Twenty
Twenty 2.50 lets app front components read the host route, filling a gap in its app platform.
Comparison · CRM
Close CRM vs Folk
A side-by-side editorial comparison of Close CRM and Folk — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
Close CRM vs Folk: at a glance
What is Close CRM?
Close takes Chloe Chat out of beta for every customer, a month after OIDC SSO.
Close is shipping on three tracks. Its assistant Chloe is now generally available as Chloe Chat, answering pipeline questions, preparing a rep's day, analyzing data and taking actions from any page. Voice agents run on the rebuilt telephony layer with skills like Schedule Meeting, and the October 13 release added a central Security page with OIDC single sign-on alongside update-only Workflow triggers.
What is Folk?
Folk launched an MCP server and a mobile app in the same summer — two distinct distribution bets at once.
Folk shipped MCP integration twice in this window: the original Meet folk MCP in July (connecting CRM data to AI assistants) and a follow-on folk MCP feature that turns interaction history into AI-queryable insights. The mobile app launch — Contacts by folk — with talk-to-text and a business card scanner positions folk as a capture tool in the field, not just a desktop CRM. The Interactions API beta opens the data layer to external builders.
Close CRM vs Folk: editorial side-by-side
Close CRM
5.0CRM
Close takes Chloe Chat out of beta for every customer, a month after OIDC SSO.
◆ Current state
Close is shipping on three tracks. Its assistant Chloe is now generally available as Chloe Chat, answering pipeline questions, preparing a rep's day, analyzing data and taking actions from any page. Voice agents run on the rebuilt telephony layer with skills like Schedule Meeting, and the October 13 release added a central Security page with OIDC single sign-on alongside update-only Workflow triggers.
◆ Where it's heading
Chloe has moved from a beta chat to the default way into the app: a command-palette fallback in September, notification threads, and now GA for all accounts. Paired with voice agents that act on phone numbers and Workflows that react to record updates, Close is building a CRM where assistants and automation do more of the work, with SSO and a security page arriving as the governance layer that buyers ask for.
◆ Prediction
Expect Chloe to gain more write actions and to connect with Workflows or voice-agent skills now that it is GA; the truncated entry doesn't list which actions it can take today.
Folk
6.3CRM
Folk launched an MCP server and a mobile app in the same summer — two distinct distribution bets at once.
◆ Current state
Folk shipped MCP integration twice in this window: the original Meet folk MCP in July (connecting CRM data to AI assistants) and a follow-on folk MCP feature that turns interaction history into AI-queryable insights. The mobile app launch — Contacts by folk — with talk-to-text and a business card scanner positions folk as a capture tool in the field, not just a desktop CRM. The Interactions API beta opens the data layer to external builders.
◆ Where it's heading
Folk is building a CRM designed for AI-native workflows: MCP for AI assistant connectivity, talk-to-text for frictionless capture, and the Interactions API for developers who want to build on top of the sales data. The Auto-fill AI (April) and MCP launches together suggest folk is positioning as the CRM that does the data work automatically rather than requiring manual entry.
◆ Prediction
The Interactions API graduating from beta — with full read/write access to CRM data — would enable folk to power third-party AI sales tools and outbound automation workflows, expanding beyond the native product.
Alternatives to Close CRM and Folk
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 Close CRM or Folk.
Folk
folk's MCP connector can now create and update CRM records in bulk for AI agents.
Twenty
Twenty opens 2.50 by giving sandboxed front components the host route.
GroupOffice
GroupOffice ships a fourth 26.0 build in nine days, still with install-only notes.
Corteza
Corteza 2026.9.0 goes final after a week of single-fix candidates.
Django CRM
Django CRM spends a morning hardening itself against abusive input.
See all Close CRM alternatives → · See all Folk alternatives →
Recent activity from Close CRM and Folk
Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.
- 5d agoClose CRMChloe Chat is out of beta for all Close customers
- 12d agoClose CRMClose adds a central Security page and OIDC single sign-on
- 13d agoClose CRMTrigger Workflows on updated events
- 19d agoClose CRMVoice agents get a single Schedule Meeting skill
- 19d agoClose CRMTemplate Creation from Email/SMS
- 1mo agoClose CRMAsk Chloe a question from the command palette
- 1mo agoFolkTask updates that keep your team moving
- 1mo agoFolkfolk MCP turns interactions into insight ⚡
- 2mo agoFolkCapture the conversation while it’s fresh
- 2mo agoFolkNew business card scanner on mobile
- 2mo agoFolkJoin our new beta for Interactions API
- 3mo agoFolkIntroducing Contacts by folk, our Mobile app
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Close CRM and Folk?
They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. Folk is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 6.3 vs 5.0), 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 Close CRM better than Folk?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. Folk is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 6.3 vs 5.0), 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 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.
What are the best alternatives to Folk?
Top Folk alternatives in CRM are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Folk alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/folk for the full list with editorial commentary on each.