Quick Overview
- 1#1: Close - All-in-one CRM built for inside sales teams with built-in calling, emailing, SMS, and power dialing.
- 2#2: Outreach - Sales engagement platform that automates personalized outreach sequences for inside sales reps.
- 3#3: Salesloft - Revenue orchestration platform with cadence automation, calling, and analytics for inside sales.
- 4#4: HubSpot Sales Hub - CRM with sales tools for email tracking, sequences, meetings, and pipeline management tailored for inside sales.
- 5#5: Pipedrive - Visual sales pipeline CRM focused on deal management and activity tracking for inside sales teams.
- 6#6: Apollo - AI-powered sales intelligence platform combining prospecting, engagement, and CRM for inside sales.
- 7#7: Salesforce Sales Cloud - Enterprise CRM with advanced sales automation, AI insights, and integration for high-volume inside sales.
- 8#8: Freshsales - AI-driven CRM with built-in phone, email, and visual pipelines for inside sales productivity.
- 9#9: Zoho CRM - Affordable CRM with sales automation, multichannel communication, and analytics for inside sales.
- 10#10: Copper - CRM integrated with Google Workspace for seamless contact management and pipeline tracking in inside sales.
We evaluated tools based on industry-specific capabilities, user-friendliness, reliability, and value, ensuring a curated list that balances performance, ease of integration, and impact on sales outcomes.
Comparison Table
This comparison table breaks down top inside sales CRM software, including Close, Outreach, Salesloft, HubSpot Sales Hub, Pipedrive, and additional tools, to guide teams in selecting the right fit for their outreach, tracking, and relationship management needs. It highlights key features, strengths, and considerations, helping readers assess which platform aligns best with their workflow and goals.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Close All-in-one CRM built for inside sales teams with built-in calling, emailing, SMS, and power dialing. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Outreach Sales engagement platform that automates personalized outreach sequences for inside sales reps. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 3 | Salesloft Revenue orchestration platform with cadence automation, calling, and analytics for inside sales. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 4 | HubSpot Sales Hub CRM with sales tools for email tracking, sequences, meetings, and pipeline management tailored for inside sales. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | Pipedrive Visual sales pipeline CRM focused on deal management and activity tracking for inside sales teams. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 6 | Apollo AI-powered sales intelligence platform combining prospecting, engagement, and CRM for inside sales. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 7 | Salesforce Sales Cloud Enterprise CRM with advanced sales automation, AI insights, and integration for high-volume inside sales. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 8 | Freshsales AI-driven CRM with built-in phone, email, and visual pipelines for inside sales productivity. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 9 | Zoho CRM Affordable CRM with sales automation, multichannel communication, and analytics for inside sales. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 10 | Copper CRM integrated with Google Workspace for seamless contact management and pipeline tracking in inside sales. | specialized | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 |
All-in-one CRM built for inside sales teams with built-in calling, emailing, SMS, and power dialing.
Sales engagement platform that automates personalized outreach sequences for inside sales reps.
Revenue orchestration platform with cadence automation, calling, and analytics for inside sales.
CRM with sales tools for email tracking, sequences, meetings, and pipeline management tailored for inside sales.
Visual sales pipeline CRM focused on deal management and activity tracking for inside sales teams.
AI-powered sales intelligence platform combining prospecting, engagement, and CRM for inside sales.
Enterprise CRM with advanced sales automation, AI insights, and integration for high-volume inside sales.
AI-driven CRM with built-in phone, email, and visual pipelines for inside sales productivity.
Affordable CRM with sales automation, multichannel communication, and analytics for inside sales.
CRM integrated with Google Workspace for seamless contact management and pipeline tracking in inside sales.
Close
specializedAll-in-one CRM built for inside sales teams with built-in calling, emailing, SMS, and power dialing.
Built-in Smart Power Dialer with predictive dialing that auto-dials leads and logs calls directly in the CRM
Close is a sales productivity CRM tailored for inside sales teams, integrating built-in phone calling, email, SMS, and predictive dialing directly into a lightweight CRM platform. It streamlines lead management, automations, workflows, and reporting to enable high-velocity outbound selling without switching between apps. Designed for speed and focus, Close helps reps spend more time closing deals and less on admin work.
Pros
- Seamless integration of calling, emailing, and SMS for one-click outreach
- Powerful automations, smart sequences, and predictive dialing boost productivity
- Lightning-fast interface with intuitive pipeline views and custom reporting
Cons
- Limited advanced marketing automation compared to full-suite CRMs
- Fewer native integrations than enterprise alternatives like Salesforce
- Reporting customization may not suffice for very large enterprises
Best For
High-velocity inside sales teams and outbound reps focused on rapid calling, emailing, and deal-closing without complexity.
Pricing
Starts at $29/user/month (Essential, annual billing), $49 (Professional), $99 (Business), with custom Enterprise pricing.
Outreach
specializedSales engagement platform that automates personalized outreach sequences for inside sales reps.
Kaia AI copilot for real-time sales coaching, deal insights, and automated personalization
Outreach is a powerful sales engagement platform tailored for inside sales teams, enabling automated outreach across email, calls, SMS, and LinkedIn with intelligent sequencing and personalization at scale. It integrates deeply with CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot, offering real-time analytics, A/B testing, and AI-driven insights to optimize rep performance and pipeline growth. Designed for high-volume sellers, it streamlines workflows from prospecting to deal closure, boosting productivity in fast-paced inside sales environments.
Pros
- Advanced automation for multi-channel sequences with smart scheduling and personalization
- Comprehensive analytics, forecasting, and AI coaching (Kaia) for performance optimization
- Seamless integrations with major CRMs and tools like Gong for full sales stack compatibility
Cons
- High pricing makes it less accessible for small teams or startups
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features and customization options
- Relies heavily on integrations rather than standalone CRM capabilities
Best For
Mid-to-large inside sales teams in growth-stage companies aiming to scale high-volume, personalized outreach efficiently.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically starting at $100+/user/month for Professional tier, with Standard and Enterprise options quoted based on needs.
Salesloft
specializedRevenue orchestration platform with cadence automation, calling, and analytics for inside sales.
Conversation Intelligence with AI-driven real-time call coaching and post-call analytics
Salesloft is a leading sales engagement platform tailored for inside sales teams, enabling automated multi-channel outreach through email sequences, phone dialers, and LinkedIn integration. It tightly integrates with CRMs like Salesforce to streamline pipeline management, track deal progression, and provide actionable insights into rep performance. With AI-powered conversation intelligence and analytics, it helps teams prioritize high-potential opportunities and accelerate revenue growth.
Pros
- Powerful multi-channel cadence automation for efficient outbound sales
- AI conversation intelligence with real-time coaching and insights
- Seamless integrations with Salesforce and other CRMs for unified workflows
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Premium pricing may not suit small teams
- Occasional performance lags with high-volume usage
Best For
Mid-market to enterprise inside sales teams focused on scaling outbound cadences and coaching reps.
Pricing
Starts at ~$100/user/month for core plans, scaling to $125+/user/month for advanced features; custom enterprise pricing.
HubSpot Sales Hub
enterpriseCRM with sales tools for email tracking, sequences, meetings, and pipeline management tailored for inside sales.
AI-powered conversation intelligence that transcribes calls, extracts insights, and coaches reps in real-time
HubSpot Sales Hub is a robust CRM platform tailored for inside sales teams, enabling efficient lead management, deal tracking, and automation of outreach through customizable pipelines, email sequences, and meeting schedulers. It integrates seamlessly with marketing tools to nurture inbound leads and provides real-time insights via AI-powered analytics and conversation intelligence. Ideal for scaling sales operations, it supports everything from prospecting to closing deals within a unified interface.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick onboarding and minimal setup required
- Powerful automation including email sequences, workflows, and AI insights for deal acceleration
- Generous free tier with core CRM functionality for small teams
Cons
- Advanced features like sales analytics and forecasting locked behind expensive higher tiers
- Pricing scales quickly for growing teams, reducing value for budget-conscious users
- Overwhelming number of features can lead to a steeper learning curve for full utilization
Best For
Mid-sized inside sales teams focused on inbound lead nurturing and scalable automation.
Pricing
Free Starter CRM; Starter $20/user/month; Professional $90/user/month; Enterprise $150/user/month (billed annually).
Pipedrive
specializedVisual sales pipeline CRM focused on deal management and activity tracking for inside sales teams.
Customizable visual sales pipeline with drag-and-drop deal stages
Pipedrive is a sales-centric CRM designed to visualize and manage sales pipelines through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, making it ideal for inside sales teams tracking deals from lead to close. It emphasizes activity-based selling with reminders for calls, emails, and tasks, while integrating seamlessly with email and calendars. The platform offers automation rules, custom fields, and reporting to streamline inside sales workflows without overwhelming complexity.
Pros
- Highly visual drag-and-drop pipeline for quick deal progression
- Excellent activity scheduling and reminders tailored for inside sales cadences
- Seamless email integration and tracking for high-volume outreach
Cons
- Reporting lacks depth compared to enterprise CRMs without add-ons
- No native dialer or calling features, requiring third-party integrations
- Limited built-in marketing automation for lead nurturing
Best For
Small to mid-sized inside sales teams prioritizing simple pipeline management and activity-driven selling over advanced analytics.
Pricing
Starts at $14.90/user/month (Essential) up to $99/user/month (Enterprise), billed annually.
Apollo
specializedAI-powered sales intelligence platform combining prospecting, engagement, and CRM for inside sales.
Its industry-leading B2B contact database with real-time enrichment and buying intent signals for targeted outreach.
Apollo.io is an all-in-one sales intelligence and engagement platform designed for inside sales teams, offering access to a massive database of over 270 million B2B contacts with verified emails and phone numbers. It streamlines prospecting, outreach, and pipeline management through automated email sequences, dialer calling, LinkedIn automation, and AI-powered lead scoring. The tool integrates seamlessly with popular CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot, making it a powerful companion for data-driven inside sales processes.
Pros
- Extensive B2B database for precise prospecting
- Multi-channel outreach automation (email, calls, LinkedIn)
- AI enhancements like lead scoring and reply detection
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to feature density
- Higher pricing for full access to advanced features
- Occasional data inaccuracies or bounces reported by users
Best For
Inside sales teams and SDRs at mid-sized B2B companies focused on high-volume outbound prospecting and engagement.
Pricing
Freemium with paid tiers starting at $49/user/month (Basic, annual billing), Pro at $99/user/month, and custom Organization plans for enterprises.
Salesforce Sales Cloud
enterpriseEnterprise CRM with advanced sales automation, AI insights, and integration for high-volume inside sales.
Einstein AI for predictive lead scoring and intelligent sales recommendations
Salesforce Sales Cloud is a leading CRM platform that empowers inside sales teams with comprehensive tools for lead management, opportunity tracking, pipeline visualization, and sales forecasting. It integrates AI-driven insights through Einstein to prioritize high-potential leads and automate repetitive tasks like email cadences and follow-ups. Highly scalable and customizable, it supports complex sales processes while connecting seamlessly with marketing and service clouds for a unified customer view.
Pros
- Extensive customization and automation capabilities
- Powerful AI analytics with Einstein for lead scoring and forecasting
- Vast ecosystem of integrations via AppExchange
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup
- High pricing that scales poorly for small teams
- Requires add-ons for advanced inside sales engagement like dialers
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises with complex inside sales processes needing scalable CRM with deep analytics and integrations.
Pricing
Starts at $25/user/month (Essentials), $75 (Professional), $150 (Enterprise), $300+ (Unlimited), billed annually with volume discounts.
Freshsales
specializedAI-driven CRM with built-in phone, email, and visual pipelines for inside sales productivity.
Freddy AI, which delivers predictive deal insights and automated sales recommendations
Freshsales is a sales CRM from Freshworks designed to empower inside sales teams with tools for lead management, deal tracking, and customer engagement. It features visual pipelines, built-in calling via Freshcaller integration, email sequences, and AI-powered insights from Freddy to predict buying signals and automate workflows. This makes it particularly effective for remote sales processes without needing extensive setup.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with drag-and-drop pipelines
- Freddy AI for real-time insights and automation
- Integrated phone, email, and chat for inside sales
Cons
- Limited advanced customization options
- Reporting lacks depth for complex analytics
- Some features require Freshworks ecosystem add-ons
Best For
Small to mid-sized inside sales teams seeking an affordable, easy-to-use CRM with AI assistance.
Pricing
Free plan for up to 3 users; paid plans start at $15/user/month (Growth), $39 (Pro), up to $69 (Enterprise), billed annually.
Zoho CRM
enterpriseAffordable CRM with sales automation, multichannel communication, and analytics for inside sales.
Zia AI for predictive lead scoring, sales forecasting, and automated insights
Zoho CRM is a versatile, cloud-based platform that centralizes customer data, automates sales pipelines, and facilitates lead management for inside sales teams. It excels in multi-channel communication, including email campaigns, telephony integration, and task automation to nurture prospects efficiently. With robust analytics and AI-driven insights, it helps sales reps prioritize high-value leads and forecast accurately.
Pros
- Affordable pricing with a generous free tier
- Highly customizable workflows and automation
- Extensive integrations including Zoho ecosystem and telephony
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced customization
- Interface can feel cluttered with features
- Some premium capabilities require higher plans
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses with inside sales teams seeking a scalable, cost-effective CRM with strong automation.
Pricing
Free for up to 3 users; paid plans start at $14/user/month (Standard), up to $52/user/month (Ultimate), billed annually.
Copper
specializedCRM integrated with Google Workspace for seamless contact management and pipeline tracking in inside sales.
Automatic activity tracking from Gmail and Google Calendar, turning everyday emails into actionable CRM insights without manual entry
Copper is a CRM platform built natively for Google Workspace, enabling inside sales teams to manage leads, pipelines, and customer interactions directly from Gmail, Calendar, and Drive. It automates email tracking, task creation, and follow-ups, providing a visual sales pipeline without requiring users to switch apps. Designed for simplicity, it focuses on streamlining repetitive sales tasks for remote or desk-based sales reps.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Google Workspace for automatic email and calendar syncing
- Intuitive interface with minimal setup required
- Strong automation for lead nurturing and task reminders
Cons
- Limited advanced customization and reporting compared to enterprise CRMs
- Higher pricing tiers needed for complex workflows
- Less suitable for teams not using Google Workspace
Best For
Small to mid-sized inside sales teams heavily reliant on Google Workspace who prioritize ease of use and quick adoption over deep customization.
Pricing
Starts at $25/user/month (Starter, billed annually); scales to $119/user/month (Business tier) with custom enterprise pricing.
Conclusion
Among the reviewed tools, Close leads as the top choice, offering a comprehensive, inside-sales tailored platform with built-in calling, email, SMS, and power dialing. Close excels at streamlining workflows, making it ideal for teams seeking unified functionality. Outreach and Salesloft stand out as strong alternatives—Outreach for automated personalized sequences, and Salesloft for revenue orchestration, proving robust options for different team needs.
Begin your journey with Close today to experience seamless inside sales management and boost your team’s efficiency.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
