SoloCRM vs HubSpot: Which CRM Is Better for UK Freelancers and Service Businesses?
If you're a UK-based freelancer, consultant, or small agency owner, you’ve probably seen HubSpot come up as a recommended CRM solution. It’s a well-known name — but is it the right fit for how you actually run your business?
Choosing the Right CRM for Your Business Matters
If you're a UK-based freelancer, consultant, or small agency owner, you’ve probably seen HubSpot come up as a recommended CRM solution.
It’s a well-known name — but is it the right fit for how you actually run your business?
In this post, we’ll compare SoloCRM and HubSpot from the perspective of a solo service provider. We’ll look at features, pricing, ease of use, and most importantly, which one actually works for the realities of a UK-based business.
Who These CRMs Were Built For
HubSpot is a powerful platform, but it was built primarily for sales teams and marketing departments in medium-to-large organisations. While it offers a free CRM plan, it’s designed around managing deal pipelines and nurturing large volumes of leads — not running a small or solo service business.
SoloCRM was built specifically for freelancers, consultants, and small service providers — especially in the UK. It understands how solo businesses actually operate: client projects, time tracking, invoicing, proposals, and simple follow-ups. It’s lightweight, focused, and doesn’t overwhelm you with features you’ll never use.
The Real Cost of Each Platform
HubSpot offers a free plan, but it’s limited. Once you want more advanced features like automation, reporting, Stripe payments, or custom branding, the costs start adding up. Even modest upgrades can push monthly costs over £45–£100 for a solo user.
SoloCRM offers clear, predictable pricing with a free tier to get started. Features like AI lead scoring, time tracking, invoicing, and a client portal are included without needing extra add-ons or third-party tools. It’s built to stay affordable as you grow, without hidden charges.
Features That Actually Matter to UK Service Businesses
When you’re running a solo business, you don’t need massive sales pipelines or marketing automation. You need practical tools that make your work easier.
SoloCRM includes:
AI-powered proposals and follow-up emails
Built-in time tracking with billable hours
Invoicing with GBP, VAT, and Stripe integration
A secure client portal for sharing files and updates
Full GDPR compliance and data export tools
Project profitability tracking to monitor what’s working
HubSpot offers some of these features — but not all. Proposal creation, time tracking, and invoicing require third-party integrations. A client portal isn't offered as standard, and GDPR compliance typically depends on how you set it up. If you're trying to keep things simple, this added complexity can be a problem.
GDPR and UK Compliance
GDPR still applies in the UK post-Brexit, and every business — including solo freelancers — is legally responsible for protecting personal data.
SoloCRM was built with UK compliance in mind. All data is encrypted, access is role-controlled, and tools are included to handle data access or deletion requests. It also offers a secure client portal, reducing the risk of sharing sensitive information through insecure methods.
HubSpot, while compliant, is a US-based company. That means you’ll need to be extra cautious about how your data is processed, where it’s stored, and whether your setup meets UK GDPR requirements. For many freelancers, that adds unnecessary complexity.
Client Experience and Professionalism
SoloCRM includes a built-in client portal, allowing clients to log in, view project updates, share files, approve scope changes, and pay invoices — all in one secure place. This adds a layer of professionalism that’s hard to achieve with email threads or Google Drive links.
HubSpot does not include a client portal by default. You’d need to rely on separate tools or custom development to offer something similar. If client communication is important to your workflow, this can be a major limitation.
So, Which One Should You Choose?
Choose SoloCRM if you're a solo entrepreneur, freelancer, or small UK service provider who wants:
A simple, focused CRM tailored to how you work
Built-in time tracking, project management, and invoicing
A secure client portal for communication and file sharing
Affordable pricing with no hidden upgrade costs
Peace of mind around GDPR and UK compliance
Choose HubSpot if you're working in a sales-focused environment, need complex marketing automation, or have the time and budget to customise your setup with multiple integrations.
Final Thoughts: Simplify Your Business, Don’t Complicate It
Choosing a CRM shouldn’t add to your workload — it should reduce it. SoloCRM is designed for the realities of running a small service business in the UK. No bloat, no sales jargon, and no surprise costs.
If you’re ready to stop stitching together spreadsheets, documents, and disconnected tools, SoloCRM is the modern CRM you’ve been waiting for.
Start your free trial today and see how much easier running your business can be.
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