Apollo.io vs ZoomInfo.
Both pull from massive B2B databases. Both promise 95% email accuracy. The real differences are price, sequencing, and who they're built for.
Side by side, row by row.
| Factor | Apollo.io | ZoomInfo |
|---|---|---|
| Database size | 275M+ contacts, 73M+ companies | 260M+ contacts, 100M+ companies |
| Email accuracy | 95%+ verified emails | 95%+ verified emails |
| Built-in sequencing | Full email sequences included | Requires Engage add-on |
| Pricing transparency | Free tier + plans from $49/mo | Custom pricing, typically $15K+/yr |
| Ease of setup | Self-serve, live in minutes | Requires onboarding and training |
| Intent data | Basic intent signals | Advanced intent + Bombora integration |
| API & integrations | REST API, Zapier, CRM integrations | Enterprise API, deep CRM sync |
| Enrichment depth | Solid firmographic + technographic | Best-in-class across all data types |
| Best for | SMBs, startups, lean sales teams | Enterprise orgs with large budgets |
Apollo for SMBs and startups. ZoomInfo for enterprise.
Apollo wins on price-to-value. £-£100/mo gets you a full prospecting stack with sequencing built in. For a lean team that needs to be operational this quarter, that's the right answer.
ZoomInfo wins on depth and intent. If you have enterprise budget and your sales motion depends on Bombora-grade intent signals or deep firmographic filters, the lift over Apollo is real.
Most firms under £5M ARR are better off with Apollo plus a layer of intent (Trigify, Common Room, or signal-based Clay) — same outcome at a fifth of the cost.
Frequently asked.
Is Apollo.io as accurate as ZoomInfo?
Both report email accuracy above 95%. Apollo has closed the gap significantly and now rivals ZoomInfo on core contact data, though ZoomInfo still edges ahead on intent and firmographic depth for enterprise use cases.
How much cheaper is Apollo than ZoomInfo?
Apollo: free tier + plans from $49/mo. ZoomInfo: typically $15,000+/yr with annual contracts. For SMBs and startups, Apollo is 5–10× more affordable.
Can Apollo replace ZoomInfo?
For most small and mid-size B2B teams, yes. Apollo provides sales intelligence, sequencing, and CRM integration in one platform. Enterprise teams that rely heavily on intent data or advanced enrichment may still benefit from ZoomInfo.
Which tool is better for cold-email outreach?
Apollo — sequencing is built in at no extra cost. ZoomInfo requires the separate Engage add-on for the same workflow.
Does MAVEN recommend Apollo or ZoomInfo?
For most B2B service firms we work with, Apollo. It delivers excellent data quality at a fraction of the cost and includes built-in outreach. We only recommend ZoomInfo for enterprise clients with $50K+/yr sales-tool budgets.
We'll size the stack to your motion.
Every Sales Audit includes a tool-stack rationalisation: keep what's working, swap what isn't, configure what you bought but never set up. Book a Virtual Coffee — we'll tell you which platform actually fits.