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Salesforce Essentials vs HubSpot CRM vs Bigin by Zoho CRM Comparison

Last updated:

Salesforce Essentials

4.2(963 reviews)

Starting at $25 /User/Month

  • Free Trial
  • Small Business

Salesforce Essentials includes a complete set of customer relationship management software, the industry’s leading customer service solution, Salesforce Chatter, and training to get you up and running quickly in the clou…

HubSpot CRM

4.2(10,374 reviews)

Starting at $1,780

  • Free Trial
  • Individuals
  • Freelancers / Consultants

HubSpot CRM is our all-in-one sales, marketing, and customer communication software. Built from the ground up with a modern design inspired by our top-rated marketing and sales tools, HubSpot CRM provides everything you…

Bigin by Zoho CRM

4.3(119 reviews)

Starting at $7 /User/Month

  • Free Trial
  • Small Business

Bigin by Zoho CRM is a solution for managing business contacts, creating sales opportunities, monitoring the pipeline and recording activities. The solution integrates email, calendar, tasks and more. It can be accessed…

Salesforce Essentials vs HubSpot CRM vs Bigin by Zoho CRM — at a glance

FeatureSalesforce EssentialsHubSpot CRMBigin by Zoho CRM
Rating4.2 / 54.2 / 54.3 / 5
Reviews96310,374119
Starting price$25 /User/Month$1,780$7 /User/Month
Free trial Yes Yes Yes
Free version No No No
Best forSmall BusinessIndividuals, Freelancers / Consultants, Large EnterprisesSmall Business
CategoryCRM SoftwareCRM SoftwareCRM Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOSSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - MacSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS
APIAvailableAvailableAvailable
Support modesOnline24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, OnlineBusiness Hours, Online
CertificationsSOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001
Data residencyGlobalUSGlobal

Key differences between Salesforce Essentials and HubSpot CRM

  • Pricing: Salesforce Essentials starts at $25 /User/Month, while HubSpot CRM starts at $1,780.
  • Target audience: Salesforce Essentials is built for Small Business, while HubSpot CRM targets Individuals and Freelancers / Consultants.
  • Deployment: Salesforce Essentials supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; HubSpot CRM supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.

Compare Salesforce Essentials vs HubSpot CRM vs Bigin by Zoho CRM — and walk away knowing which one fits.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most CRM Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Salesforce Essentials - CRM Software
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HubSpot CRM - CRM Software
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Talk to an expert

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Salesforce Essentials

Best for

Small Business

HubSpot CRM

Best for

Individuals, Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises

Bigin by Zoho CRM

Best for

Small Business

Salesforce Essentials typically suits Small Business. HubSpot CRM tends to fit Individuals and Freelancers / Consultants better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

Salesforce Essentials includes a complete set of customer relationship management software, the industry’s leading customer service solution, Salesforce Chatter, and training to get you up ... Read More about Salesforce Essentials

HubSpot CRM is our all-in-one sales, marketing, and customer communication software. Built from the ground up with a modern design inspired by our top-rated marketing and sales tools, ... Read More about HubSpot CRM

Bigin by Zoho CRM is a solution for managing business contacts, creating sales opportunities, monitoring the pipeline and recording activities. The solution integrates email, calendar, ... Read More about Bigin by Zoho CRM

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $25 , Billed Yearly
  • Starts from $1,780 , Billed Monthly
  • Starts from $7 , Billed Yearly

Free Trial Availability

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

8.7/10

9.1/10

9.0/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

Best Company Size

1-1,000 employees
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Where each option fits best

See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.

Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.

Strengths

Key strengths

HubSpot CRM

  • Streamlined Communication: HubSpot CRM allows your team to centralize all customer interactions in one place, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and reducing the chances of miscommunication. You’ll find it easier to collaborate and respond to customer needs promptly.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Designed with simplicity in mind, HubSpot CRM enables users of all technical levels to navigate effortlessly. This means less training time for your staff and more focus on building relationships with clients.
  • Robust Analytics and Reporting: With its powerful analytics tools, you can gain valuable insights into sales performance and customer behavior. This data-driven approach helps you make informed decisions that can lead to increased conversions and revenue growth.
Best fit

Best fit

HubSpot CRM

  • 1-1,000 employees
  • Martech, SaaS, Consulting, Sales Automation, Revtech
  • Sales Managers, Account Executives, Business Development Representatives, CRM Administrators
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

HubSpot CRM

  • Users might consider alternatives to HubSpot CRM due to budget constraints, as some businesses find it expensive, especially with advanced features.
  • Customization limitations can lead users to seek alternatives that offer more tailored solutions to fit unique business processes.
  • Some users may prefer a simpler interface or fewer features, prompting them to look for more user-friendly and straightforward CRM options.

Software Demo

Demo

Need a second opinion?

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Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.

How do Salesforce Essentials, HubSpot CRM and Bigin by Zoho CRM Compare on Features?

Total Features

8 Features

38 Features

10 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare Salesforce Essentials, HubSpot CRM and Bigin by Zoho CRM on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

        Starting From

        • $25 , Billed Yearly
        • $1,780 , Billed Monthly
        • $7 , Billed Yearly

        Pricing Plans

        • Salesforce Essentials

          • Manage contacts

          • Track relationships and deals

          • Respond to customers

          Show more +

        • Free Tools

          • Free Marketing tools

          • Free Sales tools

          • Free Service tools

          Show more +

        • Starter

          • Marketing Hub Starter

          • Includes 1,000 marketing contacts

          • Sales Hub Starter Includes 2 paid users

          Show more +

        • Professional

          • Includes features of Starter plan, plus

          • Marketing Hub Professional

          • Includes 2,000 marketing contacts

          Show more +

        • Browse all pricing plans
        • Free

          • Single Pipeline

          • 500 Records

          • Instant Workflows (3)

          Show more +

        • Express

          • Includes features of Free plan, plus

          • Team Pipelines (3)

          • 50,000 Records

          Show more +

        • Premier

          • Includes features of Express Edition plan. plus

          • Team Pipelines (5)

          • 100,000 Records

          Show more +

        Pricing Page

        Salesforce Essentials pricing
        HubSpot CRM pricing
        Bigin by Zoho CRM pricing

        Other Details

        Organization Types supported

        • Large Enterprises
        • Medium Business
        • Small Business
        • Freelancers
        • Individuals
        • Large Enterprises
        • Medium Business
        • Small Business
        • Freelancers
        • Individuals
        • Large Enterprises
        • Medium Business
        • Small Business
        • Freelancers
        • Individuals

        Platforms Supported

        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Mobile - Android
        • Mobile - iOS
        • Installed - Windows
        • Installed - Mac
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Mobile - Android
        • Mobile - iOS
        • Installed - Windows
        • Installed - Mac
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Mobile - Android
        • Mobile - iOS
        • Installed - Windows
        • Installed - Mac
        • Browser Based (Cloud)

        Modes of support

        • 24/7 (Live rep)
        • Business Hours
        • Online
        • 24/7 (Live rep)
        • Business Hours
        • Online
        • 24/7 (Live rep)
        • Business Hours
        • Online

        API Support

        • Available
        • Available
        • Available
        Get help choosing
        Get help choosing

        Security & Compliance

        Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

        SOC 2

        ✓ Yes

        HIPAA

        ✗ No
        ✓ Yes

        GDPR

        ✓ Yes

        ISO 27001

        ✓ Yes

        Single Sign-On (SSO)

        ✓ Yes

        Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

        ✓ Yes

        Data Encryption

        ✓ Yes

        Audit Logs

        ✓ Yes

        Data Residency

        🌐 Global
        🇺🇸 US

        Salesforce Essentials vs HubSpot CRM User Reviews & Rating Comparison

        User Ratings

        Rating Distribution

        28

        10

        0

        0

        0

        2104

        679

        84

        40

        233

        204

        66

        7

        1

        1

        Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

        Buyer sentiment

        Buyer sentiment is positive across 38 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction.

        What buyers like

        • Highly customizable platform that easily adapts to specific business needs, with extensive integration capabilities and a wide variety of third-party app options.
        • Intuitive and user-friendly interface for both admins and end users, making adoption and daily operations seamless.
        • Out-of-the-box functionality enables quick implementation with minimal setup, allowing businesses to hit the ground running.

        Common complaints

        • The extensive customizability and breadth of features can be overwhelming for new users or small businesses without significant technical expertise and support.
        • The user interface, while powerful, can occasionally feel clunky or unintuitive, especially for first-time users or non-technical team members.
        • Documentation and tutorials are not always comprehensive or localized, making it harder for users to grasp advanced features in some regions.

        Buyer sentiment

        Buyer sentiment is positive across 3140 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction.

        What buyers like

        • Free plan available for small businesses, offering essential CRM functionality and a good starting point for startups.
        • Comprehensive integration with tools like Google Suite and seamless APIs, improving productivity and tracking.
        • Intuitive and user-friendly interface for contact and task management, even for individuals with limited technical knowledge.

        Common complaints

        • Expensive pricing structure with hidden costs for essential add-ons, making it a tough choice for small businesses.
        • Lack of flexibility in contracts, with annual commitments and limited trial periods causing dissatisfaction.
        • Poor accessibility for individuals with disabilities, leading to exclusion of certain user groups.

        Buyer sentiment

        Buyer sentiment is positive across 279 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction.

        What buyers like

        • Simple, intuitive design with a short learning curve, making it easy to use and implement, even for non-technical users.
        • Affordable pricing tailored for startups and small businesses, offering great value for core CRM functionalities.
        • Effective pipeline management and workflow automation, enabling businesses to streamline sales processes.

        Common complaints

        • Limited integrations with third-party tools (e.g., social media apps, direct LinkedIn or Facebook ad imports), making data syncing challenging.
        • Lack of advanced features and scalability, restricting use for larger enterprises or complex workflows.
        • Inconsistent customer support with restricted availability, affecting issue resolution during critical times.

        Pros and Cons

        • Comprehensive feature set supports diverse business needs.

        • Strong customer service tools enhance client interactions.

        • Cloud-based access allows for remote collaboration.

        • Complexity may overwhelm new users.

        • Higher pricing could be a barrier for small businesses.

        • Free plan available for small businesses, offering essential CRM functionality and a good starting point for startups.

        • Comprehensive integration with tools like Google Suite and seamless APIs, improving productivity and tracking.

        • Intuitive and user-friendly interface for contact and task management, even for individuals with limited technical knowledge.

        • Expensive pricing structure with hidden costs for essential add-ons, making it a tough choice for small businesses.

        • Lack of flexibility in contracts, with annual commitments and limited trial periods causing dissatisfaction.

        • Real-time updates keep teams informed.

        • Integration with email and calendar enhances productivity.

        • User-friendly interface simplifies navigation.

        • Customization options may not meet all needs.

        • New users may find the interface complex.

        Positive Reviews

        No reviews available for the product

        No reviews available for the product

        No reviews available for the product

        Negative Reviews

        No reviews available for the product

        No reviews available for the product

        No reviews available for the product

        List of Customers

        Customers

        Mashgin

        Mashgin

        Classpass

        Classpass

        Avison Young

        Avison Young

        Crunch Fitness

        Crunch Fitness

        Antech Microsystem Pvt.Ltd

        Antech Microsystem Pvt.Ltd

        Investacc

        Investacc

        Hire

        Hire

        Media and Screenshots

        Screenshots

        2 Screenshots

        HubSpot CRM

        13 Screenshots

        Videos

        video-0

        2 Videos

        video-0

        2 Videos

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        Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

        Frequently asked questions

        Which is better, Salesforce Essentials or HubSpot CRM?
        Salesforce Essentials and HubSpot CRM are closely matched with equal user ratings of 4.2. The right choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific CRM Software needs.
        Do Salesforce Essentials and HubSpot CRM offer a free trial?
        Yes, both Salesforce Essentials and HubSpot CRM offer a free trial.
        What is the starting price of Salesforce Essentials vs HubSpot CRM?
        Salesforce Essentials starts at $25 /User/Month. HubSpot CRM starts at $1,780.
        What are the top alternatives to Salesforce Essentials?
        Top alternatives to Salesforce Essentials include Bigin by Zoho CRM, ClickUp, Zoho CRM, Freshsales, HubSpot CRM.
        What are the top alternatives to HubSpot CRM?
        Top alternatives to HubSpot CRM include Bigin by Zoho CRM, Hubspot Marketing Hub, ClickUp, Zoho CRM, Freshsales.

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