Best Instantly Alternatives for Cold Email Outreach

Instantly has become a go-to cold email platform for agencies and sales teams, mainly because of its unlimited email accounts and solid deliverability features. But it's not perfect for everyone. Maybe you've hit the contact limits on the Growth plan, you're frustrated by the credit system for the lead database, or you just want to explore what else is out there.

I've tested most of the major cold email tools on the market. Here's my breakdown of the best Instantly alternatives, with actual pricing and honest opinions on where each tool shines-and where it falls short.

Why People Look for Instantly Alternatives

Before we dive in, let's be clear about what Instantly does well. It offers unlimited email accounts and warmup on all plans, a unified inbox for managing replies, and a built-in B2B lead database with 450M+ contacts. The Growth plan starts at $37/month (annual) for 1,000 contacts and 5,000 emails/month.

But here's where users typically hit walls:

• Contact limits feel tight: The entry plan only gives you 1,000 contacts. The Hypergrowth plan at $77.6/month (annual) bumps that to 25,000, but that's a big jump-and getting expensive for what you get.
• Lead database is a separate cost: Instantly's SuperSearch lead finder requires its own subscription, starting around $42/month for 1,000 verified leads. If you want 5,000 verified leads monthly, you're looking at $87.3/month on top of your outreach plan.
• Advanced features locked behind higher tiers: A/B testing, subsequences, and deliverability scores aren't available until you upgrade to Hypergrowth at minimum.
• No built-in CRM: You'll need to integrate with external tools or pay for their CRM add-on separately.
• Recent price increases: Multiple users on G2 have reported unexpected price hikes. Some bills jumped from $47 to $147 per month with minimal notice, and unused credits don't roll over when plans renew.

If any of these are deal-breakers, here are your best options.

1. Smartlead - Best for High-Volume Agencies

Smartlead is probably the closest direct competitor to Instantly, and it's the tool I'd recommend first if you're running an agency or sending at serious scale.

Pricing

Smartlead's Basic Plan starts at $39/month (or $32.50/month annual) and includes 2,000 active leads and 6,000 emails per month. The Pro Plan runs $94/month ($79/month annual) with 30,000 leads and 150,000 emails. Both plans include unlimited email accounts and warmup. There's also a Custom Plan starting at $174/month for teams needing 12 million active leads and 60 million monthly emails.

What's Good

• Unlimited mailboxes and warmup on all plans: Just like Instantly, you can scale without paying per inbox. Connect as many email accounts as you need.
• Strong deliverability features: Dynamic IP addresses, AI-powered warmup, blacklist monitoring, and inbox rotation. The SmartDelivery system uses high-deliverability IP servers specific to each campaign.
• White-label client portal: Perfect for agencies managing multiple clients. Pricing is $29/client/month, and the Pro plan includes one free client for whitelabeling.
• Master inbox: Consolidates all replies in one place with AI intent categorization and smart filters.
• Advanced automation: Dynamic sequences that can adapt based on recipient behavior, custom CRM integration, and detailed analytics across all campaigns.

What Sucks

• No built-in lead database: You'll need to bring your own leads or use a third-party tool like Apollo or Findymail.
• Add-ons stack up: Email verification, dedicated servers, and client management all cost extra. A realistic agency setup can run $200+/month when you factor in all the extras.
• Steeper learning curve: The interface isn't as polished as Instantly's, and some users report occasional bugs. G2 reviews mention issues like slow loading times (especially with high volumes) and the need to frequently clear cache.
• Hard prospect limits: Even on the Pro plan, you're capped at 30,000 active prospects. The only way to add more is to delete existing prospects (which also deletes all email history with them) or jump to the expensive Custom plan.

The Verdict

Smartlead is a beast for agencies doing high-volume outreach. If you're sending 1,000+ emails daily and need white-label features, it's worth the complexity. The unlimited mailbox feature alone saves significant money compared to per-seat pricing models. But if you're a solo founder or small team, the feature bloat and upfront annual cost might be overkill.

Try Smartlead free for 14 days →

2. Lemlist - Best for Personalization and Multichannel

Lemlist takes a different approach than Instantly. Where Instantly focuses on volume, Lemlist emphasizes creative personalization-think custom images, personalized videos, and multichannel sequences that span email, LinkedIn, and calls.

Pricing

The Email Pro plan costs $69/user/month (or $55 annually) and includes unlimited email campaigns, 3 sending addresses, 1,000 lead finder credits (200 emails or 50 phone numbers), and access to a 450M+ lead database. The Multichannel Expert plan is $99/user/month ($79 annually) and adds LinkedIn automation, cold calling features, 5 sending addresses, and 1,500 monthly credits. The Enterprise plan requires at least 5 seats and custom pricing.

What's Good

• Best-in-class personalization: Dynamic images where you can insert prospect names or company logos, custom landing pages tailored to pain points, and video personalization that actually stand out in crowded inboxes.
• Built-in lead database: 450M+ contacts included with all paid plans. Credits cost 5 per email and 20 per phone number, so your allocation goes further than it seems at first.
• Multichannel sequences: Combine email, LinkedIn visits and invites, WhatsApp messages (paid add-on at $20/seat), and in-app calling in one cohesive workflow.
• Lemwarm included: Email warmup is baked into every plan at no extra cost, helping protect your sender reputation from day one.
• AI-powered features: AI email writer helps craft compelling copy, intent signals targeting identifies prospects showing buying signals, and AI personalization scales 1-to-1 messaging.

What Sucks

• Limited sending addresses: Only 3 email accounts on Email Pro, 5 on Multichannel Expert. Additional addresses cost $9/month each, which adds up quickly if you're trying to scale.
• Per-seat pricing: Costs multiply quickly as your team grows. A 5-person team on Multichannel Expert pays $395/month, making it one of the pricier options.
• Credits expire monthly: Unlike tools with rollover, unused lead finder credits disappear at month-end. This creates pressure to use credits before they vanish.
• Lower daily send limits: Not built for the same volume as Instantly or Smartlead. The 3-5 email account limit per user restricts how much you can scale.
• Hidden costs add up: WhatsApp automation costs extra on all plans. Users on G2 report that support sometimes gives pricing information that differs from actual charges.

The Verdict

Lemlist is ideal if your strategy is quality over quantity. It's perfect for smaller campaigns where personalization actually moves the needle-think ABM (account-based marketing), recruiting, or high-ticket B2B sales where each prospect is worth thousands. The creative personalization features genuinely help you stand out. But if you're trying to blast 10,000 emails a day across dozens of domains, look elsewhere.

Try Lemlist free for 14 days →

3. Reply.io - Best for Multichannel Sales Teams

Reply.io is a full sales engagement platform that goes beyond cold email. It's built for teams that want to combine email, LinkedIn, calls, and SMS in a single workflow-with an AI assistant (Jason AI) to help automate responses and even book meetings.

Pricing

The Email Volume plan starts at $49/month (annual) for 1,000 active contacts with unlimited mailboxes and email warmup. The Multichannel plan is $89/user/month ($79 annually) with unlimited contacts, 10 mailboxes per user, LinkedIn automation, and call/SMS features. Reply also offers an Agency plan around $166/month for unlimited clients and users, plus advanced team features.

Jason AI, Reply's AI SDR agent, is a separate product starting at $500/month for up to 1,000 active contacts. It includes AI-generated sequences, 24/7 automation, meeting booking, and access to 1B+ real-time B2B contacts.

What's Good

• True multichannel: Email, LinkedIn, calls, SMS, and WhatsApp all in one platform. Set up sequences that automatically progress prospects across channels based on engagement.
• Jason AI: An AI SDR that can handle responses, qualify leads, and book meetings automatically. It writes sequences, researches prospects, and manages replies in autopilot or copilot mode.
• Unlimited email warmup: Included with all plans at no additional charge. Each connected mailbox gets automatic warmup.
• 1B+ contact database: Built-in B2B data for prospecting with 50 live data credits per month included. High-accuracy emails from 220M+ U.S. contacts and 15M+ companies.
• Strong integrations: Native connections to HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive, and other popular CRMs. API access and webhooks for custom workflows.

What Sucks

• Complex for beginners: The feature set is overwhelming if you're new to sales automation. Multiple products (Reply platform, Jason AI, data credits) make pricing confusing.
• Add-ons increase cost: LinkedIn automation adds $69/account, Calls & SMS adds $29/account. If you need all channels, you're quickly over $150/user/month.
• Pricing has increased significantly: Multiple G2 reviewers complain about surprise price hikes. One user reported their bill tripled for existing users with no transition plan or grandfathered rate.
• Advanced deliverability only on higher tiers: Dedicated IPs and advanced features require the most expensive plans or custom enterprise pricing.
• Credits don't roll over: Data search credits expire monthly, so you lose unused credits at renewal.

The Verdict

Reply.io is powerful for established sales teams that need multichannel outreach and don't mind a learning curve. The platform offers genuine multichannel orchestration, not just email with LinkedIn bolted on. Jason AI is impressive for teams wanting AI-powered outreach, though it costs extra. It's not the best choice for beginners or small teams just starting with cold email-the complexity and cost outweigh the benefits until you're running sophisticated sequences.

Try Reply.io free for 14 days →

4. Saleshandy - Best for Cost-Effective High Volume

Saleshandy has emerged as one of the most cost-effective Instantly alternatives, especially for teams that want advanced features without the premium price tag. It's an all-in-one cold email platform that emphasizes affordability while still delivering robust functionality.

Pricing

Plans start at $25/month (annual) for the Outreach Starter plan with 2,000 active prospects and 10,000 emails per month. The Outreach Pro plan is $74/month (annual) with 30,000 prospects and 125,000 emails monthly. Outreach Scale goes up to $149/month with 200,000 emails, and Outreach Scale Plus tops out at $219/month with 300,000 emails. All plans include unlimited email accounts and email warmup.

What's Good

• Extremely affordable: At $25/month for the base plan, Saleshandy beats almost every competitor on price while still offering unlimited email accounts. This makes it ideal for bootstrapped startups and agencies managing multiple clients.
• Built-in lead database: Access to 700M+ B2B contacts from 60M+ companies globally. Lead finder credits are included with each plan and refresh monthly.
• Advanced automation on all plans: AI Sequence Copilot, trigger-based subsequences, and multivariate A/Z testing are available even on the cheapest plan. Most competitors lock these behind premium tiers.
• Strong deliverability suite: Unlimited warmup through TrulyInbox partnership, sender rotation, AI bounce detection, inbox placement testing, and email verification all included.
• Unified inbox: Manage all prospect conversations from one AI-powered inbox that automatically categorizes responses (meeting booked, interested, not interested).
• No agency upcharge: Unlike tools that charge per client, Saleshandy lets you add unlimited clients for one flat fee, making it exceptional value for agencies.

What Sucks

• Email-only focus: No built-in LinkedIn automation, cold calling, or SMS features. If you need multichannel, you'll need to add other tools to your stack.
• Warmup period required: Email accounts enter a 2-3 week warmup period before full sending capacity, which can frustrate teams wanting immediate results.
• Limited CRM features: Not a full CRM platform. Better suited as an outreach tool that integrates with your existing CRM (HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive, Zoho).
• Newer platform: While highly rated on G2 (4.6/5), it has fewer total reviews than established competitors, so long-term track record is still building.

The Verdict

Saleshandy is the best budget-friendly Instantly alternative for teams focused on email outreach. You get 90% of Instantly's core functionality at roughly half the price. The unlimited email accounts, strong deliverability features, and built-in lead database make it exceptional value. Real users report booking $8k+ in meetings while spending only $72 over two months. If you don't need multichannel and want maximum value per dollar spent, Saleshandy deserves serious consideration.

5. Woodpecker - Best for Simplicity and Budget-Conscious Teams

Woodpecker is one of the OG cold email tools, and it's stayed lean while others have bloated with features. If you want something that just works without a ton of complexity, Woodpecker is worth a look.

Pricing

Plans start at $29/month for 500 contacted prospects. Pricing scales based on prospects, not emails-so you pay for who you reach out to, not how many follow-ups you send. The unique pricing model means unlimited follow-ups are included. Agency plans start at $29/month and scale based on total prospect volume across all clients.

What's Good

• Unlimited email accounts: Connect as many inboxes as you need without extra charges. This is huge for scaling deliverability across multiple domains.
• Free email warmup and verification: Built-in catch-all verification at no extra cost. Warmup is included with every connected mailbox.
• Clean, simple interface: Easy to learn and use, even for beginners. The learning curve is minimal compared to feature-heavy platforms.
• Pay per prospect: Unlimited follow-ups are included, so you're not penalized for nurturing leads. This pricing model rewards persistence.
• Strong deliverability: Inbox rotation, human-like sending randomization, and bounce protection help keep emails out of spam.
• Condition-based automation: Set up intelligent follow-ups based on opens, clicks, replies, or lack of engagement.

What Sucks

• No built-in lead database: You need to bring your own contacts. There's no lead finder or prospecting tool included.
• LinkedIn requires third-party integration: You'll need Dux-Soup or similar tools for LinkedIn automation. Not a native multichannel platform.
• Basic analytics: Reporting isn't as robust as competitors. You get the essential metrics but not deep pipeline analysis.
• Manual prospect uploads: Some views limit you to adding 25-50 contacts at a time, which can be tedious for large lists.
• Limited personalization features: No dynamic images, custom landing pages, or advanced personalization beyond merge tags.

The Verdict

Woodpecker is great for small businesses and startups who want a no-frills cold email tool at a fair price. The prospect-based pricing model is refreshing and rewards teams that do proper follow-up. If you need advanced multichannel features, creative personalization, or a built-in lead database, you'll need to look elsewhere. But for straightforward email automation with strong deliverability, Woodpecker delivers solid value.

6. Other Alternatives Worth Mentioning

Apollo.io

Apollo is more of a sales intelligence platform than a pure cold email tool, but it includes sequencing capabilities. The standout feature is the massive B2B database with 275M+ contacts and 73M+ companies. The free tier is generous for prospecting data, and paid plans start around $49/user/month. Best for teams that need data and outreach in one platform, though the email features aren't as sophisticated as dedicated cold email tools.

Mailshake

Simple to use but lacks inbox rotation and built-in warmup-two critical features for modern cold email. Better for small teams doing light outbound. Pricing starts around $59/user/month. The interface is clean and beginner-friendly, but you'll hit scaling limitations quickly.

Snov.io

An all-in-one sales automation platform with email finder, verifier, drip campaigns, and CRM. Good for international teams and those needing comprehensive lead generation. Plans start at $39/month. The feature breadth is impressive, though some users report the interface feels dated.

SmartReach

Similar to Smartlead with strong deliverability focus and multichannel capabilities. Pricing is competitive but the platform has a steeper learning curve. Good option if Smartlead's UI doesn't click with you.

How to Choose the Right Instantly Alternative

Picking the right cold email tool depends on several factors specific to your business. Here's a framework to guide your decision:

Consider Your Primary Use Case

High-volume agencies: If you're managing 10+ clients and sending hundreds of thousands of emails monthly, Smartlead or Saleshandy offer the best combination of volume handling, white-label features, and agency-friendly pricing.

Quality over quantity: For ABM campaigns, recruiting, or high-ticket sales where each prospect matters, Lemlist's personalization features help you stand out. The dynamic images and video personalization genuinely improve engagement rates.

True multichannel: If your strategy includes LinkedIn, calls, and SMS alongside email, Reply.io offers the most complete multichannel orchestration. Jason AI adds autonomous prospecting if budget allows.

Budget-conscious teams: Saleshandy and Woodpecker deliver solid cold email functionality at lower price points. You sacrifice some advanced features but get excellent value for money.

Evaluate Your Technical Comfort Level

Some platforms have steep learning curves. If you're new to cold email:

• Start with Woodpecker or Saleshandy for simpler interfaces
• Avoid Smartlead or Reply.io initially unless you have technical support
• Lemlist strikes a good balance-powerful but relatively intuitive

Calculate Total Cost of Ownership

Don't just look at the base plan price. Factor in:

• Lead database or data credits
• Email verification costs
• Additional email accounts or sending addresses
• Team member seats
• Integration or API access fees
• Add-ons like LinkedIn automation or advanced features

A $25/month plan can quickly become $150/month when you add everything you actually need.

Test Deliverability Features

Deliverability is everything in cold email. Look for:

• Unlimited warmup included
• Sender rotation and inbox pooling
• Spam word detection and inbox placement testing
• Bounce handling and list cleaning
• Domain health monitoring

All the top alternatives covered here offer strong deliverability, but implementation quality varies.

Quick Comparison Table

Common Mistakes When Switching Tools

I've seen teams make these errors when moving from Instantly to an alternative:

Not Testing First

Take advantage of free trials. Run a small campaign (100-200 prospects) before committing to annual plans. Test deliverability, interface usability, and whether features work as advertised.

Ignoring Migration Friction

Switching tools takes time. You need to:

• Export and clean your prospect data
• Reconnect and re-warm email accounts
• Rebuild templates and sequences
• Set up new integrations
• Train team members on the new platform

Budget 1-2 weeks for a smooth transition. Don't switch tools mid-campaign.

Choosing Based on Features Alone

More features doesn't mean better results. A tool with 100 features you don't use wastes money and creates complexity. Pick based on the 5-6 capabilities that actually move the needle for your business.

Underestimating Learning Curve

Complex platforms like Smartlead or Reply.io have powerful features but require investment in learning. If you're a solo founder or small team, the time cost of mastering a complex tool might exceed the benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Instantly alternative is best for agencies?

Smartlead and Saleshandy are both excellent for agencies. Smartlead offers white-label client portals at $29/client/month and includes one free client with the Pro plan. Saleshandy is more affordable at $25/month base price with unlimited client management included, making it the better value if you're managing many clients on a budget.

Can I use multiple cold email tools together?

Yes, but be careful not to send from the same email accounts across different platforms. This can cause deliverability issues. A common setup is using one tool for email outreach and another specialized tool (like Clay) for data enrichment or Findymail for email verification.

How long does email warmup take?

Most platforms require 2-4 weeks for proper warmup before reaching full sending capacity. Instantly, Smartlead, and Reply.io all offer warmup, but you still need patience. Some providers claim "pre-warmed" accounts, but these often have deliverability issues.

Do I need a separate lead database?

It depends. Lemlist, Reply.io, and Saleshandy include built-in lead databases, which is convenient but may be pricier overall. If you already have a lead source (LinkedIn, Apollo, ZoomInfo) or use Clay for enrichment, you might prefer a tool like Smartlead or Woodpecker without a database.

What's the best free alternative to Instantly?

There aren't many truly free cold email tools with comparable features. Apollo.io offers a generous free tier but limits email sends. Your best bet is taking advantage of free trials from Smartlead, Lemlist, or Saleshandy (which offers a 7-day trial with access to all features).

How do I maintain deliverability when switching tools?

Keep your email accounts warmed up throughout the transition. Don't disconnect them from your old tool until they're warmed up in the new one. Maintain consistent sending patterns and volumes to avoid triggering spam filters.

Final Recommendation: Which Instantly Alternative Should You Choose?

Here's my take based on different scenarios:

Running an agency with multiple clients? Go with Smartlead if you have the budget and technical capability. The white-label features and unlimited inboxes make it worth the complexity. If budget is tight, Saleshandy delivers 90% of the functionality at half the price.

Want creative personalization for smaller campaigns? Lemlist is your best bet for standing out in crowded inboxes. The dynamic images, video personalization, and multichannel sequences help you create memorable campaigns that get replies.

Need true multichannel with calls and LinkedIn? Reply.io has the most complete feature set, especially if you can handle the learning curve. Jason AI is impressive for teams wanting AI-powered SDR capabilities.

Just want simple, affordable cold email? Woodpecker gets the job done without overcomplicating things. The prospect-based pricing model is fair and rewards good follow-up practices.

Need the best value for money? Saleshandy offers exceptional ROI at $25/month with unlimited email accounts, built-in lead database, and advanced features on all plans.

Happy with Instantly but want better lead data? Consider pairing it with a dedicated tool like Findymail for email verification or Clay for enrichment rather than switching completely.

The right choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and technical comfort level. Take advantage of free trials, test with real campaigns, and don't be afraid to switch if something isn't working.

For more on cold email pricing, check out our breakdown of Instantly pricing to see exactly what you're getting at each tier and how it compares to these alternatives.

Ready to Make the Switch?

Switching cold email tools is a significant decision that impacts your entire outreach operation. But staying with a tool that doesn't fit your needs costs more in the long run-both in hard costs and missed opportunities.

Start with a free trial of your top choice. Run a small test campaign with 100-200 prospects to validate deliverability and usability. Check if the features you think you need actually get used in practice. Then commit to one tool and master it before considering another switch.

The best cold email tool is the one you'll actually use consistently to drive results. Simple beats complex if complex means you stop sending campaigns.