Apollo.io
LushaApollo.io vs Lusha: Which B2B Contact Database Is More Accurate?
Quick Verdict
Choose Apollo.io if...
Best for teams that want a single platform for prospecting, outreach, and calling — especially startups and SMBs looking to maximize capability per dollar spent.
Choose Lusha if...
Best for phone-first sales teams and organizations that need compliant, verified contact data without the complexity of an all-in-one platform.
When your outbound pipeline depends on contact data, choosing between Apollo.io and Lusha isn't just a software decision — it directly affects your reply rates, connect rates, and ultimately your revenue.
Both platforms promise verified B2B contact data, but they take fundamentally different approaches. Apollo.io positions itself as an all-in-one sales intelligence and engagement platform, bundling a massive contact database with email sequences, a built-in dialer, and AI-powered personalization. Lusha takes a more focused approach, prioritizing data accuracy and ease of use over feature breadth, with a Chrome extension that has become the go-to tool for reps who live on LinkedIn.
The real question isn't which platform has more features — it's which one delivers data you can actually trust. Sales teams waste hours every week chasing bounced emails and disconnected phone numbers. A database with 300 million contacts means nothing if 30% of those contacts bounce when you hit send.
In this comparison, we break down the areas that actually matter for outbound teams: data accuracy across regions, phone number reliability, credit economics, engagement capabilities, and total cost of ownership. Whether you're a startup SDR running your first sequences or a sales leader evaluating platforms for a 50-person team, this guide will help you pick the right tool for how you actually sell.
Browse more sales intelligence tools or see our guide to the best lead generation tools for a broader view of the landscape.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Apollo.io | Lusha |
|---|---|---|
| B2B Contact Database | ||
| Buying Intent Signals | ||
| Multi-Channel Sequences | ||
| AI Email Writer & Personalization | ||
| Built-in Dialer | ||
| Data Enrichment | ||
| CRM Integration & Sync | ||
| Email Deliverability Suite | ||
| AI Lead Scoring | ||
| Chrome Extension | ||
| Contact Database | ||
| Browser Extension | ||
| Buying Signals | ||
| Engage Sequences | ||
| Conversations AI | ||
| Bulk Enrichment | ||
| CRM Integrations | ||
| API Access | ||
| Intent Data | ||
| Compliance & Data Quality |
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing | Apollo.io | Lusha |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ||
| Starting Price | Free plan with 10,000 email credits/month. Basic at $59/user/month ($49 annually) with 75 mobile credits and 1,000 exports. Professional at $99/user/month ($79 annually) with US dialer, A/B testing, and 2,000 exports. Organization at $149/user/month ($119 annually, min 3 users) with international dialer, SSO, and 4,000 exports. | $29.90/user/month |
| Total Plans | N/A | 4 |
Apollo.ioLusha- 40 credits/month
- 1 user
- Verified emails & phones
- Basic filters
- Email sequences
- 250 credits/month
- List management
- List exporting
- Basic team management
- Bulk enrichment
- AI assistant
- 600 credits/month
- 5 free seats included
- API access
- CSV enrichment
- Signal detection
- Team management
- Credit allocation
- Unlimited credits (fair use)
- 50%+ off price per credit
- SSO authentication
- 25 buying intent topics
- Advanced compliance
- Dedicated success manager
Detailed Review
Apollo.io takes the top spot in this comparison because it delivers the most complete sales intelligence package at a price point that's hard to argue with. For teams evaluating B2B data providers, the key question is usually whether to buy separate tools for data, outreach, and calling — or consolidate everything into one platform. Apollo answers that decisively by bundling a 275M+ contact database, multi-channel sequences, a built-in dialer, AI email writing, and email deliverability tools into a single subscription.
Where Apollo particularly shines against Lusha is in its engagement capabilities. While Lusha requires you to export contacts to a separate outreach tool, Apollo lets you build a prospect list, launch a personalized email sequence, follow up with calls, and track everything in one workflow. The email deliverability suite — including built-in warmup and spam testing — is a genuine differentiator that saves teams from needing yet another tool in their stack.
The trade-off is data accuracy. Apollo's contact database is massive, but users consistently report that email accuracy sits around 85-90% and phone number reliability is lower, especially outside the US. For email-first outbound teams, this is manageable with proper verification workflows. For phone-heavy teams, it's a real limitation. Apollo's free plan with 10,000 email credits per month is the most generous in the category and lets teams validate data quality against their specific ICP before spending anything.
Pros
- All-in-one platform eliminates the need for separate data, outreach, and dialer tools
- Generous free plan with 10,000 email credits per month for testing before you buy
- Built-in email warmup and deliverability suite protects sender reputation automatically
- 65+ advanced search filters enable precise targeting by intent, technographics, and job changes
- AI email writer generates personalized copy using prospect profile data
Cons
- Phone number accuracy lags behind Lusha, especially for direct dials to senior executives
- Data quality drops noticeably outside US and Western European markets
- Credit system can be confusing with different credit types for emails, mobile numbers, and exports
Lusha takes a different strategic approach than Apollo: instead of trying to be an all-in-one sales platform, it focuses on being the most reliable source of verified contact data. For teams that already have an outreach tool and just need trustworthy phone numbers and emails, this focused approach is often the better fit.
Lusha's standout advantage in this comparison is phone number accuracy. When SDRs and AEs are making 50-100 dials a day, every wrong number is wasted time. Lusha's verified direct dials consistently outperform Apollo's phone data, particularly for senior decision-makers at mid-market and enterprise companies in the US and Europe. The platform's GDPR, CCPA, and ISO 27701 certifications also make it the safer choice for teams selling into European markets where data compliance is non-negotiable.
The Chrome extension is where most Lusha users spend their time, and it's polished — a single click on any LinkedIn profile reveals verified contact details that can be pushed directly to your CRM. Lusha has also expanded into engagement with email sequences and Conversations AI for call recording, though these features are newer and less mature than Apollo's equivalent offerings.
The main limitation is the credit system. Lusha's free plan gives you just 40 credits per month (compared to Apollo's 10,000 email credits), and phone number reveals consume 5-10 credits each. High-volume outbound teams can burn through their monthly allowance quickly, making the per-contact cost significantly higher than Apollo's.
Pros
- Superior phone number accuracy with verified direct dials that actually connect
- GDPR and ISO 27701 certified — the safer choice for teams prospecting in European markets
- Polished Chrome extension provides frictionless one-click contact reveals on LinkedIn
- Simpler interface with a shorter learning curve than Apollo's feature-heavy platform
- Strong data quality for US and Western European contacts at senior and executive levels
Cons
- Credit allowances are significantly smaller than Apollo's, driving up per-contact costs for high-volume teams
- Engagement features (sequences, call recording) are less mature than Apollo's built-in outreach tools
- Data coverage weakens outside US and Western Europe, limiting usefulness for global outbound teams
Our Conclusion
The Bottom Line
Apollo.io and Lusha serve the same market but solve different problems. Here's the quick decision framework:
Choose Apollo.io if you want a single platform that handles prospecting, outreach, and calling without juggling multiple subscriptions. Its all-in-one approach and generous free plan make it the better choice for startups, SMBs, and teams that need to move fast on a budget. You'll get more features per dollar, but you'll need to invest time in deliverability management and accept that some contact data will need manual verification.
Choose Lusha if your outbound motion depends on phone calls and you can't afford to waste dials on wrong numbers. Lusha's verified direct dials are notably more reliable than Apollo's, especially for senior decision-makers in US and European markets. It's also the better pick for teams that already have an outreach tool (like Outreach or SalesLoft) and just need a reliable data layer.
Our overall pick: Apollo.io for most teams, because the combination of data, engagement, and a built-in dialer at its price point is hard to beat. But if cold calling is your primary channel, Lusha's phone number accuracy gives it a meaningful edge that's worth the premium.
Whichever platform you choose, start with the free tier to test data accuracy against your specific ICP before committing to a paid plan. Both offer enough free credits to validate quality before you spend a dollar.
For related comparisons, check out our best sales engagement tools or explore CRM software options to complete your sales stack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Apollo.io or Lusha more accurate for phone numbers?
Lusha generally provides more accurate direct dial phone numbers, especially for US and Western European contacts. Apollo.io has a larger database overall, but users report phone number accuracy around 65-70%, while Lusha's verified numbers tend to connect more reliably. If cold calling is your primary channel, Lusha has the edge.
Can I use Apollo.io and Lusha together?
Yes, many sales teams use both platforms. A common approach is using Apollo.io for email outreach and sequence automation while using Lusha's Chrome extension to find verified phone numbers for high-priority prospects. This lets you leverage Apollo's engagement tools with Lusha's superior phone data.
Which is cheaper, Apollo or Lusha?
Apollo.io offers more value per dollar with its free plan (10,000 email credits/month) and paid plans starting at $49/user/month that include sequences, a dialer, and AI features. Lusha's Pro plan starts at $29.90/user/month but only includes 250 credits. For teams that need both data and engagement tools, Apollo is typically more cost-effective.
Does Apollo.io or Lusha have better data coverage outside the US?
Both platforms have strong US coverage. Lusha tends to perform better in Western Europe thanks to its GDPR-compliant data sourcing. Apollo.io has broader global coverage in terms of total contacts, but accuracy drops significantly in regions like the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe.
Do Apollo.io and Lusha integrate with Salesforce and HubSpot?
Yes, both platforms offer native integrations with Salesforce and HubSpot. Apollo.io provides bi-directional CRM sync with automatic field mapping, while Lusha offers one-click push from its Chrome extension. Apollo's integration is deeper if you need automated data flows, while Lusha's is simpler for manual prospecting workflows.