What is the Best CRM for Small Businesses in 2025? (GoHighLevel vs HubSpot vs ClickFunnels)

Key Takeaways:

• GoHighLevel offers the best value at $97/month with unlimited contacts and all features included
• HubSpot can cost up to $800/month and charges per user and contact growth
• ClickFunnels only provides funnels without essential CRM features like calendars or email marketing
• Hidden costs from multiple disconnected tools can exceed $300+ monthly
• All-in-one platforms eliminate the need for 15+ separate software subscriptions

I'm Brad Smith, founder of AutomationLinks. With over ten years of experience helping 2,500+ businesses implement smart marketing systems, I've tried virtually every CRM platform on the market. Today I'm diving into one of the most common questions I get: Which CRM is actually worth it in 2025?



• Quick Answer: GoHighLevel provides the best all-in-one CRM solution for small businesses at $97/month with unlimited contacts, built-in calendars, email marketing, funnels, and automation - saving businesses from expensive multi-tool setups.
• Time Required: 30 minutes to evaluate options, immediate implementation possible
• Best For: Small business owners tired of juggling 20 different tools or overspending on platforms that don't deliver
  

Why I No Longer Use HubSpot (The $800/Month Problem)

I used to be a HubSpot advocate until I realized I was spending $800 a month on their platform. When you look at HubSpot's pricing structure, they start with a free plan, then jump to $50 a month. But here's the real problem - those pricing plans escalate quickly. You'll easily spend $800 a month if you want everything included.

The bigger issue? You have to pay every time you add a new user, and you have to pay every time you want new automations. That's the fundamental problem with most CRM platforms - the more you grow, the more you're forced to spend.

The Hidden Cost Problem with Cheaper CRMs

• Key Point: Most affordable CRMs don't include essential business tools, forcing expensive integrations
• How It Works: You end up paying for multiple disconnected platforms that require additional integration software

Let me break down what actually happens when you choose a "cheaper" CRM option:

The Calendly Trap

Most CRM software doesn't come with a built-in calendar system. So everyone goes and uses Calendly. If you want Calendly without their logo at the bottom of all your calendars and want to look professional and on-brand, you're going to have to spend $12-$20 a month for the calendar feature.

But now you don't have Calendly synced with your CRM. You've got your CRM here, Calendly here, maybe email marketing somewhere else, and you're trying to get people to schedule appointments. You need something to connect everything.

The Zapier Integration Cost

To connect these disconnected tools, you'll need Zapier. You can get a free plan with up to 100 tasks, but what happens when you get more than 100 leads or contacts per month? Of course, we want to grow. Now you're spending $30 a month to have Zapier connect Calendly with your CRM.

Landing Page Software Costs

If you want landing pages to increase conversions, you'll need another tool. Looking at LeadPages, that's $50 a month for landing page software.

Email Marketing Expenses

For email marketing, platforms like MailerLite will cost you $50 a month for 5,000 contacts. Remember, this is just for email sending - you still need your CRM, calendar, landing pages, and integrations.

The Real Cost Breakdown:

• CRM: $50+/month
• Calendar: $20/month
• Integration: $30/month
• Landing Pages: $50/month
• Email Marketing: $50/month
• Total: $200+ monthly (and growing with each contact)

Why GoHighLevel Stands Out for Small Businesses

After spending $800 a month on HubSpot, I switched to GoHighLevel and now spend just $97 a month with everything included. Here's what makes it different:

Two Simple Pricing Options

• $97/month: Everything included for individual businesses
• $297/month: Unlimited sub-accounts (perfect for agencies serving clients)

What's Actually Included at $97/Month

• Conversations: Auto-DMs for Facebook and Instagram messages to help increase leads (replaces ManyChat)
• Calendars: Unlimited calendars with auto appointment scheduling, Google Calendar and Outlook integration (replaces Calendly)
• Contacts: Unlimited contacts - you'll never pay more regardless of growth
• Opportunities Pipeline: Track leads through every stage - new lead, scheduled, proposal sent, closed (most cheap CRMs don't have this)
• Payments: Send estimates, invoices, pricing, products, and coupons (replaces DocuSign at $15/month)
• Marketing: Schedule social media posts with AI content creation (replaces Hootsuite at $150/month)
• Automation: Unlimited email automations and follow-up sequences
• Funnels: Landing pages and sales funnels (replaces ClickFunnels)
• Surveys: Advanced quiz and survey functionality with lead scoring
• Memberships: Full course and membership site creation
• Reviews: Automated review requests and reputation management
• Reporting: Comprehensive analytics without needing Google Analytics
• AI Agents: Automated phone answering, appointment scheduling, and content creation

GoHighLevel vs HubSpot vs ClickFunnels: The Real Comparison

HubSpot Problems:

• Expensive scaling ($800+ monthly)
• Per-user charges
• Limited automations on lower plans
• Additional costs for advanced features

ClickFunnels Limitations:

• Only provides funnels
• No built-in calendars
• No email marketing
• No CRM functionality
• Pricing often hidden

GoHighLevel Advantages:

• All features at $97/month
• Unlimited contacts
• No per-user fees
• Everything integrated
• Transparent pricing

Time to See Results: Most businesses see improved workflow efficiency within the first week

Tools Needed: Just GoHighLevel - no additional software required

How to Implement CRM for Your Business (Even If You're New)

Step 1: Evaluate Your Current Tool Stack

List all the software you're currently paying for:

• CRM platform
• Email marketing
• Calendar scheduling
• Landing page builder
• Social media scheduler
• Payment processing
• Review management

Step 2: Calculate Your True Monthly Cost

Add up all monthly subscriptions, including:

• Base software fees
• Per-user charges
• Contact/subscriber limits
• Integration platforms like Zapier

Step 3: Test GoHighLevel's Capabilities

Start with the $97 plan and migrate one function at a time:

• Import your contacts
• Set up calendar integration
• Create initial email automation
• Build your first landing page

Step 4: Eliminate Redundant Tools

As you confirm each GoHighLevel feature works for your needs, cancel the individual tools it replaces.

What to Expect in Your First 30 Days

Week 1: Basic setup and contact import
Week 2: Calendar and email automation configuration
Week 3: Landing page and funnel creation
Week 4: Advanced features like AI agents and social media automation

For complete setup assistance, I offer full CRM implementation through my affiliate link. My team will import our entire automation system so when you log into GoHighLevel for the first time, you've got everything automated and ready for your brand.

Ready to Consolidate Your Business Tools?

Don't overspend on disconnected software that creates more work instead of less. The businesses I've helped over the past 10 years that see the most success are the ones that use expert-recommended tools that save time and money.

If you're ready to stop juggling 20 different platforms and want everything in one place, try GoHighLevel with my affiliate link. Once you're signed up, contact my team at AutomationLinks.com and we'll import our complete automation system for your business.

Key Takeaway: The best CRM for 2025 isn't just about managing contacts - it's about having one platform that handles your entire business workflow while saving you hundreds of dollars monthly on disconnected tools.

For more marketing automation strategies, subscribe to my YouTube channel. Want to dive deeper into business systems? Check out our Social Sales System for complete implementation guidance.