Sales management boils down to one thing: managing risk.

You have a number to hit. There are a thousand ways to miss it.

That’s why the best sales managers obsess over risk. Every pipeline review, forecast call, deal inspection, customer meeting, and coaching session is ultimately about the same goal: reducing uncertainty and increasing predictability.

Conversation Intelligence is valuable because it’s a direct lever on that risk.

If every scrap of every conversation you’ve had with a customer is captured, analyzed, and searchable, you’re no longer relying on a rep’s memory or their subjective “gut feel.” You know precisely what the customer said, what they didn’t say, and what commitments were made. That transparency surfaces risks earlier, validates opportunities more quickly, and helps you forecast with greater confidence.

But not all Conversation Intelligence platforms are created equal. Some are laser-focused on sales teams and risk management. Others are merely meeting recorders with a sales label attached. The difference between them can mean the difference between hitting your number or missing it.

We evaluated six major players, Gong, Chorus, Fathom, Otter.ai, Granola, and HeySam, against a scorecard built around what matters for reducing sales risk.

The Best Conversational Intelligence Software: Evaluation Criteria

We used seven key criteria, each chosen because it directly affects your ability to surface deal risks early and keep the forecast predictable:

1. Custom-built for sales teams

Sales teams have unique workflows and deal risks.

Tools built for sales from the ground up capture the signals that matter for forecasting, coaching, and deal health.

2. Multi-channel coverage (calls, email, Slack)

Modern sales isn’t just on Zoom.

A big competitor mention might come over Slack Connect, or a critical timeline update might be buried in an email thread.

Miss those, and you miss key risk signals.

3. Video summaries

‍Every tool does text summaries.

But busy managers need to spot risk cues fast, and a 3–5 minute video recap makes it easier to pick up tone, urgency, and stakeholder alignment.

4. Deep Slack integration‍

If your intelligence is buried in another platform, it’s not impacting deals in real time.

Slack-native access means your team can surface risk signals and update deal info without losing context.

5. Automatic CRM updates

‍CRMs are the system of record for deal status, but manual updates are prone to errors and incompleteness.

Platforms that push accurate updates (with rep approval) keep your forecast clean and your risks visible.‍

6. Live call help

Post-call analysis finds risks after the fact.

Live call assist lets reps clarify budget, uncover timeline, or counter objections before they become deal-killers.

7. Recorder type (desktop vs in-call)

In-call bots can be blocked, creating customer friction. Desktop recorders avoid that, but introduce their compliance considerations. Both have tradeoffs in risk visibility.

8. AI coaching

‍Coaching at scale reduces execution risk across the team.

AI-driven coaching enables managers to focus on strategic risks, rather than spending hours on routine call reviews.

Top Conversation Intelligence Software for 2025: Comparison & Ratings

To help you choose the right tool, we compared the top conversation intelligence software for 2025 across key sales criteria—such as multi-channel coverage, AI coaching, and CRM automation. 

This side-by-side view makes it easy to see which platforms deliver comprehensive risk management and which leave gaps.

6 Best Conversation Intelligence Platforms Reviewed

Here’s our in-depth review of the top conversation intelligence platforms in 2025, detailing how each platform stacks up in terms of features, usability, and sales impact.

1. HeySam

The only platform here that combines conversation intelligence with deep product knowledge. HeySam ingests calls, emails, and Slack Connect, so when you ask it a question about your deals, it scours your team’s entire digital footprint.

It goes further by also becoming a deep product expert, by ingesting your knowledge base and extracting the tribal knowledge that’s shared by your best reps on sales calls.

So, it’s a Conversation Intelligence platform that doubles as your in-call product expert.

Addressing the Top Sales Team Challenges with HeySam

1. Missed Signals Across Multiple Channels

Many sales teams lose deals because critical buyer signals are hidden in channels like Slack, email, or side conversations that traditional conversation intelligence tools can’t track.

HeySam solves this by capturing and analyzing every interaction—calls, emails, and Slack Connect—so you can see the full picture of each deal and act before risks escalate.

2. Slow Detection of At-Risk Deals

Waiting for post-call analysis means issues are spotted too late.

HeySam’s Live Call AI flags objections, missing stakeholders, and deal-blocking questions in real time, giving reps the chance to resolve them while the conversation is still live.

3. Inconsistent Product Messaging Across the Team

When reps can’t instantly access accurate product knowledge, messaging drifts and credibility suffers.

HeySam ingests your entire knowledge base and the tribal wisdom from your best reps, making it easy for anyone on your team to deliver confident, accurate answers in the moment.

Below is an analysis based on genuine customer sentiment from G2 and Capterra:

Top Features

• Multi‑channel conversation intelligence (calls, email, Slack Connect) plus role‑specific AI: Call Intelligence, AI Sales Engineer, Live Call AI, RFP Copilot, and Ask AI Bot.
• Video “sizzle reels,” discovery framework tracking (e.g., BANT, SPICED, MEDDPICC), and CRM update suggestions.
  

Pros

• Slack‑native workflows and flexible capture (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet); combines conversation intelligence with deep product knowledge for faster answers and rep ramp.
• Reviewers highlight fast support and rapid product iteration.
  

Cons

Newer to market with a smaller (but growing) review base; some users note occasional response/confusion edges as the system learns.

Integrations

Slack app and web/desktop experiences; optional CRM integration; live‑call support for Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet; desktop recording add‑on.

Support

Customer specific Slack channels.

Ratings & Reviews

• G2: 4.9/5 (8 reviews)

Mini Case Study: How Momento Uses Sam's
Conversation Intelligence

Faced with a rapidly expanding pipeline and limited resources, Momento’s lean sales team needed a smarter alternative to generic AI notetakers—they wanted tailored conversation intelligence without the high price tag of tools like Gong.

Within just one week of adopting HeySam’s Conversation Intelligence, the team began seeing immediate benefits: richer call preparation, stronger follow-ups, and real-time call insights delivered directly in Slack.

Sales reps started sharing “sizzle reels”—two- to four-minute highlight videos—that helped stakeholders catch up on key moments without replaying entire calls. As a result, Momento’s reps save more than 15 minutes per call, thanks to AI-generated notes, enhanced follow-ups, and automated CRM updates.

Overall, HeySam empowered Momento to streamline workflows, reduce manual effort, and accelerate deal momentum with smarter, faster sales communication.

Read the case study here.

Pricing

• Modular, per‑agent pricing: Call Intelligence $45/seat/mo
• AI Sales Engineer $45/seat/mo; Live Call AI $45/seat/mo
• RFP Copilot $45/seat/mo; add‑ons such as Desktop Recording (+$10) and CRM Integration (+$10).

Annual and bundle savings available.

Verdict

If others are about reviewing game tapes, HeySam is your coach on the field—helping you spot and reduce deal risk in real time, across every channel. Especially useful for SMB and Mid-Market companies.

It’s not just about note-taking. It’s everything else Sam delivers that we haven’t seen from bigger names like Gong or Otter.

2. Gong

The category leader for years, Gong is laser-focused on post-call intelligence for sales teams.

Its Smart Trackers remain its standout AI feature, but it hasn’t expanded much into real-time assist or multi-channel depth.

Below is an analysis based on real customer sentiment from G2 and Capterra:

Top Features

• Post‑call conversation intelligence purpose‑built for sales (deal execution, coaching, forecasting).
• Smart Trackers / Topic Detection and Robust Salesforce Syncing.
• Email and meeting capture for unified deal visibility.

Pros

• Deep sales workflows across coaching, deal inspection, and forecasting.
• Mature Salesforce integration and analytics at scale.
• Vast customer community and content/help ecosystem.

Cons

• Focused primarily on post‑call analysis vs. real‑time live assist.
• Slack usage is primarily for alerts/notifications, rather than native in-Slack querying.
• In‑call bot recorder (may be declined by prospects in some orgs).

Integrations

200+ integrations and partners, including Slack, Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams—covering CRM, conferencing, BI, and more.

Support

Knowledge base, product academy, and ticketed support are available through the Gong Help Center, along with customer resources and community programs.

Ratings & Reviews

G2: 4.8/5 (6,283+ reviews).

Pricing

Pricing is quote‑based. Licenses are priced per user with a platform fee that scales by user count; integrations are included.

Verdict

Still dominant for structured post-call analysis, especially for enterprises, but its single-channel focus and lack of real-time tools limit its ability to catch risks in the moment.

3. Chorus (ZoomInfo)

Once a strong challenger to Gong, Chorus has stagnated since its acquisition—solid recording for sales teams, but not keeping pace with modern AI expectations.

Below is an analysis based on genuine customer sentiment from G2 and Capterra:

Top Features

• Call recording/transcription with searchable transcripts and coaching workflows.
• Momentum/relationship insights within ZoomInfo and Salesforce.

Pros

• Built for sales use cases (call review, pipeline conversations).
• Tight connection with ZoomInfo data and GTM stack.

Cons

• Smaller native integration set (examples: Asana, Google Meet, MS Teams, Salesforce Sales Cloud, Slack).
• User feedback mentions transcription issues and missing features in some scenarios.

Integrations

Verified G2 integrations include Asana, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Salesforce Sales Cloud, and Slack.

Support

Support is delivered through ZoomInfo’s support channels and documentation; mobile support exists, but third‑party feedback is mixed.

Ratings & Reviews

G2: 4.5/5 (2,974 reviews).

Pricing

Pricing is not publicly listed; ZoomInfo/Chorus is quote‑based. Third‑party trackers also indicate quote‑only pricing.

Verdict

Dependable recorder for teams already on ZoomInfo, but pre-GenAI capabilities mean you are missing out on how AI is changing sales productivity and management

4. Fathom

A slick, general-purpose notetaker that’s great for individuals, but not specifically designed for sales teams.

Below is an analysis based on genuine customer sentiment from G2 and Capterra:

Top Features

• AI meeting assistant for Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams with unlimited recording/transcription on paid plans.
• Team features (coaching metrics, keyword alerts) plus CRM sync (HubSpot, Salesforce, Close) and Slack integration.

Pros

• Widely praised ease‑of‑use and quality of summaries; generous free tier.
• Strong ratings across large review volumes.

Cons

• Sales‑specific workflows exist, but are lighter than conversation intelligence leaders.
  

Integrations

Native Slack; CRM sync for HubSpot, Salesforce, Close; Zapier for broader automation; first‑party support for Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.

Support

Help Center with contact support options, product documentation, and security resources available.

Ratings & Reviews

G2: 5.0/5 (5,700+ reviews).

Pricing

Free plan; Premium $15/user/mo; Team Edition $19/user/mo; Team Edition Pro $29/user/mo (monthly billing shown on site; annual options available).

Verdict

Great for personal productivity, but limited in supporting sales teams.

5. Otter.ai

Known for transcription accuracy, Otter has added light live assistance, but remains general-purpose with a limited sales team focus.

Below is an analysis based on genuine customer sentiment from G2 and Capterra:

Top Features

AI meeting agent that joins Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams for live notes, summaries, and slide capture; Sales Agent for CRM sync.

Pros

Accurate live transcription, automated summaries, and strong collaboration options at accessible price points.

Cons

Sales‑specific analytics/coaching are lighter vs. conversation intelligence category leaders.

Integrations

Native apps/integrations for Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Dropbox, and more; Zapier support for thousands of additional apps.

Support

Standard email support with prioritized support on Business/Enterprise; admin controls documented on pricing page.

Ratings & Reviews

G2: 4.3/5 (303 reviews).

Pricing

Monthly: Pro $16.99/user; Business $30/user; Enterprise: contact sales. Annual discounts bring Pro to $8.33 and Business to $20 per user/month.

Verdict

Accurate transcription plus a taste of live assist, but doesn’t track enough channels to be a reliable risk radar.

6. Granola

Stands out for desktop recording; thus, it avoids bot detection in meetings. Great for personal productivity, but lacks depth for sales team use.

Below is an analysis based on genuine customer sentiment from G2 and Capterra:

Top Features

• AI notes with desktop‑style capture and automatic summaries/clips.
• Designed to minimize friction by skipping bots that join calls.

Pros

Simple UX, fast capture, and low friction for participants (desktop recording model).

Cons

Limited native sales workflows; privacy concerns with buyers not realizing they are being recorded.

Integrations

Notion integration (G2). Also advertises Zapier connectivity to 8,000+ apps for workflows.

Support

Email support and basic documentation; the product is positioned as lightweight. (Vendor site + G2 profile.)

Ratings & Reviews

G2: 5.0/5 (12 reviews).

Pricing

Free plan; Pro $19/mo; Team $49/month for 3 users (+$12/additional user); custom Enterprise available.

Verdict

Useful for discreet recording, but too shallow to be a sales tool.

The takeaway:

• Gong and Chorus remain strong for post-call analytics, especially for large enterprises, but miss multi-channel signals and live assist.
• Fathom, Otter, and Granola work well for general note-taking, but leave big blind spots for sales teams.
• HeySam stands out as the only platform that’s purpose-built for modern sales teams that work in Slack and want AI to change the way they work.

What features to look for when choosing between the conversational intelligence tools?

1. Custom-Built for Sales Teams

General meeting recorders can capture conversations, but they often miss the nuances that drive revenue outcomes.

Platforms designed specifically for sales teams include built-in frameworks like BANT, MEDDPICC, or SPICED, ensuring deal reviews and coaching sessions focus on the right signals. 

This sales-first approach makes it easier to identify risks and accelerate opportunities.

2. Multi-Channel Coverage

The best conversation intelligence tools don’t just record Zoom calls—they track emails, Slack messages, and other communication channels where buying signals can appear. 

Multi-channel visibility ensures that competitor mentions, timeline changes, or decision-maker updates aren’t lost in an inbox or chat thread. 

Without it, critical context for forecasting and deal strategy can go unseen.

3. Equipped with Live Call Assist

Post-call analytics are valuable, but they only help after the fact. Live call assist allows sales reps to handle objections, clarify budgets, and fill discovery gaps while the conversation is still in progress. 

This real-time intervention can prevent deals from stalling or falling apart entirely.

4. Deep CRM and Slack Integration

Even the most insightful analysis is wasted if it’s buried in a separate tool. Platforms with native CRM and Slack integrations surface conversation insights where your team already works, reducing friction and boosting adoption.

Automated updates keep your pipeline clean and your forecast accurate without forcing reps to do extra data entry.

5. AI-Driven Coaching

Scaling manager oversight is one of the biggest challenges in sales. AI-driven coaching automates routine reviews by scoring calls, tracking talk-time, and flagging missed meeting structures. 

This frees managers to focus on strategic deals while still ensuring consistent performance across the team.

6. Flexible Recording Options

Not every sales conversation can be recorded the same way. Platforms that offer both in-call bots and desktop recording give teams the flexibility to handle compliance, customer preference, and meeting platform constraints. 

This adaptability ensures more conversations are captured without introducing friction.

Final Thoughts

Conversational intelligence tools have evolved into essential sales technology, helping teams forecast accurately, coach effectively, and win more deals. 

The right platform will combine multi-channel coverage, AI-driven analysis, and real-time assistance to reduce deal risk and improve execution. While Gong, Chorus, and others excel in post-call analytics, they can leave gaps in visibility and responsiveness.

HeySam stands out for modern sales teams with its deep Slack integration, live coaching, and ability to unify product expertise with deal intelligence. 

By choosing a solution that matches your workflows and risk profile, you set your team up for stronger, more predictable results.