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Comparison · CRM
Keap vs Close CRM
A side-by-side editorial comparison of Keap and Close CRM — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
Keap vs Close CRM: at a glance
What is Keap?
Keap is folding deeper into the Thryv platform; the v2 REST API just hit parity.
Keap publishes a regular monthly product roundup covering automations, email, branding, and reporting. The biggest single move in the last cycle is the Thryv v2 REST API reaching full feature parity with the legacy XMLRPC API, with new SDKs alongside it. Branding and copy across recent updates increasingly leads with Thryv rather than Keap, suggesting the post-acquisition merge is now visible in product surfaces.
What is Close CRM?
Close turns caller ID into an automatic choice with Local Presence.
Close is shipping on three tracks: the Chloe assistant, calling, and admin controls. In November the calling side moved most, with Local Presence picking a recognized or local-looking number for each call and text, and outbound calls now playing a tone while they connect. Chloe Chat is generally available and draws charts on request, and October brought object renaming and a central Security page with OIDC SSO.
Keap vs Close CRM: editorial side-by-side
Keap
0.0CRM
Keap is folding deeper into the Thryv platform; the v2 REST API just hit parity.
◆ Current state
Keap publishes a regular monthly product roundup covering automations, email, branding, and reporting. The biggest single move in the last cycle is the Thryv v2 REST API reaching full feature parity with the legacy XMLRPC API, with new SDKs alongside it. Branding and copy across recent updates increasingly leads with Thryv rather than Keap, suggesting the post-acquisition merge is now visible in product surfaces.
◆ Where it's heading
Keap is on a steady CRM-feature cadence — scheduling, segmentation, email deliverability, automation triggers — while the underlying platform shifts under the Thryv brand and API. Developer ecosystem work (v2 REST + SDKs) signals an attempt to revive third-party integration momentum that XMLRPC was bottlenecking. Expect Keap-branded surfaces to keep narrowing as Thryv consolidates the small-business suite.
◆ Prediction
The XMLRPC API has a deprecation window coming — likely a public timeline within a quarter or two. Cross-product features (booking, reputation, marketing) will increasingly land as Thryv-branded rather than Keap-branded, accelerating the brand transition.
Close CRM
5.0CRM
Close turns caller ID into an automatic choice with Local Presence.
◆ Current state
Close is shipping on three tracks: the Chloe assistant, calling, and admin controls. In November the calling side moved most, with Local Presence picking a recognized or local-looking number for each call and text, and outbound calls now playing a tone while they connect. Chloe Chat is generally available and draws charts on request, and October brought object renaming and a central Security page with OIDC SSO.
◆ Where it's heading
Calling and texting are getting the kind of automation Chloe brought to search and reporting, with Close making choices reps used to make by hand. The admin work points at larger teams that need renamed objects and central access control.
◆ Prediction
Expect more calling features that remove manual steps, such as number management or call outcome handling, alongside further Chloe chart and action types.
Alternatives to Keap and Close CRM
Other CRM products tracked by Sparkpulse, ranked by recent ship velocity. Each card links to a full editorial trajectory and lets you pivot into a head-to-head comparison with either Keap or Close CRM.
Twenty
Twenty 2.58.1 stops existing accounts from joining a workspace through SSO alone.
Twenty
Twenty 2.58 rebuilds CRM permissions down to the row and adds MCP workflow steps.
GroupOffice
GroupOffice patches its 25.0 and 6.8 lines again, still with no notes.
Folk
folk adds a command panel and quick-add tasks after its agent-era repositioning.
Folk
folk now pitches itself as the CRM for the agent era.
See all Keap alternatives → · See all Close CRM alternatives →
Recent activity from Keap and Close CRM
Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.
- 5d agoClose CRMHear a tone while outbound calls connect
- 9d agoClose CRMLocal Presence
- 10d agoClose CRMAsk Chloe to create donut and horizontal line charts
- 16d agoClose CRMRename Leads, Contacts, and Opportunities
- 25d agoClose CRMChloe Chat is out of beta for all Close customers
- 1mo agoClose CRMClose adds a central Security page and OIDC single sign-on
- 9mo agoKeapLegal/privacy footer (scraper noise)
- 10mo agoKeapDecember Product Update: Smarter Scheduling, Clearer Reporting, and Better API Visibility
- 11mo agoKeapNovember Product Update: Smarter Emails, Cleaner Branding & Enhanced Automation Tools
- 1y agoKeapOctober Product Update: Work Faster and Stay Organized with New Automation Tools
- 1y agoKeapThryv API Update: Full Feature Parity and New SDKs Now Available ⚡
- 1y agoKeapGrow 2025 Product Recap: Innovations You Need to Know
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Keap and Close CRM?
They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. Close CRM is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 5.0 vs 0.0), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.
Is Keap better than Close CRM?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. Close CRM is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 5.0 vs 0.0), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. For your specific use case, the alternatives sections above list other CRM products to evaluate alongside.
What are the best alternatives to Keap?
Top Keap alternatives in CRM are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Keap alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/keap for the full list with editorial commentary on each.
What are the best alternatives to Close CRM?
Top Close CRM alternatives in CRM are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Close CRM alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/close-crm for the full list with editorial commentary on each.