Softwr

CRM & Sales · head to head

Apollo.io vs Google Chat

Apollo.io logo

Apollo.io

CRM & Sales

Revenue intelligence platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Google Chat logo

Google Chat

Communication & Collaboration

AI-powered team messaging and collaboration

From
On request
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; Google Chat not sold as a standalone product; it is included only with paid Google Workspace subscriptions (Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus)

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apollo.io and Google Chat actually diverge.

Attributes where Apollo.io and Google Chat differ
AttributeApollo.ioGoogle Chat
Starting priceFreeOn request
Free tierYesNo
CategoryCRM & SalesCommunication & Collaboration
Founded2020Unknown

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), platforms (Web), 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 Google Chat

Nothing recorded that Apollo.io does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Apollo.io

  • Lead generationnot Google Chat
  • Prospect researchnot Google Chat
  • Sales automationnot Google Chat

Google Chat

No use cases recorded yet. See the Google Chat review.

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

Google Chat

  • Not sold as a standalone product; it is included only with paid Google Workspace subscriptions (Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus)
  • Gemini AI features inside Chat, including message summarization and conversation insights, are limited to Business and Enterprise tier Workspace plans

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

Google Chat

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Chat review.

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 Google Chat if

Nothing in the data separates Google Chat from Apollo.io on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Google Chat review

Questions people ask

Is Apollo.io or Google Chat better?
Neither clearly leads. Apollo.io starts at Free and Google Chat at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apollo.io or Google Chat?
Apollo.io has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apollo.io and On request for Google Chat.
Does Apollo.io or Google Chat run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Apollo.io for free?
Yes. Apollo.io has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Google Chat 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 Google Chat is typically brought in for.
What can Apollo.io do that Google Chat cannot?
Apollo.io covers Contact database, Email finder, Lead search, Automation.
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Related pages

More on Apollo.io

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