EngageBay vs Zoho Projects
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.
Zoho Projects
Zoho Projects is a full-featured project management tool offering task management, Gantt charts, time tracking, and budget management at a very competitive price point within the Zoho ecosystem.
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
- ✓Very affordable pricing
- ✓Strong Gantt chart features
- ✓Built-in time tracking and budgeting
- ✓Good Zoho ecosystem integration
- ✓Solid feature set for the price
Cons
- ✗Interface less polished than competitors
- ✗Best value within Zoho ecosystem
- ✗Mobile app could be improved
- ✗Support can be slow
EngageBay vs Zoho Projects: Side by Side
| Factor | EngageBay | Zoho Projects |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Budget-conscious teams already in the Zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
EngageBay Features
- ✓CRM
- ✓email marketing
- ✓marketing automation
- ✓live chat
- ✓helpdesk
- ✓landing pages
- ✓appointment scheduling
- ✓reporting
Zoho Projects Features
- ✓Project management
- ✓task tracking
- ✓Gantt charts
- ✓time tracking
- ✓team collaboration
- ✓portfolio management
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 Zoho Projects if budget-conscious teams already in the zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool.
Best For
Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan
Best For
Budget-conscious teams already in the Zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool
Also Consider
If neither EngageBay nor Zoho Projects 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 Zoho Projects?
EngageBay is best for budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan. Zoho Projects is best for budget-conscious teams already in the zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool.
Which is better, EngageBay or Zoho Projects?
Choose EngageBay if budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan. Choose Zoho Projects if budget-conscious teams already in the zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool.
How much does EngageBay cost?
EngageBay starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Zoho Projects cost?
Visit Zoho Projects website for current pricing.
Who should use EngageBay?
Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan
Who should use Zoho Projects?
Budget-conscious teams already in the Zoho ecosystem wanting a full-featured project management tool