Bullhorn vs Close
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Close is our recommended pick for most teams — inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing.
Try Close →Read our full Close review →Bullhorn
Bullhorn is the leading ATS and CRM platform built specifically for staffing and recruiting agencies. It combines applicant tracking with client relationship management in one purpose-built system.
Close
Close is a CRM built specifically for inside sales teams that do high-volume outreach via phone, email, and SMS. It has built-in calling, emailing, and SMS so sales reps can reach out to prospects without switching tools. Close is designed to maximize sales productivity for teams that rely on outbound sales.
Pros
- ✓Purpose-built for staffing agencies
- ✓Strong CRM and client management
- ✓Excellent pipeline visibility
- ✓Deep integration with job boards
- ✓Good mobile app
Cons
- ✗Not ideal for in-house recruiting teams
- ✗Can be expensive
- ✗Interface has a learning curve
- ✗Customization requires technical knowledge
Pros
- ✓Best-in-class built-in calling and email sequencing
- ✓Designed specifically for high-volume inside sales teams
- ✓Strong reporting on sales activity and performance
- ✓Fast and efficient interface for power users
Cons
- ✗Expensive compared to general-purpose CRMs
- ✗Overkill for teams that do low-volume or inbound-only sales
- ✗Limited marketing automation features
Bullhorn vs Close: Side by Side
| Factor | Bullhorn | Close |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | 4.3/5 ★ |
| Category | Applicant Tracking | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | $49/user/mo |
| Best For | Staffing and recruiting agencies needing a combined ATS and client CRM platform | Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing |
| Our Pick | — | 🏆 Recommended |
Bullhorn Features
- ✓Applicant tracking
- ✓CRM for recruiters
- ✓resume parsing
- ✓candidate sourcing
- ✓reporting and analytics
- ✓integrations
Close Features
- ✓Built-in calling
- ✓email sequences
- ✓SMS
- ✓lead management
- ✓pipeline management
- ✓reporting
- ✓workflow automation
- ✓power dialer
Pricing Comparison
Close
PaidStarts at $49/user/mo
Free: $0 · Starter: $49/user/mo · Basic: $99/user/mo · Professional: $149/user/mo
See full pricing →Best Use Cases
Close
- →Inside sales teams making high volumes of calls
- →SaaS companies with outbound sales motions
- →Startups wanting CRM with built-in calling and email
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Close is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Field sales teams needing mobile-first tools
- ✗Companies needing complex territory management
- ✗Businesses without a dedicated sales team
Integrations
Close
Zapier, Slack, Zoom, Gmail, Outlook, HubSpot, Salesforce, Twilio
Our Take
Choose Bullhorn if staffing and recruiting agencies needing a combined ats and client crm platform. Choose Close if inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing.
Best For
Staffing and recruiting agencies needing a combined ATS and client CRM platform
Best For
Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing
Also Consider
If neither Bullhorn nor Close is the right fit, Manatal is worth evaluating.
Manatal
Recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting AI-powered ATS at an affordable price
From $15/user/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Bullhorn and Close?
Bullhorn is best for staffing and recruiting agencies needing a combined ats and client crm platform. Close is best for inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing.
Which is better, Bullhorn or Close?
Choose Bullhorn if staffing and recruiting agencies needing a combined ats and client crm platform. Choose Close if inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing.
How much does Bullhorn cost?
Visit Bullhorn website for current pricing.
How much does Close cost?
Close starts at $49/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Bullhorn?
Staffing and recruiting agencies needing a combined ATS and client CRM platform
Who should use Close?
Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing