CRM software is crucial for businesses aiming to effectively handle their customer interactions, sales, and marketing initiatives. The right CRM solution can help your organisation grow and enhance customer satisfaction. HubSpot and Microsoft Dynamics 365 are among the leading CRM tools used for marketing and sales. In this comparison, we’ll explore how Dynamics 365 stacks up against HubSpot and how their features simplify various functions in both areas.
In 2025, the best CRM solution can drive business growth and elevate customer satisfaction. Let’s take a look at how Dynamics 365 and HubSpot compare, focusing on their features that simplify various functions.
Dynamics 365 CRM Overview
Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM is a powerful tool tailored for medium to large organizations. It seamlessly integrates with the Dynamics 365 suite, merging CRM and ERP capabilities to offer businesses a complete solution for overseeing customer relationships, financials, supply chains, and beyond.
Dynamics 365 CRM: Key Features
- Sales Automation: Dynamics 365 CRM includes advanced sales automation tools. These solutions enable organisations to streamline their sales processes. It has capabilities like automatic lead scoring, sales forecasting, and opportunity management, which allow teams to focus on high-value prospects.
- AI and Analytics: Dynamics 365 CRM, which is powered by artificial intelligence (AI), provides powerful analytics to assist businesses predict sales patterns, customer behaviours, and future prospects. Integration with Power BI improves reporting capabilities by enabling users to visualise and analyse complicated data.
- Integration with Microsoft Products: Dynamics 365 CRM works smoothly with Microsoft’s range of products, such as Office 365, SharePoint, Power BI, and Teams. This integration offers enterprises a uniform experience, which improves cooperation and efficiency.
- Field Service and Supply Chain Management: Dynamics 365 CRM now includes field service management and supply chain management capabilities, giving businesses a comprehensive solution for managing customer interactions and operations.
- Customer Service Management: Dynamics 365 CRM includes tools for managing customer service operations, such as case management, service level agreements (SLAs), and knowledge base capabilities. It’s perfect for companies who offer ongoing assistance and customer service.
- Customer Insights and Relationship Management: One of the most notable characteristics of Dynamics 365 CRM is its ability to provide a 360-degree view of customer data, including insights into customer preferences, buying behaviours, and interaction history. These insights help companies strengthen their relationship with their customers.
- Customization: Dynamics 365 CRM provides considerable customisation options. This enables enterprises to personalise the platform to their specific requirements. This includes establishing customised workflows, fields, and dashboards, as well as developing unique apps for distinct business units.
Strengths of Dynamics 365 CRM:
- Scalability: Dynamics 365 CRM is a great option for mid-to-large firms or companies with complicated requirements because it is made to expand with them.
- Advanced AI Capabilities: To deliver actionable insights, sales forecasts, and suggestions for customer involvement, the CRM makes use of artificial intelligence.
- Customisability: Businesses can modify Dynamics 365 CRM to suit their particular workflows and business procedures thanks to its extensive customisation options.
- Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem: Dynamics 365 CRM provides smooth integration that boosts efficiency and productivity for companies who currently use Microsoft products.
Weaknesses of Dynamics 365 CRM:
- Complexity: For small businesses or teams without specialised IT skills, Dynamics 365 CRM’s feature-rich design may be too much to handle. There is a significant learning curve involved.
- High Cost: Dynamics 365 CRM may be more expensive than other CRM platforms, particularly for companies that require additional or premium services.
HubSpot CRM Overview –
HubSpot CRM is a popular CRM solution, particularly among small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), due to its user-friendly interface and low cost. It started as an inbound marketing tool and has now grown into a full-fledged CRM platform with a variety of sales and marketing functions.
HubSpot CRM: Key Features
- Marketing Automation: HubSpot excels at marketing workflows, which enables companies to schedule social media updates, nurture leads via email and automate inbound marketing efforts.
- Sales Pipeline Management: HubSpot’s customisable deal stages allow companies to easily monitor sales progress and anticipate revenue.
- Contact Management: HubSpot simplifies contact tracking by allowing organisations to save details such as contact information, interactions, and sales activity. It also offers contact segmentation, which allows teams to organise leads into lists based on certain criteria.
- Analytics & Reporting: While its analytics are primary, they provide important insights into marketing and sales performance, ideal for small and medium-sized businesses that do not need advanced analytics.
- Email Tracking & Templates: Teams can track email opens, clicks, and responses to assess engagement and follow up effectively. Pre-built email templates help to streamline conversations.
- Customer Support: HubSpot’s free CRM contains basic features like live chat and ticketing, with more options available in subscription plans.
- Third-Party Integrations: HubSpot interfaces with Gmail, Outlook, Zapier, and Shopify. However, its capabilities may fall short for organisations that require extensive interconnections.
Strengths of HubSpot CRM:
- Ease of Use: Its user-friendly interface requires less training, making it a popular choice for firms with non-technical staff.
- Free Plan: HubSpot’s free version includes core CRM functions, making it appealing to startups and smaller organisations.
- HubSpot Academy: It offers free lessons on CRM best practices, marketing, and sales tactics.
Weaknesses of HubSpot CRM:
- Customisation Limitations: Its customisation options can be too limited for larger businesses. It can be challenging to create certain features or modify workflows.
- Scalability Problems: Although HubSpot is perfect for small and medium-sized businesses, it might not be able to satisfy the demands of enterprises with intricate processes or high data needs.
HubSpot and Microsoft Dynamics Integration
When choosing a CRM, consider how well it interfaces with other business tools.
- Microsoft Dynamics 365: HubSpot can be integrated with Microsoft Dynamics, allowing users to sync data between the two systems and facilitate a smooth exchange of client data. In addition, Microsoft Dynamics 365 has native integrations with Office 365, Azure, SharePoint, and other Microsoft products.
- HubSpot: HubSpot integrates with numerous third-party apps, including Gmail, Slack, and social networking sites. However, the depth and versatility of these integrations can sometimes be limited when compared to Microsoft Dynamics 365.
HubSpot vs. Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM: Comparison
Now let’s compare the two CRM platforms in-depth using the main attributes and capabilities that will be most important to companies in 2025.
| Features | Dynamics 365 CRM | HubSpot CRM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Starts at £53.40 per user/month (customizable plans) | Starts at £396/month (Includes 5 paid users) | Dynamics 365 CRM |
| Contact & Lead Management | Advanced management & tracking features | Basic management features | Dynamics 365 CRM |
| Sales & Pipeline Management | Comprehensive tools & insights | Visual pipeline & basic tools | Dynamics 365 CRM |
| Marketing Automation | Integration with Microsoft Dynamics Marketing | Built-in marketing tools | Dynamics 365 CRM |
| Customer Service & Support | Full-featured module, knowledge bases & live chat | Ticketing system, knowledge bases & live chat | Dynamics 365 CRM |
| Reporting & Analytics | In-depth reporting & custom dashboards | Standard reporting & dashboards | Dynamics 365 CRM |
| Integrations & Add-ons | Seamless integration with Microsoft products | Numerous third-party integrations | Dynamics 365 CRM |
| Customization & Scalability | Highly customizable & scalable | Limited customization & moderate scalability | Dynamics 365 CRM |
| Mobile Access & Usability | Mobile apps for iOS & Android | Mobile apps for iOS & Android | Tie |
| Ease of Use & Implementation | Requires configuration & customization | Simplicity & quick setup | HubSpot CRM |
| Security & Compliance | Compliance with industry standards & data protection | Compliance with industry standards & data protection | Tie |
| Target Industries & Customers | Suitable for businesses of all sizes & industries | Designed for small & medium-sized businesses | Dynamics 365 CRM |
HubSpot vs. Dynamics 365 CRM: Pricing Plans Comparison
| Plan | Dynamics 365 CRM | HubSpot CRM |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | No, it does not have a free plan. However, Dynamics 365 offers a free trial. | Yes, it includes standard CRM functions like email tracking, contact management, and basic reporting. |
| Entry-Level Plan | Dynamics 365 Sales Professional: $65/user/month for core sales automation features. | HubSpot Starter: $50/month (2 users) for basic sales, marketing, and customer service tools. |
| Mid-Tier Plan | $95/user/month, which includes advanced sales insights, AI capabilities, and custom workflows. | $1,600/month (up to 5 users) for advanced marketing automation, custom reporting, and workflows. |
| Enterprise Plan | Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement Plan: $115/user/month for full CRM capabilities (Sales, Marketing, Customer Service). | HubSpot Enterprise: $5,000/month (10 users) for custom objects, predictive lead scoring, and advanced reporting. |
| Add-Ons | Dynamics 365 offers add-ons like Marketing ($1,500/month per instance) and Customer Insights ($1,500/month) for advanced features. | HubSpot charges extra for CMS Hub, advanced reporting, and additional users. |
*Disclaimer: These prices are accurate as of March and are subject to change in the future.
Why 2025 Will See Dynamics 365 CRM Win:
While both platforms have strong CRM capabilities, Dynamics 365 CRM stands out as the clear winner for businesses aiming to succeed in 2025. Here’s why:
- Enterprise-Level Features: From AI-driven insights to sophisticated marketing automation and field service management, Dynamics 365 CRM serves companies with intricate requirements.
- Scalability: Dynamics 365 CRM can expand alongside enterprises, giving them the resources they need for international expansion and enterprise-level operations.
- Customisation and Flexibility: Dynamics 365 CRM, in contrast to HubSpot, enables companies to customise the platform to meet their particular needs, guaranteeing optimal return on investment.
- Microsoft Integration: A unified workspace is produced by the smooth integration with Microsoft’s ecosystem (Office 365, Azure, Power BI), which increases cooperation and productivity.
- Long-Term Value: Dynamics 365 CRM may cost more up front, but over time, its extensive feature set and flexibility make it an affordable option.
Conclusion:
HubSpot CRM is a good option for small organisations, but it lacks enterprise-grade functionality, scalability, and customisation.
Dynamics 365 CRM, on the other hand, stands out as a future-ready platform that can help enterprises of all sizes & deliver a powerful and unified solution.
Customised Dynamics 365 Solutions from Zelite:
Zelite Solutions, a trusted Microsoft Dynamics 365 partner, provides the strategic guidance and technical expertise you need to thrive in the evolving landscape of 2025. Unlock the full potential of your CRM with our tailored solutions and dedicated support.
