Last updated: February 5, 2026

Key Takeaways

  1. HubSpot’s 2026 Professional tier climbs past $800 per month. Alternatives like ActiveCampaign and Zoho cut platform costs by 60–90% while still covering core B2B SaaS needs.
  2. ActiveCampaign delivers powerful automation and reporting from $15 per month, which suits SaaS teams scaling nurture sequences and CRM-connected workflows.
  3. Demandbase and 6sense beat HubSpot for ABM, with richer intent data, predictive scoring, and account intelligence for enterprise SaaS targeting.
  4. Most HubSpot migrations finish in 2–4 weeks with a clear plan, so teams see lower total cost of ownership and better-fit features quickly.
  5. Partner with SaaSHero for a free platform audit and customized migration roadmap to build a B2B SaaS marketing stack that supports faster ARR growth.

How We Evaluate B2B SaaS Marketing Platforms

Choosing a HubSpot alternative starts with five core dimensions. First, confirm feature coverage for automation workflows and ABM. Second, review the integration ecosystem, including Salesforce parity and API strength. Third, check user experience and scalability. Fourth, assess support quality and available resources. Fifth, calculate total cost of ownership, including hidden fees and add-ons.

Our revenue-first lens favors platforms that track CAC payback and Net New ARR attribution instead of vanity metrics like open rates. This approach aligns with Gartner’s 2026 marketing automation guidance, which highlights tools that handle complex B2B journeys while staying manageable for lean teams.

Cost Comparison: HubSpot vs Leading Alternatives

The matrix below shows total cost of ownership for a $10M ARR SaaS company. It includes platform fees, implementation, and key integrations. The numbers show that top alternatives often cut costs by 60–80% while still covering essential B2B marketing functions.

Platform

Annual TCO ($10M ARR)

G2 2026 Rating

ABM Strength / Migration Ease

HubSpot Marketing Hub

$20,000

4.4/5

Medium / Hard

ActiveCampaign

$3,600

4.3/5

Medium / Easy

Zoho CRM

$2,900

4.2/5

Low / Easy

Demandbase

Custom

4.4/5

High / Medium

6sense

Custom

4.3/5

Very High / Hard

Book a discovery call to get a tailored TCO breakdown and migration roadmap for your stack.

SaaS Hero: The client-friendly SaaS marketing agency that proves pipeline
SaaS Hero: The client-friendly SaaS marketing agency that proves pipeline

Top 9 HubSpot Alternatives for B2B SaaS Marketing

1. ActiveCampaign: Best Value for Complex Automation

ActiveCampaign rates 4.3/5 as the best automation and reporting platform for B2B companies. It combines advanced marketing automation with integrated CRM features at accessible pricing. The visual automation builder and rich behavioral triggers work well for SaaS teams running layered nurture programs.

Pros

Cons

SaaS Fit

Advanced automation workflows

Steeper learning curve

Excellent for complex funnels

Affordable pricing ($15/month starter)

Limited native ABM features

Strong CRM integration

Robust reporting capabilities

Requires technical setup

Scales with contact growth

For a $1M ARR company, ActiveCampaign costs about $1,800 per year compared with HubSpot at $19,200. That shift delivers roughly 90% savings. At $10M ARR, the platform remains cost efficient while supporting advanced segmentation and lifecycle marketing that help retention.

2. Zoho CRM: Full Suite for Cost-Controlled Teams

Zoho CRM offers deep customization and a broad suite of connected business apps. This setup makes it a strong HubSpot replacement for SaaS startups that must control spend while still covering sales and marketing basics. Teams can add modules as they grow, which keeps early costs low.

Pros

Cons

SaaS Fit

Comprehensive feature set

Interface complexity

Good for early-stage SaaS

Excellent value pricing

Limited advanced automation

Strong customization options

Native business app ecosystem

Weaker third-party integrations

Suitable for lean teams

Most HubSpot to Zoho migrations finish in 2–3 weeks, including data transfer and workflow rebuilds. Zoho CRM connects cleanly with paid media platforms that SaaSHero manages, which improves ROI through better pipeline visibility and lower software costs.

3. Pipedrive: Simple, Sales-First Pipeline Control

Pipedrive focuses on visual sales pipeline management. It fits sales-led SaaS organizations that care most about deal flow and rep productivity. The interface stays simple and deal-centric, which helps teams move opportunities faster even without heavy marketing automation.

Pros

Cons

SaaS Fit

Intuitive pipeline visualization

Limited marketing features

Perfect for sales-driven SaaS

Strong mobile experience

Basic automation capabilities

Excellent deal tracking

Affordable pricing ($14/user)

Requires marketing tool integration

Scales with sales team growth

4. Demandbase: ABM Platform for Enterprise Deals

Demandbase offers high advanced ABM features with rich account intelligence and programmatic advertising. It fits mid-market and enterprise SaaS teams that run complex account-based strategies and need multi-touch attribution.

Pros

Cons

SaaS Fit

Advanced ABM capabilities

High implementation complexity

Ideal for enterprise SaaS

Native B2B advertising DSP

Significant learning curve

Strong account intelligence

Comprehensive intent data

Premium pricing model

Excellent for large deals

5. 6sense: AI-Driven Revenue Intelligence

6sense focuses on Revenue AI for GTM with predictive buying stage analysis. It outperforms HubSpot for complex B2B SaaS sales cycles. Its intent data and predictive scoring help teams prioritize accounts and time outreach more accurately.

6. Salesforce Marketing Cloud: Deep CRM Alignment

Salesforce Marketing Cloud connects tightly with Salesforce CRM. Large SaaS organizations use it for enterprise-grade automation and segmentation. Journey Builder and Einstein AI support sophisticated, multi-channel campaigns across email, ads, and more.

7. EngageBay: All-in-One Platform on a Budget

EngageBay offers an all-in-one platform similar to HubSpot at a friendlier price tag. It appeals to bootstrapped SaaS startups that need CRM, marketing automation, and support tools in one place without premium pricing.

8. Marketo: Advanced Marketing with Adobe Stack

Marketo provides strong lead scoring and nurturing, backed by Adobe integrations. Established SaaS companies use it when they need detailed attribution models and complex campaign flows across many touchpoints.

9. Keap: Automation for Small-Business-Focused SaaS

Keap combines simple marketing automation with built-in payments. It suits SaaS products that sell into small business markets. The straightforward workflows and e-commerce features support product-led growth motions.

SaaSHero’s paid media management expertise supports smooth transitions to any of these platforms. The team handles CRM integration, tracking, and campaign setup so you protect performance while improving platform ROI.

SaaSHero as Your B2B SaaS Paid Media Partner

SaaSHero focuses on B2B SaaS paid media and growth strategy. The agency uses flat monthly retainers from $1,250 to $7,000 based on ad spend tiers instead of percentage fees. This month-to-month model removes long-term contract risk and keeps incentives aligned with revenue growth.

Over 100 B2B SaaS Companies Have Grown With SaaS Hero
Over 100 B2B SaaS Companies Have Grown With SaaS Hero

Monthly Ad Spend

Dedicated Manager (Month-to-Month)

Full Marketing Team

Up to $10k

$1,250

$2,500

$10k – $25k

$1,750

$3,000

$25k – $50k

$2,250

$3,500

$50k+

$3,250

$4,500

SaaSHero’s process covers account audits, campaign builds, tracking setup, and ongoing performance tuning. Client TripMaster added $504,758 in Net New ARR with these paid media strategies and saw a 650% ROI from improved execution. Book a discovery call today to explore similar growth paths.

TripMaster adds $504,758 in Net New ARR in One Year
TripMaster adds $504,758 in Net New ARR in One Year

Scenario-Based Platform Picks and Migration Steps

Platform choice depends on stage, budget, and growth goals. Bootstrapped startups often pair EngageBay’s generous free tier with SaaSHero’s $1,250 monthly management for professional execution. Growth-stage teams feeling HubSpot pricing pressure usually move to Zoho CRM or ActiveCampaign, with migrations that finish in about 2–3 weeks when planned well.

Scaling SaaS companies that sell into enterprise accounts benefit from Demandbase or 6sense. These tools connect to existing CRMs and provide richer intent data and account intelligence than HubSpot’s basic ABM features.

A practical migration checklist includes full HubSpot data export, field mapping into the new schema, documentation and rebuild of automation, integration testing, team training, and a short period of parallel operation. Gartner’s guidance supports detailed planning and phased rollouts to reduce disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest HubSpot alternative for SaaS startups?

EngageBay offers the most complete free tier, with CRM, email, and basic automation. For paid plans, ActiveCampaign starts at $15 per month for up to 1,000 contacts and delivers advanced automation at a fraction of HubSpot’s cost. Paired with SaaSHero’s $1,250 monthly management, startups gain expert-level execution without enterprise pricing.

How long does HubSpot migration typically take?

Most HubSpot migrations take 2–4 weeks, depending on data volume and automation complexity. Large enterprise projects with many workflows can extend to 6–8 weeks.

Which platform offers the strongest ABM compared to HubSpot?

Demandbase and 6sense both exceed HubSpot in ABM depth. They provide advanced intent data, predictive account scoring, and programmatic advertising. Demandbase stands out for multi-channel orchestration. 6sense excels at sales intelligence and buying stage prediction. Both require higher investment but usually deliver better results for mid-market SaaS teams targeting enterprise buyers.

Are there completely free HubSpot alternatives?

EngageBay offers the most capable free option, with unlimited contacts, basic CRM, email, and simple automation. Zoho CRM also has a free edition for small teams that need core pipeline management. Most serious SaaS companies outgrow free plans within 6–12 months and then gain more value from paid tiers plus professional management.

What ROI can I expect from working with SaaSHero?

SaaSHero clients often see 300–650% ROI within 12 months through expert paid media and growth strategy. Recent examples include $504k in Net New ARR and 80-day payback periods for venture-backed SaaS companies.

Conclusion: Lower Costs and Stronger Fit Than HubSpot

No single platform fits every SaaS company, yet the right mix of tools and expert implementation usually beats HubSpot’s cost-to-value ratio. SaaSHero helps you choose platforms that match your motion and then manages a smooth migration tied to revenue goals.

Book a discovery call for your free migration audit to see how a better stack can cut CAC and grow Net New ARR. SaaSHero’s proven methodology turns marketing technology decisions into measurable revenue outcomes for ambitious SaaS teams.