‍Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) remains a trusted method for collecting high-quality data via live phone interviews—especially when depth, accuracy, and interviewer control are critical. Whether you're running political polling, customer satisfaction research, or public health surveys, using the right CATI software ensures consistency, efficiency, and data integrity.

Below, we explore what CATI software is, why it matters, and which tools are leading the field in 2025—including newer AI-powered platforms like UserCall that are reshaping the landscape.

What Is CATI Software?

CATI (Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing) software enables researchers to conduct structured phone interviews while guiding interviewers through pre-scripted surveys. The platform records responses directly into a digital system, minimizes interviewer error, and often includes features like:

• Real-time interviewer prompts and branching logic
• Call scheduling and respondent tracking
• Integration with CRM or panel databases
• Audio recording and quality control tools

Why Use CATI in 2025?

Even with the rise of online surveys and automation, CATI remains valuable for:

• Reaching less digitally connected populations
• Handling sensitive or complex topics requiring clarification
• Boosting data quality through real-time human interaction
• Maintaining control over how questions are asked and answered

Top CATI Software Tools in 2025

Here’s a curated list of the top CATI platforms, with a mix of traditional and modern AI-powered tools.

1. UserCall

Best for: AI-moderated interviews, fast thematic analysis, and automated voice transcripts
UserCall blends the power of CATI with modern AI. Instead of manual interviewer calls, it uses AI-moderated interviews via phone or voice to conduct structured, human-like conversations at scale. For analysis, you can upload your own transcripts or use AI to record and code sessions automatically.

Key features:

• AI voice interviews with expert researcher-like follow up questions and probing
• Instantly scales to thousands across languages and time zones
• Customizable discussion guides, branding & research objectives for AI
• Web, mobile and phone dial options for in-person or remote
• Integrated qualitative analysis with AI assisted themes, coded excerpts and insight summaries

2. Voxco CATI

Best for: Large-scale surveys with multi-mode options

Key features:

• Supports telephone, online, and in-person survey modes
• Centralized call management and interviewer supervision
• Predictive dialing integration
• Real-time performance dashboards
• Multilingual support and quota management

3. Nebu Dub InterViewer

Best for: Integrated data collection across channels

Key features:

• Seamless switch between CATI, CAPI, and web interviews
• Advanced quota and sample management
• Interviewer performance tracking
• Mobile-responsive interface for field teams
• GDPR-compliant data handling

4. SurveySystem by Creative Research Systems

Best for: Government and academic research

Key features:

• Customizable CATI scripts with branching logic
• On-premise or cloud hosting options
• Integrated audio recording and playback
• Interviewer scoring and monitoring tools
• Telephone sample and call outcome management

5. NIPO Nfield CATI

Best for: International data collection firms

Key features:

• Cloud-based interviewer and sample management
• Secure data transfer and encryption
• Detailed real-time fieldwork monitoring
• Built-in call-back and call prioritization logic
• Easy deployment for distributed global teams

6. Confirmit (Forsta CATI)

Best for: Enterprise-level CATI operations

Key features:

• Multimode survey engine with deep customization
• Advanced analytics and dashboarding
• Call center performance insights and reporting
• Seamless CRM and panel integration
• Scalable infrastructure for global rollouts

7. WinCATI by Sawtooth Technologies

Best for: Academic and public sector surveys

Key features:

• Comprehensive case and sample management tools
• Real-time supervisor dashboards
• Automatic call scheduler with time-zone logic
• Interview recording and playback for training
• Longstanding support for legacy research workflows

Choosing the Right CATI Software

When picking your CATI platform, consider:

• Scale: Do you need to run dozens or thousands of interviews?
• Time: How much human resources and time to conduct interviews?
• Team setup: Do your interviewers work remotely or onsite?
• Analysis tools: Do you need built-in reporting, coding, or AI insights?