Apollo.io is a popular sales intelligence platform that offers various pricing plans, ranging from $0 to $149 per user per month. While it provides affordable options for businesses, many users have raised concerns about inconsistent pricing, fluctuating rates, and unclear sales pitches. 
 

On the other hand, ReachStream has positioned itself as a trusted alternative, offering real-time verified data, transparent pricing, and a seamless user experience without the limitations on exports. Businesses looking for a more predictable and scalable solution often find ReachStream to be a better fit. 
 

In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at Apollo.io’s pricing, features, and limitations to help you determine whether it’s the right choice for your business. We’ll also explore why ReachStream might be a stronger alternative for those in search of reliable B2B contact data. Let’s dive in!

Understanding Apollo.io’s Pricing Structure

Apollo.io offers multiple pricing tiers, ranging from a Freemium model to advanced paid plans. However, transparency remains a concern as detailed costs are not always readily available on their website. This lack of upfront clarity can make it challenging for businesses to budget effectively. 

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Apollo.io Pricing Tiers

Apollo.io offers four pricing plans: Free, Basic ($49/user/month), Professional ($79/user/month), and Organization ($119/user/month, minimum of 3 users)—all billed annually. Each plan includes a structured allocation of email, mobile, and export credits, catering to different business needs with scalable features and integrations. 

Freemium Plan

  • 100 credits per user/month. 
  • Includes 2 sequences, basic filters, and prospecting tools. 
  • Designed for individuals and small teams. 
  • Provides limited access to credits and features. 
  • Email credit limits vary depending on verification status. 

Basic Plan - $59 per user/month

  • 5,000 credits per user/month. 
  • 2 sequences. 
  • Advanced filters. 
  • CRM integrations. 
  • Schedule meetings. 
  • 6 intent topics & intent filters. 
  • Data & CRM enrichment. 
  • Minimum 120,000 email credits per year. 
  • 900 mobile credits/year. 
  • 12,000 export credits/year. 

Professional Plan - $99 per user/month

  • 10,000 credits per user/month. 
  • Unlimited sequences. 
  • Unlimited round-robin meetings. 
  • US dialer. 
  • 5 mailboxes per user. 
  • Automated workflows. 
  • AI research intelligence. 
  • Call recordings & AI insights (4,000 mins). 

Organization Plan - $149 per user/month

  • 15,000 credits per user/month. 
  • International dialer. 
  • 12 intent topics & intent filters. 
  • 15 mailboxes per user. 
  • AI research intelligence. 
  • Call recordings & AI insights (8,000 mins). 
  • Minimum 120,000 email credits per year. 
  • 2,400 mobile credits/year. 
  • 48,000 export credits/year. 

Apollo.io Email Credit Limits

Despite advertising unlimited email credits, Apollo.io enforces a Fair Use Policy to prevent abuse: 

For Paying Customers:

Your email credit limit is whichever is lower:

  • The total amount paid divided by $0.025. 
  • 1 million email credits per year, unless otherwise specified in the order form. 

For Non-Paying Customers:

  • With a verified corporate domain, the limit is 10,000 credits per month. 
  • Without a verified corporate domain, the limit drops to 100 credits per month. 

Breaking Down Apollo.io’s Subscription Plans

Apollo.io offers a free plan along with three main paid plans: Basic, Professional, and Organization. Each plan varies in terms of data access, automation, and integrations. 

Free Plan

Ideal for individuals who require limited contact credits and basic lead search functionality.

Basic Plan ($49/user/month)

  • Offers unlimited email credits (with a 120,000/year minimum per account). 
  • 900 mobile credits per year. 
  • 12,000 export credits per year. 

Professional Plan ($79/user/month)

  • Adds enhanced automation, AI-powered outreach, and analytics. 
  • 1,200 mobile credits per year. 
  • 24,000 export credits per year. 

Organization Plan ($119/user/month)

  • Designed for larger teams with advanced tools, custom solutions, and expert support. 
  • 2,400 mobile credits per year. 
  • 48,000 exports per year. 
  • Unlike Apollo.io, ReachStream provides clear and upfront pricing, ensuring businesses have full visibility into their investment without unexpected charges. 

How Apollo.io Pricing Model Works?

Apollo.io follows a tiered pricing model with a mix of free and paid plans. However, its credit-based system significantly impacts overall costs, requiring users to manage email, mobile, and export credits effectively.

Key Aspects of Apollo.io’s Pricing System

  • Credit-Based Access – Users receive a fixed number of mobile and export credits annually. Once those limits are exceeded, additional credits must be purchased.
  • Feature-Based Pricing – Advanced features like AI-driven outreach and premium integrations are available only in higher-tier plans, restricting flexibility for lower-tier users. 
  • Hidden Costs & Add-Ons – Additional charges apply for CRM integrations, enriched data, and higher levels of customer support, making total costs unpredictable. 
  • Contract Commitments – Annual billing is required for all plans, limiting flexibility and forcing long-term commitments. 
  • Limited Transparency – While base pricing is visible, complete cost structures—especially for add-ons—require direct contact with the sales team, potentially resulting in unexpected charges.

Because of these factors, businesses often struggle to predict their true spending with Apollo.io. In contrast, ReachStream offers clear and upfront pricing without complex credit limitations, ensuring businesses have full control over their data usage and expenses. 

Limitations of Apollo.io Pricing

While Apollo.io offers a structured pricing model, several drawbacks may impact budgeting, scalability, and user experience. 

1. Credit-Based Restrictions

  • Apollo.io places limits on email, mobile, and export credits per account. 
  • Additional credits often come at a high cost, increasing expenses. 
  • High-volume prospecting teams may find it expensive to scale. 

2. Hidden Costs & Add-Ons

  • Extra contact credits beyond plan limits. 
  • Premium features like AI-driven automation and advanced analytics. 
  • CRM and integration upgrades that require higher-tier plans. 

3. Lack of Flexibility & Transparency

  • Apollo.io enforces annual contracts, limiting flexibility to switch or downgrade plans. 
  • While pricing is partially disclosed, users must contact sales for full details. 
  • Budgeting can be challenging due to potential hidden costs. 

4. Fair Use Policy Restrictions

  • “Unlimited” email credits are subject to Apollo.io’s Fair Use Policy, which caps non-paying users at 10,000 emails per month. 
  • Free plan users with non-corporate email addresses receive only 100 credits per month. 
  • This limitation affects small businesses or individual users looking for scalable outreach. 

5. Data Accuracy & Reliability

  • Apollo.io offers a large database, but some users have reported outdated or inaccurate contact information.

  • For businesses that need real-time, verified leads, alternatives like ReachStream may be a better fit due to their focus on higher data accuracy.

Understanding Apollo.io Credit System: How It Affects Your Prospecting

Apollo.io uses a credit-based system to manage contact access, affecting lead generation efforts. 

How Apollo.io Allocates Credits

  • Free Plan: Limited monthly credits (5 mobile credits and 10 export credits per month) for email, mobile, and exports. 
  • Professional & Organization Plans: Increased limits, but additional credits cost extra. 

What Happens When You Run Out of Credits?

  • You lose access to new leads until the next billing cycle. 
  • You must purchase additional credits, increasing costs. 
  • Sales and outreach efforts may slow down due to restricted data access. 

A Better Alternative: ReachStream’s Unlimited Data Access

Unlike Apollo.io’s credit-based model, ReachStream offers unrestricted access to B2B contacts with no hidden costs. This means: 

  • No Credit Limits: Access as many verified contacts as needed without worrying about usage caps.

  • No Surprise Fees: No additional costs for unlocking more leads.

  • Predictable Pricing: Transparent, flat-rate pricing ensures consistent ROI.

For businesses looking to scale their sales outreach without restrictions, ReachStream provides a transparent, cost-effective solution. Rather than worrying about running out of credits, you can focus on closing deals and boosting revenue. 

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How Much Do Apollo.io Features and Integrations Cost?

Apollo.io offers a range of features designed to support sales and marketing teams, but access to these features varies across different pricing plans. Many essential tools are locked behind higher-tier subscriptions, making it crucial for businesses to evaluate their true cost. 

Core Features and Their Costs

While Apollo.io’s Free Plan provides limited access, users looking for advanced sales automation and data enrichment must upgrade. Here’s a breakdown of some key features and their associated costs: 

  • Contact Database Access – Available across all plans but with varying credit limits. Higher plans provide more access, but additional credits come at extra costs. 
  • Email & Phone Number Lookup – Included in all plans but capped. Exceeding limits requires credit top-ups.
  • Sales Sequences & Automation – Only available in the Professional and Custom (Enterprise) plans. Businesses on the Basic plan miss out on automation features. 
  • Data Enrichment & Intent Signals – Premium add-ons that often require a custom pricing model, making it difficult to estimate total costs upfront. 
  • Reporting & Analytics – Basic analytics are included, but advanced insights, such as deal intelligence and revenue forecasting, are only available in higher plans. 
  • API & CRM Integrations – While Apollo.io integrates with popular CRMs like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Pipedrive, deeper integrations often come at an extra cost. 

How ReachStream Offers More Value?

Unlike Apollo.io, ReachStream provides full access to its database without restricting users by credits. It also offers CRM integrations without extra fees, ensuring businesses get predictable pricing and higher ROI on their sales intelligence investment. 

If your business requires scalable contact data, automation, and seamless CRM connectivity through ReachAPI, understanding these costs is crucial before committing to Apollo.io. 

Is Apollo.io the Right Fit for Your Business?

Apollo.io is designed for businesses that rely heavily on outbound sales and need a platform for prospecting, lead enrichment, and automation. However, it’s not necessarily the best fit for everyone. 

Best suited for:

Startups & Small Businesses – Companies looking for an affordable sales engagement platform with basic automation tools. 

B2B Sales Teams – Companies that require a prospecting tool with CRM integrations and sales workflows. 

Companies with Large Sales Pipelines – Businesses that need bulk lead generation and automated outreach sequences. 

May not be ideal for:

Businesses Prioritizing Data Accuracy – Apollo’s database may contain outdated or unverified contacts, leading to lower email deliverability rates. 

Companies Seeking Transparent Pricing – Apollo’s pricing structure involves hidden costs, additional credit purchases, and premium add-ons. 

Organizations Requiring Personalized Support – Customer service varies by plan, with priority support reserved for higher-tier users. 

While Apollo.io works well for sales teams that focus on high-volume outreach, businesses that need real-time verified data, transparent pricing, and superior customer support may find ReachStream a more reliable alternative. 

Does Apollo.io Offer a Free Trial?

Yes, Apollo.io offers a free plan, but it comes with significant limitations. Unlike a traditional free trial that provides full access for a limited period, Apollo’s free plan restricts the number of credits and features available to users. 

What’s Included in Apollo’s Free Plan?

Apollo.io’s free plan offers limited access to its features, making it suitable for individuals or small teams exploring the platform. However, restrictions apply, especially regarding email credits and automation. 

  • 100 Email Credits per Month – Users with unverified email domains are limited to 100 credits per month, while those with a verified corporate domain can access up to 10,000 credits per month. 
  • Basic Lead Search & Filtering – Provides access to Apollo’s contact database, but with restricted filtering options. 
  • Limited Email Sending & Sequences – Users can send emails and create sequences, but automation features are minimal. 
  • CRM Integration (Limited) – Only select integrations are available in the free plan, restricting full-scale automation. 

While Apollo’s free plan allows users to explore the platform, the email credit limitations and restricted features may require an upgrade for more advanced prospecting and outreach. 

How to Cancel Your Apollo.io Subscription: What You Need to Know

If you’re considering canceling your Apollo.io subscription, it’s important to understand their cancellation policies, which vary depending on your plan type. 

  • Annual Plans: You must submit a cancellation request at least 30 days before your renewal date to avoid being charged for the next month. 
  • Monthly Plans: Cancellations are required to be completed by on the day before your next billing cycle. 

No Immediate Cancellations or Refunds

Apollo.io does not issue refunds after payment. Canceling mid-cycle won’t get you a refund for unused time.

Challenging Cancellation Process

Many users report that canceling an Apollo.io subscription is not as straightforward as expected. Instead of a simple cancellation button, users are required to interact with Apollo’s chatbot to request termination. This can be frustrating, especially for users seeking confirmation for accounting or compliance purposes.

Is Apollo.io Worth the Price?

Apollo.io is often favored by small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) looking for a budget-friendly sales intelligence tool, primarily for prospecting within the U.S. However, its credit-based system, hidden costs, and limited global reach can make it a less-than-ideal choice for businesses requiring unlimited access, seamless integrations, and extensive Do-Not-Call (DNC) compliance. 

If your business depends on global prospecting without credit limitations, ReachStream is a superior alternative.

What Makes ReachStream a Better Choice Than Apollo.io?

When choosing a B2B contact database, reliability, coverage, and cost transparency matter. ReachStream outperforms Apollo.io by offering unlimited access, real-time verified data, and seamless integrations, without hidden restrictions. Here’s why ReachStream is the smarter choice for your business:

Unlimited Data Access Without Hidden Costs

Unlike Apollo.io’s credit-based model, ReachStream offers transparent and predictable pricing with unlimited access to verified contact data. 

Comprehensive Global Coverage

While Apollo.io primarily focuses on the U.S market, ReachStream provides a broader database covering North America, Europe, APAC, and beyond — spanning 150+ countries and 400+ industries.

Real-Time Verified Contact Data

Apollo.io users frequently report outdated or inaccurate data. ReachStream ensures high-quality, real-time verified B2B contact information, reducing bounce rates and increasing conversions. 

Built-In GDPR & CCPA Compliance

ReachStream prioritizes data privacy and regulatory compliance, offering pre-scrubbed DNC lists and ensuring marketing outreach aligns with legal standards—something that Apollo.io struggles with. 

Seamless CRM & Sales Tool Integrations

While Apollo.io’s integrations are tier-restricted, ReachStream offers easy and flexible integration with leading CRMs and sales automation platforms across all pricing plans. 

How Do Users Compare Apollo.io vs. ReachStream?

According to user feedback, Apollo.io’s affordability and database size make it attractive, but its inconsistent pricing, data quality concerns, and limited international reach are major drawbacks. 

On the other hand, ReachStream earns high praise for its: 

  • Extensive global coverage. 
  • Accurate and real-time verified data. 
  • Predictable pricing with no hidden fees. 
  • Compliance-ready database with pre-scrubbed DNC lists. 

While Apollo.io is a decent choice but  businesses looking for global reach, high data accuracy, and regulatory compliance find greater value with ReachStream

Conclusion

When comparing Apollo.io and ReachStream, the choice ultimately depends on your priorities and company needs. If you are looking for an affordable sales intelligence platform with basic prospecting tools and are comfortable with credit-based limitations, Apollo.io might be a viable option. However, for businesses that require real-time verified data, transparent pricing, and access unlimited credits without restrictions, ReachStream stands out as the superior choice. 

ReachStream provides greater flexibility with its predictable pricing, ensuring businesses can scale their outreach without worrying about additional credit purchases or hidden fees. With a commitment to data accuracy, compliance, and seamless integrations, ReachStream empowers sales and marketing teams with reliable B2B contact data to drive conversions efficiently. 

FAQs

Apollo.io offers a free plan with limited features, including 100 email credits per month for users without a verified corporate domain, but access to advanced capabilities requires a paid subscription. In contrast, ReachStream provides a more flexible free plan with access to verified B2B contacts, allowing users to explore its features without restrictive limits or the need for a credit card.

While Apollo.io claims to provide unlimited email credits, they are subject to a Fair Use Policy. Paying customers can receive up to 1 million credits annually, but additional charges may apply beyond specific thresholds. 

ReachStream, along with its ReachAPI, offers unlimited access to B2B contact data with transparent pricing, real-time verified leads, and seamless CRM integrations — all without hidden costs or restrictive credit limits.

Apollo.io requires annual plan users to request a cancellation at least 30 days before renewal. Monthly plan users must cancel before their next billing cycle. Refunds are not provided once payment is made. 

ReachStream supports broad international coverage, making it ideal for businesses expanding beyond the U.S. market. In contrast, Apollo.io is primarily U.S.-centric, limiting its global applicability.

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