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Apollo.io vs Zoho CRM comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Jan 2, 2025

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
5.8
Users find Apollo.io cost-effective and efficient, offering strong returns with accurate data, despite manual lead generation and credit changes.
Sentiment score
4.9
Zoho CRM improved efficiency, increased sales, reduced costs, and enhanced productivity through automation and real-time reporting, yielding measurable returns.
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.
I would say still with the new pricing, Apollo.io is the cheapest and it gives us a positive ROI.
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.
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
4.2
Apollo.io's customer service is generally well-rated, but some users report slow responses and dissatisfaction with support efficiency.
Sentiment score
6.6
Zoho CRM customer service varies, with mixed experiences on response time, communication, and agent knowledge, improving with higher-paid plans.
While the support was adequate, it could be more efficient as the response time was somewhat slow.
We had issues with Apollo.io's technical support because they repeatedly provided the same responses even when our issues were different.
Sometimes, they don't understand what my actual needs are.
The 1.5 deduction from 10 is due to cultural communication differences based on where we're getting the support, as sometimes it takes a couple of times to communicate clearly enough for them to understand the issue.
There are multiple blogs and articles available online for self-help.
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
4.9
Apollo.io offers flexible scaling and automation, ideal for small teams, with mixed suitability for larger companies.
Sentiment score
7.8
Zoho CRM is scalable, accommodating small and medium enterprises well, though it may not suit very large enterprises.
They have automation capabilities for cadences and AI functionalities.
Apollo.io is not very scalable if your company has a bigger budget - you need to simply move on from Apollo.io.
Apollo.io's scalability is very good.
The system is easy to understand, implement coding, and conduct training.
Zoho CRM is quite scalable; I have worked with clients who started with ten companies and have scaled up to managing 500 employees effectively within Zoho CRM.
The platform's global data centers across regions such as the US, EU, and India ensure data security and privacy through ISO certification and strong role-based security, which is essential for handling sensitive customer data.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
5.5
Apollo.io is generally stable but has issues with delays, outdated displays, and a slow user interface.
Sentiment score
7.7
Zoho CRM is praised for stability and reliability, with minor speed issues and valued transparency in platform performance.
The app is very heavy and takes time to load, with frequent stuttering and freezing issues.
Zoho CRM guarantees 99% uptime, with downtime incidents being very rare.
I find Zoho CRM to be 100% stable and reliable as far as I know.
It is usually compliant with data regulation laws and is HIPAA compliant.
 

Room For Improvement

Apollo.io should improve setup, data accuracy, performance, and support while enhancing features for better user experience and satisfaction.
Zoho CRM users seek better customization, integrations, UI enhancements, and support, with concerns about cost, scalability, and stability.
When it comes to performance, it's a very heavy app now. It takes time to load, stutters, and gets stuck frequently.
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.
The data accuracy needs improvement, especially compared to tools such as ZoomInfo, though Apollo.io is more cost-effective.
The platform does not save code versions similar to GitHub, where you can compare new versions with previous ones.
Some organizations may prefer not to have their data on the internet since Zoho CRM runs as a cloud service.
The main improvement needed for Zoho CRM is introducing SQL code for reports, similar to what's in Zoho Analytics.
 

Setup Cost

Apollo.io offers competitive pricing with plans from $19, appealing free options, and a vast 270 million contact database.
Enterprise buyers consider Zoho CRM a cost-effective alternative to Salesforce, valuing its competitive pricing and flexible, cloud-based solutions.
The setup process involves minimal costs and is more affordable compared to other tools such as ZoomInfo.
Zoho CRM and all of Zoho's software are quite affordable because they are specifically designed for small and medium businesses.
In terms of my experience with the price and licensing cost, as with setup cost for Zoho CRM, it might not be quite affordable because there are cheaper solutions available.
 

Valuable Features

Apollo.io enhances lead generation with precise filters, CRM integration, and a resourceful free plan, boosting user satisfaction.
Zoho CRM offers customization, strong analytics, integration, and support, making it ideal for SMEs seeking a flexible platform.
I can select as many tools as I want, add APIs, link external tools, and add AI.
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.
The fact that it combines both database and outreach tools in one place is valuable.
The most valuable aspect of CRMs, including Zoho CRM, Salesforce, and Microsoft Dynamics, is automation capabilities.
The most valuable feature I have found in Zoho CRM is custom functions. You can achieve anything with it. From integrations with other applications, it is instant.
You can customize everything—what you sell, be it products, services, or projects.
 

Categories and Ranking

Apollo.io
Ranking in Opportunity Management
2nd
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
6.7
Number of Reviews
14
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Zoho CRM
Ranking in Opportunity Management
3rd
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.8
Number of Reviews
58
Ranking in other categories
CRM (4th), Sales Force Automation (3rd)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2025, in the Opportunity Management category, the mindshare of Apollo.io is 15.2%, up from 12.4% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Zoho CRM is 6.4%, down from 14.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Opportunity Management Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Apollo.io15.2%
Zoho CRM6.4%
Other78.4%
Opportunity Management
 

Featured Reviews

Shadrach Godwish Chukwu - PeerSpot reviewer
Efficiency improves with automation, but data accuracy needs enhancement
What I appreciate about Apollo.io most is its Chrome extension which is very user-friendly, and it has excellent sequencing capabilities that make it easier to stay consistent with outreach. The fact that it combines both database and outreach tools in one place is valuable. I utilize Apollo.io's lead scoring feature extensively. The experience with Apollo.io's CRM integration capabilities for managing pipelines is excellent. The ability to integrate with HubSpot, which I frequently use as my CRM, is outstanding. It also works seamlessly with Gmail and automation tools such as make.com or Zapier. As an SDR using Apollo.io, there is no need to copy-paste leads as everything can be automated and integrated. When leads are extracted, they automatically transfer to the CRM. This saves considerable time, and activities such as emails, calls, meetings can be automated in the CRM.
NaveenKumar S - PeerSpot reviewer
Zoho CRM improves lead conversion with AI assistance but could have better technical support
Zoho Zia has helped our lead conversion process by serving as a private AI of Zoho CRM that assists in boosting lead conversation by analyzing customer data, predicting outcomes, and automating workflow follow-ups. Regarding how Zia helps with lead conversion, there's lead scoring and conversion predictions, sentiment analysis, and workflow suggestions. For lead scoring, Zia analyzes past lead conversation patterns and assigns scores to new leads, and high score leads get prioritized for faster follow-up. In terms of conversation predictions, Zia predicts the probability of lead conversion based on demographics and engagements, helping the sales team focus on the most promising leads. Another point is sentiment analysis, where Zia scans customer emails, chats, and notes to detect tones such as positive, negative, or neutral, guiding us on how to approach the leads better. For workflow suggestions, it recommends automated workflows such as sending emails and assigning tasks to agents, improving our engagements. Additionally, the conversational AI feature through Zia chatbot can interact with leads via website chat or capture details and push them into Zoho CRM automatically. The analytics and reporting features in Zoho CRM helped me understand sales patterns and customer behavior through standard reports that include pre-built reports for leads, deals, sales activities, and campaigns. We can customize reports as well, creating reports based on any module fields, and we can integrate with Zoho Analytics for direct capture of reports from our modules. We can merge leads reports to contact reports using SQL, allowing for effective sales funnel tracking to identify drop-offs and optimize conversation strategies. Auto-generated reports are also available for daily scheduling, ensuring that admin receives daily basis reports through automation. With advanced BI features such as drag-and-drop dashboards and predictive analysis using pivot tables, we can create insightful dashboards while pulling CRM and external data from sources such as Google Ads and Facebook Ads for unified analytics. The automation capabilities in Zoho CRM have helped streamline our organization's sales and marketing tasks by handling repetitive tasks such as sending follow-up emails, assigning leads, and updating fields. For example, if a lead score is greater than 80, it automatically assigns that record to the senior sales representative. There are also blueprint options to define the step-by-step sales process, ensuring every sales representative follows the same process. Automation includes assignment rules, lead scoring, priority load options, sales signals, macros, and territory management, which automatically routes leads based on geography, revenue, and industries. Additionally, deal stage automations trigger actions when a deal moves stages, such as sending a contract when it moves to negotiation. For marketing, there are tools for email campaign automation, behavior-based triggers, campaign to lead sync, and social media automations. The overall benefits I have seen from using Zoho CRM include centralized customer data, where all customer interactions are visible in one place, providing a 360-degree view. Improved lead conversations through AI-powered scoring and automation helps us focus on the right leads, with end-to-end sales automation managing tasks from lead capture to deal closure, thereby saving time on repetitive tasks. This leads to better marketing ROI, as we can track campaigns, ad spend, and lead sources, connecting marketing efforts to revenue. Enhanced collaboration through shared notes, tasks, and role-based access enables teamwork within our internal users and sales teams, contributing to customer satisfaction. Moreover, Zoho CRM is scalable and customizable, adapting to startups, SMBs, and enterprises with its flexible modules and fields. Lastly, it is cost-efficient compared to Salesforce and HubSpot while including a wide range of features.
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
11%
Financial Services Firm
10%
Marketing Services Firm
9%
University
9%
Manufacturing Company
10%
University
8%
Computer Software Company
8%
Comms Service Provider
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business13
Large Enterprise3
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business44
Midsize Enterprise6
Large Enterprise10
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Apollo.io?
The product's most valuable feature is its ease of use, especially for beginners.
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...
What do you like most about Zoho CRM?
Zoho CRM integrates easily with customer service workflows.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Zoho CRM?
Zoho CRM and all of Zoho's software are quite affordable because they are specifically designed for small and medium businesses.
What needs improvement with Zoho CRM?
The main improvement needed for Zoho CRM is introducing SQL code for reports, similar to what's in Zoho Analytics. Zoho CRM's support can improve significantly, although it's designed to require mi...
 

Comparisons

 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Information Not Available
JetHub, Anderson Sales Advantage, ActionCoach, Milagro Advisory Group, TECO Pneumatic, Proteomics Consult
Find out what your peers are saying about Apollo.io vs. Zoho CRM and other solutions. Updated: September 2025.
869,202 professionals have used our research since 2012.