Apollo vs Smartlead

Two Outbound tools side by side: what each does, what it costs and who it suits.

The verdict Side by side Plans and pricing Who each is for Other options

The verdict

On the data we hold, Apollo comes out ahead. Here is why, point by point.

What the data says

Both cover 5 of the 5 features we compared.
Only Apollo has a free plan to start on.
Smartlead starts lower, at $32/mo against $49/mo.
Both have an API and an MCP server, so either works with AI employees.
In our Outbound ranking, Apollo places 2 and Smartlead 5 of 33.

Side by side

Apollo and Smartlead compared
9 points compared	Apollo	Smartlead
Starts at	$49/mo	$32/mo
Free plan	Yes	No
API	Yes	Yes
MCP server	Yes	Yes
Built-in email warmup	Yes	Yes
Built-in lead database	Yes	Yes
Built-in outreach (sequences/dialer)	Yes	Yes
Buyer intent data	Yes	Yes
Unified inbox	Yes	Yes
Links	Visit	Visit

Plans and pricing

Apollo

FreeFree forever with limited credits; connect Gmail accounts only.Free
BasicPer seat per month billed monthly; email sequencing and core integrations for individual sellers.$49/mo/seat
ProfessionalPer seat per month billed monthly; higher credit limits, AI features, call recording and advanced CRM integrations.$99/mo/seat

Smartlead

Base2,000 contacts, 6,000 email sends and 2,000 verified emails per month; $39 monthly or $32 per month billed yearly.$39/mo
Pro30,000 contacts, 90,000 email sends and 30,000 verified emails per month; $94 monthly or $78 per month billed yearly.$94/mo
SmartUnlimited contacts, 150,000 sends and 50,000 verified emails per month; $174 monthly or $144 per month billed yearly.$174/mo
PrimeUnlimited contacts, 500,000 sends and 170,000 verified emails per month; $379 monthly or $315 per month billed yearly.$379/mo

Prices as the vendors list them. They change often; the final price is on their sites.

Who each is for

Choose Apollo if…

Lean B2B sales teams and founders running outbound who want a contact database, email sequences and a dialler in one place instead of three separate subscriptions.

Visit Read the review

Choose Smartlead if…

Sales teams, SDRs and agencies running cold email outreach at volume who need many mailboxes, automated warm-up, lead verification and one inbox for all replies.

Visit Read the review

Other options worth a look

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Automates outreach across email, LinkedIn, calls and SMS to coordinate your sales prospecting in one place.
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Builds sender reputation for new email accounts by warming them through a network of real inboxes.
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Dealfront
Identifies website visitors by company and provides EU-based B2B contact data with buyer intent signals.
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Hunter
Finds and verifies professional email addresses and sends cold email sequences from one workspace.
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From €34/mo yearlyFree plan
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