Help Scout for Startups vs HubSpot for Startups (2026): Which Is Better for Startups?

Both are software perks for startups. Here is how Help Scout for Startups and HubSpot for Startups compare on what a startup gets, who qualifies and how to apply, and which one we would pick.

Help Scout for Startups

Six months of Help Scout Plus free, with AI Answers, for incorporated tech startups under two years old

7.0 /10

Pricing: Free to join

Pros

Top Plus plan with AI Answers included
No funding or partner required
Bootstrapped startups qualify

Cons

Only for companies under two years old
Price after the free period not stated on the page

Visit Help Scout for Startups ↗

HubSpot for Startups

Up to 90% off HubSpot Professional or Enterprise in year one for funded or partner-backed startups

8.0 /10

Pricing: Free to join

Pros

Up to 90% off year one, with discounts for two more years
Open to funded startups without a partner code
Covers the full HubSpot platform at Professional level

Cons

Annual commitment and steep list prices once the discount ends
Only for net-new Professional or Enterprise products

Visit HubSpot for Startups ↗

Help Scout for Startups vs HubSpot for Startups at a glance

	Help Scout for Startups	HubSpot for Startups
Editor score	7.0 / 10	8.0 / 10
Pricing model	Free	Free
What you get	Free to join	Free to join
Who qualifies	New Help Scout customers that are incorporated tech startups under two years old with ARR under $1M.	Startups that raised pre-seed, seed or Series A (not Series B+) or are affiliated with an approved HubSpot partner; the 30% tier is for members of approved entrepreneurial organisations.
Partner code needed	No	No
Steps it helps with	claim startup credits, get your first 100 customers	claim startup credits, get your first 100 customers
Who it is for	Pre-seed, Seed stage, Bootstrapped, SaaS	Pre-seed, Seed stage, Series A+, VC-backed only, SaaS
Reader upvotes	0	0
Best for	customer support, shared inbox, help desk	crm, marketing automation, sales

Our pick

HubSpot for Startups edges it with a score of 8.0 versus 7.0. HubSpot for Startups is the better fit if you value: up to 90% off year one, with discounts for two more years, open to funded startups without a partner code. Choose Help Scout for Startups instead if you need: top plus plan with ai answers included, no funding or partner required. Many startups can claim both: see credits by value.