MarketBetter vs Topo.io: Full-Stack SDR Platform vs YC-Backed AI Agent [2026]

Topo.io launched out of Y Combinator with a simple pitch: an AI agent that runs your outbound playbook so your reps don't have to. Founded by ex-Aircall leaders who scaled ARR from $10M to $110M, the Paris-based startup has attracted 101 G2 reviews and a growing base of European and US sales teams.
MarketBetter takes a fundamentally different approach. Instead of replacing your SDRs with an AI agent, it makes your existing team dramatically more effective โ combining website visitor identification, a daily SDR playbook, smart dialer, AI chatbot, and hyper-personalized email sequences into one platform.
Both tools promise to solve the same problem: more pipeline from less manual work. But they solve it in completely different ways. Here's an honest breakdown of when each one makes sense.
The Core Difference: Autonomous Agent vs SDR Operating Systemโ
Topo.io is an autonomous AI agent. You set up your ICP, train it on your product, and it handles prospecting, messaging, and follow-ups. Think of it as hiring a virtual SDR who works 24/7 โ finding leads, writing emails, managing replies, and booking meetings. Your human reps barely touch the outbound process.
MarketBetter is an SDR operating system. It doesn't replace your reps โ it tells them exactly who to contact, why, and how. Every morning, your SDRs open a prioritized playbook that combines first-party intent signals (website visitors, chatbot conversations, email engagement) with enriched contact data. They use the built-in dialer and email tools to execute. The AI handles the intelligence; humans handle the relationships.
This isn't a subtle difference. It determines your entire sales workflow.
Feature Comparisonโ
| Feature | MarketBetter | Topo.io |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | SDR augmentation platform | Autonomous AI SDR agent |
| Website Visitor ID | โ Built-in, identifies companies visiting your site | โ Relies on third-party intent sources |
| Daily SDR Playbook | โ Prioritized task list for each rep | โ Agent works autonomously |
| Smart Dialer | โ Built-in click-to-dial with call logging | โ Not available (email + LinkedIn only) |
| AI Chatbot | โ Engages every website visitor | โ Not available |
| Email Sequences | โ Hyper-personalized outbound | โ AI-generated messaging |
| LinkedIn Outreach | โ Included | โ Included |
| CRM Integration | โ HubSpot, Salesforce | โ CRM sync + activity logging |
| Slack Integration | โ Notifications | โ Agent updates in Slack channel |
| Intent Signals | โ First-party (visitor ID, chatbot, email opens) | โ Third-party (LinkedIn, G2, GitHub) |
| Reply Management | โ SDR handles with AI suggestions | โ Agent classifies and routes replies |
| Meeting Booking | โ SDR books directly | โ Agent books automatically |
| Human in the Loop | โ SDRs control every conversation | โ ๏ธ Optional โ agent can run fully autonomously |
Pricing Breakdownโ
Topo.io Pricingโ
Topo operates on a usage-based model tied to leads contacted per month:
- Agent Plan: $900/month โ 1,000 leads contacted, ICP training, playbook setup, enriched data, email + LinkedIn campaigns
- Growth Plan: ~$2,000/month โ Expanded lead volume for mid-market teams
- Pro Plan: Custom pricing โ Enterprise features, dedicated support
All plans include audience building, intent signals, data enrichment, messaging, multichannel campaigns, reply management, and email infrastructure. No separate tools to buy โ Topo handles domains, mailboxes, and deliverability internally.
At $900/month for 1,000 leads, that works out to $0.90 per lead contacted. For teams that need volume, the Growth plan at ~$2,000/month brings the per-lead cost down significantly.
MarketBetter Pricingโ
MarketBetter prices by active SDR seats:
- Starter: $500/month โ 3 SDR seats, chatbot + visitor identification, 5K outbound actions, 2K enrichment credits
- Growth: $1,500/month โ 5 seats, full SDR dashboard + daily playbook, 25K outbound actions, 5K enrichment credits, champion tracking
- Scale: $3,000/month โ 10 seats, smart dialer, unlimited actions, 15K enrichment credits
The key difference: MarketBetter's pricing includes the entire stack โ visitor ID, chatbot, dialer, email, enrichment. With Topo, you'd still need separate tools for website visitor identification, phone outreach, and live chat.
Where Topo.io Winsโ
1. Fully autonomous outbound. If you have zero SDRs or a very small team, Topo handles everything. You set it up, train the agent, and it runs. For solo founders or companies that can't justify hiring reps, this is genuinely valuable.
2. Built-in email infrastructure. Topo manages domains, mailboxes, and deliverability for you. No separate Instantly or SmartLead subscription needed. This is a real time-saver for teams that don't want to manage email infrastructure.
3. Slack-native workflow. The agent reports to you in Slack โ new responses, hot leads, weekly reports, lead quality insights. For teams that live in Slack, this feels natural.
4. YC pedigree and Aircall DNA. The founding team scaled Aircall to $110M ARR. They understand sales at scale, and the product reflects that operational discipline.
Where MarketBetter Winsโ
1. First-party intent signals. MarketBetter identifies companies visiting your website right now. These are warm signals that no third-party intent provider can match. When someone is reading your pricing page, that lead goes straight to the top of your SDR's playbook. Topo relies on third-party signals from LinkedIn, G2, and GitHub โ useful, but not as timely.
2. The daily playbook. Instead of an AI agent running autonomously (and sometimes off-track), MarketBetter gives each SDR a prioritized list of who to contact, why they're a fit, and what to say. Your reps stay in control of every conversation while the AI handles the research and prioritization.
3. Multi-channel with a real dialer. Phone is still the highest-converting outbound channel for B2B sales. MarketBetter includes a smart dialer; Topo is limited to email and LinkedIn. For companies where phone outreach matters, this is a dealbreaker.
4. AI chatbot captures inbound. While Topo focuses exclusively on outbound, MarketBetter's chatbot engages every website visitor in real-time. This captures inbound demand that would otherwise bounce. For companies investing in content and ads, this doubles the return.
5. Human relationships, AI intelligence. MarketBetter's philosophy is that the best SDR teams combine human judgment with AI-powered intelligence. Your reps build real relationships. The AI just makes sure they're talking to the right people at the right time.
What Real Users Sayโ
Topo.io (G2 โ 101 reviews)โ
What they like:
- Easy setup and fast onboarding
- Agent autonomously handles prospecting
- Good integration with existing CRM
Common complaints:
- Multichannel features still limited (some channels "coming soon")
- Copy can lack deep personalization for complex ICPs
- Struggles with larger-scale campaigns and datasets
- Some users report over-hyped reply metrics vs. actual outcomes
MarketBetter (G2 โ 4.97 rating)โ
What they like:
- Visitor identification catches leads they'd never find otherwise
- Daily playbook eliminates decision fatigue for SDRs
- Support team is responsive and hands-on
Common complaints:
- Learning curve for teams switching from manual processes
- Best value kicks in at Growth tier ($1,500/month)
When to Choose Topo.ioโ
Choose Topo if:
- You have no SDR team and need a fully autonomous outbound agent
- Your sales motion is email + LinkedIn only (no phone outreach needed)
- You want zero manual effort โ set it and let the AI run
- You're a solo founder or very small team that can't manage SDR workflows
- You're comfortable with an AI agent making autonomous decisions about who to contact and what to say
When to Choose MarketBetterโ
Choose MarketBetter if:
- You have SDRs on your team and want to make them 2-3x more productive
- Phone outreach is part of your sales motion
- You want to capture inbound demand through visitor ID and chatbot โ not just run outbound
- You need first-party intent signals from your own website traffic
- You want human control over every conversation with AI-powered prioritization
- You need a single platform instead of stitching together 4-5 separate tools
The Bottom Lineโ
Topo.io is a solid choice if you're betting on fully autonomous AI outbound. The YC backing, ex-Aircall team, and 101 G2 reviews give it credibility. At $900/month for 1,000 leads contacted, the unit economics can work โ especially for teams with no existing SDR headcount.
MarketBetter is the better fit if you believe the future of sales is human SDRs powered by AI intelligence โ not AI replacing humans. The combination of visitor identification, daily playbook, smart dialer, chatbot, and email sequences gives your team everything they need in one platform. No separate intent data subscriptions. No external dialer. No standalone chatbot.
The real question: do you want to replace your SDRs or supercharge them?
See MarketBetter in action โ

