Freshsales vs HubSpot
Last updated: 2026-08-18
Affordable CRM vs free CRM — which is better for small sales teams? — pricing, features, and our verdict.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | popular Freshsales | best HubSpot |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | See website | $0/mo (Free CRM) |
| Free trial | Check website | Free CRM forever (limited features) |
| Best for | Various use cases | Growing businesses needing sales + marketing in one |
| Pricing | See website | — |
| Free plan | Check website | Free CRM (1,000 contacts, basic features) |
| Starting paid price | — | $20/mo (Starter), $890/mo (Professional) |
| CRM | — | Built-in (free tier available) |
| Email marketing | — | Marketing Hub |
| Marketing automation | — | Professional plan+ |
| Sales pipeline | — | ✓ |
| Live chat | — | Free tier available |
| API access | — | ✓ |
| Integrations | — | 1,500+ apps |
| Support | — | Email + chat + phone (plan dependent) |
Freshsales Pros & Cons
Pros
- Good feature set
- Active user community
- Regular updates
Cons
- Learning curve required
- Some limitations on lower tiers
HubSpot Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free CRM forever — contacts, deals, tasks, email tracking
- All-in-one platform — marketing, sales, service in one system
- Excellent onboarding and educational resources (HubSpot Academy)
- Strong automation capabilities on higher tiers
- Large integration ecosystem (1,500+ apps)
- Best-in-class inbound marketing tools
Cons
- Expensive at scale — Marketing Hub Professional starts at $890/mo
- Free CRM has limited contacts (1,000) and minimal automation
- Each hub (Marketing, Sales, Service) priced separately
- Onboarding fees for enterprise plans ($3,000+)
- Custom reporting requires expensive plans
Final Verdict
Both Freshsales and HubSpot are solid choices in the CRM space. The right pick depends on your budget, team size, and specific feature needs. We recommend trying both via their free plans or trials before committing.
Our pick: HubSpot
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for small businesses: Freshsales or HubSpot?
For small businesses, the better choice depends on your budget and specific needs. HubSpot generally offers better value for money, while Freshsales has more advanced features for growing teams.
Do Freshsales and HubSpot offer free trials?
Yes, both platforms offer ways to try before buying. Freshsales offers a trial, and Free CRM forever (limited features) also offers a trial. We recommend trying both before committing.
Can I switch from Freshsales to HubSpot (or vice versa)?
Yes, most platforms offer data export tools. Contact lists, settings, and historical data can usually be migrated, though some manual setup will be required. Check each platform's migration documentation before switching.
Ready to try?
Start with a free trial and see which tool fits your workflow.