StackEvalifyCRM · Desk research
HubSpot vs Salesforce: compare the packages before comparing the price
These products do not line up as identical editions. HubSpot’s free CRM and Sales Hub tiers are sold separately from Salesforce’s Starter Suite and Sales Cloud editions. Match the package to your workflow and user count before comparing totals.
Source check: · US vendor pages · USD · not a hands-on test
At a glance
| What to compare | HubSpot | Salesforce |
|---|---|---|
| Free entry point | HubSpot says its free CRM is not time-limited, with up to 2 users and 1,000 contacts. Source | Salesforce lists a Free Suite in its edition table; its FAQ describes a 30-day trial for Sales Cloud and Starter Suite. Confirm which SKU and eligibility apply. Source |
| Published entry pricing | Sales Hub Starter is normally $20 per seat/month. HubSpot currently advertises a limited-time new-customer offer from $7 per seat/month with annual payment or $10 month-to-month. Eligibility and offers can change. Source | Starter Suite is shown at $25 per user/month, billed monthly or annually. Salesforce says pricing can change and detailed quotes may require sales. Source |
| Starter package scope | HubSpot lists required fields, permission sets, multiple currencies, and removal of HubSpot branding among Starter features. Source | Salesforce describes Starter Suite as a bundle covering sales, service, marketing, and commerce; listed sales features include lead routing and sales flows. Source |
Prices above are snapshots from US pages, not equivalent quotes. They exclude any taxes, negotiated terms, add-ons, onboarding, or contact/usage costs not shown here. Check the vendor pricing pages before purchase.
Where the choice changes
Starting small
If you are evaluating a small team, first check HubSpot’s published free-user/contact limits and Salesforce’s current Free Suite eligibility. Do not assume a free CRM tier and a time-limited Sales Cloud trial are the same offer.
Buying a package
Compare the included products as well as the CRM. Salesforce positions Starter Suite as a multi-function bundle; HubSpot’s pricing page separates Sales Hub from its other Hubs and customer-platform bundles.
A practical way to decide
- Write down the records, pipelines, permissions, reports, and automations your team actually needs.
- Build the same sample workflow in each product or trial, using the edition you would purchase.
- Calculate a 12-month total for your users and required features; include onboarding, add-ons, and any limits that trigger an upgrade.
- Test export, access controls, and the integrations that are essential to your sales process before migrating live data.
Verdict
Start with HubSpot if its published free limits or Sales Hub packaging match the team you have today. Evaluate Salesforce Starter Suite if its broader bundled scope is useful to your business. For either option, choose from a trial or representative workflow and a written total-cost estimate—not from a generic claim that one CRM is always easier or cheaper.