Sridhar Vembu Roasts Salesforce Over Price Hikes! In a bold and hilarious move, Sridhar Vembu, the co-founder of Zoho Corporation, has called out Salesforce’s skyrocketing prices in one
In a bold and hilarious move, Sridhar Vembu, the co-founder of Zoho Corporation, has called out Salesforce’s skyrocketing prices in one of the most savage tweets you’ll see this year. After users on Reddit complained about Salesforce hiking CRM subscription costs by nearly 35% over two years, Vembu couldn’t resist poking fun at the situation.
“If Salesforce hits you with steep price increases like mentioned in this Reddit, just mention the word ‘ZOHO’ and they will drop their prices. That is their official discount code,” he tweeted, sending the internet into a frenzy.
The frustration isn’t coming from nowhere. Salesforce customers have been sharing their agony about repeated double-digit price hikes when it’s time to renew contracts.
One user wrote,
“We are approaching our contract renewal. Last year, Salesforce hit us with an increase of more than 20%. This year, they are hitting us with another large increase. Total increase over the past two years is nearly 35%… Has anybody found effective tips to negotiate back down to more modest increases year over year?”
Users are crying foul over vendor lock-in, affordability, and Salesforce’s aggressive pricing tactics that seem to assume companies are flush with cash.
Vembu’s tweet is more than just a joke—it’s a reminder that competition matters. By simply bringing up Zoho’s name, businesses hint they have alternatives and can walk away if prices keep going up.
This subtle threat has worked for many customers who feel trapped by Salesforce’s premium pricing. It’s an eye-opener to software giants: competition can force you to rethink your pricing strategies.
This isn’t the first time Vembu has made waves. Earlier this year, he stepped down as CEO of Zoho to take on a new role as chief scientist, focusing on research and development. His quirky and straightforward style has earned him a reputation as a tech leader who isn’t afraid to call out industry practices.
His latest tweet is being hailed as a masterclass in using humor and competition to highlight real pain points in enterprise software.
In today’s crowded software market, companies with high switching costs are vulnerable to customer pushback. Salesforce’s aggressive price hikes have exposed how dependent businesses can be on expensive platforms.
Vembu’s advice, wrapped in humor, is a wake-up call. Businesses need to explore alternatives and leverage competition to negotiate better deals.
While Salesforce is a global heavyweight, Zoho’s growing ecosystem of affordable, integrated apps is making waves—especially among small and medium businesses looking for cost-effective solutions without compromising on features.
Vembu’s tweet signals that the real competition isn’t just about product specs—it’s about pricing, flexibility, and customer trust.
In a world where subscription costs keep climbing, Vembu’s one-liner is a rallying cry for businesses everywhere: don’t let vendors take you for granted. Sometimes, all it takes is mentioning the right competitor to turn the tables.
And thanks to Sridhar Vembu’s sharp wit, more businesses are now thinking twice before accepting hefty price increases without pushing back.
