Mortgage lenders, banks, and credit unions are under pressure to modernize their CRM systems. The market is competitive, borrower expectations are high, and sales cycles are increasingly influenced by automation and data integration.
Two of the most talked-about CRMs in the lending space are Total Expert and HubSpot. While Total Expert markets itself as a mortgage-focused CRM, HubSpot—especially when paired with Proven ROI®’s EncompassSync™—offers a more powerful, flexible, and scalable platform for lenders of all sizes.
Below, we’ll break down exactly why HubSpot wins, with a clear side-by-side comparison table so you can see the differences at a glance.
The Quick Take
- HubSpot is a full-featured, scalable CRM that adapts to any lending model—commercial, residential, or federal—while offering a modern interface, fast setup, and true Encompass API integration.
- Total Expert has mortgage-specific features but is rigid, expensive, slower to implement, and harder to customize.
With HubSpot, you’re not locked into a siloed system—you have a platform that grows with your business.
HubSpot vs. Total Expert: The Comparison Table
| Feature / Capability | HubSpot CRM | Total Expert |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | All industries with customizable pipelines for mortgage, banking, and lending | Mortgage and financial services only |
| Ease of Use | Modern, intuitive, drag-and-drop workflows | Steeper learning curve, more rigid |
| Implementation Time | 2–4 weeks with Proven ROI’s onboarding | 3–6 months typical rollout |
| Encompass LOS Integration | Yes – via Proven ROI® EncompassSync™ (real-time, two-way sync) | Limited, often requires custom IT or third-party |
| Automation Capabilities | Advanced workflows, email triggers, lead scoring, task automation | Mortgage-specific automations, less flexibility |
| Scalability | Grows with small to enterprise lenders without replatforming | Designed for mid-to-large enterprises, costly for smaller teams |
| Cost Structure | Pay for what you use, scalable pricing | Higher minimums, long-term contracts |
| Marketing Tools | Full inbound marketing suite (email, social, ads, SEO, content) | Email campaigns, co-marketing tools, limited SEO focus |
| Custom Reporting | Drag-and-drop dashboard builder with real-time Encompass data | Prebuilt reports, less customizable |
| Third-Party Integrations | 1,000+ native apps, custom API options | Limited ecosystem |
| Onboarding & Support | Dedicated Proven ROI® team with mortgage expertise | Vendor-led, less personalized |
| Compliance & Audit Trails | Configurable workflows with secure logging | Built-in compliance tools for mortgage |
Why HubSpot Wins for Modern Lenders
1. Real-Time Encompass Integration
With Proven ROI’s EncompassSync™, HubSpot becomes the central hub for your borrower and loan data. This means:
- Loan status updates flow instantly from Encompass to HubSpot
- Borrower communications can be triggered automatically
- Loan officers get real-time pipeline visibility without switching systems
Total Expert can connect to Encompass, but the integration is slower, often partial, and requires more technical work.
2. Speed of Implementation
HubSpot can be live in weeks, not months. Our Proven ROI® onboarding process delivers:
- Custom CRM setup
- Pipeline mapping
- Automated workflows
- Encompass API connection
- Staff training
Total Expert’s onboarding is significantly longer due to its more rigid system structure.
3. Scalability Without Replatforming
HubSpot works for a two-person mortgage team or a 500-loan-officer bank without forcing you into a different CRM tier. As you grow, you simply add users or upgrade features—no painful migrations.
Total Expert is best suited for large teams from the start, making it costly for small-to-mid-size lenders.
4. Better Marketing + Sales Alignment
HubSpot was built for sales and marketing under one roof. This means:
- SEO optimization for mortgage content
- Integrated social media and ad campaigns
- Targeted email nurture sequences
- Sales playbooks and pipelines that work with marketing data
Total Expert’s marketing tools are designed primarily for co-branded agent marketing, not holistic inbound and outbound strategies.
5. Lower Long-Term Cost
Total Expert’s licensing costs, contract minimums, and internal IT dependency make it expensive to maintain.
HubSpot offers transparent, scalable pricing, and with Proven ROI’s managed service, you avoid the cost of a dedicated internal admin team.
What HubSpot + Encompass Looks Like in Action
Here’s a real-world example of how our clients use HubSpot + Encompass:
- Borrower applies on your website.
- Data is sent instantly to HubSpot CRM and Encompass.
- Loan officers are notified via HubSpot tasks.
- Automated drip campaigns educate and update borrowers.
- Encompass status changes trigger real-time HubSpot updates.
- Executives see live funding forecasts and conversion rates.
The borrower experiences seamless communication, while your team gets total visibility.
Final Verdict: HubSpot + Proven ROI > Total Expert
When you factor in speed, scalability, marketing power, and true Encompass integration, HubSpot outperforms Total Expert for most lending institutions.
With Proven ROI® as your implementation partner, you get:
- HubSpot setup and optimization
- Proven ROI® EncompassSync™ integration
- Loan officer onboarding and training
- Ongoing campaign management
- CRM performance reporting
Ready to switch?
Book a free strategy session and see how HubSpot + Proven ROI can replace Total Expert and modernize your lending operations.
