Companies in the DACH region are faced with the challenge of CRM system to choose that is not only powerful but also GDPR compliant and tailored to local requirements. Two of the most popular solutions are HubSpot and Bitrix24. But which CRM suits the needs of medium-sized businesses, SMEs and growing companies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland better? In this detailed comparison you will find out which system is ahead – with all the advantages, disadvantages, workflows, use cases and a real case study from practice.
Direct comparison: HubSpot vs. Bitrix24 – The most important differences at a glance
| function | HubSpot | Bitrix24 |
|---|---|---|
| GDPR compliance | European and German data centers only from the starter tariff, comprehensive GDPR tools | EU hosting possible |
| user interface | Very intuitive, modern, German-speaking | Functional, partly overloaded |
| Marketing automation | Integrated, powerful, AI-powered | Existing, but less mature |
| Integrations | Large ecosystem, many DACH integrations (DATEV, Lexoffice, etc.) | Lots of integrations with a focus on collaboration tools |
| Pricing model | Freemium, transparent tiering, scalable | Free plan, low starting prices, additional costs for modules |
| Support & Community | German support, large community, academy | Community forum, support in German |
| Mobile app | iOS & Android, very user friendly | iOS & Android, solid, less intuitive |
| Scalability | Ideal for growth, from startup to enterprise | Good for small teams, scaling more complex |
Who is HubSpot CRM particularly suitable for in the DACH region?
- Medium-sized companies: HubSpot offers comprehensive solutions especially for German medium-sized businesses Marketing, sales and service functions in one platform – everything GDPR-compliant and with German support.
- Fast-growing companies: HubSpot’s platform is highly scalable and grows with your business – from a few users to large teams.
- Companies with a focus on inbound marketing: HubSpot is the market leader in the field Inbound marketing and offers AI-powered tools for lead generation, automation and content management.
- Teams with complex sales processes: With Sales pipelines, deal tracking and Reporting Sales teams keep an eye on all activities.
- GDPR-sensitive industries: HubSpot is particularly impressive in data-sensitive industries with its ability to Data storage in European data centers and extensive data protection functions. However, it should be noted that GDPR-relevant functions – such as the storage of all customer data exclusively on EU or German servers – are only available from the paid starter tariff. In the free basic version, however, data is stored internationally, so that companies with high data protection requirements require at least the starter tariff to ensure data processing that is fully GDPR-compliant.
Who is Bitrix24 suitable for in the DACH region?
- Small Businesses and Startups: Bitrix24 offers a very cheap entry and many features in the free plan.
- Teams with a focus on collaboration: Bitrix24 combines CRM, project management and collaboration tools (such as chat, drive, calendar) in one solution.
- Companies with simple sales processes: If you don’t need complex automation, Bitrix24 is a solid, affordable CRM.
- Price-conscious users: Bitrix24 is particularly attractive for very small budgets, but with compromises in terms of usability and automation.
Advantages of HubSpot CRM for companies in the DACH region
- GDPR compliance: HubSpot operates European data centers and offers extensive data protection tools – a must for German companies.
- Intuitive user interface: The platform is modern, clear and available entirely in German.
- Powerful Marketing Automation: With Workflows, lead scoring and AI features automate your marketing and increase efficiency.
- Extensive integrations: HubSpot integrates seamlessly with DATEV, Lexoffice, SAP, Microsoft 365 and many other DACH-relevant tools.
- Scalability: Regardless of whether it’s a startup or a medium-sized company – HubSpot grows with your company.
- German support: Fast, competent support and a huge community help with all questions.
- Transparent prices: No hidden costs, clear packages, freemium model to get started.
Disadvantages of HubSpot CRM
As the team size increases and the range of functions expands The costs for HubSpot are increasingbut the scalability of the system means that companies continue to benefit from one very good value for moneywhich can be flexibly adapted to individual requirements. The investment is particularly worthwhile when complex processes and diverse functions are required, as HubSpot offers a wide range of options that grow as the company grows.
For companies that just need a simple Contact management without additional automation or need advanced marketing and sales functions, HubSpot can sometimes be “overkill”. In such cases, the platform may be oversized and offer more features than are actually needed, which can make it unnecessarily complex to use.
Another disadvantage: Many advanced features, integrations and customization options are only activated in the higher-priced tariffs. Who determined? Business workflows or interfaces required, often has to accept additional paid upgrades.
Advantages of Bitrix24
- Cheap entry: Free plan with lots of basic features – ideal for small teams.
- All-in-one solution: CRM, project management, chat, drive and more in one platform.
- Flexible modules: Many additional functions can be booked individually.
- On-premise option: Bitrix24 offers local installation for companies with their own servers.
Disadvantages of Bitrix24
The user interface Many users find it rather cluttered and less intuitive, especially compared to HubSpot. This can mean that new users initially find it more difficult to find their way around and need more time to get used to it. In the area of Marketing automation It turns out that the options for automation are less sophisticated and the setup is more complex. This means that processes cannot be implemented as easily and conveniently as with other solutions and additional effort is often required for configuration.
Another important point concerns the GDPR and that Hosting: Although there is one EU hosting In principle it is possible, but it is not the standard and must be selected specifically. Companies are therefore required to comply with the Data protection-Actively review policies and ensure all requirements are met.
Also at Support and in the Community there are limitations: the available resources are more limited and the Community in the ROOF room turns out significantly smaller. This can make it difficult to seek help and communicate with other users, especially when specific questions or challenges arise.
GDPR and data protection: How do HubSpot and Bitrix24 compare?
Data protection is a central topic for companies in the DACH region. HubSpot operates European data centers (including in Frankfurt) and offers numerous GDPR tools such as data anonymization, export functions and audit logs. Bitrix24 Although it offers EU hosting, it is not standard. Anyone who uses Bitrix24 should actively check where the data is located and how compliance is implemented. For highly sensitive industries (e.g. healthcare, finance), HubSpot is usually the safer choice.
Workflows and Automation: What is possible with HubSpot?
- Lead management: Automated lead assignment, qualification and follow-up.
- Marketing automation: Email campaigns, lead nurturing, segmentation and trigger workflows.
- Sales pipelines: Individual sales processes, deal tracking and forecasting.
- Reporting: Real-time dashboards, conversion tracking, sales forecasts.
- Service automation: Ticket system, feedback loops, knowledge database.
Bitrix24 also offers automations, but these are often less intuitive and require more training. The depth and flexibility of the workflows is significantly higher with HubSpot.
Step-by-step instructions: How to get started with HubSpot CRM
Registering with HubSpot is easy and only takes a few minutes. With these instructions you can start immediately and take advantage of the advantages of the CRM system.
- Registration: Visit the HubSpot page and click “Start for Free.” Enter your company details and email address.
- Onboarding: After registering, an onboarding assistant will guide you through the first steps. You can import contacts, create pipelines and set up initial automations.
- Enable integrations: Connect HubSpot to your most important tools (e.g. email, calendar, accounting). Many integrations are specifically optimized for the DACH region.
- Set up workflows: Create automated processes for lead management, email marketing or sales. Use templates or create individual workflows.
- Invite team: Invite your colleagues and assign roles and rights. This is how you work together efficiently in the CRM.
FAQ: HubSpot vs. Bitrix24 – the most important questions
Is HubSpot really GDPR compliant?
Yes, HubSpot offers European data centers and numerous data protection tools that have been specifically developed for the requirements of the EU region.
Can I also work with Bitrix24 in a GDPR-compliant manner?
Bitrix24 offers EU hosting, but not by default. You should actively check where your data is located and how compliance is implemented.
Which CRM is cheaper?
Bitrix24 is cheaper to start with, but HubSpot offers a very fair freemium model and more marketing and automation features.
Which integrations are particularly relevant for DACH companies?
HubSpot offers numerous integrations with DATEV, Lexoffice, SAP and other DACH-specific tools. Bitrix24 has many collaboration integrations, but less focus on DACH standards.
Who is HubSpot better for?
HubSpot is better for growing businesses, mid-sized businesses, and anyone who values marketing automation, GDPR, and scalability.
Who is Bitrix24 better for?
For small teams, startups and companies looking for an affordable all-in-one solution with a focus on collaboration.
Conclusion: HubSpot or Bitrix24 – which is the best CRM for the DACH region?
HubSpot convinced by GDPR compliance, intuitive operation, strong automation and a huge ecosystem of integrations specifically for the DACH region. Bitrix24 scores points for price and as an all-in-one solution for small teams, but is less sophisticated when it comes to automation and data protection. For Growing companies, medium-sized businesses and anyone who values scalability and compliance, HubSpot is the better choice. If you’re just looking for a cheap, solid CRM for small teams, you can start with Bitrix24 – but you should keep the data protection issues in mind.
