When I Work vs HubSpot CRM
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
When I Work
When I Work is an employee scheduling and time tracking platform designed for hourly and shift-based teams. It makes it easy for managers to build schedules, communicate with staff, and track attendance. When I Work is one of the most affordable scheduling tools on the market.
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
- ✓Very affordable pricing starting at just a few dollars per user
- ✓Easy-to-use scheduling with drag-and-drop interface
- ✓Good team messaging and shift swap tools
- ✓Simple time clock with GPS tracking
Cons
- ✗Limited features beyond scheduling and time tracking
- ✗No payroll processing or full HR suite
- ✗Reporting is basic compared to more comprehensive workforce 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
When I Work vs HubSpot CRM: Side by Side
| Factor | When I Work | HubSpot CRM |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $2.50/user/mo | Free |
| Best For | Small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers | SMBs wanting a free CRM with room to grow into marketing automation |
| Our Pick | — | — |
When I Work Features
- ✓Shift scheduling
- ✓time clock
- ✓team messaging
- ✓attendance tracking
- ✓payroll export
HubSpot CRM Features
- ✓Contact management
- ✓email tracking
- ✓deal pipelines
- ✓live chat
- ✓meeting scheduling
- ✓reporting
- ✓marketing automation
- ✓landing pages
Pricing Comparison
Which Should You Choose?
Choose HubSpot CRM if...
- →SMBs wanting a free CRM with room to grow into marketing automation
Our Take
Choose When I Work if small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers. Choose HubSpot CRM if smbs wanting a free crm with room to grow into marketing automation.
Best For
Small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers
Best For
SMBs wanting a free CRM with room to grow into marketing automation
Also Consider
If neither When I Work nor HubSpot CRM is the right fit, Justworks is worth evaluating.
Justworks
Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits
From $59/employee/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between When I Work and HubSpot CRM?
When I Work is best for small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers. HubSpot CRM is best for smbs wanting a free crm with room to grow into marketing automation.
Which is better, When I Work or HubSpot CRM?
Choose When I Work if small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers. Choose HubSpot CRM if smbs wanting a free crm with room to grow into marketing automation.
How much does When I Work cost?
When I Work starts at $2.50/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does HubSpot CRM cost?
HubSpot CRM starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use When I Work?
Small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers
Who should use HubSpot CRM?
SMBs wanting a free CRM with room to grow into marketing automation