EngageBay vs Ashby
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: September 14, 2026
EngageBay is our recommended pick for most teams — budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan.
Try EngageBay →Read our full EngageBay review →EngageBay
EngageBay is an all-in-one marketing, sales, and customer support platform designed for small and mid-size businesses. It offers a free plan that includes CRM, email marketing, live chat, and helpdesk tools — making it one of the most generous free plans in the market. EngageBay is positioned as an affordable alternative to HubSpot.
Ashby
Ashby is a modern all-in-one recruiting platform built for high-growth companies. It combines ATS, CRM, scheduling, and analytics in a single tool, eliminating the need for multiple recruiting tools. Ashby is loved by tech startups and scale-ups for its powerful analytics and modern interface that helps recruiting teams make data-driven hiring decisions.
Pros
- ✓One of the most generous free plans available — includes CRM, marketing, and support tools
- ✓Affordable paid plans compared to HubSpot
- ✓All-in-one platform reduces the need for multiple subscriptions
- ✓Good automation features
Cons
- ✗Less brand recognition and fewer integrations than HubSpot
- ✗Interface can feel cluttered with so many features
- ✗Customer support response times can vary
Pros
- ✓All-in-one platform eliminates need for separate recruiting CRM and scheduling tools
- ✓Exceptional analytics — best-in-class reporting for recruiting teams
- ✓Modern and fast interface loved by recruiting ops teams
- ✓Strong integrations with developer tools
Cons
- ✗Expensive — pricing requires custom quote and targets growth-stage companies
- ✗Overkill for small teams making fewer than 20 hires per year
- ✗Requires dedicated recruiting ops resources to get full value
- ✗Less widely known than Greenhouse or Lever
EngageBay vs Ashby: Side by Side
| Factor | EngageBay | Ashby |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.3/5 ★ | N/A |
| Category | CRM Software | Applicant Tracking |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | Custom pricing |
| Best For | Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan | High-growth tech companies wanting an all-in-one recruiting platform with exceptional analytics |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
EngageBay Features
- ✓CRM
- ✓email marketing
- ✓marketing automation
- ✓live chat
- ✓helpdesk
- ✓landing pages
- ✓appointment scheduling
- ✓reporting
Ashby Features
- ✓ATS
- ✓CRM
- ✓interview scheduling
- ✓analytics and reporting
- ✓job posting
- ✓pipeline management
- ✓automation
- ✓integrations
- ✓career page
Pricing Comparison
EngageBay
FreemiumFree to start
Free: $0 · Basic: $12/mo · Growth: $24.99/mo · Pro: $49.99/mo
See full pricing →Best Use Cases
EngageBay
- →Small businesses wanting all-in-one CRM and marketing
- →Startups replacing multiple tools with one platform
- →Companies migrating away from expensive HubSpot plans
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
EngageBay is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Large enterprises needing advanced customization
- ✗Teams requiring sophisticated marketing attribution
- ✗Businesses needing dedicated enterprise support
Integrations
EngageBay
Zapier, Gmail, Outlook, Stripe, SendGrid, Mailgun, Twilio, Xero
Our Take
Choose EngageBay if budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan. Choose Ashby if high-growth tech companies wanting an all-in-one recruiting platform with exceptional analytics.
Best For
Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan
Best For
High-growth tech companies wanting an all-in-one recruiting platform with exceptional analytics
Also Consider
If neither EngageBay nor Ashby is the right fit, Monday.com CRM is worth evaluating.
Monday.com CRM
Teams that want CRM and project management combined in one visual platform
From $12/user/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between EngageBay and Ashby?
EngageBay is best for budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan. Ashby is best for high-growth tech companies wanting an all-in-one recruiting platform with exceptional analytics.
Which is better, EngageBay or Ashby?
Choose EngageBay if budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan. Choose Ashby if high-growth tech companies wanting an all-in-one recruiting platform with exceptional analytics.
How much does EngageBay cost?
EngageBay starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Ashby cost?
Ashby starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use EngageBay?
Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan
Who should use Ashby?
High-growth tech companies wanting an all-in-one recruiting platform with exceptional analytics