HubSpot CRM vs Later
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of HubSpot CRM and Later. We compare features, pricing, ease of use, and value for money to help you make the right choice in 2026.
Reviewed by the Ikaroa team · Last updated: March 2026
Quick Verdict
HubSpot CRM edges ahead overall with a rating of 4.5/5. However, Later (4.1/5) may be the better fit if you prioritise Visual brands and influencers wanting Instagram and TikTok-focused social media management. Read on for the full breakdown.
HubSpot CRM vs Later at a Glance
HubSpot CRM
★ 4.5HubSpot offers a free CRM with powerful marketing, sales, and service tools. Popular with small to mid-sized businesses for its generous free tier and intuitive interface.
Starting from: £0/month
Best for: Small to mid-sized businesses wanting a free starting point with room to grow
Read full review →Later
★ 4.1Later is a social media management platform with a strong focus on visual content and Instagram. Originally built as an Instagram scheduling tool, it has expanded to support all major platforms with visual planning, link-in-bio tools, and influencer marketing features. Popular with brands that rely heavily on visual content.
Starting from: £17/month
Best for: Visual brands and influencers wanting Instagram and TikTok-focused social media management
Read full review →HubSpot CRM vs Later Feature Comparison
Here is how HubSpot CRM and Later compare across the features that matter most. We have tested both platforms extensively across client implementations.
| Feature | HubSpot CRM | Later |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan Available | Yes | No |
| Starting Price | £0/month | £17/month |
| Best For | Small to mid-sized businesses wanting a free starting point with room to grow | Visual brands and influencers wanting Instagram and TikTok-focused social media management |
| Our Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes |
| Email Marketing | Yes | No |
| Automation | Yes | Limited |
| Reporting | Yes | Basic |
| Integrations | Extensive | Limited |
| API Access | Limited | Limited |
| Ikaroa Exclusive Discount | N/A | N/A |
HubSpot CRM vs Later Pricing
Pricing is often the deciding factor. Here is a full breakdown of what each platform charges at every tier:
HubSpot CRM Pricing
Free
£0/month
- ✓Contact management
- ✓Email tracking
- ✓Deal pipeline
- ✓Live chat
Starter
£18/month
- ✓Everything in Free
- ✓Email marketing
- ✓Ad management
- ✓Landing pages
Professional
£720/month
- ✓Everything in Starter
- ✓Automation
- ✓Custom reporting
- ✓Teams
Enterprise
£3,000/month
- ✓Everything in Professional
- ✓Advanced permissions
- ✓Predictive lead scoring
- ✓Custom objects
Later Pricing
Starter
£17/month
- ✓1 social set
- ✓30 posts/profile
- ✓5 credits for AI
- ✓Link in bio
Growth
£33/month
- ✓3 social sets
- ✓150 posts/profile
- ✓AI content assistant
- ✓Best time to post
Advanced
£50/month
- ✓6 social sets
- ✓Unlimited posts
- ✓Content performance
- ✓Team collaboration
Agency
£133/month
- ✓15 social sets
- ✓Unlimited posts
- ✓White-label reports
- ✓Client management
Not sure which to pick?
Our team has implemented both HubSpot CRM and Later for clients. We can help you decide based on your specific needs.
HubSpot CRM Pros and Cons
✓Pros
- •Generous free tier with no time limit
- •Excellent user interface and onboarding
- •All-in-one platform (marketing, sales, service)
- •Huge integration marketplace (1,000+)
- •Strong community and learning resources
✗Cons
- •Gets expensive quickly at Professional tier
- •Free plan has HubSpot branding
- •Limited customisation on lower tiers
- •Annual contracts on paid plans
- •Per-seat pricing adds up for larger teams
Later Pros and Cons
✓Pros
- •Excellent visual content planning
- •Best-in-class link-in-bio tool
- •Strong Instagram and TikTok features
- •Good AI content assistant
- •Affordable pricing for visual brands
✗Cons
- •Less powerful for non-visual platforms
- •Analytics could be deeper
- •Limited social listening
- •Engagement features are basic
- •Team features limited on lower plans
Our Verdict: HubSpot CRM vs Later
Both HubSpot CRM and Later are solid options, but they serve different needs. Having implemented both for multiple clients, here is our recommendation:
Choose HubSpot CRM if you need Small to mid-sized businesses wanting a free starting point with room to grow. With a starting price of £0/month and a rating of 4.5/5, it offers generous free tier with no time limit.
Choose Later if you need Visual brands and influencers wanting Instagram and TikTok-focused social media management. Starting at £17/month with a 4.1/5 rating, it excels at excellent visual content planning.
Still not sure? Talk to the Ikaroa team. We have helped hundreds of businesses make this exact decision, and we are happy to point you in the right direction.
🎁 Get either product at a discount through Ikaroa Partners
Consider Open Doors Instead
Why choose between HubSpot CRM and Later? Open Doors gives you the best features of both in one platform, for less. It is an all-in-one CRM with email marketing, SMS, funnels, booking, invoicing, automation, and more, starting at just £97/month with unlimited contacts.
Need implementation help?
Ikaroa can set up HubSpot CRM or Later for your business, migrate your data, and train your team. We have done it dozens of times.
Free consultation. No obligation.