Software · head to head
Apollo.io vs Brainshark
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plan runs on them too, so prospecting volume is capped rather than the feature set; Brainshark user interface feels outdated with limited formatting customization options
- They diverge on capability: Apollo.io covers Contact database, Brainshark covers Content authoring.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Apollo.io and Brainshark actually diverge.
| Attribute | Apollo.io | Brainshark |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | subscription | Unknown |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Ios, Android |
| Founded | 2020 | 1999 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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
- HubSpot
- Outlook
Only in Brainshark
- Content authoring
- Video coaching
- Training
- Assessments
- Analytics
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Highspot
- Ios support
Both cover
- Salesforce
- Slack
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Apollo.io
- Lead generationnot Brainshark
- Prospect researchnot Brainshark
- Sales automationnot Brainshark
Brainshark
- Customer Successnot Apollo.io
- Sales Readinessnot Apollo.io
- Content Authoringnot 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
Brainshark
- User interface feels outdated with limited formatting customization options
- Branching feature is very limited compared to competitors
- Course catalog and transcript management in Salesforce are clunky and unintuitive
- Administrative controls are complex and adjusting settings takes longer than expected
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
Brainshark
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Brainshark 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 Brainshark if
- You need content authoring.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want video coaching.
Questions people ask
- Is Apollo.io or Brainshark better?
- Neither clearly leads. Apollo.io starts at Free and Brainshark at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Apollo.io or Brainshark?
- Apollo.io has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apollo.io and On request for Brainshark.
- Does Apollo.io or Brainshark run on more platforms?
- Apollo.io runs on Web. Brainshark 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. Brainshark starts at On request.
- 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 Brainshark is typically brought in for.
- What can Apollo.io do that Brainshark cannot?
- Apollo.io covers Contact database, Email finder, Lead search, Automation. Brainshark covers Content authoring, Video coaching, Training, Assessments. Both handle Salesforce, Slack, Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Brainshark: What is Brainshark primarily used for?
Brainshark is used for sales enablement, onboarding, and continuous training to prepare customer-facing teams with content, coaching, and certifications for buyer interactions.
SourceBrainshark: Does Brainshark integrate with PowerPoint?
Yes, Brainshark offers PowerPoint integrations along with a mobile app for on-demand training access and content authoring capabilities.
SourceBrainshark: Can Brainshark track employee training completion?
Yes, Brainshark provides training tracking, analytics, and scorecards for monitoring completion and engagement across your sales team.
SourceRelated pages
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- Brainshark vs DocuSign CLM
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