Most Popular Comparison
Salesforce vs HubSpot for Financial Services
A comprehensive comparison of the two leading CRM platforms for wealth management, banking, and insurance. Based on 400+ implementations and 20 years of experience.
Best For
RIAs & Wealth Management
Salesforce FSC
Best For
Marketing-Heavy Firms
HubSpot
Price Difference
Year 1 (10 users)
3-4x more
Quick Recommendation
Choose Salesforce FSC If:
- You manage client assets (AUM) and need household management
- You need to integrate with custodians (Schwab, Fidelity, etc.)
- You have 10+ advisors and complex workflows
- Compliance and SEC reporting are critical
- You need deep customization and scalability
Choose HubSpot If:
- Marketing automation is your top priority
- You have a small team (under 10 users)
- You don't manage client assets directly
- Budget is a primary constraint
- You need to get up and running quickly (weeks, not months)
Our Expert Take:
For RIAs and wealth managers managing client portfolios, Salesforce FSC is the clear choice despite higher cost. For insurance agencies, fintech startups, or financial planning firms not managing assets, HubSpot often provides better value.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Salesforce FSC | HubSpot CRM |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Services Data Model | Built-in (Financial Accounts, Households, Goals) | Custom objects required (workaround) |
| Household Management | Native with full relationship hierarchy | Manual workaround with associations |
| Custodian Integration | Pre-built connectors via Orion, Black Diamond, etc. | Custom API integration required |
| Compliance & Security | Enterprise-grade (SOC 2, SEC 17a-4 ready) | Standard CRM security (add-ons for archiving) |
| Marketing Automation | Via Marketing Cloud (additional cost) | Native and robust (built-in) |
| Email Marketing | Via Marketing Cloud or Pardot | Built-in with templates and tracking |
| User Interface | Powerful but complex (Lightning Experience) | Clean, intuitive, modern |
| Learning Curve | Steep (weeks to months) | Gentle (days to weeks) |
| Customization Depth | Highly customizable (custom objects, Apex code) | Limited (workflows, custom properties) |
| Reporting & Analytics | Advanced (custom reports, dashboards, AI) | Good (standard reports, limited customization) |
| Mobile App | Full-featured mobile app | Good mobile app with core features |
| API & Integration | Robust REST/SOAP APIs, AppExchange | Good REST API, growing app marketplace |
Total Cost of Ownership
Understanding the true cost of each platform including licensing, implementation, and ongoing support.
| Cost Component | Salesforce FSC | HubSpot CRM |
|---|---|---|
| Salesforce FSC | ||
| HubSpot CRM | ||
| Base License (per user/month) | $300 | $45 - $80 |
| Implementation Cost | $75,000 - $250,000+ | $15,000 - $50,000 |
| Ongoing Support/Admin | $2,000 - $5,000/month | $500 - $1,500/month |
| Total First Year (10 users) | $111,000 - $286,000 | $26,400 - $78,000 |
Hidden Costs to Consider:
- • Salesforce: Marketing Cloud ($1,250+/month), additional integrations, training
- • HubSpot: Compliance archiving add-ons, custom development for household workarounds
- • Both: Data migration from legacy systems, ongoing customization, user training
Pros & Cons
SFSalesforce FSC
Advantages
- Purpose-built data model for financial services (Financial Accounts, Households)
- Enterprise-grade compliance and security features
- Deep integration ecosystem with custodians and portfolio management tools
- Scales to support large firms with complex organizational structures
- Robust workflow automation and customization capabilities
Disadvantages
- Steeper learning curve and more complex configuration
- Higher total cost of ownership (platform, implementation, ongoing support)
- Requires specialized Salesforce expertise for implementation and maintenance
- Can be over-featured for smaller firms with simpler needs
HSHubSpot CRM
Advantages
- Intuitive, user-friendly interface with minimal training required
- Strong marketing automation and inbound marketing capabilities
- Lower initial cost and faster time-to-value
- Built-in email, forms, and landing page tools
- Easier for small teams to manage without dedicated administrators
Disadvantages
- No financial services-specific data model (no Financial Accounts or Households)
- Limited customization compared to Salesforce
- Compliance features require third-party add-ons and manual processes
- Integration ecosystem less mature for financial services tools
- May not scale well for firms with complex workflows or large teams
Need Help Choosing the Right Platform?
We've implemented both platforms 200+ times. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your specific needs and get an unbiased recommendation.