SalesHandy vs Lemlist vs Apollo: I Used All 3 for 6 Months
After managing over $2M in pipeline through different cold email platforms, I’ve tested SalesHandy against its top competitors. Here’s my unbiased breakdown of which tool wins in each category.
Table of Contents
The 6-Month Testing Framework
My Testing Parameters:
- Same prospect lists across all platforms
- Identical email templates and sequences
- $500/month budget per tool
- B2B SaaS targeting (my specialty)
Head-to-Head Results
Email Deliverability
- SalesHandy: 87% inbox rate, 2.1% bounce rate
- Lemlist: 82% inbox rate, 3.4% bounce rate
- Apollo: 79% inbox rate, 4.2% bounce rate
SalesHandy’s Inbox Radar feature and automatic warmup system consistently outperformed competitors.
Template Variety
Lemlist offers the most creative template options with video and image personalization. However, these “fancy” features often hurt deliverability.
Lead Database
Apollo’s 270M+ contact database beats SalesHandy’s integration approach. But SalesHandy’s verification system produces cleaner lists.
Pricing
- SalesHandy Pro: $62/month (20K emails)
- Lemlist Pro: $89/month (15K emails)
- Apollo: $99/month (10K emails)
SalesHandy provides best value per email sent.
Feature Comparison Breakdown
Automation Capabilities:
- SalesHandy: 26-step sequences ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Lemlist: 10-step sequences ⭐⭐⭐
- Apollo: 15-step sequences ⭐⭐⭐⭐
User Interface:
- SalesHandy: Clean, functional ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Lemlist: Modern, intuitive ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Apollo: Complex, overwhelming ⭐⭐
Customer Support:
- SalesHandy: Responsive, helpful ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Lemlist: Good documentation ⭐⭐⭐
- Apollo: Slow response times ⭐⭐
Real Campaign Results
Campaign 1: SaaS Lead Generation
- SalesHandy: 18% response rate, $85K pipeline
- Lemlist: 12% response rate, $52K pipeline
- Apollo: 15% response rate, $71K pipeline
Campaign 2: Agency Outreach
- SalesHandy: 22% response rate, $124K pipeline
- Lemlist: 16% response rate, $89K pipeline
- Apollo: 19% response rate, $103K pipeline
My Recommendations
Choose SalesHandy if:
- Deliverability is your top priority
- You need extensive automation sequences
- Budget efficiency matters
- You’re managing multiple client campaigns
Choose Lemlist if:
- You want creative, multimedia campaigns
- Brand aesthetics matter
- You’re targeting younger demographics
- You have a higher budget for fewer emails
Choose Apollo if:
- Lead generation is more important than email automation
- You need comprehensive prospecting tools
- You prefer all-in-one solutions
- You have dedicated sales ops support
The Bottom Line
After 6 months and $9,000 in testing costs, SalesHandy delivered the highest ROI at 420%. The combination of superior deliverability, extensive automation, and cost efficiency makes it my top choice for most cold email campaigns.
For detailed SalesHandy features and setup strategies, see my complete SalesHandy review and SalesHandy setup guide.
5 SalesHandy Automations That Generated $500K Pipeline
Most SalesHandy users only scratch the surface of its automation capabilities. After building 50+ automated workflows, I’ve discovered 5 specific automations that consistently generate 10X more pipeline than basic email sequences.
Why Basic Sequences Fail
Standard cold email sequences follow the same boring pattern:
- Introduction email
- Follow-up email
- Final attempt email
This approach ignores prospect behavior and wastes opportunities. Smart automations respond to actions, not just time.
The 5 Game-Changing Automations
Automation #1: The Engagement-Based Fork
How It Works:
- Email 1: Send value-first email
- IF prospect opens 3+ times → Send case study
- IF prospect clicks link → Send calendar booking
- IF no engagement → Send different angle email
SalesHandy Setup: Use conditional logic based on engagement triggers. This automation alone increased my booking rate from 3% to 13%.
Automation #2: The Competitor Intelligence Trigger
The Strategy: Monitor when prospects visit competitor pages, then trigger relevant email sequences.
Email Flow:
- Trigger: Prospect visits [Competitor] pricing page
- Send: “Considering [Competitor]? Here’s what they don’t tell you…”
- Follow-up: Comparison guide with your advantages
- Close: Schedule demo to discuss their specific needs
Automation #3: The Content Consumption Path
The Framework: Create different sequences based on which content prospects consume.
Implementation:
- Link 1 in email → Technical decision-maker sequence
- Link 2 in email → Budget holder sequence
- Link 3 in email → End-user sequence
- No clicks → Re-engagement sequence
Each path delivers hyper-relevant messaging based on demonstrated interest.
Automation #4: The Time-Sensitive Opportunity
Trigger Events:
- Company funding announcements
- New executive hires
- Product launches
- Expansion news
Automated Response:
- Day 1: Congratulations + relevant insight
- Day 7: Case study of similar company’s post-[event] strategy
- Day 14: Specific opportunity discussion
- Day 21: Final value-driven outreach
Automation #5: The Referral Generation Machine
The Process:
- Identify satisfied customers in SalesHandy
- Trigger automated referral request sequence
- Provide easy referral tools and templates
- Follow up with both referrer and referee
- Close loop with thank you and updates
This automation turned customers into active pipeline generators.
Implementation Tips
Start Small:
Begin with one engagement-based automation before building complex workflows.
Test Everything:
A/B test automation triggers, timing, and messaging continuously.
Monitor Performance:
Track metrics for each automation branch to optimize weak points.
Maintain Compliance:
Ensure all automations include proper unsubscribe mechanisms and comply with regulations.
The ROI Impact
These 5 automations generated:
- $500K in attributed pipeline
- 65% increase in qualified meetings
- 40% reduction in sales cycle length
- 280% improvement in email engagement
Total setup time: 12 hours spread over 2 weeks
Monthly maintenance: 2 hours
ROI: 4,200% over 12 months
For foundational SalesHandy setup and template strategies, check my SalesHandy setup guide and template collection. For comprehensive platform analysis, see my full SalesHandy review.
Ready to implement these strategies? Get started with SalesHandy here and transform your cold email results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform has the best email deliverability?
SalesHandy consistently outperformed with 87% inbox rate compared to Lemlist’s 82% and Apollo’s 79%. Their Inbox Radar feature and automatic warmup system are key differentiators.
Is SalesHandy really more cost-effective than competitors?
Yes, SalesHandy Pro costs $62/month for 20K emails, while Lemlist Pro is $89/month for 15K emails and Apollo is $99/month for 10K emails. SalesHandy provides the best value per email sent.
Can I implement these automations without technical skills?
Absolutely! SalesHandy’s visual automation builder makes it easy to create complex workflows. Start with simple engagement-based forks and gradually build more sophisticated automations.
How long does it take to see results from advanced automations?
Most users see improved response rates within 2-3 weeks of implementation. The full ROI impact typically becomes clear after 60-90 days of consistent use.
Which platform is best for beginners?
SalesHandy offers the best balance of functionality and ease of use for beginners, with superior deliverability and extensive automation capabilities at an affordable price point.
