Pipedrive vs. HubSpot CRM – What Is the Best Choice for Your Business?

CMRs or Customer Relationship Management tools are technologies or systems that help in connecting your business to possible clients. The goal of these tools is to improve management, productivity, and sales by helping you stay and build better relationships with your customers. Other than client-centered benefits, they also help in finding partners, colleagues, and suppliers that can help or support you.

Nowadays, two CRMs are competing against each other in the market: Pipedrive and HubSpot. While both of these have their own strengths, you can only use one at a time. I know that you only want the best system tailored for your business, so let me delve deep on which one is the most suitable for you.

HubSpot

Hubspot is a company that grew out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It was founded by Brian Halligan and Dharmesh Shah in 2006. The duo invented Inbound Marketing in an attempt to become a competitive system in the industry. While the company's profits can't be denied, it is said that they focus more on growth rather than on gains.

Their main goal is to provide businesses with tools that are “good for the business” and also “good for the customer.

The main product offering of the company is HubSpot Software, which is an all-around solution for every marketing need. It has three platforms: marketing, sales, and service. These three hubs are strong on their own, but when combined, they are powerful tools that can increase profit and customer connectivity. Currently, HubSpot takes pride in serving over 56,500 customers in over 100 countries, making them a leading marketing system provider in the industry.  

Overall, HubSpot is more suitable for medium to large businesses due to its compatibility for marketers. The interface of the platform is tailored towards developers, and this can give them the tools that they need to improve a business.

Here are the pros and cons of HubSpot:

Pros

• Very intuitive user-interface
• All-in-one solution for your business
• Fits any company size

Cons

• Steep pricing in paid packages
• HubSpot is new in the market, so there are limited features compared to established CMRs
• Might be too expensive for freelancers/smaller businesses

Pipedrive

Pipedrive is a fairly new CRM that seeks to manage leads, keep track of communications, and help in the growth of a business. Founded in 2010, it has quickly gained popularity due to its approach to activity-based selling: a method that prioritizes tracking and scheduling to increase sales. Over the years, it has grown into a tool that businesses simply love due to its great interface and design that is easy to learn and master.

Pipedrive also puts emphasis on creating comprehensive visual pipelines.

These systems greatly help in monitoring your leads and deals, as well as the revenues that come with them. Through their application, the company claims that your business' growth will be inevitable, as they have the features to support you. These features include insights, reports, security, privacy, and mobile apps, and third-party integrations.

The platform's greatest strength lies in its affordability. This makes it suitable for small to medium businesses, even freelancers. Despite the price, it still packs great features that will surely improve your sales and revenue. Pipedrive is good for businesses who want a CRM tool that is easy to learn and master.

Pros

• Very affordable pricing that is suitable for small businesses
• Great user interface and design, fairly easy to maneuver
• Very appropriate for salespeople as it features mobile device integration

Cons

• Not a lot of development options, so less customization and modifications
• Other CRMs are better in terms of large businesses
• Lacks some automation features

Pipedrive vs. HubSpot CRM – Features face-to-face: Summary

Interface Design

• HubSpot is has a good user interface suitable for developers, sales staff, and marketing staff.
• Pipedrive is tailored more towards sales staff that manages a certain pipeline.

Free Plans

• HubSpot offers an initial free plan for businesses.
• PipeDrive has a free trial available, but no initial free plan.

Setup Fee

• HubSpot has additional fees that come with paid packages.
• PipeDrive does not charge additional fees if you upgrade to higher-level plans.

Monthly Subscription

• HubSpot's basic plan is priced at $50, while its enterprise plan amounts to $3,200 per month.
• Pipedrive's basic plan is priced at an affordable rate of $12.50, while its enterprise plan can go up to $100 every month.

Application Integration

• HubSpot can be integrated with other emailing software
• Pipedrive also supports synchronization with other email service providersTutorials
• Both products have good videos and instructional materials to follow for basic usage. They make use of blogs and academy-based training to maximize the usability of their systems.

Business Suitability

• HubSpot is more inclined to medium to large-sized businesses that need development options due to its interface that is focused on developers.
• Pipedrive is more suitable for freelancers, small to medium-sized businesses, and non-profit organizations due to its intuitive design.

Now that you have seen a glimpse of what these applications offer, we need to dig deep into the main features that CRMs offer. We need to look at their Platform Design, Pipelines System, and Email Integration, Third-Party Integration, and User Experiences for a better comparison of the two.

CRM Major Features Comparisons

Platform Design

 Any Customer Relationship Management tool needs to have a user interface that is easy to navigate and use. This could make or break the platform since poorly designed ones will surely cause hassle. You would always like a CRM to be fast and reliable to maneuver since any delay will lead to loss of revenue or profit.

HubSpot

At first glance, HubSpot offers a neat and sleek interface that is easy for the eyes. Even in the start-up procedure, you are quickly guided with options to import your contacts, connect your emails, and even add team-members so that you are ready to engage with clients and colleagues.

On the Dashboard of the platform, you can browse through Contacts, Communications, Marketing, Sales, Service, Automation, and Reports for no-sweat access to these hubs. This friendly design allows you to gain control of every section in one place and makes up for more efficient creation of contacts and deals.

The main page also shows how many contacts you created, as well as your progress, forecast, deals closed, and even your goals. From this, you can create various additions to your business interactions, such as snippets and lists. There is also an option to filter contacts in terms of activity data, lead status, meetings, and submissions. This all-in-one section enables businesses to monitor their growth with one click of the mouse.

HubSpot's interface is very commendable. It is truly intuitive, efficient, and effective. The color scheme and design are friendly to everyone who uses it, allowing for a seamless and smooth work process.

Pipedrive

In terms of design, Pipedrive will not give up without a fight. At first look, the interface makes sure that no space in the screen is wasted so that it can be a bit cluttered. Pipedrive offers a better start-up process, as you are quickly given a sort-of checklist to make sure that the platform optimizes your business. In the checklist, things such as data importing, email-syncing, team invitation, mobile app installation, and app integration are included to make sure that you are ready to begin your journey.

In the Dashboard, you can browse through many tabs such as deals, emails, activities, contacts, products, and progress. The navigation in these hubs is smooth, and there is no need to click on a drop-down arrow to go to some sections. This enables easy creation and monitoring of your negotiations as well as the activities that you are participating in.

In the Progress section, the interface seems to focus more on leads, deals, and information that are received through emails. This proves to be very beneficial for salespeople, as these things are their main concern. Furthermore, forecasts and insights are not neglected, and you are given the option to see them.

Match-up Results

In the Platform and User Interface side of things, there really isn't much difference between the two.

Both offer similar features and ease of accessibility, and they are easy to navigate.

The learning curve in mastering both platforms is not that high; in fact, I guarantee that you will not have a hard time with them.

Because of the close call in this part of the competition, I declare the match between HubSpot and Pipedrive's Platform Design a draw.

Pipelines System

Pipelines help in managing better sales for a business. They aid in creating deals, as well as monitoring progress from start to finish. Because of this, pipelines are the most sought-after features of a CRM. Without it, a CRM tool will not be an effective way of increasing profit and improving customer connections.

 HubSpot

HubSpot clearly knows the importance of Pipelines in a CRM. As soon as you use their platform, you are quickly guided to create deals. In nature, HubSpot acts as a funnel of all of your deals from their creation to their end, and you can clearly see that the company is serious with this feature. It is also easy to notice that the process of creating deals is not a hassle with HubSpot by your side.

If you choose for the default pipeline interface, you will get a default staging preset, which includes Appointment Schedule, Qualified to Buy, Presentation Scheduled, Decision Maker-Brought In, Contract Sent, and Closed Won. However, you can efficiently modify or create different stages for different deals. This allows for a more specified approach in all of your transactions, as well as better monitoring of your supposed profit.

HubSpot also includes a unique tracking system involving check box graphs to see your progress. In navigating through each stage, you are given the option to take note of the tasks that you completed on the said date.

A good feature that HubSpot employs is the probability rate. It shows the expected outcome of your success and guides you on your choices regarding the deal. Overall, the platform offers a comprehensive all-in-one solution for deal creation and monitoring, and managing negotiations through HubSpot will always be easy.

PipeDrive

Pipedrive's pipeline system does not vary much with HubSpot. It just goes to show that the company also prioritizes pipelines, and they know its importance in the industry. Create a new pipeline easily in Pipedrive, and you are quickly met with a flowchart that shows the stages that you will make use of. Moving deals is also not a hassle since they make use of a drag and drop mechanic for better functionality.

Similar to HubSpot, Pipedrive also employs probabilities to represent your confidence in winning over a negotiation. With the help of this feature, you are better equipped in your decisions for any deal. You can also add a rotting option to signify a deal that has been inactive for a given number of days.

With the help of these tools and features, Pipedrive's pipeline system is a valuable asset for a business. It's easy to set up and use, and it can meet all of your needs regarding deal management and monitoring.

Match-up Results

Pipeline systems of HubSpot and Pipedrive are not too far from each other. The two offer the same feature in Stages, Probability, Team Members, and deals. This match is too close for a winner to topple over the other. Because of this, both are still tied in their pipeline features.

Email and Third-Party Application Integration

CRM needs to be flexible in terms of usability. Thus, it has to provide support for many existing applications as well as emailing platforms. The best CRMs can be used with a variety of third-party software, and this can make or break the choice between HubSpot and Pipedrive.

HubSpot

HubSpot provides great support for emails. It has integration capabilities with over 500 different platforms, making it very flexible in the field of communication. To add, HubSpot also offers many email templates suitable for many transactions, be it marketing, prospecting, sales, or negotiating.

They even have real-time analytics to give you the most effective templates at the moment so that you can share it with your team.

HubSpot also offers email scheduling to provide your customers with the appropriate information right when they need it. Once again, you can make use of their amazing analytics to determine the best time to send messages. With this feature, you can maximize responsiveness and connectivity with your team as well as your clients.

HubSpot has web-based, iOS-based, and Android-based applications. This allows an optimal flow of information on and off the office, increasing communication between leaders, team members, and customers. Furthermore, they enable bulk social media posting for better visibility on these sites. All of these features make HubSpot a powerhouse in terms of app integrations.

Pipedrive

Pipedrive's email integration is also worthy of recognition. The platform allows the use of email templates for your clients to save time in creating them. On the other hand, you can also modify or create your own compositions for more specific messages. Syncing is also not a problem with Pipedrive, as they offer seamless usage of third-party email providers without leaving the software.

Similar to HubSpot, Pipedrive also offers email scheduling to give your clients the right messages at the right time. You can also employ auto-reply functions to increase engagement with your customers.

In terms of mobile integration, Pipedrive integrate also has iOS and Android apps. This can help improve customer relationships, as you are allowed to communicate on the fly with them. It also helps in tracking calls, setting-up follow-ups, organizing schedules, and preparing for meetings, and assures that your team is ready to engage with clients.

Match-up Results

In terms of third-party applications, both HubSpot and Pipedrive can integrate with other platforms such as Outlook, Office 365, G Suite, and Gmail, allowing easy synchronization with these programs.

Both also offer mobile-based varieties for better communication. However, I find HubSpot's email analytics more powerful than Pipedrive's, since you are given a chance to know and make use of the most optimal schedules and templates. Because of this, I declare HubSpot as the winner of this match-up.

Typical Clients and Affordability

Typical clients provide a great overview on where the product stands on the market. This answers whether CRM is more suitable for smaller businesses or bigger ones. Affordability and price also play a huge part in this scheme, as platforms made for smaller companies should be more affordable than those which are created for larger enterprises. Let us take a look at the pricing of both HubSpot and Pipedrive, as well as their impact on consumers.

HubSpot

HubSpot packages that are not free are priced at the higher end of the spectrum. With deals that can reach up to $3200, it can be considered a pricey platform. However, the features make up for the costs as they include developmental capabilities for a user. If you desire more control towards your business automation, then this platform is for you. It is very suitable for marketers, developers, and salespeople.

Because of the given cost as well as options in development, HubSpot is more suitable for medium to large enterprises who are concerned about their company's massive growth. It is not appropriate for freelancers since the price can be crippling for them. HubSpot's goal is full market implementation, making it a preferred choice for bigger enterprises that need more control in their business.

You can read more about HubSpot integrations here.

Pipedrive

Pipedrive's paid packages are inexpensive, and their premium offerings are priced at $100 monthly. Despite this affordable cost, it still packs everything that you need for an excellent CRM tool. The platform might not include developmental options, but it is still very friendly for everyone who uses it. Pipedrive does well with salespeople who need to increase their revenue.

Because of the affordable price, the platform is great for freelancers, small businesses, medium businesses, and even large enterprises, since it has the appropriate tools and features to optimize services. Pipedrive's goal is to make a business owner's life easier, and they can do it at an exceptionally budget-friendly rate.

Match Results

HubSpot may be more efficient for developers, but they are really expensive for freelancers or start-up businesses. On the other hand, Pipedrive offers great packages at a fair price, and it contains all the features that you need to keep your business growing. Because of this, I consider Pipedrive the winner of the match for typical customers, as they can cater to freelancers, small businesses, medium businesses, and large enterprises.

Conclusion

Here are the match-up breakdowns of the two CRM tools.

• Platform Design – Tied
• Pipeline Systems – Tied
• Email and Third-party Integration – HubSpot
• Typical Customers and Affordability – Pipedrive

For platform design, the match was a close call since they both have intuitive, user-friendly, and easy to navigate interfaces. HubSpot and Pipedrive are well designed to meet the needs of a business in this aspect.

Their pipeline systems also have similar features in terms of stage creation, deal addition, and modification. Both provide comprehensive processes that are very helpful to those who make use of these CRMs.

For email and third-party integration, HubSpot proves to be dominant due to the awesome analytics that they employ. This helps in optimizing information dissemination for clients.

In the affordability section, Pipedrive wins due to the affordable yet effective nature of the platform. It can be used for any type of business, compared to HubSpot, which is more suitable for medium to large enterprises.

Overall, both scored 3 points in those aspects, so it is still a draw.

Both HubSpot and Pipedrive provide great benefits to their respective subscribers and users. However, I believe that one of them allows for better benefits over the other in some aspects.

Choose Hubspot:

• If you desire better control and developmental options.
• If you are looking for better third-party integration and analytics.
• If you are a marketer or a salesperson
• If you have a medium to large-sized business
• If you are focused on business growth through marketing automation

Choose Pipedrive:

• If you are looking for an affordable yet effective CRM
• If you want better sales automation
• If you are a freelancer or have a small-sized business
• If you have little experience in developing/coding

Now that I have exposed their best parts, it is up to you to choose the CRM that best suits your business. Remember to opt for the platform that will benefit you the most, and don't forget to master it!

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