7 Best HubSpot Apps for SMB Growth in 2024

7 Best HubSpot Apps for SMB Growth in 2024

Updated May 11, 2026861 words5 tools compared

Small and medium-sized businesses face unique challenges when selecting customer relationship management software. While HubSpot dominates the market with its comprehensive platform, many SMBs need specialized tools that integrate well with their existing workflows or offer more budget-friendly alternatives.

Choosing the right CRM solution can make or break your sales and marketing efforts. The wrong choice leads to poor user adoption, wasted resources, and missed opportunities. The right choice streamlines operations, improves customer relationships, and drives sustainable growth. This guide examines the best HubSpot apps and alternatives specifically designed for SMB needs, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals and budget constraints.

Quick Comparison

ProductBest ForStarting PriceRatingKey Feature
HubSpotGrowing SMBsFree/$45/mo4.4/5All-in-one platform
PipedriveSales-focused SMBs$14.90/user/mo4.2/5Visual sales pipeline
FreshsalesHigh-velocity teamsFree/$15/user/mo4.1/5AI-powered automation
AttioData-driven startupsFree/$29/user/mo4.5/5Flexible customization
FolkRelationship buildersFree/$20/user/mo4.3/5Simple interface
CloseInside sales teams$49/user/mo4.6/5Built-in calling
SalesforceEnterprise needs$25/user/mo4.3/5Advanced AI features

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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: SMBs wanting integrated marketing, sales, and service tools in one platform

HubSpot stands as the gold standard for SMBs seeking an all-in-one customer platform. Its comprehensive suite includes marketing automation, sales tools, customer service features, and a powerful CRM foundation. The platform excels at breaking down silos between departments while providing detailed analytics and reporting. HubSpot's freemium model makes it accessible for startups, with scalable paid tiers that grow alongside your business needs.

Pricing: Free tier available with basic CRM features. Paid plans start at $45/month for marketing tools, with sales and service hubs priced separately. Enterprise features available at higher tiers.

Key Features

  • Free CRM with unlimited contacts
  • Marketing automation workflows
  • Email marketing and landing pages
  • Sales pipeline management
  • Customer service ticketing system

Pros

  • +Comprehensive all-in-one solution reduces tool sprawl
  • +Strong integration ecosystem with 1,000+ apps
  • +Excellent educational resources and community support

Cons

  • -Can become expensive as you scale across multiple hubs
  • -Learning curve for advanced features can be steep

Verdict

HubSpot remains the top choice for SMBs seeking a complete customer platform. Its free tier provides excellent value for startups, while paid features justify their cost through improved efficiency and growth capabilities.

#2

Pipedrive

Best For: SMBs with dedicated sales teams that prioritize pipeline visibility and deal management

Designed by salespeople for salespeople, Pipedrive focuses exclusively on sales pipeline management with an intuitive visual interface. The platform emphasizes simplicity and ease of use, making it ideal for SMBs that need their sales teams productive quickly. Pipedrive's activity-based selling approach helps teams stay focused on the actions that drive deals forward, with built-in automation to reduce manual tasks.

Pricing: Plans start at $14.90 per user per month for essential features, with advanced automation and reporting available in higher tiers up to $99 per user monthly.

Key Features

  • Visual sales pipeline with drag-and-drop interface
  • Activity reminders and goal tracking
  • Email integration with templates
  • Mobile app for field sales
  • Customizable reporting dashboards

Pros

  • +Exceptional ease of use with minimal training required
  • +Strong mobile app for sales teams on the go
  • +Affordable pricing for core sales functionality

Cons

  • -Limited marketing automation compared to all-in-one platforms
  • -Fewer third-party integrations than larger competitors

Verdict

Pipedrive excels for SMBs that need a straightforward, effective sales CRM without unnecessary complexity. Its focus on core sales activities makes it perfect for businesses prioritizing deal closure over comprehensive marketing automation.

#3

Freshsales

Best For: SMBs with high lead volumes that need AI assistance to prioritize and manage prospects effectively

Freshsales combines AI-powered automation with user-friendly design, making it an attractive option for SMBs looking to scale their sales operations efficiently. Part of the broader Freshworks ecosystem, it offers intelligent lead scoring, predictive contact scoring, and automated workflows that help high-velocity sales teams manage larger volumes of prospects without sacrificing personalization.

Pricing: Free plan supports up to 3 users with basic features. Paid plans range from $15 to $79 per user monthly, with AI features available in mid-tier plans.

Key Features

  • AI-powered lead and deal scoring
  • Built-in phone and email with auto-logging
  • Visual workflow automation
  • Territory and team management
  • Advanced analytics and forecasting

Pros

  • +Strong AI capabilities at competitive pricing
  • +Integrates well with other Freshworks products
  • +Intuitive interface requires minimal training

Cons

  • -AI features require higher-tier plans
  • -Customization options are more limited than enterprise solutions

Verdict

Freshsales offers excellent value for SMBs ready to embrace AI-driven sales processes. Its combination of automation and affordability makes it ideal for growing teams that need to scale efficiently.

#4

Attio

Best For: Data-driven SMBs and startups that need highly customizable CRM workflows and advanced data organization

Attio represents the new generation of flexible CRMs built for modern, data-driven businesses. Its unique approach allows complete customization of data models, views, and workflows to match your specific business processes. This flexibility makes it particularly valuable for SMBs with unique sales processes or those requiring detailed data analysis and reporting capabilities beyond standard CRM functionality.

Pricing: Free tier includes core CRM features for small teams. Paid plans start at $29 per user monthly with advanced customization, automation, and collaboration features.

Key Features

  • Completely customizable data models and views
  • Advanced data enrichment and automation
  • Collaborative workspace features
  • API-first architecture for integrations
  • Real-time collaboration and notes

Pros

  • +Unmatched flexibility in customizing workflows and data structure
  • +Modern, intuitive interface with excellent user experience
  • +Strong API and integration capabilities

Cons

  • -Newer platform with smaller ecosystem compared to established players
  • -Advanced customization may require technical knowledge

Verdict

Attio is perfect for SMBs that value flexibility and modern design over established ecosystems. Its customization capabilities make it ideal for businesses with unique processes that don't fit traditional CRM molds.

#5

Folk

Best For: SMBs and consultants focused on building long-term relationships rather than high-volume transactional sales

Folk takes a relationship-first approach to CRM, emphasizing personal connections and contact intelligence over complex sales automation. The platform automatically enriches contact data from multiple sources, making it easier to build meaningful relationships with prospects and customers. Its clean, simple interface focuses on the human side of business relationships while providing AI assistance for routine tasks.

Pricing: Free plan available for basic contact management. Paid plans start at $20 per user monthly with advanced features like AI assistance and team collaboration.

Key Features

  • Automatic contact data enrichment
  • Relationship mapping and contact intelligence
  • Simple, clean interface design
  • AI-powered insights and suggestions
  • Multi-channel contact management

Pros

  • +Excellent contact data enrichment saves significant manual work
  • +Simple interface reduces training time and increases adoption
  • +Strong focus on relationship building over aggressive sales tactics

Cons

  • -Limited advanced sales automation compared to traditional CRMs
  • -Smaller feature set may not suit complex sales processes

Verdict

Folk excels for SMBs where relationship quality matters more than sales volume. Its focus on contact intelligence and simplicity makes it perfect for consultants, agencies, and service-based businesses.

Frequently Asked Questions about best hubspot apps for smb

SMB-friendly CRMs typically offer several key characteristics: affordable pricing with clear value, quick implementation without extensive IT resources, intuitive interfaces that require minimal training, and scalable features that grow with the business. They should provide essential functionality like contact management, pipeline tracking, and basic automation without overwhelming complexity. The best SMB CRMs also offer strong customer support and educational resources to help smaller teams succeed without dedicated CRM administrators.

The choice depends on your specific needs and growth plans. HubSpot works well if you want an all-in-one solution that handles marketing, sales, and service in one platform, and you plan to use multiple features over time. Choose a specialized CRM like Pipedrive if you primarily need sales functionality, have a limited budget, or prefer tools that excel in specific areas. Consider your team size, technical expertise, integration needs, and whether you value breadth of features versus depth in specific areas.

SMB CRM costs typically range from free to $100 per user monthly, depending on features and company size. Most SMBs spend between $15-50 per user monthly for adequate functionality. Factor in implementation costs, training time, and potential integration expenses. Free tiers from HubSpot, Freshsales, or Attio can work for very small teams, while growing businesses usually need paid plans for automation, reporting, and advanced features. Calculate total cost of ownership including user licenses, add-ons, and potential consulting fees.

Most modern CRMs offer extensive integration capabilities through APIs, native connections, and third-party platforms like Zapier. HubSpot leads with over 1,000 integrations, while others like Pipedrive and Freshsales offer hundreds of connections to popular business tools. Common integrations include email platforms, accounting software, marketing tools, and productivity apps. Before choosing, verify that your essential tools integrate properly, and consider whether you need real-time sync or if periodic data updates suffice for your workflows.

Conclusion

Selecting the right CRM for your SMB requires balancing functionality, cost, and ease of use while considering your growth trajectory. HubSpot remains the standout choice for businesses wanting comprehensive marketing, sales, and service capabilities in one platform, especially with its generous free tier. However, specialized solutions like Pipedrive for sales-focused teams, Freshsales for AI-powered efficiency, or Attio for maximum flexibility may better serve specific needs.

The key is matching your CRM choice to your business model, team size, and growth plans. Start with clear requirements, test free trials thoroughly, and involve your team in the decision process to ensure adoption success. Remember that the best CRM is the one your team will actually use consistently. Take time to evaluate not just features, but also implementation ease, ongoing support, and how well each platform aligns with your company culture and processes.

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