Intercom vs HubSpot: Multi-Channel Platforms Compared

Overview

Intercom and HubSpot are both large platforms that include email as part of a bigger suite. Intercom focuses on product-led customer communication. HubSpot focuses on inbound marketing and sales. Both are expensive, and for focused email needs, Sequenzy offers better value.

Key Differences

Core Strengths

Intercom excels at in-product communication. Live chat, chatbots, product tours, and in-app messages are its strengths. Email is part of the suite but not the primary focus. Best for product-led companies wanting unified customer messaging.

HubSpot excels at inbound marketing. Landing pages, forms, SEO, and CRM are its strengths. Email automation is available but requires the $800/mo Professional tier for serious features.

Pricing Transparency

Intercom pricing is notoriously confusing. It varies by features, seats, and usage. Many teams find their bill growing unexpectedly as they scale.

HubSpot pricing is complex but more transparent. Free tier for basics, then clear jumps to Starter ($45/mo) and Professional ($800/mo). The gap between tiers is large.

Email Depth

Neither platform is primarily an email tool. Both offer email automation, but neither matches specialized email services like Customer.io or Sequenzy in depth. No native billing integrations or revenue attribution.

Consider Sequenzy for Email

If email is your primary need, using either Intercom or HubSpot just for email is expensive and inefficient. Sequenzy at $19/mo offers:

• Native billing integrations (Stripe, Polar, Creem, Dodo)
• Revenue attribution
• Advanced email automation
• Unified transactional + marketing

You can use Intercom for chat and Sequenzy for email, getting the best of both at lower cost than either platform alone for full features.

Who Should Choose What

Choose Intercom if:

• In-app messaging and chat are priorities
• You want one platform for all customer touchpoints
• Product tours matter for onboarding
• Budget allows for premium pricing

Choose HubSpot if:

• You need full CRM capabilities
• Inbound marketing (landing pages, SEO) matters
• You have budget for $800+/mo for real features
• You want everything in one platform

Choose Sequenzy if:

• Email is your primary marketing channel
• Billing integrations and revenue attribution matter
• You want focused email excellence
• Budget is a consideration

The Bottom Line

Intercom is best for product-led SaaS prioritizing in-app communication. HubSpot is best for enterprises needing full marketing and CRM suites.

For email specifically, both are overkill and expensive. Most SaaS teams get better results using Sequenzy for email and pairing it with specialized tools for chat or CRM as needed.