Nutshell vs Close CRM
Choose Nutshell if you want sales and marketing tools in one CRM; choose Close CRM if your team primarily sells through calls, texts, and automated follow-up. Both are available to buy and offer contact and pipeline management, but their starting prices cover different needs. Nutshell includes forms and landing pages on every CRM plan, while Close includes calling and SMS on every plan, with usage charges.
Last updated October 31, 2026.
At a glance
| Dimension | Nutshell | Close CRM |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing tools | Forms and landing pages on every CRM plan; email marketing with send limits | Forms on every plan; bulk sales email on Growth and Scale |
| Calling and SMS | Browser click-to-call on Pro and above; two-way SMS add-on | Built-in calling and SMS on every plan; usage charges apply |
| Annual plan prices | Foundation $13, Growth $25, Pro $42, Business $59, Enterprise $79 per user/month | Solo $9, Essentials $35, Growth $99, Scale $139 per user/month |
| Entry-plan limits | Foundation: unlimited contacts; 100 open leads | Solo: one user; 10,000 leads |
| Sales automation | Sales automation and email sequencing on Pro and above | Automated workflows and power dialer on Growth and above |
| AI allowance | 10 to 150 AI outcomes per month, depending on plan | 500 to 2,000 AI credits per user/month, depending on plan |
| Additional costs | Email marketing, two-way SMS, and proposals and invoices offered as add-ons | Calling, SMS, and phone numbers charged by usage |
| Integrations | Over 5,000 app connections; Zapier and open API | Over 100 app integrations; Zapier and API |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, and Android | Web, iOS, and Android |
| Support | Free live support on every plan; phone support on Enterprise | Email support and knowledge base on every plan |
| Free trial | 14 days; no credit card required | 14 days; no credit card required |
Scroll the table sideways to compare each row.
Which should you choose?
Choose Nutshell if
- Teams that need forms and landing pages alongside their CRM
- Businesses planning email marketing campaigns
- Teams that want unlimited CRM contacts on the entry plan
- Buyers who prefer to add SMS or quoting only when needed
Choose Close CRM if
- Solo sellers who need calling, email, and SMS in one CRM
- Sales teams that call and text leads frequently
- Teams seeking a power dialer or predictive dialer
- Teams that want an AI agent for lead calls and qualification
The verdict
The deciding factor is how your team reaches leads. Pick Nutshell if marketing campaigns, lead capture, and CRM are part of the same workflow, and budget for add-ons if you need more email sends or two-way SMS. Pick Close CRM if calling and texting from the CRM are central to daily sales work; its higher tiers add automated workflows and dialers. Compare the plan and usage costs for the features your team will actually use, rather than the starting prices alone.
Nutshell vs Close CRM: common questions
- Is Nutshell or Close CRM a better fit for a sales and marketing team?
- Nutshell is the better fit when the team wants forms, landing pages, and email marketing tied to its CRM. Close CRM is the better fit when the team's work centers on calling, texting, and following up with sales leads.
- Which costs less for a team of two or more?
- Nutshell Foundation starts at $13 per user per month billed annually. Close CRM's lowest-priced multi-user plan, Essentials, starts at $35 per user per month billed annually. Feature needs and add-on or usage charges can change the total.
- Does Close CRM's $9 Solo plan support a team?
- No. Close CRM limits Solo to one user and 10,000 leads. Its Essentials plan supports teams and starts at $35 per user per month billed annually.
- Can I call and text leads in both CRMs?
- Close CRM includes built-in calling and SMS on every plan, with usage-based charges. Nutshell offers browser click-to-call on Pro and higher plans, while two-way SMS is available as an add-on.
- Which CRM offers a dialer for high-volume calling?
- Close CRM includes a power dialer on Growth and Scale and a predictive dialer on Scale. Nutshell publishes browser click-to-call on Pro and higher plans.
- Can either CRM run email marketing campaigns?
- Nutshell offers email marketing alongside forms and landing pages, with additional charges tied to marketing contacts and sends. Close CRM offers bulk sales email on Growth and Scale.
- What AI features and limits should I compare?
- Nutshell includes a monthly allowance of 10 to 150 AI outcomes, depending on the plan. Close CRM includes access to its Chloe AI agent and 500 to 2,000 AI credits per user per month, depending on the plan. Outcomes and credits are different usage measures.
- Do Nutshell and Close CRM have mobile apps?
- Yes. Both vendors publish iOS and Android apps in addition to web access.