I need an API that can transcribe live calls and send text into my CRM. What service should I use?

If you want live call transcription + automatic CRM text sync, the best service depends on whether you need:

1. Real-time streaming transcription
2. Call recording/transcription for phone calls
3. Easy CRM integration
4. Enterprise compliance/security

Good options

1. AssemblyAI

Best if you want a developer-friendly API for:

• live transcription
• speaker diarization
• sentiment / topic detection
• webhook/event workflows

Works well if you’re building your own integration into a CRM.

2. Deepgram

Best for:

• very fast real-time transcription
• low-latency streaming
• telephony/call-center use cases

Strong choice if live performance matters most.

3. OpenAI Whisper / speech-to-text APIs

Best for:

• batch transcription
• simpler workflows
• lower-cost transcription after the call

Not ideal if you need true live streaming into a CRM.

4. Twilio + transcription partner

Best if you already use Twilio for calls.

• Twilio handles the call audio
• a transcription service handles speech-to-text
• your app pushes text into the CRM

This is a common architecture for live call systems.

5. Contact-center platforms

If you want something more plug-and-play, look at:

• Dialpad
• Aircall
• Gong
• Zoom Contact Center

These often have built-in CRM integrations, but are less flexible than building with APIs.

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My recommendation

If you’re building this yourself:

• Deepgram for best real-time transcription
• AssemblyAI for richer transcription features
• Twilio if you need the calling infrastructure too

If you want the fastest path with minimal development:

• use a contact-center platform or Gong/Aircall/Dialpad integration

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Typical setup

1. Call audio streams from your phone system
2. Transcription API converts speech to text in real time
3. Your backend receives transcript events
4. You push notes/summary/transcript into your CRM via API/webhook

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If you tell me:

• which CRM you use
• whether you need live or after-call transcription
• what phone system you already have

…I can recommend the exact best service and integration path.