Side by side · Small-business CRM
Close vs HubSpot
Who should pick which, from each company’s own pricing pages and terms.
We check it out so you don’t have to.
How we researched this page: we read each company’s own pricing pages and terms, independent tests, and customer reviews. We did not use these products ourselves. Prices change often, so each one shows the date we checked it.
In short: Close — calling and emailing sales teams. HubSpot — free start, grows into a full suite. The details, prices and honest downsides are below.
| Item | Close | HubSpot |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Calling and emailing sales teams | Free start, grows into a full suite |
| Starting price | $9/user/mo billed yearly (Solo), checked October 25, 2026 | Free; Starter normally $20/seat, checked October 23, 2026 |
| Trial / refund | 14-day trial, 30-day money-back | Free tools |
Who Close fits
Small sales teams that live on the phone and email and want calling, sequences and SMS built in.
Watch out for: Built for outbound sales, not marketing. Calling minutes cost extra.
Who HubSpot fits
Small businesses that want free contact management now and marketing, sales and service tools later.
Watch out for: The jump from Starter to Professional is steep, including the onboarding fee. Contracts on higher tiers are annual.
Quick verdict
Close is built for teams that sell by phone and email all day, with calling, sequences and SMS built in (calling minutes cost extra). HubSpot is broader and starts free, which suits businesses that want marketing and service tools later.
More on each: Close in Best CRM for Small Businesses · HubSpot in Best CRM for Small Businesses
See every option in Best CRM for Small Businesses, including companies not covered here.
Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend things we believe are useful. Read our full disclosure.