If CRMs were superheroes, HubSpot would be Iron Man. Armed with an integrated arsenal of marketing, sales, and service tech, it’s designed for precision and power.
Monday.com would be more like Spider-Man. Fast, flexible, and surprisingly strong for its size.
Both can save the day. The question is - what does your business need?
Below, we break down where each hero shines, where they struggle, and which one actually helps you grow faster.
| Feature / Metric | Monday.com | HubSpot |
|---|---|---|
| Origins / DNA | Evolved from project/work-management tool; CRM added as a module on top | Built from the ground as a customer platform (marketing, sales, service) |
| Strengths | Visual workflows, flexibility, ease of customizing pipelines, intuitive UI for internal collaboration | Marketing & automation depth, robust native features, ecosystem & integrations, full customer lifecycle support |
| Weaknesses | Needs more custom work to reach “full CRM maturity”; fewer native marketing tools; scaling can become complex | Can become expensive quickly; parameter rigidity in workflows; steeper learning when you go beyond basics |
| Integrations | ~200 native apps + via Zapier / Make | Over 1,000 apps + deeper native integrations |
| Pricing & Entry Cost | Starts lower for most use cases | Free CRM, but premium tiers escalate fast |
| Ease of Use / Onboarding | Very visual and user-friendly | Intuitive at first, complex later |
| Reporting, Analytics & Forecasting | Good visuals, lighter data depth | More robust analytics and forecasting |
| Marketing Automation / Lifecycle Tools | Basic automation | Full marketing suite built in |
| Scalability / Growth Path | Suits small–mid teams | Built to scale enterprise-wide |
| Use Case Fit / Sweet Spots | Great for workflow-driven teams | Ideal for marketing-led, growth-driven orgs |
Monday began life as a project management platform, not a CRM. That means it’s fantastic at visual task management and flexible pipelines, but you’ll spend time custom-building what HubSpot already provides.
HubSpot, conversely, is built from the ground up as a CRM that connects marketing, sales, and service in one data model — you get structured power out of the box.
Bottom line: Monday bends to your workflow; HubSpot defines and scales it.
HubSpot wins on depth. It bakes in content tools, lead scoring, campaign automation, and advanced segmentation — things you’d have to bolt onto Monday. Monday’s advantage is simplicity: you can spin up visual boards and custom fields in minutes, but it lacks the sophistication to drive full-funnel marketing or customer lifecycle management on its own.
Bottom line: Monday is quick to set up; HubSpot is built to grow with you.
At first glance, Monday looks cheaper — and for small teams, it often is. But what you save in subscription fees, you’ll likely spend on third-party apps, integrations, and manual workarounds as you scale.
HubSpot’s pricing feels steeper initially because everything’s in one place. You’re not juggling separate tools for email marketing, lead capture, reporting, or automation — it’s all built into the platform. That means fewer external licences, simpler data management, and a cleaner tech stack for the long term.
Yes, the costs rise as you add Hubs, but the return usually follows. You get fewer disjointed systems, less time wasted, and far better insight into what’s driving pipeline growth.
At Elcap, we often help teams decode which licence they actually need. Many overbuy or under-use HubSpot’s tiers and seats; a workshop of goals and workflows usually uncovers savings and smarter configurations.
Bottom line: Monday’s cheaper to start; HubSpot’s smarter to scale — and when configured properly, you’ll spend less overall on duplicate tools
Monday’s integration options are broad but shallow. It relies heavily on connectors like Zapier or Make to link systems together. HubSpot’s ecosystem is mature — over 1,000 vetted integrations and a developer marketplace. This matters when you’re scaling, as “glue code” and API duct tape can turn into technical debt fast.
Bottom line: Monday connects easily; HubSpot connects deeply.
Monday’s freedom can easily tip into chaos. Without clear governance, users spin up overlapping boards, conflicting automations, and messy data that no one trusts. It’s flexible — but also fragile.
HubSpot takes a different stance: it enforces structure. That can feel restrictive at first, but it’s what keeps your CRM clean, consistent, and scalable. When implemented well, the system balances discipline with adaptability through tools like custom objects, permissioning, and structured automation.
At Elcap, we build this governance in from day one. Every implementation we design is underpinned by clear process logic, data standards, and naming conventions — so your CRM grows in capability, not in confusion. The result: smoother adoption, cleaner reporting, and a system that scales without spiralling into technical debt.
Bottom line: Monday gives you freedom; HubSpot gives you discipline — and with Elcap, that discipline becomes the backbone of long-term growth.
Review platforms tell a consistent story. HubSpot gets high marks for capability and support; Monday gets praise for usability and visual appeal. But power users report Monday’s CRM still feels like a bolt-on, whereas HubSpot’s ecosystem feels unified and mature.
Bottom line: Monday delights beginners; HubSpot retains power users.
Pick Monday if your team already lives inside Monday Work OS, your CRM needs are modest. It’s perfect for startups or ops-led teams.
Bottom line: Monday wins for small, ops-led teams.
Go HubSpot if you’re serious about growth, customer experience, and aligning your customer operations. Its native toolset lets you unify marketing, sales, and service around one truth: data. Implementation is steeper, but you’ll gain structure that grows with you.
Bottom line: HubSpot wins for growth-minded businesses that want one system of record.
For fast-moving teams who value freedom and visual clarity, Monday CRM (Spider-Man) is your friendly neighbourhood hero — light on its feet, easy to use, and built for quick wins.
For companies ready to scale, automate, and unify marketing with sales and service, HubSpot CRM (Iron Man) gives you the full armour — sophisticated, powerful, and ready for any battle you’ll face as you grow.
Bottom line: Both are heroes, but only one fits your origin story. Choose Spider-Man if you want speed and flexibility. Choose Iron Man if you’re building an empire.
Bottom line: Monday gets you organised; HubSpot gets you growing.