Zello
Zello is a push-to-talk voice communication platform that replaces two-way radios for frontline workforces across aviation, retail, transportation, hospitality, construction, and emergency response, serving enterprises such as Ryanair, Marriott, and Sam's Club via cloud and on-premise deployments.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Zello does
Zello is a push-to-talk (PTT) voice communication platform that replaces traditional two-way radios for frontline workforces. The company operates a cloud-hosted voice network accessible via iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac clients, with an on-premise deployment option (Zello Enterprise Server) for regulated environments. The platform supports one-to-one and one-to-many channel communication, real-time voice transmission over Wi-Fi or cellular, message history and replay, emergency alerts with location, transcription, live voice translations, and a Mobile SDK that lets third-party apps embed Zello's PTT functionality natively. At scale the company reports 5 million monthly active users, 10 billion messages per month, 99.99% uptime, 100 million cumulative users, and over 3,000 emergency organizations on the platform.
The company monetizes through tiered subscription plans (ZelloWork Core, Plus, Enterprise) sold via direct enterprise sales alongside a freemium consumer app (Zello Friends & Family) that drives bottom-up adoption. Distribution is reinforced by a hardware certification program that embeds Zello into rugged phones from Sonim, Kyocera, CAT, Honeywell, and RugGear; network radios from Siyata, Talkpod, Telo, and Inrico; and accessories from BlueParrott, Shokz, Savox, Plantronics, and others. Named enterprise customers span retail (Sam's Club, Salling Group), transportation (Ryanair, Holcim), hospitality (Marriott), automotive (O'Reilly Auto Parts), beverages (PepsiCo), aviation (PrimeFlight, Portway Handling), energy (Saudi Electricity Company), and emergency services.
Zello's recent product investment has centered on Zello AI (Ella), an AI assistant that delivers message summaries, natural-language message search, and operational insights derived from frontline voice conversations, gated to Plus and Enterprise tiers. Compliance posture includes SOC 2 Type 2, HIPAA, and GDPR support. The company is privately held, headquartered in Austin, Texas, employs 51–100 people, and was founded in 2007 with $20 million of disclosed funding raised in June 2022 from Recurring Capital Partners and Virgo Capital.
Zello firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Zello
- Legal name
- Zello Inc.
- Website
- https://zello.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Zello is a push-to-talk voice communication platform that replaces two-way radios for frontline workforces across aviation, retail, transportation, hospitality, construction, and emergency response, serving enterprises such as Ryanair, Marriott, and Sam's Club via cloud and on-premise deployments.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Zello industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Push-to-Talk Voice Communication Software
- NAICS
- All Other Telecommunications (517810)
- SIC
- Radiotelephone Communications (4812), Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Push-to-Talk (PTT) & Walkie-Talkie Apps (BPAMACAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Voice Calling (VoIP) Apps (BPAMACAC), Community/Group Chat Platforms (BPAMACAH), Rugged Smartphones & Push-to-Talk Devices (HDACALAI)
Keywords
Where Zello is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Zello business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- ZelloWork Subscription: ZelloWork is a subscription-based SaaS product with tiered pricing plans (Core, Plus, Enterprise) based on features and team size. The free app (Zello Friends & Family) drives adoption while ZelloWork monetizes businesses with additional features including admin console, encryption, priority support, and advanced AI features. Annual and multi-year billing options available.
- Zello Enterprise Server (ZES) On-Premise License: Organizations requiring on-premise deployment pay for Zello Enterprise Server licensing, which differs from standard ZelloWork subscriptions. Pricing and implementation handled through direct sales contact.
- First Responder Program: Zello provides free service to verified first responder organizations (fire, police, EMS) as part of its Zello for First Responders (ZEFFR) program, building brand loyalty and network effects in critical-use environments that can drive word-of-mouth adoption.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free Zello Friends & Family app for personal use |
| Subscription | Annual | ZelloWork Core tier |
| Subscription | Annual | ZelloWork Plus tier |
| Subscription | Annual | ZelloWork Enterprise tier |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Zello Enterprise Server (ZES) On-Premise |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
Zello product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Zello builds a real-time push-to-talk (PTT) voice communication platform that turns smartphones, tablets, and desktops into cloud-connected walkie-talkies. The company sells a free consumer app (Zello Friends & Family), an enterprise SaaS product (Zello Work) with admin console, encryption, AI features and integrations, and an on-premise deployment option (Zello Enterprise Server) for organizations with strict data sovereignty or regulatory needs.
Product overview
Zello is a push-to-talk voice communication platform that operates as a unified ecosystem with multiple products and deployment options. The core offering consists of the Zello app for consumer use and Zello Work for enterprise customers, available as either cloud-hosted (Zello Work) or on-premise (Zello Enterprise Server) deployments. The platform includes complementary modules: Dispatch Hub for desktop dispatcher management, Zello AI for operational intelligence with message summaries and insights, Message Vault for communication archiving with AI search capabilities, Zello Bridge for radio gateway connectivity, Zello Kiosk for customer assistance, and QR Assist for quick help requests. A Mobile SDK enables third-party app integration. The Management Console provides IT administration, while features like Transcription, Emergency Alerts, and Message Recovery enhance operational capabilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Zello Work: Business/enterprise version of Zello push-to-talk app with admin console and network management features.
- Zello Friends & Family
- Zello Enterprise Server (ZES)
- Dispatch Hub
- Zello AI
- Zello for First Responders
Products and services
- Zello (Consumer App) Free push-to-talk walkie-talkie app for individuals and small teams that transforms iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac devices into real-time voice communication radios over Wi-Fi or cellular networks. Used by personal users, community groups, and as a top-of-funnel entry point for Zello Work.
- Zello Work Subscription-based enterprise push-to-talk SaaS product with private networks, admin management console, end-to-end encryption, user provisioning, AI features (Insights, Message Summaries, Message Search), and technical support. Sold to organizations in aviation, retail, transportation, construction, manufacturing, hospitality, and emergency response.
- Zello Enterprise Server (ZES) On-premise server solution that allows organizations to host Zello infrastructure locally on their own servers behind a corporate firewall, operating independently from external internet networks. Targets government agencies, defense contractors, healthcare, and other regulated enterprises that need full data ownership and control.
- Dispatch Hub Desktop application for Windows and macOS that enables dispatchers to manage driver and field communications through dispatch channels with queue management, 1:1 messaging, integrated maps, and dispatch analytics. Designed for transportation, logistics, and field operations.
- Zello AI AI-powered assistant product that listens to frontline voice conversations and transforms them into operational intelligence. Provides AI Message Summaries, AI Message Search, and AI Insights that surface recurring operational issues ranked by priority. Available for Plus-tier and Enterprise-tier Zello Work customers.
- Zello Kiosk Tap-and-talk customer assistance solution that lets customers summon help instantly from a kiosk device, enabling faster service and simpler team management for retailers, hotels, and venues.
- Zello Mobile SDK Software Development Kit for iOS, Android, and React Native that enables third-party developers to embed push-to-talk voice communication, text, location, replay, profile, and emergency-alert capabilities into their own mobile applications as a native feature.
Quantifiable outcome
- Ryanair achieves 25-minute aircraft turnaround powered by Zello
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Zello
Customer profileNamed customers23 records
Segments9 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Zello technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability8 records
Feature10 records
Zello partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- ShokzcoreZello and Shokz collaborated on the OpenComm2 PTT Zello Edition — a bone-conduction headset with integrated push-to-talk button specifically designed for Zello, targeting frontline workers who need situational awareness while communicating.
- Siyata MobilecoreSiyata Mobile announced integration of the Zello push-to-talk app with its SD7 handsets, enhancing communication capabilities for users particularly in public safety sectors. The SD7 is a purpose-built PTT device that gains access to Zello's full platform capabilities through this integration, providing an efficient alternative to traditional two-way radios.
- RugGearcoreZello has certified multiple RugGear devices (RG725, RG650, RG500) for use with its PTT app. These ruggedized Android phones feature dedicated PTT buttons that integrate with Zello, targeting industrial and field workforce environments.
- Sonim TechnologiescoreSonim XP3, XP3plus, XP5s, XP5plus, XP6, and XP7 rugged phones are certified for Zello. Sonim devices feature dedicated PTT buttons that map to Zello's push-to-talk functionality, serving field workers in industrial and public safety environments.
- KyoceracoreKyocera Torque devices are certified for Zello with mapped PTT button functionality. Kyocera's ruggedized Android phones serve industrial and field work use cases.
- CAT (Caterpillar Inc.)coreCAT phones (S30/S40) are certified for Zello with PTT button mapping. CAT rugged phones target construction, field service, and industrial workforce users.
- HoneywellcoreHoneywell Dolphin CT60 is set up for PTT with Zello. Honeywell's rugged mobile computers serve warehouse, logistics, and field service industries.
- ecom Instruments (Sonim Subsidiary)coreecom Smart-Ex is a certified Zello device, targeting hazardous location and industrial explosion-proof communication environments.
- TalkpodcoreTalkpod N50 network radio integrates with Zello. Radio gateways enable LMR (Land Mobile Radio) networks to connect with Zello on smart devices, bridging traditional radio users with app users.
- TelocoreTelo TE390 and Telo M5 network radios are configured for Zello integration, enabling hybrid radio-PTT environments where legacy radio infrastructure connects to the Zello platform.
- InricocoreInrico T199 and TYT W700 network radios are configured for Zello, enabling PoC (Push-to-Talk over Cellular) devices to operate within the Zello ecosystem.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Zello competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Motorola Solutions: Dominant incumbent in two-way radio with WAVE PTX (push-to-talk over cellular) and TLK series devices directly competing with ZelloWork in transportation, public safety, and industrial verticals — the canonical 'radio' Zello replaces.
- Hytera: Global radio manufacturer that has expanded into PoC devices and HyTalk PTT platform — comparable to Zello in industrial, transportation, and public safety markets, with bundled hardware+software offerings.
- Cisco (Webex): Collaboration suite that includes walkie-talkie-style voice features in Webex, targeting the same enterprise frontline worker segment as Zello with the bundling leverage of a full UCaaS platform.
- L3Harris (Tactical Communications): Mission-critical communications provider for defense, public safety, and federal markets — comparable to Zello in the regulated, on-premise deployment segment where ZES competes.
- Microsoft (Teams Walkie Talkie): Bundled PTT feature inside Microsoft Teams that targets the same frontline/retail/hospitality use cases as Zello at effectively zero marginal cost for enterprises already paying for Teams — the single largest competitive threat.
Direct peers
- ESChat: Push-to-talk over cellular (PoC) platform purpose-built for first responders, public safety, and government — directly comparable to Zello for First Responders and a competitor in the ZEFFR program segment.
- Voxer: Direct push-to-talk and walkie-talkie-style messaging app for both consumers and businesses; competes head-to-head with Zello in the consumer/prosumer PTT category and increasingly in SMB team communications.
Others
- Siyata Mobile: Rugged PTT handset vendor that integrates Zello (per 2024 partnership) on its SD7 device — adjacent ecosystem partner that competes with other Zello-certified OEMs rather than Zello itself.
Emerging players
- Orion Labs (Onyx): Push-to-talk wearable and SaaS targeting enterprise deskless workers; overlaps with Zello in hospitality, retail, and field service with a hardware-first approach that competes for the same frontline budgets.
- Tango Networks: Mobile Unified Communications provider with PTT capabilities integrated into business phone systems; comparable to Zello in enterprise mobile workforce communications, particularly for carriers and large IT deployments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Zello social profiles
Digital presenceZello compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Zello financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Zello leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Zello funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Zello M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Zello
What does Zello do?
Zello builds a real-time push-to-talk (PTT) voice communication platform that turns smartphones, tablets, and desktops into cloud-connected walkie-talkies. The company sells a free consumer app (Zello Friends & Family), an enterprise SaaS product (Zello Work) with admin console, encryption, AI features and integrations, and an on-premise deployment option (Zello Enterprise Server) for organizations with strict data sovereignty or regulatory needs.
Is Zello a public or private company?
Zello is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Zello founded?
Zello was founded in 2007. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Zello based?
Zello is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does Zello make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. ZelloWork Subscription is the primary driver. The others are zello Enterprise Server (ZES) On-Premise License and first Responder Program.
Who are Zello's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Motorola Solutions, Hytera, Cisco (Webex), L3Harris (Tactical Communications) and Microsoft (Teams Walkie Talkie). Direct peers are ESChat and Voxer. Siyata Mobile is listed as an others. Emerging players are Orion Labs (Onyx) and Tango Networks.
Does Zello have an API?
Yes. Zello offers multiple APIs and SDKs for developer integration: (1) Zello Mobile SDK - enables embedding push-to-talk functionality into iOS, Android, and React Native applications; supports voice messages, text messages, image messages, locations, channel alerts, dispatch calls, ad hoc channels, message history/replay, profile information, mute control, emergency alerts, and availability status. (2) Channel API and SDK - light-weight solution for embedding live voice channels into applications; supports real-time channel configuration with up to 10,000 users; available for Android, iOS, and web SDK. (3) Management API - server-side API for managing users, creating channels, accessing analytics, and automating processes; supports PHP, Swift, Objective C, Java, and C# programming languages; integrates with Active Directory and enables condition-based automation based on location and work orders. Developer documentation is at sdk.zello.com.
What industry is Zello in?
Zello's product category is Push-to-Talk Voice Communication Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMACAI, Push-to-Talk (PTT) & Walkie-Talkie Apps, with a secondary code of BPAMACAC, Voice Calling (VoIP) Apps. Its NAICS code is 517810 and its SIC code is 4812.