Smartlead vs Woodpecker
Both platforms allow unlimited sending mailboxes, which puts them in a small group, but they charge in fundamentally different ways. Smartlead is a flat subscription from $39/mo. Woodpecker prices on contacted prospects, from $35/mo for the first 500. The choice is mostly about whether you value a predictable flat cost or a bill that tracks what you actually send.
Smartlead
Scalable cold email with unlimited mailboxes, warmup, and an API-first design.
Woodpecker
Usage-based cold email priced on contacted prospects, with unlimited mailboxes.
| Feature | Smartlead | Woodpecker |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.2 |
| Starting price | $39/momonthly billing | $35/mousage-based: $35/mo for 500 contacted prospects ($7.00 per 100) |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Email accounts | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warmup included | Warmup pool (Unlimited plans) | Included with paid usage, more as add-ons |
| Unified inbox | Master inbox | — |
| API access | Unlimited Smart plan+ | — |
| Whitelabel | Higher tiers | — |
| Team members | — | Unlimited |
| Entry tier | — | 500 prospects — 8,000 emails/mo, 2,000 stored |
| Multichannel | — | LinkedIn (paid add-on), manual calls/SMS |
Hands-on field test
In progressWe plan to run identical 200-contact campaigns from freshly warmed mailboxes on each platform (same copy, same sending window, same domains) and measure inbox-placement rate via seed tests, plus bounce and reply rates. Until that runs we quote no deliverability figures.
The verdict
Woodpecker is the cheaper way to start — $35/mo covers 500 contacted prospects, with unlimited mailboxes and unlimited team members included at every level, and you pay in proportion to who you actually contact. Smartlead is the better long-term platform for agencies, thanks to API-first design, whitelabelling on higher tiers, and a flat rate you can forecast.
Choose Smartlead if you are running client work or scaling steadily and want a predictable flat bill, an API-first architecture, and whitelabelling. Choose Woodpecker if you are testing outbound or running low volume — usage-based pricing means you only pay as you actually contact people.
Smartlead vs Woodpecker: FAQs
- What does Woodpecker actually cost?
- It charges per contacted prospect rather than per seat. Entry pricing is $35/mo for 500 contacted prospects, quoted as $7.00 per 100, rising through 2,000, 4,000 and 8,000 up to Unlimited. Annual billing saves 33%.
- Do both allow unlimited email accounts?
- Yes. Both allow unlimited connected sending mailboxes, and Woodpecker allows unlimited team members as well, at every usage level.
- Which is better for an agency?
- Smartlead. Its API and whitelabel options on higher tiers are aimed squarely at agencies reselling sending. Woodpecker does offer an agency panel, but as a paid add-on rather than a built-in tier.
- Can I try each before paying?
- Both. Smartlead offers a free trial with no credit card; Woodpecker offers a 14-day trial. NOTE: we previously recorded a standing free tier here. As of 2026-08-11 the vendor no longer shows one — the prospect selector starts at 500 and the page sells a 14-day trial instead.
Comparing more than two?
Put Smartlead, Woodpecker and up to two others side by side on price, mailboxes, warmup and trials.
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