A realistic office desk with three laptops displaying dashboards of HubSpot, Zoho CRM, and Freshsales. On the desk are a diary titled ‘Startup Growth Plan,’ Indian rupee notes, a smartphone with WhatsApp open, and a coffee mug. eBharat.com watermark is visible at the bottom-right.

HubSpot vs Zoho vs Freshsales (India): Which CRM Is Best for Startups?

Which CRM is best for Indian startups in 2025 — HubSpot, Zoho, or Freshsales? We compared pricing, GST billing, and features like WhatsApp/SMS add-ons to help founders choose the right tool.

CRM software is no longer a “big enterprise” thing. In 2025, Indian startups use CRMs to manage leads, automate follow-ups, and integrate WhatsApp/SMS for customer success. But which CRM — HubSpot, Zoho, or Freshsales — gives the best value for Indian startups?

We tested these tools on pricing (INR/GST billing), features, local integrations, and startup-friendliness to help you decide.

CRM Pricing (₹/mo) Best Features GST Invoice Best For
HubSpot Free tier, paid from ₹3,600 Marketing automation, workflows, email templates Yes Growth-stage startups
Zoho CRM From ₹890 WhatsApp/SMS add-ons, local support, AI insights Yes (India HQ) Budget-conscious teams
Freshsales From ₹1,299 Phone/WhatsApp integration, lead scoring, workflows Yes Startups needing sales automation

HubSpot CRM (Global Leader)

  • Free tier available (basic CRM features).
  • Paid tiers from ₹3,600/mo — expensive but powerful.
  • Best for scaling startups that need marketing automation, email workflows, and analytics.
    Use if you’re planning to scale quickly or need inbound marketing tools.

Zoho CRM (Best Budget Option)

  • Pricing starts at ₹890/mo, making it the cheapest for Indian startups.
  • Native WhatsApp/SMS add-ons, great for small businesses.
  • Strong local support (Zoho is headquartered in Chennai).
    Best if you’re an early-stage startup or SME with small teams.

Freshsales (Balanced Choice)

  • Pricing from ₹1,299/mo, middle ground between Zoho and HubSpot.
  • Built-in phone and WhatsApp integration + AI-based lead scoring.
  • Focused on sales-driven startups that want to automate follow-ups.
    Best if your startup’s focus is sales + quick conversions.

Which CRM Wins for Startups in India?

  • Budget-Friendly: Zoho CRM
  • Marketing Heavy Startups: HubSpot
  • Sales Automation Focused: Freshsales

If cost is the main factor, Zoho CRM is unbeatable. But if you’re aiming for aggressive inbound marketing, HubSpot is worth the premium. For sales-driven teams, Freshsales is a solid middle-ground.


For Indian startups in 2025, choosing the right CRM depends on your growth stage. If you’re just starting out and cost-conscious, go with Zoho. If you’re scaling marketing and customer acquisition, HubSpot delivers the best. If you need strong sales automation, Freshsales balances cost and features.

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