HubSpot POS vs. Tessitura: Why Museums Are Making the Switch
Running a museum means managing a complex mix of ticketing, memberships, events, gift shop sales, and donor engagement. Your technology should simplify these processes, not add to the complexity. For years, Tessitura has been a go-to solution, but it comes with significant drawbacks — high costs, a steep learning curve, and siloed systems. HubSpot offers a modern, integrated alternative that streamlines operations, reduces costs, and improves the visitor experience.
Let’s take a closer look:
| Feature | HubSpot POS | Tessitura |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Intuitive and user-friendly for both staff and volunteers. | Steep learning curve; requires extensive training. |
| System Integration | Fully integrates ticketing, memberships, marketing, and CRM in one platform. | Limited integrations; requires additional tools to bridge gaps. |
| Events & Ticketing | Built-in tools for ticketing, event registration, and attendee tracking. | Strong ticketing tools but not as well integrated with marketing or CRM. |
| Real-Time Reporting | Live dashboards for ticket sales, memberships, and revenue insights. | Reports often require manual processes or lengthy processing times. |
| Cost of Ownership | Lower total cost: $280K–$295K (Year 1, incl. integrations). | High total cost: $537K–$612K (Year 1, incl. integrations). |
| Customization | Flexible integrations through CommerceHub, StoreHub, and App Marketplace. | Rigid customization options; expensive to adapt to specific needs. |
| Membership Management | Automated renewals, personalized outreach, and dynamic benefits. | Manual or partially automated membership workflows. |
| Gift Shop Integration | Tracks purchases in CRM for personalized upselling and inventory management. | Requires third-party solutions or manual processes for gift shop tracking. |
| Onboarding & Training | Quick setup with in-app guidance and pre-built templates. | Lengthy onboarding and ongoing training costs. |
| Scalability | Designed for growth, with adaptable features for any size organization. | Scalable but at a significantly higher cost. |
Why Museums Choose HubSpot Over Tessitura
A More Connected Museum Experience
With HubSpot, ticketing, memberships, and marketing work seamlessly together. A visitor’s journey — from purchasing a ticket to receiving personalized event invitations — is managed in one system. Tessitura, in contrast, often requires additional tools or manual workarounds.
| Expense | Tessitura | HubSpot |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Costs | $387K–$462K | $250K–$265K |
| Integration Costs | $150K | $30K |
| Total (Year 1) | $537K–$612K | $280K–$295K |
Museums save an average of $300K in the first year alone by switching to HubSpot — funds that can go directly toward exhibits, programs, and staffing.
Real-Time Data for Smarter Decisions
HubSpot provides live dashboards that track revenue, attendance, and membership renewals. With real-time insights, museums can act quickly — whether it’s restocking a popular gift shop item or following up with a recent donor. Tessitura’s reporting often involves delays and manual data processing.
Better Visitor and Event Experiences
From automated member discounts in the gift shop to personalized post-visit emails, HubSpot helps museums create seamless, engaging visitor experiences. Ticketing, registration, and attendee tracking are all built-in, eliminating the need for additional integrations.
Case Study
Proven Success: HubSpot in Action
A large historical society managing 26 museums and historic sites switched from Tessitura to HubSpot, streamlining operations and achieving:
- A single system for managing constituents across all locations
- A 33% reduction in tools for a more efficient workflow
- 100% connected data for smarter fundraising
- Greater scalability and a cohesive visitor experience
- Doubled HubSpot Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR), increasing from $4K to $8K
Is HubSpot Right for Your Museum? Let’s Find Out.
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