Free plan – can't see Private Apps, need API access (I'm the only account owner)

[DWilczyński]

Hi,

I'm on the Free HubSpot plan and I need to connect an external Node.js server to create contacts via the HubSpot API.

My situation:
- Portal ID: 147389045
- Plan: Free
- I am the only user and the original creator/owner of this HubSpot account.
- My user has the role “Administrator o rozszerzonych uprawnieniach” (extended admin), but I do NOT see the **Settings → Integrations → Private Apps** section.
- Because I don't see “Private Apps”, I can't create a private app and I can't generate an access token for the API.

From the documentation I understand that:
- API keys are deprecated and new integrations should use **Private App access tokens**.
- Only **Super Admins** can create private apps.

My questions:
1. Can someone from HubSpot confirm what my current role is on this portal (whether I'm a Super Admin or not)?
2. If I'm not marked as Super Admin, can you please upgrade my user to **Super Admin** or otherwise enable access to **Settings → Integrations → Private Apps**, so I can generate an access token?
3. Is there any limitation on the Free plan that would completely block access to Private Apps, even for the only account owner?

My goal is very simple: I just want to authenticate from a Node.js server and create contacts using the CRM API.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Damian

[RubenBurdin · Accepted solution]

Hi @DWilczyński , this is a confusing spot in HubSpot right now, and you’re not the only one hitting it.

First, to clarify one important thing: on Free portals, Private Apps are supported, but the navigation and permissions around them can be inconsistent depending on how the portal was provisioned and which UI version you’re on.

Being the original creator and having “extended admin” permissions does usually imply Super Admin, but it doesn’t always surface the Private Apps section cleanly in the UI.

Sam’s suggestion to check Settings > Integrations > Legacy Apps is actually the right workaround in many Free accounts. In some portals, the direct Private Apps menu doesn’t appear, and HubSpot routes you through the Legacy Apps screen first. From there, clicking “Create Legacy App” often triggers the modal that lets you choose between Public and Private Apps. It’s not intuitive, but it does work in practice.

If you don’t see that option either, then this is not something the Community can fix directly. HubSpot cannot upgrade roles or toggle Super Admin status via a forum post, even if you are the only user. At that point, the next step is to contact HubSpot Support from inside the portal. They can confirm whether your user is truly marked as Super Admin at the system level and whether the portal has a UI or provisioning issue blocking Private Apps.

One last important note for 2025: API keys are fully deprecated for new usage, so Private App tokens are the only supported path for what you want to do. There is no alternative authentication method on Free plans for server-to-server CRM writes. Once Private Apps are visible, your Node.js use case (creating contacts via the CRM API) will work without upgrading plans.

If the Legacy Apps path doesn’t show anything on your end, I’d recommend opening a support ticket and referencing that you’re unable to access Private Apps on a Free portal despite being Super Admin. That usually gets resolved fairly quickly. Hope this helps.

[SamTassey]

Hi @DWilczyński, 

Welcome to the Community! 

It looks like you are indeed a Super Admin. While this feature should still be accessible to free portals, I believe you should have access to this. 

Are you able to confirm if you're able to find this when navigating to: 

Settings > Integrations > Legacy Apps > Create Legacy App 

After clicking Create Legacy App, from there you should be prompted if you'd like to create Public or Private App

I hope this helps! If it doesn't, please feel free to share a screenshot of what you're seeing on your end, and our Community and I will be happy to assist!

Sam, Community Manager