Table of Contents
Choosing between Freshworks vs HubSpot in 2025 can be challenging. This article breaks down their features, pricing, user experience, and support to help you pick the best CRM for your business.
Key Takeaways
Freshworks offers cost-effective CRM solutions ideal for small to medium-sized businesses, while HubSpot excels in advanced marketing and integration capabilities.
Both platforms provide essential features for CRM, marketing automation, and sales process automation, but HubSpot’s tools are generally more comprehensive, especially in reporting and analytics.
Pricing models differ significantly; Freshworks has lower starting prices and offers a free-forever plan, making it more accessible for startups compared to HubSpot’s higher pricing and onboarding costs.
Freshworks vs HubSpot: A Quick Overview
Freshworks started with a focus on customer engagement and service tools, offering cost-effective and robust solutions for small businesses. HubSpot, meanwhile, began with a focus on inbound marketing strategies and quickly became a market leader in the CRM space.
Both Freshworks and HubSpot provide cloud-based solutions that improve business processes by integrating various functionalities into all-in-one software suites. This integration allows users to manage multiple business aspects from a single platform, streamlining workflows and boosting productivity.
Freshworks is known for its cost-effective CRM solutions, whereas HubSpot excels in seamless integration and comprehensive tools within its Sales Hub. A key difference lies in their pricing plans, which we will explore in detail later.
Key Features Comparison
Understanding the key features of Freshworks and HubSpot is crucial for making an informed decision. This comparison will cover the core functionalities, including Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools, marketing automation, and sales process automation.
Examining these areas will provide insights into which platform best aligns with your business needs.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Tools
Freshworks CRM offers several features that simplify lead prioritization and management for sales teams. These include:
AI-powered lead scoring
In-app telephone calls
Website data capture forms (even in its free version)
These features are particularly advantageous for small businesses. Additionally, the AI suggestions further enhance the lead qualification process, ensuring your sales team focuses on the most promising opportunities.
Maximize your lead potential — use our Lead Conversion Rate Calculator to measure and improve how effectively leads turn into customers.
HubSpot CRM, on the other hand, offers advanced marketing features like predictive lead scoring, which elevates customer management efficiency. Its customer service capabilities include ticketing and knowledge base management, essential for effective issue handling. Although premium reporting and analytics features are extra, they provide detailed insights that can drive business decisions.
Customization also sets these platforms apart. Freshworks allows easy sales process customization to meet specific business needs, whereas HubSpot offers extensive customization through its App Marketplace with various integrations and tools. This flexibility enables both platforms to cater to diverse business software requirements.
Both platforms offer robust reporting and analytics, though HubSpot’s features are more extensive and come at a premium. Freshworks offers essential tools for tracking sales performance, though it may not match the depth of HubSpot’s analytics capabilities.
To further understand HubSpot's capabilities, see our Affinity vs. HubSpot comparison.
Marketing Automation
HubSpot’s marketing automation is a primary strength, offering comprehensive capabilities like targeted campaigns, lead nurturing, follow-up emails, custom triggers, and sales network building. Integrated into its CRM, these features make HubSpot a powerhouse for marketing-focused businesses.
Freshworks also excels in marketing automation with its intuitive and cost-effective solutions. It enables customization of marketing campaigns based on customer behavior and preferences, ensuring relevant and effective messaging. Such customization can significantly enhance productivity and help teams close more deals.
Interested in how HubSpot stacks up against Brevo for CRM and marketing? Read our side-by-side comparison.
Sales Process Automation
Freshworks uses AI-powered lead scoring to rank leads based on conversion likelihood, helping sales teams focus on promising prospects. The platform also offers robust email tracking, providing insights on sent emails, open rates, links clicked, and post-open actions, which can refine sales strategies.
HubSpot enhances lead engagement with strategically automated emails and custom workflows, allowing users to set triggers for various sales activities. These features prevent leads from falling through the cracks and ensure efficient team operation.
Freshsales includes automated follow-ups and reminders, streamlining management. Visual features like a sales pipeline aid in tracking overall progress, ensuring transparency and manageability in the sales process. This makes Freshworks a strong contender for businesses looking to streamline their sales operations.
Pricing Models and Plans
Pricing is a key consideration when choosing a CRM platform. Freshworks offers a straightforward pricing structure with no minimum user requirements, making it accessible to small businesses.
HubSpot’s pricing, however, is based on different ‘Hubs’ and can become expensive as you scale.
Free Plan and Trial Options
Both Freshworks and HubSpot offer free plans, allowing businesses to start without immediate costs. HubSpot’s free plan provides access to more tools from its Marketing and Customer Service Hubs compared to Freshsales.
Freshworks offers a free-forever version supporting unlimited users, enabling small businesses to fully utilize its CRM capabilities without worrying about user limits.
A limitation of HubSpot’s free plan is its basic contact management and limited call minutes, which can restrict its effectiveness for larger teams. This makes Freshworks a more practical choice for businesses needing comprehensive free tools.
Subscription Tiers
Freshworks offers subscription tiers starting at $9 per user per month, catering to different business needs. HubSpot’s pricing tiers start at $20 per user per month and include mandatory onboarding costs of $1500 and $3500 for its Professional and Enterprise plans, respectively.
Freshsales plans offer essential features like customization and call minutes without additional charges across all tiers, making them competitive compared to HubSpot’s higher pricing for similar features.
User Experience and Interface
Freshworks is praised for its clean, uncluttered interface that enhances user experience. Its intuitive design facilitates quick access to functionalities, making it easy for users to navigate and perform tasks efficiently. AI features like predictive lead scoring and automatic data enrichment further improve the user experience.
HubSpot’s interface is modular and customizable, allowing businesses to tailor the platform to their needs. Though recognized for its ease of use, the platform may require an in-house expert for full feature optimization. Despite this, HubSpot prioritizes simplicity in design, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of users.
Integration Capabilities
Both Freshworks and HubSpot offer various integration options with multiple software applications. HubSpot supports over 1,000 apps in its marketplace, significantly outnumbering Freshsales’ offerings. This extensive app marketplace allows HubSpot to provide individual APIs for each hub, enhancing integration flexibility.
Freshworks offers easy integration with third-party applications through a documented API and webhooks but lacks some popular integrations like Monday and Airtable. However, using the Zapier app can connect to apps without direct integration, enhancing Freshworks’ capabilities.
Customer Support and Resources
Freshworks offers a more extensive array of customer support tools compared to HubSpot. Freshworks provides 24/5 customer support, including phone, email, and chat, even for free users, ensuring help is always available through their customer service software.
HubSpot’s customer support team is more limited for free users, lacking direct chat or email assistance. Instead, HubSpot relies heavily on self-service options, offering a wide array of training resources like online webinars, videos, and in-app guidance to enhance customer interactions and address customer issues through HubSpot Service Hub.
Freshworks also offers a comprehensive knowledge base with video tutorials to assist new users. Although HubSpot offers similar resources, troubleshooting can be challenging without an experienced admin, highlighting the importance of Freshworks’ more extensive customer support.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Freshworks covers a broad range of functionalities, making it versatile for different user needs. It excels in sales automation, offering robust tools for managing sales processes, and is highly rated for its intuitive user interface. However, it may not scale as effectively for all users.
HubSpot offers full autopilot mode for marketing automation, facilitating a hands-off sales process. It caters better to large organizations with comprehensive tools but tends to be more expensive than Freshworks at every paid tier. This high cost can be a barrier for budget-conscious users and may increase as businesses grow.
Overall, both platforms have strengths, but Freshworks stands out for its cost-effectiveness and user-friendly design, making it a strong choice for small businesses and startups. HubSpot, with its extensive features and higher costs, is better suited for larger enterprises seeking advanced marketing tools.
Ideal User Profiles
HubSpot is ideal for organizations prioritizing inbound marketing strategies and needing advanced marketing tools and extensive integrations. Businesses of all sizes can utilize HubSpot CRM effectively, though its free plan’s limitations on contact management and call minutes can restrict usability for growing companies.
Freshworks is often considered more budget-friendly for small to medium-sized businesses. Freshsales suits startups or established businesses seeking simplicity, customization, and automation, making it an excellent choice for those focusing on sales automation.
Final Recommendation
When choosing between Freshworks and HubSpot, consider future business needs and the importance of scalability. HubSpot’s scalability is a significant strength, allowing it to adapt as your business grows and needs evolve. This makes it a compelling choice for businesses planning for rapid expansion.
However, if cost-effectiveness and user-friendly design are your primary concerns, Freshworks is likely the better choice. It offers a range of product offerings that are both affordable and robust, making it ideal for small to medium-sized businesses.
Ultimately, the right CRM system for your business will depend on your specific needs, preferences, and budget.
Summary
In summary, both Freshworks and HubSpot offer powerful CRM solutions, but their strengths and weaknesses cater to different business needs. Freshworks excels in cost-effectiveness, user-friendliness, and robust sales automation tools, making it a great choice for small to medium-sized businesses and startups. HubSpot, with its extensive marketing automation features and scalability, is better suited for larger enterprises and organizations focused on inbound marketing strategies.
Choosing the right CRM platform is crucial for your business’s success. By understanding the unique features, pricing models, and user experiences of both Freshworks and HubSpot, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals and helps you achieve long-term growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Freshworks better than Salesforce?
Freshworks is ideal for smaller organizations that prioritize user-friendliness and customer service, while Salesforce is better suited for those needing advanced functionality and adaptability. Your choice should align with your organization's specific needs.
What are the key differences between Freshworks and HubSpot?
The key differences between Freshworks and HubSpot lie in their foundational focus and pricing structure. Freshworks emphasizes cost-effective customer engagement tools, while HubSpot provides a comprehensive suite of integrated sales and marketing solutions.
Which CRM is more cost-effective for small businesses?
Freshworks is more cost-effective for small businesses due to its straightforward pricing structure and lack of minimum user requirements, providing essential features without extra charges across all tiers. This makes it an attractive option for small to medium-sized enterprises.
How do the free plans of Freshworks and HubSpot compare?
Freshworks offers a free plan that supports unlimited users, making it ideal for larger teams, while HubSpot's free plan provides more diverse tools but has restrictions on contact management and call minutes. Depending on your team's needs, choose Freshworks for scalability or HubSpot for functionality.
What are the strengths of HubSpot in terms of marketing automation?
HubSpot excels in marketing automation with its comprehensive capabilities like targeted campaigns, lead nurturing, and custom triggers, making it an essential tool for businesses aiming to enhance their marketing strategies. Its robust features empower companies to effectively engage with their audience and streamline their marketing efforts.
Choosing between Freshworks vs HubSpot in 2025 can be challenging. This article breaks down their features, pricing, user experience, and support to help you pick the best CRM for your business.
Key Takeaways
Freshworks offers cost-effective CRM solutions ideal for small to medium-sized businesses, while HubSpot excels in advanced marketing and integration capabilities.
Both platforms provide essential features for CRM, marketing automation, and sales process automation, but HubSpot’s tools are generally more comprehensive, especially in reporting and analytics.
Pricing models differ significantly; Freshworks has lower starting prices and offers a free-forever plan, making it more accessible for startups compared to HubSpot’s higher pricing and onboarding costs.
Freshworks vs HubSpot: A Quick Overview
Freshworks started with a focus on customer engagement and service tools, offering cost-effective and robust solutions for small businesses. HubSpot, meanwhile, began with a focus on inbound marketing strategies and quickly became a market leader in the CRM space.
Both Freshworks and HubSpot provide cloud-based solutions that improve business processes by integrating various functionalities into all-in-one software suites. This integration allows users to manage multiple business aspects from a single platform, streamlining workflows and boosting productivity.
Freshworks is known for its cost-effective CRM solutions, whereas HubSpot excels in seamless integration and comprehensive tools within its Sales Hub. A key difference lies in their pricing plans, which we will explore in detail later.
Key Features Comparison
Understanding the key features of Freshworks and HubSpot is crucial for making an informed decision. This comparison will cover the core functionalities, including Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools, marketing automation, and sales process automation.
Examining these areas will provide insights into which platform best aligns with your business needs.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Tools
Freshworks CRM offers several features that simplify lead prioritization and management for sales teams. These include:
AI-powered lead scoring
In-app telephone calls
Website data capture forms (even in its free version)
These features are particularly advantageous for small businesses. Additionally, the AI suggestions further enhance the lead qualification process, ensuring your sales team focuses on the most promising opportunities.
Maximize your lead potential — use our Lead Conversion Rate Calculator to measure and improve how effectively leads turn into customers.
HubSpot CRM, on the other hand, offers advanced marketing features like predictive lead scoring, which elevates customer management efficiency. Its customer service capabilities include ticketing and knowledge base management, essential for effective issue handling. Although premium reporting and analytics features are extra, they provide detailed insights that can drive business decisions.
Customization also sets these platforms apart. Freshworks allows easy sales process customization to meet specific business needs, whereas HubSpot offers extensive customization through its App Marketplace with various integrations and tools. This flexibility enables both platforms to cater to diverse business software requirements.
Both platforms offer robust reporting and analytics, though HubSpot’s features are more extensive and come at a premium. Freshworks offers essential tools for tracking sales performance, though it may not match the depth of HubSpot’s analytics capabilities.
To further understand HubSpot's capabilities, see our Affinity vs. HubSpot comparison.
Marketing Automation
HubSpot’s marketing automation is a primary strength, offering comprehensive capabilities like targeted campaigns, lead nurturing, follow-up emails, custom triggers, and sales network building. Integrated into its CRM, these features make HubSpot a powerhouse for marketing-focused businesses.
Freshworks also excels in marketing automation with its intuitive and cost-effective solutions. It enables customization of marketing campaigns based on customer behavior and preferences, ensuring relevant and effective messaging. Such customization can significantly enhance productivity and help teams close more deals.
Interested in how HubSpot stacks up against Brevo for CRM and marketing? Read our side-by-side comparison.
Sales Process Automation
Freshworks uses AI-powered lead scoring to rank leads based on conversion likelihood, helping sales teams focus on promising prospects. The platform also offers robust email tracking, providing insights on sent emails, open rates, links clicked, and post-open actions, which can refine sales strategies.
HubSpot enhances lead engagement with strategically automated emails and custom workflows, allowing users to set triggers for various sales activities. These features prevent leads from falling through the cracks and ensure efficient team operation.
Freshsales includes automated follow-ups and reminders, streamlining management. Visual features like a sales pipeline aid in tracking overall progress, ensuring transparency and manageability in the sales process. This makes Freshworks a strong contender for businesses looking to streamline their sales operations.
Pricing Models and Plans
Pricing is a key consideration when choosing a CRM platform. Freshworks offers a straightforward pricing structure with no minimum user requirements, making it accessible to small businesses.
HubSpot’s pricing, however, is based on different ‘Hubs’ and can become expensive as you scale.
Free Plan and Trial Options
Both Freshworks and HubSpot offer free plans, allowing businesses to start without immediate costs. HubSpot’s free plan provides access to more tools from its Marketing and Customer Service Hubs compared to Freshsales.
Freshworks offers a free-forever version supporting unlimited users, enabling small businesses to fully utilize its CRM capabilities without worrying about user limits.
A limitation of HubSpot’s free plan is its basic contact management and limited call minutes, which can restrict its effectiveness for larger teams. This makes Freshworks a more practical choice for businesses needing comprehensive free tools.
Subscription Tiers
Freshworks offers subscription tiers starting at $9 per user per month, catering to different business needs. HubSpot’s pricing tiers start at $20 per user per month and include mandatory onboarding costs of $1500 and $3500 for its Professional and Enterprise plans, respectively.
Freshsales plans offer essential features like customization and call minutes without additional charges across all tiers, making them competitive compared to HubSpot’s higher pricing for similar features.
User Experience and Interface
Freshworks is praised for its clean, uncluttered interface that enhances user experience. Its intuitive design facilitates quick access to functionalities, making it easy for users to navigate and perform tasks efficiently. AI features like predictive lead scoring and automatic data enrichment further improve the user experience.
HubSpot’s interface is modular and customizable, allowing businesses to tailor the platform to their needs. Though recognized for its ease of use, the platform may require an in-house expert for full feature optimization. Despite this, HubSpot prioritizes simplicity in design, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of users.
Integration Capabilities
Both Freshworks and HubSpot offer various integration options with multiple software applications. HubSpot supports over 1,000 apps in its marketplace, significantly outnumbering Freshsales’ offerings. This extensive app marketplace allows HubSpot to provide individual APIs for each hub, enhancing integration flexibility.
Freshworks offers easy integration with third-party applications through a documented API and webhooks but lacks some popular integrations like Monday and Airtable. However, using the Zapier app can connect to apps without direct integration, enhancing Freshworks’ capabilities.
Customer Support and Resources
Freshworks offers a more extensive array of customer support tools compared to HubSpot. Freshworks provides 24/5 customer support, including phone, email, and chat, even for free users, ensuring help is always available through their customer service software.
HubSpot’s customer support team is more limited for free users, lacking direct chat or email assistance. Instead, HubSpot relies heavily on self-service options, offering a wide array of training resources like online webinars, videos, and in-app guidance to enhance customer interactions and address customer issues through HubSpot Service Hub.
Freshworks also offers a comprehensive knowledge base with video tutorials to assist new users. Although HubSpot offers similar resources, troubleshooting can be challenging without an experienced admin, highlighting the importance of Freshworks’ more extensive customer support.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Freshworks covers a broad range of functionalities, making it versatile for different user needs. It excels in sales automation, offering robust tools for managing sales processes, and is highly rated for its intuitive user interface. However, it may not scale as effectively for all users.
HubSpot offers full autopilot mode for marketing automation, facilitating a hands-off sales process. It caters better to large organizations with comprehensive tools but tends to be more expensive than Freshworks at every paid tier. This high cost can be a barrier for budget-conscious users and may increase as businesses grow.
Overall, both platforms have strengths, but Freshworks stands out for its cost-effectiveness and user-friendly design, making it a strong choice for small businesses and startups. HubSpot, with its extensive features and higher costs, is better suited for larger enterprises seeking advanced marketing tools.
Ideal User Profiles
HubSpot is ideal for organizations prioritizing inbound marketing strategies and needing advanced marketing tools and extensive integrations. Businesses of all sizes can utilize HubSpot CRM effectively, though its free plan’s limitations on contact management and call minutes can restrict usability for growing companies.
Freshworks is often considered more budget-friendly for small to medium-sized businesses. Freshsales suits startups or established businesses seeking simplicity, customization, and automation, making it an excellent choice for those focusing on sales automation.
Final Recommendation
When choosing between Freshworks and HubSpot, consider future business needs and the importance of scalability. HubSpot’s scalability is a significant strength, allowing it to adapt as your business grows and needs evolve. This makes it a compelling choice for businesses planning for rapid expansion.
However, if cost-effectiveness and user-friendly design are your primary concerns, Freshworks is likely the better choice. It offers a range of product offerings that are both affordable and robust, making it ideal for small to medium-sized businesses.
Ultimately, the right CRM system for your business will depend on your specific needs, preferences, and budget.
Summary
In summary, both Freshworks and HubSpot offer powerful CRM solutions, but their strengths and weaknesses cater to different business needs. Freshworks excels in cost-effectiveness, user-friendliness, and robust sales automation tools, making it a great choice for small to medium-sized businesses and startups. HubSpot, with its extensive marketing automation features and scalability, is better suited for larger enterprises and organizations focused on inbound marketing strategies.
Choosing the right CRM platform is crucial for your business’s success. By understanding the unique features, pricing models, and user experiences of both Freshworks and HubSpot, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals and helps you achieve long-term growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Freshworks better than Salesforce?
Freshworks is ideal for smaller organizations that prioritize user-friendliness and customer service, while Salesforce is better suited for those needing advanced functionality and adaptability. Your choice should align with your organization's specific needs.
What are the key differences between Freshworks and HubSpot?
The key differences between Freshworks and HubSpot lie in their foundational focus and pricing structure. Freshworks emphasizes cost-effective customer engagement tools, while HubSpot provides a comprehensive suite of integrated sales and marketing solutions.
Which CRM is more cost-effective for small businesses?
Freshworks is more cost-effective for small businesses due to its straightforward pricing structure and lack of minimum user requirements, providing essential features without extra charges across all tiers. This makes it an attractive option for small to medium-sized enterprises.
How do the free plans of Freshworks and HubSpot compare?
Freshworks offers a free plan that supports unlimited users, making it ideal for larger teams, while HubSpot's free plan provides more diverse tools but has restrictions on contact management and call minutes. Depending on your team's needs, choose Freshworks for scalability or HubSpot for functionality.
What are the strengths of HubSpot in terms of marketing automation?
HubSpot excels in marketing automation with its comprehensive capabilities like targeted campaigns, lead nurturing, and custom triggers, making it an essential tool for businesses aiming to enhance their marketing strategies. Its robust features empower companies to effectively engage with their audience and streamline their marketing efforts.
Choosing between Freshworks vs HubSpot in 2025 can be challenging. This article breaks down their features, pricing, user experience, and support to help you pick the best CRM for your business.
Key Takeaways
Freshworks offers cost-effective CRM solutions ideal for small to medium-sized businesses, while HubSpot excels in advanced marketing and integration capabilities.
Both platforms provide essential features for CRM, marketing automation, and sales process automation, but HubSpot’s tools are generally more comprehensive, especially in reporting and analytics.
Pricing models differ significantly; Freshworks has lower starting prices and offers a free-forever plan, making it more accessible for startups compared to HubSpot’s higher pricing and onboarding costs.
Freshworks vs HubSpot: A Quick Overview
Freshworks started with a focus on customer engagement and service tools, offering cost-effective and robust solutions for small businesses. HubSpot, meanwhile, began with a focus on inbound marketing strategies and quickly became a market leader in the CRM space.
Both Freshworks and HubSpot provide cloud-based solutions that improve business processes by integrating various functionalities into all-in-one software suites. This integration allows users to manage multiple business aspects from a single platform, streamlining workflows and boosting productivity.
Freshworks is known for its cost-effective CRM solutions, whereas HubSpot excels in seamless integration and comprehensive tools within its Sales Hub. A key difference lies in their pricing plans, which we will explore in detail later.
Key Features Comparison
Understanding the key features of Freshworks and HubSpot is crucial for making an informed decision. This comparison will cover the core functionalities, including Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools, marketing automation, and sales process automation.
Examining these areas will provide insights into which platform best aligns with your business needs.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Tools
Freshworks CRM offers several features that simplify lead prioritization and management for sales teams. These include:
AI-powered lead scoring
In-app telephone calls
Website data capture forms (even in its free version)
These features are particularly advantageous for small businesses. Additionally, the AI suggestions further enhance the lead qualification process, ensuring your sales team focuses on the most promising opportunities.
Maximize your lead potential — use our Lead Conversion Rate Calculator to measure and improve how effectively leads turn into customers.
HubSpot CRM, on the other hand, offers advanced marketing features like predictive lead scoring, which elevates customer management efficiency. Its customer service capabilities include ticketing and knowledge base management, essential for effective issue handling. Although premium reporting and analytics features are extra, they provide detailed insights that can drive business decisions.
Customization also sets these platforms apart. Freshworks allows easy sales process customization to meet specific business needs, whereas HubSpot offers extensive customization through its App Marketplace with various integrations and tools. This flexibility enables both platforms to cater to diverse business software requirements.
Both platforms offer robust reporting and analytics, though HubSpot’s features are more extensive and come at a premium. Freshworks offers essential tools for tracking sales performance, though it may not match the depth of HubSpot’s analytics capabilities.
To further understand HubSpot's capabilities, see our Affinity vs. HubSpot comparison.
Marketing Automation
HubSpot’s marketing automation is a primary strength, offering comprehensive capabilities like targeted campaigns, lead nurturing, follow-up emails, custom triggers, and sales network building. Integrated into its CRM, these features make HubSpot a powerhouse for marketing-focused businesses.
Freshworks also excels in marketing automation with its intuitive and cost-effective solutions. It enables customization of marketing campaigns based on customer behavior and preferences, ensuring relevant and effective messaging. Such customization can significantly enhance productivity and help teams close more deals.
Interested in how HubSpot stacks up against Brevo for CRM and marketing? Read our side-by-side comparison.
Sales Process Automation
Freshworks uses AI-powered lead scoring to rank leads based on conversion likelihood, helping sales teams focus on promising prospects. The platform also offers robust email tracking, providing insights on sent emails, open rates, links clicked, and post-open actions, which can refine sales strategies.
HubSpot enhances lead engagement with strategically automated emails and custom workflows, allowing users to set triggers for various sales activities. These features prevent leads from falling through the cracks and ensure efficient team operation.
Freshsales includes automated follow-ups and reminders, streamlining management. Visual features like a sales pipeline aid in tracking overall progress, ensuring transparency and manageability in the sales process. This makes Freshworks a strong contender for businesses looking to streamline their sales operations.
Pricing Models and Plans
Pricing is a key consideration when choosing a CRM platform. Freshworks offers a straightforward pricing structure with no minimum user requirements, making it accessible to small businesses.
HubSpot’s pricing, however, is based on different ‘Hubs’ and can become expensive as you scale.
Free Plan and Trial Options
Both Freshworks and HubSpot offer free plans, allowing businesses to start without immediate costs. HubSpot’s free plan provides access to more tools from its Marketing and Customer Service Hubs compared to Freshsales.
Freshworks offers a free-forever version supporting unlimited users, enabling small businesses to fully utilize its CRM capabilities without worrying about user limits.
A limitation of HubSpot’s free plan is its basic contact management and limited call minutes, which can restrict its effectiveness for larger teams. This makes Freshworks a more practical choice for businesses needing comprehensive free tools.
Subscription Tiers
Freshworks offers subscription tiers starting at $9 per user per month, catering to different business needs. HubSpot’s pricing tiers start at $20 per user per month and include mandatory onboarding costs of $1500 and $3500 for its Professional and Enterprise plans, respectively.
Freshsales plans offer essential features like customization and call minutes without additional charges across all tiers, making them competitive compared to HubSpot’s higher pricing for similar features.
User Experience and Interface
Freshworks is praised for its clean, uncluttered interface that enhances user experience. Its intuitive design facilitates quick access to functionalities, making it easy for users to navigate and perform tasks efficiently. AI features like predictive lead scoring and automatic data enrichment further improve the user experience.
HubSpot’s interface is modular and customizable, allowing businesses to tailor the platform to their needs. Though recognized for its ease of use, the platform may require an in-house expert for full feature optimization. Despite this, HubSpot prioritizes simplicity in design, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of users.
Integration Capabilities
Both Freshworks and HubSpot offer various integration options with multiple software applications. HubSpot supports over 1,000 apps in its marketplace, significantly outnumbering Freshsales’ offerings. This extensive app marketplace allows HubSpot to provide individual APIs for each hub, enhancing integration flexibility.
Freshworks offers easy integration with third-party applications through a documented API and webhooks but lacks some popular integrations like Monday and Airtable. However, using the Zapier app can connect to apps without direct integration, enhancing Freshworks’ capabilities.
Customer Support and Resources
Freshworks offers a more extensive array of customer support tools compared to HubSpot. Freshworks provides 24/5 customer support, including phone, email, and chat, even for free users, ensuring help is always available through their customer service software.
HubSpot’s customer support team is more limited for free users, lacking direct chat or email assistance. Instead, HubSpot relies heavily on self-service options, offering a wide array of training resources like online webinars, videos, and in-app guidance to enhance customer interactions and address customer issues through HubSpot Service Hub.
Freshworks also offers a comprehensive knowledge base with video tutorials to assist new users. Although HubSpot offers similar resources, troubleshooting can be challenging without an experienced admin, highlighting the importance of Freshworks’ more extensive customer support.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Freshworks covers a broad range of functionalities, making it versatile for different user needs. It excels in sales automation, offering robust tools for managing sales processes, and is highly rated for its intuitive user interface. However, it may not scale as effectively for all users.
HubSpot offers full autopilot mode for marketing automation, facilitating a hands-off sales process. It caters better to large organizations with comprehensive tools but tends to be more expensive than Freshworks at every paid tier. This high cost can be a barrier for budget-conscious users and may increase as businesses grow.
Overall, both platforms have strengths, but Freshworks stands out for its cost-effectiveness and user-friendly design, making it a strong choice for small businesses and startups. HubSpot, with its extensive features and higher costs, is better suited for larger enterprises seeking advanced marketing tools.
Ideal User Profiles
HubSpot is ideal for organizations prioritizing inbound marketing strategies and needing advanced marketing tools and extensive integrations. Businesses of all sizes can utilize HubSpot CRM effectively, though its free plan’s limitations on contact management and call minutes can restrict usability for growing companies.
Freshworks is often considered more budget-friendly for small to medium-sized businesses. Freshsales suits startups or established businesses seeking simplicity, customization, and automation, making it an excellent choice for those focusing on sales automation.
Final Recommendation
When choosing between Freshworks and HubSpot, consider future business needs and the importance of scalability. HubSpot’s scalability is a significant strength, allowing it to adapt as your business grows and needs evolve. This makes it a compelling choice for businesses planning for rapid expansion.
However, if cost-effectiveness and user-friendly design are your primary concerns, Freshworks is likely the better choice. It offers a range of product offerings that are both affordable and robust, making it ideal for small to medium-sized businesses.
Ultimately, the right CRM system for your business will depend on your specific needs, preferences, and budget.
Summary
In summary, both Freshworks and HubSpot offer powerful CRM solutions, but their strengths and weaknesses cater to different business needs. Freshworks excels in cost-effectiveness, user-friendliness, and robust sales automation tools, making it a great choice for small to medium-sized businesses and startups. HubSpot, with its extensive marketing automation features and scalability, is better suited for larger enterprises and organizations focused on inbound marketing strategies.
Choosing the right CRM platform is crucial for your business’s success. By understanding the unique features, pricing models, and user experiences of both Freshworks and HubSpot, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals and helps you achieve long-term growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Freshworks better than Salesforce?
Freshworks is ideal for smaller organizations that prioritize user-friendliness and customer service, while Salesforce is better suited for those needing advanced functionality and adaptability. Your choice should align with your organization's specific needs.
What are the key differences between Freshworks and HubSpot?
The key differences between Freshworks and HubSpot lie in their foundational focus and pricing structure. Freshworks emphasizes cost-effective customer engagement tools, while HubSpot provides a comprehensive suite of integrated sales and marketing solutions.
Which CRM is more cost-effective for small businesses?
Freshworks is more cost-effective for small businesses due to its straightforward pricing structure and lack of minimum user requirements, providing essential features without extra charges across all tiers. This makes it an attractive option for small to medium-sized enterprises.
How do the free plans of Freshworks and HubSpot compare?
Freshworks offers a free plan that supports unlimited users, making it ideal for larger teams, while HubSpot's free plan provides more diverse tools but has restrictions on contact management and call minutes. Depending on your team's needs, choose Freshworks for scalability or HubSpot for functionality.
What are the strengths of HubSpot in terms of marketing automation?
HubSpot excels in marketing automation with its comprehensive capabilities like targeted campaigns, lead nurturing, and custom triggers, making it an essential tool for businesses aiming to enhance their marketing strategies. Its robust features empower companies to effectively engage with their audience and streamline their marketing efforts.
Choosing between Freshworks vs HubSpot in 2025 can be challenging. This article breaks down their features, pricing, user experience, and support to help you pick the best CRM for your business.
Key Takeaways
Freshworks offers cost-effective CRM solutions ideal for small to medium-sized businesses, while HubSpot excels in advanced marketing and integration capabilities.
Both platforms provide essential features for CRM, marketing automation, and sales process automation, but HubSpot’s tools are generally more comprehensive, especially in reporting and analytics.
Pricing models differ significantly; Freshworks has lower starting prices and offers a free-forever plan, making it more accessible for startups compared to HubSpot’s higher pricing and onboarding costs.
Freshworks vs HubSpot: A Quick Overview
Freshworks started with a focus on customer engagement and service tools, offering cost-effective and robust solutions for small businesses. HubSpot, meanwhile, began with a focus on inbound marketing strategies and quickly became a market leader in the CRM space.
Both Freshworks and HubSpot provide cloud-based solutions that improve business processes by integrating various functionalities into all-in-one software suites. This integration allows users to manage multiple business aspects from a single platform, streamlining workflows and boosting productivity.
Freshworks is known for its cost-effective CRM solutions, whereas HubSpot excels in seamless integration and comprehensive tools within its Sales Hub. A key difference lies in their pricing plans, which we will explore in detail later.
Key Features Comparison
Understanding the key features of Freshworks and HubSpot is crucial for making an informed decision. This comparison will cover the core functionalities, including Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools, marketing automation, and sales process automation.
Examining these areas will provide insights into which platform best aligns with your business needs.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Tools
Freshworks CRM offers several features that simplify lead prioritization and management for sales teams. These include:
AI-powered lead scoring
In-app telephone calls
Website data capture forms (even in its free version)
These features are particularly advantageous for small businesses. Additionally, the AI suggestions further enhance the lead qualification process, ensuring your sales team focuses on the most promising opportunities.
Maximize your lead potential — use our Lead Conversion Rate Calculator to measure and improve how effectively leads turn into customers.
HubSpot CRM, on the other hand, offers advanced marketing features like predictive lead scoring, which elevates customer management efficiency. Its customer service capabilities include ticketing and knowledge base management, essential for effective issue handling. Although premium reporting and analytics features are extra, they provide detailed insights that can drive business decisions.
Customization also sets these platforms apart. Freshworks allows easy sales process customization to meet specific business needs, whereas HubSpot offers extensive customization through its App Marketplace with various integrations and tools. This flexibility enables both platforms to cater to diverse business software requirements.
Both platforms offer robust reporting and analytics, though HubSpot’s features are more extensive and come at a premium. Freshworks offers essential tools for tracking sales performance, though it may not match the depth of HubSpot’s analytics capabilities.
To further understand HubSpot's capabilities, see our Affinity vs. HubSpot comparison.
Marketing Automation
HubSpot’s marketing automation is a primary strength, offering comprehensive capabilities like targeted campaigns, lead nurturing, follow-up emails, custom triggers, and sales network building. Integrated into its CRM, these features make HubSpot a powerhouse for marketing-focused businesses.
Freshworks also excels in marketing automation with its intuitive and cost-effective solutions. It enables customization of marketing campaigns based on customer behavior and preferences, ensuring relevant and effective messaging. Such customization can significantly enhance productivity and help teams close more deals.
Interested in how HubSpot stacks up against Brevo for CRM and marketing? Read our side-by-side comparison.
Sales Process Automation
Freshworks uses AI-powered lead scoring to rank leads based on conversion likelihood, helping sales teams focus on promising prospects. The platform also offers robust email tracking, providing insights on sent emails, open rates, links clicked, and post-open actions, which can refine sales strategies.
HubSpot enhances lead engagement with strategically automated emails and custom workflows, allowing users to set triggers for various sales activities. These features prevent leads from falling through the cracks and ensure efficient team operation.
Freshsales includes automated follow-ups and reminders, streamlining management. Visual features like a sales pipeline aid in tracking overall progress, ensuring transparency and manageability in the sales process. This makes Freshworks a strong contender for businesses looking to streamline their sales operations.
Pricing Models and Plans
Pricing is a key consideration when choosing a CRM platform. Freshworks offers a straightforward pricing structure with no minimum user requirements, making it accessible to small businesses.
HubSpot’s pricing, however, is based on different ‘Hubs’ and can become expensive as you scale.
Free Plan and Trial Options
Both Freshworks and HubSpot offer free plans, allowing businesses to start without immediate costs. HubSpot’s free plan provides access to more tools from its Marketing and Customer Service Hubs compared to Freshsales.
Freshworks offers a free-forever version supporting unlimited users, enabling small businesses to fully utilize its CRM capabilities without worrying about user limits.
A limitation of HubSpot’s free plan is its basic contact management and limited call minutes, which can restrict its effectiveness for larger teams. This makes Freshworks a more practical choice for businesses needing comprehensive free tools.
Subscription Tiers
Freshworks offers subscription tiers starting at $9 per user per month, catering to different business needs. HubSpot’s pricing tiers start at $20 per user per month and include mandatory onboarding costs of $1500 and $3500 for its Professional and Enterprise plans, respectively.
Freshsales plans offer essential features like customization and call minutes without additional charges across all tiers, making them competitive compared to HubSpot’s higher pricing for similar features.
User Experience and Interface
Freshworks is praised for its clean, uncluttered interface that enhances user experience. Its intuitive design facilitates quick access to functionalities, making it easy for users to navigate and perform tasks efficiently. AI features like predictive lead scoring and automatic data enrichment further improve the user experience.
HubSpot’s interface is modular and customizable, allowing businesses to tailor the platform to their needs. Though recognized for its ease of use, the platform may require an in-house expert for full feature optimization. Despite this, HubSpot prioritizes simplicity in design, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of users.
Integration Capabilities
Both Freshworks and HubSpot offer various integration options with multiple software applications. HubSpot supports over 1,000 apps in its marketplace, significantly outnumbering Freshsales’ offerings. This extensive app marketplace allows HubSpot to provide individual APIs for each hub, enhancing integration flexibility.
Freshworks offers easy integration with third-party applications through a documented API and webhooks but lacks some popular integrations like Monday and Airtable. However, using the Zapier app can connect to apps without direct integration, enhancing Freshworks’ capabilities.
Customer Support and Resources
Freshworks offers a more extensive array of customer support tools compared to HubSpot. Freshworks provides 24/5 customer support, including phone, email, and chat, even for free users, ensuring help is always available through their customer service software.
HubSpot’s customer support team is more limited for free users, lacking direct chat or email assistance. Instead, HubSpot relies heavily on self-service options, offering a wide array of training resources like online webinars, videos, and in-app guidance to enhance customer interactions and address customer issues through HubSpot Service Hub.
Freshworks also offers a comprehensive knowledge base with video tutorials to assist new users. Although HubSpot offers similar resources, troubleshooting can be challenging without an experienced admin, highlighting the importance of Freshworks’ more extensive customer support.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Freshworks covers a broad range of functionalities, making it versatile for different user needs. It excels in sales automation, offering robust tools for managing sales processes, and is highly rated for its intuitive user interface. However, it may not scale as effectively for all users.
HubSpot offers full autopilot mode for marketing automation, facilitating a hands-off sales process. It caters better to large organizations with comprehensive tools but tends to be more expensive than Freshworks at every paid tier. This high cost can be a barrier for budget-conscious users and may increase as businesses grow.
Overall, both platforms have strengths, but Freshworks stands out for its cost-effectiveness and user-friendly design, making it a strong choice for small businesses and startups. HubSpot, with its extensive features and higher costs, is better suited for larger enterprises seeking advanced marketing tools.
Ideal User Profiles
HubSpot is ideal for organizations prioritizing inbound marketing strategies and needing advanced marketing tools and extensive integrations. Businesses of all sizes can utilize HubSpot CRM effectively, though its free plan’s limitations on contact management and call minutes can restrict usability for growing companies.
Freshworks is often considered more budget-friendly for small to medium-sized businesses. Freshsales suits startups or established businesses seeking simplicity, customization, and automation, making it an excellent choice for those focusing on sales automation.
Final Recommendation
When choosing between Freshworks and HubSpot, consider future business needs and the importance of scalability. HubSpot’s scalability is a significant strength, allowing it to adapt as your business grows and needs evolve. This makes it a compelling choice for businesses planning for rapid expansion.
However, if cost-effectiveness and user-friendly design are your primary concerns, Freshworks is likely the better choice. It offers a range of product offerings that are both affordable and robust, making it ideal for small to medium-sized businesses.
Ultimately, the right CRM system for your business will depend on your specific needs, preferences, and budget.
Summary
In summary, both Freshworks and HubSpot offer powerful CRM solutions, but their strengths and weaknesses cater to different business needs. Freshworks excels in cost-effectiveness, user-friendliness, and robust sales automation tools, making it a great choice for small to medium-sized businesses and startups. HubSpot, with its extensive marketing automation features and scalability, is better suited for larger enterprises and organizations focused on inbound marketing strategies.
Choosing the right CRM platform is crucial for your business’s success. By understanding the unique features, pricing models, and user experiences of both Freshworks and HubSpot, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals and helps you achieve long-term growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Freshworks better than Salesforce?
Freshworks is ideal for smaller organizations that prioritize user-friendliness and customer service, while Salesforce is better suited for those needing advanced functionality and adaptability. Your choice should align with your organization's specific needs.
What are the key differences between Freshworks and HubSpot?
The key differences between Freshworks and HubSpot lie in their foundational focus and pricing structure. Freshworks emphasizes cost-effective customer engagement tools, while HubSpot provides a comprehensive suite of integrated sales and marketing solutions.
Which CRM is more cost-effective for small businesses?
Freshworks is more cost-effective for small businesses due to its straightforward pricing structure and lack of minimum user requirements, providing essential features without extra charges across all tiers. This makes it an attractive option for small to medium-sized enterprises.
How do the free plans of Freshworks and HubSpot compare?
Freshworks offers a free plan that supports unlimited users, making it ideal for larger teams, while HubSpot's free plan provides more diverse tools but has restrictions on contact management and call minutes. Depending on your team's needs, choose Freshworks for scalability or HubSpot for functionality.
What are the strengths of HubSpot in terms of marketing automation?
HubSpot excels in marketing automation with its comprehensive capabilities like targeted campaigns, lead nurturing, and custom triggers, making it an essential tool for businesses aiming to enhance their marketing strategies. Its robust features empower companies to effectively engage with their audience and streamline their marketing efforts.
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Dmytro is a seasoned marketing professional with over 10 years in the B2B and startup ecosystem. He is passionate about helping companies better plan their revenue goals, improve forecast accuracy, and proactively address performance bottlenecks or seize growth opportunities.
Dmytro is a seasoned marketing professional with over 10 years in the B2B and startup ecosystem. He is passionate about helping companies better plan their revenue goals, improve forecast accuracy, and proactively address performance bottlenecks or seize growth opportunities.
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© 2025 Forecastio, All rights reserved.
© 2025 Forecastio, All rights reserved.
© 2025 Forecastio, All rights reserved.