HubSpot CRM vs Freshsales

A detailed comparison of HubSpot CRM and Freshsales — features, pricing, pros & cons, and which one is right for you.

Last updated: April 3, 2026

💡

TL;DR

HubSpot CRM edges ahead in 2 of 5 categories, especially in feature depth and scalability. But Freshsales fights back — your choice depends on what matters most to your workflow.

🎯 Quick Pick Quiz

Answer 4quick questions and we'll recommend the best fit for you

How big is your team?

Question 1 of 4

Option A
HubSpot CRM logo

HubSpot CRM

3.9/5
🔵 Ease of Use🔵 Feature Depth🔵 Value for Money🔵 Scalability🔵 Learning Curve
✓ Free Plan Available

Popular CRM with a generous free tier and tightly integrated marketing, sales, and service hubs. Known for ease of use and inbound methodology.

Pricing: Free CRM, $20/user/mo (Starter), $100/user/mo (Professional), $150/user/mo (Enterprise)
Free plan: Yes
Best for: Growing businesses wanting a free CRM with seamless marketing and sales alignment
Founded: 2006
Visit HubSpot CRM
Option B
Freshsales logo

Freshsales

3.6/5
🔵 Ease of Use🟡 Feature Depth🔵 Value for Money🟡 Scalability🔵 Learning Curve
✓ Free Plan Available

AI-powered CRM from Freshworks with built-in phone, email, and chat. Offers a clean interface with strong lead management capabilities.

Pricing: Free (up to 3 users), $9/user/mo (Growth), $39/user/mo (Pro), $59/user/mo (Enterprise)
Free plan: Yes
Best for: Small to mid-size sales teams wanting an affordable CRM with built-in communication tools
Founded: 2016
Visit Freshsales

🥊 Head to Head

Tale of the tape — how they stack up across 5 key dimensions

HubSpot CRM logoHubSpot CRM
VS
FreshsalesFreshsales logo
Ease of Use
8·8
Feature Depth(HubSpot CRM wins)
8·6
Value for Money(Freshsales wins)
7·8
Scalability(HubSpot CRM wins)
8·6
Learning Curve
8·8

🏆HubSpot CRM wins 2 of 5 categories

Feature Comparison

FeatureHubSpot CRMFreshsales
Contact Management
Pipeline Management
Email Tracking
Workflow AutomationAdvancedStandard
Reporting AnalyticsAdvancedStandard
API
Mobile App
AI Features
Lead Scoring
Custom Fields
Integrations1500+300+
Free Tier

Vibe Check

What's it actually like to use these tools day-to-day?

HubSpot CRM

HubSpot is the CRM that actually wants you to succeed. The free plan is genuinely useful, the interface is friendly, and the educational content is top-tier. It's like having a CRM with a built-in business coach. The catch? Once you're hooked, upgrading gets pricey fast.

Best Free CRMEasiest to Start

Freshsales

Freshsales is the CRM that comes with batteries included — phone, email, chat, all baked in. It feels modern and clean without being overwhelming. It's ideal if you want to get a small sales team up and running quickly without stitching together five different tools.

Best Built-in CommsBest for Small Teams

Pros & Cons

HubSpot CRM

✓ Pros
  • Excellent free tier with generous limits
  • Intuitive, easy-to-learn interface
  • Tight marketing and sales integration
  • Great onboarding and education resources
  • Strong automation workflows
✗ Cons
  • Gets expensive as you scale up
  • Some features locked behind bundles
  • Customization limited vs Salesforce
  • Contracts can be inflexible

Freshsales

✓ Pros
  • Built-in phone, email, and chat
  • Clean, modern interface
  • AI-powered lead scoring (Freddy)
  • Affordable pricing tiers
  • Easy to get started
✗ Cons
  • Smaller ecosystem than Salesforce/HubSpot
  • Advanced reporting needs higher plans
  • Limited third-party integrations
  • Workflow automation could be deeper

🔄 Switching Difficulty

Already using one? Here's what to expect if you switch.

🟡HubSpot CRMFreshsales: Moderate

Expect some manual work — certain configurations and integrations will need to be rebuilt.

🟢FreshsalesHubSpot CRM: Easy

Straightforward migration — most data can be exported/imported with minimal fuss.

🏆

The Verdict: HubSpot CRM or Freshsales?

Choose HubSpot CRM if…

you prioritize growing businesses wanting a free crm with seamless marketing and sales alignment.

Choose Freshsales if…

you prioritize small to mid-size sales teams wanting an affordable crm with built-in communication tools.

Both tools offer free plans — we recommend trying both before committing. The best choice depends on your team size, workflow complexity, and specific needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HubSpot CRM better than Freshsales?

It depends on your needs. HubSpot CRM is best for growing businesses wanting a free crm with seamless marketing and sales alignment, while Freshsales excels at small to mid-size sales teams wanting an affordable crm with built-in communication tools. Both have free plans you can try.

Can I switch from HubSpot CRM to Freshsales?

Yes, most crm tools offer data migration or import features. Freshsales can typically import data from HubSpot CRM via export or direct integration. Plan for a transition period as your team adapts to the new workflow.

Which is cheaper, HubSpot CRM or Freshsales?

HubSpot CRM pricing starts at Free CRM. Freshsales pricing starts at Free (up to 3 users). Both offer free tiers — compare features at each price point to find the best value.

Do HubSpot CRM and Freshsales have free plans?

HubSpot CRM offers a free plan. Freshsales offers a free plan.