Updated June 30, 2026 · Pricing and features verified 2026
Key takeaways
- ActiveCampaign is our top HubSpot alternative for automation and CRM at lower cost.
- Teams leave HubSpot over pricing that scales steeply with marketing contacts.
- Brevo offers the best value; Mailchimp suits simplicity; Klaviyo suits ecommerce.
- Match the alternative to your reason for leaving: cost, automation, or ecommerce.
HubSpot is a powerful all-in-one marketing, sales, and service platform, but it is not for every budget. The most common reasons teams look elsewhere are pricing that scales steeply with marketing contacts, the jump in cost to unlock Professional-tier features, and paying for a broad platform when you only use part of it. Here are the six best HubSpot alternatives for 2026.
1. ActiveCampaign - best HubSpot alternative for automation and CRM
ActiveCampaign is our top pick for teams leaving HubSpot who still want strong automation and a CRM, at a far lower entry price. Its visual automation builder is excellent, it includes a sales CRM, and it starts at $15/month rather than scaling into HubSpot’s higher tiers.
Best for: Teams that want deep automation and CRM without HubSpot’s price.
- Strengths: Best-in-class automation; built-in CRM; lower entry cost.
- Limitations: No free plan; less of a full platform than HubSpot; steeper learning curve.
See the matchup in HubSpot vs ActiveCampaign.
2. Brevo - best value all-in-one
Brevo is the value alternative, bundling email, SMS, automation, and a light CRM, priced by emails sent with unlimited contacts, so it stays affordable as you grow.
Best for: Budget-conscious teams that want an affordable all-in-one.
- Strengths: Email-volume pricing; unlimited contacts; email, SMS, and CRM.
- Limitations: Less of a full sales-and-service platform; daily caps on free.
3. Mailchimp - best for simplicity
Mailchimp is the alternative if HubSpot felt like too much and you want an easy tool for email and simple marketing.
Best for: Small businesses that want simple marketing.
- Strengths: Easy to use; templates; free plan.
- Limitations: Light CRM; basic automation; contact-based pricing climbs.
4. Klaviyo - best for ecommerce
Klaviyo is the alternative for ecommerce brands that want marketing built around store data and revenue flows rather than a general CRM platform.
Best for: Ecommerce stores.
- Strengths: Deep ecommerce data; email and SMS; revenue flows.
- Limitations: Active-profile pricing; ecommerce-focused.
Other options to consider
If you need HubSpot mainly for CRM and sales, Salesforce, Zoho CRM, and Pipedrive are worth evaluating; for enterprise marketing automation, Marketo is a HubSpot competitor. Verify current pricing and features on each vendor’s site.
HubSpot alternatives compared
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| ActiveCampaign | Automation + CRM value | $15/mo | Trial only |
| Brevo | Best-value all-in-one | $9/mo | Yes (300/day) |
| Mailchimp | Simplicity | $13/mo | Yes (250 contacts) |
| Klaviyo | Ecommerce | $20/mo | Yes (250 profiles) |
How to choose a HubSpot alternative
If cost drove you away but you still want automation and CRM, ActiveCampaign is the closest, more affordable swap. If value matters most, Brevo’s email-volume pricing keeps costs down. If HubSpot felt too complex, Mailchimp is simpler; if you are ecommerce, Klaviyo fits. And if you need HubSpot mainly for CRM, dedicated CRMs like Pipedrive or Zoho may serve you better. Confirm current pricing on each vendor’s site before committing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to HubSpot? For automation and CRM at a lower price, ActiveCampaign is the best alternative. For value, Brevo; for simplicity, Mailchimp; for ecommerce, Klaviyo.
Is there a cheaper alternative to HubSpot? Yes. Brevo and ActiveCampaign both cost far less than HubSpot’s Professional tiers, which scale steeply with marketing contacts.
Why switch from HubSpot? Common reasons are pricing that climbs with marketing contacts, the cost of unlocking Professional features, and paying for a broad platform you only partly use.