Close

What is Close?

Close is a CRM built specifically for inside sales teams—the reps making high volumes of calls and emails to close deals. Unlike general CRMs, Close builds communication tools directly into the platform: calling, email, and SMS happen inside Close, not through separate tools.

For sales teams where velocity matters—more calls, more emails, more deals—Close eliminates the friction between CRM and communication that slows traditional setups. The platform was designed by salespeople who understood that every second spent switching between tools is a second not spent selling.

Key Features

Built-in Calling

Make and receive calls directly within Close. Power dialer accelerates outbound calling by automatically dialing the next number when a call ends. Predictive dialer goes further, dialing multiple numbers simultaneously and connecting reps only when someone answers. Call recording captures every conversation for training and compliance. Voicemail drop lets reps leave pre-recorded messages with one click. Call transfer and whisper mode enable seamless handoffs and live coaching. No separate phone system needed—everything runs through Close.

Email Integration

Two-way email sync brings communication into CRM automatically. Every email sent or received appears on the lead timeline without manual logging. Email sequences automate multi-step follow-up campaigns that run until prospects respond. Bulk email sends personalized messages to hundreds of leads simultaneously. Templates accelerate consistent outreach while maintaining personalization through merge fields. Open and click tracking reveals which emails engage prospects most effectively.

SMS Messaging

Text leads and customers from Close using the same number as your calls. SMS often gets higher response rates than email—over 90% of texts are read within minutes. Two-way texting enables real conversations, not just broadcasts. SMS templates and sequences automate text outreach just like email. Communication channel flexibility within one platform means reps never leave Close to reach prospects.

Sales Automation and Workflows

Workflows automate repetitive tasks that consume sales time. Trigger emails, calls, tasks, and field updates based on lead activity or deal stage changes. Automatically assign leads to reps based on territory, industry, or round-robin distribution. Move deals through pipeline stages when certain conditions are met. Smart Views dynamically filter leads based on criteria, surfacing the right prospects at the right time. Keep reps focused on selling, not administration.

Pipeline Management

Visual pipeline tracks deals through customizable stages. Drag-and-drop interface makes updating deal status intuitive. Multiple pipelines separate different sales processes or product lines. Forecasting predicts revenue based on deal probability and close dates. Activity tracking ensures pipeline coverage—see which deals need attention before they go cold. Deal velocity metrics reveal how long deals spend in each stage.

Reporting and Analytics

Leaderboards show top performers and drive healthy competition. Activity reports track calls made, emails sent, and meetings booked by rep and team. Pipeline analytics reveal conversion rates between stages, identifying bottlenecks. Revenue reports forecast monthly and quarterly performance. Funnel reports visualize the entire sales process from lead to close. Custom reports answer specific business questions. Sales managers see team performance clearly, and data drives coaching and optimization.

AI-Powered Features

AI Email Assistant drafts personalized emails based on conversation context and lead data. Call Assistant transcribes conversations and identifies sentiment, helping managers spot coachable moments. AI-powered lead scoring prioritizes prospects most likely to convert. These features augment rep capabilities without replacing the human touch that closes deals.

Pricing

Solo — $9/user/month (annual) or $19/month (monthly). For individuals organizing leads and pipelines. Basic calling and email sync included.

Essentials — $35/user/month (annual) or $49/month (monthly). Unlimited contacts, leads, and pipelines for small teams. Adds two-way email sync and calling.

Growth — $99/user/month (annual) or $109/month (monthly). Adds workflows, Power Dialer, and AI Email Assistant. Ideal for scaling teams needing automation.

Scale — $139/user/month (annual) or $149/month (monthly). Role-based access, predictive dialing, and call coaching. Built for larger teams requiring advanced controls.

Add-on: Call Assistant for sentiment analysis at $50/month + $0.02/minute. 14-day free trial available on all plans, no credit card required.

Use Cases

Small and Medium Businesses

SMBs benefit from Close's all-in-one approach. Instead of paying for separate CRM, phone system, and email automation tools, Close bundles everything at a predictable per-user price. Implementation happens in days, not months. Teams start selling immediately without complex integrations or IT support. The straightforward interface requires minimal training—reps learn the system in hours.

Startups

Startups wanting sales infrastructure quickly adopt Close for complete sales tooling without integrating multiple systems. Early-stage companies can't afford the time or money to build a franken-stack of sales tools. Close provides enterprise-grade calling, email, and CRM from day one. As startups grow, Close scales with them—no painful migrations to new platforms. The pricing structure works for small teams while supporting growth to hundreds of users.

Inside Sales Teams

Inside sales teams making high call volumes need built-in calling efficiency. Close removes the friction of switching between CRM and phone systems. Power dialer lets reps call through lists without manual dialing. Call recording enables quality assurance and training. The time savings compound—a rep making 100 calls daily saves hours weekly compared to traditional setups.

SaaS Sales Teams

SaaS sales teams running outbound sequences benefit from integrated email and calling. Multichannel outreach executes from one platform. A prospect receives an email, then a call, then a text—all tracked in one timeline. Sales development reps can work leads systematically. Account executives see full context before conversations. The seamless handoff between SDR and AE happens within the same system.

Recruitment and Staffing Agencies

Recruiters make dozens of calls daily to candidates and clients. Close's calling features—voicemail drop, call recording, and power dialer—fit recruitment workflows perfectly. Track candidate pipelines like sales pipelines. Manage client relationships alongside candidate placement. One platform handles both sides of the staffing business.

Pros and Cons

Pros

All-in-one communication: Calling, email, and SMS built directly into CRM eliminates tool-switching and ensures complete activity capture.

Fast implementation: Teams go live in days. No complex setup or integrations required. Start calling immediately.

Sales-focused design: Built by salespeople for salespeople. Every feature serves the goal of closing more deals faster.

Transparent pricing: Per-user pricing without hidden fees. No surprise charges for calls or storage.

Excellent calling features: Power dialer, predictive dialer, voicemail drop, and call coaching rival dedicated phone systems.

Responsive support: Quick, knowledgeable support from people who understand sales processes.

Cons

Limited marketing features: Close focuses on sales, not marketing automation. Integrate with dedicated marketing tools for top-of-funnel.

Basic customization: Less customizable than enterprise platforms like Salesforce. Works best when adapting to Close's workflow rather than forcing custom processes.

Reporting depth: Reports cover essentials well but lack the advanced analytics of dedicated BI tools.

Mobile app limitations: Mobile experience functional but not as robust as desktop. Power users prefer desktop for heavy workflows.

No free tier: Solo plan is affordable but no permanently free option for testing long-term before committing.

Close vs Competitors

Close vs Salesforce

Salesforce dominates enterprise with massive customization and ecosystem. Close serves SMB with built-in communication tools and simplicity. Salesforce requires admin expertise and ongoing customization investment. Close works out of the box. Choose Salesforce for enterprise complexity and ecosystem integrations; choose Close for sales velocity and communication-centric selling.

Close vs Pipedrive

Pipedrive offers visual pipeline management with an intuitive interface. Close provides built-in calling that Pipedrive lacks. Pipedrive excels at pipeline visualization and activity-based selling methodology. Close excels at high-volume outbound calling and email sequences. Choose Pipedrive for visual pipeline management; choose Close for communication-centric selling.

Close vs HubSpot Sales Hub

HubSpot offers a free CRM with paid sales features and marketing integration. Close provides deeper calling features and sales-specific workflows. HubSpot works well for marketing-led companies wanting alignment between teams. Close works well for sales-led organizations focused on outbound. Choose HubSpot for marketing-sales alignment; choose Close for pure sales execution.

Tips for Getting the Most from Close

Set up Smart Views immediately: Create filtered views for hot leads, follow-ups due today, and leads without recent activity. Smart Views surface the right prospects at the right time.

Use sequences strategically: Build email sequences for common scenarios—new lead follow-up, demo no-show, proposal follow-up. Automation handles routine touches while reps focus on live conversations.

Record and review calls: Call recording isn't just for compliance. Review successful calls to identify winning talk tracks. Use recordings for new hire training. Managers should review calls weekly with each rep.

Leverage templates with personalization: Create templates for common messages but always personalize the opening line. Templates save time while personalization drives responses.

Track metrics that matter: Focus on conversion rates and revenue, not just activity volume. High call counts mean nothing without closed deals. Use reporting to identify what activities actually drive results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Close include phone numbers? Close provides phone numbers for calling and SMS. US numbers are included; international numbers available at additional cost. Port existing numbers or get new ones.

Can I integrate Close with other tools? Close integrates with Zapier, Calendly, Zoom, Slack, and many other tools. API access enables custom integrations. Most teams find native features sufficient without extensive integrations.

Is Close suitable for field sales? Close works best for inside sales teams. Field sales teams needing route planning, check-ins, and offline access should consider field-focused alternatives. However, the mobile app supports basic field activities.

How does Close handle multiple pipelines? Create unlimited pipelines for different sales processes, products, or teams. Each pipeline has custom stages. Reps can manage leads across multiple pipelines simultaneously.

What support options are available? Email support on all plans. Priority support on higher tiers. Comprehensive help documentation and video tutorials. Close also offers onboarding assistance for new teams.

Final Verdict

Close delivers the CRM that inside sales teams actually need—one where calling, emailing, and pipeline management happen in the same place. For sales velocity, Close removes friction that slows deals. The platform won't satisfy enterprise needs for customization or marketing teams wanting automation features. But for SMBs and startups running inside sales, Close provides the tools to close more deals without the complexity of traditional CRMs.

Rating: 4.5/5