Keap vs HubSpot CRM
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: September 14, 2026
Keap is our recommended pick for most teams — service-based small businesses wanting crm and marketing automation in one.
Try Keap →Read our full Keap review →Keap
Keap is a CRM and marketing automation platform designed specifically for small businesses and solopreneurs. It combines contact management, email marketing, invoicing, and appointment scheduling in one platform. Keap is ideal for service-based small businesses that want to automate their client follow-up and lead nurturing.
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.
Pros
- ✓All-in-one platform covering CRM, marketing, and payments
- ✓Strong automation for small service businesses
- ✓Good for automating client follow-up and lead nurturing
- ✓Dedicated small business focus
Cons
- ✗Expensive for what you get compared to alternatives
- ✗Steep learning curve for the automation builder
- ✗Interface feels dated compared to modern CRM tools
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
Keap vs HubSpot CRM: Side by Side
| Factor | Keap | HubSpot CRM |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.3/5 ★ | N/A |
| Category | CRM Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $249/mo | Free |
| Best For | Service-based small businesses wanting CRM and marketing automation in one | SMBs wanting a free CRM with room to grow into marketing automation |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
Keap Features
- ✓CRM
- ✓email marketing automation
- ✓invoicing and payments
- ✓appointment scheduling
- ✓landing pages
- ✓text marketing
- ✓reporting
HubSpot CRM Features
- ✓Contact management
- ✓email tracking
- ✓deal pipelines
- ✓live chat
- ✓meeting scheduling
- ✓reporting
- ✓marketing automation
- ✓landing pages
Pricing Comparison
Best Use Cases
Keap
- →Small service businesses automating follow-up with leads
- →Coaches and consultants managing client pipelines
- →Businesses wanting CRM with built-in email marketing
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Keap is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Large enterprises needing complex sales workflows
- ✗B2B SaaS companies with long sales cycles
- ✗Teams needing advanced reporting and analytics
Integrations
Keap
Gmail, Outlook, QuickBooks, Zapier, PayPal, Stripe, WooCommerce, Shopify
Our Take
Choose Keap if service-based small businesses wanting crm and marketing automation in one. Choose HubSpot CRM if smbs wanting a free crm with room to grow into marketing automation.
Best For
Service-based small businesses wanting CRM and marketing automation in one
Best For
SMBs wanting a free CRM with room to grow into marketing automation
How Keap and HubSpot CRM 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 Keap nor HubSpot CRM 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 Keap and HubSpot CRM?
Keap is best for service-based small businesses wanting crm and marketing automation in one. HubSpot CRM is best for smbs wanting a free crm with room to grow into marketing automation.
Which is better, Keap or HubSpot CRM?
Choose Keap if service-based small businesses wanting crm and marketing automation in one. Choose HubSpot CRM if smbs wanting a free crm with room to grow into marketing automation.
How much does Keap cost?
Keap starts at $249/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does HubSpot CRM cost?
HubSpot CRM starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Keap?
Service-based small businesses wanting CRM and marketing automation in one
Who should use HubSpot CRM?
SMBs wanting a free CRM with room to grow into marketing automation