Keeping vs HubSpot: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Keeping and HubSpot comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Keeping
Transform Gmail into a powerful shared inbox and help desk for your team.
Best for you if:
- • You need customer support features specifically
- • Transforms Gmail into a shared inbox and help desk.
- • Enables team collaboration, assignment, and tracking of customer emails within Gmail.
HubSpot
CRM platform for scaling businesses
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need CRM features specifically
- • All-in-one CRM platform covering marketing, sales, service, content, and operations with a shared contact database
- • Free CRM and tools for unlimited users; paid Starter plans begin at $15/seat/month with Marketing Professional at $890/month
| At a Glance | ||
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $14/moEssential | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Customer Support | CRM |
Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.2/5 |
Choose Keeping or HubSpot?
Choose Keeping if
Transform Gmail into a powerful shared inbox and help desk for your team.
- Seamlessly integrates with Gmail, requiring no new logins or training.
- Prevents email overlap and improves team accountability with assignment and collision detection.
- Offers robust analytics to track performance and identify bottlenecks.
- Your work is customer support-shaped, not CRM-shaped
Choose HubSpot if
CRM platform for scaling businesses
- Generous free tier with CRM, forms, email, live chat, and basic reporting at no cost
- Unified platform eliminates data silos between marketing, sales, and service teams
- Intuitive interface with short learning curve compared to Salesforce
- Your work is CRM-shaped, not customer support-shaped
| Feature | Keeping | HubSpot |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.3/5 67 reviews | ★4.2/5 13,321 reviews |
| Categories | Customer SupportEmail | CRMMarketing Automation |
In-Depth Analysis
Keeping
Transform Gmail into a powerful shared inbox and help desk for your team.
Strengths
- +Seamlessly integrates with Gmail, requiring no new logins or training.
- +Prevents email overlap and improves team accountability with assignment and collision detection.
- +Offers robust analytics to track performance and identify bottlenecks.
- +Easy to set up and use with a Chrome extension.
- +Scalable with unlimited shared mailboxes in higher tiers.
Weaknesses
- -Requires a paid subscription, no free tier available.
- -Reliance on Gmail means users are tied to the Google ecosystem.
- -Some advanced features like unlimited integrations are only available in higher-priced plans.
Key features
HubSpot
CRM platform for scaling businesses
Strengths
- +Generous free tier with CRM, forms, email, live chat, and basic reporting at no cost
- +Unified platform eliminates data silos between marketing, sales, and service teams
- +Intuitive interface with short learning curve compared to Salesforce
- +Extensive integration marketplace and open API for custom connections
- +HubSpot Academy provides free certifications and high-quality training content
Weaknesses
- -Pricing escalates quickly, Professional and Enterprise tiers are expensive for SMBs
- -Marketing contacts model means you pay more as your database grows
- -CMS is less flexible than WordPress for heavily customized websites
- -Reporting and analytics lag behind dedicated BI tools like Looker or Tableau
- -Contract terms require annual commitment; no monthly billing on higher tiers
Key features
Pricing: Keeping vs HubSpot
| Plan | Keeping | HubSpot |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $14 per user per month Essential | Free Free Tools |
| Tier 2 | $24 per user per month Advanced | $15 /seat/month Starter |
| Tier 3 | $49 per user per month Enterprise | $890 /month Professional |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $3600 /month Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Keeping pricing and HubSpot pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
HubSpot has a free tier. Keeping is paid only.
Go with: HubSpot
Want the highest-rated option?
Keeping: 4.3/5 (67 reviews). HubSpot: 4.2/5 (13,321 reviews).
Go with: Keeping
Value user reviews?
Keeping: 67 reviews (4.3/5). HubSpot: 13,321 reviews (4.2/5).
Go with: HubSpot
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Keeping is paid. HubSpot is freemium. HubSpot lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Keeping is a customer support tool. HubSpot is in CRM. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Keeping is rated higher: 4.3/5 vs 4.2/5.
Key Takeaways
HubSpot
- Larger review base (13,321 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Keeping
- Higher user rating: 4.3/5 vs 4.2/5
- Better fit for customer support
The Bottom Line
HubSpot is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Keeping or HubSpot better?
HubSpot is rated in our evaluation. Keeping is paid and HubSpot is freemium.
What are Keeping and HubSpot used for?
Keeping: Transform Gmail into a powerful shared inbox and help desk for your team.. HubSpot: CRM platform for scaling businesses.
What does Keeping cost vs HubSpot?
Keeping is a paid tool. HubSpot is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.
