Matrix / Prospecting & Lead Data / Apollo

Apollo MCP server

Prospecting & Lead Data · remote · Up · auth · Docs + endpoint checked 2026-10-15

Apollo has an official hosted MCP server at https://mcp.apollo.io/mcp. It uses OAuth 2.0 (master API key / X-Api-Key for headless) over Streamable HTTP. Agents can use: people/company search, enrichment, contacts & accounts CRUD. Last checked 2026-10-16 06:06 PT: Up · auth.

Works in: ClaudeChatGPTClaude CodeCursorCopilot
Access: Read + write
Credits: Some tools use credits
Plan: Free
Useful for: SDRs, AEs, RevOps

Apollo MCP endpoint and transport

https://mcp.apollo.io/mcp

Transport: Streamable HTTP
Docs: Official Apollo MCP docs

Connect Apollo without code

Apollo's docs confirm it works in Claude and ChatGPT. You don't need a terminal or a config file. Check Apollo's docs first: some vendors give you a personal URL or an API key to use in place of the plain endpoint.

Claude (web and desktop app)

If Apollo shows up when you browse connectors in Claude, connect it from there instead. That skips steps 2 to 4.

In Claude, open Customize → Connectors.
Click + Add, then Add custom connector.
Name it “Apollo”, paste the server URL https://mcp.apollo.io/mcp, and click Continue.
Review the sign-in settings Claude detected and click Add.
Click Connect and sign in to Apollo. Then ask Claude something like “What can the Apollo connector do?”

On Team and Enterprise plans, an Owner adds the connector first under Organization settings → Connectors → Add → Custom → Web. Each person then connects it from Customize → Connectors. Free plans can add one custom connector.

Steps from the Claude Help Center: support.claude.com, checked 2026-10-16

ChatGPT

If Apollo has its own plugin in ChatGPT's directory, install that instead.

Go to chatgpt.com/plugins.
Select +, then Add custom MCP server. If you don't see it, your plan or workspace settings may not allow custom servers, so ask your workspace admin.
Enter a name and description. Under Connection, paste the server URL https://mcp.apollo.io/mcp.
Set up sign-in, read the warning, and select I understand and want to continue.
Select Create as a plugin. In a new chat, type @ and pick Apollo.

Steps from the OpenAI developer docs: developers.openai.com, checked 2026-10-16

From Apollo's docs: ChatGPT, Claude and Cursor have built-in directory connectors; Claude Code, VS Code with GitHub Copilot and Claude Desktop custom connector can use the standalone server at https://mcp.apollo.io/mcp with OAuth. Headless clients need a master API key in the X-Api-Key header.Source: docs.apollo.io, checked 2026-10-16

Developer setup (Claude Code, Cursor)

Add this to .mcp.json (Claude Code, project root) or ~/.cursor/mcp.json (Cursor). Remove the // comment line if your client requires strict JSON.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "apollo": {
      "url": "https://mcp.apollo.io/mcp"
      // headless alternative: "headers": { "X-Api-Key": "YOUR_APOLLO_API_KEY" }
    }
  }
}

Add the endpoint to your client config (above), or as a custom connector in Claude.
Complete the OAuth sign-in. In Claude Code, run /mcp and pick the server.
Test it with a prompt like: “List the tools the Apollo MCP server exposes.”

Apollo MCP authentication

OAuth 2.0 (master API key / X-Api-Key for headless)

Use OAuth sign-in for interactive use. For headless runs, use an API key in the X-Api-Key header.

What it can change

Read + write Some Apollo MCP tools change data, not just read it.

Things it can do in your Apollo account:

creates and updates contacts and accounts
creates deals
adds and removes contacts in sequences (enrollment)
creates and updates sequences
sends one-off emails
creates and updates lists and adds/removes records
creates, completes and skips tasks
creates and applies labels
creates custom objects
connects data sources and imports records
purchases sending domains and email accounts

Source: docs.apollo.io, checked 2026-10-16

Review each change before you approve it, especially anything that sends messages or edits records other people rely on.

Cost and credits

Some tools use credits

Company search, company enrichment (single and bulk), company job postings, and people enrichment (single and bulk) use credits; people/contact search, CRM, sequence, email, task and analytics actions do not. Get conversation insights uses credits only if the conversation has AI insights.

Source: docs.apollo.io, checked 2026-10-16

Plan required

Free

Source: knowledge.apollo.io, checked 2026-10-16

Admin and governance

Controls Apollo itself provides. Settings inside Claude or ChatGPT aren't counted here.

An admin must approve or enable the connectionNot confirmed
Scopes or permissions can limit what it reachesYesSource: knowledge.apollo.io, checked 2026-10-16
Individual tools can be turned offNot confirmed
MCP activity shows in an audit logNot confirmed

What the Apollo MCP server can do

people/company search
enrichment
contacts & accounts CRUD
sequences
one-off email
lists
tasks
analytics

Apollo MCP status

Up · auth HTTP 401 · 337 ms · checked 2026-10-16 06:06 PT. Full status and history.

Recipes that use Apollo

Find lookalike accounts and enrich them (Apollo + Clay + HubSpot)
Research a prospect, then add them to an Instantly campaign (Perplexity + Apollo + Instantly)

Apollo MCP FAQ

What is the Apollo MCP server URL?

https://mcp.apollo.io/mcp

How does Apollo MCP authenticate?

OAuth 2.0 (master API key / X-Api-Key for headless).

Does Apollo MCP work with Claude and Cursor?

Any MCP client that supports Streamable HTTP can connect, including Claude Code and Cursor through mcp.json. Add the endpoint and complete the OAuth or API key flow.

Can I use Apollo in Claude or ChatGPT without code?

Yes. Apollo's docs confirm it works in Claude and ChatGPT. Add it as a connector in the app settings and sign in. No terminal or config file needed.

Can the Apollo MCP server change my data?

Yes. Some tools change data, for example: creates and updates contacts and accounts, creates deals, adds and removes contacts in sequences (enrollment). Review each change before you approve it.

Does Apollo MCP use credits?

Some tools use credits. Company search, company enrichment (single and bulk), company job postings, and people enrichment (single and bulk) use credits; people/contact search, CRM, sequence, email, task and analytics actions do not. Get conversation insights uses credits only if the conversation has AI insights.

What Apollo plan do I need for MCP?

Free.

Is the Apollo MCP server official?

Yes. It's documented on docs.apollo.io, last checked 2026-10-15.