Introduction
If you’re running a digital marketing agency, small business, or freelance operation, your CRM and automation tools determine the speed, efficiency, and scalability of your business. You’ve likely come across HubSpot’s Free CRM — an incredibly popular starting point for businesses that need contact management, emails, forms, and basic automation.
On the other hand, there’s GoHighLevel (GHL) — an all-in-one automation, marketing, CRM, and client management platform designed specifically for agencies and digital entrepreneurs. With features like SaaS Mode, white labeling, multi-channel automation, client accounts, pipelines, and funnels, it serves as a full business operating system.
Table of Contents
So the big question is:
GoHighLevel vs HubSpot Free: Does the Free Plan Stand a Chance?
This in-depth comparison shows you how both tools stack up, what you actually get in the free plan, and whether upgrading to GoHighLevel is worth it.
Let’s dive in.
1. Overview: What Do Both Platforms Offer?
What Is GoHighLevel?
GoHighLevel is a complete marketing & sales automation platform created for agencies and businesses that want to consolidate tools. It replaces:
- Email marketing tools
- SMS platforms
- CRM
- Sales pipelines
- Funnels & landing pages
- Booking systems
- Reputation management
- Website builders
- Automation services
- Client portals
- White-label tools
- SaaS platforms
It’s an all-in-one system, not just a CRM.
What Is HubSpot Free?
HubSpot’s Free CRM is a lightweight, entry-level version of the HubSpot ecosystem. It provides:
- Contact management
- Forms
- Email marketing (very limited)
- Live chat
- Basic reporting
- Deals/pipeline
- Ad tracking
- Limited automation
HubSpot Free is excellent for beginners, startups, and simple needs — but it is not an all-in-one marketing platform unless you upgrade to paid plans.
2. GoHighLevel vs HubSpot Free: Feature Comparison
Here is a feature-by-feature breakdown to determine which platform performs better across critical business functions.
2.1 CRM & Contact Management
GoHighLevel CRM
- Lead capture
- Advanced segmentation
- Tagging, scoring, categorization
- Smart lists
- Pipelines
- Multi-channel communication (SMS, email, WhatsApp, calls)
- Custom fields
- Automated follow-ups
HubSpot Free CRM
- Basic contact management
- Deals/pipeline
- Activity timeline
- Email tracking
- Limited custom fields
- No built-in SMS
Winner: GoHighLevel
HubSpot Free is solid for startups, but GHL offers a true multi-channel CRM built for high-volume marketing.
2.2 Automation & Workflows
GoHighLevel Automation
One of GHL’s strongest suits:
- Advanced workflows
- Triggers & sequences
- Multi-channel automation (SMS, WhatsApp, email, calls)
- Autoresponders
- AI appointment booking
- Condition-based logic
- Lead nurturing
- Missed call text back
- Auto-tagging, scoring, routing
HubSpot Free Automation
With the free plan, automation is extremely limited:
- Basic email autoresponder
- Simple form follow-ups
- No SMS automation
- No workflow builder
- No advanced triggers
Advanced workflows require HubSpot Starter, Professional, or Enterprise, which become expensive quickly.
Winner: GoHighLevel (by a huge margin)
If automation is essential, the HubSpot Free plan falls far behind.
2.3 Marketing & Campaigns
GoHighLevel Marketing Tools
- Email campaigns
- Broadcast SMS
- WhatsApp messaging
- Ringless voicemails
- Funnels & landing pages
- Websites
- A/B testing
- Social media scheduler
- Lead capture forms
- Custom reporting
HubSpot Free Marketing Tools
- Basic email marketing
- Forms
- Limited email templates
- Ad tracking
- Lead capture popups
- Limited analytics
Winner: GoHighLevel
GoHighLevel offers a full marketing suite; HubSpot Free provides only the basics.
2.4 Funnels, Websites & Landing Pages
GoHighLevel
- Funnel builder
- Drag-and-drop pages
- Full website builder
- Unlimited funnels
- Templates
- Tracking & A/B testing
HubSpot Free
- No funnel builder
- Limited landing page options
- Website tools require paid plans
Winner: GoHighLevel
HubSpot Free does not compete in this category.
2.5 Client Management & Agency Features
This is where the difference becomes huge.
GoHighLevel Agency Tools
- Client sub-accounts
- White label portal
- Client onboarding tools
- Client workflow templates
- Client pipelines
- Resell automation (SaaS Mode)
- Offer your own software-as-a-service
HubSpot Free
- No client accounts
- No white label
- No SaaS mode
- No reseller tools
Winner: GoHighLevel
For agencies, HubSpot Free is not built for client delivery.
2.6 SaaS Mode (GoHighLevel Exclusive)
One of GoHighLevel’s biggest advantages is SaaS Mode, which allows you to:
- Sell automation software
- Set your own pricing plans
- Create recurring revenue
- Offer white-labeled CRM tools
- Auto-suspend non-paying users
- Build your own software business
HubSpot does not offer anything comparable — especially not in the free plan.
Winner: GoHighLevel (no contest)
2.7 White Labeling
GoHighLevel White Label
- White label CRM
- Custom domain
- Custom apps
- White label mobile app
- Custom branding for clients
HubSpot Free
- No white label capabilities
- HubSpot branding everywhere
Winner: GoHighLevel
3. GoHighLevel vs HubSpot Free: Pricing Comparison
GoHighLevel Pricing
(At the time of writing)
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $97/mo | CRM, funnels, automation, email/SMS |
| Pro | $297/mo | Unlimited accounts, white label, more automation |
| SaaS Mode | $497/mo | Sell software, upgrade clients automatically |
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HubSpot Free Pricing
- $0 forever
- Very limited features
- Advanced marketing/contact tools require paid upgrades
HubSpot Paid Plans (for comparison)
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $30–$50/mo | Still limited |
| Professional | $800–$1,600/mo | Required for full automation |
| Enterprise | $3,600+/mo | Advanced features |
Reality Check:
To match GoHighLevel’s automation, CRM, marketing, and funnels, you would need Professional HubSpot plans, which start at over $800/month.
Winner: GoHighLevel
HubSpot Free seems appealing, but once you upgrade to match GHL features, GoHighLevel becomes significantly more affordable.
4. Pros & Cons
GoHighLevel Pros
- True all-in-one platform
- Full CRM with automation
- Funnels, websites, landing pages
- Multi-channel messaging
- White labeling
- SaaS Mode (build your own software)
- Affordable compared to HubSpot
- Built for agencies and marketing teams
- Unlimited client accounts
- Saves $800–$2,000/month in tool consolidation
GoHighLevel Cons
- Slight learning curve
- UI can feel overwhelming at first
- Requires time to set up workflows
HubSpot Free Pros
- $0 cost
- Clean interface
- Good for beginners
- Basic CRM works well
- Email marketing included
- Easy to adopt
HubSpot Free Cons
- Very limited automation
- No SMS
- No funnels
- No white labeling
- No SaaS mode
- Basic features require expensive upgrades
- Not ideal for agencies
5. Real-World Scenario Comparisons
Scenario: You want to automate lead nurturing
- GoHighLevel: Multi-step automation with SMS, email, triggers
- HubSpot Free: Only very basic email autoresponders
Scenario: You need a CRM + funnel system
- GoHighLevel: All built-in
- HubSpot Free: Requires additional tools (ClickFunnels, Leadpages, etc.)
Scenario: You want to run an agency with client accounts
- GoHighLevel: Perfect for this
- HubSpot Free: Not designed for agencies
Scenario: You want to build passive recurring revenue
- GoHighLevel: SaaS mode lets you resell software
- HubSpot Free: Not possible
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is GoHighLevel better than HubSpot Free?
Yes — for automation, CRM functionality, landing pages, client management, and marketing tools, GoHighLevel far surpasses HubSpot Free.
2. Is HubSpot Free good?
Yes, but only for simple needs like basic CRM, emails, and forms. It is not suitable for agencies or advanced automation.
3. Does HubSpot Free have automation?
Minimal automation. To get robust automation, you’d need expensive Professional or Enterprise plans.
4. Can HubSpot Free replace GoHighLevel?
No — GoHighLevel includes funnels, websites, SMS, client accounts, SaaS mode, and powerful automation that HubSpot Free cannot match.
5. Does GoHighLevel replace HubSpot?
Yes. Most agencies switch from HubSpot to GoHighLevel to reduce costs and consolidate tools.
6. Does GoHighLevel have affiliate opportunities?
Yes! GoHighLevel has a strong affiliate program with recurring commissions
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7. Final Verdict
So… GoHighLevel vs HubSpot Free: Does the Free Plan Stand a Chance?
Honestly — no.
HubSpot Free is great if you only need a simple CRM with basic email marketing. But if you’re a digital agency, freelancer, or small business owner who needs:
- Automation
- Funnels
- Websites
- Multi-channel communication
- White label tools
- Client accounts
- SaaS mode
- Advanced pipelines
- Unified dashboards
Then HubSpot Free isn’t enough.
GoHighLevel is a complete all-in-one platform — and the cost savings from tool consolidation make it the clear winner.
If you want to scale, automate, and grow, GoHighLevel delivers far more value.
Start Your Free GoHighLevel Trial
Ready to upgrade your CRM, automation, and client delivery system?
👉 Start your free GoHighLevel trial here:
https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=vinoth-62
Get 30 Days Free Trial + Free Live Bootcamp to Launch HighLevel Together
