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Best Sales Coaching Software for SDR Teams [2026]

ยท 15 min read
sunder
Founder, marketbetter.ai
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Best Sales Coaching Software 2026

Sales coaching software promises to turn B-players into A-players. The reality? Most platforms record calls, generate transcripts, and create dashboards that managers never look at.

The actual problem isn't capturing conversations โ€” it's turning coaching insights into changed behavior. Your SDRs don't need another tool that tells them what they did wrong on yesterday's call. They need a system that tells them what to do differently on the next one.

We evaluated 12 sales coaching platforms across conversation intelligence, AI role-play, performance management, and real-time assistance. Here's what actually works for SDR teams in 2026.

Quick Comparison: Sales Coaching Software at a Glanceโ€‹

PlatformPrimary FocusBest ForPricing
MarketBetterSignal-driven coachingSDR teams that need daily direction$500โ€“$3,000/mo
GongRevenue intelligenceEnterprise deal coaching$120โ€“$250/user/mo + $5Kโ€“$50K platform fee
Chorus (ZoomInfo)Conversation intelligenceTeams already on ZoomInfoBundled with ZoomInfo ($15Kโ€“$40K+/yr)
MindtickleSales readinessOnboarding + skill developmentCustom (est. $20โ€“$40/user/mo)
AllegoVideo coachingDistributed sales teamsCustom pricing
SalesLoftEngagement + coachingTeams using SalesLoft cadences$125โ€“$165/user/mo
Clari CopilotReal-time assistanceReps needing in-call supportCustom pricing
AmbitionPerformance managementGamification-driven teamsCustom pricing
Second NatureAI role-playTeams prioritizing practiceCustom pricing
JiminnyConversation intelligenceMid-market sales teamsFrom $85/user/mo
SpekitJust-in-time enablementIn-workflow guidanceFrom $20/user/mo
BrainsharkContent + coachingTraining-heavy organizationsCustom pricing

What to Look For in Sales Coaching Softwareโ€‹

Before diving into individual tools, here's what separates useful coaching platforms from expensive call recorders:

Signal-to-action conversion. The best coaching tools don't just surface problems โ€” they prescribe next steps. "Rep talked 72% of the call" is an observation. "Before your next call with Acme Corp, prepare a question about their Q2 budget timeline" is coaching.

Manager time savings. If your managers need to listen to every call to coach effectively, the tool has failed. Look for AI that surfaces the 3-5 calls per week that actually need human attention.

Rep adoption. The most powerful coaching platform is useless if reps hate using it. Mobile access, quick insights, and non-intrusive workflows matter more than feature depth.

CRM integration. Coaching data that lives in a separate silo creates extra work. The best tools sync insights directly into your CRM so coaching context follows the deal.

1. MarketBetter โ€” Signal-Driven SDR Coachingโ€‹

Best for: SDR teams that need daily direction, not just call reviews

Pricing: $500โ€“$3,000/mo (team-based, not per-seat for coaching features)

Most coaching tools focus backward โ€” analyzing what happened on past calls. MarketBetter approaches coaching differently by building a Daily SDR Playbook that tells each rep exactly who to contact, what channel to use, and what to say. The coaching happens before the conversation, not after.

The platform aggregates buying signals from website visits, email engagement, and intent data, then translates those signals into a prioritized task list. Instead of a manager saying "you should have asked about budget," the system ensures the rep walks into the call already knowing the prospect visited the pricing page three times this week.

Key coaching capabilities:

  • Daily playbook with prioritized prospect actions based on real-time signals
  • Website visitor identification that feeds directly into rep workflows
  • AI-powered email personalization based on prospect behavior
  • Smart dialer with context cards that prep reps before every call
  • Team deduplication and territory management to prevent stepping on toes

What users say: MarketBetter has a 4.97 rating on G2 with recognition for Best Support and Easiest Setup. Users consistently highlight how the playbook eliminates the "who should I call next?" paralysis that kills SDR productivity.

Best for teams that: Want proactive coaching baked into the daily workflow rather than reactive analysis of past calls.

Book a demo โ†’

2. Gong โ€” Revenue Intelligence and Deal Coachingโ€‹

Best for: Enterprise revenue teams focused on deal inspection and forecasting

Pricing: $120โ€“$250/user/month + $5,000โ€“$50,000 annual platform fee + $15,000โ€“$65,000 implementation (source: Oliv.ai, Vendr negotiations)

Gong is the elephant in the sales coaching room. With patented conversation intelligence technology, it captures interactions across calls, emails, and meetings, then uses AI to identify patterns that correlate with closed deals.

The coaching angle is strongest in deal inspection โ€” Gong can flag when a deal is going sideways based on conversation patterns, missing stakeholders, or competitor mentions. Managers get a pipeline view that highlights which deals need coaching attention and why.

Key coaching capabilities:

  • AI-powered conversation analytics with talk pattern identification
  • Deal risk scoring based on conversation signals
  • Competitor mention tracking and win/loss pattern analysis
  • Manager coaching dashboards with team performance benchmarks
  • Forecast accuracy improvement through conversation intelligence

The pricing reality: Gong's total cost for a 10-person SDR team typically runs $36,000โ€“$75,000 in year one when you factor in platform fees, per-user costs, and implementation. RevOps leaders on Reddit consistently report that negotiation is essential โ€” list prices are starting points, not final offers.

The gap: Gong excels at analyzing what happened but doesn't prescribe what to do next. Managers still need to translate Gong's insights into specific coaching actions for each rep.

3. Chorus by ZoomInfo โ€” Conversation Intelligence with B2B Dataโ€‹

Best for: Teams already using ZoomInfo who want integrated conversation intelligence

Pricing: Bundled with ZoomInfo contracts (typically $15,000โ€“$40,000+/yr depending on ZoomInfo tier and seats)

Chorus brings conversation intelligence with the added advantage of ZoomInfo's massive B2B contact database. The unique angle: when Chorus detects a competitor mention or buying signal in a call, it can cross-reference against ZoomInfo data to provide additional context about the prospect's company, tech stack, and org chart.

Key coaching capabilities:

  • Real-time transcription with 14 proprietary ML patents for accuracy
  • Multi-channel conversation capture (calls, video, email)
  • Automated CRM data sync for contact and activity logging
  • Deal intelligence tied to ZoomInfo's company and contact data
  • Snippet sharing for cross-functional coaching moments

The catch: Chorus's coaching value is directly tied to how much your team invests in ZoomInfo. As a standalone conversation intelligence tool, it competes with Gong but lacks some of the deal inspection depth. The real value emerges when conversation data enriches your broader ZoomInfo workflows.

Worth knowing: Users on G2 praise Chorus for transcription accuracy and CRM integration but note that the coaching scorecards can feel generic without manager customization.

4. Mindtickle โ€” Sales Readiness and Skill Developmentโ€‹

Best for: Teams scaling onboarding and continuous skill development

Pricing: Custom (industry estimates suggest $20โ€“$40/user/month for mid-market teams)

Mindtickle is less "conversation intelligence" and more "sales readiness platform." Where Gong and Chorus analyze real customer calls, Mindtickle focuses on building rep competency before they get on calls through AI role-plays, training modules, and competency assessments.

Key coaching capabilities:

  • AI-powered role-play simulations for objection handling practice
  • Personalized training paths based on skill gaps
  • Competency tracking with readiness index scoring
  • Certification programs for new product launches or methodology changes
  • Manager coaching workflows tied to skill assessments

Where it shines: Onboarding. Mindtickle can cut ramp time significantly by giving new reps structured practice environments before they touch real prospects. The AI role-play feature lets reps practice cold calls, discovery, and objection handling with AI-generated personas.

Where it struggles: Ongoing coaching for experienced reps. Once someone has ramped, the training-module approach can feel more like school than coaching. Experienced SDRs often resist mandatory training that doesn't connect to their live pipeline.

5. Allego โ€” Video-First Peer Coachingโ€‹

Best for: Distributed and remote sales teams that need async coaching

Pricing: Custom (enterprise-focused, typically demo-led pricing)

Allego takes a different approach: peer learning through video. Instead of relying solely on managers to coach, Allego enables reps to share recordings of successful calls, role-plays, and deal strategies with the broader team. Think of it as a knowledge-sharing platform where your best reps become coaching resources.

Key coaching capabilities:

  • Video recording and sharing for peer-to-peer learning
  • Async feedback workflows (managers coach on their schedule)
  • AI-generated content recommendations based on deal stage
  • Mobile-first design for field sales teams
  • Content management for sales enablement materials

The unique value: Allego's peer coaching model scales better than traditional 1:1 manager coaching. When your top performer shares a recording of how they handled a pricing objection, every rep benefits โ€” not just the one who got the coaching session.

G2 feedback: Users praise Allego's mobile experience and content management but note that adoption requires cultural buy-in. Teams accustomed to manager-led coaching may resist the peer-sharing model initially.

6. SalesLoft โ€” Coaching Within Engagement Workflowsโ€‹

Best for: Teams already using SalesLoft for sales engagement who want integrated coaching

Pricing: $125โ€“$165/user/month (Advanced and Premier tiers include coaching features)

SalesLoft's coaching capabilities live inside its broader sales engagement platform. The advantage: coaching insights are directly connected to cadence performance, email metrics, and call outcomes. Managers can see which reps are struggling with specific cadence steps and coach accordingly.

Key coaching capabilities:

  • Call recording and transcription within cadence workflows
  • Performance analytics tied to engagement metrics
  • One-click coaching feedback from recorded conversations
  • Team benchmarking across cadence completion and response rates
  • CRM sync for activity and coaching data

The positioning: SalesLoft isn't a coaching-first platform โ€” it's an engagement platform with coaching bolted on. For teams that live in SalesLoft for daily execution, the integrated coaching is convenient. For teams that need deep conversation intelligence or skill development, it may feel surface-level.

7. Clari Copilot โ€” Real-Time In-Call Assistanceโ€‹

Best for: Reps who need live support during customer conversations

Pricing: Custom (typically bundled with Clari's revenue platform)

Formerly Wingman, Clari Copilot provides real-time coaching during live calls. While most tools analyze conversations after they happen, Copilot surfaces battlecards, competitor responses, and talking points while the rep is still on the phone.

Key coaching capabilities:

  • Live battlecard delivery during competitive mentions
  • Monologue alerts when reps talk too long
  • Real-time cue cards for objection handling
  • Post-call summaries with coaching highlights
  • Deal intelligence tied to Clari's revenue platform

When it works: High-velocity SDR environments where reps handle a high volume of calls with limited prep time. The real-time prompts help newer reps navigate conversations they're not yet comfortable with.

When it doesn't: Experienced reps often find real-time prompts distracting. There's a learning curve to glancing at prompts while maintaining natural conversation flow.

8. Ambition โ€” Gamification and Performance Coachingโ€‹

Best for: Teams that respond to competition, leaderboards, and public recognition

Pricing: Custom (demo-led, scaled by team size)

Ambition approaches coaching through gamification and performance management. Instead of analyzing conversations, it tracks rep activities (calls made, emails sent, meetings booked) and creates leaderboards, contests, and coaching scorecards around performance metrics.

Key coaching capabilities:

  • Real-time leaderboards and sales contests
  • Coaching scorecard workflows for structured 1:1s
  • TV display dashboards for office energy
  • Goal tracking and milestone celebrations
  • Integration with dialers and CRM for automatic activity tracking

The honest take: Gamification works for some teams and backfires for others. Competitive SDR teams with a "Wolf of Wall Street" culture thrive on leaderboards. Teams that value collaboration over competition may find it demoralizing โ€” nobody wants to be at the bottom of a public scoreboard.

9. Second Nature โ€” AI Role-Play for Practiceโ€‹

Best for: Teams that need reps to practice before they prospect

Pricing: Custom (demo-led)

Second Nature focuses entirely on AI-powered role-play simulations. Reps practice conversations with AI-generated personas that simulate real buyer scenarios โ€” cold calls, discovery, pricing objections, executive presentations.

Key coaching capabilities:

  • AI-generated buyer personas for realistic practice
  • Customizable scenarios based on your sales methodology
  • Performance scoring with specific improvement suggestions
  • Manager review workflows for practice session analysis
  • Certification programs tied to role-play completion

Where it excels: New hire ramp. Second Nature can compress onboarding by giving reps dozens of practice conversations before they make a single real call. The AI personas are surprisingly realistic and adapt to the rep's responses.

The limitation: Practice without real-world context only goes so far. A rep who crushes AI role-plays may still struggle when a real prospect throws an unexpected curveball. Second Nature works best as a complement to live call coaching, not a replacement.

10. Jiminny โ€” Flexible Conversation Intelligence for Mid-Marketโ€‹

Best for: Mid-market sales teams that want conversation intelligence without enterprise pricing

Pricing: From $85/user/month

Jiminny offers conversation intelligence at a price point that makes sense for mid-market teams. It records calls, generates transcripts, and provides AI-driven coaching insights โ€” similar to Gong but without the $50K platform fee.

Key coaching capabilities:

  • Call recording and AI transcription
  • Flexible AI queries (ask questions about any conversation)
  • CRM sync for automatic activity logging
  • Team performance dashboards
  • Coaching playlists of best-practice calls

The value proposition: Jiminny delivers 80% of Gong's conversation intelligence at roughly 30% of the cost. For teams that don't need enterprise-grade deal inspection and forecast accuracy, it's a compelling alternative.

G2 feedback: Users praise the value-to-price ratio and customer support. Common complaints include occasional transcription inaccuracies and a less polished UI compared to Gong.

11. Spekit โ€” Just-in-Time Enablementโ€‹

Best for: Teams that need contextual coaching within daily tools (Salesforce, Slack, etc.)

Pricing: From $20/user/month

Spekit takes a unique approach: coaching in the flow of work. Instead of a separate coaching platform, Spekit surfaces training content, playbook guidance, and process reminders directly within the tools reps already use โ€” Salesforce, Slack, LinkedIn, email.

Key coaching capabilities:

  • In-app guidance overlays within Salesforce and other tools
  • Knowledge base with searchable playbook content
  • Change management alerts for process updates
  • Analytics on content engagement and knowledge gaps
  • Chrome extension for browser-based coaching

The difference: Spekit isn't conversation intelligence โ€” it's contextual enablement. When a rep opens a deal in Salesforce, Spekit can surface the relevant playbook page, competitor battlecard, or process reminder without the rep leaving their workflow.

Best for: Teams with complex processes or frequent methodology changes that need ongoing reinforcement.

12. Brainshark โ€” Content-Driven Coaching and Readinessโ€‹

Best for: Training-heavy organizations that need content creation and delivery

Pricing: Custom (enterprise-focused, Bigtincan acquired)

Brainshark (now part of Bigtincan) combines coaching with content creation. Managers can build training presentations with voiceover, create video coaching assignments, and track completion across the team.

Key coaching capabilities:

  • Content authoring tools for training materials
  • Video coaching assignments with AI scoring
  • Readiness scorecards for team and individual assessment
  • Course completion tracking and certification
  • Integration with LMS and CRM systems

The honest assessment: Brainshark is strongest for organizations that already invest heavily in formal sales training programs. For agile SDR teams that need quick, practical coaching, the content-creation overhead may slow things down.

The Real Cost of Sales Coaching Softwareโ€‹

Here's what a 10-person SDR team actually pays across these platforms:

PlatformYear 1 Cost (10 users)Includes
MarketBetter$6,000โ€“$36,000Full platform + coaching signals
Gong$36,000โ€“$75,000Platform fee + per-user + implementation
Chorus/ZoomInfo$15,000โ€“$40,000+Bundled with ZoomInfo contract
Mindtickle$24,000โ€“$48,000Estimated from per-user pricing
SalesLoft$15,000โ€“$19,800Advanced/Premier tiers
Jiminny$10,200+From $85/user/mo
Spekit$2,400+From $20/user/mo

The pricing gap is enormous. Enterprise platforms like Gong can cost 10-30x what lighter tools charge. The question isn't "which is best?" โ€” it's "which delivers ROI at your team's scale?"

How to Choose: Decision Frameworkโ€‹

You need signal-to-action coaching if: Your SDRs waste time figuring out who to call and what to say. โ†’ MarketBetter

You need deal inspection if: Your pipeline is large but forecast accuracy is poor. โ†’ Gong or Chorus

You need faster onboarding if: New reps take 3+ months to ramp. โ†’ Mindtickle or Second Nature

You need peer coaching if: Your team is remote and managers can't coach everyone. โ†’ Allego

You need real-time help if: Reps struggle during live conversations. โ†’ Clari Copilot

You need affordable CI if: You want call recording and insights without enterprise pricing. โ†’ Jiminny

You need in-workflow coaching if: Reps forget processes and playbook steps. โ†’ Spekit

The Bottom Lineโ€‹

Sales coaching software has split into two camps: backward-looking tools that analyze past conversations and forward-looking tools that shape future behavior.

Most platforms โ€” Gong, Chorus, Jiminny โ€” live in the backward-looking camp. They're excellent at telling you what went wrong. But the coaching gap remains: who translates those insights into changed behavior?

The forward-looking approach embeds coaching into the daily workflow. Instead of reviewing yesterday's calls, reps start each day with a signal-driven playbook that tells them exactly where to focus. The coaching is the workflow.

The best teams don't choose one or the other โ€” they layer signal-driven daily coaching with periodic conversation review. Start with the tool that solves your biggest gap, then expand.

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Ready to see signal-driven SDR coaching in action? Book a demo with MarketBetter โ†’

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