HubSpot Marketing Hub is one of the six Hubs (i.e., packages) offered by HubSpot, along with Sales Hub, Service Hub, CMS Hub, Operations Hub, Content Hub, and Commerce Hub.
The Marketing Hub, as its name suggests, focuses on email marketing automation and a few other features that’ll make your life easier.
- This post will break down HubSpot Marketing Hub features and pricing and compare it with two of its main alternatives.
- By the end of this piece, you will have a good understanding of what you need to consider before investing in the hub or one of its alternatives.
With this being said, let’s dive in!
Contents
What is HubSpot Marketing Hub?
HubSpot Marketing Hub is the marketing set of features offered in the CRM, and it helps you with all of your marketing efforts.
The Marketing Hub is arguably the most used and helpful Hub after the Sales Hub. It contains a plethora of marketing-focused features such as workflow automation, social media, and more.
What HubSpot’s Marketing Hub Offers
All HubSpot hubs are broken down into three pricing packages: Starter, Professional, and Enterprise. The focus of this article will be the Marketing Hub Professional plan.
Let’s take a look at their plans.
1. Starter Plan
The Starter plan doesn’t offer many features compared to the Free Tools plan. With the Starter plan, you are getting rid of HubSpot branding on your marketing emails, forms, landing pages, and live chat. Still, you don’t get any additional marketing features.
2. Enterprise Plan
The Enterprise plan contains several critical features like “Behavioral event triggers and reporting” (vital for SaaS companies) and Custom objects.
- Unfortunately, the Enterprise plan starts at $43,200 per year, paid yearly in advance for just 10,000 marketing contacts.
- Additional marketing contacts are sold in increments of 10,000 for $100/month.
With that pricing level, the Enterprise plan is simply not accessible for anyone but…well, enterprise companies.
3. Professional Plan
This leaves us with the HubSpot Marketing Hub Professional plan — the core marketing offering of HubSpot. It contains the signature workflows (i.e., “Omni-channel marketing automation”) — undoubtedly the most important HubSpot marketing feature.
HubSpot Marketing Hub Professional starts at
Learn More: HubSpot’s Pricing, Explained.
Why Look for a HubSpot Marketing Hub Alternative?
The biggest reason businesses move away from HubSpot Marketing Hub is cost.
HubSpot locks essential marketing automation behind high-tier plans, forcing you to pay for features you might never use.
Encharge solves this problem by giving you advanced automation at a fraction of HubSpot’s price. You get behavior-based workflows, deep integrations, and unlimited automation—without the extra cost of a built-in CRM you don’t need.
Let’s break down the top 4 reasons.
1. High Cost for Small Businesses
HubSpot’s pricing can be steep, especially for startups or small businesses. Many alternatives offer similar features at a fraction of the cost.
Even with the free plan, essential features like advanced automation and reporting require expensive upgrades, making it hard for small teams to scale affordably.
2. Limited Customization Options
While HubSpot is user-friendly, it lacks deep customization in workflows and automation, which some businesses need for more tailored marketing strategies.
Many alternatives provide more flexible automation rules, deeper integrations, and the ability to fine-tune campaigns to fit unique business needs.
3. Feature Overload for Simple Needs
Not every business needs HubSpot’s full suite of tools. Lighter alternatives provide essential marketing features without unnecessary complexity.
Smaller teams often find themselves paying for features they don’t use, leading to wasted resources and a steeper learning curve.
4. Data and Contact Limitations
HubSpot’s tiered pricing limits contacts and features, forcing users to upgrade for more capacity. Some alternatives offer unlimited contacts and better data flexibility.
Businesses with large email lists or high-volume marketing campaigns can quickly hit expensive limits, making other platforms a better long-term choice.
Listed: 6 HubSpot Marketing Hub Alternatives for Automation
Currently, these are the best HubSpot alternatives for Marketing: Encharge, Active Campaign and Brevo.
Encharge ranks #1 for integration and affordability.
Let’s break down each app!
1. Encharge
G2: 4.7/5 ⭐ (315+ reviews)
Capterra: 4.9/5 ⭐ (258+ reviews)
Encharge is an email marketing automation platform that helps businesses send targeted emails and automate customer journeys. It integrates with various tools to personalize emails based on user behavior.
Teams use it to improve engagement, nurture leads, and drive conversions
Key Features:
- Behavior-driven email automation
- Drag-and-drop workflow builder
- Deep CRM and tool integrations
Encharge focuses solely on marketing automation, providing a streamlined experience without unnecessary features.
Pros:
- Affordable compared to HubSpot
- User-friendly interface
- Seamless integration capabilities
Cons: Lacks a built-in CRM, like HubSpot’s
Pricing:
- Starter: $59/month (2,000 subscribers)
- Growth: $99/month (5,000 subscribers)
- Scale: Custom pricing
How does Encharge compare to HubSpot Marketing Hub?
Encharge offers comprehensive marketing automation at a more accessible price point, focusing on essential features without the added complexity of a built-in CRM. This makes it a cost-effective choice for businesses seeking robust automation without the overhead of additional tools.
Encharge even integrates with HubSpot. Users prefer it because it is a 10x cheaper HubSpot alternative for marketing.
You can further read the HubSpot vs Encharge comparison here.
2. ActiveCampaign
G2: 4.6/5 ⭐
Capterra: 4.5/5 ⭐
ActiveCampaign is a customer experience automation platform that combines email marketing, CRM, and automation. It helps businesses send personalized emails, track customer interactions, and automate workflows.
Its advanced segmentation and AI-driven features improve engagement and conversions.
Key Features:
- Advanced automation workflows
- Integrated sales and marketing CRM
- Lead scoring and segmentation
ActiveCampaign combines email marketing with CRM functionalities, catering to businesses seeking an all-in-one solution.
Pros:
- Comprehensive feature set
- Suitable for sales and marketing alignment
- Extensive integration options
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve
- Higher cost at scale
Pricing:
- Enterprise – $145/month, for large-scale campaigns with enterprise support.
- Pro – $79/month, full omnichannel marketing automation.
- Plus – $49/month, advanced automation and customer insights.
- Starter – $15/month, basic personalized marketing campaigns.
How does ActiveCampaign compare to HubSpot Marketing Hub?
ActiveCampaign provides a more customizable experience with advanced automation and CRM features.
While it may require more time to master, it offers greater flexibility and can be more cost-effective for businesses that need both marketing automation and CRM capabilities.
3. Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)
G2: 4.5/5 ⭐
Capterra: 4.6/5 ⭐
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) is an all-in-one marketing platform offering email marketing, SMS, chat, and automation. It helps businesses build relationships, automate campaigns, and manage customer interactions.
With its CRM and segmentation tools, it streamlines communication and boosts engagement.
Key Features:
- Email and SMS marketing
- Transactional emails
- Basic marketing automation
Brevo offers a user-friendly platform combining email and SMS marketing, suitable for small to medium-sized businesses.
Pros:
- Affordable pricing plans
- Unlimited contacts
- Easy-to-use interface
Cons:
- Limited advanced automation features
- Fewer integrations compared to competitors
Pricing:
- Free – $0/month, 300 emails/day, customizable templates, and basic tools.
- Starter – From $9/month, 5,000+ emails/month, no daily limit, basic analytics.
- Business – From $18/month, marketing automation, AI, A/B testing, and phone support.
- Enterprise – Custom pricing, unlimited contacts, advanced integrations, and premium support.
How does Brevo compare to HubSpot Marketing Hub?
Brevo provides essential marketing tools at a fraction of HubSpot’s cost, making it ideal for businesses seeking straightforward email and SMS campaigns without the need for extensive automation or CRM features.
4. GetResponse
G2: 4.3/5 ⭐
Capterra: 4.2/5 ⭐
GetResponse is an email marketing and automation platform that helps businesses send emails, build landing pages, and create automated funnels. It includes tools for webinars, e-commerce, and AI-powered campaign optimization.
Marketers use it to grow audiences, nurture leads, and increase conversions.
Key Features:
- Email marketing
- Webinars
- Landing pages
- Marketing automation
GetResponse is a comprehensive marketing platform offering a suite of tools to help businesses grow online.
Pros:
- Integrated webinar hosting
- Advanced automation capabilities
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- Pricing increases with list size
- Some features may be overwhelming for beginners
Pricing:
- Starter – $19/mo ($16.15/mo yearly), unlimited email marketing, autoresponders, landing pages, and automation.
- Marketer – $59/mo ($50.15/mo yearly), advanced automation, cart recovery, promo codes, and sales funnels.
- Creator – $69/mo ($58.65/mo yearly), online courses, student app, webinars, and premium newsletters.
- Enterprise – Custom pricing, priority support, dedicated IP, SSO, SMS, and AI recommendations.
How does GetResponse compare to HubSpot Marketing Hub?
GetResponse offers a wide range of marketing tools, including webinar hosting and landing page creation, at a more affordable price point than HubSpot, making it suitable for businesses looking for an all-in-one solution without the high cost.
5. Zoho Marketing Automation
G2: 4.2/5 ⭐
Capterra: 4.6/5 ⭐
Zoho Marketing Automation is a customer engagement platform that helps businesses automate email campaigns, track leads, and personalize marketing efforts. It integrates with Zoho’s ecosystem and third-party tools to optimize customer journeys.
Businesses use it to improve lead nurturing, segmentation, and conversion rates.
Key Features:
- Lead management
- Email marketing
- Social media marketing
- Web behavior tracking
Zoho Marketing Automation provides a suite of tools designed to streamline marketing efforts across multiple channels.
Pros:
- Comprehensive feature set
- Seamless integration with other Zoho products
- Affordable pricing
Cons:
- Interface can be complex for new users
- Limited third-party integrations
Pricing:
- Standard – $19/month, 10 users, basic contact management, segmentation, and signup forms.
- Professional – $29/month, 15 users, advanced segmentation, journey builder, and reports.
- Enterprise – $59/month, 25 users, lead attribution, full journey builder, and X-RAY tracing.
How does Zoho Marketing Automation compare to HubSpot Marketing Hub?
Zoho offers a cost-effective alternative with a robust set of features, especially for businesses already using Zoho’s ecosystem.
However, it may require a learning curve to fully utilize its capabilities.
6. Mailchimp
G2: 4.4/5 ⭐
Capterra: 4.5/5 ⭐
Mailchimp is an email marketing and automation platform designed for businesses to create, send, and analyze email campaigns. It offers AI-powered tools, audience segmentation, and marketing automation to improve engagement.
Users leverage it for newsletters, e-commerce promotions, and customer retention.
Key Features:
- Email marketing
- Audience segmentation
- A/B testing
- Basic automation
Mailchimp is a widely-used email marketing platform known for its user-friendly interface and extensive template library.
Pros:
- Generous free plan
- Wide variety of templates
- Ease of use
Cons:
- Limited advanced automation features
- Pricing can become high with larger contact lists
Pricing:
- Premium – $350/month, unlimited seats, advanced automation, priority support, and dedicated onboarding.
- Standard – $20/month, 5 seats, enhanced automations, AI tools, and advanced reporting.
- Essentials – $13/month, 3 seats, email marketing, A/B testing, and basic automation.
- Free – $0/month, 1 seat, limited email marketing, and basic support for 30 days.
How does Mailchimp compare to HubSpot Marketing Hub?
Mailchimp offers a more affordable entry point for email marketing with a focus on simplicity and ease of use. However, for businesses seeking advanced automation and CRM features, HubSpot may offer more comprehensive solutions.
The Cheapest HubSpot Marketing Hub Alternative
If you’re looking for a HubSpot Marketing Hub alternative that doesn’t break the bank, Encharge is your best bet.
It delivers powerful marketing automation without the bloated pricing of HubSpot.
Many businesses move away from HubSpot because they don’t need an overpriced CRM tied to their marketing automation.
They just want a tool that helps them send the right message at the right time—without paying extra for unnecessary features. That’s where Encharge wins.
Why People Choose Encharge Over HubSpot
- Lower Cost, More Automation – Encharge gives you full automation for a fraction of what HubSpot charges.
- No Locked-In CRM – Use it with your existing CRM (or none at all).
- Fast & Easy Setup – Get workflows running in minutes, not weeks.
- Scales with Your Business – Whether you’re a startup or scaling, you only pay for what you need.
With behavior-based automation, deep integrations, and a user-friendly interface, Encharge is the best choice for businesses that want HubSpot-level automation without the premium price tag.
How We Selected These Tools
Picking the best alternatives to HubSpot Marketing Hub wasn’t about listing random email platforms. We focused on real business needs, such as: automation, pricing, ease of use, and flexibility.
Here’s how we did it:
1. Prioritized Marketing Automation Over CRM
HubSpot Marketing Hub is part of a bigger CRM ecosystem, which drives up costs for businesses that only need marketing automation.
- We selected tools that put automation first…
- Giving you email sequences, behavior-based triggers, and workflow builders without forcing you to pay for an unnecessary CRM.
If a platform included CRM features, we made sure it was optional, not a requirement.
2. Focused on Cost vs. Features
HubSpot is expensive because it bundles marketing, sales, and customer service tools under one roof. Many businesses don’t need all that.
We picked alternatives that provide great automation at a fair price:
- Meaning you only pay for what you actually use.
- Some platforms offer unlimited contacts and pay-per-email pricing (Brevo), while others scale affordably with your business (Encharge).
3. Considered Ease of Use & Setup Time
A marketing platform is only useful if you can actually set up campaigns quickly. We prioritized tools with intuitive dashboards, drag-and-drop builders, and clear workflows.
Some options, like Mailchimp and Brevo, are beginner-friendly, while others, like ActiveCampaign, offer advanced customization but take longer to learn.
4. Checked Integration & Scalability
Marketing doesn’t happen in isolation—you need tools that work with your CRM, eCommerce platform, and analytics.
We only included alternatives that offer strong third-party integrations, API access, and flexible workflows. Whether you want a tool that works out of the box (GetResponse, Zoho) or one that scales with your business (Encharge, ActiveCampaign), we made sure you won’t get stuck in a closed ecosystem.
How to Choose the Best HubSpot Marketing Hub Alternative
Not all marketing automation tools are the same. The right alternative depends on your specific business needs, budget, and workflow.
Here’s how to decide.
1. Do You Need a Built-In CRM?
HubSpot Marketing Hub is deeply tied to its CRM, which drives up costs. If you already use a separate CRM (like Salesforce, Pipedrive, or Zoho CRM), you don’t need to pay extra for another one.
- If you want a full CRM + marketing automation: → ActiveCampaign
- If you only need marketing automation without a CRM: → Encharge or GetResponse
2. What’s Your Budget?
HubSpot gets expensive fast, especially when you scale. Many alternatives offer more automation for less money.
- If you need a budget-friendly alternative: → Brevo (pay per email, not per contact)
- If you want powerful automation at a fair price: → Encharge (best value for automation-focused businesses)
- If you don’t mind paying for advanced CRM + automation: → ActiveCampaign
3. How Advanced Do You Need Your Automation?
Some businesses need simple email sequences, while others want behavior-based automation that reacts to user actions in real-time.
- If you need advanced automation with behavioral triggers: → Encharge
- If you need detailed CRM-driven automation: → ActiveCampaign
- If you want basic automation with email marketing: → Mailchimp or Brevo
4. Do You Need Extra Features Like Webinars or Landing Pages?
HubSpot bundles webinars, forms, and landing pages, but you can find better alternatives for those features elsewhere.
- If you want built-in webinar hosting: → GetResponse
- If you need marketing automation + landing pages: → Zoho Marketing Automation
- If you only need email & automation without extras: → Encharge or ActiveCampaign
All HubSpot Marketing Alternatives, Compared
| Encharge | Active Campaign | Brevo | Get Response | Zoho | Mailchimp | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $59/month | $15/month | $9/month | $19/month | $19/month | $13/month |
| Automation | Advanced | Advanced | Basic | Moderate | Moderate | Basic |
| Built-in CRM | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| Ease of Use | Easy | Moderate | Easy | Easy | Difficult | Easy |
| Best For | Automation-focused businesses | CRM + Marketing Automation | Budget-conscious businesses | All-in-one marketing | Zoho ecosystem users | Simple email marketing |
| Email & SMS Marketing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Segmentation | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Scalability | High | High | Moderate | High | High | Moderate |
| Integrations | Extensive | Extensive | Moderate | Moderate | Strong (within Zoho) | Moderate |
Winner: Encharge.
The comparison table highlights the key factors that matter when choosing a HubSpot Marketing Hub alternative.
Instead of just listing features, it focuses on pricing, automation capabilities, integrations, and scalability — the most critical aspects for businesses looking to switch.
Why Encharge is the #1 HubSpot Marketing Alternative
Encharge stands out because it delivers powerful automation at a fraction of HubSpot’s cost—without locking you into an expensive CRM.
Unlike other platforms that either lack advanced automation (like Brevo and Mailchimp) or bundle unnecessary CRM tools (like ActiveCampaign and Zoho), Encharge focuses solely on behavior-driven marketing automation.
It’s easy to use, affordable, and scales with your business, making it the best choice for startups, SaaS companies, and businesses that want high-level automation without bloated pricing.
The Bottom Line
The best HubSpot Marketing Hub alternative depends on your needs. If you want the most powerful automation without CRM bloat, Encharge is your best bet.
If you’re switching from HubSpot, the best alternative depends on your goals:
- For pure marketing automation: → Encharge
- For a HubSpot-like experience with CRM: → ActiveCampaign
- For a low-cost email & automation tool: → Brevo
- For all-in-one marketing (webinars, landing pages, etc.): → GetResponse or Zoho
Pick a tool that fits your business—not one that forces you to pay for features you don’t need.
FAQ: HubSpot Marketing Alternatives
1. What is the best alternative to HubSpot’s Marketing Hub?
The best alternative to HubSpot’s Marketing Hub is Encharge because it offers powerful automation, flexible pricing, and no hidden fees.
Unlike HubSpot, which gets more expensive as your contact list grows, Encharge provides full marketing automation at a fraction of the cost.
2. Why is HubSpot marketing so expensive?
HubSpot marketing is expensive because you pay more as your contact list grows, with costs increasing rapidly as you scale. Essential features like automation, reporting, and integrations are locked behind high-tier plans, forcing you to upgrade just to access basic tools.
Encharge offers transparent pricing, full automation, and no skyrocketing costs, making it a smarter, more affordable alternative.
- Costs increase sharply as contacts grow.
- Essential features require costly upgrades.
- Hidden fees make scaling expensive.
- Encharge provides full automation at a lower, predictable price.
Save money and scale affordably—switch to Encharge today!
3. What’s cheaper than HubSpot Marketing Hub?
If you’re looking for a cheaper yet powerful alternative to HubSpot Marketing Hub, Encharge is the best choice.
- HubSpot locks advanced automation, reporting, and integrations behind expensive plans, forcing you to upgrade for essential features.
- Encharge gives you full marketing automation, email sequences, and user segmentation at a fraction of the cost—without hidden fees or unnecessary complexity.
Unlike HubSpot, where pricing scales aggressively as your contacts grow, Encharge offers flexible, scalable plans designed to keep costs low while maximizing performance.
Thank you so much for reading this,
David Ch
Head of Marketing at Encharge
