Catch Advisors
Unified Communications

Dialpad vs 8x8: AI Innovation vs Established Enterprise

Dialpad and 8x8 represent different generations of cloud communications. Dialpad is the AI-native innovator building intelligence into every interaction. 8x8 is the established enterprise player with a unified UCaaS and contact center platform and strong international calling. The choice often comes down to whether you value AI-first innovation or traditional enterprise depth.

Feature Comparison

How Dialpad and 8x8 stack up across key capabilities.

AI Capabilities

Dialpad leads
Dialpad Dialpad

AI built into every conversation: real-time transcription, sentiment analysis, automated coaching, custom vocabulary, and AI recaps on all plans.

8x8 8x8

Speech analytics available on higher tiers. AI capabilities exist but are not the platform's primary differentiator.

International Calling

8x8 leads
Dialpad Dialpad

International calling available with add-on plans. Standard per-minute rates for global calls.

8x8 8x8

Unlimited calling to 48 countries included on X4 and above plans. A major differentiator for global organizations.

Contact Center

Even match
Dialpad Dialpad

AI Contact Center with real-time agent assist, automated QA, and sentiment analysis. Strong AI-driven approach.

8x8 8x8

Natively unified contact center with UCaaS on one platform. Omnichannel routing, workforce management, and speech analytics.

User Experience

Dialpad leads
Dialpad Dialpad

Modern, clean interface built for today's workforce. Intuitive design with minimal training required.

8x8 8x8

Functional interface with comprehensive admin controls. Reliable but can feel less modern than newer platforms.

Unified Platform

8x8 leads
Dialpad Dialpad

UCaaS and contact center are available but as distinct products within the Dialpad ecosystem.

8x8 8x8

Single platform natively combines UCaaS and contact center. One admin console and unified analytics.

Voice Quality

Even match
Dialpad Dialpad

Strong voice quality with AI-powered noise cancellation and echo suppression built into every call.

8x8 8x8

Enterprise-grade voice quality with global PSTN infrastructure. Reliable and consistent across regions.

Pros & Cons

Dialpad

Dialpad

Strengths

  • AI natively built into every conversation
  • Modern, intuitive user experience
  • Real-time transcription on all plans
  • Strong value for mid-market organizations
  • Fast deployment and time to value

Limitations

  • International calling costs extra
  • Smaller enterprise track record
  • Fewer advanced telephony features
  • Contact center less mature than 8x8's

Best For

Sales teams, customer success organizations, and mid-market companies where AI-driven conversation insights deliver measurable business value. Best for organizations that prioritize user experience and innovation speed.

8x8

8x8

Strengths

  • Unlimited calling to 48 countries
  • Natively unified UCaaS and contact center
  • Proven enterprise scalability
  • Strong analytics and reporting
  • Transparent, simple licensing

Limitations

  • AI features lag behind Dialpad
  • User interface feels less modern
  • Innovation pace slower than AI-native competitors
  • Brand visibility lower than larger competitors

Best For

Global enterprises needing predictable international calling costs and a unified UCaaS plus contact center platform. Best for organizations with contact center requirements that want a single-vendor solution.

Our Verdict

Choose Dialpad if AI-powered conversation intelligence and a modern user experience are top priorities. Choose 8x8 if you need a unified UCaaS and contact center platform with strong international calling and proven enterprise scale. Dialpad is ideal for sales-driven organizations that want AI insights from every conversation. 8x8 is ideal for global companies that need predictable international communication costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which platform is better for sales teams?
Dialpad is generally better for sales teams due to its AI-powered coaching, real-time transcription, and conversation analytics that help reps improve in real time. 8x8 provides solid calling capabilities but lacks the sales-specific AI intelligence that Dialpad offers.
Is 8x8 or Dialpad better for global businesses?
8x8 is typically better for global businesses due to unlimited calling to 48 countries included on higher-tier plans. If international calling is a significant part of your communication costs, 8x8 can provide substantial savings compared to Dialpad's per-minute international rates.
How does Catch Advisors evaluate these platforms?
We assess your specific requirements including user count, international calling patterns, contact center needs, AI priorities, and integration requirements. Then we map both platforms to your needs and negotiate the best pricing. The assessment is completely free.

Not Sure Which Platform to Choose?

Our vendor-neutral assessment compares platforms against your specific requirements. It's free, fast, and comes with no obligation.