Compare/Head to head

AI Ark vs Apollo

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

Starting price

AI Ark

$49/mo Free tier

B2B contact database with a 100-credit free plan. Paid Usage starts at $49/mo for 5,000 credits.

Where AI Ark fits

  • Agencies exporting verified emails on a credit meter
  • GTM teams that want lookalike and semantic search included
  • Desks already pushing lists to HubSpot or Salesforce
  • Buyers who want a no-card free allowance first

Apollo

$49/user/mo Free tier Free trial

All-in-one B2B database plus sequencer, with a free plan and paid plans from $49 per seat a month billed annually.

Where Apollo fits

  • Outbound recruiting and sales on one database
  • Teams that want free-tier access to start
  • Desks that need sequences next to the data
  • Consumers of the Apollo graph via MCP or API

At a glance

DetailAI ArkApollo
Starting price$49/mo$49/user/mo
Free tier✓Yes✓Yes
Free trialNot on recordYes
MCP server✓Yes✓Yes
Public API✓Yes✓Yes
Listed underEmail finders, Verification, Lead generationEmail finders, Lead generation, Outreach
CapterraNot enough reviews4.5 from 398 reviews

Where they pull apart

AI Ark

Stands out: Lookalike search, semantic search and personality analysis are on every plan, including Free, plus a hosted MCP server and REST API.

Watch out: The free plan selects only 25 records at a time, and exports stop when its 100 monthly credits run out. Annual billing saves 20 percent.

Not the right fit for

  • Teams that want a sequencer in the same tool
  • Users who want unlimited exports on the free plan

Apollo

Stands out: A large people database plus email sequences in one login, with MCP and a Chrome extension.

Watch out: Data quality varies by segment, and it does not match enterprise tools for intent data and org charts.

Not the right fit for

  • Buyers who need enterprise-class intent and org charts
  • Teams that want an ATS

Pros and cons

AI Ark

  • Free 100 credits a month, no card
  • Usage plan $49/mo for 5,000 credits
  • Hosted MCP server and REST API
  • Free plan selects only 25 records at a time
  • Free exports stop when credits run out
  • No built-in email sequencer

Apollo

  • Free plan, then Basic at $49 per seat a month billed annually
  • Database plus sequences in one login
  • MCP and Chrome extension
  • Data quality varies by segment
  • Less depth on intent than enterprise vendors
  • Credit model needs watching

What each one costs

AI Ark

$49/mo

Free is $0 forever with 100 credits a month and 25-record selections. The Usage plan starts at $49/mo for 5,000 credits, unused credits roll over, and annual billing is 20% cheaper. Agency and Enterprise plans are custom. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Apollo

$49/user/mo

Apollo has a free plan with 900 credits per seat a year, granted monthly. Basic is $49 per seat a month billed annually, with 30,000 credits per seat a year granted upfront and a 14-day trial; annual billing saves 24% against monthly. Higher plans are listed on the same page. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Common questions

Is AI Ark cheaper than Apollo?
AI Ark starts lower, at $49/mo against $49/user/mo for Apollo. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
Can you try AI Ark or Apollo for free?
AI Ark and Apollo carry a free tier on our listing. Apollo offers a free trial.
Does AI Ark or Apollo have an MCP server?
AI Ark and Apollo ship a first party MCP server, so an AI assistant can work the product directly.

Not the pair you wanted?

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Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 4 Nov 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?