Payaca vs HubSpot
Marketing CRM vs purpose-built solar software
HubSpot is excellent for marketing automation. But solar installers need operations, permits, and field tools that marketing CRMs don't provide.
Payaca
All-in-one platform for solar installers: CRM, operations, permits, and finance in one system.
- Full operations platform including servicing
- Permit tracking and AHJ compliance
- OpenSolar and Aurora integrations
- Quoting, invoicing, payments included
HubSpot
Powerful marketing automation and sales CRM for any industry. Great for inbound marketing.
- Strong marketing automation
- Free CRM tier available
- No job management or field tools
- No permit tracking or solar features
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Payaca | HubSpot |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Complete platform for solar installation businesses | Marketing and sales CRM for any industry |
| Industry Focus | Built for solar, batteries, EV chargers | Generic - works for any B2B or B2C business |
| Permit Tracking | Built-in permit tracking and AHJ compliance | Not available - no permit support |
| Design Tool Integration | OpenSolar and Aurora connections | No solar design integrations |
| Job Management | Multi-stage installation project tracking | Deals and tickets only - no job management |
| Field Team Mobile App | Offline-capable app for installation teams | Sales app for reps - not for field technicians |
| Marketing Automation | Basic email campaigns and automation | Comprehensive marketing suite (paid tiers) |
| Quoting & Proposals | Multi-option solar proposals with e-signatures | Basic quotes (Sales Hub only) |
| Invoicing | Full invoicing with payment collection | Limited - requires third-party integration |
Primary Purpose
Complete platform for solar installation businesses
Marketing and sales CRM for any industry
Industry Focus
Built for solar, batteries, EV chargers
Generic - works for any B2B or B2C business
Permit Tracking
Built-in permit tracking and AHJ compliance
Not available - no permit support
Design Tool Integration
OpenSolar and Aurora connections
No solar design integrations
Job Management
Multi-stage installation project tracking
Deals and tickets only - no job management
Field Team Mobile App
Offline-capable app for installation teams
Sales app for reps - not for field technicians
Marketing Automation
Basic email campaigns and automation
Comprehensive marketing suite (paid tiers)
Quoting & Proposals
Multi-option solar proposals with e-signatures
Basic quotes (Sales Hub only)
Invoicing
Full invoicing with payment collection
Limited - requires third-party integration
Which is right for you?
Choose Payaca if:
- You run a solar or clean energy business
- You need operations and field team tools
- You need permit tracking and AHJ compliance
- You want one system for the whole business
Consider HubSpot if:
- Marketing automation is your priority
- You don't do installations - just sales/leads
- You have other tools for operations
Or use both: HubSpot for marketing, Payaca for operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use HubSpot for my solar installation business?
- You can use HubSpot for lead capture and marketing, but it lacks the operational tools solar installers need - no job management, no permit tracking, no field team app. Most installers end up needing multiple additional tools to run their business.
- What does HubSpot do well?
- HubSpot excels at marketing automation, email campaigns, landing pages, and tracking website visitors. The free CRM tier is generous. If you need sophisticated marketing tools, HubSpot is strong. But for running installation operations, it wasn't designed for that purpose.
- Should I use HubSpot for marketing and Payaca for operations?
- This can work well. Use HubSpot to generate leads, then hand them off to Payaca once captured. Payaca starts at lead capture and handles everything from there - proposals, jobs, permits, invoicing. Payaca has an OpenAPI for integrations.
- Is HubSpot free CRM enough for a small solar company?
- The free CRM handles basic contact management, but you'll quickly need quoting, scheduling, permit tracking, and invoicing that HubSpot doesn't provide. You'd need Sales Hub plus additional tools. Payaca includes everything for solar businesses in one platform.
- How much does HubSpot cost for a full solution?
- HubSpot's free tier is limited. For meaningful sales and automation features, you need Sales Hub Professional or higher, which costs significantly more than Payaca. And you'd still need separate tools for permits and operations. Compare total cost, not just CRM subscription.
- Can I migrate from HubSpot to Payaca?
- Yes, we can import your contacts, companies, and deal data from HubSpot. Many installers migrate when they realize they need industry-specific tools for permits and operations. Book a demo to discuss your migration.
More than just a CRM
See how Payaca handles your entire solar installation business.