freshsales vs hubspot - comparison by klipy
freshsales vs hubspot - comparison by klipy
freshsales vs hubspot - comparison by klipy

Small Business

FreshSales vs Hubspot: CRM Comparison for Small Businesses

Discover the best CRM for your small business with our detailed comparison of FreshSales vs HubSpot. Learn about features, pricing, scalability, and more to find the perfect CRM solution tailored to your needs.

CRM for Small Businesses: Why It Matters and How to Choose

For small business owners and startup founders, effective customer relationship management is the key to growth and success. A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system can revolutionize how you handle customer data and interactions, boosting efficiency and scalability.

Growing business signals more robust, standardized operations - including a CRM program.

63% of SMB leaders who use a CRM system say the number one benefit of a CRM is that it helps them provide better or faster customer service.

Online CRM software such as Hubspot or FreshSales for small businesses brings all customer data into one place, making it easier to understand customer behavior and tailor your marketing efforts.

There comes a moment where your business needs to migrate your client list from simple spreadsheets to a more robust, easy to visualize tool to make strategic decisions quickly. There can be 5 major signs your business needs a CRM outlined as:

  • You need a better way to track prospects and customers

  • Your prospects and customers have multiple points of contact.

  • You have a long or complex sales cycle.

  • Your goal is to grow your business.

  • You’re ready to leverage automation

A CRM does more than just organize data—it transforms your business strategy. By consolidating contact details, purchase history, and interaction records, it empowers you to craft tailored communication that resonates with each customer. This personalization fosters loyalty and boosts retention rates. But the impact goes beyond tidiness; a CRM equips your business with actionable insights, enabling data-driven decisions that fuel growth in today's competitive landscape.

We're comparing FreshSales and HubSpot to see which one works best for startups and small businesses as part of the research project to review and compare CRMs for small business owners.

FreshSales and HubSpot are both solid choices in the CRM world. Each platform offers unique features to help businesses grow. But which one fits your team? That's what we'll explore.

We'll examine what makes each platform stand out, looking at their strengths and potential weaknesses. From ease of use to advanced capabilities, we'll cover everything. This comparison will give you a clear view, helping you make the right choice for your business. Want to know which CRM could become your team's new favorite tool? Let's dive in.

FreshSales

Freshsales CRM has gained popularity among small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) for its combination of affordability, user-friendliness, and robust feature set. This overview will help you understand if Freshsales CRM is the right choice for your business.

Key Features of Freshsales:

  • Contact, Account, and Deal Management: Offers a 360-degree customer view with customizable records and visual deal tracking. Includes task management and activity logging for comprehensive relationship management.

  • Built-in Phone and Email: Integrates calling and emailing directly within the CRM, with automatic logging and analytics. Supports popular email providers like Gmail and Outlook.

  • AI-powered Lead Scoring: Utilizes Freddy AI to analyze lead behavior and automatically assign scores based on conversion likelihood. Helps teams prioritize high-potential leads with customizable scoring criteria.

  • Sales Pipeline Management: Provides a visual, drag-and-drop interface with support for multiple pipelines and customizable stages. Includes sales forecasting based on pipeline data.

  • Customizable Reports and Dashboards: Offers pre-built templates and a custom report builder for specific insights. Features interactive, real-time dashboards that can be shared for team collaboration.

  • Workflow Automation: Includes a visual workflow builder for creating custom, trigger-based automations. Supports time-based workflows and integrations with external apps for extended capabilities.

  • Mobile CRM Apps: Provides full-featured apps for iOS and Android with mobile-specific features like click-to-call and offline mode. Allows access to contacts, deals, and tasks on-the-go.

  • Marketing Automation: Enables creation and management of email campaigns, landing pages, and web forms for lead capture. Includes website tracking for visitor insights (available in higher tiers).

  • Advanced Analytics: Offers comprehensive analytics for sales activities, revenue, and team performance. Includes custom dashboards for executive-level insights.

  • Integrations and API: Provides native integration with other Freshworks products and pre-built integrations with popular business tools. Includes REST API and webhooks for custom integrations and real-time data sync.

  • Customization and Personalization: Allows creation of custom fields, email templates, and modules for industry-specific needs. Includes role-based access control for data security.

Pros:

  • User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive design makes it easy for teams to adopt and use effectively.

  • Affordability: Competitive pricing structure suitable for SMB budgets.

  • Robust Features: Offers a comprehensive set of tools for customer relationship management.

  • Customization: Ability to tailor the CRM to specific business needs.

  • Integration: Seamless integration with other Freshworks products and third-party apps.

  • AI-Powered Insights: Freddy AI provides predictive analytics and automation capabilities.

  • Mobile App: Access CRM data on-the-go with a fully-featured mobile application.

Cons:

  • Learning Curve: Despite being user-friendly, some advanced features may require time to master.

  • Limited Free Plan: The free tier has restrictions that may not suit all businesses.

  • Add-ons Cost: Some advanced features might require additional payments.

  • Customer Support: Response times may vary depending on the pricing tier.

Pricing:

Freshsales offers a flexible pricing model designed to accommodate small businesses:
(Note: Prices are subject to change. Always check the official Freshsales website for the most up-to-date pricing.)

  1. Free: Basic CRM features for small teams.

  2. Growth: $9/user/month (billed annually)

  3. Pro: $39/user/month (billed annually)

  4. Enterprise: $59/user/month (billed annually)

Each tier offers progressively more advanced features, with the Enterprise plan providing the full suite of Freshsales capabilities.

For more details, you can visit their pricing page.

Freshsales CRM has gained popularity among small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) for its combination of affordability, user-friendliness, and robust feature set. This overview will help you understand if Freshsales CRM is the right choice for your business.

Key Features of Freshsales:

  • Contact, Account, and Deal Management: Offers a 360-degree customer view with customizable records and visual deal tracking. Includes task management and activity logging for comprehensive relationship management.

  • Built-in Phone and Email: Integrates calling and emailing directly within the CRM, with automatic logging and analytics. Supports popular email providers like Gmail and Outlook.

  • AI-powered Lead Scoring: Utilizes Freddy AI to analyze lead behavior and automatically assign scores based on conversion likelihood. Helps teams prioritize high-potential leads with customizable scoring criteria.

  • Sales Pipeline Management: Provides a visual, drag-and-drop interface with support for multiple pipelines and customizable stages. Includes sales forecasting based on pipeline data.

  • Customizable Reports and Dashboards: Offers pre-built templates and a custom report builder for specific insights. Features interactive, real-time dashboards that can be shared for team collaboration.

  • Workflow Automation: Includes a visual workflow builder for creating custom, trigger-based automations. Supports time-based workflows and integrations with external apps for extended capabilities.

  • Mobile CRM Apps: Provides full-featured apps for iOS and Android with mobile-specific features like click-to-call and offline mode. Allows access to contacts, deals, and tasks on-the-go.

  • Marketing Automation: Enables creation and management of email campaigns, landing pages, and web forms for lead capture. Includes website tracking for visitor insights (available in higher tiers).

  • Advanced Analytics: Offers comprehensive analytics for sales activities, revenue, and team performance. Includes custom dashboards for executive-level insights.

  • Integrations and API: Provides native integration with other Freshworks products and pre-built integrations with popular business tools. Includes REST API and webhooks for custom integrations and real-time data sync.

  • Customization and Personalization: Allows creation of custom fields, email templates, and modules for industry-specific needs. Includes role-based access control for data security.

Pros:

  • User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive design makes it easy for teams to adopt and use effectively.

  • Affordability: Competitive pricing structure suitable for SMB budgets.

  • Robust Features: Offers a comprehensive set of tools for customer relationship management.

  • Customization: Ability to tailor the CRM to specific business needs.

  • Integration: Seamless integration with other Freshworks products and third-party apps.

  • AI-Powered Insights: Freddy AI provides predictive analytics and automation capabilities.

  • Mobile App: Access CRM data on-the-go with a fully-featured mobile application.

Cons:

  • Learning Curve: Despite being user-friendly, some advanced features may require time to master.

  • Limited Free Plan: The free tier has restrictions that may not suit all businesses.

  • Add-ons Cost: Some advanced features might require additional payments.

  • Customer Support: Response times may vary depending on the pricing tier.

Pricing:

Freshsales offers a flexible pricing model designed to accommodate small businesses:
(Note: Prices are subject to change. Always check the official Freshsales website for the most up-to-date pricing.)

  1. Free: Basic CRM features for small teams.

  2. Growth: $9/user/month (billed annually)

  3. Pro: $39/user/month (billed annually)

  4. Enterprise: $59/user/month (billed annually)

Each tier offers progressively more advanced features, with the Enterprise plan providing the full suite of Freshsales capabilities.

For more details, you can visit their pricing page.

Freshcaller: Built in Telephone for CRM

Freshcaller is a cloud-based virtual phone system that allows businesses to set up a professional phone system without the need for expensive hardware or downloads. Here's how Freshcaller works and its main benefits:

How it works

  1. Sign up for a Freshcaller account: You can choose from one of the paid plans or start with the free trial.

  2. Purchase a phone number: Freshcaller offers local, toll-free, vanity, and international numbers in over 90 countries. You can also port in an existing number.

  3. Set up your call flows: Use Freshcaller's intuitive drag-and-drop interface to customize call flows, set business hour and holiday routing rules, and apply various call routing strategies.

  4. Manage calls: Agents can make and receive calls directly from their laptops, mobile devices, or VoIP phones. Freshcaller offers features like call queues, call recording, and call notes to help manage customer interactions.

  5. Monitor and analyze: Freshcaller provides real-time call center dashboards, call metrics, and reporting to help managers monitor agent performance and optimize call center operations.

Main Benefits of Freshcaller

  1. Affordability: Freshcaller offers a free plan for up to 3 users and paid plans starting at $15/agent/month, making it accessible for small and medium-sized businesses.

  2. Easy setup: With no hardware or downloads required, Freshcaller can be set up quickly and easily. The intuitive interface allows users to customize call flows without technical expertise.

  3. Improved customer experience: Features like multi-level IVR, call queues, and call routing help businesses manage call volumes efficiently and connect customers with the right agent quickly.

  4. Mobility: Freshcaller's mobile apps for iOS and Android allow agents to take calls on the go, ensuring uninterrupted customer service.

  5. Integrations: Freshcaller integrates with popular CRM and helpdesk software, enabling businesses to automate simple customer support interactions and provide a seamless experience.

Hubspot

HubSpot CRM is one of the most well-known CRM solutions, especially popular among small to medium-sized businesses. It’s part of the larger HubSpot ecosystem, which includes tools for marketing, sales, and customer service.

Key Features of HubSpot CRM:

  • Contact Management: A centralized database to store and manage customer details, interaction history, and deal stages.

  • Deal Tracking: Manage the sales pipeline by creating deals, associating them with contacts, and tracking their progress through customizable stages.

  • Email Integration and Tracking: Connect your email to log communications, track opens and clicks, and automate follow-ups.

  • Sales Automation: Automate repetitive tasks like sending emails and logging calls to streamline sales processes.

  • Reporting and Analytics: Generate reports and dashboards to track sales performance, forecast deals, and guide strategic decisions.

  • Task Management: Create, assign, and monitor tasks to keep team members organized and focused on priorities.

  • Marketing Automation: Tools for lead nurturing, email campaigns, and segmentation to enhance marketing efforts.

  • Customer Support Features: Includes ticketing systems and knowledge bases to handle customer inquiries and improve service efficiency.

Pros:

  • Free Tier: Offers a strong free plan supporting unlimited users and up to 1,000,000 contacts, making it accessible for small businesses.

  • User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive design that simplifies navigation for teams of all sizes.

  • Integration Capabilities: Easily integrates with various third-party apps like Salesforce and Google Workspace, expanding its functionality.

  • Comprehensive Features: Provides a wide range of tools for sales, marketing, and customer service, offering a unified approach to customer relationship management.

  • Scalability: Suitable for businesses of all sizes, with features that can grow with your business.

Cons:

  • Complexity for Advanced Features: While basic features are easy to use, some advanced functionalities may have a learning curve.

  • Cost of Upgrades: Although the free version is robust, accessing advanced features in the paid tiers can become expensive as your business expands.

  • Limited Customization: Some users feel that customization options, particularly in reporting and dashboards, are limited compared to other CRM platforms.

There are a lot of alternatives of Hubspot for small businesses. However, Hubspot does provide a huge advantage in terms of their coverage of different aspects of sales, marketing, support and operations.

Pricing:

Hubspot's pricing is notorious for being complicated. We suggest you to explore their pricing page thoroughly to assess if their offers fit your business circumstances.

  • Free Plan: Offers essential CRM features at no cost, allowing unlimited users and up to 1,000,000 contacts.

  • Starter Plan: Costs $45 per month for two users and includes additional features like email tracking and sales automation.

  • Professional Plan: Priced at $800 per month for five users, this plan offers advanced features such as custom reporting, marketing automation, and deeper analytics.

  • Enterprise Plan: Tailored for larger organizations, with custom pricing based on specific needs, including advanced features and support.

Comparisons and Use Cases

These are some more detailed review of Freshsales and Hubspot broken down to key CRM features that are important for small business owners and startup founders.

FreshSales vs HubSpot: How They Stack Up

When it comes to choosing between FreshSales and HubSpot, it's all about the details. Let's dive into how these two CRM powerhouses compare on some key features:

Ease of Use

  • Both platforms have user-friendly interfaces, but Freshsales is praised for its simplicity and clean design, making it easier to get started.

  • HubSpot offers a more customizable interface that may be better suited for businesses with diverse needs.

Sales Pipeline Management

FreshSales makes pipeline management a breeze. Their drag-and-drop interface is so intuitive, you'll feel like a pro in no time. Plus, with automated follow-ups, you won't let any leads slip through the cracks. It's like having a personal assistant keeping your sales process on track.

HubSpot doesn't disappoint either. Their customizable pipelines adapt to your unique sales process like a chameleon. The best part? It plays nice with HubSpot's other tools, so your sales and marketing teams can finally be on the same page. Their visual dashboard is the cherry on top, giving you a bird's-eye view of your entire pipeline.

Contact Management

FreshSales shines with its 360-degree customer views. Imagine having every interaction, note, and task related to a contact in one place – it's like having a customer's entire history at your fingertips. For small businesses juggling multiple hats, this feature is a game-changer.

HubSpot takes a different approach with its enriched contact profiles. It's like having a detective on your team, automatically pulling in details from social media and email interactions. Say goodbye to manual data entry and hello to comprehensive customer insights.

Email Marketing and Automation

FreshSales doesn't just let you send emails; it lets you craft personalized campaigns right from the CRM. With email tracking and scheduling, you can fine-tune your outreach for maximum impact. It's like having a marketing guru in your pocket.

HubSpot is the Swiss Army knife of email marketing. Advanced segmentation? Check. A/B testing? You got it. Automated email workflows? Absolutely. It's designed to help even the smallest businesses run email campaigns like the big leagues.

Reporting and Analytics

FreshSales gives you the tools to become a data wizard. Their customizable reports let you focus on what matters most to your business. Whether it's sales performance, lead activity, or CRM usage, you'll have the insights to make informed decisions.

HubSpot takes it up a notch with their analytics dashboard. It's like having a crystal ball that shows you insights across sales, marketing, and customer service. For small businesses looking to make data-driven decisions, HubSpot's reporting is hard to beat.

Remember, the best CRM for you depends on your specific needs. Both FreshSales and HubSpot pack a punch, so consider your priorities and give them both a spin before making your choice.

Integration Capabilities

Integration is crucial for any CRM, especially as your business grows and you use more tools.

  • HubSpot has a stronger ecosystem, with better integration between its marketing, sales, and service hubs.

  • Freshsales may require additional integrations to enhance its overall sales process

Customer Support

Let's face it: even the best CRM can throw you a curveball now and then. That's when stellar customer support becomes your MVP. So, how do FreshSales and HubSpot measure up in the support game?

FreshSales has got your back with a support team that's more reliable than your morning coffee. They offer 24/5 live chat and email support, so you're covered throughout the workweek. Got a burning question at 3 AM? No worries! Their comprehensive knowledge base is like a 24/7 guru, ready to enlighten you on all things FreshSales. Users rave about their support team's responsiveness – it's like they can read your mind before you even hit 'send' on that support ticket.

HubSpot takes support to the next level, especially if you're on their higher-tier plans. We're talking 24/7 support that makes you feel like you've got a personal CRM concierge. Even on lower-tier plans, their email and chat support won't leave you hanging. But here's where HubSpot really flexes: the HubSpot Academy. It's like Netflix for CRM enthusiasts – a treasure trove of free training on every nook and cranny of their platform. You might find yourself binge-watching HubSpot tutorials instead of your favorite show!

Remember, the right support can turn a CRM headache into a "eureka!" moment. Whether you prefer FreshSales' responsive team or HubSpot's extensive self-help resources, both have got your back when the going gets tough in CRM land.

Scalability

As your business grows, so will your CRM needs. It’s important to choose a CRM that can scale with you.

  • HubSpot is better suited for businesses looking to scale, with enterprise-level features and customization options.

  • Freshsales can also scale well as a business grows, but may require more manual setup and configuration.

For long-term growth, HubSpot is the more scalable option. Its comprehensive suite of tools and ability to handle larger volumes of data make it a better choice for businesses that anticipate significant expansion.

Is Freshsales Right for Your SMB?

Freshsales CRM could be an excellent choice if you're looking for:

  • An affordable CRM solution with a good feature-to-price ratio

  • A user-friendly interface that's easy to adopt

  • Scalability as your business grows

  • Integration with other business tools

However, if you need highly specialized features or have a large, complex sales operation, you might need to evaluate if Freshsales meets all your requirements.

Remember to take advantage of the free trial offered by Freshsales to test its features and compatibility with your business processes before making a decision.

You may reference our other articles related to CRM software for small businesses:

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