assistant), and how they can empower you with smarter automation, predictive insights, and seamless integrations.
Sales today is not just about effort; it is about intelligence. In 2025, almost 68% of sales teams worldwide are using AI-driven tools to forecast customer behaviour, streamline workflows and close deals faster than ever before.
Yet, amidst all this digital transformation, one question keeps surfacing in strategy meetings and CRM discussions alike - is Zoho’s Zia still enough?
There is no doubt that Zoho’s Zia has made its mark as a reliable AI-powered assistant within Zoho CRM, capable of analysing data, automating repetitive tasks and guiding teams towards more informed decisions.
However, as sales cycles become more intricate and customer expectations evolve, many organisations are discovering Zia’s limitations. The demand for smarter analytics, wider integrations, and more adaptable automation has never been greater.
This is where the AI sales assistants come into play, platforms built not just to assist, but to anticipate. From intelligent lead scoring and tailored communication to real-time pipeline insights, these tools are redefining the modern sales experience.
Let's understand which AI sales assistant could take your performance and your profits beyond what Zia can deliver.
What exactly is Zoho Zia?
Think of Zoho Zia as your digital sales assistant, the kind that never sleeps, never forgets, and always has data-backed suggestions ready for you. Built right into Zoho CRM, Zia uses machine learning, predictive insights and natural language processing (NLP) to help sales teams work smarter, not harder.
Whether it is suggesting the best time to follow up with a lead, forecasting your next quarter’s revenue, or detecting customer sentiment in emails and chats, Zia’s goal is simple: to make your job easier and your decisions sharper.
Recent reports show that around 72% of sales professionals now rely on AI tools like Zia to automate repetitive tasks and make smarter calls faster.
Companies using AI-powered CRMs have seen up to a 35% boost in lead conversions and a 25% reduction in sales cycle times.
So, if you have ever felt like your CRM could do a little more, be it smarter automation, better analytics, or just a smoother experience, it might be time to explore what the new generation of AI sales assistants has to offer.
Pepper Cloud Marketing
Key features to look for in a Zia alternative
- Intelligent lead scoring: Automatically ranks leads based on the level of engagement and level of likelihood to convert, allowing sales teams to outsource which individuals to interact with first based on the highest value prospects for their client base.
- Sales forecasting: Uses historical data and predictive analytics to indicate a likely future sales performance based on prior sales and customer interactions.
- Automation capabilities: Eliminates repetitive tasks such as follow-ups, email scheduling and data entry so that representatives can spend more time focused on strategic selling.
- Real-time analytics: Businesses can seamlessly view past sales activities, customer behaviour, and market trends within their CRM to act in real-time.
- Easy integration: Easily connect with other CRMs, marketing platforms, and communication tools to seamlessly improve the flow of data, as well as team collaboration.
- Personalised recommendations: Recommendations based on the CRM’s AI insights, to use optimal engagement methods and sales techniques based on customer or client profile.
- Natural Language Processing (NLP): A neat feature of AI assistants that allows them to naturally understand voice commands and respond to their respective instructions and text, allowing for smoother communications
Best Zia alternatives in 2025
As the demand for intelligent AI sales assistant tools grows, businesses are increasingly seeking powerful Zoho Zia alternatives that offer better customisation, deeper analytics, and seamless integrations. In 2025, several platforms have emerged as strong contenders, with Pepper Cloud leading the way as the top choice. Here, we explore the five best Zia alternatives that are reshaping the landscape of AI CRM for sales.
1. Pepper Cloud
More than just a replacement for the Zoho CRM AI assistant, it redefines efficiency with its AI sales assistant tools that transform the sales experience, making it one of the best CRM with AI assistant solutions in 2025.
- Advanced AI-Powered CRM for sales: Pepper Cloud surpasses typical CRM platforms with AI-driven predictive analytics, automated lead scoring, and insightful sales forecasts, enabling faster, data-backed decision-making.
- Natural Language Processing (NLP): It harnesses NLP for seamless communication, ensuring personalised and effective interactions with clients.
- Multi-channel communication: Manage all your emails, chats, and social media conversations from one unified dashboard, simplifying outreach and follow-ups.
- Sales pipeline automation: Pepper Cloud streamlines sales cycle management, with real-time updates on deal progress, automated follow-ups, and milestone tracking.
- Customisable dashboards: Its flexible dashboard design lets sales teams craft views and reports that align with their business goals, enhancing data visibility.
- Wide integrations: Effortlessly integrates with third-party apps for marketing, accounting, and communication, strengthening your tech ecosystem.
- User-friendly interface: With an intuitive layout, Pepper Cloud reduces onboarding time, letting your team focus on closing deals, not learning software.
2. HubSpot Sales Hub
HubSpot’s AI-powered Sales Hub is another strong Zoho Zia alternative with its focus on intelligent automation and CRM capabilities. It offers features like predictive lead scoring, sales forecasting, and email automation. While it integrates well within the HubSpot ecosystem, it slightly lacks advanced customisation options seen in Pepper Cloud.
3. Salesforce Einstein
Salesforce Einstein brings AI and machine learning into the CRM space, enhancing sales processes with predictive capabilities. It excels in large-scale business environments, offering real-time analytics and in-depth data analysis. However, its complexity and higher costs make it less accessible compared to Pepper Cloud.
4. Freshsales AI Assistant
Freshsales is a popular AI CRM for sales that streamlines sales activities with intelligent automation. Its key strengths are ease of use and effective lead scoring. However, it lacks the advanced predictive analytics and NLP capabilities of Pepper Cloud.
5. Pipedrive AI Assistant
Pipedrive is known for its visual CRM and effective AI assistant that simplifies sales tasks. It offers smart pipeline management and automated follow-ups, but it falls short in terms of multi-channel communication and advanced analytics compared to Pepper Cloud.
Pepper Cloud Marketing
Why Pepper Cloud is the best Zia alternative
Pepper Cloud stands out as the best Zia alternative due to its powerful capabilities in sales automation, predictive analytics, and user-friendly design. Here’s why it’s the top choice for businesses seeking an AI-powered CRM in 2025:
- Sales automation
- Streamlined workflow: Automates repetitive tasks like data entry, follow-ups, and lead scoring, boosting productivity.
- Lead nurturing: Automatically triggers follow-ups based on lead behaviour, ensuring no lead is overlooked.
- Predictive analytics
- Sales forecasting: Provides accurate predictions to help businesses anticipate revenue and allocate resources.
- Lead scoring: AI-driven lead scoring helps prioritise high-conversion prospects.
- Customisable features
- Tailored CRM: Allows businesses to customise workflows, dashboards, and reports to fit their specific needs.
- Personalised dashboards: Sales teams can track real-time performance with customisable dashboards.
- Seamless integrations
- Third-party support: Integrates easily with marketing tools, accounting software, and more.
- Custom APIs: Offers flexible APIs for connecting with existing systems.
- AI-powered insights
- NLP capabilities: Analyses customer interactions to provide actionable insights and personalised messages.
- Smart recommendations: AI suggests the best times to engage with leads based on historical data.
- User-friendly interface
- Intuitive design: Easy for sales teams to adopt, minimising the learning curve.
- Mobile-friendly: Sales reps can manage leads and access data on the go through the mobile app.
- Scalability
- Seamless growth: Scales effortlessly to accommodate small businesses or large enterprises.
- Global reach: Supports multi-region and multi-language features.
- Customer support
- 24/7 support: Access dedicated support and comprehensive training resources to maximise platform use.
With its advanced AI capabilities, flexible customisation, and ease of integration, Pepper Cloud is the best alternative for businesses seeking a smarter, more efficient CRM solution in 2025.
Wrapping up
As AI sales assistant tools continue to gain popularity, businesses seeking Zoho Zia alternatives have numerous options to choose from. While platforms like HubSpot, Salesforce Einstein, and Freshsales offer solid AI features, Pepper Cloud emerges as the clear leader in the space, providing a highly customisable, AI-driven CRM solution with advanced capabilities and seamless integrations. If you’re looking for the Best CRM with AI assistant to optimise your sales process, Pepper Cloud should be your go-to choice in 2025.
Frequently asked questions
What is Zoho Zia, and why consider alternatives?
Zoho Zia is an AI-powered sales assistant in Zoho CRM that automates tasks, predicts sales, and enhances communication. However, many seek Zoho Zia alternatives for better automation, integrations, and user experience.
How does Pepper Cloud compare to other AI CRMs?
Pepper Cloud excels as an AI-powered CRM for sales with advanced automation, predictive analytics, and a user-friendly interface, making it a top Zoho Zia alternative.
Are there free AI CRM tools available?
Yes, platforms like HubSpot CRM offer free AI-powered features. For advanced options, premium plans are usually required.
How do AI sales assistant tools improve sales?
They automate routine tasks, provide real-time insights, and offer personalised recommendations, enabling better decision-making and efficiency.
What are the benefits of using an AI sales assistant tool?
AI sales assistant tools, like Pepper Cloud, automate repetitive tasks, provide predictive sales forecasts, and improve customer engagement. They help sales teams make smarter, data-driven decisions and ultimately close more deals.
Can Pepper Cloud integrate with my existing tools?
Yes, Pepper Cloud seamlessly integrates with various CRM systems, marketing platforms, and communication tools, making it a highly versatile AI-powered CRM for sales. This ensures smooth workflows and improved collaboration across teams.
Is Pepper Cloud customisable for my sales team’s needs?
Absolutely. One of the key strengths of Pepper Cloud is its customisable dashboards, allowing you to tailor analytics and reports to suit your business’s specific needs. This flexibility makes it one of the top Zoho Zia alternatives for businesses looking to personalise their CRM system.
