Freshsales ★ 4.3/5 
Close ★ 4.4/5 Freshsales vs Close: Which CRM is right for you?
A 2026 head-to-head on pricing, features, and which team each is built for.
The short answer
Freshsales is smb crm built for sMB sales teams wanting built-in phone/email and AI at low cost, starting from $0 (free), paid from ~$9/user/mo — free plan available. Close is inside sales crm for high-velocity inside sales and SDR teams focused on calling, starting from ~$9/user/mo. Choose Freshsales for smb crm needs; choose Close if inside sales crm is a better match for your team.
Freshsales vs Close: at a glance
| Detail | Freshsales | Close |
|---|---|---|
| Category | SMB CRM | Inside sales CRM |
| Starting price | from $0 (free), paid from ~$9/user/mo | from ~$9/user/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Best for | SMB sales teams wanting built-in phone/email and AI at low cost. | High-velocity inside sales and SDR teams focused on calling. |
| Our rating | ★ 4.3 / 5 | ★ 4.4 / 5 |
| Standout feature | Built-in phone and email plus Freddy AI on affordable tiers. | Built-in power dialer, SMS, and email sequences. |
| Founded | 2017 | 2013 |
| Headquarters | San Mateo, USA | Remote / USA |
Prices are indicative 2026 list prices; always confirm with the vendor directly.
What is Freshsales?
Freshsales is the sales CRM in the Freshworks suite. It bundles contact and deal management with a built-in phone, email, and the Freddy AI assistant for lead scoring and next-step suggestions, aimed at fast-moving SMB sales teams.
Best for: SMB sales teams wanting built-in phone/email and AI at low cost.
What is Close?
Close is a CRM designed around outbound activity. Calling, SMS, and email are built into the core product alongside power-dialing and sequences, so reps can prospect and follow up without bolting on extra tools.
Best for: High-velocity inside sales and SDR teams focused on calling.
Key features compared
| Freshsales | Close |
|---|---|
| Built-in phone and email | Built-in calling and power dialer |
| Freddy AI lead scoring and insights | SMS and email sequencing |
| Visual sales pipeline | Activity and outreach reporting |
| Workflow automation | Predictable, sales-focused pipeline |
| Free tier for small teams | Strong API for automation |
Pros and cons: Freshsales
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Strong value with a usable free plan | ✘ Advanced features locked to higher tiers |
| ✔ Built-in communication tools | ✘ Smaller integration ecosystem |
| ✔ AI features at an accessible price | ✘ Can be outgrown by complex enterprises |
Pros and cons: Close
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Best-in-class built-in communication tools | ✘ Higher per-seat cost |
| ✔ Boosts rep outreach volume | ✘ No marketing or service modules |
| ✔ Clean, fast, sales-only interface | ✘ Annual billing for best pricing |
Which should you choose?
Choose Freshsales if you are sMB sales teams wanting built-in phone/email and AI at low cost.
Choose Close if you are high-velocity inside sales and SDR teams focused on calling.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Freshsales and Close?
Freshsales is smb crm best for sMB sales teams wanting built-in phone/email and AI at low cost. Its standout is built-in phone and email plus Freddy AI on affordable tiers.. Close is inside sales crm best for high-velocity inside sales and SDR teams focused on calling. Its standout is built-in power dialer, SMS, and email sequences..
Is Freshsales better than Close?
Neither is universally better — it depends on your use case. Freshsales is the stronger choice for sMB sales teams wanting built-in phone/email and AI at low cost. Close is a better fit for high-velocity inside sales and SDR teams focused on calling.
Which is cheaper, Freshsales or Close?
Freshsales starts from $0 (free), paid from ~$9/user/mo and offers a free plan. Close starts from ~$9/user/mo.
Does Freshsales or Close have a free plan?
Freshsales offers a free plan. Close does not offer a permanent free plan.