Apollo.io vs Lusha (2026): Which Sales Intelligence Tool Is Better?
By Alex Chen, SaaS Analyst · Updated April 9, 2026 · Based on 35+ hours of testing
30-Second Answer
Pick Apollo.io if you want an all-in-one sales platform with a massive contact database, built-in email sequences, and a generous free plan. Pick Lusha if you need quick, accurate phone numbers and emails via a dead-simple Chrome extension. Apollo wins on features and value. Lusha wins on data accuracy for phone numbers.
Our Verdict
Apollo.io
- 275M+ contact database
- Built-in email sequences + dialer
- Generous free plan (50 credits/mo)
- Phone data less accurate than Lusha
- UI can feel overwhelming
- Email accuracy ~80%
Deep dive: Apollo.io full analysis
Features Overview
Apollo.io is an all-in-one sales intelligence and engagement platform. It combines a 275M+ contact database with email sequencing, a built-in dialer, intent data, and CRM enrichment. Think of it as ZoomInfo + Outreach in one tool at a fraction of the price.
Pricing Breakdown (April 2026)
| Plan | Price | Key Features | WINNER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 50 credits/mo, basic sequences, Chrome extension | |
| Basic | $49/user/mo | 500 credits/mo, advanced filters, intent data | |
| Professional | $79/user/mo | 1,000 credits/mo, dialer, A/B testing | |
| Organization | $119/user/mo | 2,000 credits/mo, API, custom reports |
Who Should Choose Apollo.io?
- SDR teams that need prospecting + outreach in one tool
- Startups that want ZoomInfo-quality data at a startup price
- Sales leaders who want sequence analytics and A/B testing
- Anyone who wants a serious free plan to get started
Lusha
- Higher phone number accuracy
- Dead-simple Chrome extension
- GDPR and CCPA compliant
- Smaller database (100M+ contacts)
- No built-in sequences or dialer
- Only 5 free credits/month
Deep dive: Lusha full analysis
Features Overview
Lusha focuses on doing one thing well: giving you accurate B2B contact data fast. The Chrome extension works on LinkedIn and company websites, revealing emails and phone numbers in one click. It is GDPR and CCPA compliant with data sourced from community-verified inputs.
Pricing Breakdown (April 2026)
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 5 credits/mo, Chrome extension |
| Pro | $36/user/mo | 40 credits/mo, list management, export |
| Premium | $59/user/mo | 80 credits/mo, bulk enrichment, CRM sync |
| Scale | Custom | Unlimited, intent data, API |
Who Should Choose Lusha?
- Sales reps who live on LinkedIn and need quick lookups
- Teams in Europe that need GDPR-compliant data
- Anyone who wants simple, accurate phone numbers fast
- Small teams that already have a separate outreach tool
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Apollo.io | Lusha | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Database Size | 275M+ contacts | 100M+ contacts | ✔ Apollo |
| Free Plan Credits | 50 credits/month | 5 credits/month | ✔ Apollo |
| Email Accuracy | ~80% | ~85% | ✔ Lusha |
| Phone Accuracy | ~70% | ~80% | ✔ Lusha |
| Built-in Sequences | Email + multi-step | No | ✔ Apollo |
| Built-in Dialer | Yes (Pro plan) | No | ✔ Apollo |
| Ease of Use | Moderate (many features) | Very easy — 1-click lookups | ✔ Lusha |
| GDPR Compliance | Compliant | ISO 27701 + GDPR certified | ✔ Lusha |
| Value per Dollar | More features per dollar | Higher cost per credit | ✔ Apollo |
| Integrations | Salesforce, HubSpot, 150+ | Salesforce, HubSpot, 50+ | ✔ Apollo |
● Apollo.io wins 6 · ● Lusha wins 4 · Based on hands-on testing + 8,600+ user reviews
Which do you use?
Who Should Choose What?
→ Choose Apollo.io if:
You want an all-in-one platform for prospecting, sequencing, and calling. Apollo gives you the most features per dollar and a free plan that actually lets you do real work. Best for SDR teams, startups, and anyone replacing ZoomInfo.
→ Choose Lusha if:
You need the most accurate phone numbers possible and want a no-fuss Chrome extension. Lusha is the fastest way to get contact data while browsing LinkedIn. Best for sales reps in regulated industries that need GDPR compliance.
→ Consider neither if:
You need enterprise-grade data with technographic and firmographic filters — look at ZoomInfo. If you want intent data as the primary feature, Bombora or 6sense may be better choices.
Best For Different Needs
Also Considered
We evaluated several other tools in this category before focusing on Apollo.io vs Lusha. Here are the runners-up and why they didn't make our final comparison:
Frequently Asked Questions
Editor's Take
Hot take: most people overthink this decision. Both Apollo and Lusha will get the job done. The real question is which one fits your existing workflow. Try both for a week — you'll know within 3 days.
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Our Methodology
We tested Apollo.io and Lusha over 3 weeks, looking up 500+ contacts through both platforms and verifying email deliverability and phone accuracy. We compared free plans, Chrome extensions, CRM integrations, and sequence capabilities. We also analyzed 8,600+ user reviews from G2, Capterra, and TrustRadius.
Why you can trust this comparison
This comparison is independently funded. No vendor paid for placement or influenced our scores. Ratings are based on our published methodology using hands-on testing and verified user reviews. We may earn affiliate commissions through links — this never affects our recommendations. Read our full methodology →
Related Resources
Ready to choose?
Both tools offer free plans. Test them with your actual prospect list.
Data sources: Official pricing pages, G2.com, Capterra.com. Prices and ratings verified April 2026. We update our top 50 comparisons monthly. Read our methodology
Verify Independently
Don't take our word for it. Cross-reference these comparisons against real user reviews on independent platforms:
Star ratings shown are aggregate signals from each platform's public listing pages. Click through to read individual reviews and verify our analysis. We update aggregate counts quarterly.
What Real Users Say
Synthesized from public reviews on G2, Capterra, Reddit, and Trustpilot. We update aggregate themes quarterly. Click platform badges in the section above to read individual reviews.
Last updated: . Pricing and features are verified weekly via automated tracking.