Instantly vs Smartlead (2026)
Cost at three team sizes, third-party inbox-placement results and refund terms, each with a source.
Short answer: At list prices, Instantly is cheaper or tied in 0 of 3 team-size scenarios and Smartlead in 3. For 2 seats, 10 mailboxes and 5,000 contacts/mo: Instantly $97.00 (Hypergrowth (Outreach)) vs Smartlead $94.00 (Pro) per month. Third-party inbox tests: Instantly 81–89% (4 tests), Smartlead 87.4–91% (3 tests). Last updated .
| Scenario | Instantly | Smartlead |
|---|---|---|
| 1 seats · 5 mailboxes · 1,000 contacts/mo | $47.00 Growth (Outreach) | $39.00 Base |
| 2 seats · 10 mailboxes · 5,000 contacts/mo | $97.00 Hypergrowth (Outreach) | $94.00 Pro |
| 5 seats · 30 mailboxes · 20,000 contacts/mo | $97.00 Hypergrowth (Outreach) | $94.00 Pro |
Monthly billing, list prices, add-ons excluded. Lowest per row highlighted (ties both highlighted).
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Refunds
- Instantly: No refunds. All fees non-refundable incl. prorated, credits, add-ons. Cancel in-app only; takes effect end of billing period. CRM/Inbox Placement add-ons end immediately with prorated account credit. source
- Smartlead: 7-day full refund for new subscriptions; renewal refund within 3 days if unused + valid reason; add-ons non-refundable. Note: T&Cs separately say fees are non-refundable 'except where expressly stated'. source
Plans
- Instantly Growth (Outreach): $47/mo. Unlimited email accounts & warmup. Source, checked 2026-10-16.
- Instantly Hypergrowth (Outreach): $97/mo. Page lists 125,000 emails on the plan card and 100,000 in the feature table (internal inconsistency). Same page also shows a $358 'Hypergrowth' inside bundles. Source, checked 2026-10-16.
- Instantly Light Speed (Outreach): $358/mo. Includes SISR dedicated IP rotation. Source, checked 2026-10-16.
- Smartlead Base: $39/mo. Unlimited email accounts. 50% off first month promo shown. Source, checked 2026-10-16.
- Smartlead Pro: $94/mo. Source, checked 2026-10-16.
- Smartlead Unlimited Smart: $174/mo. Unlimited contacts. Source, checked 2026-10-16.
- Smartlead Unlimited Prime: $379/mo. 3 SmartServers + 3 client workspaces included. Source, checked 2026-10-16.
Deliverability
Instantly: 81–89% (4 tests). Smartlead: 87.4–91% (3 tests). See sources & disagreements.
Frequently asked questions
Is Instantly or Smartlead cheaper?
Instantly is cheaper or tied in 0 of 3 scenarios; Smartlead in 3. 1 seats/5 mailboxes/1,000 contacts: Instantly $47.00 (Growth (Outreach)) vs Smartlead $39.00 (Base); 2 seats/10 mailboxes/5,000 contacts: Instantly $97.00 (Hypergrowth (Outreach)) vs Smartlead $94.00 (Pro); 5 seats/30 mailboxes/20,000 contacts: Instantly $97.00 (Hypergrowth (Outreach)) vs Smartlead $94.00 (Pro). Monthly billing, list prices, add-ons excluded.
Which has better deliverability, Instantly or Smartlead?
Third-party inbox-placement tests: Instantly 81–89% (4 tests); Smartlead 87.4–91% (3 tests). Vendor self-reported claims are excluded.
What is Instantly's refund policy?
Instantly: No refunds. All fees non-refundable incl. prorated, credits, add-ons. Cancel in-app only; takes effect end of billing period. CRM/Inbox Placement add-ons end immediately with prorated account credit. Trial/window: None.
What is Smartlead's refund policy?
Smartlead: 7-day full refund for new subscriptions; renewal refund within 3 days if unused + valid reason; add-ons non-refundable. Note: T&Cs separately say fees are non-refundable 'except where expressly stated'. Trial/window: 7 days (new), 3 days (renewal).
How much does Instantly cost?
Instantly plans as checked 2026-10-16: Growth (Outreach) $47/mo; Hypergrowth (Outreach) $97/mo; Light Speed (Outreach) $358/mo.
How much does Smartlead cost?
Smartlead plans as checked 2026-10-16: Base $39/mo; Pro $94/mo; Unlimited Smart $174/mo; Unlimited Prime $379/mo.
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.