Comparing Instantly vs Smartlead for Outbound Emails

Jared R. · 2025-12-14T16:19:54.420Z

Curious what everyone here is using for outbound emails - Instantly vs Smartlead. I've been loyal to Smartlead for some time but have been hearing more and more about folks using Instantly. What do you use and what do you like / hate about it?

Comparing Instantly vs Smartlead for Outbound Emails | RevGenius

maksym P.
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stick to Smartlead. I'm using Instantly, but at the end of the day it's the same thing mostly. Maybe one is better here, the other there, but it's not worth the hussle getting used to new UI and transfering all the email infra for nothing
Kaius E.
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I have a good experience with Apollo.io. I do have insight however that businesses are starting to feel the fatigue of AI emails, so just make sure each is personalized to the client.
Wicky S.
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I'm using Apollo.io, always keep messages short and try different styles to optimize the responses rate
Matt K.
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Got a really good UI, easy to pick up with a quick learning curve. Their customer service when something goes wrong is terrible, borderline arrogant. Don't use their DFY domains/inboxes - you'll get spam blocked, they won't tell you, they'll keep charging you, then they'll try and get themselves out of any/all responsibility.
Ben B.
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Instantly’s hookup with HeyReach has been a major plus, i haven't used Smartlead myself.
Chandana P.
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I prefer instantly over smartlead I feel like I've been going on a rant against Apollo these days 😅 but I dont see the value in apollo anymore
Jared R.
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How do you use instantly and heyreach Ben?
Jared R.
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I wanna shout out Namit J. who I use for inbox infra - he's been helping me set things up always so wanted to give him love. My zapmail inboxes burned multiple times and his stmp server crushed gmail or Microsoft inboxes
❤️3
Jared R.
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Ben B. what do you like more about instantly
Ben B.
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For instantly over smartlead: honestly, I used one first and haven't found any reason to switch when it works just fine. Then the easy plug-in with heyreach made instantly even more worth keeping - i can link campaigns through those two channels even more easily now!
Ben B.
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Jared R. always glad to walk you through how i've been using both HeyReach & Instantly, our man Mike C. rocks this approach too, and might have been where I learned it but 2025 has been a whirlwind and I can't quite recall 😅
🚀1
Jared R.
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I’m getting heyreach and have generally used Smartlead -
Ben B.
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Hit me up if I can help with a walkthrough or anything, I have a 20% off for HeyReach plans too 🤙
Divyaprasad P.
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Jared R. I use Clodura.AI. It gives whole deliverability suite which has Warmup, spam score, inbox placement test, and delivery rate 98%+ if data is from platform only. Sometimes it's 100% also.
Jared R.
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Divyaprasad P. you also are the vp of marketing at clodura - why don't you have some of your clients join and speak on your behalf!

16 comments