Choosing between Salesql vs Apollo can make or break your lead generation strategy. Both platforms dominate the B2B sales intelligence space, but they work very differently. After testing both tools extensively and reviewing thousands of user experiences, I am breaking down everything you need to know to make the right choice for your team.
Whether you are a recruiter, sales manager, or business development professional, this guide covers features, pricing, pros, cons, and real-world performance comparisons. By the end, you will understand which platform fits your specific needs and budget.
What is Salesql and What is Apollo?
Understanding Salesql
Salesql is a LinkedIn-based lead generation tool that focuses on extracting verified contact information from LinkedIn profiles. It works as a browser extension that lets you find email addresses, phone numbers, and other contact details directly from LinkedIn. The platform emphasizes ease of use and accuracy, making it popular among recruiters and small to medium-sized sales teams.
Salesql integrates seamlessly with your LinkedIn experience, allowing you to build prospect lists without leaving the platform. It offers a credit-based pricing system where you consume credits based on searches and data enrichment requests.
Understanding Apollo
Apollo is a comprehensive sales intelligence platform that goes far beyond simple contact finding. It combines a massive B2B database of 275 million contacts, email automation, calling features, and advanced analytics. Apollo functions as an all-in-one platform designed to handle your entire outbound sales workflow from prospecting through closing.
Apollo provides tools for building prospect lists, sending automated email sequences, making cold calls, and tracking engagement metrics. It positions itself as a complete solution replacing multiple tools.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Salesql | Apollo |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | LinkedIn contact extraction | All-in-one sales platform |
| Database Size | Leverages LinkedIn data | 275M+ contacts |
| Email Sequences | No built-in sequencing | Unlimited sequences |
| Phone Calling | Not available | Yes, with call recordings |
| Starting Price | Free with 50 credits | Free with 1,200 credits |
| Base Paid Plan | $39 per month | $49 per month |
| Best For | LinkedIn-focused recruiting and prospecting | Full-scale B2B sales operations |
Salesql Features in Detail
Salesql keeps things simple and focused. Here are the core features you get:
- LinkedIn email finder that extracts verified contact information
- Bulk contact export directly from LinkedIn search results
- Data enrichment with over 40 data points per contact
- Browser extension for convenient access
- Integration with CRM systems and sales tools
- Chrome extension compatibility across major browsers
- Contact verification and accuracy checks
The strength of Salesql lies in its simplicity. You install it, search for prospects on LinkedIn, and extract their contact information. No complex workflows, no learning curve, just straightforward functionality.
Apollo Features in Detail
Apollo offers a comprehensive suite of sales tools:
- Massive B2B database with 275 million verified contacts
- Unlimited email sequences and automation
- US and international calling features
- Call recording and AI insights from conversations
- Advanced filtering and list building
- CRM integrations and synchronization
- AI lead scoring and recommendations
- Email warm-up and deliverability tools
- A/B testing for email campaigns
- Multi-channel campaigns combining email, phone, and SMS
Apollo functions as your entire sales operations platform. You can build lists, create email sequences, make calls, and analyze results without switching tools.
Pricing Comparison: Salesql vs Apollo
Salesql Pricing Structure
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost (Savings) | Monthly Credits | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Free | 50 credits | Testing the tool |
| Starter | $39 | $468 (or ~$30/mo if annual) | 1,500 credits | Individual recruiters |
| Advanced | $59 | $708 | 4,000 credits | Small teams |
| Pro | $89 | $1,068 | 10,000 credits | Large teams (up to 15 users) |
Apollo Pricing Structure
| Plan | Monthly Cost (Per User) | Monthly Credits | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 1,200 | Basic prospecting, limited sequences |
| Basic | $49 | 30,000 | Unlimited sequences, CRM integrations |
| Professional | $79 | 48,000 | All Basic plus calling, call recordings |
| Organization | $119 (min 3 users) | 72,000 | All Professional plus SSO, advanced features |
Salesql appears cheaper at first glance, but the comparison gets complex. Apollo gives you email automation and calling, which would cost additional money if purchased separately. Salesql works best alongside another email tool.
Pros and Cons: Salesql vs Apollo
Salesql Pros
- Significantly lower cost compared to Apollo
- Incredibly easy to use with minimal learning curve
- Seamless LinkedIn integration directly in your browser
- Accurate contact data with high verification rates
- Perfect for recruiters focused on LinkedIn sourcing
- Affordable credit system with no forced monthly minimums
- Works alongside your existing tools
Salesql Cons
- No built-in email automation or sequences
- No calling features for outreach
- Limited to LinkedIn data sources
- Cannot handle full sales workflows independently
- Some users report occasional data accuracy issues
- Heavy LinkedIn usage may trigger account restrictions
- Requires third-party tools for complete campaigns
Apollo Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one platform covering entire sales workflow
- Massive database of 275 million contacts
- Powerful email automation with unlimited sequences
- Built-in calling and call recording features
- Advanced analytics and performance tracking
- AI-powered lead scoring and recommendations
- Multi-channel outreach combining email, phone, and more
- Professional integrations with major CRM platforms
Apollo Cons
- Higher cost compared to specialized tools
- Steeper learning curve with complexity
- Data accuracy concerns reported by some users
- May feel overwhelming for simple LinkedIn recruiting
- Users report occasional email deliverability issues
- Customer support responsiveness varies
Expert Take: If you only need to find LinkedIn contact information, Salesql is the winner for cost and simplicity. If you need to automate full email sequences and manage phone outreach, Apollo provides better overall value despite higher cost.
Performance and Results: Real World Testing
Community feedback on salesql vs apollo reddit discussions reveals important practical differences. Real users report varying experiences based on their specific use cases.
Salesql Performance
Users consistently praise Salesql for finding verified LinkedIn contact information. Recruiters report that data extracted from Salesql maintains high accuracy rates. The platform works best when you are actively searching LinkedIn profiles and need email addresses for those specific people.
One recruiter shared testing Salesql with Sales Navigator against Apollo, and their conclusion was that Salesql remained their primary tool due to superior accuracy and significantly lower cost.
Apollo Performance
Apollo users appreciate the ability to run full prospecting campaigns without leaving the platform. Email sequence automation is reliable, and calling features help teams who want multi-channel outreach. However, some users report that Apollo data quality is more mixed compared to specialized contact finders.
The platform shines when you want to prospect, email, and call your list automatically over time. Single-instance contact finding works, but Apollo is optimized for campaigns, not one-off lookups.
Salesql vs Apollo: Who Should Use Each?
Choose Salesql If You:
- Are a recruiter primarily using LinkedIn for sourcing
- Need to find specific individual contact information
- Want the most cost-effective contact discovery solution
- Already have email automation through another tool
- Prefer simplicity over complex feature sets
- Run smaller volume prospecting operations
Choose Apollo If You:
- Need to manage full B2B sales operations
- Want to automate email sequences at scale
- Require phone calling features for your team
- Manage multiple sales representatives
- Want consolidated reporting and analytics
- Need to handle complex multi-channel campaigns
- Prefer having one unified platform instead of multiple tools
Alternative Tools Worth Considering
The lead generation landscape includes other strong options beyond this Salesql vs Apollo comparison. Some tools fill specific niches or offer unique advantages.
Hunter.io
Hunter focuses exclusively on email finding with a large database. It offers simple pay-as-you-go pricing and integrates well with Gmail and CRM systems. Best for teams who only need email discovery.
Read More: SalesQL vs Hunter.io – Which Email Finder Tool Is Best for Your Business?
Seamless.ai
Seamless combines contact finding with calling features and basic automation. Pricing is higher around $147 per month, but includes more than basic contact discovery.
ZoomInfo SalesOS
ZoomInfo is enterprise-grade with extensive company and contact data. Pricing is premium but suits large organizations needing deep data insights and intent signals.
Sourcewhale
Sourcewhale focuses on multi-channel drip campaigns combining email and LinkedIn messaging. Reddit discussions show users find it effective for structured outreach but with higher pricing around $250 per month.
Is SignalHire Legitimate?
SignalHire is a contact discovery tool that extracts email and phone information. However, reddit discussions reveal concerns about data accuracy and privacy issues. Some users report outdated information and unauthorized profile creation. While it has supporters, many recommend verification before relying solely on SignalHire data.
Scrupp and LinkedIn Scraping Tools
Scrupp uses LinkedIn Sales Navigator to extract leads at scale. It offers competitive pricing compared to manual extraction. However, community feedback suggests Evaboot and Phantombuster often provide better data quality and feature sets.
Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Your Choice
For Salesql Users
- Combine with email automation tools like Mailchimp or Hunter Campaigns
- Use Sales Navigator filters to find your ideal prospect profile
- Stay within LinkedIn usage guidelines to avoid account restrictions
- Verify emails through a warm-up service before sending campaigns
- Export lists regularly and maintain clean data hygiene
For Apollo Users
- Build quality prospect lists with advanced filtering
- Set up A/B testing on your email sequences
- Use AI lead scoring to prioritize high-value prospects
- Leverage email warm-up features before heavy campaigns
- Track call recordings to improve your team performance
Getting Expert Help with Lead Generation
Setting up either platform correctly requires understanding your specific sales process. If you need help configuring your lead generation workflow, consider hiring specialists who can optimize your setup.
Finding Keywords and Opportunities
To properly market your lead generation campaigns, use Semrush for keyword research to understand what prospects are actually searching for. This helps refine your outreach messaging and targeting strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there anything better than Apollo?
Better depends on your needs. Salesql is better for pure contact finding. ZoomInfo is better for enterprise data. Hunter is better for simple email finding. Apollo is best for all-in-one workflow automation. Your requirements determine which tool is objectively better for your situation.
Who is the competitor of Apollo?
Major Apollo competitors include Salesql, Hunter, ZoomInfo, Saleshandy, Seamless, and Lusha. Each addresses different market segments from budget-conscious recruiters to enterprise sales organizations.
Why did LinkedIn remove Apollo?
LinkedIn has not removed Apollo the application, but both LinkedIn and Apollo must follow LinkedIn terms of service regarding data scraping and bot usage. Apollo remains operational but integrates through official APIs rather than bypassing LinkedIn protections.
Is Apollo the best lead generator?
Apollo is the best all-in-one platform for B2B lead generation and sales automation. However, Salesql is often better for pure contact finding, and specialized tools excel in specific niches. Evaluate based on your specific requirements rather than assuming any single tool is universally best.
How does Salesql vs Apollo perform for different team sizes?
For solo recruiters or small teams, Salesql offers better value. For sales teams needing full workflow automation, Apollo makes more sense. Consider your team size, required features, and total budget when deciding.
Can you use Salesql and Apollo together?
Yes. Many professionals use Salesql for finding contacts through LinkedIn and Apollo for automation and outreach. This hybrid approach maximizes contact accuracy while gaining automation benefits. However, this requires managing two subscriptions.
What is the learning curve for each platform?
Salesql has virtually no learning curve. Install it and start finding contacts. Apollo requires 1-2 hours to understand basic workflows, sequences, and calling features. Invest additional time to master advanced features like AI lead scoring.
How accurate is contact data from each platform?
Salesql users report 85-95% email accuracy for LinkedIn-extracted data. Apollo reports similar accuracy but with caveats about database age. Both recommend verification through email warm-up services before large campaigns.
Which platform integrates better with CRM systems?
Both integrate with major CRM platforms like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Pipedrive. Apollo has native integrations and automatic syncing. Salesql requires manual exports or third-party integrations. If CRM integration is critical, Apollo has the advantage.
What are the hidden costs I should know about?
Salesql can accumulate cost if you need additional email automation tools. Apollo may require add-on services like dedicated support or custom implementation. Budget for both platform costs and supporting tools in your total cost of ownership calculation.
Conclusion: Which Should You Choose?
The Salesql vs Apollo decision comes down to your specific needs and budget constraints. Neither is objectively better—they serve different purposes in the lead generation ecosystem.
Choose Salesql for its simplicity, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness if you are primarily finding LinkedIn contacts. The learning curve is nonexistent, and the value for recruiters and business development professionals is exceptional.
Choose Apollo if you need to automate full sales workflows including email sequences, calling, and analytics. The comprehensive feature set and all-in-one approach justify the higher price for teams running scaled outreach operations.
Many successful teams use both tools, leveraging Salesql for contact accuracy and Apollo for campaign automation. This hybrid approach costs more but delivers superior results.
Ready to improve your lead generation? Start with a Salesql free trial to test LinkedIn contact finding, or try Apollo free plan for full workflow automation. Let your specific use case guide your decision.
Track your results with both platforms using Semrush analytics to understand which approach generates the highest quality leads for your business.
Jiya Malik
Jiya is a Market Research Analyst at Shrtu. She has completed her Bachelor's degree majoring in Management and double minoring in Economics and Communications. Prior to joining Shrtu, Yukta spent a year exploring roles like marketing ops, research, and GTM enablement in the B2B SaaS start-up ecosystem. She is passionate about brand and content marketing, consumer behavior research, and market research. She is keen on learning more about the world of data and research and exploring different industries and market sectors. This is because she believes creativity backed up with data points is very rational and convincing. After work, you can see Yukta exploring cafes, cooking, journaling, or working out.
