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Head-to-head · Inside Sales Software

Close vs Outplay

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Close #5 in Inside Sales Software 7.3/10 From $9/user/mo (annual) · 14-day trial ✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Close
Outplay #8 in Inside Sales Software 6.5/10 Free plan · paid from $39/mo (annual) · 7-day trial Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Outplay

Close leads on 1 check, Outplay on 1, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreClose · 7.3/10
  • Free planonly Outplay
  • Most featuresClose · 1 of 5

Close scores higher on our rubric for inside sales software: 7.3 against 6.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.

Outplay offers free plan; Close doesn't. Close offers email sync; Outplay doesn't publish it.

Close is the better fit for small teams wanting an affordable calling CRM. Outplay is the better fit for teams wanting low-cost multichannel engagement.

  • Close fits best

    Small teams wanting an affordable calling CRM

  • Outplay fits best

    Teams wanting low-cost multichannel engagement

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. It never changes our verdict. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Close 7.3/10 Visit ↗ Outplay 6.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.3 6.5
Ranking #5 in Inside Sales Software #8 in Inside Sales Software
Best for Small teams wanting an affordable calling CRM Teams wanting low-cost multichannel engagement
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $9/user/mo Not published
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Free trial length 14 days · no card needed 7 days · no card needed
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Browser extension
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Web, Chrome extension
Support Email, Phone, Community, Docs Live chat, Email
Compliance SOC 2, GDPR, 2FA SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, SSO/SAML
Integrations 100+ integrations 16 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Close 1/5 · Outplay 0/5
Power dialer Not published Not published
Sales engagement Not published Not published
Lead routing Not published Not published
Call recording Not published Not published
Email sync ✓ (best) Not published
Specs
Outreach channels Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Built-in calling, SMS, email sync and pipeline management
  • Automated workflows with email, call, SMS and task steps
  • Web, desktop and mobile apps with API access
  • Email, phone, social, and SMS outreach with action-based sequencing
  • Mailbox rotation, reply tracking, A/B testing, and centralized inbox
  • 15 integrations plus CRM two-way synchronization and analytics
Cons
  • No free plan; advanced controls require higher-priced tiers
  • Telephony usage and AI credits may be billed separately
  • Predictive dialing and live coaching start on Scale
  • Free Forever limits users to manual email outreach and one user
  • Starter focuses on email outreach rather than the full multichannel toolkit
  • Annual billing applies to the listed paid-plan prices
Our verdict

Close is a sales CRM for founders, solo representatives and sales teams. It combines lead and contact management with opportunity pipelines, two-way email synchronization, built-in calling and SMS, reporting, forms, task management and…

Read the review →

Outplay is a cloud sales engagement platform for startups, sales teams, and enterprise revenue organizations. It combines automated email sequences with outreach across email, phone, social, SMS, and tasks. Core capabilities include…

Read the review →
  1. CloseInside Sales Software 7.3From $9/user/mo (annual) · 14-day trial
  2. OutplayInside Sales Software 6.5Free plan · paid from $39/mo (annual) · 7-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Close — where it wins

    • Built-in calling, SMS, email sync and pipeline management
    • Automated workflows with email, call, SMS and task steps
    • Web, desktop and mobile apps with API access

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; advanced controls require higher-priced tiers
    • Telephony usage and AI credits may be billed separately
    • Predictive dialing and live coaching start on Scale

  • Outplay — where it wins

    • Email, phone, social, and SMS outreach with action-based sequencing
    • Mailbox rotation, reply tracking, A/B testing, and centralized inbox
    • 15 integrations plus CRM two-way synchronization and analytics

    Where it doesn't

    • Free Forever limits users to manual email outreach and one user
    • Starter focuses on email outreach rather than the full multichannel toolkit
    • Annual billing applies to the listed paid-plan prices
  • Close7.3/10 · From $9/user/mo (annual) · 14-day trial

    A calling-first CRM for small teams, with advanced controls reserved for higher tiers.

    Visit CloseFull verdict →
  • Outplay6.5/10 · Free plan · paid from $39/mo (annual) · 7-day trial

    Broad multichannel sequencing and CRM connectivity, with advanced outreach reserved for paid tiers.

    Visit OutplayFull verdict →

More comparisons

All inside sales software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update