SurePayroll vs Close
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: September 14, 2026
SurePayroll is our recommended pick for most teams — small businesses with under 100 employees looking for simple, affordable full-service payroll.
Try SurePayroll →Read our full SurePayroll review →SurePayroll
SurePayroll is an online payroll service designed specifically for small businesses. It is owned by Paychex and offers full-service payroll processing, automatic tax filing, and employee self-service tools. SurePayroll is known for its simple setup and affordable pricing, making it a top choice for small business owners running payroll for the first time.
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
- ✓Very easy to set up and use — ideal for first-time payroll users
- ✓Automatic federal, state, and local tax filing included
- ✓Affordable flat-rate pricing for small teams
- ✓Strong mobile app for running payroll on the go
Cons
- ✗Limited features for larger or more complex businesses
- ✗Customer support can be slow during peak periods
- ✗Less customizable than enterprise payroll solutions
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
SurePayroll vs Close: Side by Side
| Factor | SurePayroll | Close |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.4/5 ★ | 4.3/5 ★ |
| Category | Payroll Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | Custom pricing | $49/user/mo |
| Best For | Small businesses with under 100 employees looking for simple, affordable full-service payroll | Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
SurePayroll Features
- ✓Full-service payroll processing
- ✓automatic tax filing
- ✓direct deposit
- ✓employee self-service portal
- ✓new hire reporting
- ✓workers compensation integration
- ✓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
SurePayroll
- →Small US businesses running payroll for a handful of employees
- →Self-employed individuals paying themselves and contractors
- →Companies wanting simple automated payroll at low cost
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
SurePayroll is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Companies with international employees
- ✗Businesses needing full HR management
- ✗Large companies with complex payroll requirements
Close is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Field sales teams needing mobile-first tools
- ✗Companies needing complex territory management
- ✗Businesses without a dedicated sales team
Integrations
SurePayroll
QuickBooks, Xero, AccountEdge, Sage
Close
Zapier, Slack, Zoom, Gmail, Outlook, HubSpot, Salesforce, Twilio
Our Take
Choose SurePayroll if small businesses with under 100 employees looking for simple, affordable full-service payroll. Choose Close if inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing.
Best For
Small businesses with under 100 employees looking for simple, affordable full-service payroll
Best For
Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing
Also Consider
If neither SurePayroll nor Close is the right fit, Multiplier is worth evaluating.
Multiplier
Startups and SMBs hiring internationally on a budget
From $40/contractor/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between SurePayroll and Close?
SurePayroll is best for small businesses with under 100 employees looking for simple, affordable full-service payroll. Close is best for inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing.
Which is better, SurePayroll or Close?
Choose SurePayroll if small businesses with under 100 employees looking for simple, affordable full-service payroll. Choose Close if inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing.
How much does SurePayroll cost?
SurePayroll starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Close cost?
Close starts at $49/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use SurePayroll?
Small businesses with under 100 employees looking for simple, affordable full-service payroll
Who should use Close?
Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing