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Head-to-head · Pipeline Management

Nutshell vs Close

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Nutshell #6 in Pipeline Management 8.7/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Nutshell
Close #7 in Pipeline Management 8.6/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Close

Nutshell leads on 0 checks, Close on 1, and 1 is 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 scoreNutshell · 8.7/10
  • Lowest starting priceClose · $9/user/mo
  • Free trialboth

Nutshell scores higher on our rubric for pipeline management: 8.7 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #7.

Close is cheaper to start at $9/user/mo against $13/user/mo.

Nutshell is the better fit for small teams combining sales and marketing in one CRM. Close is the better fit for sales teams centered on calling, SMS, and follow-up.

  • Nutshell fits best

    Small teams combining sales and marketing in one CRM

  • Close fits best

    Sales teams centered on calling, SMS, and follow-up

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Nutshell 8.7/10 Visit ↗ Close 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.6
Ranking #6 in Pipeline Management #7 in Pipeline Management
Best for Small teams combining sales and marketing in one CRM Sales teams centered on calling, SMS, and follow-up
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $13/user/mo $9/user/mo (best)
Free plan — —
Free trial 14 days 14 days
Free trial length 14 days · no card needed 14 days · no card needed
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs Email, Phone, Community, Docs
Compliance SOC 2, GDPR, SSO/SAML SOC 2, GDPR, 2FA
Integrations 5,000+ integrations 100+ integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Nutshell 0/4 · Close 0/4
Workflow automation Not checked yet Not checked yet
Custom stages Not checked yet Not checked yet
Pipeline reporting Not checked yet Not checked yet
Mobile apps Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Pipelines Not checked yet Not checked yet
Pipeline views Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Visual pipeline views include kanban, list, map, and chart formats.
  • Combines sales workflows with forms, landing pages, email, and SMS marketing.
  • Five annual plans add forecasting, automation, and pipeline controls progressively.
  • Opportunity pipelines sit alongside built-in calling and SMS.
  • Workflows can combine email, calls, SMS and task steps.
  • Email sync, activity timelines and mobile apps support day-to-day selling.
Cons
  • No free plan; paid subscriptions start at $13 per user per month, billed annually.
  • Advanced reporting, automation, and multiple custom pipelines require higher tiers.
  • Its breadth may be unnecessary for teams seeking pipeline tracking alone.
  • There is no free plan; paid plans start at $9 per user monthly with annual billing.
  • The Solo plan limits users to 10,000 leads and three connected email accounts.
  • Telephony usage and AI credits may be billed separately.
Our verdict

Nutshell is a cloud CRM for small and mid-sized businesses that want contacts, leads, deals, communications, and sales activity in one system. Its visual pipelines support kanban, list, map, and chart views, while built-in forms, landing…

Read the review →

Close brings lead and contact management, opportunity pipelines and sales communication into one CRM. Its built-in calling and SMS, two-way email sync, forms, reporting and activity timelines make it a fit for founders, solo…

Read the review →
  1. NutshellPipeline Management 8.714-day trial
  2. ClosePipeline Management 8.614-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Nutshell — where it wins

    • Visual pipeline views include kanban, list, map, and chart formats.
    • Combines sales workflows with forms, landing pages, email, and SMS marketing.
    • Five annual plans add forecasting, automation, and pipeline controls progressively.

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; paid subscriptions start at $13 per user per month, billed annually.
    • Advanced reporting, automation, and multiple custom pipelines require higher tiers.
    • Its breadth may be unnecessary for teams seeking pipeline tracking alone.

  • Close — where it wins

    • Opportunity pipelines sit alongside built-in calling and SMS.
    • Workflows can combine email, calls, SMS and task steps.
    • Email sync, activity timelines and mobile apps support day-to-day selling.

    Where it doesn't

    • There is no free plan; paid plans start at $9 per user monthly with annual billing.
    • The Solo plan limits users to 10,000 leads and three connected email accounts.
    • Telephony usage and AI credits may be billed separately.

More comparisons

All pipeline management comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update