Compare/Head to head

Apollo vs ContactOut

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

Starting price

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

ContactOut

$49/mo Free tier

LinkedIn-first emails and dials with a Chrome extension, MCP, and API. Free plan; paid starts at $49/mo.

Where ContactOut fits

  • Recruiters working LinkedIn all day
  • Desks that need mobiles next to email
  • Teams that want MCP with an API token
  • Daily contact lookup from a profile URL

At a glance

DetailApolloContactOut
Starting price$49/user/mo$49/mo
Free tier✓Yes✓Yes
Free trialYesNot on record
MCP server✓Yes✓Yes
Public API✓Yes✓Yes
Listed underEmail finders, Lead generation, OutreachEmail finders, Lead generation
Capterra4.5 from 398 reviews4.4 from 15 reviews

Where they pull apart

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

ContactOut

Stands out: Chrome extension recruiters keep pinned, plus mobiles and a hosted MCP.

Watch out: Team and API plans are quoted by sales, and the self-serve prices are shown as discounts, so confirm the current rate with the vendor.

Not the right fit for

  • Teams that need Sales Nav list export as the core workflow
  • Teams that want API access without a sales call

Pros and cons

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

ContactOut

  • Chrome workflow from the LinkedIn tab
  • Mobiles next to emails
  • MCP plus API
  • Team and API plans are quoted by sales
  • Not a sequencer
  • Integration list is short

What each one costs

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

ContactOut

$49/mo

Free plan at $0. Email is $49/mo and Email + Phone is $99/mo, both shown as discounts from $99 and $199. Team and API plans are quoted by sales. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Common questions

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

Not the pair you wanted?

All Apollo alternatives All ContactOut alternatives Every Email finders tool

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