What are the best Salesforce alternatives?
Zoho CRM and Odoo CRM are strong Salesforce alternatives for configurable sales work and connected business processes, respectively. The former uses custom modules to model records beyond contacts and deals. The latter connects sales with other business applications, with customisation available through the appropriate tools and subscription. Those are different routes to replacing a tailored setup. You need to match the actual record relationships and workflows rather than just compare feature labels.
A useful shortlist should prove your most demanding custom relationship first. For example, a customer linked to 4 installed assets needs searchable asset records, clear ownership and reporting across the relationship. Custom objects alone do not establish that the system handles every link or calculation you use. Test a representative record from creation through reporting, then compare the effort required to adjust it when your business process changes.