VETTED SAAS
Alternatives · CRM

Best Close alternatives

The CRMs we would weigh against Close when you need a broader suite, a free plan or lighter calling needs.

Close is the sharpest calling first CRM we test, built for teams that live on the phone. Buyers who look elsewhere usually want one of three things: a broader all in one with marketing and service, a free plan to start on, or a CRM where calling is useful but not the whole point. The four below cover those exits, from a polished all in one to the enterprise step up to a budget tool with native phone. Each carries our editorial score and a verified entry price so the tradeoff is clear before you switch.

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Reviewed by ·Updated JUNE 2026·How we vet
The shortlist

Four CRMs we would weigh first

CRM 93 HubSpot The all in one upgrade with a free plan and built in marketing and service. Read verdict → CRM 90 Pipedrive A clean, sales led pipeline with broad integrations and add on calling. Read verdict → CRM 87 Salesforce The enterprise step up when outbound is one piece of a bigger machine. Read verdict → CRM 85 Freshsales Native phone and AI in one tidy package at a lower, simpler price. Read verdict →
At a glance

How they compare

Scores are editorial assessments against our CRM rubric. Price from as of June 2026; check the vendor for current pricing.

Tool Best for Price from Score
HubSpot All in one with a free start Free / $15 93
Pipedrive Sales led pipeline simplicity $14 90
Salesforce Enterprise scale and customization $25 87
Freshsales Built in phone and AI on a budget Free / $9 85
Decision framework

Which one fits you

HubSpot you want a polished all in one with a free tier and built in marketing and service, and calling is one channel among several rather than the core of your day.
Pipedrive you want a clean, sales led pipeline with broad integrations and predictable pricing, and you are happy to add calling rather than build around it.
Salesforce outbound is one piece of a larger sales machine and you need the deepest customization, automation and enterprise scale, with budget for setup.
Freshsales you want native phone and AI built in at a lower, simpler price, with a free plan to start, and you do not need Close's power dialer depth.
Common questions

Close alternatives FAQ

What is the best Close alternative?

It depends on what you need beyond calling. HubSpot is the best all in one with a free start, Pipedrive the simplest pipeline, Salesforce the enterprise step up, and Freshsales the best budget tool with native phone built in. Scores are editorial; pricing verified June 2026.

Is there a cheaper CRM than Close?

At the entry level they are close. Close starts at $9 per seat for Solo (one user). Freshsales is free for three users then $9, Zoho CRM is free for three then $14, Pipedrive starts at $14, and HubSpot has a free plan with paid Sales Hub from $15. Verified June 2026; check vendors for current pricing.

Which Close alternative has the best built in calling?

Freshsales includes native phone and AI in its seat price, making it the closest match for teams that want calling without Close's outbound focus. HubSpot, Pipedrive and Salesforce offer calling through add ons or integrations rather than as the core.

When should I switch from Close?

Switch when calling stops being the center of your workflow and you need a broader all in one, a free plan to start, deeper marketing and service tools, or enterprise customization that a focused outbound CRM does not provide.

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