sales strategy

Close.io Review - Key Features, Pros & Cons, and Pricing in 2024

lemlist team
LAST UPDATED
May 13, 2024
READING TIME
7 min.

This Close review will give you a detailed and actionable analysis of Close’s features, pricing, and alternatives so you can ultimately boost your sales efficiency.

Whether you're a small business owner or a sales manager in a larger corporation, this article will help you understand if Close is the tool that can transform your sales approach and increase revenue.

Close.io overview

Close software is a specialized CRM platform designed for small to medium-sized businesses, focusing on converting leads into revenue.

It integrates key sales functions like email, calling, and SMS into a single inbox, improved by robust sales automation and workflow tools. This makes it an efficient solution for sales enablement and tracking.

Close supports scalable sales activities with features like bulk email automation and advanced calling options.

Its comprehensive lead management system, coupled with an open API for easy integration with over 50 applications, makes Close a versatile tool for businesses that want to streamline their sales processes.

Who is Close for

Close has the following typical customers:

  • Freelancers
  • Mid Size Business
  • Non-Profit
  • Small Business
  • Entreprises

Close’s features and functionalities

Free online demo (no sign up required) - Close CRM

1. Setup and migration

Close offers a quick setup process, including a CSV import tool for leads and contacts and a free, one-click migration tool for users switching from other CRMs.

2. All-in-one selling platform

The tool integrates email and calendar functionalities out of the box, along with built-in calling, SMS, and Zoom integration, enabling teams to reach quality leads with ease.

Close can be used on mobile and desktop apps.

3. Automated outreach

Close features Workflows and automated follow-up reminders to increase response rates without manual effort, helping users see ROI in a few weeks.

4. CRM and sales productivity tools

The platform is designed to help startups and small businesses close more deals faster, with tools tailored for sales productivity.

5. Integrations

Close offers a range of integrations to work seamlessly with any tool in your stack, enhancing its usability and adaptability.

Some integrations include:

HubSpot Marketing Hub, ActiveCampaign, QuotaPath, Spiff, Calendly, Clearbit, Zapier, Google Workspace, DocuSign, Airtable, Zoom Meetings, Gong.io, Drift, JustCall, Slack, Microsoft 365, Drip, Mailchimp, Clay, Asana, PandaDoc, SavvyCal, Google Sheets, Intercom, LeadFuze, Shopify.

6. Communication tools

Close CRM includes built-in communication tools that facilitate direct engagement with leads and customers through multiple channels.

These tools combine several communication channels into a single platform, eliminating the need for salespeople to switch between different apps.

Some of the key communication tools Close offers are:

  • Two-Way Email Sync

Emails are automatically synced with Close, ensuring all communication with leads and customers is tracked and readily accessible within the CRM.

  • Integrated Calling

It allows users to make calls directly from Close platform, eliminating the need for a separate phone system. Salespeople can keep track of call history and recordings within the CRM for better organization.

  • SMS Text Messaging

All plans include the ability to send and receive SMS text messages directly through Close, providing another channel for communication with prospects and clients.

7. Sales automation

Close automates key sales tasks, reducing the manual workload and increasing efficiency.

These features include:

  • Automated Workflows

Close allows you to create workflows that trigger specific actions based on predefined criteria.

Workflows can be used in automating communication steps, assigning leads to manage, and creating follow-up tasks.

  • Automated Triggers

These work in conjunction with workflows and fire whenever a specific event occurs within Close. This could be something like a new lead being created, a lead's email address being verified, or a lead taking a specific action on your website (e.g., a subscriber sends or replies to any email from a Connected Account in Close ).

  • Predictive Dialer & Power Dialer

Close offers both predictive and power dialer functionalities to automate the dialing process for salespeople.

A predictive dialer connects reps with available leads as soon as possible, minimizing wait times. A power dialer allows reps to dial through a list of leads automatically, with the ability to pause and resume as needed.

  • Automated Email Sequences

Create pre-written email sequences to be automatically sent to leads or customers based on specific triggers. This can save time and ensure consistent messaging throughout the sales process.

  • Automated Data Entry

Close can automatically populate data fields in lead or contact records based on information from emails or other sources. This reduces manual data entry and helps to ensure data accuracy.

8. Reporting and analytics

Close platform provides reporting tools for quick KPI reports and training, enabling sales teams to track and analyze their performance effectively.

Close has several different reports based on the metrics that need to be tracked. It offers Sales Team Activity Tracking and Opportunity Tracking, as well as the function to export your report data. You can track and analyse:

  • Activity Comparison in time-based reports
  • Activity Overview based on priority metrics
  • Status Change in the movement of your leads down the pipeline
  • Sent Email data including open rates and response rates
  • Opportunity Tracking
  • Opportunity List
  • Opportunity Funnels that show you how your opportunities perform in a given time

9. User-friendly interface

Close is praised for its simplicity and ease of use, ensuring full team engagement and quick onboarding.

10. Customer support and resources

Close offers robust customer support and resources, including a help center, API documentation, and product updates.

Close offers the following support options:

  • Email/Help Desk
  • Chat
  • Knowledge Base
  • Phone Support
  • FAQs/Forum

11. Security

The platform emphasizes security, ensuring that user data is protected and managed responsibly.

Pricing

Plans

→ Free trial: 14 days ✅

→ Startup: $49/mo/1 user

  • Store Leads, Contacts, and Opportunities
  • 3 Workflows
  • Email and calendar sync
  • Zapier integration
  • Power Dialer

→ Professional: $299/mo/3 users

Includes all Startup features, plus

  • Increased Leads, Contacts, Custom Fields, and Email Templates
  • Multiple Pipelines
  • 25 Workflows
  • Custom Activities

→ Enterprise: $699/mo/5 users

All Professional features, plus

  • Custom Objects (Beta)
  • 100 Workflows
  • Call Coaching
  • Predictive Dialer

Ratings, pros and cons

Ratings ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

G2 - 4.7/5 (1,044 reviews) | Capterra - 4.7/5 (160 reviews) ,

✅ Pros

  • Integrated calling from the platform
  • Two-way email sync
  • Customizable reporting
  • API for easy integration with other tools and services
  • Offers a cost-effective solution compared to other CRMs
  • Excellent customer support
  • User-friendly interface
  • Ideal for SaaS and sales agencies
  • Extensive customization through a flexible API
  • Improves management and workflow efficiency

❌ Cons

  • Limited integrations
  • The cost may be prohibitive for smaller teams or startups
  • Users may find customization options less extensive than desired
  • May not include certain advanced features found in enterprise-level CRM solutions
  • Users have reported difficulties in effectively using HTML emails within Close.io
  • Users find it hard to understand and utilize email analytics like open rates and campaign effectiveness
  • Difficulty in tracking and understanding the costs associated with calls
  • Inefficient workflows and automations
  • Challenges in getting effective technical support, along with user experience issues like slowness and complexity.
  • No free forever plan
  • SMS messages only go to US, CA, GB, and AUS.
  • SMS texts cost $0.01 per outgoing message.

Is Close good value for money?

✅ Close might be a good value for you if:

  • You're a small sales team or solopreneur: The Startup plan ($49/month/user) offers core CRM functionalities like lead and contact management with basic automation (3 workflows). This can be sufficient for a small team starting out.
  • You want a clean interface: Close is known for its user-friendly design and intuitive interface, making it easy for teams to learn and adopt.
  • You value multiple integrations: Close integrates with various tools like marketing automation platforms and email providers, streamlining workflows.

❌ Close is NOT good value if:

  • You have a large sales team: The cost per user increases significantly with higher tiers. Explore options with per-team pricing for larger groups.
  • You need highly customized features: Close offers some customization options but may not cater to very specific needs compared to more robust CRM systems.
  • You're on a very tight budget: There are free and open-source CRM options available, though they may lack some features and require more technical expertise to set up.

Here's our suggestion: Take advantage of the 14-day free trial to test Close and see if it fits your needs and workflow.Most importantly, don't forget to compare Close to other CRM options. Research features, pricing, and user reviews of similar platforms to find the best fit for your budget and requirements before you make a commitment.

Close vs lemlist

lemlist is hands-down the best alternative to Close.

While Close offers robust features, lemlist's AI-driven personalization, lead generation efficiency, and email deliverability make it a more comprehensive choice for sales and marketing teams.

These strengths position lemlist as the only cold outreach tool that helps reach inboxes and get replies.

Why is lemlist often the preferred choice over Close?

  • Lead database and enrichment

lemlist offers a massive (450 million+) sales lead database and enrichment feature, contrary to Close, enabling more precise and relevant outreach.

  • Find and verify valid email addresses

lemlist offers an advanced email finder and verifier tool, built from testing over 40 email providers. What you get is a tool that nails 80% of valid emails using just the first name, last name, and company name.

  • Free email warm-up

lemlist's automated email warm-up helps build a stronger sender reputation, enhancing email deliverability more effectively. lemlist enhances email deliverability and engagement without additional costs, a unique offering not found in Close.

  • Custom image & video variables

Unlike Close, lemlist allows customizing images and videos in emails at scale, making campaigns more engaging and increasing response rates.

  • Automated follow-ups

lemlist ensures consistent and effortless communication with automated follow-ups, a step ahead of Close that offers solely reminders.

  • A/B testing

With lemlist's A/B testing capability, users can develop more refined and audience-specific messaging strategies, offering a more targeted approach than Close.

  • In-app live support

lemlist provides immediate in-app support, ensuring users can efficiently utilize all features and minimize downtime, unlike Close, which offers only email support.

  • AI-generated campaigns

AI to generate campaigns in lemlist leads to highly personalized and optimized outreach, setting it apart from Close regarding efficiency and conversion rates.

  • Better price for greater value

lemlist offers better value for money.

lemlist's starting plan starts from only €39 per month to compare with Close's $59. Moreover, lemlist's multichannel expert plans with advanced features is only $99 per month while Close's pro plan costs $109.

Here's lemlist pricing plans:

Need more to decide which one suits your needs better?

Here’s a full comparison table of lemlist vs Close:

Feature lemlist Close
B2B Lead Database
Email Finder and Verifier
Chrome extension
Email warm-up and deliverability booster
Custom text
Custom images
Custom videos
Multisender per campaign
Cold email templates
Advanced conditions in sequence
Automated follow-ups ❌ (only reminders)
Task management
A/B testing
Campaign performance report
CRM integrations
Zapier
API
In-app live support
Free warmup and email booster
Icebreaker generated by AI
Campaign generated by AI
Unsubscribe link feature
Learn more about the benefits of using lemlist and how it helps you to get more leads in this in-depth lemlist Review & Tutorial.

Key takeaways

To sum up, Close stands out as a valuable investment for businesses prioritizing efficient sales processes and direct customer outreach.

Its integrated calling and email synchronization, combined with user-friendly customization and robust reporting features, make it particularly appealing for small to medium-sized businesses and sales-focused teams.

Close's pricing plans require careful consideration, especially for smaller teams with limited budgets and start-ups who are just starting out.

Overall, Close's features and streamlined workflow could make it a valuable asset for the right organization.

And if you're looking a better alternative to Close, lemlist cold outreach software is likely more suitable to your needs and budget.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. What is close.io used for?

Close.io software is a specialized CRM platform designed for small to medium-sized businesses, focusing on converting leads into revenue. It integrates key sales functions like email, calling, and SMS into a single inbox, improved by robust sales automation and workflow tools.

2. What is the CRM website?

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is a strategy that companies use to manage interactions with customers and potential customers. CRM helps organisations streamline processes, build customer relationships, increase sales, improve customer service, and increase profitability.

3. Is close.io CRM good?

From contact management to bulk email sending and note-taking for interactions with potential leads, Close streamlines these processes. Overall, Close CRM has proven to be an indispensable tool for sales teams, helping them streamline their workflows and improve their communication with leads.

5. Does close.io CRM have an app?

The Close app requires iOS version 12.4 or later. Download the Close app on your Android here. Regardless of your mobile device, you can head to the App Store or Google Play and search for Close CRM .

6. What does close.io do?

Close CRM, also known as Close.io, is a customer relationship management platform designed to assist sales teams with managing their leads, contacts, and communication effectively. Close CRM and sales productivity tools help businesses close more deals faster.

7. Does close.io have a free plan?

No, close.io doesn't have a free forever plan. It only offers 14-day free trial.

lemlist team
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Email finder + verifier (500 credits/mo)
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Multichannel Expert

$
89
/ MO
Per user / 5 SENDING EMAIL
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Email finder + verifier (500 credits/mo)
500 free credits per month
Linkedin prospection
LinkedIn voice notes
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Cold calling prospection with Aircall
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Custom landing page
Premium support chat

Outreach Scale

$
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Per user / 15 SENDING EMAIL
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1000 free credits per month
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$
79
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Advanced campaign conditions
Custom landing page
Premium support chat

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$
129
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Per user / 15 SENDING EMAIL
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Email finder + verifier (1,000 credits/mo)
1000 free credits per month
Dedicated account manager (4+ seats)

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G2 Rating
Price
Best for
Standout feature
Con
4.9
star
star
star
star
star
$30/mo
$75/mo
$2,999/mo
Large, distributed sales teams
AI evaluation precision, gamified KPIs
Lack of tracking system
4.6
star
star
star
star
star-half
Not publicly available
Sales operations and finance teams
Powerful configurability
Limited training resources and complex to navigate
4.4
star
star
star
star
star-half
Not publicly available
Mid-market and enterprise businesses
Comprehensive incentive management
Potentially high cost and steep learning curve
4.7
star
star
star
star
star-half
$15/user/mo
$40/user/mo
Enterprise: custom price
Complex sales structures and businesses of all sizes
Intelligent quota management and gamification
Steep learning curve
4.6
star
star
star
star
star-half
Not publicly available
Collaborative teams
Connected planning
Complexity and steep learning curve
4.6
star
star
star
star
star-half
Not publicly available
Companies with complex sales structures
Complex incentive compensation management (ICM) with high efficiency and accuracy
Complexity for smaller teams and potentially high costs
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star
star
star
star
star-half
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Companies who want to automate commission calculations and payouts
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Lack of features like redirection
4.7
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star
star
star
star-half
$30/user/mo
$35/user/mo
Custom: upon request
Businesses that need a comprehensive and user-friendly sales compensation management software
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Lack of ability to configure the product based on user needs
4.8
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star
star
star
star-half
Not publicly available
Companies with modern sales culture and businesses who want real-time insights
A built-in dispute management and real-time visibility
Users say it works slowly, customer support is slow
4.9
star
star
star
star
star
$30/user/mo
$50/user/mo
Smaller sales teams
Powerful automation
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4.7
star
star
star
star
star-half
Not publicly available
Companies with scalable needs
Automated Commission Calculations
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PRM Tool
Rating
Feature
Pro
Con
Mobile App
Integrations
Free Plan
Pricing
4.65
star
star
star
star
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User-friendly layout and database
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square-check
Lack of tracking system
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Team: $20/month
Business: $45/month
4.7
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star
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Social Media Integration
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Lack of tracking system
square-xmark
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$12/month
4.75
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Block Functions
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Limited
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N/A
Open-source
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$9/month or
$90/year
3.1
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star
Simple iOS app
Ideal for non-tech-savvy users
iPhone only
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iOS only
Limited
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1-month trial
$1.49/month or
$14.99/month
3.6
star
star
star
star-half
Smart Contact Management
Feature-rich and flexible
Reported bugs
square-check
Rich
square-xmark
7-day trial
Premium: $13.99/month
Teams: $17.99/month
4.4
star
star
star
star
star-half
Customizable Interface
Customizable for teamwork
Pricey for personal use
square-check
Rich
square-xmark
Standard: $24/member
Premium: $39/member
4.7
star
star
star
star
star-half
Integrated Calling
Integrated Calling
Too sales-oriented & pricey
square-check
Rich
square-xmark
14-day trial
Startup: $59/user/month
Professional: $329/user/month
4.8
star
star
star
star
star
Business Card Scanning
Business Card Scanning
Mobile only
square-check
Limited
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$9.99/month
4.45
star
star
star
star
star-half
160+ app integrations
Comprehensive integrations
No free app version
square-check
Rich
square-xmark
14-day trial
$29.90/month or
$24.90/month (billed annually)

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