Hay vs HubSpot Breeze: Platform AI vs Specialized Support AI

HubSpot Breeze AI provides AI across their entire platform - CRM, sales, marketing, and support. Hay focuses specifically on support automation. The right choice depends on whether you need broad platform AI or deep support specialization.

TL;DR

Hay vs HubSpot Breeze AI comes down to specialization. HubSpot Breeze provides AI across their entire platform, with Customer Agent requiring Service Hub Professional ($450+/mo). Hay focuses specifically on support automation starting at $50/month. Teams already invested in HubSpot may prefer Breeze; teams wanting specialized support AI may prefer Hay.

HubSpot Breeze AI vs Hay: Feature Comparison

Feature
HubSpot Breeze AI
Hay
Primary Focus
CRM/Sales automation
Support automation
Support AI Depth
Basic
Deep (action execution)
Minimum Price for AI
$450+/mo (Service Hub Pro)
$50/mo
Pricing Model
Consumption-based credits
Flat monthly + resolutions
AI Action Execution
CRM actions only
E-commerce + helpdesk actions
Shopify Integration
Basic (via Operations Hub)
Full read/write
WooCommerce Integration
Limited
Full read/write
Zendesk Integration
Sync only
Full AI automation
Plain English Playbooks
Human-in-Loop Default
Works Without HubSpot CRM
E-commerce Refund Processing
Order Tracking Actions
Limited
Setup Complexity
High (requires HubSpot ecosystem)
Low (standalone or integrated)

Pricing: The Real Cost Breakdown

Understanding HubSpot's tiered pricing vs Hay's resolution-based model

HubSpot Breeze AI

Service Hub Professional $450/month (minimum)
AI Credits Consumption-based (opaque)
Customer Agent Requires Pro tier
Operations Hub (for e-commerce) +$720/month
Typical Total $500-1,500+/month

HubSpot's pricing uses tiered Hubs with AI features in higher tiers. Teams already on HubSpot may find Breeze AI a natural addition. New teams should factor in the full platform investment.

Recommended

Hay

Starter Plan $135/month
Included Resolutions 2,000/month
Overage Rate $0.20/resolution
All Integrations Included

Simple, transparent pricing. No tier requirements, no consumption anxiety, no surprise bills.

Real-World Scenario: Support Team Wanting AI Automation

HubSpot Breeze AI Cost

$450-1,500/month

Service Hub Pro + potential Operations Hub + AI credits

Hay Cost

$135/month

Starter plan with 2,000 resolutions included

Save $315-1,365/month (70-91% less) with Hay

Key Differences That Matter

1

Product Focus

HubSpot Breeze AI

Breeze AI spans HubSpot's entire platform - Breeze Copilot for reps, Breeze Agents for automation, Breeze Intelligence for data. Support is one component of a comprehensive CRM AI strategy. This breadth is valuable for teams wanting unified AI across all customer touchpoints.

Hay

Hay focuses specifically on AI support automation. Every feature, integration, and roadmap decision is about making support teams more effective. This specialization allows deeper capabilities in the support domain.

Teams wanting unified AI across CRM, sales, marketing, and support may prefer HubSpot's approach. Teams wanting specialized support AI may prefer Hay's focus.

2

E-commerce Integration

HubSpot Breeze AI

HubSpot's core strength is B2B SaaS and service businesses. E-commerce integrations exist through Operations Hub and sync tools, though action execution typically requires additional middleware like Zapier.

Hay

Native Shopify and WooCommerce integrations with full action execution. Process refunds, check orders, update shipping directly from AI playbooks without middleware.

B2B SaaS companies may find HubSpot's approach sufficient. E-commerce brands needing direct action execution may prefer Hay's native integrations.

3

Pricing Transparency

HubSpot Breeze AI

HubSpot uses tiered Hub pricing with AI features at higher tiers. Teams already invested in HubSpot have predictable upgrade paths. New teams should evaluate the full platform investment, not just AI costs.

Hay

Resolution-based pricing. Pick a plan based on volume, know exactly what you'll pay. Simple model without tier dependencies.

Teams already on HubSpot can add Breeze AI as part of their existing relationship. Teams looking specifically for support AI may find Hay's standalone pricing more straightforward.

4

Ecosystem Lock-in

HubSpot Breeze AI

Breeze AI only works within HubSpot. Using Zendesk for support? Breeze can sync data but can't automate your Zendesk tickets. The AI is a feature of the CRM, not a standalone product. You're buying HubSpot, not just AI.

Hay

Hay works with your existing tools. Add AI to Zendesk, Help Scout, or Intercom without changing platforms. Use our native chat if you prefer. We complement your stack, not replace it.

Teams already invested in non-HubSpot tools can add Hay without migration.

5

Support AI Maturity

HubSpot Breeze AI

HubSpot's Customer Agent is part of their broader Breeze AI initiative. The company has strong foundations in marketing and sales automation, with support being a growing focus area as they expand their service capabilities.

Hay

Hay was built specifically for support from day one. Our team has support operations backgrounds. Every feature is designed for support leaders managing high-volume tickets. Support is our entire focus.

When to Choose Each Platform

Choose HubSpot Breeze AI if:

  • You're already all-in on HubSpot ecosystem
  • You primarily need CRM AI (lead scoring, email, data enrichment)
  • Your support volume is low and basic chatbot suffices
  • You're a B2B SaaS company with simple support needs
  • You have budget for Service Hub Professional or higher

Choose Hay if:

  • You need deep support automation, not CRM AI
  • You're an e-commerce brand needing action execution
  • You use Zendesk, Help Scout, or non-HubSpot helpdesks
  • Transparent, predictable pricing matters
  • You want purpose-built support AI, not CRM features
  • You need to be live quickly without ecosystem migration

Switching from HubSpot Breeze AI to Hay

Moving from HubSpot Breeze to Hay is most relevant for teams who adopted HubSpot for CRM but found the support AI lacking, or e-commerce brands who need deeper automation.

1

Keep HubSpot for CRM

You don't have to leave HubSpot. Many teams use HubSpot CRM + Hay for support AI. The systems complement each other.

2

Connect E-commerce Platforms

Link Shopify, WooCommerce with full action capability. This is the functionality HubSpot lacks.

3

Connect Your Helpdesk

If you're using HubSpot Service Hub, you can continue. Or connect Zendesk/Help Scout for deeper support features.

4

Configure Support Playbooks

Write playbooks for your actual support workflows - refunds, order tracking, returns. The actions HubSpot couldn't execute.

5

Parallel Operation

Run Hay alongside HubSpot initially. Compare support resolution quality and speed. Most teams see immediate improvement.

Timeframe: Teams typically see Hay handling support tickets within 1 week, with full playbook configuration in 2 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Hay with HubSpot CRM?

Yes. Hay integrates with HubSpot CRM for customer context while handling support automation separately. Many teams use HubSpot for sales/marketing and Hay for support - best of both worlds.

Is HubSpot Breeze actually bad for support?

Not bad - just basic. The Customer Agent can answer questions from your knowledge base and route conversations. But for action execution (processing refunds, checking live orders), it's limited. If your support is purely Q&A, Breeze might suffice. If you need AI that does things, it falls short.

What about HubSpot's AI for ticket summarization?

Breeze Copilot does offer ticket summarization and response drafts for agents. These are genuinely useful productivity features. Hay focuses on automation (AI handling tickets end-to-end) rather than agent assistance.

Why does HubSpot require Service Hub Professional for AI?

HubSpot bundles AI with their Professional tier, which includes many additional features beyond AI. For teams using those features, this can be good value. For teams specifically wanting support AI, Hay's standalone model may be more direct.

Does Hay do any CRM functions?

No. Hay is purely support automation. We integrate with CRMs (HubSpot, Salesforce) for customer context but don't try to replace them. If you need CRM AI, use HubSpot. If you need support AI, use Hay.

The Bottom Line

HubSpot Breeze AI provides AI capabilities across their entire platform - valuable for teams wanting unified AI across CRM, sales, marketing, and support within a single ecosystem.

Hay is purpose-built specifically for support automation: deeper action execution, simpler pricing model, and works alongside your existing CRM. Teams already invested in HubSpot may find Breeze AI a natural fit. Teams wanting specialized support AI or e-commerce action execution may prefer Hay's focused approach.

Ready to try the HubSpot Breeze AI alternative built for support teams?

See how Hay can reduce your ticket volume by 40-60% with AI that executes actions, not just answers.