Comparison · Solar energy

OpenSolar vs HubSpot CRM

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

Updated September 26, 2026

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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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

Read full profile Official site

Criteria where OpenSolar wins

Ties

Criteria where HubSpot CRM wins

Score by criterion

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

CriterionOpenSolarHubSpot CRM

Proposal generator1.5×
PV sizing, shading, production estimates, and a customer-ready proposal or PDF without a parallel spreadsheet.
8.8
3.0
Financing1.2×
Quote and, when it exists, pre-approve solar loans, leases, or PPAs without retyping the homeowner in another portal.
8.5
2.0
Post-sale and monitoring1×
Installed systems, service tickets, and a clean handoff from sales into install / O&M without an orphan spreadsheet.
7.8
5.5
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.
9.8
9.2
Learning curve0.8×
English UI, solar vocabulary (kW, shade, PTO, TPO), and time to the first usable proposal.
8.0
8.2
Overall score
7.8
4.8

Native features

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

FeatureOpenSolarHubSpot CRM

Proposal generatorYesNo
FinancingYesNo
Native messagingNoNo
MonitoringNoNo
Website simulatorNoNo
Project managementYesNo
Native marketingNoYes
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.