Pipedrive vs Close: which should you choose?
Quick answer: Pipedrive is built for smb outbound sales teams, while Close suits inside/remote sales teams. For most users Pipedrive is the stronger default, but Close can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case. Close has the lower entry price.
If you're weighing Pipedrive against Close, the right answer depends on your priorities. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| Pipedrive | Close | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | sales CRM | sales CRM |
| What it's known for | Visual, pipeline-first sales CRM built for SMB sales teams who want deals to move forward with minimal admin. | Inside-sales CRM with built-in calling, SMS and email, designed for high-velocity remote sales teams. |
| Pricing | Essential from ~$14/user/mo; Advanced ~$34; Professional ~$49; Power ~$64; Enterprise ~$99 (billed annually). 14-day trial, no free plan. | Base from ~$19/user/mo; Startup, Professional and Enterprise tiers scaling up (historically ~$49-$139/user/mo, billed annually). 14-day trial. |
| Best audience | SMB outbound and B2B sales teams who want a visual pipeline with little admin overhead. | High-velocity inside/remote sales teams and startups doing heavy call/SMS outreach. |
| Best for | SMB outbound sales teams, Pipeline visualization, Sales reps who hate data entry | Inside/remote sales teams, Startups doing high call volume, All-in-one calling + CRM |
| Entry price | ~$14/user/mo | ~$9/mo |
| Biggest strength | Genuinely easy pipeline UI that reps actually use, minimal admin. | Calling, SMS and email built in, no third-party phone integration needed. |
| Main caveat | No free plan, only a 14-day trial. | Usage-based calling/SMS billed on top of seat price (can add 40-75%). |
Features compared
The feature sets only partly overlap. Here is what each one actually gives you:
Pipedrive key features
- Visual drag-and-drop sales pipeline with customizable stages and unlimited custom fields (tier-dependent)
- Built-in AI Sales Assistant that surfaces win-probability, flags stalled deals and recommends next best actions
- Workflow automation, email sync (two-way), templates and sales-document tracking
- Sales forecasting and customizable reporting dashboards
Close key features
- Built-in calling with Power Dialer and (higher tiers) Predictive Dialer
- Native two-way email sync, SMS and a unified communication inbox
- Smart Views for list segmentation and high-velocity workflows
- AI Call Assistant / Notetaker (transcription) and AI lead summaries
Pricing tiers side by side
Pipedrive plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | ~$14/user/mo | Billed annually; lead/deal management, pipelines, AI Sales Assistant |
| Advanced | ~$34/user/mo | Full email sync, automations, sequences |
| Professional | ~$49/user/mo | Lead generation, e-signatures, 24/7 support |
| Power | ~$64/user/mo | Project planning, extra controls |
| Enterprise | ~$99/user/mo | Unlimited automations, security, no feature caps |
Close plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Solo | ~$9/mo | Single user, basics |
| Essentials | ~$35/mo | Unlimited contacts, calling, SMS, email |
| Growth | ~$99/mo | Automation, Power Dialer, AI email |
| Scale | ~$139/seat/mo | Predictive Dialer, role-based access, unlimited recording |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where Pipedrive wins
The pipeline-first CRM that sales reps adopt without fighting, with AI baked into every tier.
- Genuinely easy pipeline UI that reps actually use, minimal admin.
- AI assistant and automation available across all tiers, not locked to top plan.
That makes it the stronger pick for sMB outbound and B2B sales teams who want a visual pipeline with little admin overhead.
Where Close wins
An inside-sales CRM with a real phone system and dialers built in, made for call-heavy remote teams.
- Calling, SMS and email built in, no third-party phone integration needed.
- Purpose-built for outbound/inside sales speed.
That makes it the stronger pick for high-velocity inside/remote sales teams and startups doing heavy call/SMS outreach.
Verdict: choose by fit
Both are good at the job, so let your priorities decide.
- Choose Pipedrive if you fit its core audience — sMB outbound and B2B sales teams who want a visual pipeline with little admin overhead.
- Choose Close if you fit its core audience — high-velocity inside/remote sales teams and startups doing heavy call/SMS outreach.
FAQ
Is Pipedrive better than Close?
Pipedrive is the stronger default for most users, but Close can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between Pipedrive and Close?
Pipedrive is the pipeline-first CRM that sales reps adopt without fighting, with AI baked into every tier. Close is an inside-sales CRM with a real phone system and dialers built in, made for call-heavy remote teams.
Which is cheaper, Pipedrive or Close?
Entry pricing differs: Pipedrive starts at ~$14/user/mo, while Close starts at ~$9/mo. Compare the tiers above against your usage.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for Pipedrive and Close: