Close
Close is a CRM built for inside sales teams (SDRs, AEs, BDRs). The platform bundles calling (power dialer, call recording), SMS, and email sequences in one interface, eliminating the need for Aircall, Salesloft, or Outreach. The UI is fast and optimized for rep productivity: keyboard shortcuts, click-to-dial, and activity logging happen in seconds. Data model is simple (leads, opportunities, contacts; limited custom fields), and reporting focuses on activity metrics (calls, emails, demos booked). Close is popular with high-velocity sales teams doing 50+ calls per day.
Why it ranks here
Close ranks tenth because it is the best CRM for high-velocity inside sales teams that need calling, SMS, and email in one tool. If your reps make 50-100 calls per day and you do not want to pay for Salesforce + Outreach + Aircall, Close is the all-in-one answer. Rank 10 (not higher) because it lacks depth: no marketing automation, weak territory management, limited integrations.
Where it sits
Close sits at rank 10 in the situational tier. It competes with Pipedrive (simple sales CRM) and Salesforce + Outreach (enterprise stack) and wins on bundled calling and speed. Most teams choose Close when inside sales velocity matters more than platform depth.
How GTM Systems teams use it
SDR and AE teams use Close for outbound calling: import a lead list, dial through it with the power dialer (automatically moves to next call), log call outcomes (connected, left voicemail, demo booked), and send follow-up SMS or email. The platform records calls, transcribes them, and surfaces insights (talk time, objections). Admins configure call scripts, email templates, and pipelines. Close integrates with Zapier, Slack, and calendaring tools (Calendly, Chili Piper) but lacks deep Salesforce or HubSpot sync. RevTech teams use the API for custom reporting (activity metrics, pipeline dashboards).
In-depth notes
Pricing is per-user edition tiers: Starter (1 pipeline, email plus calling), Professional (3 pipelines, SMS, call recording, power dialer), Business (10 pipelines, advanced reporting, API access). Free trial is 14 days. Data model is intentionally simple: no custom objects, limited custom fields. API is RESTful and well-documented. Reporting focuses on activity metrics (calls made, emails sent, meetings booked); pipeline forecasting is basic. Close is a US company; calling and SMS work best in US and Canada (international coverage is limited).
Best for
Inside sales teams, high-velocity SDR and AE orgs, and teams needing built-in calling, SMS, and email without external tools.
Avoid if
You need marketing automation (HubSpot wins), complex territory rules (Salesforce wins), or global calling coverage (Close is US/Canada-focused).
The rest of CRM platform
Salesforce Leader Enterprise system of record with deepest object model, territory/sharing logic, and near-infinite customization. #2 
HubSpot Leader Unified CRM with native marketing, sales, and service hubs; best for inbound-led SMB and mid-market teams. #3 
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Leader Enterprise CRM and ERP suite for Microsoft-centric orgs; deep Azure, Office 365, and Power Platform integration. #4 
Zoho CRM Strong Feature-rich CRM for mid-market teams; strong automation, AI, and analytics at a fraction of Salesforce cost. #5 
Pipedrive Strong Sales-first CRM with visual pipeline management; simple, fast, and built for transactional sales teams. #6 
Freshsales Strong Modern CRM from Freshworks with AI, email tracking, and phone; strong mid-market alternative to HubSpot. #7 
SugarCRM Situational Open-source CRM with on-premise and cloud options; strong customization for teams needing full control. #8 
Copper Situational Google Workspace-native CRM with Gmail sidebar UI; built for G Suite teams doing relationship-driven sales. #9 
Attio Situational Modern, flexible CRM with customizable data model; built for product-minded teams needing relational data. #11 
Creatio Niche Low-code CRM and BPM platform; strong process automation for teams needing custom workflows beyond standard CRM. #12 
Insightly Niche CRM with built-in project management; popular with agencies and professional services needing client + project tracking. Learning guide
Setup
Sign up for a Close trial (14 days, Professional features) at close.com. Purchase or port phone numbers for your sales team (US and Canada coverage is native; international requires third-party SIP trunk). Import your first 100 leads via CSV (Name, Email, Phone, Company) and assign them to reps for calling.
First thing to build
Create one pipeline with 5 stages (Contact Attempted, Connected, Demo Scheduled, Proposal Sent, Closed Won). Import 50 leads, assign them to a rep, and configure the power dialer to call through the list. Log call outcomes (connected, left voicemail, wrong number, demo booked), send follow-up SMS after each call, and track activity metrics (calls made, connection rate, demos booked) in the Activity Report.
What actually matters
- Calling and power dialer: Close includes cloud calling (buy numbers or port existing). Power dialer auto-dials leads in sequence, logging outcomes and moving to the next call. Call recording, voicemail drop, and local presence (display local area code) are included on Professional and Business tiers. Monitor call quality and talk time in the Calls dashboard.
- SMS and email sequences: Send SMS directly from Close (US and Canada only; international SMS limited). Email sequences automate follow-ups (3-touch, 5-touch drip). Sequences pause when a lead replies. Use sequences for nurturing cold leads; reserve manual outreach for hot leads.
- Pipeline and custom fields: Each pipeline represents a sales process. Add custom fields to Leads, Opportunities, and Contacts (no custom objects). Keep fields minimal; Close is designed for speed, and too many fields slow reps down. Use dropdown fields for consistency (Lead Source, Industry, Deal Size).
- Integrations and API: Close API is RESTful and well-documented. Integrate with Zapier for custom workflows (Slack notifications, Clay enrichment, calendar booking). Native integrations with Calendly and Chili Piper for meeting scheduling. Avoid heavy API usage; Close is built for high-velocity calling, not complex data sync.
Watch out
Do not try to build complex territory rules or marketing automation in Close. The platform is laser-focused on inside sales velocity (calling, SMS, email sequences) and lacks depth in other areas. If you need lead routing by geography, scoring, or nurture campaigns, use HubSpot or Salesforce. The first mistake is adding too many custom fields or workflows, which slows reps down. Keep Close minimal (5 stages, 5 custom fields, power dialer, SMS follow-up) and let reps focus on dialing.