Choosing between HubSpot and Freshsales for your UK business? You’re comparing two very different philosophies: HubSpot’s comprehensive all-in-one platform versus Freshsales’ focused, AI-powered sales efficiency approach.
This detailed comparison will help UK businesses understand which platform offers better value, faster implementation, and superior results for their specific needs.
HubSpot vs Freshsales at a Glance
HubSpot is the comprehensive customer platform combining CRM, marketing automation, sales tools, and customer service. It’s built for businesses wanting integrated marketing and sales in one ecosystem.
Freshsales is the AI-powered, sales-focused CRM designed for efficiency and quick wins. It prioritizes ease of use, affordability, and getting sales teams productive fast.
Quick verdict: Freshsales for cost-conscious sales teams seeking simplicity, HubSpot for businesses needing integrated marketing and sales with advanced customization.
The Value Proposition Difference
HubSpot: The Complete Customer Platform
Founded in 2006 as an inbound marketing pioneer, HubSpot built a comprehensive ecosystem where marketing, sales, and service work together seamlessly. It’s designed around the philosophy that customer success comes from integrated experiences.
HubSpot’s approach: Everything connected – from first website visit to customer advocacy – managed in one platform.
Freshsales: The Efficient Sales Machine
Launched in 2016 by Freshworks, Freshsales focuses on making sales teams more efficient through AI-powered insights and intuitive design. It’s built with the philosophy that CRMs should make salespeople’s jobs easier, not harder.
Freshsales’ approach: Laser-focused on sales productivity with AI automation that works out of the box.
Pricing Comparison: UK Market Reality
HubSpot UK Pricing
Free CRM: £0 – Basic features for unlimited users Sales Hub Starter: £15/user/month – Simple automation Sales Hub Professional: £72/user/month – Advanced features Sales Hub Enterprise: £120/user/month – Premium functionality
Marketing features require separate Marketing Hub starting at £36/month
Freshsales UK Pricing
No free plan – 14-day free trial Growth: £11/user/month – Essential sales features Pro: £33/user/month – AI features and advanced reporting Enterprise: £59/user/month – Full customization and integrations
All plans include phone, chat, and email support
Real Cost Analysis for UK Teams
For a 5-person sales team:
- HubSpot Professional: £360/month (sales only)
- Freshsales Pro: £165/month (includes AI features)
For a 10-person sales team:
- HubSpot Professional: £720/month
- Freshsales Pro: £330/month
With marketing needs:
- HubSpot (Sales + Marketing Professional): £1,080/month
- Freshsales Pro + marketing tool: £330 + £200 = £530/month
Winner: Freshsales offers up to 70% cost savings while maintaining core functionality.
Feature Comparison
Sales Pipeline Management
HubSpot:
- Multiple customizable pipelines
- Advanced deal probability tracking
- Sophisticated forecasting tools
- Revenue analytics and reporting
- Integration with marketing campaigns
Freshsales:
- Visual drag-and-drop pipelines
- AI-powered deal insights with Freddy AI
- Automatic deal prioritization
- Built-in forecasting with AI predictions
- Activity-based pipeline progression
Winner: Freshsales for ease of use and AI insights, HubSpot for customization depth.
Contact and Lead Management
HubSpot:
- Comprehensive contact profiles with timeline
- Advanced segmentation and list building
- Website visitor tracking and identification
- Marketing attribution and lead source tracking
- Custom contact properties and workflows
Freshsales:
- 360-degree contact view with interaction history
- AI-powered lead scoring (Freddy AI)
- Automatic contact enrichment
- Behavior-based contact segmentation
- Built-in phone and email integration
Winner: HubSpot for marketing-focused businesses, Freshsales for sales-focused teams.
Sales Automation
HubSpot:
- Complex workflow automation
- Email sequences and nurturing campaigns
- Task automation and assignment
- Cross-platform automation (sales + marketing)
- Advanced trigger-based workflows
Freshsales:
- Simple, effective workflow automation
- AI-powered email composition
- Automatic activity logging and task creation
- Time-based follow-up automation
- Built-in phone automation features
Winner: HubSpot for complexity, Freshsales for simplicity and effectiveness.
AI and Intelligence Features
HubSpot AI (Breeze):
- Conversation intelligence for call analysis
- Content generation for marketing
- Predictive lead scoring
- Sales forecasting insights
- Available across multiple hubs (additional cost)
Freshsales AI (Freddy):
- Intelligent lead scoring and prioritization
- AI-powered email writing assistance
- Deal insights and recommendations
- Sales forecasting with trend analysis
- Included in Pro and Enterprise plans at no extra cost
Winner: Freshsales – AI features are more accessible and sales-focused.
User Experience and Implementation
HubSpot User Experience
Strengths:
- Polished, modern interface
- Extensive documentation and training
- HubSpot Academy with free certifications
- Consistent experience across all hubs
Weaknesses:
- Can feel overwhelming with numerous features
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Complex navigation between different sections
- Setup can take 4-12 weeks
User feedback: “HubSpot offers a good balance between user-friendliness and horsepower, but it requires significant time investment to master.”
Freshsales User Experience
Strengths:
- Clean, intuitive interface design
- Quick setup (days, not weeks)
- Minimal training required
- AI assistance reduces manual work
Weaknesses:
- Less customization than HubSpot
- Simpler reporting interface
- Limited marketing capabilities
- Fewer integration options
User feedback: “I really liked the way I was able to quickly and easily get started with Freshsales. Sign up for an account, change a few email options and get started.”
Winner: Freshsales for ease of use and quick adoption, HubSpot for comprehensive functionality.
Marketing Capabilities
HubSpot Marketing Features
- Native email marketing with drag-and-drop builder
- Landing page creation and optimization
- Social media management and monitoring
- Blog platform with SEO tools
- Advanced marketing automation workflows
- Lead nurturing campaigns
- Marketing attribution reporting
Freshsales Marketing Features
- Basic email campaigns and templates
- Simple landing page creation
- Social media integration (limited)
- Email marketing automation
- Lead capture forms
- Basic marketing analytics
Winner: HubSpot wins decisively – marketing is core to their platform.
Integration Ecosystem
HubSpot Integrations
Strengths:
- 1,500+ marketplace integrations
- Native integrations work seamlessly
- Strong API for custom development
- All hubs integrate automatically
Popular UK integrations: Xero, Sage, QuickBooks UK, Mailchimp, Zapier, Microsoft 365
Freshsales Integrations
Strengths:
- 200+ integrations available
- Easy setup for most connections
- Integration with Freshworks suite
- Good API documentation
Popular UK integrations: Zapier, Google Workspace, Slack, calendar apps, accounting software
Winner: HubSpot for breadth, Freshsales for simplicity and focus.
Customer Support Comparison
HubSpot Support
- 24/7 chat and email for paid plans
- Phone support for higher tiers (additional cost)
- Extensive HubSpot Academy training
- Large community forum
- Implementation specialists (additional cost)
Freshsales Support
- 24/5 phone, chat, and email support (all plans)
- Free onboarding assistance (worth £400)
- Comprehensive help documentation
- Video tutorials and guides
- No additional charges for implementation help
Winner: Freshsales – better support inclusion across all pricing tiers.
AI Features Deep Dive
HubSpot’s Breeze AI
- Advanced conversation intelligence
- Content creation across marketing and sales
- Predictive analytics and forecasting
- Cross-platform AI insights
- Requires higher-tier plans for full access
Freshsales’ Freddy AI
- Intelligent lead scoring and prioritization
- Automated email composition
- Deal insights and win probability
- Sales forecasting and trend analysis
- Included at no extra cost in Pro+ plans
Winner: Freshsales – more accessible AI that’s specifically designed for sales teams.
UK Business Considerations
GDPR Compliance
Both platforms offer:
- EU data residency options
- Right to deletion functionality
- Consent management tools
- Data processing agreements
- Audit trails and security controls
UK Market Suitability
HubSpot better for:
- B2B SaaS companies
- Marketing agencies
- Professional services with complex sales
- Businesses with dedicated marketing teams
Freshsales better for:
- Manufacturing and distribution
- Sales-focused organizations
- SMBs with limited marketing needs
- Teams wanting quick ROI
Implementation Timeline
HubSpot Implementation
- Basic setup: 2-4 weeks
- Full deployment: 4-12 weeks
- Advanced customization: 3-6 months
- Training required: Extensive
Freshsales Implementation
- Basic setup: 1-3 days
- Full deployment: 1-2 weeks
- Advanced customization: 2-4 weeks
- Training required: Minimal
Winner: Freshsales – dramatically faster time to value.
Use Case Recommendations
Choose HubSpot If:
- Marketing automation is crucial to your business
- You need comprehensive, integrated customer platform
- Complex sales cycles require sophisticated nurturing
- Budget allows for £1,000+ monthly investment
- You have dedicated resources for implementation and training
- Extensive customization is required
- Multiple departments need CRM access
Choose Freshsales If:
- You’re primarily sales-focused
- Quick implementation and ROI are priorities
- Budget is under £500/month
- AI-powered sales insights appeal to your team
- Simple, intuitive design is preferred
- You want included support and onboarding
- Team size is under 50 people
Industry-Specific Recommendations
Best for UK SaaS and Tech Startups
Freshsales – Faster implementation, AI-powered insights, and better value for money.
Best for UK Marketing Agencies
HubSpot – Comprehensive marketing tools essential for client services.
Best for UK Manufacturing and Distribution
Freshsales – Sales-focused approach aligns with traditional B2B processes.
Best for UK Professional Services
HubSpot if marketing is important, Freshsales for pure sales efficiency.
Best for UK E-commerce
HubSpot – Marketing automation crucial for customer acquisition and retention.
Team Size Recommendations
Small Teams (1-10 people)
Freshsales – More affordable, faster setup, includes everything needed.
Medium Teams (10-30 people)
Either platform – Choose based on marketing needs and budget.
Large Teams (30+ people)
HubSpot – Better handles complex organizational requirements.
G2 User Rating Comparison
Based on G2 reviews, users consistently rate platforms on key metrics:
Freshsales scores higher on:
- Sales Forecasting: 9.0 vs HubSpot’s 8.8
- Lead Management: 8.9 vs HubSpot’s 8.8
- Opportunity & Pipeline Management: 8.7 vs HubSpot’s 8.5
- Ease of Use and Setup
HubSpot scores higher on:
- Email Marketing capabilities: 9.0 vs Freshsales’ 8.5
- Custom Fields: 9.1 vs Freshsales’ 8.9
- Overall feature breadth
- Integration ecosystem
Pros and Cons Summary
HubSpot Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one platform
- Excellent marketing automation
- Extensive customization options
- Large integration ecosystem
- Strong brand and community
- Free plan available
HubSpot Cons
- Expensive for full feature access
- Complex implementation and learning curve
- Can be overwhelming for simple needs
- Additional costs for support and onboarding
- Marketing features require separate purchase
Freshsales Pros
- Significantly more affordable
- Quick implementation (days vs weeks)
- AI features included at lower price points
- Excellent customer support included
- Clean, intuitive interface
- Sales-focused design and features
Freshsales Cons
- Limited marketing capabilities
- Fewer customization options
- Smaller integration ecosystem
- Less sophisticated reporting
- No free plan available
The Bottom Line for UK Businesses
For Most Sales Teams: Freshsales
If your primary need is effective sales management with AI-powered insights, Freshsales offers superior value. The 70% cost savings, faster implementation, and included support make it the practical choice for most UK businesses.
For Marketing-Heavy Businesses: HubSpot
If sophisticated marketing automation is crucial to your business model, HubSpot’s comprehensive platform justifies the higher investment despite the complexity and cost.
The Practical Decision Framework
- Budget under £500/month: Freshsales
- Need marketing automation: HubSpot
- Want quick implementation: Freshsales
- Complex sales processes: Either (depends on marketing needs)
- Sales team under 20 people: Freshsales
- Multiple departments using CRM: HubSpot
Migration Considerations
From HubSpot to Freshsales
Why businesses switch:
- Cost reduction (up to 70% savings)
- Simpler user experience
- Faster deployment
- Better AI features at lower cost
Timeline: 1-2 weeks with Freshsales migration support
From Freshsales to HubSpot
Why businesses switch:
- Need comprehensive marketing automation
- Require extensive customization
- Want integrated customer platform
- Have budget for full implementation
Timeline: 4-8 weeks for full implementation
Final Recommendation
For 80% of UK businesses: Choose Freshsales
The combination of 70% cost savings, faster implementation, AI-powered features, and included support makes Freshsales the smarter choice for most sales teams. You’ll be productive in days, not months.
Choose HubSpot only if:
- Marketing automation is absolutely crucial
- Budget exceeds £1,000/month comfortably
- You have dedicated resources for implementation
- Multiple departments need integrated platform
Start with Freshsales – even if you eventually need HubSpot’s advanced features, you’ll learn what you actually need without the complexity and cost. Most businesses find Freshsales meets 90% of their needs at 30% of the cost.
The best CRM is the one your team uses consistently, and Freshsales’ simplicity often leads to better adoption and faster results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Freshsales really 70% cheaper than HubSpot? Yes, for equivalent functionality. A 10-person team pays £720/month for HubSpot Professional vs £330/month for Freshsales Pro. The savings become even more significant when you factor in HubSpot’s additional costs for support, onboarding, and marketing features.
Which platform is easier to implement and use? Freshsales is significantly easier to implement (days vs weeks) and requires minimal training. HubSpot offers more features but has a steeper learning curve and can take months to fully deploy.
Do both platforms work well for UK businesses? Yes, both are GDPR compliant and integrate with popular UK business tools like Xero, Sage, and QuickBooks UK. Freshsales may be better suited to traditional UK sales processes, while HubSpot works well for marketing-focused businesses.
Which has better AI features? Freshsales’ Freddy AI is more accessible and sales-focused, included in Pro plans at no extra cost. HubSpot’s Breeze AI is more comprehensive but requires higher-tier plans and additional costs for full access.
Is HubSpot’s free plan better than Freshsales’ paid plans? HubSpot’s free plan is generous for basic CRM needs, but Freshsales’ paid plans include AI features, advanced automation, and full support that aren’t available in HubSpot’s free tier.
Which platform offers better customer support? Freshsales includes 24/5 phone, chat, and email support across all plans, plus free onboarding. HubSpot charges extra for phone support and implementation assistance, making Freshsales better value for support.
Can Freshsales handle complex sales processes? Yes, Freshsales handles complex B2B sales well with customizable pipelines, AI-powered insights, and automation. However, HubSpot offers more sophisticated customization for highly complex sales processes.
Which integrates better with marketing tools? HubSpot has native marketing features and more marketing integrations. Freshsales requires third-party marketing tools but integrates well with popular solutions like Mailchimp and Campaign Monitor.
Is it easy to migrate between these platforms? Yes, both platforms offer migration support. Moving from HubSpot to Freshsales is typically easier due to Freshsales’ simpler data structure and included migration assistance.
Which platform is better for growing UK businesses? Freshsales is often better for growing businesses due to affordable scaling, quick implementation, and AI features that improve sales efficiency. HubSpot is better if you’re scaling marketing operations alongside sales.
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