When it comes to Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, GoHighLevel (often called HighLevel) and HubSpot are two powerful platforms that offer a wide range of features to help businesses streamline their marketing, sales, and customer service processes.
While both tools aim to achieve similar outcomes, they cater to different types of businesses and use cases.
In this blog post, we’ll break down the key features of HighLevel and HubSpot, comparing their strengths, pricing, and ideal users, so you can make the right choice for your business.
1. Core Features
HighLevel
HighLevel is designed primarily for digital marketing agencies and offers a complete suite of marketing tools under one roof.
It focuses heavily on automation and client management, making it easier for agencies to provide a comprehensive service to their clients.
- All-in-One Marketing Platform: Includes email marketing, SMS marketing, landing page builders, funnel creation, appointment booking, and more.
- White-label Solution: HighLevel CRM allows agencies to brand the platform as their own and resell services.
- Automation & Workflow Builder: Custom automation for client management, lead nurturing, and follow-up sequences.
- Client Communication Hub: Combines messaging across platforms (SMS, email, Facebook Messenger) into one inbox.
- Funnel & Website Builder: Built-in tools for creating sales funnels and websites tailored for lead generation.
HubSpot
HubSpot is a robust CRM platform with tools for marketing, sales, customer service, and content management.
HubSpot is well-suited for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises, and offers an intuitive user experience.
- Marketing Automation: Features email marketing, social media scheduling, lead nurturing, and analytics.
- CRM & Sales Hub: Full-featured CRM for tracking leads, contacts, deals, and reporting.
- Service Hub: Provides ticketing, live chat, and customer support automation.
- CMS Hub: Manage your website with HubSpot’s content management system for inbound marketing.
- Extensive Integrations: HubSpot integrates with hundreds of third-party apps, making it highly versatile.
2. Ease of Use
HighLevel
HighLevel is tailored for agencies looking to provide extensive marketing services under one platform.
The user interface may take some time to learn, particularly for businesses or individuals unfamiliar with white-label platforms or those using more traditional CRMs.
However, once users get accustomed to the platform, its all-in-one nature can significantly simplify operations.
HubSpot
HubSpot is well-known for its user-friendly design and ease of use, especially for businesses new to CRM systems.
It offers an intuitive drag-and-drop editor for emails and workflows, and the CRM is straightforward to navigate.
HubSpot also provides detailed educational resources, including its HubSpot Academy, which is excellent for training.
3. Pricing
HighLevel
HighLevel offers three pricing tiers:
- $97/month: Single account for a business or entrepreneur, including core features like automation and funnel building.
- $297/month: Unlimited sub-accounts for agencies that manage multiple clients, with advanced features like white-labeling and multiple locations.
- $497/month: SaaS Mode for agencies wanting to rebrand HighLevel as their own CRM software and offer it to clients.
While the upfront cost of HighLevel may seem high, it is often more cost-effective for agencies that need an all-in-one platform for client management.
GET 30-DAY FREE TRIAL “Try High-Level CRM with Our Exclusive 30-Day Trial!”
HubSpot
HubSpot offers a free version with limited features, but its paid plans are broken down into three main hubs: Marketing, Sales, and Service. Pricing varies based on the hub and features selected:
- Starter Plans: Begin at $50/month per hub, offering basic marketing and sales tools.
- Professional Plans: Start at $800/month per hub, adding automation, workflows, and advanced reporting.
- Enterprise Plans: From $3,200/month per hub for larger businesses needing customized solutions.
HubSpot’s modular pricing model allows businesses to select the exact tools they need, but costs can add up quickly as you scale.
4. Customization & Flexibility
HighLevel
HighLevel is highly customizable, particularly for marketing agencies. Its white-labeling features allow agencies to offer the platform as their own service, and the platform itself can be tailored with specific workflows, funnels, and automation for different clients. However, its primary focus is on marketing rather than sales or customer service automation, so flexibility in those areas is more limited.
HubSpot
HubSpot is one of the most flexible CRM platforms, with extensive customization options across marketing, sales, and customer service.
It offers custom properties, workflows, and reports, and can integrate seamlessly with third-party apps.
HubSpot’s CRM is also adaptable to a wide range of industries and business models, making it more versatile for various use cases beyond just marketing.
5. Customer Support & Training
HighLevel
HighLevel offers support via email, live chat, and an online help center.
However, since it is designed for agencies, it doesn’t provide the same level of training or onboarding as HubSpot.
Agencies are expected to train their own staff and clients.
HubSpot
HubSpot excels in customer support and training. It provides a vast amount of resources through HubSpot Academy, offering certifications in marketing, sales, and customer service.
Paid plans come with enhanced support options, including live chat, phone support, and dedicated account managers for enterprise clients.
6. Ideal Users
HighLevel
- Best for digital marketing agencies looking for an all-in-one platform to manage marketing services for multiple clients.
- Entrepreneurs who want a comprehensive toolset for funnel building, automation, and client communication.
- Agencies need white-label capabilities to offer CRM and marketing services to their clients under their own brand.
HubSpot
- Best for small to mid-sized businesses looking for a scalable CRM with sales, marketing, and service features.
- Sales-driven teams that need detailed CRM and automation capabilities for lead tracking and nurturing.
- Enterprises requiring complex reporting, integrations, and customer service workflows.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
Both HighLevel and HubSpot are excellent CRM platforms, but they cater to different types of users.
- Choose HighLevel if you’re an agency looking to manage marketing and communications for multiple clients, especially if you want to white-label the platform and resell services.
Its all-in-one solution is particularly useful for those focused on client acquisition, automation, and lead nurturing. - Choose HubSpot if you’re a business looking for a robust CRM with scalable features across marketing, sales, and customer service.
HubSpot’s user-friendly design, extensive integrations, and a broad range of tools make it ideal for businesses of all sizes that need a versatile CRM solution.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your business needs, budget, and whether you prioritize marketing automation (HighLevel) or a full-suite CRM solution (HubSpot).
