Zoho CRM vs Close
Short version: Zoho CRM is the better fit for cost-conscious SMBs that want lots of CRM features for the money, while Close is built for SMB inside-sales teams that want calling and email inside the CRM.
Zoho CRM
Affordable, feature-rich CRM
$14/mo
From ~$14/seat/mo; part of the broader Zoho suite
Close
CRM with calling & email built for closers
$9/mo
From ~$9/seat/mo annual (Solo); built-in calling, SMS, email
At a glance
| Spec | Zoho | Close |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $14/mo | $9/mo |
| Budget tier | Budget-friendly | Budget-friendly |
| Complexity | Intermediate | Beginner-friendly |
| Primary category | CRM | CRM |
| Integrations | 800+ | 100+ |
| Founded | 2005 | 2013 |
Feature comparison
Zoho offers 10 of 11 tracked crm features; Close offers 10.
| Feature | Zoho | Close |
|---|---|---|
| Visual pipeline management | ||
| Contact & company records | ||
| Email sync & tracking | ||
| Workflow automation | ||
| Reporting & dashboards | ||
| Built-in dialer | ||
| Sales forecasting | ||
| Mobile app | ||
| Free plan | ||
| API & webhooks | ||
| Priority / 24-7 support |
Zoho CRM
Pros
- Excellent value and deep feature set
- Tight integration with the Zoho suite
- Highly configurable
Cons
- Interface feels dated in places
- Setup can get complex
- Support quality varies
Close
Pros
- Built-in dialer, SMS, and email sequences
- Fast, activity-focused workflow
- Great for high-volume inside sales
Cons
- Less suited to complex enterprise process
- Fewer third-party integrations than Salesforce
- Reporting is solid but not deep
Which should you choose?
Choose Zoho if…
- you want excellent value and deep feature set
- you want tight integration with the Zoho suite
- you want highly configurable
Choose Close if…
- you want built-in dialer, SMS, and email sequences
- you want fast, activity-focused workflow
- you want great for high-volume inside sales
The verdict
Both are solid crm tools. The best choice comes down to fit: Zoho for cost-conscious SMBs that want lots of CRM features for the money, and Close for SMB inside-sales teams that want calling and email inside the CRM.
Browse all tools →Frequently asked questions
Is Zoho CRM or Close cheaper?
Close is the more affordable option ($9/mo versus $14/mo). The lower sticker price isn't always the better value, though, weigh the tier your team will actually land on and any add-ons.
Which is better, Zoho CRM or Close?
Neither is strictly better, they're built for different priorities. Zoho CRM is the stronger pick for cost-conscious SMBs that want lots of CRM features for the money, while Close suits SMB inside-sales teams that want calling and email inside the CRM.
What's the main difference between Zoho CRM and Close?
Zoho CRM is intermediate and budget-friendly, while Close is beginner-friendly and budget-friendly. On tracked crm features, Zoho covers 10 and Close covers 10.