Marketo vs. HubSpot: A Marketing Operations Expert’s Perspective

While HubSpot is easier to use for beginners, Marketo offers greater control for advanced users managing large-scale campaigns.

HubSpot for Simplicity, Marketo for Complexity

For businesses just getting started with marketing automation, HubSpot may be the simpler option, according to Jordan. Its intuitive interface and easy-to-use templates make it accessible for smaller teams or companies with limited marketing resources. 

However, as a company’s marketing needs grow more complex, HubSpot can feel limiting.

“HubSpot is great for smaller businesses or companies just starting out, but when you need to manage more complex campaigns or larger data sets, Marketo becomes the better choice,” Jordan explains.

Marketo’s Flexibility and Control

In contrast to HubSpot’s simplicity, Marketo offers advanced users far more control over their marketing automation. 

The platform’s flexibility allows businesses to create highly customized workflows, manage multiple campaigns simultaneously, and track performance across complex customer journeys. For companies with extensive marketing operations, this level of control is essential.

“Marketo lets you do things at a much deeper level, and that’s why I prefer it. You can build out intricate programs and workflows that are perfect for larger-scale operations,” Jordan shares.

A Preference for Marketo’s Capabilities

Despite HubSpot’s ease of use, Jordan strongly favors Marketo when it comes to larger, more complex marketing environments. In fact, many businesses undergoing HubSpot to Marketo migration have found the transition beneficial for handling intricate workflows.

While both platforms have their place, Marketo’s flexibility and ability to handle advanced tasks make it the platform of choice for professionals in marketing operations.

“For businesses that need that extra level of control and flexibility, Marketo is the better tool. It’s not as easy to learn as HubSpot, but once you know it, you can do so much more,” Jordan concludes.

Conclusion

While HubSpot offers a simpler, more user-friendly experience for smaller businesses, Marketo’s flexibility and control make it the platform of choice for larger, more complex marketing operations. According to Jordan, Marketo’s ability to handle advanced tasks and customized workflows makes it the superior choice for companies looking to scale their marketing efforts.