Top IBM Sterling CPQ Alternatives & Competitors For 2024

IBM Sterling CPQ receives praise for its user-friendly interface, making it simple to establish and manage pricing and quoting rules, even for those without extensive technical expertise. The platform's robust reporting engine provides valuable insights into pricing and quoting performance, empowering businesses to make data-driven decisions and optimize their sales processes. Users appreciate the flexibility and scalability of IBM Sterling CPQ, allowing it to adapt to the evolving needs of businesses of all sizes. However, some users note that IBM Sterling CPQ may have a steeper learning curve compared to other CPQ solutions due to its extensive features and functionalities. When compared to competitors like Salesforce CPQ, IBM Sterling CPQ stands out with its strengths in price management and platform capabilities, particularly in security. Salesforce CPQ, on the other hand, excels in areas such as AI-based capabilities and contract management. The choice between the two often depends on the specific needs and priorities of the business. For instance, organizations with complex pricing structures and a strong focus on security may find IBM Sterling CPQ to be a better fit, while those seeking advanced AI-driven features and robust contract management capabilities may prefer Salesforce CPQ. IBM Sterling CPQ is well-suited for businesses of all sizes that require a comprehensive and scalable solution for managing their pricing and quoting processes. Its user-friendly interface, powerful reporting capabilities, and flexible architecture make it an ideal choice for organizations looking to streamline their sales operations and improve efficiency. The platform's ability to handle complex pricing models and its robust security features make it particularly suitable for businesses operating in industries with stringent compliance requirements or dealing with sensitive customer data.

Reviews of Oracle CPQ offer a mixed perspective, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses. Many users praise its ability to streamline the sales process and automate tasks, particularly compared to manual methods or simpler CPQ tools. One user noted, "Oracle CPQ saved us an immense amount of time on product configuration and quoting, allowing us to close deals faster." Others commended its accuracy and reduced error rates, citing the platform's guided selling tools and built-in intelligence. A reviewer stated, "With Oracle CPQ, we can be confident that our quotes and orders are accurate, eliminating costly mistakes." However, some users expressed concerns about the platform's complexity and steep learning curve, especially for less tech-savvy teams. One user commented, "The interface can be daunting for new users, and the initial training process is quite intensive." Additionally, some reviewers felt that the customization options were limited compared to competitors like Salesforce CPQ, potentially hindering integration with existing workflows. A reviewer noted, "While Oracle CPQ offers some customization, it's not as flexible as some other solutions, which can make it difficult to adapt to specific business needs." Despite these drawbacks, users ultimately seem to appreciate the value that Oracle CPQ brings to their businesses. Many acknowledge that its strengths, such as automation, accuracy, and scalability, outweigh the weaknesses, especially for large organizations with complex product configurations and high sales volume. One user summarized their experience by saying, "Oracle CPQ is a powerful tool that can help businesses streamline their sales operations and improve efficiency. While it has its learning curve and limitations, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks, especially for larger companies." Overall, user reviews suggest that Oracle CPQ is a strong CPQ solution with significant potential, but its suitability depends on individual business needs and resources.

User reviews from the past year paint a mixed picture of this comprehensive billing platform. While Zuora Billing garners praise for its robust features and seamless Salesforce integration, users also point out notable drawbacks. A standout strength is Zuora Billing's flexibility in handling pricing and customization. Users highlight the ease with which they can tailor pricing models and discounts to align with specific business needs, such as offering tiered pricing for different user segments. The platform's API-centric approach is another key differentiator, empowering businesses to build custom integrations and automate workflows. For instance, companies have leveraged the API to connect Zuora Billing with their CRM systems, automating invoice generation and payment processing. However, this strength is counterbalanced by a significant weakness: complexity. Users report a steep learning curve and a cumbersome interface that necessitates extensive training and numerous steps to complete even basic tasks. While Zuora Billing excels in some areas, it stumbles in others, particularly reporting and revenue recognition. Users express frustration with the platform's limited reporting capabilities, especially when it comes to tracking crucial metrics like churn. Moreover, Zuora Billing's revenue recognition model falls short of GAAP ASC606 compliance, compelling businesses to rely on third-party software like RevPro for accurate financial reporting. This limitation poses a significant challenge for companies operating in regulated industries or those requiring strict financial compliance. In essence, Zuora Billing is best suited for large enterprises with complex billing needs and dedicated IT resources to navigate its intricacies. Smaller businesses or those seeking a more user-friendly solution might find Zuora Billing overwhelming and may be better served by alternative platforms.

Conga CPQ receives praise for its ability to streamline the quoting process, saving users time and reducing errors. The platform's flexibility and customizability are also highlighted as strengths, allowing businesses to tailor the software to their specific needs and workflows. Users appreciate the ability to create complex pricing rules and product configurations, ensuring accurate quotes and proposals. Conga CPQ's integration with Salesforce is another advantage, providing a seamless experience for users of both platforms. However, some users note that Conga CPQ can have a steep learning curve, particularly for those new to CPQ software. The platform's complexity, while offering flexibility, can also make it challenging for some users to navigate and fully utilize its features. Additionally, some users mention occasional performance issues and glitches, which can disrupt workflows. Conga CPQ is well-suited for medium to large businesses with complex quoting needs. Its robust features and customization options make it a powerful tool for organizations that require a high degree of control and flexibility over their quoting process. The platform's integration with Salesforce also makes it an ideal choice for businesses already using Salesforce CRM.

Infor CPQ, a configure-price-quote (CPQ) software, garners mixed reviews from recent users. While some praise its powerful quoting capabilities and robust product configuration engine, others criticize its clunky interface and limited reporting features. Strengths: Users laud CPQ's ability to handle complex product configurations with ease, highlighting its vast array of options and rules. They also appreciate its tight integration with other Infor products, streamlining workflows within the Infor ecosystem. For instance, one user notes, "It's a lifesaver for complex quotes with multiple variables. It ensures accuracy and saves us tons of time compared to manual processes." Weaknesses: The primary pain point seems to be the user interface. Many reviewers describe it as outdated, cumbersome, and hindering user adoption. Additionally, the lack of robust reporting capabilities frustrates users who need to analyze sales data and track performance metrics. One user comments, "The interface feels like it's stuck in the past, making it difficult to navigate and find what I need. And the reports are just basic – I need more insights to make informed decisions." Compared to competitors: Users often draw comparisons to Salesforce CPQ, praising its user-friendly interface and comprehensive reporting suite. However, they acknowledge CPQ's edge in handling intricate product configurations. One user says, "Salesforce CPQ is definitely more user-friendly, but it can't handle our complex products as well as CPQ. We had to choose between ease of use and functionality." Why these matter: The choice between CPQ and its competitors boils down to priorities. If your products are intricate and require powerful configuration capabilities, CPQ might be worth the steeper learning curve. But if a user-friendly interface and robust reporting are crucial, other options might be more suitable. Ultimately, understanding your specific needs and carefully considering user feedback is key to selecting the right CPQ software for your business.