Apollo.io vs HubSpot 2025: Which CRM Wins for Sales Teams?
Side-by-side comparison of Apollo.io and HubSpot CRM platforms. Features, pricing, and real use cases to help you choose the right sales automation tool.
🎯 Quick comparison overview
Apollo.io strengths:
- • 220M+ verified B2B contact database
- • Advanced prospecting and outreach tools
- • Built for outbound sales teams
HubSpot strengths:
- • Completely free CRM with unlimited contacts
- • Integrated marketing automation platform
- • Best for inbound + outbound hybrid approach
Apollo.io
All-in-one sales intelligence platform
Key Strengths:
Best for: Teams focused on outbound prospecting and lead generation
HubSpot
Comprehensive CRM and marketing platform
Key Strengths:
Best for: Growing businesses wanting integrated marketing + sales
Quick Recommendation
Choose Apollo.io if:
- • You need extensive B2B contact data
- • Outbound prospecting is your primary focus
- • You want advanced email sequence automation
- • You're primarily doing cold outreach
Choose HubSpot if:
- • You want a free, full-featured CRM
- • You need integrated marketing automation
- • You prefer inbound marketing strategies
- • You want a complete business platform
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Detailed analysis of key features to help you make the right choice for your sales team.
Contact Database
Apollo.io220M+ verified contacts with advanced search filters
- 220M+ B2B contacts
- Advanced search & filters
- Real-time data updates
- Contact scoring
HubSpotLimited built-in database, relies on integrations
- No native contact database
- Requires 3rd party integrations
- Strong data management
- Custom contact properties
CRM Functionality
Apollo.ioSolid CRM with focus on outbound sales workflows
- Pipeline management
- Activity tracking
- Basic automation
- Deal forecasting
HubSpotIndustry-leading free CRM with advanced features
- Unlimited contacts (free)
- Advanced automation
- Custom pipelines
- Detailed reporting
Email Outreach
Apollo.ioAdvanced email sequences with high deliverability
- Multi-channel sequences
- A/B testing
- Deliverability tools
- Reply detection
HubSpotGood email tools, limited in free version
- Email templates
- Basic sequences
- Email tracking
- Meeting scheduling
Sales Automation
Apollo.ioStrong prospecting automation and workflows
- Automated prospecting
- Lead scoring
- Workflow triggers
- Task automation
HubSpotComprehensive automation across sales & marketing
- Workflow automation
- Lead nurturing
- Marketing automation
- Custom triggers
Integrations
Apollo.ioGood integrations with major CRMs and tools
- Salesforce
- HubSpot
- Slack
- Zapier
HubSpotExtensive app marketplace with 1000+ integrations
- 1000+ app integrations
- Native API
- Custom integrations
- Marketplace ecosystem
Pricing Value
Apollo.ioFree tier limited, paid plans provide good value
- Free: 60 contacts/month
- Basic: $49/user/month
- Professional: $79/user/month
- Custom enterprise pricing
HubSpotGenerous free tier, competitive paid pricing
- Free: Unlimited contacts
- Starter: $45/month
- Professional: $800/month
- Enterprise: $3,200/month
Overall Comparison Scores
Apollo.io Total Score
Strong in prospecting and outbound sales
HubSpot Total Score
Excellent all-around platform value
🏆 HubSpot wins overall with superior CRM, automation, and value
Pricing Comparison 2025
Transparent pricing breakdown to help you understand the total cost of ownership.
Apollo.io Pricing
Per user, billed annually
Free
$0- • 60 contact credits per month
- • Unlimited email accounts
- • Basic CRM features
- • Chrome extension
Basic
$49/user- • 1,000 contact credits per month
- • Email sequences and templates
- • Advanced search filters
- • Salesforce integration
Professional
$79/user- • 5,000 contact credits per month
- • Advanced sequences & A/B testing
- • Call recording
- • Advanced analytics
HubSpot Pricing
Per month, billed annually
Free
$0- • Unlimited contacts
- • Email marketing (2,000 sends)
- • Live chat and forms
- • Basic reporting
Starter
$45/month- • Remove HubSpot branding
- • Email marketing (1,000 contacts)
- • Simple automation
- • Basic customer support
Professional
$800/month- • Advanced automation
- • Custom reporting
- • A/B testing
- • Advanced integrations
💡 Pricing Recommendation
Budget-conscious teams: Start with HubSpot Free CRM + Apollo Free (60 contacts/month) = $0 total cost.
Growth teams: HubSpot Free + Apollo Basic ($49/user) gives you best of both worlds.
Enterprise teams: Consider HubSpot Professional for advanced automation or Apollo Professional for high-volume prospecting.
Which Tool for Your Situation?
Real-world scenarios to help you choose the right tool for your specific needs.
Bootstrapped Startup
Limited budget, need basic CRM and outreach
Winner: HubSpot
Free forever CRM with unlimited contacts
Outbound-Focused Team
Heavy cold prospecting and email sequences
Winner: Apollo.io
Superior database and prospecting tools
Growing SaaS Company
Need integrated marketing + sales platform
Winner: HubSpot
Complete inbound + outbound solution
Data-Driven Agency
Need extensive contact data and analytics
Winner: Apollo.io
220M+ contacts with advanced filtering
Enterprise Sales Team
Complex sales cycles, need advanced automation
Winner: HubSpot
Advanced workflows and enterprise features
Sales Development Team
High-volume prospecting and qualification
Winner: Apollo.io
Built for SDR workflows and sequences
Essential sales automation resources:
AI Sales Automation Complete Guide 2025
Learn how to implement AI automation with Apollo.io and HubSpot
11 Best Free AI Sales Tools for 2025
Start with free tools including HubSpot and Apollo.io free tiers
9 Best AI Sales Tools for Small Business
Budget-friendly alternatives and combinations under $100/month
Complete AI Sales Tools Directory
Browse 30+ AI sales tools with detailed reviews and comparisons
Our Final Recommendation
The Hybrid Approach
Why choose one when you can get the best of both? Many successful teams use HubSpot's free CRM for contact management and deal tracking, while leveraging Apollo.io's free tier for prospecting and contact discovery.
HubSpot Free CRM
- • Contact and deal management
- • Email tracking and templates
- • Pipeline visualization
- • Basic reporting
Apollo.io Free Tier
- • 60 contact discoveries/month
- • Email finder and verification
- • Chrome extension
- • Basic prospecting
Total Cost: $0/month • Best of Both Worlds
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