Close vs Help Scout
A side-by-side look at 2 CRM & Sales tools for 2026 — the verdict, pricing, ratings, features, and what readers think.
close.com
Best for inside-sales and outbound teams that want calling, email and SMS in one CRM
Sales CRM with built-in calling, email, SMS and an AI agent, built for inside-sales teams that live on the phone.
Visit Close
helpscout.com
Best for small and mid-sized support teams that want a simple shared inbox with AI help
Shared inbox and help desk with AI drafts, an AI support agent and a free plan for up to 5 users.
Visit Help ScoutPricing compared
Close
$9/user/mo
Help Scout
$25/user/mo
Head to head
| Close | Help Scout | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $9/user/mo | $25/user/mo |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Free trial | 14-day free trial, no credit card required | Free plan; Envoy AI add-on has a 3-month free trial |
| Platforms | Web · iOS · Android · API | Web · iOS · Android |
| Founded | 2013 | — |
Pros & cons
Close
Pros
- Calling, email and SMS live inside the CRM, so every touchpoint is logged automatically.
- Power dialer and predictive dialer suit high-volume outbound teams.
- Chloe AI agent can call, qualify and book meetings without leaving the CRM.
- Built-in importers for HubSpot, Pipedrive and HighLevel ease migration.
- 30-day money-back guarantee and a no-card 14-day trial lower the risk of trying it.
Cons
- No permanent free plan.
- Workflows, the power dialer and bulk email only start on the Growth plan ($99).
- Calling and SMS are usage-based and AI runs on monthly credits, so the bill is less predictable than a flat seat price.
- The entry-level Solo plan is capped at one user and 10,000 leads.
Help Scout
Pros
- A permanent Free plan covers up to 5 users, 1 Inbox and 1 Docs site.
- Email, chat, SMS, social and voice land in one shared Inbox.
- AI Drafts and Copilot help agents reply faster while a human stays in control.
- Envoy AI is billed per resolution at USD 0.75, so cost follows results.
- SSO/SAML and HIPAA compliance are listed on the Pro plan.
Cons
- Pro plan pricing and many advanced limits push larger teams to a sales conversation.
- Extra inboxes cost USD 10 per month each on Standard, Plus and Pro.
- The Free plan is capped at 100 contacts per month.
- Fewer marketplace integrations than the largest help desks (the vendor lists 100+).