Compare Zoho CRM and HubSpot: Which one is the optimal choice for your business?

1. Overview

Zoho CRM and HubSpot are among the most popular choices for users new to the "world of CRM." As the name suggests, Zoho CRM is designed to optimize CRM, whereas HubSpot is an "all-in-one" platform that supports everything from customer acquisition and website creation to marketing and invoice management.

Both platforms stand out with user-friendly interfaces and powerful tools. They help businesses develop comprehensive strategies, enhance operational efficiency, and improve customer experiences. As a result, choosing between them can be a tough decision for many users.

Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM is a well-known product from Zoho Corporation, an Indian technology company. Since its launch in 2005, it has quickly become a top choice for businesses worldwide.

This cloud-based platform offers a wide range of functionalities, from customer relationship management (CRM) to project management, allowing businesses to track leads, optimize sales processes, and build long-term relationships with customers.

Strengths

• Simple, intuitive interface
• More affordable than HubSpot
• Excellent customer information management
• Various sales and marketing features, such as Zoho Campaigns and Zia
• Flexible customization options

Weaknesses

• Fewer features in the free version compared to HubSpot
• Less engaging interface
• Slightly slower loading speed

HubSpot

Founded in 2006 in Cambridge, Massachusetts (USA), HubSpot is an "all-in-one" CRM platform that helps businesses optimize sales, marketing, customer service, and content management.

With nearly 20 years of development, HubSpot has become a widely recognized name, offering powerful and convenient tools to help businesses attract customers.

Strengths

• All-in-one platform with integrated features
• Easier to use than Zoho CRM, with clear guidance
• Supports more third-party integrations

Weaknesses

• Higher cost compared to Zoho CRM
• Some processes, like importing data from Excel, are complex
• Some features may be unnecessary for certain businesses
• Heavily dependent on the HubSpot ecosystem

2. Detailed comparison

Interface and ease of use

Zoho CRM has a simple and professional interface, focusing on flexibility and ease of use. The menu is placed at the top for optimal customer information and sales management. However, some features, such as business process setup and menu reorganization, are hidden in the Setup section, which may confuse new users.

HubSpot’s interface is also clean, with the menu neatly arranged on the left. However, due to its extensive features, new users may find it overwhelming. To compensate, HubSpot provides clear guidance, offering instructions and suggestions each time a function is accessed, helping users quickly master the platform without needing to refer to manuals.

Customization capabilities

Zoho CRM allows users to easily customize the interface to meet specific business needs. Users can modify dashboards, rearrange menu modules, and design workflows to fit their industry or team requirements. Additionally, the paid version includes Canvas Design Studio, enabling full CRM customization.

In contrast, HubSpot’s left-side menu is fixed, though it does allow some minor customizations. Both platforms support code embedding and REST API integration to enhance workflows. However, Zoho CRM has the advantage of creating a separate portal that external users can access without affecting internal data.

Workflow automation

Both Zoho CRM and HubSpot excel in automating complex workflows, helping businesses save time and increase efficiency. Users can automate email campaigns, task assignments, and follow-ups.

However, advanced automation features require paid plans on both platforms. The free version of Zoho CRM offers basic workflow automation, while HubSpot’s free version only provides chat flow automation for improved customer interactions on websites or Facebook.

Integration capabilities

Currently, Zoho CRM integrates with over 800 applications, including Office 365, Google Calendar, Facebook, and Shopify. HubSpot surpasses this with over 1,700 integrations, including multilingual applications such as GapOne, Gleam, and Graam, which support Vietnamese.

Sales and marketing support

Zoho CRM provides marketing features like email marketing, campaign management, and performance analysis. However, some advanced features require integration with other Zoho applications, such as Zoho Social for social media management and Zoho Analytics for in-depth data analysis.

HubSpot stands out with its robust marketing tools, including email marketing, social media management, SEO, and landing page creation. Even the free version allows users to create landing pages to promote marketing campaigns and collect customer information.

AI integration

Zoho CRM features Zia, an AI-powered assistant that helps with tasks like note-taking, chart creation, and report analysis. Unfortunately, Zia is only available in the Enterprise and Ultimate plans.

Compared to HubSpot’s AI, Zia is less advanced. HubSpot’s AI is highly versatile, suggesting content for messages and emails, automatically segmenting customers, and handling common customer inquiries.

Customer support

HubSpot is highly rated for customer support, offering assistance via email, chat, and phone. Free support is available for Pro and Enterprise plans.

Zoho CRM also provides email and chat support, but some users report slower response times compared to HubSpot, suggesting room for improvement.

3. Pricing plans

Both Zoho CRM and HubSpot offer free plans with basic features. For more advanced functionalities, users can opt for paid plans:

• Zoho CRM: Standard ($20/user/month), Professional ($35/user/month), Enterprise ($50/user/month), Ultimate ($65/user/month). Features like Canvas are available in Professional plans and above, while Webhooks and Google Ads integration are included from the Professional plan onward.
• HubSpot: Pricing is more complex, with different plans for sales, marketing, operations, etc. The Starter Customer Platform costs $16/user/month, but the Professional plan jumps to $1,300/month for five users.

HubSpot is significantly more expensive than Zoho CRM and has a complicated pricing structure. Businesses can contact BENOCODE for guidance on selecting the most cost-effective option.

4. Ideal users

HubSpot initially impresses with its modern, user-friendly interface and powerful features. However, Zoho CRM stands out for its strong customization capabilities and data management options.

Zoho CRM is best suited for small and medium-sized businesses looking for an affordable yet powerful CRM solution, particularly those already using the Zoho ecosystem. If a company primarily focuses on CRM without needing extensive extra features, Zoho CRM is a solid choice.

HubSpot, on the other hand, is a true all-in-one tool. It is ideal for medium to large businesses or those seeking a single platform to manage CRM, sales, marketing, and CMS. Companies looking for advanced sales and marketing tools will benefit from HubSpot’s extensive feature set.

5. Conclusion

Both Zoho CRM and HubSpot have unique strengths and weaknesses. Zoho CRM is praised for its affordability, high customization, and flexibility. Meanwhile, HubSpot excels with its powerful marketing tools and smart AI. Though both platforms come at a cost, their value makes them worthwhile investments.