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Top Element451 Alternatives & Competitors in 2025
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Element451 is a well-established name in the higher education CRM segment. But if you’re here, you’re likely exploring alternatives – whether you are looking for a platform that could better fit your campus’s specific needs, work within your budget constraints, or match your team’s technical comfort zone.
The truth is, the higher ed tech market has exploded in recent years, offering more options than ever to manage everything from prospective student inquiries to alum relations.
And with several strong alternatives out there, the real question is: Which one should you choose?
Factors like tighter budgets, the need for deeper SIS integrations, or a demand for more advanced analytics might be driving your search for a new solution. Pick the right platform, and you could see dramatically higher conversion rates — and significantly fewer administrative headaches.
Let’s be honest – choosing the right higher education CRM for your college or university can often feel like navigating a maze blindfolded. Twists, turns, dead ends – and countless pathways that all feel like the right option.
But finding your way through this maze isn’t negotiable – especially when you look at these numbers:

And institutions realize this as well:
(Source: Destination CRM).
Whether you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, deeper integrations (with SIS or other tools), or an alternative that’s easier for your team to use, here’re 6 best alternatives to Element451 for you to consider. (Remember, the best fit for you would depend on several factors discussed above – the size of your institution, the financial constraints, and countless other things.)

LeadSquared’s higher education CRM might just be your answer, especially if you’re laser-focused on turning those prospective students into enrolled students. It really zeros in on optimizing that crucial journey from interested prospect to committed student with some seriously powerful tracking and conversion tools that keep your recruitment team on target. Moreover, FloStack by LeadSquared is a lead engagement and scheduling solution developed specifically for higher education institutions’ prospective student interactions.
What’s really refreshing about LeadSquared that it is purpose-built for education and feels intuitive — you won’t need an IT degree to figure it out! You’ll get customizable enrollment workflows that match how you actually work, automated communication sequences that keep prospects engaged without requiring constant manual follow-up, and analytics dashboards that show you what’s working (and what’s not) in real-time.
And the best part? LeadSquared plays nicely with your existing systems – whether that’s your learning management system (LMS) or student information system (SIS) – creating a tech ecosystem that works together without breaking your bank on custom development. With pricing that scales based on what you actually need, it’s no wonder LeadSquared has become a go-to choice for colleges and universities that want robust functionality without enterprise-level complexity or costs. Whether you’re a community college, a career school, or a technical institute – this is a CRM that can also double up as your marketing automation platform.
“Every single feature in this software is useful no matter how big or small your business may be. The integration process was detailed and in-depth. The team support pre and post integration was spot on, and they are always available. No matter at what stage you are in your process they are ever-ready to make changes.”
“It saves time, reduces manual work, and keeps everything updated in real time. I can easily track lead status, assign tasks, and get reminders. The mobile app helps me stay connected with my leads even when I’m away from my desk. It’s improved how I manage my day and increased my response speed with clients.”

Slate CRM by Technolutions is also an industry staple. For enrollment management teams, it provides a deep understanding of the admissions lifecycle. It speaks the language of higher education, with specialized tools for everything from event scheduling to decision release.
Slate shines in its ability to create highly personalized communication flows based on virtually any data point in a student’s profile. Want to send different messages to out-of-state engineering prospects versus in-state business applicants? It handles this with ease. The platform’s robust reporting capabilities also give leadership teams the insights they need to make strategic enrollment decisions.
It has historically been the domain of larger institutions with dedicated CRM teams. But Technolutions has been working to make the platform more accessible to smaller schools through improved implementation processes and support resources.
“The most impactful feature on this software is the ease with pulling up data, queries and reports.”
“I use Slate mostly to create emails for drip campaigns. I appreciate that it’s fairly easy to use and that you can easily see performance stats for each email. I love how content blocks make it give you the ability to streamline emails and make edits without stopping anything.”

If you’re looking for enterprise-level power with the flexibility to adapt, Salesforce Education Cloud is a good CRM. It can transform how your institution approaches student engagement from prospective students to alums. Virtually anything you can imagine in terms of tracking, automating, or analyzing student interactions can be built on this platform.
The platform excels at breaking down data silos between departments, giving you that elusive “360-degree view” of each student. Want to know if that struggling sophomore met with their advisor last week? Or have they been opening your retention-focused emails? With proper implementation, Salesforce can connect these dots.
The downside? This power comes with complexity and price. Most institutions need dedicated Salesforce administrators or even developers to truly unlock the platform’s potential – but for many larger schools, the investment pays dividends in improved student outcomes and operational efficiency.
“Our university used Salesforce to communicate with students and track those communications. The ability to create custom solutions to meet that needs of our admissions team makes Salesforce the easy choice.”
“The platform is very powerful… and provides advanced reporting and dashboards. Going more in depth, the communication tools, the ability to design views based on role and demand. The availability of resources is also a plus. The sandbox is also a great tool.”

Not every institution needs an education-specific behemoth. Sometimes simpler is better, which is where Pipedrive CRM enters the picture. Originally designed for sales teams, this platform has found surprising traction among smaller colleges and specialized programs that appreciate its visual approach to pipeline management.
The customizable CRM has a low barrier to entry – most recruiters can be up and running with minimal training. The sales automation features translate surprisingly well to enrollment management, with automated follow-up reminders and communication tracking that ensure no prospect falls through the cracks.
It won’t provide you with specialized higher education features like application review workflows or financial aid packaging, but it excels at the fundamentals of relationship management. For specialized programs with straightforward enrollment processes or community colleges with limited IT resources, Pipedrive offers a good balance of functionality, usability, and affordability.
“I love how easy it is to use. I would highly recommend it to someone who’s beginning a new CRM.”
“Pipedrive stands out for its intuitive and highly visual sales pipeline management. The drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to manage deals, track progress, and prioritize activities. I particularly appreciate the seamless integration with tools like Gmail, Slack, and Zoom, which streamlines communication and scheduling. ”

If your budget is a concern, Zoho Workspace might work for you. This affordable CRM packs a punch without breaking the bank, making it particularly popular among smaller colleges and specialized programs. The cloud-based CRM platform offers a scalable solution that can grow with your institution, starting with basic contact management and expanding to more automation as your needs evolve.
What makes Zoho stand out is its ecosystem of integrated applications – from email marketing to social media management to help desk software – all available within the same environment. This means you can potentially consolidate multiple tools into one platform, simplifying your tech stack and reducing costs.
Zoho isn’t specifically built for higher education, but its highly customizable nature means you can adapt it to enrollment workflows. The learning curve is gentler than enterprise solutions, with an intuitive interface that most staff can master without extensive training. For institutions where budget constraints are an issue, but functionality can’t be compromised, it represents a compelling middle ground.
“The workplace is very light, stable and accessible even with very little data or fluctuating internet connection. I have found it to be very affordable and secure.”
“We were trying to find a better way for my team to organize our documents. We needed a solution that could integrate more easily with our existing work tools. After testing it, we knew it was perfect for our needs. That’s when we implemented it. The integration is seamless; it greatly simplifies the workflow.”

For institutions that need robust financial management integrated with their student relationship data, Oracle NetSuite CRM offers a powerful (albeit complex) solution. It connects student records with financial operations, providing a comprehensive view that’s particularly valuable for business officers and institutional leadership.
This enterprise-grade platform excels at handling complex organizational structures, making it well-suited for universities with multiple schools, departments, and programs that need unified visibility. It also shines in reporting capabilities, giving leadership teams deep insights into enrollment trends, revenue projections, and operational efficiency.
While not designed specifically for higher education, NetSuite CRM’s customizability means it can be tailored to most institutional processes – though this typically requires significant implementation resources and specialized expertise. The platform is particularly strong for institutions with complex financial operations, international campuses, or sophisticated revenue recognition requirements. Be prepared for a substantial investment in both time and money, though! However, for certain institutions, the integrated CRM and financial management approach delivers unique value that justifies the commitment.
“A very secure and the perfect solution for all of us. Customer service is at a peak level. Its flexibility and its ability to customize makes it magnificent and our number one.”
“I really enjoy that Net.Suite is web-based as I can access it from any computer with my log-in credentials. This is helpful when I do not have my desktop available. We had to change to Net.Suite in the middle of the school year, which was not ideal, but Net.Suite met our timeframe. The integration and implementation process was quick.”

Liaison created TargetX CRM specifically for higher education with the goal of managing the entire student lifecycle, from initial interest to retention. TargetX, which is well-known for its student-centric design, offers engagement and recruitment tools on one platform. With the use of integrated retention technologies, institutions can manage events, streamline applications, personalize communication procedures, and even carry out advising interventions.
It excels in emphasizing student success and customization. With features like text messaging, predictive analytics, and mobile-first application portals, the platform enables enrollment teams to connect students at every touchpoint. It’s particularly helpful for institutions seeking a CRM that connects with students at every stage of their academic journey, and not just during the recruitment process. Although its emphasis on higher education is a plus, departmental coordination and planning are still necessary for successful execution.
For mid-sized to large institutions looking for a more advanced CRM without stepping into the complexities of enterprise platforms like Salesforce, TargetX is a great choice. For enrollment managers who are concerned with results, engagement, and student retention, its combination of customized capabilities and user-friendly design makes it an appealing choice.
“Out of the box, the product meets the bulk of our needs. Being built on Salesforce it is very easy to extend the capabilities. ”
“Support and robust back end that will be extensible to other processes. Everyone is given an implementation consultant to help with the initial stages. All have been very out of the box thinkers. I bring up issues and I get responses from, sometimes, the highest level.”

Ellucian CRM suite comprises specialized tools like CRM Recruit, each tailored to a specific stage in the student lifecycle — from attracting applicants to advising enrolled students to managing alum and donor relationships. Its close integration with Ellucian Banner and Colleague makes it especially appealing to institutions already using those platforms for SIS and ERP operations. Ellucian CRM can be found within the larger Ellucian ecosystem, which powers some of the most popular administrative systems in higher education.
Its strength is its all-encompassing design. Within the same framework, institutions can use it to create a smooth recruitment funnel and offer data-driven advising support. Teams can monitor performance, optimize procedures, and raise student engagement with the help of real-time analytics and communication tools. Compared to some enterprise platforms, Ellucian CRM is easier for non-technical employees to use because of its user-friendly interface, even with its extensive feature set.
Institutions looking for a tightly integrated system to manage student interactions and data holistically or those already in the Ellucian ecosystem are the best candidates for this CRM —even though the installation may need careful planning.
“Student tracking has become a higher priority. With this software our department is able to track students from start to finish. We house the most graduate students in our college and it’s been a hassle to maintain. But this program was able to help us identify what was holding students up”
“Ellucian CRM Recruit helps us to track communication and the admissions process with each student we work with at all stages of the funnel. We can integrate with Colleague, which is beneficial as well.”
The specifics are crucial when assessing CRM alternatives, particularly when it comes to features that promote data management and student engagement. Let’s dive deeper:
Now that you understand these Element451 alternatives, one thing becomes crystal clear – your best CRM choice depends entirely on your institution’s specific needs, technical resources, budget constraints, and growth objectives. You may be looking for comprehensive enrollment management with education-specific features. Or flexibility and integration capabilities with an enterprise-wide solution, or entry points prioritizing ease of use and affordability. Or perhaps you’re just doing your homework before making a big investment?
When selecting your ideal CRM, consider these essential factors:
The right CRM solution ultimately depends on your institution’s unique challenges and priorities. When making your final decision, consider not just your current processes but where you want to be in three to five years. The right higher education solutions partner should grow with you, adapting to changing student expectations and institutional strategies. Whether you choose a specialized education platform or adapt a more general CRM to your needs, the most important factor is alignment with your institutional culture and capacity for change. The best technology in the world can’t overcome resistance to new processes – so choose a solution that your team will actually use, even if it means starting simpler and evolving over time.
When evaluating Element451 alternatives, look for CRM solutions that offer strong lead management, workflow automation, multi-channel communication tools, and integrations with SIS and LMS systems. For higher education, features such as application tracking, personalized student journeys, enrollment analytics, and mobile accessibility are essential to streamline the admissions process and enhance student engagement. Choose a platform like LeadSquared that offers all of these.
CRM platforms like LeadSquared and other Element451 alternatives help institutions build meaningful connections with prospective students by automating follow-ups, personalizing communication, and tracking interactions across multiple touchpoints. This ensures that students receive relevant content at the right time, improving response rates, supporting conversion goals, and increasing engagement quality.
Consider both direct and indirect costs. These may include licensing or subscription fees, implementation and training costs, customization expenses, and ongoing support. Some platforms, like LeadSquared, offer modular pricing that scales with your needs, making it easier for institutions with varying budgets to find a tailored solution.
Yes. Most leading CRMs, including LeadSquared, are designed with integrations in mind. These systems offer APIs and prebuilt connectors for seamless sync with student information systems (SIS), learning management systems (LMS), email platforms, payment gateways, and more, ensuring a unified tech ecosystem across campus departments.
Implementation timelines can range from weeks to several months, depending on complexity. LeadSquared, for instance, is often praised for its quicker deployment, thanks to its modular setup and responsive support team. Institutions with in-house IT support and clear data migration plans typically achieve faster rollouts regardless of the platform.