HubSpot is no longer the popular CRM choice for many reasons. For starters, the cost isn’t justified. 40% of HubSpot users had replaced their marketing software in less than 2 years. And this percentage of dissatisfaction is gradually increasing. Business owners are searching for cost-effective alternatives like GoHighLevel for their businesses.
If you’re one of those who are looking for a HubSpot alternative that aligns better with your business goals, I, Muhammad Nouman have done the heavy lifting. In this article, I will compare five of the best alternatives that you can compare and decide one that you find right.
Quick Summary
- HubSpot can be pricey, inflexible, and hard to scale, resulting in 40% of businesses switching.
- GoHighLevel: Great for agencies; all-in-one, white-label. Starts at $97/month
- Salesforce: Powerful for enterprises; customizable, AI-driven. Starts at $165/user/month
- ActiveCampaign: Best for email and automation; good for SMBs. Starts at $15/month
- Zoho CRM: Affordable, customizable for SMBs. Starts at $14/user/month
- Pipedrive: Sales-focused; easy pipeline management. Starts at $14/user/month
- Pick Wisely: Book a free strategy call with me, to discuss how you can migrate from HubSpot to your other platform.
Why Consider a HubSpot Alternative?
While HubSpot is an excellent platform, many businesses outgrow its features or find its pricing restrictive. Some key reasons businesses seek alternatives include:
- Cost Considerations: HubSpot’s premium tiers can be expensive, especially for growing businesses.
- Limited Customization: Advanced custom workflows and integrations often require a higher subscription plan.
- Scalability Challenges: Large enterprises may need more flexibility to handle complex processes.
Top 5 HubSpot Alternatives to Consider in 2025
I have given top HubSpot alternatives, GoHighLevel, Salesforce, ActiveCampaign, Zoho CRM, and Pipedrive CRM a little review following:
Let’s start with GoHighLevel, my personal best choice:
1. GoHighLevel (GHL)
GoHighLevel is an all-in-one platform designed for marketing agencies and SaaS businesses. It provides CRM, marketing automation, sales pipelines, and client communication tools under one roof. One of its standout features is the ability to white-label the platform, allowing agencies to resell services to clients effortlessly.
Key Features:
- CRM, sales pipelines, and automation
- Email and SMS marketing
- White-label SaaS options
- Appointment scheduling and reputation management
- Funnel and website builder
Pros:
✔️ Ideal for marketing agencies managing
✔️ White-labeling options for reselling services
✔️ Advanced automation and lead nurturing
Cons:
❌ Slightly complex for beginners due to its extensive feature set
❌ Fewer native integrations compared to other CRMs
❌ Outdated user interface compared to modern CRMs
Pricing:
- Starter ($97/month) – Includes lead capture tools, pipelines, website builder, unlimited contacts/users, and 3 sub-accounts.
- Unlimited ($297/month) – Everything in Starter plus API access, unlimited sub-accounts, and white-label branding.
- SaaS Pro ($497/month) – Everything in Unlimited plus auto sub-account creation, rebilling with markup, and Conversation AI rebilling.
Note:
I’m Muhammad Nouman, a GoHighLevel expert. I understand you might have questions about leveraging its power. Book a free call with me today and let’s discuss all the details you’re thinking about. I’m here to help!
2. Salesforce Sales
Salesforce is a global leader in the CRM industry, renowned for its scalability and extensive customization options. It caters to businesses of all sizes, with powerful AI-driven insights, workflow automation, and a vast marketplace of integrations.
Key Features:
- Advanced contact and opportunity management
- Customizable dashboards and analytics
- AI-powered insights through Salesforce Einstein
- Extensive integration ecosystem
Pros:
✔️ Highly customizable and scalable
✔️ Robust security and compliance standards
✔️ Comprehensive third-party integrations
Cons:
❌ High cost, making it less accessible for smaller businesses
❌ Steeper learning curve, often requiring a dedicated admin
❌ Limited mobile app functionality compared to desktop features
Pricing:
- Enterprise ($165/user/month) – Advanced pipeline management, Conversation Intelligence, unlimited custom apps (Agentforce), and developer API access.
- Unlimited ($330/user/month) – Everything in Enterprise plus Predictive AI, Sales Engagement tools, Premier Success Plan, and Full Sandbox for testing.
- Einstein 1 Sales ($500/user/month) – Everything in Unlimited plus Generative AI, Slack collaboration, Data Cloud integration, and Revenue Intelligence.
Note: SMB pricing options are also available – visit the Salesforce website for SMB plan details.
3. ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign combines CRM functionality with advanced email marketing and automation tools. It’s ideal for businesses that want to automate their email marketing workflows while nurturing leads and tracking customer interactions.
Key Features:
- Email marketing automation with dynamic content
- CRM with lead scoring and behavior tracking
- SMS and site messaging integration
- Advanced segmentation and personalization
Pros:
✔️ Affordable for small to medium-sized businesses
✔️ Easy-to-use interface with powerful automation
✔️ Advanced reporting and segmentation
Cons:
❌ CRM functionality is less robust compared to Salesforce
❌ Limited customization in terms of sales pipelines
❌ Integration with certain third-party apps may be limited
Pricing:
- Starter ($15/mo) – Basic email campaigns, limited automation (5 actions), and standard segmentation.
- Plus ($49/mo) – Adds advanced automation, A/B testing, and premium CRM integrations.
- Pro ($79/mo) – Includes multi-step automation, prospecting ads, and advanced reporting.
- Enterprise ($145/mo) – Full-scale campaigns, AI-powered automation, and dedicated support.
4. Zoho CRM
Zoho CRM is known for its affordability and extensive suite of features. It offers omnichannel communication, workflow automation, and AI-powered insights through its assistant, Zia. With seamless integration into Zoho’s ecosystem, it’s a cost-effective choice for growing businesses.
Key Features:
- Sales automation and lead management
- Omnichannel communication (email, phone, social media)
- AI-powered predictions and insights
- Customizable dashboards and reports
Pros:
✔️ Budget-friendly with flexible pricing options
✔️ Highly customizable and integrates with other Zoho apps
✔️ Ideal for SMBs with diverse business processes
Cons:
❌ Interface can be less intuitive for beginners
❌ Some advanced features are only available on higher tiers
❌ Customer support can be slow, particularly for lower-tier plans
Pricing (Enterprise):
- Standard ($14/user/month) – Core CRM with workflows, sales forecasting, and integrations (Office 365, Zoho Marketplace).
- Professional ($23/user/month) – Adds CPQ, inventory management, webhooks, and Google Ads integration.
- Enterprise ($40/user/month) – Includes AI assistant (Zia), territory management, multi-user portals, and sandbox environments. (Most Popular)
- Ultimate ($52/user/month) – Advanced AI, augmented analytics, data storytelling, and unlimited customization.
5. Pipedrive CRM
Pipedrive is designed with sales teams in mind. It provides a highly intuitive interface that focuses on pipeline management, deal tracking, and activity management. Pipedrive’s visual sales pipeline makes it easy for teams to stay on top of their deals and track progress effortlessly.
Key Features:
- Visual sales pipeline with drag-and-drop interface
- Email tracking and automation
- Goal tracking and sales forecasting
- Customizable reports and dashboards
Pros:
✔️ Easy-to-use interface for sales-driven organizations
✔️ Affordable pricing with scalable plans
✔️ Ideal for managing pipelines and closing deals
Cons:
❌ Limited marketing automation features
❌ Less suitable for businesses that require complex workflows
❌ Limited integration with certain third-party tools
Pricing:
- Essential ($14/user/month) – Basic CRM with pipeline management, AI reports, and 400+ integrations.
- Advanced ($24/user/month) – Adds email automation, scheduling, and live chat support.
- Professional ($49/user/month) – Includes AI sales tools, contract/e-signatures, and revenue forecasting.
- Power ($59/user/month) – Best for teams with project tracking, phone support, and advanced permissions.
- Enterprise ($79/user/month) – Unlimited customization, enhanced security, and maximum automation.
(All plans offer a 14-day free trial. Monthly billing is available at higher rates.)
Final Verdict: Which Platform is Best for Your Business?
After reviewing the strengths, weaknesses, and suitability of each platform, here’s a quick recommendation:
✅ Best Overall for Agencies & Consultants: GoHighLevel
✅ Best for Large Enterprises: Salesforce
✅ Best for Email Marketing & Automation: ActiveCampaign
✅ Best for Small & Mid-Sized Businesses: Zoho CRM
✅ Best for Sales-Driven Teams: Pipedrive
Final Thoughts: Making the Right Choice
I’ll say it out loud! I can’t be the judge as to which platform to go with. It all depends on what your business needs and what these platforms offer to fulfill that.
While GoHighLevel emerges as the best all-in-one solution for agencies and consultants, Salesforce is ideal for enterprises seeking advanced customization. ActiveCampaign is perfect for businesses focusing on email marketing and automation, while Zoho CRM offers an affordable, customizable solution for small and mid-sized companies. Pipedrive, on the other hand, excels at simplifying sales pipeline management.
Get an Expert Opinion
Thinking about GoHighLevel but have unanswered questions? Muhammad Nouman, your GoHighLevel expert, can provide the clarity you need. Book a free call now to get all the details you’re thinking about and discover how to maximize your results.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links in this blog are affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my work. Thank you!
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