# Salesforce Sales Cloud vs Apollo.io: Features and Cost Comparison 2026 | Capterra

> Salesforce Sales Cloud vs Apollo.io: Which lead generation tool is right for you? Dive into our detailed comparison of their features, costs, and user experience to make your decision.

Source: https://www.capterra.com/compare/61368-158696/Salesforce-vs-Apollo

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# Salesforce Sales Cloud vs Apollo.io Features and Cost Comparison

Last updated April 7th, 2026

Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews  
moderated by our Reviews Verification team.[Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/)

Your comparison:

Salesforce Sales CloudApollo.io2/4 selected

[Salesforce Sales Cloud](https://www.capterra.com/p/61368/Salesforce/)[4.4 (18781)](https://www.capterra.com/p/61368/Salesforce/reviews/)

[Apollo.io](https://www.capterra.com/p/158696/Apollo/)[4.5 (391)](https://www.capterra.com/p/158696/Apollo/reviews/)

[## Salesforce Sales Cloud](https://www.capterra.com/p/61368/Salesforce/)[4.4 (18781)](https://www.capterra.com/p/61368/Salesforce/reviews/)

[## Apollo.io](https://www.capterra.com/p/158696/Apollo/)[4.5 (391)](https://www.capterra.com/p/158696/Apollo/reviews/)

Starting Price

$25.00/month

Starting Price

$25.00/month

Value-for-Money

4

Functionality

4.4

Ease of Use

4

Customer Service

4.1

Starting Price

Contact vendor

Starting Price

Contact vendor for pricing

Value-for-Money

4.4

Functionality

4.5

Ease of Use

4.5

Customer Service

4.3

Reviews Sentiment

Based on [18,781 reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/61368/Salesforce/reviews/)

Positive

16,818

Neutral

1,488

Negative

475

Positive

16,818

Neutral

1,488

Negative

475

Reviews Sentiment

Based on [391 reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/158696/Apollo/reviews/)

Positive

358

Neutral

16

Negative

17

Positive

358

Neutral

16

Negative

17

Best for (according to reviews)

-   **Business size**: Small businesses account for 44% of reviews (8,268), showing widespread use among this segment, followed by enterprise and midsize businesses.
-   **Industry**: Computer software, IT services, and marketing/ad agencies together represent 28% of reviews, indicating notable adoption in tech-driven sectors.
-   **Use cases**: CRM (49%), sales tracking (30%), and account management (22%) are the main uses, supporting customer relationships and sales operations.

Best for (according to reviews)

-   **Business size**: Small businesses account for 306 reviews, representing 81% of feedback, reflecting high usage rates among this segment.
-   **Industry**: Marketing & advertising, IT services, and computer software together contribute 46% of reviews, indicating broad adoption across digital-focused sectors.
-   **Use cases**: Lead generation (70%), lead capture (29%), and lead management (26%) are primary uses, emphasizing Apollo.io’s focus on sales pipeline activities.

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## Reviewer verdict

Salesforce Sales Cloud

Salesforce Sales Cloud users consider it best for organizations seeking comprehensive sales management, automation, and predictive insights, especially when customization and scalability are priorities. Reviewers value its centralized contact database, extensive integrations, and robust customer service features, though they note the higher cost and complexity may be more suitable for larger enterprises rather than small businesses.

Apollo.io

Apollo.io users find it best for efficient lead generation and prospecting, appreciating its vast and accurate B2B contact database, real-time data enrichment, and integration with tools like LinkedIn. Reviewers highlight its affordability, intuitive interface, and the value of its free plan, mentioning that it suits users who prioritize cost-effective, streamlined lead capture and outreach, despite some limitations in email management and occasional data inconsistencies.

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## Features comparison

In the lead generation market, Salesforce Sales Cloud and Apollo.io both offer a range of features, and comparing them goes beyond just looking at price. Understanding which functionalities align with your specific requirements can help maximize value and eliminate unnecessary spending. Below is a breakdown of the most critical aspects to consider. \[[1](#source-item-1)\]

Key features rated by users

Features selected based on 20,108 reviews from Lead Generation users.  
about the Fit Score methodology.

Fit Score methodology

To calculate the Fit Score, our proprietary methodology factors in the following:

  

-   The importance level for each feature. By default, this is determined by user reviews. They can rate a feature Critical, High, Low, or Not Used.
-   Feedback from real users on how the product performs for each key feature, derived from verified user reviews and ratings.

  

Please note:

  

-   To calculate the Fit Score, the number of reviews for those features and the actual rating carry the same weight. You might see that, in some cases, even though the ratings are the same, we still determine a winner because it had more reviews.
-   If the Fit Score is not shown for a specific product, that only means there are currently not enough relevant data points to develop a meaningful score. It does not indicate that the product should be excluded from further evaluation.

Salesforce Sales Cloud

84%Fit

Feature ratings

Lead Capture

4.4

Contact Database

4.6

Prospecting Tools

4.4

Data Import/Export

4.4

Apollo.io

81%Fit

High performer

Feature ratings

Lead Capture

4.5

Contact Database

4.5

Prospecting Tools

4.5

Data Import/Export

4.5

Lead Capture

4.4 (455)

4.5 (150)

Salesforce Sales Cloud users appreciate the automated lead capture process, which they say gathers information from various sources and integrates it into a centralized database. They find it effective in streamlining lead management and accelerating sales cycles. However, some users mention that recent changes have made adding new clients more cumbersome, requiring tech support. Apollo.io users, on the other hand, value the streamlined lead capture process for its data accuracy and faster response times. They highlight the ability to organize leads into lists and sequences, which they say enhances follow-up efficiency. Overall, users find Salesforce Sales Cloud's lead capture feature comprehensive and integrated, while Apollo.io users appreciate its streamlined and efficient lead capture process.

Contact Database

4.6 (590)

4.5 (154)

Salesforce Sales Cloud reviewers value the centralized contact database, which they say makes it easy to access, manage, and track interactions. They appreciate the detailed contact information, segmentation, and integration with various tools, which they say helps improve relationships and sales efficiency. Some users note the challenge of managing duplicate contacts. Apollo.io users appreciate the live updates and the ability to enrich and edit contact information. They find the database vast and accurate, though some mention occasional bugs and inconsistencies. In general, users think both platforms offer robust contact database features, noting that Salesforce Sales Cloud provides comprehensive management, while Apollo.io offers real-time updates and enrichment options.

Prospecting Tools

4.4 (108)

4.5 (107)

Salesforce Sales Cloud users find the prospecting tools helpful for lead tracking and management, contributing to overall sales and conversion rates. They appreciate the ease of inputting leads and the various tools available for outreach. However, some users feel other tools are better for outreach. Apollo.io users highlight the ease of finding target prospects with relevant filters and the integration with LinkedIn for enhanced prospecting. They value the ability to create sequences and the intuitive interface. Overall, users express that Salesforce Sales Cloud's prospecting tools are effective for lead management, while Apollo.io's tools are praised for their ease of use and integration capabilities.

Data Import/Export

4.4 (429)

4.5 (106)

Salesforce Sales Cloud users find the data import/export feature essential for managing and transferring data between systems. They appreciate the user-friendly interface and the ability to handle large volumes of data. Some users mention issues with duplicate accounts and the need for more comprehensive options. Apollo.io users value the ease of importing and exporting data, particularly in CSV format. They find the process straightforward but note limitations with the basic subscription. In summary, users think both platforms offer efficient data import/export features, with Salesforce Sales Cloud being user-friendly and comprehensive, while Apollo.io is appreciated for its simplicity and CSV support.

## Pricing comparison

### Starting prices

Salesforce Sales Cloud

$25.00

Per User

(Per Month)

Free Trial

Free Version

[View pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/61368/Salesforce/pricing/)

Apollo.io

$0.00

Per User

(Per Month)

Free Trial

Free Version

[View pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/158696/Apollo/pricing/)

### Value-for-money analysis

4.0 (18781)

4.4 (391)

An exploration of what reviewers say about both Salesforce Sales Cloud's and Apollo.io's value for money finds that Salesforce Sales Cloud reviewers see it as a comprehensive solution with extensive features and customization options, while Apollo.io reviewers comment on its affordability and generous free plan. Reviewers find Salesforce Sales Cloud to be a powerful CRM with rich features and automation capabilities, which they say justifies its higher pricing for larger enterprises. They appreciate its scalability, extensive integrations, and comprehensive sales management tools. However, some users mention that the high cost and complexity can be prohibitive for smaller businesses, noting additional fees for advanced features and customization. When it comes to Apollo.io, reviewers appreciate its cost-effectiveness and the value provided by its free plan, which they find useful for lead generation and basic prospecting. They highlight the affordability of its paid plans compared to competitors and the generous free credits offered. Nonetheless, some users express concerns about sudden price hikes, limited features in the free version, and occasional issues with data quality and customer support.

## How does the user experience compare on Salesforce Sales Cloud vs Apollo.io?

### Overall rating

4.4 (18781)

4.5 (391)

### User interface

Salesforce Sales Cloud

Apollo.io

### Customer service and support

Salesforce Sales Cloud

Email/Help Desk

FAQs/Forum

Knowledge Base

Phone Support

24/7 (Live rep)

Chat

Apollo.io

Email/Help Desk

FAQs/Forum

Knowledge Base

Phone Support

24/7 (Live rep)

Chat

## What users say about the pros and cons of Salesforce Sales Cloud vs Apollo.io

Both Salesforce Sales Cloud and Apollo are solutions that have been reviewed by verified reviewers on Capterra. Check out what real users have to say about their experiences to see how Salesforce Sales Cloud stacks up against Apollo and pick the one that fits best your needs. Users appreciate Salesforce Sales Cloud for its comprehensive sales management tools, noting its ability to streamline sales processes, provide predictive insights, and automate tasks. They also value its robust customization options, which allow for extensive tailoring to specific business needs. Additionally, reviewers highlight its strong customer service features, which help manage customer relationships and provide insightful analytics. When it comes to Apollo, users praise its lead generation capabilities, citing its extensive B2B contact database and efficient data tracking. They also find its pricing competitive, noting the value offered even in the free plan. Furthermore, reviewers commend Apollo's customer support for being responsive and helpful. As for the cons, users find Salesforce Sales Cloud's pricing to be a significant drawback, especially for small businesses, as costs can escalate quickly with additional features and customizations. Meanwhile, Apollo users mention issues with email management, such as incorrect email addresses and email tracking glitches, which can affect campaign effectiveness and domain health. \[[2](#source-item-2)\]

Pros

Salesforce Sales Cloud

AW

Andrew W

Senior sales RepHealth, Wellness and Fitness, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years.

“The best thing about Salesforce Sales Cloud as a salesperson is the ability to neatly and conveniently organize my book of business for success and growth!“

February 20, 2026

ka

khyan a

Senior Business Development RepresentativeComputer Software, 1,001 - 5,000 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years.

“You can customise workflows, reporting, and dashboards to fit almost any sales process, and it integrates well with other tools. Once it’s set up properly, it becomes a very powerful system for managing pipelines, tracking activity, and giving leadership clear visibility over the sales process.“

March 15, 2026

Apollo.io

SW

Shasta W

Director of Sales SupportConstruction, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years.

“I also really value the all-in-one functionality—being able to find contacts, verify emails, and manage outreach in one system saves a lot of time and reduces the need for multiple tools.“

March 19, 2026

NO

Nurudeen O

Business Outreach AnalystTelecommunications, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years.

“Being able to input a simple prompt and get highly relevant leads along with the exact information I need saves a lot of time and removes the guesswork from prospecting.“

April 26, 2026

Cons

Salesforce Sales Cloud

JF

Jennsy Suyapa F

Customer ServiceWriting and Editing, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: 6-12 months.

“There is no duplicate message if the information is entered twice so can easily confuse during a call or resolving a ticket where you only have minutes to solve a client issue, we had moments when the system was down during peak season and that was very frustrating .“

October 27, 2025

Nathaniel C

Account ExecutiveComputer & Network Security, 201 - 500 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years.

“Admin-level customization often requires technical expertise or certified support, which adds cost and dependency.“

January 26, 2026

Apollo.io

Rafay A

ResearchStaffing and Recruiting, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years.

“Unclear pricing, forced waterfall verification, slow email access, and excessive credit consumption even for email-only exports.“

January 8, 2026

rp

ryan p

OwnerDesign, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: Less than 6 months.

“The interface can feel a bit overwhelming at first, and I accidentally spent a bunch of time individually selecting people only to click on the wrong “add to list” icon that just added the entire company to my list.“

October 31, 2025

* * *

Sources

1.  Our research team identified features from vendor websites based on their analysis of what users find valuable or expect from lead generation software. This list is not exhaustive. For additional features, refer to the vendor’s website.
    
2.  Review excerpts are passages extracted from longer reviews written by verified reviewers. We obtain these excerpts by applying an algorithm that considers factors including, but not limited to, length, topic coverage, and thematic relevance. Excerpts are evaluated for positive or negative sentiment and receive a sentiment score. They represent user opinion and do not represent the views of, nor constitute, an endorsement by Capterra or its affiliates. Excerpts are not edited for clarity or grammar.
    

* * *

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