Close vs HubSpot CRM: CRM Platform Comparison
An in-depth comparison of Close and HubSpot CRM for real sales teams. Covers pricing, features, integrations, and which tool fits different team sizes and budgets.
Close costs $19/month minimum and excels at built-in calling with power dialer and native SMS messaging, making it ideal for outbound sales teams. HubSpot CRM starts free and prioritizes contact management, deal tracking, and meeting scheduling, better suited for teams needing broader CRM functionality without upfront cost. Close provides 8 sales-focused features; HubSpot CRM offers 8 features with stronger marketing integration.
Key takeaways
- Close starts at $19/month ($228 annually) while HubSpot CRM offers a free tier, creating a $228 first-year cost difference at entry level.
- Close includes built-in power dialer, native SMS messaging, and predictive dialing features that HubSpot CRM lacks entirely.
- HubSpot CRM provides live chat, chatbot builder, document tracking, and e-signatures unavailable in Close.
- Both platforms integrate with 8 common tools including Zapier, Slack, Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, and Zoom.
- A 20-person sales team tracking 500+ deals gets 8 core features from either platform at their respective entry tiers.
Reviewed and updated February 6, 2026
Close vs HubSpot CRM: Which One Fits Your Team?
If you are running a 20-person sales org tracking 500+ active deals across the pipeline, you have probably narrowed your search to Close and HubSpot CRM. Both solve the same core problem: reps spending 30+ minutes per day on data entry instead of selling. The question is which one matches your workflow, budget, and growth trajectory.
This comparison breaks down the real differences. Not marketing copy, not feature lists. The practical details that determine which tool your team will actually use six months from now.
The 30-Second Decision
Pick Close if: you prioritize built-in calling with power dialer and native sms messaging. It is also the more affordable option at $19/mo.
Pick HubSpot CRM if: you need contact and company management and deal pipeline and tracking. Budget-friendly at Free.
Not sure yet? Keep reading for the full breakdown.
Real-World Cost Comparison
Pricing pages tell one story. Your actual invoice tells another. Here is what a 20-person sales org tracking 500+ active deals across the pipeline would pay:
Close Pricing (as of February 2026)
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Base | $19/mo |
| Startup | $49/mo |
| Professional | $99/mo |
| Enterprise | $139/mo |
Annual cost at entry tier: $228/yr. At the top tier: $1 668/yr.
Source: Close Pricing
HubSpot CRM Pricing (as of February 2026)
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Free | Free |
| Sales Hub Starter | $20/mo |
| Sales Hub Professional | $100/mo |
| Sales Hub Enterprise | $150/mo |
Annual cost at entry tier: $0. At the top tier: $1 800/yr.
Source: HubSpot CRM Pricing
What This Means for Your Budget
CRM costs range from $15/user/mo for basic tools to $300+/user/mo for enterprise. At the entry level, HubSpot CRM saves you $228/yr compared to Close. That gap widens or narrows depending on your tier.
HubSpot CRM offers a free tier, which makes it possible to test the platform before any financial commitment.
Feature Comparison: What Actually Matters
Feature lists can be misleading. Every tool claims to do everything. Here is what actually differs:
Where Close Wins
- Built-in calling with Power Dialer: Available in Close, missing in HubSpot CRM
- Native SMS messaging: Available in Close, missing in HubSpot CRM
- Email sequences and templates: Available in Close, missing in HubSpot CRM
- Automated workflows: Available in Close, missing in HubSpot CRM
- Predictive dialing: Available in Close, missing in HubSpot CRM
- AI Email Assistant: Available in Close, missing in HubSpot CRM
- Pipeline and activity reporting: Available in Close, missing in HubSpot CRM
- Role-based access and permissions: Available in Close, missing in HubSpot CRM
Where HubSpot CRM Wins
- Contact and company management: Available in HubSpot CRM, missing in Close
- Deal pipeline and tracking: Available in HubSpot CRM, missing in Close
- Email tracking and notifications: Available in HubSpot CRM, missing in Close
- Meeting scheduling: Available in HubSpot CRM, missing in Close
- Live chat and chatbot builder: Available in HubSpot CRM, missing in Close
- Sales automation and sequences: Available in HubSpot CRM, missing in Close
- Customizable reporting dashboards: Available in HubSpot CRM, missing in Close
- Document tracking and e-signatures: Available in HubSpot CRM, missing in Close
Shared Capabilities
Both tools include: core category features. The ease of adoption, reporting depth, and total cost per seat is where the real decision gets made.
Scenario: A 20-person sales org tracking 500+ active deals across the pipeline
Imagine you are a 20-person sales org tracking 500+ active deals across the pipeline. Here is how each tool plays out:
With Close: You get 8 features out of the box at $19/mo to start. The feature set covers your core needs. Built-in calling with Power Dialer is particularly useful for teams at this scale.
With HubSpot CRM: Starting at Free, you get 8 features. The platform focuses on depth over breadth. Contact and company management stands out for this use case.
Integration Ecosystem
Your tool does not operate in isolation. It needs to talk to everything else in your stack.
Close connects with: Zapier, Slack, Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, Zoom, HubSpot, Segment, Calendly.
HubSpot CRM connects with: Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, Slack, Salesforce, Zapier, Shopify, WordPress, Zoom.
Shared: Both integrate with Zapier, Slack, Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, Zoom. If your stack includes these, either tool will slot in.
Only Close: HubSpot, Segment, Calendly. Only HubSpot CRM: Salesforce, Shopify, WordPress.
Decision Framework
Use this to make your final call:
| Factor | Choose Close | Choose HubSpot CRM |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Higher entry, more features per dollar | Lower entry cost |
| Feature Count | 8 features | 8 features |
| Integrations | 8 connections | 8 connections |
| Free Tier | No | Yes |
| Best For | Budget-conscious teams | Budget-conscious teams |
Next Steps
- Sign up for both free trials. Do not rely on feature comparisons alone. Put each tool through your actual workflow.
- Test with real data. Import a sample of your contacts or set up a real sequence. Simulated tests reveal nothing useful.
- Include your team. The tool your SDRs or ops team actually likes using will outperform the "better" tool they avoid.
- Check the contract terms. Monthly vs annual billing, cancellation policies, and overage charges all affect your total cost.
- Decide within 2 weeks. Analysis paralysis costs more than picking the "wrong" tool. Both are solid options.
Related Reading
- Best Close Alternatives in 2026
- Best HubSpot CRM Alternatives in 2026
- Close vs Salesforce: CRM Platform Comparison
- Close vs Pipedrive: CRM Platform Comparison
- HubSpot CRM vs Salesforce: CRM Platform Comparison
Pricing and features verified as of February 2026. Visit Close and HubSpot CRM for current information.
Frequently asked questions.
Frequently asked questions- Which CRM is cheaper for a new sales team, Close or HubSpot?
- HubSpot CRM is cheaper initially because it offers a free tier with no monthly cost, while Close starts at $19 per month ($228 annually). However, at enterprise tiers, the costs converge: Close tops out at $139/month ($1,668/year) versus HubSpot's $150/month ($1,800/year). If budget is the primary concern and you need basic CRM functionality, HubSpot's free tier provides immediate value without financial commitment.
- Does Close have better calling features than HubSpot CRM?
- Yes, Close has significantly stronger native calling capabilities. It includes built-in power dialer, predictive dialing, and native SMS messaging—all features absent from HubSpot CRM. These tools are particularly valuable for outbound sales teams that spend significant time on the phone. HubSpot CRM focuses instead on email tracking, meeting scheduling, and broader contact management rather than telephony infrastructure.
- Can I try both Close and HubSpot CRM before committing?
- Yes, both platforms allow testing before purchase. HubSpot CRM offers a completely free tier with no time limit, letting you evaluate core features indefinitely. Close provides free trials where you can test their calling and SMS features with real data. The recommendation is to sign up for both, import actual contact samples, run real sequences through your workflow, and involve your sales team in the evaluation within a two-week decision window.
- Which CRM has better integration options?
- Both platforms integrate with 8 common tools including Zapier, Slack, Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, and Zoom. Close uniquely connects with HubSpot, Segment, and Calendly, while HubSpot CRM exclusively integrates with Salesforce, Shopify, and WordPress. The practical difference depends on your existing tech stack: if you use e-commerce platforms, HubSpot's Shopify integration matters; if you rely heavily on scheduling tools, Close's Calendly connection provides value.
About the author.
Tim Carden is CMO / CTO at RevenueFlow, which builds and operates outbound revenue engines for B2B companies. Studied at McGill University.
Tim Carden · CMO / CTO
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