GoHighLevel vs Traditional CRMs: Why Agencies Are Switching in 2025
In 2025, marketing agencies are rethinking how they manage clients, campaigns, and workflows. With the rise of automation and integrated solutions, traditional CRMs are no longer enough for agencies looking to scale efficiently. Enter GoHighLevel, a platform designed specifically for agencies to streamline marketing, sales, and client management.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore GoHighLevel vs HubSpot, highlight why agencies are making the switch, and offer actionable insights on maximizing the platform for business growth.
Table of Contents
Why CRMs Are Essential for Agencies
Traditional CRMs: Strengths and Limitations
Introducing GoHighLevel: The All-in-One Solution
GoHighLevel vs HubSpot: Feature Comparison
CRM Comparison GHL: Automation and Workflows
Pricing and ROI: Why Agencies Choose GoHighLevel
Marketing and Client Management Capabilities
Integrations and Third-Party Tools
User Experience and Support
Success Stories: Agencies That Made the Switch
How to Transition from HubSpot to GoHighLevel
Conclusion: Choosing the Best CRM for Agencies
1. Why CRMs Are Essential for Agencies
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems are the backbone of modern agency operations. They help agencies:
Track leads and client interactions
Automate follow-ups and campaigns
Segment contacts for personalized marketing
Measure ROI and campaign performance
Without a CRM, agencies often struggle with scattered data, missed opportunities, and inefficient workflows. However, not all CRMs are created equal especially when it comes to agency-specific needs.
2. Traditional CRMs: Strengths and Limitations
Platforms like HubSpot, Salesforce, and Zoho CRM have been staples in the marketing world for years. Their strengths include:
Robust reporting and analytics
Well-established reputation and security
Extensive third-party integrations
However, traditional CRMs also have limitations for agencies:
High costs: HubSpot and Salesforce require multiple add-ons to achieve full functionality, which can become expensive.
Fragmented tools: Agencies often need separate tools for email marketing, SMS campaigns, landing pages, and appointment scheduling.
Complex setup: Setting up automated workflows often requires technical expertise.
Limited agency-centric features: Most traditional CRMs are built for sales teams, not marketing agencies managing multiple clients simultaneously.
These pain points have prompted agencies to look for alternatives that combine automation, affordability, and agency-specific workflows.
3. Introducing GoHighLevel: The All-in-One Solution
GoHighLevel (GHL) was designed with agencies in mind. It combines the essential features of traditional CRMs with powerful marketing automation, making it a one-stop solution for client management, lead generation, and workflow automation.
Key advantages of GoHighLevel include:
Unified dashboard for multiple clients
Built-in email, SMS, and call automation
Sales pipeline management tailored for agencies
Appointment scheduling and calendar management
White-labeling options for agency branding
Unlike traditional CRMs, GoHighLevel is not just a tool for sales it’s a growth platform for agencies, helping them save time, reduce costs, and scale efficiently.
4. GoHighLevel vs HubSpot: Feature Comparison
When comparing GoHighLevel vs HubSpot, several distinctions stand out:
FeatureGoHighLevelHubSpotPricingAffordable all-in-oneExpensive, tiered pricingAutomationNative email, SMS, call, and workflow automationLimited without add-onsAgency FocusMulti-client dashboards, white-labelingPrimarily sales-focusedMarketing ToolsFunnels, landing pages, surveys, formsRequires external toolsIntegrationsNative + ZapierExtensive integrations but sometimes fragmentedCRM ManagementLead scoring, Smart Lists, pipeline automationStandard pipelines, less dynamicSupportAgency-focused support & resourcesGeneral support, less agency-specific guidance
From this comparison, it’s clear why agencies seeking a full-stack solution are increasingly leaning toward GoHighLevel.
Keywords in action: GoHighLevel vs HubSpot, best CRM for agencies
5. CRM Comparison GHL: Automation and Workflows
One of GoHighLevel’s biggest advantages is automation. Agencies can:
Set up drip campaigns via email and SMS for leads
Automate follow-ups based on client behavior
Trigger workflows for onboarding, upsells, or retention campaigns
Segment contacts dynamically using GHL Smart Lists
Automation is seamless, unlike HubSpot, where achieving similar functionality often requires multiple paid add-ons.
Pro Tip: Check out how to create them snapshots for a visual guide on building automated workflows and Smart Lists in GoHighLevel.
6. Pricing and ROI: Why Agencies Choose GoHighLevel
Pricing is a critical factor for agencies managing multiple clients. Here’s how GoHighLevel vs HubSpot stacks up:
GoHighLevel: Starts at a flat monthly fee for unlimited users and clients, with all-in-one features included.
HubSpot: Tiered pricing, with essential automation, marketing, and reporting features requiring expensive add-ons.
ROI is significantly higher with GoHighLevel because agencies don’t need to pay for multiple tools. A single platform handles CRM, email marketing, SMS campaigns, landing pages, and more making it the best CRM for agencies focused on efficiency and growth.
7. Marketing and Client Management Capabilities
GoHighLevel shines in marketing automation:
Funnels and landing pages: Build client funnels without extra tools
SMS marketing: Send reminders, promotions, and campaigns easily
Email campaigns: Drag-and-drop email builder with automation triggers
Client dashboards: Monitor campaign performance for each client from a single interface
In contrast, HubSpot requires integrating separate tools for some of these capabilities, which can increase complexity and cost.
8. Integrations and Third-Party Tools
While HubSpot is known for extensive third-party integrations, GoHighLevel provides:
Native integrations for payment processing, calendars, forms, and surveys
Zapier integration for connecting over 5,000 apps
White-labeling for agency clients
This combination ensures agencies can operate with fewer tools, less friction, and more control over client data.
9. User Experience and Support
User experience is another area where GoHighLevel stands out:
Agency-first interface: Dashboards designed for multi-client management
Dedicated support: Training, tutorials, and resources tailored for agency workflows
Community: Active user community and masterclasses for learning advanced features
HubSpot, while polished, is primarily built for sales teams rather than agencies managing multiple clients simultaneously.
10. Success Stories: Agencies That Made the Switch
Several marketing agencies have publicly shared their success after switching to GoHighLevel:
Agency A: Reduced software costs by 70% by consolidating tools into GoHighLevel.
Agency B: Increased lead conversion rates by 40% using automated workflows and Smart Lists.
Agency C: Improved client reporting and satisfaction by centralizing dashboards for multiple clients.
These stories highlight why GoHighLevel vs HubSpot is not just a comparison of features, but a strategic choice for scaling agencies.
11. How to Transition from HubSpot to GoHighLevel
Switching platforms can seem daunting, but it’s manageable:
Export contacts and CRM data from HubSpot.
Import into GoHighLevel, using Smart Lists to segment leads dynamically.
Recreate workflows, automation sequences, and pipelines in GHL.
Train your team on the new dashboard and features.
Test campaigns and refine automations before going live.
By following these steps, agencies can minimize downtime and start leveraging GoHighLevel’s advantages immediately.
12. Conclusion: Choosing the Best CRM for Agencies
In 2025, the choice between GoHighLevel vs HubSpot boils down to agency needs:
Agencies seeking all-in-one solutions, lower costs, automation, and multi-client management benefit from GoHighLevel.
Traditional CRMs like HubSpot remain strong in enterprise environments, but often require multiple add-ons for full functionality.
For agencies aiming to scale efficiently, automate workflows, and maximize ROI, GoHighLevel is the clear winner.
To accelerate your mastery, consider enrolling in the GoHighLevel Masterclass for in-depth lessons, use cases, and advanced strategies.
Next Action: Audit your current CRM workflows, identify gaps, and explore GoHighLevel to see how much more efficient and effective your agency operations can become.
