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Side-by-side record

Capsule CRM vs. Close

A side-by-side view of the product records we have today. Use it to narrow the question, then confirm current pricing, limits, and security details with each vendor.

The short version

Close starts at $9 per seat, versus Capsule CRM at $18. Capsule CRM carries the higher aggregate rating (4.7/5 vs 4.7/5). Close lists more integrations (80+ vs 60+).

Full comparison

Capsule CRMfrom $18 per user/month
Closefrom $9 per user / month
Audyense Score76ASStrong79ASStrong
PositioningThe easy, affordable CRM built for small and growing businessesBuilt-in calling and email sequencing for inside-sales teams.
Free tierYesNo
DeploymentCloud / SaaSCloud / SaaS
Best fitStartup, SMB, Mid-marketStartup, SMB
Pricing plans
  • FreeFree
  • Starter$18
  • Growth$36
  • Advanced$60
  • Solo$9
  • Essentials$35
  • Growth$99
  • Scale$139
Custom objectsPartialOffers custom fields and custom activity types/milestones, but no true custom-object data modelingNo
Workflow automationYesWorkflow Automations available from the Growth plan and aboveYes
AI featuresYesAI Pipeline Generator (Starter+), AI business/contact enrichment, AI summaries, and AI meeting prep (beta) on Growth+PartialAI-assisted email drafts
Native callingNoNo built-in dialer; calling is handled via integrations like Aircall, JustCall, Kixie, or CircleLoopYesBuilt-in dialer
Public APIYesREST API with Personal Access Token and OAuth2 auth, plus webhooks (REST hooks) at developer.capsulecrm.comYes
Email & calendar syncYesGmail, Outlook, Google Calendar, and Microsoft Outlook Calendar integrations; advanced mail connection included even on the Free planYes
Reporting & dashboardsYesBasic reporting on Starter; advanced sales reporting and reporting dashboards from Growth upwardPartialPipeline analytics exist, BI is limited
Mobile appYesNative iOS and Android apps (available since 2013)YesIncluded on all pricing tiers
Lead scoringNoNo lead-scoring feature found on the pricing/features pagesPartialVia custom fields/Smart Views/Zapier
Sales forecastingPartialSales forecasting exists but reviewers note it cannot segment revenue forecasts by custom tagsYesExpected Revenue Views
Integrations verified60+80+
Aggregate rating4.7 · 476 reviews4.7 · 620 reviews
Integrations
XeroZapierQuickBooks OnlineGmailMailchimpGoogle Calendar+9 more
ZapierHubSpotZoomGmailGoogle CalendarMicrosoft 365+6 more
Security & compliance
GDPR
SOC 2 Type IIGDPRCCPA
Pros
  • Intuitive, easy-to-learn interface that lets small teams get organized quickly with minimal training
  • Highly rated, responsive customer support
  • Competitively priced compared to larger CRMs like HubSpot, especially for small teams
  • Solid contact management, sales pipeline tracking, and mobile app for on-the-go access
  • Ease of use and a clean UI, one of the most cited strengths in reviews.
  • Built-in calling and email in one tool — no extra VoIP integration needed.
  • All-in-one workflow (calls, email, SMS, pipeline) reduces tool-switching.
  • Responsive, helpful customer support.
Cons
  • No native two-way email sync — logging emails requires manually BCCing a Capsule drop-box address rather than automatic inbox sync
  • Limited native automation and AI depth compared to enterprise CRMs; workflow automation is gated to the Growth tier and above
  • Advanced reporting, sales forecasting segmentation, and customization options are limited, especially on lower-priced tiers
  • Free plan is capped tightly at 2 users and 250 contacts, so growing teams outgrow it quickly
  • Reporting and analytics feel limited for deeper customization versus enterprise CRMs.
  • Learning curve for teams new to sales-engagement tools.
  • Pricier than competitors once dialer/call-minute add-ons are factored in.
  • Linking emails to specific deals and file uploads is limited.
Visit Capsule CRM ↗Visit Close ↗

Editorial read of this comparison

The table summarizes structured facts; this section explains what the differences mean for a real buying decision.

Where each tool fits, and where it may not

Capsule CRM

Capsule CRM is a UK-based, cloud-hosted CRM for small and mid-sized businesses that combines contact management, sales pipelines, and lightweight project tracking with tight Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 integration.

A particularly good fit for: Small businesses and solopreneurs wanting a simple CRM without a steep learning curve Teams already on Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 who want tight mail/calendar integration Budget-conscious teams that want per-seat pricing with room to scale through tiered plans

May be a poor fit if: Organizations needing deep customization (true custom objects) or advanced marketing automation out of the box Sales teams that rely on native in-app calling or want automatic two-way email logging without manual BCC workarounds

Close

Close bundles a dialer, SMS, and email sequencing directly into the CRM so an inside-sales rep can start calling on day one without wiring up separate tools. The tradeoff is fewer administrative and reporting features than platform-scale CRMs.

A particularly good fit for: Small-to-mid-size, high-velocity outbound and inside sales teams (calling and email heavy). Solo founders or small teams wanting an all-in-one, easy-to-adopt sales CRM. Teams that want native calling and SMS without stitching together separate VoIP tools.

May be a poor fit if: Enterprises needing deep custom reporting/BI or complex multi-department CRM workflows. Teams needing heavy multi-channel orchestration beyond call, email, and SMS.

Pricing and plan structure

Capsule CRM: Published starting price $18 per user/month

  • FreeFree
  • Starter$18 per user/month, billed annually
  • Growth$36 per user/month, billed annually
  • Advanced$60 per user/month, billed annually

Close: Published starting price $9 per user / month

  • Solo$9 per user / month
  • Essentials$35 per user / month
  • Growth$99 per user / month
  • Scale$139 per user / month

Capabilities worth validating

  • Capsule CRM: Custom objects, Workflow automation, AI features, Public API, Email & calendar sync Integrations include Xero, Zapier, QuickBooks Online, Gmail.
  • Close: Workflow automation, AI features, Native calling, Public API, Email & calendar sync Integrations include Zapier, HubSpot, Zoom, Gmail.

Questions to answer before switching

  • Does Capsule CRM's selected plan include the features and limits we need?
  • Does Close's selected plan include the features and limits we need?
  • Does the exact integration path for Xero, Zapier, QuickBooks Online support the sync direction, permissions, and volume we need?
  • Is a hosted-only deployment acceptable for the team and customers who will use this system?

How to evaluate this shortlist

A useful comparison turns the differences between Sales & CRM tools into a concrete test. Use these steps to avoid choosing from a feature table or the lowest headline price alone.

  1. Start with a representative Sales & CRM workflow, not a feature checklist. Define who will use it, what data goes in, and what outcome the team needs.
  2. Test the complete path through Xero, Zapier, QuickBooks Online: permissions, sync direction, failure handling, and volume limits often matter more than the integration name.
  3. Compare the cost of the real scenario, including users, usage, storage, support, and contract requirements. The entry price alone does not measure adoption cost.
  4. Before switching, list the evidence gaps, request a demo of the critical workflow, and confirm security, data residency, export, and support with each vendor.

Structured signals help narrow the shortlist, but a trial with a real workflow is still the best way to validate the decision.

Research basis

Last checked: 2026-07-25. Pricing, integrations, feature support, and review signals can change, so treat this as a research snapshot and verify the final decision with the vendor.

Sources consulted: Capsule CRM product site, G2, Capterra; Close product site, G2