Close alternatives: 4 open-source picks
Close costs $19/mo — $228 a year. These 4 alternatives replace it for $0, led by Twenty, EspoCRM and Frappe CRM. All 4 are open source. License, stars and last commit checked by hand on 2026-08-29. No trials, no crippled tiers.
A modern pipeline CRM with custom objects, views and mailbox sync; the subscription becomes a Compose file.
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour machine or their cloud
installHosted signup or Docker Compose
dataCRM data in PostgreSQL, jobs and cache in Redis, and files in local or object storage
the catch vs CloseIt lacks Close's deeply integrated calling, SMS and sales-sequence experience.
setupSelf-hosting needs Docker Compose, environment variables, a domain, email, persistent storage, backups and upgrades
facts verified 2026-08-10
A traditional CRM that actually lets you change the data model; polished enough, but still your server.
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour server
installDocker Compose or PHP/web-server installer
dataCRM records in MySQL, MariaDB or PostgreSQL; uploaded files on the application server
the catch vs CloseIt does not match Close's tightly integrated calling, SMS and sales-sequence workflow, so communications are more fragmented.
setupA server with PHP and a supported database, or Docker; production also needs HTTPS, mail, backups and upgrades
facts verified 2026-08-10
A clean leads-and-deals board with notes, tasks and email; Frappe underneath means a real server, not a toy.
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour machine or their cloud
installFrappe Cloud signup, or easy-install script, Bench or Docker
dataCRM records in the Frappe site database; attachments in the site's file storage
the catch vs CloseIts calls, messaging and outbound sequences are not as unified or mature as Close's communication-first workspace.
setupSelf-hosting means Linux plus Frappe Bench or Docker, database and Redis services, a domain, mail configuration and upgrades
facts verified 2026-08-10
Personal CRM to remember everything about friends, family and contacts.
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
What each one is, in full: Twenty · EspoCRM · Monica
last updated 2026-08-29 · no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
how to choose a Close alternative
Easiest to get running
Monica — a one-click install, no server to maintain.
Most proven
Twenty, with 54,400 GitHub stars — the largest community of the 4, which usually means more answers when something breaks.
Needs real ops to self-host
Frappe CRM is capable but expects someone to run a server, updates and backups. Budget for that before choosing it.
what you give up by leaving Close
- built-in email, calling, SMS, power dialer, workflows, and sales reliability
- automatic email and calendar capture
- data enrichment
- large integration ecosystem
- enterprise reporting
None of the picks above covers all of it. The full verdict says which gaps matter.
Close alternatives at a glance
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twenty | AGPL-3.0 | docker to self-host | web, self-hosted | 54,400 | 2026-08 |
| EspoCRM | AGPL-3.0 | docker to self-host | web, self-hosted | 3,200 | 2026-08 |
| Frappe CRM | AGPL-3.0 | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 3,200 | 2026-08 |
| Monica | AGPL-3.0 | one-click install | self-hosted, web | 22,000 | 2026-08 |
why people still pay for Close
People still pay for Close because CRM value compounds as the system becomes the shared memory of every customer interaction and embeds itself in the rest of the stack. The recurring cost buys deduplication, permissions, imports, sync, enrichment, email capture, automations, backups, and audit history, not just the visible interface. If none of that applies to you, any pick above saves $228 a year.
questions about switching from Close
Is there an open-source alternative to Close?
Yes: Twenty, EspoCRM, Frappe CRM and 1 more. Every tool on this page is open source: no trials, no crippled tiers.
Can open source really replace Close?
Our verdict is YES. Twenty (54k stars), Monica (22k stars), EspoCRM (3k stars) are mature open-source replacements for Close — self-host with docker and stop paying $19/mo. The full verdict, and what you give up by switching, is at caniopensourceit.online/close-crm.
What is the easiest open-source Close alternative to set up?
Monica — a one-click install, no server to maintain.
What is the most popular open-source Close alternative?
By GitHub stars, Twenty (54,400). Monica is next with 22,000.
