Instantly vs Lemlist
Two of the most popular cold email platforms, built for different approaches. Instantly is built for volume. Lemlist is built for personalisation. Here is how they stack up.
| Feature | Instantly | Lemlist |
|---|---|---|
| Sending Volume | Unlimited email accounts, high-volume sending | Limits per plan, multi-sender available |
| Email Warm-up | Built-in warm-up with large network | Built-in warm-up (lemwarm) |
| Personalisation | Variables and Spintax | Dynamic images, videos, landing pages |
| Multi-channel Outreach | Email-focused | Email + LinkedIn + calls in one sequence |
| Pricing | From $30/mo, unlimited accounts | From $59/mo per seat |
| Deliverability Tools | Advanced deliverability dashboard + domain rotation | Good deliverability, fewer advanced controls |
| Lead Database | Built-in B2B lead finder | Built-in lead database |
| Analytics & Reporting | Campaign-level analytics, A/B testing | Detailed analytics with revenue tracking |
| Best For | High-volume cold email at scale | Personalised multi-channel campaigns |
Instantly for Scale. Lemlist for Personalisation.
If your strategy is high-volume cold email across many domains and you need the best deliverability controls on the market, Instantly is your tool. It is purpose-built for teams that want to send thousands of emails per day with confidence.
If you want to stand out with personalised images, videos, and multi-channel sequences that combine email with LinkedIn and phone, Lemlist gives you creative tools that Instantly does not offer. It is ideal for teams running targeted, account-based campaigns.
Both are excellent tools. Your choice should match your outreach strategy, not a generic recommendation.
Common Questions
Is Instantly better than Lemlist for cold email?
It depends on your priority. Instantly is better for high-volume email outreach with superior deliverability controls and unlimited sending accounts. Lemlist is better for personalised, multi-channel campaigns that combine email, LinkedIn, and calls.
Which has better deliverability?
Instantly has a slight edge on deliverability for high-volume senders thanks to its advanced warm-up network, domain rotation, and sending optimisation features. Lemlist also offers solid deliverability with its lemwarm feature, but Instantly gives you more control at scale.
Can I use both Instantly and Lemlist?
Some teams use Instantly for high-volume top-of-funnel email campaigns and Lemlist for personalised follow-ups with warmer leads. However, most teams are better served by committing to one platform to keep workflows simple.
Which is more affordable?
Instantly is significantly cheaper, starting at $30/month with unlimited email accounts. Lemlist starts at $59/month per user seat. For teams sending high volumes across multiple domains, Instantly is the more cost-effective option.
Does MAVEN use Instantly or Lemlist?
We configure both platforms for clients depending on their needs. For teams focused on scaling outbound volume with strong deliverability, we lean towards Instantly. For teams that need rich personalisation and multi-channel sequences, we set up Lemlist.
Need Help Choosing?
We configure both Instantly and Lemlist for our clients as part of the MAVEN outbound system build. Let us help you pick the right tool for your strategy.