Quick comparison
Shortlist first, details second. Always double-check current pricing and plan limits on the vendor site.
| Tool | Best for | Setup time | Pricing | Why it’s here | Watch-out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Close Top pick | Outbound + follow-ups | 1–2 hours | Paid | Fastest for sales teams that live in calls + sequences | Not a full marketing suite |
| HubSpot | All‑in‑one marketing + CRM | Half day+ | Paid | Great if you want CRM + email/automation in one hub | Can get expensive and complex |
| Pipedrive | Pipeline hygiene | 1–2 hours | Paid | Clear pipeline and reporting without heavy ops | Less robust automation out of the box |
How we picked
- Optimized for agency workflows: delivery visibility, client collaboration, and handoffs.
- Prioritized low-friction setup and sane permissions (so you actually adopt it).
- Checked reporting and “share with clients” realism (not just feature checkboxes).
- Included a clear watch-out for each option to avoid bad fits.
Pricing checked: 7 Jan 2026. Evaluated on: setup friction, permissions, reporting, and handoff realism.
Close
Best for: agencies that sell via calling + fast follow-up
Close is built around speed: call, log, follow up, and move deals forward with minimal admin.
- Built-in calling workflows are perfect for lead gen + outbound offers.
- Easy to keep reps consistent on follow-ups.
- Great choice if ‘speed to next touch’ is your bottleneck.
HubSpot
Best for: teams that want CRM + marketing under one roof
HubSpot makes sense when you want one platform for CRM, email marketing, forms, and automation.
- Strong if you hate duct-taping many tools together.
- Good reporting across marketing + sales activity.
- Worth it when you’ll actually use the suite.
Pipedrive
Best for: simple pipeline management without a suite
Pipedrive is the pragmatic middle ground if you just need pipeline clarity and clean reporting.
- Easy onboarding for small teams.
- Good fit when you already have marketing tools elsewhere.
- Less overhead than big suites.
Bottom line
Pick Close if your agency is sales-first and you value speed over “suite breadth”. Pick HubSpot if you’ll actually use marketing + CRM together. Either way, keep your pipeline stages simple and your reporting client‑friendly.
FAQ
Is HubSpot overkill for a small agency?
It can be if you only need a pipeline. If you’ll use marketing automation and reporting inside the suite, it’s often worth it.
Is Close only for outbound teams?
It shines there, but it also works for inbound agencies that need fast follow-up and consistent process.
Can I start with Close and switch later?
Yes. Many agencies start sales-first, then move to a suite once their operations are stable.