13 AiSDR Alternatives to Scale Your B2B Outbound Sales Pipeline

Introduction

Sales reps report spending 70% of their time on non-selling tasks (1), leaving little room to build relationships and close deals. No wonder 81% of sales teams are now experimenting with AI to boost productivity, and those using AI are 1.3× more likely to hit revenue goals than those who don’t (1). One emerging solution is the AI Sales Development Representative (AI SDR) – essentially an AI-driven system that automates outbound prospecting and outreach at scale. These tools promise to engage thousands of prospects with personalized touches, freeing your human reps to focus on high-value conversations. But with the surge of AI sales platforms (projected to grow from $4.1B in 2025 to $15B by 2030 (3)), choosing the right solution is critical.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore 13 AiSDR alternatives – from hybrid service providers to cutting-edge software – that can accelerate your B2B outbound sales pipeline. Each option includes an overview, key features, ideal use case, and a candid note on potential limitations. Whether you’re a CMO or SDR manager, you’ll learn how these AI-powered alternatives stack up, so you can find the best fit to keep your pipeline full without burning out your team.

What is an “AI SDR” and how is it different from a regular SDR?

An AI SDR (Sales Development Representative) refers to software – often powered by artificial intelligence – that automates many of the tasks a human SDR would do in outbound sales. A regular SDR manually researches prospects, writes personalized outreach emails, makes calls, and qualifies leads. In contrast, an AI SDR platform can handle pieces of this process (or even the entire process) automatically. For example, an AI SDR tool might data-mine for leads, send out hundreds of personalized emails using natural language generation, and respond to simple prospect inquiries using AI. The goal is to engage and qualify prospects without constant human intervention. This doesn’t necessarily replace a human rep but can drastically augment their output. The key difference is scalability and consistency – an AI SDR can reach out to many more contacts in parallel and follow a set cadence rigorously. However, AI SDRs lack human nuance. They excel at pattern tasks and can analyze buying signals (like engagement or intent data) faster than a person, but they may struggle with complex, context-heavy conversations or emotional intelligence. In practice, many companies use AI SDRs to handle the top-of-funnel volume (initial outreach and follow-ups), then hand off interested prospects to human reps for deeper relationship-building.

Top AiSDR Alternatives for B2B Outbound Sales

If you’re exploring solutions to scale your B2B outbound sales, these AI-powered and hybrid SDR platforms offer a range of approaches, from fully autonomous AI outreach to human-assisted, multi-channel campaigns.

1. Martal Group – Hybrid SDR Team with AI-Driven Platform

Overview: Martal Group is a B2B lead generation and sales outsourcing agency known for its hybrid approach – combining seasoned onshore SDRs with a proprietary AI-powered outreach platform. For over a decade, Martal has helped B2B companies (from startups to Fortune 500s) accelerate sales by sourcing qualified leads and setting appointments with decision-makers. Headquartered in Canada with global teams across North America, Europe, and LATAM, Martal acts as a fractional extension of your sales team. Their AI platform analyzes 10M+ intent signals to build targeted lead lists and optimize messaging in real time (5). Meanwhile, Martal’s human experts handle the nuanced conversations and relationship-building that turn leads into sales. This one-two punch of human touch and AI scale has enabled clients to ramp up sales 3× faster while reducing costs by up to 65% (6).

Key Features/Services:

• On-Demand SDR Team: A dedicated Martal team (SDRs and sales execs) runs your outbound campaigns – from B2B appointment setting to cold calling – so your in-house reps can focus on closing sales deals. They engage prospects via multiple channels (email, LinkedIn, phone), nurturing them until sales-ready.
  
• AI-Powered Outreach Platform: Martal’s proprietary AI system, trained on 40+ million top-performing emails, rapidly builds bespoke outbound sequences for each target persona (2). It automates A/B testing and optimizes send times, messaging, and follow-ups based on engagement data – taking the guesswork out of campaign tuning.
  
• Omnichannel Marketing & Multilingual Campaigns: Combines personalized cold emails, LinkedIn outreach, and live calls. Martal’s international team engages leads in multiple languages and regions, leveraging local know-how to increase response rates. This is complemented by sales training services via the Martal Academy, equipping your or your channel partners’ reps with proven outbound techniques (should you need in-house enablement).
  
• Data-Driven Targeting: Martal integrates intent data and firmographic research to zero in on high-fit prospects. They qualify leads against your ideal customer profile, ensuring your sales meetings are with the right stakeholders at the right time. Real-time analytics give you visibility into pipeline progress and campaign ROI.
  

Ideal For: B2B companies that want to outsource lead generation while still benefiting from advanced AI technology. If you need to scale your pipeline fast – e.g. to penetrate new markets, reach enterprise accounts, or ramp after funding – Martal provides a turnkey solution. It’s especially valuable for firms lacking internal SDR bandwidth or expertise. Clients in complex sectors (SaaS, manufacturing, telecom, finance, etc.) find Martal’s industry-specific playbooks and broad market experience advantageous.

How does Martal’s AI SDR compare to Reply, Apollo.io, and ZoomInfo for multi-channel outreach?

Martal’s AI SDR is a hybrid service combining AI sales automation with onshore human SDRs. This allows true multi-channel outreach—email, LinkedIn, and phone—where AI handles sequencing and humans follow up in real time, increasing engagement with senior prospects. Unlike pure software platforms, Martal ensures personalized, coordinated, and adaptable outreach without relying on the client’s internal team.

• Reply.io offers multi-channel sequencing with AI suggestions but requires your team to execute calls and manage responses. It’s powerful for teams with internal SDRs but lacks Martal’s hands-on human follow-up .
  
• Apollo.io combines sales intelligence with email, call, and LinkedIn tasks. It provides breadth (huge databases) but relies on your team to execute sequences. Martal trades volume for high-touch execution and human-led personalization.
  
• ZoomInfo Engage excels in data and automation, using intent signals to trigger outreach. It requires an internal team to act on insights, while Martal manages all channels—including phone and LinkedIn—directly, simplifying execution for clients.

How does Martal’s hybrid approach (AI + onshore SDR expertise) compare to fully automated alternatives?

Martal blends AI efficiency with human judgment, providing:

• Higher quality and authenticity: Humans refine messaging and handle nuanced responses, reducing AI missteps.
  
• True multi-channel coverage: Onshore reps call, message, and engage on LinkedIn—AI-only solutions are mostly email-based.
  
• Hands-off execution: Clients get fully managed lead generation campaigns without platform setup or monitoring.
  
• Strategic adaptability: Humans optimize messaging and pivot campaigns based on real-time prospect feedback.
  
• Focus on qualified leads: Emphasizes sales-ready leads and opportunities over raw volume, unlike some fully automated tools.
  
• Lower execution risk: Martal is accountable for outcomes, while AI tools require internal oversight.
  

Martal provides multi-channel outreach as a managed service, combining AI scale with human expertise. Platforms like Reply, Apollo, and ZoomInfo offer powerful tools but depend on internal execution. Fully automated AI SDRs provide efficiency and volume but lack Martal’s quality, personalization, and hands-on adaptability. Martal suits companies seeking immediate, expertly run campaigns without building an internal SDR team, while AI-only solutions fit teams that prefer owning and operating the process themselves.

2. Agent Frank – AI SDR Solution

Overview: Agent Frank by Salesforge.ai is an AI SDR that learns from user data to improve its outreach. It combines automation with adaptive learning, operating in either an autonomous or collaborative mode. While effective for email-based prospecting, it depends on clean input data and user guidance to reach full potential.

Key Features:

• Adaptive learning that refines tone and timing from response data.
  
• Built-in prospecting and lead enrichment.
  
• Autopilot and Co-pilot modes for full or partial automation.
  

Ideal For: Startups and small teams with clear ICPs and messaging, seeking scalable email outreach but willing to train and oversee the AI.

3. MeetChase AI – Pay-Per-Meeting Outbound SDR

Overview: MeetChase’s AI “Chase” offers a pay-per-meeting model, handling prospecting and outreach until a meeting is booked. The platform reduces upfront costs but limits user control over messaging and targeting nuances.

Key Features:

• End-to-end AI outreach from sourcing to scheduling.
  
• Human quality assurance for message oversight.
  
• Performance-based pricing ($50–$60 per meeting).
  

Ideal For: Teams that want results-based outbound campaigns with minimal management, but are comfortable outsourcing early lead engagement.

4. Artisan AI (Ava) – Autonomous SDR for Personalization at Scale

Overview: Ava by Artisan is a customizable AI SDR emphasizing deep personalization and autonomous operation. It excels at email outreach but currently lacks full multichannel execution, such as phone or LinkedIn integration.

Key Features:

• Automated lead research and enrichment.
  
• Context-aware, personalized outreach at scale.
  
• Flexible autonomy levels (Autopilot or Human-in-Loop).
  

Ideal For: Mid-market or enterprise teams with complex, high-value sales cycles that need tailored outreach and have budget for bespoke setup.

5. 11x.ai (Alice) – AI SDR for End-to-End Outbound

Overview: Alice from 11x.ai manages the full outbound process using AI to target, engage, and schedule meetings. It integrates with sales stacks for global scaling but offers limited visibility into pricing and developing support for some channels.

Key Features:

• ICP targeting with global database access.
  
• Email-based multichannel campaigns (LinkedIn in progress).
  
• Always-on operation with performance analytics.
  

Ideal For: Mid-size to enterprise teams scaling outbound across markets that value integration and automation over granular control.

6. Instantly Copilot – AI Assistant for Cold Email Campaigns

Overview: Instantly Copilot automates campaign creation and optimization for cold email outreach. It accelerates setup but still requires user review to ensure message quality and accuracy.

Key Features:

• One-click AI-generated campaigns and follow-ups.
  
• Email copywriting and personalization assistance.
  
• Campaign performance analysis and recommendations.
  

Ideal For: Solo SDRs, agencies, or small teams seeking faster campaign execution without full automation of outbound operations.

7. Smartlead.ai – Scalable AI-Powered Email Outreach

Overview: Smartlead.ai enables large-scale cold email campaigns through mailbox rotation, warmup automation, and AI-generated copy. Its power lies in email, with limited multichannel capabilities and hands-on management needs.

Key Features:

• High-volume sending with automated warmup.
  
• AI-based template generation and personalization.
  
• Workflow automation with CRM integrations.
  

Ideal For: Growth marketers and SDR teams running large email-focused outbound programs that can actively manage campaign setup and response handling.

8. Outboundly.ai – AI LinkedIn Outreach Assistant

Overview: Outboundly.ai is a Chrome extension that generates personalized LinkedIn messages using AI. It enhances manual prospecting speed but does not automate sending or manage full outreach sequences.

Key Features:

• AI-crafted LinkedIn connection notes and messages.
  
• Real-time profile insights for personalization.
  
• Simple plug-and-play installation.
  

Ideal For: Sales reps and founders using LinkedIn for one-to-one outreach who want quick message assistance rather than full campaign automation.

9. Apollo.io – All-in-One Sales Intelligence Platform

Overview: Apollo.io combines a large contact database with outreach tools and emerging AI features. It offers breadth across prospecting and engagement but can feel broad rather than specialized for advanced automation.

Key Features:

• 265M+ contact database with intent signals.
  
• Multichannel sequences (email, phone, LinkedIn tasks).
  
• AI-assisted writing and research tools.
  

Ideal For: Sales teams seeking an integrated data and engagement platform that consolidates tools, particularly in startups and mid-market environments.

10. Nooks.ai – AI-Augmented Outbound Calling and Coaching

Overview: Nooks.ai enhances outbound calling through AI prospecting, dialing, and coaching. It amplifies SDR productivity but relies on human reps to execute and benefit from the platform.

Key Features:

• AI-driven prospect prioritization and call list generation.
  
• Automated dialer with live-connect optimization.
  
• Real-time coaching and performance feedback.
  

Ideal For: Call-heavy sales teams aiming to increase connect rates and improve training outcomes without replacing human effort.

11. Close CRM (with AI) – Unified CRM & Engagement

Overview: Close is a CRM combining lead management with built-in calling, emailing, and AI lead scoring. It streamlines workflow but focuses more on enabling teams than automating outreach end-to-end.

Key Features:

• Integrated email, call, and SMS outreach.
  
• AI lead scoring and next-action prompts.
  
• Pipeline tracking and reporting dashboards.
  

Ideal For: SMB or inside sales teams seeking an all-in-one CRM with built-in communication tools to simplify sales operations.

12. Outreach.io – Enterprise Sales Engagement with AI

Overview: Outreach.io is an enterprise-grade engagement platform offering advanced sequencing, analytics, and AI-driven insights. It provides structure and scale but requires time and resources to manage effectively.

Key Features:

• Complex multichannel sequencing with automation.
  
• AI assistant for call transcription and coaching (Kaia).
  
• Deal intelligence and activity analytics.
  

Ideal For: Large, structured sales organizations that prioritize data-driven management and multichannel outreach across distributed teams.

How Should I Choose The Right AiSDR Alternative For My Business?

Choosing the right AiSDR alternative comes down to aligning the tool with your specific needs, team, and goals. Here’s a quick framework:

• Define Your Use Case: First, be clear on what problem you’re trying to solve. Do you need more top-of-funnel leads? Are your reps spending too much time on non-selling tasks? Do you lack bandwidth to follow up with all your MQLs? Different tools shine in different areas. For example, if you have no SDRs and want appointments booked for your closers, a service like Martal or a pay-per-meeting AI like MeetChase could fit. If you have SDRs but want them to be more efficient, something like Nooks or Apollo that boosts their output might be better.
  
• Channel Requirements: Identify which communication channels matter most for your outreach. If email is your primary channel, tools like Instantly, Smartlead, or Outreach will cover you. If calls are critical, consider ones with dialers or call AI (Close, Nooks, Outreach). For LinkedIn-heavy strategies, maybe Outboundly or a platform with LinkedIn integration (11x.ai when fully enabled, or Apollo with tasks) is key. The right tool should cover the channels your prospects engage in.
  
• Team Size and Skill: Consider your team’s makeup. Large, experienced sales team? An enterprise-grade platform (Outreach) could work, as you’ll utilize its depth. Small team or no team? Maybe an outsourced sales service (Martal, MeetChase) is better to “do it for you.” Also be realistic about your team’s ability to adopt a tool – a complex system with tons of knobs might be underutilized by a 2-person team, whereas a simpler extension or targeted lead generation tool could be just right.
  
• Integration and Tech Stack: Check what CRM or systems you use. Ensure the AiSDR tool can integrate or at least export data to your CRM, so you don’t end up with siloed info. If you’re deep into HubSpot or Salesforce, solutions that have native integrations (Apollo, Outreach, Salesloft, etc.) might get a bump in your evaluation.
  
• Budget and Pricing Model: Of course, budget matters. Some solutions require an annual contract and thousands per year per user (e.g., Outreach, some advanced AI platforms), while others you can start on a modest monthly fee or on performance-based pricing. Look not just at cost, but how the pricing scales. If it’s per seat, consider your growth plans. If it’s per lead or meeting, run some scenarios of low vs. high usage to gauge ROI.
  
• Trial and Support: Finally, take advantage of demos or trials. Many AI sales tools will let you test for a couple of weeks or run a pilot. During a trial, pay attention to the user experience – can you see your team actually using this daily? Also, evaluate the vendor’s support and guidance: AI in sales is relatively new, so a responsive support team or resources (playbooks, onboarding help) can make a big difference in getting value quickly.
  

In short, the right AiSDR alternative is one that matches your outreach channels, amplifies (or fills in for) your team appropriately, fits your budget, and will integrate smoothly into your operations. Do that analysis upfront, and you’ll find a tool that truly accelerates your pipeline rather than being a flashy gadget that goes unused.

Are AI SDRs Worth It vs. Hiring a Lead Generation Agency?

A core question for sales leaders is whether to use an AI SDR platform or go with a traditional lead generation agency (or outsourced SDR service). AI SDRs can offer speed and cost-efficiency, but they come with trade-offs in expertise and human touch. An AI SDR platform works 24/7, never gets tired or forgets to follow up, and can send personalized outreach at scale for a fraction of the cost of a full SDR team. Companies report significantly lower cost-per-meeting using AI sales agents – often cutting expenses by 60–80% versus employing human SDRs. For example, Martal’s AI SDR hybrid solution has reduced outbound costs by up to 65% for clients by automating the heavy lifting of prospect research and email sequencing. AI SDR tools also allow you to scale outreach quickly, which is valuable if you need pipeline fast or want to test many markets/messages in parallel.

However, lead generation agencies bring human expertise and strategic nuance that pure AI tools can lack. Experienced SDRs (especially those at a specialized lead generation agency) know how to handle complex B2B discussions, navigate objections, and tailor messaging deeply to a prospect’s situation – things that current AI often struggles with. Agencies like Martal emphasize that their onshore SDR teams engage prospects in a consultative, personalized way, acting as an extension of your company’s brand voice (4). They also come with proven playbooks and industry knowledge. If your target buyers require high-touch interactions (e.g. C-suite at Fortune 500 companies or technical stakeholders with specific pain points), a human SDR is more likely to break through and build rapport. Additionally, agencies handle the process end-to-end as a service – meaning they take care of data sourcing, campaign setup, copywriting, and continuous optimization for you. With an AI SDR platform, you or your team will still need to configure campaigns, monitor the AI’s outputs, and intervene if things go off-track.

In many cases, the ideal solution is a hybrid approach: use AI SDR technology to enhance productivity, but keep humans in the loop for oversight and to engage sales leads when deeper interaction is needed (4). In fact, some modern agencies combine AI with their services – Martal, for instance, uses a proprietary AI outreach platform internally to boost their onshore team’s efficiency. This way, clients get the benefit of AI (scale, data-driven targeting) and the benefits of human-driven quality control. For organizations with limited budget or very transactional sales, a standalone AI SDR might suffice and be “worth it” to book meetings cheaply. But for companies where brand reputation and complex qualification matter, an agency or managed service may justify its higher cost by delivering sales-ready opportunities that an AI might miss or mishandle. Ultimately, it comes down to your internal capabilities and target market: AI SDRs are a powerful force multiplier if you have a solid strategy for them to execute, whereas a lead gen agency can craft and execute the strategy for you if you lack that in-house.

Beyond AiSDR Alternatives: Scale Your Pipeline with AI + Human Expertise

Is your pipeline ready to overflow? By exploring these AiSDR alternatives, you’ve seen how the right mix of AI and human touch can supercharge your outbound sales. Martal Group, for instance, offers a free consultation to assess how a fractional sales team combined with our AI-enhanced outreach platform can start filling your calendar with qualified appointments. We’ve helped companies achieve rapid sales acceleration without the growing pains of hiring and training in-house. If you’re looking to jumpstart growth and want expert SDRs working in tandem with cutting-edge AI, book a free consultation with Martal. Let’s discuss how we can scale your sales pipeline faster, more efficiently, and smarter. Your next wave of customers is out there – with the right approach, AI will help bring them to your door. Good selling!

References

1. Salesforce
2. Martal Group
3. BusinessWire
4. Martal – 11x.ai Alternatives
5. Martal AI SDR Platform
6. Martal – Lead Generation Funnel