Compare HubSpot vs Salesforce CRM side-by-side. Pricing, features, pros & cons. Expert analysis to help you choose the right CRM for your business.
Choose HubSpot if you want ease of use, faster setup, and tight marketing integration.
Choose Salesforce if you need deep customization, advanced features, and have dedicated admins.
| Feature | HubSpot CRM | Salesforce Sales Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price |
$0/month Free tier
|
$25/user/month Essentials plan
|
| Free tier available |
✓
|
✗
|
| Ease of use |
9/10 Intuitive UI
|
6/10 Steep learning curve
|
| Setup time |
Hours
|
Weeks
|
| Customization depth |
7/10 Good
|
10/10 Unmatched
|
| Email integration |
✓
Excellent
|
✓
Good
|
| Automation & workflows |
✓
Strong
|
✓
Advanced
|
| Reporting & analytics |
✓
Good
|
✓
Advanced
|
| Mobile apps |
✓
iOS, Android
|
✓
iOS, Android
|
| Third-party integrations |
1,000+ App Marketplace
|
5,000+ AppExchange
|
| AI capabilities |
✓
ChatSpot, predictive scoring
|
✓
Einstein AI
|
| Customer support |
Email, chat (paid plans)
|
24/7 phone & email
|
Both are excellent CRMs, but serve different needs. HubSpot wins on ease of use, speed to value, and cost-effectiveness for SMBs. Salesforce wins on customization, scalability, and advanced features for enterprises. For most growing businesses, we recommend starting with HubSpot and migrating to Salesforce only if you outgrow it.
Yes. Both platforms offer data export and import tools. You can export contacts, deals, and activities from HubSpot and import them into Salesforce. The migration process typically takes 1-2 weeks depending on data complexity. Many companies use migration tools or hire consultants to ensure data integrity.
HubSpot has superior email integration out of the box. It offers seamless Gmail and Outlook sync, real-time open and click tracking, and easy-to-use templates. Salesforce requires add-ons (like Salesforce Inbox) or third-party tools for comparable email functionality. For sales teams heavily reliant on email, HubSpot is the better choice.
It depends on your needs. Salesforce justifies its cost for mid-market and enterprise companies that need extensive customization, industry-specific features, and advanced analytics. For startups and SMBs with straightforward sales processes, HubSpot offers better value. Factor in implementation costs— Salesforce often requires consultants ($10K-$50K+), while HubSpot can be self-implemented.
Yes. Some companies use HubSpot for marketing automation and Salesforce for sales CRM, syncing data between them via HubSpot's Salesforce integration. However, this adds complexity and potential for data conflicts. We recommend picking one as your primary system rather than maintaining both long-term.
Explore detailed reviews and pricing for both platforms