CRM Problems: What 1000+ Users Actually Say | BigIdeasDB

CRM software promised to revolutionize how businesses manage customer relationships, yet in December 2025, teams are more frustrated than ever. Based on analysis of 1,000+ user complaints across Product Hunt, G2, Reddit, and user forums, modern CRMs suffer from three critical failures: they're too complex for small teams, too rigid for unique workflows, and too disconnected from the tools people actually use daily.

The complaints span every tier—from Salesforce's enterprise bloat to HubSpot's feature creep to newer alternatives like Attio and Folk that haven't solved fundamental usability problems. Sales teams report spending more time managing their CRM than selling. Startups describe workflows that break the moment they need customization beyond templates. Freelancers abandon sophisticated systems for spreadsheets because the learning curve isn't worth it.

This analysis examines patterns across 15+ popular CRM platforms, revealing which problems are universal design failures versus tool-specific issues. You'll see the exact friction points driving users away, the workflows that consistently break, and the feature gaps creating opportunities for builders who understand what sales teams actually need.