The quick pace of digital business demands a reliable Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution for small businesses to boost operations efficiency and deliver better customer experiences, which leads to heightened revenue performance. There are two widely used CRMs for small businesses, which include HubSpot vs Freshsales. These platforms deliver multiple tools that boost sales performance and automate workflow systems alongside statistical data delivery. Standalone small businesses need to choose an appropriate Customer Relationship Management system.

The comprehensive review presents seven key aspects that support CRM adoption for small companies through assessments of ease of use and cost factors alongside sales effectiveness and additional areas. Small business owners seeking a robust CRM for brand expansion should refer to this evaluation between HubSpot vs Freshsales to find their ideal solution.

Key Takeaways

Feature Comparison: AI-Driven Insights, Automation, and Pipeline Management

Both HubSpot vs Freshsales integrate artificial intelligence (AI) to improve CRM functionality, making sales processes smoother and data-driven. HubSpot’s AI-powered tools automate repetitive tasks like email drafting and meeting scheduling, while Freshsales incorporates Freddy AI, offering predictive analytics, customer segmentation, and contact scoring. These AI-driven features ensure that small businesses can make informed decisions with minimal manual effort.

Another critical factor for small businesses is automation. HubSpot’s CRM automation is robust but often requires a higher-tier subscription to access advanced workflow automation. In contrast, Freshsales offers built-in automation features such as lead prioritization and workflow triggers, even in its lower-tier plans. Pipeline management is another area where both CRMs excel, allowing businesses to monitor deals and sales performance through custom dashboards and reporting tools.

You May Also Like: HubSpot vs Keap: The Big CRM Debate – Who Wins for Small Business in 2025 and Beyond?

Feature	HubSpot	Freshsales
AI Insights	AI-driven automation & insights	Freddy AI for predictive analytics
Automation	Requires higher-tier plans	Available in all plans
Pipeline Management	Custom dashboards & tracking	Built-in tracking & deal scoring

---

The 7 Positive Truths About CRM for Small Businesses Between HubSpot vs Freshsales

1. User Experience and Ease of Use Analysis

For small businesses, adopting a CRM that is easy to use is essential. A complicated system can lead to wasted time and a steep learning curve. HubSpot vs Freshsales are both designed with user-friendliness in mind, but they take different approaches. HubSpot offers a clean, intuitive interface with a well-organized dashboard that makes navigation simple, even for beginners. Its drag-and-drop functionality and onboarding guides make it ideal for businesses with no prior CRM experience.

Freshsales, on the other hand, is equally intuitive but more sales-focused. Its interface is designed for teams looking to prioritize leads and streamline sales. Unlike HubSpot, which caters to marketing and service teams as well, Freshsales is specifically tailored for sales professionals. Its minimalist design ensures that teams can focus on managing deals rather than navigating a complex dashboard.

Factor	HubSpot	Freshsales
Ease of Use	Intuitive dashboard, easy setup	Simple UI with a sales-focused approach
User Training	Extensive onboarding guides	Minimal training required
Target Audience	Marketing, sales, and service teams	Sales and customer engagement teams

You May Also Like: HubSpot vs ClickFunnels: The Best and #1 Choice for Lead Conversion Uncovered!

Key Takeaways:

• HubSpot is more versatile, catering to various teams.
• Freshsales is better for sales-driven businesses that need a simple but effective interface.

2. Cost-Effectiveness for Startups and SMBs

Pricing is often a decisive factor when choosing a CRM, especially for startups and small businesses operating on tight budgets. HubSpot vs Freshsales offer free plans, but the cost structures of their premium features differ significantly.

HubSpot’s free CRM provides basic functionalities, but unlocking advanced tools such as automation, advanced reporting, and AI insights requires upgrading to higher-tier plans, which can be expensive. Freshsales, in contrast, offers more built-in features in its lower-priced plans, making it a more budget-friendly option for small businesses that need advanced tools without high costs.

Pricing Factor	HubSpot	Freshsales
Free Plan	Available, but limited features	Available, more features included
Paid Plans	Higher cost for advanced tools	Affordable with built-in AI features
Value for Money	Best for businesses needing marketing tools	Best for sales teams looking for cost-effective CRM

Key Takeaways:

• HubSpot is great for businesses that need an all-in-one CRM with marketing and service integrations.
• Freshsales is more affordable for small businesses focusing on sales.

3. Which CRM Helps Sales Teams Close More Deals?

A CRM’s ability to help sales teams close more deals is a top priority. HubSpot vs Freshsales both provide essential sales tools, but their effectiveness varies.

HubSpot comes with built-in email tracking, meeting scheduling, and automation tools that assist sales reps in managing leads and following up efficiently. Additionally, its AI-driven lead scoring helps identify the most promising prospects, enabling teams to prioritize high-value opportunities.

Freshsales, with its Freddy AI, excels in predictive lead scoring. It automatically analyzes customer behavior and sales trends to rank leads based on their likelihood to convert. The CRM’s built-in automation and follow-up reminders help sales teams stay engaged with potential customers without missing key interactions.

Sales Feature	HubSpot	Freshsales
Lead Scoring	AI-powered lead ranking	Freddy AI predictive scoring
Follow-Up Automation	Email scheduling, reminders	Auto-lead assignment, workflow automation
Sales Pipeline	Custom dashboards, deal tracking	Simple tracking with AI insights

You May Also Like: HubSpot vs Pipedrive: The Ultimate Showdown for Sales Teams in 2025

Key Takeaways:

• HubSpot excels in lead tracking and AI-powered insights.
• Freshsales offers better automation and predictive lead scoring for sales teams.

4. Customization and Scalability for Growing Businesses

As small businesses grow, their CRM needs change. A scalable and customizable CRM ensures that companies don’t outgrow their software too quickly. HubSpot vs Freshsales both offer customization, but they cater to different growth needs.

HubSpot provides extensive customization options, allowing businesses to tailor dashboards, workflows, and pipelines according to their sales process. However, many of these features are only available in the higher-tier paid plans. It is ideal for businesses that need marketing, sales, and service modules in a single ecosystem.

Freshsales, on the other hand, is designed for growing sales teams. It offers flexible customization options, including custom fields, modules, and automation rules, without requiring an expensive upgrade. Small businesses that prioritize scaling their sales operations will find Freshsales’ customization capabilities more budget-friendly and practical.

Factor	HubSpot	Freshsales
Customization	Extensive, but higher-tier plans	Flexible, available in all plans
Scalability	Best for businesses needing marketing, sales & service	Best for sales-driven businesses
Growth-Friendly?	Yes, but pricing increases as features scale	Yes, cost-effective for scaling sales teams

Key Takeaways:

• HubSpot offers advanced customization but requires higher-tier plans for full flexibility.
• Freshsales is more cost-effective for scaling sales teams with built-in customization.

5. CRM Integration with Third-Party Tools and Apps

A CRM that seamlessly integrates with other business tools helps streamline operations. Both HubSpot vs Freshsales offer integrations with popular third-party tools, but their approaches differ.

HubSpot boasts a massive ecosystem of integrations, connecting with over 1,000+ apps, including Google Workspace, Slack, Shopify, and Zapier. Businesses that use multiple tools for marketing, sales, and customer support will benefit from HubSpot’s wide integration capabilities.

Freshsales provides essential integrations but focuses more on native connectivity with Freshworks products (Freshdesk, Freshchat, etc.). It also supports Zapier for extended third-party connections, but its integration library is smaller compared to HubSpot.

Integration Factor	HubSpot	Freshsales
Number of Integrations	1,000+ apps	Fewer, but core sales tools
Zapier Support	Yes, available	Yes, available
Best For	Businesses needing marketing, sales, and service integrations	Sales teams using Freshworks products

You May Also Like: HubSpot vs ActiveCampaign: 7 Excellent Email Automation Features Compared

Key Takeaways:

• HubSpot offers a vast range of third-party integrations, making it ideal for businesses with complex workflows.
• Freshsales provides seamless integrations within the Freshworks ecosystem, making it better for companies using Freshdesk, Freshchat, and Freshcaller.

6. Reporting and Analytics for Data-Driven Decision Making

A CRM’s reporting and analytics capabilities determine how well businesses can track sales performance, customer behavior, and ROI. HubSpot vs Freshsales both offer strong analytics, but with key differences.

HubSpot’s reporting tools are highly customizable, offering in-depth insights into lead tracking, sales forecasts, and customer behavior. Its dashboards are easy to use and allow businesses to visualize data in real-time. However, advanced reporting requires a premium plan, which may not be budget-friendly for small businesses.

Freshsales provides built-in reports covering lead conversion rates, revenue forecasts, and sales team performance. Unlike HubSpot, Freshsales includes AI-powered insights in its base plan, allowing small businesses to leverage predictive analytics without additional costs.

Reporting Factor	HubSpot	Freshsales
Customization	Advanced, but in higher-tier plans	Built-in reports available in all plans
Predictive Analytics	Available, but requires an upgrade	Freddy AI provides real-time insights
Best For	Businesses needing advanced, marketing-heavy reporting	Sales teams focused on AI-driven insights

Key Takeaways:

• HubSpot is great for businesses that need marketing analytics, but advanced reporting requires higher-tier plans.
• Freshsales provides built-in AI-powered insights, making it cost-effective for sales teams needing real-time data.

7. Customer Support and Training Resources

When implementing a CRM, access to customer support and training can make a huge difference in adoption rates and efficiency. HubSpot vs Freshsales both offer support, but with different approaches.

HubSpot provides an extensive knowledge base, video tutorials, and webinars, making it easy for users to learn the platform. However, live chat and phone support are only available in paid plans. Free users must rely on community forums and self-help resources.

Freshsales offers 24/5 email, chat, and phone support, even on lower-tier plans. This is beneficial for small businesses that may need immediate help without upgrading to a premium plan. Additionally, Freshsales provides dedicated onboarding support, making it easier for new businesses to transition smoothly.

You May Also Like: HubSpot vs Marketo: The Shocking Truth About Marketing Automation This 2025

Support Factor	HubSpot	Freshsales
Self-Help Resources	Extensive knowledge base, training videos	Standard knowledge base
Live Chat Support	Paid plans only	Available in all plans
Phone Support	Available in premium plans	Available in all plans
Best For	Businesses comfortable with self-training	Businesses needing direct support without extra cost

Key Takeaways:

• HubSpot offers high-quality training and educational resources, but live support is restricted to paid plans.
• Freshsales provides better direct support options, making it ideal for small businesses needing immediate assistance.

Conclusion

Choosing between HubSpot vs Freshsales ultimately comes down to your small business’s specific needs. If you require a comprehensive CRM with marketing, sales, and customer service tools, HubSpot is a fantastic option. It offers a large integration ecosystem, advanced customization, and powerful reporting features—but at a higher price point. While the free plan is useful, businesses looking for advanced automation and analytics will need to upgrade to premium tiers, which may not be ideal for startups with limited budgets.

On the other hand, Freshsales is an excellent choice for sales-focused businesses that need affordable automation, AI-driven insights, and a user-friendly interface. With built-in AI features, robust customization, and better direct customer support, Freshsales provides a strong alternative for small businesses that want to scale their sales operations efficiently without overspending. Ultimately, both CRM platforms offer unique advantages, and the best option depends on whether your business prioritizes marketing integration (HubSpot) or sales-driven growth (Freshsales).

FAQs

1. Which CRM is better for startups, HubSpot vs Freshsales?

Freshsales is more affordable and provides AI-driven automation for small sales teams. HubSpot’s free plan is great for startups, but premium features can be costly.

2. Does HubSpot vs Freshsales offer better automation features?

Freshsales includes AI-powered automation (Freddy AI) in lower-tier plans, making it the better choice for sales automation. HubSpot provides powerful automation but requires an upgrade to premium plans.

3. Can I integrate third-party apps with both HubSpot vs Freshsales?

Yes, both CRMs offer integrations. HubSpot has a larger integration marketplace (1,000+ apps), while Freshsales offers core sales tool integrations and seamless Freshworks product connectivity.

4. Which CRM provides better customer support?

Freshsales offers 24/5 chat and phone support in all plans, while HubSpot restricts live support to paid tiers. However, HubSpot has an extensive knowledge base and self-help resources.

5. Is HubSpot vs Freshsales better for sales teams?

Freshsales is better for sales-driven businesses due to its AI-powered insights, automation, and cost-effective pricing. HubSpot is great for teams needing marketing, sales, and service in one platform.

6. Which CRM offers better customization options?

HubSpot offers advanced customization, but most features are locked behind premium plans. Freshsales provides flexible customization in all pricing tiers, making it better for budget-conscious businesses.

7. Is HubSpot vs Freshsales more cost-effective for small businesses?

Freshsales is generally more affordable, offering AI-driven automation and sales tools at lower price points. HubSpot has a free plan, but advanced features require costly upgrades.

Still unsure which CRM is the right fit for your business? Whether you choose HubSpot vs Freshsales, selecting the right platform can significantly impact your sales and marketing success. Visit ShowMe Digital Marketing for expert insights, comparisons, and guidance on making the best CRM choice for your growing business!