Decoding the Best Cold Email Tool: Lemlist vs. Instantly

When it comes to cold email software, Lemlist and Instantly offer different strengths. Lemlist excels in multi-channel prospecting and has a robust set of integrations, making it ideal for businesses looking for a comprehensive outreach solution. Instantly, on the other hand, stands out for its scalability features like unlimited domains and domain rotation. If you’re looking to scale your campaigns without breaking the bank, Instantly is your go-to. Choose Lemlist for a more integrated approach and Instantly for cost-effective scaling.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Lemlist: The Swiss Army Knife of Cold Emailing
  3. Instantly: The Underdog with a Punch
  4. Side-by-Side Feature Comparison
  5. User Experience
  6. Customer Reviews and Testimonials
  7. Customer Support
  8. FAQs Section
  9. Final Verdict: Which One to Choose?

Introduction

Let’s get straight to the point. You’ve got two contenders in the ring for the title of “Best Cold Email Software”—Lemlist and Instantly. The question on everyone’s mind: Which one should you bet your marketing budget on?

Lemlist: The Swiss Army Knife of Cold Emailing

Lemlist isn’t your run-of-the-mill cold email tool. It brings to the table something that most other platforms don’t—multi-channel prospecting. That means you’re not just confined to emails; you can also make your mark on LinkedIn. Let’s dissect what makes Lemlist tick.

Feature Description Benefit
Multi-Channel Prospecting Reach out to prospects via both email and LinkedIn. Increases visibility and engagement by knocking on both the front and back doors of a prospect.
Rich Integrations Sync your campaigns with CRM tools, email verifiers like ZeroBounce, and workflows like Google Sheet. Ensures your cold emailing is an integrated part of your larger sales funnel.
Deliverability Monitor Monitors the deliverability of your emails, helping you identify potential issues before they escalate. Acts like a health check-up for your email campaigns, ensuring they’re fit and running smoothly.

Multi-Channel Prospecting

Why limit yourself to just emails when you can also tap into the LinkedIn network? Lemlist allows you to do just that. You can reach out to prospects via email and LinkedIn, diversifying your channels and increasing the likelihood of getting noticed. It’s like knocking on the front and back doors at the same time—someone is bound to answer.

Rich Integrations

Life is easier when things work together. Lemlist’s integrations feature allows you to sync your campaigns with your CRM tools, email verifiers like ZeroBounce and workflows like Google Sheet. It’s like having a well-oiled machine where every part complements the other, ensuring that your cold emailing isn’t a standalone effort but an integral part of your sales funnel.

Deliverability Monitor

What’s the point of sending emails if they end up in the spam folder? Lemlist’s deliverability monitor keeps tabs on how your emails are performing in terms of deliverability. It helps you identify potential red flags before they become serious issues. Think of it as your email’s health check-up—regular monitoring ensures that your campaigns are fit and running.

Pros

  1. Multi-channel prospecting is a game-changer.
  2. It is easy to get leads from any LinkedIn or Sales Navigator due to Lemlist Chrome Extension 
  3. Simple and attractive user interface

Cons

  1. Pricing can be a hurdle for smaller businesses.

Pricing and Free Trial

Plan Cost Per Month Per Seat (If Billed Monthly) Cost Per Month Per Seat (If Billed Yearly) Features Included Free Trial
Email Outreach Plan $59 $50 250 tokens, unlimited workflows and emails 14 days
Sales Engagement Plan $99 $83 500 tokens, all Email Outreach Plan features and more 14 days
Enterprise Custom Custom All Email Outreach plans plus a dedicated account manager and more. N/A
Here you can see overview of features offered by each plan:

Instantly: The Underdog with a Punch

When it comes to Instantly, think of it as a scaling machine. It’s not just the affordability that catches your eye; it’s the potential to grow. With features like domain rotation, you’re not just sending emails; you’re sending them smartly.

Key Feature Description Benefit in Cold Emailing
Unlimited Domains Instantly allows for unlimited domains, breaking free from traditional email campaign constraints. Scale your email campaigns without limitations, like driving on an open highway.
Domain Rotation The feature allows for rotating between different sending domains. Minimizes the risk of your emails landing in the spam folder.
AI-Powered Interest Tagging The AI auto-tags the interest level of a prospect based on their email replies. Immediate insights into a prospect’s interest level for targeted follow-ups.

Unlimited Domains

Scalability is the name of the game, and Instantly delivers on this front. With the option to use unlimited domains, you are breaking free from the traditional constraints that could stifle your email campaigns. It’s like having an open highway with no speed limits, allowing you to scale your efforts as you see fit.

Domain Rotation

Instantly’s domain rotation feature is like a secret weapon. It allows you to rotate between different sending domains, ensuring that your emails don’t get flagged as spam. In layman’s terms, it’s like changing disguises while on a secret mission—your chances of getting caught are significantly reduced.

AI- Powered Interest Level Tagging 

Instantly’s AI revolutionizes the game by auto-tagging how interested a prospect is based on their email responses. What’s the payoff? You get on-the-spot intel that lets you fine-tune your next moves. Say goodbye to shooting in the dark and hello to precision-guided cold email strategies

Pros

  1. Powerful analytics
  2. Automated domain rotation keeps you in the inbox easily, not the spam folder.
  3. Can link multiple email domains under one pricing plan without extra fees

Cons

  1. Still a bit light on the integration front.
  2. No chrome extension

Pricing and Free Trial

Plan Cost Per Month (If Billed Monthly) Cost Per Month (If Billed Yearly) Features Included Free Trial
Growth Plan $37 $30 1,000 active Leads, 5,000 emails and more 14 days
HyperGrowth Plan $97 $77.6 25,000 active Leads, 100,000 emails and more 14 days
Here you can see overview of features offered by each plan: 

Side-by-Side Feature Comparison

When it comes down to it, the features are what really make or break a tool. Here’s a quick look at how Lemlist and Instantly stack up side by side.

Feature/Aspect Lemlist Instantly
Unlimited Domains No Yes
Domain Rotation No Yes
Multi-Channel Prospecting Yes No
Rich Integrations Yes No
Deliverability Monitor Yes Yes
AI Powered Interest Tagging No Yes
Free Trial 14 days 14 days
Monthly Pricing Starts at $59 Starts at $37
Annual Pricing Starts at $50 Starts at $30

User Experience

Lemlist

Lemlist makes user experience a top priority. The dashboard is laid out in a way that even a first-time user would find it easy to locate different functionalities. You’re not just using a tool; you’re experiencing a service designed to make your life easier.

Instantly

Instantly offers a user experience that focuses on easy navigation and quick execution. The dashboard is intuitively designed, ensuring you spend less time figuring things out and more time executing effective campaigns.

Customer Reviews and Testimonials

Lemlist

G2 Review

⭐️4.2 out of 5

Instantly

G2 Review

⭐️4.9 out of 5

Customer Support

Lemlist

When you’re stuck, Lemlist’s very interactive and quick customer support acts like a GPS, guiding you through every turn. With 24/7 support channels, including live chat, you’re never alone. If you prefer the DIY route, their extensive knowledge base is like an encyclopedia of solutions.

Instantly

While Instantly is still building its customer support arsenal, what it currently offers is noteworthy. Their live chat support often replies within ten minutes, and their blog contains tips, best practices, and updates.

FAQs Section

Q: Can I integrate Lemlist with my existing CRM?
A: Absolutely! Lemlist offers integration with popular CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot.

Q: Does Instantly offer LinkedIn integration?
A: No, as of now, Instantly doesn’t offer LinkedIn integration. 

Q: What kind of analytics does Lemlist offer?
A: Lemlist offers basic analytics like open rates, click rates, and more.

Q: How does Instantly’s AI Insights work?
A: Instantly’s AI Insights provide an in-depth analysis of your campaign performance, including recipient interest levels, helping you fine-tune your strategies.

Q: Can I run A/B tests on Lemlist?
A: Yes, Lemlist offers robust A/B testing features, allowing you to optimize your campaigns for the best results.

Q: What kind of security measures does Instantly offer?
A: Instantly prioritizes security with SSL encryption and regular data backups, ensuring your information is safe.

The Final Showdown: Lemlist vs. Instantly

You’ve seen the features, you’ve seen the pros and cons, and you’ve seen the pricing. So, which one is it going to be?

Scalability vs Flexibility

If you’re all about scaling, Instantly is your guy—unlimited domains and domain rotation make it a powerhouse. Lemlist, on the other hand, is your go-to for a more flexible, integrated approach.

Integration Smackdown

Lemlist is the Beyoncé of integrations—it runs the world. Instantly is still the opening act but shows promise.

Budget Talk

Instantly offers a more budget-friendly approach, especially if you’re in the scaling phase. Lemlist is a bit more on the premium side but offers a broader range of features.

Final Thoughts

If multi-channel outreach and integrations are non-negotiables for you, Lemlist is your match. If you’re looking to scale quickly without burning a hole in your pocket, Instantly is the one.

So, which is it? The stage is set, and the mic is yours. Make your pick!

Looking for more options? We’ve got you covered. Dive into our comprehensive list of 22 of the Best Cold Email Tools for more insights.

Further Reading: 

Craving more insights? Don’t miss our other in-depth comparisons of Lemlist with different cold email tools, and level up your LinkedIn Ads strategy with our comprehensive guides. Check out: 

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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