topic Re: Workflows vs Sequences in Tips, Tricks & Best Practices

What are the best practices for using Workflows vs. Sequences in HubSpot?

Jasondreammaker — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:27:57 GMT

Hey People,

Any best practices about when to use a sequence vs a workflow and vice versa?

For example, what if I booked a sales presentation with a potential new customer? This event triggers a bunch of tasks that must be done (i.e. appointment confirmation email/research potential client / modify presentation for the target audience etc). What would be the better tool to use in this scenario - sequence or workflow?

Are there hard rules to apply when thinking about how to use workflows vs sequences?? Thanks in advance, everyone!

Moderator Note: This post was reviewed for relevancy and optimized for clarity on April 2, 2026. Thank you for your contributions to the HubSpot Community!

Re: Workflows vs Sequences

dan_sitton — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 21:24:06 GMT

Hi Jason,

I find that a good rule of thumb in workflows v sequences is first determining when the trigger action occurs. For example, if I convert on a form on your website do you want that to be the trigger action or do you want the trigger action to be a future step in nurturing?

What I mean specifically is that workflows are great for higher in the funnel to determine next action and set a singular task. Sequences, on the other hand, function best when used towards the bottom of the funnel once a lead becomes SQL. If the action determines a singular, individualized contact attempt then I would recommend using workflows to set that task. However, if the trigger event puts someone within reach of your sales playbook (i.e. reaching out to schedule a product demo) then assigning a sales rep to enter that contact into the sequence would be my recommendation. You can personalize the messaging but if the next action in the deal cycle is consistent then I would use a sequence that repeatedly sets your email/call scenarios as determined by your sales playbook.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you are looking for more clarification, or if you have any further questions.

Re: Workflows vs Sequences

MFrankJohnson — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 09:07:34 GMT

Did my post help answer your query?

Help the Community by marking it as SOLVED

Excellent answer @dan_sitton ... this answer has become more relevant since the introduction of workflows to HubSpot Sales Pro. Both the HubSpot Marketing tool AND Sales Pro tools having workflows can get a bit confusing.

@Jasondreammaker, if you mark this question as solved the HubSpot Community will be able to see it as a searchable resource.

Thanks again all.

Re: Workflows vs Sequences

MFrankJohnson — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 15:14:29 GMT

Yo @Jasondreammaker, is this solved?

Re: Workflows vs Sequences

kelseygalarza — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 19:24:30 GMT

I wrote a long blog post on this topic in case it's helpful for anyone else https://blog.orangemarketing.com/hubspot-sequences-vs.-workflows-whats-the-difference

Re: Workflows vs Sequences

DKuprianov0 — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 13:58:41 GMT

I'd shy away from leaving it there.

You're technically correct - but sales teams can be doing a lot more with their sequences by using HS workflows to automated, throttle, and add other functionality to them.

One of the biggest problems in the industry today are sequences being used incorrectly, spamming people, running / spamming after the sales person has stopped looking for replies, etc. Therefore, why not use a hubspot workflow to trigger the sequence, even the enrollment, and then direct contacts accordingly? Also great if you want to send to non-marketing contacts but it's not truly 1:1 comms like sequences are for. I mean "it is" but you mgiht want to send to 1,000 non marketing contacts over teh course of a week or two, and thats brutal to do in a HS sequence alone!

Re: Workflows vs Sequences

KNelson30 — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 16:29:09 GMT

Thank you! I have struggled with this for a month!