HubSpot alternatives: A data-backed comparison
Explore comprehensive data on top CRM platforms to find the best HubSpot alternatives tailored to your business needs.
Best HubSpot alternatives in 2025
Zoho CRM
Best for: Small and medium-sized businesses that need comprehensive CRM functionality and sales automation without the high costs of enterprise-level solutions.
- Comprehensive sales automation and pipeline management.
- AI-powered sales assistant for predictive insights.
- Extensive third-party integrations and customization.
- Scalable plans for growing teams.
- User-friendly interface and mobile apps.
- Advanced features come at higher price tiers.
- Support quality varies depending on the plan.
- Limited out-of-the-box industry-specific templates.
- Steeper learning curve for complex customizations.
- Some reporting features require additional configuration.
Close
Best for: Micro businesses that need streamlined sales CRM and calling functionality without the complexity of enterprise-level systems.
- Built-in calling and SMS with logging and automation.
- Visual sales pipeline for deal tracking.
- Automated personalized email sequences.
- AI-powered lead prioritization and next step suggestions.
- Activity tracking and detailed reporting.
- Limited marketing automation features.
- Lacks customer support and service modules.
- May not scale well for enterprise-level customization.
- Pricing can be high for small teams with multiple users.
Freshworks
Best for: Mid-market and enterprise businesses that need comprehensive customer experience and business software suites without the complexity of custom enterprise solutions.
- Intuitive interface with minimal learning curve.
- AI-powered lead scoring and sales automation.
- Supports multiple communication channels in one platform.
- Detailed analytics for pipeline and performance tracking.
- Limited deep customization for complex workflows.
- Some advanced features locked behind higher-tier plans.
- May lack specialized industry modules for niche markets.
- Reporting can be basic compared to specialized BI tools.
Pipedrive
Best for: Micro businesses that need intuitive sales pipeline management and CRM functionality without the complexity of enterprise-level solutions.
- Intuitive, visual pipeline management.
- Task and activity automation keep sales reps organized.
- AI-powered assistant provides actionable sales insights.
- Seamless email integration with CRM data.
- Customizable reports and dashboards.
- Limited marketing automation capabilities.
- Not ideal for enterprises needing comprehensive CRM features.
- Some advanced customizations require higher-tier plans.
- Reporting can be basic compared to specialized analytics tools.
- Lacks built-in customer service management features.
Intercom
Best for: Micro businesses that need customer messaging and support tools without the complexity of enterprise-level communication platforms.
- Combines live chat, email, and bots in one platform.
- AI-driven automation reduces support workload.
- Centralized customer data for personalized messaging.
- Supports multi-channel engagement and campaigns.
- Intuitive interface with strong analytics.
- Pricing can be high for small businesses.
- Some features require advanced setup and customization.
- Limited offline support capabilities.
- Not a full CRM or sales management tool.
Criteria for evaluating HubSpot alternatives
Selecting the right CRM tool requires careful evaluation beyond basic features or pricing. By establishing clear criteria aligned with your business goals, you can systematically compare options and identify the solution that best addresses your needs.
Core functionality
Your CRM needs to support key activities, lead capture, pipeline tracking, deal management, and reporting. HubSpot alternatives vary widely here. Some prioritise marketing tools, others focus on sales operations.
Think about what your team does daily: do they need email workflows, task automation, custom fields, or advanced reporting? A tool should cover these without forcing workarounds. Also look at mobile access, permissions, and data views.
Functionality should improve output, not slow it down. Skip platforms that feel bloated or over-engineered. What matters most is how smoothly the tool fits into your existing sales or marketing workflows.
User experience and support
Usability often matters more than features. A tool that’s hard to navigate won’t get adopted—especially by fast-moving teams. Look for clean interfaces, logical navigation, and helpful tooltips.
Onboarding should be fast, with enough guidance to help teams go live quickly. Don’t overlook support: check what’s included at each pricing tier. Is it just email support? Or live chat and account management?
Response times and resolution quality matter when you hit issues. Also consider documentation, training videos, and the presence of an active user community. These all reduce friction, especially if your team isn’t very technical.
Integration capabilities
Your CRM doesn’t work in a vacuum. It needs to connect with the rest of your stack—email tools, analytics platforms, calendars, and internal systems. Check what native integrations are offered. If your tools aren’t covered, see if the platform has open APIs or a Zapier connection. Sync depth also matters—does it support real-time updates, or are there delays?
Can you map custom fields across tools? Look for bi-directional syncs and robust webhooks. Integrations are often where tools fall short, leading to duplicate data or missed updates. The fewer manual workarounds you need, the better the long-term experience.
Value for money
HubSpot starts cheap but gets expensive fast. Many alternatives offer flatter pricing or more flexibility. Review how pricing tiers scale—are core features locked behind higher plans? Watch for contact limits, user caps, or feature gating.
Estimate your total cost of ownership, not just monthly fees. That includes onboarding time, support costs, or paid add-ons. Some platforms price by feature modules, which can be more cost-effective. Others bundle aggressively and make you pay for tools you won’t use. Pick a model that aligns with your growth plans, not just your current size. Avoid pricing that punishes success.
Industry-specific requirements
Some industries need more than generic CRM features. If you’re in healthcare, real estate, or SaaS, check if the platform offers templates, compliance support, or prebuilt integrations tailored to your space. For example, a real estate team might need lead routing and deal stages specific to property sales.
A SaaS business may want billing integrations and MRR tracking. Industry-focused tools save time during setup and reduce customisation work. Generic CRMs can work—but only if they’re flexible enough to adapt. Ask vendors if they serve companies like yours and how those teams typically configure the system.
How to choose the right alternative
Selecting the best HubSpot alternative involves systematically evaluating options against your specific requirements. Follow these steps to make an informed decision that aligns with your marketing goals and operational needs.
Assess your team's requirements
- Core use cases (sales, marketing, service)
- Existing tools and workflows
- User skill levels and training needs
- Must-have integrations
- Data structure and reporting expectations
Test drive before committing
- Run a 14–30 day trial with real data
- Rebuild key workflows to test ease of use
- Involve multiple roles (sales, marketing, support)
- Log any limitations or clunky UX
- Compare support responsiveness during trial
Evaluate long-term fit
- Platform scalability with team and contact growth
- Frequency of product updates
- Vendor roadmap visibility
- Contract flexibility and exit options
- Community, extensions, and ecosystem health
Consider support and training resources
- Availability of onboarding or success managers
- Access to up-to-date documentation and tutorials
- Responsiveness and quality of support
- Community forums or peer groups
- Training for admins and end users