Dialpad vs RingCentral is AI-first calling against a broad phone platform. Dialpad Connect leads with AI: real-time transcription, call summaries and action items on every plan, from US$15 per user a month. RingCentral's RingEX covers phone, messaging, meetings and fax with over 330 integrations and paid add-ons such as an AI Receptionist. Both offer a 14-day free trial.
Dialpad and RingCentral at a glance
| Dialpad Connect | RingCentral RingEX | |
|---|---|---|
| Plans | Standard US$15 and Pro US$25 per user a month; Enterprise on request | Several RingEX plans; the page says you save up to 33% paying annually |
| Free trial | 14 days | 14 days for new subscribers, up to 20 phone lines |
| AI | Real-time transcription, voicemail transcription, AI Recaps and action items | AI Receptionist add-on from US$39; Conversational Intelligence from US$60 |
| Calling | Unlimited calls on Standard; local numbers in over 50 countries | Unlimited calls within the US and Canada; international calling plans |
| Integrations | CRM integrations on Pro; Salesforce, HubSpot and Zoho for Dialpad Sell | Over 330 integrations across 200+ companies, plus APIs |
| Support and admin | 24/7 support on Pro | Advanced and Ultra packages add admin and analytics features |
Prices are as each vendor's page showed them, in US dollars, as of October 2026. Dialpad says its price can vary by region and currency, and RingCentral's core plan prices load by script, so check both pages for your country and team size.
The catch with RingCentral's trial
RingCentral's trial is generous, up to 20 phone lines and the full RingEX feature set, but read the small print. SMS isn't available during the trial, you can use up to 2 desk phones, and any trial hardware must be returned within 21 days of cancelling the trial to avoid hardware charges. If texting customers is the reason you're switching, you can't test that part before you pay.
The catch with Dialpad's entry plan
Dialpad's Standard plan includes unlimited calls, AI meetings and messaging, but CRM integrations and 24/7 customer support start on Pro. If your sales team lives in a CRM, budget for Pro from day one rather than discovering the gap after you've moved your numbers.
Dialpad's best features
- AI on every plan. Real-time call transcription, voicemail transcription and AI Recaps that summarise calls and meetings with key points and action items.
- International numbers. Local numbers in over 50 countries.
- Works everywhere. Desktops, laptops, iOS and Android phones, tablets and desk phones.
RingCentral's biggest advantages
- Breadth. Voice, auto attendant, online meetings, team messaging, fax and conferencing in one app.
- Microsoft Teams calling. RingCentral offers business calling inside Microsoft Teams.
- Add-ons when you need them. Call Queues Booster (US$35) and Business SMS Booster (US$25) extend a plan for busy lines and shared texting.
- Reliability claim. RingCentral says its phone service is 99.999% reliable.
Where each one fits best
Dialpad describes its Standard plan as perfect for small teams ready to scale, and Pro as ideal for growing businesses that need more flexibility, including multi-office management. Its Enterprise plan adds single sign-on, user access controls and unlimited office locations, with what Dialpad describes as 99.9% uptime.
RingCentral pitches RingEX at businesses replacing an older on-premise phone system, and points to its Advanced and Ultra packages for companies running several sites and regions. Those add cost centre management, multi-support admin, custom roles and permissions, adoption analytics and business analytics. For a small business, that's usually more than you need on day one, but it's useful headroom if you plan to open more locations.
Both sell into specific teams too. RingCentral has education packages for schools and universities. Dialpad's wider range includes Dialpad Sell, which syncs call data and insights with CRMs such as Salesforce, HubSpot and Zoho.
Both phone systems work with Microsoft Teams, and if you're unsure what Teams does that SharePoint doesn't, see our SharePoint vs Teams explainer.
What to ask before you switch
- Do you need to text customers from the business number from day one?
- Which CRM must the phone system log calls to?
- Do you need numbers in other countries?
- Does anyone on the team already work in Microsoft Teams all day?
Still shopping? Our lists of Dialpad alternatives and RingCentral alternatives cover the next options.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Do you make business phone or calling software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place in comparisons like this one.
Dialpad or RingCentral: my take
If you want AI call notes without paying extra, and you're a small team, try Dialpad's Standard plan first. If you need fax, Microsoft Teams calling or a long list of integrations, trial RingCentral, but test it with real calls and remember SMS isn't in the trial. Whichever you pick, port one number first and keep the old line live until you're sure.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Dialpad cost?
As of October 2026, Dialpad lists Standard at US$15 and Pro at US$25 per user a month, with Enterprise priced on request. Prices can vary by region and currency.
Does RingCentral have a free trial?
Yes. New subscribers get a 14-day free trial with support for up to 20 phone lines, but SMS isn't available during the trial.
Does Dialpad have AI features?
Yes. Dialpad Connect includes real-time call transcription, voicemail transcription, call summaries and action items with AI Recaps, and real-time analytics.
Does RingCentral include unlimited calls?
RingCentral says you get unlimited calls to anyone in your organisation through the app, and unlimited external calls within the US and Canada.
Does Dialpad or RingCentral work with Microsoft Teams?
RingCentral offers business calling for Microsoft Teams customers. Check Dialpad's integrations list for its current Teams support.
