Hubspot vs Zoho CRM

HubSpot vs. Zoho CRM

If you search for “best CRM tool” on your preferred search engine, you’ll be bombarded with an overwhelming array of options. No matter how deep you dig into the internet to find the right CRM for your needs, you’ll inevitably come across two prominent names: HubSpot and Zoho CRM. In this blog post, we’ll explore why these two CRMs are so prevalent and compare their features and benefits. And spoiler alert: By the end of this article, you’ll have all the information you need to choose between Team HubSpot and Team Zoho CRM!

Hubspot vs Zoho CRM

Information about HubSpot

As you might have noticed from our website, we’ve been part of Team Zoho for some time now. And we know: It’s always wise to keep an eye on the competition. One of the major players in the CRM space is and continues to be Hubspot. Along with Zoho, it stands as one of the most powerful CRMs globally. Why is this? Because it provides an integrated operating system for marketing, sales, customer service, and website management. The platform enables the integration of activities across all these areas. But Hubspot isn’t the only one, you might think? That’s right. But there’s one factor that sets Hubspot apart from the competition: The foundation is the inbound marketing concept.

 

What is inbound marketing?

The main objective of inbound marketing is to provide customers with valuable content. Hubspot employs inbound marketing to deliver targeted content to customers and engage them at the optimal moment along their journey. In Hubspot, you can manage the entire marketing process – from lead generation and website management to personalized email marketing and reporting.

Hubspot vs Zoho CRM

What is HubSpot?

“Everything under one roof” or, alternatively, “an all-in-one software solution that supports users across all aspects of inbound marketing.” CRM can be utilized throughout every phase of a potential customer’s purchasing decision. And even more importantly: It integrates marketing and sales efforts by connecting all processes and information through the system. A dream come true, is it not?

 

Is HubSpot a CRM?

Now, if you call up Hubspot and ask that question, you might just make entire departments fall out of their chairs! Because the answer to this question is: Of course! The software is naturally centered around managing the company’s own customer relationships. In addition to its foundation in inbound marketing, Hubspot has always prioritized building relationships with individual customers, as this remains crucial. Without the CRM, you can’t save leads generated from marketing efforts into the system, which means the sales team won’t be able to track and convert them into customers. You will notice: Without CRM, there can be no bridging between marketing and sales. And without this bridge, there can be no corporate success.

 

Is HubSpot GDPR compliant?

Once you decide to implement a CRM in your company, the GDPR will become one of your most important considerations. If you ignore the General Data Protection Regulation, you risk operating unlawfully. We therefore recommend that you familiarize yourself with these regulations. After all, your customers need to be confident that their data is safe with you.

Hubspot ensures GDPR compliance under two key conditions. On one hand, the choice of server location is crucial. Hubspot maintains data backup servers both in the USA and in Europe. To start, choose the option that ensures your data is stored on servers in Europe. The background to this is that the EU has long defined the USA as an unsafe third country when it comes to dealing with the GDPR. The definition was only revised in July 2023 with the EU-US Data Privacy Framework Agreement, meaning that the storage of data on US servers is also considered GDPR-compliant. But CAREFUL: According to experts, this new agreement is on a shaky foundation and can change again at any time. Regular testing of the framework is therefore recommended.

To be really safe, it is therefore essential to conclude a data processing agreement between your company and Hubspot. This DPA contract, as it is also called, ensures that data storage at Hubspot complies with the current GDPR regulations. It is also advisable to make additional reference to this DPA in your company’s privacy policy.

 

How much does HubSpot cost?

As the name suggests, Hubspot is divided into different hubs – 5 in number to be precise. You can therefore cover individual areas with a hub or choose the entire Hubspot package.

Either way, the different hubs are available in 4 price packages: Starter, Professional and Enterprise.

 

Marketing Hub

Everything from leads to reporting. This is what the Marketing Hub promises. The starter package offers you 1000 contacts, 2 licenses and 10 dashboards for your reporting – from €20 per month. The Professional package from €880 per month extends the services of the Starter package by up to 100 blogs. The Enterprise package adds a few more functions to the Professional package and offers, among other things, the entire management of the team including assignments and approvals. In addition, you have one sandbox per account and up to 1000 workflows that you can implement. The cost factor for this is €3300 per month.

 

Sales Hub

Hubspot‘s Sales Hub provides price packages for every need to get the sales team’s heart beating faster. Firstly, the starter package with 2 licenses, 2 deal pipelines per account and calls of up to 500 minutes for €20 per month – perfect for smaller companies or start-ups that want to take on the competition. More licenses, personalized video messages, offers, up to 300 workflows, 3000 minutes of call time and up to 100 mailboxes are included in the Professional package from €490 per month. These services plus the storage of up to 500 data records and up to 300 teams that can be created are included in the Enterprise package from €1180 per month.

 

Service Hub

Internal and external communication is the supreme discipline of the Service Hub. The starter package offers up to 1000 links to personal meetings and team meetings from €20 per month – including 2 ticket pipelines per account for your customers’ requirements. In the Professional version – available from €490 per month – the services are extended by up to 1000 conversations and up to 15 ticket pipelines. The Enterprise plan adds up to 1000 workflows for helpdesk automation for €1180 per month.

 

CMS Hub

CMS Hub perfectly covers the website part of inbound marketing. Up to 50 websites, a blog and up to 2000 e-mail transmissions per customer are available and can be handled in the starter pack from €25 per month. The Professional package offers hosting and management of up to 50 videos, as many as 10,000 websites and up to 100 blogs from €400 per month. For €780 more, the Enterprise plan also includes Adaptive Tests, which allows you to test 5-page variants simultaneously.

 

Operations Hub

With this hub, you’ll make the organization enthusiasts in your company very happy. The Operations Hub is the newest addition to the Hubspot universe, designed to optimize operational processes across all areas. Data management, synchronization, and automation are at the core of the hub. With the starter pack, you can manage 25 active and 1000 static data record lists and synchronize inventory data starting at €20 per month. The Professional Plan, priced at €790 per month, allows you to manage up to 1 million products in the product library and provides AI-powered recommendations for data formatting. The Enterprise version offers all of this, plus Snowflake data sharing, for €1960 per month.

 

How does HubSpot earn money?

Subscriptions are the driving force behind Hubspot’s revenue, accounting for 98% of its income. In numbers, this translated to nearly $2.12 billion in subscription revenue in 2023. Professional services made up the remaining 2% and generated $46.7 million for Hubspot.

 

Where is Hubspot hosted?

As a US-based company, Hubspot primarily hosts its software on servers located in the USA. However, since 2021, EU data centers have also been available to customers.

 

Details on Zoho CRM

Now, let’s turn to the CRM giant with roots in India: Zoho CRM ranks highly in global competition as a top contender for “leading customer relationship management software.” And even beyond that: Zoho CRM significantly extends traditional CRM functions through its comprehensive sales, marketing, and distribution applications.

 

Functions of Zoho CRM

Those who make big promises must also deliver big results. The software’s features demonstrate that this equation holds true with Zoho CRM. From managing sales through lead storage and evaluation, process management, and analysis, to facilitating customer communication via multi-channel support – Zoho CRM recognizes the critical role that handling and processing customer data plays in a company’s success. The effectiveness of this approach is evident in the data analysis, performance management, and sales forecasts that Zoho CRM can generate. But speaking of success: Zoho CRM offers features for sales enablement, marketing automation, team communication, and task management, allowing for measurement not just in financial terms but also in terms of team collaboration and efficiency. The cherry on top is that Zoho CRM is available as a mobile app and offers extensive platform customization.

 

Advantages of Zoho CRM

It’s great to explore the CRM world, but are you aware of the specific benefits that Zoho CRM offers? Then it’s definitely time to dive in! It’s not just the 24/7 support that impresses users, but also a range of other features that have made Zoho CRM a top choice among CRM tools.

 

Flexible subscriptions and personalization

Paying a lot for features you don’t need? Not with Zoho CRM! With various subscription options available, you can choose exactly the services your company needs. Each package addresses specific needs, allowing you to choose flexibly according to your requirements.

 

Data storage and analysis

Do you have a large amount of customer-relevant data to store? This is one of the simplest tasks in Zoho CRM. Whether it’s social media, email, phone, or your website: The system captures data from B2B and B2C customers across multiple channels. Interactions from various sources are collected, and the data is centralized and integrated. The result: Customer behavior can be analyzed in detail, and the insights gained can be used to enhance communication and marketing efforts.

 

Marketing applications

From this, “customer segmentation” is the key term that supports your marketing endeavors. Thanks to segmentation, your marketing team can strategically plan and execute campaigns, such as sending personalized emails or setting up surveys.

 

Process automation

Blueprints and workflows are the tools you can look forward to the most with Zoho CRM. The software offers a broad range of options for automating processes and workflows, which you can customize to fit your needs. This ensures that no follow-up is overlooked, and no deal is missed.

 

Real-time information and mobile access

Zoho CRM can be accessed from anywhere at any time, thanks to its centralized cloud storage and accompanying mobile app. All data is seamlessly synchronized and can be accessed on the go.

 

Integration of apps and tools

True to the motto “the sky’s the limit,” the capabilities of Zoho CRM extend beyond the Zoho cosmos: With numerous API interfaces available, a wide range of apps and tools can be integrated. Teams, Google applications, and LinkedIn are just a few examples of the integration options available.

 

What does Zoho CRM cost?

A unique and compelling USP compared to the competition is Zoho CRM‘s free offering: The free Basic version supports up to three users. All additional features are divided into four pricing packages: Standard, available for €14 per user per month; Professional, at €23 per user per month; and Enterprise, priced at €40 per user per month. For access to the full range of Zoho CRM features, the Ultimate package is available for €52 per user per month.

 

How reputable is Zoho?

Even if you haven’t heard much about Zoho yet, the rest of the world is already ahead of you. Founded in 1996, the company now boasts over 100 million users across more than 55 countries worldwide. And these users are enthusiastic about it – Zoho is making a strong impression on the software world with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

 

Which companies use Zoho?

Zoho CRM is suitable for businesses of all sizes, thanks to its flexible pricing and service packages tailored to meet diverse needs. Not only small and medium-sized businesses use the software, but well-known brands like Amazon, Bosch, and Puma are also among its clients.

 

Decision-Making aids for choosing a CRM

Now you know Hubspot and Zoho a little better. Before you implement CRM software, we’ll provide you with some key decision-making aids. Because there are a few essential criteria that the right tool must meet for you!

Above all, your system should operate independently of any specific platform and be accessible from any device of your choice: Whether it’s a desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. This ensures flexibility and mobility for you and your employees, allowing your teams to collaborate effectively – regardless of their location or time zone.

But that’s not all – your ideal CRM tool should also meet specific requirements for your three most important departments.

 

Sales

No sales without a functioning CRM – that’s the golden rule. Without this support, you can’t effectively deliver your products and services to your customers. To achieve this, your CRM tool should simplify lead and customer data capture, ensure that your sales team can easily access the system, and help you gain a better understanding of your customers.

 

Marketing

When discussing sales, marketing cannot be overlooked. Every good CRM platform must cater to marketing needs by offering features such as targeted customer journeys, personalized communication, and the ability to measure customer satisfaction.

 

Service

Last but not least: service. Because your CRM platform should not only assist you and your team but also provide support for your customers. To achieve this, the system should provide customer support across multiple channels and offer opportunities for cross-selling and upselling. The focus should be on ensuring flexibility in processes and simplifying workflows.

 

What speaks for Zoho?

Of course, the advantages mentioned above. But Zoho offers even more, starting with added value for the digital transformation of your company. The CRM system provides a comprehensive digital toolkit for all relevant areas and stands out with its stability: Zoho has developed rapidly over the years and has already received more than 20 awards from numerous renowned institutions.

Speaking of stability: Zoho proves this above all in terms of GDPR compliance. The system was built based on the GDPR and offers comprehensive functions for compliance. In addition, the software stores your data securely in a data center within the EU.

 

Why HubSpot?

When it comes to inbound marketing as a strategy, Hubspot is the undisputed number one CRM system: Hubspot‘s focus is on building personal, trusting and, above all, long-term relationships with customers. Continuously offering them added value is therefore the top priority: Hubspot ensures that every phase of the customer journey is mapped and enables first-class customer experiences with a variety of tools.

The CRM platform therefore intervenes in precisely those areas that are crucial in customer experience management. Hubspot, for example, managed to record 115% more leads within a year with its Marketing Hub.

 

Who should consider using Zoho?

Whether small, large or from basic requirements, right up to the all-inclusive package: Zoho is worthwhile for large companies and also supports small companies and start-ups with its free version, which comes with a wide range of functions.

A comparison of all CRM systems reveals three functions that only Zoho offers: The creation of personalized customer journeys, the multitude of automation options and the retrieval of critical reports and data with voice commands.

 

Who should consider using HubSpot?

Very simple. For all those who like it user-friendly and want to quickly immerse themselves in the world of CRM systems. Whether you are a Hubspot pro or a novice: Thanks to the interface and many video tutorials, anyone can learn and use the CRM system. For the teams at the individual hubs, Hubspot is particularly impressive due to its area-specific advantages.

Although you have to purchase many services in addition to the basic functions, it’s worth it when you consider that Hubspot is built on the inbound marketing strategy – a gimmick for which there is no extra tool.

 

FAQ

 

Which is better: HubSpot or Salesforce?

This question depends very much on the individual and specific needs and objectives the company has.

For small and medium-sized companies, Hubspot offers the features of user-friendliness, scalability and the general all-in-one platform.

Salesforce is the oldest and most powerful CRM system on the market, known for its complex functions: The extensive functions, which also entail considerably higher costs, tend to cover the needs of larger companies with complex requirements.

 

Which cloud is GDPR-compliant?

The EU’s GDPR places high demands on the protection of personal data. Compliance with this provision is therefore essential for every cloud. Examples of these GDPR-compliant clouds are Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, the Google Cloud platforms and the IBM Cloud.

 

What is better than HubSpot?

There are various CRM platforms that may perform better than Hubspot in certain areas. However, this decision depends on individual needs. Alternatives to Hubspot include Pipedrive and Microsoft Dynamic 365.

 

Conclusion

Hubspot vs. Zoho, a never-ending story. As you have read, both systems offer immense advantages. Ultimately, you will have to decide which tool is better suited to your needs. But we would like to give you a few pointers: Zoho’s integrated scope of services is significantly greater, and the system offers you more options without incurring infinitely high additional costs.

But – let all the information sink in, assess your needs and make the right decision. If you are leaning towards Zoho and need additional advice, give us a call! We work with you to determine your status quo, advise you on the service packages based on this and implement Zoho in your company on request. Book your free initial consultation today, we look forward to hearing from you!

We’re here for you !

codafish><> is your Zoho partner!

As an authorised Zoho agency, we are happy to support you in exploring the diverse possibilities of Zoho and other Zoho apps and using them for your company! Would you like to receive non-binding information? Fill out the contact form or call

You can contact us directly: +1 888 9263234

codafish – Your Zoho partner for all digital applications

At Codafish, we specialize in implementing and optimizing Zoho CRM for businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re looking for personalized customer journeys, seamless process automation, or real-time data integration, our expert team ensures your CRM is tailored to your unique business needs. Let us guide you from consultation to full implementation, helping you maximize the potential of Zoho CRM to streamline your operations and enhance customer relationships.

Zoho CRM Test free Trial!

If you would like to try Zoho One for 30 days, FREE, then click on the button below.

We support you!

Instant Callback

Free Initial Consultation

Chat With Us!