If you’re responsible for picking sales software for your team, you already know: the promises are endless, the sales pitches are relentless, and the “must-have” features all sound suspiciously similar. You want the facts—what actually matters, what’s fluff, and how do you know if a tool like Textus is really better than the other big names?
This guide is for sales leaders, ops folks, or anyone tasked with choosing B2B go-to-market (GTM) software. We’ll walk through a no-nonsense process to compare tools, with real talk about what works, what to skip, and where to be skeptical.
Step 1: Get Clear on Your Real Needs (Not the Vendor’s Demo)
Before you look at any software, step back. What’s the actual problem you’re trying to solve? Are you hoping to get more outbound replies, manage leads better, or just cut down on manual data entry? Make a list, and be ruthless:
- Must-haves: What’s absolutely required? (e.g., Salesforce integration, SMS capability, compliance)
- Nice-to-haves: What would be good, but isn’t a dealbreaker? (e.g., AI suggestions, fancy dashboards)
- Dealbreakers: Anything you can’t live with? (e.g., no support for your region, bad security track record)
Pro tip: Skip the “feature checklist” vendors love to show. Most teams use a fraction of what they buy. Focus on your top three priorities.
Step 2: Build a Shortlist—And Don’t Be Afraid to Cut Fast
Once you know what you need, start building a shortlist. Textus and other leading tools (like SalesLoft, Outreach, and Groove) will come up a lot, but there are dozens of options. Here’s how to filter fast:
- Ignore “best of” articles—they’re often paid placements.
- Scan user reviews on G2, Capterra, or TrustRadius. Look for patterns, not just star ratings.
- Ask your network—what are similar companies actually using, and why?
Narrow it down to three or four contenders. More than that, and you’ll drown in details.
Step 3: Compare the Core Features—But Don’t Get Distracted
Now, dig into the essentials. For B2B sales teams, these usually matter most:
1. Integrations
- Does it work with your CRM? If it won’t sync with Salesforce, HubSpot, or whatever you use, move on.
- How deep is the integration? Some tools just “bolt on” and don’t really talk to your data.
2. Communication Channels
- Can you actually reach prospects how you want? Textus, for example, is known for SMS and texting. Others lean more into email, calling, or multi-channel outreach.
- Is it easy to switch channels mid-conversation? Sales reps don’t want to juggle six tabs.
3. Usability
- Will your reps actually use it? Fancy is useless if adoption is low.
- Look for clean interfaces, fast onboarding, and clear workflows.
4. Compliance & Security
- Does it cover your industry’s requirements? (e.g., TCPA for texting, GDPR for Europe)
- How transparent are they about data practices? If you get vague answers, be wary.
5. Reporting & Analytics
- Are the reports actionable? Or are they just pretty charts?
- Can you customize dashboards? Or are you stuck with what’s there?
What to ignore:
- “AI-powered” everything—unless it directly solves a pain point, skip the hype.
- Endless templates—you’ll end up customizing anyway.
Step 4: Put Vendors to the Test—Your Test
Don’t settle for a standard demo. Once you’ve got two or three finalists, get hands-on:
- Request a trial or sandbox. If they won’t let you kick the tires, that’s a red flag.
- Use your real data. Upload a real lead list (scrubbed for privacy) and run an actual campaign.
- Involve your end users. Sales managers and ops folks see different issues than frontline reps.
Pro tip:
Create a simple scorecard based on your must-haves. Don’t get stuck on “cool” features—just check off what really moves the needle.
Step 5: Dig Into Pricing—And Watch for Gotchas
Pricing for sales tools is famously opaque. Here’s what to look for:
- Is it seat-based, usage-based, or both? Some tools charge per user, some per message, some both.
- Are there setup or integration fees? These can add up fast.
- What’s included? Are integrations, support, and reporting extra?
- Contract terms: Can you start monthly, or do they force annual upfront?
What to ignore:
- “ROI calculators” from vendors. They’re ballpark at best, and often wildly optimistic.
Step 6: Don’t Underestimate Support and Reliability
You’ll only notice support and uptime after something breaks. Get ahead of it:
- How fast is support, really? Try submitting a ticket or calling their hotline.
- What’s their uptime history? Most publish this—ask for it.
- Is there a user community or knowledge base? Self-serve support can save you headaches.
If the vendor treats you like royalty before the sale and ghosts you after, walk away.
Step 7: Compare Textus to the Leading Alternatives
Let’s get specific. Here’s how Textus stacks up to the big names, based on what matters in practice:
| Feature/Aspect | Textus | SalesLoft | Outreach | Groove | |----------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|----------------------|--------------------| | Best for | SMS/text-first teams | Multi-channel, outbound | Large, complex sales | Gmail/GSuite users | | CRM Integrations | Salesforce, Bullhorn | Salesforce, others | Salesforce, MS | Salesforce, GSuite | | Ease of Use | Simple, fast setup | More features, steeper | Powerful, can be | Lightweight, easy | | | | learning curve | overwhelming | for small teams | | Compliance | Strong TCPA focus | Good, but generic | Good, but generic | Basic | | Pricing | Straightforward, SMB | Mid/high | High, enterprise | Lower, SMB | | Best Feature | Texting at scale | Cadence automation | Power dialer, AI | Gmail integration | | Drawbacks | Limited multi-channel | Can be overkill | Complex, expensive | Limited features |
What’s the real story?
- Textus nails texting—if SMS is a core part of your strategy, it’s hard to beat for speed and compliance. But it’s not an all-in-one: don’t expect deep email or calling features.
- SalesLoft and Outreach are feature-packed, but can be overkill (and pricey) for smaller teams. Great if you need multi-channel, complex workflows.
- Groove is lighter, built for Google users, and may be too simple for larger orgs.
Ignore the all-in-one claims. Pick what fits your sales process.
Step 8: Make the Call—And Plan to Re-Evaluate
No tool is forever. Pick what fits your needs now, knowing you’ll revisit the decision as your team grows or your strategy changes.
Keep it simple:
- Start small—pilot with a few reps before full rollout.
- Measure what matters (adoption, response rate, real workflow improvements).
- Be ready to swap tools if your needs shift.
Wrapping Up
Choosing sales software shouldn’t feel like buying a timeshare. Get clear on your real needs, cut through the hype, and remember: a tool that’s “best in class” for someone else might be a headache for you. Start small, keep it simple, and tweak as you go. That’s how you avoid buyer’s remorse—and actually help your sales team sell.