Cold email vs cold call – which one works better in 2025?
It’s a common question for sales teams, marketers, and founders trying to reach new leads. Both strategies still work, but they work in different ways.
Cold emailing is when we send a message to someone we’ve never contacted before. It’s easy to scale, cost-effective, and lets people respond on their own time.
On the other hand, cold calling is more direct. It gives us real-time feedback and a chance to build trust instantly if the prospect answers.
In this post, we’ll break down the numbers, pros, cons, and best use cases of both methods. You’ll leave with a clear idea of what works and why.
Is Email Marketing Better Than Cold Calling?
When we compare cold email vs cold call we’re really comparing how modern sales teams start conversations. Both methods still work. But they work differently.
Email gives us reach. We can contact hundreds of prospects a day using smart tools. Cold calling offers real-time feedback. We hear the tone, objections, and interest immediately. One is passive and scalable. The other is active and personal.
In terms of building trust and email feels safer. It gives the reader space. They can click a link, check our site, or forward it to their team. A call feels direct. It can build trust fast or lose it just as quickly.
Here’s a quick comparison between cold email and cold calling:
| Factor | Cold Email | Cold Call |
| Scalability | High (100s per day with tools) | Low (manual, one-by-one) |
| Response Rate | 8–20% (with strong personalization) | 2–5% pick-up rate, but higher conversions |
| Interruptive | No | Yes |
| Cost | Low (email tools + domains) | Medium (tools, reps, call time) |
| Best For | SaaS, B2B services, agencies, consultants | Recruitment, real estate, insurance |
| Follow-Up Strategy | Easy to automate follow-up email sequence | Requires manual callbacks or CRM setup |
For example, a sales prospecting email in a SaaS company might spark interest after two touches. A recruiter might still rely on phone calls to close faster.
So, is email marketing more effective than cold calling? It depends on the goal. If you want scale, low cost, and flexibility then email wins. If you want speed and real-time objections then the phone still holds power.
Let’s break that down further below.
Why Is Email Marketing King?
We’re big fans of cold email. And there’s a reason many modern sales teams rely on it.
First, it scales fast. We can reach hundreds of leads with personalized cold emails using tools like Instantly or Smartlead. These tools use smart sending rules and help avoid spam filters.
Second, it gives high ROI. According to Campaign Monitor’s 2025 B2B ROI report, email delivers up to $36 for every $1 spent. That includes cold email sequences in outbound campaigns.
Third, it’s low-pressure. People can read your email, click the link, or forward it. You’re not forcing a decision at the moment. That helps build trust. Works great in B2B.
And most importantly you control the pace. You can stay top of mind without being pushy with smart follow-ups. That’s something phone outreach can’t always do.
Is Email Marketing the Future?
Cold calling is getting harder. People don’t answer unknown numbers. Some get annoyed when you interrupt their day.
That’s why cold emailing vs cold calling is tilting in favor of email in 2025.
Here’s what’s changing:
- AI-personalized emails are faster and better than ever.
- Smart cold email sequences adapt based on opens and replies.
- Inbox warmup tools keep domains healthy and out of spam.
- Email fits easily into multichannel outreach strategy (Email + LinkedIn + Retargeting).
- Gen Z and younger buyers often prefer asynchronous communication.
According to LinkedIn’s B2B Buyer Report, 65% of buyers prefer email as the first point of contact. That number is up from 51% in 2022.
Phone outreach still has a place but email is leading the way for most B2B teams in 2025.
Should I Email or Cold Call First?
This is the question we get all the time: Should I email first or just pick up the phone and call?
When we look at cold email and cold calling, the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. It depends on the industry, the type of offer, and the personality of the buyer you’re reaching out to.
If you’re selling something simple and fast-moving like a local service then cold calling might work better. But email outreach is better for high-ticket B2B offers. It gives prospects time to think, click, and forward the message internally.
In many cases, the best move isn’t choosing one over the other rather it’s using both. A multichannel outreach strategy gets higher response rates than using just one channel alone.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Start with a personalized cold email.
- Follow up with a short call after 2–3 days.
- Use LinkedIn to add a soft touchpoint.
- Repeat the process until we get a clear yes or no.
You can also contact a professional B2B cold outreach company like Prospectout. They helps B2B companies book more qualified meetings through cold email.
Phone Call vs Email Statistics
Data helps us decide what works best when comparing phone call vs email outreach.
In 2025, here’s what recent studies show:
| Metric | Cold Email | Cold Call |
| Open Rate | 45–60% (with a good subject line) | N/A |
| Cold Email Response Rate | 8–20% | N/A |
| Cold Call Pick-Up Rate | 2–5% | 2–5% |
| Cold Call Success Rate | 1–3% conversion to meeting | 1–3% |
| Touchpoints to Book a Call | 5–9 (avg. for B2B) | 5–9 (multi-channel works best) |
Cold emails win on volume and asynchronous communication. But calls still convert better when you manage to connect live.
Tip: Use tools like Instantly for smart email sequences and Aircall for cloud calling to make both easier.
Cold Email vs Cold Call: Pros and Cons Breakdown
Now let’s put it all on one page. Here’s a side-by-side look at the pros and cons of cold email vs cold call. This is done based on our experience, data, and what works in 2025.
| Factor | Cold Email | Cold Call |
| Cost | Low (email tools and domains) | Medium (time, tools, phone) |
| Speed | Fast to send, delayed replies | Instant feedback if answered |
| Interruptive | No – they read when ready | Yes – we interrupt their day |
| Interruptive | No – they read when ready | Yes – we interrupt their day |
| Response Rate | Medium – varies by subject and timing | High – but only if they pick up |
| Scalability | Very high – can reach 100s daily | Low – limited to rep availability |
| Ideal For | B2B SaaS, Agencies, Consultants | Recruiters, Local Businesses, High-ticket Sales |
Tools You Need in 2025 for Cold Email and Cold Calling
No matter which channel you prefer — tools make a big difference.
Cold Email Tools
These help you scale without sounding robotic:
- Instantly.ai – Smart cold email sending
- Smartlead.ai – AI-powered cold email sequences
- Lemlist – Personalization at scale
- Hunter.io / Apollo.io – Email finder + lead data
Cold Calling Tools
Modern calling isn’t just dialing numbers. These tools help with timing, tracking, and connecting:
- Aircall – Cloud phone for sales teams
- Dialpad – Business calling with CRM integration
- Outreach.io – Full sequencing + call + email
- LeadIQ – Enrich phone numbers and build qualified lists
Now, if you’ve decided that cold email is the better fit for your outreach strategy then the next step is setting up the right tools to make it work.
Check this list of best cold email plugins for WordPress.
These plugins will also help you send outreach emails, manage leads, and track replies without relying on third-party platforms.
Final Verdict – Cold Email vs Cold Call: Which Should You Choose?
Let’s wrap this up.
If we’re comparing cold email vs cold call, we’re not picking sides — we’re choosing strategy.
- Cold email is scalable, low-pressure, and trackable
- Cold calling is fast, emotional, and powerful when used at the right time
- The real answer? Use both.
Our favorite approach:
Email → Call → Follow-Up → LinkedIn → Email Again
That’s how we book meetings in 2025.
