ZoomInfo vs Apollo (2026) Compared
Apollo offers 80% of ZoomInfo's value at 20% of the cost. Whether that last 20% matters depends on your market.
The Short Version
Apollo.io is the better choice for growth-stage companies and SMBs who need contact data + outreach in one platform under $5K/year. ZoomInfo wins for enterprise teams targeting large US companies where data accuracy on direct dials is critical and budget isn't the primary constraint. The biggest risk with ZoomInfo is overpaying for data you don't fully use; with Apollo, it's lower accuracy on enterprise contacts.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ZoomInfo | Apollo.io |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $15,000/yr | Free (250 emails/day) |
| Mid-tier Price | $25,000+/yr | $79/user/mo ($948/yr) |
| Contract | Annual required | Monthly available |
| Database Size | 100M+ contacts | 275M+ contacts |
| Email Accuracy | 85–90% | 80–85% |
| Direct Dials | Strong (70–80%) | Moderate (60–70%) |
| Built-in Sequences | Basic (Engage add-on) | Full-featured |
| Intent Data | Yes (Advanced tier) | Basic |
| Best For | Enterprise, US-focused | Growth, budget-conscious |
| The Big Risk | Overpaying for unused credits | Lower accuracy on enterprise contacts |
Deep Dive: ZoomInfo
What They're Selling
ZoomInfo is the market leader in B2B data. Its pitch: the most comprehensive and accurate contact database, backed by intent data and buyer signals. Enterprise sales teams rely on it because data accuracy on direct dials and decision-maker contacts is measurably better than alternatives.
What It Actually Costs
Starting at $15K/year for Professional (basic search + contact data). Most teams end up on Advanced ($25K+/yr) for intent data, or Elite ($40K+/yr) for real-time signals. Credit-based pricing means you can exhaust your allocation mid-cycle. Multi-seat enterprise deals often reach $50K-100K+/year.
What Users Say
Enterprise teams praise the data quality and direct dials. Frustrations center on aggressive sales tactics, auto-renewal contracts, and the credit system. SMB users often feel they're paying for more than they use.
Pros
- Highest accuracy for US enterprise contacts
- Best direct dial coverage
- Intent data identifies in-market accounts
- Deep CRM integrations
Cons
- Minimum $15K/year — expensive for small teams
- Aggressive auto-renewal contracts
- Credit system creates usage anxiety
- SMB and international data is weaker
Deep Dive: Apollo.io
What They're Selling
Apollo positions itself as the all-in-one alternative: contact data, email sequences, phone dialer, and basic CRM in one platform starting at $0. Its pitch to growth teams: why pay $25K/year for ZoomInfo + $15K/year for Salesloft when Apollo does both for under $5K?
What It Actually Costs
Free tier is genuinely useful for solo sellers (250 emails/day, 60 mobile credits/year). Most teams land on Basic ($49/user/mo) or Professional ($79/user/mo). A 10-person team: $6K-10K/year vs $25K-50K+ for ZoomInfo. The catch: mobile credits (phone reveals) are limited on lower tiers.
What Users Say
Growth teams love the value. The all-in-one approach means fewer tools to manage. Frustrations: data accuracy is noticeably lower for enterprise contacts, and the CRM is too basic for most teams.
Pros
- All-in-one platform at a fraction of ZoomInfo's cost
- Generous free tier
- Larger raw database (275M+ contacts)
- Built-in sequences eliminate need for separate SEP
Cons
- Data accuracy lower for enterprise contacts
- Mobile credit limits on lower tiers
- Built-in CRM is basic
- Less reliable direct dials
Which Should You Pick?
The Honest Take
The data provider market has a dirty secret: no single provider has 'the best' data across all segments. ZoomInfo is strongest for US enterprise (50+ employees, established companies). Apollo is surprisingly competitive for US mid-market and tech companies. Neither is great for international or SMB data. The real question isn't 'which has better data' — it's 'does the accuracy difference justify a 5-10x price difference for your specific use case?' For most growth-stage companies, it doesn't.
Questions to Ask Before Buying
- What's your annual budget for data tools?
- Are you targeting enterprise (1,000+ employees) or mid-market companies?
- How important are direct dial phone numbers vs email addresses?
- Do you need a separate sales engagement platform, or could an all-in-one work?
- What percentage of your target accounts are US-based?
- How many contacts do you need to source per month?
- Have you tested both platforms with your specific ICP to compare accuracy?
- Are you locked into an existing annual contract?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Apollo as accurate as ZoomInfo?
For enterprise contacts, no. ZoomInfo has measurably better accuracy on email (85-90% vs 80-85%) and direct dials (70-80% vs 60-70%). For mid-market and tech companies, the accuracy gap narrows significantly. Apollo's larger raw database (275M vs 100M) can mean better coverage for some segments.
Can Apollo replace ZoomInfo?
For growth-stage companies, yes. Apollo's Professional tier ($79/user/mo) gives you contact data, sequences, and a dialer — functionality that would require ZoomInfo ($25K+/yr) + Salesloft ($15K+/yr) separately. For enterprise teams needing premium data quality, ZoomInfo is still the stronger choice.
Which has more job demand?
ZoomInfo appears in 85 job postings vs Apollo's 37 in our database. However, Apollo roles pay higher on average ($146K-$173K vs $95K-$124K), suggesting it's popular at well-funded startups and growth companies.