Quick Decision Summary
Choose Pipedrive if...
- ✓ Transactional or inbound sales (not high-velocity outbound)
- ✓ Email is your primary channel (not calling)
- ✓ Visual pipeline management is priority #1
- ✓ You want the simplest, fastest setup (hours)
- ✓ Budget matters ($14/user vs $49/user for Close)
Choose Close if...
- ✓ High-velocity outbound calling is your core motion
- ✓ Built-in calling is non-negotiable (VoIP + auto-dialer)
- ✓ Speed and productivity trump visual simplicity
- ✓ You need power dialer, call recording, SMS
- ✓ Your team makes 50+ calls/day per rep
Comparison Table
| Feature | Pipedrive | Close |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $14/user/mo (Essential) | $49/user/mo (Startup) |
| Built-in Calling | Third-party integrations (Aircall, RingCentral) | Native VoIP, power dialer, local presence, call recording |
| SMS | Third-party integrations | Native SMS, bulk SMS, templates |
| Email Sync Quality | Excellent—auto-sync, threads well, Smart BCC | Excellent—native email, threads, sequences |
| Pipeline Management | Excellent—visual, drag-and-drop, Kanban boards | Good—list view, opportunities, less visual |
| Sequences/Cadences | Email sequences (Advanced+), manual tasks | Multi-channel sequences (call + email + SMS) |
| Setup Time | 2–4 hours (fastest in category) | 4–6 hours (calling setup, sequences) |
| Reporting | Simple, focused on pipeline velocity and activities | Advanced—call analytics, rep performance, conversion funnels |
| User Experience | Modern, visual, intuitive—minimal training | Functional, power-user focused, steeper learning curve |
| Best For | Transactional/inbound sales, visual pipeline, simplicity | High-velocity outbound, calling-first, sales productivity |
Inbox-led Scenario Walkthrough
Let's walk through a typical sales scenario to see how each system handles lead capture, outreach, and follow-up:
Step 1: Add Lead from Prospect List
Pipedrive: Import CSV or manually add. Create deal, set stage, assign owner. Visual pipeline shows where lead sits.
Close: Import CSV with contact + lead data. Auto-create opportunities. Power List view shows all leads with filters and bulk actions.
Step 2: Outbound Call (Cold Call)
Pipedrive: Requires third-party calling (Aircall, etc.). Click-to-dial from deal. Call logged manually or via integration. Notes added post-call.
Close: Built-in VoIP. One-click dial with local presence. Call auto-recorded. Disposition and notes captured immediately. Power dialer queues next call.
Step 3: Follow-up Email After Call
Pipedrive: Email sequence (Advanced+) sends follow-up. Or manual email via Gmail/Outlook. Email logged to deal timeline.
Close: Multi-channel sequence auto-sends email after call. Templates, merge fields, tracking. All logged to opportunity timeline.
Step 4: Lead Goes Dark (No Response)
Pipedrive: Automation creates task reminder if no activity. Stale deal reports flag it. Rep manually follows up.
Close: Sequence auto-triggers call + SMS reminder if no response. Multi-channel persistence built in. Rep gets queued in power dialer.
Step 5: Lead Converts, Handoff to Onboarding
Pipedrive: Move deal to "Won." Projects add-on tracks onboarding (Professional+). Clean handoff.
Close: Mark opportunity won. Integrations with onboarding tools. Less project management built in, but cleaner for pure sales handoff.
Step 6: Reporting and Rep Performance
Pipedrive: Pipeline velocity, deal conversion, activity tracking. Simple dashboards.
Close: Call volume, talk time, conversion by source, rep leaderboards. Advanced sales productivity analytics.
Leakage Risk Verdict:
Pipedrive prevents leakage through visual pipeline and activity-first design. Close prevents leakage through multi-channel sequences and call automation. If your leads need calling, Close is safer. If your leads come from email or warm handoffs, Pipedrive is simpler and cheaper.
Where Leads Get Lost (and How Each System Prevents It)
1. Call Not Logged (No VoIP Integration)
Pipedrive: Requires third-party calling. Manual logging or integration needed. Gaps common.
Close: Built-in VoIP auto-logs all calls, recordings, dispositions. No gaps.
Winner: Close (native calling)
2. Follow-up Sequence Breaks (Multi-Channel)
Pipedrive: Email sequences work. Call tasks are manual. SMS requires integration. Multi-channel coordination requires discipline.
Close: Sequences handle call + email + SMS in one flow. Automation prevents gaps.
Winner: Close (multi-channel sequences)
3. Lead Goes Stale Without Visibility
Pipedrive: Visual pipeline shows stale deals immediately. Insights dashboard flags rot.
Close: List view with filters shows leads by last activity. Custom views powerful but less visual than Pipedrive.
Winner: Pipedrive (visual pipeline)
4. Email Not Logged
Pipedrive: Auto-syncs Gmail/Outlook emails. Smart BCC option. Excellent threading.
Close: Native email client. Auto-logs all emails. Excellent threading and sequences.
Winner: Tie (both excellent)
5. Rep Productivity Gaps (High-Volume Outbound)
Pipedrive: Manual calling, manual email. Activity-first design helps, but no power dialer.
Close: Power dialer, local presence, call recording, SMS, email—all native. Built for sales velocity.
Winner: Close (sales productivity tools)
6. Complex Setup Prevents Adoption
Pipedrive: 2–4 hour setup. Intuitive UI. Minimal training. Fast adoption.
Close: 4–6 hour setup. Calling configuration, sequences. Steeper learning curve but faster once adopted.
Winner: Pipedrive (faster adoption)
Calling-First vs Pipeline-First: Which Fits Your Sales Motion?
The core trade-off between Close and Pipedrive is calling-first velocity vs pipeline-first visibility. Choose based on your sales motion.
When Calling-First Wins (Close)
High-velocity outbound: SDRs making 50+ calls/day. Power dialer, local presence, and call recording are non-negotiable. Close is built for this.
Multi-channel persistence: Sequences combining call + email + SMS. You need automation to prevent leads from slipping through cracks across channels.
Sales productivity priority: Speed matters more than visual simplicity. Close's power-user UI unlocks velocity for experienced reps.
Call analytics critical: Talk time, conversion by source, rep performance. You need deep call analytics, not just pipeline metrics.
Choose Close if calling is your primary channel and volume/velocity matter.
When Pipeline-First Wins (Pipedrive)
Transactional or inbound sales: Leads come from email, forms, or warm referrals. Calling is secondary. Visual pipeline management is priority #1.
Simplicity and adoption: Non-technical team needs intuitive CRM. Pipedrive's visual UI drives adoption without heavy training.
Budget matters: $14/user vs $49/user for Close. If you don't need built-in calling, Pipedrive is 71% cheaper at entry tier.
Email-first workflow: Your reps live in Gmail/Outlook. Email sync and threading are critical. Pipedrive's integration is excellent.
Choose Pipedrive if visual pipeline and simplicity matter more than calling velocity.
The Hybrid Approach:
Some teams use Pipedrive for pipeline management and add Aircall/RingCentral for calling. This works but adds integration complexity and cost. Close eliminates this by bundling calling + CRM. Choose pure Pipedrive if calling is light, pure Close if calling is heavy, or Pipedrive + calling integration if you need best-of-breed.
Pricing Reality
Pipedrive
- Essential: $14/user/mo – Core CRM, email sync, pipeline management
- Advanced: $34/user/mo – Workflow automation, email templates, sequences
- Professional: $49/user/mo – Revenue forecasting, Projects add-on, AI features
- Enterprise: $64/user/mo – Unlimited customization, enhanced security
Calling add-on: Aircall ($30/user/mo), RingCentral ($20/user/mo). Total: $34–$64/user for CRM + calling.
Close
- Startup: $49/user/mo – Core CRM, built-in calling, email, SMS (500 mins/mo)
- Professional: $99/user/mo – Advanced reporting, sequences, 1,500 mins/mo
- Enterprise: $149/user/mo – Dedicated support, unlimited mins, advanced permissions
Calling minutes: Included. No separate VoIP subscription needed. Minutes increase with tier.
Cost Comparison (10 users, CRM + calling):
Pipedrive Advanced + Aircall: ($34 + $30) × 10 = $640/mo
Close Startup: $49 × 10 = $490/mo
Close is 23% cheaper when you need calling. But if you don't need calling, Pipedrive Essential ($140/mo for 10 users) is 71% cheaper than Close. Choose based on whether calling is critical to your sales motion.
Decision Matrix
| Your Situation | Recommended Choice |
|---|---|
| High-velocity outbound calling (50+ calls/day per rep) | Close |
| Built-in calling is non-negotiable | Close |
| Multi-channel sequences (call + email + SMS) | Close |
| Sales productivity and velocity are top priority | Close |
| Transactional or inbound sales (email-first) | Pipedrive |
| Visual pipeline management is priority #1 | Pipedrive |
| Simplicity and fast adoption matter | Pipedrive |
| Budget-conscious, calling is light/optional | Pipedrive |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for outbound sales teams?
Close, if calling is your primary channel. Built-in VoIP, power dialer, local presence, and multi-channel sequences make it purpose-built for outbound. Pipedrive works for outbound but requires third-party calling integrations.
Can Pipedrive replace Close with calling integrations?
For light calling, yes. Aircall + Pipedrive works well. But for high-volume calling (50+ calls/day), Close's native integration is smoother, and the price is competitive once you add calling costs to Pipedrive.
Which has better email sync?
Both are excellent. Pipedrive integrates with Gmail/Outlook seamlessly. Close has a native email client. Choose based on whether you prefer working in Gmail (Pipedrive) or an all-in-one CRM (Close).
Which is easier to set up and learn?
Pipedrive. 2–4 hour setup vs 4–6 hours for Close. Pipedrive's visual UI is more intuitive. Close has a steeper learning curve but unlocks more power for experienced sales reps.
Can I migrate from Pipedrive to Close (or vice versa)?
Yes. Both support data import/export. Expect 1–3 weeks for data cleanup, sequence rebuilding, and re-training. Migration is easier from Close to Pipedrive (simpler tool) than vice versa.
Which prevents lead leakage better?
Depends on your channel. Close prevents leakage better for calling-first teams with multi-channel sequences and auto-logging. Pipedrive prevents leakage better for email-first teams with visual pipeline and activity tracking. Choose based on your primary channel.
Which has better mobile apps?
Both are strong. Pipedrive's mobile app is visual and intuitive. Close's mobile app includes calling, which is critical for field sales. Choose based on your mobile workflow.
Does Close work for inbound sales?
Yes, but it's over-engineered for pure inbound. If your leads come from forms or email and calling is light, Pipedrive is simpler and cheaper. Close excels when calling is a core part of your sales process.
Which has better reporting?
Close for call analytics and sales productivity (talk time, dial volume, conversion by source). Pipedrive for pipeline visibility and deal velocity. Both are strong, but focus on different metrics.
Should I choose based on price alone?
No. Pipedrive is cheaper if you don't need calling. Close is cheaper (and simpler) if you need CRM + calling. Factor in calling costs, setup time, and your primary sales channel before deciding.
Never Lose a Lead
Whether you choose Pipedrive or Close, preventing lead leakage requires disciplined follow-up, multi-channel persistence, and activity tracking that works without constant manual effort.
Ralivi combines Pipedrive's visual simplicity with Close's multi-channel automation—without forcing you to choose between calling-first or pipeline-first. We capture every enquiry from email, forms, calls, and calendars, then keep follow-ups tight with reminders, sequences, and shared visibility.