Apollo vs Clay (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Apollo and Clay on pricing, features, and fit, so you can decide which is right for you.
Quick answer
Apollo and Clay are both strong choices, but they fit different needs. Choose Apollo if you mainly need outbound prospecting and lead generation for sdr teams — its edge is massive and frequently updated b2b contact database reduces the need for multiple tools. Choose Clay if you need building targeted outbound lead lists enriched with firmographic and technographic data — its edge is aggregates 75+ data sources in one platform, reducing the need for multiple subscriptions. Apollo starts at $49 per user per month (Basic plan); Clay starts at $149/month for Starter plan.
Features compared
- B2B contact and company database with 275 million+ verified contacts
- AI-powered lead scoring and buyer intent signals
- Multi-channel sales sequencing across email, phone, and LinkedIn
- CRM integration and data enrichment with popular platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot
- Waterfall enrichment across 75+ data providers to maximize contact data coverage
- AI-generated personalized email openers and research summaries at scale
- Spreadsheet-style workflow builder for no-code prospecting automation
- Deep integrations with CRMs like HubSpot and Salesforce for seamless data sync
Pros & cons
- Massive and frequently updated B2B contact database reduces the need for multiple tools
- All-in-one platform combining prospecting, sequencing, and analytics in a single workflow
- Generous free tier allows small teams and startups to get real value without upfront cost
- Data accuracy can vary by region, with some contacts having outdated emails or phone numbers
- The platform has a steep learning curve for new users due to its extensive feature set
- Aggregates 75+ data sources in one platform, reducing the need for multiple subscriptions
- Flexible no-code workflow builder makes complex enrichment logic accessible to non-engineers
- AI personalization features dramatically reduce the time needed to craft relevant outreach
- Pricing can become expensive as credit usage scales with larger prospect lists
- The learning curve for new users can be steep given the platform's extensive capabilities
The verdict
Choose Apollo if
you mainly need to outbound prospecting and lead generation for sdr teams. Its edge: massive and frequently updated b2b contact database reduces the need for multiple tools.
Choose Clay if
you mainly need to building targeted outbound lead lists enriched with firmographic and technographic data. Its edge: aggregates 75+ data sources in one platform, reducing the need for multiple subscriptions.
Frequently asked questions
Is Apollo better than Clay?
Neither is universally better. Apollo is stronger for outbound prospecting and lead generation for sdr teams, with an edge in massive and frequently updated b2b contact database reduces the need for multiple tools. Clay is stronger for building targeted outbound lead lists enriched with firmographic and technographic data, with an edge in aggregates 75+ data sources in one platform, reducing the need for multiple subscriptions. Pick based on your main task.
Which is cheaper, Apollo or Clay?
Apollo starts at $49 per user per month (Basic plan) and Clay starts at $149/month for Starter plan. Free tier: Apollo — Free plan with limited credits and basic features; Clay — Free plan with limited credits and features.
What is Apollo best for?
Apollo is best for outbound prospecting and lead generation for sdr teams, account-based marketing campaigns targeting high-value accounts, sales pipeline enrichment and crm data hygiene for revops teams.
What is Clay best for?
Clay is best for building targeted outbound lead lists enriched with firmographic and technographic data, automating personalized cold email campaigns with ai-written intros, monitoring job changes and buying signals to trigger timely outreach.
Do Apollo and Clay have free plans?
Apollo: Free plan with limited credits and basic features. Clay: Free plan with limited credits and features. Check each tool's pricing page for current limits, as plans change.