Close vs SugarCRM: CRM Platform Comparison
Compare Close and SugarCRM side by side. See pricing, features, and integrations to choose the right CRM platform for your needs.
Close is a sales-focused CRM built for inside sales teams with built-in calling, SMS, and email automation, starting at $19/mo. SugarCRM is a broader B2B CRM offering account, lead, and opportunity management with quote and business process tools, starting at $59/mo with a 15-user minimum. The choice depends on budget and integration needs.
Key takeaways
- Close's entry-level Solo plan costs $19/mo while SugarCRM's entry-level Standard plan costs $59/mo.
- Close offers 4 pricing tiers (Solo, Essentials, Growth, Scale) compared to SugarCRM's 3 tiers (Standard, Advanced, Premier).
- All SugarCRM pricing plans require a 15-user minimum.
- Close lists 8 integrations including Zapier, Slack, and HubSpot, while SugarCRM lists 9 integrations including NetSuite, DocuSign, and ZoomInfo.
- Close was founded in 2013 according to the article, while SugarCRM's founding year is not listed.
Reviewed and updated September 2, 2026
Close vs SugarCRM: CRM Platform Comparison
Finding the right CRM platform can directly impact your revenue pipeline. Close and SugarCRM both aim to solve the same core problem (organizing contacts, tracking deals, and forecasting revenue), yet they approach it differently. Let's break down the specifics.
The Quick Answer
By each vendor's own wording, Close lists built-in calling with power dialer and native sms messaging, while SugarCRM lists accounts & contact management and lead & opportunity management. A capability both offer can appear under different names, so read both feature lists below.
Close offers a lower entry point at $19/mo compared to SugarCRM at $59/mo.
If your priority is organizing contacts, tracking deals, and forecasting revenue, both tools target it. The right choice depends on your budget, team size, and the specific capabilities you need most.
Understanding the Core Difference
Close is 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.
SugarCRM is SugarCRM is a sales CRM for B2B growth that manages accounts, leads, opportunities and quotes with automated follow-ups and built-in insights. Its Sugar Sell product is sold alongside Sugar Market for marketing automation and Sugar Serve for customer service.
The two platforms take different approaches to solving the same core challenge.
Pricing Comparison
Solo
Standard
Close Pricing (as of September 2026)
| Plan | Price | Contacts |
|---|---|---|
| Solo | $19/mo | Limited to 10k leads |
| Essentials | $49/mo | - |
| Growth | $109/mo | - |
| Scale | $149/mo | - |
Source: Close Pricing
SugarCRM Pricing (as of September 2026)
| Plan | Price | Contacts |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $59/mo | 15 user minimum |
| Advanced | $85/mo | 15 user minimum |
| Premier | $135/mo | 15 user minimum |
Source: SugarCRM Pricing
Pricing Analysis
Close is more affordable at the entry level ($19/mo vs $59/mo). For teams with tight budgets or those just getting started with customer relationship management and sales pipeline tracking, this price difference matters.
Close offers 4 pricing tiers compared to SugarCRM's 3, giving you more granularity as you scale.
Features Breakdown
- Built-in calling with Power Dialer
- Native SMS messaging
- Email sequences and templates
- Automated workflows
- Predictive dialing
- AI Email Assistant
- and 2 more listed below
- Accounts & contact management
- Lead & opportunity management
- Quote management
- Activity management
- Pipeline management
- Business process management
- and 2 more listed below
Close Key Features
- 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
SugarCRM Key Features
- Accounts & contact management
- Lead & opportunity management
- Quote management
- Activity management
- Pipeline management
- Business process management
- Reporting & analytics
- Mail & calendar integration
The two lists below are a diff of each vendor's own feature list by exact wording, so a capability both tools offer can appear on either side under a different name.
Listed only by Close
- 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
Listed only by SugarCRM
- Accounts & contact management
- Lead & opportunity management
- Quote management
- Activity management
- Pipeline management
- Business process management
- Reporting & analytics
- Mail & calendar integration
Integration Ecosystem
Close Integrations
Close connects with: Zapier, Slack, Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, Zoom, HubSpot, Segment, Calendly.
SugarCRM Integrations
SugarCRM connects with: NetSuite, Epicor, Sage, SYSPRO, DocuSign, Dropbox, SharePoint, ZoomInfo, LinkedIn Sales Navigator.
Integrations listed only by Close: Zapier, Slack, Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, Zoom, HubSpot, Segment, Calendly.
Integrations listed only by SugarCRM: NetSuite, Epicor, Sage, SYSPRO, DocuSign, Dropbox, SharePoint, ZoomInfo, LinkedIn Sales Navigator.
Use Case Recommendations
Best Fit for Close
- Budget-conscious teams looking for an affordable CRM platform
- Sales teams tracking deals from first touch to close
- Managers who need pipeline visibility and forecasting
- Growing teams that need scalable contact management
Best Fit for SugarCRM
- Organizations with complex tech stacks needing broad integration support (9 integrations)
- Sales teams tracking deals from first touch to close
- Managers who need pipeline visibility and forecasting
- Growing teams that need scalable contact management
Feature Comparison Summary
| Feature | Close | SugarCRM |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $19/mo | $59/mo |
| Top Tier Price | $149/mo | $135/mo |
| Total Features Listed | 8 | 8 |
| Integrations | 8 | 9 |
| Founded | 2013 | N/A |
Getting Started Checklist
- Define your customer relationship management and sales pipeline tracking requirements and monthly budget
- Estimate your expected contacts and deals to find the right tier
- List the integrations your team currently relies on
- Sign up for free trials or demos of both platforms
- Run a small test with each tool before making a commitment
- Evaluate the onboarding experience and support quality
Final Thoughts
Close and SugarCRM both serve the customer relationship management and sales pipeline tracking market. Close offers a more accessible entry point at $19/mo, while SugarCRM starts at $59/mo. Your decision should weigh pricing against the specific features that matter most for your workflow.
Start with a trial of each to see which platform fits your team's daily process. The best tool is the one your team actually uses consistently.
Pricing and features verified as of September 2026. Visit Close and SugarCRM for current information.
Frequently asked questions.
Frequently asked questions- What is the main difference between Close and SugarCRM?
- Close is built specifically for inside sales teams with built-in calling, SMS, and email automation, while SugarCRM manages accounts, leads, opportunities, and quotes with automated follow-ups. Close focuses on sales velocity and reducing manual data entry, whereas SugarCRM offers broader business process management alongside its Sugar Market and Sugar Serve products.
- How much does Close cost compared to SugarCRM?
- Close starts at $19/mo for its Solo plan and goes up to $149/mo for Scale. SugarCRM starts at $59/mo for its Standard plan and reaches $135/mo for Premier, though all SugarCRM plans require a 15-user minimum.
- Which CRM has more integrations, Close or SugarCRM?
- SugarCRM lists 9 integrations including NetSuite, Epicor, Sage, DocuSign, and ZoomInfo, while Close lists 8 integrations including Zapier, Slack, Gmail, and HubSpot. Organizations with complex tech stacks needing broad integration support may lean toward SugarCRM.
- Is Close or SugarCRM better for budget-conscious teams?
- Close is generally the better fit for budget-conscious teams since its entry plan costs $19/mo versus SugarCRM's $59/mo. Close also does not impose the 15-user minimum that applies to all SugarCRM pricing tiers.
- Does Close or SugarCRM offer more pricing tiers?
- Close offers 4 pricing tiers, Solo, Essentials, Growth, and Scale, while SugarCRM offers 3, Standard, Advanced, and Premier. This gives Close more granularity for teams scaling up their CRM usage over time.
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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