OCTIS vs Capsule vs Pipedrive vs HubSpot for UK small businesses
A UK-made CRM is not always a UK-hosted one. Check where the data sits as well as the price.
Last checked · 6 sources
Otty's short answer
Capsule suits a small UK firm that wants a simple, UK-built CRM with a free plan for 2 users. Pipedrive suits a sales team that lives in a deal pipeline, and it lists a UK (London) hosting region. HubSpot suits a firm that wants a free start and may add marketing later, but it lists no UK region and charges a one-time onboarding fee on Professional.
Side by side
Swipe to see every column
| What matters | OCTISHong Kong company + OCTIS global plan | Capsule | Pipedrive | HubSpot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Made in the UK | No, international (Hong Kong company route) | Yes, Zestia, Manchester | No | No |
| Free plan | 30-day money-back guarantee, terms apply | 2 users, 250 contacts | Not read | 2 users, no card |
| Entry paid plan, per user per month | Not published: 10–30% below your current bill | US$18 annual list; £ at sign-up | Check current fee | From US$7 list; £ not read |
| Mid plan, per user per month | 10–30% below your current bill | US$36 Growth, annual | Not read | From US$90 Professional |
| Top plan, per user per month | 10–30% below your current bill | US$72 Ultimate, annual | Check current fee | From US$150 Enterprise |
| One-time onboarding fee | No implementation fee stated | None listed | Not read | US$1,500 Professional |
| Free trial on paid plans | 30-day money-back guarantee, terms apply | 14 days, no card | Not read | Not read |
| Best for | CRM, workflow and AI agents in one Business OS | Simple contacts and pipeline | Deal-focused sales teams | Marketing and sales suite |
If you have staff, premises or local sales in this country, its own registration and tax rules still apply. OCTIS can help you arrange them.
Data sources & disclaimer: Comparison data was compiled from publicly available sources — including the competitors' own published pricing and feature pages — captured on 9 November 2026. Figures reflect the typical or advertised pricing at that time and may have changed since; plans, inclusions and prices vary by provider, region and promotion. OCTIS is independent and not affiliated with the named companies; all trademarks belong to their respective owners. This comparison is provided in good faith for general information only and is not professional, legal or financial advice — please verify current details with each provider before deciding.
Which one fits you
OCTIS · Hong Kong company + OCTIS global plan
Choose OCTIS if you sell to customers in several countries and want CRM, workflow and AI agents in one place with your company and accounts.
Capsule
Choose Capsule if you want a simple CRM from a UK company, you are happy with US hosting under transfer safeguards, and you want a free plan for two users.
Pipedrive
Choose Pipedrive if your team works from a sales pipeline and you want UK hosting, but check its price on Pipedrive's live page first.
HubSpot
Choose HubSpot if you want the free CRM today and plan to add marketing or service tools, and you accept EU or US hosting and onboarding costs on higher plans.
What the table does not show
UK-made is not the same as UK-hosted
Capsule is built by Zestia Ltd of Manchester. Its security page says all Capsule data is stored with Amazon Web Services in the United States, and its privacy policy says data may be stored outside the EEA. Capsule says it complies with GDPR. Pipedrive's support pages list AWS regions including UK (London), and route non-EU European accounts to it. HubSpot's knowledge base lists the US, Canada, Australia and EU (Germany), with no UK region. For most small firms transfer safeguards are enough. If a client contract demands UK hosting, ask each vendor in writing.
Price and what you pay beyond the plan
The official pages we could read showed US dollar prices, so the £ amounts are not confirmed here. Capsule lists US$18 per user per month on Starter billed annually, US$22 monthly, with a free plan for 2 users and 250 contacts. HubSpot lists a free plan, Starter from US$7, Professional from US$90 with a one-time US$1,500 onboarding fee, and Enterprise from US$150 with US$3,500 onboarding. Pipedrive's page could not be opened. Pipedrive's UK prices are not confirmed here, so check its live page.
Fit for a small firm
Capsule keeps to contacts, deals, tasks and projects, which suits a team of two to ten people who want few settings. Pipedrive is organised around a drag-and-drop pipeline and suits a team that sells to a steady flow of leads. HubSpot has the widest suite, and its paid tiers climb quickly once marketing seats are added. Pick the lightest tool your team will actually open every day. A CRM nobody updates is the real cost.
Where OCTIS fits
If you run a Malaysian or Hong Kong company that sells into the UK, any of these three can hold your UK leads. OCTIS does not sell UK CRM or UK services. For your home company, the OCTIS built-in CRM and bookkeeping keep Malaysian or Hong Kong customers and books in one workspace, so UK sales data stays separate and easy to consolidate. Moving your accounting work to OCTIS can take 10–30% off your current bill.
Frequently asked questions
Is Capsule CRM better than HubSpot for a small UK business?
Capsule is simpler and has no onboarding fee listed, so it suits small teams that want contacts and a pipeline. HubSpot has a bigger suite and a free plan for 2 users, but Professional adds a one-time onboarding fee. Choose by how much you will use marketing tools.
Where does Capsule store UK customer data?
Capsule's security page says all data is stored with Amazon Web Services in the United States. Capsule is a UK company and says it complies with GDPR, and its privacy policy refers to transfer safeguards. If you need UK-only hosting, ask Capsule before you sign.
Does HubSpot have a UK data centre?
HubSpot's knowledge base lists hosting in the United States, Canada, Australia and the EU (Germany). No UK region is listed. HubSpot's data processing terms cover UK transfers through the UK extension to the Data Privacy Framework. Confirm details with HubSpot for contract needs.
Does Pipedrive host data in the UK?
Pipedrive's support pages list AWS regions including UK (London), and say non-EU European accounts are assigned there. Older Pipedrive pages mention other locations, so check the sub-processor list or data processing addendum for a compliance decision.
Which CRM has a free plan in the UK?
Capsule has a free plan for 2 users and 250 contacts. HubSpot has a free plan for 2 users. Pipedrive's free-plan status could not be read. Limits change, so check the live page.
Sources
Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.