HubSpot CRM vs Nutshell
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Nutshell is our recommended pick for most teams — small b2b sales teams wanting a simple, affordable crm with great support.
Try Nutshell →Read our full Nutshell 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.
Nutshell
Nutshell is a simple and affordable CRM designed for small and mid-size B2B sales teams. It combines contact management, pipeline automation, and email marketing in one easy-to-use platform. Nutshell is known for its exceptional customer support and quick setup time, making it a favorite for teams switching from spreadsheets.
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
- ✓Outstanding customer support included with every plan
- ✓Easy to set up and use with minimal training
- ✓Built-in email marketing saves money on separate tools
- ✓Transparent and affordable pricing
Cons
- ✗Less feature-rich than HubSpot or Salesforce
- ✗Reporting is basic compared to enterprise CRMs
- ✗Limited native integrations compared to larger platforms
HubSpot CRM vs Nutshell: Side by Side
| Factor | HubSpot CRM | Nutshell |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | 4.4/5 ★ |
| Category | CRM Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | $16/user/mo |
| Best For | SMBs wanting a free CRM with room to grow into marketing automation | Small B2B sales teams wanting a simple, affordable CRM with great support |
| Our Pick | — | 🏆 Recommended |
HubSpot CRM Features
- ✓Contact management
- ✓email tracking
- ✓deal pipelines
- ✓live chat
- ✓meeting scheduling
- ✓reporting
- ✓marketing automation
- ✓landing pages
Nutshell Features
- ✓Contact and lead management
- ✓pipeline automation
- ✓email marketing
- ✓reporting
- ✓team collaboration
- ✓mobile app
- ✓integrations
Pricing Comparison
Nutshell
PaidStarts at $16/user/mo
Foundation: $16/user/mo · Pro: $42/user/mo · Business: $52/user/mo
See full pricing →Best Use Cases
Nutshell
- →B2B sales teams wanting a simple and affordable CRM
- →Small businesses replacing spreadsheets with a proper pipeline
- →Companies wanting built-in email marketing with their CRM
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Nutshell is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Large enterprises needing complex CRM customization
- ✗Teams requiring advanced AI-powered sales features
- ✗Businesses needing a free CRM option
Integrations
Nutshell
Gmail, Outlook, Slack, QuickBooks, Zapier, Intercom, HubSpot, Mailchimp
Our Take
Choose HubSpot CRM if smbs wanting a free crm with room to grow into marketing automation. Choose Nutshell if small b2b sales teams wanting a simple, affordable crm with great support.
Best For
SMBs wanting a free CRM with room to grow into marketing automation
Best For
Small B2B sales teams wanting a simple, affordable CRM with great support
How HubSpot CRM and Nutshell 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 trial or demo to evaluate before purchasing
Also Consider
If neither HubSpot CRM nor Nutshell 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 Nutshell?
HubSpot CRM is best for smbs wanting a free crm with room to grow into marketing automation. Nutshell is best for small b2b sales teams wanting a simple, affordable crm with great support.
Which is better, HubSpot CRM or Nutshell?
Choose HubSpot CRM if smbs wanting a free crm with room to grow into marketing automation. Choose Nutshell if small b2b sales teams wanting a simple, affordable crm with great support.
How much does HubSpot CRM cost?
HubSpot CRM starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Nutshell cost?
Nutshell starts at $16/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use HubSpot CRM?
SMBs wanting a free CRM with room to grow into marketing automation
Who should use Nutshell?
Small B2B sales teams wanting a simple, affordable CRM with great support