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Head-to-head · Pipeline Management

Zoho CRM vs Close

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Zoho CRM #3 in Pipeline Management 9.1/10 Free plan · 15-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Zoho CRM
Close #7 in Pipeline Management 8.6/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Close

Zoho CRM leads on 1 check, Close 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 scoreZoho CRM · 9.1/10
  • Lowest starting priceClose · $9/user/mo
  • Free planonly Zoho CRM
  • Free trialboth

Zoho CRM scores higher on our rubric for pipeline management: 9.1 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.

Zoho CRM offers free plan; Close doesn't. Close is cheaper to start at $9/user/mo against $14/user/mo.

Zoho CRM is the better fit for teams wanting a flexible CRM with broad integrations. Close is the better fit for sales teams centered on calling, SMS, and follow-up.

  • Zoho CRM fits best

    Teams wanting a flexible CRM with broad integrations

  • 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 Zoho CRM 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Close 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.6
Ranking #3 in Pipeline Management #7 in Pipeline Management
Best for Teams wanting a flexible CRM with broad integrations Sales teams centered on calling, SMS, and follow-up
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $14/user/mo $9/user/mo (best)
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial 15 days 14 days
Free trial length 15 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, Tickets, Community, Docs Email, Phone, Community, Docs
Compliance GDPR SOC 2, GDPR, 2FA
Integrations 1,100+ integrations 100+ integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Zoho CRM 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
  • Manage multi-stage pipelines, leads, contacts, accounts, and deals
  • Connect sales workflows with campaigns, email history, and automation
  • Use Zia insights and mobile apps with offline updates
  • 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
  • Free plan is limited to up to 3 users
  • Standard starts at $14 per user monthly with annual billing
  • Monthly billing costs more than annual billing across paid plans
  • 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

Zoho CRM brings leads, contacts, accounts, deals, activities, and sales pipelines into one cloud-based workspace for sales teams and customer-facing organizations. Its scope also reaches marketing campaigns, customer communications,…

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. Zoho CRMPipeline Management 9.1Free plan · 15-day trial
  2. ClosePipeline Management 8.614-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Zoho CRM — where it wins

    • Manage multi-stage pipelines, leads, contacts, accounts, and deals
    • Connect sales workflows with campaigns, email history, and automation
    • Use Zia insights and mobile apps with offline updates

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan is limited to up to 3 users
    • Standard starts at $14 per user monthly with annual billing
    • Monthly billing costs more than annual billing across paid plans

  • 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.
  • Zoho CRM9.1/10 · Free plan · 15-day trial

    A flexible CRM combining pipeline management, automation, campaigns, and AI insights.

    Visit Zoho CRMFull verdict →
  • Close8.6/10 · 14-day trial

    A pipeline CRM built around calling, SMS and structured sales follow-up.

    Visit CloseFull verdict →

More comparisons

All pipeline management comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update