Closely vs Apollo.io — Comparison 2026
A detailed side-by-side comparison based on our hands-on reviews. Last updated May 6, 2026.
Apollo.io wins this comparison with a rating of 8.7/10. Apollo.io is best for sales teams and sdrs wanting data and outreach together., with pricing from Free plan; Basic $49/user/mo annual ($59 monthly) — verified Jul 10, 2026. Closely (rated 7.3/10) is better for individual sdrs and freelance prospectors scaling linkedin outreach.
Closely
The safest LinkedIn automation tool with solid AI personalization and multi-channel capability — just read the cancellation terms and monitor your credit usage
Try CloselyFeature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Closely |
Apollo.io ★ Our Pick |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 7.3/10 | 8.7/10 |
| Best For | Individual SDRs and freelance prospectors scaling LinkedIn outreach | Sales teams and SDRs wanting data and outreach together. |
| Starting Price | $49/month (Starter plan, 1 LinkedIn account, 1,000 credits) | Free plan; Basic $49/user/mo annual ($59 monthly) — verified Jul 10, 2026 |
| Free Plan | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| What It Does | LinkedIn outreach automation with human-like behavior, AI personalization, email integration, and CRM sync | B2B database plus outreach and dialer in one platform. |
| Our Verdict | The safest LinkedIn automation tool with solid AI personalization and multi-channel capability — just read the cancellation terms and monitor your credit usage | The data-first all-rounder — strongest free plan in the cluster. |
| Try It Free | Try It Free |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Closely if...
You're individual sdrs and freelance prospectors scaling linkedin outreach and need linkedin outreach automation with human-like behavior, ai personalization, email integration, and crm sync.
Rated 7.3/10 · From $49/month (Starter plan, 1 LinkedIn account, 1,000 credits)
Choose Apollo.io if...
You're sales teams and sdrs wanting data and outreach together. and need b2b database plus outreach and dialer in one platform..
Rated 8.7/10 · From Free plan; Basic $49/user/mo annual ($59 monthly) — verified Jul 10, 2026 · Free plan available
Detailed Overviews
Closely — 7.3/10
Closely is a LinkedIn outreach automation tool that combines safe, human-like LinkedIn automation with email follow-ups, AI personalization, and CRM sync. Cloud-based with dedicated IPs per account. Users report months of use without LinkedIn bans. Best for individual SDRs and freelance prospectors doing high-volume LinkedIn outreach.
Apollo.io — 8.7/10
Apollo.io combines a large B2B contact database with sales engagement and a dialer, so teams can find and reach prospects in one tool. Its free plan makes it a common starting point for SDRs, with paid plans from $49/user/month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Closely better than Apollo.io?
Apollo.io scores higher (8.7/10 vs 7.3/10). Choose Apollo.io if you're sales teams and sdrs wanting data and outreach together.; choose Closely if you're individual sdrs and freelance prospectors scaling linkedin outreach.
Which is cheaper, Closely or Apollo.io?
Closely starts at $49/month (Starter plan, 1 LinkedIn account, 1,000 credits) (free plan: no). Apollo.io starts at Free plan; Basic $49/user/mo annual ($59 monthly) — verified Jul 10, 2026 (free plan: yes).
Can I switch from Closely to Apollo.io easily?
Most SaaS tools offer data export features. Check both tools' documentation for import/export capabilities. Many also offer migration assistance for paid plans.