If you’re hunting for real, workable ways to find B2B leads, you already know how much noise is out there. Every tool claims it’s the best, the fastest, the “AI-powered game changer.” You just want something that gets you good leads without wasting your time—or draining your budget.
This guide is for sales pros, founders, and marketers who want a clear, honest comparison of ExportApollo.io with other popular B2B lead generation tools. No fluffy promises, just the facts: what these tools actually do, where they fall short, and which might fit your workflow.
Let’s get right to it.
Why B2B Lead Generation Tools Matter (But Can Also Suck)
Finding leads is the lifeblood of B2B outreach. But let’s be real: most tools are either overpriced, filled with stale data, or so complicated you need a certification just to start a campaign.
What you want:
- Accurate, up-to-date contacts
- Decent pricing
- Usable exports (CSV, CRM integrations, etc.)
- No endless “warm-up” periods or hidden costs
Not every tool delivers. Some make outreach harder, not easier.
What Is ExportApollo.io, Really?
ExportApollo.io is a scrappy, focused tool that lets you extract contact data from Apollo.io, one of the better-known B2B databases. Instead of paying for Apollo’s higher-tier plans (which can get expensive), ExportApollo.io basically acts as a workaround: you use Apollo’s free/cheap plan, search for leads, and then export the results—sometimes at a much higher volume than Apollo would prefer.
What’s good: - Simple: No learning curve. Click, export, done. - Affordable: One-off pricing. No big monthly commitment. - Flexible: You control what you export. Feeds right into your campaigns or CRM.
What’s not: - Not a search engine itself: Still relies on Apollo’s data, so if Apollo’s database doesn’t have your target, you’re out of luck. - Gray area: Let’s not pretend—scraping/exporting data sometimes skirts terms of service. Use with eyes open.
The Main Alternatives: What’s Out There?
If you’re comparing ExportApollo.io to the rest, here’s what you’re actually up against:
- Apollo.io (native exports)
- ZoomInfo
- Lusha
- Hunter.io
- Scraping tools/bots (Phantombuster, TexAu, etc.)
Let’s break down what each can (and can’t) do.
1. Apollo.io (Native)
How it works:
Apollo.io is a giant lead database with built-in search, outreach, and enrichment. On paid plans, you can export contacts directly. Free/cheap plans limit how many leads you can export and throttle access.
Pros: - Huge database - Built-in enrichment and sequencing tools
Cons: - Data export limits - Gets expensive fast (especially for teams) - Some data can be outdated—don’t believe the “verified” claim blindly
Who it’s for:
If you’re all-in on Apollo and have the budget, using their native exports is clean (no risk) and integrated. If you’re price-sensitive or want more flexibility, it’s restrictive.
2. ZoomInfo
How it works:
ZoomInfo is the “enterprise” option—massive, expensive, and loaded with features most small teams don’t need. You get access to tons of data (contacts, org charts, intent signals).
Pros: - Arguably the biggest, best-maintained B2B database - Integrates with nearly everything
Cons: - Price: contracts often run into the thousands per year - Minimum seat requirements - Overkill for most solo/small teams
Who it’s for:
Big sales orgs with money to burn and compliance teams to keep them out of trouble.
3. Lusha
How it works:
Lusha started as a Chrome extension for pulling direct dials and emails from LinkedIn. It’s grown into a SaaS platform with its own database, but the core is still quick contact discovery.
Pros: - Simple, fast, browser-based - Good for phone numbers
Cons: - Data quality varies - Not meant for bulk prospecting—usage caps apply - Can get expensive as you scale
Who it’s for:
SDRs who spend all day on LinkedIn, or teams who want to top up their lists with fresh data.
4. Hunter.io
How it works:
Hunter.io is all about finding email addresses based on domain names. You give it a company, it finds potential email addresses (pattern guessing, sometimes verification).
Pros: - Great for email-only outreach - Free tier for small runs
Cons: - No phone numbers or enrichment - Hit-or-miss accuracy; always double-check
Who it’s for:
Marketers or founders doing small-scale, targeted campaigns, especially if you just need emails.
5. Scraping Bots (Phantombuster, TexAu, etc.)
How it works:
These tools automate browser actions: search LinkedIn, grab names and titles, enrich with emails from other sources. You build workflows, set them loose, and pray LinkedIn doesn’t notice.
Pros: - Flexible: can target niche audiences - Can pull from multiple platforms (not just one database)
Cons: - Maintenance headache—scripts break, platforms change - Risky: LinkedIn bans accounts for aggressive scraping - Data quality depends on your setup
Who it’s for:
Tech-savvy users who want control and don’t mind the risk or the hassle.
Comparing Them Side by Side
Let’s cut through the marketing.
| Tool | Data Quality | Export Limits | Cost | Ease of Use | Risk/Gray Area | |---------------------|-------------|--------------|----------------|-------------|---------------| | ExportApollo.io | Good (Apollo) | High (via export) | Low (one-time) | Easy | Moderate | | Apollo.io | Good | Low (on free/cheap), High (on $$$) | High | Easy | Low | | ZoomInfo | Excellent | High | Very High | Medium | Low | | Lusha | Decent | Medium | Medium/High | Easy | Low | | Hunter.io | Decent | Medium | Low/Medium | Easy | Low | | Scraping Bots | Variable | High | Low/Medium | Hard | High |
What matters: - If you need bulk data and don’t want a subscription: ExportApollo.io is hard to beat for the price, but you’re still dependent on Apollo’s ecosystem. - If you have budget and want everything in one place: ZoomInfo is king, but it’s overkill for many. - If you want direct dials or emails from LinkedIn: Lusha is faster, but less comprehensive. - For technical folks who want niche lists: Scraping bots offer flexibility but require babysitting.
What to Pay Attention To (and What to Ignore)
Data accuracy:
All these tools claim 95%+ accuracy. Reality: expect bounces and dead numbers. Always validate emails before sending. Don’t rely on a single source.
Compliance:
If you’re in Europe or dealing with regulated industries, scraping or exporting data can create headaches. Know your risk tolerance.
Integrations:
ExportApollo.io is basically a CSV exporter, so you’ll need to import to your CRM or outreach tool. Apollo, ZoomInfo, and Lusha have more integrations, but also more lock-in.
Hidden costs:
Watch out for usage caps, overage fees, and “minimum seat” requirements, especially with the big players.
Don’t get distracted by:
“AI-powered” anything, intent signals (unless you have a serious ABM strategy), or endless features you’ll never use.
How to Pick the Right Tool (Without Regretting It)
-
Figure out your real needs.
Are you building a 10,000-person cold list, or just need 100 targeted prospects? Email only, or need phones, too? -
Test with a small batch.
Most tools offer a free trial or a money-back guarantee. Try exporting 100 leads and see what you actually get. -
Check how you’ll get the data into your workflow.
If your team lives in HubSpot or Outreach, make sure the exports/imports aren’t a hassle. -
Be honest about risk.
If you’re at a startup, you might be fine living in the gray area. If you work at a big company, you probably can’t. -
Don’t overpay for bells and whistles.
The most expensive tool is the one you don’t use.
Pro Tips
- Always verify emails with a tool like NeverBounce or ZeroBounce before you start blasting.
- Rotate tools occasionally. No single database catches everything.
- If a tool asks for a call before quoting a price, expect sticker shock.
- Don’t trust “intent data” unless you’ve seen it actually drive results.
Bottom Line
Don’t let tool FOMO slow you down. If you want cheap, quick access to bulk B2B contacts, ExportApollo.io is a straightforward way to get started. If you need all the bells, whistles, and compliance, look at the big names—but know what you’re paying for.
Pick a tool, try a campaign, see what works, and adjust. Simple beats perfect. Spend less time comparing and more time actually talking to customers. That’s what gets results.