Dialpad vs Aircall: which should you choose?
Quick answer: Dialpad is built for ai-features, while Aircall suits sales-teams. For most users Aircall is the stronger default, but Dialpad can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case. Dialpad has the lower entry price.
Both Dialpad and Aircall get recommended a lot, but they solve the job differently. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| Dialpad | Aircall | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Ucaas | Call Center |
| What it's known for | AI-native business phone and contact center with real-time transcription, live call summaries and sentiment analysis built into the core product. | Cloud call-center and business phone built for support and sales teams, with deep CRM/helpdesk integrations and fast number provisioning. |
| Pricing | ~$15/user/mo Standard, ~$25/user/mo Pro (annual); enterprise custom | ~$30/user/mo Essentials, ~$50/user/mo Professional (annual, 3-user minimum); custom Custom tier |
| Best audience | Sales and support teams that want AI call intelligence built into the core phone. | Sales and support teams living inside a CRM/helpdesk who need tight call integration. |
| Best for | ai-features, sales-teams | sales-teams, crm-integration |
| Entry price | ~$15/user/mo (annual) | ~$30/license/mo (annual) |
| Biggest strength | Native AI (transcription, summaries) included rather than charged as an add-on. | Deep, polished CRM/helpdesk integrations for sales and support. |
| Main caveat | Standard plan only integrates with Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. | 3-license minimum on Essentials and Professional (25 on Custom). |
Features compared
Beyond the spec sheet, these are the capabilities that define each tool:
Dialpad key features
- AI-native business phone with real-time transcription on every plan
- Live call summaries, sentiment analysis and AI call coaching (Dialpad AI)
- Real-time assist and custom moments (keyword triggers) on Pro
- Call recording, advanced analytics and unlimited calling
Aircall key features
- Cloud call center with fast number provisioning and IVR
- 100+ CRM and helpdesk integrations (Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk, Intercom, Pipedrive)
- Power Dialer, smart routing and voicemail drop on Professional
- Live call monitoring, whispering and queue callback
Pricing tiers side by side
Dialpad plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | ~$15/user/mo (annual) | Transcription, basic summaries, Google/Microsoft integrations |
| Pro | ~$25/user/mo (annual) | Real-time assist, sentiment analysis, CRM integrations, call recording |
| Enterprise | Custom | Quote-based |
Aircall plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials | ~$30/license/mo (annual) | 3-license minimum, CRM integrations, IVR, call recording |
| Professional | ~$50/license/mo (annual) | Power Dialer, Salesforce, live monitoring, call whispering |
| Custom | Quote-based | 25-license minimum |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where Dialpad wins
Built-in AI transcription, summaries and sentiment analysis on every tier.
- Native AI (transcription, summaries) included rather than charged as an add-on.
- Low Standard entry price for an AI-first product.
That makes it the stronger pick for sales and support teams that want AI call intelligence built into the core phone.
Where Aircall wins
A call-center phone purpose-built around deep CRM and helpdesk integrations.
- Deep, polished CRM/helpdesk integrations for sales and support.
- Fast setup and number provisioning.
That makes it the stronger pick for sales and support teams living inside a CRM/helpdesk who need tight call integration.
Verdict: choose by fit
Both are good at the job, so let your priorities decide.
- Choose Dialpad if you fit its core audience — sales and support teams that want AI call intelligence built into the core phone.
- Choose Aircall if you fit its core audience — sales and support teams living inside a CRM/helpdesk who need tight call integration.
FAQ
Is Dialpad better than Aircall?
Aircall is the stronger default for most users, but Dialpad can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between Dialpad and Aircall?
Dialpad is built-in AI transcription, summaries and sentiment analysis on every tier. Aircall is a call-center phone purpose-built around deep CRM and helpdesk integrations.
Which is cheaper, Dialpad or Aircall?
Entry pricing differs: Dialpad starts at ~$15/user/mo (annual), while Aircall starts at ~$30/license/mo (annual). Compare the tiers above against your usage.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for Dialpad and Aircall: