# Calliyo vs Exotel: which is right for your team?
_URL: https://calliyo.com/compare/exotel · Compared: Exotel (Cloud telephony / IVR) · Pricing: Per-minute call rates + monthly platform fee + per-number rental. Plans typically start ~₹3,000/month._

> Calliyo vs Exotel — pricing, features, and fit compared for Indian SMEs. See where SIM-based CRM beats cloud telephony, and when Exotel's IVR still wins.

## TL;DR
Pick **Calliyo** if your team is mostly outbound (sales, telecalling, follow-ups) and you want predictable per-user pricing on the SIMs you already have. Pick **Exotel** if you need cloud telephony / ivr features like IVR, virtual numbers, or programmable APIs. Many teams run both — Calliyo for outbound, Exotel for inbound.

## Quick facts
- **Calliyo** — SIM-based Call Management CRM · India · ₹99-125/user/month annual · best for Indian SME outbound teams
- **Exotel** — Cloud telephony / IVR · Bengaluru · Per-minute call rates + monthly platform fee + per-number rental. Plans typically start ~₹3,000/month. · best for Mid-market — D2C, fintech, edtech support teams
- Exotel site: https://www.exotel.com/

## How does Calliyo compare to Exotel?

| Feature | Calliyo | Exotel |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ₹99-125/user/month (annual) | Platform fee + per-minute |
| Typical monthly cost (10 agents, 10K mins) | ~₹990-1,250 | ~₹15,000-30,000+ |
| SIM-based calling | ✓ | ✗ |
| Works offline | ✓ | ✗ |
| IVR / call menus | ✗ | ✓ |
| Virtual phone numbers | ✗ | ✓ |
| AI follow-up reminders | ✓ | ✗ |
| Auto-dialer | yes (Teams plan) | ✓ |
| Setup time | 5 minutes | 1–3 days |
| Best fit | Outbound sales, telecalling, field teams | Inbound support, IVR-driven flows |

## Pick Calliyo when…
- You make outbound sales calls all day and per-minute pricing eats your margin.
- Your team works in low-network areas (field sales, tier-2/3 cities) where VoIP drops.
- You want predictable per-user pricing rather than a metered bill.
- You don't need an IVR menu — you just need calls tracked and followed up on.

## Pick Exotel when…
- You run an inbound support centre with a phone tree and need IVR routing.
- You need a virtual number for branding (e.g., 1-800-style) instead of agents' personal SIMs.
- Your callers need predictable hold-and-transfer experiences across agents.

## Frequently asked questions

**Should I pick Calliyo or Exotel?**

If your team is mostly outbound (sales, telecalling, follow-ups), Calliyo is usually 60–80% cheaper and easier to set up. If you need an IVR phone tree, virtual numbers, or inbound call routing, Exotel is the better fit.

**How much can I save vs Exotel?**

Most outbound teams making 50-200 calls/agent/day save ₹10,000–₹25,000 per month for a 10-seat team — Exotel charges per minute, Calliyo charges per user. Run our comparison: 10 users × 10K minutes/month is roughly ₹990 (Calliyo annual) vs ₹15K-30K (Exotel).

**Does Calliyo replace Exotel's IVR?**

No. Calliyo doesn't have an IVR phone-tree builder. If you need a caller to press 1 for sales, 2 for support, you'll keep Exotel for the inbound flow and use Calliyo for the outbound team.

**Can I use both Calliyo and Exotel together?**

Yes — run Calliyo for the outbound sales team and keep Exotel for inbound IVR. They don't conflict because Calliyo uses SIM cards while Exotel uses virtual numbers.

**Is call quality better on SIM than on Exotel's VoIP?**

On 4G/5G with strong signal, both are good. In tier-2/3 India and field locations with patchy coverage, SIM-based calling has a higher connect rate and clearer audio because it falls back to 2G/3G voice.