Best outbound calling software for small businesses: 1. CloudTalk, 2. JustCall, 3. Aircall & more. Ranked by dialer depth, price, and CRM integrations.
The best outbound calling software for small businesses in 2026 is a cloud phone system with a built-in power or parallel dialer and two-way sync with HubSpot, Salesforce or Pipedrive. That combination lets a team of 3 to 30 reps reach more leads per hour without typing numbers or logging calls by hand.
Manual dialing is the main cost that outbound calling software removes. A rep dialing from a spreadsheet spends a large share of every session on ringing, unanswered calls and note-taking. Power dialers, parallel dialers, voicemail drop and automatic call logging hand that time back to live conversations.
This guide ranks 8 outbound calling tools for small businesses with a weighted score across dialer depth, price, CRM integrations, pricing transparency and AI features. Each tool review covers the same six areas: overview, key features, integrations, use cases, industries and pricing.
CloudTalk (4.90/5): best for small businesses calling across markets, because smart, power and parallel dialing (up to 10 lines) come with local numbers in 160+ countries from $25 per user/month
JustCall (4.50/5): best for call plus SMS outreach, because power, dynamic and predictive dialers sit beside two-way SMS in one workspace
Aircall (4.00/5): best for teams that want a phone system first, because 250+ native integrations and browser setup come standard, with power dialing on the $50 Professional plan
Close (3.60/5): best for teams that do not have a CRM yet, because calls, email and SMS live on the same lead record, with power dialing from $99 per user/month
PhoneBurner (3.35/5): best for reps who dial most of the day, because every plan includes unlimited power dialing and one-click voicemail drop
Dialpad (3.10/5): best for AI coaching, because live transcription and real-time coaching prompts run on its in-house AI
Kixie (2.90/5): best for HubSpot and Salesforce click-to-call, because it is a certified partner of both and logs calls and texts back automatically
Nextiva (2.90/5): best for unified communications, because voice, video, team chat and SMS come from one vendor from $15 per user/month
The 8 outbound calling tools in this guide were selected with three entry rules and ranked by a weighted score from 1 to 5 across five criteria. Every score is based on what each vendor publishes on its own pricing, plan and integrations pages, so any reader can check a score against its source.
An outbound calling tool qualified for the shortlist only if it met all three entry rules:
Automated outbound dialing: at least a power dialer on one plan, not only manual click-to-call.
Sized for small teams: a plan a small business can buy with no seat minimum above 3 users.
Recommended for small business outbound calling: named repeatedly in leading outbound calling comparisons and in AI assistant answers to this question.
Enterprise contact center platforms failed rule 2. Five9, for example, lists its Digital plan at $119 per user/month, and a 50-license minimum may apply, which puts it outside a typical small business budget.
Each tool is scored from 1 to 5 on five criteria, and every score level is defined in advance so the same evidence always earns the same score. The weights reflect what changes a small sales team's results most: the dialer sets how many conversations a rep has, and the price of the dialer plan sets whether the team can afford it.
| Criterion | Weight | Why it matters | How it is scored |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dialer depth | 30% | The dialer sets how many conversations each rep has per hour | 5: three or more dialing modes, incl. parallel or predictive; 4: two modes, incl. multi-line or predictive; 3: power dialer only; 1: no automated dialer |
| Price of the cheapest plan with a power dialer | 25% | Small teams pay per seat, so the dialer plan sets the real monthly cost | 5: $50 or less per user/month; 4: $51 to $75; 3: $76 to $100; 2: over $100; 1: quote only |
| CRM integrations | 20% | Automatic call logging removes manual CRM data entry | 5: 100+ integrations incl. native HubSpot, Salesforce and Pipedrive; 4: 50+ incl. HubSpot and Salesforce; 3: any other combination |
| Pricing transparency | 15% | Published prices let a team budget without a sales call | 5: annual and monthly prices for every plan below enterprise; 3: some prices published; 1: no prices published |
| AI features | 10% | AI cuts note-taking and coaching time, but matters less than dialing for most small teams | 5: transcription, call summaries or insights, and an AI voice agent, at least one included in a plan; 4: two of the three, or all three as paid add-ons only; 3: one, or two as add-ons only; 1: none |
The final score multiplies each criterion score by its weight and adds the results, for a maximum of 5.00. CloudTalk's 4.90, for example, is 5 × 30% + 5 × 25% + 5 × 20% + 5 × 15% + 4 × 10%.
When two tools tie, the tool with the higher CRM integrations score ranks first. That rule places Kixie (2.90, integrations score 5) above Nextiva (2.90, integrations score 3). No tool can raise its position through payment or partnership; every tool, CloudTalk included, is scored on the same published rubric.
CloudTalk scores highest at 4.90 out of 5, followed by JustCall at 4.50 and Aircall at 4.00. The score table shows how each tool earned its total on the five criteria.
| Rank | Tool | Dialer depth (30%) | Price (25%) | CRM integrations (20%) | Pricing transparency (15%) | AI features (10%) | Weighted score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CloudTalk | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4.9 |
| 2 | JustCall | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4.5 |
| 3 | Aircall | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| 4 | Close | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3.6 |
| 5 | PhoneBurner | 3 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3.35 |
| 6 | Dialpad | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3.1 |
| 7 | Kixie | 4 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 2.9 |
| 8 | Nextiva | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2.9 |
CloudTalk ranks first because it is the only tool to score 5 on dialer depth, price, CRM integrations and pricing transparency. Its one 4 is AI features, because call transcription, insights and the AI voice agent are paid add-ons rather than included in a plan.
JustCall ranks second on three dialing modes and AI transcription included in its plans. It loses points because monthly prices are not published and its 70+ native integrations fall short of 100.
Aircall ranks third on a $50 power dialer plan and 250+ native integrations, but the power dialer is its only automated dialing mode. Kixie and Nextiva rank last because neither publishes a price for a plan with automated dialing.
The comparison table lists the plan details behind each score.
| Tool | Best for | Outbound dialers | Entry plan (per user/mo, annual) | Plan with power dialing | Integrations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CloudTalk | Calling across markets | Smart, power, parallel (up to 10 lines) | Starter $25 | Expert $49 (3-user min.), or $15 add-on | 100+, incl. HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive |
| JustCall | Calls plus SMS | Power, dynamic, predictive | Team $29 (2-user min.) | Pro $49 | 70+ native, incl. HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive |
| Aircall | Phone system first | Power | Essentials $30 (3-user min.) | Professional $50 | 250+ native, incl. Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk |
| Close | CRM with calling built in | Power, predictive | Solo $9 | Growth $99 | 100+, incl. Gmail, Zoom, Calendly |
| PhoneBurner | Dedicated power dialing | Power | Standard $140 | Standard $140 | 100+, incl. Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho CRM |
| Dialpad | AI transcription and coaching | Power (Contact Center) | Connect Standard $15 | Contact Center Essentials $89 | Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk (total not published) |
| Kixie | HubSpot and Salesforce click-to-call | Single-line and multi-line power (up to 4 lines) | Quote only | Quote only | 120+, incl. HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive |
| Nextiva | Unified communications | Progressive, predictive | Core $15 | Professional (custom) | 36, incl. Salesforce, HubSpot, Microsoft Teams |
The 8 best outbound calling software tools for small businesses in 2026 are CloudTalk, JustCall, Aircall, Close, PhoneBurner, Dialpad, Kixie and Nextiva, in order of weighted score. Each review below follows the same structure so the tools can be compared side by side.
Overview
CloudTalk is the best outbound calling software for small businesses that sell across several markets, because it combines smart, power and parallel dialing with local numbers in 160+ countries in one cloud phone system. Reps call, record, log and follow up from one app instead of pairing a standalone dialer with a separate phone line.
CloudTalk grows with a small team without a migration. A five-person team can start on Starter at $25 per user/month, add the parallel dialer when it needs more connects per hour, and add an AI voice agent for after-hours or overflow calls on the same account.
Key features
Parallel dialer: calls up to 10 numbers at once and connects the rep to the first person who answers, so reps skip ringing and voicemail
Power dialer: dials the next contact as soon as a call ends; included on Expert, or $15 per user/month on other plans
Smart dialer: on Essential and Expert, queues the next campaign call automatically so reps work a list without picking contacts by hand
Local numbers in 160+ countries: show a local caller ID in each market, with international SMS to 160+ countries
Call recording on every plan: plus an AI conversation intelligence add-on at $9 per user/month for transcripts and call insights
Branded caller ID and spam remediation: branded caller ID from $0.07 per call (US and UK numbers) and spam remediation (US numbers) lower the chance of calls being flagged as spam
Integrations
100+ integrations in total, including HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive, Zoho CRM, Zendesk, Intercom and Microsoft Teams
HubSpot: a certified integration that logs every call to the HubSpot contact record
Salesforce: included on Essential and Expert
Microsoft Teams: dialer and callback apps, so reps can place calls from Teams
Webhooks and CloudTalk MCP on Essential and Expert for custom workflows and AI assistants
Use cases
SDR cold calling: the parallel dialer raises connects per hour on large prospect lists
Speed-to-lead callbacks: the power dialer works through new inbound leads in order, so no form fill waits for a manual callback
Lead qualification for account executives: SDRs qualify leads by phone and log each outcome to the CRM before handing over the deal
Renewal and upsell calls: recordings and CRM call logs keep each account's history in one place
Industries
SaaS and technology: SDR teams pair parallel dialing with the HubSpot and Salesforce integrations
E-commerce and retail: sales and support share one phone system for order follow-ups and win-back calls
Real estate: the parallel dialer works through expired-listing and for-sale-by-owner lists quickly
Financial services and insurance: call recording on every plan supports quality review of client conversations
Pricing
Starter: $25 per user/month billed annually, or $34 monthly
Essential: $29 per user/month billed annually, or $39 monthly; adds the smart dialer and 95+ standard CRM integrations
Expert: $49 per user/month billed annually, or $69 monthly, with a 3-user minimum; includes the power dialer
Dialer add-ons: power dialer $15 and parallel dialer $39 per user/month, billed annually
AI voice agent: $99 for 200 minutes per month; every plan includes unlimited US and Canada calling under fair use
Who it is for
Small to mid-sized, growing businesses with roughly 11 to 50 seats whose sales or support teams make a high volume of calls and want more productivity through call automation
Teams that handle inbound and outbound calls on one platform, with the AI Receptionist plan covering overflow calls at $0 per month for 50 included minutes
Who it is not for
Freelancers who make only a few calls a day, or businesses that communicate almost entirely through email or chat
Companies that only need a basic phone line, since dialers, CRM sync and call analytics add cost they would not use
Overview
JustCall is outbound calling software for small sales teams that run calls and texts in the same sequence, because power, dynamic and predictive dialers sit beside two-way SMS in one workspace. A rep can call, leave a voicemail and send a follow-up text without switching tools.
JustCall's dialers scale by plan. The Pro plan at $49 per user/month adds the power dialer, while the custom-priced SalesPro plan adds predictive dialing across up to 10 lines. Small teams get a low entry price, but the strongest dialer requires a sales quote.
Key features
Power dialer: on Pro and above, dials the next contact automatically after each call
Predictive and dynamic dialers: on SalesPro, dial up to 10 lines ahead of rep availability for high-volume teams
Two-way business SMS: 500 SMS segments across Europe included on Team and 1,000 on Pro, for text follow-up after calls
AI Review Assist: scores calls for coaching; $9 per user on Team and Pro, included on Pro Plus
AI voice agent: an add-on for automated calls, with volume rates down to $0.15 per minute
Local number bundles: 50, 100 or 200 numbers, so each region sees a local caller ID
Integrations
70+ native integrations and an open API, including HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive and Zendesk
CRM: HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive, Zoho CRM, Freshsales and Close
Helpdesk: Zendesk Support, Freshdesk, Zoho Desk, Help Scout and Intercom
Other CRMs: ActiveCampaign, Keap, Copper and Follow Up Boss
Zapier: connects JustCall to 6,000+ apps
Use cases
Call plus SMS sequences: reps text prospects who miss a call from the same workspace
Appointment confirmations: SMS reminders confirm booked meetings before the call
Re-engaging stalled leads: the power dialer works through old lists quickly
Speed-to-lead follow-up: the power dialer calls new web leads in order of arrival
Industries
SaaS and technology: SDR teams combine power dialing with HubSpot or Salesforce sync
Education and tutoring: high inbound lead volumes need fast call and text follow-up
Real estate: the Follow Up Boss integration connects calls to real estate lead pipelines
Recruiting and staffing: texts reach candidates who do not answer calls
Pricing
Team: $29 per user/month billed annually, 2-user minimum
Pro: $49 per user/month billed annually; adds the power dialer
Pro Plus: $89 per user/month billed annually; includes AI Review Assist
Business (10-user minimum) and SalesPro: custom quote; SalesPro includes the predictive dialer
Monthly billing prices are not published for any plan
Who it is for
Sales teams of 2 to 10 reps, matching the 2-user minimum on Team, Pro and Pro Plus
Teams planning to grow past 10 seats into high-volume dialing, since the Business plan starts at 10 users and SalesPro adds predictive dialing
Who it is not for
Solo users, because every published plan requires at least 2 licenses
Buyers who want month-to-month contracts at a listed price, since only annual prices are published
Overview
Aircall is outbound calling software for small teams that want a dependable cloud phone system first and a dialer second, because numbers, users and call flows are set up in the browser and 250+ native integrations connect calls to the CRM and helpdesk.
Aircall's outbound tools start on the Professional plan at $50 per license/month, which adds the power dialer, voicemail drop and campaign retries. Every plan requires at least 3 licenses, and each extra number costs $6 per month, which raises the cost for the smallest teams.
Key features
Power dialer: on Professional, works through lists of up to 1,000 numbers with time between calls for notes
Outbound campaigns: automatic retries and campaign analytics on Professional
Voicemail drop: leaves a pre-recorded message in one click on Professional and Enterprise
Coaching tools: whisper, barge-in and live monitoring let managers guide live calls
Unlimited US and Canada outbound calls: on every plan, with no limit on simultaneous outbound calls
AI Assist Pro: call summaries and insights for $49 per seat/month
Integrations
250+ native integrations, including Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive and Zendesk
CRM: Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, Pipedrive and monday.com
Helpdesk: Zendesk, Intercom, Help Scout, Gorgias and Richpanel
Aircall for Salesforce Voice: a $30 per seat/month add-on for calling inside Salesforce
WhatsApp in Aircall: a $10 per seat/month add-on
Use cases
Shared inbound and outbound teams: one number pool and call flow serve both directions
Post-demo sales follow-up: the power dialer works through demo lists with time for notes
Customer success check-ins: helpdesk integrations connect calls to open tickets
Support callbacks: campaign retries reach customers who missed the first call
Industries
SaaS and technology: HubSpot and Salesforce sync serve sales and success teams
E-commerce: Gorgias and Richpanel integrations link calls to customer orders
Travel and hospitality: shared inbound and outbound lines handle bookings and follow-ups
Professional services: browser setup suits small offices without IT staff
Pricing
Essentials: $30 per license/month billed annually, 3-license minimum
Professional: $50 per license/month billed annually; adds the power dialer and voicemail drop
Enterprise: custom, 25-license minimum
Add-ons: AI Assist Pro $49 per seat, Analytics+ $15 per seat, extra numbers $6 each per month
AI voice agents: from $100 per month, with a 500-minute bundle at $175
Who it is for
Teams of 3 to 25 users, matching the 3-license minimum on Essentials and Professional and the 25-license start of Enterprise
Businesses that want AI messaging agents beside calls, priced at $0.15 to $0.35 per conversation
Who it is not for
Solo users and 2-person teams, who still pay for 3 licenses
Teams that call abroad often on Essentials or Professional, since international outbound rates are quoted separately and unlimited international calling is Enterprise only
Overview
Close is a sales CRM with outbound calling built in, which makes it the best fit for small sales teams that do not yet have a CRM. Calls, email and SMS are logged on the same lead record, so there is no dialer-to-CRM sync to set up or maintain.
Close's dialers scale by plan. Growth at $99 per user/month adds the power dialer and voicemail drop, and Scale at $139 adds predictive dialing and live call coaching. Teams already committed to HubSpot or Salesforce gain less, because most of Close's value comes from replacing the CRM.
Key features
Built-in calling: calling, call logging, custom voicemail and SMS on every plan, including Solo at $9 per user/month
Power dialer: on Growth and Scale, dials the next lead after each call
Predictive dialer and live call coaching: on Scale, for teams with steady high call volume
Voicemail drop and custom call outcomes: on Growth and Scale
SMS in automated workflows: text scheduling on Essentials and above
Call recording retention: 30 days on Solo and Essentials, 90 days on Growth and unlimited on Scale
Integrations
100+ integrations in total, including Gmail, Microsoft 365, Zoom, Calendly and HubSpot
Email: Gmail and Microsoft 365
Meetings and scheduling: Zoom and Calendly
AI assistants: ChatGPT and Claude
Automation: Zapier and Make
Use cases
Inside sales cold calling: the power dialer and email history sit on one lead record
Founder-led sales: the $9 Solo plan covers calling and SMS for one person
Multi-step sequences: email, call and SMS steps run in automated workflows
Pipeline management: deal stages sit beside each lead's call history
Industries
SaaS and startups: one tool covers CRM and calling at an early stage
Marketing and creative agencies: Calendly and Zoom bookings link to client records
B2B services and consultancies: Gmail or Microsoft 365 sync keeps client email beside calls
Financial services: unlimited call recording retention on Scale keeps a full call history
Pricing
Solo: $9 per user/month billed annually, or $19 monthly
Essentials: $35 per user/month billed annually, or $49 monthly
Growth: $99 per user/month billed annually, or $109 monthly; adds the power dialer
Scale: $139 per user/month billed annually, or $149 monthly; adds the predictive dialer
Calling, call logging and SMS are included on every plan
Who it is for
Solo founders and small B2B sales teams choosing their first CRM, with no seat minimum on any plan
Sales teams that want AI call notes inside the CRM through the Call Assistant add-on, at $50 per month plus $0.02 per recorded minute
Who it is not for
Customer support teams, since Close is built around sales pipelines rather than support ticket queues
Businesses whose outbound calls are mostly reminders or notifications, since pipeline features add cost those campaigns do not need
Overview
PhoneBurner is a dedicated power dialer for solo reps and small teams whose day is mostly outbound calls, because every plan includes unlimited power dialing and one-click voicemail drop. Automatic logging and follow-up automation keep the rep inside one calling session instead of switching tabs.
PhoneBurner costs more than the other tools in this ranking. Plans start at $140 per user/month billed annually, so it pays off for reps who dial for several hours a day rather than for teams that make occasional calls.
Key features
Unlimited power dialing: on every plan, with no per-minute limits
One-click voicemail drop: leaves a pre-recorded message and moves to the next call
Built-in CRM: with workflow automation, so leads can be managed without a separate CRM
Call analytics: reporting on every plan
Live monitoring and coaching: plus Krisp AI noise cancellation, on Professional and Premium
Call transcription and AI note-taker: on Premium
Integrations
100+ apps and CRMs, including Salesforce, HubSpot and Zoho CRM
Salesforce and HubSpot
Zoho CRM and SugarCRM
GoHighLevel, Close and monday.com
Open API on Professional and Premium
Use cases
High-volume prospecting: unlimited dialing suits reps who call all day
Web lead follow-up: the built-in CRM queues new leads for calling
Appointment setting: voicemail drop and follow-up automation keep each lead moving
Aged lead reactivation: power dialing works through old lists fast
Industries
Insurance: agents work large lead lists every day
Real estate: GoHighLevel and CRM integrations connect calls to agent pipelines
Mortgage and lending: loan officers follow up quickly on rate-sensitive leads
Home services and solar: appointment-setting teams dial purchased leads
Pricing
Standard: $140 per user/month billed annually, or $165 monthly
Professional: $165 per user/month billed annually, or $195 monthly; adds softphone dialing and coaching
Premium: $183 per user/month billed annually, or $215 monthly; adds SMS, transcription and a PhoneBurner number
Extra SMS: $15 per 1,000 outbound messages above the monthly limit
Unlimited calling is included on every plan
Who it is for
Individual producers and teams of 1 to 10 agents in commission-based sales, where extra conversations per hour justify $140+ per seat
Callers who also text leads, using Premium's 1,000 outbound SMS per month with unlimited inbound texts after A2P 10DLC registration
Who it is not for
Businesses that need a full inbound phone system, since custom inbound routing and a PhoneBurner number come only on Premium
Teams making a few dozen calls a day, where a $25 to $50 phone system with a power dialer covers the need
Overview
Dialpad is outbound calling software for teams that want AI on every call, because live transcription, call summaries and real-time coaching prompts run on its in-house AI. Managers can coach a small team from transcripts instead of listening to every recording.
Dialpad's outbound dialing depends on the product line. The Connect plans from $15 per user/month cover business calling, while the power dialer is listed only under the Contact Center plans from $89. Small teams should match the product line to their call volume before buying.
Key features
Real-time AI transcription: with automatic call summaries after each call
Live coaching prompts: appear on screen during calls
Power dialer: on Contact Center plans
Reach Booster: local presence dialing and voicemail drop on Sell Advanced
Google Workspace calling: click-to-call and messaging buttons inside Gmail and Google Calendar
Desktop, web and mobile apps: one number and call history across devices
Integrations
Integrations listed in the Dialpad app marketplace, including Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk and Gmail; no total is published
Salesforce: the customer profile opens when a call is answered
HubSpot: the contact record opens when a call is answered
Zendesk: the customer profile opens on answer for support calls
Gmail and Google Calendar: calendar events and emails show on the active call screen
Use cases
Coaching newer reps: live prompts guide reps during calls
Automated call notes: transcripts and summaries replace manual note-taking
Outbound support callbacks: Zendesk profiles open as the call connects
Multi-office teams: desktop, web and mobile apps share one call history
Industries
Technology and SaaS: Salesforce and HubSpot screen pops support sales calls
Professional services: Gmail and Google Calendar calling suits Google Workspace offices
Retail: Contact Center plans handle customer callbacks at volume
Education: Google Workspace integrations fit schools and training providers
Pricing
Connect: Standard $15 and Pro $25 per user/month; Enterprise via sales
Sell: Essentials $39, Advanced $59 and Premium $79 per user/month
Contact Center: Essentials $89, Advanced $119 and Premium $149 per user/month; power dialer included
Annual plans are discounted from the listed rates
Separate annual and monthly prices are not published
Who it is for
Sales managers of roughly 5 to 50 reps who coach from call data rather than by joining calls
Businesses that want one vendor from a business phone system today to a contact center later, since Connect, Sell and Contact Center share one platform
Who it is not for
Teams whose main need is high-volume list dialing, where a dedicated dialer delivers more dialing per dollar
Teams that rarely review calls, because much of Dialpad's value comes from transcripts and coaching they would not use
Overview
Kixie is outbound calling software for small sales teams that run their pipeline in HubSpot or Salesforce, because it is a certified partner of both and logs calls and texts back to the CRM automatically. Reps click to call and text from the CRM record and work from one screen.
Kixie's plans scale from a single-line power dialer to a multi-line power dialer that calls up to 4 numbers at once. Kixie does not publish prices on its pricing page, so budgeting starts with a sales conversation.
Key features
Single-line PowerDialer: with calling session management
Multi-line PowerDialer: dials up to 4 lines at once with AI human voice detection
Voicemail drop: on every plan
SMS: text messaging, click-to-text, SMS templates and team SMS
Call routing: call recording, rule-based routing, IVR and call queues on every plan
Live call coaching: on every plan
Integrations
120+ integrations, including HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive and Zoho
Native CRM integrations: HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive, Zoho and HighLevel
Other CRMs: Close, Copper, Freshworks, monday.com and Microsoft Dynamics
Enterprise CRMs: Oracle CRM, SAP CRM and SugarCRM
Developer API on every plan
Use cases
CRM-driven cadences: reps call and text from HubSpot or Salesforce tasks
Inbound lead callbacks: rule-based routing sends new leads to the right rep
Call plus SMS follow-up: click-to-text reaches leads who miss a call
Sales coaching: live call coaching on every plan
Industries
SaaS and technology: HubSpot and Salesforce teams dial from the CRM
Real estate: click-to-text reaches buyers who screen calls
Recruiting and staffing: SMS templates speed up candidate outreach
Home services: multi-line dialing works through large lead lists
Pricing
Professional: quote only
Single-Line PowerDialer: quote only
Multi-Line PowerDialer: quote only
7-day free trial with no credit card; unlimited US and Canada minutes on all plans
Add-ons such as ConnectionBoost, Conversation Intelligence and DNC compliance are priced on request
Who it is for
Inside sales teams of roughly 5 to 50 reps who work in the CRM all day and rarely open a separate phone app
Teams calling and texting contacts in the US and Canada, where unlimited minutes come with every plan
Who it is not for
Teams without a CRM, since Kixie's value depends on syncing calls and texts to one
Teams that call mostly outside the US and Canada, since unlimited minutes cover only those two countries
Overview
Nextiva is a unified communications platform for small businesses that want voice, video, team chat and SMS from one vendor, with outbound calling as one workflow among several. Core starts at $15 per user/month billed annually and includes inbound and outbound calling.
Nextiva's outbound campaign tools sit in the Professional contact center tier, which is priced only through sales. That tier adds list management, progressive and predictive dialing and voicemail drop, so a team that only needs a sales dialer may pay for more suite than it uses.
Key features
Inbound and outbound voice: with a mobile app on every plan
Business SMS: on every plan
Video meetings and team chat: included from Core
Progressive and predictive dialing: on Professional
List and campaign management: with voicemail drop on Professional
AI transcription and summaries: on Scale
Integrations
36 integrations, including Salesforce, HubSpot, Microsoft Teams and Zendesk
CRM: Salesforce, HubSpot, Microsoft Dynamics, Zoho CRM and Pipedrive
Helpdesk: Zendesk and Freshdesk
Productivity: Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Google Calendar and Calendly
Other CRMs: Bullhorn, GoHighLevel and SugarCRM
Use cases
Office phone system with sales calling: one platform for every employee
Customer callbacks: skills-based routing on Scale sends calls to the right person
Proactive outbound notifications: reminders and alerts on Professional
Multi-location businesses: call routing and mobile apps connect several sites
Industries
Healthcare: proactive outbound notifications support appointment reminders
Retail: business SMS and voice serve customers from one number
Professional services: Outlook and Calendly integrations fit client scheduling
Hospitality: call routing spreads guest calls across locations
Pricing
Core: $15 per user/month billed annually, or $23 monthly
Engage: $25 per user/month billed annually, or $50 monthly
Scale: $75 per user/month
Contact center: Essential from $75 per agent/month; Professional (dialers) and Premium on request
Annual small business pricing applies to companies with 1 to 100 employees
Who it is for
Small and mid-sized businesses of 1 to 100 employees replacing an office phone system, matching its small business pricing
Companies where sales is one of several phone-based teams, such as front desk, support and billing
Who it is not for
Sales-led startups that only need a dialer and have no use for video, team chat or a contact center
Teams that need a price for automated dialing before talking to sales, since progressive and predictive dialing are quote-only
Caller ID features raise answer rates more than any other part of outbound calling software, because people decide whether to pick up based on the number and name on their screen. Small businesses can shape that first impression with six tools.
Local presence: a number with the prospect's area or country code looks like a local call. Vendors sell it as local number bundles (JustCall), Reach Booster (Dialpad) or local numbers in 160+ countries (CloudTalk).
Branded caller ID: shows the business name, and on some phones a logo and call reason, on the recipient's mobile screen. CloudTalk charges from $0.07 per call on US and UK numbers, and Aircall charges $0.08 per call.
CNAM registration: the caller name record that many US carriers look up for incoming calls. Registering the business name in CNAM is the basic way to show a name instead of a bare number.
STIR/SHAKEN attestation: the caller ID authentication standard backed by the FCC, in which carriers digitally sign caller ID so receiving networks can verify a call is not spoofed.
Spam monitoring and remediation: tools that check whether a number is labeled as spam and request removal, such as CloudTalk's spam remediation for US numbers and Aircall's Number Reputation Dashboard at $0.03 per check.
Number rotation and pacing: spreading call volume across several numbers and keeping daily calls per number moderate lowers the chance of a spam label.
A power dialer calls one number per rep at a time, a parallel dialer calls several numbers per rep at once, and a predictive dialer uses an algorithm to dial ahead of rep availability. A parallel dialer removes the most idle time between conversations, because the rep no longer waits through ringing and voicemail on each number.
| Dialer type | How it works | Best fit for a small business | Offered by (tools in this ranking) | Compliance note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power dialer | Calls one number per rep and dials the next as soon as the call ends | Small sales teams working curated lead lists | CloudTalk, JustCall, Aircall, Close, PhoneBurner, Dialpad, Kixie | Lowest risk of abandoned calls |
| Parallel dialer | Calls several numbers per rep at once and connects the first answer | SDR teams that need higher connect volume | CloudTalk (up to 10 lines), Kixie (up to 4 lines) | Can drop calls when two people answer |
| Predictive dialer | Uses an algorithm to dial ahead based on rep availability | Larger teams with high, steady volume | JustCall (SalesPro), Close (Scale), Nextiva (Professional) | Abandoned-call rules apply under the TCPA |
Small businesses calling into the US must follow the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). In practice that means scrubbing lists against the National Do Not Call Registry, respecting calling-hour limits and registering texting numbers for A2P 10DLC.
Small businesses calling into the EU need a lawful basis for each call under GDPR. Keeping a consent or legitimate-interest record and an opt-out record with every contact makes that basis easy to show.
A team of 5 reps pays $200 to $250 per month for a power dialer setup from CloudTalk, JustCall or Aircall, and $445 to $700 per month for Dialpad, Close or PhoneBurner. The table shows the cheapest published setup with automated dialing for 5 users on annual billing.
| Tool | Cheapest setup with a power dialer | Monthly cost for 5 reps | Calling minutes included |
|---|---|---|---|
| CloudTalk | Starter (15) | $200 | Unlimited US and Canada (fair use) |
| JustCall | Pro ($49) | $245 | Usage credits included; details vary by region |
| Aircall | Professional ($50) | $250 | Unlimited US and Canada outbound |
| Dialpad | Contact Center Essentials ($89) | $445 | Not listed on the pricing page |
| Close | Growth ($99) | $495 | Not listed on the pricing page |
| PhoneBurner | Standard ($140) | $700 | Unlimited calling |
| Kixie | Single-Line PowerDialer | Quote only | Unlimited US and Canada |
| Nextiva | Professional contact center | Quote only | Not listed on the pricing page |
Flat per-seat pricing with unlimited domestic minutes keeps a small team's bill predictable, because the cost does not rise with call volume. CloudTalk, Aircall, PhoneBurner and Kixie all include unlimited calling for US numbers on every plan.
Add-ons sit on top of these totals. Common extras are AI features, local number bundles and extra phone numbers, which cost $6 each per month on Aircall.
Choose outbound calling software for a small business by matching it to the team's call volume, CRM and target markets, then testing it with real calls. Four steps keep the shortlist grounded:
Count real call volume. For a few dozen dials per rep per day, a phone system with a power dialer is enough; for hundreds of dials, parallel dialing starts to pay off.
Start from the CRM. Shortlist tools with a native two-way integration for the CRM already in use, and confirm which plan unlocks it.
Check where customers are. Teams calling several countries need local numbers in those markets and clear international rates.
Run a trial with live calls. Test call quality, CRM logging and the dialer with real leads for a week before committing to an annual plan.
For a 5-rep team with a budget of about $250 per month, CloudTalk, JustCall and Aircall all cover power dialing, and CloudTalk ranks highest of the three at 4.90 out of 5 because it adds parallel dialing and local numbers in 160+ countries. Teams with a larger budget and no CRM can consider Close, and reps who dial for most of the day can consider PhoneBurner.
Outbound calling is when a business places calls to prospects or customers instead of receiving them. Common examples are sales prospecting, lead follow-up, appointment reminders, renewals and collections. Outbound calling software automates these calls with dialers, caller ID management, call recording and CRM logging.
Yes, AI can make outbound calls through AI voice agents that handle reminders, qualification questions and simple follow-ups before passing warm leads to a rep. CloudTalk's AI voice agent costs $99 for 200 minutes per month, Aircall's AI voice agents start at $100 per month, and JustCall's volume rates go down to $0.15 per minute. AI calls in the US still fall under TCPA consent rules.
A small business without a CRM should choose a CRM with calling built in, and a business that already uses a CRM should choose calling software that integrates with it. Close is a CRM with calling built in from $9 per user/month. CloudTalk, Aircall, JustCall and Kixie integrate with existing CRMs such as HubSpot, Salesforce and Pipedrive.
All 8 tools in this ranking list a HubSpot integration: CloudTalk, JustCall, Aircall, Close, PhoneBurner, Dialpad, Kixie and Nextiva. CloudTalk's integration is HubSpot-certified and logs every call to the contact record, and Kixie is a certified HubSpot partner with two-way sync. CloudTalk's standard CRM integrations start on Essential at $29 per user/month.
Yes, recording outbound sales calls is legal in the US when consent rules are met. Federal law and most states require only one party's consent, but states such as California, Florida, Pennsylvania and Washington require every party to agree, so many teams announce recording at the start of each call. In the EU, GDPR requires a lawful basis and clear notice before recording. This is general information, not legal advice.