Outbound · Roundup
The best cold email software in 2026: twelve tools compared on price, inboxes and features
Cold email tools now send the same way and cost about the same. What separates them is how they charge for inboxes and contacts, what they add on top, and who they are built for. Here are twelve, priced, with the sending inboxes you run them on.
Disclosure: SaaS Relaunch is an Instantly Solutions Partner, and Instantly is one of the tools we set up for clients, who own and fund their own accounts. The partnership does not decide any verdict here: every claim links to its source.
The short answer
For a founder sending for one company, Instantly (Growth, $47 a month) and Smartlead (Base, $39) are the default picks: unlimited inboxes and warmup on every plan, with the plan setting how much you can send. Pick Smartlead for agencies and API work, Instantly for one simple workspace. lemlist ($69 a month for email, $109 a user with LinkedIn) suits teams that want email and LinkedIn in one sequence.
If you already pay for Apollo or HubSpot Sales Hub Professional, try their sequences before buying another tool. Under any of them you need sending inboxes on separate domains: Google Workspace costs $7 a user a month billed annually, Microsoft 365 Business Basic $7 from July 2026, and inbox providers sell them for about $2 to $4 each.
How cold email software is priced
Every tool here sends sequences from your own inboxes, rotates across them, stops when someone replies and tracks the results. The differences are in the bill. Most cold email tools now charge by volume (contacts or emails a month) and let you connect unlimited inboxes: Instantly, Smartlead, Saleshandy, Salesforge, QuickMail and EmailBison. Others charge by the user, which gets expensive as a team grows: Reply.io, lemlist's Multichannel plan, Apollo and HubSpot. A few cap or charge for inboxes: lemlist includes three sending addresses a user, and Woodpecker prices by the slot.
Cold email software compared: price and limits
| Entry plan, monthly | Billed annually | What the entry plan covers | Inboxes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instantly | Growth: $47 | $37.60 a month | 5,000 emails a month | Unlimited |
| Smartlead | Base: $39 | $32 a month | 6,000 emails, 2,000 contacts | Unlimited |
| lemlist | Email: $69 a workspace | $55 a month | 50,000 emails pooled, unlimited users | 3 addresses a user; more about $9 |
| Saleshandy | Starter: $41 | $34 a month | 2,000 prospects, 6,000 emails, 1,500 lead credits | Unlimited |
| Reply.io | Email Volume: $59 a user | $49 a user | Per user | With each user |
| Salesforge | Pro: $48 | $40 a month | 1,000 contacts, 5,000 emails | Unlimited |
| QuickMail | Starter: $49 | Not published | 1,000 contacts, 5,000 sends a month | Unlimited senders |
| Snov.io | Starter: $39 | About $29.25 a month | 1,000 credits; warmup for 3 mailboxes | Warmup capped on Starter |
| Mailshake | Starter: $29 | $25 a month | Not stated | Not stated |
| Woodpecker | From $29 a slot, or $35 for 500 prospects | Not confirmed | Sources disagree | Priced by the slot |
| EmailBison | $599 | Demo only | 500,000 emails a month | Unlimited |
| La Growth Machine | €60 an identity | €50 an identity | Email and LinkedIn per identity | Per identity |
What separates them: inboxes, warmup, AI and LinkedIn
At this price level, the sending is the same; the extras are not. Instantly and Smartlead lead on unlimited inboxes and built-in warmup; lemlist, Salesforge and QuickMail add LinkedIn steps; Reply.io, Salesforge and Instantly sell AI agents that answer replies or run prospecting. Where a vendor's pages do not say, the tables say so.
| Instantly | Smartlead | lemlist | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inboxes | Unlimited | Unlimited | 3 a user, more about $9 |
| Warmup | Included | Included | lemwarm included |
| Unified inbox | Unibox | Master inbox | Not stated |
| AI for replies | AI Reply Agent, 5 credits a reply | SmartAgents | Not stated |
| LinkedIn steps | Not stated | Through HeyReach | On the Multichannel plan |
| CRM and API | HubSpot, Salesforce; API from $97 | API and webhooks on every plan | HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive |
| Lead database | SuperSearch, 450M+ contacts, by credits | Not stated | Built in; 450M to 650M, by sources |
| G2, October 2026 | 4.8 (4,051 reviews) | 4.6 (309) | 4.6 (1,387) |
| Reply.io | Salesforge | QuickMail | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inboxes | With each user | Unlimited | Unlimited senders |
| Warmup | Through MailToaster | Warmforge, free | AutoWarmer included |
| Unified inbox | Not stated | Primebox | Not stated |
| AI for replies | Jason AI SDR, from about $500 a month | Agent Frank, $499 a month | Not stated |
| LinkedIn steps | $69 an account, add-on | Included | Included |
| CRM and API | Not stated | HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive | Not stated |
| G2, October 2026 | 4.6 (1,534 reviews) | 4.6 (84) | 4.7 (112) |
Instantly
One workspaceBest for: founders and small teams sending for one company, who want one simple workspace with unlimited inboxes.
Strengths
- Growth at $47 a month, $37.60 billed annually
- Unlimited inboxes and warmup on every plan
- Unibox for every reply in one place
- The most G2 reviews of the group: 4.8 from 4,051
Watch-outs
- API and webhooks start at Hypergrowth, $97
- Its CRM and lead database are paid separately
- The AI Reply Agent costs credits per reply
Skip it if: you run outbound for several clients; Smartlead's workspaces fit better.
Pricing: Growth $47, Hypergrowth $97, Light Speed $358 a month; about 20 percent less billed annually.
Smartlead
Agencies and APIBest for: agencies and technical founders who want client workspaces, white-label and an API on every plan.
Strengths
- Base at $39 a month, $32 billed annually
- Unlimited mailboxes and warmup
- API and webhooks on every plan
- White-label at $29 a client from Pro
Watch-outs
- Base covers only 2,000 contacts
- Fewer G2 reviews than its peers: 309
- LinkedIn steps come through a partner
Skip it if: you want one simple workspace and never touch an API.
Pricing: Base $39, Pro $94, Unlimited Smart $174, Prime $379 a month; 17 percent less billed annually.
lemlist
Email plus LinkedInBest for: teams that want email and LinkedIn steps in one sequence, with a built-in lead database.
Strengths
- Email plan at $69 a workspace with unlimited users
- LinkedIn steps on Multichannel, $109 a user
- lemwarm warmup included
- Native HubSpot, Salesforce and Pipedrive
Watch-outs
- Three sending addresses a user; more cost about $9
- Multichannel is priced per user
- Sources quote different plan names and prices
Skip it if: you only send email from many inboxes; Instantly or Smartlead cost less per inbox.
Pricing: Email $69 a month ($55 billed annually); Multichannel $109 a user ($87).
Saleshandy
Data includedBest for: founders who want sending and a lead finder on one bill.
Strengths
- Starter at $41 a month, $34 billed annually
- 1,500 Lead Finder credits included
- Warmup included, supplied by TrulyInbox
Watch-outs
- Starter caps at 2,000 prospects
- Plans were restructured in 2026; older guides show different prices
Skip it if: you already pay for a data provider such as Apollo.
Pricing: Starter $41, Pro $99, Scale $189 a month; $34, $76 and $149 billed annually.
Reply.io
Sales teamsBest for: sales teams that want email, calls and LinkedIn in one tool, priced per user.
Strengths
- Email Volume at $59 a user, $49 billed annually
- Multichannel plan with LinkedIn, calls and SMS
- Jason AI SDR for automated prospecting
- 4.6 on G2 from 1,534 reviews
Watch-outs
- Per-user pricing grows with the team
- LinkedIn is a $69-an-account add-on on Email Volume
- Reply's own pages disagree on per-user vs per-contact pricing
Skip it if: you are one founder with many inboxes; volume pricing elsewhere costs less.
Pricing: Email Volume $59 a user a month ($49 billed annually); Multichannel $99 ($89).
Salesforge
Bundled stackBest for: founders who want sending, free warmup and LinkedIn steps from one vendor with a growing AI layer.
Strengths
- Pro at $48 a month, $40 billed annually
- Unlimited mailboxes; Warmforge warmup free
- LinkedIn steps and Primebox unified inbox
- Native HubSpot, Salesforce and Pipedrive
Watch-outs
- Pro covers 1,000 contacts
- Agent Frank, its AI SDR, costs $499 a month more
- Only 84 reviews on G2
Skip it if: you send to large lists from day one; Instantly's or Smartlead's volume plans fit better.
Pricing: Pro $48 a month ($40 billed annually); Growth $96 ($80).
Already on Apollo or HubSpot? Use their sequences first
Apollo includes sequences from its Basic plan at $49 a user a month billed annually, with unlimited Google and Microsoft mailboxes and up to 15 SMTP mailboxes a user; sources disagree on how many sequences Basic allows. If you already buy Apollo for its data (compared here (opens in a new tab)), its sequencer is the cheapest place to start.
HubSpot puts sequences on Sales Hub Professional, at $90 a seat a month billed annually ($100 monthly) plus $1,500 onboarding, and caps them at 500 sends a user a day (1,000 on Enterprise). That suits warm follow-up from a CRM better than cold volume. Our HubSpot for startups guide (opens in a new tab) covers the startup discount on those seats.
Sending inboxes: what to run the software on
The software sends from inboxes you own, on domains that are not your company's main one. You can buy them from Google or Microsoft directly, or from providers that set up domains and inboxes in bulk. Google Workspace Business Starter costs $7 a user a month billed annually ($8.40 flexible), after a 2025 increase from $6; Microsoft 365 Business Basic rose from $6 to $7 on July 1, 2026.
| Price | Type | Worth knowing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Workspace | $7 a user a month, annual ($8.40 flexible) | OAuth required for IMAP and SMTP since March 2025 | |
| Microsoft 365 Business Basic | $7 a user a month from July 2026 | Microsoft | Basic-auth SMTP off by default from the end of 2026 |
| Zapmail | $39 for 10 inboxes, $99 for 30 | Google and Microsoft | Also sold through Smartlead at $4 an inbox |
| Inboxkit | About $2.50 an inbox | Google, Microsoft, Azure | Warmup sold separately, by one source |
| Mailforge | About $3 an inbox, billed yearly | Shared-IP SMTP | 10-inbox minimum; domains about $14 a year |
| Maildoso | $1.90 to $2.50 an inbox | SMTP | Sources describe different plans |
| Infraforge | $2.50 to $4 an inbox | Private SMTP | Dedicated IP $99 a month |
| Mailreef | About $249 a month for a server | Private SMTP | Built for 150+ inboxes |
How many? Practitioners put two or three inboxes on each domain and 20 to 50 emails a day on each warmed inbox: Causo's 2026 report suggests two at 20 a day, BounceZero two or three at 30 to 50, and Smartlead's benchmarks show a median of 14 a day. lemlist advises waiting four weeks after buying a domain and not sending from a new inbox in its first week. Our warmup guide (opens in a new tab) covers the ramp.
Which cold email software to choose
Choose Instantly or Smartlead if
- You send email from many inboxes for one company or many clients
- You want unlimited inboxes and warmup in the plan
- You will add LinkedIn later, through a separate tool if needed
Choose lemlist, Reply.io or Salesforge if
- You want email and LinkedIn steps in the same sequence
- A sales team will share the tool, and per-user pricing is fine
- You want an AI agent working replies or prospecting
Our Instantly vs Smartlead comparison (opens in a new tab) goes deeper on the two default picks, and the GTM tech stack guide (opens in a new tab) shows where cold email software fits among the other tools a founder buys.
Questions
What is the best cold email software?
For most founders, Instantly or Smartlead: unlimited inboxes and warmup on every plan, from $47 and $39 a month. lemlist suits email plus LinkedIn; Reply.io suits sales teams paying per user.
How much does cold email software cost?
Entry plans run from $29 a month (Mailshake) to $69 (lemlist), with most between $39 and $49. EmailBison starts at $599. Sending inboxes cost extra, from about $2 to $7 each a month.
What are the best Instantly alternatives?
Smartlead, for agencies and API work at a lower entry price ($39); Salesforge, for free warmup and LinkedIn steps ($48); lemlist, for email and LinkedIn in one sequence ($69).
What are the best lemlist alternatives?
Instantly or Smartlead if you only need email at volume; Salesforge or QuickMail if you want LinkedIn steps without per-user pricing; Reply.io for a sales team with calls and LinkedIn.
Can I use Apollo or HubSpot for cold email?
Yes. Apollo includes sequences from Basic, $49 a user a month billed annually. HubSpot needs Sales Hub Professional at $90 a seat billed annually and caps sends at 500 a user a day.
Should I use Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 for cold email?
Both cost about $7 a user a month in 2026. Most senders mix both, on domains separate from their main one. Inbox providers sell them in bulk from about $2 to $4 each.
How many emails can I send per inbox per day?
Practitioners keep warmed inboxes at about 20 to 50 cold emails a day, with two or three inboxes per domain. Smartlead's benchmarks show a median of 14 a day.
Do I need a separate warmup tool?
Usually not. Instantly, Smartlead, lemlist, Saleshandy, Salesforge and QuickMail include warmup in their plans. Its value is contested; authentication and verified lists matter more.
Sources
- Instantly pricing (opens in a new tab), Instantly, checked October 21, 2026
- Instantly.ai pricing (opens in a new tab), Landbase, checked October 21, 2026
- AI Reply Agent pricing (opens in a new tab), Instantly, checked October 21, 2026
- Smartlead pricing plans (opens in a new tab), Smartlead, checked October 21, 2026
- Webhooks (opens in a new tab), Smartlead, checked October 21, 2026
- lemlist pricing explained (opens in a new tab), Valley, checked October 21, 2026
- lemlist pricing (opens in a new tab), Landbase, checked October 21, 2026
- Pricing (opens in a new tab), lemlist, checked October 21, 2026
- Saleshandy platform plan pricing 2026 (opens in a new tab), Saleshandy, checked October 21, 2026
- Pricing (opens in a new tab), Reply.io, checked October 21, 2026
- Reply.io pricing explained (opens in a new tab), Valley, checked October 21, 2026
- Salesforge pricing (opens in a new tab), Salesgear, checked October 21, 2026
- Managing your QuickMail subscription (opens in a new tab), QuickMail, checked October 21, 2026
- Snov.io pricing guide (opens in a new tab), Cleanlist (a competing vendor), checked October 21, 2026
- Pricing plans overview (opens in a new tab), Snov.io, checked October 21, 2026
- Pricing (opens in a new tab), Mailshake, checked October 21, 2026
- Mailshake acquires Warm Up Your Email (opens in a new tab), Mailshake, checked October 21, 2026
- Woodpecker pricing (opens in a new tab), Mailmeteor, checked October 21, 2026
- Woodpecker pricing breakdown (opens in a new tab), Emelia, checked October 21, 2026
- Pricing (opens in a new tab), EmailBison, checked October 21, 2026
- La Growth Machine pricing (opens in a new tab), Emelia, checked October 21, 2026
- Mailboxes in Apollo (opens in a new tab), Apollo, checked October 21, 2026
- Sales Hub pricing (opens in a new tab), HubSpot, checked October 21, 2026
- HubSpot Sales Hub pricing (opens in a new tab), HubSpot, checked October 21, 2026
- Instantly vs lemlist (opens in a new tab), G2, checked October 21, 2026
- Instantly vs Smartlead (opens in a new tab), G2, checked October 21, 2026
- Reply vs Woodpecker (opens in a new tab), G2, checked October 21, 2026
- QuickMail vs Reply (opens in a new tab), G2, checked October 21, 2026
- Apollo vs Salesforge (opens in a new tab), G2, checked October 21, 2026
- Saleshandy reviews (opens in a new tab), G2, checked October 21, 2026
- Instantly vs Mailshake (opens in a new tab), G2, checked October 21, 2026
- SalesQL vs Snov.io (opens in a new tab), G2, checked October 21, 2026
- Compare flexible and annual plans (opens in a new tab), Google Workspace, checked October 21, 2026
- Google Workspace price increase (opens in a new tab), 9to5Google, checked October 21, 2026
- Transition from less secure apps to OAuth (opens in a new tab), Google Workspace, checked October 21, 2026
- 2026 Microsoft 365 packaging and pricing updates (opens in a new tab), Microsoft, checked October 21, 2026
- Mailbox external recipient rate limit (opens in a new tab), Office 365 for IT Pros, checked October 21, 2026
- Zapmail pricing (opens in a new tab), Sendkit, checked October 21, 2026
- Google and Outlook mailboxes by Zapmail (opens in a new tab), Smartlead, checked October 21, 2026
- Inboxkit pricing (opens in a new tab), Sendkit, checked October 21, 2026
- Mailforge review (opens in a new tab), Bitscale, checked October 21, 2026
- Maildoso pricing (opens in a new tab), Sendkit, checked October 21, 2026
- Infraforge pricing (opens in a new tab), Sendkit, checked October 21, 2026
- Mailreef (opens in a new tab), The GTM Directory, checked October 21, 2026
- How to set up your sending infrastructure for cold email (opens in a new tab), lemlist, checked October 21, 2026
- How many cold emails per day (opens in a new tab), Smartlead, checked October 21, 2026
- Cold emails per day per mailbox benchmark (opens in a new tab), Smartlead, checked October 21, 2026
- H1 2026 cold email deliverability report (opens in a new tab), Causo, checked October 21, 2026
- Email infrastructure guide 2026 (opens in a new tab), BounceZero, checked October 21, 2026
How these comparisons are made: from each vendor's own documentation and pricing pages, independent reviews and the policies of the platforms involved, each linked and dated. Prices change often; check the vendor's page before you buy.
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