Sales skills aren't learned from product training slides—they're developed through practice. The best sales training software lets reps practice objection handling, discovery questions, and closing conversations in realistic simulations before facing real prospects.
This guide reviews the top sales training platforms based on:
- Practice opportunities - Can reps rehearse conversations?
- Objection handling - Do they practice overcoming real objections?
- Customization - Can you adapt to your sales process and product?
- Speed of creation - How fast can you build training?
- Measurable results - Can you track skill improvement and revenue impact?
We've focused on platforms that provide practice-based learning, not just content libraries about sales methodology.
Quick Comparison: Top Sales Training Software
Here's how the leading sales training platforms compare:
| Feature | NODE | Allego | MindTickle | Brainshark | Gong |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Learning Approach | Scenario simulations | Video practice + coaching | Content + assessments | Video presentations | Call analysis |
| Conversation Practice | |||||
| AI-Powered Creation | |||||
| Custom Scenarios | 2-4 hours | Manual setup | Weeks | Manual upload | N/A (analysis only) |
| Objection Handling | Built-in scenarios | Video role-play | Knowledge tests | Presentation practice | Real call review |
| Starting Price | Custom | $50/user/mo | $40/user/mo | $30/user/mo | $1,200/user/year |
| Best For | Conversation practice | Video coaching | Sales enablement | Presentation training | Call analysis |
Best Sales Training Software: Detailed Reviews
NODE
AI-Powered Sales Conversation Simulator
Pros
- Create custom sales scenarios in 2-4 hours (discovery, objections, closing, etc.)
- Practice realistic conversations with prospects—objection handling, discovery, closing
- AI generates branching conversations based on your products, objections, and sales process
- Safe environment to fail and learn before talking to real prospects
- Track performance on key skills (discovery, objection handling, closing)
Cons
- Focused on conversation skills (not product knowledge or methodology training)
- Newer platform compared to established sales enablement tools
- Best for B2B consultative sales, less suited for transactional/retail sales
Best For
Sales teams that need reps to practice discovery conversations, objection handling, and closing discussions. Perfect for B2B sales, complex sales cycles, consultative selling, and high-value deals where conversation skills matter most.
Pricing
Custom pricing with unlimited scenario creation. Train unlimited reps on unlimited sales scenarios.
Allego
Video-Based Sales Coaching Platform
Pros
- Video practice with manager feedback
- Good for presentation and pitch practice
- Mobile-friendly for field sales
- Includes content library and learning paths
Cons
- Practice depends on manager availability for review
- Video role-play feels less realistic than interactive scenarios
- Setup and configuration requires significant time
- Higher price point than alternatives
Best For
Sales teams with dedicated managers who have time for video review and coaching. Good for presentation skills and pitch delivery practice.
Pricing
Starting at $50 per user per month. Annual contracts required.
MindTickle
Sales Readiness Platform
Pros
- Comprehensive sales enablement features
- Good for onboarding new sales reps
- Content management and assessments
- Analytics on rep readiness
Cons
- Limited interactive practice (mostly content consumption)
- Custom scenarios take weeks to build
- Knowledge tests don't equal conversation skills
- Expensive for mid-market companies
Best For
Large sales organizations that need comprehensive enablement platform with content management, onboarding, and readiness tracking.
Pricing
Starting at $40 per user per month. Enterprise pricing available.
Brainshark
Video Presentation Training
Pros
- Good for presentation and demo skills
- Video practice with scoring
- Easy content creation from PowerPoint
- Lower price point than competitors
Cons
- Focused on presentations, not conversations
- Limited objection handling practice
- No AI-generated scenarios
- Better for product training than selling skills
Best For
Sales teams that need to practice product presentations and demos. Less effective for developing consultative selling and objection handling skills.
Pricing
Starting at $30 per user per month.
Gong
Revenue Intelligence & Call Analysis
Pros
- AI analysis of real sales calls
- Identifies what works in actual conversations
- Good for coaching based on real performance
- Competitive intelligence from calls
Cons
- Analysis tool, not training platform (no practice)
- Expensive ($1,200+ per user per year)
- Reps learn from mistakes on real calls (no safe practice)
- Requires large volume of calls to be effective
Best For
Established sales teams with high call volume who want to analyze real conversations. Complements training but doesn't provide practice opportunities.
Pricing
Starting at $1,200 per user per year. Higher for advanced features.
What Makes Sales Training Actually Improve Performance?
Sales training should build skills, not just transfer knowledge. Here's what actually improves quota attainment:
✓ Effective: Practice realistic sales conversations
The best sales training lets reps practice discovery questions, objection handling, and closing conversations in realistic scenarios. They build muscle memory for difficult situations before facing real prospects. Safe practice = confident reps.
Example: NODE creates scenarios like "Prospect says 'Your price is too high'—practice handling this objection" with branching conversations based on rep's approach.
⚠ Okay: Video role-play with manager review
Recording yourself and getting manager feedback is better than nothing, but it's slow (depends on manager availability), uncomfortable (recorded videos feel awkward), and doesn't provide immediate feedback during the conversation.
Example: Platforms like Allego and Mindtickle offer video practice, but feedback is delayed and reps can't iterate quickly.
✗ Ineffective: Product knowledge quizzes and methodology slides
Knowing your product and sales methodology doesn't mean you can handle objections or close deals. Knowledge tests check memory, not selling ability. Reps pass tests but struggle on real calls.
Example: Traditional training with slides about SPIN selling or MEDDIC, followed by quizzes. Reps know the framework but can't execute in conversations.
What Sales Leaders Are Saying About Modern Sales Training
“New reps were struggling with objection handling. We tried video role-play but manager review was slow. NODE scenarios let reps practice handling 'price too high' and other objections 100 times before their first real call. Ramp time cut by 40%.”
“MindTickle gave us great content management but didn't develop selling skills. NODE scenarios actually teach reps how to handle difficult conversations. Our win rate on competitive deals went from 32% to 51%.”
“We were spending thousands per rep on in-person sales training that they'd forget in a week. NODE scenarios provide ongoing practice whenever reps need it. More practice, better retention, and it costs a fraction of instructor-led training.”
How to Choose the Right Sales Training Software
Step 1: Identify your biggest skill gaps
- Discovery and objection handling: NODE (conversation practice)
- Product knowledge and methodology: MindTickle (content + assessments)
- Presentation and demo skills: Brainshark (video practice)
- Coaching on real calls: Gong (call analysis)
Step 2: Evaluate customization requirements
Generic scenarios work if: Your sales process and objections are standard (common in transactional/SMB sales).
Custom scenarios needed if: You sell complex products, face specific objections, or have unique sales methodology. Custom scenarios reflect your actual selling environment.
Step 3: Test with real sales scenarios
Don't evaluate platforms with demo content. Test with your actual sales scenarios:
- • Your most common objections ("price too high", "happy with current vendor")
- • Your discovery process (questions you need reps to ask)
- • Your closing situations (trial to paid, upsells, renewals)
- • Competitive situations (how to win against specific competitors)
Step 4: Measure business impact, not just activity
Track metrics that matter:
- • Ramp time (how fast new reps hit quota)
- • Win rate (especially on competitive deals)
- • Average deal size (are reps selling value vs. discounting?)
- • Quota attainment (percentage of reps hitting targets)
- • Time to first deal (speed to productivity)