If you’re a B2B sales leader, ops manager, or just the unlucky soul responsible for picking software to untangle your go-to-market (GTM) mess, this is for you. You’ve heard about contract lifecycle management (CLM) tools, CPQ, and big “GTM suites.” Maybe your team’s circling Agiloft and its competitors. But what’s hype, what’s real, and what’s just going to waste your time? Let’s dig in.
Why GTM Software Even Matters
Here’s the thing: most B2B sales orgs bleed time and money on clunky handoffs, endless paperwork, and “where’s that contract?” fire drills. GTM (go-to-market) software promises to fix that. In reality, it’s a mixed bag. The right tool can seriously speed up sales cycles, cut errors, and keep teams sane. The wrong one? Another expensive headache.
When folks say “GTM software,” they usually mean platforms that handle some combo of:
- Contract management (CLM)
- Configure-price-quote (CPQ)
- CRM add-ons or integrations
- Workflow automation
- Analytics/reporting
Agiloft and its competitors all claim to help you close deals faster and smoother. But their approach, depth, and price tags vary wildly.
What Agiloft Actually Does (And Doesn’t)
Agiloft is best known as a contract lifecycle management platform—but it does more than just shuffle contracts.
What it’s good at: - Customizable workflows: You can tweak it to fit your sales process, approvals, and redlining steps (if you’ve got someone technical or budget for their services). - Integration: It plays decently with Salesforce, Microsoft 365, DocuSign, and others. - Audit trails: Strong tracking and compliance features, which matter if you’re in a regulated industry or just like to know who did what.
What it doesn’t do: - Not a full GTM suite: No native CPQ, marketing automation, or sales engagement tools built in. - Can be complex: Flexibility comes at a price—setup isn’t plug-and-play. If you want a “just works” solution, keep reading.
Pro tip: If your main pain is contract chaos—missed renewals, legal bottlenecks, version control—Agiloft is worth a look. If you want deep quoting, lead management, or pipeline analytics, you’ll need to stitch it together with other tools.
Key Players: The GTM Software Lineup
Let’s compare Agiloft to some of the other heavy hitters in GTM software for B2B sales. For this, I’ll focus on the tools most buyers actually consider:
- Ironclad: CLM with a slick UI, strong legal focus, less customizable than Agiloft.
- DocuSign CLM: Contract management from a big name, best if you’re already all-in on DocuSign.
- Salesforce Revenue Cloud: Salesforce’s take on CPQ + CLM + billing, but only if you’re deep in the Salesforce ecosystem.
- Apttus (Conga): Big on CPQ and CLM, aimed at enterprises, price reflects it.
- PandaDoc: Document automation with basic contract workflow, popular with SMBs.
- DealHub: Modern CPQ and quote-to-cash, less about legal, more about closing deals fast.
Here’s how they stack up:
| Product | Core Strength | Setup/Customizability | Integrations | Price Point | Best For | |----------------|----------------|-----------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-----------------------------| | Agiloft | CLM | High | Good | Mid-High | Complex contracts, compliance| | Ironclad | CLM | Medium | Good | High | Legal-led teams | | DocuSign CLM | CLM | Low-Medium | Great (with DocuSign) | Mid-High | DocuSign-heavy orgs | | Salesforce RC | CPQ + CLM | High (if on SF) | Best (in SF) | High | Salesforce shops | | Apttus/Conga | CPQ + CLM | High | Good (in SF) | High | Large enterprises | | PandaDoc | Docs/Contracts | Low | Good | Low-Mid | SMBs, startups | | DealHub | CPQ | Medium | Good | Mid | Fast-moving sales teams |
Let’s unpack what actually matters.
What Actually Moves the Needle in B2B Sales
You don’t need every bell and whistle. Here’s what most B2B teams really need to fix:
- Slow or broken handoffs: Sales → Legal → Customer Success. If you’re losing deals or renewal revenue here, CLM helps.
- Pricing and quoting mistakes: If sales sends the wrong quote, or approvals get skipped, CPQ tools make a difference.
- Renewal/expansion leaks: Tracking contract terms and renewals is a pain—most CLMs can help, some better than others.
- Visibility: Leadership wants to know: Where’s that deal? Are we at risk? Who’s dropped the ball?
Most “GTM software” claims to solve all these. In reality, they usually do one or two really well and the rest so-so. Don’t buy a platform for features you’ll never use.
Agiloft vs. the Field: Honest Takes
Where Agiloft Wins
- Highly regulated, complex workflows: If you need every approval logged, custom fields, and legal compliance, Agiloft is hard to beat.
- Customization: You can bend it to how you work, not the other way around. This is rare.
- Audit and compliance: Strong reporting, audit trails—stuff compliance folks care about.
Where It Can Frustrate
- Setup is not DIY: Unless you have technical folks or budget for services, initial configuration can be daunting.
- No native CPQ or deep quoting: If your sales team needs complex quotes or custom pricing, you’ll need another tool.
- UI is functional, not flashy: Usable, but don’t expect your team to “love” using it.
When to Skip It
- Small teams: Overkill unless you’re in a regulated space.
- If you want a “single pane of glass” for all GTM: Agiloft focuses on contracts; you’ll still need other tools.
- If you’re deeply invested in Salesforce: Salesforce Revenue Cloud or Conga may offer tighter integration.
The Rest of the Pack: Worth It or Skip?
- Ironclad: Gorgeous interface, easy for legal, less flexible for unique sales processes. Pricey, but you pay for polish.
- DocuSign CLM: Makes sense if you’re already using DocuSign everywhere. Otherwise, it’s just “fine.”
- Salesforce Revenue Cloud & Conga: If you’re all-in on Salesforce, these are the path of least resistance. But they’re not cheap or simple.
- PandaDoc: Great for small teams or startups who just need basic contracts and e-sign. Don’t expect deep tracking or compliance.
- DealHub: If your problem is quoting and deal speed, not legal, DealHub is worth a look. Light on CLM, heavy on sales workflow.
What to Ignore (Don’t Fall for the Shiny Stuff)
- AI buzzwords: Most “AI contract review” is just keyword search with lipstick. Don’t pay extra for AI unless you see real, measurable speed or risk reduction.
- “All-in-one” claims: Most platforms are best at one or two things. Trying to use them for everything is a fast track to frustration.
- Custom-bundled solutions: Unless you’re at a Fortune 500, you probably don’t need a bespoke suite. Off-the-shelf is fine.
Real-World Advice: How to Pick What’s Right for You
Here’s how to actually decide:
- Map your biggest pain (contracts, quoting, renewals, etc.). Don’t buy for edge cases.
- Get a real demo: Not a slick video—ask for a trial or hands-on sandbox.
- Check integrations: If you’re on Salesforce, Teams, or something else, make sure the tool won’t break your workflow.
- Budget for setup: The best tools need some configuration. Factor in services or internal time.
- Talk to real users: Not just the vendor’s references. Find people who switched away from the tool and ask why.
Quick Decision Matrix
- Complex contracts, legal/compliance headaches: Go Agiloft or Ironclad.
- All-in on Salesforce, need quotes + contracts: Salesforce Revenue Cloud or Conga.
- Speed and quoting > legal: DealHub or PandaDoc.
- Small team, just need e-sign: PandaDoc.
Bottom Line
Don’t get distracted by shiny dashboards or AI hype. Most B2B sales teams just need to fix a handful of slow, error-prone steps. Pick the tool that solves your main pain, keep your stack simple, and don’t be afraid to change it up as your process matures. Iterate. The software is supposed to work for you—not the other way around.