The verdict
On the data we hold, Hunter comes out ahead. Here is why, point by point.
What the data says
- Both cover 5 of the 5 features we compared.
- Only Hunter has a free plan to start on.
- Both have an API and an MCP server, so either works with AI employees.
- In our Outbound ranking, Hunter places 8 and Instantly 3 of 33.
Side by side
| 9 points compared | ||
|---|---|---|
| Starts at | €34/mo | $85/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 |
| Strong EU/GDPR coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Links |
Plans and pricing
Hunter
- Free50 credits per month, 1 connected email account and 500 recipients per sequence; unlimited team members.Free
- Starter2,000 credits per month, 3 email accounts, auto-verification, lead enrichment and the AI Writing Assistant; unlimited team members.€49/mo
- Growth10,000 credits per month and 10 connected email accounts; adds weekly new opportunities and priority support.€149/mo
- Scale25,000 credits per month, 20 email accounts and an account manager.€299/mo
Instantly
- StarterBundle with 5,000 emails per month, 1,000 uploaded contacts and 1,500 credits.$94/mo
- ScaleBundle with 100,000 emails per month, 25,000 uploaded contacts and 5,000 credits.$194/mo
- AgencyBundle with 500,000 emails per month, 100,000 uploaded contacts and 10,000 credits.$555/mo
Prices as the vendors list them. They change often; the final price is on their sites.
Who each is for
Choose Hunter if…
Small outbound teams, founders and agencies that build prospect lists by hand and need verified email addresses plus a simple way to send cold email sequences.
Choose Instantly if…
B2B founders, agencies and outbound teams that run cold email at volume across many mailboxes and need warmup, rotation and one reply inbox without building the sending infrastructure themselves.
Other options worth a look
Tool·Client acquisitionRuns multichannel cold outreach with built-in email warmup, lead database, and deliverability scoring.Outbound
From $55/mo yearlyAffiliate link
Tool·Client acquisitionFind B2B prospects and run email and phone outreach campaigns from one unified platform.Outbound
From $49/moFree planAffiliate link
Tool·Client acquisitionAutomates outreach across email, LinkedIn, calls and SMS to coordinate your sales prospecting in one place.Outbound
From $49/mo yearlyAffiliate link
Tool·Client acquisitionRun cold email outreach at scale with unlimited mailboxes, warm-up automation and lead verification.Outbound
From $32/mo yearly
Tool·Client acquisitionBuilds sender reputation for new email accounts by warming them through a network of real inboxes.Outbound
From $15/mo- Tool·Client acquisitionIdentifies website visitors by company and provides EU-based B2B contact data with buyer intent signals.
Outbound
From €79/mo yearlyFree planAffiliate link