HubSpot vs Zoho
Both are CRM companies. Here is what each has actually been doing lately, based on recent news coverage, and where their strategies meet.
Analysis · week of October 17, 2026
HubSpot has recently focused on restructuring its organization by laying off 7% of its workforce to create a flatter and faster company. The firm is also heavily investing in AI, aiming to boost adoption and translate it into revenue growth. Despite beating earnings and sales estimates in the second quarter of 2026, HubSpot’s cautious revenue outlook and slower customer growth have caused its stock to drop significantly.
Zoho, meanwhile, has been concentrating on expanding its product offerings and partnerships. It introduced new vertical SaaS products and AI-powered tools like Zia Chat to deepen industry-specific solutions. Zoho also launched a free messaging app for sectors such as healthcare and education. However, rising AI infrastructure costs have led Zoho to pause pay hikes and marketing spend, with the founder emphasizing efforts to avoid layoffs.
Both companies are investing in AI and expanding their product suites, but HubSpot is focusing on internal restructuring and revenue growth amid market caution, while Zoho is broadening its industry reach and managing costs carefully. Sales and product teams competing with either should watch HubSpot’s AI integration and organizational changes, as well as Zoho’s vertical SaaS expansion and cost control measures.
HubSpot
HubSpot is a CRM platform for marketing, sales and service teams at small and mid-sized businesses.
- HubSpot to lay off 7% of workforce to create 'flatter, faster organization'WCVBOct 6, 2026
- HubSpot (NYSE:HUBS): How Is AI Reshaping Its Business?Oct 15, 2026
- HubSpot (NYSE:HUBS): Affordable Growth at a Reasonable ValuationOct 14, 2026
- HubSpot’s AI Adoption Is Rising. Can It Turn Usage Into Revenue Growth?Sep 25, 2026
- HubSpot Q2 Earnings Beat: Can AI Growth Offset Slower Buying Cycles?Aug 13, 2026
Zoho
Zoho is a business software suite whose CRM competes on price and breadth.
- TCS partners with Zoho’s ManageEngine to boost sovereign cloud adoption in IndiaTata Consultancy ServicesOct 14, 2026
- Zoho pauses pay hikes and marketing spend due to rising AI infrastructure costsThe Times of IndiaOct 13, 2026
- Zoho freezes pay raises amid AI cost surge, founder cites uncertain software outlookTelegraph IndiaOct 13, 2026
- Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu says no pay increase, working to avoid mass layoffsDeccan HeraldOct 13, 2026
- Zoho co-founder’s Mudhal Partners leads $496K pre-Series A for B-Arm startupDealroomOct 10, 2026
Analysis is generated with AI from public news coverage and may contain errors. Always check the linked sources.