HubSpot★ 4.6/5
Freshsales★ 4.3/5HubSpot vs Freshsales: Which CRM is right for you?
A 2026 head-to-head on pricing, features, and which team each is built for.
The short answer
HubSpot is all-in-one crm built for sMBs and marketing-led teams wanting sales + marketing in one system, starting from $0 (free), paid from ~$15/user/mo — free plan available. Freshsales is smb crm for sMB sales teams wanting built-in phone/email and AI at low cost, starting from $0 (free), paid from ~$9/user/mo — free plan available. Choose HubSpot for all-in-one crm needs; choose Freshsales if smb crm is a better match for your team.
HubSpot vs Freshsales: at a glance
| Detail | HubSpot | Freshsales |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All-in-one CRM | SMB CRM |
| Starting price | from $0 (free), paid from ~$15/user/mo | from $0 (free), paid from ~$9/user/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | SMBs and marketing-led teams wanting sales + marketing in one system. | SMB sales teams wanting built-in phone/email and AI at low cost. |
| Our rating | ★ 4.6 / 5 | ★ 4.3 / 5 |
| Standout feature | A free tier that scales smoothly into full marketing automation. | Built-in phone and email plus Freddy AI on affordable tiers. |
| Founded | 2006 | 2017 |
| Headquarters | Cambridge, USA | San Mateo, USA |
Prices are indicative 2026 list prices; always confirm with the vendor directly.
What is HubSpot?
HubSpot is a connected CRM platform built around ease of use. The free CRM covers contacts, deals, and email, and you can switch on paid Sales, Marketing, Service, and Content "Hubs" as you grow — all sharing one contact database.
Best for: SMBs and marketing-led teams wanting sales + marketing in one system.
What is Freshsales?
Freshsales is the sales CRM in the Freshworks suite. It bundles contact and deal management with a built-in phone, email, and the Freddy AI assistant for lead scoring and next-step suggestions, aimed at fast-moving SMB sales teams.
Best for: SMB sales teams wanting built-in phone/email and AI at low cost.
Key features compared
| HubSpot | Freshsales |
|---|---|
| Free contact, deal, and email tracking | Built-in phone and email |
| Unified sales, marketing, and service hubs | Freddy AI lead scoring and insights |
| Clean, low-training interface | Visual sales pipeline |
| Built-in email sequences and meeting scheduling | Workflow automation |
| Large template and integration marketplace | Free tier for small teams |
Pros and cons: HubSpot
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Best-in-class ease of use and onboarding | ✘ Costs rise steeply at Professional tiers |
| ✔ Generous, genuinely useful free tier | ✘ Contact-based pricing can surprise marketing teams |
| ✔ One platform for sales, marketing, and support | ✘ Less customizable than Salesforce for complex processes |
Pros and cons: Freshsales
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Strong value with a usable free plan | ✘ Advanced features locked to higher tiers |
| ✔ Built-in communication tools | ✘ Smaller integration ecosystem |
| ✔ AI features at an accessible price | ✘ Can be outgrown by complex enterprises |
Which should you choose?
Choose HubSpot if you are sMBs and marketing-led teams wanting sales + marketing in one system.
Choose Freshsales if you are sMB sales teams wanting built-in phone/email and AI at low cost.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between HubSpot and Freshsales?
HubSpot is all-in-one crm best for sMBs and marketing-led teams wanting sales + marketing in one system. Its standout is a free tier that scales smoothly into full marketing automation.. Freshsales is smb crm best for sMB sales teams wanting built-in phone/email and AI at low cost. Its standout is built-in phone and email plus Freddy AI on affordable tiers..
Is HubSpot better than Freshsales?
Neither is universally better — it depends on your use case. HubSpot is the stronger choice for sMBs and marketing-led teams wanting sales + marketing in one system. Freshsales is a better fit for sMB sales teams wanting built-in phone/email and AI at low cost.
Which is cheaper, HubSpot or Freshsales?
HubSpot starts from $0 (free), paid from ~$15/user/mo and offers a free plan. Freshsales starts from $0 (free), paid from ~$9/user/mo and offers a free plan.
Does HubSpot or Freshsales have a free plan?
HubSpot offers a free plan. Freshsales offers a free plan.