If you’re looking at B2B go-to-market (GTM) software, you’ve probably seen enough buzzwords to make your head spin. Everyone promises “streamlined sales operations,” but what does that actually mean for your team? This guide is for people who want actual answers—no fluff, no sales pitches—just a clear way to compare Theswarm to the rest of the B2B GTM pack, and figure out what’ll actually help you close more deals with less hassle.
1. Know What You Actually Need (Not What’s Trending)
Before you get lost in feature lists and vendor demos, be brutally honest about what your team needs. Most B2B GTM tools—Theswarm included—claim to do everything, but nobody uses every bell and whistle.
Start here: - What are your biggest sales ops headaches? (Think: lead routing, account mapping, reporting gaps, CRM chaos.) - What’s working right now? (Don’t break what isn’t broken.) - What’s the absolute must-have? (If it doesn’t solve this, it’s a pass.)
Pro Tip: Make a short, “can’t-live-without” list before you start comparing any tools. The fewer the items, the better.
2. Get Clear on What Theswarm (and Its Competitors) Actually Do
Here’s the thing: every vendor markets themselves as the all-in-one fix. But the devil’s in the details.
What Theswarm Says It Does
At its core, Theswarm pitches itself as a B2B GTM platform that helps you: - Map accounts and buying committees - Collaborate on targeting and outreach - Automate workflows and assign tasks - Integrate with major CRMs (Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.)
What Other GTM Tools Offer
You’ll see a lot of overlap, but most tools tend to focus on one or two areas and do them well, like: - Account-based marketing (ABM): Demandbase, 6sense, Terminus - Sales engagement: Outreach, SalesLoft, Groove - Pipeline analytics: Clari, InsightSquared - Territory & account planning: LeanData, People.ai
What to actually care about: - Does the tool fit your sales motion? (Outbound? Complex enterprise? SMB velocity?) - Can it replace something you already use, or will it just add another login? - Is it “just” a dashboard, or does it drive real action?
3. Compare on the Stuff That Impacts Your Day-to-Day
Forget the 50-feature checklists. Here’s what really matters when you’re comparing Theswarm to the rest:
a. Usability: Will Your Team Actually Use It?
- Is the UI intuitive, or will reps secretly avoid it?
- How fast can new users get up to speed?
- Does it work where your team works (in the CRM, in their inbox, on mobile)?
Watch out: Some tools look great in demos but turn into shelfware because they’re clunky or confusing.
b. Integration: Does It Play Nice?
- Does it truly connect with your CRM—no messy workarounds?
- Can you set up integrations yourself, or will you be begging IT for help?
- What about other tools you rely on (Slack, marketing automation, etc.)?
Pro Tip: Test integrations with a real-world use case. Don’t just take their word for it.
c. Flexibility: Can You Make It Work Your Way?
- Can you customize workflows or is it a “take it or leave it” setup?
- How easy is it to update territories, scoring, or routing rules?
- Does it adapt as your process changes, or do you need a consultant every time?
d. Data: Does It Make Things Clear or More Confusing?
- Is the reporting actually actionable, or just pretty charts?
- Can you trust the data? (Check for duplicate handling and real-time updates.)
- How easy is it to slice and dice information the way you want, not just how they think you want?
e. Support and Community: Will You Get Help When You Need It?
- Is support responsive, or does it feel like shouting into the void?
- Are there active user communities, forums, or resources?
- How much of a learning curve is there, and do they help you climb it?
4. Price: Look Past the Sticker Shock
Most B2B GTM tools are priced like airline tickets—no two companies pay the same. Vendors love “custom pricing,” which usually means you’ll need to hop on a call to get a quote.
Here’s what to dig into: - Is pricing per user, per account, or flat-rate? - Are there hidden costs (integration fees, premium support, onboarding)? - Can you start small and scale, or do you have to buy a giant package up front? - What happens if you want to leave? (Data export, contract terms, etc.)
Pro Tip: Push for a pilot or month-to-month option before you sign a long-term deal.
5. Real-World Testing: Don’t Trust the Demo
Demos are designed to make everything look easy. Real life is messier. Before you commit:
- Set up a real use case (e.g., routing a new lead, mapping an account, syncing with your CRM).
- Involve actual end users—not just managers or admins.
- Time how long it takes to get from A to B. If it’s clunky, it’ll only get worse at scale.
Watch for: - Manual steps that could break down - Features that only work in a “sandbox” but not with your actual data - Performance issues (slow loading, sync errors)
6. Ignore the Hype: What Doesn’t Matter As Much
It’s easy to get distracted by flashy features that won’t move the needle.
- AI everything: If the “AI” just means scoring leads slightly differently, don’t pay extra for it.
- Fancy dashboards: If your team never logs in to look at them, they’re just window dressing.
- Endless integrations: If you’re not going to use them, who cares?
Focus on the basics: Will this tool actually make your sales process faster, clearer, or less annoying?
7. Get References—But Ask the Right Questions
Don’t just ask vendors for happy customer quotes. Find out: - What was the hardest part about rolling this out? - What do your reps complain about most? - If you could go back, would you choose the same tool?
You’ll learn more from five minutes of honest feedback than from a binder full of case studies.
8. Make a Decision—and Don’t Overthink It
After all this, pick the tool that checks your real must-have boxes, and that your team won’t hate using. You can always tweak and add later.
- Start with a small group or pilot.
- Don’t try to boil the ocean—get one workflow right, then expand.
- Remember: Any tool is only as good as how you use it.
Bottom line: Comparing Theswarm and its competitors shouldn’t be about who has the longest feature list or the slickest marketing. Keep it simple: focus on your pain points, test with real users, and pick the tool that makes your day smoother—not more complicated. Don’t be afraid to change course if it’s not working. In sales ops, real progress is about iterating, not finding a “perfect” solution.