Technical Aspects

When looking for new software, it’s important to consider how it fits with your current tech stack. HubSpot Marketing Hub is small but mighty cloud software built to integrate with other popular solutions, while Dynamics 365 Marketing is one part of a larger Microsoft suite with deployment options for every business type. 

HubSpot Marketing Hub is part of HubSpot’s larger bundle of CRM (Customer Relationship Management) applications but is designed to run effectively on its own. Businesses can flesh out Marketing Hub’s capabilities with a variety of add-ons, including custom integrations with Dynamics 365 Sales and Salesforce Sales Cloud. HubSpot software is built for the cloud, so Marketing Hub’s deployment reduces IT costs and manual upkeep. 

Dynamics 365 Marketing is part of Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 CRM suite, which includes software for sales, marketing, customer service, field service, and project operations. The software is most effective when used in tandem with other Microsoft solutions, including Dynamics 365 CRM modules, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) tools such as Business Central, the Power Platform, and the Microsoft 365 product suite. Additionally, Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 CRM modules can be deployed on-premise, via the cloud, or as a hybrid of the two.  

Inbound vs. Outbound Marketing

What is your marketing methodology—how do you reach new customers, satisfy new ones, and produce incredible campaigns? HubSpot Marketing Hub focuses on inbound methodologies for content-driven campaigns, while Dynamics 365 Marketing balances outbound approaches with modern strategies. 

HubSpot is a leader in the inbound marketing space, so it makes sense that Marketing Hub offers deep inbound capabilities for marketing-focused organizations. Users can pick built-in templates for emails, landing pages, forms, and other forms of interactive content, or create their own designs from scratch. The software also includes contact and campaign management tools with automated workflows to simplify the data management process. 

Microsoft is a jack of all trades when it comes to marketing capabilities, with Dynamics 365 Marketing offering a balance of outbound and real-time marketing features. Users can capture leads from various sources, automate lead scoring, and even manage event registration and communications all from Dynamics 365 Marketing. Plus, the software balances both methodologies with segment-based email marketing automation and basic personalization and analytics features.  

Small, Mid-Sized, and Enterprise Businesses

The size of your business often plays a role in determining which software is a good fit. HubSpot Marketing Hub is flexible and affordable for small and mid-sized businesses, while Microsoft Dynamics 365 Marketing is built for larger organizations. 

HubSpot’s solutions are built with small and growing businesses in mind. Marketing Hub offers basic features with plenty of depth, so teams can dive in when they have the time and resources for larger campaigns. This is reflected in the cost, which is more affordable than Dynamics 365 Marketing but comes with fewer contacts. 

Dynamics 365 Marketing is built to integrate with Microsoft’s other tools, so it’s a good fit for organizations with larger software budgets that already use Microsoft solutions. While it has a higher monthly sticker price than HubSpot Marketing Hub, Dynamics 365 Marketing comes with more contacts. 

Sum It Up

HubSpot Marketing Hub is an affordable marketing automation solution for small and mid-sized companies. It offers deep functionality for inbound marketing strategies, including content creation and email marketing automation. It runs well as a standalone solution but can unlock its true potential through a variety of third-party integrations. 

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Marketing is a powerful marketing automation solution, particularly for larger companies that already use other Microsoft products. It offers a variety of marketing tools to satisfy all types of campaigns, and its many deployment options offer flexibility for businesses that aren’t fully committed to the cloud.  

At Cargas, our expert consulting team specializes in CRM and marketing automation solutions from HubSpot and Microsoft. If you’re struggling to determine which of these solutions is the best fit for your business, we’d love to help. Let’s connect to talk about your needs and what you’re looking for in a software solution.