Best CRM for Cin7 Core: Top Picks for Seamless Integration
Not all CRMs are built to work with Cin7 Core - so we've done the digging for you. Compare the best options, see how they stack up, and find the perfect match to power up your wholesale, distribution, or manufacturing business.
The CRM solutions we're exploring in this article are:
Information on this page
Why CRM Integration with Cin7 Matters for Product-Based Businesses
For B2B companies like wholesalers, distributors, and manufacturers, the real challenge isn’t just managing products – it’s also understanding and responding to customer needs in real time. Integrating a CRM with Cin7 connects your inventory, sales, and customer data in a way that’s both actionable and insightful.
With a single view of your customers and stock, you can optimise order fulfilment, reduce stockouts, and personalise interactions with ease. This integration transforms data from scattered information into a clear roadmap for growing your business, helping you build stronger relationships while driving efficiency every step of the way.
Key Factors to Consider When Selecting a CRM for Cin7 Core
Cin7 Core (formerly DEAR Inventory) is a cloud-based inventory and order management platform built for small and mid-sized wholesalers, distributors, and manufacturers. It's a turnkey solution - powerful out of the box - and your CRM needs to match that same philosophy. Here's what to look for:
- Native or Deep Integration: Look for a CRM that offers a true, two-way sync with Cin7 Core - not a connector built on top of a connector. Your customer records, orders, invoices, and stock levels should flow automatically between both systems.
- Stock-Aware Selling: Cin7 Core users manage real inventory. Your CRM should make that stock data visible to your sales team so they can quote accurately, spot upsell opportunities and avoid selling stock you don't have.
- Manufacturing & B2B Visibility: If you're using Cin7 Core's manufacturing or B2B portal features, your CRM should surface that data - production status, purchase orders, and customer-specific pricing - without manual re-keying.
- Ease of Use & Onboarding: Cin7 Core is designed to be self-implementable. Your CRM should be too. Look for a solution with strong onboarding support and a clean interface your team will actually use.
- Reporting Across Both Systems: The real power of connecting a CRM to Cin7 Core is unified reporting. Look for a CRM that can pull data from both platforms to give you a complete picture of sales activity, stock performance, and customer behaviour.
- Customer Reviews: Check what other Cin7 Core users say about the integration in practice - not just what's promised on the features page.
Top CRM Solutions for Cin7 Core Integration
Prospect CRM
Prospect CRM leads the pack with an average star rating of 4.7 across G2 and Capterra - the highest-rated option in this comparison, and the only CRM purpose-built for B2B product sellers like Cin7 Core users.
What makes Prospect CRM stand out is its native, two-way integration with Cin7 Core. This isn't a bolt-on connector - it's a deep sync that keeps customers, orders, invoices, and stock levels aligned across both platforms in real time. Your sales team can see exactly what's in stock, what a customer has ordered before, and where their next opportunity lies - all without leaving the CRM.
Key integration capabilities include:
- Automatic sync of customers, contacts, and companies from Cin7 Core into Prospect CRM
- Real-time visibility of stock levels, so sales reps never quote on inventory you don't have
- Orders placed in Prospect CRM flow directly into Cin7 Core - no re-keying required
- Full order and invoice history per customer, surfaced within the CRM
- Upsell and cross-sell tools (Magic Matrix, RFM Analysis) powered by Cin7 Core purchase data
Prospect CRM is also specifically designed for the workflows that Cin7 Core users rely on: repeat B2B ordering, account management, and growing customer lifetime value.
Features like Missing Order Alerts flag customers who haven't reordered on schedule, while RFM Segmentation helps you identify your most valuable accounts and those at risk of churning.
Users consistently praise the onboarding experience, with many highlighting the hands-on support during setup and integration - going above and beyond to make sure everything works from day one.
Users consistently highlight the quality of onboarding support - with the Prospect CRM team going above and beyond to ensure the integration is configured correctly for each business's specific workflows.
"Prospect CRM has taken our customer relationships to another level. With its integration to our Inventory Management, DEAR Inventory (Cin7 Core) - it's like a hand in a glove."
Capsule CRM
Capsule CRM averages 4.6 stars across G2 and Capterra, thanks to its clean interface and ease of use. It's a safe choice for small teams looking for straightforward CRM features without the complexity of larger platforms.
However, the integration with Cin7 Core has limitations. Users report that syncing with third-party systems isn't fully automated, requiring manual work to keep data consistent across both platforms. For a Cin7 Core user who relies on accurate, real-time stock and order data flowing into their CRM, this is a significant drawback.
Additionally, recent reviews mention frustrations with Capsule's lack of customisation options - which not only affects the user interface but also complicates integrations. For businesses that need their CRM to reflect the specific workflows of a wholesale or manufacturing operation, this can be a real limitation.
HubSpot CRM
HubSpot CRM holds an average rating of 4.45 stars across G2 and Capterra, making it a well-known but slightly lower-rated option compared to Prospect CRM.
HubSpot's connection to Cin7 Core is available via third-party connectors rather than a native integration - meaning you'll likely need additional tools or custom development to get the two systems talking properly. For Cin7 Core users who want a clean, out-of-the-box experience, this adds friction and cost.
While HubSpot excels at marketing automation and inbound lead management, it's not designed for the repeat B2B selling model that most Cin7 Core users operate. Key features like stock-aware quoting, order history visibility, and inventory-led upsell tools are absent without significant customisation - and that customisation doesn't come cheap.
"HubSpot's integrations felt shallow and rigid, often needing workarounds or paid add-ons to sync properly."
Salesforce
Salesforce has a 4.4-star rating across G2 and Capterra. It's a powerful platform - but that power comes with significant complexity and cost that often doesn't suit the Cin7 Core user profile.
Users report frequent issues with Cin7 integrations, particularly around data mapping and duplicate records. These inconsistencies can lead to messy data and time-consuming fixes - the opposite of what a Cin7 Core user, who values clean, connected data, is looking for.
Salesforce is also built for enterprise sales teams with dedicated CRM administrators. For the SMB wholesalers and manufacturers that make up the majority of Cin7 Core's user base, the learning curve, implementation timeline, and ongoing cost can be disproportionate to the value delivered.
Why Prospect CRM is the Best CRM for Cin7 Core
For Cin7 Core users, the choice of CRM comes down to one question: does it understand how you sell? Capsule, HubSpot, and Salesforce are all general-purpose CRMs built for a broad range of businesses. Prospect CRM is built specifically for B2B product sellers - wholesalers, distributors, and manufacturers - which is exactly who Cin7 Core is designed for.
The integration is deep, the features are relevant, and the support is exceptional. It's the only CRM on this list that turns your Cin7 Core data into a genuine sales advantage.
Why Prospect CRM is the Ideal Fit for Cin7 Core Users
“With its integration to our Inventory Management system, Cin7 Core it’s like a hand in a glove”
FAQs
What is Cin7 Core (formerly DEAR Inventory)?
Cin7 Core is a cloud-based inventory and order management platform for small and mid-sized wholesalers, distributors, and manufacturers. It was originally known as DEAR Inventory before being acquired and rebranded by Cin7 in 2021. It's designed as a turnkey, out-of-the-box solution that combines inventory, purchasing, manufacturing, B2B portal, and POS in one platform.
Does Prospect CRM integrate with Cin7 Core?
Yes - Prospect CRM offers a native, two-way integration with Cin7 Core. Customers, orders, invoices, and stock levels sync automatically between both platforms in real time. You can start a free 14-day trial with the Cin7 Core integration already connected.
What's the difference between Cin7 Core and Cin7 Omni?
Cin7 Core is the out-of-the-box solution aimed at SMBs, with strong manufacturing capabilities and published pricing. Cin7 Omni is the more customisable platform for larger, more complex operations - offering 700+ integrations, native EDI, and advanced 3PL/warehouse management.
Can I use Prospect CRM if I also use Xero with Cin7 Core?
Yes. Prospect CRM integrates with both Cin7 Core and Xero, making it an ideal fit for businesses running the popular Cin7 Core + Xero stack. Your financial and inventory data can all be surfaced within the CRM.
How long does it take to integrate Prospect CRM with Cin7 Core?
The integration is quick to set up and is included in your free trial. Prospect CRM's onboarding team provides hands-on support throughout the process to make sure everything is configured correctly for your business.
