Best CRM For
Best CRM with a Built-in Power Dialer
Quick answer: Close is the only CRM here with a genuinely native power dialer and predictive dialer; Pipedrive and Zoho get similar functionality natively or through connected telephony, while Nutshell's calling is click-to-call, not a true dialer.
What "power dialer" actually means
A power dialer automatically moves to the next number in a list as soon as a call ends, so a rep never has to manually look up and dial the next lead. A predictive dialer goes further, dialing multiple numbers simultaneously and only connecting a rep once someone picks up. Both are meaningfully different from "click-to-call," which just lets you tap a phone number to dial it — useful, but not the same productivity gain. A lot of CRM marketing pages blur this distinction, so it's worth checking exactly what's included before assuming a tool has one.
Of the CRMs commonly recommended for outbound sales, honestly, only a handful ship an actual power dialer as a native feature. Here's how four of them stack up.
Top picks at a glance
| CRM | Native power dialer? | Predictive dialer? | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Close | Yes, native | Yes, native | Mid |
| Pipedrive | Yes, built-in Power Dialer feature | No | Budget |
| Zoho CRM | Via connected telephony/PhoneBridge | Depends on provider | Budget–mid |
| Nutshell | No — click-to-call only | No | Budget |
1. Close — best native power dialer
Close's dialer isn't a feature you have to hunt for or connect through a third party — it's core to the product, alongside a Predictive Dialer for teams that want to maximize connect rate over strict one-at-a-time dialing. Calls, recordings, and outcomes flow straight into the deal timeline, so there's no separate calling app to reconcile with the CRM afterward.
Pros
- Native Power Dialer and Predictive Dialer, no separate app needed
- Calls and recordings log automatically to the contact
- Built specifically for high-volume phone-based selling
Cons
- No free tier
- More than you need if calling isn't your primary channel
2. Pipedrive — solid native Power Dialer at a lower price
Pipedrive built its own Power Dialer feature directly into the product, which auto-advances through a call list without needing a third-party dialer add-on. It's not as deep as Close's calling suite — there's no predictive dialing — but for a team that mostly needs "stop making me manually dial the next number," it covers the core need at a noticeably lower price point.
Pros
- Native Power Dialer feature, not a bolt-on
- Lower entry price than calling-first CRMs
- Still gets the visual pipeline Pipedrive is known for
Cons
- No predictive dialing
- Calling features generally less deep than Close's
3. Zoho CRM — power dialing through connected telephony
Zoho doesn't ship its own dialer the way Close and Pipedrive do; instead, auto-dialing capability comes through its PhoneBridge marketplace of telephony partners. Once connected, several of those providers support power-dialer-style auto-advance calling. It's a reasonable path if your team is already inside the Zoho ecosystem, though it means an extra integration decision rather than a feature that works the moment you sign up.
Pros
- Auto-dialer capability available through telephony partners
- Fits naturally if you're already using other Zoho apps
- Automation rules can act on call outcomes
Cons
- Not a single native feature — depends on your chosen provider
- Extra setup and cost for the telephony connection
Honest note on Nutshell
Nutshell is a good CRM for small sales teams in general, but it's worth being direct here: it doesn't ship a true power dialer. Its calling is click-to-call, meaning a rep still dials (or clicks to dial) one number at a time rather than having the system auto-advance a list. If a power dialer is the specific feature you're shopping for, Nutshell isn't the one to pick for it — though it may still be worth considering for its support and simplicity if calling automation isn't your top priority.
Pricing (entry-level plans)
| CRM | Starting price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Close | Solo $9 · Essentials $35 · Growth $99 · Scale $139 | Per user/month. Free 14-day trial, no credit card required. |
| Pipedrive | Lite $14 · Growth $39 · Premium $59 · Ultimate $79 | Per seat/month, billed annually (monthly billing costs more). 14-day free trial. |
| Zoho CRM | Standard €14 · Professional €23 · Enterprise €40 · Ultimate €52 | Per user/month (EUR pricing shown; check your region for local currency). |
Prices above are current as of writing and shown for the entry-level tiers — always confirm the latest numbers on each provider's pricing page before buying, since SaaS pricing changes often.
“A lot of times a specialized CRM for your type of company may make more sense than something generic.”
How to choose
If dialer automation is the deciding feature, verify exactly what "power dialer" means on each provider's current pricing page — some gate it behind higher tiers, and some rely on a connected third-party telephony provider rather than shipping it natively. Close and Pipedrive both build it in directly; Zoho gets there through integration; and a CRM without any dialer at all, however good otherwise, will slow down a high-volume calling team more than the sticker price suggests.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best CRM overall for this use case?
Close is our top overall pick for this use case, based on ease of setup, pricing, and fit for typical workflows — though the right choice depends on team size and budget, covered in the sections above.
Do I need a paid CRM, or is a free plan enough?
A free plan is usually enough for a single user or a very small team just getting started. Growing teams typically outgrow free tiers once they need automation, reporting, or more than a couple of users.
How long does it take to set up a CRM?
Simple CRMs can be set up in under an hour. More full-featured platforms with custom pipelines, automations, and integrations typically take a few days to a few weeks to configure properly.