Best HubSpot Alternatives for SMB in 2024

Best HubSpot Alternatives for SMB in 2024

Updated May 11, 20261,084 words6 tools compared

HubSpot has long been a popular choice for businesses looking to streamline their sales and marketing efforts, but it's not always the perfect fit for every small-to-medium business (SMB). Whether you're concerned about HubSpot's pricing as your team grows, need more specialized features, or simply want a platform that better aligns with your specific workflow, there are excellent alternatives available.

SMBs face unique challenges when selecting a CRM platform. You need powerful functionality without enterprise-level complexity, affordable pricing that scales reasonably, and tools that your team can actually adopt and use effectively. The wrong choice can lead to wasted resources, poor user adoption, and missed opportunities.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the top HubSpot alternatives specifically suited for SMBs. We've evaluated each platform based on pricing, ease of use, feature set, and scalability to help you make an informed decision that will support your business growth without breaking the bank.

Quick Comparison

ProductBest ForStarting PriceRatingKey Feature
PipedriveSales-focused SMBs$14.90/user/mo4.5/5Visual sales pipeline
FreshsalesGrowing SMBsFree4.3/5AI-powered insights
AttioData-driven startupsFree4.6/5Flexible data modeling
FolkRelationship-focused teamsFree4.4/5Contact enrichment
CloseInside sales teams$49/user/mo4.5/5Built-in calling
SalesforceLarger SMBs$25/user/mo4.2/5Extensive customization

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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 businesses with active sales teams who need clear pipeline visibility and deal tracking

Pipedrive stands out as the most SMB-friendly HubSpot alternative, designed specifically by salespeople for sales teams. Its visual pipeline management makes it incredibly easy to track deals and understand your sales process at a glance. The platform focuses on simplicity without sacrificing power, making it perfect for SMBs that need effective sales management without overwhelming complexity.

Pricing: Starting at $14.90 per user per month with a 14-day free trial. Plans scale to $99/user/month for advanced features.

Key Features

  • Visual sales pipeline management
  • Activity-based selling approach
  • Sales reporting and analytics
  • Email integration and templates
  • Mobile app for field sales

Pros

  • +Intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
  • +Excellent mobile app for sales teams on the go
  • +Strong focus on sales pipeline management
  • +Affordable pricing that scales well for SMBs

Cons

  • -Limited marketing automation features compared to HubSpot
  • -Fewer integrations than larger platforms

Verdict

Pipedrive is ideal for SMBs that prioritize sales management over comprehensive marketing automation. Its user-friendly design and reasonable pricing make it an excellent choice for growing businesses.

#2

Freshsales

Best For: SMBs looking for AI-powered sales automation and comprehensive CRM features at an affordable price point

Freshsales offers a compelling combination of AI-powered features and affordability that makes it an attractive HubSpot alternative for SMBs. Part of the Freshworks ecosystem, it provides comprehensive CRM functionality with intelligent automation that helps smaller teams punch above their weight. The platform's freemium model allows businesses to start free and scale up as needed.

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

Key Features

  • AI-powered lead scoring and insights
  • Built-in phone and email capabilities
  • Advanced sales analytics
  • Workflow automation
  • Multi-channel communication tracking

Pros

  • +Strong AI capabilities for lead prioritization
  • +Generous free plan with essential features
  • +Integrated communication tools reduce need for separate platforms
  • +Scales well from startup to enterprise

Cons

  • -Learning curve for advanced AI features
  • -Some users report occasional performance issues

Verdict

Freshsales is perfect for SMBs that want enterprise-level AI features without the enterprise price tag. The free plan makes it risk-free to try, while paid plans offer excellent value for growing teams.

#3

Attio

Best For: Data-driven startups and SMBs that need flexible CRM customization and modern workflow automation

Attio represents the new generation of flexible CRM platforms designed for modern businesses that need to adapt quickly. Unlike traditional CRMs with rigid structures, Attio allows you to model your data exactly how your business works. This flexibility, combined with powerful automation and a beautiful interface, makes it particularly appealing to tech-savvy SMBs and startups that outgrow standard CRM templates.

Pricing: Free plan available for up to 3 users, paid plans start at $29 per user per month with advanced features scaling to higher tiers.

Key Features

  • Flexible data modeling and custom objects
  • Powerful workflow automation
  • Real-time collaboration tools
  • Advanced reporting and analytics
  • API-first architecture for integrations

Pros

  • +Highly customizable to match unique business processes
  • +Modern, intuitive interface that teams actually enjoy using
  • +Strong automation capabilities for efficient workflows
  • +Excellent for businesses with complex data relationships

Cons

  • -May be too complex for simple CRM needs
  • -Newer platform with smaller ecosystem of integrations

Verdict

Attio is ideal for forward-thinking SMBs that need a CRM as unique as their business model. If you've outgrown cookie-cutter solutions and need flexibility, Attio delivers powerful customization without complexity.

#4

Folk

Best For: Service-based SMBs, consultants, and relationship-driven businesses that prioritize contact management and networking

Folk takes a relationship-first approach to CRM that resonates particularly well with service-based SMBs and businesses where personal connections drive growth. The platform automatically enriches contact data and helps you maintain meaningful relationships at scale. Its simple, clean interface masks powerful features for contact management, making it easy for teams to adopt and use consistently.

Pricing: Free plan available, paid plans start at $20 per user per month. Higher tiers offer advanced features and increased contact limits.

Key Features

  • Automatic contact enrichment and data updates
  • Relationship mapping and connection insights
  • Simple but powerful contact organization
  • Email integration and tracking
  • Team collaboration on contact management

Pros

  • +Excellent automatic contact data enrichment saves time
  • +Simple interface that encourages team adoption
  • +Strong focus on relationship building vs. just sales tracking
  • +Fair pricing with valuable free tier

Cons

  • -Less suitable for complex sales processes
  • -Limited advanced sales automation features

Verdict

Folk excels for SMBs where relationships matter more than complex sales funnels. If your business grows through networking and referrals, Folk's relationship-centric approach provides exactly what you need.

#5

Close

Best For: SMBs with inside sales teams that rely heavily on phone calls, emails, and text messaging for lead conversion

Close is built specifically for inside sales teams that live on the phone and need integrated communication tools. Unlike CRMs that require multiple tools for calling, emailing, and texting, Close puts everything in one platform with excellent call quality and automatic activity logging. This integration makes it particularly valuable for SMBs with active phone-based sales processes who want to eliminate tool switching.

Pricing: Plans start at $49 per user per month with a 14-day free trial. Higher tiers include advanced calling features and reporting.

Key Features

  • Built-in calling with local presence
  • Integrated email and SMS capabilities
  • Automatic call logging and transcription
  • Power dialer for efficient calling
  • Advanced sales reporting and analytics

Pros

  • +Excellent call quality and reliability
  • +All communication tools integrated in one platform
  • +Strong automation for follow-up sequences
  • +Built specifically for phone-based sales teams

Cons

  • -Higher price point than some alternatives
  • -May be overkill for businesses that don't rely heavily on calling

Verdict

Close is the best choice for SMBs where phone sales drive revenue. If your team makes dozens of calls daily, the integrated communication tools and automation justify the higher price through increased efficiency.

#6

Salesforce

Best For: Larger SMBs with dedicated admin resources who need enterprise-grade features and extensive customization capabilities

While traditionally considered an enterprise solution, Salesforce offers SMB-friendly plans that provide access to the world's most powerful CRM platform. The extensive customization options, massive app ecosystem, and advanced features can benefit larger SMBs ready to invest in a platform they can grow with long-term. However, the complexity and learning curve require careful consideration for smaller teams.

Pricing: Essentials plan starts at $25 per user per month, with Professional at $80 and Enterprise at $165 per user monthly.

Key Features

  • Extensive customization and configuration options
  • Massive AppExchange marketplace
  • Advanced automation and workflow tools
  • Comprehensive reporting and analytics
  • Industry-specific solutions available

Pros

  • +Most powerful and feature-rich platform available
  • +Enormous ecosystem of third-party integrations
  • +Scales from SMB to enterprise without platform changes
  • +Strong mobile capabilities and offline access

Cons

  • -Steep learning curve requires training investment
  • -Can be overwhelming for simple CRM needs
  • -Higher total cost of ownership including admin time

Verdict

Salesforce makes sense for ambitious SMBs planning significant growth who want to invest in a platform they'll never outgrow. Consider it if you have admin resources and complex requirements that simpler platforms can't handle.

Frequently Asked Questions about best hubspot alternatives for smb

SMB-friendly CRMs prioritize ease of use, quick implementation, and affordable pricing over extensive customization. They typically offer intuitive interfaces that require minimal training, straightforward pricing models that scale reasonably with team size, and essential features without overwhelming complexity. SMBs need platforms that provide immediate value without requiring dedicated administrators or lengthy setup processes. The best SMB CRMs balance functionality with simplicity, ensuring teams can start seeing benefits within days rather than months.

Most SMB-focused CRM alternatives range from free to $50 per user per month. Many platforms offer generous free tiers that work well for small teams, with paid plans typically starting between $15-30 per user monthly. The total cost depends on team size, required features, and integration needs. SMBs should budget for potential add-ons like advanced reporting, additional users, or third-party integrations. When comparing costs, consider the total cost of ownership including training time, setup, and any required technical support rather than just the monthly subscription fee.

Yes, most modern CRM alternatives offer extensive integration capabilities with popular SMB tools. Common integrations include email platforms like Gmail and Outlook, accounting software like QuickBooks, marketing tools like Mailchimp, and communication platforms like Slack. However, integration availability varies by platform, so verify that your essential tools are supported before making a decision. Many platforms also offer API access for custom integrations, though this typically requires technical resources. Consider using integration platforms like Zapier to connect tools that don't have direct integrations.

Data migration difficulty varies by platform, but most modern CRM alternatives provide migration assistance and tools to simplify the process. Many offer CSV import capabilities for basic contact and deal data, while some provide direct migration services for HubSpot customers. The complexity depends on how extensively you've used HubSpot's features and customizations. Basic contact and company data typically migrates easily, while complex workflows, custom properties, and historical activity may require more effort. Most platforms offer migration support during onboarding, and some provide dedicated migration specialists to ensure smooth transitions with minimal data loss.

Conclusion

Choosing the right HubSpot alternative for your SMB doesn't have to be overwhelming. The key is understanding your specific needs, budget constraints, and growth plans. If you're primarily focused on sales pipeline management, Pipedrive offers the best combination of simplicity and effectiveness. For businesses wanting AI-powered features at an affordable price, Freshsales provides excellent value. Tech-savvy teams needing flexibility should consider Attio, while relationship-focused businesses will love Folk's approach to contact management.

Remember that the best CRM is the one your team will actually use consistently. Consider starting with free trials or freemium plans to test how well each platform fits your workflow before committing. Most of these alternatives offer significantly better value for SMBs than HubSpot's higher-tier plans, while still providing the essential features you need to grow your business effectively. Take time to evaluate your specific requirements, involve your team in the decision-making process, and choose a platform that aligns with your business model and growth trajectory.

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