HubSpot CRM vs Sage
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of HubSpot CRM and Sage. 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, Sage (3.9/5) may be the better fit if you prioritise UK businesses wanting a trusted, established accounting platform with strong tax compliance. Read on for the full breakdown.
HubSpot CRM vs Sage 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 →Sage
★ 3.9Sage is a long-established accounting software provider with products ranging from simple cloud accounting to enterprise-grade ERP systems. Sage Accounting (formerly Sage One) is its cloud product for small businesses, offering invoicing, expense management, VAT returns, and bank feeds. Trusted by UK businesses for decades.
Starting from: £12/month
Best for: UK businesses wanting a trusted, established accounting platform with strong tax compliance
Read full review →HubSpot CRM vs Sage Feature Comparison
Here is how HubSpot CRM and Sage compare across the features that matter most. We have tested both platforms extensively across client implementations.
| Feature | HubSpot CRM | Sage |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan Available | Yes | No |
| Starting Price | £0/month | £12/month |
| Best For | Small to mid-sized businesses wanting a free starting point with room to grow | UK businesses wanting a trusted, established accounting platform with strong tax compliance |
| Our Rating | 4.5/5 | 3.9/5 |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes |
| Email Marketing | Yes | No |
| Automation | Yes | Limited |
| Reporting | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | Extensive | Extensive |
| API Access | Limited | Limited |
| Ikaroa Exclusive Discount | N/A | N/A |
HubSpot CRM vs Sage 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
Sage Pricing
Accounting Start
£12/month
- ✓Invoicing
- ✓Expense tracking
- ✓Bank feeds
- ✓Financial summaries
Accounting
£26/month
- ✓Everything in Start
- ✓Cash flow forecasting
- ✓Quotes & estimates
- ✓Purchase invoices
- ✓Multi-currency
Accounting Plus
Custom
- ✓Everything in Accounting
- ✓Inventory management
- ✓Multiple tax rates
- ✓Project tracking
Not sure which to pick?
Our team has implemented both HubSpot CRM and Sage 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
Sage Pros and Cons
✓Pros
- •Trusted UK brand with decades of history
- •Strong compliance with UK tax requirements
- •Good for businesses growing from simple to complex
- •Direct HMRC submission for VAT
- •Solid bank feed integrations
✗Cons
- •Interface feels less modern than Xero
- •Limited integrations compared to Xero
- •Customer support has mixed reviews
- •Pricing has increased significantly
- •Add-on costs can add up
Our Verdict: HubSpot CRM vs Sage
Both HubSpot CRM and Sage 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 Sage if you need UK businesses wanting a trusted, established accounting platform with strong tax compliance. Starting at £12/month with a 3.9/5 rating, it excels at trusted uk brand with decades of history.
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 Sage? 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 Sage for your business, migrate your data, and train your team. We have done it dozens of times.
Free consultation. No obligation.