Close vs Drift
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading saas solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose Close if you need Built-in calling and prefer comprehensive paid features. Choose Drift if you prioritize Live chat and want a free tier to start. Close has a higher user rating (4.7 vs 4.4).
Close vs Drift: At a Glance
Feature Comparison: Close vs Drift
| Feature | Close | Drift |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in calling | ||
| Email automation | ||
| SMS messaging | ||
| Pipeline management | ||
| Lead management | ||
| Activity tracking | ||
| Reporting | ||
| Mobile app | ||
| Zapier | ||
| Segment | ||
| Slack | ||
| Google Workspace | ||
| Calendly | ||
| DocuSign | ||
| Stripe | ||
| Live chat | ||
| AI chatbots | ||
| Meeting scheduling | ||
| Email sequences | ||
| Visitor intelligence | ||
| Conversation routing | ||
| Analytics dashboard | ||
| Salesforce | ||
| HubSpot | ||
| Marketo | ||
| Google Calendar | ||
| Zoom | ||
| Microsoft Teams |
Close vs Drift: Pricing Breakdown
Close Pricing
Model: per-user
- Core CRM features
- Email sequences
- Calling
- Pipeline management
- Advanced workflows
- Power dialer
- SMS
- Custom activities
- Custom fields
- API access
- Advanced reporting
- Role management
Drift Pricing
Model: per-seat
- Live chat
- Custom chatbots
- Email integration
- Meetings scheduler
- Everything in Premium
- AI-powered chatbots
- Account-based marketing
- Custom integrations
- Everything in Advanced
- Dedicated CSM
- Custom onboarding
- SLA
Pros and Cons
Close
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.7/5)
- Available on 4 platforms (Web, Ios, Android, Api)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Built-in calling functionality
- Strong Email automation functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- May require time to learn advanced features
Drift
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.4/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Available on 3 platforms (Web, Ios, Android)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Live chat functionality
- Strong AI chatbots functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use Close vs Drift?
Choose Close if you:
- Need Built-in calling
- Have a budget of $49/month+
- Work primarily on Web and Ios
- Value Email automation
Choose Drift if you:
- Need Live chat
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Ios
- Value AI chatbots
Frequently Asked Questions: Close vs Drift
Is Close better than Drift?
It depends on your needs. Close has a 4.7/5 user rating while Drift has 4.4/5. Close excels in Built-in calling and Email automation, while Drift stands out with Live chat and AI chatbots. Consider your budget ($49/month vs Free), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Close or Drift?
Close starts at $49/month. Drift offers a free plan and starts at Free. Drift has a clear pricing advantage with its free tier.
Can I use Close and Drift together?
While both are saas tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core saas needs.
What are the main differences between Close and Drift?
The key differences include: pricing model (per-user vs per-seat), platform support (Web, Ios, Android, Api vs Web, Ios, Android), and feature focus. Close emphasizes Built-in calling, Email automation, SMS messaging while Drift focuses on Live chat, AI chatbots, Meeting scheduling. User ratings differ slightly: 4.7 vs 4.4 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Close and Drift.