HubSpot CRM vs Salesforce Starter
Side-by-side from the Top 11 ranking of The 11 Best CRM Software for Small Business (2026). Last verified June 4, 2026.
The short answer
HubSpot CRM ranks higher on Top 11 (#1 vs #4) for Small business owners choosing a CRM (HubSpot vs Salesforce vs Zoho). The best balance of power and simplicity, with an unbeatable free plan for starting out.
At a glance
| HubSpot CRM | Salesforce Starter | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #1 / The 11 Best CRM Software for Small Business (2026) | #4 / The 11 Best CRM Software for Small Business (2026) |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 9.3 | 8.6 |
| Best for | Best overall free CRM and scalability | Most powerful and scalable platform |
| Pricing | $ ($0 to $1,200/mo) | $$ ($30 to $125/user/mo) |
| HQ | Cambridge, USA | San Francisco, USA |
| Founded | 2006 | 1999 |
HubSpot CRM
The best balance of power and simplicity, with an unbeatable free plan for starting out.
www.hubspot.com/products/crmSee full entry in The 11 Best CRM Software for Small Business (2026)
Salesforce Starter
The industry standard for power and scalability, but with a steeper learning curve.
www.salesforce.com/solutions/small-business/See full entry in The 11 Best CRM Software for Small Business (2026)
Methodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.