Spreadsheets are great—until you need scale, speed, or structure.
If you’re still managing leads in Google Sheets, you’re not alone.
It’s fast. It’s free. It works... for a while.
But here’s the truth:
Spreadsheets break when your team scales, your leads increase, or you want real-time visibility.
So, how does Google Sheets compare to a CRM like HubSpot?
Let’s break it down.
Google Sheets: Good for Getting Started
Pros:
- Free and accessible
- Simple columns for name, email, and status
- Easy to share across the team
- Lightweight and fast for <100 contacts
But…
Cons:
- No automation (unless you code it)
- Zero activity tracking (calls, emails, notes)
- Easy to overwrite or lose data
- No lead scoring or follow-up reminders
- Poor reporting and analytics
The moment you forget to update a cell, you’re flying blind.
HubSpot CRM: Built for Growth
HubSpot’s free CRM offers:
- Centralised contact records with activity timelines
- Deal pipelines with drag-and-drop stages
- Email templates, task reminders, and follow-up queues
- Lead capture forms that sync automatically
- Dashboards that show where leads come from, and which close
Bonus: You can still export to Sheets if needed.
Why We Moved Clients Off Sheets
Here’s what we saw over and over:
- Leads are going cold because no one followed up
- Sales reps stepping on each other’s deals
- No idea where deals were getting stuck
- Founders have zero visibility into performance
After switching to HubSpot, they could:
- Track deals and contacts by lifecycle stage
- Automate task assignments
- Set up lead scoring and routing
- See real revenue attribution—not just email addresses
When It’s Time to Switch
If you answer “yes” to any of these:
- Are leads falling through the cracks?
- Do you have more than one person handling leads?
- Do you want to run automations or send personalised follow-ups?
- Do you wish you had better reporting?
It’s time to move from Sheets → HubSpot.
Final Thought
Google Sheets is a great launchpad.
But if your lead gen is working—and you’re ready to grow—you need a CRM that supports your next stage.
HubSpot’s free plan gives you the structure without the cost.