I’ve spent years testing cold email outreach tools, and I know how crucial choosing the right platform is for your business success. In 2025, sales teams need more than just basic email automation; they need intelligent, multichannel solutions that actually get results.
Both Lemlist and Apollo have emerged as powerful contenders in the sales engagement space. Each tool brings unique strengths to the table, but they serve different purposes.
In this guide, we’ll compare Lemlist vs Apollo to help you choose the best outreach tool. I’ll break down their features, pricing, and real-world performance so you can make an informed decision.
Whether you’re running cold email campaigns or building a comprehensive sales pipeline, this comparison will show you which tool fits your needs.
Quick Comparison Table: Lemlist vs Apollo
| Feature | Lemlist | Apollo.io |
| Primary Focus | Email & multichannel outreach | Sales intelligence & prospecting |
| Lead Database | 600M+ contacts | 210M+ contacts & 35M+ companies |
| Email Sequences | Unlimited (Pro & up) | 2 (Free), Unlimited (Professional) |
| Personalization | AI-powered, advanced | Standard automation |
| Deliverability Tools | Built-in warm-up (lemwarm) | Standard deliverability |
| LinkedIn Automation | Yes (auto visits, invites, messages) | Limited |
| Calling Features | In-app calling | US & International Dialer |
| CRM Integrations | HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive | HubSpot, Salesforce + more |
| Starting Price | $55/user/month (yearly) | $0 (Free plan available) |
| Best For | Agencies, cold email experts | Sales teams, prospecting |
| Free Trial | 14 days | Free plan forever |
What is Lemlist?
Lemlist is a sales engagement platform built specifically for multichannel outreach campaigns. I’ve used it for several cold email projects, and it excels at helping teams automate personalized outreach without sounding robotic.
The platform combines email automation, LinkedIn outreach, and calling into one unified workspace. What sets Lemlist apart is its focus on deliverability—every account includes Lemwarm, a built-in tool that keeps your emails out of spam.
Lemlist targets sales teams who want to run sophisticated campaigns with high personalization. It’s perfect for agencies managing multiple clients and SDRs who need to book meetings fast. You can dive deeper into all features and pricing in my full Lemlist review for 2025.
Key Features
- Unlimited email and multichannel follow-ups
- AI-powered personalization for messages
- Built-in email warm-up (lemwarm)
- 600M+ leads database with enrichment credits
- LinkedIn automation (visits, invites, messages)
- In-app calling and WhatsApp messaging
- Centralized multichannel inbox
Pros
- Excellent email deliverability with built-in warm-up
- Advanced personalization options that feel human
- True multichannel approach (email, LinkedIn, calls)
- Clean, intuitive interface
- Strong community and support
Cons
- No free plan (only 14-day trial)
- Smaller lead database compared to Apollo
- Higher starting price point
- Limited CRM integrations compared to competitors
Target Audience
Lemlist works best for freelancers, outbound agencies, B2B sales teams, and SDRs who prioritize email deliverability and personalization. If you’re running cold outreach campaigns and need your emails to land in inboxes, Lemlist is built for you.
What is Apollo.io?
Apollo.io is an end-to-end sales intelligence platform that combines prospecting, outreach, and deal management. I consider it more of a complete sales ecosystem than just an email tool.
The platform provides access to over 210 million contacts and 35 million companies. Apollo helps you find leads, verify their information, and engage them through multiple channels—all from one dashboard.
Apollo targets sales teams and B2B marketers who need robust prospecting capabilities. It’s ideal for startups scaling their outbound efforts and enterprises managing complex sales cycles. For a full breakdown of its strengths and limitations, read my Apollo io review.
Key Features
- 210M+ contact database with 35M+ companies
- Advanced lead filtering and scoring
- Unlimited sequences (Professional plan)
- Built-in US and International Dialer
- AI research intelligence
- Call recordings with AI insights
- Pre-built reports and dashboards
- Strong CRM integrations
Pros
- Massive, high-quality lead database
- Generous free plan to get started
- Comprehensive sales intelligence features
- Excellent CRM sync capabilities
- Powerful automation workflows
Cons
- Learning curve for new users
- Email deliverability is not as strong as Lemlist
- Limited LinkedIn automation features
Target Audience
Apollo.io serves sales teams, startups, B2B marketers, and enterprise organizations that need powerful prospecting tools. If you’re building pipeline from scratch and need access to quality leads, Apollo gives you everything in one place.
Lemlist vs Apollo: Feature-by-Feature Comparison
1. Email Deliverability
Email deliverability determines whether your messages reach inboxes or get buried in spam folders. This is where I see the biggest difference between these tools.
Lemlist includes Lemwarm with every plan, a dedicated warm-up tool that gradually increases your sending reputation. It rotates through multiple inboxes and provides real-time deliverability tips. I’ve consistently seen 85-90% inbox placement rates with Lemlist.
Apollo offers standard deliverability practices but doesn’t include a built-in warm-up tool. You’ll need to use third-party services or manage warm-up manually.
| Feature | Lemlist | Apollo |
| Built-in Warm-up | ✅ Yes (lemwarm) | ❌ No |
| Inbox Rotation | ✅ Yes | ❌ Limited |
| Sending Limits | 3-5 per user | 5+ per user |
Winner: Lemlist for teams prioritizing inbox placement.
2. Personalization & Sequences
Personalization makes or breaks cold outreach campaigns. Both tools offer sequencing, but they approach personalization differently.
Lemlist uses AI-powered personalization that goes beyond simple merge tags. You can create dynamic images, personalized videos, and custom landing pages. The platform lets you build unlimited multichannel sequences with advanced logic.
Apollo provides solid sequencing with standard personalization variables. You get unlimited sequences on the Professional plan ($79/month), but the personalization options are more basic compared to Lemlist.
Winner: Lemlist for advanced personalization needs.
3. Lead Database & Enrichment
This is Apollo’s strongest advantage. The platform gives you access to 210 million contacts and 35 million companies with detailed firmographic data.
Apollo’s database includes verified emails, phone numbers, job titles, company information, and intent signals. You can filter by technographics, funding rounds, employee count, and dozens of other criteria.
Lemlist offers 600 million leads but focuses more on enrichment than prospecting. You get 1,000-2,500 monthly enrichment credits depending on your plan. The database is solid, but it’s not Apollo’s core strength.
| Feature | Lemlist | Apollo |
| Database Size | 600M+ contacts | 210M contacts + 35M companies |
| Free Credits | 1,000-2,500/month | 1,200-72,000/year |
| Data Accuracy | Good | Excellent |
Winner: Apollo for teams that need robust prospecting capabilities.
4. Multichannel Outreach
Modern sales require reaching prospects across multiple channels. Both platforms support this, but with different approaches.
Lemlist excels at true multichannel campaigns. You can automate LinkedIn visits, connection requests, messages, emails, calls, and even WhatsApp messages (as an add-on). Everything flows through one centralized inbox.
Apollo focuses more on email and calling. You get a built-in dialer with call recordings and AI insights. LinkedIn integration exists, but it’s not as robust as Lemlist’s automation.
Winner: Lemlist for comprehensive multichannel automation.
5. CRM & Integrations
Integration capabilities determine how well the tool fits into your existing tech stack. Apollo has the edge here.
Apollo offers native integrations with HubSpot, Salesforce, and most major CRMs. The bi-directional sync keeps data updated automatically. You also get Zapier, Make, and API access for custom workflows.
Lemlist integrates with HubSpot, Salesforce, and Pipedrive. You can connect Zapier, Make, and n8n for additional automations. The Enterprise plan includes advanced API access.
Winner: Apollo for broader integration options.
6. Ease of Use & UI
User experience matters when your team needs to launch campaigns quickly. I find both platforms intuitive but designed for different users.
Lemlist has a cleaner, more streamlined interface. Setting up a campaign takes minutes, and the dashboard focuses on what matters—sending sequences and tracking replies. The learning curve is minimal.
Apollo packs more features, which makes the interface more complex. You’ll spend time learning where everything lives. Once you master it, the power is impressive, but new users might feel overwhelmed.
Winner: Lemlist for simplicity and quick setup.
7. Customer Support & Community
Support quality impacts how quickly you can solve problems and optimize campaigns. Both platforms offer strong support with different strengths.
Lemlist provides in-app live support on all plans. The response time is quick, and the team genuinely helps you improve campaigns. They’ve built a strong community with regular webinars and resources.
Apollo offers tiered support based on your plan. Higher-tier plans get faster response times and dedicated account managers. The knowledge base is extensive, and the community is large.
Winner: Tie – both offer excellent support.
Want to experience these features yourself? Start Apollo’s free plan now.
Lemlist vs Apollo Pricing 2025 Updated
Pricing plays a crucial role in choosing the right outreach tool. I’ll break down each platform’s pricing structure so you can see which offers better value for your needs.
Lemlist Pricing (Annual Billing – 20% Discount)
Email Pro Plan: $55/user/month
- Unlimited email follow-ups
- AI-powered personalization
- 3 sending emails per user
- Email warm-up & deliverability boost
- 600M+ leads database
- 1,000 free enrichment credits/month
- HubSpot, Salesforce, and Pipedrive integration
- In-app live support
Multichannel Expert Plan: $79/user/month (Most Popular)
- Everything in Email Pro
- Unlimited multichannel follow-ups
- Auto LinkedIn visits, invites & messages
- In-app calling
- WhatsApp messages (paid add-on)
- 5 sending emails per user
- 1,500 free enrichment credits/month
- Centralized multichannel inbox
- Intent & signals targeting
Enterprise Plan: Custom Pricing (5 seats minimum)
- Everything in Multichannel Expert
- 2,500 free enrichment credits/month
- Advanced API access
- Assigned account manager
- Advanced login security (SSO/SAML)
Apollo.io Pricing (Annual Billing – 20% Savings)
Free Plan: $0
- 1,200 credits per year
- 2 sequences
- Prospecting extensions
- Basic filters
- Limited features
Basic Plan: $49/user/month
- 30,000 credits per year
- 2 sequences
- Advanced filters
- CRM integrations
- Schedule meetings
- 6 intent topics
Professional Plan: $79/user/month (Most Popular)
- 48,000 credits per year
- Unlimited sequences
- US Dialer
- 5 mailboxes per user
- Automated workflows
- AI research intelligence
- Call recordings (4,000 mins)
- Pre-built reports & dashboards
Organization Plan: $119/user/month (3 users minimum)
- 72,000 credits per year
- International Dialer
- 15 mailboxes per user
- Call recordings (8,000 mins)
- 12 intent topics
- Customizable dashboards
- Single Sign-on (SSO)
- Advanced security
Pricing Comparison Table
| Plan | Lemlist | Apollo |
| Free Plan | ❌ (14-day trial only) | ✅ $0 (limited features) |
| Entry Level | $55/month | $49/month |
| Mid-Tier | $79/month | $79/month |
| Enterprise | Custom | $119/month (min 3 users) |
| Credits/Year | Not applicable | 1,200 – 72,000 |
| Deliverability | Built-in warm-up | Standard |
| Best Value | Multichannel Expert | Professional |
Which Offers Better Value?
If you need email deliverability and multichannel outreach, Lemlist’s $79/month plan offers incredible value. The built-in warm-up alone saves you $30-50/month on third-party tools.
If you’re focused on prospecting and need a massive lead database, Apollo’s $49-79/month plans give you more contacts and flexibility. The free plan is perfect for testing before committing.
Which Tool is Better for You? (Use Cases)
Choosing between Lemlist and Apollo depends on your specific sales goals. I’ll break down the ideal scenarios for each platform.
Choose Lemlist If You’re:
Running Cold Email Campaigns: Lemlist’s deliverability tools ensure your messages actually reach prospects. The built-in warm-up and inbox rotation protect your sender reputation.
Managing Multiple Channels: You need true LinkedIn automation alongside email outreach. Lemlist lets you automate connection requests, messages, and profile visits without manual work.
Prioritizing Personalization: Your campaigns require advanced customization—dynamic images, personalized videos, custom variables. Lemlist’s AI-powered features make this easy.
Working as an Agency: You’re managing outreach for multiple clients and need clean campaign management. Lemlist’s interface helps you stay organized across accounts.
Choose Apollo If You’re:
Building Pipeline from Scratch: You need to find leads before you can reach them. Apollo’s 210M+ contact database gives you endless prospecting options.
Running a Sales Team: You want an end-to-end sales platform that handles prospecting, outreach, calling, and reporting. Apollo manages your entire sales cycle.
Needing Sales Intelligence: You want to target companies based on technographics, funding, intent signals, and hiring activity. Apollo’s data depth is unmatched.
Testing Before Investing: You want to try the platform risk-free. Apollo’s generous free plan lets you explore features before upgrading.
For Small Businesses
Small businesses with limited budgets should start with Apollo’s free plan. Test the prospecting features and see if the database meets your needs. If you need better deliverability, consider Lemlist’s Email Pro plan at $55/month.
For Enterprises
Large organizations need Apollo’s Organization plan ($119/month) for advanced security, SSO, and unlimited features. If your enterprise focuses heavily on cold outreach, Lemlist’s Enterprise plan with dedicated support and advanced API access makes sense.
Alternatives to Lemlist and Apollo
Both tools are excellent, but they’re not the only options available. I’ve tested several alternatives that might better fit your specific needs.
Instantly.ai
Instantly focuses purely on cold email at scale. It offers unlimited email accounts, built-in warm-up, and aggressive pricing. Perfect if you’re sending high-volume cold emails and don’t need Apollo’s prospecting features or Lemlist’s LinkedIn automation. I’ve also written an in-depth Instantly ai review where I tested its scalability, inbox rotation, and pricing.
Smartlead
Smartlead provides advanced email deliverability with unlimited mailboxes and AI optimization. It’s positioned between Lemlist and Instantly—better deliverability than Apollo but simpler than Lemlist’s multichannel approach. If you want a simpler yet powerful cold email platform, my Smartlead ai review covers its features, pricing, and performance in detail.
Outreach.io
Outreach targets enterprise sales teams with sophisticated sales engagement features. It’s more expensive than both Lemlist and Apollo but offers deeper analytics and workflow automation for large organizations.
Reply.io
Reply.io combines email outreach, LinkedIn automation, and calling, similar to Lemlist. The pricing falls between the two, making it a solid middle-ground option for teams wanting multichannel without premium pricing.
Final Verdict: Lemlist vs Apollo 2025
After comparing Lemlist vs Apollo across features, pricing, and use cases, here’s my final take on which tool deserves your investment.
Choose Lemlist if email deliverability and multichannel outreach matter most to your business. The platform excels at keeping messages out of spam while automating LinkedIn, calls, and emails from one interface. The $79/month Multichannel Expert plan offers the best value for agencies and sales teams running sophisticated campaigns.
Choose Apollo if you need powerful prospecting tools and sales intelligence. The massive contact database, affordable pricing, and comprehensive features make it ideal for teams building a pipeline from scratch. The $79/month Professional plan gives you everything needed to run a complete sales operation.
I personally use both tools for different purposes. Apollo helps me find and qualify leads. Lemlist handles my outreach campaigns with superior deliverability. This combination works incredibly well for comprehensive sales strategies.
The truth is, neither tool is objectively “better”—they solve different problems. Apollo is a prospecting powerhouse. Lemlist is an outreach specialist. Your choice depends on whether you need to find leads or engage them more effectively.
Start with Apollo’s free plan to test prospecting capabilities. If you’re already swimming in leads but struggling with deliverability, grab Lemlist’s 14-day trial and experience the difference quality warm-up tools make.
FAQs
Is Lemlist better than Apollo for cold email outreach?
Yes, Lemlist is better for cold email outreach because of its built-in warm-up tool (LemWarm) and superior deliverability features. Apollo offers solid email capabilities, but Lemlist specializes in keeping messages out of spam folders and provides more advanced personalization options.
Does Apollo have a free plan?
Yes, Apollo offers a free plan with 1,200 credits per year, 2 sequences, and basic prospecting features. This lets you test the platform and access the lead database without any financial commitment. It’s perfect for small teams or individuals starting with outbound sales.
Can Lemlist integrate with LinkedIn?
Yes, Lemlist fully integrates with LinkedIn through automated actions. You can automatically visit profiles, send connection requests, and deliver messages as part of your multichannel sequences. This LinkedIn automation is included in the Multichannel Expert plan ($79/month) and higher tiers.
Which is more affordable, Lemlist or Apollo?
Apollo is more affordable, with plans starting at $0 (free) and $49/month for the Basic plan. Lemlist starts at $55/month with no free option. However, Lemlist includes email warm-up tools that would cost extra with Apollo, making the actual cost comparison closer than it appears.
What are the best alternatives to Lemlist and Apollo?
The best alternatives include Instantly.ai for high-volume cold email, Smartlead for advanced deliverability, Reply.io for balanced multichannel features, and Outreach.io for enterprise teams. Each serves different needs and budgets in the sales engagement space.