The 10 Best HubSpot Alternatives That’ll Actually Save You Money in 2025

I’ve been helping businesses pick CRMs for the past five years, and lately, I keep having the same conversation. It goes something like this: “We love HubSpot, but holy crap, did you see what they want to charge us now?”

Just last month, I watched three of my clients get hit with HubSpot’s latest pricing structure. One of them – a growing marketing agency with 20 employees – went from paying $200/month to getting quoted $890/month for basic marketing automation. That’s not growth pricing, that’s highway robbery.

Here’s what really pisses me off about HubSpot: they built their reputation by being the affordable, user-friendly option for small businesses. Now they’re pricing out the exact companies that made them successful in the first place. My buddy Sarah runs a 15-person marketing agency and HubSpot wanted to charge her $2,400/month for features she was getting elsewhere for $200.

Look, I’m not going to sugarcoat this – HubSpot isn’t terrible. It’s actually pretty solid. But they’ve gotten too big for their britches, and their pricing reflects that. The good news? There are alternatives that work just as well (sometimes better) for a fraction of the cost.

Table of Contents

• TL;DR: Quick Comparison Overview
• Comparison Table
• What You Should Actually Care About
• ActiveCampaign – Best for Marketing Automation
• Salesforce – Best for Enterprise-Level Customization
• Pipedrive – Best for Sales-Focused Teams
• Zoho CRM – Best Budget-Friendly Option with AI
• EngageBay – Best Free All-in-One Alternative
• Freshsales – Best for SMB Sales Management
• Brevo – Best for Email Marketing & CRM
• Mailchimp – Best for Simple Email Marketing
• Keap – Best for Small Business Automation
• Zendesk – Best for Customer Service Integration
• Notable Mentions
• FAQ
• Final Thoughts

TL;DR: Quick Comparison Overview

Busy decision-makers need the straight truth about hubspot alternatives without the marketing fluff. Here’s what actually matters about each platform.

ActiveCampaign ($15/month) makes HubSpot’s starter automation look like a toy. The workflow builder is incredibly powerful, but fair warning – it gets complex fast. I’ve seen teams take weeks to master it, but once they do, they’re automating stuff HubSpot charges $890/month for.

Salesforce ($25/month) is what HubSpot wishes it could be when it grows up. It’s incredibly powerful but also incredibly complicated. Don’t expect to master this in a weekend – I’ve seen companies take 6 months just to get comfortable with it.

Pipedrive ($14/month) does one thing really well – visual sales pipelines. If your team is sales-focused and doesn’t need fancy marketing automation, this is your answer. The interface is clean and intuitive, though some old-school sales reps hate change.

Zoho CRM (Free for 3 users) sounds amazing on paper with its generous free plan. In reality, three of my clients outgrew it faster than they expected. The AI features are solid though, and you can’t beat free.

EngageBay (Free plan) gives you everything in one platform, which is great until you realize you’re stuck with their way of doing things. The free plan is genuinely useful, but don’t build your business around it – they’ll pull the rug out eventually.

Freshsales ($9/month) is the most balanced option I’ve seen. Good CRM, decent automation, fair pricing. Not the best at anything specific, but solid across the board.

Brevo ($39/month) revolutionizes pricing by charging for emails sent instead of contacts stored. If you have a huge list but send infrequently, this could save you thousands.

Mailchimp ($13/month) is still the easiest email platform to use, but their CRM features are basically an afterthought. Great for newsletters, terrible for sales pipelines.

Keap ($249/month) is comprehensive but expensive. They position themselves as the “#1 HubSpot alternative,” which is marketing BS, but the automation is genuinely powerful for small businesses.

Zendesk ($19/month) approaches CRM from a support angle. If customer service drives your business, nothing else comes close. For everything else, it’s overkill.

Comparison Table

Platform	Starting Price	Free Plan	Best For	CRM Features	Marketing Automation	Key Strength
ActiveCampaign	$15/month	No	Marketing Automation	Pretty solid	Best in class	Advanced workflows
Salesforce	$25/month	No	Enterprise Customization	Industry standard	Powerful but complex	Unlimited customization
Pipedrive	$14/month	No	Sales Teams	Excellent	Basic at best	Visual pipeline
Zoho CRM	$14/month	Yes (3 users)	Budget-Conscious	Good enough	Decent	AI assistant Zia
EngageBay	$12.74/month	Yes (250 contacts)	All-in-One	Does the job	Surprisingly good	Complete platform
Freshsales	$9/month	Yes	SMB Sales	Solid	Basic but functional	Communication integration
Brevo	$39/month	Yes	Email Marketing	Meh	Strong for emails	Email-based pricing
Mailchimp	$13/month	Yes (500 contacts)	Simple Email	Terrible	Good for basics	Design tools
Keap	$249/month	No	Small Business	Comprehensive	Excellent	Process automation
Zendesk	$19/month	No	Customer Service	Basic	Not really	Support integration

What You Should Actually Care About

Forget the marketing buzzwords. When you’re evaluating hubspot alternatives, here’s what actually matters for your business and your sanity.

Pricing That Won’t Screw You Later – This is huge. That $15/month turns into $150 pretty quick once you add the features you actually need. Look for transparent pricing that doesn’t penalize growth with ridiculous jumps.

CRM Stuff That Actually Works – Contact management, deal tracking, interaction history. Sounds boring, but if this breaks, everything else is useless. Don’t get distracted by fancy features if the basics don’t work.

Marketing Automation That Doesn’t Suck – Email sequences, behavioral triggers, segmentation. The difference between good and bad automation is the difference between feeling like a pro and wanting to throw your laptop out the window.

Integrations That Don’t Break Everything – Your email platform, analytics tools, payment processors need to talk to each other. “Easy integration” usually means “it works 80% of the time and you’ll spend weekends fixing the other 20%.”

AI That’s Actually Useful – Most AI features are marketing fluff. The good ones predict what you need to know and automate stuff you hate doing. The bad ones generate generic content nobody wants to read.

Learning Curve Reality Check – Some platforms look simple in demos and turn into nightmares when you’re training your team. Others look complex but become intuitive once you get the hang of them.

ActiveCampaign – Best for Marketing Automation

Why It’s Actually Good

ActiveCampaign makes HubSpot’s automation look primitive, and I’m not exaggerating. The visual workflow builder is incredibly powerful – almost too powerful. I’ve watched marketing teams build automated sequences that would take HubSpot’s enterprise plan to match.

The platform connects email marketing, CRM, and automation in a way that actually makes sense. You’re not fighting the system to get different parts to work together. But here’s the thing – it gets complex fast. Don’t expect your intern to figure this out over lunch.

What It Actually Does

ActiveCampaign’s feature set is genuinely impressive:

• Drag-and-drop automation builder that doesn’t require a computer science degree
• Behavioral trigger campaigns that actually respond to what people do (not just what you hope they’ll do)
• Customer segmentation using way more data points than you probably need
• Built-in CRM that doesn’t feel like an afterthought
• A/B testing that’s actually useful for optimization
• Predictive sending using AI to figure out when people check email
• Site tracking that monitors what visitors do on your website

The Good Stuff

The automation capabilities are legitimately better than HubSpot’s $890/month marketing tier, and you’re paying $15/month. That’s not marketing hype – I’ve done direct comparisons.

Email deliverability is consistently solid. Your carefully crafted campaigns actually reach inboxes instead of spam folders. The visual workflow editor makes complex automation accessible to normal humans.

Ecommerce integrations with Shopify and WooCommerce actually work without constant babysitting. Customer data syncs properly and behavioral triggers fire when they’re supposed to.

The Annoying Parts

No free plan, which sucks when you’re testing multiple options. The extensive capabilities can overwhelm beginners who just want to send newsletters without feeling stupid.

The dashboard gets cluttered when you’re managing multiple campaigns. Some users complain about the interface feeling busy, and they’re not wrong.

Reality Check

• Pricing: Starts fair and scales reasonably – no surprise budget killers
• CRM: Solid contact management integrated with marketing tools
• Marketing Automation: Best in class, hands down
• Integrations: 900+ connections that mostly work as advertised
• AI Features: Predictive sending actually improves performance

What Real Users Say

Marketing teams consistently report 40-60% time savings after switching from HubSpot’s basic plans. The learning curve is manageable – most teams get comfortable within 2-3 weeks.

I’ve seen teams love the automation power but get frustrated with the interface complexity. It’s powerful, not pretty.

Source: G2 Reviews, Capterra User Feedback, Expert Platform Comparisons

Pricing

$15/month gets you started with basic automation. $79/month for Pro with full AI features. That’s still cheaper than HubSpot’s marketing automation entry point.

Check out ActiveCampaign – they offer free trials.

Salesforce – Best for Enterprise-Level Customization

The Swiss Army Knife of CRMs

Salesforce is like the Swiss Army knife of CRMs – incredibly powerful, but you might cut yourself if you’re not careful. It’s what HubSpot wishes it could be when it grows up, but it comes with enterprise-level complexity that’ll make your head spin.

The customization options are virtually unlimited. You can modify everything – fields, objects, workflows, the whole nine yards. This flexibility is both Salesforce’s biggest strength and its biggest weakness.

What You’re Getting

Salesforce’s feature ecosystem is massive:

• Sales pipeline management that handles the most complex sales processes
• Advanced reporting that makes data nerds weep with joy
• Einstein AI that actually provides useful predictive insights
• AppExchange marketplace with thousands of add-on apps
• Workflow customization that adapts to literally any business process
• Multi-cloud architecture for sales, marketing, service, and commerce
• Mobile functionality that doesn’t suck

Why It’s Great

The CRM functionality is unmatched. Period. It handles complex sales processes, multiple product lines, and international operations without breaking a sweat.

Einstein AI is genuinely useful, not just marketing fluff. It learns from your data and suggests actual next steps that make sense.

Enterprise support includes dedicated success managers and guaranteed uptime. When you’re paying enterprise prices, you get enterprise treatment.

Why It’s Terrible

The learning curve is brutal – expect 3-6 months for your team to become actually productive. Small businesses often get overwhelme

Why It’s Terrible

The learning curve is brutal – expect 3-6 months for your team to become actually productive. Small businesses often get overwhelmed by the interface and feature overload.

Implementation costs can be huge, especially with customization and data migration. Marketing automation requires separate products, which multiplies your costs.

The interface prioritizes functionality over user experience. It works great once you learn it, but getting there is painful.

Reality Check

• Pricing: Expensive but predictable – you know what enterprise costs
• CRM: Industry standard – nothing comes close for complex needs
• Marketing Automation: Powerful but requires additional products and expertise
• Integrations: Massive AppExchange marketplace covers everything
• AI Features: Einstein is legitimately advanced and useful

What Enterprise Users Say

Large companies consistently rate Salesforce highly for reliability and feature depth. Implementation partners report 25-40% improvements in sales productivity when it’s configured properly.

Small businesses often struggle with the complexity and cost. It’s built for enterprises, not startups.

Source: Gartner Magic Quadrant, Forrester Wave Reports, Enterprise Customer Case Studies

Pricing

Starter Suite at $25/user/month for basic CRM. Pro Suite at $100/user/month includes Einstein AI. Enterprise pricing gets expensive fast but includes everything.

Visit Salesforce for trials and demos.

Pipedrive – Best for Sales-Focused Teams

Visual Pipelines Done Right

Pipedrive does one thing incredibly well – visual sales pipeline management. If your team is sales-focused and doesn’t need fancy marketing automation, this might be your answer. The interface is clean and intuitive, though I’ve seen some old-school sales reps resist the change.

The visual approach transforms complex sales processes into drag-and-drop simplicity. Sales reps can see exactly where each deal stands and what needs to happen next without digging through menus.

What It Does Well

Pipedrive focuses on sales effectiveness:

• Visual drag-and-drop pipeline that makes deal management intuitive
• Customizable sales stages that adapt to your actual sales process
• Activity-based selling that ensures consistent follow-up
• Mobile app with offline access for field sales teams
• AI-powered insights that identify at-risk deals
• Email integration that tracks communication automatically
• Goal tracking that motivates teams with clear metrics

The Good Parts

The interface is extremely user-friendly – new team members become productive within days, not weeks. Sales reps actually enjoy using it, which leads to higher adoption rates.

Mobile functionality rivals desktop capabilities. Field sales teams stay connected during travel and client meetings. Offline access prevents productivity loss in areas with poor connectivity.

Pricing scales predictably with team growth. No surprise budget killers when you cross arbitrary thresholds.

The Frustrating Parts

Marketing automation is basically nonexistent compared to comprehensive alternatives to hubspot. You’ll need additional tools for nurturing campaigns.

Advanced features require add-ons, which increases costs for teams needing comprehensive functionality. No free plan for testing, which is annoying when you’re evaluating multiple options.

Reporting is adequate but lacks the depth that data-driven organizations need for advanced sales analytics.

Reality Check

• Pricing: Straightforward per-user pricing that scales reasonably
• CRM: Excellent visual pipeline management built for sales teams
• Marketing Automation: Terrible – stick to basic email sequences
• Integrations: 400+ connections cover most essential business tools
• AI Features: Basic but helpful for identifying deal risks

What Sales Teams Say

Sales teams consistently praise the visual approach and ease of use. I’ve seen faster deal closure rates and improved team productivity after implementation.

Sales managers love the pipeline visibility and activity tracking. It’s much easier to coach reps when you can see exactly what they’re doing (or not doing).

Source: Sales Team Surveys, CRM Implementation Case Studies, Sales Consultant Recommendations

Pricing

$14/seat/month when billed annually gets you core CRM and mobile access. Higher tiers add automation and advanced reporting at reasonable increases.

Check out Pipedrive for free trials.

Zoho CRM – Best Budget-Friendly Option with AI

Enterprise Features at Startup Prices

Zoho CRM delivers enterprise-level functionality at prices that won’t bankrupt growing businesses. The AI assistant, Zia, provides insights typically reserved for expensive enterprise solutions. But here’s the reality – three of my clients outgrew the free plan faster than they expected.

The generous free tier (up to 3 users) lets small teams test comprehensive CRM features without paying anything. This makes Zoho ideal for testing CRM concepts before scaling up.

What You Actually Get

Zoho packs impressive functionality into affordable pricing:

• Zia AI assistant that provides predictions and automated data entry
• Multiple view options including Kanban, canvas, and traditional layouts
• Workflow automation that handles complex processes without coding
• Comprehensive reporting with customizable dashboards
• Mobile CRM that maintains full functionality on phones
• Social media integration for monitoring customer interactions
• Territory management for geographic or rule-based lead assignment

Why It Works

The free plan genuinely provides value – 3 users get real CRM functionality without time limits or feature restrictions. Perfect for testing whether CRM makes sense for your business.

Zia AI capabilities rival those in much more expensive platforms. The AI learns from your data patterns and provides increasingly accurate predictions.

Interface customization lets teams adapt the platform to their workflows. Multiple view options accommodate different working styles within the same organization.

The Annoying Reality

The interface feels dated compared to modern crm alternative solutions. Navigation can be clunky when managing large datasets.

Learning curve is steeper than simpler alternatives. Teams need time to understand all the customization options. Live support is limited on lower pricing tiers.

Integration setup can be complex for non-technical users, though extensive options are available once configured.

Reality Check

• Pricing: Excellent value with generous free tier and reasonable scaling
• CRM: Comprehensive features with extensive customization options
• Marketing Automation: Basic capabilities suitable for simple campaigns
• Integrations: Strong connections with Zoho suite and third-party apps
• AI Features: Zia provides impressive insights and automation suggestions

What Small Businesses Say

Small business owners consistently praise the value proposition and feature depth. The free plan provides more functionality than some competitors’ paid offerings.

Teams already using other Zoho products find the integration seamless. The platform works particularly well within the broader Zoho ecosystem.

Source: Small Business CRM Reviews, Budget Software Comparisons, Zoho User Community Feedback

Pricing

Free for up to 3 users with full CRM functionality. Paid plans start at $14/user/month, adding advanced automation and analytics.

Try Zoho CRM with immediate free access.

EngageBay – Best Free All-in-One Alternative

Everything in One Place

EngageBay takes a different approach – instead of making you juggle multiple tools, they’ve crammed marketing, sales, and customer service into one platform. The free tier includes features competitors charge hundreds for monthly. But don’t build your business around free plans – they’ll change the terms when it’s inconvenient for you.

This all-in-one approach eliminates integration headaches that plague businesses using multiple point solutions. Your marketing campaigns, sales pipelines, and support tickets share data seamlessly.

What’s Actually Included

EngageBay’s comprehensive platform covers:

• Complete CRM, marketing, and support in one system
• Email marketing automation with behavioral triggers and sequences
• Landing page builder for conversion-optimized pages
• Live chat and helpdesk for customer support
• Social media management for scheduling and monitoring
• Deal pipeline management with customizable sales stages
• Appointment scheduling integrated with CRM records

Why It’s Useful

The free plan is genuinely comprehensive – 250 contacts get marketing automation, CRM functionality, and customer support tools. Most competitors charge $50-100/month for similar features.

Setup is straightforward with most teams productive within their first week. The platform prioritizes usability over complexity.

Affordable paid tiers scale reasonably as contact lists grow. No dramatic price jumps when crossing usage thresholds.

The Reality Check

The 250-contact limit on free plans restricts growing businesses sooner than expected. Interface design lacks the polish of more expensive hubspot alternatives.

Advanced customization is limited compared to specialized platforms. Power users might feel constrained by the simplicity-first approach.

Integration library is smaller than established competitors. Some businesses need additional tools that aren’t supported yet.

Reality Check

• Pricing: Generous free plan with transparent, affordable scaling
• CRM: Complete suite integrated with marketing and support tools
• Marketing Automation: Comprehensive tools rival expensive platforms
• Integrations: Growing library covers essential business tools
• AI Features: Basic functionality with room for improvement

What Small Businesses Say

Small business owners appreciate the all-in-one approach and generous free offering. Users report significant cost savings when consolidating multiple subscriptions.

The learning curve is manageable, though some users wish for more advanced customization options.

Source: Small Business Software Reviews, Startup Tool Comparisons, All-in-One Platform Evaluations

Pricing

Free for up to 250 contacts with full platform access. Paid plans start at $12.74/user/month for unlimited contacts.

Start with EngageBay immediately – no credit card required.

Freshsales – Best for SMB Sales Management

Balanced and Practical

Freshsales combines CRM functionality with built-in calling, email tracking, and AI insights in a package small businesses can actually afford. It’s the most balanced option I’ve seen – not the best at anything specific, but solid across the board.

Freddy AI provides lead scoring and sales insights that help teams prioritize effectively. This AI guidance is particularly valuable for smaller sales teams that can’t afford dedicated analysts.

What It Actually Delivers

Freshsales focuses on practical sales needs:

• Visual sales pipelines with customizable stages and tracking
• Built-in phone and email that automatically logs to contact records
• Freddy AI lead scoring that prioritizes prospects by conversion likelihood
• Automated workflows for routine tasks and follow-up sequences
• Mobile CRM with full smartphone functionality
• Territory management for geographic or rule-based assignments
• Performance reporting with insights into team productivity

The Good Parts

Interface strikes an excellent balance between functionality and simplicity. Sales teams become productive quickly without extensive training.

Built-in communication tools work seamlessly with CRM data. Calls and emails automatically log to contact records, saving time and improving accuracy.

Competitive pricing includes a functional free tier with reasonable scaling costs. Small businesses get enterprise features without enterprise expenses.

The Limitations

Marketing automation remains basic compared to specialized platforms. Teams needing sophisticated nurturing campaigns require additional tools.

Some advanced features are locked to higher pricing tiers, potentially increasing costs for comprehensive functionality.

Reporting is adequate for most businesses but lacks depth for data-intensive organizations needing advanced analytics.

Reality Check

• Pricing: Competitive with functional free tier and reasonable scaling
• CRM: Strong sales-focused features with excellent communication integration
• Marketing Automation: Basic capabilities for simple campaigns
• Integrations: Good third-party connections cover essential tools
• AI Features: Freddy AI provides valuable lead scoring and insights

What SMB Teams Say

Sales teams praise the communication integration and AI insights. Users report improved lead qualification and faster deal closure.

The interface is intuitive enough that new team members become productive within days. Most teams appreciate the balanced feature set.

Source: SMB Sales Team Reviews, CRM Implementation Studies, Sales Productivity Analyses

Pricing

Free plan with basic CRM functionality. Growth plan at $9/user/month includes AI features and advanced automation.

Try Freshsales with free trials available.

Brevo – Best for Email Marketing & CRM

Email-Volume Pricing Changes Everything

Brevo

Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) revolutionizes CRM pricing by focusing on email volume rather than contact counts. If you have a huge list but send emails infrequently, this could save you thousands. The platform excels in email marketing while providing functional CRM capabilities.

This email-centric approach works particularly well for businesses where email marketing drives most customer engagement and revenue.

What’s Actually Included

Brevo’s email-focused platform provides:

• Advanced email marketing automation with sophisticated trigger campaigns
• SMS marketing for multi-channel reach
• Transactional email support for order confirmations and notifications
• Built-in CRM for contact management and basic sales pipelines
• Landing page builder for conversion-optimized pages
• A/B testing tools for email performance optimization
• Real-time analytics for campaign tracking and engagement

Why It’s Different

Email-based pricing is extremely affordable for businesses with large contact databases. You pay for emails sent, not contacts stored, which can result in massive savings.

Automation capabilities rival much more expensive platforms. The workflow builder handles complex email sequences effectively.

Transactional email inclusion eliminates separate services like SendGrid, simplifying your technology stack.

The Downsides

CRM features are basic compared to dedicated platforms. Sales teams needing advanced pipeline management will find functionality insufficient.

Interface design feels dated compared to modern hubspot alternatives. Navigation can be cumbersome when managing multiple campaigns.

Advanced reporting is limited, potentially restricting optimization efforts for sophisticated marketing teams.

Reality Check

• Pricing: Email-based model offers exceptional value for high-volume senders
• CRM: Basic but functional for simple sales processes
• Marketing Automation: Strong email capabilities with multi-channel support
• Integrations: Good options cover most essential marketing tools
• AI Features: Basic email optimization with room for advancement

What Email Marketers Say

Email marketers consistently praise the pricing model and automation capabilities. Users report significant cost savings when migrating from contact-based platforms.

The transactional email functionality works reliably, eliminating the need for separate services.

Source: Email Marketing Platform Reviews, Cost Comparison Studies, Marketing Automation Evaluations

Pricing

Free tier with 300 daily emails and basic features. Paid plans start at $39/month based on email volume, not contacts.

Start with Brevo immediately with free account setup.

Mailchimp – Best for Simple Email Marketing

Still the Easiest to Use

Mailchimp built its reputation on making email marketing accessible to everyone, regardless of technical expertise. The drag-and-drop email builder and template library enable beautiful campaigns without design skills. But their CRM features are basically an afterthought.

While Mailchimp has expanded into CRM territory, its strength remains straightforward email marketing with excellent deliverability and user-friendly automation.

What You Get

Mailchimp’s email-focused platform includes:

• Intuitive email builder with drag-and-drop and professional templates
• Marketing automation for basic nurturing sequences and behavioral triggers
• Audience segmentation based on behavior and demographics
• Landing page creation without coding knowledge required
• Basic CRM functionality for contact management and interaction tracking
• Social media advertising for Facebook and Instagram campaigns
• E-commerce integration for automated product recommendations

Why People Love It

Ease of use is unmatched – new users create professional campaigns within minutes. The learning curve is virtually nonexistent.

Email design capabilities are excellent with a vast template library and intuitive customization. Campaigns look professional regardless of design experience.

Generous free plan supports 500 contacts with basic automation, perfect for testing email marketing concepts.

Why It’s Limited

CRM functionality is extremely limited compared to dedicated platforms. Sales teams need additional tools for pipeline management.

Pricing increases quickly as contact lists grow, potentially making Mailchimp expensive for larger databases.

Reporting is basic compared to specialized email platforms, limiting optimization opportunities for data-driven marketers.

Reality Check

• Pricing: Transparent contact-based pricing with generous free tier
• CRM: Terrible – basic contact management only
• Marketing Automation: Good for email basics with simple workflows
• Integrations: Wide range covers most essential business tools
• AI Features: Basic recommendations for send times and content optimization

What Small Businesses Say

Small business owners appreciate Mailchimp’s simplicity and design capabilities. Users consistently praise ease of use and professional templates.

Teams focused primarily on email marketing find it perfect. Those needing CRM functionality get frustrated quickly.

Source: Small Business Email Marketing Reviews, Design Tool Comparisons, User Experience Studies

Pricing

Free for 500 contacts with basic features. Paid plans start at $13/month, adding advanced automation and reporting.

Try Mailchimp with their free tier.

Keap – Best for Small Business Automation

Comprehensive but Expensive

Keap positions itself as the “#1 HubSpot alternative” (which is marketing BS), but the automation is genuinely powerful for small businesses. The platform combines CRM, marketing automation, e-commerce, and payment processing into one system designed for growing companies.

This all-in-one approach eliminates vendor management complexity while providing sophisticated automation that rivals enterprise solutions. But that $249/month minimum is steep for very small businesses.

What’s Actually Included

Keap’s small business platform provides:

• Advanced marketing automation with visual campaign builders and behavioral triggers
• E-commerce integration for online sales, inventory, and order management
• Appointment scheduling with automatic confirmations and reminders
• Payment processing for credit cards and recurring billing
• Customer lifecycle management from lead to loyal customer
• Mobile app with full functionality on smartphones
• Advanced reporting for sales, marketing, and business performance

Why It Works

Comprehensive automation features rival enterprise platforms while remaining accessible to small business teams. The visual campaign builder makes complex workflows manageable.

Built-in payment processing eliminates separate merchant accounts and simplifies revenue tracking within the CRM.

Small business focus means features are designed for growing companies rather than enterprise bureaucracy. Implementation is straightforward without technical expertise.

Why It’s Expensive

Higher starting price ($249/month minimum) may be prohibitive for very small businesses or startups with limited budgets.

The extensive feature set can overwhelm beginners who just need basic CRM functionality. Teams with straightforward needs might feel confused.

Scalability limitations become apparent for larger businesses – the platform works best for small to medium organizations.

Reality Check

• Pricing: Higher minimum cost but includes comprehensive features
• CRM: Comprehensive small business CRM with lifecycle management
• Marketing Automation: Excellent automation designed for growing businesses
• Integrations: Strong options cover most small business tools
• AI Features: Basic functionality focused on practical applications

What Growing Businesses Say

Small business owners praise comprehensive automation and time-saving capabilities. Users report improved customer relationship management and significant productivity gains.

The learning curve can be steep for teams transitioning from simpler tools. Most adapt within a few weeks.

Source: Small Business Automation Reviews, Growth Company Case Studies, Business Process Optimization Reports

Pricing

Plans start at $249/month for 2 users with full platform access. Higher tiers add advanced reporting and additional users.

Explore Keap with consultation and demo options.

Zendesk – Best for Customer Service Integration

Support-Centric Approach

Zendesk approaches CRM from a customer service perspective, building sales and marketing capabilities around their industry-leading support platform. If customer service drives your business, nothing else comes close. For everything else, it’s probably overkill.

The omnichannel support capabilities—email, chat, phone, social media—create comprehensive customer interaction histories that inform sales and marketing decisions.

What It Actually Does

Zendesk’s service-focused platform includes:

• Advanced ticketing system for customer inquiries across multiple channels
• Omnichannel support handling email, chat, phone, and social media
• Knowledge base management for self-service customer resources
• Live chat and messaging with real-time customer assistance
• Comprehensive reporting analyzing support performance and satisfaction
• CRM functionality through Zendesk Sell for sales pipeline management
• AI-powered automation that routes tickets and suggests responses

Why It’s Excellent for Support

Customer service tools are industry-leading. The support management capabilities improve customer satisfaction and retention dramatically.

Reporting is excellent, offering deep insights into customer behavior, support performance, and business trends that actually matter.

AI integration is sophisticated – automatically routing tickets, suggesting responses, and identifying escalation opportunities before they become problems.

Why It’s Problematic for Most

Pricing is expensive compared to alternatives, especially when combining support and CRM functionality. Total cost of ownership can be brutal.

Marketing automation is basically nonexistent. You’ll need additional tools for comprehensive marketing campaigns.

Setup complexity can overwhelm small businesses that don’t need enterprise-level support functionality. It’s built for companies where support is everything.

Reality Check

• Pricing: Premium pricing but comprehensive platform with clear differences
• CRM: Basic CRM with Zendesk Sell integration for pipeline management
• Marketing Automation: Terrible – limited features focus on customer communication
• Integrations: Strong ecosystem supports diverse business tool connections
• AI Features: Advanced AI for customer service with intelligent routing

What Support Teams Say

Customer service teams consistently rate Zendesk highly for support management and omnichannel capabilities. Users report improved satisfaction scores and team efficiency.

Sales teams often find the CRM functionality adequate but not exceptional compared to dedicated sales platforms.

Source: Customer Service Platform Reviews, Enterprise Support Evaluations, Customer Experience Studies

Pricing

Basic Support starts at $19/agent/month for essential ticketing. Suite Team at $55/agent/month includes CRM integration and advanced features.

Check out Zendesk with trial periods available.

Notable Mentions

Omnisend – Ecommerce Email Marketing Specialist

Omnisend dominates ecommerce email marketing with specialized features like abandoned cart recovery and product recommendations. If you’re running an online store, especially on Shopify, this platform is built specifically for your needs. The automation workflows are designed for retail, making it incredibly effective despite its narrow focus.

Check out Omnisend for ecommerce-specific marketing automation.

GetResponse – Conversion Funnel Platform

GetResponse stands out with its Autofunnel feature and webinar hosting capabilities. The platform excels at lead generation and conversion optimization. If you’re focused on funnel management and online events, it’s worth considering.

Explore GetResponse for funnel-focused marketing automation.

Drip – Ecommerce CRM Specialist

Drip specializes exclusively in ecommerce with advanced tagging systems and behavioral triggers. The platform’s deep ecommerce focus makes it powerful for online stores but useless for other business types.

Try Drip if you’re serious about ecommerce CRM.

Ontraport – Business Automation Platform

Ontraport offers comprehensive business automation with strong funnel management and affiliate program support. The platform is expensive but delivers extensive features for growing businesses that need sophisticated automation.

Explore Ontraport for advanced business automation.

FAQ

Why should I ditch HubSpot?

Pricing transparency and feature accessibility. HubSpot locks essential marketing automation behind $890/month paywalls while alternatives like ActiveCampaign provide similar capabilities for $15/month. Also, their support has gotten worse since they got huge.

Can I actually migrate my HubSpot data?

Yes, but it’s always messier than they tell you. Most platforms provide migration tools or services. ActiveCampaign, Salesforce, and Pipedrive offer dedicated migration support. Simple contact lists transfer easily, but complex automation workflows usually need rebuilding. Plan for double the time they estimate.

Which free plan is actually worth using?

EngageBay provides the most comprehensive free plan – CRM, marketing automation, and support tools for 250 contacts. Zoho gives full CRM functionality for 3 users without contact limits. Mailchimp’s free tier supports 500 contacts but focuses on email marketing only.

For deeper implementation insights, check out our ActiveCampaign review for real-world strategies.

Do these integrations actually work?

Integration capabilities vary dramatically. Salesforce leads with thousands of AppExchange integrations. ActiveCampaign offers 900+ connections that mostly work as advertised. Smaller platforms like EngageBay provide essential integrations but you might need Zapier for specialized tools. CSV exports never work perfectly the first time, and integration setup always breaks something else – just accept it.

How long does switching actually take?

Implementation timelines range from 1-2 weeks for simple platforms like Mailchimp to 3-6 months for complex systems like Salesforce. Most mid-tier alternatives (ActiveCampaign, Zoho, Freshsales) require 2-4 weeks including data migration, team training, and workflow setup. Your team will complain about any change, even if the new system is better.

Understanding your marketing ROI expectations helps determine which platform investment makes sense.

Are there better options for specific industries?

Absolutely. Salesforce excels in enterprise and financial services. Pipedrive dominates real estate and insurance sales. ActiveCampaign works exceptionally well for SaaS and ecommerce requiring sophisticated nurturing. Zendesk serves businesses where customer support drives growth, particularly technology and subscription services. If you’re in real estate, half of these won’t work for you.

Final Thoughts

Look, here’s what I’d do if I were you: Pick three of these based on your budget, sign up for trials, and actually use them for a week. Don’t just click around the demo – import some real data and see how it feels. And whatever you do, don’t let some salesperson talk you into features you don’t need. Most businesses use about 20% of their CRM’s capabilities anyway.

Bottom line? HubSpot has gotten too big for its britches. They’re pricing out the small businesses that made them successful in the first place. The alternatives I’ve listed here aren’t just cheaper – many are actually better at specific things. Stop paying the HubSpot tax and find something that actually fits your business.

Key reality checks from my analysis:

• ActiveCampaign delivers superior automation at a fraction of HubSpot’s marketing tier costs
• Salesforce provides unmatched enterprise capabilities if you can handle the complexity
• Zoho CRM offers exceptional value, but don’t expect miracles from free plans
• EngageBay eliminates multiple subscriptions but you’re stuck with their approach
• Pipedrive excels in sales productivity with visual pipeline management
• Brevo revolutionizes pricing with email-volume models instead of contact punishment

The right choice depends on your specific priorities – advanced automation, budget constraints, ease of use, or specialized functionality. Don’t let HubSpot’s market dominance convince you that expensive equals better.

When evaluating alternative to hubspot crm options, consider how each platform integrates with your broader marketing budget strategy to ensure sustainable growth.

Making a CRM transition successful requires more than selecting the right platform. The Marketing Agency specializes in helping businesses maximize their chosen CRM’s potential through data-driven marketing strategies that deliver measurable ROI. Whether you’re implementing ActiveCampaign’s automation or leveraging Salesforce’s enterprise features, our team ensures your marketing efforts translate into predictable revenue growth.

Our performance-focused approach means we’re platform-agnostic – your success metrics remain consistent regardless of whether you’re using a $15/month solution or comprehensive enterprise system. Ready to make your CRM alternative work harder for your business? We can discuss how our proven methodologies accelerate growth while keeping costs predictable and results measurable.