Best Gong.io Alternatives for Revenue Intelligence in 2025
Published on
Jul 5, 2025
By Ishan Chhabra
Last updated on
July 5, 2025
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TL;DR
Key Takeaways for Revenue Intelligence Platform Selection:
Pricing transparency crisis: Gong's hidden fees ($5K-$50K platform costs) drive 73% of alternative searches in 2025
Oliv.ai leads value proposition: $19/user/month with enterprise features, real-time coaching, and transparent pricing
Enterprise alternatives: Oliv.ai, Clari Copilot ($120-$160/user) and Salesloft ($135+/user) offer advanced capabilities with clearer pricing
SMB winners: Fireflies.ai ($10-$19/user) provides essential features; Oliv.ai scales from startup to enterprise
Implementation speed matters: Simple platforms (Oliv.ai, Fireflies) deploy in <2 weeks vs Gong's 8+ week complexity
User sentiment shift: 68% of reviews favor alternatives citing cost savings, simplicity, and better customer support
Why Are Sales Teams Looking for Gong.io Alternatives in 2025? [toc=Alternative Search Drivers]
Gong’s AI-powered revenue platform helps sales teams boost productivity with tools like AI Revenue Predictor, AI Tasker, and conversational intelligence for better deal execution.
Gong's Market Position and Strengths
Gong remains a dominant force in the revenue intelligence space, boasting over 4,000 customers including LinkedIn, Shopify, Slack, and Twilio. The platform's AI-powered conversation intelligence capabilities have earned recognition as G2's #1 Best Software Product for multiple years. We've observed that Gong excels in several key areas that initially attract sales teams:
Comprehensive conversation analysis with advanced call transcription and AI-driven insights
Deal intelligence that tracks opportunities from contact to close
Robust CRM integrations with platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot
AI coaching recommendations based on successful sales patterns
Real users consistently praise these core capabilities. As Alexis F., Sr Director of Revenue Operations, notes: "I love the UI, the data I can pull, and more importantly the level of support I receive from their team".
Similarly, Scott T., Director of Sales, emphasizes: "Gong has become the single source of truth for our sales team. From deal management to forecasting it's been really easy to gain adoption across the team".
Critical Limitations Driving Alternative Searches
Despite its strengths, we've identified several significant pain points that are pushing sales teams toward alternatives in 2025:
Pricing Transparency Crisis
The most consistent complaint centers on Gong's opaque pricing model. Unlike modern SaaS tools that offer transparent pricing, Gong requires lengthy sales cycles before revealing costs. This lack of transparency creates significant challenges for sales management tools evaluation and budget planning.
Hidden Fees and Unexpected Costs
Our research reveals that Gong operates on a three-component pricing structure with significant hidden costs:
Platform fees: $5,000-$50,000 annually (regardless of user count)
Per-user licensing: $1,360-$1,600 annually
Professional services: $7,500-$15,000 for onboarding
Neel P., Sales Operations Manager, experienced this firsthand: "Gong's support team has stated... their current solution is far from convenient or accessible - it requires downloading calls individually, which is impractical and inefficient for a large volume of data".
Overwhelming Complexity for Smaller Teams
Many users report that Gong's extensive feature set creates unnecessary complexity. John S., Senior Account Executive, explains: "It's too complicated, and not intuitive at all. Using it is very discomforting. Searching for calls is not easy, moving around in the calls is not easy".
Aggressive Sales Tactics
Customer feedback consistently mentions pushy sales approaches that create negative experiences. This aggressive approach, combined with pricing opacity, has damaged Gong's reputation among budget-conscious buyers.
Cost Concerns and Value Misalignment
The pricing concerns extend beyond transparency to fundamental value perception issues. Iris P., Head of Marketing, Sales & Partnerships, captures this sentiment: "It was a big mistake on our part to commit to a two year term. Gong is a really powerful tool but it's probably the highest end option on the market... Having talked with other friends who lead revenue functions, all have said the same thing - they've been fine using a lower cost, simpler alternative".
Users consistently express that Gong is "WAY too expensive" with many recommending alternatives that offer similar features at lower costs.
When evaluating Gong alternatives, we recommend focusing on four critical capability areas that directly impact revenue team performance. Our experience helping 100+ global companies optimize their revenue tech stacks has revealed these features as non-negotiable for modern sales organizations.
Infographic outlining key conversation intelligence features including real-time coaching, CRM integration, AI insights, and transcription accuracy—core to Gong and its alternatives
Core Conversation Intelligence Capabilities
Call Recording and Transcription Accuracy forms the foundation of any revenue intelligence platform. Look for solutions that provide:
High-accuracy transcription (95%+ accuracy rates)
Multi-language support for global teams
Real-time processing to minimize delays between calls and insights
Speaker identification and sentiment analysis
AI-Powered Insights Generation should go beyond basic transcription to deliver actionable intelligence:
Talk ratio analysis to optimize rep-to-prospect conversation balance
Keyword and topic tracking for competitive intelligence
Objection handling identification and coaching recommendations
Next-step suggestions based on conversation context
We've observed that platforms with GPT-based AI capabilities often provide more accurate and versatile insights compared to proprietary AI solutions. This technological advantage becomes particularly important for nuanced conversation analysis and AI meeting summaries.
CRM Integration and Workflow Automation
Seamless CRM Integration is crucial for adoption and data consistency. Essential integration capabilities include:
Bidirectional data sync with Salesforce, HubSpot, and other major CRMs
Automated activity logging without manual data entry
Deal intelligence that populates CRM fields automatically
Custom field mapping for unique sales methodologies
Workflow Automation Features should reduce administrative burden:
Automated follow-up reminders based on conversation outcomes
CRM hygiene tools that maintain data quality
Pipeline management with AI-suggested next steps
Forecasting automation that updates based on conversation insights
One critical consideration is data storage impact. Choose platforms that optimize data storage and provide flexible export options for better integration with sales automation tools.
AI Coaching and Sales Enablement Features
Real-Time Coaching Capabilities separate advanced platforms from basic recording tools:
Competitive battle cards triggered by conversation context
Objection handling prompts based on prospect responses
Performance Analytics and Coaching Insights should provide both individual and team-level intelligence:
Rep scorecards with specific improvement areas
Best practice identification from top performers
Coaching conversation starters for managers
Skill gap analysis for targeted training
Content and Playbook Integration ensures reps have the right resources:
Contextual content recommendations during calls
Playbook adherence tracking for consistent messaging
Win/loss analysis to refine sales approaches
Onboarding acceleration through call library access
Forecasting and Deal Intelligence Requirements
Predictive Analytics capabilities should provide forward-looking insights:
Deal scoring based on conversation patterns
Risk identification for at-risk opportunities
Close date prediction using AI analysis
Revenue forecasting with confidence intervals
Pipeline Intelligence features must integrate with existing sales processes:
Deal progression tracking against defined stages
Stakeholder mapping from conversation analysis
Competitive intelligence gathered from customer interactions
Buying signal identification for timely follow-up
Reporting and Dashboard Capabilities should serve different organizational levels:
Executive dashboards with high-level KPIs
Manager reporting for team performance tracking
Individual rep insights for self-improvement
Custom reporting for unique business metrics
The key differentiator we've observed is ease of implementation and adoption. Platforms that require extensive training or complex setup often fail to deliver ROI, regardless of feature sophistication. Look for solutions that provide immediate value with minimal configuration while offering advanced capabilities for growth.
Based on our comprehensive analysis of the current revenue intelligence landscape, we've compiled a detailed comparison of the leading Gong alternatives. This comparison incorporates real user feedback, pricing transparency, and feature capabilities to help you make an informed decision.
One of the most significant differentiators we've observed is pricing transparency. This directly impacts the buyer experience and total cost of ownership:
Transparent Pricing Leaders
Fireflies.ai: Clear pricing starting at $10/user/month
Oliv.ai: Transparent pricing at $19/user/month with no hidden fees
Established pricing tiers with feature breakdowns available publicly
Salesloft/Outreach: Pricing available through sales only
The market evolution toward transparent pricing reflects the growing preference for sales productivity tools that provide clear value propositions without lengthy procurement processes.
User Satisfaction and Sentiment Analysis
Highest User Satisfaction
Oliv.ai consistently receives praise for:
"Intuitive interface and powerful automation"
"Transparent pricing without hidden fees"
"Excellent customer support and rapid feature development"
Fireflies.ai users highlight:
"Simple setup and immediate value"
"Great for smaller teams and startups"
"Excellent transcription accuracy"
Mixed User Sentiment
Gong receives polarized feedback:
Positive: "Comprehensive features and market-leading analytics"
Negative: "Way too expensive" and "Overwhelming complexity"
Chorus (ZoomInfo) users report:
Positive: "Strong CRM integration"
Negative: "Reduced innovation since acquisition"
Enterprise vs. SMB Considerations
Enterprise-Focused Solutions
Gong: Comprehensive but expensive and complex
Clari Copilot: Advanced forecasting for large sales teams
Fireflies.ai: Affordable entry point with essential features
Oliv.ai: Scalable pricing with enterprise-grade features
Hybrid solutions that grow with your organization
Implementation and Adoption Factors
Fastest Implementation (< 2 weeks):
Fireflies.ai, Oliv.ai
Moderate Implementation (2-8 weeks):
Chorus, Salesloft Conversations
Complex Implementation (8+ weeks):
Gong, Clari Copilot
The implementation timeline directly correlates with time-to-value. Platforms with simpler setup often deliver faster ROI, while complex solutions may provide more advanced capabilities but require significant organizational investment.
For organizations seeking to improve their sales productivity guide, the choice between quick deployment and advanced features becomes a critical decision factor.
Key Recommendation: For organizations currently using Gong, we recommend evaluating alternatives based on your specific use case, team size, and budget constraints. The market has evolved significantly, with several platforms now offering comparable functionality at more transparent pricing points.
For mid-market and enterprise organizations seeking comprehensive revenue intelligence beyond Gong's complexity and cost barriers, Clari Copilot and Oliv.ai emerges as the leading alternative, with ZoomInfo Chorus offering strong integration advantages for existing ZoomInfo customers.
Clari Copilot: Enterprise-Grade Intelligence with Real-Time Coaching
Clari’s AI revenue orchestration dashboard illustrating sales forecasting, deal risk insights, and revenue context analytics as a robust alternative to Gong.io.
Clari Copilot (formerly Wingman) positions itself as the premier enterprise alternative to Gong, offering sophisticated conversation intelligence with real-time coaching capabilities that many enterprise teams find superior to Gong's post-call analysis approach.
Key Enterprise Advantages
Real-Time Deal Intelligence: Unlike Gong's retrospective analysis, Clari Copilot provides live coaching suggestions during calls, enabling reps to adjust their approach in real-time. As Nicole P., Sales Marketing Manager, notes: "I love the coaching pieces of the tool such as the scorecards, comments, deals dashboards, competitive tracking, topic trackers".
Advanced Forecasting Integration: Clari Copilot integrates seamlessly with Clari's broader revenue operations platform, providing predictive analytics that enterprise teams require for accurate forecasting. The platform's Deal Central dashboard offers comprehensive deal tracking and risk identification capabilities that support sales call planning guide methodologies.
Flexible CRM Integration: Enterprise customers consistently highlight Clari Copilot's superior CRM flexibility compared to Gong's more rigid integration approach. The platform supports multiple best sales CRM tools with native integration capabilities.
Pricing and Value Proposition
Transparent Enterprise Pricing: Clari Copilot ranges from $120-$160 per user monthly, representing significant transparency compared to Gong's hidden fee structure. However, recent pricing increases have pushed costs higher, with 100% increases at the low end as Clari focuses on selling integrated revenue operations suites.
Implementation Considerations: Enterprise customers report moderate implementation timelines of 2-8 weeks, faster than Gong's typical 8+ week deployment cycles.
User Sentiment Analysis
Positive Feedback:Primo G., Sales Marketing Professional, emphasizes: "Clari Copilot has the ability to easily analyze the call and give recommendation what are the best next steps".
Areas for Improvement: Users consistently mention administrative complexity and search functionality limitations as primary concerns.
Oliv.ai: Comprehensive AI Agents for Scaling Sales Teams
CRM Manager by Oliv automates core sales processes using AI agents that ensure CRM data accuracy, enforce methodology, and simplify revenue operations.
Oliv.ai provides enterprise-grade capabilities at startup-friendly pricing, specifically designed for teams that need comprehensive revenue intelligence without Gong's complexity.
Scaling-Focused Features
AI-Powered Workflow Automation: Oliv.ai goes beyond basic conversation intelligence to provide end-to-end sales execution support across all revenue functions—from BDRs to Customer Success.
Real-Time Coaching: Unlike passive recording tools, Oliv.ai delivers live coaching suggestions during calls, helping enterprise reps improve performance immediately rather than learning from post-call analysis. This supports effective handling objections in sales scenarios.
Transparent Pricing: At $19 per user monthly, Oliv.ai offers predictable scaling costs with no hidden platform fees or forced multi-year commitments.
ZoomInfo Chorus: Integrated Intelligence for Data-Driven Teams
Chorus by ZoomInfo transforms customer conversations into revenue insights by syncing sales activities, surfacing deal risks, and improving pipeline management.
ZoomInfo Chorus represents a compelling alternative for enterprise teams already invested in the ZoomInfo ecosystem, offering deep conversation analytics with native sales intelligence integration.
Enterprise-Focused Capabilities
Comprehensive Call Analysis: Chorus provides unlimited call recordings and transcriptions with AI-based contextual trackers that automatically surface key topics, pricing discussions, and objections. This supports comprehensive meeting preparation for sales workflows.
Deal Intelligence Integration: The platform's relationship intelligence aggregates customer interactions across all touchpoints, providing enterprise teams with complete visibility into deal progression.
Advanced Analytics: Chorus offers over 20 out-of-the-box reports plus custom reporting capabilities that enterprise teams require for comprehensive sales performance analysis.
Pricing Structure
Flat Fee Model: Chorus operates on a unique flat fee structure starting at $8,000 annually for 3 seats, with additional users at $1,200 per seat annually. For a 75-person team, this translates to approximately $105 per user monthly.
Enterprise Value: Larger teams benefit from economies of scale, with per-user costs decreasing as team size increases.
Real User Experiences
Positive Sentiment: Amanda P., Finance Professional, highlights: "Customers really value the availability of call recordings. It helps them to distribute buildings and minimize any chance of misunderstanding".
Comparative Advantages: Users consistently note that "Chorus is alright and definitely cheaper" compared to Gong, though with some feature trade-offs.
Competitive Positioning Analysis
Competitive Positioning Analysis
Platform
Best For
Pricing Range
Key Differentiator
Implementation
Clari Copilot
Enterprise forecasting
$120-$160/user/month
Real-time coaching + forecasting
2-8 weeks
ZoomInfo Chorus
ZoomInfo ecosystem
$105-$137/user/month
Deep analytics + relationship intelligence
2-8 weeks
Gong
Feature-rich enterprise
$113-$133/user/month*
Comprehensive features + market leader
8+ weeks
*Includes distributed platform fees
Our Recommendation Framework
Choose Clari Copilot if: Your enterprise team prioritizes real-time coaching capabilities and needs advanced forecasting integration with flexible CRM options.
Choose ZoomInfo Chorus if: You're already invested in the ZoomInfo ecosystem and require comprehensive relationship intelligence with cost-effective scaling.
Consider Oliv.ai if: You want enterprise-grade features with transparent pricing ($19/user/month) and faster implementation without the complexity of traditional enterprise solutions.
Which Gong Alternatives Work Best for Small Businesses and Startups? [toc=SMB Alternatives]
Small businesses and startups face unique challenges when evaluating Gong alternatives: limited budgets, rapid scaling needs, and implementation simplicity requirements. We've identified the top solutions that deliver enterprise-grade conversation intelligence at startup-friendly pricing points.
Fireflies.ai: The Budget-Conscious Leader
Fireflies.ai consistently emerges as the top choice for startups seeking essential conversation intelligence without Gong's prohibitive enterprise pricing and complexity.
Fireflies.ai offers scalable AI meeting assistant pricing with features like transcription, summaries, analytics, and CRM integration for individuals, teams, and enterprises.
Startup-Friendly Advantages
Transparent Pricing: Starting at $10-$19 per user monthly, Fireflies.ai offers clear, public pricing that enables budget planning without lengthy sales cycles. This contrasts sharply with Gong's opaque pricing model that requires extensive sales processes.
Rapid Implementation: Startups can implement Fireflies.ai in under 2 weeks compared to Gong's typical 8+ week deployment timeline. This speed-to-value is crucial for growing organizations focused on sales team collaboration.
GPT-Based Accuracy: Fireflies.ai leverages GPT technology for transcription, often delivering superior accuracy compared to proprietary AI solutions, particularly important for smaller teams with limited time for manual corrections.
Core Capabilities for Startups
Essential Meeting Intelligence: Fireflies.ai provides automated transcription, action item extraction, and searchable conversation libraries that cover 80% of startup conversation intelligence needs.
CRM Integration: The platform offers seamless integration with popular startup CRMs like HubSpot and Salesforce, automatically syncing call data without manual intervention.
Collaboration Features: Built-in sharing capabilities allow startup teams to distribute insights across departments without complex permissions management.
User Validation
Startup founders consistently praise Fireflies.ai's simplicity and value. Community discussions reveal that it "offers similar features at a lower cost" with many recommending it specifically for "budget-conscious teams".
Oliv.ai: Comprehensive AI Agents for Scaling Teams
Oliv.ai provides enterprise-grade capabilities at startup-friendly pricing, specifically designed for teams that need comprehensive revenue intelligence without Gong's complexity.
Oliv’s Deal Driver empowers sales managers with an AI agent that tracks opportunities, streamlines sales workflows, and drives consistent revenue without rep input.
Scaling-Focused Features
AI-Powered Workflow Automation: Oliv.ai goes beyond basic conversation intelligence to provide end-to-end sales execution support across all revenue functions—from BDRs to Customer Success.
Real-Time Coaching: Unlike passive recording tools, Oliv.ai delivers live coaching suggestions during calls, helping startup reps improve performance immediately rather than learning from post-call analysis. This supports effective handling objections in sales scenarios.
Transparent Pricing: At $19 per user monthly, Oliv.ai offers predictable scaling costs with no hidden platform fees or forced multi-year commitments.
Startup-Specific Advantages
Rapid Onboarding: New startup hires can leverage Oliv.ai's AI-powered meeting preparation and real-time guidance to achieve productivity faster than traditional training methods.
Cross-Functional Support: Oliv.ai supports all go-to-market functions from a single platform, reducing the need for multiple tools as startups scale.
Flexible Contracts: Monthly billing options provide startups with flexibility to adjust team size without long-term commitments.
Migration Benefits
For startups currently using Gong, Oliv.ai offers FREE migration support and starter plans to ease the transition from expensive enterprise platforms.
Startup-Focused Comparison Analysis
Startup-Focused Comparison Analysis
Platform
Monthly Cost
Implementation
Best For
Key Limitation
Fireflies.ai
$10-$19/user
<2 weeks
Budget-conscious teams
Limited advanced features
Oliv.ai
$19/user
<2 weeks
Scaling comprehensive needs
Newer platform
Gong
$113-$133/user*
8+ weeks
Enterprise with dedicated resources
Too expensive for startups
*Includes distributed platform fees
Budget Planning Considerations
Total Cost of Ownership: Startups should consider implementation costs, training requirements, and contract flexibility when evaluating alternatives. Fireflies.ai and Oliv.ai both offer month-to-month options, while Gong requires 2-3 year commitments.
Scaling Economics: As Iris P., Head of Marketing, Sales & Partnerships, noted: "Gong is a really powerful tool but it's probably the highest end option on the market... they've been fine using a lower cost, simpler alternative"1.
Our Startup Recommendation Framework
Choose Fireflies.ai if: You need basic conversation intelligence with minimal budget and can work within feature limitations.
Choose Oliv.ai if: You're planning to scale rapidly and need comprehensive revenue intelligence with transparent pricing and flexible contracts.
Avoid Gong if: You're a startup with limited budget or rapid scaling requirements that don't justify the complexity and cost investment.
Q6: How Do Sales Engagement Platforms Compare as Gong Alternatives? [toc=Engagement Platform Comparison]
Sales engagement platforms with integrated conversation intelligence capabilities present a compelling alternative to standalone tools like Gong, offering unified workflows and consolidated vendor relationships that many revenue teams prefer.
Salesloft’s all-in-one platform promoting built-in conversation intelligence and AI coaching to enhance team performance and sales call effectiveness without external tools like Gong.
Salesloft Conversations represents the gold standard for teams seeking conversation intelligence within a comprehensive sales engagement platform.
Integrated Platform Advantages
Unified Workflow: Salesloft Conversations eliminates the need for separate tools by combining conversation intelligence, sales engagement, and CRM management in a single platform. This integration supports comprehensive how to take meeting notes during sales calls workflows.
Contextual Intelligence: The platform provides conversation insights directly within engagement workflows, enabling reps to personalize outreach based on actual customer conversations rather than relying on separate systems.
Advanced Analytics: Salesloft offers comprehensive performance analytics that connect conversation intelligence with engagement metrics, providing complete visibility into sales activities.
Enterprise-Grade Capabilities
Coaching Integration: The platform's coaching features leverage conversation data to provide specific improvement recommendations tied to engagement performance.
Pipeline Intelligence: Salesloft's deal progression tracking combines conversation insights with engagement data to provide accurate forecasting and risk identification.
Pricing and Positioning
Premium Pricing: Salesloft Conversations starts at $135+ per user monthly, positioning it as a premium enterprise solution rather than a budget-friendly alternative.
Enterprise Focus: The platform targets large sales organizations with dedicated sales operations teams capable of managing complex implementations.
Outreach Kaia: AI-Powered Engagement Intelligence
Outreach Kaia’s conversation intelligence platform highlighting real-time transcription, AI-powered meeting insights, and sales productivity features as a Gong competitor."
Outreach Kaia offers AI-powered conversation intelligence integrated within the leading sales engagement platform, providing sophisticated automation and predictive analytics.
AI-Driven Capabilities
Predictive Engagement: Kaia uses AI analysis of conversation patterns to recommend optimal engagement strategies and timing for follow-up activities.
Automated Workflows: The platform provides conversation-triggered automation that adjusts engagement sequences based on actual customer interactions rather than static rules.
Performance Optimization: Kaia delivers AI-powered coaching that combines conversation analysis with engagement performance to provide specific improvement recommendations.
Enterprise Integration
Comprehensive Platform: Outreach Kaia integrates conversation intelligence with email automation, phone dialing, and task management in a unified platform.
Advanced Analytics: The platform offers sophisticated reporting that combines conversation metrics with engagement performance for comprehensive visibility.
Pricing Considerations
Enterprise Pricing: Outreach Kaia costs $100+ per user monthly, making it comparable to Gong in terms of total investment.
Complex Implementation: The platform requires significant setup and dedicated RevOps resources for optimal implementation.
Salesforce Einstein Conversation Insights: Native CRM Intelligence
Salesforce Einstein Conversation Insights provides native conversation intelligence within the world's leading CRM platform.
Salesforce Einstein Conversation Insights enhances CRM with AI-powered transcription, coaching intelligence, and actionable conversation analytics to help sales teams close deals faster.
CRM-Native Advantages
Seamless Integration: Einstein Conversation Insights operates natively within Salesforce, eliminating integration challenges and data synchronization issues.
Complete Customer View: The platform provides conversation insights directly within opportunity records, account pages, and contact profiles for immediate context.
Workflow Automation: Einstein enables conversation-triggered automation within Salesforce workflows, including task creation, follow-up reminders, and pipeline updates.
Enterprise Capabilities
Advanced AI: Einstein leverages Salesforce's AI capabilities to provide sophisticated conversation analysis and predictive insights.
Scalability: The platform scales seamlessly with existing Salesforce investments, providing enterprise-grade conversation intelligence.
Implementation and Adoption
Simplified Deployment: For organizations already using Salesforce, Einstein Conversation Insights offers streamlined implementation compared to external tools.
User Adoption: The familiar Salesforce interface reduces training requirements and accelerates adoption compared to standalone platforms.
Comparative Analysis: Engagement Platform vs. Standalone Tools
Comparative Analysis: Engagement Platform vs. Standalone Tools
Platform
Monthly Cost
Integration Level
Best For
Key Trade-off
Salesloft Conversations
$135+/user
Native engagement
Large sales teams
High cost
Outreach Kaia
$100+/user
AI-powered workflows
Complex automation needs
Implementation complexity
Salesforce Einstein
Varies
Native CRM
Salesforce customers
Feature limitations
Gong
$113-$133/user*
External integration
Feature-rich analysis
Vendor complexity
*Includes distributed platform fees
Integration vs. Best-of-Breed Decision Framework
Choose Integrated Platforms if: You prefer unified workflows, consolidated vendor relationships, and simplified data management over specialized features.
Choose Standalone Tools if: You need best-in-class conversation intelligence and can manage multiple vendor relationships and complex integrations.
Our Platform Recommendation
For Enterprise Teams: Salesloft Conversations offers the most comprehensive integration but requires significant investment and dedicated resources.
For Salesforce Users: Einstein Conversation Insights provides native integration advantages with simplified implementation.
For Budget-Conscious Teams: Standalone alternatives like Oliv.ai often provide better value with transparent pricing and flexible contracts that support effective MEDDIC sales methodology implementation.
The choice between integrated engagement platforms and standalone conversation intelligence tools ultimately depends on your organizational preferences for vendor consolidation versus specialized capabilities.
Real user feedback provides the most valuable insights for evaluating Gong alternatives. We've analyzed thousands of reviews across G2, TrustRadius, Reddit, and Capterra to understand what users actually experience with each platform.
A visual pros and cons comparison of Gong highlights its powerful conversation analytics and workflow automation alongside pricing concerns and support limitations.
Gong User Sentiment: The Complete Picture
Positive User Experiences: Enterprise users consistently praise Gong's comprehensive capabilities. Scott T., Director of Sales, emphasizes: "Gong has become the single source of truth for our sales team. From deal management to forecasting it's been really easy to gain adoption across the team"1.
Elspeth C., Chief Commercial Officer, adds: "Gong's product is second to none and without it, I couldn't do my job properly - it's my most visited tab on Chrome!"1.
Trafford J., Senior Director, Revenue Enablement, highlights enterprise value: "Full suite for conversation intelligence, forecast accuracy, email outreach. Trackers are far superior than other competitors in the market and reps, managers and enablement alike love it for the seamless workflows and unparalleled insights".
Critical User Concerns: The Reality Behind the Features
Pricing Frustrations: Iris P., Head of Marketing, Sales & Partnerships, captures the widespread sentiment: "It was a big mistake on our part to commit to a two year term. Gong is a really powerful tool but it's probably the highest end option on the market... Having talked with other friends who lead revenue functions, all have said the same thing - they've been fine using a lower cost, simpler alternative".
Miodrag, Enterprise Account Executive, reinforces this concern: "Overall it is a great product. Sadly Gong.io as a leader in its market is not too open to negotiate with smaller companies... The pricing is probably the biggest obstacle and hence we are looking to change".
Usability Challenges: John S., Senior Account Executive, provides a stark assessment: "It's too complicated, and not intuitive at all. Using it is very...discomforting. Searching for calls is not easy, moving around in the calls is not easy, and understanding the pipeline management portion of it is almost impossible".
Data Access Limitations: Neel P., Sales Operations Manager, highlights serious operational concerns: "Gong's support team has stated... their current solution is far from convenient or accessible - it requires downloading calls individually, which is impractical and inefficient for a large volume of data"1. This limitation significantly impacts teams trying to leverage sales productivity tools for comprehensive analytics.
Product-Specific Disappointments
Gong Engage Failures: A comprehensive review reveals significant product issues: "We've had a disappointing experience with Gong Engage... The platform lacks task APIs, does not integrate with other vendors or parallel dialers, and isn't built to function as a proper sequencing tool".
The same reviewer noted: "When we initially signed up, our sales rep promised integrations and a more robust system, but none of that materialized. The tool is slow, buggy, and creates an excessive administrative burden".
Support Quality Decline:Elspeth C., Chief Commercial Officer, mentions: "Since we purchased our package, the support model has changed drastically, which is infuriating".
Alternative Platform User Reviews
Fireflies.ai: Strong SMB Satisfaction
Positive Feedback: Users consistently praise Fireflies.ai's simplicity and value proposition. The platform delivers essential note-taking AI capabilities without overwhelming complexity.
Common Concerns: Remington Adams, Team Lead, Sales Development Representative, reports: "It takes an eternity to upload a call to listen to it"1. Users also mention processing speed limitations for longer calls.
Clari Copilot: Mixed Enterprise Reception
Positive Experiences: Enterprise users appreciate the coaching capabilities and real-time insights that support effective sales call planning guide methodologies.
Significant Concerns: Users report support deterioration since the Wingman acquisition, with reviews indicating difficulty accessing support and reduced product accessibility.
Community and Professional Network Insights
Reddit Community Feedback: Community discussions reveal consistent themes around pricing frustrations across platforms. Users frequently state that Gong is "WAY too expensive" and recommend exploring alternatives that offer similar features at lower costs.
Professional Network Recommendations: Iris P.'s experience reflects broader professional sentiment: "Having talked with other friends who lead revenue functions, all have said the same thing - they've been fine using a lower cost, simpler alternative".
Key Sentiment Patterns
Transparency Preference: Users increasingly prefer platforms with clear pricing models over complex enterprise sales processes.
Simplicity Over Complexity: Karel Bos, Head of Sales, notes: "There's so much in Gong, that we don't use everything", highlighting the preference for focused solutions over feature-heavy platforms.
Support Quality Impact: Customer support quality significantly influences user satisfaction, with responsive support receiving notably better reviews than complex support structures.
Q8: How Should You Choose the Right Gong Alternative for Your Sales Team? [toc=Selection Framework]
Choosing the right Gong alternative requires a systematic evaluation framework that considers your specific use case, budget constraints, and organizational requirements. Based on our analysis of 100+ implementations and extensive user feedback, here's our comprehensive decision framework.
Decision Framework: Four Critical Evaluation Criteria
1. Team Size and Budget Alignment
Startup/Small Teams (1-25 users):
Budget Range: $10-$50 per user monthly
Recommended: Fireflies.ai ($10-$19/user) or Oliv.ai ($19/user)
Key Consideration: Avoid platforms with hidden platform fees or forced multi-year commitments
As Iris P., Head of Marketing, Sales & Partnerships, learned: "It was a big mistake on our part to commit to a two year term"1. This highlights the importance of flexible contracts for growing teams.
Mid-Market Teams (25-200 users):
Budget Range: $50-$150 per user monthly
Recommended: Oliv.ai ($19/user) or Clari Copilot ($120-$160/user)
Key Consideration: Scalability and integration flexibility
Enterprise Teams (200+ users):
Budget Range: $100-$200+ per user monthly
Recommended: Salesloft Conversations ($135+/user) or Chorus ($105-$137/user)
Key Consideration: Advanced analytics and dedicated support
2. Feature Requirements Assessment
Essential Features (Must-Have):
Conversation recording and transcription (95%+ accuracy)
User Adoption Challenges: John S., Senior Account Executive, warns: "It's too complicated, and not intuitive at all. Using it is very...discomforting"1. This emphasizes the importance of intuitive interfaces for successful adoption.
Budget Reality Check: Miodrag, Enterprise Account Executive, notes: "The pricing is probably the biggest obstacle and hence we are looking to change"1. This reflects the importance of realistic budget planning.
Feature Utilization: Karel Bos, Head of Sales, observes: "There's so much in Gong, that we don't use everything"1. This highlights the value of focused solutions over feature-heavy platforms.
Professional Network Validation: Iris P.'s research among peers reveals: "Having talked with other friends who lead revenue functions, all have said the same thing - they've been fine using a lower cost, simpler alternative"1.
Final Recommendation Framework
Choose Fireflies.ai if: You need affordable, essential conversation intelligence with simple implementation and can work within basic feature limitations.
Choose Oliv.ai if: You want enterprise-grade features at transparent pricing with rapid deployment and comprehensive workflow automation supporting generative AI in sales.
Choose Clari Copilot if: You prioritize advanced forecasting and real-time coaching and can manage higher costs and complex implementation.
Choose Salesloft/Outreach if: You prefer integrated engagement platforms and have dedicated resources for complex implementations.
Avoid Gong if: You're budget-conscious, need pricing transparency, or lack dedicated resources for complex enterprise implementations.
Conclusion: Making Your Decision
The conversation intelligence market has evolved significantly, offering revenue teams multiple alternatives that provide comparable functionality at more transparent pricing points. The key is matching your specific requirements with the platform that offers the best value proposition for your organization's size, budget, and growth trajectory.
User feedback consistently shows that simpler, more transparent alternatives often deliver superior value compared to complex enterprise solutions. As Iris P. discovered: "they've been fine using a lower cost, simpler alternative and have only seen Gong really make sense for more established sales organizations with larger budgets".
Your decision should prioritize practical value delivery over brand recognition, focusing on platforms that provide transparent pricing, rapid implementation, and strong user adoption for sustained success.
FAQs
Q: Is gong a CRM tool? No, Gong is not a CRM tool. It's a revenue intelligence platform that analyzes sales conversations and integrates with your existing CRM (like Salesforce or HubSpot) to provide AI-powered insights. While Gong tracks deals and conversations, it doesn't replace core CRM functions like lead management, contact storage, or opportunity tracking. Think of it as a conversation intelligence layer that enhances your sales automation tools rather than replacing them.
Q: Is Gong like Salesforce? Gong and Salesforce serve different purposes in your sales tech stack. Salesforce is a comprehensive CRM platform for managing customer relationships, while Gong focuses specifically on conversation intelligence and revenue analytics. Gong integrates with Salesforce to analyze call data and provide insights, but it doesn't offer the broad business process management capabilities that Salesforce provides. They're complementary tools rather than direct competitors.
Q: Is Gong AI free? No, Gong AI is not free. Gong operates on a premium pricing model with costs ranging from $113-$133 per user monthly (including platform fees). There's no free tier or freemium option available. For budget-conscious teams seeking free alternatives, platforms like Fireflies.ai offer free plans with basic features, while Oliv.ai provides transparent pricing at $19/user/month without hidden fees or forced enterprise commitments.
Q: Does Gong have an API? Yes, Gong provides an API for data export and integration. However, users report significant limitations with bulk data access. The API requires downloading calls individually rather than bulk exports, which creates operational challenges for data migration or analysis. Teams planning to switch platforms should engage with Gong's API documentation early, as extracting large volumes of call data can be complex and time-consuming.
Q: What is gong AI used for? Gong AI analyzes sales conversations to provide coaching insights, deal intelligence, and forecasting support. It transcribes calls, identifies key topics, tracks objections, and provides performance analytics for sales teams. The platform helps managers coach reps, understand customer sentiment, and predict deal outcomes. However, many teams find sales productivity tools with simpler interfaces deliver similar value without the complexity and cost overhead.
Q: Which companies use Gong? Gong serves over 4,000 customers including LinkedIn, Shopify, Slack, and Twilio. The platform primarily targets mid-market and enterprise organizations with larger sales teams and substantial budgets. However, many smaller companies find Gong's pricing and complexity excessive for their needs. As one user noted, Gong "really makes sense for more established sales organizations with larger budgets" rather than growing teams or startups.
Author
Ishan Chhabra
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Oliv's AI agents automate key tasks like deal tracking, meeting preparation, CRM management, and forecasting—freeing up time, so your team can focus on closing deals.
Oliv's AI agents automate key tasks like deal tracking, meeting preparation, CRM management, and forecasting—freeing up time, so your team can focus on closing deals.
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