Auto dialer software automatically dials telephone numbers pulled from a list and connects either to a live agent or a prerecorded message. Auto dialers eliminate the tedious task of manually dialing individual phone numbers, enabling representatives to instead focus on the content and delivery of their messages. Auto dialers are used in a wide variety of settings and industries, including sales, health care, education, and hospitality.

The best auto dialer software often requires a computer, a voice modem, and an active telephone line, though cloud-based solutions are also available. Some solutions require businesses to buy and host the necessary hardware themselves, while others bundle hardware hosting into their product for free or offer an additional subscription. The required hardware isn’t always specific and instead the application can run on a computer or cell phone.

Many auto dialer products integrate directly with existing CRM software or are built into contact center infrastructure software or telecom services for call centers, but there are also plenty of standalone options as well. Auto dialer software also has broad overlap with outbound call tracking software. They are distinct in that auto dialers will automatically call phone numbers from a list whereas outbound call tracking software needs to be prompted to call and is focused around storing data from the call itself.

To qualify for inclusion in the Auto Dialer category, a product must:

• Automatically call phone numbers from a predesignated list
• Present a prerecorded message or prompt once the call is answered or connect to a live agent