Predictive vs Power Dialer — Which Should You Use?

Power dialers are safe and simple, while predictive dialers maximize talk time but carry compliance risks. Find out which one is right for your team.

TL;DR (Quick Answer)

• Power dialer: safe, simple, sequential dialing (one contact per agent or a small queue). Best for small teams and high-touch sales.
• Predictive dialer: statistical dialing that calls ahead of agents to maximize talk time. Best for large, mature operations with predictable lists and compliance controls.

AutoCallFlow defaults to Preview / Progressive modes for non-technical users (fast setup, low risk) and offers Predictive as an advanced option for scaled buyers. That hybrid approach gives the fastest time-to-value while allowing you to move to predictive when you can manage pacing, warm numbers, and legal risk.

What Each Dialer Actually Does (Simple Definitions)

Preview Dialer

The rep sees the contact before a call is placed (preview screen), can read notes, then clicks to dial.

• Best for: high-value, personalized outreach where extra context matters.

Power Dialer

Dials a fixed number of lines per available rep (often 1:1 or small queue). When rep is ready, the system connects the next live call.

• Benefit: Lower complexity, lower abandonment risk.

Progressive Dialer

Dials automatically when a rep becomes available, typically starting one call per rep and increasing only modestly to keep queues full.

• Benefit: Balances agent idle time and abandonment risk; a good middle ground.

Predictive Dialer

Uses a statistical model to dial ahead of agents based on expected answer rates and average handle time so reps receive calls immediately when they become free.

• Benefit: Aggressive optimization for talk time, but carries a risk of abandoned calls and legal exposure if not controlled.

Headline Pros & Cons (At a Glance)

When to Pick Each Dialer (Rule-of-Thumb)

• Solo rep / high-AOV (high ticket) → Preview or Power
• Small team (2–10 reps) → Progressive (start here)
• Medium team (10–50 reps) → Progressive with scaling; consider predictive once metrics stable
• Large call center (>50 reps) → Predictive with strict compliance & pacing controls

The Math: How Predictive Dialing Works

A predictive dialer aims to keep agents busy. Here's a simplified formula:

Dials per minute = (Number of Agents / Avg Handle Time) / Answer Rate

Worked Example:

Assume 10 agents, 5-minute average handle time (AHT), and a 10% answer rate (AR).

1. Connections Needed per Minute: 10 agents / 5 min AHT = 2 connections/min.
2. Dials Needed to Get Those Connections: 2 connections / 0.10 AR = 20 dials/min.

The dialer needs to place 20 calls every minute to keep 10 agents busy. Real dialers use more complex models with safety buffers.

Why AutoCallFlow Uses Progressive/Preview by Default

For most businesses, especially non-technical ones, the complexity and legal risks of predictive dialing outweigh the benefits. AutoCallFlow’s hybrid approach is safer and more practical:

• Default (Preview/Progressive): Offers fast, reliable results with minimal risk. Perfect for SMBs and BPOs who need to get campaigns live quickly.
• Advanced (Predictive): Available as an opt-in for experienced teams who can manage the compliance and operational overhead.

This graduated approach delivers immediate ROI while allowing for optimization as your team grows.

Practical Configs & Sample Settings

Compliance & Ethical Checklist

• Daily DNC scrubs (automate).
• Call-hour enforcement (local timezones).
• Abandonment monitoring and hard caps.
• Clear call recording & consent prompts if required.

Final Recommendation

If you want quick results with low risk, AutoCallFlow’s default Progressive/Preview modes are perfect. If you have a large, experienced team and need maximum throughput, AutoCallFlow can enable Predictive mode once you’re ready.