Parallel dialer
What a parallel dialer does, and when to use one.
Power, parallel, predictive and preview dialers, explained in plain terms, with the rules you need to know before you turn multiple lines on.
The four kinds
Preview, power, parallel and predictive
Vendors use these words loosely. The cleanest way to tell them apart is how many lines are dialed for each free rep.
| Mode | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Preview | How it worksRep reads the lead, then chooses to dial. | Best forHigh-value accounts, complex sales |
| Power (progressive) | How it worksDials the next number after the last call ends. One line per rep in most products. | Best forSteady calling with low risk |
| Parallel | How it worksDials several numbers at once and connects the first live answer to the rep. DialBrio runs up to four. | Best forSmall teams that want fewer idle rings |
| Predictive | How it worksDials ahead of reps based on a forecast of who will be free. | Best forLarge floors with many agents and strict monitoring |
Some vendors call two to four lines “power”. Ask any vendor how many lines it dials per rep before you compare.
The rules
What the law says about multiple lines
Dialing more than one line is allowed. The limit is how often a person answers and nobody is there.
- Abandoned calls are no more than 3% of calls answered by a person, measured for each calling campaign over each 30-day period, or the whole campaign if it is shorter (47 CFR 64.1200(a)(7); under the FTC Telemarketing Sales Rule this is a safe harbor).
- A rep is connected within 2 seconds of the person’s completed greeting. If no rep is free, a recorded message plays within those 2 seconds with the seller’s name and phone number, and under FCC rules an automated opt-out.
- Calls ring at least 15 seconds or four rings before the dialer gives up.
- Calling hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the lead’s local time, and some states are stricter.
- National DNC registrations are honored indefinitely, or until the consumer cancels or the number leaves the registry, and lists must be scrubbed against a version of the registry no more than 31 days old.
- An autodialer must not tie up two or more lines of a multi-line business at the same time (47 CFR 64.1200(a)(5)).
This is a summary, not legal advice. Consent, purpose and state law decide what you can do. Facebook v. Duguid (2021) narrowed the federal autodialer definition but did not remove DNC, hours or consent rules, and state laws can define autodialers more broadly.
Choosing
How many lines is the right number?
Every extra line cuts idle time and raises the chance two people answer at once.
One line
Safest and slowest. The rep waits through every ring.
Two lines
A common place to start. Two answers at once is rare, and you can measure it.
Three to four lines
Useful on lists with low answer rates, such as aged or cold leads. Watch your abandoned-call rate.
Buying one
What to check in a parallel dialer
DialBrio is a parallel dialer for GoHighLevel agencies: four lines per rep, one queue across sub-accounts, and outcomes written back to the right contact.
- How many lines per rep, and is that the same on every plan?
- Does it detect answering machines and skip them?
- Does it show your abandoned-call rate?
- Are DNC, consent and calling-hour checks built in?
- Does it connect to your CRM without Zapier?
- Is every fee on the pricing page?
Questions
What is a parallel dialer?
A parallel dialer calls several leads at the same time and connects the rep to the first person who answers. Calls that reach voicemail or no answer are dropped or skipped, so the rep spends more time talking.
What is the difference between a power dialer and a parallel dialer?
A power dialer usually calls one number at a time and starts the next call when the rep finishes. A parallel dialer calls several at once. Vendors use “power” differently, and some count two to four lines as power.
Is a parallel dialer legal?
Dialing several lines is allowed. Federal rules cap abandoned calls at 3% of calls answered by a person, for each campaign over each 30-day period, and a rep must be connected within two seconds of the person’s completed greeting, or a recorded message with the seller’s name and number must play. DNC, consent and state calling hours still apply. Talk to a lawyer about your own campaigns.
How many lines should a parallel dialer use?
Fewer lines mean fewer abandoned calls. No public source gives an abandonment rate by line count, so start with two and measure. DialBrio supports up to four.
Does a parallel dialer work with GoHighLevel?
Yes, with a dialer that connects to your GHL account. GoHighLevel’s own Power Dialer calls one contact at a time, and its Multi-Line Dialer, in private beta, rings up to three.
Try four lines on your own leads.
Book a 20-minute demo and we will set up your 14-day trial with 500 free minutes. No card.
Book a demo