HubSpot is a powerful system, but it only works if people know how to use it. Most teams don't struggle because HubSpot is too complicated. They struggle because nobody showed them how it fits their own way of working.
There are two main ways to learn: HubSpot Academy, which is free and self-paced, or live training with an expert on your own account. Both have a place.
This guide compares the two honestly, explains when each one works, and helps you decide what your team actually needs. If you already know you want hands-on help, see our HubSpot training page.
What is HubSpot Academy?
HubSpot Academy is HubSpot's free online learning platform. It offers video courses, short lessons and certifications covering the CRM, marketing, sales, service and reporting.
What HubSpot Academy does well
- It's free. There's no cost beyond your team's time.
- It's self-paced. People can learn when it suits them.
- It covers the fundamentals. It's a solid introduction to how HubSpot is designed to work.
- It offers certifications. Useful for individuals building their skills or CV.
Where HubSpot Academy falls short
- It's generic. Lessons use demo accounts, not your properties, pipelines or workflows.
- It can't answer your questions. If your setup works differently, there's no one to ask.
- It's easy to put off. Busy teams start courses with good intentions, then day-to-day work takes over.
- It doesn't fix bad setup. If your portal is messy, learning best practice won't make your data any cleaner.
Academy teaches how HubSpot works in general. It doesn't teach how your HubSpot works.
What is live HubSpot training?
Live training is delivered by a person, in person or online, using your own HubSpot account. Instead of watching a demo, your team works through the tasks they do every day.
What live training does well
- It's specific to you. Sessions use your pipelines, properties, reports and workflows.
- Questions get answered. People can ask "how do I...?" and see it done on screen.
- It's built around roles. Sales, marketing and service teams learn what matters to them.
- It spots problems. A trainer working in your portal will notice setup issues along the way.
Where live training falls short
- It costs money. Academy is free; live training isn't.
- It needs scheduling. Sessions have to fit around your team's calendar.
- It's only as good as the trainer. Look for someone who works in HubSpot every day.
HubSpot Academy vs live training at a glance
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HubSpot Academy
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Live training
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Cost
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Free
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Paid, usually scoped per team
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Format
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Self-paced videos and lessons
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Live sessions, in person or online
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Content
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Generic, using demo accounts
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Your own account and processes
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Questions
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Community forums
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Answered on the spot
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Best for
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Fundamentals and certifications
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Adoption, fixing habits, role-specific workflows
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Time to results
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Depends on self-discipline
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Usually faster, as it's scheduled and specific
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Which does your team need?
The right choice depends on where your team is with HubSpot, not on the size of your business.
HubSpot Academy is probably enough if:
- One or two people need to learn the basics
- Your portal is already set up well and the data is clean
- Your team is motivated to learn in their own time
- You want individual certifications
Live training is worth it if:
- You're new to HubSpot and want the team using it properly from day one
- You've had HubSpot for a while but people still work around it in spreadsheets
- Different teams use HubSpot in different ways, and it's causing problems
- You've invested in new features, such as automation or sales tools, that nobody uses yet
- New starters keep learning bad habits from existing staff
If your team has already tried Academy and adoption hasn't changed, that's usually a sign the gap isn't knowledge. It's how HubSpot fits your own processes.
Using both together
Academy and live training aren't either-or. Many teams get the best results by combining them:
- Academy first for the fundamentals, so live sessions don't start from zero.
- Live training on your own account, focused on each team's daily tasks.
- Academy afterwards for certifications and refreshers, with a clear idea of what applies to you.
Next steps
Start by asking your team two questions: what do they avoid doing in HubSpot, and what do they still do outside it? The answers will tell you whether you need more learning or more hands-on support.
If you'd like help, SMIT Marketing offers live HubSpot training for UK sales, marketing and service teams, delivered on your own account.