Salesforce vs HubSpot
Salesforce and HubSpot are two of the crm & sales tools people compare most — but they're built for different users. Salesforce starts at $25 USD/user/mo and is best for growing and enterprise sales teams needing deep customization and scale, while HubSpot has a free plan (paid from $9 USD/seat/mo) and suits growing teams that want one platform to scale into.
The main trade-offs: HubSpot covers more of the features we track (7 of 10 vs 3), HubSpot is cheaper to start, HubSpot is easier to learn. Weighing it all up, HubSpot is the better fit for most people — with Salesforce pulling ahead for growing and enterprise sales teams needing deep customization and scale.
Salesforce
★★★★★★★★★★4.425,791+ reviews · G2The world's #1 CRM platform for sales, service, and marketing at scale.
USD/user/mo
HubSpot
★★★★★★★★★★4.513,995+ reviews · G2Enterprise-grade CRM with a free tier that scales into a full marketing suite.
USD/seat/mo
For most people, HubSpot is the better choice — but Salesforce wins for specific needs.
Key differences
- HubSpot is cheaper to start ($9 USD/seat/mo vs $25 USD/user/mo).
- HubSpot is notably stronger on ease of use (8.4 vs 6.5).
- HubSpot covers more of the tracked features (7 vs 3).
Full comparison
The winning option in each row is highlighted in green.
| Criteria | Salesforce | HubSpot |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | ★★★★★★★★★★4.4 | ★★★★★★★★★★4.5 |
| Starting price | $25 USD/user/mo | $9 USD/seat/mo |
| Free trial | 30 days | 14 days |
| Integrations | 5000+ via AppExchange | 1500+ in the App Marketplace |
| Affiliate commission | No public affiliate program | Up to 30% (partner program) |
| Best for | Growing and enterprise sales teams needing deep customization and scale | Growing teams that want one platform to scale into |
| Ease of use | 6.5 | 8.4 |
| Value for money | 6.0 | 7.1 |
| Features | 9.5 | 9.4 |
| Support | 7.5 | 8.8 |
| CRM | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Email Marketing | — No | ✓ Yes |
| Funnel / Landing Builder | — No | ✓ Yes |
| Automation / Workflow | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| SMS Marketing | — No | ✓ Yes |
| Booking / Scheduling | — No | ✓ Yes |
| Membership / Courses | — No | — No |
| Built-in Affiliate Program | — No | — No |
| White-label | — No | — No |
| Mobile App | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Pricing plans
The main paid tiers for each tool (billed annually where applicable).
Salesforce
✅ Verified from the vendor's pricing page · checked June 2026. View official pricing →
HubSpot
✅ Verified from the vendor's pricing page · checked June 2026. View official pricing →
Pros & cons
Salesforce
- Unmatched depth, customization, and a 5,000+ app ecosystem via AppExchange
- Scales from SMB to enterprise with best-in-class reporting and AI (Einstein/Agentforce)
- Massive community, training (Trailhead), and integration options
- Steep learning curve; often needs an admin or consultant to configure
- Expensive, and real cost climbs fast with add-ons and jumps from $25 to $100+/user for full features
HubSpot
- Excellent free CRM with no contact limit
- Deep, well-designed feature set across sales & marketing
- Massive integration marketplace and support
- Paid tiers become expensive quickly
- Add-ons and seats can balloon the bill
Which one should you pick?
Choose Salesforce if…
Best for growing and enterprise sales teams needing deep customization and scale. Salesforce is the market-leading enterprise CRM: unmatched depth, customization, and ecosystem, but it's complex to set up and expensive once add-ons stack up. All-in-one platforms like GoHighLevel are cheaper and faster for small teams, while Salesforce wins for companies that will outgrow simpler tools.
Choose HubSpot if…
Best for growing teams that want one platform to scale into. A polished, powerful CRM with the best free starting point — but paid hubs get expensive fast. Ideal if you expect to grow into the full suite.
Frequently asked questions
Is Salesforce or HubSpot better?
Overall we lean toward HubSpot for most users, but Salesforce is the better fit for growing and enterprise sales teams needing deep customization and scale.
Which is cheaper, Salesforce or HubSpot?
HubSpot is cheaper to start at $9 USD/seat/mo, compared with $25 USD/user/mo for Salesforce.
Which is easier to use for beginners?
HubSpot scores higher on ease of use (8.4/10), making it the friendlier choice if you're just getting started.
Can I try Salesforce and HubSpot before paying?
Salesforce: 30 days. HubSpot: 14 days. We recommend trialling your top pick before committing.
Does Salesforce or HubSpot have a free plan?
HubSpot has a free plan, making it the lower-risk way to start. The other relies on a time-limited free trial rather than a permanent free tier.
Which is better value for money, Salesforce or HubSpot?
HubSpot scores higher on value in our review (7.1/10) — it gives you more for what you pay. Weigh that against the features you'll actually use.
How much does Salesforce Sales Cloud cost?
Plans start at $25/user/mo (Starter Suite), then $100 (Pro Suite), $175 (Enterprise), and $350 (Unlimited). Enterprise and above are billed annually; Starter and Pro can be billed monthly.
Is the HubSpot free CRM really free?
Yes, the core CRM is free with unlimited contacts. Costs appear when you add Marketing, Sales or Service Hub features.
The bottom line
For most people weighing up Salesforce vs HubSpot, HubSpot is the stronger all-round pick — best for growing teams that want one platform to scale into, and backed by a 4.5/5 rating. Go with Salesforce instead for growing and enterprise sales teams needing deep customization and scale. Best of all you can start free with HubSpot and see if it fits before paying a cent.
→ See Salesforce alternatives→ Read the full Salesforce review