SmartRecruiters 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 →SmartRecruiters
SmartRecruiters is an enterprise talent acquisition platform that offers a genuinely free plan alongside paid enterprise tiers. Its free plan includes unlimited job postings, candidate tracking, and team collaboration — making it one of the most generous free ATS options available. SmartRecruiters is used by global enterprises including Visa, Bosch, and LinkedIn.
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
- ✓Genuinely useful free plan with unlimited jobs and users
- ✓Enterprise-grade features available as you scale
- ✓Strong AI candidate screening on paid plans
- ✓Used by large global enterprises giving it credibility with candidates
Cons
- ✗Free plan has limited analytics and automation
- ✗Enterprise pricing can be expensive
- ✗Interface can feel complex for small teams
- ✗Implementation requires dedicated time for enterprise features
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
SmartRecruiters vs Close: Side by Side
| Factor | SmartRecruiters | Close |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | 4.3/5 ★ |
| Category | Applicant Tracking | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | $49/user/mo |
| Best For | Companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ATS from free to enterprise | Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing |
| Our Pick | — | 🏆 Recommended |
SmartRecruiters Features
- ✓Unlimited job postings
- ✓candidate tracking
- ✓collaborative hiring
- ✓AI screening
- ✓interview scheduling
- ✓offer management
- ✓analytics
- ✓career page
- ✓mobile app
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
Which Should You Choose?
Choose SmartRecruiters if...
- →Companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ATS from free to enterprise
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 SmartRecruiters if companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ats from free to enterprise. Choose Close if inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing.
Best For
Companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ATS from free to enterprise
Best For
Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing
Also Consider
If neither SmartRecruiters 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 SmartRecruiters and Close?
SmartRecruiters is best for companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ats from free to enterprise. Close is best for inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing.
Which is better, SmartRecruiters or Close?
Choose SmartRecruiters if companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ats from free to enterprise. Choose Close if inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing.
How much does SmartRecruiters cost?
SmartRecruiters starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Close cost?
Close starts at $49/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use SmartRecruiters?
Companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ATS from free to enterprise
Who should use Close?
Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing