Close vs SugarCRM
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.
SugarCRM
SugarCRM is an open-source CRM platform that offers highly customizable sales, marketing, and customer service tools for mid-size and enterprise businesses. It gives companies full control over their CRM data and workflows, making it popular with businesses that have specific customization or data sovereignty requirements.
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
- ✓Highly customizable to fit complex business processes
- ✓Open-source option gives full data control
- ✓Strong sales and marketing automation
- ✓Good value for mid-market companies
Cons
- ✗Requires technical resources to implement and customize
- ✗Interface is less modern than competitors
- ✗Steeper learning curve than simpler CRM tools
Close vs SugarCRM: Side by Side
| Factor | Close | SugarCRM |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.3/5 ★ | N/A |
| Category | CRM Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $49/user/mo | $19/user/mo |
| Best For | Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing | Mid-size businesses needing a highly customizable CRM with full data control |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
Close Features
- ✓Built-in calling
- ✓email sequences
- ✓SMS
- ✓lead management
- ✓pipeline management
- ✓reporting
- ✓workflow automation
- ✓power dialer
SugarCRM Features
- ✓Sales automation
- ✓marketing automation
- ✓customer service management
- ✓reporting and analytics
- ✓workflow automation
- ✓mobile app
- ✓API access
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 SugarCRM if mid-size businesses needing a highly customizable crm with full data control.
Best For
Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing
Best For
Mid-size businesses needing a highly customizable CRM with full data control
How Close and SugarCRM Are Similar
- •Both are CRM Software platforms designed for business teams
- •Both offer web-based access with no software installation required
- •Both provide customer support and onboarding resources
- •Both integrate with popular third-party business tools
- •Both offer a trial or demo to evaluate before purchasing
Also Consider
If neither Close nor SugarCRM 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 SugarCRM?
Close is best for inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing. SugarCRM is best for mid-size businesses needing a highly customizable crm with full data control.
Which is better, Close or SugarCRM?
Choose Close if inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing. Choose SugarCRM if mid-size businesses needing a highly customizable crm with full data control.
How much does Close cost?
Close starts at $49/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does SugarCRM cost?
SugarCRM starts at $19/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Close?
Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing
Who should use SugarCRM?
Mid-size businesses needing a highly customizable CRM with full data control