A Side-by-Side Comparison of The Leading CRMs
HubSpot and Salesforce are leading CRM platforms, but they take very different approaches. The best option for your business depends on a number of factors such as budget, desired features, and team expertise. This article breaks down how they compare across total cost, ease of use, AI features, and customization.
Quick Takeaways:
- Ease of Use: HubSpot can be faster to adopt and easier for non-technical users
- Cost: HubSpot includes more in its base price; Salesforce requires paid add-ons
- AI and Security: HubSpot integrates more tools natively
- Customization: Salesforce is more flexible with the necessary time and expertise
What is HubSpot known for?
HubSpot is known for being easy to adopt, intuitive, and cost-effective.
- Most users are up and running within 12 days
- Onboarding is typically completed within 90 days
- Interface is clean and easy to navigate
- Workflows can be managed without needing developers
What is Salesforce known for?
Salesforce is feature-rich and highly customizable but comes with a steeper learning curve and higher long-term costs.
- Feature-laden, complex user interface
- Requires technical expertise or dedicated admins
- Can be slower to implement and adopt
Ease of Use: Comparison
HubSpot
- Designed for flexibility and ease of adoption.
- Most users are active within 12 days, with onboarding typically completed within 90 days.
- Unified platform enables straightforward management of workflows without technical expertise.
Salesforce
- Offers a powerful range of features with a more complex user interface.
- Businesses often need expert admins and developers for setup and management.
- Onboarding and adoption take longer due to its intricacy.
Takeaway
HubSpot
- While HubSpot offers options for customization, advanced users may find customization options more limited than Salesforce.
- Salesforce's interface and steps to customization may involve a steep learning curve, with initial onboarding and adoption taking longer due to platform complexity.
Total Cost of Ownership: Comparison
HubSpot:
- Transparent pricing
- Key features like live chat, AI assistants, and chatbots are included
- Lower total cost over time
Salesforce:
- Essential tools often come as paid add-ons (e.g., AI chatbots, advanced scheduling)
- Hidden fees can increase the total cost
What’s the Difference Between Sales Hub and Salesforce Sales Cloud?
HubSpot Sales Hub:
- Helps reps close 1.4x more deals per rep
- Increases average deals created by 28%
- Includes AI-powered CRM, task automation, and integrated scheduling tools
Salesforce Sales Cloud:
- Offers similar features, but many are paid extras
- Tools like calling, meeting assistants, and dialers may require third-party add-ons
How Does Service Hub Compare to Salesforce Service Cloud?
HubSpot Service Hub:
- Boosts ticket close rates by 32% in 12 months
- Includes AI chatbots, live chat, and unified customer views
Salesforce Service Cloud:
- Offers advanced capabilities, but often requires additional purchases
- Tools like Einstein for Service add complexity and cost
Which Platform Offers Better AI Capabilities?
HubSpot:
- AI tools like Content Remix, predictive lead scoring, and chatbots included in every plan
Salesforce:
- Einstein AI suite is powerful, but segmented into separate paid features
- Requires extra configuration and budget to activate
Takeaway:
- HubSpot provides out-of-the-box AI functionality
- Salesforce offers deeper AI but at a higher cost
How Do They Stack Up on Security and Customization?
HubSpot:
- Built-in security features: SSO, MFA, GDPR, and CCPA compliance
- User-friendly customization: CRM components, validation rules, and associations
Salesforce:
- Extensive customization options, but often require developers
- Advanced security features available at higher price tiers
Takeaway:
- HubSpot offers strong security and customization without added complexity
- Salesforce is more flexible, but requires technical resources
Final Verdict: Should You Choose HubSpot or Salesforce?
Choose HubSpot if you:
- Want a fast, intuitive CRM your team can use immediately
- Need built-in AI and automation features
- Prefer transparent pricing
- Don’t have technical staff to manage complex systems
Choose Salesforce if you:
- Require deep customization and enterprise-level scalability
- Have a technical team to support setup and maintenance
- Need highly tailored CRM workflows and integrations