HubSpot vs FreshBooks for small business (2026)
By BLAZE · Updated 31 October 2026
HubSpot is a CRM and customer platform for marketing, sales and service. FreshBooks is invoicing and accounting software. They solve different problems, and many small businesses use both.
Comparison table
| Feature | HubSpot Starter | FreshBooks |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | CRM + marketing, sales, service (Smart CRM, Breeze AI) | Invoicing, expenses, accounting reports |
| Entry plans (31 Oct 2026) | Free tools; Starter normally $20/month per seat, promo up to 65% off for new customers ($7/seat annual, $10/seat monthly) | Lite $23/mo (5 clients), Plus $43/mo (50 clients), Premium $70/mo (unlimited), Select custom. Promo 80% off for 4 months |
| Free trial / free plan | Free tools available | 30-day free trial, no card; 30-day money-back |
| Usage extras | Starter includes 500 HubSpot Credits/month for AI features | Team members $11/mo each; Payroll $40/mo + $6/user; Advanced Payments $20/mo |
| Payments | Payment processing may carry separate fees | Cards 2.9% + $0.30; ACH 1%; Apple/Google Pay; BNPL (Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna) |
| Accounting | Not an accounting tool | Double-entry reports, bank reconciliation (Plus+), accountant access |
| Deal | Check current price | Check current price |
Who each is for
HubSpot
Businesses that need to capture leads, email marketing contacts and manage a sales pipeline.
FreshBooks
Freelancers and service businesses that bill clients, track time and expenses and need tax-time reports.
BLAZE verdict
Pick by the problem you're solving. If your bottleneck is getting paid and bookkeeping, choose FreshBooks: Lite fits up to 5 clients and Plus up to 50. If it's finding and following up customers, start with HubSpot's free tools and move to Starter. Check promo pricing either way, since both sites showed time-limited discounts on 31 Oct 2026.
FAQ
Does FreshBooks have a free trial?
Yes: 30 days, no credit card.
What's HubSpot Starter's normal price?
$20/month per seat, per HubSpot's Starter page; promotional discounts may apply.
Can I use both?
Yes. They cover different jobs (CRM vs accounting). Not verified: a native integration between them.
Sources
All facts come from these official pages, read on 31 Oct 2026. Anything we couldn't confirm is marked "Not verified".
- https://www.hubspot.com/products/crm/starter – HubSpot Starter pricing and FAQ
- https://legal.hubspot.com/hubspot-product-and-services-catalog – HubSpot seat pricing catalog
- https://www.freshbooks.com/pricing – FreshBooks plans
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