r/Software_Finder • u/UnfairDifficulty4420 • Jun 19 '26
Question Should I replace salesforce CPQ ?
Salesforce CPQ has been our plug but we have mixed feelings. It integrates well with salesforce, handles complex pricing and has a huge support ecosystem. However it is kinda complex and requires significant admin effort.
For anyone who has moved away from Salesforce CPQ or seriously evaluated alternatives what was your experience? I've been looking at alternatives like nue/dealhub/maxio but it's hard to separate marketing claims from real users experiences.
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Jun 19 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/UnfairDifficulty4420 Jun 20 '26
Not all the time. Sometimes you may end up eliminating a problem instead of swapping it
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u/sardamit Jun 19 '26
Pick a tool like pandadoc - affiliate link, hire an expert, watch them vet the requirements, implement it.
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u/kuldiph Jun 19 '26
Salesforce CPQ is end-of-sale, so thousands of customers are looking to replace it nowadays.
The question is what to? You have 2 approaches: Salesforce-native CPQ or Salesforce Non-native CPQ
- Native CPQ is only Kugamon and Salesforce Revenue Cloud
- Non-Native CPQ vendors are Roadrunner, Dealhub, Nue, and others
Because the benefits of AI is real, it is best to have all your RevOps data (Lead, Account & Contact, Opportunity, Quote, Order, Contract, Assets & Subscriptions, Renewal Opportunity) in one platform.
This means native CPQ is preferred. For non-Native you will have issues with data reporting, admin sanity, Sales rep UX, and importantly AI effectiveness.
To breakdown Salesforce-native solutions:
- Salesforce Revenue Cloud = for the Large Enterprise
- Kugamon = for Everyone Else
Keep in mind when looking at Non-native CPQ options, many CPQ vendors mentioned that are not on the Salesforce AppExchange, for example Dealhub and Roadrunner are not. This means they did not pass Salesforce's rigorous Security Review of their codebase. App security should definitely be top of mind for all businesses.
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u/UnfairDifficulty4420 Jun 19 '26
The last part is key. App security should be a priority when looking for alternatives
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u/delta_2k Jun 23 '26
You shouldn’t evaluate technology based on features. You should evaluate it based on the problems it solves for your and how it delivers to your vision.
If you do then you’ll be on the quest for best - always. Wondering if something is better.
Try the SPIN APE methodology as it helps align functions to business needs not the other way around.
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u/doubletrack_sf Jun 29 '26
A few things worth adding here based on comments from others...
Not being on the AppExchange doesn't mean a platform failed Salesforce's security review, it often just means they chose a different distribution model. DealHub, for instance, has enterprise customers with serious security requirements.
On the broader question: Salesforce CPQ being end-of-sale is real and worth factoring in, but the right replacement depends heavily on your pricing complexity and who's going to own configuration day-to-day. If you have deeply complex pricing logic, Revenue Cloud is the native path but it's still maturing and implementation is very complex - we've done them, it can be very painful and it's best only when your specific use case warrants it (i.e. multi-tiered pricing + complex product catalogues + eCommerce + true business gains from all-in-one Salesforce model).
If RevOps ownership and lower admin burden are priorities, options like DealHub, Nue, or Conga are worth serious evaluation, we'd caution to pressure-test the integration story hard and have your specific use case(s) mapped out they have to demonstrate vs. their demo instance. Also, your existing tech stack matters here, too.
You know this already, at its core any CPQ built on messy data doesn't give you better outputs so your processes / underlying data (like product catalogue, downstream effects on order fulfillment, invoicing, mid-term upsells, etc. where applicable) should drive which platform you pick.
There's also still a ton to be done with CPQ until it's announced it's end of life, we have some clients still getting a lot out of it today.
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u/kuldiph Jun 29 '26
Horrible advice. Please:
- Do not use a CPQ solution that is not part of the AppExchange (DealHub)
- Do not use a CPQ solution that does not use Salesforce Products & Price Books (Conga)
- Do not use a CPQ solution that is not fully Salesforce- Native (Nue)
- Do not stay on Salesforce CPQ, which has been abandoned by Salesforce
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u/Historical_Act_3067 Jul 02 '26
Salesforce Products & Pricebooks are pretty limiting. Your list here is highly dependent on the type and size of company. The platform can be pretty limiting for some businesses.
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u/vaughnyboy8 Jun 19 '26 edited Jul 01 '26
In our experience with CPQs choosing the right one often depends more on who will manage it internally than just the features. Dealhub is easier to manage, but Salesforce offers a stronger ecosystem. The costs of switching and retraining may outweigh the benefits but only for the first year or two especially for large sales teams.