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10 Best Instantly Alternatives & Competitors for B2B Lead Generation [2025]

Cold email is one of the most reliable ways to drive B2B lead generation

That’s why tools like Instantly have become so popular, they’re affordable, offer B2B Lead list, and built for sending campaigns at scale.

But many sales teams, founders, and agencies run into challenges, such as:

  • Finding verified B2B Data

  • Enrich data for better personalization

  • No ways to track buying intent signals.

These issues often push businesses to look for Instantly alternatives that are more powerful, flexible, and better suited for long-term growth.

In this guide, we’ll break down the 10 best Instantly competitors in 2025, tools that can help you find the right prospects, scale campaigns with confidence, and close more B2B deals.

TL;DR – 10 Best Instantly Alternatives in 2025

  1. Leadsforge – Best for building accurate B2B lead lists quickly

  2. Reply.io – Ideal for multi-channel outreach across email, calls, and LinkedIn

  3. ZoomInfo – Great for accessing one of the largest verified B2B databases

  4. Snov.io – Best budget-friendly option for startups and small teams

  5. Success.AI – Ideal for improving email deliverability and reply rates

  6. Lemlist – Great for running creative and highly personalized campaigns

  7. Seamless.AI – Best for real-time contact discovery with verified data

  8. Apollo – Best for enriched B2B data, intent signals, and integrated prospecting + outreach.

  9. Smartlead – Great for agencies handling high-volume cold email campaigns

  10. Mailshake – Best simple and reliable outreach tool for sales teams

Common Issues with Instantly

Instantly includes a built-in B2B lead database, but its data layer remains limited compared to platforms like Leadsforge or Apollo.

  • Smaller database scope: SuperSearch covers about 450M contacts, but updates are slower and lack real-time firmographic or intent data.

  • Limited enrichment: It verifies emails but doesn’t append LinkedIn profiles, titles, or phone numbers automatically.

  • No live buyer signals: Instantly doesn’t track funding, job changes, or intent topics, so outreach timing may miss active buyers.

  • Static records: Uploaded lists don’t auto-refresh or sync enriched data back into CRMs.

  • Accuracy depends on verification credits: Validation is credit-based (0.25 credit per lead), so verifying large datasets costs extra.

In short, Instantly’s sending infrastructure is strong, but its data validation and hygiene layer still need careful management to maintain long-term deliverability.

How We Evaluated These Instantly Competitors for B2B Lead Generation

When picking tools for this list, we focused on what really matters for sales teams, startups, and agencies that use cold email for B2B lead generation.

Here’s what we looked at:

  • Deliverability – Does the tool help emails land in the inbox and not in spam?

  • Lead quality – Can it find or connect with good, verified business contacts?

  • Personalization – How easy is it to make emails feel unique and not generic?

  • Ease of use – Is the tool simple to set up and run every day?

  • Scaling – Can it handle more inboxes, clients, or larger campaigns as a business grows?

  • Integrations – Does it connect well with CRMs and other sales tools?

  • Pricing – Is the cost fair for both small teams and bigger companies?

By checking each tool against these points, we found the 10 best Instantly alternatives that can help B2B teams get more leads and better results from cold outreach.

10 Best Instantly Alternatives For B2B Lead Generation: Quick Comparison

Tools Table
Tool B2B Database Deliverability Tools CRM Integrations Pricing Starts At
Leadsforge ✅ 500M+ verified contacts with ICP search
✅ Built-in enrichment & validation
✅ Salesforge / Zapier $49/mo (100 free credits)
Reply.io ✅ 1B+ contacts ✅ Deliverability monitoring + Jason AI SDR ✅ HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive $89/user/mo
ZoomInfo ✅ 500M+ verified contacts + Scoops (intent) ✅ CRM enrichment + data cleaning ✅ Salesforce / HubSpot Custom (Enterprise)
Snov.io ✅ Email finder + LinkedIn prospecting ✅ 7-step verification + warm-up ✅ HubSpot, Zapier, Pipedrive $39/mo
Success.ai ✅ 700M+ leads (verified) ✅ Warm-up + intent filters ✅ Zapier, API $49/mo
Lemlist ✅ 450M+ contacts ✅ Lemwarm deliverability suite ✅ Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive $69/mo
Seamless.AI ✅ 1.3B+ contacts, 121M companies ⚠️ Validation scores only ✅ CRM + Chrome extension Custom (credits)
Apollo.io ✅ 210M+ contacts / 35M companies ✅ Deliverability suite + intent signals ✅ Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive $59/user/mo
Smartlead ✅ Import + enrich from CRM / API ✅ Unlimited warm-up + SmartDelivery ✅ HubSpot, Clay, Zapier $39/mo
Mailshake ⚠️ Small built-in finder (add-on) ✅ Warm-up + spam checker ✅ Zapier, HubSpot, Pipedrive $29/mo

1. Leadsforge – Best Instantly Alternative for Building Verified Lead Lists

Leadsforge homepage
This image shows the Leadsforge homepage

Leadsforge is a smarter, faster, and more accurate way to build B2B lead lists compared to Instantly.

Instead of relying only on imported contacts, you can type what you need, like “marketing managers in California” or “CEOs of SaaS startups in Europe”,  and Leadsforge instantly delivers verified prospects.

It does more than just give you names:

  • Get verified emails, LinkedIn profiles, and phone numbers in real time

  • Search by customer profile (ICP) to find your exact buyers

  • Build lookalike audiences based on your best clients

  • Turn company followers into a targeted list of high-intent leads

This makes Leadsforge a strong Instantly alternative for teams that want better data discovery and enrichment before outreach.

Leadsforge vs Instantly: Feature Comparison

Feature Comparison
Feature Leadsforge Instantly
Lead Discovery ✅ 500M+ verified contacts with ICP search ❌ Limited — mainly focused on email outreach, not database search
Phone Numbers ✅ Provides verified mobile numbers ❌ Not available
Lookalike Audiences ✅ Finds contacts similar to your best clients ❌ No lookalike feature
Followers Search ✅ Find people who follow your company or competitors ❌ Not available
Data Enrichment ✅ Verified emails, LinkedIn, and phone numbers ❌ Basic email enrichment only
Accuracy ✅ Data refreshed and verified across multiple sources ⚠️ Good deliverability but depends on uploaded lists‍

Pros of Leadsforge

  • Users like how easy it is to describe their ICP and get instant, accurate lead lists.
Leadsforge G2 review about easy lead generation
This image shows the Leadsforge G2 review about easy lead generation
  • Many appreciate the large database that helps in scaling B2B lead generation.

  • Some say the CRM and Salesforge integration makes campaigns faster to launch.
 Leadsforge G2 review about its CRM integration
This image shows the  Leadsforge G2 review about its CRM integration

Cons of Leadsforge

  • Some users say results for very niche roles can be limited

  • A few mention they’d prefer more advanced filtering options
Leadsforge G2 review about filtering options
This image shows the Leadsforge G2 review about filtering options

Leadsforge Pricing

Leadsforge pricing
This image shows the Leadsforge pricing
  • Monthly Plan: $49/month for 2,000 export credits (credits roll over)

  • Annual Plan: $588/year for 28,000 export credits upfront

  • Free Trial: 100 free credits included

Best For: B2B teams and agencies that want verified, enriched lead lists to power their outreach campaigns.

Overall, Leadsforge is the best Instantly alternative for businesses that care about finding quality B2B leads quickly before launching cold email campaigns.

Try Leadsforge Now and Get 100 FREE CREDITS!

2. Reply.io – Great Instantly Alternative for Multichannel B2B Outreach

Reply.io homepage
This image shows the Reply.io homepage

Reply.io is a complete sales engagement platform that helps teams reach prospects across more than just email.

Unlike Instantly, which mainly focuses on cold email outreach, Reply.io gives you:

  • Access to 1B+ verified B2B contacts with enrichment tools

  • Multichannel sequences across email, LinkedIn, calls, SMS, and WhatsApp

  • AI-powered audience suggestions and a fully automated Jason AI SDR agent

This makes Reply.io a powerful Instantly alternative for B2B teams that want both lead discovery and multichannel outreach in one tool.

Reply.io vs Instantly: Feature Comparison

Feature Comparison
Feature Reply.io Instantly
Lead Discovery ✅ 1B+ contacts, enrichment, audience suggestion ❌ Upload/import contacts only
Multichannel Outreach ✅ Email, LinkedIn, SMS, calls, WhatsApp ❌ Email only
Automation Agent ✅ Jason AI SDR (fully automated outreach) ❌ Not available
CRM Integrations ✅ HubSpot, Salesforce, Zapier, calendars ✅ HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive, Slack

Pros of Reply.io

  • Users like that it makes multichannel outreach easy, combining email, LinkedIn, calls, and SMS in one workflow.
Reply.io G2 review about its multichannel outreach
This image shows the Reply.io G2 review about its multichannel outreach
  • Many say its AI features (like Jason AI SDR) save time and help scale B2B lead generation.

  • Some appreciate the deliverability tools that keep emails landing in inboxes.
Reply.io G2 review about its multichannel outreach
This image shows the Reply.io G2 review about its multichannel outreach

Cons of Reply.io

  • Some users complain that pricing feels higher compared to Instantly, especially with LinkedIn or call automation.
Reply.io G2 review about its pricing and learning progression
This image shows the Reply.io G2 review about its pricing and learning progression
  • A few say it takes time to learn all the features if you’re new to sales automation.

Reply.io Pricing

Reply.io pricing
This image shows the Reply.io pricing
  • Multichannel Plan: from $89/user/month (billed annually).

  • High-Volume Email Plan: from $159/month (unlimited users, 50k active contacts/month).

  • Jason AI SDR Agent: from $300/month for fully automated B2B outreach.

  • Free Trial: 14 days.

Best For: B2B sales teams that want to scale outreach across email, LinkedIn, SMS, and calls instead of relying only on cold emails.

Reply.io is a better alternative to Instantly for companies that need multichannel engagement and real-time lead data to generate more meetings.

3. ZoomInfo – Ideal Instantly Alternative for Data-First B2B Prospecting

 ZoomInfo homepage
This image shows the ZoomInfo homepage

ZoomInfo stands out as a strong choice for B2B lead generation because it focuses on high-quality data and intelligence rather than just email sending.

The platform gives sales and marketing teams:

  • A massive global database of verified B2B contacts and company details

  • Buyer intent signals and firmographic filters to target the right accounts

  • CRM enrichment and data cleaning to keep records accurate

  • Tools like org charts, direct dials, and website visitor tracking

This makes ZoomInfo more suitable for teams that need reliable data and insights before running campaigns.

ZoomInfo vs Instantly: Feature Comparison

Feature Comparison
Feature ZoomInfo Instantly
Contact Database ✅ 500M+ verified contacts with direct dials ❌ Relies mainly on uploaded/imported lists
Buyer Intent ✅ Real-time intent data + “Scoops” ❌ Not available
Data Enrichment ✅ Automatic CRM & workflow enrichment ⚠️ Basic email enrichment only
Cold Outreach ⚠️ Outreach tools included but secondary ✅ Primary strength
Integrations ✅ Strong Salesforce & CRM integrations ⚠️ Limited to outreach apps

Pros of ZoomInfo

  • Users like that prospecting takes hours less thanks to accurate contact data.
ZoomInfo G2 review about prospecting
This image shows the ZoomInfo G2 review about prospecting
  • Many say intent signals help them find warm leads, not just cold prospects.

  • Some highlight smooth Salesforce and CRM integrations that speed up workflows.

Cons of ZoomInfo

  • Some users complain about outdated data in niche markets.

  • A few mention the cost is high for smaller businesses.
ZoomInfo G2 review about its cost
This image shows the ZoomInfo G2 review about its cost
  • Others say the platform is feature-heavy, so it takes time to learn.

ZoomInfo Pricing

ZoomInfo pricing features
This image shows the ZoomInfo pricing features
  • Enterprise-style pricing, usually several thousand dollars per year depending on team size and package.

  • Multiple solutions available: Sales, Marketing, Talent, and RevOps.

  • Free trial included.

Best For: B2B sales and marketing teams who want accurate data, intent signals, and CRM enrichment at scale.

For companies that need reliable data first and outreach second, ZoomInfo offers more depth than Instantly.

4. Snov.io – Ideal Instantly Alternative for Cold Outreach and Lead Generation

Snov.io homepage
This image shows the Snov.io homepage

Snov.io is a full outreach and lead generation platform that gives B2B teams everything in one place. 

Unlike Instantly, which mainly focuses on sending cold emails, Snov.io combines lead discovery, verification, LinkedIn automation, and sales CRM into a single tool.

This makes it easier for teams to find verified contacts, run multichannel campaigns, and manage deals without switching platforms.

Key things you get with Snov.io:

  • Email finder and 7-step email verification to reduce bounces

  • LinkedIn automation for connection requests, InMail, and follow-ups

  • Chrome extensions for quick prospecting on LinkedIn and websites

This makes Snov.io a stronger choice for teams that want both lead generation and outreach in one place, not just cold email sending.

Snov.io vs Instantly: Feature Comparison

Feature Comparison
Feature Snov.io Instantly
Lead Discovery ✅ Email finder, LinkedIn prospecting, bulk search ❌ Relies on uploaded/imported lists
Email Verification ✅ 7-step verification (98% accuracy) ⚠️ Basic email validation
LinkedIn Automation ✅ Yes (add-on) ❌ Not available
Email Warm-Up ✅ Unlimited warm-up slots ✅ Included
Deliverability Tools ✅ Domain checks, blacklist monitoring, placement tests ⚠️ Basic warm-up + reputation‍

Pros of Snov.io

  • Users like having everything in one platform, from finding leads to managing campaigns.

  • Many say it’s affordable compared to big tools like ZoomInfo or Apollo.

  • Some highlight the responsive support team and easy setup.
Snov G2 review about its support team and chrome extension
This image shows the Snov G2 review about its support team and chrome extension
  • Others enjoy the Chrome extensions for LinkedIn and website prospecting.

Cons of Snov.io

  • Some users complain about outdated data in niche industries.

  • Others wish for deeper analytics and reporting.

  • A few find the UI crowded and harder to learn at first.
Snov G2 review about its crowded UI
This image shows the Snov G2 review about its crowded UI
  • Rare cases mention technical glitches, like duplicate campaigns.

Snov.io Pricing

Snov pricing
This image shows the Snov pricing
  • Starter Plan – $39/month: 1,000 credits, unlimited emails, 3 warm-up slots

  • Pro Plan – $99/month: 5,000 credits, unlimited team seats, LinkedIn automation, advanced features

  • Custom Plans – From 200,000 credits with enterprise support

  • Free Trial – Available with limited credits

Best For: Small and mid-sized B2B teams that need an all-in-one outreach and CRM tool

Compared to Instantly, it’s a more complete option for businesses that want to find leads and run multichannel campaigns from one place.

5. Success.ai – Great Instantly Alternative for Large Lead Database & Outreach

Success.ai homepage
This image shows the Success.ai homepage

Success.ai is a simple yet powerful platform that helps you find, verify, and reach B2B leads at scale.

It goes beyond basic email outreach by giving access to one of the largest lead databases and tools to improve deliverability.

Here’s what it offers:

  • Access to 700M+ verified B2B leads with emails and phone numbers

  • Unlimited email sending with built-in warm-up features

  • Chrome extension to capture contacts from any website

  • Filters and buyer intent data to find high-quality prospects

  • Unified inbox & CRM to manage conversations in one place

This makes Success.ai a stronger Instantly alternative if you want a bigger verified database along with outreach and warm-up tools in one platform.

Success.ai vs Instantly: Feature Comparison

Feature Comparison
Feature Success.ai Instantly
Lead Database ✅ 700M+ verified leads ⚠️ Relies mainly on uploaded/imported lists
Email Sending ✅ Unlimited with built-in warmup ✅ Unlimited with warmup
Chrome Extension ✅ Find contacts on any website ❌ Not available
CRM + Unified Inbox ✅ Manage replies in one place ⚠️ Basic inbox only
Data Accuracy ✅ Verified & enriched regularly ⚠️ Good deliverability, but no big native database

Pros of Success.ai

  • Users like the huge verified lead database that makes finding contacts faster.

  • Many say the email warmup and inbox placement features help them land in primary inboxes.
Snov.io G2 review about its email warmup feature
This image shows the Snov.io G2 review about its email warmup feature
  • Some appreciate that the Chrome extension lets them grab emails and numbers instantly while browsing.

Cons of Success.ai

  • Some users complain about a learning curve with advanced features.
This image shows the Snov.io G2 review about its learning curve
  • Others mention the pricing feels high for small businesses.

  • A few say email template customization and data accuracy could be better.

Success.ai Pricing

Success.ai pricing
This image show Success.ai pricing
  • Starter Plan: $49/month – 2,000 contacts, 1 intent topic, Zapier integration

  • Growth Plan: $99/month – 5,000 contacts, all integrations + APIs

  • Infinity Plan: $199/month – 15,000 contacts, 12 intent topics, 5 users

  • Enterprise: Custom pricing for larger datasets & teams

  • Free Trial: 7 days, no credit card required

Best For: Teams that need a very large lead database with built-in outreach and warm-up tools.

Overall, Success.ai is a better Instantly alternative if you want scale, verified leads, and email deliverability support in one platform.

Related Read: We Analyzed 300+ Success.ai Reviews: Here's What We Found

6. Lemlist – Ideal Instantly Alternative for Multichannel Sales Outreach

Lemlist homepage
This image shows the Lemlist homepage

Lemlist is a sales engagement tool that helps teams go beyond email-only outreach. 

Unlike Instantly, which is mainly focused on cold email, Lemlist combines multiple channels in one platform.

With Lemlist, sales teams can:

  • Run campaigns on email, LinkedIn, calls, and WhatsApp from one place

  • Use lemwarm, its built-in deliverability booster, to keep emails out of spam

  • Access a 450M+ lead database to find prospects directly inside the tool

  • Work faster with integrations for Salesforce, HubSpot, and Pipedrive

This makes Lemlist a strong pick for businesses that want multichannel outreach while keeping messages personal.

Lemlist vs Instantly: Feature Comparison

Feature Comparison
Feature Lemlist Instantly
Channels ✅ Email, LinkedIn, Calls, WhatsApp ❌ Email only
Deliverability ✅ Lemwarm built-in ✅ Unlimited warmup
Lead Database ✅ 450M+ contacts ✅ 450M+ contacts
CRM Integration ✅ Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive ⚠️ Basic API & integrations
Inbox ✅ Centralized inbox for all channels ✅ Unibox (email only)
Pricing From $55/month From $47/month‍

Pros of Lemlist

  • Users like that they can run multichannel campaigns without needing separate tools.

  • Some say lemwarm is very effective at improving deliverability.
Lemlist G2 review about lemwarm
This image shows the Lemlist G2 review about lemwarm
  • Others highlight the personalization features like dynamic images and intro lines.

Cons of Lemlist

  • Some users say reporting lacks detail.

  • Others complain that contact management is not very easy.
Lemlist G2 review about its contact management
This image shows the  Lemlist G2 review about its contact management

  • A few mention it can be slow with big lead lists.

  • Some think it’s more expensive than email-only tools.
 Lemlist G2 review about its pricing
This image shows the Lemlist G2 review about its pricing

Lemlist Pricing

Lemlist pricing
This image shows the Lemlist pricing
  • Email Pro – $69/month

  • Multichannel Expert – $99/month

  • Enterprise – Custom pricing

Best For: Sales teams that want to run personalized multichannel outreach (email + LinkedIn + calls + WhatsApp) in one platform.

Lemlist is a better Instantly alternative if you want multichannel outreach with strong personalization features, not just bulk email campaigns.

7. Seamless.AI – Better Instantly Alternative for Large-Scale Contact Discovery

Seamless.ai homepage
This image shows the Seamless.ai homepage

Seamless.AI is a real-time B2B search engine that helps sales teams find and validate contact data at scale. 

Unlike Instantly, which mainly focuses on cold email outreach, Seamless.AI gives direct access to a massive database of people and companies.

With Seamless.AI, teams can:

  • Search 1.3B+ contacts and 121M+ companies with real-time validation

  • Get verified emails and direct dials with accuracy scores

  • Track job changes for key accounts to stay updated

  • Use buyer intent data to target ready-to-purchase leads

This makes Seamless.AI a strong alternative to Instantly for businesses that need reliable, large-scale contact discovery before running campaigns.

Seamless.AI vs Instantly: Feature Comparison

Feature Comparison
Feature Seamless.AI Instantly
Contact Database ✅ 1.3B+ contacts, 121M+ companies ❌ No native database
Email Accuracy ✅ Real-time validation ⚠️ Relies on imported lists
Job Changes ✅ Automatic tracking ❌ Not available
Chrome Extension ✅ Find contacts directly on LinkedIn/websites ❌ Not available
Pricing Custom plans, credits system Starts $47/month

Pros of Seamless.AI

  • Users like that it provides accurate, verified contact info much faster than manual research.
This image shows the Seamless.AI G2 review about its verified contact
  • Some say the Chrome extension makes grabbing leads from LinkedIn effortless.

  • Many appreciate the buyer intent and job change tracking for better targeting.

Cons of Seamless.AI

  • Some users find the UI cluttered at first and note a small learning curve.

  • Others point out that pricing can feel steep for small businesses.
Seamless.AI G2 review about its pricing
This image shows the Seamless.AI G2 review about its pricing

Seamless.AI Pricing

Seamless.ai pricing
This image shows the Seamless.ai pricing
  • Free Plan – 50 credits, 1 user

  • Pro Plan – Daily credit refresh, pay per user (contact sales for pricing)

  • Enterprise Plan – Unlimited users, custom credits, advanced support

Best For: Sales teams and companies that need massive contact data with verified emails, phone numbers, and buyer intent insights before launching outreach campaigns.

Seamless.AI is a better Instantly alternative for sales teams that want a massive database, real-time contact validation, and deep CRM integrations to scale B2B lead generation.

Related Read: We tried 5 Seamless AI Alternatives & Competitors for Lead Finding

8. Apollo.io – Strong Instantly Alternative for All-in-One B2B Sales Engagement

Apollo.io homepage
This image shows the Apollo.io homepage

Apollo.io is an all-in-one sales platform that combines a massive B2B database with outreach, automation, and deal management tools.

It’s designed to help sales teams go beyond simple email campaigns:

  • Access 210M+ contacts and 35M+ companies with verified data

  • Use advanced filters to build hyper-targeted lead lists

  • Run multichannel outreach (emails, calls, sequences) without leaving the platform

This makes Apollo.io a strong choice for teams that want both data discovery and engagement in one system, instead of relying on multiple tools alongside Instantly.

Apollo.io vs Instantly: Feature Comparison

Feature Comparison
Feature Apollo.io Instantly
B2B Database ✅ 210M+ contacts, 35M+ companies ❌ No native database, relies on uploads
Data Enrichment ✅ 30+ points, CRM sync ⚠️ Basic email enrichment only
Outreach Sequences ✅ Email + dialer + multichannel ✅ Email sequences with unlimited sending
Chrome Extension ✅ LinkedIn & websites ❌ Not available
Intent Signals ✅ Multiple buying intent topics ❌ Not available
CRM Integrations ✅ Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, Zapier & more ⚠️ Zapier + limited integrations
Reporting & Insights ✅ Advanced dashboards & call analytics ⚠️ Basic email metrics

Pros of Apollo.io

  • Users say the huge database and strong filters help them build precise lead lists quickly.

  • Many appreciate having outreach + enrichment + analytics all in one platform.
Apollo G2 review about outreach and chrome extension
This image shows the Apollo G2 review about outreach and chrome extension
  • Some highlight that CRM integrations and the Chrome extension save time and reduce tool switching.

Cons of Apollo.io

  • Some users complain about outdated or missing contact info, leading to bounced emails.
This image shows the Apollo G2 review about outdated info and complex platform
  • Others mention the steep learning curve because of its wide feature set.

  • A few wish pricing scaled more flexibly for smaller teams, since costs rise quickly with add-ons

Apollo.io Pricing

Apollo.io pricing
This image shows the Apollo.io pricing
  • Free Plan: 100 credits per user/month, basic filters, 2 sequences

  • Basic Plan: $59/user/month → 2,500 credits, CRM integrations, meeting scheduler

  • Professional Plan: $99/user/month → 4,000 credits, advanced sequences, AI research, US dialer

  • Organization Plan: $149/user/month (min 3 users, annual) → 6,000 credits, international dialer, advanced reporting, SSO

Best For: Sales teams and agencies that want a large verified B2B database with built-in outreach and CRM sync to scale lead generation.

Overall, Apollo.io is a strong Instantly alternative for B2B teams that want one platform to find leads, enrich data, and run outreach sequences.

Related Read: We Tried 11 Apollo.io Alternatives & Competitors for Lead Generation

9. Smartlead – Better Instantly Alternative for Scaling Cold Email Outreach

Smartlead homepage
This image shows the Smartlead homepage

Smartlead is designed for businesses and agencies that need to scale cold email outreach without worrying about deliverability issues or mailbox limits. 

Unlike Instantly, which mainly focuses on unlimited sending, Smartlead provides a complete cold email infrastructure with auto-rotating inboxes, unlimited warmups, and a unified inbox to track every conversation.

It offers more than just bulk sending:

  • Unlimited mailboxes and inbox warmups to keep deliverability high

  • Unified “unibox” to manage all replies across accounts in one place

  • SmartDelivery & SmartServers for inbox placement and domain protection

This makes Smartlead a stronger alternative for teams that want reliability, scale, and deliverability-focused infrastructure in their cold outreach.

Smartlead vs Instantly: Feature Comparison

Feature Comparison
Feature Smartlead Instantly
Mailboxes ✅ Unlimited with auto-rotation ⚠️ Unlimited, but less advanced rotation
Email Warmup ✅ Unlimited, natural warmups ✅ Yes, but not as advanced
API & Automations ✅ Strong API + workflows ⚠️ Limited
CRM Integrations ✅ Works with Clay, HubSpot, Zapier, etc. ⚠️ Fewer integrations‍

Pros of Smartlead

  • Many users say Smartlead is the most scalable cold email platform, handling millions of emails while maintaining strong deliverability.
Smartlead G2 review about its scalability
This image shows the Smartlead G2 review about its scalability
  • Reviewers like how easy inbox rotation and warmup save time and reduce the risk of hitting spam.
Smartlead G2 review about its inbox rotation
This image shows the Smartlead G2 review about its inbox rotation
  • Some highlight the white-label and API features as game-changers for agencies running client campaigns.

Cons of Smartlead

  • Some users complain the reporting dashboard lacks depth (e.g., inbox-level insights).
Smartlead G2 review about its reporting dashboard
This image shows the Smartlead G2 review about its reporting dashboard
  • A few mention the UX can feel complex at first compared to simpler tools like Instantly.
Smartlead G2 review about its UX
This image shows the  Smartlead G2 review about its UX
  • Others say support can be slow at times, though most reviews still rate the support team highly.

Smartlead Pricing

Smartlead pricing
This image shows the Smartlead pricing
  • Basic Plan: $39/month – 2,000 active leads, 6,000 emails/month, unlimited warmup, unlimited mailboxes

  • Pro Plan: $94/month – 30,000 active leads, 150,000 emails/month, unlimited warmup, unlimited seats, integrations

  • Custom Plan: From $174/month – up to 12M leads, 60M emails/month, API, full white-label access

  • Free Trial: 14-day trial included

Best For: Agencies and sales teams that need high-volume cold email outreach with strong deliverability and client-ready white-label features.

Overall, Smartlead is a better Instantly alternative for businesses that want to scale cold email safely, keep deliverability high, and manage all outreach in one reliable platform.

10. Mailshake – Instantly Alternative for Simple, Effective Cold Outreach

Mailshake homepage
This image shows the  Mailshake homepage

Mailshake is built for sales teams that want to send cold emails at scale without dealing with complicated setups.

It focuses on making outreach fast, simple, and deliverability-friendly:

  • Send personalized cold emails at scale with automated follow-ups

  • Use Lead Catcher to surface the most engaged prospects

  • Automate LinkedIn messages alongside email for multichannel outreach

Mailshake vs Instantly: Feature Comparison

Feature Comparison
Feature Mailshake ✅ Instantly ⚠️
Lead Discovery ⚠️ Limited – needs external data or upload lists ❌ No built-in discovery (upload only)
Email Deliverability ✅ Free warmup, list cleaner, spam checker ⚠️ Warmup included, fewer built-in tools
Analytics & Insights ✅ Pipeline-focused analytics & rep tracking ⚠️ Basic reporting
Ease of Use ✅ Simple, intuitive, fast onboarding ⚠️ Easy but less robust features
Data Finder ✅ Built-in (paid add-on) ❌ No built-in finder

Pros of Mailshake

  • Users like its simplicity and ease of setup, many say they launched campaigns the same day.
Mailshake G2 review about its ease of setup
The image shows the Mailshake G2 review about its ease of setup
  • Some say the email deliverability tools (warmup, cleaner, spam checker) give them higher inbox rates.

  • Others highlight the responsive customer support and training resources as standout features.

Cons of Mailshake

  • Some users complain that analytics are not very detailed and want deeper reports.

  • A few mention that LinkedIn automation isn’t as polished as email.

  • Others wish for more native integrations beyond Zapier and CRMs.
Mailshake G2 review about its integrations
This image shows the Mailshake G2 review about its integrations

Mailshake Pricing

Mailshake pricing
This image shows the Mailshake pricing
  • Starter – $29/month: 1,500 email sends, unlimited warmup, 50 data finder credits

  • Email Outreach – $49/month: unlimited sends, personalization, CRM integrations

  • Sales Engagement – $99/month: multichannel (email + LinkedIn + dialer), advanced reporting

Best For: Sales teams, agencies, and SMBs that need simple, reliable cold email with multichannel outreach and strong deliverability.

Overall, Mailshake is a better Instantly alternative if you want cold email campaigns that are easy to launch, land in inboxes, and scale across email and LinkedIn

Which Instantly Alternative Should You Pick?

The right Instantly alternative depends on what you need:

  • Instantly is best for teams that want quick and simple cold email outreach.

  • Reply.io is strong for multichannel outreach across email, LinkedIn, and calls.

  • Snov.io works well if you want email finding and outreach in one tool.

  • Smartlead is ideal for agencies that need unlimited mailboxes and inbox rotation.

  • Mailshake is great for sales teams that want email plus LinkedIn and phone outreach.

  • Apollo.io gives deep prospect data with outreach, but costs can rise as you scale.

  • Lemlist is popular for personalized campaigns with visuals and LinkedIn touches.

  • Woodpecker is simple and reliable for small B2B teams.

  • Yesware is good for sales teams working inside Gmail or Outlook.

  • Klenty is useful for outbound teams needing automation and CRM sync.

But many of these tools either get expensive, lack fresh data, or focus too much on outreach while leaving lead sourcing behind.

That’s why B2B teams are choosing Leadsforge for lead generation. With:

  • Fresh, verified leads

  • Accurate contact data you can trust

  • Easy workflows to save hours

Try Leadsforge today and get 100 free credits to start building better pipelines.