Workday 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 →Workday
Workday is an enterprise-grade HCM platform used by large organizations worldwide. It covers HR, payroll, finance, and planning in a deeply integrated suite. Workday is the gold standard for enterprise HR but requires significant implementation resources and budget.
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
- ✓Extremely powerful and configurable for complex enterprise needs
- ✓Best-in-class financial and workforce planning tools
- ✓Strong compliance and audit capabilities
- ✓Extensive global payroll coverage
Cons
- ✗Very expensive with long implementation timelines of 6-12 months
- ✗Overkill and unaffordable for companies under 500 employees
- ✗UI can feel dated and complex for everyday users
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
Workday vs Close: Side by Side
| Factor | Workday | Close |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | 4.3/5 ★ |
| Category | HR Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $34/user/mo | $49/user/mo |
| Best For | Large enterprises with 500+ employees | Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing |
| Our Pick | — | 🏆 Recommended |
Workday Features
- ✓HR
- ✓payroll
- ✓finance
- ✓planning
- ✓analytics
- ✓learning 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 Workday if large enterprises with 500+ employees. Choose Close if inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing.
Best For
Large enterprises with 500+ employees
Best For
Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing
Also Consider
If neither Workday 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 Workday and Close?
Workday is best for large enterprises with 500+ employees. Close is best for inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing.
Which is better, Workday or Close?
Choose Workday if large enterprises with 500+ employees. Choose Close if inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing.
How much does Workday cost?
Workday starts at $34/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Close cost?
Close starts at $49/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Workday?
Large enterprises with 500+ employees
Who should use Close?
Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing