Apollo.io vs Close: Cross-Category Comparison
Compare Apollo.io (data enrichment tool) and Close (crm platform) side by side. Understand how these tools fit different stages of your sales workflow.
Apollo.io is a data enrichment tool with 210M+ contacts that sources and verifies B2B leads, starting at $0/month. Close is a CRM platform built for inside sales teams with built-in calling and SMS, starting at $19/month. They serve different workflow stages—Apollo handles lead sourcing while Close manages pipeline tracking—making them complementary rather than competitive.
Key takeaways
- Apollo.io provides access to a database of 210 million contacts and 30 million companies for lead sourcing and contact enrichment.
- Close starts at $19 per month for its base CRM plan, while Apollo.io offers a free tier with 10,000 credits monthly.
- Both tools integrate with HubSpot, enabling teams to connect data enrichment and CRM workflows in a unified tech stack.
- Apollo.io focuses on the lead sourcing stage with contact database and email sequencing, while Close handles pipeline management with built-in calling and predictive dialing.
- Many B2B sales teams use both tools together since they address different bottlenecks in the sales workflow rather than competing for the same function.
Reviewed and updated February 6, 2026
Apollo.io vs Close: Cross-Category Comparison
Teams building a B2B sales stack often face a choice between investing in B2B lead data and contact enrichment (Apollo.io) or customer relationship management (Close). This comparison helps you understand what each tool does, where they overlap, and how they fit into your workflow.
Why Compare These Two Tools?
Data enrichment tools find and verify contact information, while CRMs organize and track those contacts through the sales process. Teams evaluate whether their CRM's built-in data features are sufficient or if a dedicated enrichment tool delivers better data quality.
Apollo.io is a data enrichment tool focused on B2B lead data and contact enrichment. All-in-one sales intelligence platform with 210M+ contacts, AI-powered campaigns, and built-in email sequencing.
Close is a crm platform focused on customer relationship management. A CRM built specifically for inside sales teams, with built-in calling, SMS, and email functionality. Close focuses on reducing manual data entry and increasing sales velocity with features like Power Dialer, predictive dialing, and workflow automation.
Where Each Tool Fits in Your Workflow
| Aspect | Apollo.io | Close |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Data Enrichment Tool | CRM Platform |
| Workflow Stage | Lead sourcing and data | Pipeline and deal tracking |
| Primary Focus | B2B lead data and contact enrichment | Customer relationship management |
| Starting Price | Free | $19/mo |
| Features Listed | 10 | 8 |
| Integrations | 7 | 8 |
Pricing Comparison
Apollo.io Pricing (as of February 2026)
| Plan | Price | Contacts | Emails |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | 10,000 credits/month | Basic sequences |
| Basic | $49/mo | Not specified | Full sequences |
| Professional | $99/mo | Not specified | Full sequences |
| Enterprise | Contact Sales | Custom | Custom |
Source: Apollo.io Pricing
Close Pricing (as of February 2026)
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Base | $19/mo |
| Startup | $49/mo |
| Professional | $99/mo |
| Enterprise | $139/mo |
Source: Close Pricing
Pricing Context
These tools serve different purposes, so a direct price comparison requires context. Apollo.io starts at $0/mo for B2B lead data and contact enrichment, while Close starts at $19/mo for customer relationship management. Many teams end up paying for both since they address different workflow stages.
Feature Highlights
Apollo.io Key Capabilities (Data Enrichment Tool)
- 210M+ contacts database
- 30M+ companies
- AI-powered multichannel campaigns
- Email deliverability guardrails
- Anonymous visitor identification
- Real-time form enrichment
- Contact and company enrichment
- Advanced filtering
- CRM data cleansing
- Pipeline boards
Close Key Capabilities (CRM Platform)
- Built-in calling with Power Dialer
- Native SMS messaging
- Email sequences and templates
- Automated workflows
- Predictive dialing
- AI Email Assistant
- Pipeline and activity reporting
- Role-based access and permissions
Feature Overlap
These tools have minimal feature overlap, which makes sense given their different categories. They are more complementary than competitive.
Integration Ecosystem
Apollo.io Integrations
Apollo.io connects with: Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach, SalesLoft, Marketo, SendGrid, LinkedIn.
Close Integrations
Close connects with: Zapier, Slack, Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, Zoom, HubSpot, Segment, Calendly.
Shared Integrations
Both tools integrate with: HubSpot. This shared ecosystem means they can work together in your tech stack.
When to Choose Apollo.io
- Your biggest gap is in lead sourcing and data
- You already have a solid crm platform and need specialized B2B lead data and contact enrichment capabilities
- You want an affordable entry point ($0/mo)
- Your team's primary bottleneck is B2B lead data and contact enrichment
When to Choose Close
- Your biggest gap is in pipeline and deal tracking
- You already have a data enrichment tool and need better customer relationship management
- You want an affordable entry point ($19/mo)
- Your team's primary bottleneck is customer relationship management
Using Both Together
Many sales teams use both a data enrichment tool and a crm platform as part of their complete workflow. Apollo.io handles lead sourcing and data while Close covers pipeline and deal tracking.
Since both tools integrate with HubSpot, connecting them in your workflow is straightforward.
Decision Framework
- Map your workflow gaps. Which stage needs the most improvement: lead sourcing and data or pipeline and deal tracking?
- Check your existing stack. Do you already have a tool covering one of these categories?
- Consider your budget. Can you invest in both, or do you need to prioritize one?
- Trial both. Sign up for free trials to evaluate each tool in your actual workflow.
- Measure ROI separately. Track the impact of each tool on its specific workflow stage.
Related Reading
- Best Apollo.io Alternatives in 2026
- Best Close Alternatives in 2026
- Apollo.io vs ZoomInfo: Which B2B Data Platform Should You Choose?
- Apollo vs Clay: Choosing the Right Data Enrichment Tool for B2B Sales
- Close vs Salesforce: CRM Platform Comparison
Pricing and features verified as of February 2026. Visit Apollo.io and Close for current information.
Frequently asked questions.
Frequently asked questions- What's the main difference between Apollo.io and Close?
- Apollo.io is a data enrichment tool that finds and verifies B2B contact information from a database of 210M+ contacts, while Close is a CRM platform that manages customer relationships and tracks deals through your sales pipeline. Apollo handles lead sourcing at the top of your funnel, and Close manages those leads through the sales process. They serve different stages of the sales workflow rather than competing directly.
- Can you use Apollo.io and Close together?
- Yes, many sales teams use both tools as part of their complete workflow. Apollo.io handles lead sourcing and contact enrichment while Close covers pipeline management and deal tracking. Both tools integrate with HubSpot, making it straightforward to connect them in your tech stack. This combination addresses two distinct workflow stages: finding leads and managing relationships with those leads.
- How much does Apollo.io cost compared to Close?
- Apollo.io starts with a free plan offering 10,000 credits per month, then $49/month for Basic, $99/month for Professional, and custom pricing for Enterprise. Close starts at $19/month for Base, $49/month for Startup, $99/month for Professional, and $139/month for Enterprise. Direct price comparison requires context since Apollo focuses on data enrichment while Close provides CRM functionality—different purposes that many teams pay for simultaneously.
- Should I choose Apollo.io or Close for my sales team?
- Choose Apollo.io if your biggest bottleneck is lead sourcing and finding verified B2B contact information, especially if you already have a CRM. Choose Close if you need better pipeline management and deal tracking with built-in calling and SMS, especially if you already have a data source. Map your workflow gaps first—most teams eventually need both since they address different stages of the sales process.
About the author.
Tim Carden is CMO / CTO at RevenueFlow, which builds and operates outbound revenue engines for B2B companies. Studied at McGill University.
Tim Carden · CMO / CTO
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