Quick Verdict
While Insightly and HubSpot both offer CRM tools, neither fully addresses the needs of growing businesses that rely heavily on automation, client communication, and lead nurturing. For companies looking to manage customer relationships seamlessly and automate marketing efforts, GoHighLevel is a more robust and flexible alternative. With GoHighLevel, you gain a powerful CRM, comprehensive automation tools, and communication features that can adapt to more complex business needs. What Is Insightly?
Insightly is a CRM and project management tool that aims to help small and medium businesses manage their customer relationships and projects in one place. While it provides basic CRM features, it often feels limited in both functionality and scalability.
Insightly Pros
- Project Management: Insightly offers project management tools, which can be helpful for businesses looking to blend CRM and project workflows.
- Simple CRM Interface: For businesses needing only basic CRM capabilities, Insightly’s straightforward interface is easy to navigate.
- Email Integration: Basic email integration with platforms like Gmail and Outlook allows for centralized email tracking.
Insightly Cons
- Limited Automation: Insightly lacks advanced automation features, which can hinder your ability to nurture leads and manage customer journeys effectively. Businesses looking for complex workflows and marketing automation may find Insightly’s tools insufficient.
- Lacks Advanced Communication Tools: Insightly doesn’t offer SMS or voice call capabilities within the platform, limiting your communication options to email alone.
- Scalability Issues: As businesses grow, Insightly’s capabilities often fall short. Many users find themselves needing to switch to a more robust CRM as their needs evolve.
- High Price for Limited Features: Compared to other CRMs, Insightly’s pricing can feel steep given the limitations of its features, particularly for small businesses on a budget.
Bottom Line: Insightly may work for businesses needing only basic CRM and project management, but it lacks the advanced automation and communication tools essential for scaling.
What Is HubSpot?
HubSpot CRM is widely known for offering a free CRM plan, making it a popular choice for small businesses and startups. HubSpot combines CRM with marketing and sales tools, but the platform has its drawbacks, particularly in terms of functionality at higher tiers and cost-effectiveness.
HubSpot Pros
- Free CRM Plan: HubSpot’s free plan includes basic CRM tools, making it accessible for small teams and startups.
- Sales and Marketing Tools: HubSpot combines CRM with sales and marketing features, allowing businesses to track leads, manage deals, and set up simple workflows.
- User-Friendly Interface: HubSpot’s intuitive design makes it easy to navigate, even for beginners.
HubSpot
Cons
- Expensive Upgrades: HubSpot’s premium features are locked behind steep paywalls. As businesses grow and need more advanced functionality, costs can quickly become prohibitive.
- Limited Automation on Lower Plans: HubSpot’s free and lower-tier plans have minimal automation capabilities, limiting its effectiveness for businesses requiring sophisticated workflows.
- Customization Limitations: HubSpot’s CRM offers limited customization options, particularly for companies needing highly tailored customer journeys or deal pipelines.
- Scaling Challenges: HubSpot is great for getting started but often struggles to keep up as businesses require more advanced CRM and automation tools. Many users find they have to move on to other platforms as their CRM needs grow.
Bottom Line: HubSpot’s free plan can work for very small businesses, but the high cost of its premium features and limited automation make it challenging for businesses that need a scalable, cost-effective CRM.
Insightly vs. HubSpot: Feature Comparison
1. Automation
Both Insightly and HubSpot offer limited automation tools at lower tiers, making it difficult for businesses to create complex workflows. While HubSpot does have more automation options in its higher-priced plans, the costs can add up quickly. Insightly’s automation is very basic, so businesses that need robust, multi-channel automation may find both platforms restrictive.
Winner: Neither Insightly nor HubSpot excels in automation, especially when compared to GoHighLevel, which offers comprehensive automation at a competitive price.
2. Pricing
HubSpot may seem appealing with its free plan, but accessing advanced features means paying high monthly fees. Premium HubSpot plans can cost hundreds per month, which is out of reach for many growing businesses. Insightly’s pricing is more budget-friendly but lacks value for businesses requiring advanced CRM features.
Winner: Both platforms fall short on cost-effectiveness, particularly for businesses needing more robust CRM functionality without the premium price. GoHighLevel’s flat-rate pricing provides more value with an extensive feature set for one affordable cost.
3. Customization
While HubSpot allows basic customization, it becomes limited once you need advanced customization of pipelines or customer journeys. Insightly is even more restrictive, with minimal options for tailoring the CRM to fit complex business needs.
Winner: Both Insightly and HubSpot have limited customization, making them less suitable for businesses that need a highly adaptable CRM. GoHighLevel offers more flexibility and customization options for adapting workflows to your business.
4. Customer Support
HubSpot offers email and chat support for users on paid plans, with more responsive support available at higher tiers. Insightly also provides support, though user reviews frequently report delays in response times and limited helpfulness for technical questions.
Winner: Both platforms offer support, but GoHighLevel’s dedicated support for agencies and business owners ensures faster, more in-depth assistance, particularly for users managing multiple clients.
Final Recommendation
Choose GoHighLevel if you’re looking for a CRM that goes beyond the basics, with advanced automation, multi-channel communication tools, and robust client management capabilities. While Insightly and HubSpot have some useful features, both platforms fall short when it comes to automation, customization, and cost-effectiveness. Opt for Insightly if your needs are limited to simple CRM and project management tasks. However, it lacks scalability and automation for businesses aiming to grow their customer base and nurture leads effectively.
Go with HubSpot if you’re a small business that can get by with its free CRM plan, though be aware that advanced features come with a hefty price tag. HubSpot’s limitations on customization and automation mean it may not support your long-term growth.
For businesses that prioritize automation, advanced CRM capabilities, and cost efficiency, GoHighLevel is the clear choice. It offers a comprehensive solution for businesses serious about customer relationship management and scalable growth without the high costs associated with platforms like HubSpot.