iCIMS 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 →iCIMS
iCIMS is a leading enterprise recruiting platform offering applicant tracking, candidate relationship management, and onboarding in one system. Known for its scalability and deep configurability.
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
- ✓Highly scalable for large hiring volumes
- ✓Strong CRM and pipeline features
- ✓Good compliance tools
- ✓Robust integration marketplace
- ✓Excellent customer support
Cons
- ✗Interface feels dated compared to newer tools
- ✗Expensive for smaller teams
- ✗Implementation can be lengthy
- ✗Reporting has a learning curve
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
iCIMS vs Close: Side by Side
| Factor | iCIMS | 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 | Mid-to-large enterprises needing a scalable and highly configurable recruiting platform | Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing |
| Our Pick | — | 🏆 Recommended |
iCIMS Features
- ✓Applicant tracking
- ✓recruiting CRM
- ✓onboarding
- ✓career site builder
- ✓analytics
- ✓compliance management
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 iCIMS if mid-to-large enterprises needing a scalable and highly configurable recruiting platform. Choose Close if inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing.
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises needing a scalable and highly configurable recruiting platform
Best For
Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing
Also Consider
If neither iCIMS 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 iCIMS and Close?
iCIMS is best for mid-to-large enterprises needing a scalable and highly configurable recruiting platform. Close is best for inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing.
Which is better, iCIMS or Close?
Choose iCIMS if mid-to-large enterprises needing a scalable and highly configurable recruiting platform. Choose Close if inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing.
How much does iCIMS cost?
Visit iCIMS website for current pricing.
How much does Close cost?
Close starts at $49/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use iCIMS?
Mid-to-large enterprises needing a scalable and highly configurable recruiting platform
Who should use Close?
Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing