// ALTERNATIVES
Velo vs. the alternatives.
You've got four ways to handle cold-email replies: do it yourself, hire an SDR, outsource to a VA, or wire up a generic AI tool. Here's how each compares.
| Velo | SDR hire | VA / outsourced | Generic AI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | 24/7/365 | 40 hrs/week | 8–12 hrs/day | Manual triggers |
| Reply time | < 60 seconds | 30 min – 4 hrs | 1–6 hrs | Whenever you check |
| Voice match | Trained on your real replies | Their own voice | Generic templates | Generic AI tone |
| Booking flow | 2 slots + link, every reply | Sometimes forgets | Inconsistent | Whatever you script |
| Cost / month | $99 | $4,000+ | $800–1,500 | $20 + your time |
| Setup time | 10 minutes | 4–6 weeks | 1–2 weeks | Days of prompt tuning |
When NOT to use Velo
If you only get 5 replies a week, just answer them yourself. If your sales cycle is 6+ months of nurture and replies don't drive meetings, automation isn't your bottleneck. Velo earns its keep when you're getting 20+ replies a week and the founder is the one clearing them.
Every minute you wait,
a competitor books the meeting.
Velo fixes that in 15 minutes.
In the last 60 seconds, Velo replied to 3 leads.
7 DAYS FREE · NO SETUP FEE · CANCEL ANYTIME · LIVE IN 15 MINUTES