Quick Verdict
Choose AWeber if email marketing is what you need: forms, landing pages, sequences, newsletters and simple selling, with a free plan and 24/7 support.
Choose HubSpot if you already use HubSpot's CRM or need marketing, sales and service teams working from one contact database, and you have the budget for its higher tiers.
Most small businesses and creators get more value from AWeber's focused tools. HubSpot makes sense when a shared CRM is central to how your business runs.
The Core Difference
HubSpot's Marketing Hub sits inside a broader platform built around a CRM, with tools for sales and service teams. Email is one part of that system.
AWeber is an email marketing specialist. Everything it offers, from AI writing tools to RSS-triggered emails and Stripe sales pages, serves the goal of growing a list and selling to it.
AWeber vs HubSpot at a Glance
| Feature | AWeber | HubSpot Marketing Hub |
|---|---|---|
| Free option | 500 subscribers, 3,000 sends/month, 1 automation | Free tools with 2,000 email sends a month and HubSpot branding |
| Paid entry | Lite from $15/month ($12.50 annual) | Starter from $7/month per seat with 1,000 marketing contacts |
| Advanced tier | Plus from $30/month ($20 annual) | Professional from $800/month with 3 core seats, plus a $3,000 onboarding fee |
| Send allowance | 10x subscribers on Lite, 12x on Plus | 5x contacts on Starter, 10x on Professional |
| CRM | Not included; integrates with CRMs | Built in |
| Branding removal | Plus | Paid plans |
| Support | 24/7; priority including phone on Plus | Varies by plan |
Free Plans Compared
HubSpot's free tools include 2,000 email sends a month with HubSpot branding, usable by up to two users. AWeber's free plan includes 500 subscribers, 3,000 sends a month and one automation.
If you already use HubSpot's free CRM, its email tools are a natural add-on. If you're starting an email list from scratch, AWeber's free plan gives you more sends plus a welcome automation. See AWeber free plan.
Pricing as You Grow
HubSpot's Starter tier starts at $7 a month per seat with 1,000 marketing contacts and removes branding. The jump to Professional is significant: from $800 a month with three core seats and 2,000 marketing contacts, plus a one-time $3,000 onboarding fee. Professional adds omni-channel automation, custom reporting and lead scoring.
AWeber's path is gentler: Plus with unlimited automations costs $30 a month at 500 subscribers, rising by published tier. For businesses that don't need CRM-level features, that's a large cost difference. See AWeber pricing.
CRM and Sales Alignment
HubSpot's main advantage is the CRM. Marketing, sales and service teams see the same contact history, and on higher tiers, lead scoring and automation can route leads to salespeople.
AWeber doesn't include a CRM. If you need one, you'd connect it through integrations or Zapier. For solo founders, creators and small teams without a sales pipeline, that separation keeps things simple. See AWeber integrations.
Email Marketing Features
Both tools offer drag-and-drop editors, templates, forms, landing pages and automation. AWeber adds email-specialist features such as RSS-triggered emails, a Newsletter Assistant, Smart Designer branded templates and Stripe-powered sales pages.
HubSpot's email features connect to its CRM data, which is powerful for personalization by deal stage or company. The question is whether you need that connection.
Ease of Use and Support
AWeber is simpler to learn because it focuses on one job. HubSpot's suite is well designed but broad, with more to configure. AWeber's 24/7 support from Lite, with priority support including phone on Plus, is valuable for beginners. See AWeber customer support.
Which Should You Choose?
You need email marketing without a CRM, want published pricing and value 24/7 support.
You already run on HubSpot's CRM or need sales and marketing in one system, with budget for higher tiers.
You use a CRM but want a simpler email tool. Connect AWeber through integrations or Zapier.
AWeber's free plan includes a welcome automation, landing page and forms, with 24/7 support on paid plans.
AWeber vs HubSpot FAQs
Is HubSpot email marketing free?
HubSpot's free tools include 2,000 email sends a month with HubSpot branding.
How much does HubSpot Marketing Hub Professional cost?
It starts at $800 a month with three core seats and 2,000 marketing contacts, plus a one-time $3,000 onboarding fee.
Does AWeber have a CRM like HubSpot?
No. AWeber focuses on email marketing and can connect to CRMs through integrations.
Which is better for small businesses?
For most small businesses that mainly need email, AWeber is simpler and more affordable. HubSpot suits CRM-led teams.