Insightly vs HubSpot: Which CRM is Best for Your Small Business?

For small businesses, choosing the right Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is crucial for managing leads, automating tasks, and building customer relationships. Two popular options in the CRM space are Insightly and HubSpot. Both platforms offer robust features, but they cater to slightly different needs. While Insightly focuses on project management and sales tracking, HubSpot shines with its all-in-one marketing, sales, and customer service tools.

In this blog, we’ll compare Insightly and HubSpot to help you decide which CRM is best suited for your small business. Though HubSpot’s versatility gives it an edge for many businesses, we’ll keep the comparison balanced by exploring the strengths of Insightly.

Overview: Insightly vs HubSpot

Insightly is a CRM and project management platform that combines lead management with tools to help teams manage projects efficiently. It’s ideal for small businesses that want a system to track both sales and ongoing projects.

HubSpot is an all-in-one platform designed to streamline sales, marketing, customer service, and operations. It’s known for its free CRM and easy scalability, making it suitable for small businesses focused on growth and customer engagement. HubSpot excels in marketing automation and analytics, features that complement its sales tools.

Key Comparison: Insightly vs HubSpot

1. Ease of Use

• Insightly:
  Insightly’s interface is intuitive and straightforward, particularly for businesses managing both sales and projects. However, some users may find the setup and navigation less smooth when compared to more user-friendly CRMs.

• HubSpot:
  HubSpot is widely regarded for its user-friendly design. Even with its broad range of features, small business owners and teams can easily get started with minimal technical knowledge. HubSpot also provides in-app guidance and resources to help users learn quickly.

Verdict:
Both platforms are relatively easy to use, but HubSpot’s smooth interface and support make it more accessible for businesses new to CRMs.

2. Features and Functionality

• Insightly:
  Insightly offers solid tools for sales tracking, contact management, and project management. Its ability to manage both customer relationships and internal projects in a single system makes it attractive to service-based businesses. However, its marketing tools are limited, so businesses may need additional platforms for marketing automation.

• HubSpot:
  HubSpot stands out with its integrated marketing, sales, and customer service tools. It offers advanced marketing automation, email campaigns, and social media management. Its pipeline management and lead tracking tools are easy to use, and the CRM provides deep insights into customer behaviour and interactions.

Verdict:
If your business needs project management alongside sales tools, Insightly is a good option. However, for sales and marketing integration, HubSpot offers more comprehensive functionality.

3. Pricing and Value for Money

• Insightly:
  Insightly’s pricing starts at £25 per user per month, with plans that include project management and CRM tools. While its pricing is reasonable for businesses that need both sales tracking and project features, adding additional tools for marketing automation can increase costs.

• HubSpot:
  HubSpot’s free CRM offers excellent value, with no time limits and a range of core features. As your business grows, you can upgrade to paid plans, but the free version is often sufficient for small businesses starting out. HubSpot’s modular pricing also allows businesses to scale their usage gradually.

Verdict:
While Insightly’s pricing is fair, HubSpot’s free plan and scalable pricing model make it a better long-term investment for most small businesses.

4. Integrations and Customisation

• Insightly:
  Insightly integrates with tools like Google Workspace, Outlook, and QuickBooks, making it a good option for businesses already using these platforms. However, its customisation options are somewhat limited, especially for marketing workflows.

• HubSpot:
  HubSpot offers hundreds of built-in integrations with popular apps like Gmail, Shopify, and Slack. It also allows businesses to create custom workflows and automate tasks without the need for developers. HubSpot’s integrations make it easy to manage multiple functions from one place.

Verdict:
HubSpot offers broader integrations and more flexible automation tools, making it a better fit for businesses that need versatility.

5. Customer Support and Training

• Insightly:
  Insightly offers standard support through email and chat, but some users report delays in response times. It provides help documentation and tutorials, though the resources are not as extensive as those of HubSpot.

• HubSpot:
  HubSpot is known for its comprehensive support and training. In addition to email and chat support, HubSpot offers free training courses through the HubSpot Academy. These resources cover everything from using the CRM to advanced marketing strategies, making it easy for businesses to learn and grow.

Verdict:
HubSpot offers more extensive support and educational resources, making it easier for small businesses to get the most out of their CRM.

6. Scalability

• Insightly:
  Insightly works well for small to mid-sized businesses, but its scalability is somewhat limited. As your business grows, you may find that Insightly lacks the advanced marketing and automation tools needed to support larger operations.

• HubSpot:
  HubSpot’s modular design allows businesses to start with the free CRM and add features as they grow. It is built to scale with your business, offering advanced tools for sales, marketing, and customer service as needed.

Verdict:
HubSpot offers a more scalable solution, making it a better choice for businesses with long-term growth in mind.

Which CRM is Right for Your Small Business?

Both Insightly and HubSpot offer valuable features, but which one is right for your business depends on your specific needs:

• Choose Insightly if:

  • You need a CRM that combines project management with sales tracking.
  • Your business focuses more on managing internal workflows and customer relationships.
  • You are already using Google Workspace or QuickBooks and want seamless integration.

• Choose HubSpot if:

  • You want an all-in-one platform that covers sales, marketing, and customer service.
  • You need scalable tools with advanced automation and analytics.
  • You value free resources and training to help your business grow.

While Insightly is a good option for businesses that require project management alongside CRM functionality, HubSpot’s all-in-one platform and scalability make it the better choice for most small businesses. The free CRM provides excellent value, and the ability to integrate sales and marketing efforts gives HubSpot an edge for businesses focused on growth.

Ultimately, if your small business needs a versatile CRM that can grow with you, HubSpot is likely the better fit. However, if project management is a key priority, Insightly offers unique features that make it worth considering.