Close vs HubSpot — Which One Wins?
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of Close and HubSpot to help you pick the right tool for your workflow.
Quick Verdict
HubSpot takes the lead with a 4.4 rating and is best for growing businesses that want a crm they can start free and scale to enterprise.. Close (4.3) is the better pick if you need outbound sales teams that sell primarily through phone calls and email sequences..
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | Close | HubSpot |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★★★★ 4.3(134) | ★★★★ 4.4(412) |
| Pricing Model | paid | freemium |
| Starter Price | $59/user/mo (Startup) | $20/mo (Starter) |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | web | web, ios, android |
| Learning Curve | easy | medium |
| API Available | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Outbound sales teams that sell primarily through phone calls and email sequences. | Growing businesses that want a CRM they can start free and scale to enterprise. |
| Verdict | recommended | recommended |
Feature Checklist
| Feature | Close | HubSpot |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in Power and Predictive Dialer | — | |
| Email sequences with personalization | — | |
| SMS sending and tracking | — | |
| Automatic activity logging | — | |
| Pipeline and reporting | — | |
| Call coaching and recording | — | |
| Free CRM with contact management | — | |
| Email tracking and templates | — | |
| Deal pipelines | — | |
| Marketing automation (paid) | — | |
| Sales sequences (paid) | — | |
| Reporting dashboards | — | |
| 1,500+ marketplace integrations | — |
Close
Pros
- ✓Built-in Power and Predictive Dialer replaces separate calling tools
- ✓Automatic activity logging eliminates manual CRM data entry
- ✓Purpose-built for outbound sales velocity
Cons
- ✕Expensive starting at $59/user/mo
- ✕No marketing automation or inbound features
- ✕Web-only — no desktop or mobile apps
HubSpot
Pros
- ✓Most generous free CRM tier in the market
- ✓Complete platform with Marketing, Sales, Service, CMS, and Operations Hubs
- ✓Massive integration ecosystem with 1,500+ apps
Cons
- ✕Professional tier pricing is a steep jump from Starter
- ✕Platform lock-in makes migration painful
- ✕Per-contact pricing on Marketing Hub adds up fast
The Bottom Line
Both Close and HubSpot are solid tools in the CRM & Sales space. HubSpot edges ahead with a stronger overall rating (4.4 vs 4.3) and is the better choice for growing businesses that want a crm they can start free and scale to enterprise.. However, if you prioritize outbound sales teams that sell primarily through phone calls and email sequences., Close is worth serious consideration. We recommend trying the free tier or trial of each before committing.