Close vs Gusto

Close

Close is a CRM built specifically for inside sales teams that do high-volume outreach via phone, email, and SMS. It has built-in calling, emailing, and SMS so sales reps can reach out to prospects without switching tools. Close is designed to maximize sales productivity for teams that rely on outbound sales.

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Gusto

Gusto is a full-service payroll platform built for small businesses in the US. It handles payroll taxes automatically, offers employee benefits administration, and includes onboarding tools that make it easy to bring on new hires. Gusto is known for its clean interface and transparent pricing, making it a top choice for founders managing payroll for the first time.

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Pros

• ✓Best-in-class built-in calling and email sequencing
• ✓Designed specifically for high-volume inside sales teams
• ✓Strong reporting on sales activity and performance
• ✓Fast and efficient interface for power users

Cons

• ✗Expensive compared to general-purpose CRMs
• ✗Overkill for teams that do low-volume or inbound-only sales
• ✗Limited marketing automation features

Pros

• ✓Automatic federal, state, and local tax filing saves hours each month
• ✓Transparent flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees
• ✓Excellent onboarding flow with offer letters and e-signatures
• ✓Strong benefits administration including health, dental, and 401k

Cons

• ✗International payroll is limited and requires third-party tools
• ✗Can get expensive as headcount grows beyond 50 employees
• ✗Reporting and analytics are basic compared to enterprise tools

Best For

Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing

Best For

Small businesses under 100 employees wanting full-service payroll with benefits