Best HubSpot Apps for Small Business: 2024 Guide

Best HubSpot Apps for Small Business: 2024 Guide

Updated May 11, 20261,026 words7 tools compared

Small businesses need powerful yet affordable tools to compete in today's market, and HubSpot's ecosystem offers exactly that. With over 1,000 integrations and apps available in the HubSpot marketplace, finding the right combination of tools can transform how your business manages customer relationships, drives sales, and scales operations.

Whether you're a startup looking to implement your first CRM or an established small business seeking to optimize your current processes, the right HubSpot-compatible apps can automate workflows, improve data accuracy, and boost team productivity. From native HubSpot tools to third-party integrations that extend functionality, these solutions are designed to grow with your business without breaking the budget. This comprehensive guide examines the seven best HubSpot apps specifically chosen for small business needs, considering factors like cost-effectiveness, ease of use, and scalability.

Quick Comparison

ProductBest ForStarting PriceRatingKey Feature
HubSpotGrowing SMBsFree4.4/5All-in-one platform
PipedriveSales-focused teams$14.90/user/mo4.2/5Visual pipeline management
FreshsalesBudget-conscious SMBsFree4.1/5AI-powered insights
AttioData-driven startupsFree4.6/5Flexible data modeling
FolkRelationship buildersFree4.3/5Social CRM features
CloseInside sales teams$49/user/mo4.7/5Built-in calling system
SalesforceEnterprise-ready SMBs$25/user/mo4.3/5Advanced automation

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Detailed Reviews

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

#1

HubSpot

Top Pick

Best For: Small to medium businesses seeking an all-in-one solution with room to scale

HubSpot stands as the gold standard for small business CRM solutions, offering an comprehensive platform that combines marketing, sales, and customer service tools in one ecosystem. Starting with a generous free tier, HubSpot allows small businesses to test the waters without financial commitment while providing access to essential CRM features. The platform's strength lies in its native integration capabilities and user-friendly interface that requires minimal training for team adoption.

Pricing: Free forever plan available with core CRM features; paid plans start at $45/month for additional marketing and sales tools

Key Features

  • Contact management and segmentation
  • Email marketing automation
  • Deal pipeline tracking
  • Social media management tools
  • Comprehensive analytics dashboard

Pros

  • +Extensive free tier with no time limits
  • +Intuitive interface reduces learning curve
  • +Native integrations eliminate data silos

Cons

  • -Advanced features require expensive upgrades
  • -Limited customization in free version

Verdict

HubSpot remains the top choice for small businesses wanting a comprehensive, scalable solution that grows with their needs while maintaining simplicity.

#2

Pipedrive

Best For: Sales-driven small businesses and teams focused on deal closure

Built by salespeople for salespeople, Pipedrive excels in visual pipeline management and sales process optimization. This CRM focuses specifically on sales activities, making it ideal for small businesses where sales performance directly impacts growth. Pipedrive's strength lies in its simplicity and sales-centric approach, avoiding the complexity that often overwhelms small business users in more comprehensive platforms.

Pricing: 14-day free trial available; Essential plan starts at $14.90 per user per month with core sales features

Key Features

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

Pros

  • +Intuitive visual interface improves adoption
  • +Affordable pricing for essential features
  • +Strong mobile capabilities for remote teams

Cons

  • -Limited marketing automation features
  • -Basic customer service tools compared to competitors

Verdict

Pipedrive is perfect for small businesses that prioritize sales efficiency and want a straightforward, affordable CRM without unnecessary complexity.

#3

Freshsales

Best For: Small businesses wanting AI-powered sales insights and automation on a budget

Freshsales brings artificial intelligence to small business CRM at an accessible price point, offering predictive insights that help teams work smarter rather than harder. As part of the Freshworks suite, it provides excellent integration capabilities while maintaining focus on user experience and automation. The platform particularly shines in its ability to provide enterprise-level AI features without the typical enterprise price tag.

Pricing: Free plan available for up to 3 users; paid plans begin at $15 per user per month for unlimited users and advanced features

Key Features

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

Pros

  • +AI features typically found in expensive platforms
  • +Generous free tier for small teams
  • +Intuitive setup and configuration process

Cons

  • -Learning curve for advanced AI features
  • -Limited third-party integrations compared to HubSpot

Verdict

Freshsales offers exceptional value for small businesses ready to incorporate AI into their sales process without the complexity of enterprise solutions.

#4

Attio

Best For: Data-driven startups and small businesses with unique workflow requirements

Attio represents the next generation of CRM design, offering unprecedented flexibility in data modeling and workflow creation. Unlike traditional CRMs that force businesses to adapt to rigid structures, Attio adapts to how your business actually operates. This makes it particularly valuable for innovative small businesses with unique processes or data requirements that don't fit conventional CRM molds.

Pricing: Free tier available for small teams; paid plans start at $29 per user per month with advanced customization options

Key Features

  • Flexible data modeling and custom objects
  • Real-time collaboration features
  • Advanced data visualization
  • API-first architecture
  • Automated data enrichment

Pros

  • +Highly customizable to unique business needs
  • +Modern, intuitive user interface
  • +Strong data visualization capabilities

Cons

  • -May be overly complex for simple use cases
  • -Smaller ecosystem of integrations

Verdict

Attio is ideal for forward-thinking small businesses that need flexibility and customization but want modern design and usability.

#5

Folk

Best For: Relationship-focused small businesses and consultants who prioritize personal connections

Folk reimagines CRM as a relationship-building platform, integrating social media insights and personal connection data to help small businesses build stronger customer relationships. This approach is particularly valuable in today's social-first business environment where personal connections often drive B2B success. Folk automates much of the relationship maintenance work that typically falls through the cracks in traditional CRMs.

Pricing: Free plan available for individual users; team plans start at $20 per user per month with collaboration features

Key Features

  • Social media integration and insights
  • Automated relationship tracking
  • Personal connection mapping
  • Multi-channel communication tracking
  • Smart contact enrichment

Pros

  • +Unique focus on relationship building
  • +Automated social media data integration
  • +Affordable pricing for relationship-focused features

Cons

  • -Less comprehensive than traditional CRMs
  • -May not suit transaction-focused businesses

Verdict

Folk excels for small businesses where relationships drive sales and long-term customer value matters more than transaction volume.

#6

Close

Best For: Small businesses with dedicated inside sales teams making high volumes of calls

Close specializes in inside sales efficiency, providing built-in calling, SMS, and email capabilities that eliminate the need for multiple tools. This integrated approach particularly benefits small businesses with dedicated inside sales teams who need to maximize productivity and minimize tool-switching overhead. Close's strength lies in its focus on high-velocity sales activities and comprehensive communication tracking.

Pricing: 14-day free trial available; Startup plan begins at $49 per user per month with full feature access

Key Features

  • Built-in VoIP calling system
  • SMS and email integration
  • Call recording and transcription
  • Automated follow-up sequences
  • Advanced sales analytics

Pros

  • +All communication tools integrated in one platform
  • +Excellent call quality and recording features
  • +Strong automation for follow-up activities

Cons

  • -Higher price point than basic CRMs
  • -Primarily focused on inside sales activities

Verdict

Close justifies its premium pricing for small businesses that rely heavily on phone sales and need integrated communication tools.

#7

Salesforce

Best For: Growth-oriented small businesses preparing for rapid scaling and complex requirements

Salesforce brings enterprise-grade capabilities to ambitious small businesses ready to invest in scalable infrastructure. While traditionally associated with large enterprises, Salesforce's smaller business editions provide access to the world's most comprehensive CRM platform at more accessible price points. The platform excels for small businesses planning rapid growth or operating in complex industries requiring extensive customization.

Pricing: Essentials edition starts at $25 per user per month; Professional edition at $80 per user per month for advanced features

Key Features

  • Advanced workflow automation
  • Extensive customization options
  • Comprehensive third-party app marketplace
  • Advanced security and compliance features
  • AI-powered Einstein analytics

Pros

  • +Unmatched scalability and customization options
  • +Largest ecosystem of third-party integrations
  • +Enterprise-grade security and compliance

Cons

  • -Steep learning curve and complexity
  • -Higher costs for full feature utilization

Verdict

Salesforce suits small businesses with complex needs and growth ambitions who can invest in proper implementation and training.

Frequently Asked Questions about best hubspot apps for small business

Small business CRMs prioritize simplicity, affordability, and quick implementation over complex enterprise features. They typically offer generous free tiers or low-cost entry points, intuitive interfaces requiring minimal training, and essential features without overwhelming complexity. Unlike enterprise solutions that may require dedicated administrators, small business CRMs are designed for teams to manage independently while still providing room for growth and scaling as the business expands.

HubSpot offers robust integration capabilities through its API and marketplace, allowing seamless data synchronization with third-party CRMs. Most integrations support bidirectional data flow, ensuring contact information, deal stages, and activity records stay synchronized across platforms. Popular integrations include Zapier for workflow automation, native connectors for major CRMs, and custom API integrations for specialized needs. This flexibility allows small businesses to use HubSpot's marketing tools while maintaining their preferred CRM for sales management.

Most small businesses benefit from starting with free plans to understand their actual CRM needs before investing in paid features. Free tiers like HubSpot's, Freshsales', and Attio's provide substantial functionality for basic contact management, deal tracking, and email marketing. This approach allows teams to develop CRM habits and identify specific pain points before upgrading. However, businesses with immediate needs for advanced automation, extensive integrations, or large contact databases may justify starting with paid plans to avoid migration complexity later.

Small businesses should prioritize contact management, deal pipeline tracking, email integration, and basic reporting as core requirements. Additional valuable features include mobile accessibility for remote teams, automation capabilities to reduce manual work, integration options with existing tools, and scalability to support growth. The specific priority order depends on business type: sales-focused companies need strong pipeline management, while service businesses might prioritize customer communication tracking. Marketing automation becomes crucial for businesses running multiple campaigns or nurturing leads over extended periods.

Conclusion

Choosing the right CRM app for your small business ultimately depends on your specific needs, budget, and growth trajectory. HubSpot's comprehensive free tier makes it the obvious starting point for most small businesses, providing exceptional value and room for growth. However, specialized solutions like Pipedrive for sales teams, Close for inside sales operations, or Folk for relationship-focused businesses may better serve specific use cases.

The key is starting with a clear understanding of your current processes and immediate pain points rather than getting overwhelmed by feature lists. Most successful small businesses begin with simpler solutions and evolve their CRM strategy as they grow, rather than implementing complex systems prematurely. Remember that the best CRM is the one your team will actually use consistently, so prioritize user experience and adoption over feature completeness. Take advantage of free trials and free tiers to test multiple options before making long-term commitments, and don't hesitate to start simple and scale up as your needs become clearer.

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