Comparing Close and Act

About Close

Close is a CRM built for small to medium sales teams that need to make calls and send emails quickly. It has built-in phone and SMS features, including auto-dialers, plus email sequences that run automatically. The system tracks deals through multiple pipelines and gives you reporting on what's working. It connects directly with Gmail and has many integrations, though it focuses purely on sales rather than marketing activities.

About Act

Act combines contact management with built-in marketing tools like email campaigns, forms, and website chat. It offers both cloud and desktop deployment options, with pricing tiers that unlock higher email send limits and marketing automation features at the top level. The platform connects to other apps mainly through Zapier integrations and includes an Outlook add-in. Act appears designed for small businesses that want their CRM and marketing activities in one system rather than using separate tools.

What do users say?

We've used AI to analyze a number of reviews from third-party sites like G2, Reddit, and Capterra, and here's what the AI found:

Based on reviews, Close is generally well-regarded by users, with most praising its intuitive interface and built-in communication tools like the auto dialer, email, and SMS capabilities that consolidate multiple functions into one platform. Users appreciate the clean, minimalistic design and find it particularly effective for small to midsize sales teams, with strong pipeline management and workflow automation features that streamline daily sales tasks. However, some users note that Close requires manual work and scripting for certain functions, lacks some basic features compared to competitors, and can be expensive for smaller teams, though the overall experience tends to be positive despite these limitations.

Based on reviews, Act is praised for its user-friendly interface, excellent customer service, and long-term reliability, with many users reporting decades of successful use and highlighting its customization capabilities and strong Outlook integration. Users appreciate its affordability compared to competitors and effectiveness for contact management and email marketing, though some note that it can be resource-intensive and may run slowly on lower-end systems. However, critics point to its potentially outdated interface compared to modern CRMs, limited mobile functionality, and scalability constraints for larger businesses.

Comparison

Close

Based on reviews, Close is well-regarded for its intuitive interface and powerful integrated calling tools including auto-dialers and call logging capabilities. Users appreciate the strong email automation features and fast setup process that allows teams to get onboarded within days, though some note that pricing per seat can add up for larger teams and the platform lacks built-in marketing automation features since it focuses purely on sales.

Act

Based on reviews, Act is praised for its user-friendly interface, excellent customer service, and long-term reliability with many users reporting successful use over decades. Users appreciate its affordability compared to competitors and effectiveness for contact management and email marketing, though some critics point to its potentially outdated interface compared to modern CRMs and limited mobile functionality.

Outbound Calling

Close excels in this area with built-in Power and Predictive Dialers that are native to the CRM platform. The system includes auto-call logging, call recording, and transcription features designed specifically for high-volume outbound sales activities. These calling tools are integrated seamlessly into the workflow without requiring additional third-party integrations.

Act does not offer native calling capabilities and would require integration with external calling solutions. While it provides solid contact management, users need to rely on separate tools or integrations for comprehensive calling functionality, making it less suitable for teams focused on high-volume outbound calling activities.

Marketing Automation

Close does not include built-in marketing automation features, as it focuses exclusively on sales activities and workflows. While it offers strong email sequences and sales automation, it lacks broader marketing capabilities like lead nurturing campaigns, marketing forms, or comprehensive campaign management tools.

Act provides built-in marketing automation capabilities, particularly at its Ultimate tier which includes features like lead scoring, nurture campaigns, and email marketing with varying send limits across tiers. The platform combines CRM functionality with marketing tools including forms, surveys, and website chat capabilities.

Fast Setup

Close is designed for rapid deployment with teams typically onboarding within days rather than weeks. The platform's streamlined interface and intuitive design allow sales teams to get up and running quickly without extensive training or complex configuration processes.

Act typically requires more extensive setup time due to its broader feature set and customization options. While users appreciate its flexibility and customization capabilities, the initial configuration and training process tends to take longer, particularly for teams wanting to utilize its full marketing and CRM capabilities.

Desktop Deployment

Close operates exclusively as a cloud-based solution and does not offer on-premises or desktop deployment options. All functionality is accessed through web browsers and mobile applications, requiring internet connectivity for full feature access.

Act offers both cloud and desktop deployment options, with Act Premium Desktop available at $39/user/month for organizations that prefer on-premises solutions. This flexibility allows businesses to choose their preferred deployment model based on security, compliance, or connectivity requirements.

Predictive Dialing

Close includes native Predictive Dialing capabilities as part of its integrated calling system. This feature automatically dials multiple numbers and connects sales reps only when prospects answer, maximizing talk time and efficiency for outbound sales teams engaged in high-volume calling activities.

Act does not offer predictive dialing functionality as it lacks native calling capabilities. Teams requiring predictive dialing would need to integrate with external solutions, adding complexity and additional costs to their sales technology stack.

Built-in Chat

Close does not include website chat or live chat functionality, maintaining its focus on direct sales communication through email, SMS, and calling. Teams needing chat capabilities would need to integrate with third-party chat solutions through available integrations.

Act includes built-in website chat capabilities as part of its marketing-focused feature set. This allows businesses to capture and manage website inquiries directly within the CRM, supporting both marketing lead generation and customer service activities from a single platform.

Conclusion

Close is ideal for high-velocity sales teams, particularly in SaaS, startups, and SMB environments that prioritize outbound prospecting and closing deals quickly. Its native calling capabilities, predictive dialing, and streamlined sales-focused interface make it the superior choice for inside sales teams and SDRs who need to make high volumes of calls and follow up efficiently. The platform's fast setup and intuitive design allow sales teams to become productive within days rather than weeks.

Act works better for small businesses that want to combine basic CRM functionality with marketing activities in a single platform. Its built-in email marketing, forms, website chat, and marketing automation capabilities make it suitable for organizations that need both customer management and marketing tools, particularly those that prefer the flexibility of desktop deployment or have been using Act for many years and value its long-term stability.

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