Close CRM vs SmartSuite
Close CRM is built specifically for selling and centralized sales outreach. SmartSuite is a flexible Work OS managing workflows across the entire organization. You must decide if you need a specialized sales tool or a customizable platform. Close CRM offers sales depth, but SmartSuite offers organizational breadth.
Pros
Cons
Configurable Workflow Hub for Teams
We found SmartSuite to be a powerful platform focused on boosting operational efficiency and organizational alignment. It offers deep customization, strong automation features, and clear tiered pricing, allowing teams to build flexible solutions without requiring coding expertise. Overall, this is a robust option for organizations moving beyond simple task management toward complex process workflow management.
Pros
- Deep process customization for highly tailored solutions.
- Powerful automation engine using triggers, AI, and webhooks.
- Flexible pricing structure that includes a permanent free tier.
- Extensive integration capability (20+ native, 6,000+ via Zapier).
Cons
- Paid plans require a minimum number of billable users, starting at three.
- Higher tiers can become substantially expensive for very large organizations.
- The vast array of features may present a steep initial learning curve.
- File storage limits are modest on lower-tier plans.
AboutClose CRM
Close is a refreshingly direct CRM, specifically built for selling. Unlike systems that overload you with complex steps, this tool focuses on delivering results. It is designed to be your single hub, functioning as one comprehensive tool for all communication needs. Close works hard to help you better manage customers and effectively work your deals. 💡
AboutSmartSuite
SmartSuite is a powerful, flexible platform designed to streamline operations across your entire organization. It focuses on turning complex, siloed departmental work into integrated, manageable workflows.
Whether you’re handling compliance, managing IT tickets, or driving sales, SmartSuite allows teams to build customized solutions without requiring any dedicated coding. It’s built for businesses looking to gain speed, accountability, and essential visibility in handling their daily tasks. 💡
Highlights
Feature Comparison
Features Overview
We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.
Core Purpose & Focus
Close CRM is built specifically for selling; SmartSuite is a customizable organization management tool.
Close CRM focuses on centralized communication, pipelines, and closing deals faster. It’s designed purely for the busy sales professional. SmartSuite is designed as a Work OS, building customized solutions for any department. It handles GRC, IT, finance, and specialized marketing workflows. SmartSuite offers organization-wide breadth, while Close CRM offers sales specialty. The better tool depends entirely on your team's primary function.
Workflow Automation
Close CRM automates sales processes natively; SmartSuite offers a powerful, organization-wide automation engine.
Close CRM focuses on replacing third-party automation tools like Zapier for core sales tasks. This creates reliable, internal data flows, reducing integration costs. SmartSuite’s powerful engine uses triggers, webhooks, and AI to automate complex processes across multiple teams. It is built to achieve vast complexity and scalability. SmartSuite integrates easily with Zapier and Make for syncing with 6,000+ additional apps. SmartSuite offers a much broader and deeper automation capability across the business.
AI Capabilities
Close CRM has integrated AI for notes and writing; SmartSuite uses AI primarily within its automation engine.
Close CRM features tools like AI Notetaker, AI Enrich, and AI Email Rewrite Assistant for sales reps. It also provides explicit integration with Claude and ChatGPT for smarter conversations. SmartSuite leverages AI primarily to power its complex automation engine and workflow execution. SmartSuite’s AI features are not intended for the same instant, user-facing sales support. If your team needs AI for fast conversation support (notes/summaries), Close CRM is the superior choice.
Customization & Flexibility
Close CRM customizes the sales process; SmartSuite lets you build entire applications and unique non-CRM solutions.
Close CRM provides a sales-first design, strictly optimizing workflows for managing customers and deals. Customization is limited to enhancing the sales process. SmartSuite allows users to design customized solutions and workflows for any business need. This includes specialized modules for IT, Finance, or compliance without requiring code. You can create a specialized sales CRM, a hiring tracker, and a finance system all in one place within SmartSuite. SmartSuite is far more flexible for non-sales tasks.
Integration Ecosystem
Close CRM focuses on native communication tools; SmartSuite integrates with thousands of external applications.
Close CRM offers core integrations with tools like Zoom, Calendly, and Segment, emphasizing fewer external dependencies. Close CRM promises to lower your Zapier costs by handling communication tasks itself. SmartSuite supports 20+ native business app integrations right out of the box. It also connects to over 6,000 additional apps using popular tools like Zapier and Make. SmartSuite is the clear winner for organizations relying on diverse, interconnected software stacks.
Scalability & Compliance
SmartSuite provides enterprise-grade compliance and security features that Close CRM does not highlight.
SmartSuite maintains certifications including SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001, critical for larger organizations. SmartSuite offers SAML-based Single Sign-On and EU Data Residency for its Enterprise plans. Close CRM mentions SOC2 Type 2 compliance but focuses mostly on sales features. For organizations with high security, auditing, and compliance requirements, SmartSuite is the better option.
Pricing Model
Close CRM is more accessible for solo users; SmartSuite requires a minimum of three billable users for paid plans.
Close CRM offers a highly accessible Solo plan starting at $0/year, supporting one user and 10,000 leads. SmartSuite offers a permanent Free plan for up to three users and five solutions. However, SmartSuite’s paid Team plan requires a minimum of three billable users to start. Close CRM provides a smoother, lower-cost entry point for individual founders and solo entrepreneurs. SmartSuite scales up faster once you move beyond the free tier.
Sales Specialization
Close CRM is a dedicated sales platform; SmartSuite requires customizing a solution to function as a sales CRM.
Close CRM is purpose-built with sales workflows already optimized and ready to use immediately. It centralizes calling, emailing, and lead management in one tool. SmartSuite allows you to build a custom CRM solution with a flexible pipeline. Building a similar sales environment in SmartSuite requires initial configuration effort. If immediate sales ROI is the goal, Close CRM offers specialized features and a faster startup time.
Our Verdict
The core decision is specialization versus organization-wide power. Close CRM is a specialized, sales-focused tool for busy reps. SmartSuite is a flexible workflow engine for your entire business. The choice depends strictly on your immediate functional requirements. Close CRM shines in dedicated sales environments and outreach operations. It includes native AI features like note-takers and summaries for sales conversations. Close CRM aims to cut high costs by replacing tools like Zapier with reliable native automation. Use Close CRM if your only immediate problem is boosting sales team efficiency and communication. SmartSuite is built for flexibility and company alignment across multiple verticals. It lets you build custom solutions for IT, Finance, or GRC teams, not just sales pipelines. SmartSuite handles complex compliance needs and large-scale enterprise security features. SmartSuite helps manage every complicated workflow under one collaborative roof. The key difference is breadth versus deep sales depth. If you need intense specialization in sales communication, choose Close CRM. If you need a flexible platform to manage workflows across five different departments, pick SmartSuite. SmartSuite wins for broad organizational efficiency and customization power. Choose Close CRM if you are strictly a sales team needing AI-assisted communication and built-in automation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for small sales teams: Close CRM or SmartSuite?
Close CRM is purpose-built for sales and offers a $0/year plan for solo users. SmartSuite’s paid plans require a minimum of three billable users. For dedicated sales communication and ease of use, Close CRM is generally the better choice.
Does Close CRM offer the same level of customization as SmartSuite?
No, SmartSuite is a significantly more flexible no-code platform and Work OS. Close CRM is limited to customization within the sales pipeline structure. SmartSuite allows you to build solutions for GRC, IT, and specialized finance tracking.
Which platform is better for complex IT or Compliance workflows?
SmartSuite clearly wins this comparison due to its Work OS design. SmartSuite handles detailed workflows, enterprise security, and compliance certifications like ISO 27001. Close CRM is not designed for these complex organizational functions.
Can SmartSuite really replace my dedicated CRM?
SmartSuite allows you to build a highly customized sales pipeline management solution easily. However, Close CRM provides dedicated, native sales features like the AI Notetaker and Dialer. SmartSuite offers the powerful structure; Close CRM offers the specific sales tooling.
Which tool is cheaper to start with for a solo user?
Close CRM is cheaper for solo users with its $0/year Solo plan. SmartSuite also has a permanent Free plan, but you must pay for a minimum of three users to access paid tiered benefits.
How does the AI in Close CRM compare to SmartSuite’s automation?
Close CRM's AI focuses on enhancing sales tasks like conversation summaries and email rewriting. SmartSuite uses AI primarily to power its complex, cross-departmental automation engine and workflows. Close CRM’s AI is directly user-facing for daily sales tasks.
Ready to Choose?
Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.