Close vs Paylocity
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.
Paylocity
Paylocity is a modern HR and payroll platform designed for mid-market businesses. It combines payroll processing with employee engagement tools, learning management, and workforce analytics. Paylocity stands out for its strong mobile experience and focus on building connected, engaged workplaces.
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
- ✓Strong employee engagement and communication tools
- ✓Excellent mobile app for both managers and employees
- ✓Modern UI with good user adoption rates
- ✓Robust payroll with strong compliance features
Cons
- ✗Pricing requires a sales call and is not published online
- ✗Implementation can be complex for larger organizations
- ✗Some advanced features require additional modules at extra cost
Close vs Paylocity: Side by Side
| Factor | Close | Paylocity |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.3/5 ★ | N/A |
| Category | CRM Software | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $49/user/mo | Custom pricing |
| Best For | Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing | Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
Close Features
- ✓Built-in calling
- ✓email sequences
- ✓SMS
- ✓lead management
- ✓pipeline management
- ✓reporting
- ✓workflow automation
- ✓power dialer
Paylocity Features
- ✓Payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓talent management
- ✓workforce management
- ✓analytics
- ✓employee self-service
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 Paylocity if mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees.
Best For
Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing
Best For
Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees
Also Consider
If neither Close nor Paylocity 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 Paylocity?
Close is best for inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing. Paylocity is best for mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees.
Which is better, Close or Paylocity?
Choose Close if inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing. Choose Paylocity if mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees.
How much does Close cost?
Close starts at $49/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Paylocity cost?
Paylocity starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Close?
Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing
Who should use Paylocity?
Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees