Comparison · Solar energy

HubSpot CRM vs OpenSolar

Two paths for solar energy sales: a generic CRM versus an industry-built CRM.

Updated September 26, 2026

Generic CRM

HubSpot CRM

4.8

Weakout of 10

Mature general-purpose CRM with a permanent free tier. Excellent pipeline and marketing — zero native PV sizing, solar financing, or plant monitoring.

Free plan (permanent); paid seats from Starter

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Higher scoreSolar CRM

OpenSolar

7.8

Strongout of 10

Free end-to-end solar platform — AI design, branded proposals, integrated finance options, e-signature, payments, and a built-in project CRM from lead through install.

Free (core app); API and connectors are paid add-ons

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Criteria where HubSpot CRM wins

Ties

Criteria where OpenSolar wins

Score by criterion

In green, who wins the criterion. The overall score uses solar energy weights: proposal generator and financing weigh more.

CriterionHubSpot CRMOpenSolar

Proposal generator1.5×
PV sizing, shading, production estimates, and a customer-ready proposal or PDF without a parallel spreadsheet.
3.0
8.8
Financing1.2×
Quote and, when it exists, pre-approve solar loans, leases, or PPAs without retyping the homeowner in another portal.
2.0
8.5
Post-sale and monitoring1×
Installed systems, service tickets, and a clean handoff from sales into install / O&M without an orphan spreadsheet.
5.5
7.8
Native messaging0.9×
Native SMS or messaging inbox on the lead card, with team history. WhatsApp Business API also counts. Marketplace apps, extensions, and website buttons do not.
3.5
3.5
Price and transparency0.8×
Public plan, currency, trial, and whether you can start without a vendor sales call.
9.2
9.8
Learning curve0.8×
English UI, solar vocabulary (kW, shade, PTO, TPO), and time to the first usable proposal.
8.2
8.0
Overall score
4.8
7.8

Native features

Only what is part of the product counts. Marketplace integrations or third-party apps are out.

FeatureHubSpot CRMOpenSolar

Proposal generatorNoYes
FinancingNoYes
Native messagingNoNo
MonitoringNoNo
Website simulatorNoNo
Project managementNoYes
Native marketingYesNo
Sales pipelineYesYes

Compare with another rival

Each pair has its own page. The ranking only highlights the main duels — the rest are here and on each CRM profile.