HubSpot vs Salesforce
By Itai Varochik | Updated 2026
Quick Verdict
Overall Winner: HubSpot (4.6/5)
We tested HubSpot and Salesforce side-by-side. HubSpot comes out ahead overall, but Salesforce may be better for specific use cases.
Score Breakdown
| Criteria | HubSpot | Salesforce |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 9/10 | 9.8/10 |
| Ease of Use | 9.5/10 | 6.5/10 |
| Value for Money | 7.5/10 | 6.5/10 |
| Customer Support | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Overall | 8.8/10 | 8.2/10 |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | HubSpot | Salesforce |
|---|---|---|
| CRM | Yes | No |
| Email Marketing | Yes | No |
| Sales Pipeline | Yes | No |
| Landing Pages | Yes | No |
| Analytics | Yes | No |
| Service Hub | Yes | No |
| CMS Hub | Yes | No |
| Sales Cloud | No | Yes |
| Service Cloud | No | Yes |
| Marketing Cloud | No | Yes |
| Einstein AI | No | Yes |
| AppExchange | No | Yes |
| Flow Builder | No | Yes |
| Tableau | No | Yes |
Pricing Comparison
HubSpot: Free – $3,600/mo
Salesforce: From $25/user/mo
HubSpot Pros & Cons
Pros
- Generous free CRM with unlimited users
- Exceptional UI/UX across all hubs
- All-in-one platform eliminates tool sprawl
- Huge integration ecosystem (1,500+ apps)
- World-class educational content
Cons
- Gets expensive fast at Professional/Enterprise tiers
- Annual contract lock-in on paid plans
- Limited customization on free plan
- Onboarding fees for Professional and Enterprise
Salesforce Pros & Cons
Pros
- Market-leading CRM with 150,000+ customers
- Unmatched customization and scalability
- 5,000+ integrations on AppExchange
- Einstein AI for predictive analytics
- Free Trailhead training platform
- Comprehensive cloud ecosystem
Cons
- Expensive ($25-$500+/user/month)
- Steep learning curve requiring admin expertise
- Implementation costs can be substantial
- Overkill for small businesses
- Complex pricing with many add-ons
Key Specifications
| Spec | HubSpot | Salesforce |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4/5 |
| Pricing | Free – $3,600/mo | From $25/user/mo |
| Year Founded | 2006 | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Cambridge, MA | San Francisco, CA |
| Employees | 7,000+ | 73,000+ |
| Free Plan | Yes (unlimited users) | No |
| Best For Size | SMB (10–200 employees) | Enterprise (200+ employees) |
| Marketing Automation | Yes (Professional+) | Yes (Marketing Cloud) |
| AppExchange / Marketplace | 1,500+ integrations | 7,000+ apps |
Our Verdict
HubSpot wins overall. Choose HubSpot if you value Growing startups scaling their sales process. Choose Salesforce if you prioritize Mid-to-large enterprises needing scalable CRM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HubSpot better than Salesforce?
Based on our testing, HubSpot scores higher with a rating of 4.6/5 compared to Salesforce's 4/5. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs.
What is the main difference between HubSpot and Salesforce?
HubSpot is known for: All-in-one CRM with marketing, sales, and service hubs for growing businesses.. Salesforce is known for: The world's #1 CRM platform for enterprise sales, service, and marketing..
Which is cheaper, HubSpot or Salesforce?
HubSpot pricing: Free – $3,600/mo. Salesforce pricing: From $25/user/mo.
Can I use HubSpot and Salesforce together?
While both tools serve similar purposes in the CRM Software category, some users do use complementary features from both platforms.
What are the pros of HubSpot?
Generous free CRM with unlimited users. Exceptional UI/UX across all hubs. All-in-one platform eliminates tool sprawl
What are the pros of Salesforce?
Market-leading CRM with 150,000+ customers. Unmatched customization and scalability. 5,000+ integrations on AppExchange
Which crm software should I choose?
Choose HubSpot if you value Growing startups scaling their sales process. Choose Salesforce if you prioritize Mid-to-large enterprises needing scalable CRM.