Close vs Freshsales: The Complete 2026 Comparison
Choosing between Close and Freshsales for crm? This in-depth comparison breaks down pricing, features, user ratings, integrations, and real-world use cases to help you make the right decision. Both tools serve the crm category, but they take distinctly different approaches to helping teams get work done.
Founded in 2013, Close is a CRM built for inside sales teams, with built-in calling, SMS, and email sequences. Meanwhile, Freshsales was founded in 2010. Freshsales (by Freshworks) is a modern CRM with built-in phone, email, and chat capabilities. Let us dive into how they stack up across every dimension that matters.
Quick Verdict
Close edges ahead with a G2 rating of 4.7/5 (based on 980 reviews) versus Freshsales's 4.5/5 (1,200 reviews). However, Freshsales holds its own with 12 key features and competitive pricing starting at Free (up to 3 users). If budget is your top priority, Freshsales ($15/user/month (Growth) at the pro tier) is the more affordable option.
At-a-Glance: Close vs Freshsales
Before we dive into the details, here is a high-level overview of how Close and Freshsales compare across the key criteria most teams care about when evaluating crm software.
| Criteria | Close | Freshsales |
|---|---|---|
| G2 Rating | 4.7/5 (980 reviews) | 4.5/5 (1,200 reviews) |
| Free Plan | $29/user/month (Startup) | Free (up to 3 users) |
| Pro Pricing | $99/user/month (Professional) | $15/user/month (Growth) |
| Enterprise | $149/user/month (Enterprise) | $39/user/month (Pro) |
| Founded | 2013 | 2010 |
| Key Features | 12 features | 12 features |
| Integrations | 10+ integrations | 10+ integrations |
| Category | CRM | CRM |
| Website | www.close.com | www.freshworks.com/crm/sales |
About Close
Close is a CRM built for inside sales teams, with built-in calling, SMS, and email sequences. Its power dialer and predictive dialer help reps maximize outbound productivity, making it the preferred CRM for high-volume sales organizations. Founded in 2013, Close has built a reputation in the crm space, earning a 4.7/5 rating on G2 from 980 verified user reviews. The platform offers 12 distinct features and integrates with 10+ third-party tools.
Close's core strengths include Built-in calling, Email sequences, SMS messaging, Pipeline management, Power dialer. Teams that choose Close typically value its approach to Built-in calling and Email sequences, which sets it apart in the crowded crm landscape.
About Freshsales
Freshsales (by Freshworks) is a modern CRM with built-in phone, email, and chat capabilities. Its AI assistant Freddy provides lead scoring, deal insights, and sales forecasting, making it a strong choice for growing sales teams. Since its founding in 2010, Freshsales has grown to serve teams worldwide, achieving a 4.5/5 G2 rating from 1,200 reviews. The platform provides 12 key features and supports 10+ integrations.
Freshsales's standout capabilities include Contact management, Deal management, Built-in phone, Email tracking, AI-powered lead scoring. Teams gravitating toward Freshsales often prioritize Contact management and Deal management, making it a strong fit for organizations that need these specific capabilities.
Pricing Breakdown: Close vs Freshsales
Pricing is often the deciding factor when choosing crm software. Here is how Close and Freshsales stack up across their pricing tiers. Note that both tools may offer annual billing discounts, and prices shown are for monthly billing as of 2026.
| Plan | Close | Freshsales |
|---|---|---|
| Starter / Free | $29/user/month (Startup) | Free (up to 3 users) |
| Pro / Business | $99/user/month (Professional) | $15/user/month (Growth) |
| Enterprise | $149/user/month (Enterprise) | $39/user/month (Pro) |
Pricing verdict: Freshsales is the more budget-friendly option at the pro tier, costing $15/user/month (Growth) compared to $99/user/month (Professional) for Close. However, pricing alone should not drive your decision -- consider the total value each platform delivers relative to its cost. A tool that costs more but saves your team hours each week may actually be the more economical choice in the long run.
Keep in mind that both tools offer free plans or trials, so you can test each platform before committing. For teams of 10 or fewer, both Close and Freshsales provide functional free tiers that let you evaluate the core experience without spending anything.
Feature Comparison: Close vs Freshsales
Feature availability can make or break your team's productivity. Below is a detailed comparison of every feature offered by either Close or Freshsales. This checklist covers 23 features across both platforms, giving you a comprehensive view of what each tool brings to the table.
| Feature | Close | Freshsales |
|---|---|---|
| AI-powered lead scoring | No | Yes |
| Built-in calling | Yes | No |
| Built-in phone | No | Yes |
| Chat campaigns | No | Yes |
| Contact management | No | Yes |
| Custom activities | Yes | No |
| Custom reports | No | Yes |
| Deal management | No | Yes |
| Email sequences | Yes | No |
| Email tracking | No | Yes |
| Freddy AI | No | Yes |
| Lead management | Yes | No |
| Pipeline management | Yes | No |
| Power dialer | Yes | No |
| Predictive dialer | Yes | No |
| Reporting | Yes | No |
| SMS messaging | Yes | No |
| Sales sequences | No | Yes |
| Smart views | Yes | No |
| Territory management | No | Yes |
| Video calling | Yes | No |
| Visual sales pipeline | No | Yes |
| Workflow automation | Yes | Yes |
Close offers 12 features while Freshsales provides 12. The features unique to Close include Built-in calling, Email sequences, SMS messaging. Freshsales's unique features include Contact management, Deal management, Built-in phone.
Integrations: Close vs Freshsales
In today's software landscape, no tool exists in isolation. The integrations a crm tool supports determine how well it fits into your existing tech stack. Here is how Close and Freshsales compare in terms of third-party integrations.
Shared integrations (6): Zapier, Slack, Gmail, Outlook, Segment, HubSpot. Both tools connect to these popular platforms, so if these are your critical integrations, neither tool has an advantage.
Unique to Close: Calendly, Zoom, Drift, Clearbit.
Unique to Freshsales: Freshdesk, QuickBooks, Xero, Google Calendar.
Both platforms support Zapier or similar automation tools, which means you can build custom integrations even if a native connection is not available. When evaluating integrations, focus on the ones your team uses daily rather than the total count.
User Ratings and Community Sentiment
Real user reviews provide invaluable insight beyond feature lists. Here is how the community has rated Close and Freshsales on G2, one of the most trusted software review platforms.
| Metric | Close | Freshsales |
|---|---|---|
| G2 Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Total Reviews | 980 | 1,200 |
| Years on Market | 13 years (since 2013) | 16 years (since 2010) |
Close leads with a 4.7/5 G2 rating compared to Freshsales's 4.5/5. The 0.2-point gap is meaningful given that both tools have thousands of reviews. Close's rating is based on 980 reviews, providing strong statistical confidence in the score.
Which Tool Should You Pick? Use-Case Verdicts
The best crm tool is not universal -- it depends on your team size, budget, workflow requirements, and existing tech stack. Here are our recommendations for three common scenarios that cover most teams evaluating Close and Freshsales.
Scenario 1: Small Teams and Startups (Under 20 People)
For small teams on a budget, Freshsales offers a more affordable entry point with its Free (up to 3 users) free tier. Freshsales may be easier to adopt quickly due to its more focused feature set, reducing onboarding time. However, Close offers more room to grow as your team scales, with 12 features compared to 12.
Our pick: Freshsales -- Faster setup and lower complexity for small teams.
Scenario 2: Mid-Size Companies (20-200 People)
Mid-size teams need robust crm with good reporting and integrations. Close offers integrations with Zapier, Slack, Gmail, Outlook, while Freshsales connects to Freshdesk, Gmail, Outlook, Slack. For cross-functional teams, Freshsales provides stronger customization options. Both tools handle enterprise-grade workloads, but the Close's higher G2 rating (4.7/5 from 980 reviews) suggests better overall satisfaction at scale.
Our pick: Close -- Higher G2 rating (4.7/5) and stronger user satisfaction.
Scenario 3: Enterprise and Software Development Teams
At the enterprise level, integration depth, security, and workflow customization matter most. Close's enterprise plan ($149/user/month (Enterprise)) comes at a premium compared to Freshsales ($39/user/month (Pro)). For development teams specifically, look at Git integrations: .
Our pick: Freshsales -- More extensive user base providing better community support and proven reliability.
Final Recommendation: Close vs Freshsales
After analyzing pricing, features, ratings, integrations, and real-world use cases, here is our bottom line on the Close vs Freshsales decision.
Choose Close if: You want Built-in calling, Email sequences, SMS messaging, and your team values a focused tool that does fewer things well. Close's $29/user/month (Startup) entry point makes it accessible to try, and its 10+ integrations ensure it fits into most tech stacks. Despite being newer (founded 2013), Close has proven itself with 980 G2 reviews.
Choose Freshsales if: You prioritize Contact management, Deal management, Built-in phone, and your team needs a streamlined tool without unnecessary complexity. At $15/user/month (Growth) per user per month (pro tier), Freshsales is the more affordable option. Freshsales's 16-year track record speaks to its reliability and staying power.
Whichever tool you choose, we recommend starting with the free plan or trial to evaluate how it works with your specific team's workflow. Run a two-week pilot with a small project before making a company-wide commitment. The right crm tool is the one your team will actually use consistently -- and that can only be determined through hands-on experience.
Switching Between Close and Freshsales
If you are currently using one tool and considering switching to the other, here are some tips to make the migration smoother. Most crm tools support data export in CSV or JSON formats, and both Close and Freshsales offer import functionality.
Start by exporting your current projects, tasks, and custom fields. Map your existing workflow to the new tool's structure before migrating data. Plan for a 2-4 week transition period where both tools run in parallel, and designate team champions to help with adoption. Consider using a third-party migration service if you have complex data structures or a large number of projects to transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Close better than Freshsales?
Close has a higher G2 rating (4.7/5 vs 4.5/5 from 980 reviews), but the best tool depends on your needs. Close stands out for Built-in calling, Email sequences, SMS messaging, while Freshsales excels at Contact management, Deal management, Built-in phone.
How much does Close cost compared to Freshsales?
Close's pro plan costs $99/user/month (Professional) while Freshsales's pro plan costs $15/user/month (Growth). Close starts at $29/user/month (Startup) and Freshsales starts at Free (up to 3 users). Enterprise pricing is $149/user/month (Enterprise) for Close and $39/user/month (Pro) for Freshsales.
Can Close and Freshsales integrate with each other?
While direct integration varies, both Close and Freshsales connect to common platforms including Zapier, Slack, Gmail, Outlook, Segment. Third-party tools like Zapier can bridge any gaps between the two.
Which tool is easier to learn, Close or Freshsales?
Close (founded 2013) and Freshsales (founded 2010) take different approaches to usability. Close generally has a simpler learning curve with fewer features to master, while Freshsales offers more features but may take longer to fully adopt.
What are the main differences between Close and Freshsales?
The key differences are: (1) Pricing -- Close starts at $29/user/month (Startup) vs Freshsales at Free (up to 3 users). (2) G2 ratings -- Close has 4.7/5 vs Freshsales at 4.5/5. (3) Features -- Close focuses on Built-in calling, Email sequences, SMS messaging, while Freshsales emphasizes Contact management, Deal management, Built-in phone. (4) Founded -- Close (2013) vs Freshsales (2010).
How We Compared Close and Freshsales
This comparison is based on publicly available data including G2 user ratings and review counts, official pricing pages, published feature lists, and integration directories. Ratings and pricing data are approximate and were last verified in 2026. We encourage readers to check each tool's official website for the most current information, as pricing and features may change.
Our analysis covers pricing (free, pro, and enterprise tiers), features (23 features compared), integrations (20 total across both tools), user ratings (combined 2,180 G2 reviews), and use-case suitability (small teams, mid-size companies, and enterprises). We aim to provide objective, data-driven comparisons to help you make informed decisions.
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