SoftwareDuel

HubSpot CRM vs Pilot

A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool

HubSpot CRM

HubSpot CRM is a powerful and easy-to-use customer relationship management platform trusted by over 150,000 companies worldwide. It offers a completely free core CRM with optional paid Marketing, Sales, and Service Hubs for growing teams. HubSpot is the go-to CRM for companies that want to align their marketing, sales, and customer service teams in one platform.

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Pilot

Pilot is a managed accounting service that combines software with a dedicated team of bookkeepers to handle your books each month. Built for startups and small businesses that want accounting done for them.

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Pros

  • Generous free plan that is genuinely useful for small teams
  • All-in-one platform covering marketing, sales, and service
  • Excellent onboarding resources and HubSpot Academy
  • Strong integrations with 1000+ tools

Cons

  • Can get very expensive as you add paid Hubs and contacts
  • Some advanced features locked behind higher tiers
  • Reporting is limited on free and starter plans

Pros

  • Fully managed bookkeeping service
  • Dedicated finance experts included
  • Built specifically for startups
  • Integrates with common startup tools
  • Good for venture-backed companies

Cons

  • More expensive than DIY software
  • Less control over day-to-day bookkeeping
  • Not suited for businesses wanting to manage their own books
  • US-focused

Our Take

Choose HubSpot CRM if smbs wanting a free crm with room to grow into marketing automation. Choose Pilot if startups and small businesses wanting fully managed bookkeeping with a dedicated team rather than diy software.

Best For

SMBs wanting a free CRM with room to grow into marketing automation

Best For

Startups and small businesses wanting fully managed bookkeeping with a dedicated team rather than DIY software