Which is better – ConvertKit vs Apollo.io? Read this comparison before making your final choice regarding these two platforms! There’s a lot to cover, to sit tight.
ConvertKit Vs Apollo At A Glance
- ConvertKit is best for teams of all sizes who need email service providers and analytics.
- Apollo is best for small teams who need to use email sequencing all-in-one platform for sales intelligence.
ConvertKit | Apollo | |
Pricing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Prices vary depending on the number of subscribers you have. The Lowest Creator plan price starts at $15 per month, while the Creator pro plan starts at $29 per month. Monthly prices go up to $2,599 before you talk to the team and create custom prices if you have more than 500k email subscribers. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Free plan, Basic plan ($19 per month), Professional plan (39 per month), Professional plan ($79 per month). Custom plan (speak to the sales team). |
Free Trial | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 30-day free trial offered | ⭐⭐⭐ 14-day free trial offered |
Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ConvertKit is easy to use and very straightforward. Compared to similar software, ConvertKit has fewer features and integrations, making it intuitive and beginner-friendly. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Apollo io’s userface is incredibly easy to use and intuitive, making it straightforward. Everything is in one place. |
Design and Templates | ⭐⭐⭐ There are limited designs to choose from when creating landing pages and forms on this software. There are only 3 email designs. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Templates can be customized to suit your needs in Apollo.io. |
Data Safety | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ There have been no identifiable data breaches | ⭐⭐ Apollo recently experienced a severe data breach which included billions of data points. |
Features and Integration | ⭐⭐⭐ Features and integrations are severely limited on ConvertKit. This ensures it is easy to use, but doesn’t allow for much personalization. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Apollo has many features and integrations along with email automation. The software allows users to transcribe, record, dial calls, categorize, CRM interactions, chrome extensions, and much more. This software can also integrate with LinkedIn, Mailgun, SendGrid, Zapier, and even ConvertKit itself to optimize workflow. |
Free Plan | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ConvertKit has a free plan for anyone who has fewer than 1,000 email subscribers. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Apollo.io’s free plan allows you to send 250 emails per day, plus have multiple extensions, basic sequence automation, and more. |
Best For | Email marketing subscriptions of businesses of all sizes. There are plans for every size, including custom sizing if you have over 500k email subscribers. | Marketers and sellers of all sizes who wish to have an all-in-one platform for sales intelligence |
The Even Parts Of The Playing Field
Before we get into the comparison, let’s first cover the areas that there isn’t much difference in. In other words, the categories below are on par with one another and won’t work as tiebreakers at the end of the article.
It’s worth noting that there are differences within these categories, but the fact that each platform has them is beneficial. Let’s take a look at the even parts of the playing field in the ConvertKit vs Apollo battle:
- Free trial options: both ConvertKit and Apollo.io have free trial options available. ConvertKit has 30-day free trials, whereas Apollo has 14-day free trials. While there are differences in length, even 2 weeks is enough time to make up your mind whether the software is worth the money.
- Free versions: both software options have free versions to use. While these versions are limited, they are a good introduction to the platform as a whole, and provide everything a beginner needs.
- Easy to use: ConvertKit and Apollo.io are both easy to use. They are simple and straightforward.
- High deliverability: both platforms claim that they have high deliverability rates. Deliverability can be improved in some cases – for example, if Apollo integrated with another platform to improve their outcomes.
ConvertKit Pros, Cons, And Details
ConvertKit is an excellent email service provider (ESP). It is incredibly easy to use, has great features, and even useful integrations. This platform specializes in being an email service provider, meaning it doesn’t have hundreds of integrations and features like you would expect from Apollo. Instead, it focuses on its one task, and does it well.
This platform allows users to send emails, create landing pages, and sell products to up to 1,000 email subscribers free of charge. While it doesn’t have all the personalization and templates that users might want, it simplifies the process and makes it easier than ever. This platform will support small and large businesses alike.
ConvertKit Strengths
- Send emails to up to 1,000 subscribers for free. The free version of ConvertKit allows you to send emails to up to 1,000 subscribers free of charge, making it perfect for a business’ first steps in email marketing. The plan outlines no limit to how many emails you can send per day to these 1,000 subscribers.
- Visual automations make creating and editing emails easy. The process that ConvertKit uses makes email edition and creation easy and pleasant.
- Registration forms are clear and easy to use. ConvertKit recently upgraded their registration forms, catching them up with other platforms.
- ConvertKit has 50 templates to build landing pages. Landing pages can be unique and personalized as there are 50 templates to use and pick from.
ConvertKit Weaknesses
- Only has 3 email design options or templates to work with. Design options are limited, so it may be difficult to create emails that look different.
- No lists to separate contacts. Contacts cannot be separated like they would in other platforms. However, tags can be used to separate contacts, making them easy to find and access nonetheless.
- Lacking in the reporting area. You only get stats on open rates, links clicked, unsubscribes, and click rates. This is seriously lacking, and the software would benefit greatly by giving the user something more in depth to look at and analyze to help their email subscription.
ConvertKit Is Best For
- Email service providing
Apollo Pros, Cons, And Details
Apollo.io is a platform that excels in sales engagement and lead intelligence. It is described as an all-in-one sales intelligence platform, and it has all the tools you can think of to drive more revenue, and engage with clients.
This platform, while being recommended for small businesses, is suitable for a range of business sizes. Apollo.io is capable of a number of things, and includes Gmail, Chrome, and LinkedIn extensions, CSV export, advanced filters, custom stages, and customizable reports.
Every plan has more to offer than the last, and even the most basic plan includes HubSpot integration (among others), as well as buying intent, and basic sequence automation.
Apollo Strengths
- Send 250 emails per day for free. Apollo doesn’t specify the number of email subscribers and simply states that you can send 250 emails per day. This is likely because this is just a small part of the platform as a whole.
- Lots of features and integrations available. There are possibly hundreds of integrations and features available on Apollo. Users can even integrate with ConvertKit, HubSpot, and many other platforms to enhance different elements, such as deliverability.
- All-in-one platform for sales intelligence. Apollo.io focuses on a range of areas, rather than focusing only on email service. It specifies in lead intelligence, sales engagement, making it an all-in-one platform.
Apollo Weaknesses
- Only cloud, SaaS, and web-based deployments. Access to Apollo platforms might not be possible for some as they have limited deployments.
- Lacking customer service. Reviews have suggested that Apollo does not have good customer support. Because of this, Apollo might not be a good choice for anyone who is new to these kinds of platforms.
- May have too many features for someone looking for a simple ESP. Apollo.io focuses on many different features rather than specializing in being an email service provider. As such, it may have too many features for many businesses.
Apollo Is Best For
- Features and integrations, lead intelligence, sales engagement
ConvertKit Vs Apollo: The Bottom Line
Ultimately, picking a winner between these two platforms is difficult. They both have their strengths and weaknesses. However, in many ways, ConvertKit comes out on top if you are purely looking for an email service provider. They do their job well, are easy to use, and secure.
If you are looking for an all-in-one sales intelligence platform that allows for email service, plus much more, Apollo.io could be the one for you. As these platforms are so vastly different, and offer different things, you can’t pick a winner.
In the end, you simply need to find out what you need, and pick the platform accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Apollo.Io Extension Free?
Yes! There is a free plan to use from Apollo.io.
Is Convertkit Worth The Money?
ConvertKit is a responsive, easy to use, and reliable platform to use if you want an ESP. This platform ensures that everything is simple, and always gets good results. There is also a free version to use, and a 30-day free trial for the premium versions if you want to try before you buy, too!
Should I Use Apollo.Io If I Only Want An Esp?
This is up to you, but we wouldn’t recommend it. Apollo has more features and integrations, and its primary focus isn’t necessarily ESP. It would be better to find a dedicated ESP.
Paul Martinez is the founder of EcomSidekick.com. He is an expert in the areas of finance, real estate, eCommerce, traffic and conversion.
Join him on EcomSidekick.com to learn how to improve your financial life and excel in these areas. Before starting this media site, Paul built from scratch and managed two multi-million dollar companies. One in the real estate sector and one in the eCommerce sector.