Cold email tools: annual vs monthly billing (2026)
What 18 plans save when you pay for a year up front.
Short answer: Annual billing saves between 10% and 25% across 18 plans. The biggest discount is Apollo Basic (25%, $192 a year); the smallest is Clay Launch (10%). Instantly states no refunds, so check the refund terms before you prepay a year. Last updated .
| Tool | Plan | Monthly | Annual $/mo | Discount | Saving per year | Trial / refund |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apollo | Basic (unverified) | $65 | $49 | 25% | $192/seat | Free plan + trial |
| Saleshandy | Pro | $99 | $76 | 23% | $276 | 10 days (new), 5 days (renewal) |
| Saleshandy | Scale | $189 | $149 | 21% | $480 | 10 days (new), 5 days (renewal) |
| Lemlist | $69 | $55 | 20% | $168/seat | 14-day trial | |
| Apollo | Professional (unverified) | $99 | $79 | 20% | $240/seat | Free plan + trial |
| Lemlist | Multichannel | $109 | $87 | 20% | $264/seat | 14-day trial |
| Instantly | Light Speed (Outreach) | $358 | $286.3 | 20% | $860 | None |
| Instantly | Hypergrowth (Outreach) | $97 | $77.6 | 20% | $233 | None |
| Instantly | Growth (Outreach) | $47 | $37.6 | 20% | $113 | None |
| Smartlead | Base | $39 | $32 | 18% | $84 | 7 days (new), 3 days (renewal) |
| Smartlead | Unlimited Smart | $174 | $144 | 17% | $360 | 7 days (new), 3 days (renewal) |
| Saleshandy | Starter | $41 | $34 | 17% | $84 | 10 days (new), 5 days (renewal) |
| Smartlead | Pro | $94 | $78 | 17% | $192 | 7 days (new), 3 days (renewal) |
| Reply.io | Email Volume (entry) (unverified) | $59 | $49 | 17% | $120 | 14-day trial |
| Smartlead | Unlimited Prime | $379 | $315 | 17% | $768 | 7 days (new), 3 days (renewal) |
| Reply.io | Multichannel (unverified) | $99 | $89 | 10% | $120/seat | 14-day trial |
| Clay | Growth (unverified) | $495 | $446 | 10% | $588 | 14-day trial |
| Clay | Launch (unverified) | $185 | $167 | 10% | $216 | 14-day trial |
Saving = (monthly price − annual monthly equivalent) × 12. Amber = unverified.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I save paying annually for a cold email tool?
Annual billing saves between 10% and 25% across 18 plans. The biggest discount is Apollo Basic (25%, $192 a year); the smallest is Clay Launch (10%). Instantly states no refunds, so check the refund terms before you prepay a year.
How much does Instantly annual billing save?
Light Speed (Outreach): 20% ($860/yr); Hypergrowth (Outreach): 20% ($233/yr); Growth (Outreach): 20% ($113/yr).
How much does Smartlead annual billing save?
Base: 18% ($84/yr); Unlimited Smart: 17% ($360/yr); Pro: 17% ($192/yr); Unlimited Prime: 17% ($768/yr).
How much does Apollo annual billing save?
Basic: 25% ($192/yr per seat); Professional: 20% ($240/yr per seat).
How much does Clay annual billing save?
Growth: 10% ($588/yr); Launch: 10% ($216/yr).
How much does Lemlist annual billing save?
Email: 20% ($168/yr per seat); Multichannel: 20% ($264/yr per seat).
How much does Reply.io annual billing save?
Email Volume (entry): 17% ($120/yr); Multichannel: 10% ($120/yr per seat).
How much does Saleshandy annual billing save?
Pro: 23% ($276/yr); Scale: 21% ($480/yr); Starter: 17% ($84/yr).
Price changes, before your renewal.
One email a month when Instantly, Smartlead, Apollo, Clay, Lemlist, Reply.io, Saleshandy or Woodpecker change pricing or policies.
This placement is available. Clearly labeled, never mixed into rankings or data.