Apollo.io Review: 1000+ SDR’s Experiences Demystified in 2024

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July 8, 2024
5 min read
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Every business owner, founder, sales rep, and lead generation specialist dreams of scaling their business. 

You, me, everyone.

But there’s a significant challenge that only a few manage to conquer.

It’s generating enough high-quality leads.

Sure, you might be using different tools for lead generation, but so is your competition.

So, how do you gain an edge? 

If you're a founder, sales rep, agency, or lead generation specialist, you've likely heard the buzz around Apollo.io. 

Many SDRs recommend it, but does it truly live up to the hype? 

Or is it just another overhyped tool? 

a-reddit-user-review-on-apollo.io
This image shows the Reddit user review on Apollo.io

As a cold email outreach specialist, I understand the daily challenges we face: 

  • dealing with email deliverability issues, 
  • setting up email infrastructure, and 
  • ensuring the tool is easy to use. 

In this blog, I’m sharing insights based on real experiences from over 1000 Sales Development Representatives (SDRs) who have used Apollo.io extensively for cold email outreach. 

We'll explore:

  • What Apollo.io is and how it works.
  • Its core features and user insights on its effectiveness.
  • Pricing, customer service reviews, and how it integrates with other tools.
  • Top likes and dislikes from actual users.

By the end of this article, you'll know whether Apollo.io is the right tool for your cold email outreach and lead generation strategies. 

But If you're in a hurry, here’s a quick summary of Apollo.io. 

So, let’s dive in and uncover the truth about Apollo.io.

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What is Apollo.io?

Apollo.io is an all-in-one sales platform designed to help you find, email, call, and close your ideal customers effortlessly. With the functionalities of tools like ZoomInfo, Clearbit, and Lusha combined, Apollo.io offers a robust solution for sales teams. 

apollo.io-dashboard
This image shows the Dashboard of Apollo.io

It’s popular because it has a vast database of over 275 million B2B contacts, enabling you to target the right people using 65+ filters like buyer intent and job postings. 

But a lot of Apollo.io users, including myself, were unhappy with its quality of data. Users have experienced high bounce rates, up to 35% in some cases.

Apollo.io-reddit-user-review
This image shows the Reddit user review on Apollo.io

We will cover this in detail later in this blog. 

Apollo.io offers three core solutions:

  1. Prospect & Enrich: This feature provides accurate and rich buyer data. For example, you can target 275+ million verified contacts based on criteria like headcount growth or job postings, ensuring you reach potential buyers effectively. A sales rep targeting companies with a 20% headcount increase can easily find relevant contacts.

  2. Engage: This tool helps you build sequences, make calls, and send emails to connect with prospects. For instance, you can set up a sequence to send 100 emails per day, follow up with calls, and connect on social platforms, filling your pipeline with quality meetings.

  3. End-to-End Workflows: This solution automates your entire sales process, offering AI insights to help you close deals faster. For example, it can automatically update your CRM with new lead information, saving you hours each week and reducing errors in data entry.

By integrating these solutions, Apollo.io simplifies your sales process, making it easier to start cold outreach journeys, and start generating leads for your business. 

How does Apollo.io work?

Apollo.io is designed to streamline your cold email outreach and lead generation process. Let’s break down how you can use Apollo.io to prospect effectively and send cold emails that get results. 

How to Prospect in Apollo.io

Step 1: Identify Your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) First, define your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) and create personas. This helps you target the right contacts within your desired market. In Apollo.io, use the following steps:

  • Login and navigate to Search.
  • Use the Persona filter to create and apply personas from your targeting framework.
  • Utilize other filters like buying intent and job postings to refine your search.

Example: If you’re targeting companies with a 20% increase in headcount, apply filters to find these specific prospects.  

Apollo.io-advance-search-filters
This image shows the Advanced Search Filters in Apollo.io

Here’s targeting framework worksheet template you can use 

Also, here;s most popular filters you can use in Apollo.io

most-popular-filters-in-Apollo.io
This image shows the Most Popular Filters in Apollo.io

Step 2: Save Searches and Build Lists After setting up your search filters, save your searches and set up alerts. This way, Apollo.io notifies you when new prospects match your criteria.

  • Click Save search and choose the frequency for alerts.
  • Use these saved searches to build lists and organize prospects for your outbound campaigns. 
saving-searched-list-in-apollo.io
This image shows the search list feature in Apollo.io

Step 3: Research Your Contacts and Accounts Detailed research is crucial. Apollo.io provides comprehensive profiles for each contact and account, including contact information, company details, work history, and more.

  • Visit a contact’s profile to access this information.
  • Use this data to tailor your outreach messages and build meaningful relationships. 
contact-profile-in-apollo.io
This image shows the Contact profile feature in Apollo.io

Step 4: Build a Lead Scoring Model Prioritize your leads by creating a scoring model. Apollo.io offers AI-powered scores based on historical data, or you can manually create scores.

  • Apply scoring criteria like persona filters and engagement behaviors to rank your prospects.
lead-scoring-in-Apollo.io
This image shows the Lead scoring feature in Apollo.io

Step 5: Use the Apollo Chrome Extension Enhance your prospecting with the Apollo Chrome extension, which integrates with LinkedIn, Gmail, and other tools.

  • Download the extension and use it to access contact data, send emails, and track interactions directly from your browser. 
apollo.iochrome-extension
This image shows the Chrome extension of Apollo.io

How to Do Cold Emailing with Apollo.io

Step 1: Link Your Mailbox Before sending emails, link your Gmail or Outlook mailboxes to Apollo.io. This ensures that your emails are sent from your domain, maintaining a professional appearance.

  • Connect up to 15 mailboxes per user and enroll them in inbox ramp-up for better deliverability. 
link-mailbox-in-Apollo.io
This image shows the Mailbox feature in Apollo.io

Step 2: Send Emails While Prospecting on LinkedIn With the Apollo Chrome extension, you can send emails directly from LinkedIn profiles.

  • Access a contact’s profile, click the Chrome extension widget, and use AI-generated email suggestions to craft your message. 

Step 3: Send Individual Emails from Apollo For highly personalized outreach, send emails directly from Apollo.io.

  • Click the email icon beside a contact in your search results or on their profile page to start composing your message. 
sending-individual-email-from-Apollo.io
This image shows how to send individual email from Apollo.io

Step 4: Personalize Emails at Scale Use dynamic variables and snippets to personalize emails for different tiers of prospects.

  • For top-tier prospects, include detailed personalization. For lower tiers, use basic dynamic variables like {{first name}} and {{company name}}. 
adding-dynamic-variable-in-Apollo.io
This image shows how to add dynamic variables in Apollo.io

Step 5: Write Emails with AI Leverage Apollo’s AI features to write and personalize your emails.

  • Use AI to generate email content, personalize opening sentences, and analyze your messaging to achieve a high email score.

By following these steps, Apollo.io helps you manage your prospecting and cold emailing efficiently, ensuring you reach the right people with the right message.

Apollo.io Review: Is Apollo.io Worth a Cold Email Tool? 

When evaluating Apollo.io as a cold email tool, it’s crucial to understand both its strengths and weaknesses. 

Apollo.io offers a comprehensive platform for sales prospecting and engagement, but it does have some notable limitations, especially for those new to cold email outreach.

One major drawback is that Apollo.io does not provide a complete email infrastructure

For effective cold email campaigns, you need to ensure two things: a strong email infrastructure and hyper-personalization. 

Unfortunately, Apollo.io falls short in both areas.

1. Strong Email Infrastructure:

  • Setting Up Domains and Email Accounts: Apollo.io doesn’t allow you to configure domains and email accounts within its platform. You need to manage these settings separately, which can be complex and time-consuming, especially for beginners.

  • SPF, DKIM, and DMARC: For better email deliverability, you need to set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. Apollo.io doesn’t streamline this process, leaving users to handle it on their own.

  • Inbox Ramp-up Feature: Although Apollo.io has introduced an Inbox Ramp-up feature to improve deliverability, it is still in beta and might not be user-friendly for newcomers.

For example, if you’re just starting with lead generation and need to set up email accounts for better deliverability, you might struggle with the technical aspects. 

Ensuring all emails land in your prospects' inboxes requires precise configuration that Apollo.io doesn’t streamline within its platform.

2. Hyper-Personalization:

  • Personalization Features: While Apollo.io offers some personalization tools, they are not advanced enough to create truly personalized emails at scale. You often need additional tools or manual efforts to achieve effective personalization.

Database Accuracy:

  • Accuracy Rate: Apollo.io’s database has an accuracy rate of about 65%, meaning users often encounter outdated or incorrect contact information. This can lead to high bounce rates, negatively impacting your sender reputation and overall email deliverability.

For instance, if you rely solely on Apollo.io’s database to build your email list, you might find that 35% of your emails bounce back, reducing the effectiveness of your campaigns and potentially getting your email domain flagged as spam. 

Apollo.io-reddit-user-review
This image shows the Reddit user review of Apollo.io

Who Should Use Apollo.io?

  • New to Lead Generation: If you’re new to lead generation with a limited budget, Apollo.io might still be a viable option due to its all-in-one approach and cost-effectiveness. 

For those who require robust email deliverability and personalization features, alternatives like Salesforge might be a better choice. 

Salesforge allows you to set up a strong email infrastructure in one place and provides advanced tools for writing hyper-personalized messages, ensuring your emails land in your prospects' inboxes effectively. 

Apollo.io-reddit-review
This image shows the Reddit user review of Apollo.io

In summary, while Apollo.io offers a range of useful features, it lacks the comprehensive email infrastructure and advanced personalization capabilities that are crucial for cold email success. 

Depending on your needs and experience level, it might be worth considering other tools like Salesforge.ai to complement or replace Apollo.io for better results in your cold email outreach efforts. 

Now, let’s take a closer look at Apollo.io core features and see how this tool can help you in lead generation. 

Apollo.io Features Explained

Apollo.io is a sales platform with a range of features designed to streamline and enhance your sales processes. 

Let’s explore some of the top features of Apollo.io and how you can utilize them effectively. 

Comprehensive Contact Database

One of Apollo.io’s key features is its extensive contact database. With access to over 275 million contacts and more than 60 million companies, you can find and connect with potential leads across various industries and regions.  

Saving-contact-information-in-Apollo.io
This image shows how to save contact information in Apollo.io

For instance, if you're targeting tech companies in North America, Apollo.io's database makes it easy to identify those leads, saving you considerable time and effort. 

Advanced Search Filters

Search-Filter-in-Apollo.io
This image shows the search filter feature in Apollo.io

Apollo.io offers powerful tools to navigate its vast database. The advanced search filters allow you to refine your search criteria to find the most relevant leads. These filters include:

  • Job title
  • Location
  • Years of experience
  • Specific technologies used by the companies 
Apollo.io-people-and-company-filters
This image shows the People and Company Filters in Apollo.io

For example, if you are selling a software solution compatible with Salesforce, you can specifically target companies using Salesforce. This precision ensures that your outreach remains relevant and tailored to each prospect's needs. 

Personalized Outreach Sequences

Apollo.io also supports the creation of personalized outreach sequences. You can design custom email sequences tailored to different stages of the buyer's journey.  

Personalized-outreach-sequence-in-Apollo.io
This image shows the personalized outreach sequence in Apollo.io

For instance, you might start with an introductory email, followed by a product benefits email, and then a call-to-action email. 

These sequences can be personalized with dynamic variables, making each prospect feel that the message is uniquely crafted for them, which can significantly improve your response rates. 

Email and Call Integration

Apollo.io integrates email and call capabilities directly into the platform. This integration allows you to send personalized emails at scale and track their opens, clicks, and replies. 

Built-in-Dialer-in-Apollo.io
This image shows the built in dialer feature in Apollo.io

Additionally, the built-in dialer enables you to make calls directly from the platform. This means that you can manage your outreach activities in one place, enhancing efficiency.  

For example, after sending an email, you can follow up with a call without switching between different tools. 

CRM Integration

Keeping your CRM data up-to-date can be challenging, but Apollo.io addresses this with its CRM integration feature. This feature syncs data between Apollo.io and your CRM, ensuring that your contact records are always current. Benefits include:

  • Elimination of manual data entry
  • Reduction in errors

For instance, if a contact changes their job title, Apollo.io updates this information automatically in your CRM, keeping your sales team informed and efficient. 

CRM-Enrichment-in-Apollo.io
This image shows CRM Enrichment in Apollo.io

Real-time Data Enrichment

Apollo.io’s data enrichment feature enhances your existing contact lists with additional information. Imagine having a list of email addresses and getting them enriched with LinkedIn profiles, company information, and more. 

This additional data helps you understand your prospects better and craft more compelling outreach messages. 

Multi-channel Engagement

Engaging prospects through multiple channels can significantly boost your outreach efforts. Apollo.io supports email, phone, and social media engagement. 

For instance, you can start with an email, follow up with a LinkedIn message, and then make a call. 

This multi-channel approach ensures that you reach your prospects where they are most active, increasing the likelihood of a positive response. 

Analytics and Reporting 

Overall-status-of -each-campaign
This image shows the overall status of each campaign in Apollo.io

Apollo.io also provides robust analytics and reporting tools. These tools help you track key metrics such as:

  • Open rates
  • Click-through rates
  • Conversion rates

For example, if you notice that a particular email template has a high open rate but a low response rate, you can tweak your messaging to improve engagement. 

The real-time analytics allow you to make data-driven decisions, optimizing your sales strategy as needed.

In summary, Apollo.io offers a suite of features that enhance your ability to find and connect with leads while streamlining your entire sales process. 

With a comprehensive contact database, advanced search filters, personalized outreach sequences, CRM integration, real-time data enrichment, multi-channel engagement, and analytics, Apollo.io equips your sales team with the tools needed to succeed. 

Now let’s take a look at Apollo.io Pricing. 

Apollo.io Pricing

Apollo.io-pricing
This image shows the pricing in apollo.io

Understanding Apollo.io's pricing plans can help you determine if it's the right fit for your business. Here’s a breakdown of the various plans offered: 

Free Plan: At $0 per month, this plan includes:

  • Unlimited email credits (10,000/month)
  • 60 mobile credits per year
  • 120 export credits per year
  • Two active sequences
  • Basic filters
  • 5,000 words for AI-assisted email writing

This plan is ideal for individuals or very small teams testing the waters but may feel restricted for more advanced needs.

Basic Plan: Priced at $49 per user per month, billed annually, this plan offers:

  • Unlimited email credits (120,000/year)
  • 900 mobile credits per year
  • 12,000 export credits per year
  • Advanced filters
  • No sequence limit
  • Integrations with all email providers

This plan is suitable for medium-sized businesses needing more robust tools but can become expensive quickly if your team grows.

Professional Plan: At $79 per user per month, billed annually, this plan includes:

  • 1,200 mobile credits per year
  • 24,000 export credits per year
  • Uncapped sending limits with SendGrid
  • Advanced reports and dashboards
  • AI-assisted email writing with a 300,000-word limit
  • 4,000 minutes of call recordings

This plan is designed for larger teams requiring comprehensive capabilities, but its cost might be prohibitive for startups or small businesses.

Organization Plan: Costing $119 per user per month (minimum three users), billed annually, this plan offers:

  • 2,400 mobile credits per year
  • 48,000 export credits per year
  • Customizable reports
  • Advanced security configurations
  • AI-assisted email writing with a 1 million-word limit

This plan is best suited for large enterprises needing the most features and customization but is the most expensive option and may not be necessary for smaller businesses.

Each plan has its strengths and limitations. The Free Plan is a good starting point but quickly becomes limited as your needs grow. 

The Basic and Professional Plans offer more advanced features but at a higher cost, making it essential to evaluate your budget and requirements carefully. 

For the most comprehensive features, the Organization Plan provides everything you might need, but its high cost means it’s best suited for large teams and enterprises.

Apollo.io Customer Service Review Analysis on G2, GetApp, Capterra and more…

When considering a tool like Apollo.io, customer service reviews on platforms like G2, GetApp, and Capterra provide valuable insights. 

Let's delve into what customers appreciate about Apollo.io and where they think it falls short.

Top 5 Things Customers Liked About Apollo.io

Comprehensive Database

Many users appreciate Apollo.io's extensive database of over 275 million contacts. This feature is popular because it provides a vast pool of potential leads, making it easier for sales teams to find and connect with the right people.  

Apollo.io-G2-review
This image shows the user review of Apollo.io on G2
  • Huge Contact List: The database includes over 275 million contacts.
  • Variety of Industries: It covers a wide range of industries, ensuring that users can find leads relevant to their specific market.
  • Ease of Access: With so many contacts available, users can quickly locate the information they need to initiate their sales outreach.

Advanced Search and Filtering

Customers love the advanced search and filtering capabilities, which allow them to use specific criteria like buying intent and job postings to find the most promising leads. This feature streamlines the prospecting process, making it more efficient and targeted. 

Apollo.io-customer-G2-on-review
This image shows the customer review of Apollo.io on G2
  • Precise Targeting: Users can filter leads based on detailed criteria such as job titles, company size, and location.
  • Buying Intent: Filters include indicators of buying intent, helping users focus on leads that are more likely to convert.
  • Job Postings: By identifying companies that are hiring, users can target organizations that are growing and may need their products or services.

Email Automation

Apollo.io’s email automation tools are highly valued by users. These tools help in setting up email sequences and follow-ups, saving time and ensuring consistent communication with leads. This automation is crucial for maintaining a steady outreach without manual intervention.

  • Automated Sequences: Users can create email sequences that automatically send follow-up messages.
  • Time-Saving: Automation saves users from having to manually send each email, freeing up time for other tasks.
  • Consistency: Ensures that all leads receive timely and consistent communication, improving the chances of engagement.

CRM Integration

The ability to integrate seamlessly with popular CRM systems like Salesforce and HubSpot is another popular feature. Users appreciate how this integration helps in maintaining a smooth workflow and ensures that all data is synchronized across different platforms, enhancing overall efficiency. 

Apollo.io-G2-review
This image shows the user review of Apollo.io on G2

Alt-text: Apollo.io review on G2

  • Seamless Syncing: Data from Apollo.io syncs automatically with CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot.
  • Enhanced Workflow: Integration means that users can manage their sales process in one place without needing to switch between different tools.
  • Data Accuracy: Keeps contact and lead information up-to-date across all platforms, reducing the risk of errors.

User-Friendly Interface

Despite some users mentioning that the UI can be complex, many find Apollo.io’s interface easy to navigate once they get used to it. The platform’s layout and design help users access its various features and functionalities without too much hassle. 

Apollo.io-G2-review
This image shows the user review of Apollo.io on G2
  • Intuitive Design: Users often find the interface easy to learn and use, despite initial complexities.
  • Efficient Navigation: The design helps users quickly find and use the tools they need.
  • Supportive Layout: The layout is structured in a way that guides users through their tasks, making the overall experience smoother.

While these features are praised, it's important to note that some users have criticized the data quality of Apollo.io. 

There are reports of outdated or inaccurate contact information, which can lead to wasted efforts and frustration. 

Therefore, while Apollo.io offers robust tools and capabilities, potential users should consider these limitations regarding data reliability. 

Top 5 Things Customers Disliked About Apollo.io

While Apollo.io offers several popular features, there are also notable downsides that users frequently mention in their reviews. 

Here are the top five worst features based on user feedback, along with explanations of why they are often criticized.

Poor Customer Service

Many users are frustrated with Apollo.io's customer service, describing it as the worst they've experienced in the tech industry. 

Apollo.io-review-on-customer-service
This image shows the Apollo.io review on customer service
  • Unresponsive Support: Customers often wait days or even weeks for a response, which is highly inconvenient.
  • Lack of Resolution: Issues are frequently escalated without resolution, leading to ongoing frustration.
  • Impolite Representatives: Some users report interactions with customer service representatives as disrespectful and unhelpful.

Inaccurate Data

Users commonly criticize the quality of Apollo.io's data, noting that it is often outdated or incorrect. 

Apollo.io-review-on-its-contact-data
This image shows the Apollo.io review on contact data
  • High Error Rate: Users report that up to 60% of contact information is wrong, especially for the UK and US markets. 
  • Spam Risks: A significant portion of the data is flagged as spam, risking users' email deliverability and reputation. 
  • Inefficient Prospecting: Inaccurate data leads to wasted time and resources, as efforts to contact leads often fail. 

Buggy Software 

Apollo.io is frequently described as having numerous bugs that disrupt user experience. 

Apollo.io-review-on-its-buggy-software
This image shows the review of Apollo.io on its buggy software
  • Dialer Issues: Users face frequent problems with the dialer not working, cutting out, or not connecting calls properly.
  • Chrome Extension Problems: The Chrome extension is often buggy, causing errors and slowdowns in the browser.
  • Data Enrichment Bugs: Users report many issues with the data enrichment feature, which are acknowledged but not promptly fixed.

Restrictive and Expensive Plans

Apollo.io's pricing and plan restrictions are another common point of contention. 

Apollo.io-Review-on-its-pricing
This image shows the user review of Apollo.io on its Pricing
  • High Costs for Small Businesses: Many small business users find the plans too expensive for the value provided. 
  • Low Credit Limits: Users often find the monthly credit limits too restrictive, leading to additional costs. 
  • Rigid Pricing Policies: There is little flexibility in upgrading plans or adjusting terms to better suit user needs. 

Lack of Mobile Functionality

Users note that Apollo.io's mobile capabilities are lacking, making it difficult to manage tasks on the go.

  • Limited Mobile App: The mobile application does not offer the full functionality available on the desktop version.
  • Remote Control Issues: Users find it challenging to control and use the platform effectively when away from their desks.
  • User Experience: The mobile interface is not as intuitive or user-friendly, adding to the inconvenience.

These recurring issues highlight significant areas where Apollo.io could improve to better meet user expectations and provide a more reliable and efficient service.

Apollo.io Integration

Apollo.io offers a variety of integrations that can help streamline your workflow and enhance your sales and marketing efforts. 

Let's explore some of the key tools Apollo.io integrates with and how these integrations can benefit you.

HubSpot Integration

Apollo.io integrates seamlessly with HubSpot, one of the most popular CRM platforms. 

Apollo.io-integration-to-Hubpot
This image shows the  Apollo.io integration with Hubspot
  • Connect HubSpot to Apollo: Easily link your HubSpot account to Apollo for smooth data transfer.
  • Configure HubSpot Basic Settings: Customize settings to match your workflow.
  • Data Mapping: Ensure your HubSpot data aligns perfectly with Apollo, maintaining consistency.
  • Benefits: This integration helps in syncing contacts, automating tasks, and maintaining a cohesive database, making your sales process more efficient.

Salesforce Integration

Salesforce, another leading CRM, works well with Apollo.io. 

Apollo.io-integration-with-Salesforce
This image shows the Apollo.io integration with Salesforge
  • Connect Apollo to Salesforce: Link your Salesforce account to Apollo with simple steps.
  • Team Sync Authentication: Share credentials securely for team-wide access.
  • Data Mapping and Custom Fields: Map and link fields between Salesforce and Apollo for accurate data tracking.
  • Benefits: This integration allows you to push and pull data effortlessly, create and map stages, and leverage analytics, enhancing your sales operations.

Pipedrive Integration

Apollo.io also integrates with Pipedrive, a CRM designed for sales teams. 

Apollo.io-integration-with-Pipedrive 
This image shows the Apollo.io integration with Pipedrive
  • Pipedrive Integration: Sync your Pipedrive account with Apollo to manage contacts and deals in one place.
  • Benefits: Streamline your sales process by keeping all your data synchronized, making it easier to track progress and manage pipelines.

Outreach and Salesloft Integrations

Apollo.io integrates with both Outreach and Salesloft, tools designed to enhance sales engagement. 

Apollo.io-integration-with-Outreach
This image shows the Apollo.io integration with Outreach
  • Integrate Apollo with Outreach and Salesloft: Link your accounts to Apollo for unified engagement strategies.
  • Benefits: Automate and track your outreach efforts, ensuring consistent and effective communication with leads.

Zapier Integration

Zapier allows you to connect Apollo.io with thousands of other apps. 

Apollo.io-integration-with-Zapier
This image shows the Apollo.io integration with Zapier
  • Create an Apollo Zap in Zapier: Automate workflows by linking Apollo with other tools you use.
  • Benefits: This integration helps automate repetitive tasks, saving you time and reducing errors.

Apollo.io Chrome Extension

The Apollo Chrome extension works seamlessly with platforms like LinkedIn, Gmail, Salesforce, HubSpot, and many major brand websites. 

By installing this extension, users can access Apollo’s functionalities within these tools, reducing the need to switch between tabs and improving efficiency.

The Apollo.io Chrome extension is designed to enhance productivity by integrating Apollo's features directly into commonly used tools. 

Here’s a detailed look at how this extension can streamline your workflow.

LinkedIn

Using the Apollo extension on LinkedIn provides several benefits for finding new prospects. 

Apollo.io-chrome-extension-on-LinkedIn
This image shows the chrome extension of Apollo.io on LinkedIn
  • Find Prospects: Users can discover new contacts with verified data, such as mobile numbers and email addresses.
  • Add to Lists: Contacts can be added directly to Apollo lists and sequences.
  • Real-Time Updates: The extension provides updates on job changes and contact details.
  • Direct Communication: Users can email or call contacts through the LinkedIn widget, streamlining the outreach process.

Gmail

The Chrome extension enhances Gmail with several useful features. 

 Apollo.io-Chrome-Extension-on-Gmail
This image shows the chrome extension of Apollo.io on Gmail
  • Email Tracking: Individual emails can be tracked, and users receive real-time notifications.
  • Follow-Up Nudges: Users can set reminders to follow up on emails.
  • Templates and Snippets: Apollo email templates and snippets can be used directly within Gmail.
  • Salesforce Logging: If linked with Salesforce, all outgoing emails can be logged and associated with the correct opportunities.

Google Calendar

The extension provides access to client information directly in Google Calendar. 

Apollo.io-Chrome-Extension-on-Calendar
This image shows the chrome extension of Apollo.io on Calendar
  • Client Insights: Detailed information about potential clients is available while scheduling meetings, aiding in better preparation and informed decision-making.

All Websites

The Chrome extension provides valuable insights on most company websites.

  • Company Insights: Apollo’s data for companies is accessible directly from their websites, making it easier to gather and utilize information across the web.

The Apollo Chrome extension aims to simplify workflows, enhance productivity, and ensure users have access to accurate data within the tools they use daily. 

Apollo.io Review Summary

In summary, while the Apollo.io Chrome extension offers a range of features to enhance productivity and streamline workflows, it falls short in several critical areas, especially for those relying heavily on cold email outreach. 

The main issues include poor customer service, inaccurate data, buggy software, restrictive and expensive plans, and a lack of robust mobile functionality. These limitations can significantly impact the effectiveness of your outreach efforts. 

One major concern is the platform's lack of comprehensive email infrastructure. Effective cold email campaigns require strong email deliverability and hyper-personalization, areas where Apollo.io doesn't excel. 

Users often face high bounce rates and spam risks due to outdated or incorrect data, which can harm your email sender reputation.

For those looking for a better alternative for cold email outreach, Salesforge.ai might be the solution. 

Salesforge.ai provides a robust email infrastructure and advanced personalization tools, ensuring your emails reach your prospects' inboxes effectively. 

It offers seamless integration, accurate data, and reliable customer support, addressing the key shortcomings of Apollo.io.

In the next section, we'll explore how Salesforge.ai is a superior alternative to Apollo.io for cold email outreach. 

We'll dive into its features, benefits, and why it might be the right tool for your business. Let’s see how. 

Salesforge.ai: Best Apollo.io Alternative for Cold Email Outreach

Salesforge-homepage
This image shows the homepage of Salesforge

Salesforge.ai is designed to revolutionize the way you conduct cold email outreach. It allows sales organizations, agencies, and entrepreneurs to drive personalized cold email outreach at scale, significantly boosting pipeline numbers. 

The platform promises to be the last sales execution tool you'll ever need, thanks to its ability to enhance performance and efficiency per sales rep. 

Setting Up and Using Salesforge.ai 

Here’s a quick 7 min demo video on how to set up Salesforge.ai.

  • Easy Setup: Once you’ve connected your Gmail or Outlook mailboxes and gone through a brief warm-up phase, you’re ready to start.

  • Contact Personalization: Load your contacts with essential personalization inputs like LinkedIn URLs and company data profiles.

  • Email Validation: Validate email addresses within the platform to ensure your messages reach the right inboxes.

  • Crafting Unique Emails: Whether reviewing emails one by one or sending them at scale, Salesforge.ai makes the process seamless.

  • Primebox for Replies: Sit back and watch as replies come into your Primebox, across all connected mailboxes. 

Key Features of Salesforge.ai 

  1. Personalization at Scale: Unlike many tools, Salesforge.ai excels in providing programmatic personalization. This ensures that each email feels uniquely crafted for the recipient, leading to higher engagement rates. 

 Standard-AI-Personalization-in-Salesforge.ai
This image shows the Standard AI Personalization in Salesforge.ai
  1. Machine Learning & AI: The platform is continuously evolving, with plans to integrate more machine learning and AI capabilities to further enhance its personalization and outreach effectiveness.

  2. Robust Email Infrastructure: Salesforge.ai provides a comprehensive email setup, including domain setup, mailbox connection, and warm-up phases to ensure high deliverability rates.  Here’s a quick video

Mailforge - Cold Email Infrastructure Done in 5 Minutes

  1. B2B Contact Database: The upcoming addition of a B2B contact database will further streamline the process of finding and reaching out to potential leads. 

Why Choose Salesforge.ai Over Apollo.io? 

  • Better Personalization: While Apollo.io offers basic personalization, Salesforge.ai takes it to the next level with programmatic and customizable personalization options. 

Overdrive | The Most Powerful AI model for Email Personalization | Salesforge

  • Stronger Email Infrastructure: Salesforge.ai simplifies the complex setup process of domains and email accounts, ensuring better deliverability.

  • Advanced AI Capabilities: The integration of advanced AI and machine learning tools in Salesforge.ai provides a significant edge in crafting effective outreach strategies. 

What’s Next for Salesforge.ai?

  • Enhanced Features: Expect to see continuous improvements and additions, including a comprehensive B2B contact database and more advanced AI capabilities.

  • More Integrations: Salesforge.ai will offer seamless integrations with various third-party tools to enhance your sales workflow.

Salesforge.ai is on a mission to give every sales rep the highest probability of hitting their targets. It’s designed to be a game-changer in the world of cold email outreach, offering robust tools and features that significantly enhance your sales efforts.

In the next section, we will explore how Salesforge.ai compares to Apollo.io in detail and why it might be the better alternative for your cold email outreach needs. Stay tuned!

Salesforge vs Apollo.io

Attribute How Salesforge.ai performs on the attribute How Apollo.io performs on the attribute Which is better
Personalization Advanced programmatic personalization allowing for unique emails at scale. Basic personalization tools; not as advanced for scale. Salesforge.ai
Email Infrastructure Comprehensive setup including domain setup, mailbox connection, and warm-up phases. Lacks integrated email infrastructure setup, requires separate management. Salesforge.ai
AI and Machine Learning Continuously evolving with advanced AI capabilities for better outreach strategies. Limited AI features for email writing and personalization. Salesforge.ai
Customer Support Reliable and responsive support, ensuring quick resolution of issues. Often criticized for being unresponsive and lacking resolution. Salesforge.ai
Pricing and Flexibility Offers competitive pricing with robust features, ideal for various business sizes. Considered expensive by small businesses with rigid pricing policies. Salesforge.ai
Database Accuracy High accuracy with a comprehensive B2B contact database coming soon. Accuracy rate of about 65%, leading to high bounce rates. Salesforge.ai
Mobile Functionality Fully functional mobile app, enabling management on the go. Limited mobile capabilities, making remote management difficult. Salesforge.ai

Apollo.io Review Conclusion

In conclusion, while Apollo.io provides a range of useful features, its shortcomings can significantly impact your cold email outreach success. 

Salesforge.ai offers a more reliable and efficient solution, making it an ideal choice for those seeking to enhance their email outreach efforts. 

If you're looking to improve your cold email campaigns with better deliverability and personalization, Salesforge.ai is the tool you need. 

You can try for free