When it comes to lead generation and B2B databases, two of the most popular options in the market are ZoomInfo and Apollo.
However, they’re not exactly the same—each comes with its own set of features, pricing, and benefits that can make a big difference depending on your needs.
I’ve used both extensively and have sent over 100,000 emails using both tools. Based on my experience, I’ll break down where each platform excels and where they fall short!
Pricing: ZoomInfo vs. Apollo.io
I want to start with the pricing because I know its very important especially if your budget is tight for outbound sales
ZoomInfo Pricing
As of 2025, Tools like ZoomInfo offer pricing that is generally quoted on an annual basis, not monthly. The Professional plan starts at around $15,000 per year.
I remember when I spoke to their sales rep, they mentioned it would cost me around $3,000 for 2,000 leads. Additional user seats cost $3,000, which is their lowest package.
However, keep in mind that the actual cost can vary depending on the number of users and credits you need. Higher-tier plans, such as the Advanced and Elite packages, are significantly more expensive.
To get exact pricing for your needs, you would need to contact a ZoomInfo sales representative.
But it’s clear—ZoomInfo is not designed for startups, midsize businesses, or anyone just getting started.
Apollo Pricing
Apollo is much more affordable compared to ZoomInfo and is a great option for startups. Check out their pricing below.
| Free Plan | Basic Plan | Professional Plan | Organization Plan |
| $0 | $59 per user/month (billed monthly) | $99 per user/month (billed monthly) | $149 per user/month (billed annually, min. 3 users) |
| 100 Credits per month | 5,000 Credits per month | 10,000 Credits per month | 15,000 Credits per month |
| 2 Sequences | All Free Plan features | All Basic Plan features | All Professional Plan features |
| LinkedIn, Gmail & Salesforce Extension | CRM Integrations | US Dialer | Customizable Reports & Dashboards |
| Basic Filters | Schedule Meetings | 5 Mailboxes per user | Advanced Security Configurations |
| 6 Intent Topics & Intent Filters | Automated Workflows | Single Sign-On (SSO) | |
| AI Research Intelligence | |||
| Call Recordings & AI Insights (4,000 minutes) | |||
| Pre-built Advanced Reports & Dashboards |
However, the quality of Apollo’s data isn’t great. To be honest, ZoomInfo and Apollo have almost the same data, which makes it surprising that there’s such a huge difference in their pricing.
I’ve tried both, and the quality is nearly identical. So, it really doesn’t make sense to choose ZoomInfo when you can get the same data for a much lower price with Apollo!
A Better Alternative Than ZoomInfo and Apollo.io: Gofindy
If you’re looking for an alternative to ZoomInfo and Apollo.io, Gofindy is a great option. It offers a more affordable solution with a strong focus on providing high-quality data to help your sales and marketing efforts.
Gofindy.io
If you’re searching for top-quality B2B data at an unbeatable price, look no further than gofindy.io. Access a global database with 15+ advanced filters to find your ideal prospects effortlessly!
What sets Gofindy apart is its focus on intent data, meaning it helps you find leads who are actively looking for solutions like yours and the quality of the data!
Key Features of Gofindy:
- Huge Contact Database: Gofindy gives you access to over 100 million decision-makers with verified emails and phone numbers, so you can directly reach out to the right people.
- Powerful Filtering Tools: You can target leads with precision using 14+ filters, such as company size, industry, location, revenue, and more. This helps you create highly tailored marketing campaigns.
- Reliable Intent Data: Gofindy’s intent data is 98% accurate, meaning you’ll be able to identify leads that are actively searching for solutions like yours. This allows you to get ahead of competitors and engage prospects at the right time.
- Frequent Data Updates: Gofindy ensures its data stays fresh by updating it weekly, giving you the most up-to-date information for your outreach.
- Wide Industry Coverage: The platform covers over 70 industries, so you can find the right leads, no matter which market you’re targeting.
Pricing:
Free Plan
Gofindy offers a free sign-up, so you can explore the platform’s features before committing to anything.
(Pricing)
Gofindy is a solid alternative to ZoomInfo and Apollo.io, especially if you’re looking for accurate intent data and flexible pricing. With its vast contact database, advanced filtering, and regular updates, it’s a great option for businesses looking to boost their sales and marketing efforts at an affordable price.
Data Quality: ZoomInfo vs. Apollo
When selecting a B2B database platform, data quality should be your top priority. Poor data leads to poor results, costing you time and resources.
Here’s a comparison of data quality between Apollo and ZoomInfo to help you make an informed choice.
ZoomInfo:
I run a lead generation agency and have used a lot of data from ZoomInfo. I wouldn’t say it’s highly accurate, nor would I say it’s bad.
Most users find that ZoomInfo offers solid, accurate data, but some have noted that its global data (especially outside of the U.S.) can be a bit outdated at times. So, if you’re focusing on international markets, you might face some challenges with accuracy.
Apollo:
Apollo offers good data for its price, but a common issue reported by users is that email addresses aren’t always verified, and phone numbers—especially mobile ones—can sometimes be missing or inaccurate.
While Apollo provides a large volume of data, you may need to double-check its accuracy before relying on it.
In my experience, I’ve always run Apollo’s data through MillionVerifier, and typically, only 70% of the data is usable. Out of that, just 40% is highly accurate and up-to-date.
2. Data Coverage
Data coverage is not that important if you are selling in a particular industry but if you are selling globally, you need a database which has global coverage
ZoomInfo:
ZoomInfo is known for its wide coverage in the U.S., with over 95 million business contacts and 14 million companies in its database. Its data is especially strong for U.S.-based companies, so if you’re focused on the U.S. market, you’ll find reliable and accurate information here.
However, international coverage, especially in regions like Europe could still use some improvement. So, if you’re looking for data in other countries, you might find it a bit limited compared to U.S.-based data.
However, let me tell you—there’s no such thing as a database with complete global coverage. Most databases primarily focus on North America and EMEA, where the data tends to be more accurate and regularly updated. If you’re looking for high-quality contact information, these regions will always have the best reliability.
Apollo:
Apollo offers a much larger database, with more than 275 million business contacts, which is much bigger than ZoomInfo’s. This means you get access to a broader dataset, covering more countries and industries.
The quality of that data isn’t always as high as ZoomInfo’s. Even though the dataset is huge, users have pointed out that some of the leads especially for international contacts can be less accurate or harder to verify.
So, to ensure accuracy, you’ll need to constantly verify leads—either manually or by using tools like MillionVerifier. No database is perfect, and regular validation is crucial to maintaining high-quality contact data.
Also read: How to Scrape Apollo Leads* to learn the best methods and tools to scrape valuable leads from Apollo
3. Compliance and Data Privacy
Adhering to data privacy regulations is essential for legal and ethical outreach. Platforms differ in their compliance with laws like GDPR and CCPA, as well as in their ability to help users maintain regulatory compliance across different regions.
ZoomInfo:
ZoomInfo takes data privacy and compliance seriously. They follow important regulations like GDPR and CCPA, ensuring that users’ personal data is handled responsibly. ZoomInfo also provides a useful feature to help you stay compliant with communication laws: the Do Not Call (DNC) list scrubbing. This feature works in many countries, ensuring you avoid calling contacts who have opted out of receiving communications. However, if you’re targeting markets outside of the U.S., you may notice some restrictions.
Apollo:
Apollo also follows data protection rules, such as being GDPR compliant and holding certifications like SOC 2 and ISO 27001. They take steps to ensure that your data is secure and follows proper privacy guidelines. One feature to note is Apollo’s DNC list scrubbing, which is still in beta. Right now, it mainly works for the U.S. and U.K., which means it might not be as useful for businesses that need global outreach compliance. So, if you’re planning to reach out to customers in other parts of the world, this might be something to keep in mind.
4. Personal Experience
I could compare ZoomInfo and Apollo all day, but what really matters is personal experience with both platforms!
I’ve been selling in B2B for 5–6 years and have used both extensively. Here’s what I think about them:
ZoomInfo:
ZoomInfo is only worth using if you’re already generating significant revenue from outbound campaigns and want to improve data quality for better results.
However, if you’re a company that has never done outbound outreach, ZoomInfo isn’t the best choice. Initially, you’ll want to keep costs low and test the market as much as possible, making ZoomInfo a less-than-ideal option.
Instead, you can use Gofindy.io or Apollo.io to access high-quality data at a much better price and maximize your ROI.
But let me tell you this—once you start using Gofindy, you won’t want to switch. It provides the highest quality data you won’t find anywhere else!
Apollo:
Apollo is perfect if you’ve never done outbound and want to get started quickly. You don’t have to worry about getting on sales calls or paying a large upfront cost with Apollo.
You can even use Apollo’s free trial to find leads and start outbound campaigns right away.
Ultimately, the choice between ZoomInfo and Apollo depends on your business needs. If you’re a startup or midsize company that doesn’t want to pay a lot upfront, Apollo is the better option.
But if data accuracy and reliability are your top priorities, ZoomInfo is likely the better choice.
However, if you need a larger contact database and are willing to verify certain details, Apollo can be a great, cost-effective solution.
Other Features: ZoomInfo vs. Apollo
When evaluating ZoomInfo and Apollo, it’s important to look beyond pricing and data quality. Each platform offers a variety of features designed to help businesses with sales, marketing, and recruitment efforts. 1.
1. Platform Overview
ZoomInfo and Apollo.io are both popular tools for finding and reaching out to potential customers. While they offer similar features, the way they handle data and sales outreach sets them apart.
ZoomInfo:
ZoomInfo is a comprehensive go-to-market intelligence platform. It helps businesses with sales, marketing, and recruitment. It offers detailed B2B contact information, advanced search tools, and several other capabilities to help companies grow. It’s especially known for the depth and accuracy of its business contact data.
Apollo.io:
Apollo.io is an end-to-end sales intelligence and engagement platform. It provides everything needed to speed up the sales process, including a vast contact database, prospecting tools, email tracking, and sales engagement features. It’s built to help sales teams reach out, engage, and close deals more effectively.
2. Data Management and Enrichment
Keeping prospect data accurate and up-to-date is key for effective outreach. Both platforms offer data enrichment tools, but their approaches and features differ.
ZoomInfo:
ZoomInfo allows users to enhance their existing customer records with data enrichment services. This includes adding firmographics, technographics, and intent data. This helps users understand their prospects in more detail. It also offers tools for data cleansing and lead routing through its OperationsOS feature, ensuring the data stays accurate and actionable.
Apollo.io:
Apollo.io helps users enrich their CRM data by connecting with its own extensive database. This allows users to keep contact records up-to-date and provides insights into buyer intent. Apollo also offers engagement analytics to help users prioritize which leads to reach out to first based on their likelihood to convert.
3. Sales Engagement and Automation
When it comes to engaging prospects and automating outreach, both platforms offer robust tools. However, their features and focus areas vary, catering to different sales team needs.
ZoomInfo:
ZoomInfo provides sales automation tools, including workflow automation that integrates with CRM systems. This helps sales teams streamline their outreach efforts. It also has features like conversation intelligence and intent data, which help sales teams engage with prospects in a more personalized and effective way.
Apollo.io:
Apollo.io offers a comprehensive sales engagement suite, which includes tools for email tracking, call tracking, and task management. You can create email sequences and schedule follow-ups to automate and streamline outreach. These tools help sales teams stay organized and ensure no lead is left behind.
4. Integrations
While both platforms offer integrations with key tools, their approach to connecting with other systems varies, impacting how easily they fit into your existing workflow.
ZoomInfo:
ZoomInfo integrates with popular CRM systems and other marketing tools, making it easy for users to incorporate its data into their existing workflow. However, since ZoomInfo focuses on its own proprietary technology, some integrations might not be as deep as users expect.
Apollo.io:
Apollo.io offers a wide range of integrations with various CRM systems, marketing platforms, and other essential tools. These integrations make it easy to streamline sales processes and improve workflow efficiency. Apollo’s integration options are more flexible and allow users to connect with a wider variety of tools.
5. Compliance and Data Privacy
Both platforms prioritize compliance with key data privacy regulations, but their features and global coverage vary, especially when it comes to ensuring outreach practices align with legal standards.
ZoomInfo:
ZoomInfo takes compliance seriously and follows major data protection regulations, such as GDPR and CCPA. It includes DNC (Do Not Call) list scrubbing across multiple countries, ensuring businesses comply with communication laws. This is a significant feature for companies dealing with data across different regions.
Apollo.io:
Apollo.io is also committed to data privacy and compliance. It is GDPR compliant and holds certifications such as SOC 2 and ISO 27001. However, Apollo’s DNC list scrubbing feature is still in beta, and it currently only supports the U.S. and U.K., which might limit its use for global outreach efforts.
6. User Interface and Experience
When it comes to user interface and overall experience, each platform offers distinct approaches that could influence your workflow and adoption.
ZoomInfo:
ZoomInfo is packed with features, but its interface can be a bit complex and may have a steeper learning curve for new users. The platform is highly capable, but navigating through its many options may take some time to get used to.
Apollo.io:
Apollo.io is known for its user-friendly and intuitive interface, making it easier for users to navigate and make the most of its features. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, Apollo’s platform is designed to be straightforward and easy to use.
7. Pricing Transparency
Pricing models differ between the two platforms, with one offering a more transparent structure and the other requiring a more personalized approach to get the full picture.
ZoomInfo:
ZoomInfo uses a custom pricing model that requires potential customers to contact sales representatives for quotes. Its pricing plans start at around $15,000 per year, which can be broken down into approximately $1,250 per month. The exact pricing depends on the features and number of users.
Apollo.io:
Apollo.io offers transparent pricing with clear details about its subscription tiers. It has a free version with basic features, and paid plans start at $49 per user per month (when billed annually). This makes Apollo much more affordable and accessible, especially for smaller businesses.
8. Customer Support
Support offerings vary between the platforms, with each aiming to provide users with the necessary tools and assistance to fully leverage their features.
ZoomInfo:
ZoomInfo provides dedicated customer support, offering assistance with onboarding and ongoing usage. They aim to help users make the most of the platform, especially since it has a lot of advanced features that may require guidance to use effectively.
Apollo.io:
Apollo.io offers customer support through multiple channels, including a knowledge base, email support, and community forums. These resources are available to help users troubleshoot and maximize the platform’s potential.
Both ZoomInfo and Apollo.io offer powerful features for sales and marketing teams, but they cater to slightly different needs.
Your choice between ZoomInfo and Apollo.io will depend on the size of your business, budget, and how advanced your data and sales engagement needs are.
Ease of Use: Apollo vs. ZoomInfo
When it comes to ease of use, Apollo.io is generally much easier to navigate than ZoomInfo.
1. User Interface and Navigation
When it comes to navigating these platforms, there’s a noticeable difference in how each is structured, impacting how quickly users can get up to speed.
Apollo.io:
Apollo is known for being super easy to use. The interface is simple, and everything is organized into clear sections. Whether you want to find contacts, manage outreach, or track sales, it’s all laid out in a way that’s easy to find. This makes it quick to get started. You won’t waste time figuring out where things are or how to use the tools. It’s designed to make your life easier, especially if you’re new to this kind of software.
ZoomInfo:
ZoomInfo has a more complex interface. While it’s packed with a lot of useful tools, the platform can feel a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re not used to using sales or marketing software. It’s got a lot of advanced features, but this means that it can take some time to figure out how everything works. So, if you’re someone who likes things to be more straightforward, ZoomInfo might feel a little tricky to navigate at first.
2. Onboarding and Setup
The process of getting started with either of these platforms varies in terms of ease and speed, which can make a difference depending on how quickly you need to jump into your work.
Apollo.io:
Getting started with Apollo is really quick and easy. There’s no need to jump through hoops. You can set up your account and start using the platform right away, without waiting around. This makes it great for businesses that need to get started fast.
ZoomInfo:
ZoomInfo, on the other hand, requires you to schedule a call with their sales team or get a demo before you can start using the platform. This extra step can feel like a bit of a delay if you’re just looking to dive in and get to work. It might be fine for some, but if you want quick access, this can be a bit of a hurdle.
3. Feature Accessibility
The way features are accessed and utilized can make a big difference in your experience, especially if you’re looking for something quick and easy versus something more advanced with a learning curve.
Apollo.io:
Apollo’s features are all pretty easy to access. Whether it’s lead generation, email outreach, or analytics, everything is set up in a way that doesn’t require a lot of technical knowledge. Even if you’re new to using sales tools, you’ll be able to find what you need without much hassle.
ZoomInfo:
ZoomInfo has a lot of powerful features, but they can be a bit hard to find or use at first. Because it’s such a feature-rich platform, you might need some time to figure out where everything is and how to use it effectively. If you’re not already familiar with sales intelligence platforms, this could feel a bit overwhelming.
4. User Feedback
User feedback tends to vary, with some users enjoying the simplicity and ease of use, while others appreciate the depth and advanced features, even if they require more time to master.
Apollo.io:
People who use Apollo often mention how simple it is to get the hang of. The interface is intuitive, and the tools are easy to navigate. Users like that it doesn’t take a lot of time to learn, so they can jump right into using it without feeling frustrated.
ZoomInfo:
While ZoomInfo is powerful, some users feel that it can be complicated to use. Because there are so many features, it can be hard to get comfortable with everything. Users have pointed out that the learning curve is steeper, so it might take a little more time to master.
Apollo.io is much easier to use than ZoomInfo. Apollo’s design is simple and intuitive, so you can start using it right away. It doesn’t require a lot of time to learn, and everything is easy to access. ZoomInfo, on the other hand, has a lot of great features, but it can take more time to figure out how to use them effectively. It might be the better choice for businesses that need advanced features, but if you want something simple and fast to use, Apollo.io would likely be a better fit.
How Frequently Do They Update Data?
Honestly, no one knows for sure—it depends on your industry. However, they are very slow when it comes to updating databases due to the burden of extra features they provide, which makes it difficult to manage costs.
As a result, keeping their data updated in real time becomes challenging. But when it comes to Gofindy, we specialize solely in B2B data, allowing us to focus 100% on maintaining fresh, highly updated information.
Final Thoughts
In the end, both ZoomInfo and Apollo offer great tools for businesses looking to boost their sales and find new leads.
The right choice really comes down to what your business needs, whether it’s more detailed data and insights, or a more budget-friendly option with essential features.
But if you’re looking for high-quality data at a great price, Gofindy.io is the right choice over Apollo and ZoomInfo.