Apollo.io vs Instantly
Compare Apollo.io and Instantly.ai side-by-side. See pricing, features, pros and cons to choose the right cold email platform for your sales team.
Quick Verdict
Apollo.io
Apollo.io is an all-in-one AI-powered sales intelligence and engagement platform with access to 210M+ verified contacts and 30M+ companies for B2B …
Try Apollo.io
Instantly
Instantly.ai is a powerful cold email automation platform with unlimited email accounts, built-in warmup, AI-powered personalization, and a 160M+ B2B …
Try InstantlySide-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Apollo.io | Instantly |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.9/5 |
| Reviews | 8400 | 2691 |
| Starter Price | $0 | $37 |
| Pro Price | $49 | $97 |
| Enterprise | $99 | $358 |
| Trust Score | 92/100 | 98/100 |
| Verified | Yes | Yes |
Apollo.io
Pros
- Massive verified B2B contact database
- All-in-one platform replaces multiple tools
- Generous free tier with 100 monthly credits
- Strong email deliverability features
- Excellent value compared to competitors
- Seamless CRM integrations
- AI-powered automation saves time
- Multichannel outreach (email, phone, tasks)
Cons
- Credit-based system can lead to unexpected costs
- Data accuracy varies (bounce rates reported)
- Interface can feel cluttered for new users
- Customer support response times inconsistent
- Limited customization in lower tiers
- Credit depletion at scale increases costs
Instantly
Pros
- Unlimited email accounts with flat pricing (no per-seat fees)
- Powerful built-in warmup system for deliverability
- Excellent value for high-volume senders
- Strong A/Z testing capabilities for optimization
- Responsive customer support and active community
- 160M+ contact database with advanced filtering
- AI-powered personalization and content generation
- Consolidated inbox across all connected accounts
- Free 14-day trial without credit card
- Industry-leading G2 rating (4.9/5 stars)
Cons
- Modular pricing requires separate purchases for CRM and Lead Finder
- Limited native third-party integrations
- Steep learning curve for DNS configuration
- AI personalization requires manual refinement
- Lead database accuracy can vary
- No multichannel outreach (email-only)
- Mobile app support is limited
- Analytics could be more detailed
Key Features
Apollo.io Features
- 210M+ contact database with 30M+ companies
- AI-powered email sequences and automation
- Built-in cloud call dialer
- Email deliverability optimization
- Data enrichment and verification
- Chrome extension for LinkedIn
- CRM integrations (Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Conversation intelligence and call recording
- Anonymous visitor identification
- Real-time form enrichment
- Advanced analytics dashboard
- Team collaboration tools
Instantly Features
- Unlimited Email Account Connections
- Automatic Email Warmup
- Campaign A/Z Testing
- Unibox Unified Inbox
- 160M+ B2B Lead Database
- AI-Powered Email Writer
- Spam Word Checker
- Email Verification Tools
- Waterfall Email Enrichment
- Inbox Placement Testing
- Campaign Analytics Dashboard
- AI Copilot for Campaign Building
- Email Domain Rotation
- Deliverability Network
- Custom Reply Labels
- Master Inbox Management
- Lead Finder with Advanced Filters
- Integrated CRM (Add-on)
- AI Research Agent
- Email Template Library
Overview
Apollo and Instantly are two of the most popular tools in the cold outreach space, but they serve different primary use cases. Apollo is a comprehensive sales intelligence platform with built-in outreach capabilities, while Instantly focuses purely on cold email at scale with unlimited sending accounts.
When to Choose Apollo
Apollo is the better choice if you need:
- A complete sales intelligence database with 275M+ contacts
- Intent data and buying signals
- CRM functionality built-in
- LinkedIn integration for prospecting
When to Choose Instantly
Instantly is the better choice if you need:
- Unlimited email sending accounts
- Flat-rate pricing regardless of team size
- Pure focus on email deliverability and warmup
- Agency-friendly white-label options