Close CRM Review 2026: The Inside Sales Powerhouse
Close CRM was built by salespeople, for salespeople. While other CRMs started as contact databases and added sales features later, Close was designed from day one for inside sales teams doing high-velocity outbound.
The result? Everything needed to work leads—calling, SMS, email, and automation—lives in one interface with zero context switching.
Quick Verdict
Best for: Inside sales and SDR teams doing high-volume outbound
Starting price: $29/user/mo (Base)
Our rating: 8.5/10
What Makes Close Different?
Close is laser-focused on one thing: helping inside sales reps have more conversations and close more deals. Key differentiators:
- All communication built-in: Calling, SMS, email—no third-party tools needed
- Power Dialer: Automatically dial through lists, call after call
- Predictive Dialer: Dial multiple numbers simultaneously (Enterprise)
- Speed-focused design: Every click matters when working leads fast
- Built by salespeople: Designed for how reps actually work
Key Features
Built-in Calling
Make calls directly from Close with one click. Calls are automatically logged with recording and transcription. Local presence dialing shows area codes matching your prospects to boost answer rates.
Power Dialer
Load a list and let Close dial automatically. When a call ends, the next one starts. No dialing, no waiting—just conversations. SDR teams report 3-5x more calls per day.
SMS
Send and receive text messages from the same interface. Use SMS in sequences alongside calls and emails. All texts are logged to the lead record automatically.
Email Sequences
Multi-step sequences combining email, calls, and SMS. A/B test subject lines and content. Automatic enrollment based on lead criteria. Pause when leads reply.
Workflows & Automation
Automate lead assignment, task creation, and status updates. Trigger actions based on lead behavior or deal stage changes.
Close CRM Pricing (2026)
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Base | $29/user/mo | Built-in calling, SMS, 1 pipeline, basic reporting |
| Startup | $59/user/mo | Power Dialer, 3 pipelines, workflow automation |
| Professional | $109/user/mo | 10 pipelines, call coaching, advanced reporting |
| Enterprise | $149/user/mo | Predictive Dialer, custom objects, dedicated support |
Note: Calling minutes are included in plans. International calling and additional minutes may incur extra costs.
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- All-in-one communication: Calling, SMS, email built-in
- Power Dialer: Dramatically increases calls per day
- Speed-optimized: Designed for high-velocity sales
- Easy setup: Get started in hours, not weeks
- Great for SDRs: Purpose-built for outbound teams
- No third-party costs: Everything included
❌ Cons
- Higher starting price: $29/user vs $14 for Pipedrive
- Less suited for field sales: Built for inside sales
- Limited marketing features: Focused on sales, not marketing
- Smaller integration ecosystem: Fewer apps than HubSpot/Salesforce
- No free tier: 14-day trial only
Best For
- SDR/BDR teams: Built for high-volume outbound prospecting
- Inside sales organizations: Phone-centric sales processes
- Startups scaling outbound: Get productive fast without complexity
- Teams wanting simplicity: One tool for all communication
Enhancing Close with Real-Time Coaching
Close handles the volume side of sales—helping you make more calls. Appendment handles the quality side:
- Real-time objection handling during calls
- Personality-based communication guidance
- 50+ prospect data points for personalization
- Live coaching prompts in your ear
The combination of Close's calling efficiency + Appendment's AI coaching creates a powerful inside sales stack.
Compare Close to other options in our complete CRM comparison guide.
Want AI coaching for your Close CRM calls?
Appendment provides real-time guidance during sales calls. Book a demo to see how SDR teams are improving close rates by 40%.
