LionDesk vs Follow Up Boss: Which CRM Is Right for Your Real Estate Business?

Choosing the right Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software is one of the most critical decisions a real estate agent or team can make. It’s the central hub for your leads, contacts, and deals. In the crowded market of real estate tech, two names consistently rise to the top, leading to the common debate of LionDesk vs Follow Up Boss. Both platforms are powerful, but they serve different types of agents and teams with distinct philosophies on how to manage and grow a real estate business.

This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown, comparing everything from core features and pricing to user experience and ideal use cases. We'll move beyond the marketing claims to give you the clear, detailed information you need to decide which CRM will become the engine of your business. Whether you're a solo agent looking for an all-in-one solution or a team leader focused on lead conversion, this comparison will help you find the perfect fit.

What to Know

• Core Focus: Follow Up Boss excels at high-speed lead aggregation and team-centric collaboration, making it a top choice for teams that handle a large volume of internet leads from various sources.
• Feature Set: LionDesk offers a broader, all-in-one feature set that includes unique tools like video texting, an AI appointment setter, and transaction management, often at a more accessible price point.
• Ideal User: LionDesk is generally better suited for solo agents and small teams who want a wide array of tools without a high price tag. Follow Up Boss is built for medium-to-large teams and brokerages that prioritize a clean interface and powerful, specialized lead routing and follow-up systems.
• The Bottom Line: Your choice ultimately depends on your business structure and priorities. If you need a feature-rich, budget-friendly system, LionDesk is a strong contender. If your primary goal is converting leads at scale within a team environment, Follow Up Boss is hard to beat.

What Are LionDesk and Follow Up Boss? An Overview

Before diving into a feature-by-feature battle, it's important to understand the fundamental approach each CRM takes. They are not simple clones of each other; they are built with different end-users in mind, which influences every aspect of their design and functionality.

What is LionDesk?

LionDesk positions itself as the central command for real estate professionals, aiming to be an all-in-one platform that handles contact management, marketing, and sales pipelines. It’s known for packing a tremendous amount of functionality into a single, affordable subscription. The platform is designed to help agents manage their entire client journey, from initial lead capture to post-closing follow-up.

Its key differentiators include innovative communication tools. LionDesk was one of the first CRMs to integrate video email and video texting directly into its platform, allowing agents to build more personal connections with their leads. Furthermore, its AI-powered assistant, known as Lead Assist, can engage new leads via text message automatically, qualifying them and even attempting to book appointments on the agent's behalf. This makes it a powerful tool for agents who want to leverage automation to save time.

Because of its broad feature set and competitive pricing, LionDesk is often the go-to choice for individual agents, new agents building their business, and small teams that need a robust toolkit without the enterprise-level price tag.

What is Follow Up Boss?

Follow Up Boss, on the other hand, is a master of specialization. Its core mission is to help real estate teams convert more leads into clients, and it executes this mission with precision. The platform is laser-focused on lead management, distribution, and follow-up. Its interface is widely praised for being clean, modern, and incredibly intuitive, which reduces the learning curve for new team members.

The standout feature of Follow Up Boss is its lead parsing technology. It can instantly pull in leads from over 200 different sources—Zillow, Realtor.com, your website, and more—and get them into an agent's hands within seconds. For teams, its collaboration tools are second to none. Features like advanced lead routing, lead ponds where agents can claim unassigned leads, and a collaborative inbox ensure that no lead ever falls through the cracks.

The reporting and agent accountability tools give team leaders clear visibility into performance.

This specialization comes at a higher price point, making Follow Up Boss the preferred CRM for established, high-producing teams and brokerages where speed-to-lead and efficient collaboration are the primary drivers of revenue.

LionDesk vs Follow Up Boss: A Side-by-Side Feature Comparison

Now let's break down the capabilities of each platform across the most important categories for real estate professionals. This direct liondesk comparison highlights where each system shines and where it might fall short depending on your needs.

Feature	LionDesk	Follow Up Boss
Core CRM	Full contact management, pipelines, task lists	Streamlined contact management, Smart Lists
Lead Management	Automated lead import, AI follow-up	Advanced lead parsing (200+ sources), routing, ponds
Communication	Power Dialer, Video Text/Email, Bulk Email	Integrated Calling, Texting, Batch Email, Team Inbox
Automation	Drip campaigns, transaction workflows	Action Plans, Smart Lists, Automated Texting
AI Features	Lead Assist (AI text follow-up)	Limited (Smart Lists use logic, not generative AI)
Integrations	Extensive via Zapier, direct integrations	Best-in-class for lead sources, strong ecosystem
Mobile App	Fully functional mobile app	Highly-rated, intuitive mobile app
Ideal User	Solo agents, small teams, budget-conscious users	Medium-to-large teams, brokerages, lead-gen focused

Lead Management and Nurturing

This is where the two platforms show their different philosophies most clearly. Follow Up Boss is built for speed and efficiency in lead distribution. Its system ensures a new lead from any online source is immediately assigned to an agent based on rules you set (like round-robin or first-to-claim), and the agent is notified instantly. Its "Smart Lists" are dynamic filters that automatically group contacts based on criteria, such as "new leads today" or "people I haven't contacted in 30 days," making follow-up systematic.

LionDesk also handles lead distribution from various sources effectively. However, its unique advantage is the AI Lead Assist. This feature acts like a virtual assistant, sending human-like text messages to new leads to start a conversation. It can ask qualifying questions about their timeline, motivation, and if they're working with another agent.

This automated engagement is a massive time-saver and ensures every new lead gets an immediate response, even if you're in a meeting.

Communication and Outreach Tools

Both platforms offer robust communication tools, including integrated dialers, texting, and email. Follow Up Boss provides a shared Team Inbox, which is a game-changer for teams. It allows agents and assistants to see all communication with a contact in one place, ensuring seamless handoffs and consistent messaging.

LionDesk stands out with its native video messaging. You can record and send short, personalized videos via email or text directly from the CRM. In a world of automated text messages, a personal video can make a huge impact and build rapport much faster. This feature is particularly valuable for agents who want to differentiate their follow-up and create a stronger personal brand.

Automation and Workflow

Automation is key to scaling any real estate business. Follow Up Boss uses a system called "Action Plans." These are multi-step sequences of emails, text messages, and tasks that can be triggered automatically when a new lead comes in or a contact's status changes. They are highly customizable and perfect for executing long-term nurture campaigns.

LionDesk uses a similar system of "drip campaigns" for automated communication. Where it adds another layer is with its transaction management workflows. You can create checklists and task plans for each stage of a transaction, from "Under Contract" to "Closed." This helps you and your team stay organized and ensure no critical deadlines are missed, extending the CRM's functionality beyond just lead generation.

Pro Tip: When evaluating automation, map out your ideal follow-up plan for a new internet lead. Then, during your free trial, try to build that exact plan in both LionDesk and Follow Up Boss. This will quickly reveal which platform's automation builder feels more intuitive to you.

Pricing and Cost Comparison: Which CRM Fits Your Budget?

Pricing is a major factor in any software decision, especially when you're calculating the return on investment. Both LionDesk and Follow Up Boss operate on a per-user, per-month subscription model, but their price points and what you get for your money differ significantly.

Disclaimer: Pricing for software changes frequently. Always visit the official websites for the most current and accurate pricing information.

LionDesk Pricing Structure

LionDesk is well-known for its affordability and value. It typically offers several pricing tiers, with even the entry-level plan providing a substantial number of features. The pricing structure is designed to be accessible for individual agents just starting out, while still offering more advanced plans for growing teams.

For a relatively low monthly fee per user, you can often get access to the core CRM, email and text campaigns, and even the Power Dialer. More advanced features like the AI Lead Assist and video messaging are usually included in the mid-to-upper tiers. The key takeaway for LionDesk is that it bundles a wide range of features into its plans, offering a high-value, all-in-one package. For the latest details, visit the LionDesk website.

Follow Up Boss Pricing Structure

Follow Up Boss is positioned as a premium product, and its pricing reflects that. Its plans are generally more expensive per user than LionDesk's. The tiers are structured to scale with team size and complexity, with the entry-level plan focused on individuals and small teams, and the higher-tier plans adding advanced features like the Team Inbox, lead ponds, and in-depth reporting.

While the sticker price is higher, the argument for its value lies in its specialized function and user experience. Teams that invest in Follow Up Boss are paying for a highly polished, efficient system designed to maximize lead conversion and save agents time through its intuitive design. The return on investment comes from converting more deals and running a more organized team, which can easily justify the higher monthly cost for the right business.

The Verdict on Value

When comparing the two, the question of value is subjective. If you're looking for the maximum number of features for the lowest cost, LionDesk is the clear winner. It provides tools that you would otherwise have to pay for separately.

However, if your business model relies on converting a high volume of leads with a team, the efficiency, speed, and collaborative power of Follow Up Boss might provide a better return on investment, even at a higher price. It's a classic case of a versatile multi-tool versus a high-performance specialized instrument.

Pros and Cons: The Honest Breakdown

No CRM is perfect. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each platform is crucial for making an informed decision. Here’s a straightforward look at the pros and cons of both LionDesk and Follow Up Boss.

LionDesk Pros and Cons

Pros:

• High Value for Price: You get a massive feature set, including AI and video tools, for a very competitive monthly fee.
• All-in-One Platform: It combines lead nurturing, marketing automation, and transaction management, reducing the need for other software.
• Innovative Features: Native video email/texting and the AI Lead Assist are powerful tools that help you stand out and save time.
• Highly Customizable: You can create custom fields, pipelines, and workflows to match your specific business processes.

Cons:

• User Interface: Some users find the interface to be less modern and intuitive than competitors like Follow Up Boss. It can feel cluttered due to the sheer number of features.
• Learning Curve: With so many features available, it can take new users longer to get comfortable and learn how to use the platform to its full potential.
• Team Features: While it has team capabilities, they are not as deep or sophisticated as the team-centric tools offered by Follow Up Boss.

Follow Up Boss Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Exceptional User Experience: The interface is clean, fast, and incredibly easy to navigate, which boosts agent adoption.
• Best-in-Class Lead Management: Its ability to instantly parse and route leads from hundreds of sources is unmatched.
• Powerful Team Tools: Features like the Team Inbox, lead ponds, and detailed reporting are built from the ground up for collaboration and accountability.
• Excellent Mobile App: The mobile app is highly functional and intuitive, allowing agents to manage their business effectively on the go.

Cons:

• Higher Cost: It is one of the more expensive CRMs on the market, which can be a barrier for solo agents or those on a tight budget.
• More Focused Feature Set: It lacks some of the built-in “extras” like video messaging or a true AI assistant. Its focus is narrow, so you may need other tools for things like transaction management.
• Zillow Ownership: Since its acquisition by Zillow, some agents have expressed concerns about data privacy and the platform's future independence, although it currently operates as a separate entity.

How to Choose: Which CRM is Right for You?

After reviewing the features, pricing, and pros and cons, the decision in the liondesk vs followup boss debate comes down to your specific business needs. Here’s a simple guide to help you decide.

Choose LionDesk If…

• You are a solo agent or run a small team. The platform provides enterprise-level tools without the enterprise price, giving you a competitive edge.
• Your budget is a primary consideration. LionDesk consistently delivers one of the best feature-to-price ratios in the industry.
• You want an all-in-one solution. If you prefer to have your marketing, lead nurture, and transaction management in one place, LionDesk is built for that.
• You want to stand out with creative follow-up. The built-in video messaging and AI assistant can help you engage leads in ways that most of your competitors aren't.

Choose Follow Up Boss If…

• You run a medium-to-large team or a brokerage. Its collaboration and lead distribution tools are designed to manage complexity and scale.
• Your business is built on converting a high volume of internet leads. Speed-to-lead and systematic follow-up are where Follow Up Boss excels.
• You prioritize ease of use and agent adoption. The clean, intuitive interface means your team will spend less time fighting with software and more time selling.
• You need deep reporting and accountability. The platform gives team leaders clear insights into agent performance and lead pipeline health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are answers to some of the most common questions agents ask when comparing these two powerful CRMs.

Is Follow Up Boss owned by Zillow?

Yes, Zillow Group acquired Follow Up Boss in late 2023. While it is now owned by Zillow, the company has stated that Follow Up Boss will continue to operate as an independent brand and support leads from all sources, not just Zillow. However, the acquisition is a factor that some agents consider when evaluating its long-term direction.

Is LionDesk going away?

There is no official information to suggest that LionDesk is going away. It remains a very popular and actively supported CRM within the real estate industry. The company continues to develop new features and serves a large base of real estate professionals. Rumors of its demise are unfounded.

Is Follow Up Boss a good CRM?

Yes, Follow Up Boss is widely considered an excellent CRM, especially for its target market of real estate teams. It consistently receives high marks in user reviews for its ease of use, powerful lead management capabilities, and reliable performance. A follow up boss review from most team leaders will praise its ability to bring order and efficiency to their lead conversion process.

What happened with Follow Up Boss?

The most significant recent event for Follow Up Boss was its acquisition by Zillow. This move was part of Zillow's broader strategy to build out its software offerings for agents. For users, the platform has continued to operate as usual, but the change in ownership is a notable event in the company's history.

Final Thoughts: Making Your Decision in the LionDesk vs Follow Up Boss Debate

Both LionDesk and Follow Up Boss are top-tier CRMs that can help you grow your real estate business, but they achieve this goal in very different ways. There is no single “best” choice—only the best choice for your business.

LionDesk is the versatile, feature-packed powerhouse that offers incredible value. It empowers agents with modern tools like AI and video marketing to manage their entire business pipeline on a budget. It’s the perfect choice for the self-sufficient agent or small team looking to punch above their weight.

Follow Up Boss is the finely tuned, specialized machine for lead conversion. It prioritizes speed, simplicity, and team collaboration above all else. It’s the ideal investment for established teams and brokerages where optimizing the process of turning leads into appointments is the number one priority. To make the best choice, evaluate your budget, your team size, and your primary business goals.

If an affordable, all-in-one platform with cutting-edge marketing tools aligns with your vision, then LionDesk is an outstanding option worth exploring.