Freshchat vs HubSpot Chat: Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
Freshchat
Conversational messaging platform by Freshworks with AI bots, omnichannel support, and a free plan for 100 agents.
HubSpot Chat
Free live chat built into HubSpot CRM with chatbot builder, meeting scheduler, and automatic contact creation for sales and support teams.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Freshchat | HubSpot Chat |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Teams wanting free live chat for large agent groups | B2B SaaS companies already using HubSpot CRM that want chat-to-CRM lead capture without extra cost |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 |
Pros & Cons
Freshchat
Pros
- Free plan for up to 100 agents is unmatched in the market
- Freddy AI bot builder requires no coding and handles common queries well
- Omnichannel messaging across WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, and more
- Campaign messaging lets you proactively reach users based on behavior
- Tight integration with Freshdesk and the broader Freshworks suite
Cons
- Standalone functionality is limited compared to Intercom or Drift
- Advanced bot triggers require technical configuration
- Reporting doesn't match the depth of dedicated analytics tools
- Email ticketing requires Freshdesk as a separate product
- Free plan strips out canned responses, integrations, and analytics
HubSpot Chat
Pros
- Free chat that automatically creates and updates CRM contacts — no manual data entry between chat and CRM
- Chatbot builder with drag-and-drop lead qualification and calendar meeting booking works without code
- Full CRM context during chat shows company info, deal stage, previous interactions, and marketing activity
- Massive ecosystem of 1,500+ integrations through the HubSpot marketplace extends chat capabilities
- Setup takes under 10 minutes for existing HubSpot users with zero technical knowledge required
Cons
- Not a dedicated support tool — no ticketing, no SLAs, no omnichannel messaging in the free plan
- Conversation routing is basic with only round-robin or manual assignment on free and Starter plans
- HubSpot branding on the widget requires a paid subscription to remove
- Widget customization is limited compared to Intercom or LiveChat
- High-volume support operations (100+ daily conversations) will outgrow chat features quickly
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freshchat | freemium | Free0 |
| HubSpot Chat | freemium | Free0 |
Our Verdict
Choose Freshchat if...
Teams wanting free live chat for large agent groups
Choose HubSpot Chat if...
B2B SaaS companies already using HubSpot CRM that want chat-to-CRM lead capture without extra cost
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.