Which is better, Dynamics 365 Customer Insights vs Marketo?

There is a wide range of CRM and marketing automation platforms and tools available to choose from. Choosing the right solution can seem overwhelming. All solutions have their pros and cons, so let us look at Dynamics 365 Customer Insights vs Marketo. We can start by saying they both offer powerful features and have a solid reputation among marketers worldwide.

There are, however, key differences that might make Dynamics 365 the better choice for some organisations.

Dynamics 365 Customer Insights vs Marketo CRM Comparison Table

 

Dynamics 365 Customer Insights

Marketo

Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem

Dynamics 365 Customer Insights

Fully integrated with Microsoft tools (Power BI, Azure, Teams, Office 365, Sharepoint)

Marketo

Requires additional integrations

Data Unification

Dynamics 365 Customer Insights

Comprehensive customer data unification across all touchpoints

Marketo

Requires additional tools

Customer Journey Mapping

Dynamics 365 Customer Insights

Advanced, customisable journey mapping with deep insights

Marketo

Mature and comprehensive functionality, but complex to set up

AI and Predictive Analytics

Dynamics 365 Customer Insights

Built-in AI-driven insights and predictive analytics

Marketo

Advanced, but higher cost

Scalability and Flexibility

Dynamics 365 Customer Insights

Easily scalable within the Microsoft cloud ecosystem

Marketo

Scalable but costly

Cost Efficiency

Dynamics 365 Customer Insights

Long-term cost savings with comprehensive solutions within the Microsoft stack

Marketo

High upfront and ongoing costs

Security and Compliance

Dynamics 365 Customer Insights

Enterprise-grade security with flexible server location options

Marketo

Strong security, but fewer options for server location

Customer Support and Resources

Dynamics 365 Customer Insights

Extensive support with access to Microsoft’s vast resources and community

Marketo

Comprehensive but expensive

So which is better, Dynamics 365 Customer Insights (also known as Dynamics 365 Marketing) or Marketo?

It comes down to your requirements. Stand out considerations are as follow:

  • Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem: Let’s face it, many organisations are using familiar Microsoft solutions and apps already. Dynamics 365 Customer Insights offers seamless integration with Microsoft tools (PowerBI, Teams, Office 365, Sharepoint), providing a cohesive experience. Marketo will require additional integrations to achieve the same experience, which can complicate workflows and increase costs.
  • Data Unification: Dynamics 365 excels in data unification, giving you a complete view of your customers via a single database without needing additional tools, unlike Marketo, which will generally operate as another standalone system in your technology mix. If your team used Dynamics 365 CRM or ERP systems, then this is a no-brainer. Dynamics 365 offers a single database for CRM, Customer Service and Field Service scenarios – in addition to just Marketing automation, providing a true, 360 degree view of the customer without complex integrations.
  • Customisable CRM Workflows: Dynamics 365 offers more advanced and customisable workflow mapping across CRM, Customer Service and Field Service scenarios, allowing for deeper insights and more personalised customer experiences.
  • AI and Predictive Analytics: While Marketo does offer advanced AI capabilities, they come with a higher cost and complexity. Dynamics 365 provides built-in, user-friendly AI features that are more accessible.
  • Security and Compliance: Dynamics 365 offers enterprise-grade security with flexible server location options, making it more suitable for organisations with greater compliance needs, like Government for example.

While Marketo is a powerful platform, Dynamics 365 Customer Insights offers a more integrated, cost-efficient, and user-friendly solution, particularly for organisations already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Find out more about Dynamics 365 Customer Insights. Walkerscott are a certified Microsoft Solutions Partner and Dynamics 365 specialists. We can help you implement Dynamics 365 Customer Insights.