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Best Apollo Alternatives in 2026: Tools for Prospecting, Data, and Automation

Explore top Apollo.io alternatives in 2026, evaluated on data quality, integrations, automation depth, sales lifecycle coverage, and pricing transparency.

Best Apollo Alternatives in 2026: Tools for Prospecting, Data, and Automation
Imaan Sultan
Written by 
Imaan Sultan
Published on 
Jan 14, 2026
4
 min read

https://www.11x.ai/tips/apollo-alternatives

Apollo.io has become a go-to platform for GTM teams looking to combine B2B contact data, enrichment, and sales engagement in one place. But as sales motions become more complex, many teams hit friction points: data accuracy concerns, limited automation depth, integration gaps, or pricing that doesn't scale with their needs.

The challenge is finding alternatives that either match Apollo's breadth or deliver superior specialization in areas like data quality, multichannel outreach, or autonomous execution. Some tools excel at verified contact information but lack engagement workflows. Others provide strong automation but require separate data providers to function.

This guide evaluates the leading Apollo alternatives across six dimensions: data quality and coverage, integration depth, automation sophistication, sales lifecycle coverage, scalability, and pricing transparency. We'll break down where each tool fits, what trade-offs you'll face, and how to choose based on your specific GTM motion.

How We Evaluated Apollo Alternatives

This analysis is built on a criteria-driven framework that prioritizes objective features over marketing claims. We evaluated each platform across the following dimensions:

  • Data Quality & Coverage: Verified contact information, accuracy rates, real-time data updates, mobile numbers, direct dials, and email verification standards.
  • Integration Depth: Native CRM connectivity with Salesforce, HubSpot, and Pipedrive; API quality; chrome extension availability; and workflow compatibility.
  • Automation & AI Sophistication: The spectrum from manual execution to semi-automated sequences to fully autonomous AI-driven engagement. We distinguish between tools that recommend actions and those that execute them.
  • Sales Lifecycle Coverage: Whether the platform handles only prospecting and lead generation, or extends into outreach, qualification, and multichannel engagement across email, LinkedIn, and phone.
  • Scalability: Multi-language support, enterprise-grade compliance (SOC 2, GDPR), team collaboration features, and the ability to handle high-volume workflows without degradation.
  • Pricing & ROI: Transparent pricing plans, cost structure (per seat, per contact, usage-based), availability of a free plan, and value relative to team size and sales pipeline needs.

These criteria help surface which tools are best for outbound-heavy SDR teams, inbound qualification, compliance-focused global sales, or budget-conscious small businesses.

Apollo Alternatives Comparison Table

Tool Data types Automation level Key integrations Pricing range Best for
11x Intent signals, enrichment, real-time engagement data Full autonomous execution (Alice + Julian) Salesforce, HubSpot, custom API Custom enterprise pricing Teams replacing SDR functions with 24/7 AI agents
ZoomInfo B2B contact database, technographics, intent data Semi-automated workflows Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach, Salesloft $15,000–$39,000+/year Enterprise sales intelligence and high-volume prospecting
Seamless.ai Real-time verified contacts, company data Manual search with limited sequences Salesforce, HubSpot, Chrome extension $147–$397/month per user Teams prioritizing real-time data accuracy
Cognism Mobile-verified numbers, GDPR-compliant data Manual with basic sequences Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach ~$1,500–$25,000/year Global teams needing compliance and mobile reach
Hunter.io Email finder, domain search, email verification Email verification only Chrome extension, API, Zapier Free plan; $49–$399/month Small businesses focused on email outreach
Leadfeeder (Dealfront) Website visitor tracking, firmographics First-party intent alerts Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive From $139/month B2B companies leveraging website traffic for ABM

11x

11x provides two autonomous AI sales agents: Alice for outbound prospecting and Julian for inbound phone qualification. Together, they function as digital workers that manage research, outreach, lead engagement, and qualification without human intervention. Their continuous operation gives teams a programmable SDR function that runs 24/7 and feeds accurate activity data into existing CRM systems.

Unlike Apollo's model, where reps still execute sequences and follow up on signals manually, 11x autonomously acts on intent data in real time. This means faster speed-to-lead, higher conversion rates, and measurable ROI through reduced headcount dependency. The platform integrates natively with Salesforce and HubSpot, logging all activity automatically and syncing engagement data for full pipeline visibility.

11x Key Features:

  • Alice (AI SDR): Conducts outbound prospecting across email and LinkedIn to secure qualified meetings
  • Julian (AI Phone Agent): Calls inbound leads within seconds and qualifies them through natural two-way conversations
  • Autonomous Operation: Completes research, outreach, follow-ups, and lead qualification independently
  • CRM Integration: Syncs with major CRMs to maintain clean activity logs and forecasting signals
  • Global Language Support: Engages prospects in more than 100 languages

Pros and Cons of 11x

Pros Cons
  • Reduces manual SDR tasks with continuous autonomous execution
  • Provides exceptional speed-to-lead for inbound calls
  • Operates as an always-on digital worker
  • Scales outreach and qualification without additional headcount
  • Requires enterprise-level setup
  • Customization is needed before deployment

11x Best Fit:

11x is ideal for GTM teams replacing SDR and contact-center tasks with continuous AI execution. Compared to assistive tools, 11x autonomously identifies, engages, and qualifies leads across outbound and inbound workflows. Best suited for mid-market and enterprise organizations running high-volume prospecting alongside inbound qualification, or global teams needing multilingual execution without hiring local reps.

11x Pricing:

Custom enterprise plan with usage-based tiers tied to lead volume and integration scope.

ZoomInfo

ZoomInfo delivers one of the largest B2B contact databases available, combining verified contact information, technographics, and intent data into a single sales intelligence platform. It provides direct dials, mobile numbers, and enriched company data that help sales teams build highly targeted lists and prioritize accounts showing buying intent. The platform integrates deeply with CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot, as well as sales engagement tools like Outreach and Salesloft.

ZoomInfo is built for organizations that require exhaustive contact coverage and sophisticated intent signals to fuel ABM programs and outbound campaigns. However, its automation capabilities remain limited to data enrichment and scoring. Execution still depends on human reps or third-party engagement platforms, which means ZoomInfo functions as a data layer rather than an execution engine. The learning curve can be steep, and pricing is at the premium end of the market.

ZoomInfo Key Features:

  • Verified B2B contact database with 100M+ profiles
  • Technographics and intent data from proprietary signals
  • Advanced search filters for ICP targeting and segmentation
  • Deep CRM integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach
  • Org charts, hiring data, and real-time signal alerts

Pros and Cons of ZoomInfo

Pros Cons
  • Unmatched scale and contact coverage
  • Sophisticated intent signals for account prioritization
  • Strong data accuracy and real-time updates
  • Deep integration with major CRM and sales engagement tools
  • Expensive with premium pricing tier
  • Steep learning curve for new users
  • Automation remains limited to data enrichment
  • Requires third-party tools for execution

ZoomInfo Best Fit:

ZoomInfo is best suited for enterprise and mid-market sales teams with established budgets and high-volume prospecting needs. Organizations running ABM programs, managing large SDR teams (50+ seats), or prioritizing account-level intelligence will find ZoomInfo valuable. Less accessible for small businesses or early-stage startups due to cost and complexity.

ZoomInfo Pricing:

Typically $15,000–$39,000+ per year depending on seats, data access levels, and integrations required.

Seamless.ai

Seamless.ai positions itself as a real-time B2B contact search engine, emphasizing verified emails and direct dials that update dynamically rather than relying on static databases. The platform uses AI-driven data enrichment to surface contact information as users search, making it appealing to SDRs and account executives who need to build lists quickly. The chrome extension allows sales professionals to capture contact data directly from LinkedIn profiles, company websites, and Sales Navigator.

Seamless.ai excels in its claim of real-time data accuracy and continuous refresh cycles, which help reduce bounce rates and improve email deliverability compared to older, static databases. However, its automation functionality is limited. While it can populate sequences with contact data, execution and follow-ups still require manual oversight or integration with a separate sales engagement platform.

Seamless.ai Key Features:

  • Real-time verified email and phone number discovery
  • AI-driven contact enrichment with company data
  • Chrome extension for LinkedIn and website integration
  • Bulk search and list-building capabilities
  • Zapier and CRM integrations for workflow automation

Pros and Cons of Seamless.ai

Pros Cons
  • Real-time data accuracy with continuous updates
  • Intuitive search interface and quick onboarding
  • Cost-effective compared to enterprise platforms
  • Chrome extension streamlines workflow integration
  • Limited automation beyond data enrichment
  • Requires pairing with sales engagement platform
  • Data coverage varies by region
  • Narrower scope than all-in-one solutions

Seamless.ai Best Fit:

Seamless.ai is best for outbound-heavy teams that prioritize contact data quality over sophisticated automation. Particularly useful for small businesses and mid-market sales teams that need cost-effective access to verified contact information without committing to enterprise-level contracts. Ideal for teams running lean operations where speed and data accuracy matter most.

Seamless.ai Pricing:

Plans range from $147 to $397 per user per month, with volume discounts available for larger teams.

Cognism

Cognism differentiates itself through a compliance-first approach to B2B contact data, making it one of the strongest Apollo alternatives for teams operating in Europe or selling internationally. The platform provides mobile-verified phone numbers, GDPR-compliant contact information, and enriched company data that meets strict data privacy standards. Its mobile numbers are particularly valuable for outbound sales teams that rely on cold calling.

Cognism verifies phone numbers to reduce the likelihood of disconnected lines or incorrect contacts, improving connect rates and rep productivity. The platform also integrates Bombora intent data, allowing sales teams to prioritize accounts actively researching relevant solutions. While Cognism offers basic email sequences and automation features, its primary strength remains data quality and compliance rather than execution sophistication.

Cognism Key Features:

  • Mobile-verified phone numbers with high accuracy rates
  • GDPR-compliant contact data for international sales
  • Bombora intent data integration for prioritization
  • Salesforce, HubSpot, and Outreach integrations
  • API support for custom workflow requirements

Pros and Cons of Cognism

Pros Cons
  • Compliance-first design for international markets
  • Mobile-verified numbers improve cold call connect rates
  • GDPR-compliant data reduces regulatory risk
  • Strong data accuracy and real-time updates
  • Higher cost than some alternatives
  • Limited automation and engagement features
  • U.S. coverage narrower than ZoomInfo
  • Requires paired tools for full execution

Cognism Best Fit:

The platform is best suited for global GTM teams that need to ensure their outreach adheres to international data privacy laws. Strong fit for organizations targeting European markets or industries with strict regulatory requirements. Mid-market companies prioritizing compliance and accuracy will find Cognism valuable without the enterprise cost of ZoomInfo.

Cognism Pricing:

Ranges from approximately $1,500 to $25,000 per year depending on seats, data access, and feature tier.

Hunter.io

Hunter.io focuses exclusively on email discovery and verification, making it one of the most accessible Apollo alternatives for small businesses and startups. The platform allows users to find email addresses associated with specific domains, verify email deliverability, and run bulk searches to build targeted lists. Its chrome extension integrates directly with LinkedIn and company websites, enabling sales professionals to capture email addresses without leaving their browser.

Hunter.io offers API access, allowing teams to automate email enrichment within their existing workflows. The platform includes a free plan with limited searches, making it an attractive entry point for teams testing outbound strategies or operating on tight budgets. Where Hunter.io falls short is in breadth and automation. It doesn't provide phone numbers, intent data, or multichannel outreach capabilities.

Hunter.io Key Features:

  • Email finder and domain search functionality
  • Email verification and deliverability checks
  • Chrome extension for LinkedIn and website integration
  • API access for workflow automation
  • Free plan with limited searches; paid tiers for scaling

Pros and Cons of Hunter.io

Pros Cons
  • Most accessible entry point for small businesses
  • Strong email accuracy and verification standards
  • Free plan makes testing low-risk
  • Simple, intuitive interface
  • Narrow scope limited to email discovery
  • No phone numbers or intent data
  • Requires separate tools for sequences
  • Limited automation beyond email verification

Hunter.io Best Fit:

Hunter.io is best for small businesses, freelancers, and early-stage startups that need a cost-effective way to find and verify email addresses. Particularly useful for cold email campaigns where deliverability is a top priority. Teams needing comprehensive contact data or advanced automation will find Hunter.io limited as a standalone solution; it functions better as a supplementary tool.

Hunter.io Pricing:

Free plan available; paid plans range from $49 to $399 per month based on search volume.

Leadfeeder (Dealfront)

Leadfeeder, now part of Dealfront, provides first-party website visitor tracking and firmographic enrichment, helping B2B sales and marketing teams identify which companies are engaging with their content. The platform tracks anonymous website traffic and matches visitors to company-level data, providing account-level insights even when visitors don't fill out forms. This makes Leadfeeder particularly powerful for account-based marketing programs.

The platform delivers real-time alerts when high-priority accounts visit key pages, enabling timely follow-up that capitalizes on demonstrated intent. Leadfeeder integrates with Salesforce, HubSpot, and Pipedrive, pushing visitor data directly into CRMs for seamless workflow automation. It also supports advanced filters, allowing teams to segment visitors by industry, company size, and engagement behavior. While Leadfeeder provides strong intent signals, it doesn't include contact-level data or outbound execution.

Leadfeeder Key Features:

  • Anonymous website visitor tracking and identification
  • Firmographic enrichment at account level
  • Real-time alerts for high-priority accounts
  • Integration with Salesforce, HubSpot, and Pipedrive
  • Advanced segmentation and filter capabilities

Pros and Cons of Leadfeeder

Pros Cons
  • Unique first-party intent signals from website traffic
  • Real-time alerts enable timely outreach
  • Cost-effective for SMB ABM programs
  • Seamless CRM integration for workflow automation
  • No contact-level data included
  • Requires pairing with data and engagement tools
  • Effectiveness depends on website traffic volume
  • Limited to inbound intelligence only

Leadfeeder Best Fit:

Leadfeeder is best for B2B companies running ABM strategies, where understanding which accounts are actively researching solutions provides a competitive edge. Especially valuable for marketing teams looking to connect digital engagement to pipeline outcomes, and for sales teams that want to focus on accounts already showing interest. Works well as a complementary tool paired with contact databases and engagement platforms.

Leadfeeder Pricing:

Starts at $139 per month, with pricing scaling based on website traffic volume and feature access.

RocketReach

RocketReach specializes in finding personal email addresses, phone numbers, and social media profiles for decision-makers, making it a strong Apollo alternative for recruiters, sales professionals, and business development teams. The platform's database includes contact information for individuals across companies of all sizes, with search filters that allow users to target by role, location, industry, and company. Its chrome extension integrates with LinkedIn, allowing users to capture contact details directly from profiles without manual research.

RocketReach also offers API access for teams that want to automate enrichment workflows or integrate contact data into their CRM. The platform's email verification features help reduce bounce rates and improve deliverability for cold email campaigns. Where RocketReach differs from broader sales intelligence platforms is its focus on individual contact discovery rather than account-level insights or intent data.

RocketReach Key Features:

  • Access to 700M+ professional profiles with email and phone
  • Advanced search filters by role, location, industry
  • Chrome extension for LinkedIn and Sales Navigator integration
  • Email verification and deliverability optimization
  • API access for workflow automation

Pros and Cons of RocketReach

Pros Cons
  • Broad database of individual professional contacts
  • Easy onboarding and intuitive search interface
  • Real-time data capture from LinkedIn profiles
  • Strong for hard-to-find decision-makers
  • Narrow focus on contact discovery only
  • No intent data or multichannel automation
  • Export limits on base plans
  • Requires paired tools for engagement

RocketReach Best Fit:

RocketReach is best for teams that need quick access to verified personal contact information for targeted outreach. Commonly used by recruiters sourcing candidates, sales professionals reaching out to specific decision-makers, and agencies conducting high-touch prospecting. For teams needing comprehensive account data, technographics, or multichannel automation, RocketReach functions better as a supplementary contact source.

RocketReach Pricing:

Plans range from $53 to $269 per user per month, with enterprise pricing available for larger teams.

Lusha

Lusha provides fast, straightforward contact enrichment focused on direct dials and email addresses. The platform is designed for sales professionals who need immediate access to contact information without navigating complex search interfaces or lengthy onboarding processes. Its chrome extension integrates with LinkedIn, Salesforce, and HubSpot, allowing users to enrich profiles and leads directly within their existing workflows.

Lusha offers a free plan with limited credits, making it accessible for small businesses and individual reps testing outbound strategies. Paid plans scale based on the number of contacts enriched per month, with pricing that remains budget-friendly compared to enterprise platforms. Lusha's data accuracy is generally strong for publicly available contact information, though its coverage is narrower than platforms like ZoomInfo or Cognism. The platform focuses on data enrichment rather than sales engagement.

Lusha Key Features:

  • Real-time phone and email enrichment
  • Chrome extension integration with LinkedIn and CRM systems
  • Direct dial discovery for improved call connect rates
  • Integration with Salesforce and HubSpot
  • Free plan available for testing and small teams

Pros and Cons of Lusha

Pros Cons
  • Fast, rep-friendly interface for quick enrichment
  • Strong accuracy on direct dial discovery
  • Budget-friendly pricing for small teams
  • Minimal onboarding and setup time
  • Limited to data enrichment only
  • No intent data or multichannel automation
  • Requires separate tools for sequences
  • Narrower coverage than enterprise platforms

Lusha Best Fit:

Lusha is best for SMBs, startups, and individual sales professionals who need quick, reliable contact data without committing to enterprise-level contracts. Particularly useful for teams running lean operations where speed and simplicity matter more than exhaustive feature sets. Works well as a supplementary enrichment layer for sales reps making high-touch outbound calls.

Lusha Pricing:

Free plan available; paid plans range from $29 to $51 per user per month depending on contact volume.

Lead411

Lead411 combines verified B2B contact data with growth triggers and buyer intent signals, helping sales teams identify accounts that are expanding, hiring, or showing active interest in solutions. The platform emphasizes email accuracy, offering a guarantee on email deliverability to reduce bounce rates and improve campaign performance. Its growth triggers surface accounts undergoing changes like funding rounds, executive hires, or office expansions, which often signal readiness to buy.

Lead411 also integrates Bombora intent data, allowing teams to prioritize accounts researching relevant topics. These features make it particularly useful for teams running targeted ABM campaigns or looking to time outreach around organizational change. The platform integrates with Salesforce, HubSpot, and other CRMs, enabling automatic enrichment and lead generation workflows. While Lead411 offers basic filtering and list-building functionality, its automation capabilities remain limited.

Lead411 Key Features:

  • Verified B2B contact database with growth trigger alerts
  • Company change signals (funding, hiring, office expansion)
  • Bombora intent data integration for account prioritization
  • Email deliverability guarantee for campaign performance
  • Salesforce and HubSpot integration

Pros and Cons of Lead411

Pros Cons
  • Unique growth triggers signal buying intent
  • Email deliverability guarantee improves campaign ROI
  • Bombora intent data adds signal diversity
  • Strong for ABM timing and targeting
  • Limited automation beyond filtering
  • Requires paired tools for engagement
  • U.S.-focused coverage
  • Narrower scope than all-in-one platforms

Lead411 Best Fit:

Lead411 is best for mid-market sales teams that want to combine verified contact data with intent signals and growth triggers. Particularly valuable for organizations that prioritize data accuracy and want to time outreach around organizational change events. Works well as a complementary tool paired with sales engagement platforms for teams running account-based strategies.

Lead411 Pricing:

Ranges from $99 to $899 per month depending on feature tier and contact volume.

How to Choose the Right Apollo Alternative

Choosing an alternative to Apollo starts with understanding whether your team needs better data, better execution, or both. Apollo combines contact data with basic sales engagement, but many teams outgrow its limitations as volume, complexity, or expectations increase.

  • Clarify your outbound motion: Apollo works best for DIY outbound. If your team relies on manual list building, sequence setup, and monitoring, decide whether you want to keep that model or move toward automated or autonomous execution.
  • Evaluate data quality for your ICP: Apollo’s coverage and verification vary by industry and region. Validate email accuracy, phone coverage, refresh rates, and decision-maker depth for your specific ICP before committing to a replacement.
  • Assess automation depth, not features: Many Apollo alternatives add workflows or AI recommendations without reducing manual work. Distinguish between tools that assist reps and platforms that execute research, outreach, follow-ups, and qualification automatically.
  • Check CRM integration strength: Look beyond surface-level sync. Strong alternatives should support bidirectional updates, clean activity logging, and real-time CRM enrichment without manual intervention.
  • Match pricing to outcomes: Apollo’s appeal is cost, but lower price often shifts labor back to reps. Compare total cost of ownership, including time spent managing campaigns, data cleanup, and follow-ups, against platforms that reduce or replace SDR effort.
  • Decide when to move beyond DIY outbound: If outbound volume, speed-to-lead, or rep bandwidth is your bottleneck, execution-first platforms like 11x replace manual sequencing with continuous, autonomous prospecting and qualification.

Choose Your Apollo Alternative Based on Your Needs

Data giants like ZoomInfo excel in coverage volume but demand enterprise budgets. Execution leaders like 11x prioritize continuous automation over manual workflows. Data specialists like Cognism and Hunter.io serve budget-conscious teams with specific needs.

The right choice depends on your GTM motion: If raw contact discovery is your priority, choose ZoomInfo or Seamless.ai. If compliance matters most, choose Cognism. If you're replacing manual SDR processes entirely, 11x eliminates bottlenecks by operating autonomously 24/7, turning every signal into a qualified lead without human overhead.

Start your transformation with 11x and see how autonomous digital workers can replace fragmented tool stacks while accelerating your pipeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best Apollo alternative for small teams?

Budget picks like Hunter.io or Seamless.ai deliver core enrichment without enterprise lock-in. For execution, 11x scales down via custom tiers, automating what Apollo leaves manual. Small teams benefit from 11x's ability to replace an entire SDR function without adding headcount.

Can I get Apollo-like features without the cost?

Yes. Hunter's free tier or RocketReach at $39/month covers basic contact discovery. For a true all-in-one alternative, 11x replaces full tool stacks long-term, cutting tool sprawl costs despite higher upfront investment.

Which Apollo alternative has the most accurate data?

Cognism leads at 92%+ with GDPR-verified mobile numbers; ZoomInfo is close for overall volume and accuracy. 11x layers verified data into autonomous actions, ensuring accuracy translates to execution quality.

What's the difference between data enrichment and lead engagement tools?

Enrichment tools (Lusha, RocketReach, Hunter.io) build and enhance contact lists. Engagement tools (Apollo, Outreach, Salesloft) execute outreach sequences. 11x uniquely combines both: it enriches data while autonomously engaging prospects end-to-end.

Do I need multiple tools or can one replace Apollo?

One platform like 11x can handle autonomous prospecting to qualification across outbound and inbound workflows. Data-only tools like ZoomInfo or Cognism require pairing with engagement platforms. Choose based on whether you prioritize data quality, execution, or a blend of both.

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