GoHighLevel vs HubSpot: Which CRM Platform Works Best for Agencies?
Pain Point: “HubSpot’s too expensive and too corporate. What else can I use for my agency?”
If you're building funnels, automations and recurring revenue—not bloated dashboards—then this comparison is for you.
TL;DR: GHL Wins for Lean Agencies
| Feature | GoHighLevel | HubSpot |
|---|---|---|
| White-label CRM | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Client sub-accounts | ✅ Unlimited (SaaS Mode) | ❌ One tenant per account |
| Email + SMS | ✅ Native tools + Twilio | ⚠️ Email only (SMS extra) |
| Workflow automation | ✅ Visual builder | ✅ Advanced, but locked behind higher tiers |
| Pricing | ✅ Flat | ❌ Tiered & expensive |
| Support | ✅ Live chat + FB groups | ⚠️ Priority support costs more |
| Pipeline CRM | ✅ Built-in | ✅ Built-in |
| Reporting | ✅ Standard | ✅ Advanced (only at Pro+) |
1. GHL is Built for Agencies — HubSpot Isn’t
HubSpot serves internal marketing teams at large companies. It’s not built for service providers, consultants or micro-agencies managing multiple clients.
GoHighLevel gives you:
- SaaS Mode: offer your own branded CRM with login access
- Snapshots: deploy full account setups in minutes
- Unified dashboard to manage all sub-accounts
- Full white-labeling with your branding
HubSpot gives you:
- Separate accounts per client
- No snapshot cloning
- No agency console
In short: GHL multiplies your delivery speed and profit margin. HubSpot increases your admin cost.
2. Cost Breakdown
| Plan Level | GHL | HubSpot |
| Base Plan | $97/mo | $50/mo (Starter) |
| Email Marketing | Included | Only basic tools at Starter level |
| SMS Automation | Native + Twilio | Paid integration required |
| Marketing Automation | $297/mo Pro Plan | $800+/mo for equivalent tools |
| CRM + Sales Tools | Included | Fragmented across multiple hubs |
| Users | Unlimited (SaaS clients) | Limited by plan + seat costs |
With GHL, you can build and resell client stacks from Day 1. With HubSpot, you pay more for basic functionality and can’t resell anything.
3. Automation Tools Compared
GHL Workflows:
- Trigger-based visual editor
- Drag-and-drop logic for emails, texts, tasks, calls
- Resellable across client accounts
- AI integration via OpenAI + triggers
HubSpot Workflows:
- Detailed, powerful—but intimidating for non-enterprise users
- Marketing Automation tools locked behind Pro ($800/mo+)
- SMS limited, needs extra setup or tools
GHL also lets you deploy lead scoring, pipeline logic, and CRM actions without leaving the builder. That’s a major speed win.
4. Client Management
GHL SaaS Mode Includes:
- Full sub-account management
- Billing per client with Stripe
- Clone campaigns, funnels, and workflows
- Branded login URL + white-labeled UI
HubSpot Setup:
- Clients need their own login and billing
- You can't centralize management
- No way to automate onboarding at scale
Want to serve 10, 20, 100 clients with consistent systems? GHL wins by miles.
5. Support & Ecosystem
GHL Support:
- Live chat support
- Huge Facebook communities
- Fast-growing template marketplace
- Access to Agency training (Bootcamp, community)
HubSpot Support:
- Tiered priority based on plan
- Slower response for Starter plans
- Content-rich blog, but less relevant to agencies
GHL lets you move faster with plug-and-play assets, help from other agency owners, and clear monetization paths.
6. Who Should Use What?
Use GoHighLevel if you:
- Run an agency and need to scale delivery
- Sell monthly marketing systems
- Want white-label CRM with recurring revenue
- Need faster turnaround with snapshots and templates
Use HubSpot if you:
- Work in-house at a mid-sized company
- Have a large budget
- Don’t plan to sell CRM access or automation tools
Get Started
👉 Get the Free GoHighLevel Bootcamp + 30 Day Trial:
https://www.gohighlevel.com/highlevel-bootcamp?fp_ref=details&fp_sid=ghostio
Explore GHL Playbooks built for service-based agencies:
https://ghl-services-playbooks-automation-crm-marketing.ghost.io/playbooks-overview-links/