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Head-to-head · Lead Routing Software

Distribution Engine vs Gradient Works

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Distribution Engine #5 in Lead Routing Software 7.3/10 From $20/user/mo (annual) · 30-day trial ✓ 5 of 6 features Visit site
Gradient Works #14 in Lead Routing Software 6.3/10 Free plan · paid from $799/mo (annual) Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Gradient Works

Distribution Engine leads on 0 checks, Gradient Works on 1, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDistribution Engine · 7.3/10
  • Free planonly Gradient Works

Distribution Engine scores higher on our rubric for lead routing software: 7.3 against 6.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #14.

Gradient Works offers free plan; Distribution Engine doesn't.

Distribution Engine is the better fit for teams needing affordable operational routing controls. Gradient Works is the better fit for salesforce teams wanting free-to-enterprise routing.

  • Distribution Engine fits best

    Teams needing affordable operational routing controls

  • Gradient Works fits best

    Salesforce teams wanting free-to-enterprise routing

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Distribution Engine 7.3/10 Visit ↗ Gradient Works 6.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.3 6.3
Ranking #5 in Lead Routing Software #14 in Lead Routing Software
Best for Teams needing affordable operational routing controls Salesforce teams wanting free-to-enterprise routing
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Not published $799/mo
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Browser extension Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Email, Phone, Docs Email, Docs
Integrations 2 integrations 7 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Distribution Engine 5/6 · Gradient Works 5/6
Routing rules ✓ ✓
Territory routing ✓ ✓
Round-robin assignment ✓ ✓
Lead qualification ✓ ✓
Workflow automation ✓ ✓
Webhook support Not published Not published
Specs
CRM connectors Not published 2
Our review
Pros
  • Covers territory, skills, workload, availability, SLA, and round-robin routing
  • Includes deduplication, auto-conversion, analytics, audit logs, and a simulator
  • Offers web and API access with Salesforce and Slack integrations
  • Lead-to-account matching supports domain, exact, and fuzzy criteria.
  • Capacity, availability, weighting, and round-robin controls support precise assignment.
  • Audit history, execution logging, and Salesforce Flow automation improve oversight.
Cons
  • The entry plan starts at $20 per user per month with annual billing
  • Plans have a five-license minimum
  • The listed integration set centers on Salesforce and Slack
  • The full platform requires Salesforce.
  • Growth costs $799 per month with annual billing.
  • The web platform may not suit teams needing a broader deployment model.
Our verdict

Distribution Engine is a Salesforce-native routing and assignment tool for sales, service, and revenue operations teams. It assigns Leads, Cases, Opportunities, Accounts, Contacts, and custom objects to users or queues through configurable…

Read the review →

Gradient Works is a Salesforce-native platform for commercial B2B sales teams that need structured lead, account, and territory assignment. Its Routing product matches leads to accounts, applies no-code rules in Salesforce Flow, and…

Read the review →
  1. Distribution EngineLead Routing Software 7.3From $20/user/mo (annual) · 30-day trial
  2. Gradient WorksLead Routing Software 6.3Free plan · paid from $799/mo (annual)

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Distribution Engine — where it wins

    • Covers territory, skills, workload, availability, SLA, and round-robin routing
    • Includes deduplication, auto-conversion, analytics, audit logs, and a simulator
    • Offers web and API access with Salesforce and Slack integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • The entry plan starts at $20 per user per month with annual billing
    • Plans have a five-license minimum
    • The listed integration set centers on Salesforce and Slack

  • Gradient Works — where it wins

    • Lead-to-account matching supports domain, exact, and fuzzy criteria.
    • Capacity, availability, weighting, and round-robin controls support precise assignment.
    • Audit history, execution logging, and Salesforce Flow automation improve oversight.

    Where it doesn't

    • The full platform requires Salesforce.
    • Growth costs $799 per month with annual billing.
    • The web platform may not suit teams needing a broader deployment model.
  • Distribution Engine7.3/10 · From $20/user/mo (annual) · 30-day trial

    A focused Salesforce routing tool with broad assignment controls and a 30-day trial.

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • Gradient Works6.3/10 · Free plan · paid from $799/mo (annual)

    A strong Salesforce routing option with a useful free entry tier and advanced paid controls.

    Visit Gradient WorksFull verdict →

More comparisons

All lead routing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update