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

HubSpot CRM

From $15

Salesforce

From $25

Quick verdict

Overall pick: HubSpot CRM

HubSpot CRM is the easier entry point: it offers a free plan and starts at $15 per seat, making it suited to growing SMBs focused on inbound marketing alignment. Salesforce starts at $25 per seat with no free plan and is positioned for enterprises and complex sales teams. Because the feature sets are identical across the eight compared capabilities, the decision comes down to budget and buyer profile rather than missing functionality.

HubSpot CRM's entry plan ($15) is 40% cheaper than Salesforce's ($25).
HubSpot CRM has a free plan; Salesforce does not.
They cover the same 8 of 8 core features we track, so price and UX decide.

Try HubSpot CRM →Try Salesforce →

Cost calculator

Team size: 5 users

Tool	Monthly	Yearly
HubSpot CRM · per user	$75.00	$900
Salesforce · per user	$125.00	$1500

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
Small business wanting to start on a free plan	HubSpot CRM	HubSpot CRM offers a free plan; Salesforce does not.
Budget-conscious team comparing per-seat entry cost	HubSpot CRM	HubSpot starts at $15 per seat versus $25 per seat for Salesforce.
Enterprise with complex sales teams	Salesforce	Salesforce is explicitly positioned for enterprises and complex sales teams.
Inbound marketing and sales alignment	HubSpot CRM	HubSpot lists inbound marketing alignment among its best-fit uses.
Team needing all eight compared CRM capabilities	Tie	Both tools support pipelines, email tracking, lead scoring, calling, automations, reporting, mobile apps, and a public API.

Feature comparison: HubSpot CRM vs Salesforce

Feature	HubSpot CRM	Salesforce
Free plan	✅	❌
Starting price	$15 /user/mo	$25 /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

HubSpot CRM

Offers a free plan, lowering the barrier to adoption
Lower starting price at $15 per seat versus $25 per seat
Covers all eight compared features, including lead scoring and a public API
Positioned for growing SMBs and inbound marketing alignment

Pricing is per seat, so cost scales with team size
Positioned toward SMBs rather than enterprises and complex sales teams

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Salesforce

Covers all eight compared features, matching HubSpot capability for capability
Positioned for enterprises and complex sales teams
Longer operating history, founded in 1999 versus 2006 for HubSpot

No free plan
Higher starting price at $25 per seat versus $15 per seat
Pricing is per seat, so cost scales with team size

Try Salesforce →

At a glance

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 →

Salesforce

Industry-leading enterprise customer relationship management.

Founded 1999 · From $25 · 8/8 tracked features

Best for: enterprises, complex sales teams

See Salesforce alternatives →

FAQ

Is HubSpot CRM cheaper than Salesforce?

Yes on entry price: HubSpot starts at $15 per seat and Salesforce at $25 per seat. HubSpot also offers a free plan, which Salesforce does not.

Do HubSpot CRM and Salesforce have the same features?

Across the eight capabilities compared here, yes. Both support visual pipelines, email tracking and 2-way sync, lead scoring, built-in dialing and call logs, workflow automations, revenue forecasting and reports, mobile apps, and a public API.

Which tool offers a free plan?

HubSpot CRM offers a free plan; Salesforce does not.

Which is better for enterprises?

Salesforce is positioned for enterprises and complex sales teams, while HubSpot is positioned for growing SMBs and inbound marketing alignment.

How is each tool billed?

Both are billed per seat. HubSpot starts at $15 per seat and Salesforce at $25 per seat.

Related comparisons

Data last reviewed: pending verification. All CRM tools →