Is HubSpot Free? The Complete Guide to Features and Costs

Please note this article contains affiliate links we get paid on

Is HubSpot free? Yes, HubSpot offers a free CRM with tools for contact management, sales tracking, and marketing automation. This guide will walk you through the free features, limitations, and tips on when upgrading to a paid version might be worthwhile.

Key Takeaways

• HubSpot offers a free, fully functional CRM with no hidden costs, allowing some free users and essential tools for businesses of all sizes.

• While the free CRM comes with robust features, it has limitations such as restricted email notifications, basic reporting, and no direct customer support.

• Paid upgrades provide advanced features and scalability, making them suitable for medium to large businesses that need more comprehensive tools.

What is HubSpot CRM?

HubSpot CRM is a customer relationship management (CRM) software that helps businesses manage and grow their customer relationships. It is a free software that offers a range of features and tools to streamline entire businesses, making it a popular choice for businesses looking for a free CRM solution.

Overview of HubSpot CRM as a Free Software

HubSpot CRM is a comprehensive platform that goes beyond contact management. It offers a 100% free solution for businesses, with no credit card required to start using it. The free CRM software is designed to make the job of sales, marketing, and customer service teams easier, providing a range of free tools for contact management, sales tracking, and customer service.

Key Features of HubSpot CRM

HubSpot CRM offers a range of key features, including:

• Contact Management: Store and manage contact information, including contacts and companies.

• Sales Tracking: Track sales activity, meetings, emails, and customer relationships.

• Customer Service Tools: Provide excellent customer service with features such as live chat and email tracking.

• Sales Pipeline: Manage your sales pipeline and track deals.

• Reporting and Analytics: Get insights into your sales and marketing performance.

What Does HubSpot Offer for Free?

HubSpot offers a perpetually free version of their CRM, which is not simply a trial, but rather a complete and fully operational CRM system accessible at no cost, requiring no credit card or facing hidden fees. It’s an ideal option for companies aiming to adopt CRM practices without financial barriers. The complimentary edition encompasses fundamental components necessary for managing contacts, monitoring the sales pipeline, and executing marketing automation efforts—all contributing positively to your sales team’s productivity.

Noteworthy among its capabilities is allowing 5 free users. Thus, every member of your team can exploit the advantages offered by the free crm features without additional expenses. HubSpot’s free CRM empowers businesses with enhanced abilities in boosting conversion rates as well as customer retention and upselling processes—equipping sales teams with robust tools that are available entirely for free within this effective CRM platform.

Contact Management System

HubSpot’s complimentary CRM system is notable for its comprehensive contact management features. It allows the creation of up to a million contacts, accommodating companies large and small alike. You have the capacity to personalize the platform with up to 10 customizable CRM properties. With this feature set, you can craft lists comprising 10 active ones and as many as 1,000 static versions for effective contact segmentation.

The free HubSpot CRM enhances user engagement through instantaneous live chat capabilities that enable direct communication with site visitors in real time. An added benefit includes document tracking functionality that alerts when a document has been accessed while also revealing who opened it—a pivotal tool for efficient sales follow-up actions.

Atop these features sits an extensive dashboard view which encapsulates your entire sales pipeline at a glance—with allowances made for creating no more than three dashboards each carrying ten distinct reports per dashboard.

Sales Pipeline Management

Navigating your entire sales pipeline is straightforward and efficient using the free CRM provided by HubSpot. Its detailed dashboard provides a transparent overview of every stage in your sales funnel, simplifying the monitoring of deals and their progression. Such clarity is vital for discerning the status of each potential sale and determining the necessary steps to advance them.

Despite being limited to a single ticket pipeline, the free version comes equipped with critical tools for managing your sales pipeline adeptly. This feature proves especially advantageous for small enterprises and burgeoning startups that require vigilant supervision over their sales activities while avoiding the intricacies associated with numerous pipelines.

Marketing Automation Tools

HubSpot’s free CRM shines in the realm of marketing automation, offering users the ability to create as many as 20 landing pages. This is a notable benefit for bolstering marketing initiatives, allowing businesses to attract leads, showcase products and facilitate conversions with no necessity for extra software. Additionally, it includes ad management features that allow users to connect and manage advertising accounts, though it has limitations such as a cap on the number of connected accounts and audience creation options.

This free CRM is equipped with an array of complimentary marketing tools designed to optimize campaign execution. These encompass email marketing and social media integration among others, enabling you to consolidate your marketing activities effectively. The result is not only time saved but also heightened productivity—advantages that are particularly impactful whether you operate a small enterprise or work independently as a freelancer.

Integration with Other HubSpot Tools and External Software

HubSpot CRM integrates seamlessly with other HubSpot tools, such as HubSpot Marketing and HubSpot Sales. It also integrates with external software, such as AdRoll, Proposify, and Automate.io, making it easy to connect with other business software products.

Limitations of HubSpot's Free CRM

HubSpot provides a robust free CRM, yet its capabilities are not boundless. With the progression of business growth, certain restrictions become more pronounced, potentially impacting scalability. Notably, there is a cap on email notifications with the free version—allowing only up to 200 per month—which might be inadequate for businesses that heavily rely on email interactions.

Other potential obstacles include the necessity for an upgrade in order to retain edit permissions and reliance on non-self-serve models which may impede swift operations. As these limitations compound with expansion needs, some companies may feel compelled to seek alternative CRM solutions better suited to their evolving requirements.

Limited Custom Reporting

HubSpot’s complimentary CRM comes with a notable constraint regarding its custom reporting features. The platform only provides basic reports that focus on aggregate figures without the option for customization, potentially hindering businesses in need of intricate and customized data analysis to guide their decision-making process.

Those utilizing the free version are restricted to creating merely 10 custom properties. This limitation narrows down the possibilities for generating detailed custom reports. Having just one shared inbox can impede effective collaboration as well as restrict thorough reporting regarding customer interactions, thereby making it difficult to attain extensive insights.

Restricted Email Templates and Documents

For numerous enterprises, email marketing plays an essential role. The constraint of only 5 email templates within HubSpot’s complimentary CRM may pose a challenge for those who depend extensively on this form of outreach. With access restricted to merely 5 documents and 5 snippets for emails, there could be constraints placed on the potency of their email campaigns.

Faced with these restrictions regarding both email templates and documents in place might prompt certain companies to explore alternative CRM options that provide greater versatility regarding their strategies for email marketing.

Basic Customer Support

The absence of direct customer support in HubSpot’s free CRM, with no email or phone assistance available to users at no cost, may pose a considerable inconvenience for companies requiring prompt assistance or facing complex challenges. This deficiency could compel enterprises to consider either transitioning to the paid versions of the CRM for enhanced customer service or seeking other CRMs that provide superior client support.

Large Contact Lists and Limited Document Storage

While HubSpot CRM offers a range of features and tools, it does have some limitations. For example, the free version has limited document storage, with only 5 documents available. Additionally, large contact lists can be a challenge, with the free version allowing for 1,000,000 contacts, but charging for contacts above 2,000 and 10,000 in the Professional and Enterprise plans.

Upgrading to Paid Versions: Features and Costs

Switching to paid versions of HubSpot’s CRM offers significant advantages, as it provides access to enhanced features and eliminates the presence of HubSpot branding. These upgrades are especially useful for medium-sized and large businesses that demand comprehensive tools for their sales processes. Available options include Sales Hub Starter, Sales Hub Professional, and Sales Hub Enterprise. Each level is tailored to meet varying business requirements.

It’s essential to be aware that moving up to these paid tiers incurs additional charges. For example, users face onboarding costs along with fees for every contact after the initial allocation of 2,000 contacts in the plans. Despite this financial outlay, many companies find value in upgrading due to the superior functionality and more sophisticated automation capabilities offered by advanced levels within the sales hubs at Hubspot.

HubSpot Sales Hub Starter

The initial tier beyond the complimentary CRM offering for enterprises poised to ascend is the Sales Hub Starter plan. With a starting price of €46 each month catering to a duo of users, it presents an attractive rate model. For expanded teams, this scales up suitably with a monthly fee of €460 for quintets as your business expands.

Incorporated within this package are pivotal elements that refine the sales journey, encompassing sophisticated sales instruments, automation in marketing endeavors and prowess in generating leads. Businesses electing to progress to the Sales Hub Starter will have the advantage of excising HubSpot branding from their tools while unlocking access to an expansive suite of features designed to optimize sale-related processes efficiently.

HubSpot Sales Hub Professional

For enterprises seeking sophisticated capabilities, the Sales Hub Professional plan stands as an excellent choice. With a monthly cost of $500 for two users, this package encompasses features such as automated sequences for emails, in-depth analytics, and predictive scoring of potential leads. Such functionalities substantially boost both the productivity and performance of your sales team.

The Sales Hub Professional seamlessly merges with widely-used sales tools to streamline operations involving pipeline oversight and quote creation. The plan includes superior personalization possibilities along with augmented assistance services—perfectly suited to companies focused on expansion and scalability.

HubSpot Sales Hub Enterprise

The Sales Hub Enterprise package is tailored for big corporations requiring robust CRM solutions. Priced from €1,104 monthly for a base of 10 users, it supports an expansive capacity for up to 1 million contacts, catering aptly to enterprises with substantial client lists. The plan offers scalability by allowing individual user additions as your sales force grows.

Incorporating all the sophisticated functionalities found in the Professional package plus more, this plan equips large-scale businesses with extensive tools needed at the enterprise level. It encompasses a complete suite of advanced sales automation and in-depth analytics capabilities that ensure these businesses are fully equipped to streamline their sales operations efficiently.

Use Cases for HubSpot's Free CRM

HubSpot CRM offers a free version that is highly adaptable and ideal for multiple use cases. It serves as an essential asset, especially to small businesses, freelancers, consultants, and charitable organizations. This complimentary offering includes fundamental tools required for managing customer relationships efficiently while catering to entities operating with limited financial resources.

The no-cost HubSpot CRM cultivates increased engagement and satisfaction among its newcomers by delivering key features without charge. With these hubspot crm free features at their disposal, smaller enterprises and emerging startups gain a notable edge in optimizing their operations through the utilization of HubSpot’s suite of solutions: hubspot crm, hubspot crm free, hubspot free crm, and the broader spectrum of services under HubSpot’s gratis offerings.

Small Businesses and Startups

Startups and small enterprises stand to gain considerably from utilizing HubSpot’s complimentary CRM. The fundamental features provided in the free version are instrumental in aiding these companies to enhance their management of customer relationships, which improves engagement with customers and makes processes more efficient.

As they expand, these businesses can utilize this cost-free CRM solution to scale up their activities while avoiding extra expenses.

Freelancers and Consultants

Consultants and freelancers are experiencing a transformative effect on their business with HubSpot’s free CRM. This platform provides efficient client management tools and project tracking capabilities, enhancing the management of customer relationships and contributing to business expansion.

Nonprofits and Educational Institutions

Educational institutions and nonprofits can take advantage of HubSpot’s free CRM to optimize their activities. By utilizing the free tools, they can improve interactions with stakeholders, students, and donors for better engagement outcomes. With the efficient management of relationships provided by the free CRM, these entities are able to concentrate on their primary objectives more effectively.

Why HubSpot Offers a Free CRM

The tactic employed by HubSpot in presenting a complimentary CRM service is designed to tempt users into adopting their premium offerings. By delivering an effective and extensive free version, they create a seamless path for customers who wish to upgrade for enhanced functionality. This strategy predominantly appeals to B2B companies, with the intent of incorporating the free CRM as the foundational database that supports other products.

HubSpot structures its services across six separate hubs: Marketing, Sales, Service, Content Management (CMS), Operations and Commerce Tools. Through this integrated suite of tools within each hub—including hubspot marketing—businesses are equipped with an array of resources necessary for fostering growth and development.

Alternatives to HubSpot's Free CRM

HubSpot’s complimentary customer relationship management platform stands as an impactful option, yet the market presents a variety of alternatives. Initially, companies may resort to cumbersome Excel spreadsheets for their data needs. These can spiral into complexity with growth. Diverse CRM solutions bring distinct features to the table, careful consideration of your particular requirements is crucial when choosing a CRM.

Nevertheless, numerous users ascertain that HubSpot’s suite of free tools sufficiently meets their demands, especially those in search of fundamental customer relationship management capabilities. By scrutinizing various offerings, businesses are able to pinpoint the free CRM system that aligns perfectly with their operational necessities.

Summary

In summary, the free CRM provided by HubSpot encompasses a wide array of tools that are particularly advantageous for entities such as small businesses, freelancers, consultants, and nonprofit organizations. Despite its restrictions, the no-cost variant lays down a robust framework to handle customer relationships without necessitating any investment. Should your enterprise require more sophisticated capabilities, opting for paid versions can unlock additional features and improved assistance.

Deciding whether to stick with the complimentary offering of HubSpot’s CRM or switch to one of the subscription-based alternatives should hinge on an analysis of what your business aims to achieve and how it plans on evolving. Assessing both what is included in each option and where limitations lie will enable you to make a well-informed choice conducive not only to optimizing your operations but also to elevating interactions with customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HubSpot’s free CRM really free?

Yes, HubSpot’s free CRM is genuinely free with no hidden costs or credit card required, so you can start using it without any worries!

What are the limitations of HubSpot’s free CRM?

HubSpot’s free CRM has limitations like restricted email templates, basic custom reporting, and a lack of direct customer support.

If you need more advanced features, you might want to consider upgrading.

What features are available in HubSpot’s free CRM?

HubSpot’s free CRM offers features like contact management, sales pipeline tracking, and basic marketing automation tools.

It’s a great way to get started with organizing your leads and improving your sales process!

How much does it cost to upgrade to HubSpot’s paid versions?

Upgrading to HubSpot’s paid versions costs around $40 for Starter, $400 for Professional, and $1,200 for Enterprise, plus a one-time onboarding fee of $3,500.

It’s a good investment if you’re looking to boost your marketing efforts!

Who can benefit from HubSpot’s free CRM?

If you’re a small business, freelancer, consultant, nonprofit, or part of an educational institution, you can definitely make the most of HubSpot’s free CRM!

It’s a great tool for managing relationships without breaking the bank.