Head to head · 2026
Apollo.io vs Close
Quick answer
Apollo.io is the better fit for founders and SDRs doing their own outbound prospecting. Close is the better fit for inside sales teams that make many calls a day. On our scores Close comes out ahead overall (4.5 out of 5).
Apollo.io
Apollo.io combines a database of about 240 million contacts and 30 million companies with sequences, a dialer, enrichment and AI agents. For startups and small sales teams it can replace a data tool and an outreach tool at once, and the free plan has no time limit. Watch the credit system: credits are pooled, reset every billing cycle and never roll over.
- ✓Large database: about 240M contacts and 30M companies
- ✓Free plan stays free with no time limit
- ✓Sequences, parallel dialer and deliverability tools built in
- –Credits reset each billing cycle and do not roll over, even purchased add-ons
- –Free plan connects Gmail accounts only for sending
Close
Close is a CRM built for teams that sell by phone and email. Calling, SMS, email and a central inbox are built in from the Essentials plan, and every plan includes Chloe, an AI sales agent. Automated workflows and the power dialer need Growth, which is where most teams land, and calling minutes are billed on top.
- ✓Calling, SMS and email built in from Essentials
- ✓Chloe AI sales agent included on every plan
- ✓Unlimited contacts and leads on Essentials and above
- –Automated workflows start at Growth, around $99-$109/user/month
- –Calls and SMS are billed on top, about $0.02/minute outbound
Side by side
| Apollo.io | Close | |
|---|---|---|
| Brent score | 4.4 | 4.5 |
| Features | 4.7 | 4.6 |
| Ease of use | 4.2 | 4.6 |
| Value | 4.3 | 4.3 |
| Support | 3.9 | 4.4 |
| Price | Free plan; paid plans per user (check current pricing) | From $9/user/month (Solo, likely annual); 14-day free trial |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Founders and SDRs doing their own outbound prospecting | Inside sales teams that make many calls a day |
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Compared on Brent Technologies using the same scoring method for both products.