Softwr

CRM & Sales · head to head

Apollo.io vs Brain.fm

Apollo.io logo

Apollo.io

CRM & Sales

Revenue intelligence platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Brain.fm logo

Brain.fm

Productivity

Scientifically-designed music to enhance focus and productivity

From
$14.99/month
Rated
-

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; Brain.fm monthly plan at $14.99/month significantly more expensive per unit than annual plan ($8.33/month equivalent)
  • They diverge on capability: Apollo.io covers Contact database, Brain.fm covers Neuroscience-designed music.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apollo.io and Brain.fm actually diverge.

Attributes where Apollo.io and Brain.fm differ
AttributeApollo.ioBrain.fm
Starting priceFree$14.99/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android, Desktop
CategoryCRM & SalesProductivity
Founded20202015

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 Brain.fm

  • Neuroscience-designed music
  • Focus tracks
  • Relaxation tracks
  • Sleep tracks
  • Offline mode
  • Multiple genres
  • Cross-platform access
  • Ad-free experience

What people use each for

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

Apollo.io

  • Lead generationnot Brain.fm
  • Prospect researchnot Brain.fm
  • Sales automationnot Brain.fm

Brain.fm

  • Knowledge workers requiring focus audio for deep work blocksnot Apollo.io
  • ADHD individuals seeking neurologically-optimised audio for concentrationnot Apollo.io
  • Students preparing for exams with learning and meditation supportnot 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

Brain.fm

  • Monthly plan at $14.99/month significantly more expensive per unit than annual plan ($8.33/month equivalent)
  • ADHD mode available only with active subscription; no trial access to specialised features
  • No offline mode documented; requires internet connectivity for audio delivery
  • Content library composition not published (proprietary vs. licensed music distinction unclear)

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

Brain.fm

$14.99/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Brain.fm review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Apollo.io if

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

Choose Brain.fm if

  • You need neuroscience-designed music.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Desktop.
  • You also want focus tracks.

Questions people ask

Is Apollo.io or Brain.fm better?
Neither clearly leads. Apollo.io starts at Free and Brain.fm at $14.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apollo.io or Brain.fm?
Apollo.io has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apollo.io and $14.99/month for Brain.fm.
Does Apollo.io or Brain.fm run on more platforms?
Apollo.io runs on Web. Brain.fm runs on Web, iOS, Android, Desktop.
Can I use Apollo.io for free?
Yes. Apollo.io has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Brain.fm starts at $14.99/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 Brain.fm is typically brought in for.
What can Apollo.io do that Brain.fm cannot?
Apollo.io covers Contact database, Email finder, Lead search, Automation. Brain.fm covers Neuroscience-designed music, Focus tracks, Relaxation tracks, Sleep tracks.

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