Overview

Close is built for one thing: making sales calls and closing deals faster. While other CRMs try to be platforms, Close stays laser-focused on outbound sales velocity. If your sales team lives on the phone, Close deserves serious consideration.

The founders built Close after running their own sales teams and getting frustrated with existing tools. That practitioner background shows. Close removes friction from the calling workflow like no other CRM. Power dialer, predictive dialer, call coaching, SMS, all built in, not bolted on.

The trade-off is clear: Close isn't trying to be your marketing platform, customer support system, or all-in-one business tool. It's a weapon for sales teams doing high-velocity outbound. If that's you, it's exceptional. If you need broader functionality, look elsewhere.

Features Deep-Dive

Power and Predictive Dialing

Close's calling features are the main attraction. The power dialer calls through a list automatically, when one call ends, the next begins. The predictive dialer (higher tiers) dials multiple numbers simultaneously and connects reps only when someone answers.

For outbound teams making 50-100+ calls daily, these features transform productivity. Instead of manual dialing and waiting, reps spend time actually talking to prospects. Call disposition is quick, notes auto-save, and the next call starts immediately.

Unified Communication

Phone, email, and SMS live in one interface. Send an email, make a call, or text, all from the same lead record. Communication history shows every touchpoint, making follow-ups contextual. Sequences (automated multi-channel outreach) coordinate touches across channels.

The email tracking is solid, opens, clicks, and replies appear in real-time. Templates and snippets accelerate repetitive messaging without feeling robotic.

Pipeline and Lead Management

Close handles pipeline management capably, though it's simpler than feature-rich alternatives. Leads and opportunities track through customizable stages. Smart Views filter and segment lists based on any criteria. Tasks and reminders keep follow-ups on track.

The Inbox aggregates communications needing attention, missed calls, email replies, inbound leads, so reps start each day knowing exactly what needs action.

Reporting and Coaching

Activity reports show calls, emails, and outcomes by rep and team. Leaderboards (optional) create friendly competition. Call recording enables coaching, managers can review calls and provide feedback.

The reporting is practical rather than comprehensive. You'll get the metrics that matter for sales activity (calls made, talk time, deals won) without the complex analytics of enterprise platforms.

Pricing Analysis

Close pricing starts at $49/user/month (Startup), $99/user/month (Professional), and $139/user/month (Enterprise). There's no free tier, and these prices are higher than basic CRMs, because you're paying for built-in calling infrastructure.

Compare against buying a separate CRM plus a power dialer like PhoneBurner or Orum. Combined costs often exceed Close, and you lose the integration benefits. For teams making heavy use of dialing features, Close is often more economical than assembling separate tools.

The caveat: if you're not using the calling features extensively, Close's pricing is hard to justify over cheaper alternatives like Pipedrive.

Who Is This For?

Close is ideal for:

• High-velocity outbound sales teams making 50+ calls per rep per day
• Inside sales organizations where phone is the primary channel
• SDR/BDR teams focused on prospecting and qualification
• Startups with aggressive sales targets who need to move fast
• Sales teams tired of juggling separate CRM and dialer tools

The sweet spot is outbound teams of 5-50 reps where calling volume directly correlates to revenue. Close's efficiency gains justify the premium pricing when dialing is central to the sales motion.

Who Should NOT Use This

Close isn't right if:

• Inbound marketing drives your leads: Close lacks marketing automation. If content and campaigns generate your pipeline, HubSpot is a better fit.
• You have a low call volume: If reps make fewer than 20 calls daily, Close's dialer features don't justify the premium over Pipedrive.
• You need an all-in-one platform: Close is sales-focused. Marketing, support, and operations need separate tools.
• Field sales is primary: Close is optimized for inside sales. Field reps with in-person meetings and longer cycles may prefer tools with stronger mobile experiences.
• You have enterprise compliance needs: Close is a startup tool. Regulated industries may need Salesforce's compliance certifications.

Bottom Line

Close is the best CRM for high-velocity outbound sales teams. The integrated dialer eliminates context-switching and makes reps dramatically more productive on the phone. If calling is your primary sales motion, Close delivers clear ROI.

Just don't buy it if you're not going to use the calling features heavily, you'd be paying a premium for capabilities you won't leverage.

FAQ

How does Close compare to Salesforce?

Close is focused on sales velocity; Salesforce is an enterprise platform. Close includes built-in calling; Salesforce requires add-ons. Close is simpler and faster to deploy; Salesforce offers more customization and scale. For SMB outbound teams, Close usually wins. For enterprise or complex workflows, Salesforce is more appropriate.

Is Close good for B2B sales?

Yes, especially B2B sales with phone-heavy outreach. SDR prospecting, inside sales, and transactional B2B deals. Complex enterprise deals with long cycles and multiple stakeholders may need more robust account management than Close provides natively.

Does Close include phone numbers?

Yes, Close includes phone numbers in your subscription. You get local and toll-free number options, and calling minutes are included (usage varies by plan). International calling is available with per-minute charges. The built-in telephony eliminates the need for separate phone system subscriptions.

How does Close's predictive dialer work?

The predictive dialer calls multiple numbers simultaneously and connects reps only when someone answers. It uses algorithms to predict when reps will be available, minimizing idle time between conversations. For high-volume calling (100+ calls daily), predictive dialing can double or triple live conversation time.

Can I integrate Close with my marketing tools?

Yes, Close integrates with common marketing tools including Mailchimp, HubSpot Marketing, Marketo, and Zapier. However, the integrations are for lead sync rather than deep marketing automation. If marketing sophistication is important, consider whether Close plus marketing tools matches your needs versus an all-in-one like HubSpot.