HubSpot CRM (Sales Hub) vs Salesforce Sales Cloud: which should you choose?
Quick answer: HubSpot CRM (Sales Hub) is built for free crm to start, while Salesforce Sales Cloud suits mid-market and enterprise. For most users HubSpot CRM (Sales Hub) is the stronger default, but Salesforce Sales Cloud can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case. HubSpot CRM (Sales Hub) has the lower entry price.
Both HubSpot CRM (Sales Hub) and Salesforce Sales Cloud get recommended a lot, but they solve the job differently. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| HubSpot CRM (Sales Hub) | Salesforce Sales Cloud | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | all-in-one CRM | enterprise CRM |
| What it's known for | Free-to-start CRM with Sales Hub layered on top, part of HubSpot's unified marketing-sales-service platform. | The market-leading enterprise CRM platform with the deepest customization, AppExchange ecosystem and AI (Einstein/Agentforce). |
| Pricing | Free CRM; Sales Hub Starter from ~$20/seat/mo; Professional ~$100/seat; Enterprise higher (billed annually). | Starter Suite from ~$25/user/mo; Pro Suite ~$100; Enterprise ~$165; Unlimited ~$330 (billed annually). |
| Best audience | Scaling SMBs wanting a free CRM that grows into an all-in-one platform. | Mid-market and enterprise teams needing deep customization and a large app ecosystem. |
| Best for | Free CRM to start, Marketing + sales + service in one, Scaling SMBs | Mid-market and enterprise, Heavy customization needs, Large AppExchange ecosystems |
| Entry price | Free | ~$25/user/mo |
| Biggest strength | Genuinely free CRM with unlimited users to start. | Unmatched customization and ecosystem depth. |
| Main caveat | Sequences, automation and reporting gated at Professional (~$100/seat/mo). | Expensive at scale (Enterprise ~$165, Unlimited ~$330, Agentforce 1 Sales ~$550/user/mo). |
Features compared
Beyond the spec sheet, these are the capabilities that define each tool:
HubSpot CRM (Sales Hub) key features
- Free CRM for unlimited users and up to 1M contacts (contact/deal records, pipeline tracking)
- Email tracking/scheduling, live chat, forms and meeting scheduling on free tier
- Sales Hub layers sequences, automation and advanced reporting (Professional+)
- Free unlimited view-only seats within paid portals
Salesforce Sales Cloud key features
- Market-leading enterprise CRM with the deepest customization and data model
- Agentforce (formerly Einstein) AI: autonomous agents for lead gen, nurturing and sales tasks
- Einstein Conversation Insights with generative call summaries and trend detection
- AppExchange ecosystem of thousands of apps/integrations
Pricing tiers side by side
HubSpot CRM (Sales Hub) plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free CRM | $0 | Unlimited users, up to 1M contacts |
| Sales Hub Starter | ~$15-20/seat/mo | Annual ~$15, monthly ~$20 |
| Sales Hub Professional | ~$90-100/seat/mo | Sequences, automation, reporting; ~$1,500 onboarding |
| Sales Hub Enterprise | ~$150/seat/mo | Advanced controls, higher limits |
Salesforce Sales Cloud plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Starter Suite | ~$25/user/mo | Up to 2 users on free tier; SMB starter |
| Pro Suite | ~$100/user/mo | Growing teams |
| Enterprise | ~$165/user/mo | Customization, automation |
| Unlimited | ~$330/user/mo | Full features |
| Agentforce 1 Sales | ~$550/user/mo | Unmetered Agentforce AI, Data Cloud, Tableau, Slack Enterprise+ |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where HubSpot CRM (Sales Hub) wins
Start free, then scale into a unified marketing-sales-service platform.
- Genuinely free CRM with unlimited users to start.
- Single platform across marketing, sales and service.
That makes it the stronger pick for scaling SMBs wanting a free CRM that grows into an all-in-one platform.
Where Salesforce Sales Cloud wins
The enterprise CRM standard, now leaning hard into autonomous Agentforce AI.
- Unmatched customization and ecosystem depth.
- Strongest AI roadmap (Agentforce) among CRMs.
That makes it the stronger pick for mid-market and enterprise teams needing deep customization and a large app ecosystem.
Verdict: choose by fit
Pick by fit rather than by an overall score.
- Choose HubSpot CRM (Sales Hub) if you fit its core audience — scaling SMBs wanting a free CRM that grows into an all-in-one platform.
- Choose Salesforce Sales Cloud if you fit its core audience — mid-market and enterprise teams needing deep customization and a large app ecosystem.
FAQ
Is HubSpot CRM (Sales Hub) better than Salesforce Sales Cloud?
HubSpot CRM (Sales Hub) is the stronger default for most users, but Salesforce Sales Cloud can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between HubSpot CRM (Sales Hub) and Salesforce Sales Cloud?
HubSpot CRM (Sales Hub) is start free, then scale into a unified marketing-sales-service platform. Salesforce Sales Cloud is the enterprise CRM standard, now leaning hard into autonomous Agentforce AI.
Which is cheaper, HubSpot CRM (Sales Hub) or Salesforce Sales Cloud?
Entry pricing differs: HubSpot CRM (Sales Hub) offers a free tier, while Salesforce Sales Cloud starts at ~$25/user/mo. Compare the tiers above against your usage.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for HubSpot CRM (Sales Hub) and Salesforce Sales Cloud: