HubSpot CRM vs EngageBay
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 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 →HubSpot CRM
HubSpot CRM is a powerful and easy-to-use customer relationship management platform trusted by over 150,000 companies worldwide. It offers a completely free core CRM with optional paid Marketing, Sales, and Service Hubs for growing teams. HubSpot is the go-to CRM for companies that want to align their marketing, sales, and customer service teams in one platform.
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.
Pros
- ✓Generous free plan that is genuinely useful for small teams
- ✓All-in-one platform covering marketing, sales, and service
- ✓Excellent onboarding resources and HubSpot Academy
- ✓Strong integrations with 1000+ tools
Cons
- ✗Can get very expensive as you add paid Hubs and contacts
- ✗Some advanced features locked behind higher tiers
- ✗Reporting is limited on free and starter plans
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
HubSpot CRM vs EngageBay: Side by Side
| Factor | HubSpot CRM | EngageBay |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | 4.3/5 ★ |
| Category | CRM Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Best For | SMBs wanting a free CRM with room to grow into marketing automation | Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan |
| Our Pick | — | 🏆 Recommended |
HubSpot CRM Features
- ✓Contact management
- ✓email tracking
- ✓deal pipelines
- ✓live chat
- ✓meeting scheduling
- ✓reporting
- ✓marketing automation
- ✓landing pages
EngageBay Features
- ✓CRM
- ✓email marketing
- ✓marketing automation
- ✓live chat
- ✓helpdesk
- ✓landing pages
- ✓appointment scheduling
- ✓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 HubSpot CRM if smbs wanting a free crm with room to grow into marketing automation. Choose EngageBay if budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan.
Best For
SMBs wanting a free CRM with room to grow into marketing automation
Best For
Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan
How HubSpot CRM and EngageBay Are Similar
- •Both are CRM Software platforms designed for business teams
- •Both offer web-based access with no software installation required
- •Both provide customer support and onboarding resources
- •Both integrate with popular third-party business tools
- •Both offer a free plan to get started
Also Consider
If neither HubSpot CRM nor EngageBay 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 HubSpot CRM and EngageBay?
HubSpot CRM is best for smbs wanting a free crm with room to grow into marketing automation. EngageBay is best for budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan.
Which is better, HubSpot CRM or EngageBay?
Choose HubSpot CRM if smbs wanting a free crm with room to grow into marketing automation. Choose EngageBay if budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan.
How much does HubSpot CRM cost?
HubSpot CRM starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does EngageBay cost?
EngageBay starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use HubSpot CRM?
SMBs wanting a free CRM with room to grow into marketing automation
Who should use EngageBay?
Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan