Zoho CRM vs Close: Which is better in 2026?
A side-by-side comparison of pricing, features, and use cases to help you decide between Zoho CRM and Close.
Affordable CRM with deep customisation for growing businesses
CRM built for inside sales teams that call and email
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | Zoho CRM | Close |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $14/mo ✓ Cheaper | $49/mo |
| Free plan | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Pricing model | freemium | paid |
| G2 rating | 4.1/5 | 4.7/5 ↑ |
| Capterra rating | 4.3/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Founded | 2005 | 2013 |
Zoho CRM: pros & cons
- ✓Excellent value for money
- ✓Highly customisable
- ✓Strong automation
- ✓Good Zoho ecosystem integration
- ✗UI feels dated
- ✗Customer support can be slow
- ✗Learning curve for advanced features
- ✗Some features buried in menus
Close: pros & cons
- ✓Best built-in calling of any CRM
- ✓No integrations needed for outreach
- ✓Clean UI
- ✓Fast onboarding
- ✗Expensive per seat
- ✗No free plan
- ✗Less suited for non-sales-heavy teams
- ✗Limited marketing features
Choose Zoho CRM if...
- →You want Salesforce-level CRM customisation — custom modules, Blueprint process builder, territory management — at a fraction of the cost
- →Your team already uses Zoho Desk, Zoho Books, or Zoho Projects and wants tight native integration across the Zoho ecosystem
- →You need AI-powered lead scoring and deal predictions via Zia without paying for a Salesforce Einstein licence
Choose Close if...
- →Your inside sales team makes high call volumes daily and needs a built-in dialler with call recordings — no Aircall integration required
- →You want email sequences, SMS, and VoIP calling managed from a single CRM without bolting tools together
- →Your reps use Smart Views to filter leads by last contacted date, deal stage, or custom criteria and need instant pipeline visibility
Our verdict
Close scores higher on G2 (4.7/5 vs 4.1/5), suggesting stronger overall user satisfaction. Zoho CRM is the more affordable option. Zoho CRM offers a free plan — a lower-risk way to test before committing. The right pick depends on your team size and workflow.
Zoho CRM vs Close: frequently asked questions
Is Zoho CRM better than Close?
Close has a higher G2 score (4.7/5 vs 4.1/5). The best tool depends on your specific use case and budget.
Which is cheaper, Zoho CRM or Close?
Zoho CRM is cheaper, starting at $14/mo.
What is the main difference between Zoho CRM and Close?
Zoho CRM focuses on lead management, deal tracking, workflow automation. Close focuses on built-in voip calling, power dialler, email sequences. Both serve similar use cases but differ in approach and pricing model.
Can I migrate from Zoho CRM to Close?
Most teams migrate between Zoho CRM and Close within a day or two. Export your data from Zoho CRM (typically as CSV or via API), then use Close's import wizard to bring it across. Check each tool's help centre for a step-by-step migration guide before switching.