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Your rep finishes a call and marks the deal as promising. A week later, another teammate takes over. The contact record shows when they spoke—but can they hear the conversation, find the prospect’s objection, and see what was promised?
That’s the question to ask when comparing CRM call recording tools. Some CRMs record calls made through their own calling features. Others pull recordings from a connected phone system. The distinction affects which calls are captured, where they appear, and whether the CRM can transcribe or analyze them.
This guide compares 10 options by recording workflow, sales features, and cost. It also shows how to connect a call recording tool to your CRM if your team already has a phone system it wants to keep.
The Best CRMs With Call Recording at a Glance
How We Evaluated These CRMs?
To qualify for this comparison, a CRM had to offer a practical way to get phone call recordings into the sales workflow. We assessed each option on five points:
✅ Recording method: Can reps record calls through the CRM, or must they connect a separate phone system?
✅ Contact matching: Does the recording appear with the right contact or deal, where another rep can find it?
✅ Transcript access: Can the team search what was said, or does it have to replay the audio?
✅ Sales analysis: Can the software identify topics, objections, or next steps—and which plan provides that analysis?
✅ Total cost: What will the team pay for the CRM, calling service, and any recording or analysis add-ons?
We treated call logging separately from call recording. A timestamp and call outcome can show that a conversation happened; they cannot tell a teammate what the customer actually said.
1. folk CRM
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)
Overview
The useful part of a sales call often comes near the end: a prospect names a concern, explains who else needs to approve the purchase, or suggests when to speak again. folk helps the rep carry those details into the next step.
You can make and record a call from folk’s mobile app using your verified number. Once the conversation has been processed, its transcript can be shared with a teammate. The appeal for a sales team is that the person picking up the relationship can review what was said while working from the CRM, rather than asking the original rep for a recap.
Call recording workflow
- Open the contact in folk’s mobile app and review the information already saved.
- Place the call through folk using your verified number.
- Use the app’s recording workflow to capture the conversation.
- Review the transcript and share it with the teammate handling the next step.
Pros
- Uses a verified number for calls made through the mobile app.
- Gives the caller access to contact context before dialing.
- Makes the conversation easier to hand over through a shareable transcript.
- Fits sales teams whose calls lead to contact and pipeline updates.
Cons
- Calls placed outside folk’s mobile calling workflow are not covered by that workflow.
- Teams that require call queues or advanced routing may need a dedicated phone system.
Pricing
- Standard: $24 per member/month, billed annually.
- Premium: $48 per member/month, billed annually.
- Enterprise: From $80 per member/month, billed annually.
- Free trial: 14 days.
2. Close
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)
Overview
Close is built for reps who work through a list of leads and call throughout the day. Calling happens inside the CRM, so a rep can dial, review the result, and move to the next lead without rebuilding their call history elsewhere.
Close can retain call recordings alongside its sales activity. If the team also wants written records, Call Assistant transcribes and summarizes recorded calls. That is a separate cost, so it’s useful to decide whether managers need searchable conversations or whether access to the audio is enough.
Call recording workflow
- Set up calling and a phone number in Close.
- Call a lead from the CRM and enable the appropriate recording settings.
- Return to the call activity to review the recording.
- Add Call Assistant if the team needs transcripts and summaries.
Pros
- Calling and CRM activity are handled in the same workspace.
- Recordings are useful for reviewing outreach and coaching reps.
- Suits teams with a steady volume of outbound calls.
- Call Assistant can reduce the need to write a recap after each conversation.
Cons
- Calling usage is charged separately from the CRM subscription.
- Transcription and summaries require the paid Call Assistant add-on.
- The lowest-priced Solo plan is limited to one user.
Pricing
- Solo: $9 per user/month, billed annually; one user only.
- Essentials: $35 per user/month, billed annually.
- Call Assistant: $50 per organization/month, plus $0.02 per transcribed minute.
- Telephony: Additional usage charges apply.
3. HubSpot Sales Hub
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)
Overview
HubSpot lets a team associate recorded calls with CRM records, including contacts and deals. A manager reviewing an opportunity can examine the conversation behind a rep’s notes, then use the recording to give feedback grounded in what happened on the call.
Its deeper value comes from Conversation Intelligence, which adds transcripts and tools for reviewing calls. That capability sits above HubSpot’s entry-level pricing. A team considering HubSpot specifically for call analysis should budget for the eligible Professional or Enterprise subscription, rather than judging it by the Starter price.
Call recording workflow
- Configure HubSpot calling or connect a supported calling provider.
- Enable recording for eligible calls.
- Associate the call with the relevant CRM record.
- On an eligible Professional or Enterprise subscription, review its transcript and conversation insights.
Pros
- Recordings can be associated with contacts, companies, and deals.
- Gives managers a way to review real calls for coaching.
- Transcripts make it easier to find a specific point in a conversation.
- Works with HubSpot calling and supported integrations.
Cons
- Starter pricing does not provide the full call recording and transcription workflow shown in HubSpot’s plan comparison.
- Professional is a substantial step up in price and lists a one-time onboarding fee.
- Recording behavior can depend on the calling provider and account setup.
Pricing
- Starter: From $7 per seat/month at the advertised rate.
- Professional: From $90 per seat/month, billed annually; includes call recording and transcription in the plan comparison.
- Enterprise: From $150 per seat/month.
- Professional onboarding: One-time fee of $1,500 as listed on HubSpot’s pricing page.
4. Freshsales
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)
Overview
Freshsales gives reps a place to manage leads and deals while using Freshworks’ phone tools for customer calls. When call recording is enabled for a number, the team can return to the conversation instead of relying solely on a rep’s notes.
Recording and transcription require separate checks. The CRM has a free plan, but that price does not tell you what a working phone setup will cost. Transcription also has eligibility requirements within Freshcaller, so teams that need searchable conversations should confirm access before choosing a plan.
Call recording workflow
- Set up a phone number in the Freshworks calling environment.
- Choose the recording behavior for that number, such as manual recording.
- Make or receive calls through the configured phone service.
- Review recordings in the call details. If transcription is enabled for an eligible account, review the text there too.
Pros
- Sales records and calling activity can be managed within the Freshworks ecosystem.
- Recording settings can be configured for individual phone numbers.
- Manual recording lets a rep start capture after discussing it with the caller.
- Recordings provide a more complete account of a conversation than call logs alone.
Cons
- The free CRM plan should not be treated as a free call recording setup.
- Phone numbers and calling usage can add costs.
- Freshcaller transcription is subject to account eligibility and activation; it should not be assumed to be included with Freshsales Growth.
Pricing
- Freshsales Free: $0 for up to three users.
- Growth: $9 per user/month, billed annually.
- Pro: $39 per user/month, billed annually.
- Enterprise: $59 per user/month, billed annually.
- Telephony and transcription: Confirm the applicable phone charges and transcription eligibility for your setup.
5. Zoho CRM
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)
Overview
Zoho CRM offers more than one route to recorded calls. A team can configure its built-in telephony or connect a phone service such as Zoho Voice. That flexibility is useful if the company already has a calling setup, but it also means the exact recording workflow depends on the option selected.
With Zoho Voice connected, reps can make calls from their CRM workflow and managers can access recordings for review. Zoho CRM’s built-in telephony also supports call recording. Teams should choose the calling route first, then check its number availability, recording settings, and charges.
Call recording workflow
- Choose Zoho CRM’s built-in telephony or connect a compatible phone provider.
- Set up a phone number and assign access to the relevant reps.
- Enable recording for the calls you want to capture.
- Make a test call and confirm that its activity and recording are accessible from the CRM.
Pros
- Offers a built-in telephony option as well as phone integrations.
- Call activity can sit alongside customer records.
- Recording settings can support call review and coaching.
- Zoho Voice is an option for teams already using other Zoho products.
Cons
- Zoho CRM’s entry price does not include the full cost of phone numbers and calls.
- Setup and available features differ between built-in telephony and Zoho Voice.
- Transcription availability and charges must be checked for the chosen service.
Pricing
- Zoho CRM Free: $0 for up to three users.
- Standard: $14 per user/month, billed annually.
- Professional: $23 per user/month, billed annually.
- Telephony: Number rental and per-minute calling charges vary by setup and destination.
- Zoho Voice: A separate subscription if you choose that service.
6. Pipedrive
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)
Overview
Pipedrive has two relevant routes for recorded conversations. A team can connect a compatible phone provider and bring its call activity into the CRM. It can also use Pipedrive Nova on a computer to capture audio from a sales call, create a transcript, and associate the result with a Pipedrive activity.
The distinction matters if reps make most of their calls on mobile. Nova’s recording flow runs in its desktop app; a phone integration is the route to evaluate for calls handled by a business phone service.
Call recording workflow
- Choose between Nova’s desktop recording and a compatible phone integration.
- For Nova, start recording in its desktop app when the call begins.
- Review the transcript and proposed CRM updates after the call.
- For a phone integration, check which recordings and call details it sends to Pipedrive.
Pros
- Nova is included across Pipedrive plans at no additional charge.
- Nova can capture an unscheduled call and attach its recording to a CRM activity.
- Teams can connect a phone provider if they need a dedicated calling setup.
- Reps can review proposed CRM updates after a captured conversation.
Cons
- Nova recording depends on audio being available to its desktop app.
- A separate phone integration may bring its own subscription and calling charges.
- The details available in Pipedrive depend on the integration selected.
Pricing
- Lite: From $14 per seat/month, billed annually.
- Growth: From $39 per seat/month, billed annually.
- Pipedrive Nova: Included in all plans.
- Connected phone service: Priced separately by its provider.
7. Salesforce Sales Cloud
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)
Overview
Salesforce can bring recordings from supported calling providers into its sales workflow. Conversation Insights then helps teams review what happened across those calls, including transcripts and points worth a manager’s attention.
This is a configurable setup: Salesforce needs a suitable source for the audio, the right licenses, and an integration that supports the chosen provider. It suits organizations prepared to manage those pieces, particularly when call review forms part of a wider coaching process.
Call recording workflow
- Choose a recording provider supported by the intended Salesforce integration.
- Configure the connection so call audio and details reach Salesforce.
- Assign the licenses required for Conversation Insights.
- Review transcripts and insights alongside the associated sales records.
Pros
- Can bring conversation data into a broader sales reporting environment.
- Supports review of recorded calls for coaching and deal context.
- Works with supported recording providers.
- Provides tools for analyzing conversations across a team.
Cons
- Salesforce is not the phone recorder in every configuration; a supported calling provider may be required.
- Provider compatibility and setup need to be checked before purchase.
- The Starter Suite price does not represent the cost of a complete Conversation Insights setup.
Pricing
- Free Suite: $0, with limited CRM capabilities.
- Starter Suite: From $25 per user/month.
- Conversation Insights: Separately listed at $50 per user/month, billed annually; availability and included licenses vary by Salesforce edition.
- Recording provider: May involve an additional subscription and usage charges.
8. Salesmate
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)
Overview
Salesmate lets reps call from the CRM after activating its Voice & Text service. That gives a team one place to work through contacts, place calls, and review the activity afterward. Its calling tools also support call recording, making it an option for teams that want to add telephony to their sales workflow.
The CRM subscription and calling service are billed separately. Reps need a configured number and calling credits, so the Basic plan’s advertised price is only the starting point for budgeting.
Call recording workflow
- Activate Salesmate Voice & Text in the account.
- Set up a phone number and add calling credits.
- Configure recording for the calls the team needs to retain.
- Make calls through Salesmate and review the resulting call activity.
Pros
- Calling is available within the CRM workflow.
- Reps can manage contacts and call activity in the same workspace.
- Calling is available from web and mobile devices.
- Teams can add phone numbers for different reps or locations.
Cons
- Voice & Text is an add-on service, with number and usage charges beyond the CRM subscription.
- It requires setup and activation before reps can call.
- Teams should confirm their recording and analysis requirements before choosing a plan.
Pricing
- Basic: From $23 per user/month at the advertised rate.
- Pro: From $39 per user/month at the advertised rate.
- Business: From $63 per user/month at the advertised rate.
- Voice & Text: Separate phone number and pay-as-you-go calling charges.
9. Bitrix24
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)
Overview
Bitrix24 brings phone activity into a workspace that also contains customer records, tasks, and other team tools. Its telephony service can record calls and make them available from call details and related CRM activities.
A business can rent a number through Bitrix24 or connect an existing phone system using a supported method. This makes it flexible, but the phone setup determines what a team needs to configure before it can start recording.
Call recording workflow
- Choose a Bitrix24 telephony number or connect a compatible phone system.
- Enable recording for the number or connection.
- Make a test call and check that the recording appears in call details.
- Enable transcription if the team wants a text version of new recorded calls.
Pros
- Recordings can be accessed from call details and linked CRM activities.
- Supports rented numbers and connected phone systems.
- Transcription can be enabled for recorded calls.
- Flat-rate CRM pricing covers a specified number of users.
Cons
- Telephony is available on commercial plans, not the free plan.
- Number rental and calling charges sit outside the CRM subscription.
- Teams need to configure recording and permissions for their phone setup.
Pricing
- Basic: $49 per organization/month, billed annually; includes up to five users.
- Standard: $99 per organization/month, billed annually; includes up to 50 users.
- Telephony: Number rental and call charges vary by setup and destination.
10. Nutshell
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(G2)
Overview
Nutshell focuses on what a rep needs after a conversation: a record of the call on the right contact, a summary of what was discussed, and a next step to consider. Its AI notetaker works with Nutshell’s click-to-call feature and supported phone integrations to record and transcribe calls.
For teams comparing costs, Pro is the relevant starting plan for this workflow. Foundation costs less, but Nutshell lists click-to-call and AI call summaries on Pro and above.
Call recording workflow
- Use Nutshell click-to-call or connect a supported phone service.
- Place a call to a contact through that setup.
- Review the recording, transcript, and generated summary after the call.
- Check the suggested next step on the associated CRM record.
Pros
- Call activity is associated with the relevant contact or lead.
- Transcripts and summaries help reps review conversations quickly.
- Works with several supported phone services.
- Suggested next steps can make follow-up easier to organize.
Cons
- Click-to-call and AI call summaries require Pro or a higher plan.
- A connected phone service may involve an additional subscription.
- Teams should test their chosen integration to confirm which call data and recordings it sends to Nutshell.
Pricing
- Foundation: $13 per user/month, billed annually.
- Growth: $25 per user/month, billed annually.
- Pro: $42 per user/month, billed annually; the relevant starting plan for click-to-call and AI call summaries.
- External phone service: Additional charges may apply.
Native CRM Call Recording vs. a Phone Integration
When a CRM says it supports call recording, check which product captures the audio. There are three common setups:
👉 Recording within the CRM’s calling workflow: Reps place calls through the CRM or its mobile app, and the recording stays connected to their sales activity. folk and Close offer this type of workflow.
👉 Recording through a phone product in the same ecosystem: The CRM works with a related telephony service, such as Zoho CRM with Zoho Voice. The phone service handles the call, while the CRM provides customer context.
👉 Recording through an external integration: A separate provider captures the call and sends a recording, transcript, or call details to the CRM. The result depends on what that specific integration supports.
This distinction affects cost and daily use. A phone integration may require another subscription, and a call logged in the CRM does not necessarily mean its audio or transcript is available there. Before choosing a setup, make a test call and open the contact record to see exactly what your team can access.
How To Integrate Call Recording With CRM Systems
If your team already uses a phone system, start by tracing one call from the dialer to the contact record. That will show which part of the connection you still need to set up.
1. Identify where calls are recorded
→ Check whether calls happen through a mobile app, a desktop dialer, or a shared business number. Confirm that your phone system can record the calls you need and that recording is enabled for the relevant users or numbers.
2. Choose the connection to your CRM
→ Look for a direct integration between the phone provider and CRM first. If there isn’t one, check their app marketplaces or whether they support an automation platform. Review the exact data the connection sends: a call log, an audio link, a transcript, and a summary are different things.
3. Connect the accounts and set access
→ An admin may need to authorize both services and choose which users can see recordings. Decide whether access should follow the owner of the contact, the sales team, or another permission rule.
4. Match calls to the right records
→ Configure how the integration identifies a contact, commonly by phone number. Check what happens when a number belongs to more than one record or isn’t in the CRM yet. An unmatched recording won’t help a rep preparing for the next call.
5. Choose what appears in the CRM
→ Decide whether the contact record should show the call time and outcome, a link to the audio, the full transcript, a summary, or proposed follow-up actions. Keep the information a rep needs easy to find.
6. Test both directions
→ Make an outgoing call and receive an incoming call. Open each contact record and verify that the recording plays, the transcript appears if enabled, and a teammate with the right permissions can access it. If only the call timestamp shows up, revisit the integration settings before rolling it out to the team.
How To Choose a CRM With Call Recording
Start with the calls your team already makes. A CRM feature is only useful if it captures those conversations and puts them where reps will look for them.
✅ Check where reps place calls. If they call from their mobile phones, test the CRM’s mobile workflow. If they use a shared business line, check how the phone system connects to the CRM.
✅ Decide what the next rep needs to see. A call log may be enough to confirm that someone spoke. For a handoff, the recording or transcript needs to appear with the right contact.
✅ Separate transcription from analysis. Searching a transcript, generating a summary, and comparing objections across calls are different capabilities. Confirm which ones your team will use.
✅ Check who can access recordings. Make sure the right teammates can review a call while access to sensitive conversations remains controlled.
✅ Calculate the working price. Add the CRM subscription, any required plan upgrade, phone numbers, calling usage, and transcription or analysis fees.
✅ Run a real-world trial. Record an incoming and an outgoing call, find both on the contact record, and ask a colleague to locate the agreed next step. That test will reveal gaps a feature list may miss.
Which CRM call recording tool should you choose?
If your reps make a high volume of outbound calls from the CRM, Close is worth considering. HubSpot and Salesforce offer deeper options for teams investing in call review and coaching. If you already use a phone provider, Pipedrive or Nutshell may let you connect those conversations to your existing sales records.
For a team whose sales calls happen on the move, folk CRM offers a more direct workflow: call from its mobile app using your verified number, review the transcript, and share the conversation with the person responsible for the next step.Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Which CRMs have call recording?
folk, Close, HubSpot, Freshsales, Zoho CRM, Pipedrive, Salesforce, Salesmate, Bitrix24, and Nutshell offer ways to work with recorded calls. The method differs: some record calls in their own calling workflow, while others use a connected phone service.
Can a CRM automatically record calls?
Some can, when automatic recording is enabled for the relevant number or calling service. Check whether it applies to incoming calls, outgoing calls, or both, and whether a rep can pause it when needed.
Can I record calls from my own number in a CRM?
With folk, you can verify your number and make recorded calls through its mobile app. Other CRMs may require a business number, let you port an existing number, or rely on a connected phone provider.
How do I add call recordings to a CRM?
Connect the phone system that records your calls to the CRM, then configure how calls are matched to contacts. Make a test call and confirm that the contact record contains the audio or a working link to it—not just a call log.
Can a CRM transcribe and analyze sales calls?
Yes, but recording alone does not guarantee either feature. Check whether the required plan produces transcripts, summaries, or broader conversation insights, and whether those results appear on the right CRM records.
What’s the difference between call logging and call recording?
Call logging saves details such as the caller, time, duration, and outcome. Call recording saves the conversation’s audio. A CRM can log a call without storing its recording.
Do I need a separate phone system to record calls in my CRM?
It depends on the CRM. folk and Close offer calling workflows within their products. Other setups may require a separate telephony service or integration to capture and send recordings to the CRM.
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