Apollo.io vs Cognism
A side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings to help you choose.
Apollo.io
All-in-one prospecting database + engagement
Free plan
Free plan with limited credits; paid from ~$49/seat/mo
Higher rated
4.6 (1,300)
Cognism
Phone-verified data with strong EU coverage
Custom pricing
Custom annual pricing; unrestricted-data packages available
At a glance
| Spec | Apollo.io | Cognism |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Starting price | Free plan | Custom pricing |
| Budget tier | Budget-friendly | Premium |
| Complexity | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Primary category | Prospecting & Lead Data | Prospecting & Lead Data |
| Integrations | 100+ | 30+ |
| Founded | 2015 | 2015 |
Feature comparison
Apollo.io offers 10 of 10 tracked prospecting & lead data features; Cognism offers 9.
| Feature | Apollo.io | Cognism |
|---|---|---|
| Email finder | ||
| Mobile / direct dials | ||
| Email verification | ||
| Bulk enrichment | ||
| LinkedIn / Chrome extension | ||
| Intent data | ||
| 1-click CRM export | ||
| Free plan | ||
| API & webhooks | ||
| Priority / 24-7 support |
Apollo.io
Pros
- Huge contact database with a generous free tier
- Prospecting, sequencing, and dialer under one roof
- Excellent LinkedIn Chrome extension
Cons
- Email/phone accuracy dips on smaller or non-US accounts
- Credit limits force upgrades as volume grows
- Engagement features are shallower than dedicated platforms
Cognism
Pros
- Excellent EU/UK coverage and GDPR/DNC compliance
- Phone-verified 'Diamond' mobile numbers
- Unrestricted data views on most plans (no credit anxiety)
Cons
- Custom annual contracts, no self-serve or free plan
- US coverage trails ZoomInfo
- Best value only at team scale
The verdict
Cognism edges ahead on our editorial score, but the right pick depends on your priorities. Choose Apollo.io if you value smb and mid-market teams that want data and outreach in one affordable tool. Choose Cognism if you need outbound teams selling into europe that live and die by phone connect rates.
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