HubSpot CRM vs Brevo: the CRM platform matchup of 2025
Ultra-complete CRM on the one hand, agile marketing platform on the other. HubSpot CRM and Brevo (ex-Sendinblue) don't exactly have the same roots, but today they share a common ground: helping companies grow by aligning marketing, sales and customer relations.
It's an interesting match-up: HubSpot CRM is aimed at those who want to structure their sales teams and manage a frictionless sales cycle. Brevo, on the other hand, appeals to SMEs and smart marketers looking for an emailing, CRM and automation tool within a controlled budget.
But which one to choose in 2025?
We've compared the two solutions from every angle: features, price, ergonomics, integrations, use cases... and we've told you all about it, without jargon, without bullshit.
Spoiler: one isn't necessarily better than the other, it all depends on your priorities.
What is HubSpot CRM?
Overview of HubSpot CRM
HubSpot CRM is the darling of sales and marketing teams who want a powerful, all-in-one tool that's (relatively) easy to use.
Initially designed to structure sales processes, CRM has rapidly established itself as a complete growth platform. The aim is to align marketing, sales, customer service and even support... all within a fluid, connected interface.
HubSpot is aimed at SMEs, ETIs and major accounts who want to professionalize their customer management without going through a gas factory. But also ambitious start-ups aiming for hyper-growth.
Here are a few use cases:
- Track prospects in a clear sales pipeline
- Automatically score the hottest leads
- Set up automation workflows
- Offer a seamless customer experience via the service tool
- Monitor team performance (sales, marketing, support)
HubSpot CRM claims an " inbound-first" approach: rather than chasing prospects, we attract them with content, well-targeted email, well-crafted campaigns... and engage them at the right time.
All with a modern UX, integrations galore, and a modular philosophy: start free, scale with paid hubs (Sales, Marketing, Service...).
Customers: Over 268,000 customers in 120 countries (source: HubSpot website), including well-known companies such as Doctolib, Accenture and Trello.
Key features of HubSpot CRM
Beneath its apparent simplicity, HubSpot CRM hides a formidable toolbox. The goal? To help teams convert faster, better and without friction. Here's what you'll find under the hood:
- Intuitive pipeline management: Drag and drop your opportunities into an ultra-clear visual pipeline. Add tasks, reminders, notes... and stay on top of deal progress.
- Centralized contact database: All your leads, customers and partners in a single CRM database. Interaction tracking, history, scoring, dynamic segmentation: this is the cockpit of customer relations.
- Marketing & sales automation: Create automated scenarios (emails, notifications, status changes...) with an "if... then..." logic. Useful for lead nurturing, follow-up or customer care.
- Intelligent forms & chatbots: Capture leads via your site, and engage them automatically with chatflows and popups. Bonus: everything is customizable and responsive.
- Customized reporting & dashboards: Track your KPIs with ready-to-use or customized reports: conversion rates, sales performance, email campaigns... everything is tracked.
- Integrations galore (over 2000!): Slack, Google Workspace, LinkedIn, Zapier, Shopify... and of course all marketing tools. All via the HubSpot App Marketplace.
HubSpot CRM
Advantages and disadvantages of HubSpot CRM
Before diving in headlong, it's best to weigh up the pros and cons. Here's what users (and data) are saying about HubSpot CRM, unfiltered.
✅ The benefits of HubSpot CRM
- Modern, intuitive interface: HubSpot is one of the most pleasant CRMs to use. Everything is designed to make it easy to get to grips with, even for non-techies.
- Generous free version: Up to 1 million contacts, with solid functionality (emailing, forms, live chat, basic reporting...).
- Powerful automation: The workflow system lets you create complex scenarios without coding, to automate marketing, sales and customer service.
- Modular ecosystem: You can add or remove functionalities (Sales Hub, Marketing Hub, Service Hub and Data Hub) according to your needs and budget.
- Native integrations: Over 2,000 connectors available. HubSpot integrates easily with existing systems, making it a true central hub.
- Support and resources: ultra-supplied Help Center, HubSpot Academy, webinars, community... Support is up to the task.
❌ Disadvantages of HubSpot CRM
- Rapid price escalation: The free version attracts... but as soon as you up the ante (advanced automations, custom reporting, expanded team), the bill quickly climbs. As with any software choice: think clearly about your needs beforehand, so you can meet them as effectively as possible, and the surprise will be over!
- Learning curve for advanced modules: Some tools, such as sequences or custom objects, take time to master.
- Limited free functionality: Some limitations are frustrating (e.g.: number of dashboards, simple automations, lack of A/B testing).
- Limited customer support in the free offer: You have to pay to access chat or telephone support.
👉 To remember
HubSpot CRM is the best in the class. Very complete, scalable, well integrated... but only if you have the means to match your ambitions.
What is Brevo?
Brevo overview
Brevo is the former Sendinblue, and while the name may have changed, the objective remains the same: to offer an all-in-one marketing platform that's simple, powerful and accessible, especially for SMEs.
Historically focused on email marketing, Brevo has evolved into a true customer relationship-oriented CRM, with marketing automation, contact management, sales CRM and even customer service functionalities.
Brevo is ideal for small and medium-sized businesses, associations and the self-employed looking to centralize their customer communications without blowing their budget. But also e-tailers and startups in a growth phase.
Use case :
- Launch targeted email or SMS campaigns
- Set up simple, efficient automation workflows
- Manage a lightweight but functional sales pipeline
- Intelligently segment your contact base
- Offer a unified customer experience via chat, WhatsApp or the integrated call center
Brevo is all about accessibility. You don't need to be a marketing automation expert to get the hang of it. The tool offers a streamlined user experience, clear pricing, and a genuine desire to support small structures in their digitalization. It's a bit of a "no bullshit" marketing CRM, tailored to get straight to the point.
Customers : Over 500,000 users in 180 countries, according to the official website. These include many SMEs, as well as names such as Amnesty International, Carrefour and Michelin.
Brevo's key features
Brevo is designed to be simple to use, but not lacking in depth. Its strength: combining marketing, sales and customer relations in a single interface, without unnecessary complexity.
- Email and SMS campaigns: Create responsive campaigns with the drag & drop editor, personalize messages, test, send and track results. That's Brevo's DNA.
- Marketing automation: Set up automated scenarios based on your contacts' behaviors (click, open, form...) to intelligently engage them.
- Integrated CRM: Track your leads and customers in a visual pipeline, assign tasks to your teams, and centralize information so you never miss an opportunity.
- Conversational tools: Activate an online chat, WhatsApp Business, or even a telephone module (Brevo Phone) for live exchanges with your customers.
- Advanced segmentation: Create dynamic segments based on behavioral or CRM criteria, to send the right message, at the right time, to the right person.
- Forms & landing pages: Collect leads with customizable forms and professional landing pages, without the need for a designer.
Brevo
Advantages and disadvantages of Brevo
Brevo's appeal lies in its simplicity and transparency. But behind this accessibility lie a few limitations to be aware of. We sort them out for you.
✅ Brevo's advantages
- Very affordable pricing: Brevo remains one of the most competitive tools on the market. You pay by email volume, not by number of contacts. Ideal for large databases.
- Clear, intuitive interface: Everything is visual, well-organized and designed for non-techies. You'll quickly get the hang of it, even on your own.
- Simple yet effective marketing automation: Scenarios are easy to create and are sufficient to cover the majority of current needs (reminders, scoring, segmentation...).
- Native multi-channel: Email, SMS, WhatsApp, online chat, telephone... Brevo centralizes all customer communications in a single platform.
- Excellent value for money: advanced functionalities (forms, CRM, workflows...) accessible from the first plans.
❌ Brevo's drawbacks
- CRM less advanced than HubSpot: Sales pipeline is effective for simple sales cycles, but remains limited for demanding sales teams.
- Limited customization on certain functions: Notably dashboards or forms, which remain fairly rigid compared to other solutions.
- Fewer native integrations: Brevo offers fewer connectors than HubSpot (around 100 integrations vs. over 2,000), even if the essentials are there.
- Fewer support resources: Fewer webinars, tutorials or certifications than HubSpot, even if the knowledge base remains solid.
👉 To remember
Brevo ticks the boxes of simplicity, efficiency and value for money. But if you have advanced CRM needs, it can quickly show its limitations.
HubSpot CRM vs Brevo: compare features
Here's an overview of the key features, to give you a clearer idea before diving into the details.
| Features | HubSpot CRM | Brevo |
| Email marketing | ✅ Yes (via Marketing Hub) | ✅ Yes (native) |
| Marketing automation | ✅ Advanced (complex workflows) | ✅ Simple to medium |
| Commercial CRM | ✅ Very complete, customizable | ✅ Basic but functional |
| Scoring & segmentation | ✅ Yes, very advanced | ✅ Yes, good level |
| Forms & landing pages | ✅ Yes, very customizable | ✅ Yes, easy to set up |
| Third-party integrations | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (2000 +) | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (100+) |
| Multi-channel (chat, WhatsApp, etc) | ✅ Yes (via modules & integrations) | ✅ Yes (native in Brevo) |
| Analytics & reporting | ✅ Very advanced | ✅ Basic to medium |
Focus 1: Email marketing
HubSpot CRM: Emailing is powerful, but depends on the Marketing Hub module. Advanced editor, A/B testing, advanced personalization, very detailed analytics... but all this is reserved for paid versions.
Brevo: Emailing is native and central to the platform. The editor is fluid, responsive, with an excellent testing and deliverability system. Solid functionalities available from the very first plans.
👉 To remember
If email is your main channel, Brevo offers excellent value for money. HubSpot shines, but only if you opt for an advanced plan.
Focus 2: Marketing automation
HubSpot CRM: Visual workflows with conditions, triggers and advanced actions. Ideal for lead nurturing, dynamic scoring and intelligent follow-up. Powerful, but sometimes complex to configure.
Brevo: Simplified automations, but effective for most use cases. Fewer options, but quick to learn. Perfect for small businesses that want to get straight to the point.
👉 To remember
HubSpot is clearly more complete on the automation side, but Brevo is sufficient for simple to medium-sized customer journeys.
Focus 3: CRM and sales pipeline
HubSpot CRM: Ultra-customizable pipeline, deal tracking, scoring, tasks, reminders, custom objects and detailed reporting. Designed for structured sales teams.
Brevo: Simple but effective visual pipeline. Good lead visibility, but little customization possible. Suitable for simple sales, less suited to complex or long cycles.
👉 To remember
HubSpot has the edge over pure CRM, especially if you have a growing sales team.
Focus 4: Multichannel & customer relations
HubSpot CRM: Live chat, chatbot, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, email... everything is possible, but often via integrations or paid modules (e.g. Service Hub).
Brevo: Multi-channel is native: online chat, WhatsApp Business, transactional email, SMS, phone (Brevo Phone). No need to stack plugins.
👉 To remember
For multi-channel customer relations, Brevo is more accessible, with no hidden costs.
Focus 5: Reporting & analytics
HubSpot CRM: Customizable dashboards, advanced KPIs, multi-touch attribution, dynamic filters... analysis is very advanced, provided you have the right version.
Brevo: Correct reporting for marketing (emails, campaigns, SMS), but limited for CRM or sales. Little customization possible.
👉 To remember
HubSpot is much more robust when it comes to fine-tuning performance.
HubSpot CRM vs Brevo: compare prices
Here's a clear overview of the 2025 pricing packages for each solution, along with the key features included.
| Offer / Software | HubSpot CRM | Brevo |
| Free | Free for up to 2 users Includes :
|
|
| Entry-level | Starter Customer Platform (from €9/month/license) 500 HubSpot credits Free tools, plus :
|
Sales Essentials (€26/month)
|
| Intermediate | Professional (from €1,283/month for 6 licenses) 5,000 HubSpot credits Starter customer platform, plus :
|
Sales Advanced (€53/month)
|
| Advanced / Team | Enterprise (from €4,410/month for 8 licenses) 10,000 HubSpot credits Pro customer platform, plus :
|
Enterprise (on request)
|
HubSpot CRM vs Brevo: which interface is more intuitive?
A software program can have all the features in the world, but if the interface makes you want to run away, we all know what's going to happen: the teams will ignore it royally. Here, we compare HubSpot and Brevo on three criteria: ease of use, ergonomics and customization.
| Criterion | HubSpot CRM | Brevo |
| Handling | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Clear but dense interface, slight learning curve on hubs |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Quick to learn, even for beginners |
| General ergonomics | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ well thought-out, coherent, modern UX |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Simple, efficient, no frills |
| Customization | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Dashboards, custom objects, user-specific views in pro offers |
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Little customization, but sufficient for most SMBs |
HubSpot CRM
As soon as you enter HubSpot's world, you feel that the design has been carefully thought out. The menus are intuitive and the functionalities well-organized. The only downside: the wealth of options can be a little intimidating at first, especially if you activate several "Hubs" (Marketing, Sales, Service...). It takes a little time to learn.
Brevo
Everything here is designed to be straightforward. The menus are simple, the actions obvious, and the parameterization minimal. No need for training to create a scenario or launch a campaign. The UX isn't flashy, but it's frighteningly effective.
👉 To remember
- HubSpot shines for its depth and consistency, but requires more investment in onboarding.
- Brevo gets straight to the point: accessible, fast, frictionless, ideal for low-tech teams.
HubSpot CRM vs Brevo: compare integrations
Connecting your CRM to the tools you use every day saves time, avoids time-consuming copying and pasting, and, above all, automates your business. Here's a clear comparison table, based on three essential criteria:
| Criterion | HubSpot CRM | Brevo |
| Number of native integrations | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (2000 + via HubSpot Marketplace) | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (approx. 100 connectors available) |
| Ease of connection | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (clear interface, solid documentation) | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (very easy to connect, well-documented API) |
| Automation between tools | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Zaps, workflows, powerful triggers) | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (basic, but sufficient for SMBs) |
HubSpot CRM:
A true central hub. With over 2000 integrations available (Slack, Salesforce, Gmail, Stripe, Shopify, Zoom, etc.), HubSpot adapts to almost any environment. Automations are powerful: you can create complex flows between apps thanks to internal workflows or via Zapier/Make. For the techies: robust REST API, webhook, event management, it's all there.
In short:
Fewer integrations, but the essentials are there: Shopify, WordPress, WooCommerce, Prestashop, Zapier, PayPal, Stripe... and connections that are easy to set up. No functional overload, just efficient logic for everyday needs. The API is clear, well documented, with a good community around it.
When to choose HubSpot CRM or Brevo?
If... you're looking for a complete CRM to structure and scale your sales cycle → choose HubSpot CRM
HubSpot is for you if..:
- You have an existing (or growing) sales team
- You need solid , customizable processes : pipeline, scoring, automatic follow-ups
- You want to align marketing, sales and support in a single tool
- You're looking for a scalable platform, with additional modules as you grow
- You have the budget (or the vision) to move upmarket
👉 Real-life examples:
- A B2B scale-up that wants to track its leads through a finely segmented sales tunnel
- An industrial SME structuring its sales force across several markets
- A marketing agency managing both its inbound leads and its customer CRM
If... you want a simple, fast and affordable marketing + CRM tool → choose Brevo
Brevo is for you if..:
- You manage email/SMS campaigns and want to automate without complexity
- You need a lightweight CRM that's easy to learn and use
- You want an integrated multi-channel tool (WhatsApp, phone, chat)
- Your priority is immediate efficiency, not extreme personalization
- You have a small marketing or sales team
👉 Concrete examples:
- An online store that wants to relaunch its abandoned shopping baskets automatically
- An association that wants to manage its donation campaigns and contact database in a single tool
- A very small business or freelancer that wants to professionalize its customer relations while keeping its budget under control
What to learn from the HubSpot CRM vs Brevo battle
We've reviewed the features, ergonomics, pricing, integrations... and there's one thing to remember: these aren't two competing tools, they're two visions.
- HubSpot CRM is the choice of those who want to structure, customize and scale their growth with an ultra-robust (but sometimes expensive) all-in-one platform.
- In short, it's the choice of those who want to keep things simple, efficient and fast, with excellent value for money (but less customization).
So, to help you decide, here's a clear picture:
| Your needs | Our recommendation |
| You have a sales team to structure | HubSpot CRM |
| You do a lot of email marketing | Brevo |
| You want a free tool to get you started | Brevo or HubSpot (freemium) |
| You plan to grow fast with solid processes | HubSpot CRM |
| You're looking for an all-in-one, multi-channel tool | Brevo |
| You have a substantial budget and complex CRM needs | HubSpot CRM |
| You're a small business with limited technical resources | Brevo |
👉 To remember
- If you're a small or medium-sized business looking to get up and running quickly, Brevo will do the job perfectly.
- If you're a fast-growing organization with advanced CRM needs and a budget to match, HubSpot will support you over the long term.
FAQs on HubSpot CRM vs Brevo
Is HubSpot CRM really free?
Yes, the free version of HubSpot offers a functional CRM with basic functionalities: contact management, simple pipeline, forms, lightweight email marketing. But to access advanced automation, custom reporting or multiple teams, you'll need to upgrade to the paid hubs.
Is Brevo suitable for B2B companies?
Absolutely. Brevo is equally suited to B2C and B2B. It offers segmentation tools, nurturing scenarios and a straightforward CRM, making it possible to track leads in short to medium sales cycles.
Which tool is easiest to learn?
Brevo, without hesitation. Its interface is uncluttered, quick to learn, and you can launch campaigns in just a few clicks. HubSpot is still intuitive, but more dense, especially when you activate several modules.
Is it possible to automate with both tools?
Yes. HubSpot offers very powerful workflows, with complex, conditional scenarios. Brevo also lets you create automations (emails, SMS, contact updates), but in a simpler way.
Which software is better value for money?
Brevo is much more affordable, with plans starting at less than €20/month and billing based on volume. HubSpot is free to start with, but its professional plans quickly become costly as you ramp up.
Can I connect other tools to HubSpot or Brevo?
Yes, in both cases, but HubSpot offers more native integrations (over 2000), a rich ecosystem and a comprehensive API. Brevo focuses on the main tools (Shopify, WordPress, Prestashop, Zapier...) with an easy-to-use API.
Which is the best for managing a sales tunnel?
HubSpot, clearly. It lets you customize your pipeline, track each stage of the sale, score leads and analyze performance in detail. Brevo is sufficient for simple sales, but limited for complex sales.
Can I use these tools in French?
Yes, both HubSpot and Brevo are available in French, with localized interfaces, docs and support. Brevo has a slight advantage here, being a European solution with a strong French-speaking base.
Article translated from French