Choosing between hiring a HubSpot agency and building an in-house team is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your marketing and sales operations. Both options have advantages, and the right choice depends on your budget, goals, timeline, and internal capabilities. This guide breaks down the key differences, pros, cons, and practical recommendations to help you decide which solution fits your business best.
What Is a HubSpot Agency?
A HubSpot agency is a certified partner trained by HubSpot to implement, manage, and optimize HubSpot tools for businesses. They specialize in areas like inbound marketing, CRM setup, automation, sales enablement, and reporting. Their expertise helps businesses extract maximum value from HubSpot’s platform.
What Is an In-House Team?
An in-house team refers to employees directly hired by your company—usually marketers, CRM specialists, and sales operations staff—who work on HubSpot implementation, management, and strategy from within your organization.
Head-to-Head Comparison: HubSpot Agency vs In-House Team
Here’s how these two options stack up across key business factors:
1. Expertise and Experience
HubSpot Agency
- Brings specialized experience from working with multiple clients across industries.
- Helps implement best practices and avoid common pitfalls.
- Provides a team of experts (strategists, CRM pros, marketing specialists).
In-House Team
- May have strong internal knowledge of your brand and customers.
- Skill level varies depending on hiring and training.
- Requires time and investment to build expertise in HubSpot tools.
Edge: HubSpot Agency — for broad expertise and faster results.
2. Cost and Investment
HubSpot Agency
- Typically charges monthly retainers or project-based fees.
- More predictable budgeting.
- No costs for salaries, benefits, or ongoing training.
In-House Team
- Salary, benefits, training, software licenses, and turnover costs add up.
- Can be cost-effective long-term if you need full-time resources.
Edge: HubSpot Agency — for predictable costs and lower upfront investment.
3. Speed of Implementation
HubSpot Agency
- Experts can set up campaigns, automation, and CRM structures quickly.
- Reduces time to value significantly.
In-House Team
- Takes longer due to hiring, onboarding, and skill ramp-up.
- May struggle with complex HubSpot features initially.
Edge: HubSpot Agency — for faster execution.
4. Long-Term Control and Flexibility
HubSpot Agency
- Provides flexible support but is external.
- May limit complete internal control over processes.
In-House Team
- Fully integrated with your business culture and strategy.
- Offers greater control over daily operations and decision-making.
Edge: In-House Team — for maximum internal control.
5. Strategic Alignment
HubSpot Agency
- Brings strategic frameworks from industry best practices.
- Helps refine processes with data-driven insights.
In-House Team
- Deep understanding of internal goals, product nuances, and customer needs.
- Can tailor strategies closely aligned with business culture.
Edge: Draw — depends on capability and synergy with business goals.
6. Scalability
HubSpot Agency
- Scales support up or down based on your needs.
- Can plug gaps quickly (e.g., analytics, automation, campaigns).
In-House Team
- Scalability may require hiring additional staff.
- Growth can be slower due to internal funding and recruitment timelines.
Edge: HubSpot Agency — for agile scalability.
When a HubSpot Agency Is the Better Choice
You should strongly consider hiring a HubSpot agency if:
- You’re launching HubSpot for the first time.
- You need fast, professional setup and strategy.
- Your team lacks technical or inbound marketing expertise.
- You want predictable costs and flexible support.
- Your growth goals demand proven systems and automation.
In these cases, an agency acts as an extension of your team, providing strategic guidance and hands-on execution.
When an In-House Team Makes More Sense
An in-house HubSpot team may be the better long-term investment if:
- You have the budget to hire, train, and retain talent.
- HubSpot is central to your daily operations.
- You prefer internal control over all strategy and execution.
- You already have skilled marketers or CRM professionals.
With the right talent, an in-house team can become deeply integrated with your brand and product roadmap.
Hybrid Approach: Best of Both Worlds
Many businesses find value in a hybrid approach—starting with a HubSpot agency to implement foundational systems and strategies, then gradually building an in-house team to take over operational tasks. This blend gives you:
- Quick startup momentum
- Expert guidance from the beginning
- Internal ownership over time
It’s a balanced strategy that accelerates growth while building long-term capability.
Final Thoughts
Both a HubSpot Onboarding – Why, How, and Who? and an in-house team have unique strengths. The right choice depends on your current resources, growth plans, and internal expertise. If speed, efficiency, and proven experience matter most, a certified HubSpot agency is an excellent choice. If depth of internal understanding and full control are your priorities, investing in an in-house team may be worth it.
Ultimately, many successful companies leverage both—using agencies for strategic setup and agencies for training and collaboration with in-house talent.
