Close costs $19/mo.
These cost $0.
8 free alternatives to Close, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
Close vs Free Alternatives Matrix
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $19/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twenty | open source | AGPL-3.0 | Local or hosted | ★ 54k | Close vs Twenty → |
| EspoCRM | open source | AGPL-3.0 | Self-host | ★ 3.2k | Close vs EspoCRM → |
| Frappe CRM | open source | AGPL-3.0 | Local or hosted | ★ 3.2k | Close vs Frappe CRM → |
| HubSpot Free CRM | free | proprietary, free | Hosted | ★ $0 forever | Close vs HubSpot Free CRM → |
| Odoo CRM One App Free | free | proprietary, free | Hosted | ★ $0 forever | Close vs Odoo CRM One App Free → |
| Zoho CRM Free | free | proprietary, free | Hosted | ★ $0 forever | Close vs Zoho CRM Free → |
| Freshsales Free | free | proprietary, free | Hosted | ★ $0 forever | Close vs Freshsales Free → |
| Bitrix24 Free | free | proprietary, free | Hosted | ★ $0 forever | Close vs Bitrix24 Free → |
The picks
3 open source · 5 free to use · ranked by fit
- 01
Twenty
open sourceAGPL-3.0Local or hosted54kaug 2026A modern pipeline CRM with custom objects, views and mailbox sync; the subscription becomes a Compose file.
The catch vs CloseIt lacks Close's deeply integrated calling, SMS and sales-sequence experience.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Hosted signup or Docker Compose
- setup
- Self-hosting needs Docker Compose, environment variables, a domain, email, persistent storage, backups and upgrades
- your data
- CRM data in PostgreSQL, jobs and cache in Redis, and files in local or object storage
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 02
EspoCRM
open sourceAGPL-3.0Self-host3.2kaug 2026A traditional CRM that actually lets you change the data model; polished enough, but still your server.
The catch vs CloseIt does not match Close's tightly integrated calling, SMS and sales-sequence workflow, so communications are more fragmented.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Docker Compose or PHP/web-server installer
- setup
- A server with PHP and a supported database, or Docker; production also needs HTTPS, mail, backups and upgrades
- your data
- CRM records in MySQL, MariaDB or PostgreSQL; uploaded files on the application server
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 03
Frappe CRM
open sourceAGPL-3.0Local or hosted3.2kaug 2026A clean leads-and-deals board with notes, tasks and email; Frappe underneath means a real server, not a toy.
The catch vs CloseIts calls, messaging and outbound sequences are not as unified or mature as Close's communication-first workspace.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hostedself-host, real ops
- install
- Frappe Cloud signup, or easy-install script, Bench or Docker
- setup
- Self-hosting means Linux plus Frappe Bench or Docker, database and Redis services, a domain, mail configuration and upgrades
- your data
- CRM records in the Frappe site database; attachments in the site's file storage
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 04
HubSpot Free CRM
freeproprietary, freeHostedA real two-seat CRM for free; 1,000 contacts is where the upsell starts counting.
The catch vs CloseThe free product does not provide Close-level native calling, SMS and outbound sequencing in one focused sales screen.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- mobilewebthey host it
- install
- Hosted signup
- your data
- Records and files live in HubSpot's cloud; CRM records can be exported as CSV or XLSX
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 05
Odoo CRM One App Free
freeproprietary, freeHostedA full hosted pipeline for unlimited users, provided CRM is the only Odoo app you marry.
The catch vs CloseIt lacks Close's communication-first calling, SMS and sequence workflow, and the one-app rule punishes expansion into other Odoo modules.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webthey host it
- install
- Hosted signup
- setup
- None for CRM alone; installing a second Odoo app ends the one-app-free arrangement
- your data
- CRM data and attachments live in Odoo Online's managed database and filestore
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 06
Zoho CRM Free
freeproprietary, freeHostedA full little CRM for three users and 5,000 records; the wider Zoho maze is optional.
The catch vs CloseThe free tier does not reproduce Close's native calling, SMS and sales-sequence depth.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- mobilewebthey host it
- install
- Hosted signup
- your data
- Records and attachments live in Zoho's cloud; record imports and exports use CSV
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 07
Freshsales Free
freeproprietary, freeHostedA clean three-user pipeline with email and mobile apps; useful automation starts asking for rent.
The catch vs CloseThe free tier lacks the advanced calling, sequencing and automation that make Close a communication-first CRM.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- mobilewebthey host it
- install
- Hosted signup
- your data
- CRM records and files live in Freshworks' cloud; contacts and deals can be imported or exported by CSV
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 08
Bitrix24 Free
freeproprietary, freeHostedContacts and deals for a small team, wrapped in enough menus to qualify as indoor architecture.
The catch vs CloseIts sprawling suite and crowded interface are substantially less focused than Close's compact sales communication workspace.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- mobilewebthey host it
- install
- Hosted signup
- your data
- CRM records, chats and files live in Bitrix24's vendor cloud and Drive storage
- checked
- 2026-08-10
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Close open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Close?+
The top free alternative to Close is Twenty (open source, AGPL-3.0). A modern pipeline CRM with custom objects, views and mailbox sync; the subscription becomes a Compose file. Other popular Close replacements include EspoCRM, Frappe CRM, HubSpot Free CRM.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Close?+
Yes. Of the 8 free alternatives to Close, 3 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Twenty (AGPL-3.0), EspoCRM (AGPL-3.0), Frappe CRM (AGPL-3.0).
How much does switching from Close to a free alternative save?+
Close starts at $19/month per seat ($228/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Twenty saves $1,140 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own Close clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Close is NOT REALLY (use a free alternative, save the tokens). A consolation build is possible, but the paid product's decisive value sits outside a solo rebuild. For Close, track deals and manually log communication in a focused sales workspace. The hard boundary is built-in email, calling, sms, power dialer, workflows, and sales reliability, plus integrations, data quality, and workflow lock-in.
What is the catch when switching from Close to Twenty?+
It lacks Close's deeply integrated calling, SMS and sales-sequence experience.
