Freshsales vs HubSpot CRM: Which CRM Tool Is Better in 2026?

Freshsales

From $9

HubSpot CRM

From $15

Quick verdict

Overall pick: Tie

Pick Freshsales if budget per seat is the deciding factor and you want an all-in-one sales communication tool aimed at startups; its $9 starting price is $6 per seat below HubSpot CRM's $15. Pick HubSpot CRM if you are a growing SMB that wants a CRM aligned with inbound marketing, since that is its stated focus. Because every compared feature is present in both tools, the choice comes down to price and positioning rather than capability gaps.

Freshsales's entry plan ($9) is 40% cheaper than HubSpot CRM's ($15).
Both offer a free plan, so you can test them side by side at no cost.
They cover the same 8 of 8 core features we track, so price and UX decide.

Try Freshsales →Try HubSpot CRM →

Cost calculator

Team size: 5 users

Tool	Monthly	Yearly
Freshsales · per user	$45.00	$540
HubSpot CRM · per user	$75.00	$900

Based on entry-level paid plans. Prices change, so check the vendor before you buy.

Which one should you choose?

If you need…	Pick	Why
Cost-sensitive startup building its first sales pipeline	Freshsales	Freshsales starts at $9 per seat versus $15 for HubSpot CRM, and it lists startups among its best-fit audiences.
SMB aligning sales with inbound marketing	HubSpot CRM	HubSpot CRM is positioned for inbound marketing alignment and growing SMBs, and its platform spans marketing, sales and customer service.
Team that needs built-in calling and email in one tool	Tie	Both tools include built-in dialer and call logs, email tracking with 2-way sync, and pipeline management.
Buyer prioritizing a lower per-seat entry price	Freshsales	At $9 per seat, Freshsales undercuts HubSpot CRM's $15 per-seat starting price.
Buyer wanting a free plan to evaluate before paying	Tie	Both Freshsales and HubSpot CRM offer a free plan, so neither has an advantage on free entry.

Feature comparison: Freshsales vs HubSpot CRM

Feature	Freshsales	HubSpot CRM
Free plan	✅	✅
Starting price	$9 /user/mo	$15 /user/mo
Visual sales pipelines	✅	✅
Email tracking & 2-way sync	✅	✅
Lead scoring	✅	✅
Built-in dialer & call logs	✅	✅
Workflow automations	✅	✅
Revenue forecasting & reports	✅	✅
Mobile iOS / Android app	✅	✅
Public API	✅	✅

Highlighted rows are where the tools differ.

Pros and cons

Freshsales

Lowest starting price in this comparison at $9 per seat
All eight compared features present, including calling, lead scoring and automations
Free plan available for evaluation
Positioned for startups and all-in-one sales communication

Billing is per seat, so cost scales with team size
Founded in 2016, later than HubSpot's 2006
No feature gaps versus HubSpot in the compared set, so differentiation rests on price and positioning

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HubSpot CRM

All eight compared features present, matching Freshsales feature for feature
Free plan available
Positioned for growing SMBs and inbound marketing alignment
Longer operating history, founded in 2006

Starting price of $15 per seat is higher than Freshsales' $9
Per-seat billing means costs grow with headcount
No compared feature advantage over Freshsales to justify the higher entry price on features alone

Try HubSpot CRM →

At a glance

Freshsales

Modern CRM with built-in phone, email and AI insights.

Founded 2016 · From $9 · 8/8 tracked features

Best for: startups, all-in-one sales communication

See Freshsales alternatives →

HubSpot CRM

Inbound marketing, sales and customer service platform.

Founded 2006 · From $15 · 8/8 tracked features

Best for: growing SMBs, inbound marketing alignment

See HubSpot CRM alternatives →

FAQ

Is Freshsales cheaper than HubSpot CRM?

Yes. Freshsales starts at $9 per seat, while HubSpot CRM starts at $15 per seat. Both bill per seat and both offer a free plan.

Do Freshsales and HubSpot CRM have the same features?

In the compared set they match on all eight: visual pipelines, email tracking and 2-way sync, lead scoring, built-in dialer and call logs, workflow automations, revenue forecasting and reports, mobile apps, and a public API.

Which tool is better for startups?

Freshsales lists startups among its best-fit audiences and has the lower starting price at $9 per seat. HubSpot CRM is positioned for growing SMBs and inbound marketing alignment.

Which tool is better for inbound marketing alignment?

HubSpot CRM, whose stated focus is inbound marketing alignment and which is described as an inbound marketing, sales and customer service platform.

Do both tools offer a free plan?

Yes, both Freshsales and HubSpot CRM offer a free plan.

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Data last reviewed: pending verification. All CRM tools →