Choosing the right marketing automation platform is critical for fund marketers. I know this firsthand.

I spent the first half of my career in asset management—first as a salesperson using various CRMs, and later as a sales executive who became an unintentional Salesforce admin. I had to dig into the platform not just to build out our distribution systems but to help our sales teams access insights that would help them close more business. That hands-on experience made me deeply familiar with both Salesforce and Pardot.

When I launched my marketing agency, GK3 Capital, eight years ago, I evaluated several CRMs and marketing automation tools. Ultimately, I chose HubSpot. Why? Because it was the only platform I found that was both intuitive and powerful—an all-in-one system that brought together CRM, marketing automation, landing pages, and lead scoring. It just felt right.

Since then, we’ve helped over seventy clients implement HubSpot, including many who needed to integrate it with Salesforce. So while this article will objectively compare Pardot and HubSpot, I’ll also share my personal insights from years of working with both platforms—because for most fund marketers, I’ve found HubSpot to be the clear winner.

2. Ease of Use and Learning Curve

HubSpot is incredibly intuitive. You don’t need a developer or a systems admin to build a campaign or create a landing page. That was a game-changer for me when I first started GK3—and it's been a huge relief for many of our clients.

Pardot, on the other hand, is more technical. If you're already deep in the Salesforce ecosystem, it can work well—but it often requires more support and training.

Key Takeaway: HubSpot makes execution fast and easy. Pardot offers power but with more complexity.

3. Email Marketing & Campaign Management

As someone who's built campaigns for both platforms, the difference in usability is clear.

• HubSpot offers drag-and-drop builders, visual workflows, and smart content. You can move quickly from idea to execution.
• Pardot can do many of the same things—but often requires more steps, especially if you're relying on Salesforce data.

Key Takeaway: HubSpot’s campaign tools are just more accessible and intuitive for fund marketers.

4. CRM and Sales Alignment

This is where I often hear fund marketers assume Pardot is the obvious choice if they’re already using Salesforce. But here’s the truth: HubSpot integrates beautifully with Salesforce. We’ve done it many times.

• If you're looking for a seamless connection that lets your marketing and sales teams sync effectively, HubSpot can do that—without losing data or visibility.
• Pardot is still the native option, and if you need the deepest metadata-level integration, it’s a solid choice. But don’t count HubSpot out.

Key Takeaway: Salesforce shops don’t have to default to Pardot. HubSpot works great with Salesforce too.

5. Compliance and Data Governance

Both platforms support regulatory requirements. But in my experience:

• HubSpot makes compliance easier out of the box. Cookie consent, data retention, and email permissions are built in.
• Pardot can handle compliance too, but often requires custom setup or reliance on Salesforce infrastructure.

Key Takeaway: HubSpot simplifies compliance for firms with limited IT support.

6. Analytics and Reporting

We’ve built dashboards in both systems.

• HubSpot’s out-of-the-box reporting is fast, visual, and user-friendly.
• Pardot offers serious analytics power—especially when combined with Salesforce—but it’s often overkill unless you have the time or team to customize it.

Key Takeaway: HubSpot gives you what you need to act fast. Pardot offers depth, with more setup.

7. Pricing and ROI Considerations

• HubSpot’s pricing is scalable. You can start small and grow.
• Pardot typically comes with enterprise-level pricing—and a Salesforce license, which can add up.

Key Takeaway: For most fund marketers, HubSpot delivers ROI faster.

9. Unique Features of Each Platform

Features Pardot Offers That HubSpot Does Not:

• Native integration with Salesforce CRM at the metadata level
• B2B Marketing Analytics Plus (advanced analytics dashboards)
• Customizable scoring and grading models based on lead behavior and profile
• Deep user permissioning and role-based access tied to Salesforce roles

Features HubSpot Offers That Pardot Does Not:

• Free CRM with full-funnel visibility
• Integrated CMS for content creation and SEO tools
• Chatbots and conversational marketing tools
• Easy-to-use drag-and-drop workflow builder
• App ecosystem with 1,000+ native integrations

10. Who Should Choose Which?

Choose HubSpot if:

• You want fast deployment and ease of use.
• You don’t use Salesforce CRM, or you want to integrate easily.
• Your team is lean and values intuitive design.

Choose Pardot if:

• Your firm already runs Salesforce CRM and needs native-level integration.
• You have a dedicated ops team for customization.
• You need complex workflows and enterprise-grade control.

But honestly, in most cases we’ve seen—HubSpot is the better fit.

There’s no one-size-fits-all tool. But from someone who has lived and breathed both sides of the Salesforce and HubSpot world—I can tell you this:

HubSpot wins more often than not. It’s easier to use, faster to deploy, and more accessible for fund marketers who need to move quickly without sacrificing compliance or insight.

If you’re trying to decide between HubSpot and Pardot, let’s talk. At GK3 Capital, we help fund marketers choose the tools that support scalable, compliant, and effective growth.

Need help choosing between Pardot and HubSpot? [Schedule a consultation] with our team or download our free marketing automation checklist for fund marketers.