EngageBay vs Paymo
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.
Paymo
Paymo is a project management and time tracking tool built for freelancers and small agencies. It combines task management, time tracking, invoicing, and resource scheduling in one platform.
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-in time tracking and invoicing
- ✓Good resource scheduling
- ✓Ideal for client-facing work
- ✓Affordable pricing
- ✓Clean interface
Cons
- ✗Not suited for large enterprise teams
- ✗Limited automation
- ✗Smaller integration ecosystem
- ✗Reporting less robust than competitors
EngageBay vs Paymo: Side by Side
| Factor | EngageBay | Paymo |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.3/5 ★ | N/A |
| Category | CRM Software | Project Management |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Contact for pricing |
| Best For | Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan | Freelancers and small agencies needing project management combined with time tracking and client invoicing |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
EngageBay Features
- ✓CRM
- ✓email marketing
- ✓marketing automation
- ✓live chat
- ✓helpdesk
- ✓landing pages
- ✓appointment scheduling
- ✓reporting
Paymo Features
- ✓Project management
- ✓time tracking
- ✓invoicing
- ✓expense tracking
- ✓team collaboration
- ✓client portal
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 Paymo if freelancers and small agencies needing project management combined with time tracking and client invoicing.
Best For
Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan
Best For
Freelancers and small agencies needing project management combined with time tracking and client invoicing
Also Consider
If neither EngageBay nor Paymo 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 Paymo?
EngageBay is best for budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan. Paymo is best for freelancers and small agencies needing project management combined with time tracking and client invoicing.
Which is better, EngageBay or Paymo?
Choose EngageBay if budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan. Choose Paymo if freelancers and small agencies needing project management combined with time tracking and client invoicing.
How much does EngageBay cost?
EngageBay starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Paymo cost?
Visit Paymo website for current pricing.
Who should use EngageBay?
Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan
Who should use Paymo?
Freelancers and small agencies needing project management combined with time tracking and client invoicing