STEPS / stepsERP vs Zoho CRM
Last updated October 2026
Looking for a European alternative to Zoho CRM? Here's how STEPS / stepsERP compares, on EU hosting, GDPR and what it does.
Our pick for a European buyer: STEPS / stepsERP. We weight data residency, GDPR and EU jurisdiction above everything else — that is the constraint this directory exists to solve.
What it is
German ERP and CRM suite for SMEs with project, service and trade modules
Cloud-based customer relationship management software for businesses.
Headquarters
🇩🇪 DE
🇮🇳 IN · 1996
EU data residency
Yes, for all customers
Available on some plansEU data residency is available on request for Zoho CRM.
DSGVO / GDPR
Yes
Yes
Certifications
Microsoft Partner
ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II
Price from
No
$14/user/mo
Free plan
No
Yes
Open Source
No
No
Integrations
DATEV, V-LOG, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Exchange, Archiving systems +7
Zoho Books, Zoho Desk, Zoho Campaigns, Zoho Analytics, Mailchimp +5
Where each one wins
STEPS / stepsERP
Strengths
- +Handles complex, industry-specific workflows like variable IT-service contracts and billing cycles
- +Centralizes work and data in one shared system for consistency
- +Offers flexibility to adapt standard functions to individual processes
- +Provides reliable day-to-day support for employees
Limitations
- −Usability could be improved
- −Onboarding, reporting, and analysis speed need simplification
- −Costs and pricing transparency require attention
Zoho CRM
Strengths
- +Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- +Strong automation capabilities
- +Good value for the price
- +Extensive third-party integrations
Limitations
- −Steep learning curve for advanced features
- −Limited customization in lower-tier plans
- −Occasional performance lag
- −Customer support can be slow
Data residency & compliance
STEPS / stepsERP
Zoho CRM
EU data residency
Yes, for all customers
Available on some plansEU data residency is available on request for Zoho CRM.
Transfer mechanism
Not required — data stays in the EU
Standard Contractual Clauses
Certifications
Microsoft Partner
ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II
Pricing
STEPS / stepsERP
No published pricing we could verify.
Pricing available on request
Zoho CRM
- Free Free ForeverUp to 3 users · Basic CRM features · Limited storage
- Standard $14 user/monthFull sales automation · Marketing integration · Billed annually
- Professional $23 user/monthAdvanced analytics · Custom dashboards · Billed annually
- Enterprise $40 user/monthAI-powered insights · Multi-user portals · Billed annually
- Ultimate $52 user/monthAdvanced customization · Dedicated support · Billed annually
Pricing is based on annual billing; monthly options may be available at a higher cost.
Features
STEPS / stepsERP
- Contract and Billing
- Maintenance, support, rental and software-care contract management, Contract change handling, Automated recurring billing and cyclical invoicing
- Service and Ticketing
- Integrated user help desk and ticketing, Service-level process management, Self-service support reporting and tracking
- Projects, Services and Resources
- Multi-project planning and resource allocation, Service estimation and management, Activity and time recording, Service catalogs with task dependencies and skill requirements
- ERP, Purchasing and Inventory
- Purchasing and sales workflows, Warehouse logistics and serial-number tracking, Demand planning, Distributor catalog and online-order connections
- CRM and Sales
- Customer and contact management, Sales opportunities and campaign management, Offers and order processing
Zoho CRM
- Sales Automation
- Lead and contact management, Pipeline tracking, Sales forecasting, Workflow automation
- Marketing Integration
- Email campaigns, Social media integration, Lead scoring, Web forms
- Customer Support
- Case management, Ticketing system, Knowledge base, Live chat
- Reporting & Analytics
- Custom reports, Real-time analytics, Sales metrics, Performance dashboards
- Collaboration Tools
- Team inbox, Document sharing, Task management, Calendar integration