Close vs Lever
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: September 14, 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 →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.
Lever
Lever is a modern talent acquisition suite combining ATS and CRM in one platform. Known for its clean interface and strong collaboration features, it helps recruiting teams build talent pipelines proactively.
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
Pros
- ✓Clean and intuitive interface
- ✓Strong CRM and nurturing features
- ✓Good collaboration tools for hiring managers
- ✓Solid analytics
- ✓Easy to get started
Cons
- ✗More expensive than basic ATS tools
- ✗Some advanced features require higher tiers
- ✗Limited onboarding features
- ✗Reporting could be deeper
Close vs Lever: Side by Side
| Factor | Close | Lever |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.3/5 ★ | N/A |
| Category | CRM Software | Applicant Tracking |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $49/user/mo | Contact for pricing |
| Best For | Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing | Mid-sized companies wanting a combined ATS and CRM with a clean interface and strong collaboration |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
Close Features
- ✓Built-in calling
- ✓email sequences
- ✓SMS
- ✓lead management
- ✓pipeline management
- ✓reporting
- ✓workflow automation
- ✓power dialer
Lever Features
- ✓Applicant tracking
- ✓AI candidate scoring
- ✓job board posting
- ✓interview scheduling
- ✓team collaboration
- ✓analytics
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 Close if inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing. Choose Lever if mid-sized companies wanting a combined ats and crm with a clean interface and strong collaboration.
Best For
Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing
Best For
Mid-sized companies wanting a combined ATS and CRM with a clean interface and strong collaboration
Also Consider
If neither Close nor Lever is the right fit, Monday.com CRM is worth evaluating.
Monday.com CRM
Teams that want CRM and project management combined in one visual platform
From $12/user/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Close and Lever?
Close is best for inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing. Lever is best for mid-sized companies wanting a combined ats and crm with a clean interface and strong collaboration.
Which is better, Close or Lever?
Choose Close if inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing. Choose Lever if mid-sized companies wanting a combined ats and crm with a clean interface and strong collaboration.
How much does Close cost?
Close starts at $49/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Lever cost?
Visit Lever website for current pricing.
Who should use Close?
Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing
Who should use Lever?
Mid-sized companies wanting a combined ATS and CRM with a clean interface and strong collaboration