Close
Close is a sales CRM that helps businesses manage leads, track opportunities, and communicate with prospects. It combines calling, email, SMS, automation, reporting, and AI sales assistance in one workspace. Its features help sales teams streamline outreach, organize customer information, automate follow-ups, and improve productivity.
What is Close?
Close CRM is a sales customer relationship management (CRM) solution designed to help businesses manage leads, organize customer interactions, and improve their sales processes. It combines calling, email, SMS messaging, pipeline management, reporting, and automated follow-ups in one workspace. Close also offers an AI sales agent called Chloe, which helps qualify prospects, contact leads, schedule meetings, and update CRM records.
Close was developed for sales professionals, startups, and growing businesses that want to manage customer relationships more efficiently. Its official website reports that more than 11,500 sales teams use the software, with over 2 billion calls, texts, and emails sent through the platform. Close features four main subscription plans: Solo, Essentials, Growth, and Scale. It offers built-in calling, email synchronization, SMS, workflow automation, reporting, mobile applications, and AI-powered sales assistance to support different sales operations.
- Founders: Steli Efti, Thomas Schranz, Anthony Nemitz
- Category: Sales Engagement & Inside Sales CRM
- Platforms Supported: Desktop (macOS, Windows), Web, iOS, Android
Use Cases:
- Running high-volume outbound calling campaigns using integrated Power and Predictive Dialers
- Automating multi-channel sales sequences across email, automated calls, and SMS messaging
- Managing visual deal pipelines and tracking lead interaction histories without manual logging
- Leveraging AI call summaries and automated transcriptions to speed up CRM data entry
Technology:
- Built-in global VoIP infrastructure supporting click-to-call, call recording, and local presence
- AI Call Assistant engine for real-time transcription, auto-summarization, and sentiment insights
- Advanced Smart Views for granular dynamic list segmentation based on lead activity and fields
- Native integrations with Zoom, HubSpot, Zapier, Make, Slack, and Zendesk
Target Users:
- Inside Sales Representatives performing high-volume daily outreach via phone and email
- Startup Founders and Sales Leads seeking rapid deployment without complex enterprise setup
- Sales Development Representatives (SDRs) executing multi-touch multichannel prospecting sequences
- Revenue Operations (RevOps) managers requiring real-time call coaching, activity metrics, and pipeline visibility
Corporate Entity: Close Inc.
Key features of Close
Close's key features are
- Built-in Calling & Power/Predictive Dialer: Integrated VoIP calling capabilities with automatic call logging, local presence, single-line Power Dialer, and multi-line Predictive Dialer modes.
- Multichannel Sequences: Automated outreach campaigns combining email sequences, call reminders, and 2-way SMS touchpoints to nurture prospects.
- AI Call Assistant: Automatically transcribes sales calls, generates concise bulleted summaries, and highlights action items directly within the lead timeline.
- Dynamic Smart Views: Advanced filtering system that allows reps to create real-time updated lead lists based on activity, custom fields, and lead status.
- Unified Lead Timeline: Single-page interaction history displaying every email, call recording, SMS, voicemail, and note chronologically.
- Visual Opportunity Pipelines: Customizable drag-and-drop opportunity boards for monitoring deal stages, projected revenue, and closing dates.
- Built-in SMS & Email Sync: Native 2-way email sync (Gmail/Outlook) and SMS capabilities for seamless conversation management.
Close Pricing
Close operates on a per-user tiered SaaS subscription model, available on monthly or discounted annual billing plans.
Startup Plan:
- $49 per user / month (billed annually at $588/user/year) or $59 per user / month (billed monthly)
- Includes up to 3 users, 1 pipeline, built-in calling and SMS, 2-way email sync, basic reporting, and standard integrations.
Professional Plan:
- $99 per user / month (billed annually at $1,188/user/year) or $109 per user / month (billed monthly)
- Includes up to 10 users, 3 pipelines, Power Dialer, automated email and call sequences, custom activity tracking, and call recording.
Enterprise Plan:
- $139 per user / month (billed annually at $1,668/user/year) or $149 per user / month (billed monthly)
- Includes unlimited users, unlimited pipelines, Predictive Dialer, AI Call Assistant, custom roles and permissions, call whispering, and dedicated account support.
Disclaimer: Annual subscriptions offer roughly 15-20% savings. A 14-day fully featured free trial is available with no credit card required. For add-on calling credits and team scoping, visit close.com/pricing.
Who is using Close?
Close is designed for agile sales teams and revenue-driven organizations, including
- SaaS Startups & Scaleups: Accelerating pipeline velocity with integrated dialers and outreach sequences
- Outbound Inside Sales Teams: Executing high-density call and SMS prospecting campaigns
- Real Estate & Financial Services: Managing high volumes of incoming client leads with rapid call follow-ups
- Consulting & Agency Sales: Tracking multi-stage deal pipelines and maintaining complete communication histories
Best Close Alternatives
Some of the strongest Close alternatives include
- HubSpot Sales Hub
- Salesforce Sales Cloud
- Pipedrive
- Freshsales
- Outreach
- Salesloft
Pros and Cons of Close
Pros
- Exceptional developer and rep UX optimized for fast execution and high call volumes
- Fully integrated VoIP, Power Dialer, and SMS eliminate the need for third-party telephony plugins
- AI Call Assistant drastically reduces manual data entry through automated transcriptions and summaries
- Dynamic Smart Views allow reps to quickly filter actionable lead workflows
- Fast setup with minimal administrative complexity compared to traditional enterprise CRMs
Cons
- Predictive Dialer and AI Call Assistant features require upgrading to higher-tier plans
- Focuses strictly on inside sales and outreach rather than complex post-sales enterprise ERP/service workflows
- Telephony usage fees (calling minutes and SMS) are billed separately beyond base subscription allocations
- Fewer native complex marketing automation tools compared to all-in-one suites like HubSpot
Why Choose Close?
Close is the premier choice for inside sales teams that prioritize call volume, speed, and ease of use over complex administrative overhead. By unifying telephony, email, SMS, and pipeline management into one cohesive workspace, Close empowers reps to make more touches and close more deals per day.
- Replaces multiple software tools with an all-in-one calling, SMS, and email CRM workspace
- Increases rep productivity using built-in Power/Predictive dialers and AI call summaries
- Delivers clear activity metrics and real-time pipeline visibility for sales leaders
- Trusted by industry-leading scaleups such as Toggl and Zapier
Close vs. Competitors
The main difference between Close, HubSpot Sales Hub, Pipedrive, and Outreach is that Close combines full-featured CRM pipeline management with deeply integrated inside sales telephony (Power & Predictive dialers) out of the box, whereas Pipedrive focuses primarily on deal-stage tracking without native calling pipelines, HubSpot offers a broader marketing and CRM ecosystem at higher price points, and Outreach operates primarily as an add-on sales execution platform for enterprise CRMs like Salesforce. Close stands out for inside sales teams wanting communication and CRM functionality in one platform.
| Feature / Tool | Close (close.com) | HubSpot Sales Hub | Pipedrive | Outreach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Focus | Inside Sales CRM & Telephony | Inbound CRM & Sales Suite | Visual Pipeline Management | Enterprise Sales Engagement |
| Built-in Calling & Power Dialer | Yes (Native Power & Predictive) | Yes (Basic calling / limit-based) | Add-on / Caller integration | Yes (Sales Execution layer) |
| Native 2-Way SMS | Yes | Select plans / Add-ons | Via Integrations | Yes |
| AI Features | Close Call Assistant (AI Summaries) | Breeze AI | AI Sales Assistant | Kaia AI Coaching |
| Starting Price Range | $49/user/mo (billed annually) | Free tier / ~$15–$90/user/mo | ~$14–$24/user/mo | Custom Enterprise Pricing |
| Best For | High-velocity inside sales & outbound reps | Inbound teams & HubSpot ecosystem | Simple visual deal tracking | Enterprise sales engagement layer |
How do we rate Close?
| Parameter | Rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Calling & Telephony Infrastructure | 4.9 |
| Sales Sequences & Automation | 4.7 |
| AI Call Assistant & Summaries | 4.8 |
| User Ergonomics & Pipeline Speed | 4.8 |
| Value for Money | 4.6 |
| Overall Score | 4.76 |
Close Review
Close remains a standout CRM for outbound inside sales teams and fast-growing technology companies. By deeply integrating calling, messaging, and multi-channel sequence capabilities directly into the core CRM timeline, Close solves the friction that often plagues sales reps using traditional platforms. Its AI Call Assistant streamlines routine call logging, while its Power and Predictive dialers enable reps to scale outreach dramatically. For sales teams focused on conversion speed and call productivity, Close delivers an exceptional user experience.
Conclusion
Close CRM is a practical solution for businesses that want to simplify sales management and improve customer communication. Its built-in calling, email, SMS, workflow automation, and AI sales agent make prospect management more organized. While its pricing and advanced features may require consideration, Close is worth exploring for startups, sales professionals, and growing teams seeking an all-in-one sales CRM.
FAQ
What is Close CRM primarily used for?
Close CRM is primarily used to manage sales leads, track customer interactions, and organize communication throughout the sales process. You can handle calls, emails, SMS messages, and follow-ups from one dashboard. It is particularly useful for sales representatives who want to reduce manual work and maintain consistent communication with potential customers.
Is Close CRM suitable for small businesses and startups?
Yes, Close CRM is suitable for startups, small businesses, and growing sales teams that need organized customer management. Its Solo and Essentials plans provide essential CRM capabilities, including lead management and communication tools. If your business relies on outbound sales, Close can help organize prospects and improve follow-up consistency.
What are the main features of Close CRM?
Close CRM offers lead management, contact organization, sales pipelines, built-in calling, email synchronization, SMS messaging, automated workflows, reporting, and task management. It also includes Smart Views, email templates, meeting scheduling, and AI assistance. These features help sales teams manage daily activities without constantly switching between multiple applications.
Does Close CRM offer AI-powered features?
Yes, Close includes Chloe, an AI sales agent designed to handle lead outreach and qualification. Chloe can make calls, have conversations with prospects, book meetings, enrich lead information, and update CRM records. It also offers AI-generated lead summaries and other productivity features, helping sales representatives spend more time closing deals.
How much does Close CRM cost?
Close offers four subscription plans: Solo, Essentials, Growth, and Scale. Its displayed annual-billing prices start at $9 per user monthly for Solo, $35 for Essentials, $99 for Growth, and $139 for Scale. Monthly billing costs more. Calling, SMS, and additional AI usage may involve separate charges.
Does Close CRM support automated sales workflows?
Yes, Close supports automated sales workflows through its Growth and Scale plans. You can create sequences involving emails, SMS messages, calls, and task assignments based on specific triggers. These automations help your team maintain timely communication, reduce repetitive administrative activities, and ensure prospects receive appropriate follow-ups.
User Reviews
No reviews yet for Close.
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Alternatives
Alternatives to Close
The best Close alternatives include HubSpot Sales Hub, Salesforce Sales Cloud, Pipedrive, Freshsales, Outreach, and Salesloft. These platforms provide sales pipeline management, CRM capabilities, and communication tools. While Close excels at native high-volume calling, SMS, and inside sales workflow speed, alternatives like HubSpot cater to inbound marketing and CRM suites, while Outreach and Salesloft serve enterprise sales engagement needs.
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