Connecteam vs Close
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: September 14, 2026
Connecteam is our recommended pick for most teams — smbs with deskless or frontline workers.
Try Connecteam →Read our full Connecteam review →Connecteam
Connecteam is an all-in-one employee management app built specifically for deskless and frontline workers. It combines scheduling, time tracking, team communication, training, and HR tools in a mobile-first platform. Connecteam is widely used in industries like retail, hospitality, construction, and healthcare.
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 deskless workers with an excellent mobile experience
- ✓Combines scheduling, communication, and HR in one affordable platform
- ✓Easy to set up with minimal IT support required
- ✓Affordable pricing with a generous free plan for small teams
Cons
- ✗Payroll features are limited and require integration with a payroll provider
- ✗Less suitable for office-based or knowledge worker teams
- ✗Advanced reporting requires higher-tier plans
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
Connecteam vs Close: Side by Side
| Factor | Connecteam | Close |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.5/5 ★ | 4.3/5 ★ |
| Category | HR Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | $29/mo | $49/user/mo |
| Best For | SMBs with deskless or frontline workers | Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
Connecteam Features
- ✓Scheduling
- ✓time tracking
- ✓communication
- ✓training
- ✓task management
- ✓HR
Close Features
- ✓Built-in calling
- ✓email sequences
- ✓SMS
- ✓lead management
- ✓pipeline management
- ✓reporting
- ✓workflow automation
- ✓power dialer
Pricing Comparison
Connecteam
FreemiumStarts at $29/mo
Free: $0 (up to 10 users) · Basic: $29/mo · Advanced: $49/mo · Expert: $99/mo
See full pricing →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
Connecteam
- →Retail and hospitality businesses managing deskless workers
- →Construction companies scheduling field teams
- →Small businesses with frontline employees needing mobile HR tools
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
Connecteam is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Office-based knowledge worker teams
- ✗Companies needing full HRIS functionality
- ✗Businesses requiring advanced payroll processing
Close is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Field sales teams needing mobile-first tools
- ✗Companies needing complex territory management
- ✗Businesses without a dedicated sales team
Integrations
Connecteam
Gusto, Paychex, QuickBooks, ADP, Xero, Zapier
Close
Zapier, Slack, Zoom, Gmail, Outlook, HubSpot, Salesforce, Twilio
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Connecteam if...
- →SMBs with deskless or frontline workers
- →Retail and hospitality businesses managing deskless workers
- →Construction companies scheduling field teams
Choose Close if...
- →Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing
- →Inside sales teams making high volumes of calls
- →SaaS companies with outbound sales motions
Our Take
Choose Connecteam if smbs with deskless or frontline workers. Choose Close if inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing.
Best For
SMBs with deskless or frontline workers
Best For
Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing
Also Consider
If neither Connecteam nor Close is the right fit, Justworks is worth evaluating.
Justworks
Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits
From $59/employee/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Connecteam and Close?
Connecteam is best for smbs with deskless or frontline workers. Close is best for inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing.
Which is better, Connecteam or Close?
Choose Connecteam if smbs with deskless or frontline workers. Choose Close if inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing.
How much does Connecteam cost?
Connecteam starts at $29/mo. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Close cost?
Close starts at $49/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Connecteam?
SMBs with deskless or frontline workers
Who should use Close?
Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing
