HubSpot searches are almost entirely about the contact-tier pricing jump, which is steep and arrives exactly when a list starts working.
Model your list at 12 months out, not today. The jump between tiers is the whole decision and it is invisible on the pricing page.
Side by side
| Tool | Pricing | Best for | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kit | Freemium | A writer or course creator who wants a list and simple automations without a marketing ops person. | Web |
| Mailchimp | Freemium | A small business sending a monthly newsletter that needs templates a non-marketer can edit. | Web, API |
| beehiiv | Freemium | A writer building a newsletter they intend to monetize through ads or paid tiers. | Web |
The options, and what each one costs you
- Better if
- A writer or course creator who wants a list and simple automations without a marketing ops person.
- You give up
- Pricing climbs steeply with subscriber count - the jump as you cross each tier is the thing people complain about - and the automation builder is simpler than what a dedicated marketing platform offers.
- Better if
- A small business sending a monthly newsletter that needs templates a non-marketer can edit.
- You give up
- Pricing jumps sharply as the list grows, and deliverability reputation has become less reliable than dedicated transactional providers.
- Better if
- A writer building a newsletter they intend to monetize through ads or paid tiers.
- You give up
- The growth and monetisation features that justify the platform sit behind the paid tiers, and moving a large subscriber list off it later is unpleasant enough that you should be sure before you commit.
Frequently asked
What is the best alternative to HubSpot?
It depends on what you are leaving for. Model your list at 12 months out, not today. The jump between tiers is the whole decision and it is invisible on the pricing page. Our closest match on features and price is Kit.
Is there a free alternative to HubSpot?
Kit is free to start. Mailchimp is free to start. beehiiv is free to start.
How much does switching from HubSpot cost?
Migration is usually the expensive part, not the licence: exports rarely preserve permissions, history or automations. Budget a day per active workspace for anything with a database in it.
How we picked
Every tool here is in our Marketing & SEO directory, which means we have used it and written down where it falls short. Nothing on this page is sponsored, and the order is not for sale.