Lode Leads vs Apollo.io: pricing, platforms, and AI scoring compared
Apollo.io is one of the most popular B2B sales intelligence platforms, with 275M+ contacts, 73M+ companies, email sequencing, a parallel dialer, and AI-powered features including lead scoring and a GTM AI assistant. It won "Best AI-Powered Sales Solution" in 2025. Lode Leads is a newer entrant focused on multi-platform search and dual AI scoring at a lower price point. Here is how they compare.
Pricing comparison
| Dimension | Apollo.io | Lode Leads |
|---|---|---|
| Base price | $49-$119/user/month | $5/month (freelancer) or $15/seat/month (teams) |
| 10-person team | $490-$1,190/month | $120/month |
| Annual cost (10 users) | $5,880-$14,280 | $1,440 |
| Credit model | Per-account shared credits (expire monthly) | Org-wide credits (buy when needed, no expiry) |
| Enrichment credits | Mobile numbers cost 8 credits each; waterfall enrichment available | Included in search credits |
| Launch access | Free tier with limited records | Early-access waitlist open now — join to lock in launch pricing |
Apollo shares credits across the account (not per-user), but credits expire monthly. Mobile number lookups cost 8 credits each, so phone-heavy workflows can increase costs. Apollo also offers a free tier, making it accessible for individuals getting started.
Lode Leads charges $15/seat/month for teams (with volume discounts starting at 4 seats) or $5/month for freelancers. Credits are shared across the entire organization, purchased separately, and do not expire monthly.
Platform coverage
Apollo has a massive US-focused database with 275M+ contacts and 65+ search filters, making it one of the strongest tools for North American B2B prospecting. Its built-in sequencing and parallel dialer mean you can prospect and outreach in one platform. However, international data accuracy is reported at 60-73%, and mobile number accuracy is around 40%. Industries with low LinkedIn adoption (hospitality, retail, creative) and markets outside the US have less complete coverage.
Lode Leads searches 11 platforms — LinkedIn (companies, people, and job postings), Google Maps, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, Reddit, and YouTube. A restaurant chain invisible to Apollo is immediately findable through Google Maps. A creative agency active on Instagram but absent from LinkedIn shows up in Lode Leads searches. The trade-off: Lode Leads does not include email sequencing or a dialer -- it focuses on search, scoring, and lead qualification.
AI scoring
| Feature | Apollo | Lode Leads |
|---|---|---|
| Scoring type | AI Lead Scoring + intent signals + rule-based | Dual AI scoring (factual + contextual) |
| AI assistant | GTM AI Assistant (conversational, Claude integration) | Conversational search agent |
| Score range | Buying intent categories + AI scores | 0-100 point scale |
| Cross-platform signals | No (LinkedIn-derived database only) | Yes (11 platforms) |
| Automatic filtering | Configurable thresholds | Sub-60 leads filtered automatically |
Credit model differences
- Apollo: Credits are shared across the account (not per-user), but they expire monthly. Mobile number lookups cost 8 credits each, and waterfall enrichment is available on higher tiers. The monthly expiry means unused credits are lost each billing cycle.
- Lode Leads: Credits are purchased once and shared across the entire organization. No monthly expiry. No per-user limits. No separate enrichment charges.
The key difference is expiry: Apollo credits reset monthly whether you use them or not. Lode Leads credits persist until used, which benefits teams with variable workloads.
When to choose which
Choose Apollo if: You want an all-in-one platform with a massive US-focused database, built-in email sequencing and dialer, AI scoring, and you are comfortable with $49-$119/user/month. Apollo is particularly strong for teams that need prospecting and outreach in a single tool.
Choose Lode Leads if: You need multi-platform search across 11 platforms (LinkedIn, Google Maps, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, Reddit, and YouTube), dual AI scoring on every lead, non-expiring org-wide credits, or you operate in markets where international data accuracy matters. The $15/seat price point also makes it accessible for smaller teams.
Claim your Lode Leads early-access spot — 11 platforms, one account, AI that filters out the bottom 90% and native MCP for ChatGPT and Claude. Get early access.