Close vs Zoho CRM: Which Is Better in 2026?

A detailed comparison to help you choose the right crm & sales tool for your needs.

Our Pick: Close (by a slight margin)

Close edges out with a slightly higher rating (8 vs 7.5)

Quick Comparison

Aspect
C
Close(Winner)
Z
Zoho CRM
Overall Rating
8/10
7.5/10
Starting Price
$49/mo
$14/mo
Free Plan
Free Trial
Best For
small
medium
Ease of Use
8/10
7/10
Features
8/10
8/10
Value for Money
7/10
9/10
Support
9/10
7/10

Overview

Close is a sales engagement CRM with powerful calling, email sequences, and pipeline management. Designed for inside sales teams focused on outbound.

Zoho CRM is part of the comprehensive Zoho suite, offering solid features at competitive pricing. Good balance of functionality and affordability.

Pricing Comparison

Better value: Zoho CRM
C

Close

Pricing ModelPaid
Starting Price$49/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier
Z

Zoho CRM

Better Value
Pricing ModelFreemium
Starting Price$14/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier

Features Comparison

Winner: Zoho CRM
FeatureCloseZoho CRM
Contact Management
Deal Pipeline
Email Tracking
Email Templates
Sales Automation
Reporting
Mobile App
Api Access
Lead Scoring
Telephony

0

features unique to Close

1

features unique to Zoho CRM

Pros & Cons

C

Close

Pros

  • Best-in-class built-in calling
  • Powerful email sequences
  • Fast, responsive interface
  • Excellent for outbound sales
  • Great customer support

Cons

  • Higher starting price
  • Limited marketing features
  • Fewer integrations than others
  • Not ideal for inbound-focused teams
Z

Zoho CRM

Pros

  • Excellent value for money
  • Strong Zoho ecosystem integration
  • Good automation capabilities
  • Free tier available
  • AI assistant (Zia) included

Cons

  • Interface feels dated
  • Customer support can be slow
  • Learning curve for setup
  • Some features buried in menus

The Verdict: Close Edges Out

This was a close comparison, but Close edges out Zoho CRM with a slightly higher overall rating of 8/10 versus 7.5/10. Both are solid choices, but Close offers a marginally better overall package.

Close's advantages include Best-in-class built-in calling and Powerful email sequences, though Zoho CRM counters with Excellent value for money and Strong Zoho ecosystem integration.

Our recommendation: We give the slight edge to Close, but don't count out Zoho CRM if its specific strengths align better with your needs.

Choose Close if you...

  • • Need outbound sales teams
  • • Need startups doing cold outreach
  • • Need inside sales organizations

Choose Zoho CRM if you...

  • • Need budget-conscious growing companies
  • • Need teams already using zoho apps
  • • Need smbs wanting feature-rich crm

Ready to Get Started?

* We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit these tools through our links. This doesn't affect our ratings or comparisons.

Close vs Zoho CRM FAQ

Based on our evaluation, Close has a slight edge with an overall rating of 8/10. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs and use case.
Yes, Zoho CRM is more affordable with plans starting at $14/month, compared to $49/month for the other.
Close scores higher in ease of use (8/10) compared to Zoho CRM (7/10).
Yes, migration between Close and Zoho CRM is possible. Most tools offer data export features. Check each tool's documentation for specific migration guides and import capabilities.
For small teams, Close is specifically designed for this use case. Consider your budget and specific feature needs when choosing.
For startups, consider your growth trajectory. Zoho CRM offers a free tier which is great for bootstrapped startups.
Yes, each tool has unique strengths. Close excels at: Outbound sales teams, Startups doing cold outreach. Zoho CRM is better for: Budget-conscious growing companies, Teams already using Zoho apps. Review our detailed feature comparison above.
Close rates higher in customer support (9/10) compared to Zoho CRM (7/10).
Zoho CRM offers better value for money with a rating of 9/10 compared to Close's 7/10.
Consider switching if Zoho CRM's strengths (Budget-conscious growing companies) align better with your current needs. However, factor in migration effort and learning curve before making the switch.