If you are a small or mid sized business shopping for a CRM, you are probably hearing the same two safe names over and over: HubSpot and Salesforce.
They are both well known platforms, and for certain organizations, they can be the right choice.
But for many SMBs, the goal is not choosing the most recognizable brand.
It is choosing a CRM that actually works for their daily reality.
Most small businesses are looking for a system that helps them:
- Get their team up and running quickly
- Keep pricing predictable as they grow
- Adapt the CRM to their process (without turning every change into a project)
- Avoid the trap of needing three add ons and a consultant
That is where Claritysoft often stands apart.
The Quick Take
Claritysoft Best for SMBs that want straightforward setup, strong customization, and predictable per user pricing without relying on a full time CRM administrator.
HubSpot A broad platform with many capabilities, but one that can become fragmented and costly as teams move beyond basic use.
Salesforce Exceptionally powerful and scalable, but often heavier to implement and manage than most small businesses need.
1) Pricing: Predictable vs. It Depends
Let us start with publicly listed pricing.
Claritysoft Claritysoft offers clear per user tiers at $49 / $59 / $69 per user per month (billed annually), making it easier for small businesses to forecast costs as they grow.
HubSpot HubSpot pricing is organized by hubs (Sales, Marketing, Service, and Content) with each having its own tier structure. While entry level plans can appear affordable, costs often rise quickly when teams need automation, reporting, or advanced functionality.
As more hubs and seats are added, budgeting becomes less predictable.
Salesforce Salesforce Starter Suite begins at $25 per user per month, offering an accessible entry point. However, many businesses outgrow this tier and move into more complex editions that require additional configuration and ongoing administration.
What this means for SMBs Low entry pricing can look appealing. But for many small businesses, predictable long term cost matters more than the cheapest starting point, and that is where Claritysoft tends to be easier to plan around.
2) Time to Value: How Quickly Your Team Becomes Productive
A CRM only delivers value when people use it consistently.
With HubSpot, many teams find that while basic tasks are easy to start, meaningful workflows, automation, and reporting often require upgrading plans or navigating multiple hubs. This can slow adoption once teams move beyond the basics.
Salesforce, while extremely capable, often involves a steeper learning curve and more upfront setup before users feel comfortable.
Claritysoft focuses on helping teams become productive quickly with core CRM functionality available from the start and fewer barriers between setup and daily use.
SMB reality: A CRM that is easy to operate daily will outperform a more complex system that users avoid.
3) Customization: Making the CRM Fit Your Process
Small businesses evolve quickly. Sales processes change, teams grow, and workflows shift.
Salesforce Offers deep customization, but that flexibility often requires technical expertise. Even small changes can involve configuration rules, testing, or admin support.
HubSpot Allows customization, but many advanced capabilities, especially automation and reporting, are tied to higher tier plans. Teams may feel limited unless they upgrade.
Claritysoft Emphasizes practical customization across editions, allowing teams to adjust pipelines, fields, and workflows without introducing technical complexity.
Why this matters for SMBs Most small businesses do not want endless configuration options. They want the freedom to adjust their CRM without slowing operations or increasing costs.
4) The Growing Team Reality: 10 Users and Real Sales Needs
Many SMBs quickly reach a point where they need:
- Automation
- Clear pipeline visibility
- Leadership level reporting
- Consistency across the sales team
Using common list pricing:
- Claritysoft Accelerator: $59 × 10 users = $590/month
- HubSpot Sales Hub Professional: $100 × 10 seats = $1,000/month
- Salesforce Starter Suite: $25 × 10 users = $250/month (entry tier)
While Salesforce may appear least expensive initially, many teams outgrow the Starter Suite and require more advanced editions.
HubSpot professional tiers provide strong functionality but at a noticeably higher cost for growing teams.
Claritysoft sits in the middle, balancing functionality with cost control.
5) Support and Ongoing Ownership
One of the most overlooked CRM considerations is long term ownership.
Beyond licensing costs, teams also invest time in:
- Maintaining workflows
- Training new hires
- Fixing broken processes
- Keeping data clean and consistent
Salesforce often requires dedicated administrative oversight or outside consultants to manage changes.
HubSpot can reduce some complexity early on, but as additional hubs and advanced features are introduced, ongoing management and support needs often increase.
Claritysoft is designed around simpler ownership, helping teams stay flexible without creating dependency on consultants or internal specialists. Every Claritysoft user also has access to free, unlimited US based phone support, ensuring questions are answered quickly by real people who understand the platform.
For small and mid sized businesses, that level of direct, reliable support can make a meaningful difference in both adoption and long term success.
Bottom Line: Why Claritysoft Is the Best Choice for SMBs
For small and mid sized businesses, the best CRM usually is not the one with the most features.
It is the one that delivers:
✅ Fast adoption
✅ Customization without complexity
✅ Predictable pricing
✅ Consistent daily use
HubSpot is a strong option for businesses that want a broad platform and are comfortable navigating multiple hubs and rising costs.
Salesforce is a strong option for organizations building toward enterprise level operations.
But for most SMBs that want a CRM that is powerful, flexible, and realistic for how small teams actually work, Claritysoft is the stronger fit.
