The short answer
An auto dialer is any software that dials a list for you. A power dialer dials for one person at a fixed pace. A predictive dialer dials ahead for a pool of agents based on a guess about who will be free. Small teams usually want a power dialer. Large floors with 10 or more agents are where predictive dialers earn their price.
Side by side
| Power dialer | Predictive dialer | Preview dialer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who sets the pace | One person's readiness, fixed lines | An algorithm, across a pool | The agent, one record at a time |
| Lines per caller | 1, or a few you choose | Varies with the pacing guess | 1 |
| Answers with no one free | None on 1 line; possible on several | Possible whenever the guess runs high | None |
| Team size it fits | 1 to a few callers | 10 or more agents, per Five9 | Any, lowest volume |
| Typical pricing | Published, per seat | Mostly by quote | Usually bundled with the others |
Power dialer
A power dialer moves one person through a list. When a call ends and the outcome is set, the next number dials. Single-line power dialers, like PhoneBurner or DialBreeze Breeze, call one number at a time. Multi-line power dialers ring a few numbers at once for the same person. DialBreeze Jetstream rings up to 3 and sends the first answer to you.
The tradeoff with more lines: if a second person answers while you are already talking, nobody is free to take them. DialBreeze plays your disconnect message on that line, or ends it silently if none is set, and logs it as a multi-line no-connect, so you can count it.
Predictive dialer
A predictive dialer watches answer rates and agent availability and dials ahead so the pool stays busy. Five9 describes it as using "advanced algorithms to predict agent availability," best "when more than 10 active agents are available." Predictive dialing is offered by contact-center platforms such as Five9, TCN, Convoso, RingCentral RingCX and Nextiva's higher contact-center plans, and by some sales dialers such as BatchDialer Pro and DialRush.
The risk is abandoned calls: a person answers and no agent is connected. The FTC's safe harbor (16 CFR 310.4(b)(4)) includes keeping abandoned calls to no more than 3% of answered calls per campaign over 30 days, among other conditions. See our safe harbor guide.
Auto dialer and other types
- Progressive dialer. Dials when an agent is free, adjusting pace to campaign results. Five9 says it is appropriate with fewer than 10 agents.
- Preview dialer. Shows the record first and dials when the agent is ready.
- Ratio dialer. CallHub's auto dialer mode dials at a ratio you set, such as 2:1 or 3:1, and connects the first answer.
- Phone-app dialer. Calley dials from your mobile through the SIM card or a VoIP app.
Which one to pick
- 1 to 5 callers, outbound only: a power dialer. One line if every answer must reach a person; a few lines if you want more volume and will watch the drop count.
- 10 or more agents on high-volume lists, with a compliance owner: a predictive platform may fit.
- Few, high-value calls with research first: a preview dialer, or a power dialer on one line.
What each type costs
Power dialers mostly publish per-seat prices. Predictive platforms mostly sell by quote. Here is what each vendor published on its own page.
| Dialer | Published price | Lines per caller | Seat minimum | What it includes | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DialBreeze Breeze | $29 per seat per month; calling time $0.75 per dialing hour from loaded calling credit; phone numbers are $5 per month each; or load calling credit | 1 | 1 seat | One-line browser power dialer with call notes; automatic voicemail detection and drop, where enabled on your workspace | 2026-10-21 |
| DialBreeze Jetstream | $49 per seat per month; calling time $0.75 per dialing hour from loaded calling credit; phone numbers are $5 per month each; or load calling credit | Up to 3 | 1 seat | Breeze with up to 3 lines at once | 2026-10-21 |
| PhoneBurner StandardSource | $165 per user per month billed monthly, or $140 billed annually. Browser softphone is on Professional ($195 monthly) and Premium ($215 monthly), not Standard | Not stated | Not stated | Power dialing, CRM, workflow automation and call analytics | 2026-10-21 |
| BatchDialer StarterSource | $119 per agent per month, or $95 billed annually | 3 | Not stated | Multi-line power dialer | 2026-10-18 |
| CallHub EssentialSource | No seat fee. $0.045 per dial, pay as you go | A ratio you set, such as 2:1 or 3:1, in auto dialer mode | Up to 10 agents on Essential | Campaign calling and texting platform | 2026-10-18 |
| DialRushSource | $250 per seat per month plus a 5% fee, $262.50 all-in, minutes included | 1 to 8 (predictive) | 1 seat | Predictive, power and preview dialer | 2026-10-18 |
| RingCentral RingCXSource | From $65 per user per month | Not stated | Not stated | Contact center with preview, progressive and predictive dialing | 2026-10-18 |
| Five9Source | Not published. Quote form only | Not stated | Not stated | Contact center with predictive, progressive, power and preview modes | 2026-10-18 |
| TCNSource | Pay per use. Rates not published | Not stated | No monthly minimums, per TCN | Contact center with predictive and preview dialing | 2026-10-18 |
| ConvosoSource | Not published. Mostly annual plans, by quote | Not stated | Not stated | Contact center with predictive dialing | 2026-10-18 |
Vendor prices were read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown in each row. "Not published" means the page published no dollar price; "Not stated" marks an unspecified feature or minimum, and we did not estimate one. Load calling credit in $25, $50, $75 or a custom amount in whole dollars from $25 to $2,000. Calling is $0.75 per dialing hour, drawn from your balance. AI transcription and call notes are included on Breeze and Jetstream. Calling is $0.75 per dialing hour, prepaid. Phone numbers are $5 per month each. Calling is $0.75 per dialing hour on every plan, drawn from your calling credit. Prices change, so confirm on the vendor's site.
DialBreeze is a power dialer: Breeze $29 a seat on one line with continuous dialing and call notes, Jetstream $49 a seat with up to 3 lines. Calling time is $0.75/hour on every plan. See the plans.