GoHighLevel vs HubSpot: Which One Should You Choose in 2025?
If you're running a business in 2025, you’ve probably heard of GoHighLevel and HubSpot. These two platforms dominate the CRM and marketing automation scene — but which one is better for you?
Whether you're a digital marketer, agency owner, or small business entrepreneur, choosing the right software can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. So in this article, we’ll break down GoHighLevel vs HubSpot in plain English — no tech jargon, just real talk — so you can pick the right tool with confidence.
Let’s dive in.
🚀 A Quick Overview of Both Platforms
GoHighLevel: Built by marketers for marketers, GoHighLevel is an all-in-one platform that combines CRM, funnel builder, email marketing, SMS marketing, appointment scheduling, reputation management, and automation under one roof. It’s mostly geared toward agencies and freelancers.
HubSpot: A more established name in the industry, HubSpot offers a powerful CRM with various "hubs" like Marketing, Sales, Service, and Operations. It’s known for its user-friendliness and strong brand presence, especially for larger teams or corporate clients.
📊 Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Let’s break it down by the things that really matter:
1. CRM Capabilities
GoHighLevel has a customizable pipeline system. You can automate almost anything — lead capture, follow-ups, bookings, and more.
HubSpot offers a sleek drag-and-drop pipeline, with robust contact management and data insights.
Winner: If you're just getting started, HubSpot’s interface feels cleaner. But if you need deeper customization, GoHighLevel wins.
2. Marketing Automation
GoHighLevel allows email, SMS, voicemail drops, and even Facebook Messenger automation — all native.
HubSpot also does email marketing really well, but SMS and advanced automation are only available on higher-tier plans.
Winner: GoHighLevel, especially for agencies or businesses needing omnichannel outreach.
3. Funnels & Landing Pages
GoHighLevel has a built-in funnel builder similar to ClickFunnels, which means no need for third-party tools.
HubSpot provides landing pages, but its funnel-building abilities are not as advanced.
Winner: GoHighLevel. If you love building converting funnels, it’s a game-changer.
4. Pricing
Let’s talk dollars.
GoHighLevel starts at $97/month, with a $297 plan for agencies (which lets you manage multiple clients).
HubSpot starts free, but quickly climbs. Want marketing automation? That’ll cost you $800/month on the Professional plan!
Winner: GoHighLevel. Far more budget-friendly for the features it offers.
💡 Real-World Scenario
Let me tell you about Jenny, a freelance digital marketer.
She used to juggle between Mailchimp, Calendly, ClickFunnels, and ActiveCampaign just to manage one client.
She was exhausted.
Then she tried GoHighLevel. Within a week, she replaced all those tools with just one dashboard. No more tab chaos. More importantly, she started charging higher retainers because she offered more value, faster.
🛠️ Setup & Learning Curve
GoHighLevel is feature-rich, which also means it comes with a learning curve. Luckily, they offer white-label onboarding, video tutorials, and a helpful Facebook community.
HubSpot is easier to learn thanks to a polished interface and the excellent HubSpot Academy.
Winner: HubSpot, but GoHighLevel isn't far behind if you’re willing to learn.
🌱 Who Should Use GoHighLevel?
If you are:
A marketing agency
A freelancer
A coach or consultant
A local business with a lead generation focus
Then GoHighLevel is made for you. It lets you:
White-label the software
Automate client reports
Track ROI
Scale your services with done-for-you automations
👉 Try GoHighLevel here with a 14-day free trial
👔 Who Should Use HubSpot?
If you're:
A corporate marketing team
Focused on content marketing
Already working with Salesforce, Slack, or other enterprise tools
Needing a strong customer support ticketing system
Then HubSpot might be the better choice.
📈 Step-by-Step: How to Get Started with GoHighLevel
If you’re leaning toward GoHighLevel, here’s a quick-start guide:
Step 1: Sign up for a Free Trial
Head over to GoHighLevel and start your 14-day trial.
Step 2: Choose Your Plan
For solo users, start with the $97 plan. Agencies? Go for $297/month to manage client accounts.
Step 3: Import Your Contacts
Upload leads from Excel, Google Sheets, or any old CRM.
Step 4: Build a Funnel
Use the drag-and-drop builder to create a landing page, thank-you page, and follow-up emails.
Step 5: Set Up Automations
Create workflows for lead nurturing, SMS reminders, or appointment confirmations.
Step 6: Go Live
Launch your funnel, watch the leads come in, and monitor results from your dashboard.
Easy!
🔄 Final Verdict: GoHighLevel vs HubSpot
