Monday.com vs HubSpot: Which CRM is Best for Your Small Business?

For small businesses, having the right tools to manage workflows, sales, and customer relationships is critical. Two popular platforms—Monday.com and HubSpot—offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs. Monday.com excels in project and task management, helping teams stay organised, while HubSpot offers a more comprehensive CRM solution with integrated marketing, sales, and customer service tools.

In this blog, we’ll compare Monday.com and HubSpot to help you decide which platform best aligns with your business needs. While HubSpot’s CRM suite makes it an ideal choice for businesses focused on growth, Monday.com remains a valuable option for teams prioritising task and project management. Let’s dive into the comparison.

Overview: Monday.com vs HubSpot

Monday.com is primarily a work management platform designed to help businesses track projects, assign tasks, and monitor progress. It offers customisable workflows to suit a variety of industries, making it popular among teams that need structure and transparency.

HubSpot, on the other hand, is a CRM platform that integrates tools for sales, marketing, customer service, and operations. Known for its free CRM, HubSpot focuses on helping businesses manage customer relationships, automate tasks, and optimise marketing efforts. Its versatility makes it ideal for businesses seeking both customer management and growth-oriented tools.

Key Comparison: Monday.com vs HubSpot

1. Ease of Use

• Monday.com:
  Monday.com is known for its visual, user-friendly interface. It offers boards, timelines, and Kanban views, making it easy to organise tasks and track projects. However, new users may find the flexibility a bit overwhelming at first, as the platform requires some configuration to fit specific business processes.

• HubSpot:
  HubSpot is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, especially for small businesses new to CRMs. It provides out-of-the-box tools for sales and marketing, with detailed onboarding resources and tutorials to help users get started quickly.

Verdict:
Both platforms are easy to use, but Monday.com might feel more natural for teams managing tasks, while HubSpot offers a smoother experience for sales and customer management.

2. Features and Functionality

• Monday.com:
  Monday.com excels as a work management tool, providing features for task tracking, project management, and workflow automation. It allows teams to visualise their progress with custom dashboards and automate repetitive tasks. However, its CRM capabilities are limited, and it lacks the depth of marketing and sales tools offered by HubSpot.

• HubSpot:
  HubSpot offers a complete CRM solution with tools for sales, marketing, and customer service. It allows businesses to manage customer interactions, automate marketing campaigns, and gain insights with advanced reporting tools. HubSpot’s CRM integrates seamlessly with email, social media, and eCommerce platforms, making it ideal for growth-focused businesses.

Verdict:
If your focus is on task and project management, Monday.com is a great fit. However, for managing customer relationships and automating marketing efforts, HubSpot offers a more comprehensive solution.

3. Pricing and Value for Money

• Monday.com:
  Monday.com’s pricing starts at £8 per user per month, with plans that increase based on the number of features and users. While it offers excellent value for project management, adding CRM-like functionality requires more expensive plans or integrations with third-party tools.

• HubSpot:
  HubSpot’s CRM is free, with no time limits, making it highly accessible for small businesses. Paid plans add more advanced tools for marketing automation, sales tracking, and reporting, but the free version alone covers many essential business needs.

Verdict:
HubSpot’s free CRM gives it an edge for small businesses focused on customer management, while Monday.com offers good value for teams focused on workflow management.

4. Integrations and Customisation

• Monday.com:
  Monday.com integrates with popular tools such as Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom, and Trello. Its customisable workflows allow businesses to design processes that fit their specific needs. However, using it as a CRM requires integrations with other platforms, which can increase complexity.

• HubSpot:
  HubSpot offers hundreds of integrations with tools like Gmail, Shopify, and Microsoft 365. It also allows businesses to create custom workflows and automate tasks based on customer interactions, all without needing additional platforms.

Verdict:
Both platforms offer excellent integration options, but HubSpot’s built-in CRM tools reduce the need for external tools, making it more convenient for customer management.

5. Customer Support and Training

• Monday.com:
  Monday.com offers 24/7 support through email and chat, along with a library of tutorials and webinars to help users. However, it lacks the extensive training resources available on HubSpot’s platform.

• HubSpot:
  HubSpot provides robust support along with free courses and certifications through the HubSpot Academy. These training materials cover a range of topics, from CRM usage to marketing strategies, making it easy for businesses to maximise their investment in the platform.

Verdict:
While both platforms offer solid support, HubSpot’s free training resources provide more value for small businesses seeking to improve their skills and strategies.

6. Scalability

• Monday.com:
  Monday.com is scalable for businesses of all sizes, but it focuses mainly on workflow management. As businesses grow, they may need to invest in additional CRM tools to manage customer relationships effectively.

• HubSpot:
  HubSpot’s modular system allows businesses to start with the free CRM and add advanced tools as they grow. Its ability to scale seamlessly makes it a better fit for businesses looking to manage sales, marketing, and customer service all in one place.

Verdict:
While both platforms can grow with your business, HubSpot’s scalability and built-in tools make it a better choice for businesses focused on customer management and long-term growth.

Conclusion: Which Platform is Right for Your Small Business?

Both Monday.com and HubSpot offer valuable tools, but they cater to different needs. Here’s a quick summary to help you decide:

• Choose Monday.com if:

  • Your focus is on task and project management.
  • You need a platform to track workflows and team progress.
  • Your business already uses other tools for CRM and customer management.

• Choose HubSpot if:

  • You need an all-in-one platform that integrates sales, marketing, and customer service.
  • You’re looking for a scalable CRM that grows with your business.
  • You value free tools and resources to get started without a big upfront investment.

While Monday.com excels at workflow management, HubSpot’s all-in-one CRM platform makes it the better choice for most small businesses focused on customer engagement and growth. The fact that HubSpot offers a free CRM with essential tools for sales and marketing gives it a clear advantage for businesses looking to integrate customer management into their operations.

Ultimately, if your business prioritises internal workflow management, Monday.com is an excellent option. However, if your focus is on building and nurturing customer relationships to drive growth, HubSpot is the better long-term investment.