Customer expectations have risen within every industry. In fact, 88% of customers say the experience a company provides is just as important as its products or services.
That means it’s no longer enough to have a great product. If you want customer success, you must make every sales interaction feel relevant, timely, and easy.
That’s why more businesses are turning to customer engagement software. These tools help sales teams stay connected and provide relevant experiences to buyers across every touchpoint.
In this guide, we’ll break down the best customer engagement software for sales teams, so you can find the right fit for how your team sells and how your buyers buy.
Key takeaways:
- Customer engagement software encompasses different types of tools like outreach platforms, CRMs, demo tools, and analytics systems.
- The best tools show how customers are engaging, so you can follow up at the right time with the right context.
- Consumers expect brands to adjust content based on their context, which makes behavior-driven engagement a must-have.
- Different tools solve different problems, so the right choice depends on where your engagement is breaking like outreach, follow-ups, visibility, or buyer education.
What is Customer Engagement Software?
Customer engagement software (CES) is a type of tool that helps businesses communicate with customers and keep those conversations going over time.
Most tools in this category do some combination of three things:
- Communicate: Send emails, messages, demos, or calls across different channels
- Track: Show how customers are interacting and what they care about
- Respond: Automate touchpoints and follow-ups or guide your next step
The key difference from CES to something like a CRM is focus. A CRM stores information about customers. Customer engagement software uses that information to create better interactions like sending the right message, at the right time, through the right channel.
Benefits of Customer Engagement Software
Customer engagement software changes how teams manage and respond to customer interactions at scale, including:
- More personalized interactions without manual effort: Customers expect messages to feel relevant to them in the moment, not generic blasts. In fact, 71% of customers expect personalized interactions, and 76% get frustrated when they don’t receive them. Customer engagement software uses behavior data to automatically adjust messaging, so every email, demo, or follow-up feels more tailored.
- Stronger engagement across multiple channels: Buyers don’t all communicate the same way. Some prefer email, others want chat, social, or self-serve experiences. Tools in this category help you meet customers where they are and keep conversations consistent across channels instead of scattered.
- Better timing and smarter follow-ups: Instead of guessing when to reach out, these tools show you what customers are actually doing. That means you can follow up when interest is highest, not days later when momentum is gone.
- Higher customer satisfaction with AI-powered support: Teams using AI in customer engagement report measurable improvements, with studies showing a 15 to 20% increase in customer satisfaction from AI-driven interactions. AI helps respond faster, personalize at scale, and reduce friction in the buying process.
- More self-serve buying without slowing down sales: Many buyers now prefer to explore on their own before talking to a rep. In fact, 81% of customers prefer using self-service tools before contacting a live agent. Customer engagement tools support this by letting people read, watch, or interact with content at their own pace while still giving your team visibility into what’s happening.
- More word-of-mouth and repeat business: Positive engagement experiences don’t just close deals, they create ongoing growth through referrals and repeat buyers. Studies show 97% of customers who experience added value are more likely to share positive word of mouth.
Comparing the Best Customer Engagement Software
Based on recent reviews, key features, and notable pros and cons, we’ve compiled a list of the best customer engagement software for you to consider. Let’s dive in.
1. Consensus
Consensus is ranked the #1 product experience platform in the world by G2. The platform helps sales teams engage leads at the right times and nurture potential new customers. Instead of scheduling multiple calls to share your product, you send a link where buyers can watch short demos, click through parts of your software, and learn at their own pace.
They can share that same link with coworkers, so more people from the company start exploring. As this happens, Consensus reveals who’s engaging, what features they’re paying attention to, and when buyer interest picks up. That data makes it easier to tailor the sales process, follow up with the right message, and keep the deal moving forward.
Key features:
- Consensus AI: Generate demo flows and assemble content based on buyer role, then adapt the B2B buyer journey as engagement data comes in
- On-Demand Video Demos: Let buyers watch short, targeted demos and share them internally without sitting through a full walkthrough
- HTML tours: Deliver fully interactive, browser-native product experiences that load instantly and don’t rely on video playback or external hosting
- Sandbox Tours: Give your team a fully tailored live environment that they can walk into any call with. And (for complex deals) a complete POC experience that gives buyers the confidence to sign.
- Interactive Product Tours: Guide stakeholders through specific features based on what they choose to explore
- DemoBoards: Create a single, shareable hub where multiple stakeholders can explore different parts of the product
- Playlists: Package demos into role-based paths so each stakeholder sees only what’s relevant
- Stakeholder Discovery: Identify who’s involved in the deal based on who watches, shares, and revisits demos
- AI Demo Assistant: Turn engagement data into next steps by flagging interest, gaps, and deal momentum
- Enterprise Integrations: Push engagement data into CRM and sales tools to connect product interaction to pipeline
- Demolytics and Engagement Analytics: Track viewing behavior, drop-off points, and feature interest to refine discovery questions and sales strategy
Pros:
- Works well for teams selling to multiple decision-makers
- Helps prioritize follow-ups based on real buyer activity
- Reduces time spent on repetitive early-stage conversations
Cons:
- Focuses mainly on B2B software
Learn more about Consensus
2. ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign is a customer engagement platform that automates communication across email, SMS, and other channels. Users set up messages that send based on what a customer does like opening an email, clicking a link, or visiting a page.
Key features:
- Automated Messaging: Send emails or texts based on user behavior instead of manual follow-ups
- Multi-Channel Outreach: Engage customers across email, SMS, and messaging apps in one place
- Behavior Tracking: See what actions trigger engagement and adjust campaigns accordingly
- CRM Integration: Keep contact activity and communication history synced
Pros:
- Multiple automations for ongoing customer communication
- Aligns marketing and sales teams
Cons:
- Can feel complex for simple outreach needs
- Less focused on direct sales workflows like calling or prospecting
3. Apollo
Apollo is an AI sales platform that offers both lead data and outreach tools. It works by searching for potential customers, building a list, and starting reaching out through email, calls, or LinkedIn.
Key features:
- Lead Database: Find and filter prospects before reaching out
- Multi-Channel Sequences: Combine email, calls, and LinkedIn into one outreach flow
- Engagement Tracking: See opens, replies, and activity across campaigns
- Automated Follow-Ups: Keep outreach going without manual reminders
Pros:
- Builds and contacts large lead lists
- Works for outbound-heavy teams
Cons:
- Data accuracy can vary depending on contacts
- Interface can feel crowded with features
4. Arcade
Arcade is an interactive demo tool that helps teams create and share product experiences from real recordings. You capture your product once, then turn it into demos, videos, or visuals that can be reused across the sales cycle.
Key features:
- Record-Based Demo Creation: Capture real product usage and turn it into demos
- Multi-Format Output: Reuse content as demos, videos, or visuals
- AI Editing Tools: Clean up and enhance demos automatically
- Engagement Insights: Track how users interact with demo content
Pros:
- Fast way to create and update demo content
- Flexible content reuse across channels
Cons:
- Less control over deep product simulation
- Not ideal for highly technical or complex demos
5. Close
Close is a sales CRM built for teams that engage customers through calls, emails, and texts every day. It brings all communication into one platform, so reps can talk to prospects and track conversations without switching tools.
Key features:
- Built-In Calling and SMS: Contact prospects directly from the platform
- Email Sequences: Automate follow-ups while staying personal
- Activity Logging: Automatically track calls and emails
- Pipeline View: Manage deals alongside conversations
Pros:
- Handles heavy volume of calls and outbound activity
- Keeps reps focused on selling instead of logging data
Cons:
- Limited flexibility for teams with complex or multi-stage sales cycles
- Not ideal if you need deep reporting or team collaboration
6. Demodesk
Demodesk is a sales meeting and coaching platform that helps teams run, analyze, and improve customer conversations. It records meetings, transcribes what was said, and automatically pulls out key points, follow-ups, and insights.
Key features:
- Call Recording & Transcription: Capture and review every customer conversation
- AI Meeting Insights: Summarize calls and highlight key moments automatically
- Coaching & Scorecards: Evaluate rep performance and improve messaging
- CRM Sync: Push notes, follow-ups, and activity into your pipeline
Pros:
- Improves how reps engage during live conversations
- Reduces manual note-taking and admin work significantly
Cons:
- Less focused on outbound or multi-channel engagement
- More valuable post-meeting than pre-meeting
7. Gong
Gong is a revenue intelligence platform that captures and analyzes customer interactions across calls, emails, and meetings. It records conversations automatically, transcribes them, and uses AI to identify patterns, risks, and opportunities in deals.
Key features:
- Conversation Capture: Record and store calls, emails, and meetings automatically
- AI Analysis: Identify trends, risks, and next steps from conversations
- Deal Intelligence: Track deal health based on real interactions
- Forecasting Insights: Use engagement data to predict revenue outcomes
Pros:
- Helps enterprise teams manage complex pipelines
- Turns qualitative conversations into actionable data
Cons:
- Expensive and resource-heavy to implement
- Requires dedicated teams (RevOps) to get full value
8. HubSpot Sales Hub
HubSpot Sales Hub is a sales CRM that helps teams manage conversations, track deals, and automate follow-ups. It keeps every email, call, and interaction in one place, so users see the full history of a customer relationship.
Key features:
- Contact Timeline: See every interaction with a lead in one place
- Email Tracking: Get notified when emails are opened or links clicked
- Workflow Automation: Trigger follow-ups based on behavior
- Pipeline Tracking: Move deals through stages with full visibility
Pros:
- Aligns marketing, sales, and service
- Expands as your team grows
Cons:
- Pricing ramps up quickly once you need advanced features
- Less flexible if you need highly custom sales processes
9. Hootsuite
Hootsuite is a social media management platform that helps teams engage customers across channels like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. You can schedule posts, respond to messages, and monitor brand mentions from one dashboard.
Key features:
- Social Scheduling: Plan and publish posts across multiple platforms
- Unified Inbox: Manage messages and comments in one place
- Engagement Monitoring: Track mentions, keywords, and conversations
- Analytics: Measure performance and engagement across channels
Pros:
- Manages high volumes of social interactions
- Saves time by centralizing multiple platforms
Cons:
- Limited beyond social channels (not full customer lifecycle)
- Can feel disconnected from sales workflows
10. Klenty
Klenty is an AI sales engagement platform that helps teams automate outbound communication. You create sequences that send emails, LinkedIn messages, and follow-ups automatically, allowing prospects to continue to hear from you without manual tracking.
Key features:
- Multi-Channel Sequences: Combine email, LinkedIn, and tasks in one flow
- Automated Follow-Ups: Keep outreach going until a response
- Engagement Tracking: Monitor opens, clicks, and replies
- CRM Integrations: Sync outreach activity with pipeline tools
Pros:
- Scales outbound without increasing headcount
- Keeps follow-ups consistent across large volumes
Cons:
- Limited for inbound or lifecycle engagement
- Lacks deeper analytics compared to more advanced tools
11. Klaviyo
Klaviyo is a customer engagement platform focused on email and SMS marketing, especially for eCommerce businesses. It tracks how customers browse, purchase, and interact with messages, then uses that data to send personalized campaigns automatically.
Key features:
- Email and SMS Automation: Send messages triggered by customer behavior
- Advanced Segmentation: Group customers based on actions and preferences
- Personalized Campaigns: Tailor messaging using real-time data
- Lifecycle Flows: Automate engagement across the customer journey
Pros:
- Support eCommerce engagement and retention
- Offers personalization and segmentation capabilities
Cons:
- Limited to marketing channels (email/SMS)
- Pricing increases quickly with contact growth
12. Mixmax
Mixmax is a sales tool built directly into Gmail that helps teams manage conversations. You can send emails, schedule follow-ups, and track opens or replies all from one place.
Key features:
- Email Tracking: See when emails are opened and links are clicked
- Automated Follow-Ups: Schedule messages if no response comes in
- Meeting Scheduling: Let prospects book time directly from emails
- Gmail Integration: Manage outreach without leaving your inbox
Pros:
- Simple to use for email-heavy teams
- Works directly inside existing Gmail workflows
Cons:
- Limited beyond email-centric engagement
- Not ideal for complex, multi-channel sales processes
13. Monday Sales CRM
Monday Sales CRM is a visual CRM that helps teams organize and manage customer interactions using customizable boards. Instead of static pipelines, you move deals, contacts, and activities through stages with drag-and-drop updates.
Key features:
- Visual Pipelines: Track deals using boards and drag-and-drop stages
- Automation Builder: Trigger updates, alerts, and follow-ups
- Team Collaboration: Share notes and updates across the team
- Dashboards: Monitor engagement and pipeline activity
Pros:
- Prioritizes visibility and collaboration
- Offers faster onboarding compared to traditional CRMs
Cons:
- Lacks depth in advanced sales forecasting and analytics
- Can become disorganized without clear structure
14. Navattic
Navattic is an interactive demo platform that helps companies engage potential customers by letting them explore a product before talking to sales. It turns your product into a clickable experience you can embed on your website or share in campaigns.
Key features:
- Interactive Product Tours: Let buyers click through your product without access to the real environment
- Engagement Analytics: Track which steps users interact with and how far they go
- CRM Integrations: Push demo engagement into tools like Salesforce and HubSpot
- No-Code Builder: Create demos without engineering support
Pros:
- Strong for website engagement and top-of-funnel conversion
- Deep analytics tied to accounts (not just individuals)
Cons:
- Expensive and less flexible in pricing
- Takes time to build and maintain complex demos
15. Outreach
Outreach is an AI revenue workflow platform that manages ongoing communication with prospects across multiple touchpoints. Users build structured sequences within emails, calls, tasks and the platform guides reps on what to do next.
Key features:
- Sales Sequences: Organize emails, calls, and tasks into repeatable workflows
- Task Management: Get daily prompts for who to contact and when
- Engagement Analytics: Track replies, opens, and conversation progress
- CRM Sync: Keep activity aligned with pipeline data
Pros:
- Provides structure for managing complex outreach
- Offers visibility into rep activity and performance
Cons:
- Can take time to learn and implement
- May feel heavy for smaller teams
16. Pipedrive
Pipedrive is a sales CRM that helps teams manage deals and stay on top of customer interactions. It organizes leads and conversations into a visual pipeline, so you can see exactly where each deal stands.
Key features:
- Visual Sales Pipeline: Track deals through each stage
- Activity Reminders: Schedule and manage follow-ups
- Email Integration: Sync conversations directly to deals
- Automation Tools: Trigger actions based on deal progress
Pros:
- Easy to use compared to larger CRM systems
- Clear visibility into deal progress at a glance
Cons:
- Limited for advanced reporting or forecasting
- Fewer built-in marketing or engagement tools
17. Reply.io
Reply.io is an AI sales engagement tool. Users can create sequences that send emails, follow-ups, and messages automatically, while still customizing content for each prospect.
Key features:
- Automated Sequences: Send follow-ups and messages without manual tracking
- Personalization Tools: Customize outreach at scale across prospects
- Multi-Channel Outreach: Combine email, calls, and social messaging
- Engagement Insights: Track replies and interaction patterns
Pros:
- Balances automation and personalization
- Helps maintain consistent follow-up
Cons:
- Limited depth compared to more advanced platforms
- Can require external tools for full workflow visibility
18. Salesforce Agentforce
Salesforce Agentforce is an AI-powered sales platform that helps teams manage customer relationships and automate engagement across the entire sales cycle. It connects data from emails, calls, and CRM activity into one system, then uses AI to recommend next steps, draft messages, and prioritize accounts.
Key features:
- AI Sales Assistant: Suggest next steps and draft outreach automatically
- Unified Customer Data: Centralize interactions across channels
- Workflow Automation: Trigger actions based on engagement signals
- Forecasting & Insights: Predict deal outcomes using engagement data
Pros:
- Works for teams already deeply embedded in Salesforce
- Adds AI layer across the entire customer lifecycle
Cons:
- Expensive and resource-heavy to implement
- Overkill for smaller teams or simple sales cycles
19. Salesloft
Salesloft is a sales orchestration platform that helps teams manage and execute outreach across email, phone, and other channels. Reps follow structured sequences that guide when and how to reach out, while the platform tracks engagement and updates activity automatically.
Key features:
- Cadence Management: Build structured outreach sequences
- Multi-Channel Engagement: Combine email, calls, and tasks
- Activity Tracking: Log interactions automatically
- Performance Analytics: Measure engagement and rep effectiveness
Pros:
- Well-suited for scaling outbound teams
- Easier to adopt than more complex enterprise tools
Cons:
- Requires ongoing management of sequences to stay effective
- Can feel similar to other outreach tools without strong differentiation
20. SmartCue
SmartCue is an interactive demo platform that helps teams engage prospects by guiding them through product experiences step by step. Instead of leaving buyers to explore freely, it highlights key features and workflows as they move through the demo.
Key features:
- Guided Product Tours: Walk users through key features in sequence
- Interactive Elements: Let users click and explore within defined paths
- Customization Options: Adjust flows based on audience or use case
- Engagement Tracking: Monitor how users progress through demos
Pros:
- Simplifies complex products into clear walkthroughs
- Helps control the narrative during early-stage engagement
Cons:
- Less flexible for open-ended exploration
- Fewer integrations and analytics capabilities
21. Storylane
Storylane is an interactive demo platform that creates product walkthroughs for buyers to explore on their own. Users can capture screens or workflows and turn them into guided experiences that can be shared or embedded.
Key features:
- Guided Product Demos: Create step-by-step walkthroughs of your product
- Engagement Tracking: See how users interact with each part of the demo
- Demo Sharing and Embeds: Use demos in sales follow-ups or on websites
- AI Assistance: Help generate demo content and voiceovers
Pros:
- Balances between marketing and sales use cases
- Affordable entry point for smaller teams
Cons:
- Less powerful for deep customization or enterprise use
- Can feel limited for highly complex product flows
22. Tourial
Tourial is an interactive demo platform that engages website visitors with short, guided product tours. Instead of long demos, it lets users pick their role or use case and jump into a tailored experience.
Key features:
- Micro Demo Tours: Create short, focused product experiences
- Persona-Based Paths: Let users choose journeys based on their role or needs
- Lead Capture and Scoring: Identify high-intent visitors based on engagement
- No-Code Builder: Build demos quickly without technical support
Pros:
- Simple way to personalize engagement at the top of funnel
- Fast to launch compared to heavier demo platforms
Cons:
- Limited depth for full product exploration
- Not built for complex or technical sales processes
23. Walnut
Walnut is an interactive demo platform that helps sales teams create personalized product experiences for prospects. It captures your product and allows you to customize data, branding, and workflows for each account.
Key features:
- Personalized Demo Environments: Customize demos for specific prospects
- Engagement Tracking: Monitor how buyers interact with demos
- Demo Library: Store and reuse demos across the team
- CRM Integration: Connect engagement data to pipeline
Pros:
- Leans toward personalized, account-based selling
- Makes demos feel tailored without engineering work
Cons:
- Limited support for non-web products
- Expensive compared to simpler tools
24. ZoomInfo
ZoomInfo is a sales intelligence and engagement platform that helps teams find, prioritize, and connect with potential customers. It provides a large database of companies and contacts, along with signals that show when a business is actively researching solutions.
Key features:
- Contact and Company Data: Access detailed prospect information
- Intent Signals: Identify accounts actively researching solutions
- AI Targeting: Prioritize leads based on engagement likelihood
- CRM Integration: Sync data and activity with sales tools
Pros:
- Identifies high-intent prospects before outreach
- Valuable for account-based sales strategies
Cons:
- Expensive, especially for smaller teams
- Requires pairing with outreach tools for full engagement execution
25. Zoho CRM
Zoho CRM is an AI customer engagement platform that helps businesses track leads, manage deals, and automate communication across channels. It captures emails, calls, and social interactions to follow how a relationship develops over time.
Key features:
- Omnichannel Engagement: Manage email, phone, and social conversations together
- Sales Automation: Assign leads and trigger follow-ups automatically
- Custom Workflows: Build processes that match your sales cycle
- Analytics and Forecasting: Track engagement trends and deal progress
Pros:
- Offers customization without enterprise pricing
- Broad feature set for managing full customer lifecycle
Cons:
- Takes time to configure properly before it feels smooth
- Interface and UX aren’t as intuitive as simpler tools
How to Choose Customer Engagement Software Ideal for Your Team
As you can see, “customer engagement software” encompasses many softwares from outreach tools to CRMs to demo platforms. The right choice depends on how your team engages customers today and where things are breaking down.
Use this step-by-step approach to narrow it down:
- Start with where engagement is breaking today: Before looking at tools, look at your process. Are leads going cold after the first email? Are demos not getting followed up? Are conversations scattered across tools? The best software fixes a specific gap. So define the problem first, not the tool.
- Map how your buyers actually engage: Think about how your customers prefer to interact. Some respond to email, others want calls, and many now expect self-serve options. Choose a tool that supports how your buyers behave, not just how your team prefers to sell.
- Look for visibility into customer behavior: You should be able to see opens, clicks, replies, demo activity, or account-level engagement. Without this, you’re still guessing when to follow up and what to say next.
- Prioritize automation that actually saves time: Many tools promise automation, but the real question is does it reduce your manual work? Look for features like automatic follow-ups, triggered workflows, and AI-driven recommendations that help you respond faster and stay consistent.
- Make sure it fits your sales complexity: A simple outbound team needs something very different than an enterprise sales org. Short sales cycles could require a lightweight outreach or CRM tool. Multi-stakeholder deals might require platforms that track engagement across accounts. Choosing something too complex or too simple will slow you down.
- Check how it connects to your existing stack: Your engagement tool should connect to your CRM, email, calendar, and marketing tools so data flows automatically. If it doesn’t integrate well, your team ends up duplicating work and engagement breaks down again.
Maximize Conversions with the Best Customer Engagement Software
Now that you’ve seen how different tools handle customer engagement, you’re ready to choose the right software for your sales process. The best option is the one that fixes where your engagement is breaking and helps you respond to buyers in real time.
If you’re looking to engage buyers during the most critical stage when they’re evaluating your product, choose Consensus. It gives your team visibility into who’s engaging, what they care about, and how interest is spreading across the account, so you can follow up with context. It guarantees engagement is connected and visible so deals move faster and close with more frequency.
Learn more about Consensus