When you’re leading outbound at scale, the “Apollo vs Lusha” debate always comes up. And if you’re like most sales leaders I know, you’re not looking for flashy dashboards or sexy marketing—you’re looking for a data engine that gets your reps connected to the right people faster.

The challenge? These tools live in different worlds. Apollo is the all-in-one power platform—stuffed with enrichment, intent, dialer, AI, and workflows. Lusha’s the speedster—leaner, cheaper, and surprisingly effective for high-velocity prospecting.

This guide is built specifically for senior SDR leaders scaling outbound machines. Whether you’re finalizing your RevOps stack or replacing your current data provider, I’ll help you cut through vendor hype and make a grounded call.

TL;DR Summary (For Busy GTM Leaders)

Choose Apollo if you’re building a multi-channel outbound engine—think high-ACV plays, full-cycle SDRs, and deep automation.

Choose Lusha if you’re running fast, transactional outbound or hybrid teams that need plug-and-play data without the enterprise stack.

Tool	Pros	Cons
Apollo	All-in-one GTM platform, AI + workflow stack	Can feel complex, some data inconsistencies
Lusha	Affordable, intuitive UX, fast onboarding	CRM sync gaps, inconsistent support

See full table below for side-by-side comparison.

Apollo vs Lusha: Deep Dive Comparison

Both tools promise accurate data and better connects, but the way they get you there (and who they’re actually built for) couldn’t be more different. Let’s unpack this in real terms: use cases, accuracy, workflows, support, and more, so you can make a confident call without second-guessing in Q4.

Use Case Fit: Who They’re Built For

Apollo is built for teams running structured, multi-touch, multi-channel outbound. It goes far beyond a database, offering AI enrichment, call insights, intent signals, a dialer, and a complete sequencing system. It’s a single platform to manage GTM execution across SDRs, AEs, and even CS.

Lusha, by contrast, serves SMBs, solo prospectors, or lean teams. It’s Chrome-first, low-friction, and lightweight. Great for finding data and exporting quick leads, but not built to support full GTM orchestration or advanced workflow needs.

Data Coverage & Accuracy

Category	Apollo(G2 scores)	Lusha (G2 scores)
Contact data availability	88%	78%
Contact data accuracy	84%	75%
Company data accuracy	86%	76%
Global reach (emails/phones)	Large global DB, AI-verified contacts	Smaller US focus, no public figures

Apollo edges ahead in both scale and verification. With 270M+ verified contacts, waterfall enrichment, and a “living database” powered by community contributions, Apollo delivers solid reach, especially for US and international coverage. That said, reviewers do note occasional inaccuracies and bounces. Lusha’s data is quick and accessible, but less consistent, particularly on mobile and in EMEA/APAC regions.

Signal & Intent Intelligence

Apollo’s intent capabilities are serious, especially at the Professional and Organization tiers. You get 6–12 intent topics per user, enriched with AI-assisted lead scoring, site tracking, and engagement insights. These can be auto-synced into sequences or CRM for real-time action.

Lusha also supports intent topics (5-25 depending on the plan), but reviewers report more manual lift and less reliability when it comes to operationalizing that intent data in real GTM workflows.

Prospecting Workflow

Apollo wins here on sheer scope. Chrome extension, multi-mailbox sequencing, auto-dialer, call recording, AI call summaries, one-click enrichment— it’s a full outbound stack. You can go from LinkedIn to call to closed loop in one interface.

Lusha nails the essentials (quick lookups, Chrome plugin, CRM push) but doesn’t support outreach or multi-step automation. It’s a lead finder, not a workflow system.

Ease of Use & Adoption

Apollo is powerful but it takes time. With advanced capabilities comes complexity. Some users mention the learning curve and UI overload. But once configured, it replaces 3–4 tools in one.

Lusha, on the other hand, is built for instant usability. No fluff, no friction. You’re live in an hour, and reps love the extension-based workflow.

Feature Comparison Table: Apollo vs Lusha

Feature Category	Apollo (G2 Scores)	Lusha (G2 Scores)
Lead Builder	✅ 90%	✅ 82%
CRM/Marketing Integration	✅ Deep (87%)	✅ Moderate (78%)
Data Cleaning/Enrichment	✅ Yes (86%)	✅ Yes (77%)
Segmentation/Filtering	✅ Yes (88%)	✅ Yes (77%)
Search Tools	✅ Yes (91%)	✅ Yes (81%)
Messaging Capabilities	✅ Advanced (87%)	✅ Basic (71%)
News/People Alerts	✅ Yes (84%)	✅ Yes (74%)
Reporting & Dashboards	✅ Customizable (86%)	✅ Basic (77%)
APIs & Extensibility	✅ Yes (84%)	✅ Yes (82%)
Browser Extension	✅ Advanced (92%)	✅ Advanced (89%)

What Users Are Saying About Them?

Apollo users frequently highlight how much power is packed into the platform. Many small teams love that they can run a full outbound motion—prospect, sequence, call, and enrich—all without needing multiple tools.

“Apollo has a huge database and Chrome extension that makes LinkedIn prospecting seamless. The sequences and CRM sync just work.” — Nidhi A., Business Development Manager

“We’ve replaced three tools with Apollo—it’s now our daily workflow. I was surprised at how well it handles enrichment, dialer, and automation.” — Todd R., Sales Rep

“There’s a learning curve, but once you figure it out, Apollo becomes a beast of a system. Great value for money.” — Steve T., Agency Owner

Still, Apollo isn’t perfect. Many users note that while the features are robust, data accuracy can be hit-or-miss:

“Some email IDs marked as verified still bounce. We had to run an external verifier on top of Apollo to reduce risk.” — Sejal S., Growth Specialist

“Chrome extension sometimes bugs out on LinkedIn. You have to reinstall it often to keep it working.” — Juzar P., Founder

Lusha, in contrast, gets high marks for simplicity, speed, and value, particularly from smaller teams and reps who want to hit the ground running.

“Lusha makes it super easy to find contact details for leads. The Chrome extension just works.” — Vivek D., Senior BDR, SMB

Several users also praised its transparent pricing and low barrier to entry.

“I can search for leads on a budget—and get decent accuracy.” — Primrose M., Sales Manager, SMB

But for larger orgs, the cracks start to show.

“Lusha doesn’t sync CRM ownership, which breaks workflows and creates friction on big teams… It took a week to get a 15-minute API setup call. Worst experience I’ve had in my software buying career.” — Stephen L., Head of Revenue Operations, Mid-Market

Accuracy concerns also show up frequently.

“Data marked A+ shouldn’t bounce—but we see 40% inaccuracy.” — Trisha G., CEO, SMB【15†Lusha Reviews**

Others noted it’s not yet enterprise-ready:

“The UI is slick, but the data sometimes feels thin, especially in the U.S.” — Iulian V., Business Development Manager, Mid-Market

The pattern is clear: ZoomInfo offers depth, scale, and power at a cost. Lusha wins on speed, ease, and price, but falters with complex GTM setups. Both tools have loyalists, but the context in which they shine (or fall short) is critical for making the right call.

Pricing, Credits & Contracts

Area	Apollo	Lusha
Starting price	$49–$149/user/month (self-serve)	$22/month (Premium annual plan)
Contract options	Monthly & annual options	Monthly or annual
Credit system	2,500–72,000/year per user	Pay-per-credit; all credits upfront
Transparency	Fully transparent pricing	Transparent
Seat minimums	Starts at 1; Org plan: 3+ seats	Starts at 1 seat; unlimited in plans

Apollo pricing is transparent and tiered by plan: Free, Basic, Professional, and Organization. Lusha’s pricing keeps it simple: $22.45–$29.90/month for Premium, with scale plans gated by sales.

Customer Support & Success

Apollo gets strong marks for live training and responsive onboarding support. Several users mention smooth setup and accessible help channels.

Lusha support gets mixed reviews. While most users never need much help, those scaling or integrating hit bottlenecks and delayed responses.

Scalability & Ecosystem

Apollo is the definition of a scalable sales platform. It rolls CRM sync, sequencing, data, enrichment, dialer, AI insight, and call analytics into one stack. If you’re scaling a multi-tool outbound motion, Apollo will likely consolidate your workflow.

Lusha is best thought of as a data plug-in. Great for quick-hit prospecting. Less suited for orchestrating cross-functional GTM motions.

Final Verdict: Which to Pick When?

Choose Apollo if:
You want a unified, AI-powered platform that gives your team data, workflow, enrichment, and automation in one place. Ideal for outbound orgs scaling from startup to mid-market.

Choose Lusha if:
You want fast, simple access to contact data with minimal ramp-up. Best for early-stage teams or reps who need to move quickly without GTM complexity.

What to Avoid: Choosing a tool without aligning it to your sales process. If your reps are manually downloading lists and emailing them off the cuff, no platform, no matter how smart, can save that.

Summary Table: ZoomInfo vs Lusha

Feature / Area	Apollo	Lusha
Ideal Customer	SMB to Mid-Market	SMBs, lean teams
G2 Rating	★★★★★ (4.7)	★★★★☆ (4.3)
Common User Segments	B2B SaaS, Sales Dev	SMBs, Recruiters
Contact Accuracy	High	Medium
Intent Signals	Yes	Limited
Chrome Extension	Advanced	Advanced
CRM/SEP Integrations	Deep	Moderate
Usability	Moderate learning curve	Easy to use
Data Coverage (Global)	Large & AI-enriched	Moderate
Pricing	Transparent, flexible	Affordable (starts $22/mo)
Free Trial	Yes (Free Plan)	Yes
Ecosystem	Full GTM platform	Contact finder tool only

What About Reachfast? Where It Stands Out?

Apollo is feature-rich but can overwhelm. Lusha is fast but lightweight. Reachfast sits right in the sweet spot.

• 10-40% more phone number coverage than ZoomInfo or Lusha
• Chrome-first UX + real-time LinkedIn-to-dial exports
• No wait for credits or CSVs— just high-connect workflows that scale with your team.

To Conclude

Choosing between Apollo and Lusha comes down to GTM maturity, team size, and budget. Apollo offers a full sales execution stack, while Lusha keeps things light and nimble. Still, they aren’t the only players.

If you want something purpose-built for outbound reps that combines data quality with speed, there’s a growing list of Apollo alternatives and Lusha alternatives worth exploring. Reachfast might just be the one your reps actually love to use.

Want to explore Reachfast as a middle-ground option that actually prioritizes SDR outcomes? Let’s talk.