When it comes to cold email campaigns, Hunter.io and Mailshake offer unique strengths. Hunter.io excels with a free email database, multiple APIs, and unlimited seats, making it a comprehensive choice for businesses seeking versatility and control. Mailshake shines in AI email writing and multi-channel prospecting but lacks a monthly billing option. In terms of cost, Hunter.io offers 500 monthly emails for €49, while Mailshake requires a combined minimum of $107 for similar functionality. In our opinion, Hunter.io offers a more robust and cost-effective feature set tailored for cold email campaigns, making it the better choice for businesses with diverse needs.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Key Features: The Spotlight on Hunter.io and Mailshake
- Hunter.io’s Features and Their Perks
- Mailshake’s Features and Their Advantages
- Pricing: The Dollar Signs
- Pros and Cons: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
- Feature-by-Feature Comparison: Hunter.io vs Mailshake
- Customer Support: The Unsung Heroes
- User Reviews: The Court of Public Opinion
- FAQs: Questions You Didn’t Know You Had
- Final Verdict: The Showdown
Introduction
Cold emailing is not just firing off a bunch of messages and hoping for the best. It’s an art. And like any artist, you need the right tools. That’s where Hunter.io and Mailshake come into play. Both are powerful, but each has its own unique flavor. Keep reading to find your perfect match.
Key Features: The Spotlight on Hunter.io and Mailshake
Okay, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. Here’s where we unwrap the Christmas gifts that are Hunter.io and Mailshake’s features.
Hunter.io
- Email Account Rotation
- Email Finder
- Email Tracking
- Campaign Scheduling
- Various APIs
Mailshake
- AI Email Writing with SHAKEspeare
- Data Finder
- Lead Catcher
- Multi-channel Prospecting
- Mail Merge
- Automated Follow-Ups
Hunter.io‘s Features and Their Perks
| Feature | What it Does | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Email Account Rotation | Sends campaigns from multiple email accounts | Lower spam risk; diversified sender IDs |
| Email Finder | Finds emails by name, company, or in bulk | Higher accuracy; saves time |
| Email & Domain Tracking | Tracks when emails are opened or clicked; custom domain tracking | Real-time alerts; full customer journey tracking |
| Campaign Scheduling | Schedules campaigns for specific times | Freedom to choose optimal send times; more organized campaigns |
| Various APIs | Multiple APIs for custom integration | Streamlined lead generation and campaign management; customization to the nth degree |
Email Account Rotation
Imagine you’re running a campaign for a new SaaS tool aimed at freelance graphic designers. You’ve got a list of 2,000 potential leads to hit. If you send all 2,000 emails from one account, you risk landing in the spam folder. With Hunter.io’s email account rotation, you can distribute these emails across multiple accounts, making each send look more organic.
Benefits
- Lower chance of getting flagged as spam: It’s like having multiple speakers at a conference; it keeps the audience engaged.
- Greater reach with diversified sender IDs: Think of it as casting a wider net in the ocean. More fish, right?
Email Finder
Say you’re looking to contact the marketing department of a big tech firm. Normally, you’d scour LinkedIn, company websites, or even Twitter for possible leads. With Hunter.io, you type in the company name, and voila—you have a list of verified emails from that company’s marketing department.
Benefits
- Higher chances of finding the right contact: No more shooting in the dark.
- Saves time: You can focus on crafting that perfect email instead.
Email Tracking and Custom Domain Tracking
You’ve sent out a cold email campaign for your e-commerce consultancy service. Now you’re twiddling your thumbs, wondering if anyone’s even seen it. With Hunter.io’s email tracking, you know exactly when someone opens your email or clicks a link.
Benefits
- Real-time alerts: Imagine knowing the exact moment someone opens your email—powerful stuff!
- Custom domain tracking: Get the full story, from the moment they read your email to the point they visit your website.
Campaign Scheduling
You’ve got a killer product aimed at C-suite executives. Research shows these folks check their emails first thing in the morning. With Hunter.io, you can schedule your campaign to hit their inboxes right when they’re sipping their morning coffee.
Benefits
- Freedom to choose the best time: You’re the puppet master of your campaign.
- More organized campaigns: Plan today, relax tomorrow.
Various APIs
You’re a tech-savvy marketer with a customized CRM system. The thought of manually importing and exporting data sends shivers down your spine. Hunter.io’s range of APIs lets you integrate its powerful features directly into your CRM.
Benefits
- Streamlined processes: It’s like having a personal assistant that takes care of the tedious stuff.
- Custom campaigns: Get as geeky as you want with your email campaigns.
Mailshake‘s Features and Their Advantages
| Feature | What it Does | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| SHAKEspeare | AI-generated email content | Stand out from the crowd; save time |
| Data Finder | Finds prospects by role, location, or company | Targeting accuracy; efficiency |
| Lead Catcher | Sorts leads into different categories | Easier lead management; faster response times |
| Multi-channel Prospecting | Reaches out via email, LinkedIn, and cold calls | Diverse outreach; higher reach |
| Mail Merge | Personalizes emails | Higher engagement; increased conversions |
| Automated Follow-ups | Sends follow-up emails automatically | Consistent engagement; time-saving |
AI Email Writing with SHAKEspeare
Let’s say you’re terrible at writing. Forming a simple sentence is as hard as climbing Everest. With SHAKEspeare, you input some basic info, and out comes a beautifully crafted email.
Benefits
- Stand out: Your emails will read like Shakespeare, not a robot.
- Time-saving: No more agonizing over each word and sentence.
Data Finder
You’re targeting real estate agents in New York for a new CRM tool you’ve developed. With Mailshake’s Data Finder, you can pinpoint this exact demographic, ensuring your emails land in the right inboxes.
Benefits
- Target accuracy: It’s like having a sniper rifle instead of a shotgun.
- Efficiency: No more wasted bullets—er, I mean emails.
Lead Catcher
You’ve got a mixed bag of leads—some hot, some cold, and some lukewarm. Mailshake’s Lead Catcher acts like a sieve, sorting these leads into different buckets for you.
Benefits
- Easy management: No more juggling a chaotic inbox.
- Faster responses: Reply to hot leads while they’re still hot.
Multi-channel Prospecting
Your product appeals to a broad audience. Some are active on LinkedIn, while others prefer a good old-fashioned phone call. Mailshake lets you reach out across multiple platforms.
Benefits
- Diverse outreach: One size doesn’t fit all.
- Higher reach: More lines in the water means more fish.
Mail Merge
Imagine you’re running a campaign for a new line of organic dog food. With Mailshake’s mail merge, you can personalize each email to include the pet’s name, making the pitch more engaging for the pet owner.
Benefits
- Higher engagement: People love it when you remember their names—or their dog’s name.
- Increased conversions: Personalization makes people feel special, and special people buy stuff.
Automated Follow-ups
You’ve sent out the first email, but no bites yet. Instead of manually sending follow-up emails, Mailshake automates the process for you. Say you’re running a webinar on content marketing. Your first email announces the webinar; the follow-up could be a sneak peek into the topics covered.
Benefits
- Consistent engagement: You’re constantly in their face—but in a good way.
- Time-saving: Set it and forget it.
Pricing: The Dollar Signs
Let’s revisit the money talk, but this time, we’ll delve into what you’re actually getting for your bucks.
Hunter.io Pricing Plans
Hunter.io offers a Free Plan and three paid plans and offers unlimited seats.
| 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 is a snapshot of all the features that each plan of Hunter.io offers to make things easy for you:
Mailshake Pricing Plans
Mailshake offers two types of plans: Engagement Plans and Data Finder Plans. This means that you need to buy a separate plan for data credits.
Mailshake Engagement Plans
| Plan | Monthly Cost per user | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Email Outreach Plan | $58 | Mail accounts from any provider, email warm-up service, advanced scheduling |
| Sales Engagement Plan | $83 | All features of Email Outreach Plan plus power phone dialer, LinkedIn automation |
Mailshake Data Finder Plans
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Starter Plan | $49 | 1,000 |
| Pro Plan | $99 | 2,500 |
| Enterprise Plan | $249 | 12,500 |
Note: All engagement and data finder plans are billed annually.
Here is a snapshot of all the features that each engagement plan offers
Pros and Cons: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Every tool has its strengths and weaknesses. Knowing these can help you make an informed decision. Let’s dissect them.
Hunter.io
Pros
- Versatile Email Finding: Whether you’re looking for an email by name, by company, or even in bulk, Hunter.io has your back.
- Comprehensive APIs: Ideal for those who love to get their hands dirty with custom integrations.
- Campaign Scheduling: Gives you the freedom to send emails at optimal times, even if that’s at 3 a.m.
- User-friendly interface: Makes using the tool easy.
- Unlimited users: Pricing plans have unlimited seats, so there are no per-user charges
Cons
- Cost: The features come at a price, and it might be a bit steep for small businesses or solo entrepreneurs.
- Limited verification: Does not verify personal emails, only professional ones
Mailshake
Pros
- AI Email Writing: SHAKEspeare practically crafts your emails for you. Who wouldn’t want that?
- Multi-channel Prospecting: It’s like having multiple fishing rods in the water at the same time.
- Automated Follow-ups: Because, let’s face it, following up manually is a pain.
Cons
- Price Point: You need to buy a separate plan besides your Sales Engagement plan to collect leads, so can be pricey.
- Limited APIs: Unlike Hunter.io, Mailshake doesn’t offer as many APIs for custom integration.
- No annual payment discount
Feature-by-Feature Comparison: Hunter.io vs Mailshake
| Key Features | Hunter.io | Mailshake |
|---|---|---|
| Email Account Rotation | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Free Email Database | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Email Tracking | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Campaign Scheduling | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Various APIs | ✔️ | ❌ |
| AI Email Writing | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Data Finder | ✔️(has monthly search limitations) | ✔️ (need to buy a data finder plan after 50 credits) |
| Multi-channel Prospecting | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Mail Merge | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Free Trial | No free trial but offers a free plan | 50 credits for data finding |
| Unlimited Seats | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Cost Per Month (If Billed Monthly) | 49€ – 499€ | No monthly billing option |
| Cost Per Month (If Billed Annually) | 34€ – 349€ | Engagement plans: $58 – $83 Data Finder Plans: $49 – $249 |
Customer Support: The Unsung Heroes
You’re stuck. Something went wrong, and you have no idea how to fix it. That’s when customer support swoops in like a superhero. Here’s how Hunter.io and Mailshake stack up:
Hunter.io
- Live Chat: Replies typically in 1- hour
- Email Support
Mailshake
- Email Support
- Live Chat: Yes, also replies within 1-hour
User Reviews: The Court of Public Opinion
What’s better than hearing from people who’ve actually used these tools? Let’s see what the users have to say.
Hunter.io
G2 Review
⭐️4.7 out of 5
FAQs: Questions That You Might Have
Hunter.io
- What integrations does it offer?
You can integrate Hunter 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 many follow-ups can I include in an Email Campaign?
Up to 5 follow-ups per campaign. For each follow-up, you can choose the waiting period before the follow-up is automatically sent (from 1 to 30 days)
Mailshake
- How does SHAKEspeare work?
It’s an AI that crafts emails based on the information you provide.
- What integrations does it offer?
You can integrate LinkedIn and Social media like Facebook plus HubSport, SalesForce, Pipedrive and your email providers such as G Suite and Outlook to save time and generate more revenue.
Final Verdict: The Showdown
Alright, folks, this is it—the moment of truth. You’ve got all the facts, weighed all the pros and cons, and now it’s time for the final verdict. Hunter.io and Mailshake have gone head-to-head, feature-for-feature.
The Verdict
So, which tool should you pick for your cold email campaigns? Drumroll, please… 🥁
If you’re looking for a feature-rich, all-in-one solution and you’re willing to shell out a bit more, Hunter.io is the way to go. It offers a free email database, multiple APIs, unlimited seats, and email tracking—pretty much everything you’d want for a comprehensive cold email strategy. Plus, the option for monthly billing makes it more flexible.
In terms of cost-effectiveness, Hunter.io offers 500 monthly emails at €49, whereas Mailshake provides 1,000 monthly credits for data finding at $49 but requires an additional Email Outreach Plan at $58 to fully utilize those credits. This puts Mailshake at a combined minimum cost of $107 for similar functionalities, making Hunter.io the more cost-effective option.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more specialized tool that excels in AI email writing and multi-channel prospecting, Mailshake is your guy. However, it’s crucial to note that Mailshake doesn’t offer monthly billing, and you’ll need to buy a separate Data Finder Plan after using up your initial 50 credits.
The Opinion
Based on the comprehensive feature set and the cost comparison, Hunter.io seems to be the better and more cost-effective option for cold email campaigns. It offers a higher degree of customization and control, making it a more versatile choice for businesses that have diverse needs and a larger team.
There you have it. The ball’s in your court now. Choose wisely, and may your inbox be flooded with responses!
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
Take a look at our other comprehensive comparisons of Hunter.io and Mailshake with other leading cold email tools. And for those diving deeper, our articles on choosing the best email finder tools and more will equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions. Explore now and transform your email strategy!
Check Out:
- Mailshake vs. Snovio: Which is the Best Cold Email Software?
- Which is Better for Cold Emails: Hunter.io or Yesware?
- Hunter.io vs. Instantly: A Detailed Review for Cold Emailing
- Beyond Mailshake: Top 7 Alternative Tools for Cold Email Success
- How to Choose the Best Email Finder Tool for Your Business: A Buyer’s Guide
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