Are HubSpot Certifications worth it?

HubSpot Certifications: Are They Worth It? 

Before we dive in, let's start with what a HubSpot certification is. The HubSpot Academy has created a range of exam-like courses that allow the marketing audience to earn different HubSpot certifications. This helps users gain key knowledge in digital marketing, sales, and customer service, all without having to pay! Each certification consists of quizzes, videos, lessons, and a final exam to end the course. They can range in hours and lessons depending on their depth and difficulty. 

In this blog, I’ll be analysing the positives and negatives of HubSpot certifications, giving you an insight into whether they’re worth having in both your HubSpot career and in general. 

Starting with the positives. An obvious benefit would be the offer of free learning. So many courses and degrees ask for thousands of pounds. Access to free learning with a certification in 2025 doesn't come often, and HubSpot Academy prides itself on offering its community a platform to level up. The action of the academy being free is also a brilliant marketing tactic from HubSpot itself. It gives HubSpot specialists, as well as more general job seekers, a place to learn, free of charge. In turn, this drives traffic to their website, allowing users to learn and recognise what HubSpot is.

Secondly, courses that require minimal time commitment, from just a few hours a day, are perfect for full-time workers. The flexibility of an online lesson that you can keep coming back to is a great advantage for users to complete in their spare time without disrupting a regular working week. Intensive courses that require your full time can be heavy and stressful. HubSpot certifications take away the pressure of completing a course all at once, allowing you to learn at your own pace and use a wide range of interactive quizzes, videos, exercises and lessons. Therefore, expanding the HubSpot Academy’s audience appeal to a range of users. 

Another great feature of the platform is its accessibility and inclusivity for all industries. The name “HubSpot” in the title may seem daunting to some; you may be thinking, ‘I know nothing about HubSpot, how can I complete a HubSpot exam?!’. However, this is not the case. HubSpot Academy is open for all, meaning students, professionals, or anyone looking to dive into the world of marketing or sales can use it. In fact, “May 2023, HubSpot Academy reached over half a million actively certified users, underscoring its widespread appeal and accessibility”. 

That being said, it is also massive for HubSpot professionals. Certifications such as ‘Integrating with HubSpot’ and various software certifications are extremely valuable to have on your HubSpot CV when applying for HubSpot jobs. For instance, there are numerous roles at Steadman Hub where certifications are a preferred qualification, and others where they are an active candidate requirement. View our jobs here: Job Search | Start your journey here. | Steadman Hub. Having HubSpot certifications not only shows you’re up-to-date and knowledgeable in your field, but also portrays the genuine interest and enthusiasm you have for HubSpot. Completing courses in your free time is a great way to show employers your dedication to HubSpot. You can also showcase certs on your LinkedIn profile, increasing attraction, new connections, and career opportunities.

However, one possible negative of the platform lies in its self-directed learning. Independent learning can often be a struggle for some users; the lack of personal help from a teacher or mentor can be valuable for some in their progressive journey. However, this is where completing certifications independently can be seen as a positive; the challenge of self-sufficient work can feel much more of an achievement when completed, and it allows users to put their brains to work! This is another reason why HubSpot jobs include certifications as a requirement; it shows a genuine enthusiasm to learn independently. Have a look at the current HubSpot jobs here: Job Search | Start your journey here. | Steadman Hub.

Another potential drawback to HubSpot certifications is that they are usually valid for just two years. This may seem frustrating to some. That being said, it would be impossible for you to keep that certification as the world of HubSpot is constantly evolving. It's important to retake certifications so that you are able to keep up with HubSpot’s ever-evolving technology and are aware of product updates.

During research, the word “basic” had been thrown around about the courses. I think, however, it's crucial to have an understanding of who these courses are aimed at. Speaking as a marketer myself, discovering your target audience is one of the first steps to your strategy. For instance, in terms of the marketing courses, I believe that Hubspot Academy created these, mostly aimed at beginners. Especially as marketing is relevant in so many industries, it gives HubSpot a wider audience, and entry-level learners are given opportunities at the same time. If you do feel too experienced in one of the courses, there are so many more that can challenge you in their difficulty. Maybe give a new certification a try? For HubSpot professionals, some certifications are more tailored to their roles, aka the technicalities behind HubSpot software itself (service hub software, sales hub software etc.) Whilst to some, their content could be considered basic, it is crucial to learn the fundamentals of any role, and certifications will always add credibility to your experience.

To conclude my research, I can say that HubSpot certifications are definitely worth it. I can appreciate that some users may find the courses not very challenging; however, there will always be new courses to take and more information to learn. Free courses to take at your own pace are great for a beginner and give you that step ahead to gain a further understanding of HubSpot software, marketing, or sales.