Close CRM Review

ByObeydul Haque Reading Time: 7 minutes

Close is built for sales teams that prioritize speed and efficiency. Unlike broader CRMs like Salesforce or HubSpot, which cater to marketing, customer support, and sales, Close focuses exclusively on sales workflows. Its core philosophy is to reduce manual data entry and empower sales reps to focus on selling through integrated communication tools and automation.

The platform integrates calling, emailing, and SMS capabilities directly into the CRM, eliminating the need for third-party tools in many cases. Close also offers robust reporting, lead management, and pipeline tracking, making it a favorite among startups, small businesses, and scaling teams.

Key Features of Close CRM

1. Built-In Communication Tools

Close’s standout feature is its integrated communication suite. The platform includes:

  • VoIP Calling: Users can make and receive calls directly within Close, with call recording and analytics available. Calls are logged automatically, reducing manual tracking.
  • Email Automation: Close allows users to create email sequences, schedule follow-ups, and track open rates. The drag-and-drop sequence builder is intuitive, enabling personalized outreach at scale.
  • SMS Messaging: Users can send SMS messages, which are particularly effective for quick follow-ups or engaging prospects in specific industries.

These tools are seamlessly integrated, meaning all interactions—calls, emails, and texts—are logged under a lead’s profile, providing a complete view of communication history.

2. Lead Management and Pipeline Tracking

Close offers a customizable sales pipeline that allows users to visualize deals at various stages. Key lead management features include:

  • Smart Views: These are dynamic filters that let users segment leads based on criteria like location, deal value, or last contact date. Smart Views update in real-time, ensuring teams focus on high-priority leads.
  • Custom Fields: Businesses can tailor lead profiles with custom fields to capture industry-specific data.
  • Opportunity Management: Users can track multiple opportunities per lead, assign values, and forecast revenue.

The pipeline interface is clean and drag-and-drop enabled, making it easy to move deals through stages.

3. Automation and Workflows

Close’s automation capabilities are designed to minimize repetitive tasks:

  • Email Sequences: Sales reps can automate multi-step email campaigns with conditional logic (e.g., stop the sequence if a lead replies).
  • Task Automation: Tasks like “follow up in 3 days” can be auto-assigned based on triggers like deal stage changes.
  • Bulk Actions: Users can update multiple leads simultaneously, such as assigning them to a new rep or adding them to a sequence.

While Close’s automation is powerful for sales, it lacks the advanced marketing automation found in platforms like HubSpot.

4. Reporting and Analytics

Close provides robust reporting tools to track team performance and sales metrics:

  • Activity Reports: Monitor call volume, email open rates, and response times.
  • Pipeline Reports: Analyze deal progression, win rates, and revenue forecasts.
  • Custom Dashboards: Users can create dashboards tailored to their KPIs.

Reports are exportable, and Close’s real-time analytics ensure managers have up-to-date insights.

5. Integrations

Close integrates with over 50 tools via native integrations and Zapier, including:

  • Productivity Tools: Slack, Google Calendar, and Zoom.
  • Marketing Tools: Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, and Intercom.
  • Data Enrichment: ZoomInfo and LinkedIn Sales Navigator.

While the integration ecosystem is solid, it’s less extensive than that of larger CRMs like Salesforce.

6. Mobile App

Close offers a mobile app for iOS and Android, allowing sales reps to manage leads, make calls, and send emails on the go. The app mirrors the desktop experience, though some advanced features, like custom reporting, are limited.

Usability and User Experience

Close’s interface is minimalist and intuitive, with a focus on speed. The dashboard prioritizes actionable insights, displaying tasks, upcoming calls, and pipeline status prominently. Navigation is straightforward, with a sidebar providing access to leads, opportunities, reports, and settings.

New users can get started quickly, thanks to Close’s onboarding resources, including video tutorials, a knowledge base, and live webinars. The platform’s drag-and-drop functionality (for pipelines and email sequences) enhances usability, even for non-technical users.

However, the simplicity comes at a cost. Advanced users may find Close’s customization options limited compared to enterprise CRMs. For example, dashboard widgets are not as flexible, and workflow automation lacks the depth of platforms like Pipedrive or Zoho CRM.

Pricing and Plans

Close offers three pricing tiers (as of April 2025, based on available data):

  1. Starter ($59/user/month, billed annually):
    • Includes unlimited leads, basic calling, emailing, and SMS.
    • Limited to 3 users.
    • Suitable for small teams testing the platform.
  2. Professional ($99/user/month, billed annually):
    • Adds advanced reporting, email sequences, and predictive dialer.
    • No user limit.
    • Ideal for growing teams.
  3. Enterprise ($149/user/month, billed annually):
    • Includes premium features like custom integrations, advanced permissions, and dedicated support.
    • Best for large teams with complex needs.

Close offers a 14-day free trial, and no credit card is required. Discounts are available for annual billing. Compared to competitors, Close’s pricing is mid-range—more affordable than Salesforce but pricier than Pipedrive or Freshsales for basic plans.

One drawback is the lack of a free tier, which may deter solo entrepreneurs or very small businesses. Additionally, some features, like predictive dialing, are locked behind higher tiers, which could frustrate smaller teams.

Strengths of Close CRM

  1. Sales-Focused Design: Close is purpose-built for sales, with features like built-in calling and email sequences that eliminate the need for multiple tools.
  2. Ease of Use: The clean interface and minimal learning curve make it accessible for teams of all sizes.
  3. Automation: Email sequences and task automation save time and ensure consistent follow-ups.
  4. Real-Time Analytics: Robust reporting helps managers track performance and optimize strategies.
  5. Scalability: Close suits startups and mid-sized businesses, with flexible plans and integrations.

Weaknesses of Close CRM

  1. Limited Customization: Advanced users may find the platform’s customization options (e.g., dashboards, workflows) restrictive.
  2. No Free Plan: Unlike HubSpot or Zoho CRM, Close lacks a free tier, which could deter budget-conscious users.
  3. Narrow Focus: Close is sales-centric, lacking marketing or customer support features, making it less versatile than all-in-one CRMs.
  4. Integration Ecosystem: While sufficient, Close’s integrations are less extensive than those of Salesforce or HubSpot.
  5. Mobile App Limitations: The mobile app, while functional, lacks some desktop features, which could hinder remote teams.

Who Is Close CRM Best For?

Close is ideal for:

  • Inside Sales Teams: Its communication tools and automation are perfect for high-volume sales environments.
  • Startups and SMBs: The platform’s simplicity and affordability suit small to mid-sized businesses.
  • Remote Teams: Built-in VoIP and mobile access support distributed sales teams.
  • Businesses Prioritizing Speed: Close’s streamlined interface and automation cater to teams that value efficiency.

It may not be the best fit for:

  • Large Enterprises: Companies needing extensive customization or multi-departmental CRM functionality may prefer Salesforce or Microsoft Dynamics.
  • Marketing or Support Teams: Close’s sales focus means it lacks tools for marketing automation or customer support.
  • Budget-Constrained Solo Users: The lack of a free plan and per-user pricing may be prohibitive for individuals.

Close vs. Competitors

Close vs. Salesforce

  • Pros of Close: Simpler, more affordable, and faster to implement. Built-in communication tools reduce reliance on third-party apps.
  • Cons of Close: Less customizable and lacks Salesforce’s enterprise-grade features like AI-driven insights or multi-departmental support.
  • Best Choice: Close for small to mid-sized sales teams; Salesforce for large enterprises.

Close vs. HubSpot

  • Pros of Close: More focused on sales, with stronger built-in calling and SMS features. Lower cost for sales-specific functionality.
  • Cons of Close: Lacks HubSpot’s marketing and service hubs, making it less versatile.
  • Best Choice: Close for sales-only needs; HubSpot for businesses wanting an all-in-one solution.

Close vs. Pipedrive

  • Pros of Close: Built-in communication tools and stronger email automation. Better suited for inside sales.
  • Cons of Close: More expensive and less customizable than Pipedrive.
  • Best Choice: Close for teams needing integrated communication; Pipedrive for budget-conscious teams prioritizing pipeline management.

Customer Support and Resources

Close offers multiple support channels:

  • Live Chat and Email: Available for all plans, with faster response times for Enterprise users.
  • Knowledge Base: Comprehensive articles and video tutorials cover setup, features, and troubleshooting.
  • Webinars and Community: Regular webinars and a user community provide additional learning opportunities.

Support is generally responsive, though some users report slower response times during peak hours. Enterprise plans include dedicated account managers, which is a plus for larger teams.

Real-World Use Cases

  1. Startup Scaling Sales: A tech startup with a 10-person sales team used Close to manage 5,000 leads. The team leveraged email sequences to nurture prospects and VoIP calling to follow up, achieving a 20% increase in conversions within three months.
  2. Remote Sales Team: A distributed real estate firm adopted Close for its mobile app and built-in SMS. Reps could contact clients on the go, and managers used real-time reports to track performance, improving team accountability.
  3. E-commerce Business: An online retailer integrated Close with Shopify and Mailchimp to manage B2B clients. Smart Views helped segment high-value leads, and automated follow-ups reduced churn.

Conclusion

Close CRM is a powerful, sales-focused platform that excels in simplicity, automation, and communication. Its built-in calling, emailing, and SMS tools, combined with robust pipeline management and reporting, make it an excellent choice for inside sales teams, startups, and SMBs. While it lacks the customization and versatility of enterprise CRMs like Salesforce or HubSpot, its streamlined approach and mid-range pricing offer significant value for sales-driven businesses.

However, the absence of a free plan, limited customization, and sales-only focus may deter some users. Businesses needing marketing or support features will need to supplement Close with other tools, which could increase costs.

For sales teams looking to streamline workflows and boost productivity, Close is a strong contender. Its 14-day free trial allows businesses to test its features, making it worth exploring for those prioritizing speed and efficiency in their sales process.

I (plan to) write about business, finance, SEO, WordPress, and whatever else interests me. You might find those interesting too. For now, find me on Twitter/ X.