Top 5 Apollo.io Alternatives for B2B Sales and GTM Teams

Apollo.io has quickly emerged as one of the most widely adopted Sales SaaS tools for outbound teams. Positioned as an end-to-end Apollo sales intelligence platform, it combines prospecting data, enrichment, and engagement into a single workspace. For many sales leaders, it feels like the all-in-one solution that simplifies workflows and boosts efficiency. Still, as with any rapidly scaling platform in the sales tools and intelligence category, experiences can vary, and some teams begin evaluating an Apollo alternative to meet their unique needs better. 

TL;DR

• Apollo.io is a popular all-in-one sales intelligence platform offering prospecting data, enrichment, and engagement tools.
• Despite its strengths, teams explore Apollo alternatives due to challenges with support, data accuracy, feature gaps, and pricing scalability.
• Common comparisons include Apollo vs ZoomInfo, but other strong options are Cognism, Lusha, Clearbit, and UpLead, each with unique strengths and trade-offs.
• Key factors when evaluating alternatives: data coverage and accuracy, ease of use, engagement features, pricing flexibility, and reliability.
• Beyond data tools, modern GTM teams look for AI-driven demand generation platforms like Factors.ai, which adds buyer journey insights, intent signals, and revenue-focused automation.

Apollo.io Platform Overview and Key Offerings

Apollo.io goes beyond being just another Apollo CRM. It offers:

• Access to a B2B database of 210M+ verified contacts
• Data enrichment to keep records accurate and up to date
• Engagement features such as email sequencing, calling, and pipeline tracking

This mix of data and outreach positions Apollo as a core player in the sales tools and intelligence landscape, providing a centralized workspace that can often replace multiple point solutions.

Why look for an Apollo.io alternative?

While Apollo offers strong value, feedback from users highlights a few recurring challenges:

‍1. Intent Data: Reviewers mention that intent signals don’t always deliver the precision needed for certain markets.

2. Reliability and Features: Teams have reported occasional downtime and gaps in advanced features compared to specialized competitors.

3. Data Quality and Credits: A few users point out concerns around data freshness and limitations with available credits for scaling outreach.

These points don’t diminish Apollo’s strengths but explain why some organizations evaluate other options to ensure the best fit for their workflows.

Apollo.io Pricing

Apollo.io offers a range of pricing plans designed to support different team sizes and outreach goals, from individuals just starting out to large sales organizations.

What to look for in an Apollo.io alternative

When exploring an Apollo alternative, it helps to step back and consider what really matters in a modern sales tools and intelligence stack. Every team’s priorities are slightly different, but based on user feedback and market comparisons, here are the factors worth evaluating:

• Data Coverage and Accuracy: A strong database is the backbone of any sales intelligence platform. Look for alternatives that not only match Apollo’s scale but also maintain freshness and reliability across regions.
• Ease of Use and Integration: Whether it’s with Salesforce, HubSpot, or your CRM, seamless integration is critical to keeping workflows smooth.
• Engagement Features: Many companies compare Apollo vs ZoomInfo and other competitors based on whether outreach tools like sequencing, calling, and automation are built in or require third-party add-ons.
• Pricing and Scalability: While Apollo pricing is competitive for smaller teams, some organizations outgrow credit limits or need more flexible renewal options. Evaluate whether alternatives provide a better fit for long-term growth.
• Support and Reliability: A responsive support team and consistent platform uptime can make a big difference, especially for fast-moving sales orgs.

The right Apollo sales intelligence alternative will depend on how well it supports your team’s workflows, scales with your outbound needs, and fits within your budget. 

Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular Apollo alternatives in the market today.

ZoomInfo

Among the most well-known names in the sales tools and intelligence space, ZoomInfo is often the first platform sales teams consider when evaluating an Apollo alternative. Recognized as a leader in multiple categories on G2 and Forrester, ZoomInfo provides go-to-market teams with a blend of B2B data, buyer intent signals, and AI-driven automation to help accelerate pipeline growth. 

Core offerings

• Extensive B2B Database: Clean, accurate, and compliant company and contact data to expand TAM and reach decision-makers faster.
• Buyer Intent Data: Identify in-market accounts and prioritize outreach based on real-time signals.
• AI-Powered Account Intelligence: Surface insights like org changes, pain points, and usage trends to guide deal progression.
• Data Enrichment and Automation: Keep CRM and sales systems updated with fresh, enriched data while automating repetitive workflows.
• Seamless Integrations: Connects with CRMs and sales engagement tools,including Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach, and more.

With its scale and focus on data precision, ZoomInfo is frequently compared during Apollo vs ZoomInfo evaluations, especially for teams seeking deeper market coverage and more advanced intent capabilities.

What it lacks

• Users report that contracts can feel restrictive, with tools often underperforming, frequent bugs, and accuracy levels not meeting expectations.

• Some customers faced technical issues during signup, such as forms freezing or welcome emails not being delivered.

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• Many feel the platform is overpriced, particularly for smaller or early-stage companies, with alternative tools offering similar value at a lower cost.

ZoomInfo Pricing

ZoomInfo pricing is not available upfront. Plans are divided across Sales, Marketing, and Talent solutions, and businesses must request a custom quote based on their needs.

💡Also Read: ZoomInfo Alternatives - Top 5 ZoomInfo Competitors
💡Also Read: Factors vs ZoomInfo Pros and Cons: Detailed Comparison

Cognism

Another strong player in the sales intelligence category, Cognism is often considered when exploring an Apollo alternative, especially for teams focused on European markets. With its GDPR-compliant database and emphasis on accuracy, Cognism equips sales, marketing, and revenue teams with the data they need to connect confidently with decision-makers and fuel predictable pipeline growth.

Core offerings

• European Market Coverage: Unrivalled access to millions of verified B2B contacts across the UK and EMEA, helping companies sell into complex regional markets.
• Diamond Data®: Phone-verified, human-validated mobile numbers that significantly improve connect rates for SDRs and reduce wasted time.
• Decision-Maker Intelligence: Accurate, senior-level contact data (VP and above) enriched and continuously refreshed for confident prospecting.
• Sales Companion Tool: Prospect directly from LinkedIn and corporate websites while syncing data seamlessly into CRMs like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Pipedrive.
• Data-as-a-Service and Enrichment: Keep databases clean, compliant, and actionable while aligning revenue teams with accurate information.

Trusted by over 4,000 businesses globally, Cognism positions itself as more than just a database provider, it’s a sales SaaS tool that combines compliance, data accuracy, and user-friendly integrations to help sales teams spend less time researching and more time selling.

What it lacks

• Several users highlight outdated data, with records of people who left roles years ago and very low connection rates, even with premium data.

• Customers mention concerns around business practices, such as auto-renewals without clear communication and a lack of dedicated account support.

• Some reviews express strong dissatisfaction overall, describing the platform as unreliable and not worth recommending.

Cognism Pricing

Cognism pricing is not displayed publicly. Instead, it offers two plans, Grow and Elevate, with different levels of access to demographic, firmographic, and signals data. Businesses need to book a demo to get a customized quote based on their needs.

Lusha

Lusha positions itself as a lean, AI-powered sales intelligence platform built to ‘just let you sell.’ It combines prospecting, enrichment, intent data, and outreach into one streamlined ecosystem, cutting out the noise and giving sales teams verified contacts, buying signals, and instant list-building. With a focus on accuracy, compliance, and automation, Lusha helps organizations turn cold outreach into predictable pipeline growth.

Core offerings

• Verified B2B Database: Access 280M+ global contacts with high accuracy (85%+ for phone, 98% for email).
• Buyer Intelligence: Spot buying signals instantly and target prospects who are ready to engage.
• Prospecting Tools: Chrome extension, CRM sync, and automated list building to keep pipelines moving.
• Integrations and APIs: Enrich and sync directly with Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach, Slack, and automation platforms like Zapier and n8n.
• Multi-team Utility: Sales, RevOps, Marketing, and even Recruiting teams can use Lusha for growth.

By blending automation with reliable, compliant data, Lusha ensures sales teams can focus on conversations that convert, making it a practical, lightweight alternative in the sales intelligence space.

What it lacks

• Users report outdated contact details, with phone numbers or emails linked to companies prospects haven’t worked at in years, and fewer available addresses compared to larger databases.

• The lead search feature is considered useful but lacks the depth of filters and advanced options offered by competitors.

• Some customers highlight issues with credits not being honored as promised, along with unhelpful support when raising concerns.

Lusha Pricing

Lusha offers flexible pricing plans designed to fit sales teams of every size, from individuals getting started with prospecting to large GTM organizations scaling outreach globally. Additionally, Lusha’s pricing is based on a credit system, meaning each contact reveal or data export consumes credits. Businesses with high-volume outreach requirements often explore whether competitors like Apollo or Cognism offer better scalability or bundled data credits at similar price points.

Clearbit (by HubSpot)

Clearbit, now part of HubSpot, positions itself as a data-first foundation for B2B go-to-market teams. The platform combines proprietary sources, public web data, and advanced AI/LLMs to deliver standardized, accurate, and enriched insights across leads, contacts, and accounts. By turning fragmented information into structured intelligence, Clearbit enables companies to act on data quickly and effectively.

Core offerings

• Comprehensive Data Enrichment: Provides global coverage and enriches records for leads, contacts, and accounts with precise and standardized details.
• Real-Time Lead Scoring and Routing: Instantly scores and routes inbound leads based on fit, industry, corporate hierarchy, and seniority.
• Granular Industry and Role Mapping: Leverages deep categorization (NAICS, GICS, SIC) and standardized roles/seniority to align with ideal customer profiles.
• Buyer Intent and Website Reveal: Transforms anonymous website traffic into actionable buying intent signals through advanced IP intelligence.
• Form Optimization: Uses dynamic form shortening to boost conversions by auto-enriching data from just an email address.

Clearbit strengthens sales and marketing operations with a clean, reliable data layer that reduces friction and helps GTM teams focus on the most promising opportunities.

What it lacks

• Users note recurring issues with data accuracy and duplication, which affect the overall reliability of the platform.

• Several reviews mention that the quality of enriched contact data can fall short, limiting its effectiveness for teams.

• Customers suggest that Clearbit’s contact enrichment capabilities need further refinement to deliver more consistent results.

Clearbit Pricing

Clearbit doesn’t provide standalone pricing information publicly, as it’s now integrated into HubSpot’s platform. Businesses interested in Clearbit’s data solutions might have to reach out to HubSpot sales for tailored pricing details.

UpLead

UpLead is a prospecting and sales intelligence platform built around one promise: data accuracy. With a 95%+ guarantee on verified contacts, the platform enables sales teams to generate reliable prospect lists in real-time and plug them directly into their outreach tools and CRMs. Positioned as a cost-effective alternative to larger platforms, UpLead emphasizes quality, affordability, and speed in lead generation.

Core offerings

• Prospector Tool: Use 50+ search filters to identify leads that match your buyer profile.
• Real-Time Email Verification: Guarantees high deliverability by validating emails before export.
• Data Enrichment and Bulk Lookup: Enrich CRM records with up-to-date data or process thousands of leads at once.
• Direct Dials and Intent Data: Access mobile and direct numbers alongside buying intent signals for faster connections.
• Integrations and API: Sync data seamlessly with CRMs and scale prospecting workflows with robust API support.

By combining accuracy, affordability, and breadth of features, UpLead helps sales teams start more conversations and close deals faster without the overhead of complex sales stacks.

What it lacks

• Some users report that the database doesn’t always include the accounts or contacts they need, and customer support has not been responsive in such cases.

• Reviews mention gaps in data accuracy, with missing phone numbers and incorrect information leading to frustration for sales teams.

• Customers also highlight dissatisfaction with the credit system, stating that unused credits become inaccessible without maintaining an active paid plan.

UpLead Pricing

UpLead offers flexible pricing options built to suit everyone. Like most data-driven platforms, UpLead uses a credit-based model, meaning each contact reveal consumes a credit. Teams with large-scale prospecting needs often compare UpLead with Apollo or Lusha to evaluate which platform provides better accuracy and flexibility per credit.

📝Important Note: ‍

The shortcomings we’ve highlighted are drawn from a small number of user reviews and experiences. They do not represent the complete picture of any tool. In fact, many users on G2 have also praised these platforms for their strengths and value. You can explore those reviews as well. Our intent is simply to provide a balanced perspective as you evaluate your options.

Where Factors fits in

While Apollo.io and its alternatives primarily focus on data accuracy and prospecting, modern B2B teams need more than just contact lists. They need visibility into intent signals, buyer journeys, and campaign performance and that’s where Factors.ai comes in. Factors offers full-funnel ABM visibility, website identification, and account-level scoring. It connects intent signals, ad performance, and buyer journeys into one unified view, helping GTM teams prioritize the right accounts, automate follow-ups, and directly tie marketing efforts to revenue.

Factors.ai is a B2B demand generation platform that helps GTM teams identify high-intent accounts, automate campaigns, and measure what truly drives revenue.

What Factors offers:

• GTM Engineering: AI Agents that surface account research, revive closed-lost deals, and alert reps the moment buyers show intent. Factors integrates seamlessly with your existing GTM stack, Salesforce, HubSpot, Google, Meta, Bing, LinkedIn, and more, to automate sales workflows, sync audiences, and ensure your teams always act on the right signals at the right time.
• AI Alerts and Ad Syncs: Get real-time notifications on high-intent accounts, auto-sync audiences across Google and LinkedIn, and trigger personalized campaigns instantly, so no opportunity slips through the cracks.
• Milestones and Account 360: Get complete funnel visibility with analytics that map every marketing and sales touchpoint. From first click to closed deal, visualize how accounts move through the pipeline and uncover what’s truly driving conversions.

To explore the full breadth of Factors’ AI-powered GTM capabilities, Book a Demo! 

In a nutshell…

Finding the right sales intelligence platform comes down to what aligns best with your GTM strategy, budget, and growth stage. Apollo remains a popular choice, but as we’ve seen, every platform, whether it’s Apollo CRM, ZoomInfo, Lusha, or others, comes with trade-offs. That’s why many modern B2B teams are turning to Sales SaaS tools like Factors.ai, which not only addresses common gaps in enrichment and intent data but also brings AI-driven automation into demand generation.

The bottom line:

Whether you’re comparing Apollo vs ZoomInfo or evaluating multiple Apollo alternatives, take the time to align the platform’s strengths with your business goals. And if you want to go beyond static data and turn intent into revenue, Factors.ai could be the smarter addition to your stack.

FAQs on Apollo Alternatives and Competitors

Q. What is Apollo pricing like?

A. Apollo offers a Free plan at $0 with 1,200 credits per user per year. It includes 2 sequences, Gmail and Salesforce extensions for prospecting, and access to basic filters. Paid tiers unlock more credits, advanced features, and higher limits.

Q. Is ZoomInfo better than Apollo?

A. It depends on your goals, Apollo vs ZoomInfo often comes down to budget, data coverage, and workflow fit. ZoomInfo is broader, while Apollo offers affordability and ease of use.

Q. Can small teams or startups use Apollo affordably?

A. Yes. Apollo’s Free or Basic tiers are designed with startups/smaller businesses in mind, giving access to core features. But as you scale, costs rise because usage-based limits bite

Q. Does Apollo function as a CRM?

A. Yes, Apollo CRM provides basic pipeline and contact management, though many businesses still integrate it with Salesforce, HubSpot, or other CRMs for advanced needs.

Q. Are Apollo’s sales intelligence tools enough for scaling teams?

A. Apollo’s tools work well for prospecting and outreach, but fast-growing teams often layer in other Sales SaaS tools to handle intent data, ABM, and deeper analytics.

Q. Where does Factors.ai fit in this comparison?

A. Factors.ai isn’t a direct Apollo competitor, it complements your stack by adding AI-powered demand generation, account intelligence, and GTM automation.

Q. What are some alternatives to Apollo for prospecting?

A. Many reps suggest tools like ZoomInfo, Cognism, and UpLead depending on whether you prioritize firmographic depth or contact accuracy. Try free tiers to validate match rates before committing. 

Q. Looking for an Apollo.io alternative that actually works?

A. Community feedback frequently names ZoomInfo for data quality (costly), with advice to bundle verification (e.g., NeverBounce) to control bounces.

Q. What’s the best free Apollo alternative?

A. Lusha is often cited for a generous free tier.

Q. How does Factors.ai fit with Apollo and Apollo’s competitors?

A. Factors.ai complements data tools by turning intent signals into revenue-related actions. Factors’ AI agents help you understand more about buyer journeys, run tailored ads and outreach campaigns, while guiding you on the next best action, so you generate quality pipeline, fast. Keep your data provider; add Factors to prioritize, route, retarget, and measure revenue impact.

Q.  Why switch from Apollo.io? What problems are people actually facing?

A. Frequent pain points include data freshness, deliverability without warmup, and credit/pricing constraints; teams test focused tools to plug those gaps.