Close vs HubSpot: The Ultimate Sales CRM Comparison for 2025

Deciding between Close CRM and HubSpot CRM? This article compares Close vs HubSpot, focusing on features, pricing, and ease of use to guide your choice.

Key Takeaways

• Close CRM specializes in optimizing sales processes for sales teams with features like built-in communication tools and pipeline management, while HubSpot CRM offers a comprehensive platform integrating marketing, sales, and customer service functionalities.

• Close CRM is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses focused on sales efficiency, whereas HubSpot CRM suits businesses looking for extensive marketing automation and a holistic approach to customer engagement.

• Pricing structures differ, with Close CRM providing a tiered model starting from $49 per user monthly, and HubSpot CRM offering a free version that can escalate in cost as advanced features are added.

Overview of Close and HubSpot

Close CRM focuses specifically on optimizing the sales process for sales teams, while HubSpot CRM offers an all-in-one solution that integrates sales, marketing, and customer support functionalities. Startups and small businesses favor both tools for their robust features and user-friendly design.

Users typically choose between Close CRM and HubSpot CRM based on their specific business needs and operational preferences.

What is Close CRM?

Close CRM is a cloud-based sales management software designed to streamline and enhance the productivity of sales teams. It automates repetitive sales tasks, allowing sales representatives to focus on closing deals. The platform offers key features such as automatic logging of contact details, a visual timeline of lead touch points, and built-in communication tools like a dialer for direct calls.

Close CRM also supports seamless integration with various tools in a business’s tech stack, making it a versatile and powerful CRM tool for sales-focused businesses.

What is HubSpot CRM?

HubSpot CRM is an all-in-one marketing, sales, and service platform designed to provide a holistic approach to customer relationship management. With features like marketing automation, email marketing tools, and the HubSpot Sales Hub, it is particularly beneficial for businesses focused on inbound marketing strategies.

HubSpot CRM offers a free version that allows small businesses to start without any financial commitment, and its comprehensive suite of tools makes it ideal for those looking to streamline their sales and marketing efforts.

Key Feature Comparison

When it comes to key features, both Close CRM and HubSpot CRM offer robust solutions that cater to different aspects of sales and marketing. While Close CRM focuses on providing comprehensive built-in functionalities for high-performing sales teams, HubSpot CRM excels in offering a wide array of marketing automation tools and reporting options.

This section will delve into the distinct features of each CRM, comparing their sales automation, pipeline management, email marketing tools, and built-in communication capabilities.

Sales Automation

Both Close CRM and HubSpot CRM emphasize sales automation. Close CRM includes sales-specific automation features that allow for custom workflows tailored to sales processes, making it ideal for sales teams that prioritize follow-ups and manage high volumes of leads.

On the other hand, HubSpot CRM offers advanced marketing automation tools that enhance sales efficiency and customer engagement. Both platforms provide unique automation capabilities, but Close CRM’s focus on sales processes and HubSpot’s integration of marketing tools highlight their distinct advantages.

Pipeline Management

Pipeline management is essential for tracking and managing deals effectively. Close CRM provides a straightforward visual method for managing deals with drag-and-drop functionality, making deal tracking simple and efficient. However, it lacks advanced customization options, which may limit its flexibility for diverse business needs.

In contrast, HubSpot’s pipeline management feature offers a comprehensive visual overview of deals with customizable stages and task automation, providing greater adaptability and a more detailed view of the sales process.

Email Marketing Tools

Email marketing tools are another area where Close CRM and HubSpot CRM diverge. Close CRM features advanced email tools such as customizable templates and email tracking to enhance communication with leads.

HubSpot CRM, however, excels in providing extensive marketing and sales automation tools that streamline various marketing tasks. Businesses looking to boost their marketing efforts alongside sales operations will find HubSpot’s integrated marketing tools particularly beneficial.

If you're also exploring tools for sales outreach and engagement, check out how HubSpot compares to Outreach in our analysis: HubSpot vs. Outreach.

Built-in Calling and Communication

Built-in calling and communication tools are pivotal for sales teams. Close CRM integrates all communication channels into one platform, including built-in calling capabilities, SMS, and email functionalities. This integration reduces the need to switch between different tools, making communication seamless and efficient.

HubSpot CRM offers native calling features that enable users to make and receive calls directly within the platform. These capabilities include call logging, recording, and integration with contact records, providing a seamless experience for managing customer interactions.

However, Close CRM distinguishes itself with its advanced built-in communication tools, such as VoIP calling, SMS, and features like Power Dialer and Predictive Dialer. These tools are fully integrated, enabling efficient outreach without requiring additional applications or integrations, ensuring a more streamlined workflow for sales teams.

Ease of Use

Ease of use is a critical factor when choosing a CRM. Both Close CRM and HubSpot CRM are designed to provide a user-friendly experience, but they each have their strengths. Close CRM offers a clean and streamlined interface that allows sales teams to navigate and manage leads efficiently.

HubSpot CRM, with its visually appealing and customizable interface, ensures quick adaptation and enhances user satisfaction. This section explores the user interface and onboarding process of both CRMs.

If you're exploring CRM alternatives, check out our in-depth analysis of HubSpot vs. Freshsales to see how it stacks up against other options.

User Interface

The user interface of a CRM can significantly impact user experience and adoption. Close CRM emphasizes customization, allowing users to configure lead records and statuses according to their specific sales processes. HubSpot’s interface, on the other hand, is visually appealing and enables users to customize dashboards for personalized experiences.

While both interfaces are designed to be user-friendly, HubSpot’s clean layout and accessible tools might appeal more to businesses seeking a visually intuitive design.

Onboarding Process

The onboarding process is crucial for ensuring smooth adoption of a CRM. Close CRM offers an automated team invitation feature and comprehensive tutorials to help new users quickly adapt to its functionalities. HubSpot provides a structured onboarding service that includes training sessions and documentation to facilitate user adoption.

Both CRMs aim to provide a streamlined experience, but HubSpot’s tailored onboarding service might offer a more detailed and supportive introduction to the platform.

Pricing and Plans

Pricing and plans are often deciding factors when choosing a CRM. Close CRM and HubSpot CRM offer different pricing structures that cater to various business needs. Close CRM provides a transparent and tiered pricing model, making it flexible for businesses of different sizes.

HubSpot CRM, while offering a free version, can become costly as businesses scale due to its escalating pricing tiers. This section will break down the pricing and plans of both CRMs to help you make an informed decision.

Close CRM Pricing

Close CRM provides a tiered pricing structure to accommodate various business needs:

• Startup Plan: At $49 per user per month (billed annually), this plan offers core CRM functionalities, including lead and contact management, built-in calling, SMS, and email capabilities, along with pipeline view and task management.

• Professional Plan: Priced at $99 per user per month (billed annually), it includes all Startup features plus advanced automation tools, multiple pipeline views, custom activities, and call recording with 30-day retention.

• Enterprise Plan: At $139 per user per month (billed annually), this plan encompasses all Professional features, with additional benefits such as call coaching, predictive dialer, custom reporting, and enhanced customization options like custom objects and roles.

Close CRM offers both monthly and annual subscription options, providing flexibility to suit different business requirements.

HubSpot CRM Pricing

HubSpot CRM offers a range of plans to accommodate various business needs:

• Free Plan: Provides basic CRM functionality at no cost, including contact management, deal tracking, and email marketing tools.

• Starter Plan: Designed for small businesses, starting at $12 per user per month (billed annually) or $16 per user per month (billed monthly) for the first year, offering additional features such as email and in-app chat support, meeting scheduling, and more.

• Professional and Enterprise Plans: Tailored for growing businesses and enterprises, these plans provide advanced marketing, sales, and service tools. Pricing varies based on selected features and the number of users, with costs increasing as more advanced functionalities are added.

As businesses expand and require more sophisticated features, the associated costs can rise accordi HubSpot's pricing model offers flexibility with various features and support levels, but it's important for growing businesses to consider potential cost implications as they scale.

Integrations and Compatibility

Integrations and compatibility are essential for enhancing the functionality of CRM systems. Close CRM and HubSpot CRM both offer robust integration capabilities, allowing users to streamline their workflows and improve data management.

While Close CRM focuses on seamless integration with various sales and communication tools, HubSpot CRM boasts an extensive array of integrations with popular marketing, sales, and customer support applications. This section will detail the integration capabilities of each CRM and how they can benefit your business.

Close CRM Integrations

Close CRM provides robust integration capabilities that help connect with popular sales and data management tools. It supports custom integration development and offers a one-click integration link feature for quick access to additional lead information. These integrations facilitate effective lead management and follow-ups, enhancing customer engagement and making Close CRM a versatile tool for sales-focused businesses.

HubSpot CRM Integrations

HubSpot CRM ranks highly for its integration capabilities, with over 1,500 tools available in its App Marketplace. These integrations span various business functions, including marketing, sales, and customer support, allowing for extensive customization and scalability. HubSpot’s integrations not only enhance its CRM capabilities but also improve overall team collaboration across departments.

It’s essential to ensure that data transferring is set up correctly to prevent duplications when integrating HubSpot CRM.

For a broader understanding of HubSpot's strengths, check out our comparison of HubSpot vs. Insightly to see how it fares against another top competitor.

Customer Support and Resources

Reliable customer support and resources are crucial for the successful adoption and use of a CRM. Close CRM and HubSpot CRM both offer extensive support options to assist users with various needs.

Close CRM provides phone support and comprehensive documentation, while HubSpot CRM offers live chat availability, education materials, and a community forum. This section will explore the support services and resources available for both CRMs.

Close CRM Support

Close CRM offers comprehensive support services, including phone support and extensive documentation. These support options are designed to assist users with various needs and enhance their CRM experience.

Close CRM also provides educational materials to help users understand the software better, ensuring efficient use of the platform. The availability of diverse support options enhances user experience and ensures that users can effectively leverage Close CRM’s capabilities.

HubSpot CRM Support

HubSpot CRM provides extensive resources for customer support, including live chat availability and comprehensive educational materials. Users can access a detailed knowledge base with articles and guides, and participate in a community forum to seek assistance and share experiences.

This combination of direct support and self-help resources ensures that users can find the help they need, whether through immediate assistance or by leveraging the wealth of available information.

Pros and Cons

Evaluating the pros and cons of Close CRM and HubSpot CRM helps in making an informed decision. Close CRM shines in its sales-specific functionalities and ease of use, while HubSpot CRM offers a comprehensive suite of tools with robust marketing automation capabilities.

However, each platform has its limitations, and understanding these will ensure you choose the right CRM for your business needs.

Pros of Close CRM

Close CRM offers significant advantages for sales teams, including features like automatic lead prioritization, follow-up reminders, and built-in communication tools. It is tailored for small to medium-sized businesses that prioritize sales efficiency and require robust sales tools and engagement tools.

Close CRM helps increase sales by facilitating easy email and SMS handling, effectively managing leads, and merging duplicate leads for better organization.

Cons of Close CRM

Despite its strengths, Close CRM has certain limitations. Its reporting capabilities require improvements to provide more comprehensive insights. Additionally, Close CRM lacks the ability to track agents’ hours natively, necessitating the use of additional software. These limitations can affect user experience and efficiency, especially when compared to the more robust offerings of HubSpot CRM.

Pros of HubSpot CRM

HubSpot CRM excels in providing a comprehensive suite of marketing automation capabilities. It assists in organizing sales leads, preventing work duplication, and allows tracking of work with reminders for follow-up.

HubSpot’s AI features optimize sales and marketing processes by automating data entry, lead scoring, email personalization, sales forecasting insights, and content recommendations. These tools are particularly beneficial for businesses looking to streamline their marketing efforts and enhance customer engagement.

Cons of HubSpot CRM

HubSpot CRM, while robust, has its drawbacks. Some users find its pricing tiers costly, especially for advanced features. Additionally, HubSpot’s contract terms can be inflexible, often requiring annual commitments without provisions for early termination.

Users have also reported that customer support can be slow during peak times, impacting timely assistance with customer data. These potential drawbacks are important to consider when evaluating HubSpot CRM for your business needs.

Ideal Users

Identifying the ideal users for Close CRM and HubSpot CRM can help businesses decide which platform aligns best with their needs. Close CRM is designed to enhance sales productivity, making it particularly beneficial for small teams and fast-paced sales environments.

On the other hand, HubSpot CRM is well-suited for businesses that need a comprehensive solution with strong integrations, especially those focusing on inbound marketing strategies.

Who Should Use Close CRM

Close CRM is ideal for startups and SMEs focused on B2B sales. Its streamlined processes and robust communication tools make it perfect for fast-paced sales teams that need to manage leads and follow-ups efficiently.

Businesses with complex sales processes that require strong customer relationships will find Close CRM particularly beneficial.

Who Should Use HubSpot CRM

HubSpot CRM is particularly suitable for businesses that need a comprehensive solution with strong integrations. It is ideal for marketing teams that prioritize inbound marketing strategies and content creation.

Businesses looking to improve team productivity through streamlined workflows and robust marketing automation will find HubSpot CRM to be an excellent choice.

If you're exploring HubSpot alternatives, you might also find our comparison of Attio vs. HubSpot insightful.

Summary

In conclusion, both Close CRM and HubSpot CRM offer unique advantages tailored to different business needs. Close CRM excels in providing sales-specific functionalities and ease of use, making it ideal for small to medium-sized sales teams. HubSpot CRM, with its comprehensive suite of tools and robust marketing automation capabilities, is perfect for businesses that need an all-in-one solution. By understanding the strengths and limitations of each platform, businesses can make an informed decision that aligns with their goals and budget. Choose wisely, and watch your sales and marketing efforts soar to new heights.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences between Close CRM and HubSpot CRM?

Close CRM is designed primarily for sales teams with integrated communication tools, whereas HubSpot CRM provides a broader range of marketing, sales, and customer service features, including advanced marketing automation.

Which CRM is more affordable for small businesses?

Close CRM is generally more affordable for small businesses due to its transparent pricing model, especially when compared to the potentially higher costs of HubSpot CRM as businesses grow.

Can Close CRM and HubSpot CRM integrate with other tools?

Both Close CRM and HubSpot CRM integrate seamlessly with other tools. Close CRM supports a range of sales and communication integrations, while HubSpot offers more than 1,500 integrations for various business needs.

What kind of support does Close CRM offer?

Close CRM provides comprehensive support services, including phone support, extensive documentation, and educational materials to enhance user understanding of the software. This ensures that users have the resources they need for effective utilization.

Who should use HubSpot CRM?

HubSpot CRM is best suited for businesses seeking a robust solution that emphasizes inbound marketing and strong integrations, particularly those focused on content creation. This platform effectively supports the needs of such organizations.