How we review: this is a research-based roundup by a working UK B2B SaaS AE, pulling together public user reviews (G2, Capterra, Software Advice), vendor docs and pricing pages, and online discussion. It is not a hands-on test. All sites checked live on 15 October 2026. Last checked October 2026.
Short version: If you're on a budget, start with Apollo. If you want an AI that runs outbound by itself, look at AiSDR (published pricing) or Artisan and 11x (quote-based). If you want AI help with a human in control, choose Amplemarket. For building blocks, use Clay for research, and Instantly or lemlist for sending.
| Tool | Type | Starting price (as listed) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| AiSDR | Autonomous AI SDR (email, LinkedIn, phone) | $250/mo (Solo), published | Small teams that want a hands-off AI SDR with transparent pricing |
| Artisan (Ava) | Autonomous AI BDR | Custom, scoped by lead volume | Teams that want high-volume autonomous outbound |
| 11x (Alice) | Enterprise AI SDR + AI phone agent | Custom / quote | Larger teams buying an enterprise digital-worker contract |
| Amplemarket | AI prospecting with human approval | $600/mo billed annually (Startup, 2 users) | Teams that want AI research but a rep approving every send |
| Apollo.io | Data + sequencing + AI agents | Free plan; paid from $49/seat/mo (annual) | Budget-conscious SDRs who want data and sequences in one place |
| Clay | Enrichment and research workflows | Free plan; paid tiers listed on site | RevOps teams and technical SDRs building custom research |
| Instantly | High-volume cold email | From $47/mo | Founders and agencies running cold email at scale |
| lemlist | Multichannel sequencing (email + LinkedIn) | See site | SDRs who want personalised email + LinkedIn sequences |
Prices are taken from vendor pages as reported by the sources below and change often. Check each site for current pricing.
The tools
1. AiSDR
Writes, sends, follows up and books meetings by itself. It's one of the few autonomous AI SDRs that publishes full pricing.
Who it's for: Small teams that want a hands-off AI SDR with transparent pricing. Visit AiSDR →
2. Artisan (Ava)
Sources leads, sends, handles replies and books meetings. Amplemarket's 2026 roundup says LinkedIn restricted Artisan's automated outreach in early 2026 and that some reviewers find high-volume output templated. That's a competitor's view, so verify it yourself.
Who it's for: Teams that want high-volume autonomous outbound. Visit Artisan (Ava) →
3. 11x (Alice)
Alice handles outbound and Julian answers inbound calls. Check contract terms and exit rights before signing an annual deal.
Who it's for: Larger teams buying an enterprise digital-worker contract. Visit 11x (Alice) →
4. Amplemarket
Works across email, LinkedIn, phone and voice notes. The AI drafts and researches, and a human approves. It suits sellers worried about brand risk.
Who it's for: Teams that want AI research but a rep approving every send. Visit Amplemarket →
5. Apollo.io
The value pick, and the easiest way to start for free. Several 2026 roundups name it the best budget option.
Who it's for: Budget-conscious SDRs who want data and sequences in one place. Visit Apollo.io →
6. Clay
Not a full SDR. It's the research and enrichment engine many outbound teams build on. Pair it with a sending tool.
Who it's for: RevOps teams and technical SDRs building custom research. Visit Clay →
7. Instantly
Sending infrastructure and warm-up for email volume. Light on research and signals, strong on deliverability tooling.
Who it's for: Founders and agencies running cold email at scale. Visit Instantly →
8. lemlist
A strong sequencer for email plus LinkedIn steps, and a Europe-founded tool. Use it with your own data or enrichment.
Who it's for: SDRs who want personalised email + LinkedIn sequences. Visit lemlist →
Also worth knowing
AI SDRs work best when your CRM data is clean. If you prospect on LinkedIn and use Salesforce or HubSpot, see our Surfe review. If you want a lightweight social-selling CRM instead, see our Breakcold review. One caution about this category: small AI tools get acquired or shut down fast, as our Persana AI write-up shows. Export your data regularly.
Sources
- ZoomInfo: Best AI SDR tools of 2026
- Postelix: AI SDR tools compared 2026
- Amplemarket: AI prospecting tools 2026
- Rhycon: Best AI SDR tools 2026
Note: several sources are themselves vendors in this space, so we only used facts that more than one source agrees on, or that come from vendor pricing pages.
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