Best HubSpot Alternatives for Small Business in 2024

Best HubSpot Alternatives for Small Business in 2024

Updated May 11, 2026831 words6 tools compared

While HubSpot remains a popular choice for customer relationship management, small businesses often find themselves needing more budget-friendly alternatives that still deliver powerful functionality. Whether you're a startup looking for flexible pricing, a growing company seeking specialized sales features, or a team that needs better customization options, there are excellent HubSpot alternatives designed specifically for small business needs.

The challenge lies in finding the right balance between features, affordability, and ease of use. Many small businesses struggle with HubSpot's pricing structure as they scale, or find that certain specialized features don't align with their workflow. This comprehensive guide examines the top HubSpot alternatives that cater specifically to small business requirements, helping you make an informed decision based on your budget, team size, and growth objectives.

Quick Comparison

ProductBest ForStarting PriceRatingKey Feature
PipedriveSmall Sales Teams$14.90/user/mo4.2/5Visual Sales Pipeline
FreshsalesGrowing SMBsFree4.1/5AI-Powered Lead Scoring
FolkRelationship-Focused TeamsFree4.3/5Social Media Integration
AttioData-Driven StartupsFree4.4/5Flexible Data Models
CloseInside Sales Teams$49/user/mo4.6/5Built-in Phone System
SalesforceScaling Enterprises$25/user/mo4.2/5Advanced Automation

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Detailed Reviews

In-depth analysis of each platform to help you make the right choice.

#1

Pipedrive

Top Pick

Best For: Small to medium sales teams that prioritize pipeline visibility and deal management

Pipedrive stands out as the top HubSpot alternative for small businesses due to its intuitive design and affordable pricing. Built by salespeople for salespeople, it focuses on visual pipeline management and deal tracking. The platform excels at simplifying complex sales processes while providing the essential tools needed to close deals efficiently.

Pricing: Starts at $14.90 per user per month with a 14-day free trial. Advanced plans available up to $99/user/month

Key Features

  • Visual sales pipeline management
  • Deal tracking and forecasting
  • Email integration and templates
  • Mobile app with offline access
  • Customizable fields and stages

Pros

  • +Extremely user-friendly interface
  • +Excellent mobile application
  • +Strong email integration capabilities

Cons

  • -Limited marketing automation features
  • -Reporting could be more comprehensive

Verdict

Pipedrive is perfect for small businesses that want a straightforward, affordable CRM focused on sales pipeline management without unnecessary complexity.

#2

Freshsales

Best For: Small businesses looking for AI-enhanced CRM capabilities with room to grow

Freshsales offers an impressive free tier and AI-powered features that make it an attractive HubSpot alternative for small businesses. The platform combines traditional CRM functionality with modern automation tools, including intelligent lead scoring and email tracking. Its integration with the broader Freshworks ecosystem provides additional value for growing companies.

Pricing: Free plan available, paid plans start at $15 per user per month. Premium features available up to $69/user/month

Key Features

  • AI-powered lead scoring
  • Built-in phone and email
  • Advanced reporting and analytics
  • Workflow automation
  • Territory management

Pros

  • +Generous free plan with essential features
  • +AI-powered insights and recommendations
  • +Comprehensive reporting dashboard

Cons

  • -Learning curve for advanced features
  • -Some integrations require higher-tier plans

Verdict

Freshsales is ideal for small businesses that want enterprise-level AI features at an affordable price point with excellent scalability options.

#3

Folk

Best For: Startups and small businesses that prioritize relationship building and social selling

Folk takes a unique approach to CRM by focusing on relationship building and social intelligence. This modern platform automatically enriches contact data and provides context from social media and other sources. Folk's simple yet powerful interface makes it easy for small teams to maintain meaningful customer relationships without getting bogged down in complex features.

Pricing: Free plan available for up to 1,000 contacts, paid plans start at $20 per user per month

Key Features

  • Automatic contact enrichment
  • Social media integration
  • Relationship mapping
  • Smart contact organization
  • Team collaboration tools

Pros

  • +Excellent contact enrichment capabilities
  • +Clean, modern user interface
  • +Strong focus on relationship context

Cons

  • -Limited traditional sales pipeline features
  • -Newer platform with fewer integrations

Verdict

Folk is perfect for businesses that value relationship intelligence and want a CRM that helps them understand and nurture customer connections effectively.

#4

Attio

Best For: Data-driven startups and small businesses that need highly customizable CRM solutions

Attio offers unparalleled flexibility in CRM design, allowing small businesses to create exactly the system they need. This data-centric platform enables custom object creation, flexible reporting, and adaptable workflows. Attio's modern architecture and API-first approach make it particularly appealing to tech-savvy teams and data-driven organizations.

Pricing: Free plan for small teams, paid plans start at $29 per user per month with advanced customization options

Key Features

  • Flexible data modeling
  • Custom object creation
  • Advanced filtering and segmentation
  • API-first architecture
  • Real-time collaboration

Pros

  • +Highly customizable data structure
  • +Modern, intuitive interface
  • +Powerful filtering and search capabilities

Cons

  • -May be overwhelming for simple use cases
  • -Requires time investment for setup

Verdict

Attio is excellent for small businesses that need a flexible, data-centric CRM and have the resources to customize it to their specific workflows.

#5

Close

Best For: Inside sales teams and businesses that rely heavily on phone-based selling

Close is specifically designed for inside sales teams that rely heavily on phone communication. The platform integrates calling, emailing, and SMS into a single interface, making it easy to manage all customer communications. Close's focus on sales velocity and built-in communication tools makes it a strong choice for businesses with active outbound sales processes.

Pricing: Plans start at $49 per user per month with built-in calling features. Higher tiers available with additional functionality

Key Features

  • Built-in phone system
  • Email and SMS integration
  • Call recording and analysis
  • Sales automation workflows
  • Predictive dialing

Pros

  • +Excellent built-in communication tools
  • +Strong focus on sales productivity
  • +Comprehensive call management features

Cons

  • -Higher starting price point
  • -May be overkill for businesses that don't rely on phone sales

Verdict

Close is the best choice for small businesses with dedicated inside sales teams that need integrated communication tools and call management features.

#6

Salesforce

Best For: Small businesses with growth ambitions that need enterprise-grade features and scalability

While traditionally considered an enterprise solution, Salesforce offers small business plans that provide access to the world's most popular CRM platform. The extensive customization options, massive app marketplace, and advanced automation capabilities make it a powerful choice for growing businesses. However, the complexity and learning curve should be carefully considered.

Pricing: Essentials plan starts at $25 per user per month, with more advanced plans available up to $300/user/month

Key Features

  • Advanced workflow automation
  • Extensive third-party integrations
  • Customizable dashboards and reports
  • Mobile app with full functionality
  • AI-powered insights (Einstein)

Pros

  • +Most comprehensive feature set available
  • +Huge ecosystem of third-party apps
  • +Excellent scalability for growing businesses

Cons

  • -Steep learning curve and complexity
  • -Can be expensive as team grows

Verdict

Salesforce is best suited for small businesses that anticipate rapid growth and need access to enterprise-level CRM capabilities from the start.

Frequently Asked Questions about best hubspot alternatives for small business

Small businesses typically switch from HubSpot due to pricing concerns as they scale, limited customization options in lower-tier plans, or needing specialized features that other platforms handle better. Many find HubSpot's pricing jumps significantly when adding users or accessing advanced features. Others require more flexible data structures, better phone integration, or industry-specific functionality that specialized alternatives provide more effectively.

Start by identifying your primary use case: sales pipeline management, relationship building, or comprehensive marketing automation. Consider your team size, budget, and growth plans. Evaluate the specific features you use most in your current system and ensure alternatives provide comparable functionality. Take advantage of free trials to test user experience and integration capabilities with your existing tools before making a decision.

Many free CRM alternatives offer reliable, feature-rich solutions suitable for small businesses. Platforms like Freshsales, Folk, and Attio provide generous free tiers with essential CRM functionality. However, free plans typically have limitations on contacts, features, or users. They're excellent for getting started, but growing businesses should budget for paid plans to access advanced features like automation, reporting, and integrations.

Most modern CRM platforms offer data import tools and migration assistance to help transfer contacts, deals, and other information from HubSpot. The complexity depends on your data volume and customization level. Basic contact and deal information typically transfers smoothly through CSV exports and imports. However, custom fields, workflows, and complex integrations may require manual recreation. Many vendors offer migration support or services to ensure smooth transitions.

Conclusion

Choosing the right HubSpot alternative for your small business depends on your specific needs, budget, and growth trajectory. Pipedrive leads our recommendations for its balance of functionality and affordability, making it ideal for sales-focused teams. Freshsales offers excellent value with AI-powered features and a generous free plan, while Folk excels in relationship management and social intelligence.

For businesses requiring maximum flexibility, Attio provides unmatched customization capabilities, though it requires more setup time. Close stands out for phone-heavy sales teams with its integrated communication tools, while Salesforce offers enterprise-grade features for ambitious growing companies. Remember to take advantage of free trials and evaluate each platform against your specific workflow requirements. The best CRM is the one your team will actually use consistently, so prioritize user experience and ease of adoption alongside feature requirements.

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