Why You Should Skip Salesforce CRM Software & Use HubSpot Instead

I don’t usually write comparison blogs like this, but after a recent experience with a client using Salesforce, I had to go there.

I hadn’t touched Salesforce in almost a decade, and jumping back in felt like stepping into a time capsule. Clunky interface, overwhelming settings, endless tabs, somehow, it hadn’t evolved much. And this was a growing, high-impact nonprofit trying to modernize how they manage relationships and measure engagement.

It reminded me why I moved away from Salesforce in the first place.

And why I now recommend HubSpot almost every time.

When “Powerful” Just Means Overcomplicated

There’s no denying Salesforce is powerful. But it’s also famously complex. Most small teams end up needing a full-time admin or outside agency just to keep things running.

That might work for a Fortune 500 company. But if you’re a nonprofit, ministry, or mission-driven business, the last thing you need is a CRM that feels like it needs its own department.

I’ve worked with dozens of teams in that exact space, and every time they switch to HubSpot, the response is the same:

“I didn’t know it could be this easy.”

HubSpot Fits Real-Life Teams

I stumbled into HubSpot through my client work, helping teams organize contacts, clean up pipelines, and build systems that actually support the work they’re doing.

And what I found was this:

• HubSpot speaks human, not just “enterprise.”

• It’s fast to set up, easy to use, and designed for clarity.

• It’s flexible enough to match your world, whether you’re tracking donors, applications, volunteers, or leads.

You don’t need a massive team or an in-house tech lead just to start seeing value from HubSpot. Yes, a thoughtful 90-day implementation can unlock the platform’s full potential, but most teams I work with start sending emails, organizing contacts, and building useful reports within the first week. It’s intuitive, flexible, and built to get you moving fast, without waiting on IT.

Salesforce May Still Be Right, for Someone Else

I get it. If you’re a massive organization with legacy systems, you might be stuck with Salesforce. That’s fine.

But if you’re a team that values agility, simplicity, and actually being able to use the CRM you’re paying for?

HubSpot wins. Every time.

And if you’re not sure how to configure it for your world? That’s where I come in. I help mission-driven teams build custom HubSpot setups that feel like they were made just for them—because they are.

Want to Talk About It?

If you’re curious whether HubSpot could be a better fit for your team, I’d love to help you figure it out.