hubspot-cms vs framer
HubSpot CMS vs Framer — features, pricing, and which to choose for your SEO workflow in 2026.
Quick Verdict
HubSpot CMS and Framer represent two completely different approaches to website building. HubSpot CMS is a marketing-first platform designed for businesses that want their website to feed directly into their CRM and marketing automation workflows. Framer is a design-first visual builder that lets you create modern, animated websites without touching code.
The choice between them usually comes down to whether you prioritize marketing integration and lead generation features (HubSpot) or visual design flexibility and development speed (Framer). Most businesses choosing between these tools are either scaling marketing teams that need everything connected, or design-focused teams that want creative control without developer dependency.
Feature Comparison
HubSpot CMS excels at marketing integration features that Framer simply doesn't offer. You get built-in lead capture forms that sync to your CRM, A/B testing for landing pages, marketing automation workflows, and detailed visitor tracking. The SEO recommendations are contextual and tied to actual search performance data from connected marketing campaigns. HubSpot also provides content staging, team collaboration tools, and enterprise-grade security features. Framer focuses entirely on design and performance. Its visual editor lets you create complex animations, responsive layouts, and interactive elements without coding. The AI features can generate layouts and copy, while the built-in CMS handles basic content management. Framer sites load extremely fast due to optimized code generation, and the SEO controls cover technical basics like meta tags, structured data, and site speed optimization. Where HubSpot wins on marketing depth, Framer wins on design flexibility and site performance. HubSpot's templates are functional but limited aesthetically, while Framer gives you complete creative control but lacks advanced marketing features.
Pricing Comparison
Both platforms start free, but their paid tiers serve different needs. HubSpot CMS Hub Starter costs $25/month and includes basic SEO tools, SSL, and 1,000 marketing contacts. The Professional tier at $400/month adds advanced SEO recommendations, A/B testing, and marketing automation. Enterprise pricing starts around $1,200/month with custom reporting and advanced security. Framer's paid plans focus on removing usage limits rather than adding marketing features. The Mini plan at $5/month removes Framer branding and adds custom domains. Pro at $15/month includes better CMS features and team collaboration. The Enterprise plan at $30/month adds advanced integrations and priority support. For pure website costs, Framer is significantly cheaper. But if you need the marketing features, HubSpot's pricing includes CRM, email marketing, and automation tools that would cost hundreds more with separate providers.
Best For
HubSpot CMS is the clear choice for marketing-driven businesses that want their website integrated with their entire customer acquisition process. If you're running paid ads, email campaigns, and need detailed attribution reporting, HubSpot connects everything smoothly. It's particularly valuable for B2B companies with longer sales cycles where lead nurturing and marketing automation matter more than modern design. Framer works best for design-conscious businesses, agencies, and startups that prioritize visual appeal and site performance over marketing automation. If you're building a portfolio site, product landing pages, or any site where design quality directly impacts business results, Framer's creative flexibility and performance optimization are unmatched.
The Verdict
Choose HubSpot CMS if your website's primary job is generating and nurturing leads through integrated marketing campaigns. Choose Framer if you need a visually stunning, fast-loading website without the complexity and cost of marketing automation. For most small businesses and solo projects, Framer delivers better value and results. For scaling marketing teams, HubSpot's integration benefits justify the higher cost.