6sense vs. Apollo: Which Tool is Best for Your Business?

Choosing the right sales intelligence platform for your business is an important part of the growth and success of your team. These prospecting tools can significantly impact your business’s ability to generate and nurture leads, and if you don’t pick the right tool for your team, you may not see the success that your business needs.

6sense and Apollo.io are two powerful platforms that cater to businesses aiming to optimize their sales strategies. Let’s break down their features, benefits, and use cases to help you decide which tool aligns best with your goals.

6sense Overview

6sense is an account-based sales and marketing platform that’s really leaning into AI. Designed to empower businesses with AI, automation, and predictive analytics, it’s taking a lot of the manual work out of prospecting so teams can focus on closing deals faster.

Popular among B2B organizations, 6sense streamlines lead-generation strategies and enhances account engagement through personalization. Use cases include demand generation, pipeline acceleration, and account-based marketing (ABM) campaigns – if you like to target key accounts, 6sense might be right for you and your team.

Apollo.io Overview

One of the most popular lead generation tools on the market is Apollo.io. With a substantial database and advanced data platform features, Apollo has a significant global presence. But just because it’s a well-known name doesn’t automatically make it the best choice for your business.

Apollo is known for its sales and marketing integrations, allowing you to seamlessly execute outbound marketing campaigns from the platform. It also provides sophisticated filtering and advanced integration and API capabilities.

Main Differences of 6sense vs Apollo

The main differences between 6sense and Apollo.io are their target use cases and core functionalities. Here’s a quick overview:

• Use Cases: 6sense focuses on predictive analytics, leveraging AI, and account-based marketing, while Apollo.io is primarily a lead generation and sales prospecting tool.
• Database: Apollo.io offers an extensive contact database at the name-by-name level, whereas 6sense emphasizes account-level insights and important metrics.
• AI Capabilities: 6sense’s AI-driven predictions set it apart, providing deeper insights into buyer intent, whereas Apollo is lagging behind in AI capabilities comparatively.
• Integrations: Both platforms offer integrations, but Apollo.io provides a more extensive set of CRM and email marketing connections.
• Ease of Use: Apollo.io is not known for having a straightforward interface, and although 6sense has more advanced AI capabilities, the user experience is better.

6sense vs. Apollo At a Glance

To help you make sense of the two tools, here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of the two across key categories.

	6sense	Apollo
Use Cases	Account-based marketing, predictive analytics	Comprehensive sales enablement, integrated marketing capabilities
Database Size & Reliability	Over 400 million individual contacts, more than 65 million company profiles, no published accuracy rate	Over 210 million contacts, around 90% accuracy
Data Enrichment Features	Advanced tools enhance contact details with insights like job titles, company size, and company insights	Advanced tools enhance contact details with insights like job titles, company size, and more
Lead Management	Account prioritization, intent data-driven scoring, and pipeline acceleration tools	Comprehensive tools include lead scoring, pipeline tracking, and automated workflows
AI Features	Workflow founded on advanced AI capabilities	AI supports predictive analytics and personalized recommendations for outreach
Integrations	Extensive compatibility with platforms like Salesforce, HubSpot, Marketo, and Outreach	Extensive compatibility with platforms like Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, and more
Ease of Use	Simpler interface with advanced features, making it great for all team sizes	Moderate complexity; powerful features may require training for effective utilization
Compliance	Compliant with both GDPR and CCPA	Equally high compliance, with robust measures to meet global customer data protection regulations
Browser Extension	Yes	Yes
Free Access?	No free plan – offers a demo and tailored pricing based on business needs	Yes, a limited free plan offers basic access to its database and features

Core Features of 6sense vs Apollo

That’s a lot of info so far, so let’s take a closer look at some of the core features of both 6sense and Apollo.io. We’ll compare and contrast top features to help you better understand what’s right for your business and sales team.

6sense 

6sense is a platform that’s taking advantage of AI, so if you’re interested in a platform that’s keeping with AI trends, 6sense might be right for you. Here are some of the platform’s essential features to be aware of.

• Predictive Analytics: Uses AI to identify high-value prospects at the onset, allowing you to focus on clients with a higher potential for conversion.
• Account Engagement Insights: Tracks buyer behavior across channels to prioritize outreach – by leveraging countless customer data points, 6sense can accurately predict buyer behavior and where they may be in the sales funnel.
• Account-Based Marketing Tools: Personalized campaigns based on account-level data, making it an ideal option for teams that leverage account-based marketing strategies.
• Integration Options: Connects seamlessly with CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot.

Apollo.io 

Comparatively, here’s how Apollo.io stacks up to 6sense.

• Advanced Search Filters: Pinpoint leads using detailed criteria. With over 200 points to filter on, you can get the exact list you’re looking for.
• Automated Outreach Tools: Schedule and track email sequences with built-in outbound marketing features.
• Data Enrichment: Similar to ListKit, Apollo offers fantastic data enrichment capabilities, allowing you to enhance contact details for deeper insights.
• Extensive Integrations: Similar to 6sense, Apollo lets you connect with CRMs and other sales tools.
• Free Plan: While technically not a feature, we felt it was important to call out that Apollo does have a free plan available, while 6sense does not.

Use Cases

These two platforms have different approaches to lead generation – 6sense focuses on account-based marketing tactics, while Apollo.io focuses on targeting individual contacts. Here are some use cases to better understand each approach.

6sense 

Account-based marketing allows for account-level information rather than (or in addition to) individual contact details. This approach lets sales teams tackle teams or companies versus individuals within a business. With intent data, 6sense makes it easier to identify accounts or businesses that may be in a position to buy.

For example, a B2B software company may specialize in enterprise-level cybersecurity solutions. They may target accounts rather than individual decision-makers because the solutions they provide are company-wide. 6sense would help create a curated list of accounts and personalized content development for those target accounts.

Apollo.io

Apollo.io is less focused on account-based marketing and sticks to individual contacts to reach out to. The tried and true lead generation method gives you a curated, accurate list of contacts to reach out to individually. The platform also includes built-in outbound marketing tools, meaning you can leverage Apollo for more than just your contact lists – you can launch outreach campaigns from the tool.

A digital marketing agency may be able to leverage Apollo to quickly identify key contacts within small to medium businesses in their area (typically contacting CEOs, marketing managers, etc.) Apollo allows sales teams to create a highly accurate contact list and send outbound emails right from the same tool.

Database & Reliability

Both databases offer an impressive number of contacts (over 400 million in the 6sense database and over 200 million in Apollo’s). With the size of these databases, you’ll typically see similar data structures, accuracy, and availability of data, but let’s do a quick comparison.

6sense 

With a database nearly double the size of Apollo’s, 6sense’s impressive 400 million individual contacts and 65 million company contacts are ideal for any business. Whether you’re specific to a region or looking for global contacts, 6sense has vast global coverage.

One point of caution is the lack of published accuracy data. Many of the major lead generation service providers publish their accuracy rates regularly. Still, we don’t see that with 6sense, leaving a bit of mystery around the accuracy and quality of the data. In terms of the data you receive, similar to Apollo, you’ll see name details, emails, phone numbers, and general company information.

Apollo.io

While Apollo.io’s is half the size of 6sense, over 200 million contacts is still a large enough global database to meet most businesses’ needs. Apollo publishes a 90% data accuracy rate. However, user reviews may indicate a less accurate dataset.

Apollo has been working to continually integrate AI into their data farming and validation processes in an effort to increase data accuracy. Apollo offers standard contact details, including name, email address, phone number, and general company details.

One positive note on the data accuracy concerns – Apollo offers a refund on every bounced email, giving users some peace of mind.

Pricing for 6sense vs. Apollo 

While price isn’t everything when it comes to choosing a lead generation platform, it may be a deciding factor for many businesses. Let’s take a look at what each platform costs and what you’ll get with each.

6sense 

We mentioned that 6sense doesn’t publish accuracy rates, and here’s another category where 6sense isn’t as transparent as competitors – pricing. There is no published pricing, meaning you’ll need to contact the sales team directly to receive custom pricing.

While it’s understandable the pricing may vary depending on needs and features, in a world where there is so much transparency in pricing, not publishing pricing may deter potential customers. Additionally, there is no free trial available, meaning customers have no sense of pricing or if the product is fit for purpose.

Apollo.io

Apollo is very transparent in pricing – here’s a breakdown of their various plans.

• Free Plan: Provides limited access to Apollo’s database and basic search filters. While useful for small teams or those exploring the platform, this plan lacks advanced features like marketing automation and full data enrichment. However, you will get up to 10,000 email credits per month, 60 mobile credits per year, and 120 export credits per year.
• Basic Plan ($49/month): Offers access to Apollo’s extensive database, along with essential integrations and basic email outreach tools. This plan is ideal for startups or small business owners needing foundational sales intelligence tools. You’ll get unlimited email credits, 900 mobile credits per year, and 12,000 export credits per year.
• Professional Plan ($79/month): Includes advanced features like automated email sequences, detailed analytics, and enhanced data enrichment. It also offers better integrations with CRMs, making it suitable for growing teams. You’ll get unlimited email credits, 1,200 mobile credits per year, and 24,000 export credits per year.
• Organization Plan ($119/month): Designed for large organizations with complex needs. This plan includes full access to Apollo’s database, advanced AI tools for predictive analytics, unlimited automation, and dedicated customer support. You’ll get unlimited email credits, 2,400 mobile credits per year, and 48,000 export credits per year.

Integrations & API

If you’re a sales or marketing team with lots of existing tooling, you want a lead generation platform that integrates with your existing tools. Both tools provide extensive integration and API capabilities, so let’s take a quick look at how they compare.

6sense 

6sense offers key integration capabilities with major CRM platforms and open API usage. Here’s what you need to know about 6sense’s integration features.

• Integrate with popular CRMs like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Marketo.
• Open API allows you to integrate with in-house systems, further enriching your data.
• Works well with other ABM platforms.

Apollo.io

Similar to 6sense, Apollo has robust integration features. Here’s what you need to know about Apollo.io’s integration and API capabilities.

• Extensive integrations with popular CRMs like Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, and more.
• APIs for enriching contact data and automating workflows.
• Seamless connectivity with email platforms such as Gmail and other email/marketing tools.

Implementation & Support

Both platforms are complex and require some dedicated support to get onboard, but Apollo’s platform may be more complex, and users typically indicate a high learning curve when joining the platform. Here’s how implementation and support stack up between both 6sense and Apollo.io.

6sense 

6sense offers a dedicated account manager to help with implementation, onboarding, and ongoing support. The robust training resources are available on-demand to help team members get up to speed, and a dedicated contact makes getting support a breeze.

Apollo.io

Once implemented, Apollo’s platform can take some time to learn and master. While there is a dedicated implementation contact, ongoing support is general through self-help or via a live chat team.

Pros & Cons of 6sense vs Apollo

Every tool has pros and cons, so let’s look at 6sense and Apollo’s pros and cons to help you decide which may be right for you.

6sense 

Here’s a quick breakdown of 6sense’s pros and cons.

Pros:

• Advanced AI capabilities
• Strong account-based marketing focus
• Comprehensive account insights and intent data
• Wide range of integrations and capabilities

Cons:

• No free trial available
• Lack of transparency in pricing – as you’ll see in our Reviews section, pricing is a bit of a pain point for customers
• Lack of transparency in data accuracy 

Apollo.io

And here’s a quick overview of Apollo.io’s pros and cons.

Pros:

• Affordable, transparent pricing
• Free plan available (not just a trial)
• Powerful, advanced outbound marketing features are available directly in the platform

Cons:

• A complicated platform may not be as straightforward to use
• Longer implementation time
• Data accuracy may be lower than published rates

6sense vs. Apollo Reviews

We read user reviews on both G2 and Reddit to see what customers have to say about 6sense and Apollo. While Apollo seems to get higher reviews, customers rate both systems positively.

6sense Reviews

Users rated the AI capabilities, the account-based marketing focus, and the predictive, actionable insights highly. It seems to be a valuable system with high accuracy and powerful sales intelligence tools to streamline processes and reduce manual intervention. However, it does seem that the pricing may be high compared to other tools, although it’s not clear what each reviewer paid for the services.

Apollo Reviews

Customers highlight Apollo’s advanced features, capabilities, and built-in automation and marketing tools. Some customers note that the tool can be difficult to use and note issues with data accuracy. The free plan featured consistently in reviews, making it a great option for customers looking to try out a new platform.

Which is Better, 6sense or Apollo?

At the end of the day, 6sense and Apollo are very different tools. While they offer some of the same features and capabilities, they were designed with two different users in mind.

Choose 6Sense For Account-Based Marketing and AI Capabilities

As we’ve mentioned through this comparison guide, 6sense was designed with account-based marketers in mind. It’s a great tool for teams focused on targeting accounts with intent data, custom outbound content, and automation. By putting AI at the forefront of the platform, teams can focus less on manual processes and more on closing deals.

Choose Apollo.io For Powerful Tools and Scalability

Apollo.io is a tool that’s focused on advanced features and scalability, meaning it can grow and adapt as teams evolve. If you’re a team looking for built-in outbound marketing features, Apollo may be the right choice for you. The platform is intuitive, cost-effective, and powerful – although a bit challenging to navigate.

Try UpLead Instead: The Best Sales Intelligence Tool for Business

If you want a tool that offers the best of both worlds, look no further than UpLead. With powerful features, industry-leading data accuracy, and a free trial, it’s a fantastic choice for businesses looking to accelerate growth and is a suggested software for countless global users.

Start your free trial with UpLead today!

FAQs About 6sense vs. Apollo

If you’re looking for an affordable alternative that offers the best of both worlds, look no further than UpLead!