RocketReach vs Apollo: The Real Differences That Matter

If you're comparing RocketReach and Apollo.io, you're probably trying to figure out which B2B contact database will actually help you close deals-not just burn through credits. Both tools promise millions of contacts and accurate data, but they take fundamentally different approaches to sales prospecting.

Here's the short version: Apollo is an all-in-one sales engagement platform with built-in email sequences, dialer, and CRM features. RocketReach is a focused contact-finding tool that specializes in email and phone lookup with higher data accuracy claims. Your choice depends on whether you need a complete outreach platform or just clean contact data.

Let me break down the real differences.

Database Size and Coverage

Both platforms boast massive databases, but the numbers tell different stories:

RocketReach: Over 700 million professional profiles and 60 million companies. They claim to make approximately 170 million updates per month from thousands of sources. The platform aggregates data from company websites, social media platforms, public records, online directories, and proprietary data partnerships.

Apollo: Around 210-275 million contacts and 60-73 million companies (the numbers vary depending on the source). Apollo maintains a network of over 2 million data contributors that help verify and update information. The platform collects data through its contributor network, email engagement tools tracking replies and bounces, public data crawling with proprietary algorithms, and vetted third-party data providers.

RocketReach has the larger raw database, but Apollo's data network approach means their information gets validated through actual user engagement-when someone sends an email through Apollo and it bounces, that data point gets flagged.

Geographic Coverage and Data Strength

The quality and completeness of data varies significantly by region for both platforms. RocketReach's data is strongest in North America and Europe, particularly for tech, finance, and healthcare industries. Users report inconsistent accuracy for certain regions like Eastern Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Apollo.io users rate the platform highly for US data coverage, though reviews on G2 indicate potential gaps in data from Eastern European countries and the Middle East. If you're prospecting internationally, you'll want to test both platforms on your specific target regions before committing to an annual plan.

Data Accuracy: Where It Gets Interesting

This is where the tools diverge significantly, and it's worth paying attention to.

RocketReach claims:

• 90-98% deliverability on verified emails
• A-grade emails have a 98% deliverability rate
• 85% or better fill rate for email addresses
• 60% or better fill rate for direct phone numbers
• Users typically report bounce rates between 5-10% on cold campaigns
• Color-coded probability ratings on verified emails/phones

Apollo claims:

• 91% email accuracy rate through their 7-step verification process
• Less than 1% invalid direct phone numbers
• Real-time verification when you request contact numbers

However, user reviews paint a more nuanced picture. Some Apollo users report bounce rates up to 35% in certain campaigns. Multiple G2 reviews mention concerns about outdated information and declining data quality over time. RocketReach reviews also mention occasional accuracy issues and requests for more cell phones and direct dials.

The honest truth? Neither tool is perfect. If you're running high-volume cold email, plan to use a separate email verification tool regardless of which platform you choose.

How RocketReach Verifies Data

RocketReach uses advanced algorithms and multiple verification techniques to ensure data accuracy. The platform processes data through syntax validation, domain verification, and mailbox verification by establishing SMTP connections. Verified contact data is indicated by a green icon next to the email address or phone number.

The top 700 million most popular profiles verify in real-time when you look up their contact info. Using the RocketReach browser extension on social media sites also prompts real-time verification. All other contacts are checked on a rotating schedule as frequently as once per month. Credits are only consumed when RocketReach provides a verified email address or verified phone number.

How Apollo Verifies Data

Apollo employs a comprehensive 7-step verification process that includes SMTP tickling and data analysis against their large contributory network. The process validates emails against Apollo-connected inboxes, CRMs, and CSV uploads, tracks email delivery statistics, and monitors email bounce rates.

Unlike most vendors that rely solely on SMTP tickling, Apollo leverages its engagement suite to track email replies and bounces from actual campaigns. This real-world validation helps differentiate between valid and invalid emails from catch-all domains-a significant advantage when prospecting into companies with catch-all email servers.

Apollo's verification processes are constantly refined to improve accuracy rates. When you request a contact number, Apollo runs real-time verification through a series of logic checks to validate accuracy and serve clean data. The platform updates data in real-time whenever it captures a data signal like a new job, email, or direct phone number.

Features Comparison

This is where the philosophical difference between these tools becomes clear.

RocketReach Features

• Contact lookup (emails, phone numbers, social profiles)
• Person and company search with advanced filters (100+ filters available)
• Chrome extension for LinkedIn prospecting
• Basic email outreach (25 emails/day on lower tiers, up to 500/day on Essentials)
• Bulk lookups and list building
• CRM integrations (Pro plan and above)
• Org charts and company trends (higher tiers)
• Intent data (Ultimate plan)
• Technographics (Ultimate plan)
• Email verification tool (RocketReach Verify)
• AI-powered recommendations for relevant prospects
• Real-time data updates for popular profiles

Apollo Features

• Contact database with 65+ search filters
• Multi-step email sequences with A/B testing
• Built-in dialer (US calls on Professional+, international on Organization)
• LinkedIn automation
• Task management and workflows
• CRM integration (Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.)
• Lead scoring and validation
• Analytics and reporting dashboards with customizable reports
• Intent data and buying signals (3 intent topics on free, more on paid plans)
• Call recording with AI insights (8,000 mins on Organization plan)
• Email open and click rate tracking
• Job change alerts and missing email enrichment
• CSV and API enrichment capabilities
• Meeting scheduler
• Advanced sequences with unlimited automation on Professional+

Apollo is clearly the more feature-rich platform. If you want one tool to handle prospecting, outreach, and pipeline management, Apollo makes more sense. If you just need accurate contact data to feed into your existing sales stack (like a dedicated tool such as Instantly or Smartlead for email outreach), RocketReach keeps things simpler.

Pricing Breakdown

Both platforms use credit-based systems, which can get confusing. Here's what you're actually looking at.

RocketReach Pricing

Annual plans offer unlimited lookups (with fair usage limits around 10,000/month) but capped exports. The pricing structure creates an interesting dynamic: monthly plans have lookup caps, while annual plans flip to export caps. Overage fees run $0.30-$0.45 per additional lookup.

Important RocketReach caveats:

• Lookups vs. Exports creates confusion-you might have lookups available but hit export limits
• Credits expire at the end of your billing cycle with no rollover
• If you only use 2,000 of your 10,000 monthly lookups, the remaining 8,000 are lost
• Annual commitment required for reasonable pricing (monthly plans cost 59-109% more)
• Mobile numbers and integrations only available on Pro and higher
• RocketReach Web App integrations require Pro plan minimum ($119/mo)
• Team plans start at $83-$207 per user monthly (billed annually only)
• Enterprise pricing reportedly starts around $6,000/year

Want more details? Check out our full RocketReach pricing breakdown.

Apollo Pricing

*Subject to fair usage policy: lesser of dollar amount paid divided by $0.025, or 1 million email credits per account per year

Important Apollo caveats:

• Additional credits cost $0.20 each with a minimum purchase of 250 monthly or 2,500 annually
• Credits expire at the end of your billing cycle-no refunds or extensions
• Mobile number lookups cost 8 credits per number
• Each CRM sync or export uses an export credit
• The Organization plan requires a minimum of 3 users
• Annual billing saves 20% but no refunds for early cancellation
• Pricing has increased over time-Basic plan went from $19 to $59 in recent years
• Credits are consumed even when Apollo doesn't have the data available
• Free plan limits: corporate domains get 10,000 email credits/month, non-corporate domains get only 100

Apollo's pricing looks cheaper on paper, but the credit system can inflate costs quickly if you're doing heavy prospecting. Teams running large campaigns often burn through their credit allocation in the first two weeks of the month.

True Cost Comparison

When comparing cost per contact, you need to factor in accuracy rates. If Apollo's bounce rate trends higher (some users report 20-35% vs RocketReach's typical 5-10%), you'll need to pull more contacts to reach your quota. This means:

• Apollo: $79/mo Professional = unlimited email credits, but if you need mobile numbers at 8 credits each, 50 mobile credits = roughly 6 contacts. Additional mobile credits at $0.20 each means $1.60 per mobile contact.
• RocketReach: $83/mo Pro annual = 3,600 lookups/year (300/mo average) for email + phone combined. That's roughly $0.28 per contact with phone included.

For teams doing heavy prospecting with mobile outreach, RocketReach's bundled pricing often delivers better cost per effective contact despite the higher sticker price.

Integrations: Connecting Your Sales Stack

Apollo takes this category. Their platform integrates natively with Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach, SalesLoft, Marketo, Sendgrid, LinkedIn, and all major email providers-even on the free plan for basic integrations. Apollo offers over 200 app integrations, making it highly versatile for teams with complex tech stacks.

RocketReach requires the Pro plan or higher ($119/month) for web app integrations. The Chrome extension works across plans, but if you want to sync data directly to your CRM without manual exports, you're paying significantly more. RocketReach integrations include major CRMs (Salesforce, HubSpot, Bullhorn) but the selection is more limited.

For teams using tools like Clay for data enrichment workflows, both platforms integrate via API, but Apollo's free tier makes it more accessible for testing. RocketReach's API access is limited to higher-tier plans.

Chrome Extension Comparison

Both platforms offer browser extensions, but they work differently:

RocketReach Chrome Extension: Available across all plans including free. Works seamlessly with LinkedIn, allowing you to reveal contact information directly on profiles. Highly rated on G2 (8.2/10) for ease of use. Users praise how it makes LinkedIn prospecting significantly faster without toggling between tabs.

Apollo Chrome Extension: Also available on the free plan. Rated even higher (9.2/10 on G2) for its ability to gather contact information directly from web pages. Includes more functionality like adding contacts to sequences and updating CRM records directly from the browser.

Use Cases: When Each Tool Shines

Best Use Cases for RocketReach

Hard-to-reach decision makers: RocketReach excels at finding contact information for senior executives and decision-makers at mid-market and enterprise companies. Users consistently praise its ability to surface contacts that other tools miss.

Recruitment and executive search: The top 5 US executive recruiting firms use RocketReach specifically because of its deep coverage of executive profiles and high accuracy rates. Recruiters need reliable contact data to place top candidates, and RocketReach delivers.

Existing tech stack integration: If you already use dedicated tools for email outreach (Instantly, Smartlead), dialing (dedicated dialer solutions), and CRM (Close, Salesforce), then RocketReach serves as a pure data layer. You're not paying for features you won't use.

Data accuracy-first teams: For campaigns where deliverability matters most (which should be every campaign), RocketReach's lower bounce rates give you a competitive edge. Clean data means better sender reputation and higher response rates.

Best Use Cases for Apollo

All-in-one prospecting: If you're building your sales tech stack from scratch or want to consolidate tools, Apollo handles prospecting, enrichment, sequencing, calling, and analytics in one platform. This reduces integration complexity and potential data sync issues.

High-volume email campaigns: With unlimited email credits on the Professional plan, Apollo works well for teams running large-scale email outreach. The built-in sequencing, A/B testing, and deliverability tracking make it a complete solution.

Multi-channel outreach: Apollo's built-in dialer, email sequences, LinkedIn automation, and task management create a seamless multi-channel experience. You can coordinate touchpoints across channels from a single interface.

Data-driven sales teams: The extensive filtering options (65+ attributes), intent data, buying signals, and customizable reporting make Apollo ideal for teams that make data-driven prospecting decisions.

Real User Complaints You Should Know About

Common RocketReach complaints:

• Credit system feels complex; some users prefer flat-rate pricing
• Data accuracy inconsistent for certain regions (Eastern Europe, Asia)
• Limited direct dial/mobile coverage compared to competitors
• Auto-renewal policies have frustrated some users-reports of charges after attempted cancellation
• Export limits separate from lookup limits add confusion
• Customer support response times can be slow, especially for billing issues
• Some users report finding outdated job titles and company information
• Monthly subscription costs are significantly higher than annual (59-109% premium)
• No credit rollover-unused credits expire at billing cycle end

Common Apollo complaints:

• Pricing changes frequently-users report the Basic plan going from $19 to $59 over a couple years
• Credits get consumed even when Apollo doesn't have the email/phone available
• Data accuracy has reportedly declined over time for some user segments
• Interface can feel overwhelming for users who just want contact data
• Annual contracts don't offer refunds for early cancellation
• High bounce rates reported by some users (20-35% in certain industries)
• Credit system creates unpredictability-teams often run out mid-month
• Mobile credits (8 credits per number) can deplete allocations quickly
• Some users report difficulty canceling and unexpected renewal charges
• The learning curve for advanced features can be steep

Ease of Use and User Interface

RocketReach: Consistently rated around 9.1/10 for Ease of Use on G2-placing it at or near the top in head-to-heads. The interface is clean and simple, without extra features that complicate the workflow. Users describe it as intuitive and easy to pick up within minutes. The focused approach means less time learning the platform and more time prospecting.

Apollo: While powerful, Apollo's broad range of features can feel complex for new users. The interface has improved significantly with recent updates, but some reviewers mention a steeper learning curve compared to RocketReach. Once users become familiar with the platform, they appreciate the depth of functionality available. Apollo offers more customization options, which adds power but also complexity.

Data Privacy and Compliance

Both platforms take data privacy seriously, but their approaches differ slightly.

RocketReach: Claims to adhere to GDPR standards and allows individuals to opt out of inclusion in their database. The platform sources data from public sources and aggregates information that's already available online. However, some users express concerns about how their personal contact information appears in the database without explicit consent.

Apollo: Offers rigorous adherence to GDPR, CCPA, and SOC 2 standards. The platform provides detailed privacy controls and allows users to manage data collection preferences. Apollo's data contributor network means that some data comes from users sharing business contact information in the course of using Apollo services, which creates unique privacy considerations.

Both platforms recommend checking with legal counsel to ensure compliance with your specific data protection requirements, especially if you operate in highly regulated industries or jurisdictions.

Customer Support Comparison

RocketReach support: Available through email and help center. User reviews indicate mixed experiences-while some find the support team helpful, others report slow response times, particularly for billing issues and cancellation requests. Some users mention difficulty managing subscriptions or getting refunds, suggesting that proactive account management is necessary.

Apollo support: Offers chat and email support with a generally responsive team and helpful resources. Apollo provides educational resources through its learning academy, tutorials, and documentation to help users maximize the platform. The comprehensive knowledge base addresses many common questions, though some users still report needing direct support for complex issues.

Scalability and Team Features

RocketReach Team Plans: Designed for larger organizations, team plans are billed annually only and start at $83-$207 per user monthly. Features include centralized seat management, the ability to add/reassign seats, and higher lookup quotas. Advanced features like SSO, reporting, and priority support are available on Ultimate team plans. Pricing for 2-5 person teams ranges from $166/month to $1,035/month depending on the plan level.

Apollo Team Features: The Organization plan (3-user minimum) includes advanced security configurations, single sign-on (SSO), customizable permission profiles, and unlimited customizable reports and dashboards. Apollo scales well for growing sales teams with its comprehensive feature set and per-user pricing model. The credit-based model can scale for larger teams through higher plans with more credits and feature access, with enterprise users able to customize credit volumes based on usage needs.

Analytics and Reporting Capabilities

RocketReach: Offers basic reporting focused on lookup history, export records, and email performance tracking through the Compose feature. Advanced reporting and analytics are available on higher-tier team plans. The platform tracks which lookups consumed credits and provides activity logs for data enrichment requests.

Apollo: Provides detailed analytics on email engagement, lead conversion, and sales performance. Features include customizable reports, goal tracking, KPI monitoring on prebuilt dashboards, email open and click rate tracking, and sequence performance analysis. The Organization plan offers unlimited customizable reports and dashboards, making it suitable for data-driven teams that need deep visibility into prospecting performance.

Mobile Experience

RocketReach: Reviews indicate that the mobile app is straightforward and easy to navigate on the go. The experience is functional for quick contact lookups and searches, though the full feature set is better experienced on desktop.

Apollo: The mobile experience is functional and allows users to access key features like contact search, sequences, and tasks. Some users note that while it works, the mobile experience could use improvements for better navigation and accessing more advanced features on smaller screens.

Who Should Use RocketReach?

RocketReach makes sense if you:

• Already have an outreach tool and just need contact data
• Prioritize data accuracy over feature breadth
• Want a simpler tool without the learning curve
• Focus on mid-market and enterprise prospecting
• Need to find hard-to-reach decision-makers and executives
• Prefer a dedicated contact finder over an all-in-one platform
• Have an established sales tech stack and need a pure data layer
• Value ease of use and want reps productive quickly (9.1/10 on G2)
• Run recruitment or executive search where accuracy is paramount
• Want to avoid paying for features you won't use

Try RocketReach Free →

Who Should Use Apollo?

Apollo makes sense if you:

• Want one platform for data + outreach + CRM + dialing
• Need email sequencing and automation built-in
• Have a team that needs reporting and analytics
• Want a free tier that's actually useful for testing (50 email credits, 5 mobile credits)
• Value extensive filtering options (65+ attributes vs 100+ on RocketReach)
• Need dialer functionality for phone outreach
• Are building your sales tech stack from scratch
• Run high-volume email campaigns (unlimited on Professional+)
• Want multi-channel coordination (email, calls, LinkedIn, tasks) in one place
• Need intent data and buying signals for prioritization
• Appreciate wide integration support (200+ apps)

Alternative Tools Worth Considering

While RocketReach and Apollo are both strong options, other tools might fit your specific needs better:

For tighter budgets: Lusha starts at $22.45/month for basic contact finding. Check out our Lusha pricing guide for more details.

For pure email verification: If you're already pulling data from other sources and just need verification, dedicated tools can be more cost-effective.

For email outreach: If you choose RocketReach for data, pair it with specialized outreach tools like Instantly, Smartlead, or Reply.io for sophisticated sequencing and deliverability.

For data enrichment workflows: Clay allows you to build complex data enrichment workflows using multiple data sources including both RocketReach and Apollo APIs.

For CRM: If you need a dedicated CRM, Close offers excellent pipeline management with built-in calling and doesn't try to be a data provider.

Testing Methodology: How to Choose

Don't rely solely on comparison articles to make your decision. Here's how to test properly:

1. Start with free trials: Both RocketReach (5 lookups) and Apollo (50 email credits, 5 mobile credits) offer free plans. Create accounts on both and test with your actual target personas.

2. Run the same search: Pick 20-30 ideal customer profiles and search for them in both platforms. Compare:

• How many contacts each platform finds
• Quality of contact information (direct emails vs generic)
• Presence of mobile numbers if that's important to you
• Completeness of company data

3. Test data accuracy: Export 50 contacts from each platform and verify them with a separate email verification tool or by actually sending test emails. Calculate your real bounce rate for each platform.

4. Evaluate the workflow: Do you naturally gravitate toward one interface over the other? Does the all-in-one approach of Apollo help or hinder your process? Would RocketReach's simplicity mean faster ramp time for your team?

5. Calculate true costs: Factor in your monthly contact volume, need for mobile numbers, integration requirements, and team size. Include potential overage fees and credit purchases in your calculations.

6. Check your specific regions: If you prospect internationally, test data accuracy in your specific target markets before committing.

My Recommendation

For most B2B sales teams starting fresh, Apollo offers better value because you get outreach tools bundled with your data. The free plan is genuinely useful for testing, and the Basic plan at $49/month (annual) includes enough features for small teams. The all-in-one approach reduces integration complexity and gets you up and running quickly.

However, if you're already invested in a sales stack-using something like Instantly for cold email, Reply.io for sequences, or Close CRM for pipeline management-RocketReach's focused approach might serve you better. You get cleaner data (lower bounce rates) without paying for features you'll never use.

RocketReach particularly shines for:

• Executive search and recruitment firms
• Teams prospecting into enterprise accounts
• Organizations with established, optimized tech stacks
• Situations where data accuracy directly impacts sender reputation
• Teams that value simplicity and fast onboarding

Apollo particularly shines for:

• Startups building their first sales process
• Small to mid-sized teams wanting one platform for everything
• High-volume outbound teams running large email campaigns
• Data-driven teams that need extensive filtering and reporting
• Organizations doing multi-channel outreach (email + calls + LinkedIn)

One more option worth considering: tools like Lusha start at lower price points ($22.45/month) and might be worth testing if budget is your primary concern. Check out our Lusha pricing guide for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use both RocketReach and Apollo together?

Yes, many teams use both tools strategically. Some use Apollo for high-volume email prospecting and RocketReach specifically for executive contacts or when Apollo lacks data. Tools like Clay let you waterfall between data sources-trying Apollo first (cheaper) and falling back to RocketReach when needed.

Which platform has better LinkedIn integration?

Both offer Chrome extensions that work on LinkedIn. Apollo's extension is rated higher (9.2/10 vs 8.2/10 on G2) and includes more functionality like adding contacts to sequences directly. However, RocketReach users praise how seamlessly it works for pure contact discovery. If you primarily prospect on LinkedIn, test both extensions with your workflow.

Do I really need a separate email verification tool?

Despite both platforms' verification claims, most experienced cold email senders recommend running exports through a dedicated verification tool before sending. This protects your domain reputation and ensures the lowest possible bounce rate. The small additional cost is worth it for deliverability.

How often is the data updated?

RocketReach updates its top 700 million profiles in real-time when you look them up. Other contacts are verified on a rotating schedule as frequently as once per month. Apollo updates data in real-time whenever it captures signals like job changes, new emails, or phone numbers through its contributor network and engagement tracking.

What happens to unused credits?

Both platforms have no rollover policies-unused credits expire at the end of your billing cycle. If you have 3,000 lookups remaining on RocketReach or 200 mobile credits on Apollo at renewal, they disappear. This makes accurate volume estimation crucial when choosing a plan.

Can I cancel mid-contract?

Both platforms have strict cancellation policies for annual contracts. Apollo doesn't offer refunds for early cancellation on annual plans. RocketReach users have reported similar difficulties. Monthly plans can typically be canceled at the end of the billing cycle, though some users report challenges even with monthly cancellations. Always review the specific terms before committing.

Bottom Line

Both tools solve the same core problem-finding contact information for B2B prospects. Apollo wraps that data in a full sales engagement platform with sequencing, dialing, analytics, and automation. RocketReach keeps it focused on data quality and lets you use your preferred outreach tools.

Neither is objectively "better." The right choice depends on your existing tech stack, team size, whether you value simplicity or an all-in-one approach, and most importantly-the accuracy you experience with your specific target personas.

RocketReach typically delivers cleaner data with lower bounce rates (5-10% vs potential 20-35% with Apollo), making it ideal for teams where deliverability and sender reputation are critical. The ease of use (9.1/10 on G2) means faster team onboarding and productivity.

Apollo offers more comprehensive functionality in a single platform, making it better for teams building their first sales process or those who want to consolidate tools. The free tier is genuinely useful, and the integration ecosystem (200+ apps) provides flexibility as you scale.

Start with the free tiers on both platforms. Run the same search on each, export 50 contacts, and see which data performs better for your specific use case. Test the interfaces to see which workflow feels more natural for your team. Calculate your true costs including potential overage fees and additional credit purchases.

That real-world test will tell you more than any comparison article. Your specific target market, prospecting volume, existing tech stack, and team preferences should drive the decision-not just feature lists and pricing tables.