HubSpot CRM vs Salesforce: Full Comparison (2026)
Quick Answer
HubSpot is easier to adopt and has a free tier, but Salesforce offers deeper customization for complex sales processes. HubSpot wins for growing companies; Salesforce wins for enterprises with dedicated admins.
HubSpot CRM vs Salesforce at a Glance
| Dimension | HubSpot CRM | Salesforce | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease Of Use | 9.0/10 | 7.0/10 | HubSpot CRM |
| Features | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 | Salesforce |
| Overall | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | HubSpot CRM |
| Pricing | 8.0/10 | 6.0/10 | HubSpot CRM |
| Support | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 | HubSpot CRM |
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | HubSpot CRM | Salesforce |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tools / Starter Suite | $Custom/monthly | $25/monthly per user |
| Starter / Professional | $20/monthly per seat | $80/monthly per user |
| Professional / Enterprise | $890/monthly | $165/monthly per user |
| Enterprise / Unlimited | $3600/monthly | $330/monthly per user |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | HubSpot CRM | Salesforce |
|---|---|---|
| AI features | Yes (ChatSpot, content assistant) | Yes (Einstein AI) |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations marketplace | Yes (1,500+ integrations) | Yes (AppExchange 5,000+ apps) |
| Quote/proposal generation | Yes | Yes (CPQ add-on available) |
| Role permissions | Yes | Yes |
| Territory management | No (Not natively supported) | Yes |
| Forecasting | Yes | Yes |
| Reporting/analytics | Yes (Custom reports require Pro) | Yes (Advanced reports Pro+) |
| Lead scoring | Yes (Predictive scoring Enterprise only) | Yes |
| Workflow automation | Yes (Requires Professional or higher) | Yes (Flow Builder) |
| Email integration | Yes | Yes |
| Email tracking | Yes (Free tier includes limited tracking) | Yes |
| Phone/calling | Yes | Yes (Via add-ons or CTI) |
| Social media integration | Yes | Yes |
| Web forms | Yes (HubSpot branding on free) | Yes (Web-to-Lead) |
| Calendar sync | Yes | Yes |
| Contact management | Yes | Yes |
| Custom fields | Yes | Yes |
| Deal/pipeline management | Yes | Yes |
| Document management | Yes | Yes (Files, Content) |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-pipeline | Yes | Yes |
| Task management | Yes | Yes |
Ease Of Use: HubSpot CRM vs Salesforce
HubSpot's interface is cleaner and more intuitive. Salesforce is powerful but has a steeper learning curve and requires more configuration.
Features: HubSpot CRM vs Salesforce
Salesforce has deeper feature coverage, especially in territory management, advanced forecasting, and enterprise customization. HubSpot covers most needs but lags in advanced sales operations.
Overall: HubSpot CRM vs Salesforce
HubSpot offers the better overall experience for most businesses. Salesforce is the right choice when you've outgrown simpler tools and need enterprise-grade customization.
Pricing: HubSpot CRM vs Salesforce
HubSpot's free tier is genuinely useful. Salesforce starts at $25/user with no free option, and useful features require Enterprise at $165/user/mo.
Support: HubSpot CRM vs Salesforce
Both offer solid support, but HubSpot's documentation and academy resources are more accessible for self-service users.
Our Recommendation
Choose HubSpot if you want fast setup, strong marketing integration, and a free starting point. Choose Salesforce if you need maximum customization, a massive app ecosystem, and can invest in admin resources. For most small-to-mid businesses, HubSpot delivers better ROI.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HubSpot really free?
Yes. HubSpot's free CRM includes contact management, deal tracking, email tracking, and meeting scheduling for unlimited users. The catch: you'll eventually want features like workflow automation or custom reporting, which require the Professional plan at $890/mo.
Can Salesforce integrate with HubSpot?
Yes. There's a native HubSpot-Salesforce integration that syncs contacts, companies, and deals bidirectionally. Many companies use HubSpot for marketing and Salesforce for sales.
Which is better for a 10-person sales team?
HubSpot. At 10 users, Salesforce Professional costs $800/mo while HubSpot's free tier covers most basic needs. If you need automation, HubSpot Starter at $20/seat/mo is still significantly cheaper.