Which tool is right for your sales team? Closely focuses on automating LinkedIn outreach, while ZoomInfo provides deep sales intelligence through vast data insights. Both platforms aim to improve sales processes but cater to different needs.
- Closely is ideal for small to medium-sized teams that rely on LinkedIn for prospecting. It automates connection requests, messaging, and follow-ups, helping teams save time and scale outreach. Pricing starts at $49/month, making it accessible for businesses with tighter budgets.
- ZoomInfo is designed for larger teams needing detailed prospect data and market insights. It offers a massive B2B database, intent tracking, and predictive analytics to refine sales strategies. Pricing starts around $15,000/year, targeting enterprise-level organizations.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Closely | ZoomInfo |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | LinkedIn automation and outreach | Sales intelligence and prospect research |
| Target Audience | Startups, SMBs, scaling sales teams | Enterprise organizations |
| Key Tools | AI-driven LinkedIn campaigns, email | Intent data, predictive analytics |
| Integrations | CRM tools like HubSpot, Salesforce | CRM, marketing automation, recruiting |
| Pricing | Starts at $49/month | Starts at ~$15,000/year |
Bottom Line: Choose Closely for efficient LinkedIn outreach and ZoomInfo for comprehensive data-driven strategies. Your decision should depend on your team’s size, budget, and sales goals.
Zoominfo VS LinkedIn Sales Navigator: What Is The Best Tool For Lead Generation ?
Closely: AI-Powered LinkedIn Automation
Closely brings a fresh approach to LinkedIn outreach by combining AI-driven automation with a personal touch. It handles everything from sending connection requests to managing follow-ups, making LinkedIn networking more efficient without losing the human element.
What sets Closely apart is its ability to streamline repetitive tasks while keeping interactions genuine. Sales teams can create campaigns that automatically send connection requests and follow-ups across multiple touchpoints. The platform’s AI analyzes prospect profiles to craft messages that feel customized and relevant.
Closely also integrates LinkedIn with email outreach, creating a unified messaging experience. This multichannel approach ensures consistent communication throughout campaigns, making it easier to maintain a cohesive brand voice. Let’s dive into the platform’s standout features.
Closely Features and Capabilities
Closely simplifies LinkedIn outreach by automating key tasks. It creates sequences for connection requests and follow-ups, using AI to tailor messages based on data from prospect profiles. The platform brings everything together in one place, consolidating LinkedIn messages, email replies, and campaign metrics into a unified inbox.
Key features include:
- Data enrichment tools: Automatically gather additional contact details like verified emails and phone numbers for LinkedIn prospects, turning single-channel connections into multichannel opportunities.
- CRM integrations: Works seamlessly with popular systems like HubSpot, Salesforce, and Pipedrive, ensuring smooth workflow management.
- Performance tracking: Monitors key metrics like connection acceptance rates and message response rates, giving teams insights into campaign success.
By combining automation with data enrichment and analytics, Closely helps sales teams work smarter, not harder.
When to Use Closely
Closely is a great fit when LinkedIn is a primary channel for prospecting. It’s especially useful for B2B companies targeting decision-makers who are active on LinkedIn, such as IT directors, CMOs, or other C-suite executives.
Sales development teams looking to scale outreach while maintaining a personal touch will find this platform invaluable. Instead of manually sending hundreds of connection requests daily, reps can focus on more strategic tasks while Closely handles the heavy lifting.
For startups and small businesses with limited sales resources, Closely offers an affordable way to run outreach campaigns that would typically require a larger team. It’s a practical tool for growing businesses aiming to maximize their efforts without overextending their budgets.
Closely Pricing Plans
Closely’s pricing is designed to accommodate teams of all sizes, offering flexibility to match different needs. Each plan includes unlimited email accounts and white-label options, making it especially appealing for agencies and consultants.
- Starter Plan: $49/month for one LinkedIn account and 1,000 monthly credits, which can be used for 250 emails, 50 phone number lookups, or 500 AI personalizations.
- Growth Plan: $127/month for three LinkedIn accounts and 3,000 monthly credits, covering 750 emails, 150 phone lookups, or 1,500 AI personalizations.
- Essential Plan: $205/month for five LinkedIn accounts and 5,000 monthly credits, allowing for 1,250 emails, 250 phone lookups, or 2,500 AI personalizations.
- Custom Plan: $350/month for up to 10 LinkedIn accounts with flexible credit allocation tailored to your specific needs.
This credit-based system lets teams allocate resources based on their outreach priorities, ensuring they get the most out of their subscription. Whether you’re a small team or a larger organization, Closely offers the tools to streamline LinkedIn outreach effectively.
ZoomInfo: Sales Intelligence Platform
While Closely focuses on LinkedIn automation, ZoomInfo takes a different route by prioritizing data intelligence to refine prospect research. Instead of automating outreach, ZoomInfo provides sales teams with a powerful database to help them research prospects, analyze market trends, and pinpoint the best opportunities before reaching out.
The platform’s real strength lies in delivering actionable insights. Sales teams can uncover companies showing buying intent, monitor organizational changes, and identify new decision-makers within target accounts. This intelligence-driven approach allows sales professionals to concentrate their efforts on the most promising leads.
ZoomInfo Features and Tools
ZoomInfo is built around data collection, analysis, and delivering insights. It boasts one of the largest B2B contact databases, covering millions of companies and professionals worldwide.
- Comprehensive Contact Information: The database includes verified emails, direct phone numbers, and detailed professional profiles. Users can filter by company size, industry, job title, technology stack, and more to create highly targeted prospect lists. Regular updates ensure the data remains accurate and relevant.
- Intent Data Tracking: ZoomInfo monitors online activity to identify companies actively researching specific solutions. Sales teams can see if prospects are visiting competitor websites, downloading relevant resources, or engaging with industry content.
- Predictive Analytics: By analyzing historical data, the platform scores leads and accounts, helping sales reps focus on those most likely to convert.
- Integrations: ZoomInfo seamlessly connects with tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Microsoft Dynamics, automatically enriching contact records with up-to-date information.
- Advanced Segmentation: Teams can create dynamic lists based on criteria like company growth, technology adoption, recent funding, or executive changes. This enables highly tailored account-based marketing campaigns.
ZoomInfo Use Cases
ZoomInfo supports a variety of sales and marketing strategies, making it an essential tool for many teams:
- Account-Based Marketing (ABM): Marketers use ZoomInfo to map out target accounts, understand organizational structures, and identify decision-makers and influencers.
- Sales Prospecting: Sales development representatives rely on the platform for in-depth research before reaching out. Detailed profiles provide insights into a prospect’s background, recent news, and potential pain points, enabling personalized communication.
- Lead Enrichment: Marketing teams can upload incomplete contact lists and use ZoomInfo to fill in missing details like job titles, company information, and accurate contact data, turning partial leads into actionable opportunities.
- Competitive Intelligence and Market Analysis: Enterprise sales teams use ZoomInfo to gather insights on competitors, track financial data, and monitor organizational changes. This helps them tailor strategies for complex B2B sales involving multiple stakeholders.
ZoomInfo’s detailed organizational mapping is especially valuable for businesses with longer sales cycles that require relationship building. Its intelligence-first approach contrasts sharply with Closely’s automation focus, emphasizing the platforms’ distinct strengths.
ZoomInfo Pricing Structure
ZoomInfo follows a custom pricing model, which varies based on team size, features, and data access needs. Instead of offering fixed pricing tiers, the platform works with organizations to design tailored packages.
- Starting Costs: Entry-level plans typically range from $1,000 to $2,000 per month.
- Enterprise Plans: Larger organizations can expect annual costs between $10,000 and $50,000, depending on the features and data access required.
Additional fees may apply for premium features like intent data, technographic insights, or advanced integrations. Most contracts require annual commitments, and pricing discussions often include factors like user limits, data exports, and API access. While ideal for enterprise teams with significant data needs, these costs may be challenging for smaller organizations with tighter budgets.
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Closely vs ZoomInfo: Feature Comparison
Side-by-Side Feature Comparison
When comparing Closely and ZoomInfo, it’s clear that both platforms aim to support sales teams, but their strengths lie in different areas. Closely focuses on LinkedIn automation and outreach, while ZoomInfo is built for sales intelligence and in-depth prospect research.
| Feature Category | Closely | ZoomInfo |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | LinkedIn automation and multi-channel outreach | Sales intelligence and prospect research |
| Database Size | LinkedIn-focused contact management | Over 300 million professional contacts [5] |
| Data Accuracy | Organizes databases and tracks communication effectively [1] | Claims 95% accuracy for emails and phone numbers [1] |
| Automation Capabilities | AI-powered LinkedIn campaigns, email sequences, SMS | Limited automation; focuses on data-driven insights |
| Lead Generation | Captures and manages LinkedIn leads with bulk import [1][2] | Excels in identifying leads through an extensive B2B database and intent data [1][2][4] |
| Engagement Tools | Multi-channel outreach (email, calls, SMS) with response tracking [1][2][3] | Multi-touch strategies with integrated dialer and intelligence-informed messaging [2][4] |
| Integrations | Deep CRM integrations (Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, GoHighLevel) [6][7] | Extensive ecosystem covering CRMs, marketing automation, recruiting tools [8] |
| Pricing Model | Transparent monthly plans starting at $49/month | Custom pricing requiring sales consultation, starting around $15,000 annually [2][4][5] |
| Target Audience | Startups, SMBs, scaling sales teams [1][3] | Enterprise organizations with complex sales processes [1][5] |
Closely is ideal for smaller teams with its affordable and straightforward pricing, while ZoomInfo caters to enterprises with its custom, high-end pricing structure and extensive data features.
Automation vs Intelligence: Core Differences
The biggest difference between Closely and ZoomInfo lies in how they approach the sales process. Closely prioritizes automated outreach, while ZoomInfo focuses on data-driven intelligence.
Closely is designed to simplify and speed up repetitive tasks. It’s particularly effective for managing large-scale outreach campaigns on LinkedIn and email. Sales teams can create personalized sequences, automatically track responses, and handle follow-ups with ease. This makes it a go-to tool for businesses that need to quickly scale their outreach efforts.
ZoomInfo, on the other hand, is all about providing deep insights before outreach even begins. It excels at identifying companies with buying intent, monitoring organizational changes, and offering detailed prospect data. This allows sales teams to craft highly targeted and personalized messages based on real-time information, making it a strong choice for businesses with more complex sales strategies.
Both platforms integrate with major CRM systems, but their focus differs. Closely emphasizes seamless LinkedIn activity syncing, while ZoomInfo offers a broader scope, connecting with marketing automation tools and even recruiting systems.
User satisfaction ratings also highlight their differences. Closely boasts a 4.7/5 score on Capterra, with users praising its ease of use (4.6/5) and customer support (4.6/5) [1]. One user noted that it helps "cut out CRM BS" to focus on actual sales communication [1]. ZoomInfo, meanwhile, scores 4.1/5 on Capterra. While users appreciate its role as a "single source of truth for lead generation", some express concerns about its value for money, which is rated at 3.6/5 [1].
In short, the right choice depends on your goals. If you’re aiming for high-volume outreach and streamlined campaigns, Closely fits the bill. If your focus is on detailed prospect research and account-based strategies, ZoomInfo might be the better option.
How to Choose Between Closely and ZoomInfo
Decision Factors to Consider
When deciding between Closely and ZoomInfo, start by identifying your primary sales goal. If your focus is on running high-volume outreach campaigns efficiently, Closely’s AI-driven automation and LinkedIn outreach tools are designed to simplify that process. On the other hand, if your sales efforts depend on detailed research and market insights, a dedicated sales intelligence platform like ZoomInfo might be a better fit.
Budget is another key consideration. Closely offers straightforward pricing, starting at $49 per month, making it a cost-effective option for smaller teams. In contrast, sales intelligence platforms often cater to larger organizations and typically come with higher price points, so it’s important to align your choice with your financial resources.
Your team size and structure also play a role. Closely works well for smaller, agile teams that need to boost their outreach efforts without a steep learning curve. Sales intelligence platforms, however, often involve more extensive onboarding and training, which may suit larger teams with the resources to accommodate that.
Think about your current sales process. If your team excels at research but needs help with outreach, Closely bridges that gap with its streamlined automation. But if your main challenge lies in gathering detailed prospect data and understanding broader market trends, a sales intelligence platform might better meet your needs.
Integration capabilities are crucial as well. Closely connects seamlessly with popular CRM systems like Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, and GoHighLevel, helping you maintain an efficient workflow. Evaluate how well each platform integrates with your existing tools and processes to ensure a smooth fit.
Each of these factors will influence which solution is best for your business, depending on your specific needs and priorities.
Best Fit for Different Business Types
For startups and small businesses, Closely’s automated outreach features are a game-changer. Its AI-driven personalization and multichannel campaigns enable small teams to generate leads quickly and effectively.
Growing SaaS companies can benefit from Closely’s ability to manage multiple LinkedIn accounts and handle unlimited email outreach. For instance, the Growth plan, priced at $127 per month, supports up to three LinkedIn accounts, making it ideal for scaling coordinated sales efforts.
Enterprise organizations, which often have complex sales cycles and rely heavily on detailed prospect research, may find a sales intelligence platform like ZoomInfo more suitable. These solutions are built for teams that need extensive data to shape their sales strategies.
Consulting firms and agencies often find Closely particularly useful. Its white-label options and team management tools allow them to generate leads for multiple clients through a single, unified dashboard, saving time and effort.
Conclusion
If you’re deciding between Closely and ZoomInfo, it’s important to understand how each serves a unique role in the sales process.
Closely is all about turning prospect data into action. With automated, personalized LinkedIn and email campaigns, it’s designed for teams looking to scale their outreach efficiently. Starting at just $49/month, its AI-driven personalization and multichannel features make it a practical choice for businesses aiming to connect with more prospects without breaking the bank.
On the other hand, ZoomInfo specializes in providing detailed prospect and company data. It’s the go-to platform for organizations that rely on in-depth market research, extensive contact databases, and advanced sales intelligence to shape their strategies.
The right choice depends on your priorities. If scaling personalized outreach is your focus, Closely’s features and pricing make it a strong contender, especially for small to medium-sized businesses. Its transparent pricing (ranging from $49 to $350 per month) and team-friendly options, like white-label capabilities, are particularly appealing for agencies and growing teams.
However, if your sales strategy hinges on comprehensive research and detailed data, ZoomInfo’s robust intelligence tools may be worth the investment, especially for larger enterprises with bigger budgets.
Ultimately, weigh your sales goals and operational needs to determine which platform fills the gaps in your current strategy. Whether it’s automated outreach or advanced data intelligence, the right tool can make all the difference.
FAQs
How does Closely use AI to keep LinkedIn outreach personal and engaging?
Closely uses AI-powered automation to craft LinkedIn outreach that feels both personal and genuine. By examining a prospect’s profile and interests, the platform customizes messages to align with their specific needs and preferences, making every interaction feel meaningful and carefully considered.
Beyond just creating tailored messages, Closely also streamlines tasks like lead research and qualification. This not only saves time but also preserves a sense of human connection. By combining smart automation with a personal approach, users can expand their outreach efforts without losing the authenticity and engagement that build real relationships.
What should sales teams consider when deciding between Closely and ZoomInfo?
When choosing between Closely and ZoomInfo, the decision hinges on your team’s primary sales priorities. If your goal is LinkedIn automation and outreach, Closely stands out as an excellent option for creating personalized connections with prospects. Meanwhile, ZoomInfo shines in the realm of sales intelligence, delivering detailed company data and insights that are perfect for account-based strategies.
It’s also crucial to weigh factors like integration options, data accuracy, user-friendliness, and pricing to determine which platform best supports your team’s objectives. Consider whether your emphasis lies in fostering direct relationships or using comprehensive data to shape your sales strategy.
How does Closely work with CRM systems to improve sales workflows?
Closely works effortlessly with well-known CRM platforms like Salesforce to improve your sales processes. It takes care of logging LinkedIn activities – like messages, new connections, and interactions – directly into your CRM, keeping everything updated in real time and ensuring accurate data syncing.
This setup makes managing leads easier, cuts down on manual data entry, and offers a single, clear view of your outreach efforts. By blending multichannel automation with AI-powered insights, Closely helps you work more efficiently and refine your sales strategy.