Close CRM vs SugarCRM: Complete Comparison (2026)

By Alex Chen, SaaS & Productivity Analystยท8 years of experienceยทUpdated 2026-04-24ยท8 min read

In comparing Close CRM and SugarCRM in 2026, Close CRM is the stronger choice for inside sales teams making high-volume calls and emails due to best-in-class for inside sales. SugarCRM excels for mid-market enterprises wanting a highly customizable crm platform with flexible deployment options. Close CRM offers Built-in VoIP calling, Email sequences, SMS starting at $29/user/mo. SugarCRM provides Sales automation, Marketing automation, Customer service from $19/user/mo. For teams prioritizing value, Close CRM delivers a hiltonsoftware Score of 68/100. Close CRM and SugarCRM compete in the crm segment of the SaaS market, where cloud-native solutions, API integrations, and workflow automation drive enterprise and SMB adoption. Other leading crm tools include Salesforce, HubSpot CRM, Pipedrive. Close CRM serves 10K+ orgs users globally (founded 2013) while SugarCRM reports 4.5K+ orgs active users (founded 2004).

Close CRM vs SugarCRM at a Glance

Close CRM
SugarCRM
Starting Price
$29/user/mo
$19/user/mo
Free Plan
No
No
User Rating
4.7/5
4.2/5
Best For
Inside sales teams making high-volume calls and em...
Mid-market enterprises wanting a highly customizab...
Users
10K+ orgs
4.5K+ orgs
Founded
2013
2004
hiltonsoftware Score
68/100
62/100
Pricing verified: March 2026 ยท Based on official vendor data
๐Ÿ“ž
Close CRM
CRM
68
hiltonsoftware.co Score
RECOMMENDED
VS
๐Ÿฌ
SugarCRM
CRM
62
hiltonsoftware.co Score

What are the main differences between Close CRM and SugarCRM?

Close CRM and SugarCRM differ across ease of use, features, value, support, integrations, scalability, and learning curve. Close CRM leads in 7 of 7 categories.

Close CRMSugarCRM
84Ease of Use75
81Features77
65Value for Money57
69Customer Support65
65Integrations56
64Scalability58
70Learning Curve64

What are the pros and cons of Close CRM vs SugarCRM?

Close CRM
+Best-in-class for inside sales
+Built-in calling is excellent
-Expensive
-Not suited for field sales
SugarCRM
+Flexible deployment options
+Strong customization capabilities
-Requires IT resources to manage
-Implementation can be complex

Which is better, Close CRM or SugarCRM?

After evaluating Close CRM and SugarCRM across features, pricing, integrations, and user satisfaction, Close CRM earns a higher hiltonsoftware Score of 68/100 versus SugarCRM at 62/100. Close CRM stands out for "best-in-class for inside sales" and "built-in calling is excellent". SugarCRM delivers competitive advantages in "flexible deployment options", making SugarCRM a viable alternative.

Neither Close CRM nor SugarCRM offers a free plan. Close CRM starts at $29/user/mo and SugarCRM at $19/user/mo.

Bottom line: Choose Close CRM for inside sales teams making high-volume calls and emails. Choose SugarCRM for mid-market enterprises wanting a highly customizable crm platform. Both Close CRM and SugarCRM are established crm platforms.

CHOOSE CLOSE CRM IF:

Inside sales teams making high-volume calls and emails.

CHOOSE SUGARCRM IF:

Mid-market enterprises wanting a highly customizable CRM platform.

Close CRM vs SugarCRM: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Close CRM better than SugarCRM in 2026?
Close CRM outperforms SugarCRM in the 2026 hiltonsoftware.co analysis with a score of 68/100 compared to 62/100. Close CRM excels in Built-in VoIP calling, Email sequences, SMS, making Close CRM the better choice for Inside sales teams making high-volume calls and emails. SugarCRM is the stronger option for Mid-market enterprises wanting a highly customizable CRM platform due to flexible deployment options. For teams needing built-in voip calling, hiltonsoftware.co recommends Close CRM.
How does Close CRM pricing compare to SugarCRM in 2026?
Close CRM starts at $29/user/mo with no free tier. SugarCRM starts at $19/user/mo without a free plan. Close CRM includes features like Built-in VoIP calling, Email sequences, SMS. SugarCRM provides Sales automation, Marketing automation, Customer service. Close CRM serves 10K+ orgs users while SugarCRM serves 4.5K+ orgs users. Evaluate total cost of ownership based on team size and required integrations.
What are the main differences between Close CRM and SugarCRM?
Close CRM specializes in Built-in VoIP calling, Email sequences, SMS, earning a 68/100 hiltonsoftware Score. SugarCRM focuses on Sales automation, Marketing automation, Customer service, scoring 62/100. Close CRM is best for Inside sales teams making high-volume calls and emails. SugarCRM is best for Mid-market enterprises wanting a highly customizable CRM platform. Both Close CRM and SugarCRM serve the CRM market but target different user profiles.
Can I migrate from Close CRM to SugarCRM?
Migrating from Close CRM to SugarCRM is possible since both operate in the CRM space. Export data from Close CRM and verify SugarCRM import capabilities. Key features to evaluate: Built-in VoIP calling, Email sequences, SMS (Close CRM) versus Sales automation, Marketing automation, Customer service (SugarCRM). Running both Close CRM and SugarCRM in parallel during a trial period ensures a smooth transition.
Is Close CRM or SugarCRM better for small business?
Both Close CRM and SugarCRM require paid plans (Close CRM: $29/user/mo, SugarCRM: $19/user/mo). Close CRM (68/100) is ideal for Inside sales teams making high-volume calls and emails. SugarCRM (62/100) fits Mid-market enterprises wanting a highly customizable CRM platform. Evaluate both during trial periods.

Reviewed by Alex Chen, SaaS & Productivity Analyst. Last updated: 2026-04-24. Pricing verified: March 2026.

Read our scoring methodology to understand how the hiltonsoftware Score is calculated.

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