If you run B2B sales calls, you know the sinking feeling: a prospect says “can you show me?” and suddenly you’re juggling tabs, install prompts, and “can you see my screen?” moments. Live demo tools are supposed to make this easier. But with dozens of options—some hyped, some clunky—it’s hard to know what actually saves time and helps reps close deals.
This guide is for sales leaders, reps, and anyone who’s had a screen-sharing demo go sideways. We’ll dig into Crankwheel, plus a few other contenders, and get real about what works, what’s overrated, and what to look for if you just want demos that don’t suck.
Why Live Demo Tools Matter for B2B Sales
Let’s be blunt: If your demo setup is clunky, your prospect’s attention is already drifting. First impressions count, and nothing kills momentum like technical hiccups. The right tool should:
- Let you start a demo instantly—no downloads, no signups for your prospect
- Run reliably, even on bad WiFi or mobile
- Not turn every call into a tech support session
- Fit into your existing sales workflow (CRM, calendar, email, etc.)
But not all live demo tools are built with B2B sales realities in mind. Some are really made for IT support or remote training. Others get bogged down with features reps never use. So, let’s break it down.
Crankwheel: What It Nails (and Where It Doesn’t)
First, Crankwheel is laser-focused on quick, no-fuss screen sharing for sales teams. Here’s what stands out:
What Works: - Zero Download for Viewers: Prospects join instantly via a browser link—no installs, plug-ins, or surprise permissions. - Mobile Friendly: If your prospects are on their phones (think field sales, insurance, local businesses), it just works. - Fast Start: You can launch a share in seconds, right from your browser or CRM. No waiting for a meeting to load. - Minimal Fuss: The interface is stripped down—no complex menus, no “where’s the button?” moments. That’s a plus. - Viewer Switch: You can swap between sharing a tab, window, or your whole screen on the fly.
What Could Be Better: - Video & Audio: Crankwheel doesn’t handle voice or video. You’ll need a separate call (like Zoom or phone) for talking. For some, that’s a dealbreaker. - Recording: There’s no built-in recording. If you want to review calls for training, you’ll need another tool. - Limited Collaboration: No annotation, whiteboarding, or letting prospects control your screen. For true “let them drive” demos, look elsewhere.
Who It’s For: Teams who want to show something now, especially if their prospects are non-technical or on the go. It’s not trying to be everything—just fast, reliable screen sharing.
The Alternatives: Real-World Pros and Cons
Let’s look at a few popular alternatives and how they stack up for B2B sales demos.
1. Zoom
What Works: - Ubiquity: Everyone’s heard of Zoom. Prospects are less likely to be suspicious of a meeting link. - Video/Audio Built-In: No juggling between call and screen share. - Recording: Easy to record calls for follow-up or training.
What Doesn’t: - Download Required: First-time users have to install something. That’s friction, especially for less tech-savvy clients. - Overkill for Quick Demos: Spinning up a full meeting just to show a screen is slower than it should be. - Security Hassles: Waiting rooms, passcodes, “you’re muted”—all just more steps.
Bottom Line: Great for scheduled demos, less great for “can I show you this right now?” moments.
2. Microsoft Teams / Google Meet
What Works: - Integration: If your prospect’s company lives in Teams or Google, it’s familiar. - Video, Audio, Chat: All-in-one, just like Zoom. - Recording (Sometimes): Depending on the plan.
What Doesn’t: - Same Download/Sign-In Issues: Especially with Teams, many external prospects get stuck at the “join” screen. - Heavyweight: Not designed for speed. Lots of menus, permissions, and popups.
Bottom Line: Use these if your client insists or if your company is already locked in. Not built for spontaneous sales demos.
3. Demodesk
What Works: - Browser-Based: No downloads for anyone. - Virtual Displays: Lets you “script” demos, so prospects only see what you want them to see. - Collaborative Tools: Co-browsing, chat, scheduling, and CRM integration.
What Doesn’t: - Learning Curve: More features means more training for reps. - Price: Aimed at bigger teams, not solo operators. - Overkill for Simple Demos: If all you want is to share your screen, it might be more than you need.
Bottom Line: Excellent for structured, repeatable demos—especially for SaaS sales. Maybe too much for quick, on-the-fly calls.
4. Join.me / GoTo Meeting
What Works: - Screen Sharing Focus: Simple to use, fewer distractions than full meetings. - Branding: Lets you customize meeting links.
What Doesn’t: - Download Still Required (Usually): Not as frictionless as advertised. - Declining Popularity: Fewer prospects are familiar with these tools now.
Bottom Line: Once a go-to, but losing ground to browser-based options.
What Actually Improves Sales Efficiency?
Let’s cut through the features and look at what really helps your sales team move faster and close more deals:
- Speed: Can a rep start a demo in 10 seconds or less?
- Frictionless for Prospects: If your prospect hesitates or struggles, you’re losing them.
- Reliability: Does it work on low bandwidth, mobile, or locked-down corporate devices?
- No Surprises: Tech hiccups kill trust. Consistency matters more than fancy features.
- Easy Handoffs: If a demo needs to be passed between reps or reviewed later, does the tool support that?
A tool that checks these boxes is worth its weight. Anything else—avatars, virtual backgrounds, endless integrations—usually just adds bloat.
What to Ignore (Unless You Really Need It)
Don’t get distracted by:
- Whiteboarding: Most prospects just want to see your product, not doodle together.
- Remote Control: Useful for onboarding or support, but rarely needed in a sales demo.
- Deep Analytics: Nice to have, but you’re better off tracking conversions in your CRM.
- “AI-Powered” Anything: Usually just means another dashboard you’ll never look at.
If you’re a sales team of five, you don’t need enterprise bells and whistles. If you’re scaling to hundreds of reps, talk to IT—but don’t let them drown you in requirements you’ll never use.
Pro Tips for Smoother Live Demos
Some hard-won advice:
- Test on Mobile: Send yourself a demo link and join as if you’re a prospect. If it’s painful, so will your close rate be.
- Keep a Backup Plan: Have a phone dial-in or screenshots ready, just in case. Tech will fail you eventually.
- Shorten Your Deck: The less you need to switch between apps, the less that can go wrong.
- Practice the Hand-Off: If you need to bring in a specialist mid-demo, practice how that works in your tool.
The Bottom Line: Don’t Overthink It
If you want to run better B2B sales demos, obsess over speed and reliability, not features. Tools like Crankwheel shine because they get out of your way and just let you show what matters. Don’t get caught up chasing every new gadget or integration—pick something simple, try it with real prospects, and improve from there. Keep it simple, and your demos (and deals) will run smoother.