Apollo.io’s great and all—but sometimes it’s buggy, or you just want a change. I’ve bounced between a ton of B2B lead generation tools, and honestly, a few of them beat Apollo at its own game. Here’s the real rundown on what’s worth checking out in 2025.

1. ZoomInfo – The Godfather of B2B Leads

ZoomInfo is the OG. Huge database, super-rich intent data, and enterprise-ready.

What I like:

• Ridiculously deep B2B leads database.
• Intent data + company hierarchies = goldmine.
• Plays nice with CRMs like HubSpot and Salesforce.

What sucks:

• Pricey as hell.
• Overkill if you’re a solo SDR or small biz.

💰 Pricing: Custom (read: expensive)

✅ Verdict: If you’ve got budget and want raw business leads power, this is your beast.

2. RocketReach – Lean, Mean, Prospecting Machine

RocketReach is like Apollo’s quieter cousin. Lightweight and super straightforward.

What’s good:

• Solid contact info (emails + some direct dials).
• Works well for LinkedIn prospecting.
• Good search filters without a learning curve.

Downsides:

• Database isn’t massive.
• No built-in outreach (you’ll need other tools).

💰 Pricing: From $53/month (billed annually)

✅ Verdict: Great Apollo.io alternative for people who want clean data, fast.

3. Kaspr – Fast, Fresh, Chrome-Based Prospecting

Kaspr’s all about LinkedIn + Chrome extension combo. You can grab numbers/emails while browsing profiles—super slick.

What I loved:

• Real-time lead capture from LinkedIn.
• Direct dials way more accurate than expected.
• Good UI + team-friendly.

The catch:

• Mostly EU/UK leads.
• Less data depth than Apollo.

💰 Pricing: Starts free, paid from €49/month

✅ Verdict: If you’re in Europe and live on LinkedIn, Kaspr’s a killer Apollo alt.

4. LeadIQ – Sales Intel with Outreach Built-In

LeadIQ’s tight if you care about sales workflows more than giant databases.

Why it works:

• Chrome extension works well with LinkedIn.
• Syncs cleanly with Salesforce, HubSpot.
• Capture + sequence leads right away.

Why it didn’t replace Apollo for me:

• Smaller contact pool.
• Gets pricey quick if you scale.

💰 Pricing: Free tier, paid from ~$75/month

✅ Verdict: Best for reps who want data + outreach in one place, without Apollo’s clunkiness.

5. SalesIntel – Intense Data with a Personal Touch

SalesIntel brings hyper-targeted B2B leads, especially if you’re targeting decision-makers.

What’s awesome:

• Real-time data + human-verified info.
• In-depth firmographics (company data).
• Robust CRM integrations.

What I didn’t vibe with:

• Pricing’s on the high side for SMBs.
• Interface feels a bit dated.

💰 Pricing: Custom pricing (usually pricey)

✅ Verdict: Go here for verified, deep company insights and accurate decision-maker info, but only if you’ve got the budget.

6. LeadSwift – Automated Lead Scraping + Enrichment

LeadSwift specializes in automated lead scraping and enrichment, giving you quality leads without the grind.

Pros:

• Automatically scrapes leads across multiple platforms.
• Fast enrichment process for more accurate data.
• Simple to use—no steep learning curve.

Cons:

• Not as much custom targeting as some competitors.
• Limited integration options with CRMs.

💰 Pricing: Starts around $79/month

✅ Verdict: Solid tool for automatic lead scraping + enrichment, but not the best if you need detailed segmentation or CRM syncing.

7. LeadScrape – Lead Generation for Web Scrapers

LeadScrape’s a great tool for those who like to scrape business leads from the web—socials, directories, etc.

Why it works:

• Scrapes business info from tons of online directories.
• Easy-to-use interface, super fast.
• Flexible export options.

What’s not great:

• Limited to directories and public data.
• Doesn’t have as much contact info as others.

💰 Pricing: From $39/month

✅ Verdict: Best for scraping leads from the web when you need something quick, but not ideal for super detailed or enriched data.

8. Skrapp – Email Hunter with a Simpler UI

Skrapp’s one of those email finders that’s lean, fast, and effective for lead hunters.

Likes:

• Finds emails from LinkedIn profiles—super efficient.
• Clean UI, no clutter.
• Integration with CRM tools like Pipedrive.

Dislikes:

• Doesn’t find as many phone numbers or other contact info.
• Data enrichment is lacking.

💰 Pricing: Free plan, paid from $49/month

✅ Verdict: Perfect if you’re after emails and don’t need a bunch of extra bells and whistles.

9. Snov.io – The Swiss Army Knife of Lead Gen

Snov.io is versatile—it’s a complete suite of lead gen tools, including email finding, verification, and even outreach automation.

Why I dig it:

• Email finding + verification is top-notch.
• CRM integrations + sales automation.
• Good free plan to get started.

What could be better:

• Doesn’t go as deep with company info as some.
• Some features require extra setup.

💰 Pricing: Free plan; paid from $39/month

✅ Verdict: A great all-in-one lead gen tool with an emphasis on email. If you like Apollo for the mix of features, this is a solid alternative.

10. GetProspect – Simple + Effective Email Hunter

If you want a lean, no-frills email hunter that gets the job done, GetProspect’s your pick.

What’s good:

• Works great for bulk email finding.
• Simple, easy to use, no learning curve.
• Clean UI and export options.

The downside:

• Limited data beyond email.
• Doesn’t have built-in enrichment or deep CRM integration.

💰 Pricing: Free plan, paid from $49/month

✅ Verdict: Quick email discovery—good alternative if you just need emails and don’t want the complexity of Apollo.

11. TaskDrive – Personalized Lead Sourcing + Outreach

TaskDrive’s a little different. It’s more about personalized lead sourcing and full-funnel outreach.

What’s cool:

• Dedicated lead gen teams who can source leads for you.
• Complete outbound process—from list-building to outreach.

What’s not so hot:

• High cost for the services.
• Not fully self-service; requires a bit of setup.

💰 Pricing: Custom (can get pricey)

✅ Verdict: If you need hands-on lead generation plus outreach, TaskDrive’s got your back—just be ready to pay for the extra service.

12. LeadFuze – Email + Phone Leads, Fast!

LeadFuze’s a great alternative if you want direct dials and emails, not just emails.

Likes:

• Direct dials included, plus emails.
• Search filters are solid.
• Integrates with CRMs + automation tools.

Dislikes:

• Not as clean for data accuracy as some others.
• A bit on the pricey side for small businesses.

💰 Pricing: From $132/month

✅ Verdict: If direct phone numbers are crucial for your outreach, LeadFuze is a solid pick over Apollo.

13. Instantly.ai – Outreach + Lead Gen Automation

Instantly.ai is an AI-driven email outreach tool with lead gen features, mainly focused on automating your prospecting.

Why I like it:

• AI-powered cold email automation.
• Smart follow-ups.
• Built-in email verification.

What’s not ideal:

• Doesn’t have a massive database like Apollo.
• Best for email-focused outreach, not lead discovery.

💰 Pricing: From $69/month

✅ Verdict: If you want an Apollo.io alternative with a focus on email outreach automation, give Instant.ly a shot.

14. Brevo – All-In-One for Email + Lead Gen

Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) brings email marketing + lead gen into one easy-to-use platform.

What I dig:

• Integrated email campaigns + lead nurturing.
• Easy setup and intuitive UI.
• Automations are solid.

What I didn’t like:

• Not as in-depth with B2B lead databases.
• Limited contact enrichment compared to Apollo.

💰 Pricing: Free plan; paid from $25/month

✅ Verdict: If you want email marketing with your lead gen, Brevo’s a simple, affordable alternative to Apollo.

15. UpLead – Clean Data, No Nonsense

UpLead’s been my go-to when I needed super accurate business leads—email, phone, firmographics, the works.

Pros:

• 95%+ email accuracy guarantee.
• Great real-time verification.
• Tons of filters for precise targeting.

Cons:

• Database isn’t as deep as ZoomInfo.
• UI’s solid but not flashy.

💰 Pricing: From $99/month

✅ Verdict: If data accuracy is your top priority, UpLead’s a killer Apollo alternative.

16. Lead411 – Verified Emails + Direct Dials

Lead411 impressed me with how easy it is to get direct dials and verified emails on US-based prospects.

What I liked:

• Intent data + direct dials.
• Real-time triggers (job changes, funding rounds).
• Great for outbound SDRs.

What I didn’t like:

• A little clunky to navigate at first.
• Limited data outside the U.S.

💰 Pricing: Starts at $99/month

✅ Verdict: Great if you’re prospecting in the U.S. and want real-time alerts with solid contact data.

17. Overloop – CRM + Outreach in One

Overloop (used to be Prospect.io) is like a lightweight sales engagement tool with basic lead gen.

Good stuff:

• Decent email finder + verifier.
• Built-in outreach campaigns.
• Works well for SMB teams.

Meh stuff:

• Database isn’t massive.
• Lacks deeper enrichment tools.

💰 Pricing: From $49/month

✅ Verdict: A clean, CRM + cold email combo if you’re on a budget.

18. Hunter.io – OG Email Finder

Hunter’s a legend in the email finding game. If you’ve ever done cold email, you’ve probably used it.

Why it rocks:

• Lightning fast.
• Bulk domain search is 🔥.
• Free tier is super generous.

Downsides:

• Just emails, no phones or firmographics.
• Minimal integrations.

💰 Pricing: Free plan; paid from $49/month

✅ Verdict: Best email finder if you’re just getting started or need a backup to Apollo.

19. Coldlytics – Manual Data Done Right

Coldlytics takes a unique spin—they manually build lead lists based on your exact ICP.

What’s solid:

• No fluff. Just hand-curated leads.
• High quality, low bounce rates.
• Great support team.

What’s not:

• Takes time to deliver lists.
• No real-time search—you submit a brief and wait.

💰 Pricing: Pay-per-lead model

✅ Verdict: If you want ultra-targeted leads and are sick of digging yourself, Coldlytics is a time-saver.

20. Seamless.ai – AI-Driven B2B Leads

Seamless pitches itself as AI-powered, but tbh, it’s more about volume and speed.

What worked:

• Finds emails + phones.
• AI filtering saves some manual work.
• Massive database.

What didn’t:

• Data quality can be hit or miss.
• UI overload, feels clunky.

💰 Pricing: Free trial; paid plans around $147/month

✅ Verdict: Great for high-volume outreach, but double-check the contact quality.

21. LeadsGorilla – Local Business Data Machine

This one’s more niche—it’s built for local lead gen (think agencies, freelancers targeting local businesses).

What I liked:

• Google My Business scraping.
• Local SEO signals built in.
• Good for quick SMB prospecting.

What’s lacking:

• Not made for enterprise or SaaS leads.
• Data’s pretty shallow beyond contact basics.

💰 Pricing: Lifetime deals (around $67)

✅ Verdict: A fun tool for local biz hunters, but not a full Apollo replacement for B2B SaaS.

22. Lusha – Speed + Simplicity

Lusha’s one of the fastest tools I’ve used to grab emails and direct dials off LinkedIn.

Why it’s 🔥:

• Easy Chrome extension.
• Quality B2B contact data.
• GDPR compliant.

Why it’s not:

• Pricing can spike quickly.
• Lower-tier plans are super limited.

💰 Pricing: Free plan; paid starts at $29/month/user

✅ Verdict: If you need quick lead data from LinkedIn, Lusha delivers—fast and clean.

23. Clay – Lead Data + No-Code Workflows

Clay’s different. It’s a lead database tool + automation builder mashed into one.

What I loved:

• Automate scraping + enrichment in one tool.
• Use APIs, data sources, and AI.
• Wild customization—think Airtable on steroids.

What I didn’t:

• Bit of a learning curve.
• Might be overkill if you just want emails.

💰 Pricing: From $149/month

✅ Verdict: Ideal if you’re a power user or agency that wants to automate lead gen workflows.

24. Datanyze – Affordable + Clean Prospecting

Datanyze is more of a budget-friendly Apollo clone, focused on email discovery + enrichment.

Good stuff:

• Decent email data.
• Tech stack filters (great for SaaS targeting).
• Simple UI, works well.

Bad stuff:

• Smaller database.
• Limited outreach tools.

💰 Pricing: From $21/month

✅ Verdict: If you’re bootstrapped, Datanyze gets the job done for cheap.

25. Dun & Bradstreet (DNB) – Big Biz Intelligence

DNB isn’t your everyday lead gen tool. It’s more like a corporate data powerhouse.

What’s powerful:

• Massive enterprise database.
• Rich company firmographics + financials.
• Great for risk scoring + B2B segmentation.

What’s annoying:

• UI is clunky.
• Way overkill for startups or SMBs.

💰 Pricing: Enterprise-level pricing

✅ Verdict: Use this if you’re doing big-budget ABM campaigns or need deep company intel beyond basic leads.

26. LeadFuze – AI-Driven Prospect Lists

LeadFuze is solid when you want automated lead lists without doing much manual digging. Their “Fuzebot” AI is kinda cool — it builds lead lists for you in the background.

Pros:

• Intent-based targeting.
• Verified emails + direct dials.
• “Fuzebot” saves serious time.

Cons:

• UI feels outdated.
• Data quality can dip in niche industries.

💰 Pricing: Starts at $147/month

✅ Verdict: A laid-back way to build targeted lists if you’re into done-for-you lead gen.

27. Instantly.ai – Cold Email Automation Meets Lead Data

Instantly’s more of a cold outreach platform, but it’s grown into a decent source of verified leads too, esp. with their B2B database add-on.

What’s 🔥:

• Send from unlimited inboxes.
• Includes verified leads (with the “Leads” add-on).
• Crazy good deliverability tools.

What’s meh:

• Limited filters in the lead database.
• You’ll still need enrichment tools.

💰 Pricing: $37/month for outreach; leads cost extra

✅ Verdict: Perfect if you want Apollo + outreach bundled in one tool.

28. Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) – Not Just Email Marketing

Brevo isn’t a classic B2B leads database, but hear me out. Their CRM + automation combo makes it useful once you’ve captured leads elsewhere.

What I liked:

• Built-in CRM.
• Email, SMS, and WhatsApp outreach.
• Segmentation is top-notch.

What I didn’t:

• Doesn’t help you find leads — you need to bring your own.
• More B2C-ish than B2B.

💰 Pricing: Free plan available; paid from $25/month

✅ Verdict: Not a lead finder, but if you’re building lead funnels and want a CRM + outreach engine, Brevo delivers.