Close CRM Review 2026: Features, Pricing, Pros & Cons, and Best Sales CRM Alternatives
An honest Close CRM review covering its built-in calling, email sequencing, pipeline management, Smart Views, pricing, pros and cons, and how it compares to Pipedrive, HubSpot, and Salesforce for SMBs.
Table of Contents
What Is Close CRM? Sales Communication Platform for Modern SMBs
Close CRM, formerly known as Close.io, is a sales communication platform built for inside sales teams that live in their phone and email. Founded in 2013 by Steli Efti, Close was designed to solve a fundamental problem: salespeople waste hours on data entry when they should be selling.
Close's core philosophy is that the CRM should automatically capture every sales activity — calls, emails, SMS, and meetings — so reps never have to manually log anything. With built-in VoIP calling, email sequencing, and SMS, Close eliminates the need for separate tools like Aircall or Outreach.
Key Features of Close CRM
Built-in Calling with native VoIP, call recording, and automatic activity logging. Email Sequencing with templates, tracking, and automated follow-ups. Smart Views for custom lead filters and saved searches. Pipeline Management with drag-and-drop deal stages. Automated Activity Capture for calls, emails, and meetings. SMS and WhatsApp Messaging built into the CRM. Reporting and Analytics with customizable dashboards. API and Integrations with 50+ tools including Zapier.
Close CRM Pricing
1. Startup ($29/user/month): Basic CRM, calling, email, Smart Views, API access.
2. Professional ($49/user/month): Advanced Smart Views, multiple pipelines, custom fields, workflows.
3. Business ($79/user/month): Advanced permissions, custom reporting, Salesforce import, priority support.
4. Enterprise (Custom): Dedicated infrastructure, SSO, custom SLAs.
Close is mid-range priced for CRM. It is more expensive than Pipedrive ($12.50/user/month) but cheaper than HubSpot Sales Professional ($90/user/month).
The Pros and Cons of Close CRM
Pros
- Built-in VoIP calling is a game-changer — no need for a separate phone system.
- Automatic activity logging eliminates manual data entry.
- Email sequencing with tracking and follow-ups saves hours of repetitive work.
- Smart Views are incredibly powerful for lead prioritization.
- Clean, fast interface designed for high-velocity sales teams.
- Excellent API for custom integrations and automation.
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees or surprise price hikes.
Cons
- No free plan — only a trial. HubSpot's free CRM offers more for zero cost.
- Less suitable for field sales or outside sales teams.
- Limited marketing automation compared to HubSpot or ActiveCampaign.
- Fewer native integrations than Salesforce or HubSpot.
- Reporting is powerful but has a learning curve.
- Mobile app is less feature-rich than the desktop version.
- No built-in project management or collaborative features.
Close CRM vs Pipedrive vs HubSpot
**Close CRM vs Pipedrive**: Pipedrive has better pipeline visualization and is cheaper. Close wins on communication features — built-in calling, email sequencing, and automatic activity logging. Choose Pipedrive for visual pipeline management; choose Close for communication-heavy sales.
**Close CRM vs HubSpot**: HubSpot offers a generous free tier and powerful marketing automation. Close wins on sales communication features and ease of use for pure sales teams. HubSpot is better for marketing-sales alignment.
**Close CRM vs Salesforce**: Salesforce is the enterprise standard with unlimited customization. Close is the focused alternative for SMBs who need a CRM that works out of the box.
Final Verdict
Close CRM is the best CRM for inside sales teams that make a high volume of calls and send many emails. The built-in VoIP calling and automatic activity logging eliminate the two biggest CRM pain points — manual data entry and juggling multiple tools.
It is not the cheapest CRM, and the lack of a free plan makes it harder to justify for budget-conscious startups. But for sales teams where time is money, Close's efficiency gains pay for themselves quickly.
FAQs
Is Close CRM free?
Close CRM does not have a free plan. It offers a 14-day free trial (no credit card required). Paid plans start at $29/month per user (billed annually) for the Startup plan.
What is Close CRM used for?
Close is a sales CRM designed for inside sales teams. It is built around communication — with native calling, email, and SMS all integrated into the CRM. Its unique strength is that all sales activity is automatically logged, eliminating manual data entry.
Does Close CRM have built-in calling?
Yes, Close has native VoIP calling built directly into the CRM. You can make and receive calls, record conversations, and automatically log call activities — no third-party integration needed.
What are the best alternatives to Close CRM?
Top alternatives include Pipedrive (better pipeline visualization), HubSpot (better free plan and marketing features), Salesforce (enterprise), and Zoho CRM (more affordable).
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