How HubSpot’s Costs Helped Me Clarify My CRM Values

If you’ve ever fallen for a free trial that slowly turned into a financial black hole, pull up a chair. I’ve been there. In fact, my journey with HubSpot back in 2017 could be its own episode of a business reality show titled “When Free Isn’t Really Free.”

Let’s talk about it.

The Honeymoon Phase: Free Feels Fantastic

When I first started using HubSpot, it felt like a win. Free plan, clean interface, lots of promise. It was the CRM equivalent of a charming first date. You think, This could really work.

And for a while, it did.

But then the stair step pricing model kicked in. And let me tell you, those steps feel more like cliffs when you’re the one climbing them.

The Stair Step Surprise

Here’s the short version of my experience:

• Free plan

• Then $26 per month

• Then suddenly $985 per month

• And no reasonable middle ground

That’s not a staircase. That’s a ladder missing half its rungs.

HubSpot increases costs in multiple areas as you grow. More contacts? Higher price. Add a team member? Higher price. Need a feature that should honestly be standard? You guessed it. Higher price.

And while I’m all for growth, I’m not a fan of pricing models that punish it.

Why I Don’t Include HubSpot in My Approved CRM Toolbelt

My values are simple. I want the people in my network to choose tools that support long term sustainability, not tools that quietly inflate their expenses as they succeed.

A CRM should grow with you, not grow at you.

That’s why HubSpot no longer fits my philosophy. I stand on my values, and one of those values is refusing to learn or endorse a platform that doesn’t align with the pricing integrity I want for my clients and partners.

But Here’s the Twist: I’m Still Happy to Help

Just because HubSpot isn’t for me doesn’t mean it can’t be right for someone else.

If someone in my network is committed to staying in the HubSpot ecosystem, I don’t try to talk them out of it. I don’t push my preferences. I don’t force a fit. That’s not good business and it’s not good relationship building.

Instead, I tap into my network and find a HubSpot specialist who already knows the platform inside and out. Someone who can deliver immediate value without learning on the client’s dime.

Because at the end of the day, my job isn’t to convert people to my favorite tools. My job is to make sure they end up with the right tool for them.

The Bigger Lesson: Ask Questions, Don’t Push Solutions

Good business isn’t about forcing someone into your system. It’s about asking the right questions, understanding their needs, and being honest about whether you’re the right fit.

If they are a fit, great. Tell them why.
If they’re not, still help them.

People remember when you help them even when there’s nothing in it for you. And those moments often turn into future opportunities in ways you never expect.

Final Thoughts

My experience with HubSpot taught me a lot about pricing models, long term thinking, and the importance of aligning tools with values. But more importantly, it reinforced something I’ve believed for years. Business grows through integrity, curiosity, and generosity.

If you want help choosing the right CRM or want to talk through your options, email [email protected].