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CRM & Sales · head to head

Apollo.io vs Blue Link ERP

Apollo.io logo

Apollo.io

CRM & Sales

Revenue intelligence platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Blue Link ERP logo

Blue Link ERP

ERP & Business Operations

Enterprise software for wholesale distribution

From
$500/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Apollo.io has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Apollo.io everything is metered in credits, and the free Starter plan runs on them too, so prospecting volume is capped rather than the feature set; Blue Link ERP no QuickBooks integration
  • They diverge on capability: Apollo.io covers Contact database, Blue Link ERP covers Distribution management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apollo.io and Blue Link ERP actually diverge.

Attributes where Apollo.io and Blue Link ERP differ
AttributeApollo.ioBlue Link ERP
Starting priceFree$500/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android
CategoryCRM & SalesERP & Business Operations
Founded20201992

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Apollo.io

  • Contact database
  • Email finder
  • Lead search
  • Automation
  • Engagement tracking
  • Reporting
  • Salesforce
  • HubSpot

Only in Blue Link ERP

  • Distribution management
  • Inventory control
  • Order management
  • Warehouse management
  • Financial management
  • QuickBooks
  • Shopify
  • Amazon

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Apollo.io

  • Lead generationnot Blue Link ERP
  • Prospect researchnot Blue Link ERP
  • Sales automationnot Blue Link ERP

Blue Link ERP

  • Wholesale distributionnot Apollo.io
  • Multi-warehouse operationsnot Apollo.io
  • B2B commercenot Apollo.io

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Apollo.io

  • Everything is metered in credits, and the free Starter plan runs on them too, so prospecting volume is capped rather than the feature set
  • Plans described as unlimited are capped in the fair use policy at 10,000 credits a month for non-paying accounts
  • Connecting a mailbox that is not Gmail or Microsoft requires a paid plan
  • How many records can be selected at once varies by tier
  • Running out of credits means buying more rather than waiting for a reset

Blue Link ERP

  • No QuickBooks integration
  • Outdated user interface that some users find difficult to navigate
  • Requires third-party integrations for sales tax calculation and credit card processing
  • Occasional technical issues during peak usage periods such as timeouts and freezing

Pricing, plan by plan

Apollo.io

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic contact search
    • Limited searches
  • Starter$49/month
    • Everything in Free
    • Advanced search
    • Email finder
  • Professional$149/month
    • Everything in Starter
    • Automation
    • Advanced analytics

Blue Link ERP

$500/month
  • Professional$500/month
    • Core distribution
    • Inventory management
    • Order processing
  • Enterprise$1000/month
    • Multi-warehouse
    • EDI integration
    • Advanced analytics

Which should you pick?

Choose Apollo.io if

  • You need contact database.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want email finder.
Apollo.io review

Choose Blue Link ERP if

  • You need distribution management.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want inventory control.
Blue Link ERP review

Questions people ask

Is Apollo.io or Blue Link ERP better?
Neither clearly leads. Apollo.io starts at Free and Blue Link ERP at $500/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apollo.io or Blue Link ERP?
Apollo.io has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apollo.io and $500/month for Blue Link ERP.
Does Apollo.io or Blue Link ERP run on more platforms?
Apollo.io runs on Web. Blue Link ERP runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Apollo.io for free?
Yes. Apollo.io has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Blue Link ERP starts at $500/month.
What is Apollo.io best used for?
Apollo.io is most often used for lead generation, prospect research, sales automation. Of those, lead generation and prospect research are not what Blue Link ERP is typically brought in for.
What can Apollo.io do that Blue Link ERP cannot?
Apollo.io covers Contact database, Email finder, Lead search, Automation. Blue Link ERP covers Distribution management, Inventory control, Order management, Warehouse management.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Blue Link ERP: Does Blue Link ERP offer a free trial?

Blue Link ERP does not offer a free trial, but prospective customers can request a free demo and access product videos to explore features.

Source
Blue Link ERP: Can Blue Link ERP integrate with QuickBooks?

No. Blue Link ERP does not integrate with QuickBooks, which is a limitation for businesses that use QuickBooks for accounting.

Source
Blue Link ERP: What platforms does Blue Link ERP support?

Blue Link ERP is cloud-based and accessible via web browsers and mobile applications. Native apps are available for both iOS and Android.

Source
Blue Link ERP: What industries does Blue Link ERP serve?

Blue Link ERP is designed for wholesale, distribution, retail, and eCommerce businesses, with specific solutions for apparel, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, construction, and furniture industries.

Source
Blue Link ERP: Does Blue Link ERP require third-party tools for taxes and payments?

Yes. US sales tax calculation requires integration with third-party tools like Zip2Tax or Avalara, and credit card processing requires separate third-party software.

Source
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Related pages

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