Trying to choose between WordPress and HubSpot CMS Hub for your website? Make it an easy decision with this comparison of features, pricing, and more.
Note: This article has been updated to reflect HubSpot's 2024 release of Content Hub.
Selecting the right Content Management System (CMS) is an important decision to ensure your website’s efficiency. A CMS makes the process of updating and editing content easy, but the hard part is selecting the right CMS.
In this post, we’ll compare two leaders in this arena, WordPress CMS and HubSpot CMS with an overview of their distinct features and capabilities, pricing, ease of use, and customer support.
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Understanding HubSpot CMS and Content Hub
As of April 2023, HubSpot replaced its CMS Hub with a new offering called Content Hub. This new Hub combines the power of the HubSpot CMS with additional tools and features to help teams capture leads and deliver personalized content experiences through the entire customer journey.
This article is primarily focused on comparing HubSpot's CMS offering with WordPress' CMS.
WordPress CMS vs HubSpot CMS On Features
Out of the box, both will give you a robust and easy-to-use content editor, but as you advance on features there is a clear divide.
WordPress is an open-source platform that’s highly customizable and flexible. It offers a vast library of plugins and themes available for free or at a low cost. This gives you plenty of options on features, but you’ll have to do the work of piecing it all together through plugins.
HubSpot CMS, on the other hand, is a closed platform. It also has a library of 3rd party integrations and apps, but they’re all vetted and approved by HubSpot. There are also more built-in features in HubSpot such as the landing page builder, SEO optimization, personalized content, analytics, and more depending on what you choose.
In addition, the HubSpot CMS runs on HubSpot Free CRM and seamlessly integrates with HubSpot’s full platform of Hubs.
Winner on Features: HubSpot CMS
Although WordPress offers a large library of plugins and themes, it can be challenging to piece together your setup unless you know what you’re doing.
That’s why there’s something to be said about the fact that HubSpot CMS comes with a ton of useful tools out of the box, with more available in the higher-priced tiers. Plus, HubSpot CMS is designed for seamless integration with HubSpot’s other Hubs for marketing, sales, service, and more.
WordPress CMS vs HubSpot CMS On Pricing
Now, on the comparison your budget is most concerned with – pricing!
WordPress is free to use, but you’ll need to pay for web hosting, domain registration, and any premium plugins or themes you want to use. They also offer subscription plans with additional features and support. This flexibility allows users to control expenses, but it requires a careful selection of third-party tools to avoid unexpected costs.
HubSpot CMS, on the other hand, operates on a subscription-based model, offering various pricing tiers that start at free. While initially, it may seem pricier than WordPress, HubSpot’s consolidated suite of tools eliminates the need for multiple subscriptions.
| CMS | Pricing | Total Cost of Ownership |
| HubSpot CMS is Available in HubSpot Content Hub |
Free, $20/month/user (Starter), $500/month (Professional), $1,500/month (Enterprise) |
The total cost of ownership for HubSpot CMS depends on the package selected and the additional features required. HubSpot offers a free version with limited features for all packages. |
| WordPress |
Free, $4 (Starter), $8 (Explorer), $25 (Creator), $45 (Entrepreneur), $25,000/year (Enterprise) |
The total cost of ownership for WordPress CMS depends on the package selected. If using the Free version, the total cost will depend on the hosting provider. The average cost of hosting a WordPress website is around $50 to $20 per year. |
Winner on Pricing: WordPress
Although a tough call since HubSpot does offer a free-forever subscription for its CMS, this one goes to WordPress. There’s a reason that 41.3% of all websites on the internet are built on WordPress, and a big part of that reason may come from its price tag. Scrappy and skilled users can find ways to leverage free plugins, templates, and customizations to build fantastic websites without a hefty price tag.
WordPress CMS vs HubSpot CMS On Ease of Use
Both WordPress and HubSpot are known for their user-friendly interfaces and ease of use. These two platforms are relatively easy to set up and customize, even for beginners. Plus, both have a wealth of available resources online.
A few things to note about each of these platforms on ease of use, based on years of experience using both.
WordPress and your individual plugins may not consistently update automatically despite user settings, this leaves individual apps and the platform itself vulnerable to potential security risks without timely updates. In contrast, HubSpot and its apps seamlessly undergo automatic updates, ensuring enhanced security and performance.
WordPress has been around for a very long time, this has resulted in multiple versions of its builder, leading to potential discrepancies between the how-to guidance you may find online and the version you’re using. In contrast, despite the different subscription tiers of HubSpot, there is a singular builder. That means any how-to article you find online will be the same for your account.
The familiarity factor also plays a role; WordPress, being a longstanding platform, many people have had experience using it and are therefore comfortable with it. On the flip side, some users report a learning curve with HubSpot.
Winner: Sorry folks, this one’s a tie!
WordPress CMS vs HubSpot CMS On Customer Support
WordPress has a large community of users and developers who provide support through forums, documentation, and tutorials for Free users. In their higher tiers, they offer support via email and live chat.
HubSpot CMS, on the other hand, provides more personalized support through phone, email, and chat depending on your subscription level.
WordPress relies heavily on its extensive community for support. While forums and online resources are abundant, direct customer support is typically provided by hosting providers or third-party developers, which can vary in quality and responsiveness.
Winner: HubSpot CMS
HubSpot stands out with its dedicated customer support, offering assistance through various channels. Users can also self-serve by accessing a knowledge base, community forums, and more. Plus, depending on your subscription, you can receive direct support from HubSpot’s team.
This personalized support can be a valuable asset, especially for businesses just getting started with their new CMS.
The Bottom Line
There you have it – a comparison between two of the top choices for CMS, WordPress CMS and HubSpot CMS. Both platforms exhibit strengths that cater to diverse needs.
HubSpot CMS excels in features, offering an integrated suite with built-in tools that seamlessly align with marketing, sales, and service Hubs. Although WordPress provides extensive customization through plugins, HubSpot’s cohesive feature set gives it the edge.
On the pricing front, WordPress takes the lead with its free-to-use core, providing flexibility for budget-conscious users. However, HubSpot’s subscription model consolidates various tools, offering an all-in-one solution and justifying its initial higher cost.
Ease of use is a tie, as both platforms prioritize user-friendly interfaces, making them accessible to users of varying expertise.
In terms of customer support, HubSpot CMS stands out with its dedicated and personalized assistance, while WordPress relies on its community.
At Growth Spurt, our preferred CMS is HubSpot and it’s what we recommend to our clients most often. Ultimately, the choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and support requirements. HubSpot and WordPress are both great options.
What are the pros and cons of HubSpot CMS? Find out what users say
