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How to Move from HubSpot to Salesforce (Step-by-Step 2026 Guide)

By ToolVS Research Team · Last Updated April 2026

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Hard1-2 weeksCRM

This is one of the harder SaaS migrations. Budget 1-2 weeks. HubSpot and Salesforce use fundamentally different data models. HubSpot is contact-centric; Salesforce splits data across Leads, Contacts, Accounts, and Opportunities. Data exports as CSV, but field mapping requires careful planning. Here is how to do it right.

Migration Checklist

Step 1: Export Your Data from HubSpot

  1. Go to Contacts → Contacts → Export (top right) → select all properties → CSV
  2. Go to Contacts → Companies → Export → select all properties → CSV
  3. Go to Sales → Deals → Export → select all properties → CSV
  4. Go to Service → Tickets → Export if you use tickets
  5. Export email templates from Conversations → Templates (copy text manually)
  6. Screenshot all Workflows from Automation → Workflows

Critical: Export associations separately. HubSpot links contacts to companies and deals via associations. Go to Settings → Import & Export → Export and select "Contact to Company" associations.

Step 2: Clean and Map Data Fields

  1. Create a field mapping spreadsheet: HubSpot property → Salesforce field
  2. Key mappings: HubSpot "Contact" = Salesforce "Contact" or "Lead"
  3. HubSpot "Company" = Salesforce "Account"
  4. HubSpot "Deal" = Salesforce "Opportunity"
  5. HubSpot "Deal Stage" = Salesforce "Opportunity Stage" (remap values)
  6. Remove HubSpot-specific fields that have no Salesforce equivalent
  7. Standardize date formats (Salesforce uses YYYY-MM-DD)
  8. Clean phone numbers and addresses to Salesforce format

Step 3: Set Up Salesforce

  1. Sign up for Salesforce and complete the setup wizard
  2. Go to Setup → Object Manager and create custom fields matching your HubSpot properties
  3. Configure Opportunity Stages to match your HubSpot deal stages
  4. Set up page layouts for Contact, Account, and Opportunity objects
  5. Configure user roles and permissions
  6. Set up email integration (Gmail or Outlook connector)

Step 4: Import Data to Salesforce

Import order matters. Follow this sequence:

  1. Accounts first (from HubSpot Companies): Setup → Data Import Wizard → Accounts
  2. Contacts second: link to Accounts using company name or Account ID
  3. Opportunities third (from HubSpot Deals): link to Accounts and Contacts
  4. For large datasets (50k+ records): use Salesforce Data Loader instead
  5. After each import, verify record counts match your source data

Tip: Import 100 records first as a test batch. Check field mappings and data quality before doing the full import.

Step 5: Rebuild Automations

  1. Go to Setup → Flows and recreate HubSpot workflows as Salesforce Flows
  2. HubSpot "If/Then" branches = Salesforce "Decision" elements
  3. HubSpot "Delay" = Salesforce "Pause" element
  4. HubSpot email sequences = Salesforce Sales Engagement (Cadences)
  5. Set up assignment rules for lead routing
  6. Configure email alerts and task creation triggers

Step 6: Test Everything

  1. Verify total record counts match between HubSpot and Salesforce
  2. Spot-check 20 random records for data accuracy
  3. Test every automation flow with real scenarios
  4. Run your key reports and dashboards to confirm numbers match
  5. Test integrations with your website, marketing tools, and support tools

Step 7: Train Your Team

  1. Salesforce has a steeper learning curve than HubSpot. Plan 2-4 hours of training.
  2. Use Salesforce Trailhead (free) for self-paced learning
  3. Create cheat sheets showing where HubSpot features live in Salesforce
  4. Schedule hands-on practice sessions with real data

Step 8: Run Parallel for 2 Weeks

Keep HubSpot active while your team works in Salesforce. Compare deal values, contact counts, and automation outcomes daily. Any discrepancy means something did not migrate correctly. Fix issues during this period, not after canceling HubSpot.

Step 9: Deactivate HubSpot

  1. Do a final complete export of all HubSpot data as archive
  2. Go to Settings → Account → Cancel Subscription
  3. Or downgrade to free CRM to keep read-only access to historical data
  4. Remove HubSpot tracking code from your website
  5. Update all Zapier/Make.com integrations to use Salesforce

What You Will Lose

What You Will Gain

Gotchas and Common Mistakes

Data Export Formats

Data TypeHubSpot ExportSalesforce Import
ContactsCSVData Import Wizard / Data Loader
CompaniesCSVImport as Accounts
DealsCSVImport as Opportunities
WorkflowsNo export (screenshot)Rebuild as Flows
Email templatesHTML copyPaste into Salesforce templates

Migration Timeline

WhenTaskTime Needed
Week 1Export HubSpot data + field mapping4-6 hours
Week 1Set up Salesforce + custom fields4-8 hours
Week 2Import data + verify accuracy4-6 hours
Week 2Rebuild automations + integrations6-10 hours
Week 3Train team + go live4 hours
Week 3-4Run parallel + deactivate HubSpotMonitoring

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is it to migrate from HubSpot to Salesforce?
It is one of the harder SaaS migrations. The different data models (HubSpot is contact-centric, Salesforce is relational with Leads/Contacts/Accounts/Opportunities) require careful planning. Budget 1-2 weeks and consider hiring a Salesforce consultant for complex setups.
Can I transfer HubSpot workflows to Salesforce?
No, workflows cannot be automatically transferred. You must manually recreate them as Salesforce Flows. Document every HubSpot workflow before starting. The logic can usually be replicated, but the interfaces are completely different.
How much does a HubSpot to Salesforce migration cost?
DIY is free but takes 40-80 hours. Professional services cost $2,000-$15,000. Salesforce licenses start at $25/user/month for Essentials. Factor in training costs and potential AppExchange add-ons.

Not sure yet? Read our full HubSpot vs Salesforce comparison to see pricing, features, and which CRM fits your team better.

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