Top Hubspot alternatives that you should try
What are the best HubSpot alternatives?
The best HubSpot alternatives are cheaper or more focused CRM and marketing tools such as ActiveCampaign, Pipedrive, Brevo, and EngageBay, which suit smaller teams and tighter budgets.
- Many cost far less than HubSpot’s paid plans.
- Some focus on one job, like email or sales.
- Most offer a free plan or a free trial.
List of Hubspot alternatives that you should try
When it comes to sales and marketing, HubSpot is one of the most popular platforms around.
It has grown fast. HubSpot passed 100,000 users some years ago, and it now serves close to 300,000 customers worldwide. So it holds a large share of the CRM market. HubSpot is best known for how it streamlines work through its customer relationship management (CRM) platform.
However, its cost can feel high for growing teams on a budget. The good news is that there are strong alternatives. So you can try cheaper, more flexible, or simpler tools instead.
We have carefully picked a set of top HubSpot alternatives, mainly in the marketing automation space.
Pros and cons of using Hubspot
HubSpot is a leading sales, marketing, and CRM tool used by firms worldwide. It ties your sales and marketing into one system. So your workflows run more smoothly. Among similar CRM tools, HubSpot is one of the easiest to start with, since you can use it for free. Still, it has flaws that may put you off.
Before you choose HubSpot, look at its benefits and drawbacks below.
Pros
User-friendly interface
HubSpot is not complex, unlike many all-in-one tools. So it keeps a clean, easy interface. As a result, it suits small teams new to sales and marketing automation.
Extensive resource library
The platform also offers lots of learning content. For example, Hubspot Academy shares articles, videos, and courses. These cover topics like lead generation and search engine optimization (SEO).
Wide integration
HubSpot also lets you connect your existing tools through its App Marketplace. So you can find and turn on integrations fast. As a result, your apps work together with little setup.
Cons
Expensive to upgrade
Upgrades to the HubSpot Marketing Hub or CRM can get costly. HubSpot offers only basic features in its free version. Its paid plans now start at around US$20 per month for a small contact list. Still, each hub has its own pricing. So buying several hubs adds up fast. There can be onboarding fees too. If you only need one job done, see how firms compare it with an email marketing outsourcing partner.
Forces an “integrated” platform
Some users say HubSpot is hard to use as a single-purpose tool. App integration helps many customers. However, others do not want that feature.
Limited reporting
HubSpot gives only a broad report on some stats. Some users say it is less detailed than rivals. For example, it may miss patterns in how customers move through a site. Teams that track more digital marketing KPIs may want deeper data.
What the top Hubspot alternatives offer
HubSpot is not the only option for your needs. Many alternatives offer broader or more focused tools. So besides price, some of them do better on the points below.
Generating reports
In HubSpot, you often need a reporting add-on for custom reports. Meanwhile, most alternatives include this in their plans. In fact, some offer it even on free accounts.
Customized automation
HubSpot can make dashboard templates hard to customize at first. By contrast, rivals offer better dashboard control. So you can put the metric you care about front and center. As a result, custom automation helps sales teams work faster.
Specialized feature
You do not have to rely on HubSpot alone. Instead, you can mix tools to fit your needs. For example, you might pick one tool for email and another for social media or lead generation software. So focused features make your whole stack work better.
Top Hubspot alternatives you should try
If you need a cheaper, more focused, or just a better HubSpot alternative, here are some options. Prices below are entry-level rates and can change, so confirm the current figure on each vendor’s site.
1. ActiveCampaign
- Price: Starter plan from about US$15 per month (billed annually)
- Free trial? Yes
- Opt out anytime? Yes
ActiveCampaign offers strong email marketing, automation, and CRM tools at a fair price. One highlight is its automation feature. So you can build and automate campaigns through a flowchart-style editor. Used by thousands worldwide, it fits eCommerce teams that want closer customer ties.
2. PipeDrive
- Price: Entry plan from about US$14 per user per month (billed annually)
- Free trial? Yes
- Opt out anytime? Yes
PipeDrive calls itself “the first CRM designed by salespeople, for salespeople.” So it suits new and growing teams that want to automate sales. Compared with HubSpot, it offers fair prices for near-equal features. You can add deals, shape your sales funnel, and set up custom fields. In addition, reports are easier here, with no extra fees.
3. Drip
- Price: From US$39 per month (for up to 2,500 contacts)
- Free trial? Yes
- Opt out anytime? Yes
Drip works best for eCommerce firms. So it is a solid tool for automated marketing and shopper insights. Businesses use Drip for email campaigns. It helps you build automations, store contacts in an eCommerce CRM, and sort contacts by traits. However, unlike HubSpot, Drip does not offer design testing features.
4. Freshsales
- Price: Free plan available; paid plans scale by features and users
- Free trial? Free account
- Opt out anytime? Yes
Freshsales is a great sales and marketing CRM, especially for small firms. It is also a cheaper HubSpot option when you need more features. So you get many customization choices and an easy interface. The free account skips report generation. Still, upgrading to a paid plan is simple. You can pick the sales CRM option or the all-in-one Freshsales Suite.
5. GetResponse
- Price: Starter plan from about US$19 per month
- Free trial? Free account
- Opt out anytime? Yes
GetResponse is a simple tool for email campaigns, landing pages, and automation. In addition, teams use it for webinars and event streaming. So you get URL personalization, site encryption, and live event recording. As a result, it suits eCommerce firms that use webinars and email for lead generation.
6. EngageBay
- Price: Free plan for up to 15 users; paid plans from about US$15 per user per month
- Free trial? Free account
- Opt out anytime? Yes
If you want an all-in-one suite cheaper than HubSpot, EngageBay is a strong pick. It lets teams open a free account for up to 15 users. So you can test it at no cost. Paid upgrades then add marketing, sales, and CRM features. As a result, it fits teams that want to dip into automation first.
7. Sendinblue
- Price: Free plan available; paid plans from about US$9 per month, priced by email volume
- Free trial? Free account
- Opt out anytime? Yes
Sendinblue is now called Brevo, after a rebrand in 2023. It promises faster growth through all-in-one marketing. So firms use it for chat, email, and SMS. It is best known for its live chat feature. In addition, clients can add a support agent or chatbot to answer prompts. The platform is also strong on email, with templates for dynamic campaigns.
8. Ontraport
- Price: Plus plan from about US$83 per month (billed annually)
- Free trial? Yes
- Opt out anytime? Yes
Ontraport is a go-to for CRM and landing page design in small and medium firms. It organizes contacts and leads in a business-card style. At the same time, it gives you full tools for landing pages. For example, you get lightboxes, A/B testing, and upsells. As a result, eCommerce sites use it for marketing and payments.
9. Wishpond
- Price: Plans start at roughly US$199 per month; pricing is plan-based, so confirm the current rate
- Free trial? Yes
- Opt out anytime? Yes
Wishpond offers premium automation like HubSpot, but at a different price point. So it is a reliable all-in-one sales and marketing option. For example, its drag-and-drop editor makes email campaigns easy to build. As a result, teams can launch campaigns fast.
10. Aritic
- Price: Aritic PinPoint from about US$79 per month per 1,000 contacts
- Free trial? Yes
- Opt out anytime? Yes
Finally, Aritic offers a wide range of marketing, sales, and support tools. So it fits firms of all sizes and industries. Its services split into three parts: PinPoint, Sales, and Desk. Each one aims to improve customer ties. For example, you get prebuilt workflows, unified data, and activity records.
Choosing a Hubspot alternative to try for your business
HubSpot suits medium to large firms that want to use its full feature set. Still, startups and small teams can use it too, as long as they know its limits. However, if you want the best tool without hurting your budget, try one of the alternatives above. So weigh the points below before you decide.
- Goals. First, think about what you want to achieve. Then check how a tool can help you get there.
- Functions. Some HubSpot features may not fit your work. So look for an alternative that matches your real needs.
- Capacity. Some tools hold more contacts and storage than HubSpot. As a result, they can make your network easier to manage.
In the end, pick a tool that streamlines campaigns and boosts lead generation. It also helps to choose one with strong sales forecasting tools to guide your decisions. Once you know what to look for, the right alternative will be simple to manage.
Frequently asked questions about HubSpot alternatives
Why look for a HubSpot alternative?
Many teams find HubSpot pricey as they scale. So they seek cheaper or more focused tools. As a result, an alternative can save money and still cover the core jobs.
Which HubSpot alternative is cheapest?
Low-cost picks include EngageBay and Brevo, both with free plans. Pipedrive and ActiveCampaign also start low. Still, your final cost depends on contacts and features.
Is there a free HubSpot alternative?
Yes, several tools offer free plans. For example, EngageBay, Freshsales, GetResponse, and Brevo all have free tiers. So you can test them before you pay.
What happened to Sendinblue?
Sendinblue rebranded to Brevo in 2023. The tools and features stayed the same. So you may still see the old name in some places.
Can I switch from HubSpot to another tool easily?
Most tools let you import contacts and data. So a move is usually smooth. Still, plan the switch and test your workflows first.
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