EngageBay vs Clearbooks
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.
Clearbooks
Clearbooks is a UK-focused cloud accounting software designed for small businesses and sole traders. It covers invoicing, expenses, payroll, and VAT returns in a simple and affordable package.
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
- ✓Built specifically for UK accounting and VAT
- ✓Simple and easy to use
- ✓Affordable pricing
- ✓Good invoicing features
- ✓Solid MTD (Making Tax Digital) compliance
Cons
- ✗Limited outside UK market
- ✗Fewer integrations than QuickBooks or Xero
- ✗Less suitable for larger businesses
- ✗Support can be slow
EngageBay vs Clearbooks: Side by Side
| Factor | EngageBay | Clearbooks |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.3/5 ★ | N/A |
| Category | CRM Software | Accounting Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | Contact for pricing |
| Best For | Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan | UK small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong VAT and MTD compliance |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
EngageBay Features
- ✓CRM
- ✓email marketing
- ✓marketing automation
- ✓live chat
- ✓helpdesk
- ✓landing pages
- ✓appointment scheduling
- ✓reporting
Clearbooks Features
- ✓Invoicing
- ✓bank reconciliation
- ✓expense tracking
- ✓VAT returns
- ✓payroll
- ✓financial reporting
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 Clearbooks if uk small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong vat and mtd compliance.
Best For
Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan
Best For
UK small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong VAT and MTD compliance
Also Consider
If neither EngageBay nor Clearbooks 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 Clearbooks?
EngageBay is best for budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan. Clearbooks is best for uk small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong vat and mtd compliance.
Which is better, EngageBay or Clearbooks?
Choose EngageBay if budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan. Choose Clearbooks if uk small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong vat and mtd compliance.
How much does EngageBay cost?
EngageBay starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Clearbooks cost?
Visit Clearbooks website for current pricing.
Who should use EngageBay?
Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan
Who should use Clearbooks?
UK small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong VAT and MTD compliance