Apollo

Apollo is the first tool I set up when I need leads. This guide is structured in three parts: first, the main considerations for people thinking about using Apollo; then, tips for new users; and finally, some more advanced workflows based on how I use it day-to-day.

Why I use Apollo (and where it fits in my stack)

Apollo is the best database tool I’ve found for cold outreach — and I’ve tried most of them. It combines LinkedIn-level targeting with verified emails, company filters, and flexible list-building. You can technically run email sequences inside Apollo, but I treat it mostly as a data source — a way to build smart lists, fast.

What makes it useful for B2B service companies is how flexible it is. You can go broad (pull 1,000 SaaS founders in Europe) or narrow (find Dutch performance marketers at agencies doing €1–5M in revenue). I rarely use it as an all-in-one platform — I usually export lists and run them through Smartlead, Clay, or Close — but the targeting power makes it worth the price on its own.

I’ve used Apollo to test cold traffic before building SEO pages or running ads. It gives you fast signal: if your targeting and message are off, you’ll know quickly. That speed is key when you’re validating a funnel.

If you’re considering Apollo, here’s what you need to know before signing up.

First: Apollo is not just a LinkedIn clone with email exports. It’s much deeper. You can filter by everything from job title and location to keywords, funding, tech stack, and hiring status. It lets you build ICP-driven lists in a way that feels intuitive and fast.

It works especially well for B2B service businesses selling to other professional roles — marketers, ops teams, tech, IT, finance. I’ve found the data to be clean and broad. Apollo pulls from LinkedIn, so you’re getting self-reported job data — not scraped junk.

The pricing starts free. You get 10 export credits a month on the free plan, which is fine for testing. If it fits your strategy, you can upgrade and unlock bulk exports and advanced filters. Apollo works on a credit-based system: the more you want to export, the higher your plan. The paid version is worth it once you’ve validated your use case.

What it replaces:

• Manual list building
• Paying for Sales Navigator + email scraping tools separately
• Buying dodgy lead lists from freelancers or marketplaces

What it doesn’t replace:

• A good message
• A clear ICP
• A working outbound process