Instantly AI vs Apollo.io
Comprehensive side-by-side comparison — features, pricing, performance, and more.
Updated May 2026
Trust & Reliability
Too Close to Call
Instantly AI (7.3) vs Apollo.io (7.0) — difference of 0.3 points
AI Comparison Summary
Instantly AI
7.3
avg score
Apollo.io
7.0
avg score
Instantly AI leads overall — particularly in Customizability.
Based on 6 dimensions
How scores are calculatedOverall Winner
Instantly AI
7.3 / 10
Instantly AI
Best For
Automating multi-step email outreach for sales teams
Scaling lead generation and client acquisition for agencies
Optimizing email deliverability and sender reputation
Personalizing outbound campaigns with AI for marketers
Not Ideal For
Businesses not focused on email outreach or lead generation
Users seeking a purely conversational AI agent
Teams needing a visual workflow builder for complex multi-agent systems
Apollo.io
Best For
Building pipeline smarter for sales and marketing teams
Accelerating prospecting for sales development representatives
Qualifying and acting on inbound leads for sales teams
Enriching B2B data for smarter targeting
Not Ideal For
Individuals or teams not focused on B2B sales or marketing.
Users seeking a purely free solution without credit limitations for extensive data access.
Businesses that do not require a comprehensive sales engagement platform and only need basic CRM or data services.
* Verdict is based on our algorithmic scoring of publicly available data. Learn about our methodology
Instantly AI is best for
🤖Automation & Agents9.0📊Data & Analytics6.5
Apollo.io is best for
🤖Automation & Agents9.0💬Chat & Conversation8.0📊Data & Analytics8.0
Filter by your use case:
Pros & Cons
Instantly AIPros
- Supports unlimited email accounts for massive outreach scale
- Robust deliverability network ensures high inbox placement rates
- Integrated B2B lead database with advanced filtering capabilities
- AI tools for email personalization, content writing, and reply management
- Comprehensive analytics for tracking campaign performance and revenue
- Offers a free tier and flexible pricing options for different needs
Cons
- Lower pricing tiers have limits on uploaded contacts and monthly emails
- Advanced custom integrations via API/webhooks may require developer expertise
- No explicit mention of multi-channel outreach beyond email and LinkedIn automation via integration
- CRM features like Priority AI and Follow-up AI are listed as 'coming soon'
Apollo.ioPros
- Unifies multiple sales tools (data, outreach, dialer, enrichment, CRM) into one platform, reducing tech stack complexity and cost.
- Provides access to a large and accurate B2B contact and company database (210M+ contacts, 30M+ companies).
- Automates multichannel outreach sequences and follow-ups with AI-powered personalization.
- Offers advanced filtering and AI lead scoring for highly precise lead targeting and prioritization.
- Integrates smoothly with major CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot, ensuring seamless workflow.
- Includes AI-powered features for research, writing, call summaries, and conversation insights to enhance sales productivity.
Cons
- Credit-based system for accessing contact data (emails, phone numbers, enrichment, AI research, dialer) can incur additional costs.
- The free plan has limited AI Assistant chats and sequences, requiring upgrades for full functionality.
- Connecting non-Gmail/Microsoft email accounts for campaigns is restricted to paid plans.
- Some advanced features like Projects and the Mobile App are currently in beta, indicating potential instability or limited functionality.
- Requires familiarity with sales processes and platform configuration for optimal use, not a plug-and-play solution for complete beginners.
Weighted Score — Adjust What Matters to You
Pick a profile or drag sliders — scores and radar update instantly on the right.
Quick profiles:
Ease of Use5
Output Quality5
Value for Money5
Customizability5
Support & Ecosystem5
Integration Power5
Dimension Comparison
Instantly AI
7.3
/ 10
Your pick
Apollo.io
7.0
/ 10
Dimension Breakdown
Ease of Use
AIHow easy it is to get started and use daily
Instantly AI
7.0▲ +1.0
Apollo.io
6.0
Output Quality
AIQuality and accuracy of generated results
Instantly AI
8.0
Apollo.io
8.0
Value for Money
AICost vs. features and output quality
Instantly AI
7.0
Apollo.io
7.0
Customizability
CalculatedAbility to tailor to specific needs
Instantly AI
7.0▲ +2.0
Apollo.io
5.0
Support & Ecosystem
AIDocumentation, community, and support quality
Instantly AI
7.0
Apollo.io
8.0▲ +1.0
Integration Power
CalculatedAbility to connect with other tools and workflows
Instantly AI
8.0
Apollo.io
8.0
Calculated = derived from verified integration count and API/open-source signals. AI = LLM-assessed from public website content. Methodology
Task Performance
Instantly AI
Task
Apollo.io
7.09.0
Lead Scoring
6.08.0
Pipeline Management
9.09.0
Outreach Automation
8.08.0
Email Tracking
3.08.0
Meeting Scheduling
4.07.0
Deal Forecasting
8.010.0
Contact Enrichment
2.08.0
Conversation Intelligence
2.06.0
Territory Management
7.08.0
Reporting Analytics
* Task scores (1–10) are algorithmically generated from publicly available data.
Data is sourced from public information and vendor websites. It may not always be up-to-date — verify pricing and features directly with the vendor before purchasing.Report inaccuracy
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Instantly AI or Apollo.io?
Both are strong options. Instantly AI has a rating of 0.0/5 (0 reviews), while Apollo.io has a rating of 0.0/5 (0 reviews). The best choice depends on your specific use case, budget, and workflow requirements.
Is Instantly AI cheaper than Apollo.io?
Instantly AI starts at $47/month (paid model) with a free trial. Apollo.io starts at free (freemium model) with a free trial. Use the Cost Calculator above for a detailed estimate.
What are the main differences between Instantly AI and Apollo.io?
Instantly AI — "Find, contact, and close your ideal clients with AI-powered sales outreach.". Apollo.io — "The AI sales platform for smarter, faster revenue growth". Key differences include their pricing models, platform support, integrations, and technical capabilities. See the Feature Comparison table above for a complete side-by-side breakdown.