Apollo Alternative: 9 Powerful Tools for Enhanced Sales Engagement

Review
October 16, 2024
14
minutes
Adam Robinson

Apollo (or Apollo.io) has been a go-to solution for many sales teams, thanks to its comprehensive suite of lead generation and sales engagement tools. With features like advanced search filters, automated outreach, and seamless CRM integrations, it’s easy to see why the platform is popular among businesses striving to streamline their sales processes.

But here’s the thing—no tool is perfect, and the platform might not meet everyone’s needs, prompting you to look for an Apollo alternative.

Whether you’re looking for a more cost-effective option, need features that Apollo.io lacks, or simply want to explore other platforms, I’ve got you covered. This guide will walk you through the nine best Apollo.io alternatives, breaking down their key features, pricing, and unique strengths.

Stick around until the end, where I’ll introduce you to a powerful (and 100% FREE) tool that can elevate your lead generation efforts even further.

How I Picked the 9 Top Apollo.io Alternatives

When selecting the best Apollo.io alternatives, I focused on several factors, including previous reviews, features, ease of use, and integration with other platforms.

Here are nine tools that made the cut:

  1. ZoomInfo
  2. Clearbit
  3. LeadIQ
  4. UpLead
  5. Lusha
  6. LinkedIn Sales Navigator
  7. Hunter.io
  8. Skrapp.io
  9. Seamless.ai

1. ZoomInfo

ZoomInfo is a heavyweight in the sales intelligence space, offering a comprehensive range of features that help businesses identify high-quality leads—you can read my comprehensive review of ZoomInfo here. It’s a top choice for companies that rely on rich data to drive their sales efforts.

ZoomInfo simplifies lead generation with features like:

  • Advanced Search, helping users filter leads with precision
  • Intent Data, highlighting prospects already showing buying signals
  • Engage Analytics, tracking interactions and optimizing follow-ups
  • Seamless CRM Integration, keeping data synchronized
  • Instant Enrich, automatically updating contact information

In my experience, ZoomInfo was reliable for simplifying complex sales processes. While the platform presents a steep learning curve for new users, it becomes a powerful asset for lead generation and outreach once familiar with the tool.

Source: ZoomInfo

ZoomInfo Pricing

ZoomInfo’s pricing is tailored based on the number of users and features, but in my experience, it quickly becomes a considerable financial commitment, particularly for smaller businesses. While the platform’s advanced features are powerful, the steep prices can easily outweigh the benefits for teams operating on tighter budgets.

ZoomInfo Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
  • Extensive B2B database with advanced search filters

  • Intent data to identify buying signals

  • Robust CRM integration

  • Real-time data enrichment

  • Comprehensive lead tracking

  • Expensive, especially for small businesses

  • Steep learning curve

  • Pricing not publicly disclosed

Bonus read: Still undecided about ZoomInfo? Check out our detailed guide on ZoomInfo alternatives to explore options that might better fit your budget and needs.

2. Clearbit

Clearbit, now a part of HubSpot, excels in data enrichment and lead generation. It's a solid pick for teams that prioritize up-to-date CRM data.

Some of its standout features include:

  • Enrichment API, seamlessly integrating with CRMs to provide real-time updates
  • Prospector, identifying new leads based on ideal customer profiles
  • Reveal, uncovering anonymous website visitors with deep engagement insights

One area that needs improvement, in my opinion, is the size of its data—with its 50 million company records, the platform feels limited compared to Apollo.io, which has 73 million. A smaller dataset will restrict the scope of your lead generation efforts.

Source: Clearbit

Clearbit Pricing

  • Free version
  • For paid tiers, the pricing is available upon request

My gripe with Clearbit is that it doesn’t disclose its paid plans and prices. While the credit system may offer some flexibility, I found it insufficient since the credits would get depleted quickly!

Clearbit Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
  • Real-time data enrichment

  • Accurate lead scoring

  • Seamless API integrations

  • Detailed visitor insights

  • Undisclosed pricing

  • Few credits

  • Small database

Keep reading: Not sure whether Clearbit is the best fit? Check out my Clearbit alternatives guide and find the platform that offers the features you need.

3. LeadIQ

LeadIQ is an efficient tool for capturing and verifying leads, particularly when prospecting on LinkedIn.

Here’s what LeadIQ offers:

  • Identify, gathering leads from LinkedIn and other sources efficiently
  • Email verification, ensuring valid emails to reduce bounce rates
  • CRM integration, syncing data effortlessly for smoother lead management

For me, LeadIQ was INCREDIBLE for building and managing LinkedIn-based contact lists. However, I did notice occasional lags, particularly when working with larger datasets, which could disrupt workflow—a testament shared by other users.

Source: LeadIQ

LeadIQ Pricing

  1. Free
  2. Essential: $36/month/user
  3. Pro: $79/month/user
  4. Enterprise: Contact sales

LeadIQ Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
  • Easy lead capture from LinkedIn

  • Email verification included

  • CRM sync capabilities

  • Streamlined LinkedIn prospecting

  • Limited data accuracy

  • Occasional lags

  • Limited customization options

4. UpLead

UpLead stands out for providing verified B2B contact data with a focus on ACCURACY, making it a dependable tool for campaigns that require clean, reliable contact lists.

UpLead’s notable features include:

  • B2B contact database, providing 155 million verified contacts
  • Real-time email verifier, ensuring lists are up-to-date and reducing bounce rates
  • Data enrichment, adding valuable information to existing contacts for targeted outreach

I’ve found UpLead to be a consistently reliable source of accurate contacts. While its dedication to ensuring data quality is impressive, it can sometimes fall short in niche markets. Occasional technical issues could be another downside of the platform. While personally, I haven’t had any issues so far (in fact, I find UpLead super user-friendly), users have reported some bugs—luckily, these were quickly resolved by UpLead’s fast and reliable customer support.

Source: UpLead

UpLead Pricing

  1. Free: 7-day trial with 5 credits
  2. Essentials: $99/month
  3. Plus: $199/month
  4. Professional: Not disclosed

UpLead Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
  • Accurate B2B contact data

  • Real-time email verification

  • Data enrichment capabilities

  • 50+ advanced search filters

  • Higher cost for premium features

  • Limited free trial

  • Data coverage issues

5. Lusha

Lusha is a reliable tool for accessing accurate contact and company data, especially useful when prospecting directly on LinkedIn. Its combination of simplicity and powerful features makes it an excellent choice for teams that need quick and efficient data enrichment.

Lusha’s standout features include:

  • Bulk enrichment, allowing you to update multiple contacts simultaneously
  • Chrome extension, making it easy to extract leads directly from LinkedIn
  • Seamless CRM integration, ensuring synchronized data across platforms
  • One-Click API integration, supporting tailored workflows through custom integrations

While I’ve found Lusha effective in syncing contact data with CRMs, its smaller database of 45 million contacts can be limiting for larger-scale campaigns, especially when compared to Apollo.io’s 275 million. That said, its ease of use and LinkedIn focus more than compensate for these limitations, making it a dependable option for targeted outreach.

Source: Lusha

Lusha Pricing

  1. Free
  2. Pro: $36/month/user
  3. Premium: $59/month/user
  4. Scale: Custom prices

Lusha Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
  • Accurate contact and company data

  • Chrome extension for LinkedIn

  • Bulk enrichment capabilities

  • Easy CRM integration

  • Small database

Bonus read: Have you already tested out Lusha? Discover some of its most notable alternatives here!

6. LinkedIn Sales Navigator

LinkedIn Sales Navigator helps sales professionals capitalize on LinkedIn’s vast network. The platform’s ability to connect directly with decision-makers is a game-changer for outreach.

Key features include:

  • Recommended leads, suggesting new prospects based on your current network
  • InMail messaging, allowing direct communication without needing email addresses
  • TeamLink, leveraging team connections to facilitate warm introductions
  • Sales insights, offering analytics that help refine lead engagement strategies

Sales Navigator’s capacity to pinpoint key decision-makers and provide personalized recommendations has MASSIVELY boosted my LinkedIn outreach. 

So, where does LinkedIn Sales Navigator miss the mark?

Like other reviewers, I did encounter a steep learning curve when first using the platform. However, once you get the hang of it, the depth of insights and functionality this tool offers makes it a useful option for building high-quality connections.

Source: LinkedIn

LinkedIn Sales Navigator Pricing

  1. Core: $99.99/month
  2. Advanced: $179.99/month
  3. Advanced Plus: Custom

LinkedIn Sales Navigator Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
  • Advanced lead and company search

  • Personalized lead recommendations

  • InMail messaging

  • Comprehensive sales analytics

  • Higher cost for premium plans

  • Limited CRM integrations

  • Steep learning curve

7. Hunter.io

Hunter.io stands out as a streamlined solution for quickly locating and verifying email addresses. The platform simplifies lead generation with tools that make it easy to build accurate contact lists, offering several essential features to support your outreach efforts.

Key capabilities include:

  • Email Finder, enabling users to search for email addresses using domain names
  • Email Verifier, ensuring email validity and reducing bounce rates
  • Domain Search, helping to identify emails associated with specific websites
  • Bulk Tasks, performing email finding and verification in large batches

I appreciate Hunter.io's ability to perform bulk searches, which can be time-saving for anyone. Although I occasionally encountered inconsistencies in phone data quality, its straightforward functionality made it a staple in my toolkit for email-based prospecting.

Source: Hunter.io

Hunter.io Pricing

  1. Free
  2. Starter: $34/month
  3. Growth: $104/month
  4. Business: $349/month

Hunter.io Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
  • Accurate email finder

  • Real-time email verification

  • Bulk email search

  • API access

  • Occasional data inconsistencies

  • Higher pricing for advanced features

  • Limited customization options 

Bonus read: Explore other tools in our thorough Hunter.io alternatives guide, where you might find an even better match for your team's budget and outreach strategy.

8. Skrapp.io

Skrapp.io is a highly efficient tool for finding and verifying email addresses, especially when prospecting on LinkedIn. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to integrate into your workflows and manage outreach efforts.

Key features include:

  • Email Finder, efficiently extracting emails from LinkedIn profiles
  • Real-Time Email Verifier, ensuring that collected emails are valid and deliverable
  • Bulk Email Finder, enabling fast, large-scale email searches
  • API for customization, allowing seamless integration with other tools

Skrapp.io consistently delivered when it came to collecting LinkedIn-based emails, and the real-time verification feature was a GAME-CHANGER for ensuring data accuracy. 

My main gripe with the platform was its data coverage—although it excelled at managing a high volume of prospects for broader campaigns, the data felt a bit limited when targeting niche markets.

Source: Skrapp.io

Skrapp.io Pricing

  1. Basic: $49/month
  2. Professional: $99/month
  3. Agency: 199/month
  4. Company: 499/month

Skrapp.io Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
  • Accurate email finder

  • Real-time email verification

  • Bulk email search

  • Intuitive interface

  • Limited data coverage in niche markets

  • Could use more customization options

9. Seamless.ai

Seamless.ai sets itself apart with its real-time search capabilities, providing the most up-to-date contact data for lead generation. This feature is particularly useful when timing is critical in outreach.

Seamless.ai offers:

  • Lead enrichment, enhancing contact profiles to improve targeting
  • Instant email verification, reducing bounce rates by validating email addresses in real time
  • Automated workflows, streamlining lead generation and making processes more efficient

What I most enjoyed about the platform was how it incorporated real-time data into my campaigns, which made a HUGE difference in how quickly my team could reach the right contacts.

One downside to note, though—like other users, I occasionally ran into inaccurate emails, which slowed things down when precision was key. That said, Seamless.ai’s automated workflows and constant updates keep it competitive in maintaining a steady flow of high-quality leads.

Source: Seamless.ai

Seamless.ai Pricing

  1. Free plan: Offers 50 credits
  2. Basic, Pro, and Enterprise plans: Not disclosed
  3. Add-ons

Seamless.ai Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
  • Real-time contact data search

  • Instant email verification

  • Free plan

  • Automated lead workflows

  • Data quality

  • Undisclosed pricing

Final Thoughts

After exploring alternatives to Apollo, it’s clear that the right tool for your business depends on your specific needs and priorities. ZoomInfo stands out as a strong contender if you require a comprehensive database and advanced search capabilities. However, its steep pricing might be a barrier for smaller businesses. 

I do have a few tips to offer to help you identify the ideal GTM solution for your business:

  • Assess your budget: Compare the pricing of these tools to find one that fits your budget without compromising essential features
  • Consider your data needs: Evaluate the size and accuracy of each tool’s database, especially if you require niche market coverage or specific industry insights
  • Prioritize integration: Ensure the tool you choose seamlessly integrates with your existing CRM and other platforms to maintain workflow efficiency

Regardless of the platform you choose, I recommend leveraging complementary tools to maximize your lead generation efforts. One such tool that has significantly improved my own sales process is RB2B’s Person-Level Website Visitor Identity tool. It’s a simple, 100% FREE solution that delivers detailed visitor profiles directly to your Slack channel, enabling you to engage with high-intent leads quickly and effectively.

How RB2B Can Help You Get More Leads

While platforms like ZoomInfo and Clearbit provide valuable data, they typically focus on company-level insights. This can leave you with the task of identifying the key decision-makers within those companies.

That’s where RB2B comes in—it bridges this gap by providing personal-level lead data, helping you directly connect with the individuals who matter most.

Here’s how it works → RB2B identifies visitors to your website and sends their complete profiles, including name, job title, company, LinkedIn profile, and email address, straight to your Slack channel. This information also includes the specific pages they visited, giving you insights into their interests and intentions. With RB2B, you can approach potential leads with tailored, relevant outreach, improving your chances of conversion.

And yes, it’s fully compliant with CCPA and CPRA regulations—since it focuses solely on U.S.-based traffic, GDPR isn’t applicable here.

Getting Started With RB2B

Getting RB2B up and running is straightforward—here’s what you need to do:

  1. Sign up on the RB2B website
  2. Confirm your email address and provide the required information
  3. Install the RB2B script in your website’s header
  4. Integrate RB2B with Slack and enable real-time alerts

The basic version of RB2B is free forever! If you want additional features like advanced filtering, CSV downloads, and integrations with other apps—including Apollo.io—you can try the Pro version free for 30 days.

If you’re looking to enhance your lead generation strategy, RB2B’s Person-Level Website Visitor Identity tool is a MUST-HAVE booster that complements any sales platform by providing instant, actionable insights.

Keep reading: In case you’re still on the fence about which tool to choose or just want to see what other platforms have to offer, check out my thoughts on:

Featured image source: Lukas

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