GMass vs. Hunter.io: Which One to Choose for Cold Emails?

In the head-to-head match-up of Hunter.io vs. GMass, both tools bring unique strengths to the table. Hunter.io excels with its robust Email Finder and multiple APIs but comes at a higher price. GMass shines in affordability and seamless Gmail integration, including standout features like The Reply Project with ChatGPT for reply management. Given the budget-friendly nature and Gmail-centric features, I’d personally lean towards GMass as the better all-around choice for cold email campaigns, but the decision is up to your needs. 

Table of Contents

  • Introduction
  • Key Features: The Showstoppers of Hunter.io and GMass
  • Pricing: Show Me the Money
  • Pros and Cons: The Full Picture
  • Feature-by-Feature Comparison: Hunter.io vs. GMass
  • Customer Support: Your Lifeline in the Digital World
  • User Reviews: The Unsung Heroes
  • FAQs: Clearing the Air
  • Final Verdict: The Decision-Maker

Introduction

Ah, the age-old battle between cold email software. It’s like Batman vs. Superman, but for B2B marketers. You’ve got Hunter.io, with its email-finding superpowers, and GMass, the Gmail-based Hercules. So, which one should you go for? Well, let’s rip off the wrapping paper and see what’s inside, shall we?

Key Features: The Showstoppers of Hunter.io and GMass

Hunter.io’s Features and Their Benefits

FeatureImportance in Cold Email
Email Account RotationReduces spam risk and enhances email deliverability. Long-term positive impact on domain reputation.
Email FinderIncreases accuracy and efficiency of email lists. The foundation of any successful cold email campaign.
Email TrackingEnables A/B testing and strategy refinement based on real-time data.
Campaign SchedulingEnhances open rates by optimizing timing, increasing chances for engagement and conversion.
Various APIsEnables automation and seamless integration with other tools, leading to more efficient campaigns.
Unlimited Team MembersPromotes collaboration and ensures that everyone is aligned in their marketing efforts.
PersonalizationIncreases engagement rates by adding a personalized touch, making emails more appealing to recipients.

1. Email Account Rotation

  • Description: Send your campaigns from multiple email accounts, making you less prone to being flagged as spam.
  • Real-life Example: Imagine you’re a B2B company launching a new software. Instead of sending 1,000 emails from a single account, you could spread them across five accounts.
  • Importance in Cold Email: Reducing the risk of being marked as spam is not just about avoiding that dreaded spam folder. It’s about your reputation. If your emails are constantly marked as spam, it can have long-term consequences on your domain’s email deliverability. With multiple accounts, you’re not only spreading the risk but also increasing the odds of your email being seen and acted upon.

2. Email Finder

  • Description: Find emails by name, company, or even in bulk. Plus, you get an integrated Google Sheets add-on and Email Finder API.
  • Real-life Example: You’re targeting HR managers across tech companies. Use Hunter.io to scrape these emails en masse.
  • Importance in Cold Email: This goes beyond just saving time. Accurate email addresses are the foundation of any successful cold email campaign. Misspelled or incorrect emails bounce, affecting your sender reputation. So, it’s not just convenience; it’s about keeping your email campaigns effective and efficient.

3. Email Tracking and Custom Domain Tracking

  • Description: Track your emails and see how they perform. Get insights on open rates, click-through rates, and more.
  • Real-life Example: Want to know if your revamped email copy is working? This feature will give you the low-down.
  • Importance in Cold Email: It’s not just about knowing; it’s about improving. When you know which emails are being opened and clicked, you can A/B test different versions to continually refine your strategy. You can identify patterns, like what time of day gets the most opens, and use that information for future campaigns.

4. Campaign Scheduling

  • Description: Schedule your email campaigns to be sent at specific times.
  • Real-life Example: Want to hit the inbox right when your prospect starts their workday? Schedule it for 9 a.m.
  • Importance in Cold Email: Timing isn’t just ‘nice to have’; it can make or break your campaign. Emails sent at the right time can see significantly higher open rates, which means more opportunities for engagement and conversion. A well-timed email can be the difference between a new client and a missed opportunity.

5. Various APIs

  • Description: Comes with a range of APIs including Domain Search, Email Finder, Email Verifier, Leads, and Campaigns API.
  • Real-life Example: Integrate these APIs into your CRM for a streamlined workflow.
  • Importance in Cold Email: Automation is the future of marketing. With APIs, you can automate repetitive tasks, integrate Hunter.io with other tools you use, and create a seamless workflow. This leads to more efficient campaigns, freeing you to focus on strategy and creative content.

6. Unlimited Team Members

  • Description: Add as many team members as you like. No cap!
  • Real-life Example: Your marketing team of 10 can all hop on without additional costs.
  • Importance in Cold Email: Collaboration is key in any marketing effort. By allowing unlimited team members, you’re not just making it more accessible for your team to use the tool; you’re also ensuring that everyone is on the same page, leading to more cohesive and effective campaigns.

7. Personalization with Attachments and Images

  • Description: Personalize your cold emails with attachments and images for a unique touch.
  • Real-life Example: Sending a product brochure? Add it directly into the email.
  • Importance in Cold Email: Personalization is proven to increase engagement rates. By including attachments and images that are relevant to the recipient, you’re not just catching their eye; you’re speaking directly to their needs or interests, increasing the likelihood of a response.

GMass’s Features and Their Benefits

FeatureImportance in Cold Email
Mail Merge with Google SheetsIncreases engagement and click-through rates by sending highly personalized emails.
Bypass Gmail’s LimitationsAllows for large-scale campaigns without being hindered by Gmail’s limitations, increasing reach and potential conversions.
Behavior-based CampaignsEnhances relevance and success rates by allowing for highly targeted campaigns based on past behavior.
Works Directly in GmailIncreases convenience and efficiency by eliminating the need to switch between platforms.
Automatic Reply ManagementSorts and prioritizes email responses, differentiates genuine replies from auto-responders. Includes The Reply Project to streamline reply processing.
Real-time Advanced ReportingEmpowers data-driven decision-making, allowing for real-time tweaks for maximum campaign impact.
Email PollingProvides real-time insights into audience preferences, allowing for immediate strategy refinement.
Automated Unsubscribe ManagementEnsures compliance with email regulations and improves list quality by removing uninterested parties, thereby improving overall engagement metrics.

1. Mail Merge with Google Sheets

  • Description: Connect to Google Sheets for a personalized mass email.
  • Real-life Example: Got a Google Sheet with names, companies, and roles? GMass makes your emails sound like they’re hand-crafted for each recipient.
  • Importance in Cold Email: It’s not just about sending emails; it’s about sending emails that matter. Personalization is a proven method for increasing engagement and click-through rates. With this feature, you can send emails that speak directly to the recipient, making them feel seen and valued.

2. Bypass Gmail’s Limitations

  • Description: GMass recognizes Gmail’s limitations and uses advanced distribution systems to go around them.
  • Real-life Example: Sending a campaign to 2,000 people? GMass will cleverly spread it over days or use an SMTP server to bypass limitations.
  • Importance in Cold Email: Limitations are meant to be broken—or at least bypassed. With this feature, you can send large-scale campaigns without worrying about Gmail’s sending limits, thereby reaching a larger audience and increasing your chances of conversions.

3. Behavior-based Campaigns

  • Description: Offers behavioral segments like emails that were sent, opened, clicked, and more.
  • Real-life Example: Segment your audience based on those who clicked on your last campaign. Target them with a new, irresistible offer.
  • Importance in Cold Email: One-size-fits-all is a no-go in today’s marketing world. This feature allows you to segment and target your audience based on their past behaviors, increasing the relevance of your campaigns and, consequently, your success rates.

4. Works Directly in Gmail

  • Description: No need for third-party apps. GMass sets up shop right inside Gmail.
  • Real-life Example: Manage your campaigns without ever leaving your Gmail interface.
  • Importance in Cold Email: Convenience is king. Working directly within Gmail eliminates the learning curve associated with new platforms, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: crafting killer campaigns.

5. Automatic Reply Management

  • Description: Organizes responses, differentiates genuine replies from auto-responders, and evaluates emails based on their tone. It also offers The Reply Project, which aids this process by using templates and ChatGPT to streamline the response workflow.
  • Real-life Example: You get 100 replies from a campaign. GMass will sift through and flag the ones you should focus on and automatically replies to them. 
  • Importance in Cold Email: The true gold in email marketing is often in the replies. This feature ensures you don’t miss out on potential opportunities by helping you prioritize and manage responses effectively. With the added power of The Reply Project, which uses templates and ChatGPT, you’re not just sorting emails; you’re preparing to respond to them in the most efficient way possible.

6. Real-time Advanced Reporting

  • Description: Get real-time reports on your campaigns, including domain-level reporting.
  • Real-life Example: Want to see how your campaign is performing in real-time? This feature has got you covered.
  • Importance in Cold Email: Knowledge is power, and real-time reporting gives you the power to make data-driven decisions on the fly, tweaking your campaigns for maximum impact.

7. Email Polling 

  • Description: Add quick question surveys to your campaigns to gauge recipient feedback.
  • Real-life Example: Let’s say you’ve just launched a new product and want to know how it’s being received. Add a one-question survey asking, “How interested are you in our new product?” to your next campaign.
  • Importance in Cold Email: This is not just a feature; it’s a feedback loop. Email polling can give you real-time insights into what your audience is thinking. Are they interested in your new product? Do they find your content useful? This feature enables you to get immediate feedback that you can use to refine not only your email campaigns but also your products, services, and overall strategy.

8. Automated Unsubscribe Management

  • Description: Manages unsubscribes automatically, keeping your email list clean.
  • Real-life Example: You send out a monthly newsletter, and inevitably some people unsubscribe. This feature handles that for you, ensuring that you’re compliant with regulations like GDPR.
  • Importance in Cold Email: Managing unsubscribes is not just a “nice-to-have” but a legal requirement in many jurisdictions. Beyond compliance, it also enhances the quality of your email list. An email list is only as good as its engagement rate. By automatically removing those who aren’t interested, you’re improving your overall metrics and focusing on an audience that actually wants to hear from you.

Pricing: Show Me the Money

When it comes to your marketing budget, every dollar counts. So how do Hunter.io and GMass stack up when it comes to pricing?

Hunter.io Pricing Plans:

Hunter.io offers a free plan plus three paid plans: 

Plan Cost per Month (If Billed Monthly) Cost per Month (If Billed Yearly) Features Included
Free Plan Free Free 50 monthly verifications, 25 monthly searches, one connected email account, browser extensions, unlimited team members, Regular Support
Starter Plan 49€ 34€ 500 monthly searches, 1,000 monthly verifications, 3 connected email accounts, browser extensions, Priority support
Growth Plan 149€ 104€ 5,000 monthly searches, 10,000 monthly verifications, 10 connected email accounts, custom tracking domain, Priority support
Business Plan 499€ 349€ 50,000 monthly searches, 100,000 monthly verifications, 20 connected email accounts, Priority support, Account manager

Here, you can see all the features that each plan offers:

Gmass Pricing Plans

Gmass also offers flexible pricing options, catering to both small businesses and large enterprises and a generous free plan:

Plan Cost Per Month Cost Per Year Features Included
Free Plan $0 $0 All features with a sending limit of 50 email messages per day
Standard Plan $19.95 per user $199 per user Gmail integration, unlimited contacts and campaigns, mail merge personalization
Premium Plan $29.95 per user $299 per user Includes everything in the Standard plan plus A/B testing, sequences and follow-ups
Enterprise Plan $49.95 per user $499 per user All features

For a detailed breakdown of what each plan offers, check out below: 

Pros and Cons: The Full Picture

No tool is perfect, and understanding the limitations is just as important as knowing the strengths. Here’s a quick rundown.

Hunter.io

  • Pros
    1. Comprehensive Email Finder
    2. Unlimited Users
    3. Multiple APIs for automation
    4. User-friendly interface
  • Cons
    1. Pricier than GMass
    2. Only verifies professional emails and not personal emails

GMass

  • Pros
    1. Affordable Pricing
    2. Seamless Gmail Integration
    3. Advanced Reply Management
  • Cons
    1. Limited to Gmail’s ecosystem
    2. No Email Finder feature

Feature-by-Feature Comparison: Hunter.io vs. GMass

While we’ve explored features individually, let’s put them head-to-head for a more direct comparison.

Feature/ Aspect Hunter.io GMass
Email Account Rotation Yes No
Email Finder Yes No
Email Tracking Yes Yes (Real-time and sharable)
Campaign Scheduling Yes Yes
Various APIs with multiple functions Yes No
Unlimited Team Members Yes No
Personalization with Attachments Yes Yes
Mail Merge with Google Sheets No Yes
Bypass Gmail’s Limitations No Yes
Behavior-based Campaigns No Yes
Works Directly in Gmail No (needs integration) Yes
Automatic Reply Management aided by ChatGPT No Yes
Email Polling No Yes
Automated Unsubscribe Management Yes Yes
Free Trial No No
Free Plan Yes (Limited features) Yes (All features with email sending limit)
Cost Per Month without annual discount 49€ – 499€ (unlimited seats) $19.95 – $49.95 per user

Customer Support: Your Lifeline in the Digital World

Both Hunter.io and GMass offer customer support, but the scope and availability differ.

Hunter.io

  • Live Chat: Replies typically in 1- hour
  • Email Support

GMass

  • Email Support: Available for all plans, including the free version.
  • Live Chat: None.

User Reviews: The Unsung Heroes

Who better to tell you about the software than those who’ve used it? While both tools receive generally positive reviews, some themes emerge:

Hunter.io

G2 Review

⭐️4.4 out of 5

GMass

G2 Review

⭐️4.7 out of 5

FAQs: Clearing the Air

  • What integrations does Hunter.io offer?

You can integrate the tppş with your CRM systems such as HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive and other apps like Gmail, Google Workspace, Outlook, and Microsoft 365. Also, you can integrate with Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, platforms like Zapier or 3rd party platforms like Woodpecker. 

  • How accurate is the Email Finder of Hunter.io?

It comes with a confidence score, allowing you to gauge the reliability of the email addresses.

  • What type of integrations does Gmass offer?

Has a native integration with Google Sheets. For more complex needs, options include the GMass API, Webhooks, and Zapier. 

  • Does Gmass offer A/B testing?

Yes, it allows you to test variations in campaigns.

  • Does any of the tools offer LinkedIn integration?

Neither of the tools offers LinkedIn integration. 

Final Verdict: The Decision-Maker

When it comes to cold email software, one size doesn’t fit all. Your perfect fit depends on a myriad of factors—budget, feature needs, team size, and more. But since you asked, let me put on my opinionated hat for a moment.

Feature Finesse vs. Gmail Genius

Hunter.io is the Swiss Army knife here, no doubt. If you’re all about digging deep into email databases, Hunter.io’s Email Finder is a crown jewel. It’s the feature you never knew you needed until you’ve tried it. And let’s not forget the buffet of APIs and the luxury of unlimited team members.

GMass, however, is the life of the Gmail party. It’s integrated, intuitive, and budget-friendly. Plus, it offers some unique features like The Reply Project with ChatGPT, which could be a game-changer in managing email replies.

The Money Talk

If you’re not willing to fork over a small fortune, GMass is the way to go. With plans ranging from $19.95 to $49.95, it’s gentle on the pockets. Hunter.io, though feature-rich, demands a more substantial investment, with plans ranging from 49€ to 499€.

The Freebies

Both offer free plans, but GMass takes the cake. You get all the features with a limitation only on email sending. Hunter.io’s free plan is more restrictive but does give you a taste of its powerful Email Finder.

So, What’s My Pick?

If you’re a Gmail aficionado on a budget, GMass is your tool. Period. Its unique features, like The Reply Project aided by ChatGPT, make it irresistible for those looking to manage and respond to emails efficiently.

However, if you’re a heavy-duty email finder with a need for multiple APIs and can afford a steeper price tag, Hunter.io is worth every penny.

In a nutshell, GMass feels like a cozy, all-in-one Gmail workspace, while Hunter.io feels like a robust, feature-loaded command center. The “best” tool? That’s subjective. But if I had to pick one, I’d go for GMass for its affordability and Gmail-centric features. Choose the one that wins for you.

For a broader perspective on cold email tools, feel free to dive into our comprehensive list of the 22 best cold email tools.

Philip Ilic

Philip Ilic

B2B Growth Specialist

Phil helps B2B SaaS companies with growth marketing and is a deep specialist in Linkedin advertising and paid social more generally (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn). He runs a paid social agency called Superlumen.co and is the founder of B2Bhero.co.

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