EngageBay Review

Running a small business or agency often means juggling tight budgets. You’ve seen it before: CRMs like HubSpot promise the world, but the price tag and complexity can leave you frustrated. Expensive monthly fees, mandatory contracts, and a maze of features you barely use – I’ve been there. In this EngageBay review, I’ll walk you through how EngageBay aims to solve these problems. It’s an all-in-one sales, marketing, and support platform built for SMBs. I’ve personally used EngageBay alongside HubSpot and Ontraport, so I’ll share the honest pros, cons, and why it might be the “best affordable CRM” for your needs.
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Why Small Businesses Deserve Budget-Friendly CRMs

As a marketer who’s helped multiple startups and small teams, I know the pain of pricey CRMs. Every user seat on HubSpot or Salesforce can cost more than my marketing budget allows. The sign-up bonuses sound great – free email templates, workflows, etc. – but once you upgrade, the costs skyrocket (often into thousands per month) for features most small teams don’t need. Ontraport and Infusionsoft promise similar all-in-one solutions, but their entry point (often $79–$100+/month) and complex interfaces can still be overkill for a lean team.

What if there were a CRM built to be affordable from day one – with monthly plans that won’t break the bank, a usable free tier, and enough features to run marketing automation, sales follow-up, and support helpdesk all together? Enter EngageBay. In my experience, EngageBay delivers the core tools a small business needs without extra fluff or a fat price tag. Let’s dive into what it offers.

By the way, If you want a broader view of the landscape, I’ve also put together a complete 2026 guide to digital tools covering AI, CRM, productivity platforms, automation tools and more.

What Is EngageBay?

EngageBay is an all-in-one customer relationship management platform designed for small to medium-sized businesses. It combines a CRM with marketing automation and customer support tools, so you don’t need separate apps for email marketing, pipeline management, or help desk. Think of it as a budget-friendly HubSpot: you get contact management, email campaigns, landing pages, site chat, ticketing, and more – all under one roof.

As a user, I found EngageBay straightforward to set up. There’s a clean dashboard where you can switch between Marketing Bay (automation and email), Sales & CRM Bay (contacts and deals), and Service Bay (support tickets and chat). This modular approach means you only pay for the pieces you need, but even the base plans include multiple tools. Unlike enterprise CRMs that require a consultant to onboard, EngageBay lets you jump in with a free plan (up to 15 users!) and grow from there. It’s clearly built to appeal to cost-conscious businesses that need a unified platform.

EngageBay Key Features

EngageBay’s strength is bundling essential features in one platform. Below is a breakdown of its core toolset. I’ve used each of these features, and here’s how they stack up:

Contact & Sales CRM

• Contact Management: Store and organize leads, customers, and companies with custom fields and tags. I can segment my list (e.g. by industry, deal stage) easily.
  
• Deal Pipeline: Build custom sales pipelines with drag-and-drop deal stages. I track deals visually and assign tasks to follow up. It’s not as graphically slick as HubSpot’s board, but it works reliably.
  
• Tasks & Appointments: Schedule follow-ups, set reminders, and use the built-in appointment scheduler. Clients can book meetings via a link, which synced with my Google Calendar – a huge time-saver.
  
• 360° Customer View: Every contact has a unified profile. I see email history, form fills, chat transcripts, and purchase info in one place.
  
• Lead Scoring: (In higher plans) Automatically score leads based on actions (page visits, email clicks). It’s more basic than HubSpot’s AI-driven scoring, but it helps prioritize high-intent leads.
  
• Email Sequences: Build automated email sequences (drip campaigns) for sales outreach. I’ve used it to nurture leads with a series of follow-up emails and it worked well for consistent engagement.
  

Marketing Automation & Campaigns

• Email Marketing: Drag-and-drop email builder with templates. Easy to send newsletters or one-off campaigns to segments. Deliverability was good in my tests when using an integrated SMTP (like SendGrid or Mailgun).
  
• Drip Campaigns: Beyond sequences, you can set up workflows. For example, send an email when someone downloads an eBook, then follow up after a week. It’s user-friendly with rule-based triggers (page visits, form submissions, tag changes).
  
• Landing Pages & Web Forms: Create responsive landing pages, pop-ups, and forms to capture leads. There are plenty of templates (blog opt-ins, product launches, etc.). I like that form submissions automatically feed into the CRM.
  
• SMS & Push Notifications: EngageBay supports SMS campaigns (via third-party integration) and web push notifications. If you’re selling products or services, texting new leads can be powerful.
  
• Site Messaging / Chatbot: A live chat widget lets you talk to website visitors in real-time. They’ve also rolled out an AI-driven chatbot builder – you can train a chatbot to answer common queries. In practice, it handled basic FAQs, though I still find manually chatting via the widget more reliable.
  
• Account-Based Marketing (ABM) Features: EngageBay lets you tag and target high-value accounts and personalize campaigns for them. For B2B marketers, this is a nice touch without needing enterprise pricing.
  

Customer Service & Support

• Helpdesk Ticketing: EngageBay’s Service Bay is surprisingly robust and free forever. You get a ticketing system where customers can submit support requests via email or chat. I’ve used canned responses (macros) and automated ticket routing by department. This alone saved me from buying a separate helpdesk tool.
  
• Live Chat: Embed a chat widget on your site. You can respond in real-time or use pre-written chat flows. I found the interface a bit utilitarian, but it sends transcripts to the contact’s record automatically.
  
• SLA & Support Groups: (In paid plans) Set service-level agreements to ensure timely responses. You can organize tickets into groups (e.g. tech support, billing), which keeps a small team organized.
  
• Knowledge Base: EngageBay now offers a self-service knowledge base feature (in Growth/Pro plans). I created an FAQ section for my customers, which saved support time.
  
• Customer Feedback: You can run feedback surveys or Net Promoter Score (NPS) polls through EngageBay, giving insights directly into the CRM.
  

Integrations & Automation Tools

• Workflow Automation: Across all modules, EngageBay has workflow builders. For example, you can automatically assign new leads, update deal stages, or move contacts between lists. It’s not as advanced as HubSpot’s Visual Workflows (no branching logic), but covers most SMB needs.
  
• AI-Powered Tools: EngageBay has introduced AI features for 2024–25. For instance, an AI email assistant can suggest subject lines and content enhancements. The AI chatbot (mentioned above) can handle simple visitor queries. These are still evolving, but they indicate EngageBay is keeping up with trends.
  
• Reporting & Analytics: Dashboard reports for marketing and sales. I can see open rates, deal forecasts, and agent performance at a glance. The reports are decent, though not as customizable as HubSpot or Salesforce. For most small teams, they’re sufficient.
  
• Integrations: EngageBay offers native integrations with common apps (Zapier, Shopify, Stripe, WooCommerce, etc.). You can connect your email (Gmail/Outlook) for two-way sync. It won’t match HubSpot’s 1,000+ app marketplace, but Zapier fills many gaps.
  
• Mobile App: Yes, there’s a mobile app so you can view contacts and deals on the go. I used it to check lead status quickly when out of the office.
  

Free Tools & Resources

• Free CRM & Tools: EngageBay’s Free plan includes up to 15 users, 500 contacts, and a ton of features (email templates, forms, landing pages, deals, tasks, etc.). The Service Bay (helpdesk) is free for all users. This has been invaluable during trials.
  
• No Hidden Fees: There are no setup or onboarding fees. You can cancel anytime if you’re on a paid plan.
  
• Educational Resources: EngageBay provides video tutorials, a knowledge base, and reasonably responsive support chat/email (even on paid plans I was on).
  

In summary, EngageBay covers CRM, Email Marketing, Landing Pages, Marketing Automation, and Support Helpdesk all in one platform. The interface is functional (some might say “old-school” compared to slicker CRMs), but it’s logical. I rarely had to hunt for features. Most importantly, it ties together nicely so your marketing, sales, and support teams stay in sync without data silos. Now, let’s look at pricing.

EngageBay Review: EngageBay Pricing (2026)

One of EngageBay’s biggest selling points is the price. Here’s a quick breakdown of the current 2026 pricing (all pricing is billed monthly, with discounts for annual plans):

• Free Plan: $0 – Up to 15 users. Includes the core CRM (contacts, deals, tasks), basic email marketing (up to 500 contacts), free landing pages and forms, ticketing/helpdesk, and web forms. No credit card required. (Great for very small teams to get started.)
  
• Basic Plan: ~$14.99/user/month – Adds all-in-one marketing and CRM features (unlimited email sends, more automation capabilities, landing pages, site messaging). This is one user price; each additional user is the same rate.
  
• Growth Plan: ~$49.99 – $64.99/month (all-in-one suite) – Includes everything in Basic, plus higher limits. This covers larger contact lists (up to ~50,000+ contacts), Advanced SMTP management, Zapier automation, predictive lead scoring, and more email/sms capabilities. You also get landing pages with no EngageBay branding. This tier is ideal once you’re scaling (the higher Growth price is for the full “suite” bundle).
  
• Pro Plan: ~$79.99 – $119.99/month (all-in-one suite) – Full feature set. Unlimited contacts, marketing and sales automation workflows, advanced reporting, AI tools, custom domain for knowledge base, etc. Essentially the top tier for companies that need it all. Even at ~$120/mo, it’s quite reasonable given what’s included.
  

Note: EngageBay also lets you buy modules separately (e.g. just the Sales Bay for $12.99 user or Marketing Bay starting $12.99). But most users prefer the all-in-one bundle to get everything at one price. They offer 8% off for annual billing and 15% off for two-year billing, which I took advantage of to save a bit.

In plain terms, EngageBay’s paid plans run roughly $15 to $120 per month for the full suite. You can add users on a month-by-month basis. There are no multi-year contracts – you can go month-to-month and cancel anytime.

Compare that to the competitors:

• HubSpot CRM Suite: Starter begins at about $50/month (on special its first year for $18, but normal is $50), but that’s just the basic CRM. Marketing Hub Starter is also $50/mo, Sales Hub $50/mo, Service Hub $50/mo. Upgrade to Professional tiers, and you’re looking at $890+ per month per hub, plus one-time onboarding fees (Pro/Ent levels tack on thousands in setup fees). In practice, a fully featured small biz bundle on HubSpot easily runs $300–$600+/month at minimum, even before onboarding or expensive add-ons.
  
• Ontraport: A known mid-tier CRM/automation tool. Plans start around $79/month (annually billed) for their Basic package (with limited contacts). The Plus and Pro plans jump to ~$147 and $319/month (billed annually). There is no perpetual free plan – just a 14-day trial. Ontraport includes CRM and marketing automation but not an integrated helpdesk or landing page builder (beyond forms), so many businesses still add more tools on top.
  

Here’s a quick visual price compare:

• ✔️ EngageBay: Free; Basic ~$15/mo; Growth ~$50–$65/mo; Pro ~$80–$120/mo (all-in-one suite, monthly billing)
  
• ✔️ HubSpot: Free; Starter ~$50/mo (CRM Starter); Professional ~$1,780/mo (CRM Suite Pro) + huge onboarding fees; Enterprise ~$5,000+/mo
  
• ✔️ Ontraport: Free trial only; Basic ~$79/mo (annual billing); Pro ~$319/mo (annual); Enterprise custom
  

For small businesses, EngageBay’s pricing is hard to beat. You get a full CRM/marketing stack for less than what many charge just for their basic plan. The free tier is surprisingly generous, and even the lowest paid tier unlocks many capabilities (unlimited email sends, more contacts, automation, etc.) that HubSpot only gives at much higher levels. The absence of contracts and setup fees means you can test it risk-free – I did, and it felt like getting first-class tools on a discount airline budget.

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Pros of EngageBay

EngageBay has plenty of strengths for budget-conscious teams. These stand out from my experience:

• Ultra-Affordable, All-in-One: You get CRM + email marketing + automation + helpdesk in one package. For ~15 bucks a user, that’s unheard of compared to paying $50+ for each tool. I’ve been amazed that the free and basic plans let me do so much without forcing an upgrade.
  Explore EngageBay now and see how it compares to the big players.
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• Transparent, Flexible Pricing: No hidden seat fees or surprise charges. The pricing is per user (with volume discounts) and optional monthly or annual billing. No mandatory yearly contract unless you choose annual billing for the discount. This flexibility suits small startups better than HubSpot’s rigid contracts.
  
• Generous Free Tier: The free plan supports up to 15 users and includes a free CRM and helpdesk forever. Most CRMs don’t even include support features in a free plan. You can keep growing a small list (~500 contacts) without paying anything. I used the free tier for months during trials.
  
• Unified Data (No Tool Sprawl): Because everything lives in EngageBay, all your teams see the same data. Sales can see marketing campaign responses, support agents see past deals, etc. I appreciate not having to stitch together data from 3 different systems (which is common when using HubSpot + Zendesk + Mailchimp, for example).
  
• Built for SMBs: The interface and feature set feel targeted at small teams. There are plenty of templates for common use-cases (like automated welcome email chains, simple pipelines) that I could set up in minutes. In contrast, enterprise CRMs often require paid consultants or lengthy setup.
  
• Strong Core Features: Despite the low price, EngageBay doesn’t skimp on essentials. The email builder is easy, the workflow builder covers most needs, and the support tickets have seen nice updates. For example, the new knowledge-base feature (even in growth plans) feels really useful for a growing business.
  
• Active Development: EngageBay has been rolling out updates – AI chatbots, improved sequence editors, mobile apps – more regularly than I expected. It feels like they listen to feedback (they have a public roadmap and request system).
  

In short, EngageBay delivers a lot of bang for the buck. It’s the main CRM/marketing hub I’ve used where I didn’t feel nickel-and-dimed at every turn.

Cons of EngageBay

No product is perfect. Here are some drawbacks I’ve encountered with EngageBay:

• User Interface (UI) Isn’t Polished: The UI works, but it looks somewhat dated compared to HubSpot or Ontraport. Some screens feel cluttered, and responsiveness can lag. For example, the drag-and-drop email builder and form designer could be smoother. It’s certainly functional, but new users might find it a bit less intuitive.
  
• Limited Advanced Automation: EngageBay’s automation covers the basics well (drip emails, tagging triggers), but it lacks the most advanced workflow logic. There are no custom event triggers (like webhook calls or score-based branching) without Zapier. If you need complex automation (multi-step branching conditions or predictive lead scoring beyond simple points), HubSpot or a specialized marketing tool might do it better.
  
• Reporting & Analytics Are Basic: The dashboards are fine for high-level stats (open rates, deal stages, ticket volumes), but you can’t build very custom reports. HubSpot’s reporting or Google Analytics integration is more powerful. If in-depth analytics or forecasting is crucial, you may find EngageBay’s reporting a bit limited.
  
• Fewer Third-Party Integrations: While EngageBay has many native integrations (Zapier, Shopify, WP, Stripe, etc.), it doesn’t have the extensive marketplace of HubSpot or Salesforce. If you rely on niche tools (like proprietary e-commerce platforms, specialized accounting software, etc.), you may need Zapier or API workarounds.
  
• Scalability and Limits: Technically, you can upload unlimited contacts, but only in the very highest plans. Each plan has a contact limit (e.g. Growth ~10-50K, Pro unlimited). If you’re a rapidly scaling startup hitting hundreds of thousands of contacts or contacts with multiple brands, you might eventually bump into limits or need to pay more. HubSpot Enterprise is built for thousands of users and millions of contacts (at a high price).
  
• Learning Curve for Some Features: Although simpler than HubSpot, EngageBay still packs a lot in. New users may need some onboarding. For example, setting up the chat widget or deep automation does require going through documentation. That said, EngageBay’s own support is generally helpful (and setup is free in paid plans).
  

Overall, I’d say the trade-offs are predictable: you sacrifice a bit of polish and the absolute top-end capabilities in exchange for cost and simplicity. For many small teams, that trade is worth it. But if your company needs enterprise-level customization or reporting, look elsewhere.

EngageBay vs. HubSpot (and Ontraport)

Let’s directly compare EngageBay to the big names to see where it shines or lags:

• ✔️ Pricing & Value: EngageBay wins hands-down here. As mentioned, EngageBay Basic can be ~$15–$50/mo for a small team, whereas HubSpot Starter/Professional instantly jumps to $50–$890+/mo per hub. A typical HubSpot setup easily hits $300–$600/mo with annual commitment. Ontraport’s starting point is already $79/mo (annual), with the full suite around $147–$319/mo. In contrast, EngageBay offers the same core tools for a fraction of the price. Plus, EngageBay’s free helpdesk and absence of onboarding fees further tilt the value in its favor. (✔️ EngageBay: ~$15–$120/mo all-in-one | HubSpot: $50–$5,000+/mo modular | Ontraport: $79–$319/mo all-in-one)
  
• ✔️ Feature Set: All three provide CRM and marketing automation, but with differences. EngageBay gives you everything basic out-of-the-box (CRM, email, landing pages, chat, ticketing). HubSpot has a richer ecosystem (built-in CMS, a huge app marketplace, advanced SEO tools, etc.), and its Marketing Hub is very robust (blogs, social publishing, AB testing, smart content). Ontraport is strong in marketing automation and e-commerce (order forms, payments, membership sites) but doesn’t include a native helpdesk or large app integrations. For a small biz needing an all-in-one without extra modules, EngageBay covers all key areas. If you need very advanced marketing features or large-scale enterprise features (AB testing variants, machine-learning lead scoring, etc.), HubSpot might edge ahead.
  
• 🔧 Ease of Use: HubSpot is known for a slick interface and beginner-friendly wizards. I found EngageBay’s UI straightforward but a bit utilitarian. HubSpot’s UI feels more modern and polished, which can reduce training time. Ontraport’s interface was the least friendly – powerful but has a steeper learning curve, especially if you’re configuring things like CRM telephony or campaign sequences. EngageBay is somewhere in the middle: easier than Ontraport, but not quite as pretty as HubSpot.
  
• 🔄 Integrations and Extensibility: HubSpot has thousands of apps for almost anything. EngageBay covers the essentials (Zapier bridge, key e-commerce, email, and CMS plugins). For niche needs (e.g. property management software or specific ERP connections), HubSpot’s marketplace would likely have a ready integration. EngageBay can rely on Zapier to plug many gaps, but it requires manual setup. Ontraport also has limited native apps (focused on payment gateways and marketing), so all three may use Zapier to some extent.
  
• 🛠️ Contracts & Flexibility: EngageBay offers month-to-month plans with no contracts, which is great for small teams that may change plans. HubSpot, by contrast, often requires an annual commitment (even for Starter plans beyond one hub) and all fees (including onboarding) are due upfront. Ontraport requires annual billing to get their listed prices – monthly billing is much higher. So EngageBay is more forgiving if you need to pause or downgrade.
  
• 👥 Support & Community: HubSpot has a huge knowledge base and community, but its free users get only forum support. EngageBay provides email/chat support even to paying customers on all tiers, and the free users can access documentation (support is 9–5 PST generally). My experience: EngageBay’s support reps were helpful and responsive (no extra fee needed for onboarding). Ontraport has a reputation for excellent customer support, often mentioned above HubSpot’s – but again, EngageBay’s basic support is good for most issues.
  
• 📊 Who It’s Best For:
  
• EngageBay – Best for cost-conscious small teams that want a single platform. You get most of the tools you’d have with bigger CRMs at a fraction of the cost. It’s ideal if you’re frustrated by HubSpot’s budget requirements but still need marketing automation and support features.
  
• HubSpot – Best for businesses with larger budgets that need enterprise-grade marketing (blogging, SEO, social media integrations), or already have a big stack of HubSpot modules. Also great if you want the easiest UI and a huge ecosystem.
  
• Ontraport – Best for small-to-medium businesses that need advanced marketing automation and are willing to pay a bit more. It suits companies that sell products/memberships (it has a built-in payments and membership site capability) but don’t need a separate helpdesk.
  

Here’s a quick feature/price snapshot:

• ✔️ Price (Starter): EngageBay ~$15/mo | HubSpot ~$50/mo | Ontraport ~$79/mo
  
• ✔️ All-in-One: EngageBay bundles CRM+email+chat+helpdesk | HubSpot separates hubs (adds cost) | Ontraport bundles CRM+marketing (no helpdesk)
  
• ⚠️ Ease: EngageBay = medium learning, HubSpot = easiest UI, Ontraport = steeper learning curve
  
• ✔️ Free Plan: EngageBay = Yes (up to 15 users) | HubSpot = Yes (limited features) | Ontraport = No (14-day trial only)
  
• ✔️ Contracts: EngageBay = none (monthly) | HubSpot = annual on paid plans | Ontraport = annual to get listed prices
  

In my hands-on use, EngageBay felt like the “budget-fit” version of HubSpot. It doesn’t have every bell and whistle, but it covers more ground than you’d expect for the money. It’s a true all-in-one approach, whereas HubSpot’s model often forces you to stitch together multiple expensive hubs. If you’re deciding between them, ask: Do you need advanced enterprise features and have the budget? If not, EngageBay likely wins on ROI.
👉 See why EngageBay is the best HubSpot alternative

EngageBay Review: Pros and Cons Summarized

Pros of EngageBay (what I love):
– Budget-Friendly: Low monthly plans and a robust free tier. I saved hundreds compared to HubSpot.
– Feature-Rich (for SMBs): CRM, marketing automation, landing pages, email, chat, and ticketing all in one place.
– No Contracts or Hidden Fees: Month-to-month flexibility and no forced onboarding costs.
– Free Helpdesk and Chat: The Service (helpdesk) tools are included at no extra cost on all plans.
– Easy Onboarding: Getting started is quick. I linked my email, imported contacts, and was sending campaigns within a day.

Cons of EngageBay (where I see room for improvement):
– UI/UX Could Improve: The interface is less modern and can feel clunky at times. Not as delightful as HubSpot’s design.
– Automation Limitations: Workflows lack some advanced logic (no multi-step “if-then-else” branching or AI scoring like larger CRMs offer).
– Reporting Depth: Good for basic dashboards, but if you need complex custom reports or data visualization, it’s limited.
– Smaller Ecosystem: Fewer third-party integrations out-of-the-box, so you might rely on Zapier more for niche tools.
– Scaling Constraints: Upper plans allow large contact lists, but very large enterprises (hundreds of thousands of contacts, thousands of users) might outgrow it.

These cons are important to note, but they pale compared to the price advantage. For most small businesses, EngageBay’s pros – especially the affordability – outweigh its cons.

Final Verdict: Who Should Use EngageBay and Why

In my experience as a marketer, EngageBay hits the sweet spot for small businesses and startups. It feels like a no-brainer choice if:

• You’re on a Tight Budget: Even the highest plan (around $120/mo) is cheaper than HubSpot’s starter CRM, yet you still get marketing and service tools included. You can do 80–90% of what HubSpot offers, for 20% of the cost.
  
• You Want an All-in-One Tool: EngageBay eliminates the hassle of juggling multiple apps (email service + CRM + helpdesk + chat widget). One login, one support team, one integrated database.
  
• You’re Not Ready for Enterprise Complexity: If you find HubSpot overwhelming or slow your team down, EngageBay’s simpler setup is refreshing. It assumes you want to get things done quickly, not dive into advanced analytics.
  
• You Need a Free Starter CRM: If you have a very small team or are just starting out, EngageBay’s free plan is generous. I used it until I hit the contact limit, and it served as a fully functioning CRM/marketing tool with zero cost.
  

On the flip side, you might look elsewhere if:

• You Require Advanced Marketing/SEO Tools: For example, HubSpot’s built-in CMS, sophisticated SEO recommendations, or social media scheduling. EngageBay’s focus is more on email and forms.
  
• You Need Ultra-Scale or Customization: Some enterprises may need bespoke workflows, massive email sends by default, or extremely granular reporting, which EngageBay may not handle out-of-the-box.
  
• Top-Tier Native Integrations Matter: If you rely heavily on certain platforms that EngageBay doesn’t connect to, HubSpot’s marketplace might offer direct plugins.
  

Overall, for most small to mid-size businesses, EngageBay is a compelling choice. It covers marketing, sales, and service needs in one neat package, and you can actually afford it. The freedom from contracts and high fees was a breath of fresh air in my own projects.

If you’re on the fence, try the free plan. You can import some contacts, play with email campaigns, and test the automation sequences at no risk. If it meets your core needs (and it likely will), upgrading is painless and much cheaper than many alternatives.

Create Your Free EngageBay Account today and see for yourself. It may not have the brand-name glitz, but for an experienced marketer or small business owner, it delivers solid value. In my 2026 testing, EngageBay proved that professional-grade CRM and marketing tools can be affordable. If you need an all-in-one platform without the premium price, EngageBay should be on your shortlist.

🧡 Create your free EngageBay account today and experience how affordable CRM and automation should feel.

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Want to read more about EngageBay? EngageBay vs Ontraport 2026 – The Ultimate CRM Comparison (Honest Review)