Zoho CRM vs HubSpot
Both start free.
Zoho CRM price read 11 OCT 2026 · HubSpot price read 11 OCT 2026
The contenders
Prices are compared only when both are on the same VAT footing.
All prices are in rand. Where a vendor lists in dollars, pounds or euros we convert at R16.53 per US dollar, R21.86 per pound and R18.53 per euro (European Central Bank reference rates, via Frankfurter, 9 OCT 2026).
Side by side
| Measure | Zoho CRMZoho Corporation | HubSpotHubSpot, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Basis | /user /mo | /user /mo |
| Price read | 11 OCT 2026 | 11 OCT 2026 |
| South Africa | ||
| Availability | Available online | Available online |
| Features | ||
| Contact management and follow up reminders | Yes | No |
| Workflow automation | Yes | No |
| Custom email templates | Yes | No |
| Standard reports and dashboards | Yes | No |
| API access and mobile apps | Yes | No |
| Team user licences for colleagues outside sales | Yes | No |
| Contact management and deal pipelines | No | Yes |
| Sales quotes and email tracking | No | Yes |
| Meeting scheduling and email templates | No | Yes |
| Live chat and ticketing | No | Yes |
| Shared inbox and user permissions | No | Yes |
| Reporting dashboard | No | Yes |
| iOS and Android apps | No | Yes |
| Plans | ||
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
In each row the stronger cell is dark and the weaker is grey. A row of ticks appears only where a vendor's page lists the item.
Our detailed comparison
Researched 11 October 2026 from both vendors' own pages
Zoho CRM is the value suite. HubSpot is the easier start with a steeper climb.
Zoho CRM has a free edition for three users and paid editions from about R234 per user per month billed annually, rising to about R870 on Ultimate. HubSpot offers a free CRM for two users, then Starter at about R251 and Professional at about R837. Zoho is the cheaper road at every paid step, and its Enterprise edition costs less than HubSpot Professional. HubSpot is the gentler on ramp.
Choose Zoho CRM if
- You want free for three users and a low cost path as you grow
- You already use Zoho Books or other Zoho products
- You want to add team users for non sales colleagues at a lower licence level
Choose HubSpot if
- You want the gentlest start with a large library of training and community help
- You want marketing, sales and service tools in one platform
- You can plan for a higher Professional tier
| At a glance | Zoho CRM | HubSpot |
|---|---|---|
| Free option | Free for 3 users, free forever | Free CRM for 2 users, no time limit |
| Paid prices | Standard about R234, Professional about R385, Enterprise about R669, Ultimate about R870 per user a month, billed annually | Starter about R251, Professional about R837, Enterprise about R1 255 per user a month |
| VAT | Local taxes such as VAT are added to the price | Not stated on the page |
| User types | Org users and team users | Seats |
| Onboarding | Free onboarding advertised | Training and community library |
| Scope | A customisable CRM within the Zoho suite | A platform across marketing, sales, service and data |
| Founded | Zoho Corporation, 1996 | 2006 |
Pricing compared
Zoho CRM's page is headlined free for three users and promises flexible contracts and free onboarding. Its paid editions are Standard at about R234, Professional at about R385, Enterprise at about R669 and Ultimate at about R870 per user per month billed annually, with local taxes added. HubSpot's Starter begins at about R251 per user, then Professional at about R837 and Enterprise at about R1 255. For a team of five, Zoho Professional comes to about R1 925 a month against about R4 183 on HubSpot Professional.
Features compared
Zoho splits users into org users with full access and team users who can view and annotate records in up to 10 org modules and work fully in team modules, which suits marketing, support, legal and finance colleagues at a lower licence cost. HubSpot's seats are simpler and its free tools prove the concept before you pay.
South African fit
Zoho runs a South African site and a CRM has no SARS role. HubSpot makes no South African claims. Confirm support hours and how VAT appears on the invoice with either.
Support and getting started
HubSpot has the stronger training and community. Zoho advertises free onboarding and a minimal learning curve, though its team user rules take time to learn.
Where each falls short
Zoho's flexibility adds complexity. HubSpot's cost jumps at Professional and its free plan is limited to two users.
The verdict
Choose Zoho CRM for cost control, especially inside the Zoho suite. Choose HubSpot for the easiest start and breadth, after you have priced Professional.
Ready to try one?
Zoho CRM
Zoho Corporation
HubSpot
HubSpot, Inc.
Prices are read from each vendor's own pages and dated. How we read prices.
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