Finding the right leads is the foundation of any sales strategy, and tools like Apollo.io make the process much easier.
Apollo’s strengths start with its database of over 270 million verified contacts. You can use more than 200 filtering options to pinpoint your desired leads. Once you’ve found them, Apollo’s data enrichment ensures you work with up-to-date contact data, reduce bounce rates and save valuable time.
But here’s the thing:
Apollo isn’t always the best fit for every situation. 🤷
For teams targeting European markets, Apollo alternatives like Kaspr often outperform with its localized data. Besides, for those who rely heavily on LinkedIn for prospecting, Kaspr’s Chrome Extension makes it easy to extract verified contact details directly from profiles.
This article will examine how users generate leads with Apollo and explore other tools to suit these needs better.
Apollo is a lead generation platform designed to make lead generation faster. It combines a contact database, prospecting tools, email automation, and CRM integrations.
Apollo features for sales teams include:
Large business contact database.
Advanced search filters.
Automated outreach.
Apollo’s main purpose is to help users find and engage prospects. This tool is widely used by:
Apollo is a powerful tool for lead generation, offering many benefits for certain organizations. Let’s go over these benefits:
Database.
Apollo gives access to over 270 million business contacts worldwide.
For example, a sales rep targeting VPs of Marketing in fintech companies can use Apollo’s database to quickly generate a list of decision-makers, complete with email addresses and phone numbers. This saves hours of manual research.
Integrated outreach tools.
Apollo’s email automation allows you to create sequences. These sequences include features like automatic follow-ups, personalized subject lines, and A/B testing for email content.
Apollo also tracks performance metrics such as delivery, open, and click-through rates.
Imagine an SDR who wants to reach potential clients with a pitch for a SaaS solution.
They used Apollo to set up a sequence with three follow-up emails tailored to the recipient’s job role and pain points. Apollo automatically sends the emails at optimized times based on recipient time zones and monitors responses.
The SDR can then adjust future campaigns using insights from the tracked metrics, such as which subject lines generated the most opens.
CRM integration.
Apollo integrates with Salesforce, HubSpot, and Pipedrive. This includes exporting contact lists, tracking activity history, and linking email outreach data directly to CRM profiles.
For instance, a recruiter can sync contact data directly from Apollo into HubSpot, ensuring candidate profiles are updated in real time.
Advanced search filters.
Apollo’s lead generation tool offers over 200 filters. It allows users to target prospects based on location, job title, technology stack, and even specific company tools.
For example, if you’re targeting project managers in Berlin at companies using AWS, Apollo can generate a list with contact details within minutes. You can also use the Apollo LinkedIn Chrome Exension to find leads while browsing LinkedIn.
These features make Apollo a valuable tool for many organizations.
However, like any platform, Apollo isn’t without its challenges.
User reviews have often criticized its data accuracy in European markets, particularly for outdated or incomplete contact information, which can lead to inefficiencies in outreach campaigns.
Additionally, Apollo’s pricing structure vs the credits included might not be suitable for smaller teams or startups working with tight budgets, especially for premium plans.
Let’s delve into these issues in more detail.
These insights come directly from public reviews shared by Apollo.io’s users on G2, Capterra, and Chrome Web Store.
Poor data accuracy in specific markets.
Apollo’s database is one of its strengths, but its precision can vary depending on the region. In European markets, users have reported issues with outdated or incomplete contact details.
For example, instead of providing direct numbers for European branches, Apollo often lists headquarters’ contact information, which may be located in another country, according to this review.
This can slow down outreach efforts and require additional manual verification.
Pricing.
Apollo’s pricing structure, particularly for premium plans, can be a barrier for smaller teams or startups. While the free plan offers limited functionality, using essential features like automated outreach or increased data export requires significant investment.
For budget-conscious organizations, the costs may outweigh the benefits.
Complexity.
Apollo’s feature set can feel overwhelming, especially for new users. Some users have noted that the interface is not intuitive and requires a learning curve to fully understand and use effectively.
This can lead to inefficiencies, particularly for smaller teams without dedicated onboarding resources.
Limited LinkedIn integration.
For teams relying on LinkedIn lead generation strategies, Apollo’s integration can feel clunky compared to alternatives like Kaspr.
Kaspr’s LinkedIn Chrome Extension lets users quickly pull verified contact data directly from LinkedIn profiles, saving time and effort.
Regarding lead generation, Kaspr stands out as a strong alternative to Apollo, especially for businesses targeting European markets.
Here’s what makes Kaspr different and, quite often, better:
The level of European data accuracy you won’t find with other tools.
Kaspr specializes in providing localized contact details, making it a top choice for businesses targeting European markets. Its focus on precise and up-to-date data ensures fewer bounced emails and more effective outreach.
👉 Compare Kaspr to Apollo directly in this detailed guide.
Seamless LinkedIn integration.
Kaspr’s Chrome Extension allows users to extract verified contact details directly from LinkedIn profiles in real-time.
Whether browsing individual profiles or working through a list of leads, the extension ensures you can enrich and retrieve contact data without leaving LinkedIn.
User-friendly interface.
Kaspr is designed for simplicity, with a plug-and-play setup that gets users up and running in minutes. Its intuitive interface minimizes the learning curve, making it accessible for teams of all sizes.
Affordable pricing.
Kaspr offers scalable plans tailored to various team sizes, including startups and small businesses. Its pricing structure is designed to balance functionality and affordability, making advanced lead-generation tools accessible to everyone.
With Kaspr’s affordable pricing, which starts from only $49 per month, you get all the necessary tools for effective lead generation:
Getting started with Kaspr is quick and simple, making it ideal for teams wanting to prospect immediately.
Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Sign up to Kaspr and sync the LinkedIn Chrome Extension.
Step 2: Navigate LinkedIn to find prospects and retrieve enriched contact data with a single click.
Step 3: Export leads to your CRM.
Kaspr’s ease of use and quick setup make it a great alternative to Apollo. With Kaspr, you can find your first decision-maker and call in minutes.
Apollo is a solid lead generation tool, especially for global businesses. With its database, advanced filtering, and CRM lead integration, it’s built to handle large-scale prospecting.
But, like any tool, it’s not perfect for every situation.
Kaspr’s localized data can give you a serious edge if you target European markets. Its Chrome Extension makes LinkedIn prospecting feel almost effortless—you can pull verified contact details directly from profiles in seconds.
So, if you’ve felt like your current tools aren’t quite cutting it, why not give Kaspr a shot? It’s simple, accurate, and designed to make your life easier.
Sign up to Kaspr today (no credit card is required) and see how it compares to Apollo. ⤵️