Dialpad vs Fireflies.ai
Short version: Dialpad is the better fit for teams that want AI calling and live coaching built into the phone, while Fireflies.ai is built for teams that want cheap, reliable AI notes and transcripts across meetings.
Dialpad
AI-powered business phone & contact center
$15/mo
From ~$15/seat/mo; AI transcription and coaching included
Fireflies.ai
AI notetaker for every meeting
Free plan
Free plan; paid from ~$10/seat/mo, AI features on higher tiers
At a glance
| Spec | Dialpad | Fireflies.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $15/mo | Free plan |
| Budget tier | Budget-friendly | Budget-friendly |
| Complexity | Beginner-friendly | Beginner-friendly |
| Primary category | Phone System & Dialers | Conversation Intelligence |
| Integrations | 70+ | 60+ |
| Founded | 2011 | 2016 |
Feature comparison
Dialpad offers 3 of 11 tracked conversation intelligence features; Fireflies.ai offers 9.
| Feature | Dialpad | Fireflies.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Call & meeting recording | ||
| Transcription | ||
| AI summaries & notes | ||
| Talk-time & topic analytics | ||
| Deal & pipeline intelligence | ||
| Coaching & scorecards | ||
| Auto CRM sync | ||
| Multi-language support | ||
| Free plan | ||
| API & webhooks | ||
| Priority / 24-7 support |
Dialpad
Pros
- Built-in AI transcription and real-time coaching
- Affordable entry price
- Unified phone, messaging, and meetings
Cons
- Sales dialer less specialized than Orum
- AI accuracy varies by accent
- Feature breadth can overwhelm
Fireflies.ai
Pros
- Generous free tier and very low paid pricing
- Accurate transcripts, summaries, and search
- Works across Zoom, Meet, Teams, and dialers
Cons
- Lighter deal/pipeline intelligence than Gong
- Coaching and analytics are basic
- AI credit limits on lower tiers
Which should you choose?
Choose Dialpad if…
- you want built-in AI transcription and real-time coaching
- you want affordable entry price
- you want unified phone, messaging, and meetings
Choose Fireflies.ai if…
- you want generous free tier and very low paid pricing
- you want accurate transcripts, summaries, and search
- you want works across Zoom, Meet, Teams, and dialers
The verdict
Both are solid conversation intelligence tools. The best choice comes down to fit: Dialpad for teams that want AI calling and live coaching built into the phone, and Fireflies.ai for teams that want cheap, reliable AI notes and transcripts across meetings.
Browse all tools →Frequently asked questions
Is Dialpad or Fireflies.ai cheaper?
Fireflies.ai is the more affordable option (Free plan versus $15/mo). The lower sticker price isn't always the better value, though, weigh the tier your team will actually land on and any add-ons.
Which is better, Dialpad or Fireflies.ai?
Neither is strictly better, they're built for different priorities. Dialpad is the stronger pick for teams that want AI calling and live coaching built into the phone, while Fireflies.ai suits teams that want cheap, reliable AI notes and transcripts across meetings.
What's the main difference between Dialpad and Fireflies.ai?
Dialpad is beginner-friendly and budget-friendly, while Fireflies.ai is beginner-friendly and budget-friendly. On tracked conversation intelligence features, Dialpad covers 3 and Fireflies.ai covers 9.