Apollo.io vs Salesforce Sales Cloud comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Apollo.io and Salesforce are both solutions in the Opportunity Management category. Apollo.io is ranked #2 with an average rating of 7.9, while Salesforce is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.6. Apollo.io holds a 7.4% mindshare in OM, compared to Salesforce’s 8.7% mindshare. Additionally, 82% of Apollo.io users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 94% of Salesforce users who would recommend it.

Apollo.io

Read 14 Apollo.io reviews

2,331 Views
2,331 Comparison Views

82% willing to recommend

Salesforce Sales Cloud

Read 118 Salesforce Sales Cloud reviews

15,126 Views
2,571 Comparison Views

94% willing to recommend

Apollo.io

Salesforce Sales Cloud

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jun 3, 2026

Salesforce Sales Cloud and Apollo.io compete in the CRM market. Salesforce Sales Cloud has an edge due to its comprehensive CRM features and large third-party ecosystem, while Apollo.io offers powerful data enrichment and integration capabilities that are ideal for smaller teams.

Features: Salesforce Sales Cloud is known for extensive customization, robust reporting, and a large ecosystem for third-party apps. It includes lead and opportunity management, sales forecasting, and mobile compatibility. Apollo.io excels with powerful filters and robust data enrichment, offering easy integration with CRM systems like HubSpot, and combines database and outreach tools efficiently.

Room for Improvement: Salesforce Sales Cloud requires better integration capabilities and performance for large data volumes. Users also face high costs and complex customizations. Apollo.io needs improvements in data timeliness and CRM functionality, especially verification capabilities, to enhance its offering.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Salesforce Sales Cloud offers public cloud deployment with private and hybrid options, supported by a robust community. However, responsive customer service requires higher-tier plans. Apollo.io, deployed on a public cloud, offers straightforward setup and pricing, with support available through forums. Both prioritize community-driven support but differ in the availability of direct assistance.

Pricing and ROI: Salesforce Sales Cloud is costly, with added expenses for advanced features. Negotiation is key for better pricing. It promises significant ROI through workflow efficiency. Apollo.io presents an affordable pricing structure with a free edition, offering a cost-effective option for small to medium businesses, with potential ROI seen in streamlined sales processes and improved data accuracy.

To learn more, read our detailed Apollo.io vs. Salesforce Sales Cloud Report (Updated: September 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Apollo.io vs. Salesforce Sales Cloud

September 2026

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

ROI

Sentiment score

6.0

Apollo.io offers cost-effective lead generation and sales enhancement, outperforming pricier tools while improving campaign performance and workflow efficiency.

Sentiment score

6.5

Salesforce Sales Cloud enhances sales efficiency and data management, offering cost-effective solutions for non-profits with productivity benefits.

Comparing the price of Apollo.io to ZoomInfo, Apollo.io provides better value while maintaining data accuracy and consistently generating leads from its database of over 270 million contacts.

Shadrach Godwish Chukwu

SDR and Workflow Automation Specialist at a tech services company with 11-50 employees

I would say still with the new pricing, Apollo.io is the cheapest and it gives us a positive ROI.

Zaharan M

Assistant Manager - Lead Generation at Roar Global

Many campaigns that we have run and are running deliver significant ROI thanks to the quality of the data and the options to build out very tight audiences using a wide variety of targeting filters.

Tom Simpson

Founder & Group CEO at We Are Team Rocket

For more quotes and insights, download the Apollo.io report

Salesforce Sales Cloud is a fantastic tool but requires disciplined data entry by sales personnel and operations teams to maintain data quality.

NavinJacob

Chief Digital Officer at Cipher7

We are not just implementing Salesforce Sales Cloud; we need to understand what the customer wants to achieve in 5 to 10 years.

Kamal Deep

Founder and Salesforce Consultant at SaaSnic

For more quotes and insights, download the Salesforce Sales Cloud report

Customer Service

Sentiment score

3.9

Apollo.io's customer service receives mixed reviews; some praise it, while others find it repetitive and slow at times.

Sentiment score

6.9

Salesforce Sales Cloud offers efficient support, with faster responses for premium users, while community resources enhance regular support experiences.

While the support was adequate, it could be more efficient as the response time was somewhat slow.

Shadrach Godwish Chukwu

SDR and Workflow Automation Specialist at a tech services company with 11-50 employees

We had issues with Apollo.io's technical support because they repeatedly provided the same responses even when our issues were different.

Mahmood Nazeer

Assistant Manager Process Improvement and Data at We Are Team Rocket Employees, Location, Careers

For more quotes and insights, download the Apollo.io report

I wouldn't say you go to Salesforce Sales Cloud for their customer support unless you purchase one of their premier plans, which is additional money.

Jonny Katz

VP of Business Operations at PeerSpot

Support requires a subscription and when taken, the service is pretty nice.

NavinJacob

Chief Digital Officer at Cipher7

For more quotes and insights, download the Salesforce Sales Cloud report

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score

5.3

Apollo.io is praised for affordability and efficiency but seen as less scalable for larger businesses with substantial budgets.

Sentiment score

7.7

Salesforce Sales Cloud offers strong scalability, accommodating growth and varied business sizes, though some users face reporting and data challenges.

They have automation capabilities for cadences and AI functionalities.

Amran Safari Damiri

Consultant at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees

Apollo.io is not very scalable if your company has a bigger budget - you need to simply move on from Apollo.io.

Mahmood Nazeer

Assistant Manager Process Improvement and Data at We Are Team Rocket Employees, Location, Careers

Apollo.io's scalability is very good.

Tom Simpson

Founder & Group CEO at We Are Team Rocket

For more quotes and insights, download the Apollo.io report

Salesforce is highly scalable and operates efficiently.

Sundus Ajmal

AWS Cloud Engineer at Accenture

Salesforce Sales Cloud is totally cloud native, requiring no additional effort for scalability.

NavinJacob

Chief Digital Officer at Cipher7

Salesforce Sales Cloud's scalability is impressive as it grows easily with my organization's needs.

Jonny Katz

VP of Business Operations at PeerSpot

For more quotes and insights, download the Salesforce Sales Cloud report

Stability Issues

Sentiment score

5.8

Apollo.io's stability is mixed, with some users satisfied, but others report performance issues like slow loading and freezing.

Sentiment score

8.1

Salesforce Sales Cloud is praised for its reliability, minimal downtime, high performance, and effective issue resolution, ensuring stability.

The app is very heavy and takes time to load, with frequent stuttering and freezing issues.

Mahmood Nazeer

Assistant Manager Process Improvement and Data at We Are Team Rocket Employees, Location, Careers

For more quotes and insights, download the Apollo.io report

Salesforce Sales Cloud is very stable.

NavinJacob

Chief Digital Officer at Cipher7

I have not experienced any degradation in Salesforce's performance.

Sundus Ajmal

AWS Cloud Engineer at Accenture

For more quotes and insights, download the Salesforce Sales Cloud report

Room For Improvement

Apollo.io users seek better onboarding, data accuracy, UI speed, pricing, global data enrichment, customer service, and AI features.

Salesforce Sales Cloud struggles with integration, high costs, and usability; users desire better mobile, reporting, and AI features.

When it comes to performance, it's a very heavy app now. It takes time to load, stutters, and gets stuck frequently.

Mahmood Nazeer

Assistant Manager Process Improvement and Data at We Are Team Rocket Employees, Location, Careers

I want to ensure that the information I'm getting is something I can verify because I receive questions from prospects or clients asking where I got their number.

Amran Safari Damiri

Consultant at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees

The data accuracy needs improvement, especially compared to tools such as ZoomInfo, though Apollo.io is more cost-effective.

Shadrach Godwish Chukwu

SDR and Workflow Automation Specialist at a tech services company with 11-50 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Apollo.io report

If you're looking at other tools out there, for example SalesLoft or HubSpot, it's much easier to build those workflows and do automation.

Jonny Katz

VP of Business Operations at PeerSpot

Compared to AWS, it is slower, which could be a hindrance.

Sundus Ajmal

AWS Cloud Engineer at Accenture

With today's generative AI capabilities like ChatGPT, it should be possible to directly communicate with the software rather than navigating through the entire system manually.

NavinJacob

Chief Digital Officer at Cipher7

For more quotes and insights, download the Salesforce Sales Cloud report

Setup Cost

Apollo.io's credit-based pricing model is economical, offering vast contact access with affordable plans and a free option.

Salesforce Sales Cloud is costly, but negotiating can secure discounts; value justifies pricing, challenging affordability for smaller businesses.

The setup process involves minimal costs and is more affordable compared to other tools such as ZoomInfo.

Shadrach Godwish Chukwu

SDR and Workflow Automation Specialist at a tech services company with 11-50 employees

Sending an email also consumes credits, so every action consumes credits, and all in all, it can consume quite a lot of credits and money.

Basma Hassan

Risk Management Assistant Manager at Erada Microfinance

For more quotes and insights, download the Apollo.io report

Without negotiation, costs can become expensive.

NavinJacob

Chief Digital Officer at Cipher7

This happened for the first time because of the new CEO, Arundhati, who revolutionized pricing strategies, allowing discounts of 60-70% for Salesforce Sales Cloud in India.

Kamal Deep

Founder and Salesforce Consultant at SaaSnic

Salesforce Sales Cloud is extremely expensive.

Jonny Katz

VP of Business Operations at PeerSpot

For more quotes and insights, download the Salesforce Sales Cloud report

Valuable Features

Apollo.io offers seamless CRM integration, accurate data, and automation, enhancing lead generation, efficiency, and user experience.

Salesforce Sales Cloud enhances productivity with customizability, automation, integration, data analytics, and efficient communication for optimal sales management.

I can select as many tools as I want, add APIs, link external tools, and add AI.

Mahmood Nazeer

Assistant Manager Process Improvement and Data at We Are Team Rocket Employees, Location, Careers

Previously in my line of work with Google Cloud, it was important for me to know what solutions companies were currently using, whether they already had Google Cloud solutions or were using competitors.

Amran Safari Damiri

Consultant at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees

The fact that it combines both database and outreach tools in one place is valuable.

Shadrach Godwish Chukwu

SDR and Workflow Automation Specialist at a tech services company with 11-50 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Apollo.io report

Its easy-to-navigate interface aids in delivering clear vision and organization, especially for sales and business management.

Sundus Ajmal

AWS Cloud Engineer at Accenture

Being able to pull reports in Salesforce Sales Cloud based on any of the fields that we have there and then building logic on those fields saves me time and also gives me visibility into what's going on with my teams across multiple departments, which is very helpful for us.

Jonny Katz

VP of Business Operations at PeerSpot

The Einstein Analytics and the inbuilt reporting are very useful for keeping track of pipeline movement.

NavinJacob

Chief Digital Officer at Cipher7

For more quotes and insights, download the Salesforce Sales Cloud report

Categories and Ranking

Apollo.io

Ranking in Opportunity Management

2nd

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Salesforce Sales Cloud

Ranking in Opportunity Management

1st

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

118

Ranking in other categories

CRM (3rd), Sales Force Automation (2nd), Conversation Intelligence Software (4th)

Mindshare comparison

As of September 2026, in the Opportunity Management category, the mindshare of Apollo.io is 7.4%, down from 16.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Salesforce Sales Cloud is 8.7%, down from 14.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Opportunity Management Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Salesforce Sales Cloud	8.7%
Apollo.io	7.4%
Other	83.9%

Opportunity Management

Featured Reviews

Mahmood Nazeer

Assistant Manager Process Improvement and Data at We Are Team Rocket Employees, Location, Careers

Reliability decreases as UI improves with useful features but needs better support

Apollo.io used to provide much better service before and their UI used to be less clunky. The user experience nowadays is not as good as it used to be. They used to provide more verified emails and numbers, but nowadays, it's not as reliable. We sometimes have to go through other tools to get more information as they have been lackluster in that area. Their information gathering is not as updated as it used to be. They don't have enough information. When it comes to performance, it's a very heavy app now. It takes time to load, stutters, and gets stuck frequently. Previously, it used to be much less laggy and easier to use. The UI live update was good before, but nowadays, I have to refresh the page to see if they had sourced the email or if old information is still being displayed. LinkedIn keeps updating their tools, rules, and regulations. Due to these reasons, Apollo.io experiences bugs, crashes, detail updates, and jumbled columns during updates. These issues are understandable from a developer perspective, but they create minor inconveniences for customers. I would appreciate if Apollo.io could restore the reliability of their email service to its previous level.

Read full review

Jonny Katz

VP of Business Operations at PeerSpot

Uses data-driven insights to improve workflows and highlights a need for simpler automation tools

Salesforce Sales Cloud can be improved in several areas. First, the UI is an area for enhancement. Even though they've launched Lightning, it's clunky at times with page load speeds. It also needs to be made extremely more user-friendly. For new people using Salesforce Sales Cloud, there is a steep learning curve. Additionally, giving non-admins the ability to make changes on the fly is something that I feel is necessary. Currently with Salesforce Sales Cloud, you need to have a consultant. It's hard to build the flows or workflows. Making it easier for that end-user who's not so technically minded to help themselves is essential. I choose seven out of ten because I think you need a consultant or a consulting company to help you build it out. Certain changes should be made much easier and more user-friendly where an admin can do it. The automation processes need to be much simpler. If you're looking at other tools out there, for example SalesLoft or HubSpot, it's much easier to build those workflows and do automation.

Read full review

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Outsourcing Company

15%

Marketing Services Firm

13%

Comms Service Provider

11%

Retailer

Financial Services Firm

12%

Construction Company

12%

Manufacturing Company

Outsourcing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	14
Large Enterprise	3

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	56
Midsize Enterprise	25
Large Enterprise	43

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Apollo.io?

We don't integrate our CRMs. We use HubSpot.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Apollo.io?

When it comes to USA contacts, it can be challenging. Some Apollo.io numbers are incorrect, especially when cold calling. The numbers often go unanswered, and when someone does answer, it's frequen...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Apollo.io?

From my perspective, I use Apollo.io to get and run simultaneous campaigns including LinkedIn outreach, email outreach, and cold calling. When it comes to cold calling, we find contact numbers. For...

See all answers

What are the pros and cons of MS dynamics vs. Salesforce CRM?

When comparing Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Salesforce CRM in 2026, both are leading CRM platforms, but they serve slightly different strengths depending on business needs. Features: Salesforce is t...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Salesforce Sales Cloud?

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Salesforce Sales Cloud?

Salesforce Sales Cloud serves as our primary tool for our sales team and reviews team to document and keep all our information in one place as a source of truth. We use it to manage our business pr...

See all answers

Comparisons

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Compared 12% of the time

Outplay vs Apollo.io

Compared 8% of the time

SproutsAI vs Apollo.io

Compared 8% of the time

Saleshandy vs Apollo.io

Compared 7% of the time

Outreach vs Apollo.io

Compared 7% of the time

More Apollo.io Competitors

Microsoft Dynamics CRM vs Salesforce Sales Cloud

Compared 5% of the time

Oracle CX Sales vs Salesforce Sales Cloud

Compared 4% of the time

SAP CRM vs Salesforce Sales Cloud

Compared 4% of the time

Oracle CRM vs Salesforce Sales Cloud

Compared 3% of the time

Salesforce Service Cloud vs Salesforce Sales Cloud

Compared 3% of the time

More Salesforce Sales Cloud Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Apollo.io

September 2026

Download Apollo.io product report

Buyer's Guide

Salesforce Sales Cloud

August 2026

Download Salesforce Sales Cloud product report

Also Known As

No data available

Sales Cloud, SFDC, Salesforce

Overview

Apollo.io is a renowned platform for B2B prospect data management, offering tools for sourcing, verifying, and automating tasks to enhance sales efficiency, with expansive data coverage and integration capabilities.

Apollo.io enhances sales activities by providing extensive filters, accurate targeting, and a substantial database. Known for its seamless integration with LinkedIn and CRM platforms via its Chrome extension, Apollo.io offers data enrichment and lead management functionalities. Its competitive pricing and data depth attract users seeking efficient automation in sales pipelines. Despite challenges in data accuracy and CRM functionality, Apollo.io remains favored for its ability to handle outreach channels like email and LinkedIn, streamline workflows, and build custom profiles using technographic and industry filters.

What features does Apollo.io offer?

User-friendly interface enhances navigation and efficiency.
Extensive filters aid in precise targeting.
Chrome extension integrates seamlessly with LinkedIn and CRM platforms.
Data enrichment using multiple tools and APIs.
Automated task management improves productivity.
Robust database supports comprehensive data coverage.

What benefits should users look for in Apollo.io reviews?

Improved sales efficiency through automated workflows.
Data accuracy and comprehensive coverage enable better outreach.
Enhanced lead scoring facilitates campaign management.
Chrome extension boosts productivity by integrating platforms.
Pricing structure compared to competitors offers value.

In industries focused on B2B client acquisition and retention, Apollo.io supports sales teams by managing data-rich prospecting activities. Organizations leverage it for building effective outreach strategies, using features like recruitment filters and CSV uploads to manage sales pipelines efficiently. Its CRM-like functionalities promote streamlined data collection tailored to specific job roles and industries.

Apollo.io

Salesforce Sales Cloud is a comprehensive tool lauded for its customization, ease of use, and integration capabilities. Its cloud-based nature offers seamless access and scalability, helping manage leads, opportunities, and workflows efficiently. Powerful reporting and dashboards enhance visibility and productivity.

Salesforce Sales Cloud serves as an essential aid for companies aiming to streamline sales processes. It integrates sales and marketing, manages customer data, and supports automation, which increases efficiency. Despite its expense and complex interface, its ability to forecast, track customer engagement, and automate key workflows stands out. Companies encounter challenges with system costs and integration issues, particularly regarding third-party applications and mobile functionality. Reporting and dashboards offer significant insights, although room for improvement exists. Licensing costs and storage fees are considerations for prospects, alongside the need for improved training and AI features. Users maximize the platform for sales pipeline management, forecasting, and operational analytics.

What are the most important features?

Customization: Tailor the platform to fit exact business objectives.
Integration: Seamlessly connect with apps and platforms, improving workflow.
Automation: Streamline lead management and workflows, reducing manual tasks.
Reporting and Dashboards: Gain insights for informed decision-making.
Cloud-based Access: Ensure scalability and accessibility from anywhere.

What benefits can users expect?

Enhanced Productivity: Automation and robust tracking improve efficiency.
Increased Sales Efficiency: Manage pipelines and opportunities seamlessly.
Better Forecasting: Advanced features provide valuable foresight into sales trends.
Operational Efficiency: Analytics and reporting fortify strategic planning.

Organizations across industries utilize Salesforce Sales Cloud from finance to healthcare for business development and CRM tasks. It is integral to managing accounts, leading pipelines, and aligning sales with marketing strategies. Firms improve customer relations and operational efficiency through its analytics and reporting capabilities.

Salesforce

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Coca-Cola Enterprises, Kuoni Global Travel Services, Financial Times, Just Eat, Jobsite, H.R. Owen, PlayerLayer, O2, DMGT, Philips, Xtreme.ie, Business Stream, Remote Asset Management, Dialogue Group

Buyer's Guide

Apollo.io vs. Salesforce Sales Cloud

September 2026

Free Report: Apollo.io vs. Salesforce Sales Cloud

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