If you work in any customer-facing department, you’re likely used to picking up the phone, dialing a random string of numbers, and hopefully having your desired conversation.
But wouldn't it be nice to let an auto dialer handle the dialing for you? It has to be second nature at this point, right?
While you probably don’t think twice about placing an outbound call to a customer, have you ever stopped to consider how much time you would save if a machine did the work for you?
If you haven’t, put the phone down. Because the best auto dialer software does exactly that.
An auto dialer is a software solution that automatically calls phone numbers from a predefined list, then connects the recipient to either a live agent or a prerecorded message, streamlining outbound communication for sales, support, and call centers
Auto dialers are used in work settings that include a lot of repetitive phone conversations, including sales, call centers, healthcare, hospitality, and even education.
The purpose of software like an auto dialer is to eliminate the need for users to spend pointless time manually dialing each phone number they need to call. This way, they can focus more on the content and the successful delivery of their message.
To properly benefit from an auto dialer, users need a computer, a voice modem, and an active telephone line. However, depending on the tool you select to implement, there are also cloud-based auto dialer options.
That’s a lot of features packed into one tool, so how exactly does it all come together behind the scenes?
To get an auto dialer up and running, you typically need three basic components: a computer to run the software, a voice modem to handle audio, and an active phone line (or a cloud-based system, depending on the setup). The voice modem is what allows the software to play prerecorded messages and detect audio cues during a call.
Once everything’s connected, the dialer syncs with your contact list or CRM and starts automatically dialing numbers from that database. From there, the system takes over, identifying busy signals, voicemails, or live connections, and responding accordingly.
Here’s where it gets smarter: modern auto dialers use voice recognition tools and call logic to figure out who, or what, is on the other end of the line. If it’s a real person, the call gets routed to a live rep. If it’s a voicemail or a busy line, the dialer can either leave a message, schedule a callback, or just move on to the next number.
While all of that’s happening, the software quietly collects helpful data in the background. Things like how many calls are picked up, how long each one lasts, and how often you hit voicemail are tracked and stored for later analysis.
In short, the auto dialer does the repetitive work of calling, routing, and logging so your team can focus on what really matters: talking to people.
Streamline every outbound call with the best CPaaS platforms built to integrate auto dialers, IVR, and multichannel communication.
Auto dialers aren’t one-size-fits-all. Depending on your team size, sales strategy, and call complexity, there are three main types to choose from: preview, power (or progressive), and predictive.
Each dialer works a little differently, and choosing the right one can make or break your outbound calling efficiency.
| Dialer type | Best for | How it works | Pros | Cons |
| Preview | Personalized, research-heavy calls | Let the user view contact details and choose whether to initiate the call | Greater context, better for high-value convos | Slower pace, more manual effort |
| Power/Progressive | Steady, fast-paced outreach | Automatically dials the next number once a call ends | Efficient for medium-to-large teams | No time to prep between calls |
| Predictive | High-volume teams & call centers | Uses pacing algorithms to dial multiple numbers and connect based on availability | Maximum efficiency, less downtime | Less control, not ideal for complex convos |
A preview dialer allows users to view customer information before placing a call. Users can decide whether to make the call, skip it, or take a moment to prepare, making it ideal for teams focused on high-touch outreach or nuanced conversations (like B2B sales or follow-ups).
If your calling strategy values quality over quantity or involves complex customer situations, a preview dialer gives you the breathing room to make each interaction count.
Power dialers, also called progressive dialers, remove the “should I call this person?” decision. As soon as one call ends, the next begins. There is no downtime, and no manual clicking.
This option is great if you want to reach as many people as possible without sacrificing too much control. Especially useful for sales teams that still want live conversations but don’t need to prepare much before each one.
Predictive dialers take automation to the next level. These tools use pacing algorithms to dial multiple numbers at once, then connect reps only when someone picks up. The goal? Maximize talk time and reduce idle time.
Predictive dialing is a powerhouse for high-volume call centers that prioritize speed over personalization. But if your conversations require a little more human touch or background prep, this probably isn’t the right fit.
Automatic dialers are full of features that will help you have as many meaningful customer conversations as possible. When selecting a product, ensure it has the following features for the optimal experience.
Auto dialer technology can tell when a phone number on your list isn’t worth calling, whether it sends numbers to voicemail, an answering machine, or just a busy line. Unproductive number detection is a huge time saver. You don’t have to remove the number from your list entirely, but this way, you know that your time would be best spent calling someone else for the time being.
Plenty of people will be asked to be put on your do-not-call (DNC) list. You must respect those wishes as a business that doesn’t want to spoil its relationships. Luckily, auto dialers can filter your lists so people on your DNC list won’t be contacted from that point forward.
Auto dialers can integrate with other software that manages customer contact information, the most important one arguably being your customer relationship management (CRM) solution. CRMs are tools used by businesses to track customer data, including past interactions with your business, preferences, and place in the buyer’s journey. Valuable information is shared during customer phone calls. When integrated with a CRM, auto dialers can update customer data based on the conversation.
Auto dialers also have the ability to manage your contact list, including segmentations. If you are using a cloud-based system, you can upload customer contact information from other databases. The most up-to-date way to reach a customer is important for efficiency, and auto dialers can take care of that for you.
There are already so many debates about the best time to call a prospective customer, and factoring in time zones is just another headache inducer. However, if you’re using an auto dialer, you can simplify this by adjusting the time zone so you call customers only when appropriate.
The workforce is currently scattered, and you might not have access to your office phone. Or perhaps your job is to qualify a customer before they start a conversation with another person within your business. Either way, if you need to transfer a call to another device or person, auto dialers can do that.
As mentioned before, certain types of autodialers can enter a phone number before you’ve even finished your current phone call. This is a great feature, but it can be a bit presumptuous regarding how much time the user needs between each conversation. Luckily, users can also customize their auto dialer’s speed based on the needs of their outbound sales campaign.
On top of streamlining the outbound calling process, auto dialers can deliver various prerecorded messages once the receiver answers the call. Businesses can, and likely will, have more than one broadcasting message that they can implement depending on the nature of the call.
After that broadcast message, the conversation might require action from the person receiving the call. Auto dialers give users the option to offer a menu to their customers, depending on the action they want to take to move forward. For example, this might sound something like this: “Press 1 to be connected with a sales representative.”
Auto dialers provide an overview of an outbound calling campaign's progress using dashboards that update in real time. This way, both users and managers can see the overall performance of the efforts, activity levels, and statistics.
Have you ever heard a robot-sounding voice say something about the message being recorded or monitored for quality assurance when calling a business? That’s called the call monitoring feature, and it can be extremely helpful for optimizing your outbound calling efforts.
Managers might want to listen in on a conversation (giving both parties a warning beforehand, of course) to gather insights into the interaction, assess the caller's performance, and determine areas for improvement. They can do this live with monitoring or later with call recording.
You won’t reach everyone on the first attempt. Auto dialers recognize that and combat this issue by scheduling follow-ups or callbacks. If someone doesn’t answer your call, the auto dialer will just re-add them to the list, increasing the chances of connecting with and speaking to a customer.
Lastly, like many software solutions in your organization, security is one of the most important features. Your conversations may include valuable private information, and a breach will most likely ruin your relationship with your customers and potentially even your reputation.
Auto dialers implement security measures to keep customer information and data safe from all unauthorized users, making your customers feel safe and more willing to trust you.
With outbound calls, the task is usually the same: manually dialing numbers, misdialing them, or repeatedly getting sent to voicemail.
Auto dialers eliminate that hassle by automating the process and giving reps back valuable time, so they can focus less on logistics and more on the conversation.
Here’s what makes auto dialers such a game-changer:
At its core, an auto dialer’s main job is simple: it dials the numbers for you. But the time savings are far from simple. Instead of scrolling through spreadsheets or CRMs to find the right contact, reps can jump straight into what matters, understanding the lead, tailoring their pitch, and building rapport.
Less manual work = more meaningful conversations.
Auto dialers come with features like voicemail detection, busy signal recognition, and unproductive number filtering. That means reps aren’t stuck calling numbers that won’t pick up or aren’t worth pursuing.
This kind of filtering boosts efficiency and helps teams focus their energy where it counts on leads that are more likely to convert.
Auto dialers don’t just make calls; they track them. Most platforms automatically log data like:
With built-in reporting and call recording, managers can identify what’s working, double down on top-performing strategies, and coach reps based on real interactions.
The result? Smarter campaigns, better timing, and improved results across the board.
Auto dialers help teams scale their outreach without losing the personal touch. By handling the repetitive parts of outbound calling, they unlock time, reduce errors, and generate the kind of insights that drive smarter decisions.
Anyone who works on the phone most of the day knows the rules and regulations regarding telemarketing, created and governed by the Federal Trade Commission and the Do Not Call Registry. Auto dialers are no exception to these rules.
If not used correctly, they can lead to Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) violations, as they may dial numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry or at prohibited times.
Implementing and maintaining an auto dialer system can be costly, especially for smaller businesses. Additionally, technical difficulties can sometimes impact call quality and potentially lead to dropped calls.
To mitigate these limitations, businesses should ensure compliance with TCPA regulations, strategically use auto dialers in combination with human agents, monitor performance and make adjustments as needed, carefully consider costs and benefits, and address technical issues promptly.
G2 has analyzed reviews, ratings, and market trends to identify the leading tools in this category. To be included in this list, a product must:
*Below are the five leading auto dialer solutions from G2's Summer 2025 Grid® Report. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity.
Nooks positions itself as more than just a power dialer — it’s designed as a full sales engagement platform that blends automation with real-time insights. Unlike many dialers that focus only on speed, Nooks seems to understand the broader needs of sales teams, especially regarding coaching and performance tracking.
“It is such an incredibly intuitive platform, from the ability to filter out office hours to the summary of conversations for coaching, using Nooks has meant calling has gone from taking hours in the day to maybe 1/2 hours max. It's an amazing way to collaborate with teammates and learn from one another on an interactive floor. It was extremely easy to enroll & link with our CRM, which meant daily tasks were actually done on the day itself. I can definitely see this being my go-to tool of choice every day in 2025.”
- Nooks Review, Ruth C.
“Occasionally, the connection time is longer than ideal. However, I understand this is a metric the Nooks team always tries to reduce. If the AI notes could populate from callbacks and the one-off dialer, it would be very helpful, rather than just the autodialer.”
- Nooks Review, James D.
JustCall helps streamline high-volume call management in a way that really benefits sales and support teams. Users frequently mention how it eliminates the hassle of manual dialing, allowing agents to focus more on conversations rather than spending time punching in numbers.
“We have had just a heckin' rough time getting our telephony in Salesforce sorted out. JustCall is the one that actually allows us to review the sales team's calls with ease and speed. The transcription feature is genuinely useful. It was pretty painless, at least at a basic functionality level. Customer support is genuinely helpful, though it can take a minute to reach them. But they've never failed to resolve my issues.”
- JustCall Review, Jonathan Killstring H.
“I wish that the transcription of calls were easier to view from the call filtering page. Right now, you have to open a tab, then download the call, and open it in a separate window if you want to view the transcription. In CallRail, you can immediately view transcriptions of each call when highlighting individual calls, which would be much more convenient. Also, it would be nice to see customization options for Incoming Calls, call flows to record a voice for menu options, and give the Incoming Callers a Dial-by-number menu that leads to different recordings and routes to different Users/Phone numbers.”
- JustCall Review, Matt Z.
Talkdesk simplifies customer call handling in a way that resonates with many users. The setup process appears to be quick, and the learning curve isn’t steep, which helps teams get up and running without much friction.
“Since implementing Talkdesk, our team at JK Moving Services has experienced a remarkable shift in how we handle customer interactions. The platform has streamlined our communication process, allowing us to provide faster, more efficient service to our clients. The intuitive interface and seamless integration with our CRM make it easy for my colleagues and me to track, manage, and follow up with customers, leading to better engagement and higher satisfaction rates.”
- Talkdesk Review, Natalie H.
“Not very often, but yeah, at times I face lag in service providers, maybe this is because of ample requests going on, on which providers are busy solving and managing problems, but I really wish this could also be solved.”
- Talkdesk Review, Priyanka A.
Close is a platform designed to streamline outreach and deal management. With built-in calling, SMS, and email automation, Close enables teams to centralize communications, track pipelines, and close deals faster. Features like predictive dialing, email sequences, and real-time reporting help sales reps stay focused on selling while reducing manual tasks.
“It's the ease of use and having the most important data at a glance. The logical layout of the overview. Very good assistance, such as when creating templates. In our call center, we use Close as a CRM for multiple clients. We spend hours daily with this simple system. New employees can start working with Close within minutes. If something doesn't work or a feature is missing, the support team is very helpful and quick to assist. Useful suggestions are implemented promptly. Adding new customers is very quick and requires no extensive background knowledge. This is due to the logical structure of the CRM."
- Close Review, Stephan U.
“I would really like the ability to use my Close number to send as an iMessage. Nearly all of our clients have iPhones, and sending green texts looks bad and makes people think you're not texting a real person. And that person-to-person connection with our clients is super important. Also, I'd really like more functionality on triggers for workflows. It seems pretty basic, and a lot of what we're trying to automate can't be done only in Close with the current native triggers. We have to integrate other services to get it to do what we want."
- Close Review, Nate E.
Kixie PowerCall & SMS is a sales communication platform that automates outbound calling tasks, enhancing efficiency and productivity. With predictive dialing, power dialing, and click-to-call features, sales teams can optimize their outreach efforts and increase connection rates.
"Love the opportunity to integrate with Salesforce. I save so much time with my Salesforce and Microsoft Teams integration in Kixie. It is so easy to set up as well as use. Text messaging is the way of the future, and on a B2B customer level, we use it daily to keep in touch with our customers and prospective customers.
When issues arise, the intercom chat is quick and helps us resolve our issues promptly. The mobile accessibility is an even more exciting feature."
- Kixie PowerCall & SMS Review, Lydia J.
"The least helpful about Kixie Power Call & SMS is that it sometimes crashes within our CRM portal. It just takes a quick reload, but sometimes it can occur several times in a shift. This may be attributed to the CRM portal, not the Kixie app itself.
The downside to Kixie is in the reporting database under the agent's call history, which is under actions. There are instances where the CRM link doesn't show (or is broken), and the (incoming or outgoing) phone number must be manually copied and pasted into the CRM to find the call recording on an inquiry."
- Kixie PowerCall & SMS Review, Mary D.
Got more questions? We have the answers.
A power dialer is actually a type of auto dialer. While “auto dialer” is the umbrella term for software that automates outbound calling, a power dialer specifically refers to a system that automatically dials the next number right after the previous call ends, with no manual input needed. It's built for efficiency, but not quite as fast (or automated) as a predictive dialer.
Yes! Most modern auto dialers can detect when a call hits voicemail and are programmed to leave a pre-recorded message without needing a rep to do it manually. This feature helps reps move quickly through call lists without wasting time on unanswered calls.
Yes, many cloud-based auto dialers are designed to integrate seamlessly with VoIP platforms and modern UCaaS tools like Zoom Phone, RingCentral, Aircall, and others. This makes setup easier and enables advanced features like click-to-call or real-time call analytics.
They use answering machine detection (AMD), a technology that analyzes background noise, speech cadence, and response delay to determine whether a real person or a voicemail was picked up. Some platforms also use AI to refine detection accuracy over time.
Absolutely. Most auto dialer platforms now offer cloud-based access, allowing remote teams to log in from anywhere with an internet connection. With features like browser-based calling, call transfer, CRM sync, and real-time dashboards, remote reps can operate just as efficiently as in-office teams.
Pricing varies based on the number of users, dialer type (preview vs. predictive), features, and integrations. Entry-level plans for small teams start around $25–$50/user/month, while more advanced, enterprise-grade dialers with AI and compliance features can cost $100+/user/month.
Yes, auto dialers are a popular tool for cold calling because they speed up dialing, screen out bad numbers, and help reps reach more people in less time. Paired with CRM insights and call scripts, they’re a major asset for outbound lead gen teams.
There aren’t enough hours in the day, and taking advantage of time to automate a process is a great productivity practice. Auto dialers are a perfect example of eliminating a tedious task and creating more time to focus on your business's fuel: the customer.
Check out the detailed review of the best auto dialer software we evaluated.
This article was originally published in 2020. It has been updated with new information.
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