Harp vs Apollo
Apollo describes itself as one connected GTM system: a large contact database, an intelligence layer of AI agents, and execution through sequences, a dialer and more. It also runs a hosted MCP server that works from Claude, ChatGPT and other assistants. Harp is narrower on purpose: it is the harness your own AI agent runs the outbound loop through.
The short answer
If you want data, sequences, calling and the vendor’s own AI agents in one platform, Apollo is built for that. If your AI agent is the operator and you want research that persists, LinkedIn steps that run at human pace instead of becoming manual tasks, and replies your agent answers within minutes, Harp is built for that. Your agent can use Apollo’s MCP server for data and Harp for the loop.
Side by side
| Topic | Harp | Apollo |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | The MCP harness for pipeline generation: research memory, sequences, sending, replies and LinkedIn, driven by your agent | A connected GTM system: contact data, AI agents and an assistant, sequences, a dialer and more |
| Lead data | Not sold; your agent finds accounts with the tools you already use, Apollo included | Its own database; Apollo lists 240M+ contacts and 30M+ accounts |
| Whose AI does the work | Your own agent (Claude today) on your own plan; no AI credits | Apollo’s own agents and AI Assistant, plus your assistant through Apollo’s MCP server |
| MCP server | Runs locally next to Claude Code, Claude Desktop or Cowork; a short daily tool list built for long account lists | Hosted, so it works from Claude, ChatGPT and other assistants: search, enrichment, sequences, one-off emails, tasks and analytics |
| Research memory | Qualification answers per account with evidence, source and age; history kept | Records and enrichment in Apollo’s CRM-style objects |
| LinkedIn in a sequence | Steps run from your real Chrome on a Mac at the OS level, with limits, warm-up and a right-person check | LinkedIn tasks: Apollo reminds the assignee and opens the profile; the person does the action |
| Replies | The sequence stops; your agent is woken within minutes to answer and book the meeting. LinkedIn replies wait for your yes in Slack | Check Apollo for its current reply handling and AI Assistant features |
| Phone | Not offered | Dialer included in the platform |
| Pricing | Flat subscription after a short call; no AI credits | Free, Basic, Professional and Custom plans; pooled credits for data, mailboxes and AI-researched data |
A platform with agents, or a harness for yours
Apollo has grown from a contact database into a full GTM platform, with its own agents working inside it and an MCP server so outside assistants can reach it too. That makes it a strong source of data and a capable all-in-one tool.
Harp makes a different bet: that the agent you already use is the best operator, and that it needs a harness rather than another platform. Your agent answers your qualification questions per account and saves the evidence; Harp keeps the records, runs the sequences and wakes the agent when someone replies.
LinkedIn steps that actually run
In an Apollo sequence, a LinkedIn step is a task: Apollo reminds you, opens the profile, and you take the action. In Harp, the LinkedIn step runs. It drives your real Chrome on a Mac at the operating-system level, at human pace, within daily limits and a four-week warm-up, and it checks it is on the right person’s profile before it sends. No tool can guarantee LinkedIn will never restrict an account; Harp keeps activity at human volumes and patterns.
Using both
Your agent can connect several MCP servers at once. A practical setup is Apollo for search and enrichment, and Harp for the records, sequences, sending and replies. Harp has no built-in Apollo integration; the agent moves what it finds into Harp with Harp’s own tools.
When Apollo is the better choice
- You want contact data, sequences and calling in one platform and one contract.
- Your team works from ChatGPT or another assistant today; Apollo’s MCP server is hosted.
- You need phone in the sequence.
- You want to start on a free plan today.
When Harp is the better choice
- Your agent is the operator and should run research, enrollment and replies end to end.
- You want LinkedIn steps that run, not tasks someone has to do.
- You want research saved with its evidence and age.
- You want email replies answered within minutes by your agent.
Questions
Can I use Apollo and Harp together?
Yes. Your agent can connect Apollo’s MCP server and Harp’s at the same time: Apollo for search and enrichment, Harp for records, sequences, sending and replies. Harp has no built-in Apollo integration.
Does Apollo automate LinkedIn?
Apollo’s help center describes LinkedIn steps in a sequence as tasks: Apollo reminds the assignee and opens the profile, and the person takes the action.
Does Harp work from ChatGPT like Apollo’s MCP server?
Not today. Harp is set up with Claude: Claude Code, Claude Desktop or Cowork. If your team runs on a different agent, talk to us.
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