Zoho CRM vs. Close: A data-backed comparison

Explore Zoho CRM and Close’s features, pricing, adoption trends, and ideal use cases to help you determine which CRM best fits your team.

Zoho CRM vs. Close at a glance

Zoho CRM is a versatile platform with custom workflows and a broad ecosystem for businesses needing a flexible and scalable CRM. Close is optimized for inside sales, featuring integrated calling, email, and SMS for high-velocity outreach and follow-up.

Zoho CRM suits teams needing customization and cross-department collaboration, while Close is best for sales teams focused on efficient prospecting and streamlined communication.

Metrics

Zoho CRM

Close

Relative cost

69% lower cost than category average

7% lower cost than category average

Adoption trend

9% QoQ adoption growth

10% QoQ adoption growth

Primary user segment

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Best for

Small and medium-sized businesses that need comprehensive CRM functionality and sales automation without the high costs of enterprise-level solutions.

Micro businesses that need streamlined sales CRM and calling functionality without the complexity of enterprise-level systems.

Zoho CRM overview

Zoho CRM is a customizable CRM platform offering automation, analytics, and integration with a wide suite of business apps. It supports teams seeking advanced workflows, detailed reporting, and cross-functional collaboration to manage the entire customer lifecycle.

Zoho CRM key features

Features

Description

Lead and Contact Management

Centralizes and segments leads and contacts for targeted outreach and better conversion tracking.

Sales Pipeline and Deal Tracking

Visualizes deal stages and progress with customizable pipelines to manage sales workflows effectively.

Marketing Automation

Automates repetitive marketing tasks like email campaigns and lead scoring to nurture prospects efficiently.

AI-Powered Sales Assistant

Uses AI to provide deal insights, task reminders, and predictive analytics to optimize sales performance.

Customer Support Integration

Links customer service interactions to CRM data for seamless sales and support collaboration.

Integration and Extensibility

Connects with a wide range of third-party applications to extend CRM functionality and integrate workflows.

Close overview

Close is a CRM purpose-built for inside sales, with built-in calling, email, SMS, and task automation to accelerate outreach and follow-up. It is ideal for sales-driven teams prioritizing rapid deal progression and communication efficiency.

Close key features

Features

Description

Built-in Calling and SMS

Integrated phone and text communication with automated logging and messaging.

Email Automation

Personalized email sequences with tracking and analytics for lead nurturing.

Visual Sales Pipeline

Drag-and-drop deal management to monitor sales stages and progress.

Activity Tracking and Reporting

Comprehensive logging of communications and sales activities with performance insights.

AI-Powered Insights

Machine learning-driven recommendations to prioritize leads and forecast deals.

Integrations and API

Connectivity with popular apps and custom workflows via API support.

Pros and cons

Tool

Pros

Cons

Zoho CRM

  • Comprehensive sales automation and pipeline management.
  • AI-powered sales assistant for predictive insights.
  • Extensive third-party integrations and customization.
  • Scalable plans for growing teams.
  • User-friendly interface and mobile apps.
  • Advanced features come at higher price tiers.
  • Support quality varies depending on the plan.
  • Limited out-of-the-box industry-specific templates.
  • Steeper learning curve for complex customizations.
  • Some reporting features require additional configuration.

Close

  • Built-in calling and SMS with logging and automation.
  • Visual sales pipeline for deal tracking.
  • Automated personalized email sequences.
  • AI-powered lead prioritization and next step suggestions.
  • Activity tracking and detailed reporting.
  • Limited marketing automation features.
  • Lacks customer support and service modules.
  • May not scale well for enterprise-level customization.
  • Pricing can be high for small teams with multiple users.

Which tool is better?

Zoho CRM is best for organizations needing end-to-end business process management. Close is the better fit for high-velocity sales teams.

When Zoho CRM is the better choice

  • Your team needs custom workflows and advanced automation.
  • Your team needs integration with a wide ecosystem of business applications.
  • Your team needs cross-department collaboration in a single CRM.
  • Your team needs scalable analytics and reporting for business growth.

When Close is the better choice

  • Your team needs integrated calling, SMS, and email for inside sales.
  • Your team needs to maximize outbound outreach and follow-ups.
  • Your team needs automation for routine sales activities.
  • Your team needs a CRM focused on rapid deal movement and activity tracking.

Time is money. Save both.