Close vs ContactOut: Cross-Category Comparison

Close vs ContactOut: Cross-Category Comparison

Close (crm platform) and ContactOut (data enrichment tool) address different challenges in the outbound sales process. Comparing them makes sense when you are deciding which part of your workflow to invest in next.

Why Compare These Two Tools?

Data enrichment tools find and verify contact information, while CRMs organize and track those contacts through the sales process. Teams evaluate whether their CRM's built-in data features are sufficient or if a dedicated enrichment tool delivers better data quality.

Close is a crm platform focused on customer relationship management. A CRM built specifically for inside sales teams, with built-in calling, SMS, and email functionality. Close focuses on reducing manual data entry and increasing sales velocity with features like Power Dialer, predictive dialing, and workflow automation.

ContactOut is a data enrichment tool focused on B2B lead data and contact enrichment. Email and phone finder with 300M+ professional profiles, LinkedIn-focused browser extension, and AI-powered email campaigns.

Where Each Tool Fits in Your Workflow

Pricing Comparison

Close Pricing (as of February 2026)

Source: Close Pricing

ContactOut Pricing (as of February 2026)

Source: ContactOut Pricing

Pricing Context

These tools serve different purposes, so a direct price comparison requires context. Close starts at $19/mo for customer relationship management, while ContactOut starts at $0/mo for B2B lead data and contact enrichment. Many teams end up paying for both since they address different workflow stages.

Feature Highlights

Close Key Capabilities (CRM Platform)

• Built-in calling with Power Dialer
• Native SMS messaging
• Email sequences and templates
• Automated workflows
• Predictive dialing
• AI Email Assistant
• Pipeline and activity reporting
• Role-based access and permissions

ContactOut Key Capabilities (Data Enrichment Tool)

• 300M+ professional profiles
• Browser extension for LinkedIn
• Email campaigns
• AI email writer
• Data enrichment
• List builder
• Search portal
• Bulk license (700M+ profiles on Team)
• CSV export

Feature Overlap

These tools have minimal feature overlap, which makes sense given their different categories. They are more complementary than competitive.

Integration Ecosystem

Close Integrations

Close connects with: Zapier, Slack, Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, Zoom, HubSpot, Segment, Calendly.

ContactOut Integrations

ContactOut connects with: Salesforce, HubSpot, Greenhouse, Lever, Bullhorn, Zapier, Gmail, Outlook.

Shared Integrations

Both tools integrate with: Zapier, Gmail, HubSpot. This shared ecosystem means they can work together in your tech stack.

When to Choose Close

• Your biggest gap is in pipeline and deal tracking
• You already have a solid data enrichment tool and need specialized customer relationship management capabilities
• You want an affordable entry point ($19/mo)
• Your team's primary bottleneck is customer relationship management

When to Choose ContactOut

• Your biggest gap is in lead sourcing and data
• You already have a crm platform and need better B2B lead data and contact enrichment
• You want an affordable entry point ($0/mo)
• Your team's primary bottleneck is B2B lead data and contact enrichment

Using Both Together

Many sales teams use both a crm platform and a data enrichment tool as part of their complete workflow. Close handles pipeline and deal tracking while ContactOut covers lead sourcing and data.

Since both tools integrate with Zapier, Gmail, HubSpot, connecting them in your workflow is straightforward.

Decision Framework

1. Map your workflow gaps. Which stage needs the most improvement: pipeline and deal tracking or lead sourcing and data?
2. Check your existing stack. Do you already have a tool covering one of these categories?
3. Consider your budget. Can you invest in both, or do you need to prioritize one?
4. Trial both. Sign up for free trials to evaluate each tool in your actual workflow.
5. Measure ROI separately. Track the impact of each tool on its specific workflow stage.

Related Reading

• Best Close Alternatives in 2026
• Best ContactOut Alternatives in 2026
• Close vs Salesforce: CRM Platform Comparison
• Close vs HubSpot CRM: CRM Platform Comparison
• Apollo.io vs ContactOut: Data Enrichment Tool Comparison

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Pricing and features verified as of February 2026. Visit Close and ContactOut for current information.