Using Apollo CRM with Hubspot Integration: Challenges and Alternatives for Startups

Nhat N. · 2026-01-21T00:22:22.531Z

Anyone here using Apollo? I have been struggling a bit to use it as a CRM. Started with the interest in using the sequencing feature but then got into a whole platform and I am super confused with the integration with Hubspot. Do you use Hubspot as CRM and use Apollo to search for leads? I am close to abandoning it. We are a tiny startup and I manage sales alone. Do you have other recommendations?

Using Apollo CRM with Hubspot Integration: Challenges and Alternatives for Startups | RevGenius

12 comments

· Sorted by Oldest

Christian F.
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Highly recommend that you use Hubspot as a CRM (since you already have it, it seems) And Apollo as a data source. You can still sequence through Apollo. And as long as you have hubspot <> Apollo integrated the data should flow through properly.
Nhat N.
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thank you Christian! I will go back to hubspot then. I have been spending too much time trying to figure out Apollo instead of doing the real sales 🙈
Christian F.
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Honestly, if you're super small and a one person sales team — just sequence through Apollo directly. Hubspot will simply house your contacts, companies and deals that you've sequenced through Apollo (as long as it's integrated properly) Another option (if you have the correct level of Hubspot support) would be to push data from Apollo to Hubspot and sequence from within Hubspot. If you just want an easy plug and play. Go with the first recommendation.
🙏2
Nhat N.
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This is super helpful! Thank you Christian.
Sourabh
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Hi Nhat — you’re not alone, this is a very common pain point for solo sellers. For small teams, we usually recommend using HubSpot as the source of truth (CRM), Apollo mainly for lead sourcing + sequencing, and keeping the integration lightweight so you’re not over-engineering early. If it helps, I’m happy to jump on a quick call and help you set up a clean outbound flow using HubSpot + Apollo (and Smartlead if needed), so you can spend more time selling instead of configuring tools. -Sourabh https://calendar.app.google/eEW2QMKnixdxGumS7
🙏1
Marylou Tyler
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Apollo is under a microscrope of late (do a search on "apollo.io litigation") and have been banned from LinkedIn for things like illegal scraping. Be careful with record selection, as well as cell-phone usage as there have been a number of reports on illegal use of the DNC (do-not-call) registry. Just a heads up to check out litigation as part of your due-diligence. MT
Paris P.
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Have you checked out Close? It is another CRM and it's far more simple. A lot of founders use that and pull leads from lead lists to do outbound there. It has calling and SMS built inside so its great for sales in my experience
Paris P.
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If you stick with Apollo - I'd use JUST Apollo or JUST HubSpot, not both to start. Otherwise, pull leads from Apollo then add into HubSpot via import.
Jingjing F.
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Apollo wouldn't be a good place for CRM.
Nhat N.
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Thank you all! I completed moved over to hubspot for crm and use apollo for leads since yesterday after Christian's recommendation. It has been working much better and I started doing more real sales work 🙂. Paris P. I didn't know about Close, but will check it out.
Peter D.
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Apollo isn't a CRM - it's an outbounding tool. If you're limited for funds, Attio has a generous free tier.
Paris P.
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Some startups are using Apollo as a CRM these days

Christian F.
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Highly recommend that you use Hubspot as a CRM (since you already have it, it seems) And Apollo as a data source. You can still sequence through Apollo. And as long as you have hubspot <> Apollo integrated the data should flow through properly.
Nhat N.
·
·
thank you Christian! I will go back to hubspot then. I have been spending too much time trying to figure out Apollo instead of doing the real sales 🙈
Christian F.
·
·
Honestly, if you're super small and a one person sales team — just sequence through Apollo directly. Hubspot will simply house your contacts, companies and deals that you've sequenced through Apollo (as long as it's integrated properly) Another option (if you have the correct level of Hubspot support) would be to push data from Apollo to Hubspot and sequence from within Hubspot. If you just want an easy plug and play. Go with the first recommendation.
🙏2
Nhat N.
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·
This is super helpful! Thank you Christian.
Sourabh
·
·
Hi Nhat — you’re not alone, this is a very common pain point for solo sellers. For small teams, we usually recommend using HubSpot as the source of truth (CRM), Apollo mainly for lead sourcing + sequencing, and keeping the integration lightweight so you’re not over-engineering early. If it helps, I’m happy to jump on a quick call and help you set up a clean outbound flow using HubSpot + Apollo (and Smartlead if needed), so you can spend more time selling instead of configuring tools. -Sourabh https://calendar.app.google/eEW2QMKnixdxGumS7
🙏1
Marylou Tyler
·
·
Apollo is under a microscrope of late (do a search on "apollo.io litigation") and have been banned from LinkedIn for things like illegal scraping. Be careful with record selection, as well as cell-phone usage as there have been a number of reports on illegal use of the DNC (do-not-call) registry. Just a heads up to check out litigation as part of your due-diligence. MT
Paris P.
·
·
Have you checked out Close? It is another CRM and it's far more simple. A lot of founders use that and pull leads from lead lists to do outbound there. It has calling and SMS built inside so its great for sales in my experience
Paris P.
·
·
If you stick with Apollo - I'd use JUST Apollo or JUST HubSpot, not both to start. Otherwise, pull leads from Apollo then add into HubSpot via import.
Jingjing F.
·
·
Apollo wouldn't be a good place for CRM.
Nhat N.
·
·
Thank you all! I completed moved over to hubspot for crm and use apollo for leads since yesterday after Christian's recommendation. It has been working much better and I started doing more real sales work 🙂. Paris P. I didn't know about Close, but will check it out.
Peter D.
·
·
Apollo isn't a CRM - it's an outbounding tool. If you're limited for funds, Attio has a generous free tier.
Paris P.
·
·
Some startups are using Apollo as a CRM these days