HubSpot CRM (Free) vs Toast POS: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of HubSpot CRM (Free) and Toast POS — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: HubSpot CRM (Free) wins on our scorecard (7.8/10 vs 7.7/10).
| Scored on | HubSpot CRM (Free) | Toast POS |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 9 | 9 |
| Ease of use | 8 | 8 |
| Fees & pricing | 10 | 6 |
| Customer support | 4 | 7 |
| Features | 7 | 9 |
| Monthly Software Fee | $0 | — |
| Per User Fee | $0 | — |
| Payment Processing (Stripe) | 2.9% + 30¢ (varies) | — |
| Onboarding Fee | $0 | — |
| Starter Kit | — | $0/mo (plus higher processing) |
| Standard POS Plan | — | $69/mo |
| Processing Fee | — | Varies (typically 2.49% + $0.15) |
| Installation | — | Starts at $499 |
HubSpot CRM (Free) in one paragraph
HubSpot CRM (Free) is the gold standard for zero-cost lead tracking, provided you can tolerate their branding and the lack of live support.
Skip it if: Skip it if you need highly customized reports or want to send unbranded professional emails without paying for a subscription.
Toast POS in one paragraph
The most powerful restaurant-specific POS on the market, provided you can handle being locked into their ecosystem.
Skip it if: You run a low-volume retail shop or a seasonal business that can't justify high monthly software fees during the off-season.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, HubSpot CRM (Free) or Toast POS?
On our five-axis scorecard, HubSpot CRM (Free) scores higher (7.8/10 vs 7.7/10). HubSpot CRM (Free) is the gold standard for zero-cost lead tracking, provided you can tolerate their branding and the lack of live support.
Who should skip HubSpot CRM (Free)?
Skip it if you need highly customized reports or want to send unbranded professional emails without paying for a subscription.
Who should skip Toast POS?
You run a low-volume retail shop or a seasonal business that can't justify high monthly software fees during the off-season.