What happened to LionDesk (and what it means for you)
LionDesk was one of the most popular budget-friendly agent CRMs for years — solid texting, video email, and drip campaigns at a fair price. Lone Wolf Technologies acquired it, and later retired the product, pointing customers toward Lone Wolf's own platform. Whatever you think of that decision, the practical result is the same: if you were on LionDesk, you have to move your database somewhere — and where it goes is entirely your choice, not Lone Wolf's.
The good news: a forced move is the one time switching CRMs costs you nothing extra. You were going to export your contacts anyway.
Why displaced LionDesk agents land here
- The same core toolkit. LionDesk's bread and butter — two-way texting, drip campaigns, task plans, lead capture — all exist here, with sequences that stop automatically the moment a lead replies.
- AI that LionDesk never had. The built-in assistant reads each contact's full history — texts, emails, notes, deals — and drafts your follow-ups, scores your pipeline, and suggests who to call next.
- A genuinely free starting plan. Your first 250 contacts are free forever, no card. Land, look around, import, and only pay when it's earning its keep.
- Flat pricing, not per seat. Plans run $49–299/month flat. A small team doesn't triple the bill.
Closed by Friday vs. LionDesk (as it was)
| What matters | Closed by Friday | LionDesk (before retirement) |
|---|---|---|
| Status | ✅ Active and shipping weekly | ❌ Retired by Lone Wolf |
| Starting price | Free (250 contacts) · paid from $49/mo flat | ~$25–39 per agent/mo |
| Two-way texting | ✅ Dedicated A2P business numbers | ✅ Was included |
| Drip campaigns / action plans | ✅ One-click library + reply-stop | ✅ Was included |
| AI drafting from real conversation history | ✅ Built in | ❌ Not offered |
| Lead routing (round-robin + instant text-back) | ✅ Included | Limited |
| Deal calculator + branded CMA reports | ✅ Included | ❌ Not offered |
| Mortgage / LO workflows | ✅ Native purchase & refi pipelines | ❌ Real estate only |
| Video email | ❌ Not yet (texting-first) | ✅ Was a signature feature |
Comparison reflects LionDesk as it was sold before retirement, to the best of our knowledge as of July 2026. If video email was the reason you loved LionDesk, we'll say so honestly: we don't have it yet.
Moving your LionDesk export in one afternoon
- 1. Export. Your LionDesk contact export (CSV) has everything you need — names, phones, emails, tags, sources.
- 2. Import. Drag the CSV into Closed by Friday. Duplicates are detected and merged automatically. We've run migrations of 13,000+ contacts through this importer.
- 3. Turn follow-up back on. Install action plans from the built-in library — buyer nurture, seller drip, past-client plan, expired listings — in one click each. Sequences you had in LionDesk map over naturally.
Bigger database, or notes and history you're worried about losing? Book a 15-minute call — white-glove migration is something we genuinely do.
Frequently asked questions
Can I import my LionDesk contacts?
Yes — one CSV, one step. Tags, sources, phones, and emails come across, and duplicates are merged automatically.
Does it text like LionDesk did?
Yes — two-way texting on your own dedicated business number, automated text-back on new leads, and a team inbox. Numbers are A2P-registered so your messages actually deliver.
What does it cost?
Free for your first 250 contacts, no card. Starter is $49/month, Pro (3 users, texting, AI, deal calculator) is $129/month, Brokerage (10 users, white-label) is $299/month. No contracts — month to month.
I'm on a team — does everyone need a license?
No per-seat pricing. Pro includes 3 users; Brokerage includes 10 plus five separate white-labeled sub-accounts.
Related: Free Real Estate CRM · Follow Up Boss alternative · kvCORE alternative · Pricing
Landed by Friday
Export from LionDesk, import here, turn one action plan on. Your follow-up is running again before the weekend.
Start Free Book a Demo