8 Best AI Phone Call Transcription Tools (2026)

A prospect calls between meetings. They mention a budget concern, ask about one specific feature, and agree to speak again next Tuesday. By the time you update the CRM, you remember the outcome but not their exact question.

AI phone call transcription gives you a written record to check after the call. Some tools transcribe conversations as they happen; others produce a transcript and summary once you hang up. The difference that matters most is how the tool fits the way you call: through your existing number, a business phone system, or a sales CRM. Here are eight options worth considering.

What Is AI Phone Call Transcription?

👉 AI phone call transcription converts a spoken phone conversation into written text. Depending on the tool, the transcript appears during the call or shortly after it ends. You can then search it to check a name, revisit a question, or confirm what each person agreed to do.

Transcription is one part of the workflow. A tool may also record the call, identify speakers, summarize key points, and suggest action items. Those features are useful, but they are not the same thing: a transcript shows what was said, while an AI summary selects the details it considers important.

For a sales team, the transcript becomes most useful when it is easy to find alongside the right contact. A rep can check the buyer’s wording before replying, and a teammate can prepare for the next call without asking for a recap.

How We Selected These Tools

We looked for tools that can transcribe phone calls, rather than software limited to video meetings. Each pick also offers a practical way to use the transcript after the conversation, whether that means searching it, creating a summary, or adding context to a CRM.

We compared them on five points:

✔️ Call setup: Can you use your existing number, or do you need a new business line?

✔️ Transcription: Is it available during the call or afterward? Can you search it and identify who spoke?

✔️ AI output: Does the tool produce useful summaries and action items, beyond a wall of text?

✔️ Sales workflow: Can a rep find the transcript with the right contact and use it for follow-up?

✔️ Actual cost: Which plan includes transcription, and are AI features charged separately?

We have included CRMs and business phone systems because teams handle calls in different places. The reviews explain what each tool transcribes and what else you need to make it work.

8 Best AI Phone Call Transcription Tools In 2026

👉 Try folk CRM for free

1. folk CRM

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5 on G2)

Overview

folk lets reps record and transcribe calls using the number they already use for WhatsApp. They do not need to buy a new business number or ask prospects to call a different line.

The transcript is useful beyond checking what was said. folk keeps call context with the contact record, where reps can review a buyer’s questions and commitments before following up. Its AI features can turn details from the conversation into information the team can use, such as pain points and next steps.

Key Features

• Call recording and transcription using an existing WhatsApp-associated number
• AI-generated call notes
• Call context linked to contacts
• Magic Fields for extracting details from conversations
• Contact and pipeline management

Pros

• No separate phone number to purchase
• Transcripts stay close to the contact and sales workflow
• Helps reps turn call details into follow-up actions

Cons

• Teams looking for extensive call-center analytics may need a dedicated phone platform
• Video meeting transcription may require a connected tool

Starting Price

$24 per member/month, billed annually.

Best For

Sales teams that want to transcribe calls from their existing number and use what they learn directly in their CRM.

👉 Try folk CRM for free

2. Aircall

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.4/5 on G2)

Overview

Aircall records and transcribes calls made through its business phone system. Reps can find the written conversation alongside the call history, making it easier to check a customer’s question or confirm a detail before following up.

Call transcription is included in Aircall’s entry plan. AI summaries and deeper conversation insights depend on the plan, so it is useful to separate those features when comparing costs.

Key Features

• Transcription of inbound and outbound calls
• Call recording and centralized call history
• Voicemail transcription
• AI summaries and conversation insights on eligible plans
• CRM integrations

Pros

• Transcription is included in the entry plan
• Calls and transcripts live in the same phone system
• Suits teams handling frequent phone conversations

Cons

• Requires a three-license minimum
• AI summaries and advanced analysis may require a higher plan

Starting Price

$30 per license/month, billed annually, with a three-license minimum.

Best For

Teams that need a business phone system with call transcription built in.

3. Dialpad Connect

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.4/5 on G2)

Overview

Dialpad Connect transcribes phone calls in real time, allowing reps to follow the written conversation while they speak. They can return to the transcript afterward to check a detail and prepare their next response.

This is particularly useful when a call includes names, figures, or instructions that are difficult to capture accurately by hand.

Key Features

• Real-time AI transcription of phone calls
• Call recording
• Searchable call transcripts
• AI call recaps
• Business calling from desktop and mobile devices

Pros

• Lets reps check the transcript during a call
• Combines calling, recording, and transcription
• Provides a lower entry price than many dedicated sales phone platforms

Cons

• Reps may still need to correct names and specialist terms
• Teams seeking extensive sales coaching should compare Dialpad’s sales-specific options

Starting Price

From $15 per user/month for Dialpad Connect.

Best For

Teams that want to see a phone call transcript while the conversation is happening.

4. JustCall

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.3/5 on G2)

Overview

JustCall combines business calling with AI transcription. Reps can review what a prospect said after an outbound call, while summaries help them identify points to address in the next touchpoint.

The entry plan includes AI transcription for the US and Canada calling bundle shown in JustCall’s pricing. Transcription allowances can vary by region, so teams calling internationally should check the relevant bundle before purchasing.

Key Features

• AI phone call transcription
• Speaker identification in transcripts
• AI-generated call summaries
• Business calling and sales dialer options
• CRM integrations

Pros

• Puts transcripts close to the calling workflow
• Useful for teams making frequent outbound calls
• Entry plan includes transcription in the listed US and Canada bundle

Cons

• Two-license minimum
• Calling packages and transcription allowances vary by region
• More advanced AI coaching requires a higher plan

Starting Price

$29 per user/month, billed annually, with a two-license minimum for the listed US and Canada Team plan.

Best For

Outbound teams that want phone call transcripts, summaries, and CRM-connected calling in one tool.

5. Ringover

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6/5 on G2)

Overview

Ringover combines a business phone system with call recording, transcription, and AI summaries. Its entry plan covers the basics, while its Empower add-on is designed for teams that want deeper conversation analysis and coaching.

Key Features

• Call recording and transcription
• AI-generated call summaries
• Call history in the Ringover dashboard
• Conversation analysis and coaching through Empower

Pros

• Recording and transcription are available in the core calling workflow.
• Teams can add conversation analysis as their coaching needs grow.

Cons

• Empower costs extra.
• The entry plan requires at least three users and a 12-month commitment.

Starting Price

$15 per user/month, billed annually, for the Talk plan, with a three-user minimum. Empower costs an additional $39 per license/month.

Best For

Teams that want a business phone system with transcription and an option to add coaching tools.

6. Quo

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.7/5 on G2)

Overview

Quo brings business calls, messages, recordings, and AI-generated call notes into one workspace. Its Business plan adds call transcripts and summaries, making it easier to review a conversation before calling a customer back.

Key Features

• Automatic call recording on the Business plan
• AI call transcripts and summaries
• Shared conversation history
• Business calling and messaging

Pros

• Transcripts sit alongside the related customer conversation.
• Shared history helps teammates pick up an ongoing exchange.

Cons

• The Starter plan offers voicemail transcripts, but call transcripts require Business.
• Teams need to use Quo’s business calling setup.

Starting Price

$23 per user/month, billed annually, for the Business plan with AI call transcripts and summaries.

Best For

Small teams that want calling, messaging, and transcribed customer conversations in one place.

7. CloudTalk

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.4/5 on G2)

Overview

CloudTalk is a business phone platform for teams handling a steady volume of inbound or outbound calls. Its AI Conversation Intelligence add-on turns recorded conversations into searchable transcripts, summaries, and notes.

Key Features

• Call recording
• Searchable AI transcripts
• AI-generated summaries and notes
• Conversation topics and insights
• Calling workflows for sales and support teams

Pros

• Searchable transcripts make it easier to find details across many calls.
• Calling tools and conversation insights work within the same platform.

Cons

• AI Conversation Intelligence is an additional purchase.
• The total price depends on the phone plan and billing region.

Starting Price

$28/user/month, billed annually

Best For

Sales and support teams that need to search and analyze a high volume of phone conversations.

8. Close

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.7/5 on G2)

Overview

Close puts calling inside a sales CRM, so reps can work from their leads and follow up in the same place. Its Call Assistant feature transcribes calls and creates summaries, giving reps a record of what was said without writing every detail themselves.

Key Features

• Calling from the CRM
• Call recording
• Call Assistant transcription and summaries
• Lead and deal context alongside call activity

Pros

• Reps can review call details within their CRM workflow.
• Transcripts help preserve context for the next follow-up.

Cons

• Call Assistant has both a monthly account fee and a per-minute transcription charge.
• Calling charges are separate from the subscription price.

Starting Price

Close Solo starts at $9 per user/month, billed annually. Phone call transcription through Call Assistant adds a $50 monthly account fee plus $0.02 per transcribed minute. Calling charges also apply.

Best For

Sales teams that want phone call transcripts directly inside their CRM.

How to Choose an AI Phone Call Transcription Tool

Start with how your team makes calls. A tool can produce excellent transcripts and still be a poor fit if it requires reps to change numbers or move to a new calling system.

✅ You want to keep using your existing number: Consider folk if your team wants to record and transcribe calls using the number already associated with WhatsApp, then review them from the relevant contact record.

✅ You need a business phone system: Compare Aircall, Ringover, Quo, and CloudTalk. Check number availability, call routing, and the minimum number of licenses alongside transcription.

✅ You need words on screen during the call: Dialpad Connect offers real-time transcription, which can help reps catch details while the prospect is still speaking.

✅ Your team makes frequent outbound calls: JustCall combines transcription with sales calling tools. Check the calling bundle and transcription allowance for your region.

✅ Your reps manage follow-ups in a CRM: folk keeps call context with contacts so reps can use it when preparing their next step. Close also connects transcripts to CRM records through its paid Call Assistant feature.

Before committing, run the same test call through the tools on your shortlist. Use a conversation that includes a name, a price, an objection, and a specific next step. Then check whether the transcript gets those details right, whether a rep can find it quickly, and whether the useful information reaches the right contact record.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is AI Phone Call Transcription?

AI phone call transcription converts spoken phone conversations into written text. Depending on the tool, it may also identify speakers, generate a summary, and highlight follow-up actions.

Can AI Transcribe a Phone Call in Real Time?

Yes. Some tools, including Dialpad Connect, display a transcript while the call is happening. Others generate the transcript after the call ends. Check this distinction if reps need to read details during a conversation.

Can I Transcribe Calls Without Buying a New Phone Number?

Yes, depending on the tool. folk lets reps record and transcribe calls using the number they already associate with WhatsApp. Business phone platforms may instead require calls to run through a number on their system.

How Accurate Are AI Phone Call Transcripts?

Accuracy depends on audio quality, background noise, accents, and specialist terms. Reps should check names, numbers, prices, and commitments against the recording before using them in a customer-facing follow-up.

Do I Need Call Recording to Get a Transcript?

Usually, the tool needs access to the call audio to create a transcript, but it does not always need to retain a recording afterward. Check how your chosen tool captures calls, stores audio, and controls access to transcripts.

What Is the Difference Between Call Transcription and AI Call Notes?

A transcript is a written record of what was said. AI call notes condense the conversation into a shorter account, often with decisions and next steps. For a critical detail, check the transcript or recording rather than relying on the summary alone.

Can AI Phone Call Transcription Update a CRM?

Some tools can connect transcripts or extracted details to CRM records. folk keeps call context with the relevant contact and offers Magic Fields to extract useful information from conversations. The exact workflow depends on how the tool is configured.

Is It Legal to Record and Transcribe Sales Calls?

Recording rules vary by location and by where each participant is based. Before enabling transcription, check the applicable consent requirements, tell participants when required, and set clear rules for storing and accessing recordings.