PhantomBuster vs Apollo.io: Best Tool for 2025?

Rating 5 (2 Votes)

In today’s world of sales and marketing automation, two tools stand out for their effectiveness: PhantomBuster and Apollo.io. While both solutions are powerful for business process enhancement, they are created for different users and needs. In this article, we provide a detailed comparison of PhantomBuster and Apollo.io across key categories such as functionality, integrations, ease of use, pricing, data quality, automation capabilities, customer support, and user reviews.At the close, we’ll select a winner to help you decide which is better for you. We are ready to get started!

You can go to the b2b lead scraper on our website. There you can find and choose the best option for your business :)

Overview: what is PhantomBuster?

PhantomBuster is a useful tool that supports automating jobs marketers, researchers and developers do regularly on the internet. PhantomM’s power depends on having Phantoms stored which are prebuilt scripts that can automate many things on both websites and social media. With PhantomBuster, users can perform many actions such as extracting details from LinkedIn, managing their Instagram followers and sending connection requests, without needing to write any code.

Screenshot of PhantomBuster's homepage highlighting its lead generation automation features and a call-to-action to start a free trial.

Because it is cloud-based, robotic processes run remotely, making setup unnecessary on your PC. Furthermore, PhantomBuster can schedule tasks, perform chain actions, search emails and provide webhook/API connections—which helps those who handle massive web data.

Who is PhantomBuster for?

Growth hackers, digital marketers, sales researchers and data analysts who use LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Google Maps will find PhantomBuster very useful for getting data or automating workflows. This word is often applied when:

  • Simplify lead generation by downloading data, including emails.

  • Track what your competitors are doing or check how others are using social media

  • You can automatically send InMails to your prospects on LinkedIn.

  • You can develop outreach funnels by using several steps in your workflows.

  • Download the listings and reviews you find on Google and other online directories

The technology behind PhantomBuster is remarkable, even if it can be tough to grasp for those who haven’t learned about automation or scraping. Yet, its adaptability draws users who need help going beyond the basics provided by standard sales automation services.

Overview: what is Apollo.io?

Apollo.io is an all-in-one sales intelligence and engagement platform built to help B2B sales and marketing teams find, engage, and convert high-quality leads at scale. Basically, Apollo brings together a huge B2B database, along with email, LinkedIn and cold call automation tools.

Homepage of Apollo.io highlighting its lead engagement platform with a sign-up form and a laptop displaying the contact management dashboard.

Apollo allows you to search by firmographics, technographics and buyer intent, verify emails automatically, score leads based on AI and perform prospecting right from LinkedIn using Chrome extensions. By contrast, Apollo brings together all lead sourcing, enrichment and outreach into a single system designed to save many hours of manual effort.

Who is Apollo.io for?

Apollo.io is designed for B2B sales reps, growth marketers, account executives, and revenue operations teams looking to streamline their outbound motion. The best purposes for Decentralized Machine Learning are:

  • Creating account lists that are exactly what you need

  • Building personalized email sequences that can be used with many customers

  • Updating CRM details as soon as contact and company information changes

  • Evaluating how users engage and making improvements to the way you communicate using data

  • Sending form data directly to Salesforce, HubSpot or Zoho for all-round visibility

Deep Comparison Table

Category

PhantomBuster

Apollo.io

Winner

Functionality ⚙️

Deals mainly with automated web tasks and data extraction with custom Phantoms. Ideal in workflows that can be automated.

Mixes addresses, reaching out and automation into one hub. Developed to give you insights into sales.

Apollo.io

Integrations 🔗

Can be connected using Zapier, webhooks or by exporting results in CSV or JSON format. Great if you need flexible approaches to your work.

Apollo.io integrates easily with Salesforce, HubSpot, Gmail, Slack and a range of other services. No trouble when linking emails to your CRM system.

Apollo.io

Ease of Use 🖥️

You need technical knowledge to fully take advantage of PhantomBuster. A more demanding journey for learners.

The platform is built for people without technical knowledge. Sales team members can be added with ease.

Apollo.io

Pricing 💰

$59–$139/month. No commitment for the amount of execution hours you use. Access is available only as a free trial.

A free plan is offered. Paid plans are available from $49 per user each month. Consistent user fees and excellent returns.

Apollo.io

Data Quality 📊

We regularly gather data in real time from both social networks and websites. Targets sometimes determine the accuracy.

A confirmed list of B2B contacts that’s kept current (200M+ records) and reported by users to have an accuracy higher than 90%.

Apollo.io

Automation 🤖

Extremely flexible. Performs web scraping, content tasks and social activities on its own. Perfect for anyone practicing growth hacking.

All tools are geared toward sales funnel automation, following up after leads and tracking emails.

PhantomBuster

Customer Support 💬

Assistance is available through email, documentation and forums. There are delays being reported.

You can reach us using live chat, email, our knowledge base or webinars. A lot of satisfied reviews.

Apollo.io

User Reviews 🌟

G2: 4.2/5 (41+ reviews), Capterra: 4.6/5. The flexibility people like, yet the free offering is fairly restricted.

G2: 4.8/5 (3700+ reviews), Capterra: 4.6/5. Recognized for accurate data, ease of use and value.

Apollo.io

Best For 🎯

Developers, data researchers and advanced marketers focused on scraping and custom automations.

Outbound marketing, CRM sync and contact enrichment at scale for B2B teams.

Apollo.io

Explanation:

  • In 7 out of 8 categories, Apollo.io is the clear winner due to its all-in-one approach, broader integrations, ease of use, better pricing model, and extensive B2B data capabilities.

  • Among other tools, PhantomBuster is unparalleled for scraping and unique workflows that do not require coding.

Functionality

Apollo.io offers features focused on smart sales and customer engagement:

  • You can search through over 200 million contacts and over 10 million companies, all of which are maintained with regular updates.

  • Automation help: Solutions for producing sales templates, email sequences and responses for cold emails.

  • Verifying email addresses guarantees the correctness of your data.

  • Use this Chrome plug-in on LinkedIn to find leads effectively.

  • Its main areas are web automation and collecting data.

  • Extracting data from websites and social networks can be done with the help of strong tools called web data scrapers.

Phantoms are flexible scripts that help do many different things automatically.

  • Data transfer can be done via API with API integration.

  • Running automations through PhantomBuster’s cloud means you don’t have to maintain your own servers.

Verdict: If you need smart sales and engagement tools, Apollo.io has the edge thanks to its comprehensive database and built-in sales tools. PhantomBuster really takes the lead when it comes to automating jobs and scraping the web over data.

Integrations

Apollo.io integrates seamlessly with popular CRM systems like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho CRM, as well as with email clients (Gmail, Outlook) and communication tools (Slack, Microsoft Teams). Having these tools integrated is necessary for sales teams that track their leads using CRM and automate emails.

Integration diagram showing how Apollo.io connects with tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, Gmail, Outlook, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zapier, PhantomBuster, and export formats like CSV and JSON.

Zapier integration in PhantomBuster gives PhantomBuster users the ability to work with thousands of different apps without programming. This platform offers both webhooks and allows you to export results in CSV and JSON formats, so you can link it to any custom application or other tool.

Verdict: Apollo.io holds a slight advantage with direct integrations into key CRM and communication tools, which is important for sales teams. PhantomBuster’s Zapier support offers unmatched flexibility which makes it able to work well with a variety of tool combinations.

Ease of Use

Apollo.io is known for its clean and intuitive interface. Thanks to the easy layout and quick search, anyone can use the site, regardless of their computer knowledge. It is a big benefit for sales teams because accessing these functions is simple and doesn’t require much setup.

Illustration of a laptop screen displaying Apollo.io’s user interface under the heading "Ease of Use," highlighting its clean and intuitive design for effortless navigation.

Because PhantomBuster uses scripts, it is more difficult to learn than other browsers. Designing your own Phantoms calls for technical skills, but many useful Phantoms are available in the library for all users. If you are happy to invest effort in learning, you can use Paint for many valuable and flexible custom changes.

Verdict: For users valuing ease of use—especially non-technical ones—Apollo.io is the better choice thanks to its intuitive interface. Still, PhantomBuster allows people with advanced knowledge to easily build their own automations.

Pricing

Apollo.io offers several pricing tiers:

  • With the free plan, you get 10,000 credits each month, 2 active sequences, 5 mobile credits and 10 export credits.

  • The Basic Plan costs $49 per user each month, adding both alerting for job changes and buyer intent regarding 6 specific topics.

  • To use the Professional Plan, you pay $99 as a user fee each month, along with advanced features and higher limits.

  • Organization Plan: Pricing for large teams is set according to their needs.

You have the following payment options with PhantomBuster:

  • Our Free Plan includes only essential features.

  • Growth Plan costs $59 each month for small to medium-sized teams.

  • For $139 a month, you get advanced tools and higher allowable limits with the business plan.

  • Pricing for the Enterprise Plan is determined by request.

  • 20% discount is applied when you choose to pay your bill yearly.

Verdict: For individuals or small teams, Apollo.io ($49/month) is slightly more affordable than PhantomBuster ($59/month). Yet, if you work with big squads or require advanced automation, PhantomBuster may prove more expensive than Apollo’s Professional plan per user. The decision is based on what your team requires and how big it is.

you can also view the Waalaxy vs Snov.io comparison on our website :)

Data Quality

Apollo.io focuses on high-quality B2B data with a database of over 200 million contacts and 10 million companies. Because updates happen regularly, sales teams depend on the platform’s data accuracy which exceeds 90%.

Infographic-style image showcasing Apollo.io’s data quality with pie charts and graphs, emphasizing 90%+ accuracy in B2B contact data.

The app is especially good at retrieving live data from Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. How accurate your data is relies on the source and the way it is set up on Phantom, but it can be very timely if cared for adequately.

Verdict: For ready-to-use, high-quality B2B data, Apollo.io is the better choice. PhantomBester is the best for collecting data right as it’s happening from various sources.

Automation Capabilities

Apollo.io’s automation is focused on sales, with tools for email sequences, follow-ups, and sales funnel management. This helps things go smoother and lets businesses boost their performance.

Visual comparison of Apollo.io and PhantomBuster’s automation features, highlighting Apollo’s strength in sales workflows and PhantomBuster’s focus on data and content automation.

With PhantomBuster, you can automate things like collecting data, making content and managing social media profiles. Thanks to its many uses, it works well for marketers and growth hackers.

Verdict: For sales-focused automation, Apollo.io is sufficient. If you need to automate multiple online tasks, PhantomBuster is the first choice.

Customer Support

Apollo.io provides email and chat support, a knowledge base, video tutorials, webinars, and training. Users say that the service is both fast and helpful.

Visual comparison of customer support options, showing Apollo.io with email, chat, webinars, and training, while PhantomBuster offers email and community forums.

When you need help, you can reach PhantomBuster’s email service, read their detailed documentation or join the community forums. Most users find good support, but there is still room to make it better for some people.

Verdict: Apollo.io has the edge with broader support and positive reviews. But users can find a lot of help in PhantomBuster’s documentation and forums.

User Reviews

Apollo.io:

  • The website is rated 4.8 out of 5 by over 3700 reviewers.

  • The people who review Capterra rate it at 4.6/5, according to 369 reviews.

  • Main Point: They like how easy it is to use, how good the information is and the range of engagement options it provides. Data that I have reviewed is of very high quality and accuracy. Apollo offers data that is as good as Zoominfo’s but at a more affordable cost." (Apollo.io Review)

PhantomBuster:

  • According to G2, the solution receives 4.2 stars out of 5 from 41 reviews.

  • Based on 63 reviews, Capterra rated WorkInit as 4.6 out of 5.

  • The free Retool trial is reportedly fast and flexible by users, although being limited can be frustrating for a few.

Verdict: Both tools are highly rated, but Apollo.io has a larger review base and a higher G2 rating, indicating broader user satisfaction.

Pricing, Pros & Cons

Tool

Pricing

Pros

Cons

Apollo.io


✅ Offers a complete B2B database

✅ User-friendly interface

✅ Built-in sales tools

Excellent customer support



❌ Limited to B2B data

❌ Higher cost for small teams


PhantomBuster


  • Free: Limited

  • Growth Plan: $59/month

  • Business Plan: $139/month

  • Enterprise: Custom pricing



✅ Versatile automation options

✅ Access to multiple data sources

✅ Affordable entry-level plans

✅ Comprehensive documentation



❌ Steeper learning curve

❌ Customer support could be improved


Why Apollo.io is the better choice in 2025 

By 2025, Apollo.io is the best choice for B2B teams because it connects lead information, email automation, CRM functionality and sales data in one place. While point solutions deal with small aspects of outreach, Apollo provides access to millions of contacts, automated research and cross-channel engagement tools within one simple interface. With effective filtering, added benefits and live intent data, it’s the top choice for creating campaigns that produce quicker conversions.

A smiling man in a "Digital Expert" sweater gives a thumbs up, with the text "Apollo.io Better Choice" displayed, promoting Apollo.io as a top digital sales platform.

PhantomBuster gives excellent freedom to customize web tasks and gather data, but Apollo.io helps businesses boost outreach and predictably earn more revenue. You won’t have to integrate several tools manually, the process is simpler and non-technical people enjoy using it. Apollo.io earns the title as smarter and more scalable in 2025 due to its free trial, reasonable pricing and lots of excellent reviews by users online.

Final Verdict

After comparing PhantomBuster and Apollo.io across various categories, it’s clear both tools have strengths and serve different purposes. For sales teams and marketers focused on B2B lead generation and engagement, Apollo.io is the better choice due to its comprehensive database, user-friendly interface, and powerful sales tools. G2 and Capterra show that many users rate it highly and consider it dependable and effective.

PhantomBuster is the preferred option for people who need to automate tasks and gather data in real time from all kinds of websites and platforms. What makes it powerful for marketers, researchers and developers is that it can handle both board customization and Zapier integration.

If we have to choose one winner, Apollo.io gets the edge thanks to its larger user base, higher ratings, and greater versatility for sales- and marketing-oriented businesses in the B2B sector. If you’re looking for data scraping and social automation, PhantomBuster is the best choice. The choice depends on your goals—but for most users, Apollo.io is the clear winner.

I hope you found the solution that best suits your needs. If you're looking for more comparisons, feel free to check out our blog :)

FAQ

PhantomBuster is a web automation tool ideal for data scraping, task automation, and social media workflows, while Apollo.io is a full-stack sales engagement platform focused on B2B lead generation, outreach, and CRM integration. PhantomBuster excels in flexibility; Apollo.io wins in sales functionality and usability.

Apollo.io is the better choice for B2B sales teams. It offers a verified contact database, CRM integration, email automation, and sales tracking—making it a complete platform for managing outbound sales pipelines. PhantomBuster is better suited for marketers and developers needing web scraping and task automation.

PhantomBuster has a moderate learning curve. While it offers pre-built automations (Phantoms) that simplify usage, advanced features often require some scripting knowledge. It's best suited for users who are comfortable with workflow customization or are willing to learn basic automation concepts.


Yes, Apollo.io offers a free plan that includes 10,000 search credits per month, 2 email sequences, and 10 export credits. It's an excellent starting point for small teams or individuals exploring outbound marketing automation tools without upfront investment.


Yes, many users combine the tools. For example, PhantomBuster can scrape leads or social profiles, while Apollo.io can enrich contact data and automate follow-ups. When used together via CSV exports or Zapier, they create a powerful lead-generation and outreach workflow.

Last updated: 23.05.2025

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Bohdan Tyshynskyi

Results-driven digital marketing expert with 2+ years of experience in international companies in different businesses: SaaS, IT-services, startups.

Bohdan Tyshynskyi