Why speed wins in AI-driven sales

Sales grows on speed, not slogans.

AI now writes first touches that sound human, qualifies replies in minutes, and pushes the next step without hand-holding.

The result: shorter cycles, cleaner pipelines, and lead generation that doesn't stall after day one.

Below: the 10 best AI sales automation tools, with folk CRM in first place for multi-channel capture and follow-up—particularly strong for growing sales teams of 20-50 people who need seamless coordination without enterprise complexity.

The top 3 AI Sales Automation Tools in 2026 are:

1. folk CRM

2. Apollo.io

3. Instantly

10 Best AI Sales Automation Tools Compared

1. folk CRM

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (G2)

Overview

folk is an AI CRM centering on multi-channel capture and follow-up. The folkX Chrome extension saves LinkedIn profiles in one click, enriches records, and creates clean contacts in pipelines. AI drafts icebreakers and follow-ups from context (emails, call notes, LinkedIn activity), suggests next steps, and keeps WhatsApp, Gmail, and LinkedIn actions on the contact timeline. Perfect for sales teams of 20-50 people who need organized growth without enterprise overhead—agencies, startups, and mid-size sales organizations get the most value. 14-day free trial.

Pros

• One-click LinkedIn capture with automatic enrichment
• AI drafts first touches, replies, and next-best actions
• WhatsApp, email, LinkedIn logged on a single timeline
• Fast setup and clear UI for small teams

Cons

• No free plan

Pricing

Free 14-day trial. Starts at $20 member/month

👉🏼 Try folk now to never miss a follow-up across WhatsApp, Gmail, and LinkedIn

2. Apollo.io

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (G2)

Overview

Apollo.io combines prospecting data, sequences, an inbox, and AI in one workflow. AI Research turns company and contact signals into tailored angles and solid first drafts, while AI Lead Scoring highlights the accounts most likely to convert. The built-in dialer and deliverability controls help teams scale without wrecking sender health. It suits sales teams that want data and outreach together instead of stitching several tools.

Pros

• Large B2B database with granular filters and signals
• AI writing across steps and replies; scoring assists targeting
• Dialer, email sending, and tasking in one place

Cons

• Data accuracy varies by niche and region
• Domain warm-up and list hygiene remain critical

Pricing

Free plan. Paid tiers typically $49–$149/user/mo (annual) across Basic/Professional/Organization.

3. Salesloft

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (G2)

Overview

Salesloft serves larger teams that need disciplined sales engagement at scale. It runs cadences, calling, and conversation intelligence in one place, then uses AI to summarize calls, pull action items, and push next steps into cadences automatically. Leaders get clear pipeline views, strong governance across roles and regions, and reporting that supports coaching and growth.

Pros

• Conversation intelligence with AI insights and notes
• Strong permissions, governance, and analytics
• Deep CRM sync and coaching workflows

Cons

• Longer implementation and admin overhead
• Best value at higher seat counts

Pricing

Sales-assisted; packages vary by modules and seats.

4. Outreach

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (G2)

Overview

Sequences and deal governance with an AI assistant that flags risks, drafts messaging, and recommends actions. Useful for high-touch outbound where consistency and pipeline control matter across multiple teams.

Pros

• AI assistant for research, risk alerts, and next actions
• Reporting depth for leaders and operators
• Strong Salesforce integration

Cons

• Complexity for small teams
• Seat cost typically higher than SMB tools

Pricing

Per-user pricing, no platform fees; request a quote. Benchmarks suggest ~$100+/user/mo depending on volume and add-ons.

5. HubSpot Sales Hub

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (G2)

Overview

HubSpot Sales Hub puts CRM, deals, sequences, and AI in the same place as marketing and service. AI drafts emails in context, summarizes notes after calls, and enriches records so reps move faster. It works well when marketing already runs on HubSpot and sales needs clean handoffs without extra tools or custom glue.

Pros

• Native CRM + sequences + shared inbox
• AI assists across email and notes
• Smooth marketing-to-sales handoff

Cons

• Advanced automation on higher tiers
• Sequence scale lighter than outreach specialists

Pricing

Free CRM available; Starter from ~$15/seat/mo, Professional/Enterprise scale up materially

6. Close CRM

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (G2)

Overview

Close CRM focuses on calling-first workflows with a built-in dialer, SMS, email sync, and sequences. AI drafts and rewrites emails, transcribes calls, turns highlights into notes, and nudges the next follow-up. It suits founder-led sales and lean teams that want speed without bolting on extra tools.

Pros

• Native dialer and SMS out of the box
• Fast search and pipeline navigation
• AI rewrite, summaries, and follow-up cues

Cons

• Fewer third-party integrations than larger suites
• Reporting depth lighter than enterprise platforms

Pricing

Annual billing (monthly higher): Essentials $35, Growth $99, Scale $139 per seat; 14-day trial.

7. Pipedrive

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (G2)

Overview

Pipedrive is a visual pipeline CRM with straightforward automations and expanding AI that drafts emails and surfaces deal insights. Clear stages, fast setup, and an uncluttered UI keep reps moving. Strong fit for small teams that want momentum first, then add light outreach and reusable templates as they grow.

Pros

• Very clear deal views and stage management
• Simple automations; large app marketplace
• Easy for non-technical teams

Cons

• AI and sequence depth behind outreach specialists
• Phone/SMS and campaigns often need add-ons

Pricing

New plan names (Lite/Growth/Premium/Ultimate); entry from ~$14/user/mo (annual); add-ons raise total.

8. Clay

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (G2)

Overview

Clay automates prospecting by pulling data from 100+ sources, enriching it with AI, and turning raw signals into personalized angles at scale. Teams build flexible recipes, score accounts, and output ready-to-send snippets into email tools and CRMs. It fits ops-minded sales teams that want custom data pipelines, dynamic personalization, and fast iteration without patching five different scrapers together.

Pros

• Flexible data workflows and APIs
• AI transforms raw signals into angles and snippets
• Plays well with email tools and CRMs

Cons

• Requires ops/technical ownership to shine
• Learning curve for advanced recipes

Pricing

Credit-based pricing; higher tiers reduce cost per credit (Starter/Pro etc.). Starter commonly cited around low-hundreds/mo.

9. Lemlist

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (G2)

Overview

Lemlist is a cold-email platform with AI-driven personalization, inbox warm-up, and simple multichannel steps across email and LinkedIn. Teams spin up campaigns fast, add visual personalization that stands out, and route replies cleanly so follow-ups don't slip. A practical pick for small teams running outbound without heavy admin.

Pros

• Deliverability and warm-up tooling
• Personalization at scale, including dynamic visuals
• Simple LinkedIn touches alongside email

Cons

• CRM depth limited
• Analytics lighter than enterprise tools

Pricing

14-day trial. Email Pro ~$69/user/mo; Multichannel Expert ~$99/user/mo; annual discounts.

10. Instantly

Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (G2)

Overview

Instantly is a high-volume cold-email platform built for mailbox management, warm-up, and campaign automation. AI helps draft copy that stays on tone and classifies replies so the right follow-up fires fast. A solid choice for teams that prioritize scale and sender reputation without adding a full CRM.

Pros

• Fast mailbox rotation and ramp-up
• Unlimited accounts on higher tiers
• Useful inbox categorization

Cons

• Not a full CRM
• Personalization depth behind specialist tools

Pricing

Outreach plans: Growth $37/mo, Hypergrowth $97/mo (contacts/emails scale by tier).

10 Best AI Sales Automation Tools: The Final Recap

👉🏼 Try folk now to organize one-click LinkedIn captures and AI icebreakers for faster meetings booked

Conclusion

Choose the stack that speeds first touches, keeps data clean, and sustains follow-ups. Track reply rate, meetings booked, and cycle time within two weeks. If those move up, keep the setup; if not, adjust fast.

For sales teams of 20-50 people seeking a simple, high-impact start, folk CRM leads. Multi-channel capture, AI icebreakers and follow-ups, and next-best actions keep deals moving across WhatsApp, Gmail, and LinkedIn. Start the 14-day free trial and turn lead generation into steady conversations.

FAQ

What is AI sales automation?

AI sales automation uses machine learning to draft outreach, qualify replies, score leads, and recommend next actions. It cuts manual tasks across email, calls, and social to speed cycles and keep pipelines clean.

How to choose an AI sales automation tool?

Prioritize multi-channel capture, clean CRM sync, AI writing and scoring, deliverability controls, ease of setup, and pricing fit. Trial the workflow and check impact on reply rate, meetings booked, and cycle time.

How to automate LinkedIn lead capture?

Use a CRM with one-click profile capture, enrichment, and LinkedIn activity logging. folk CRM offers a Chrome extension to save profiles, draft icebreakers, and track WhatsApp, Gmail, and LinkedIn on one timeline.

How much does AI sales automation cost?

Entry plans range from free to ~$15–$50/user/mo; advanced suites often $99–$150+/user/mo. CRMs with AI such as folk CRM start at $20/user/mo with a 14-day trial. Total cost depends on seats, send volume, and add-ons.