1
ActiveCampaign
Best for: Automation + CRM
Pros
- Best automation
- CRM
- Affordable
Cons
- Less polish
- Steep curve
HubSpot Alternatives
The 10 best HubSpot alternatives in 2026 for CRM and marketing.
10
Alternatives
Docs
Analysis
5
FAQs
Based on product documentation, 18 HubSpot alternatives are compared. HubSpot is powerful, but enterprise pricing and onboarding fees push many SMBs to alternatives.
Decision Summary
HubSpot is a superb CRM that prices SMBs out: seat costs plus onboarding fees make it expensive before you add the marketing hub. Switch when the total bill exceeds value for a small team, or when you only need CRM without HubSpot's suite premium.
Why Switch Away From HubSpot
- Per-seat pricing plus paid onboarding is steep for SMBs
- Full value requires multiple hubs
- Marketing features bundled at premium cost
How Each Alternative Changes the Trade-off
Total cost for SMBs
HubSpot: HubSpot seats plus onboarding fees add up quickly.
Alternative: CRM-first rivals (Pipedrive, Zoho, Folk) cost far less per seat.
When this matters: Decides it for teams under ~25 seats.
All-in-one suite
HubSpot: HubSpot unifies CRM, marketing, sales, and service.
Alternative: Cheaper tools cover CRM well but need companions for marketing.
When this matters: Keeps HubSpot for teams that actually use multiple hubs.
Ease of use
HubSpot: HubSpot is the most approachable enterprise-grade CRM.
Alternative: Cheaper CRMs trade some polish for price.
When this matters: Matters for non-technical sales teams.
Best For / Not For
Switch If
SMBs whose HubSpot bill (seats plus onboarding) exceeds the value they extract from the suite.
Stay With HubSpot If
Companies using multiple HubSpot hubs where the integration justifies the premium.
What Switching Costs
CRM data exports, but pipelines, workflows, and email templates need rebuilding. Migration is a real project.
Real-World Switching Scenarios
- Startup quoted HubSpot onboarding fees — Early-stage teams Lightweight CRMs deliver pipeline management at a fraction of the cost.
- Company using one hub only — Sales-only teams A CRM-first tool avoids paying for the suite's unused parts.
- Multi-hub marketing org — Growth teams using the suite Staying preserves the unified database few rivals match.
How This Was Researched
This guide is based on a structured review of official product documentation, published feature lists, current pricing, and community-reported limitations — the same methodology ToolStep describes on the /how-we-test/ page. We do not claim hands-on testing that did not happen.
Pricing and onboarding fees reflect official documentation as of June 2026.
Alternatives Table
| # | Alternative | Best For | Rating | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ActiveCampaign | Automation + CRM | ★★★★★ | $15/mo |
| 2 | Pipedrive | Sales-focused CRM | ★★★★★ | $14/mo |
| 3 | Zoho CRM | All-in-one affordable | ★★★★☆ | Free / $14/mo |
| 4 | Mailchimp | Email + basic CRM | ★★★★☆ | Free / $13/mo |
| 5 | Brevo | Marketing + CRM | ★★★★★ | Free / $9/mo |
| 6 | Keap (Infusionsoft) | Small business automation | ★★★★☆ | $149/mo |
| 7 | EngageBay | All-in-one affordable | ★★★★☆ | Free / $12.99/mo |
| 8 | Ontraport | Business automation | ★★★★☆ | $79/mo |
| 9 | Sendinblue | Marketing + CRM | ★★★★☆ | Free / $9/mo |
| 10 | Freshsales | Freshworks suite | ★★★★☆ | Free / $11/mo |
Pros & Cons by Alternative
2
Pipedrive
Best for: Sales-focused CRM
Pros
- Simple
- Sales pipeline
- Affordable
Cons
- Less marketing
3
Zoho CRM
Best for: All-in-one affordable
Pros
- Cheap
- Full suite
- Customization
Cons
- UI dated
- Steep curve
4
Mailchimp
Best for: Email + basic CRM
Pros
- Easy
- Free tier
- Templates
Cons
- Limited CRM
- Pricey at scale
5
Brevo
Best for: Marketing + CRM
Pros
- Free tier
- SMS
- Transactional
Cons
- UI clutter
6
Keap (Infusionsoft)
Best for: Small business automation
Pros
- Automation
- CRM
- Ecommerce
Cons
- Pricey
- Complex
7
EngageBay
Best for: All-in-one affordable
Pros
- Cheap
- CRM + Marketing
- Free tier
Cons
- Less polish
8
Ontraport
Best for: Business automation
Pros
- Automation
- CRM
- Membership
Cons
- Pricey
9
Sendinblue
Best for: Marketing + CRM
Pros
- SMS
- Transactional
- Free tier
Cons
- Rebranded Brevo
10
Freshsales
Best for: Freshworks suite
Pros
- CRM
- Free tier
- AI
Cons
- Less marketing
Pricing Comparison
- ActiveCampaign $15/mo
- Pipedrive $14/mo
- Zoho CRM Free / $14/mo
- Mailchimp Free / $13/mo
- Brevo Free / $9/mo
- Keap (Infusionsoft) $149/mo
- EngageBay Free / $12.99/mo
- Ontraport $79/mo
- Sendinblue Free / $9/mo
- Freshsales Free / $11/mo
Why Choose an Alternative
- You want to avoid HubSpot enterprise pricing and onboarding fees.
- You need advanced automation without enterprise cost.
- You want an all-in-one CRM and marketing suite cheaper.
- You need free CRM for small teams.
- You want deeper sales-focused CRM features.
FAQ
What is the best free HubSpot alternative?
Zoho CRM (free for 3 users) and EngageBay (free tier) are the best free HubSpot alternatives with CRM features.
Is HubSpot worth the price?
HubSpot is worth it for large teams wanting an integrated platform, but SMBs often find better value in ActiveCampaign or Pipedrive.
What HubSpot alternative is best for small business?
ActiveCampaign and EngageBay are the best HubSpot alternatives for small businesses, offering CRM and automation affordably.
Can Pipedrive replace HubSpot?
Pipedrive replaces HubSpot for sales CRM, but lacks HubSpot marketing automation features.
Is Zoho CRM as good as HubSpot?
Zoho CRM matches HubSpot for most CRM features at lower cost, though its UI is less polished.
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