# Close vs Salesforce

**Leader by Vioscale score:** Salesforce

| Attribute | Close | Salesforce |
|---|---|---|
| **Vioscale score** | 70.8 (75% (high)) | 82.1 (74% (medium)) |
| adoption.stackoverflow_questions | - | 60,000 |
| content.faq | `[{"answer":"Close is a sales CRM platform that integrates multiple communication and sales management tools into a single system. It's designed for sales teams of any size, from solo operators to larger organizations, combining contact management, pipeline tracking, and reporting capabilities.","source":"https://close.com","question":"What is Close and who is it designed for?","confidence":0.95},{"answer":"Close enables sales teams to communicate with prospects and customers through multiple channels including phone calling, email messaging, and SMS text messages. All these communication methods are integrated directly within the CRM, allowing teams to manage all interactions from a single interface.","source":"https://close.com","question":"What communication channels does Close support?","confidence":0.95},{"answer":"Close uses a per-user subscription model with flexible billing available on monthly or annual terms. The pricing is designed to be cost-effective for small teams and solo operators, with plans scaling based on team size and feature requirements.","source":"https://close.com","question":"How is Close priced?","confidence":0.92},{"answer":"Close offers a free tier for basic usage and a 30-day free trial for new users to explore the platform's full capabilities before committing to a paid plan.","source":"https://close.com","question":"Does Close offer a free tier or trial?","confidence":0.95},{"answer":"Close integrates with over 100 applications including popular tools like Slack, ChatGPT, Claude, WhatsApp, and Salesforce. This allows teams to connect their existing workflow and data systems to streamline operations.","source":"https://close.com","question":"What integrations does Close support?","confidence":0.95},{"answer":"Close combines contact and company management, email and SMS communication tools, and sales pipeline tracking within one platform. It also includes workflow automation to streamline repetitive tasks, performance dashboards with reporting and sales forecasting, API access for custom integrations, and support for custom fields tailored to your business needs.","source":"https://close.com","question":"What are Close's main capabilities?","confidence":0.95},{"answer":"Close includes an AI sales assistant called Chloe that automates certain sales tasks and activities. The assistant is integrated directly within the platform to help streamline team workflows and boost productivity.","source":"https://close.com","question":"Does Close include an AI sales assistant?","confidence":0.9},{"answer":"Close is a web-based platform accessible through standard web browsers, eliminating the need for desktop software installation. This allows sales teams to work from anywhere with an internet connection.","source":"https://close.com","question":"How does Close deploy—is it web-based or desktop software?","confidence":0.9}]` | `[{"answer":"Salesforce is a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) platform that helps organizations manage sales, service, marketing, and commerce operations. It is designed primarily for mid-market and enterprise businesses across various industries, though smaller companies can also use its offerings through free trials or lower-cost editions.","source":"https://www.salesforce.com/products/what-is-salesforce/","question":"What is Salesforce and who is it designed for?","confidence":0.95},{"answer":"Salesforce's primary products include Sales Cloud (for sales team management), Service Cloud (for customer support and service), Commerce Cloud (for e-commerce), Marketing Cloud (for customer marketing), Platform (for custom application development), and Einstein Analytics (for business intelligence). Each product can be used independently or integrated together.","source":"https://www.salesforce.com/products/","question":"What are Salesforce's core products?","confidence":0.95},{"answer":"Salesforce is proprietary, commercial software. It is not open-source. The platform operates on a closed-source model where Salesforce controls all development, updates, and source code.","source":"https://www.salesforce.com/company/about/","question":"Is Salesforce open-source or commercial software?","confidence":0.98},{"answer":"Salesforce is deployed exclusively as a cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform. Users access it through web browsers or mobile applications; there is no on-premises or self-hosted deployment option. Salesforce maintains and updates all infrastructure and servers.","source":"https://help.salesforce.com/s/article/000326486","question":"How is Salesforce deployed and accessed?","confidence":0.97},{"answer":"Salesforce operates a tiered subscription pricing model with a free tier (limited trial or Essentials edition), followed by multiple paid plans at increasing feature levels (typically Professional, Enterprise, and Unlimited editions). Pricing varies by product and the number of users, with per-user-per-month subscription costs.","source":"https://www.salesforce.com/products/pricing/","question":"What is Salesforce's pricing model?","confidence":0.94},{"answer":"Salesforce supports Apex (a proprietary Java-like language for server-side development), JavaScript, and Lightning Web Components for custom development. It provides REST and SOAP APIs, and a built-in integrated development environment called Salesforce DX for developers building extensions and integrations.","source":"https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.api_rest.meta/api_rest/intro_what_is_rest_api.htm","question":"What programming languages and APIs does Salesforce support?","confidence":0.93},{"answer":"Leading alternatives to Salesforce include HubSpot (known for mid-market and SMB focus), Microsoft Dynamics 365 (part of the Microsoft ecosystem), Zoho CRM (competitive on pricing), Oracle NetSuite, and SAP. Selection depends on organization size, budget, industry requirements, and existing technology infrastructure.","source":"https://www.salesforce.com/competitors/","question":"What are common alternatives to Salesforce?","confidence":0.92},{"answer":"Salesforce integrates with hundreds of third-party applications and platforms through native connectors, APIs, and pre-built integration tools like Salesforce MuleSoft and AppExchange marketplace integrations. Common integrations include email platforms, ERP systems, accounting software, and business intelligence tools.","source":"https://appexchange.salesforce.com/","question":"What integrations does Salesforce offer?","confidence":0.93}]` |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true}` | `{"cloud":true}` |
| description.long | A cloud-based sales CRM combining built-in calling, email, and SMS with workflow automation and an embedded AI sales agent that proactively calls leads, qualifies prospects, and automates follow-ups. | Enterprise customer relationship management system that integrates sales, service, and marketing functions across multiple channels. It includes AI-powered agents to automate customer workflows, provides analytics for business decisions, and connects with hundreds of third-party business tools. |
| features.capabilities | `{"api_access":true,"mobile_app":true,"custom_fields":true,"email_integration":true,"contact_management":true,"pipeline_management":true,"workflow_automation":true,"reporting_dashboards":true}` | `{"api_access":true,"mobile_app":true,"lead_scoring":true,"custom_fields":true,"email_integration":true,"contact_management":true,"pipeline_management":true,"workflow_automation":true,"marketing_automation":true,"reporting_dashboards":true}` |
| integrations.count | 100 | 18 |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"Fivetran"},{"name":"Zapier"},{"name":"Zoom"}]` | `[{"name":"Slack"},{"name":"Tableau"},{"name":"MuleSoft"},{"name":"CRM Analytics"},{"name":"Data 360"},{"name":"Tableau Exchange"},{"name":"Salesforce CLI"},{"name":"Embedded Analytics"},{"name":"Data Pipelines"},{"name":"SOQL Builder"},{"name":"Code Analyzer"},{"name":"Event Monitoring"},{"name":"Platform Encryption"},{"name":"Field Audit Trail"},{"name":"Shield"},{"name":"Data Mask & Seed"},{"name":"Backup & Recover"},{"name":"Hyperforce"}]` |
| market.availability | `{"primaryMarkets":["US","CA"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | `{"primaryMarkets":["US","GB"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"ios":true,"web":true,"android":true}` | `{"cli":true,"ios":true,"web":true,"android":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"subscription","plans":[{"free":false,"name":"Solo","summary":"$9/user/mo (annual) or $19/user/mo (monthly)","features":["Limited to 1 user","Up to 10k leads","500 AI credits per month","Chloe AI access","Workflows not included"],"minSeats":1,"components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"user","amount":9,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Core CRM for solo operators and individual sales reps","contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"leads":"10k","ai_credits_monthly":"500"}},{"free":false,"name":"Essentials","summary":"$35/user/mo (annual) or $49/user/mo (monthly)","features":["Unlimited contacts & leads","Team collaboration features","Built-in forms, email, calling & SMS","Centralized inbox & task list","1,000 AI credits per month","Workflows not included"],"components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"user","amount":35,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"description":"System of action for small teams","contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"leads":"unlimited","contacts":"unlimited","ai_credits_monthly":"1000"}},{"free":false,"name":"Growth","summary":"$99/user/mo (annual) or $109/user/mo (monthly)","features":["Automated workflows","Use Chloe in Workflows","Power dialer","Custom activities","Send bulk email","1,500 AI credits per month"],"components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"user","amount":99,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Leveraging AI and automation for growing teams","contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"ai_credits_monthly":"1500"}},{"free":false,"name":"Scale","summary":"$139/user/mo (annual) or $149/user/mo (monthly). Custom pricing available.","features":["Role-based access & permissions","Lead visibility rules","Predictive dialer","Unlimited call recording retention","Live call coaching","2,000 AI credits per month","Custom pricing available for complex needs"],"components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"user","amount":139,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Advanced control for scaling organizations","contactSales":true,"includedLimits":{"ai_credits_monthly":"2000"}}],"summary":"From $9/user/mo (annual billing). Free 30-day trial. All plans include AI agent features and credits.","currency":"USD","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://close.com/pricing","retrievedAt":"2026-08-14T10:16:52.711Z","freeTrialDays":30,"startingPrice":{"amount":9,"period":"month","currency":"USD"},"billingPeriods":["month","year"]}` | `{"type":"subscription","plans":[{"free":false,"name":"Salesforce Starter","summary":"$25/user/month","features":["Lead, Account, Contact, and Opportunity Management","Dynamic Email Marketing and Analytics","Built-in Sales Flows and Lead Routing","Connected Slack Conversations"],"minSeats":1,"commitment":"monthly","components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"seat","amount":25,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Basic CRM suite with core sales, marketing, and service capabilities","contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Marketing Cloud Next Growth Edition","summary":"$1,500/month (annual billing)","features":["Agentforce Campaign Creation","Multi-Channel Journeys","Forms and Landing Pages"],"commitment":"annual","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":1500,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Marketing automation with AI-driven campaign creation and multi-channel journeys","contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Marketing Cloud Next Advanced Edition","summary":"$3,250/month (annual billing)","features":["Agentforce Campaign Creation","Path Experimentation","Two-Way Conversations for SMS and WhatsApp"],"commitment":"annual","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":3250,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Advanced marketing automation with path experimentation and two-way messaging","contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Salesforce Personalization","summary":"$8,000/month (annual billing)","features":["Agentforce Personalization Decisioning","Web, Mobile App, and Email Personalization","Product and Content Recommendations"],"commitment":"annual","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":8000,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Cross-channel personalization with AI-driven recommendations","contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Marketing Intelligence","summary":"$10,000/month (annual billing)","features":["Agentforce Paid Media Optimization","AI Campaign Summaries","Data Enrichment & OOTB Visualizations"],"commitment":"annual","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":10000,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Analytics and insights with AI-powered campaign optimization","contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Loyalty Management","summary":"$20,000/month (annual billing)","features":["Agentforce Loyalty Promotion Creation","CRM Loyalty Analytics","Dynamic Promotions Management"],"commitment":"annual","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":20000,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Dynamic loyalty program management with personalized promotions","contactSales":false}],"addOns":[{"name":"Account Engagement+","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":1250,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}]},{"name":"Engagement+","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":2000,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}]},{"name":"Intelligence+","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":11000,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}]}],"summary":"From $25/user/month (Starter tier). Free tier available. Enterprise add-ons and specialized modules start at $1,250/month.","currency":"USD","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.salesforce.com/marketing/pricing/","retrievedAt":"2026-08-14T11:10:54.530Z","startingPrice":{"amount":25,"period":"month","currency":"USD"},"billingPeriods":["month","year"]}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | freemium | freemium |
| pricing.price_level | low | mid |
| pricing.transparent | yes | yes |
| release.cadence_days | - | 120 |
| reliability.sla_pct | - | 99.9 |
| reliability.status_page | yes | yes |
| security.disclosure_policy | - | yes |
| security.gdpr | yes | yes |
| security.hipaa | - | yes |
| security.iso27001 | - | yes |
| security.soc2 | yes | yes |

## Capabilities (CRM Software)

| Capability | Close | Salesforce |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Core** |  |  |
| Contact & account management | ✓ | ✓ |
| Deal / pipeline management | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lead scoring | - | ✓ |
| **Communication** |  |  |
| Email sync & tracking | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Automation** |  |  |
| Marketing automation | - | ✓ |
| Workflow automation | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Insight** |  |  |
| Reporting & dashboards | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sales forecasting | - | - |
| **Access** |  |  |
| Native mobile app | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Extensibility** |  |  |
| Public API | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom fields & objects | ✓ | ✓ |

*Source: Vioscale. Generated 2026-09-01T14:39:12.798Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*
