Close CRM Review 2026: Effortless CRM Tool for You?

Is Close CRM Worth It?

★★★★★ 3/5

Quick Verdict: Close CRM is a solid pick for small to medium sales teams that live on the phone. The built in calling and email tools are best-in-class. But weak reporting and higher tiers hold it back. If your sales reps make lots of calls, Close delivers. If you need deep analytics or custom objects, look elsewhere.

✅ Best For:

Small businesses and sales teams that focus on outbound calls and email outreach

❌ Skip If:

You need advanced reporting, deep customization, or marketing automation features

📊 G2 Rating	4.7/5	🎯 Best For	Inside sales teams
💰 Price	$35/seat/month	✅ Top Feature	Built in calling
🎁 Free Trial	14 days	⚠️ Limitation	Weak reporting tools

How I Tested Close CRM

Tired of juggling phone calls, emails, and spreadsheets?

Your sales team wastes hours on manual data entry.

You lose track of follow ups.

Leads slip through the cracks.

Enter Close CRM.

It promises to be the only tool your sales reps need.

I tested it for 60 days to find out if that’s true.

Here’s everything you need to know before you choose Close.

Close CRM

Stop switching between your CRM and your phone. Close combines calling, email, and SMS into one tool built for sales teams. Start your 14-day free trial today — no credit card needed.

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CLOSE CRM TUTORIAL →

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What is Close CRM?

Close CRM is a customer relationship management tool built for sales teams.

Think of it like a command center for your sales process.

Here’s the simple version:

Close puts your phone calls, emails, and texts in one place.

You don’t need a separate phone system.

You don’t need to switch between apps.

It captures all your sales activity on profile timelines.

This makes it easy to track every lead and deal.

Unlike other CRMs that focus on data, Close focuses on helping you talk to prospects.

Close is often compared to sales engagement tools rather than traditional CRMs.

That’s because it combines CRM and sales engagement features in one app.

Who Created Close CRM?

Steli Efti started Close in 2013.

He co-founded the company with Thomas Steinacher and Anthony Nemitz.

The story: Steli ran a sales agency called Elastic Sales.

He was so frustrated with existing CRMs that he built his own.

Today, Close CRM has:

• Over 100 team members worldwide
• A 4.7/5 rating on G2 based on user reviews
• Thousands of customers across many companies

The company is 100% remote and bootstrapped.

They focus on helping startups and small businesses close more deals faster.

Top Benefits of Close CRM

Here’s what you actually get when you use Close CRM:

• Close More Deals Faster: Close automates key sales tasks. This reduces manual workload. Your sales reps spend more time selling and less time typing.
• Full Team Engagement from Day One: Close is praised for its simplicity and ease of use. A motivated team can set up within the 14-day free trial. No weeks of training needed.
• Make Calls Without Leaving Your CRM: Close CRM has best-in-class call functionality. You can dial multiple numbers right from your browser. No separate phone system needed.
• Never Miss a Follow Up: Close features workflows and automated follow-up reminders. This helps you manage leads without manual effort. Your response rates go up.
• See Your Whole Sales Process in One View: Close offers a visual pipeline view. You can track deals, spot problems, and focus on the leads that matter most.
• Reach Prospects on Any Channel: Close includes built-in communication tools for email, calling, and SMS. You can manage outreach across multiple channels from a single inbox.
• Quick Setup with Easy Data Import: Close offers a quick setup process. It includes a CSV import tool for leads and contacts. There’s also a free migration tool for users switching from other CRMs.

Best Close CRM Features

Let’s look at what Close CRM actually offers your sales team.

1. Inbox Management

Close integrates key sales functions into a single inbox.

Your emails, calls, and texts all show up in one place.

No more switching between tools to check messages.

This saves time and keeps your data clean.

Every interaction with a lead gets logged on the desktop app.

You can search and find any conversation in seconds.

2. Leads Management

Close includes Smart Views that filter leads based on specific criteria.

This helps you focus on the hottest prospects first.

You can create custom fields to track what matters to your business.

The lead scoring helps your sales team manage their time better.

You can also use multiple pipelines to track different sales processes.

3. Workflow Automations

Close automates key sales tasks to reduce your manual workload.

You can set up email sequences that send follow ups automatically.

Reminders pop up so you never forget a task.

This is great for sales reps who manage lots of contacts.

The professional features let you build multi-step workflows.

These advanced features are available on higher tiers.

4. Conversations

This is where Close really shines.

You can make phone calls right from your browser.

Close offers both a power dialer and predictive dialer.

The power dialer lets you dial multiple numbers back to back.

The predictive dialer dials ahead so you spend less time waiting.

Close also supports bulk email and SMS messaging.

You can even join Zoom meetings right from the CRM.

5. Reports & Analytics

Close provides reporting tools for quick KPI reports.

You can track how many calls your team makes each day.

Email open rates and response times show up too.

You can create custom graphs to see trends.

But here’s the honest truth.

Users have reported that Close CRM’s reporting is weak.

It’s hard to do deep analysis of sales performance.

If you need advanced analytics, this is a weak spot.

6. Popular Integrations

Close integrates with over 80 other tools.

You can connect it to Zapier, Slack, and many more.

It also works with other tools like HubSpot and Salesforce.

But Close lacks some key integrations found in other CRMs.

For developer needs, Close offers robust API documentation.

Product updates add new connections regularly.

7. Sales AI

Close now includes AI features to help your team sell smarter.

The AI can help with call coaching and email suggestions.

It helps sales reps stay on track during calls.

Managers can use it to train new team members faster.

This feature is newer, but it shows promise.

8. Advanced CRM

Close offers custom objects for teams that need more flexibility.

You can build custom fields to track any data point.

Multiple pipelines let you manage different sales processes.

The visual pipeline view helps you spot problems fast.

Close emphasizes security to keep your customer data safe.

9. ROI Calculator

Close provides an ROI calculator on their website.

It shows you how much time and money you could save.

You enter your team size and current tools.

Then it shows the potential savings from switching.

This is helpful for businesses deciding between Close and other CRM options.

Close also includes email templates to speed up your outreach.

The startup features help new teams get going fast.

Close CRM Pricing

Free trial: Yes — 14 days, no credit card required.

Money-back guarantee: No formal guarantee, but the free trial lets you test everything.

📌 Note: Close’s Startup plan costs $59 per user per month billed monthly, or $49 billed annually. The Professional plan costs $109 monthly or $99 annually. The Enterprise plan costs $149 monthly or $139 annually. Annual billing saves you about 15%.

Is Close CRM Worth the Price?

Close’s entry-level pricing is considered mid-tier compared to other CRMs.

But you get built in calling, texting, and email in every plan.

Most other CRMs charge extra for those tools.

You’ll save money if: You currently pay for a separate phone system plus a CRM. Close replaces both tools at one price.

You might overpay if: You only need basic contact management. Cheaper CRM options exist for simple needs.

Close CRM Pros and Cons

✅ What I Liked

❌ What Could Be Better

Is Close CRM Right for You?

✅ Close CRM is PERFECT for you if:

• You run a small to medium sales team that makes lots of phone calls
• You need built in calling with a power dialer or predictive dialer
• You want email, calling, and SMS in one tool for your sales reps
• You focus on outbound sales and want to close more deals

❌ Skip Close CRM if:

• You need advanced reporting and deep analytics
• You want a highly customizable CRM for complex sales processes
• You’re a solo user on a tight budget looking for cheap CRM options

My recommendation:

Close CRM is the best pick for inside sales teams that rely heavily on calls.

If your team makes 50+ calls a day, this tool pays for itself.

For teams that need more leads and better outreach, Close delivers real value.

Close CRM vs Alternatives

How does Close CRM stack up? Here’s the competitive landscape:

Quick picks:

• Best overall: Close CRM — unmatched built in calling for sales teams
• Best budget option: Freshsales CRM — starts at $15/user with AI features
• Best for beginners: Monday CRM — visual interface that’s easy to learn
• Best for agencies: GoHighLevel — white-label CRM with unlimited users

🎯 Close CRM Alternatives

Looking for Close CRM alternatives? Here are the top options:

• 🏢 GoHighLevel: Best all-in-one platform for agencies. Includes funnels, automation, and unlimited clients at one flat price.
• ⚡ Keap: Strong automation for small businesses. Built-in e-commerce and payment tools your team can use fast.
• 🧠 ActiveCampaign: Best email automation with CRM features. Great for teams focused on lead nurturing and email sequences.
• 🌟 HubSpot: The gold standard for inbound marketing and CRM. Free plan available with powerful reporting tools.
• 🔧 ClickFunnels: Best for building sales funnels. Ideal if your business relies on funnel-based selling.
• 👶 Folk: Simple CRM for teams that want something clean and easy. Great for managing customer relationships without clutter.
• 🚀 Instantly: Best for high-volume cold email outreach. Unlimited email accounts and built-in warm-up for your clients.
• 🔧 ClickUp: Project management tool with CRM features. Best for teams that want tasks and deals in one app.
• 🎨 Monday CRM: Visual, drag-and-drop CRM that’s easy to use. Great for teams who love Kanban-style boards.
• 💰 Capsule CRM: Budget-friendly CRM with solid contact management. Good for small businesses that need simple tools.
• 🏢 Insightly: CRM plus project management in one. Best for businesses that manage projects alongside deals.
• 🧠 Freshsales CRM: AI-powered lead scoring at an affordable price. Great for data-driven sales teams.
• 🏢 Salesforce: Enterprise-grade CRM with deep customization. Best for large companies with complex needs.
• 🔒 Zendesk: Best for teams that combine sales with customer support. Solid for businesses focused on customer experience.

⚔️ Close CRM Compared

Here’s how Close CRM stacks up against each competitor:

• Close CRM vs GoHighLevel: Close wins on calling features. GoHighLevel wins on all-in-one marketing and agency tools.
• Close CRM vs Keap: Close is better for outbound sales. Keap is better for e-commerce and payment automation.
• Close CRM vs ActiveCampaign: Close wins on built in calling. ActiveCampaign wins on email automation depth.
• Close CRM vs HubSpot: Close is simpler and cheaper for sales. HubSpot offers more marketing and reporting features.
• Close CRM vs ClickFunnels: Close is a CRM with calling. ClickFunnels is a funnel builder. Different tools for different needs.
• Close CRM vs Folk: Close has more advanced features. Folk is simpler and works for teams that need basic contact tracking.
• Close CRM vs Instantly: Close is a full CRM. Instantly focuses only on cold email at scale.
• Close CRM vs ClickUp: Close is sales-focused. ClickUp is better for project management with basic CRM.
• Close CRM vs Monday CRM: Close wins on calling and sales tools. Monday wins on visual workflows and ease of use.
• Close CRM vs Capsule CRM: Close has more features. Capsule is cheaper and simpler for basic contact management.
• Close CRM vs Insightly: Close is better for high-volume calls. Insightly is better for project tracking.
• Close CRM vs Freshsales CRM: Close wins on calling. Freshsales wins on AI features and lower pricing.
• Close CRM vs Salesforce: Close is simpler and faster to set up. Salesforce offers far more customization for large teams.
• Close CRM vs Zendesk: Close is better for outbound sales. Zendesk is better for customer support and service.

My Experience with Close CRM

Here’s what actually happened when I used Close CRM:

The project: I ran outreach for 3 different clients using Close’s built in calling and email sequences.

Timeline: 60 days of daily use with a small team.

Results:

What surprised me: The power dialer changed everything. My team could dial multiple numbers without stopping. We talked to more prospects in one afternoon than we used to reach in a full week.

What frustrated me: The reporting felt thin. I wanted to create custom graphs and deep reports. Close’s tools didn’t give me enough detail to analyze sales performance the way I wanted.

Would I use it again? Yes — but only for call-heavy sales teams. If you focus on outreach and want to talk to more leads, Close CRM is hard to beat. For everything else, other tools might serve you better.

Not gonna lie, I didn’t expect much at first.

But the calling features won me over fast.

Close captures all your sales activity and displays it on timelines.

This helped me track every deal without any effort.

You can even use it on a mobile device when you’re away from your desktop.

Final Thoughts

Get Close CRM if: Your sales team makes lots of calls and needs built in calling with a power dialer.

Skip Close CRM if: You need advanced reporting or deep customization for complex sales processes.

My verdict: Close CRM is built for one thing — helping sales teams sell faster. It does that well. The calling features are the best I’ve tested. But it’s not a do-everything CRM.

After 60 days, I’m a fan — with reservations.

Close CRM is best for outbound sales teams at small businesses.

It’s not the right fit for everyone.

But for the right user, it’s a game-saver.

Rating: 3/5

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Close CRM?

Close CRM is a customer relationship management platform built for sales teams. It combines calling, email, and SMS into one tool. Sales reps can manage leads, make phone calls, and send emails without leaving the app. It’s designed to help small businesses close more deals faster.

How much does Close CRM cost per month?

Close CRM pricing starts at $35 per seat per month for the Essentials plan. The Growth plan costs $99 per seat per month. The Scale plan costs $139 per seat per month. You can save about 15% by choosing annual billing. Close offers a 14-day free trial to test everything.

Is Close CRM better than HubSpot?

It depends on your needs. Close CRM is better for sales teams that make lots of phone calls. It has the best built in calling features in any CRM. HubSpot is better for teams that need marketing automation, advanced reporting, and deep customization. For pure outbound sales, choose Close. For inbound marketing, choose HubSpot.

Does Close CRM have an app?

Yes, Close CRM has a mobile device app. You can manage leads, make calls, and check your pipeline from your phone. The desktop app gives you the full experience. Both apps keep your data in sync so you never miss a beat.

How is Close different from other CRMs?

Close CRM focuses on sales engagement. Most CRMs focus on data storage. Close lets you make calls, send bulk email, and text prospects right from the app. It has a power dialer and predictive dialer built in. This makes it a CRM and a sales tool in one product.