Close vs Microsoft Project
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
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.
Microsoft Project
Microsoft Project is the long-standing enterprise project management standard offering advanced scheduling, resource management, and portfolio tracking. Deep integration with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
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
- ✓Industry standard for complex project scheduling
- ✓Powerful Gantt and resource management
- ✓Deep Microsoft 365 integration
- ✓Strong portfolio management
- ✓Trusted by enterprises globally
Cons
- ✗Steep learning curve
- ✗Expensive licensing
- ✗Feels dated compared to modern tools
- ✗Overkill for simple projects
- ✗Limited real-time collaboration
Our Take
Choose Close if inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing. Choose Microsoft Project if enterprise project managers needing advanced scheduling, resource management, and microsoft 365 integration.
Best For
Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing
Best For
Enterprise project managers needing advanced scheduling, resource management, and Microsoft 365 integration