Best Cognism Alternatives for 2025: 15 Top Tools Pros Are Switching To

Cognism alternatives are having a moment, and for good reason. Sure, Cognism delivers phone-verified cell numbers that connect with 87% of your prospecting lists, but here’s the catch: their pricing is a black box, and their enterprise-first approach leaves smaller teams out in the cold.

Meanwhile, tools like IGLeads are building serious momentum with a comprehensive database of targeted leads across multiple social platforms starting at just $49/month. IGLeads offers high-quality data extraction with impressive accuracy rates without requiring enterprise contracts. The platform’s intuitive interface and dedicated scraping features make it particularly valuable for businesses seeking reliable contact information. The difference in pricing transparency isn’t subtle, it’s night and day.

That’s exactly why we built this guide. We’ve tested 15 real Cognism alternatives and broken down what actually matters: data accuracy, features that work, pricing you can understand, and performance in the real world.

Whether you’re fed up with Cognism’s enterprise contracts or need better coverage outside Europe, this list cuts through the noise. From budget-friendly options like RocketReach (700 million professionals) to specialized tools like Lusha (100M+ business profiles targeting North America and Europe), we’ve found alternatives that might just work better for your specific needs.

If credit limits and complex pricing are slowing you down, these alternatives could be exactly what you’ve been looking for.

Quick comparison between competitors

Feature
Best for	Social & local lead scraping	Cold outreach automation	LinkedIn contact enrichment	Cold email + sales tracking
Lead sources	Instagram, Google Maps, LinkedIn	Imported CSVs & CRM contacts	LinkedIn & company databases	Email & contact list uploads
Compliance	GDPR, CFAA, DMCA compliant	GDPR compliant	GDPR compliant	Limited GDPR guidance
Cold email tools	CSV export to any platform	Built-in sequences & personalization	Basic integration, no sequencer	Sequencer with reply tracking
Pros	Fast, no credit limits, multi-platform	Strong deliverability, easy UI	Great for LinkedIn prospecting	Simple cold email + analytics combo
Cons	No built-in CRM or automation	Limited scraping/data sourcing	No bulk scraping or automation	Basic enrichment, fewer sources
Pricing	From $49/month flat	From $59/month per user	From €39/month (credit-based)	From $36/month per user
Integrations	Export CSVs to any CRM/email tool	HubSpot, Salesforce, Zapier	LinkedIn extension + CSV export	Zapier, Gmail, Outlook
Ease of use	Extremely fast and intuitive	Modern, user-friendly interface	Simple Chrome plugin	Clean, dashboard-style UX

IGLeads: A Transparent Alternative to Cognism

IGLeads takes a different approach than Cognism’s enterprise playbook. Instead of focusing on traditional B2B databases, it scrapes leads directly from social media platforms that most sales tools ignore completely.

Full disclosure: IGLeads is our own product, and while that makes us biased, we genuinely believe it’s superior to alternatives on the market. Here’s why: IGLeads pulls contacts from places your competitors aren’t looking: Instagram hashtags, Google Maps listings, YouTube creators, TikTok profiles. For businesses targeting niche markets or local audiences, that’s pure gold. We’re not just saying this because it’s our solution; we’re saying it because we built it specifically to address gaps other tools leave wide open.

IGLeads Key Features

Our platform covers ground that traditional B2B tools miss:

• Instagram scraping: Find leads by hashtags, bios, or locations. Perfect for influencers, service providers, or small businesses.
• LinkedIn extraction: Pull profiles by job title, industry, and location
• Google Maps scraper: Grab local business contacts with verified details
• Multi-platform reach: Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube data extraction
• Real-time verification: Built-in email validation before export
• CRM-ready exports: Clean CSV files that drop right into your existing workflow

Everything runs in the cloud, so you don’t need to babysit the process. Most scrapes finish within a few hours, delivering thousands of targeted leads automatically.

IGLeads Pros and Cons

✅ Pros:

• No technical setup required, just search and scrape
• Flat-rate pricing without credit limits (on Unlimited Plan)
• Up to 100,000 contacts in a few hours
• Advanced filtering removes junk emails and dead accounts
• Covers platforms most B2B tools can’t touch

❌ Cons:

• Not built for massive enterprise teams
• Account access issues reported by some users

IGLeads Pricing

Simple, transparent pricing:

• Starter: $59/month for 10,000 emails (or $49/month if you subscribe to the annual plan)
• Business: $149/month for 50k emails (or $79/month if you subscribe to the annual plan)
• Unlimited Plan: $299/month for unlimited emails (or $239/month if you subscribe to the annual plan)

All plans include Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, and Google scraping. The primary difference between the three plans is the monthly email scraping limit (10k vs 50k vs unlimited), while all plans include the same basic features.

IGLeads Best Use Case

IGLeads shines for businesses that need to think outside the traditional B2B box. Real estate agents pulling leads from local Instagram posts. E-commerce brands finding micro-influencers. Marketing agencies building hyper-targeted lists from YouTube creators.

If enterprise contracts and credit systems are slowing you down, IGLeads cuts through that noise. Sign up to IGLeads with no cost and see how fast lead generation can be when you’re not limited by traditional databases.

Cognism: Enterprise-Grade Data With Enterprise Pricing

Cognism owns the European B2B data game with 180% more contacts in Europe than ZoomInfo. It’s built like a specialized search engine that gets you past gatekeepers with verified phone numbers and email addresses for decision-makers.

Cognism Key Features

• Diamond Data® – Phone-verified mobile numbers with 98% accuracy that make you 3x more likely to connect with prospects. This is their crown jewel.
• Sales Companion – Web app and Chrome extension for LinkedIn prospecting. Clean interface, responsive experience.
• Intent Data – Bombora-powered signals that identify companies actively researching solutions like yours.
• AI Search – ChatGPT-style text or voice prompts for finding prospects. Works, but not groundbreaking.
• Real-time Signal Tracking – Monitors hiring, funding rounds, and other key events. Solid for timing outreach.
• CRM Enrichment – Offers both instant and scheduled data updates. Gets the job done.

The platform excels in European markets with nearly double the mobile coverage of most US-focused tools. Their GDPR-compliant framework helps ensure your outreach stays legally sound.

The platform crushes it in European markets with double the mobile coverage of US-centric providers. Their GDPR-compliant approach keeps your outreach legally sound.

Cognism Pros and Cons

✅ Pros:

• Industry-leading phone verification (70% of outbound meetings booked via Cognism mobile numbers)
• Exceptional European data coverage (250%+ more contacts in France and Germany vs ZoomInfo)
• Strict GDPR and CCPA compliance with database checked against global Do-Not-Call lists
• Unlimited data views and unrestricted exports (subject to fair usage)

❌ Cons:

• Expensive pricing geared toward mid-market and enterprise customers
• Some contact information can be outdated or incomplete
• Limited features outside of data provision compared to full sales engagement platforms
• Steep learning curve for new users

Cognism Pricing

Cognism offers two main packages:

1. Grow – Essential contact and company data, including Diamond Data® contacts
2. Elevate – Everything in Grow plus advanced intelligence and actionable signals

Custom pricing depends on your business needs and team size. You’ll need to contact sales for a quote rather than seeing transparent pricing upfront.

Cognism Best Use Case

Cognism works best for enterprise-level sales teams targeting European markets who need legally compliant, high-quality mobile data. Teams focusing on cold calling especially benefit from the phone-verified numbers, which connect at 3x the rate of standard data.

If you’re part of an enterprise outbound motion with strict compliance needs, Cognism offers serious value. For some large B2B orgs, that can deliver measurable ROI. But if you’re a smaller team or early-stage company, the pricing and complexity might be overkill.

Saleshandy: Cold Email + Tracking for Sales Teams

Saleshandy isn’t just another cold email tool. It’s built around a simple idea: why juggle separate platforms for finding leads and sending emails when you can do both from one place? With a database of 700M+ verified contacts and powerful automation features, it handles the full prospecting workflow without the usual platform-hopping.

Key Features

• Built-in B2B Lead Finder with 700M+ verified contacts across 60M+ companies
• Unlimited email accounts at no extra cost for improved deliverability
• Email verification with a built-in tool that identifies risky addresses
• Personalization at scale using merge tags and Spintax for unique emails
• Email warm-up partnership with TrulyInbox to boost deliverability
• AI-assisted sequence generation based on website insights
• Unified inbox to manage all replies in one place
• Advanced analytics dashboard with detailed metrics

What I like: Saleshandy gives you both the data and the delivery system in one package. The unlimited email accounts feature is huge for agencies managing multiple clients, and the built-in warm-up tools actually help your emails land in inboxes instead of spam folders.

Saleshandy Pros and Cons

✅ Pros:

• Connect unlimited email accounts without paying extra
• Manage unlimited clients from a single dashboard
• User-friendly interface with clear navigation
• Strong deliverability tools including warm-up and verification
• Real-time content guidance for cold emailing standards

❌ Cons:

• Only 5 free credits in the free plan
• Some users report deliverability issues despite features
• Limited CRM and marketing tool integrations
• Customer support challenges after purchase
• Occasional bugs with email tracking

Saleshandy Pricing

Transparent pricing with a 30% discount on annual subscriptions:

• Outreach Starter: $36/month ($25/month annually) – 6,000 emails/month, 2,000 prospects
• Outreach Pro: $99/month – 125,000 emails/month, 30,000 prospects
• Outreach Scale: $199/month – 250,000 emails/month, 60,000 prospects
• Outreach Scale Plus: $299/month – 350,000 emails/month, 100,000 prospects

All plans include a 7-day free trial with no credit card required.

When Saleshandy Works Best

Perfect for lead generation agencies and businesses that need both accurate data and scalable outreach capabilities. The unlimited email accounts feature makes it ideal for agencies managing multiple client campaigns simultaneously. Case studies show companies achieving 40-45% open rates, growing their business up to 10x in 4 months, and booking 2-3 high-ticket clients weekly.

Unlike Cognism’s enterprise-focused approach, Saleshandy starts at a much lower price point while still offering substantial database access—making it accessible for smaller teams looking for alternatives.

Kaspr: LinkedIn Contact Data at Your Fingertips

Kaspr is built for one thing: pulling contact data straight from LinkedIn without breaking your flow. This Chrome extension makes finding business emails and phone numbers stupidly simple. Perfect for sales teams who live on LinkedIn and need data fast.

Kaspr Key Features

• Chrome extension that grabs contact data in real-time from LinkedIn profiles, groups, and events
• Verified contact database with phone numbers and emails checked against 120+ sources
• Bulk enrichment for extracting entire contact lists from LinkedIn searches
• LinkedIn automation across profiles, groups, events, and Sales Navigator
• Data organization with notes, tags, and lead tracking
• CRM integrations with HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive for seamless workflow
• Strong European data coverage through Cognism’s database (acquired in 2022)

Kaspr Pros and Cons

✅ Pros:

• One-click data extraction without leaving LinkedIn
• 40% success rate for phone numbers
• Unlimited B2B emails (fair usage applies)
• GDPR and CCPA compliant
• Credits roll over month-to-month

❌ Cons:

• Stuck in the LinkedIn ecosystem
• Limited enrichment beyond basic contact info
• Credit system hits walls with heavy usage
• Fewer advanced features compared to full platforms

Kaspr Pricing

• Free: 5 phone credits, 5 direct emails, 10 exports monthly
• Starter: €45/month ($49) – 1,200 phone credits, 60 email credits yearly
• Business: €79/month ($79) – 2,400 phone credits, 2,400 email credits yearly
• Organization: €99/month ($99) – 24,000 shared phone credits for teams of 5+

All paid plans include unlimited B2B email credits with fair usage limits.

Kaspr Best Use Case

Kaspr works best for:

• Small to medium teams that prospect primarily on LinkedIn
• Sales reps who need quick contact verification without tab-switching
• Recruiters sourcing candidates directly from LinkedIn
• Individual contributors who want simplicity over enterprise complexity

Since Cognism owns Kaspr, you get solid European data coverage with less compliance headache. But it stays focused: simple, affordable LinkedIn prospecting without the enterprise bloat.

Lemlist: Personalized Cold Outreach With Built-in Sequences

Lemlist brings multichannel outreach into one platform, letting you run personalized campaigns across email, LinkedIn, and calls without juggling separate tools. It’s built for teams who want their outreach to feel human, not spammy.

Lemlist Key Features

• Multichannel Sequences – Automate outreach via email, LinkedIn, and calls with automatic steps for LinkedIn actions
• B2B Lead Database – Access 450M+ leads with advanced filtering options refreshed every 30 days
• Smart Enrichment – Find and verify emails with up to 80% accuracy using waterfall enrichment
• Personalization at Scale – Create dynamic content with custom variables, images, videos, and landing pages
• AI Sequences – Generate complete campaigns automatically with AI assistance
• Email Warmup – Built-in Lemwarm tool to improve deliverability and inbox placement
• Advanced Conditions – Create sequences that adapt based on prospect actions
• Unified Inbox – Manage all multichannel conversations in one place

Lemlist Pros and Cons

✅ Pros:

• Strong multichannel automation across email, LinkedIn, and calls
• Excellent personalization capabilities with dynamic content
• Built-in email warmup and deliverability tools
• User-friendly interface with intuitive design
• Seamless CRM integrations with major platforms

❌ Cons:

• More expensive compared to some competitors
• Technical knowledge required for advanced features
• Limited reporting capabilities
• Occasional bugs reported with specific integrations
• Some features locked behind higher-tier plans

Lemlist Pricing

• Email Pro: $69/month – Includes 3 sending emails per user, email campaigns, and basic lead gen
• Multichannel Expert: $99/month – Adds LinkedIn automation, cold calling, team collaboration features
• Enterprise: Custom pricing – Offers dedicated support, custom roles, and advanced permissions

All plans include email verification credits, phone number finder credits, and access to the lead database. Additional sending emails can be purchased for $9/month per user.

What I like: Lemlist’s multichannel orchestration actually works. You can run email sequences that automatically trigger LinkedIn messages or calls based on prospect behavior. The personalization tools help you stand out in crowded inboxes with custom images and videos that feel personal, not templated.

Lemlist Best Use Case

Perfect for sales teams and agencies who need sophisticated outreach that goes beyond basic email blasts. If you’re trying to break through to busy decision-makers who ignore most cold emails, Lemlist’s multichannel approach and creative personalization options give you more ways to connect.

The platform works especially well for outbound campaigns where follow-up timing matters. Unlike Cognism, which stops at data provision, Lemlist handles the entire outreach cycle with built-in deliverability tools that actually keep your emails out of spam folders.

ZoomInfo: Massive B2B Database, Hidden Behind Contracts

ZoomInfo is the enterprise heavyweight that makes other B2B databases look small. With access to more than 321 million active professionals across 104 million companies worldwide, it’s built for organizations that need serious data firepower and have the budget to match.

ZoomInfo Key Features

• Comprehensive B2B database with firmographics, technographics, and buying intent signals
• ZoomInfo Copilot – AI solution that creates custom account summaries and prioritizes accounts
• SalesOS – Includes prospector tool, intent signals, and conversation intelligence (Chorus)
• MarketingOS – Offers cross-channel advertising, advanced audience targeting, and site visitor identification
• OperationsOS – Provides workflow automation, data health monitoring, and lead routing capabilities
• TalentOS – Features talent acquisition tools with ATS integrations and candidate engagement tools

The platform doesn’t just give you contact data—it attempts to replace your entire sales and marketing stack. Whether that’s helpful or overwhelming depends on your team size and complexity needs.

ZoomInfo Pros and Cons

✅ Pros:

• Industry-leading data volume with real-time updates
• Powerful intent data to identify in-market buyers
• Conversation intelligence for analyzing customer interactions
• Seamless integration with major CRMs and marketing platforms
• AI assistant that boosts meeting bookings by 60%

❌ Cons:

• Significantly expensive with annual costs starting around $15,000
• Opaque pricing structure requiring sales conversations
• Contact data can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate
• Steep learning curve with complex interface
• Credit-based system that can limit usage

ZoomInfo Pricing

ZoomInfo offers three main pricing tiers based on features, licenses, and credit usage:

• Professional: $14,995/year with 5,000 annual bulk credits for up to 3 users
• Advanced: $24,995/year with 10,000 annual bulk credits plus 1,000 monthly credits per user
• Elite: $39,995/year with similar credit structure as Advanced but with additional features

Additional users cost between $1,500-$2,500 each depending on the plan level. That pricing adds up fast.

ZoomInfo Best Use Case

ZoomInfo makes sense for enterprise-level companies that need deep data intelligence and have dedicated teams to manage the complexity. If you’re processing thousands of leads monthly, running sophisticated marketing campaigns, and have the budget for a comprehensive solution, ZoomInfo delivers serious value.

But if you’re a smaller team or startup, the learning curve and cost structure can feel like overkill. The platform is designed for organizations with dedicated sales ops teams, not solo founders trying to move fast.

Clay: Workflow Automation Meets Enriched Lead Data

Clay isn’t your typical prospecting tool. It’s more like a no-code operating system for data enrichment that connects to over 100 different data sources. Instead of being locked into one provider’s database, Clay lets you build custom enrichment workflows that pull from dozens of tools simultaneously.

Clay Key Features

• Waterfall enrichment pulling data from 75+ enrichment tools
• AI formula generator for creating custom workflows without code
• Claygent – an AI research agent that scrapes web data automatically
• Multi-provider data enrichment marketplace in one interface
• Personalized copywriting using AI for outreach messages
• Chrome extension for quick data capture
• CRM integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, and others

Clay Pros and Cons

✅ Pros:

• Exceptional data coverage by combining multiple providers (often tripling enrichment rates)
• Flexible credit-based system with rollover up to twice your monthly limit
• User-friendly spreadsheet-like interface
• Strong AI capabilities for research and personalization
• Robust community support through Slack

❌ Cons:

• Steeper learning curve for advanced workflows
• Higher price point compared to basic tools
• Credits can be consumed quickly with comprehensive enrichments
• Requires external tools for full outreach automation
• Some technical knowledge needed for complex setups

Clay Pricing

Clay offers transparent pricing with a 10% discount on annual subscriptions:

• Free: $0/month – 100 credits/month, limited features
• Starter: $149/month – 2,000 credits/month
• Explorer: $349/month – 10,000 credits/month with HTTP API integration
• Pro: $800/month – 50,000 credits/month with CRM integrations
• Enterprise: Custom pricing with unlimited rows and dedicated support

What I like: Clay gives you total control over enrichment workflows and personalization logic. For teams obsessed with data quality and ultra-targeted outreach, it’s incredibly flexible, but it’s not a plug-and-play solution for full outreach automation.

Clay Best Use Case

Clay excels for data-focused growth teams who need advanced enrichment capabilities without coding. It’s particularly valuable for companies seeking to replace multiple data providers with a single platform. Notably, businesses using Clay have reported tripling their enrichment rates compared to previous solutions like ZoomInfo. Growth teams at companies like Verkada use Clay for targeted ABM campaigns, achieving breakthrough email performance through AI-driven personalization.

Hunter.io: The Classic Email Finder for Pros

Hunter.io cuts through the noise by focusing on one thing: finding and verifying business emails. While Cognism builds complex enterprise platforms, Hunter keeps it simple—email discovery and lightweight outreach campaigns without the bloat.

Hunter.io Key Features

• Domain Search – Find emails associated with any company website with sources verification
• Email Finder – Locate specific contacts by name and company with bulk finding options
• Email Verifier – Check deliverability status with confidence scoring before sending
• Campaigns and Reporting – Send personalized email sequences with templates and tracking
• Extensions and Integrations – Chrome extension, Firefox add-on, and Google Sheets integration

Hunter.io Pros and Cons

✅ Pros:

• Clean, intuitive interface that doesn’t require training
• Database stays fresh with regular updates from publicly available sources
• Solid free plan for testing the waters
• Multiple integrations and browser extensions that actually work
• Team collaboration features with proper role permissions

❌ Cons:

• Email data disappears when companies remove it from their websites
• Campaign features feel basic—no A/B testing or email warm-up
• Limited verification capabilities for “accept all” email servers
• Paid plans get expensive for what you actually get
• No AI assistance for content generation

Hunter.io Pricing

• Free: 25 searches/month, 50 verifications/month, 1 email account
• Starter: $34/month (annual) or $49/month – 500 searches, 1,000 verifications, 3 email accounts
• Growth: $104/month (annual) or $149/month – 5,000 searches, 10,000 verifications, 10 email accounts
• Business: $349/month (annual) – 50,000 searches, 100,000 verifications, 20 email accounts

Hunter.io Best Use Case

Hunter.io works best as a starting point for small businesses, freelancers, and startups who need reliable email discovery without complex sales engagement features. If you’re running basic cold email outreach and already know your targeting strategy, Hunter delivers clean data with minimal setup friction.

The catch? Organizations needing full lead nurturing capabilities will quickly outgrow Hunter’s feature set. It’s designed as a specialized tool within a larger sales toolkit, not a complete solution. Think of it as the reliable email finder that does one job well, rather than the Swiss Army knife of prospecting tools.

Instantly: Mass Cold Email at Scale for Agencies

Instantly tackles cold email at scale without the usual restrictions that bog down most platforms. While Cognism focuses on data, Instantly is built around one core idea: unlimited email sending that actually reaches inboxes.

Instantly Key Features

• Unlimited Email Accounts – Connect as many mailboxes as you want with no extra fees
• AI-Powered Optimization – Generate sequences, check spam triggers, and automate replies
• Lead Database – Access 160M+ verified B2B contacts with filtering options
• Email Warm-up Network – Automatic warm-up through 1M+ human accounts for better deliverability
• Unibox – Centralized inbox for managing conversations across all accounts
• A/Z Testing – Run multivariate testing beyond basic A/B comparisons
• Campaign Analytics – Track opens, replies, and revenue attribution

Instantly Pros and Cons

✅ Pros:

• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees for additional accounts
• Strong deliverability through sophisticated warm-up system
• User-friendly interface scoring 8.7/10 for ease of use
• AI capabilities for content generation and optimization
• Trusted by 30,000+ teams worldwide

❌ Cons:

• Limited integrations with only a few CRMs (HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive)
• Email-focused with minimal multichannel capabilities
• Complex pricing when combining sending and leads packages
• Some users report occasional deliverability issues
• Support quality varies according to customer feedback

Instantly Pricing

• Growth: $37/month – Unlimited email accounts, unlimited warm-up, 1,000 uploaded contacts, 5,000 emails/month
• Hypergrowth: $97/month – Unlimited accounts, advanced warm-up, 25,000 uploaded contacts, 100,000 emails/month
• Additional Lead Plans: Separate pricing starting at $47/month for 1,000 verified leads

All plans include email verification, bounce detection, and integrations. Annual subscriptions offer a 20% discount.

What I like: Instantly delivers maximum cold email scale at a fraction of the cost of most competitors. Its warmup system, inbox rotation, and simplified CRM features make it an excellent fit for cold email agencies or smaller teams who want volume and efficiency without needing full sales engagement complexity.

Instantly Best Use Case

Instantly works best for businesses running high-volume email outreach, especially agencies managing multiple client campaigns. Its unlimited email accounts feature lets you scale without proportional cost increases.

For teams tired of Cognism’s enterprise approach and opaque pricing, Instantly offers transparent costs and simpler setup. Growth-focused teams appreciate its AI optimization that improves campaigns based on actual performance data.

Reply.io: Multichannel Outreach With Built-in AI

Reply.io tackles the multichannel problem that most Cognism alternatives ignore. While others focus on data alone, Reply.io lets you actually reach prospects across email, LinkedIn, phone calls, SMS, and WhatsApp from one platform. It’s built for sales teams who want real automation, not just contact lists.

Reply.io Key Features

• Multichannel Automation – Create sequences combining emails, LinkedIn messages, calls, and SMS in one workflow
• Unlimited Email Accounts – Connect as many mailboxes as needed with no extra charges
• AI SDR (Jason) – AI assistant that handles prospecting, personalized messaging, and response management
• Sales Intelligence – Access to 1 billion contacts across 60+ million accounts in 150+ countries
• Email Deliverability Kit – 30+ features including Gmail API integration, email warm-up, and AI personalization
• Advanced Analytics – Detailed reporting on email, call, task, and team performance

Reply.io Pros and Cons

✅ Pros:

• True multichannel automation across all major communication channels
• Unlimited mailboxes and email sending capacity on all Business plans
• Strong AI capabilities for content generation and sequence creation
• Real-time B2B contact database with intent signals
• Fast support response (under 15 minutes during operating hours)

❌ Cons:

• Complex pricing structure that can be confusing for new users
• Steeper learning curve with feature-rich interface
• Some users report bugs with LinkedIn integration
• Limited advanced CRM integrations on lower-tier plans
• Occasional deliverability issues despite features

Reply.io Pricing

• Email Volume Plan: Starting at $59/month with 1,000 active contacts, unlimited mailboxes
• Multichannel Plan: Starting at $99/user/month with unlimited active contacts and 5 mailboxes per user
• Agency Plan: Starting at $166/month (annual billing) with unlimited clients and mailboxes
• AI SDR Plan: Starting at $500/month for AI-powered automation with 500 contacts

Reply.io Best Use Case

Reply.io makes sense when you’re running coordinated outreach campaigns that need to hit prospects across multiple touchpoints. SDR teams get the most value from its sequence automation—you can set up email → LinkedIn connection → phone call workflows that run automatically.

Agencies love the unlimited clients feature, and account-based sales teams use it to orchestrate multi-touch campaigns across decision-makers. The AI SDR assistant handles a lot of the grunt work, but you’ll need structured processes to get the most from all the features.

If your outreach strategy involves multiple channels and you want everything automated from one place, Reply.io delivers. Just be ready for the learning curve.

Lusha: Direct Dials + Chrome Extension Simplicity

Lusha keeps things simple: Chrome extension meets LinkedIn prospecting. While you’re browsing profiles or company pages, it pulls verified business contact information in real-time. With 100 million business emails and 60 million decision-maker contacts, it’s built for teams who want fast data without enterprise headaches.

What I like: Lusha nails the LinkedIn workflow. You’re already researching prospects, and with one click, you get verified emails and phone numbers right there in your browser. No switching tabs, no complex setups, just instant contact data while you work.

Lusha Key Features

• Chrome Extension for instant contact extraction from LinkedIn and company websites
• AI-Recommended Lists of companies and decision-makers tailored to your ideal customer profile
• Live Playlists that automatically add fresh prospects based on your criteria
• Intent Data Integration to identify companies actively seeking solutions
• Advanced Filtering by buyer intent, funding, and other B2B parameters
• CRM Integration with Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, and other major platforms

Lusha Pros and Cons

✅ Pros:

• One-click data extraction while browsing LinkedIn
• GDPR, CCPA, ISO 27701, and ISO 27001 certified
• Direct contact information including mobile numbers
• Strong data accuracy for a browser extension tool
• AI recommendations help find similar prospects

❌ Cons:

• Credit walls hit fast for heavy users
• Contact information can be outdated (80-90% reliability)
• Limited US contact coverage compared to competitors
• Pricing climbs quickly with phone number access
• Works best within LinkedIn ecosystem

Lusha Pricing

Lusha uses a credit system where 1 credit gets you an email and 10 credits get you a phone number:

• Free: $0/month – 50 email credits, 5 phone credits
• Pro: $29/user/month (annual) or $39/month – 480 credits/year or 40 credits/month
• Premium: $51/user/month (annual) or $69/month – 960 credits/year or 80 credits/month
• Scale: Custom pricing with unlimited credits (subject to fair usage)

Credits roll over up to twice your monthly limit on monthly plans. Annual plans give you all credits upfront.

Lusha Best Use Case

Lusha works best for B2B sales teams who live on LinkedIn and need instant contact verification without leaving their workflow. If you’re doing profile-by-profile research and want verified emails and phone numbers on the spot, it’s hard to beat.

Small to medium-sized businesses get the most value here—especially if you’re targeting North American and European markets where Lusha’s coverage is strongest. The compliance certifications also make it a safer choice than scrappier alternatives if data privacy matters to your organization.

That said, if you’re doing high-volume prospecting or need leads from platforms beyond LinkedIn, the credit system and limited platform coverage might slow you down.

RocketReach: Contact Discovery for Recruiters and Sales

RocketReach brings serious firepower to contact discovery with 700 million professional profiles and 60 million companies worldwide. Think of it as a search engine built specifically for finding verified contact information and connecting with decision-makers .

RocketReach Key Features

• Massive database with 700M contact records and 60M company records
• Chrome extension for instant contact discovery while browsing LinkedIn or websites
• Advanced search filters including job title, company size, and location
• AI-recommended lists for discovering similar prospects
• Real-time email verification with 98% claimed accuracy
• Integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, and other major CRMs
• Bulk search capabilities for processing large contact lists

RocketReach Pros and Cons

✅ Pros:

• Extensive database coverage outperforming many competitors
• User-friendly interface scoring 9.1/10 for ease of use
• Strong Chrome extension for LinkedIn and website prospecting
• Contact data accuracy rated at 81% vs Cognism’s 79%
• Effective for finding personal and professional emails

❌ Cons:

• Data can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate [28]
• Limited bulk exports on lower-tier plans
• Higher pricing compared to basic prospecting tools
• Manual deletion of search criteria reported as cumbersome [8]
• Credit-based system can become restrictive for heavy users

RocketReach Pricing

• Essentials: $48/month (annual) – Unlimited personal & professional emails, 1,200 exports/year
• Pro: $108/month (annual) – Adds unlimited phone numbers, 3,600 exports/year
• Ultimate: $249/month (annual) – 10,000 exports/year, advanced integrations

All plans include free lookups initially, with additional lookups priced from $0.30 to $0.45 each when exceeding plan limits.

What I like: RocketReach gives you one of the largest verified B2B contact databases on the market, with simple filters that help you build prospect lists fast. The AI lookalike feature also helps automate lead discovery based on your ICP.

RocketReach Best Use Case

RocketReach works exceptionally well for teams conducting specific B2B searches that require detailed contact information. Sales professionals seeking direct access to decision-makers’ information benefit most from its extensive database. Businesses targeting niche industries find value in RocketReach’s advanced filtering capabilities. The platform excels when you need to quickly identify specific contacts rather than build full outreach campaigns.

“If I need a single contact’s info quickly, RocketReach is my go-to.” — Business Consultant

Seamless.ai: Real-Time Leads, Credit-Based Model

Seamless.ai takes a different approach than most B2B tools by crawling the web in real-time instead of relying on static databases. While other platforms serve up the same contact lists to everyone, Seamless actively searches for fresh data when you need it.

Seamless.ai Key Features

• Real-time search engine accessing over 1.3 billion business contacts
• AI-powered contact verification for improved accuracy
• Buyer intent data to identify ready-to-purchase prospects
• Job change alerts for tracking key contacts
• Data enrichment for completing contact and company records
• Chrome extension for LinkedIn and website prospecting
• CRM integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, and others
• AI writer for generating outreach content

Seamless.ai Pros and Cons

✅ Pros:

• Real-time data updates rather than static databases
• High-quality lead information with accurate contact details
• User-friendly interface requiring minimal training
• Chrome extension for convenient on-page prospecting
• AI-powered tools for content creation and personalization

❌ Cons:

• Inconsistent data accuracy reported by some users
• Limited customization options for some features
• Pricing transparency issues requiring sales conversations
• Credit-based system that restricts usage
• Some users report problematic cancelation policies

What I like: Seamless.ai’s real-time approach means you’re not getting the same stale contact lists as everyone else. The intent data helps you focus on prospects who are actually in-market, and the Chrome extension makes it easy to grab contact info while you’re already researching on LinkedIn.

Seamless.ai Pricing

Seamless.ai offers four pricing tiers with varying features:

• Free: 50 lifetime credits, basic search functionality
• Basic: 250 monthly credits with email support
• Pro: Daily credit refresh, pitch intelligence, unlimited integrations
• Enterprise: Custom credit allocation, dedicated account manager, quarterly business reviews

All plans include email addresses, phone numbers, real-time search, and basic integrations. However, the exact pricing isn’t publicly available—you’ll need to contact their sales team for specific quotes.

Seamless.ai Best Use Case

Seamless.ai works best for B2B sales teams who want fresh contact data and don’t mind the credit-based system. It’s particularly valuable for teams that prioritize fresh data over static databases. The AI capabilities and automation features make it solid for organizations looking to streamline prospecting workflows and identify in-market buyers through intent data. Sales development representatives and account executives will find the most value in this platform for building pipeline and closing deals more efficiently.

The real-time data discovery sets it apart from tools that just serve up the same contact databases, but the pricing opacity puts it in the same camp as Cognism when it comes to transparency.

UpLead: Verified B2B Contacts With CRM Integration

UpLead takes a data-first approach to B2B prospecting with real-time verification built right in. While other platforms promise accuracy after the fact, UpLead verifies emails before you even export them, which means you’re not burning credits on dead addresses.

With 95% data accuracy and transparent pricing, it’s positioned as the sensible middle ground between basic email finders and expensive enterprise platforms that require six-figure commitments.

UpLead Key Features

• Expansive B2B Database with 160+ million verified contacts across 200+ countries
• Real-time Email Verification ensuring 95% data accuracy before export
• Chrome Extension for capturing data while browsing LinkedIn or company websites
• 50+ Advanced Filters including job title, location, revenue, company size, and technologies
• Technographics to identify companies using specific technologies (16,000+ tracked)
• Data Enrichment for appending 50+ data points to existing contact lists
• Intent Data (Professional plan) showing in-market buyers actively seeking solutions
• CRM Integration with Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, Pipedrive, and 15+ other platforms

What I like: UpLead’s real-time verification prevents you from wasting credits on invalid emails, which is exactly the kind of practical feature that saves time and money. The 50+ search filters give you serious targeting control without the enterprise complexity.

UpLead Pros and Cons

✅ Pros:

• Real-time verification preventing wasted credits on invalid emails
• User-friendly interface scoring highly for ease of use
• Comprehensive contact information including mobile direct dials
• No long-term contracts unlike Cognism’s reported 6-month commitments
• Transparent credit-based pricing model

❌ Cons:

• Limited data on smaller companies (fewer than 10 employees)
• International database occasionally less complete outside the US
• Saved search parameters sometimes fail to stay configured
• Strict cancelation policy requiring scheduled calls
• Credit-based system can limit usage for high-volume needs

UpLead Pricing

• Test Drive: Free 7-day trial with 5 credits
• Essentials: $99/month for 170 credits with core features
• Plus: $199/month for 400 credits plus enrichment and technographics
• Professional: Custom pricing (annual billing) with buyer intent data and team features

Each credit unlocks one contact’s information. Additional credits can be purchased at $0.50-$0.60 each depending on your plan.

UpLead Best Use Case

UpLead hits the sweet spot for B2B sales teams who want data accuracy without enterprise-level complexity or contracts. It’s particularly strong for companies targeting mid-market prospects rather than Fortune 500 accounts.

The results speak for themselves: Kyber Security achieved 1,800% ROI, Code Red Safety closed $150,000 in new business within 60 days, and StaffingFuture reported 1,567% ROI.

For teams frustrated with Cognism’s opaque pricing and long-term commitments, UpLead offers a more accessible path forward with transparent costs and no contract lock-in.

FindThatLead: Affordable Lead Generation for Beginners

FindThatLead keeps things simple. It’s a straightforward B2B prospecting tool that pulls contact info from LinkedIn profiles and company websites without the enterprise bloat. Think of it as the budget-friendly option when you need basic lead generation without Cognism’s complexity.

FindThatLead Key Features

• Chrome extension for email extraction from LinkedIn and corporate sites
• Prospector tool for lead generation by industry, role, and location
• Built-in email verification to cut down bounce rates
• Cold email campaigns with automated follow-up sequences
• Social search through Twitter follower networks
• Salesforce and Zapier integrations for CRM connectivity
• Bulk processing for larger contact lists

FindThatLead Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Budget-friendly pricing for small teams
• Clean interface that doesn’t require training
• Responsive support team
• Chrome extension speeds up prospecting workflow
• Campaign tools included in the platform

Cons:

• Data accuracy sits around 43% efficiency rate
• Some users report duplicate billing issues
• Limited search filters compared to enterprise tools
• Charges for attempts, not just successful finds
• Contact info can be outdated in certain results

What I like: FindThatLead doesn’t try to be everything to everyone. It focuses on basic email discovery and campaign management at a price point that makes sense for small businesses and solo operators.

FindThatLead Pricing

• Free Trial: 7 days with 50 email credits
• Starter: $37/month (annual) or $49/month – 2,000 email credits, 1 email account
• Ultimate: $75/month (annual) or $99/month – unlimited email credits, 15 email accounts

Previous pricing tiers included Growth ($23/month), Startup ($62.50/month), and Suite ($166/month).

FindThatLead Best Use Case

FindThatLead works best for small businesses and individual sales pros who need affordable prospect building. Startups with tight budgets get the most value from its straightforward email discovery approach. The built-in campaign features make it useful for teams running basic outbound without needing separate tools.

It’s positioned as the accessible alternative when Cognism’s enterprise features and pricing don’t match your actual needs.

IGLeads vs Cognism: key differences

The gap between IGLeads and Cognism isn’t just about features. It’s about philosophy. These platforms serve completely different markets, and understanding that difference could save you thousands.

Category	IGLeads	Cognism
Data coverage	Scrapes real-time data from social media platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, Google Maps, and YouTube	Largest senior-level B2B contact database in Europe, with strong phone number reach
Pricing	Flat monthly plans, no contracts, no per-user fees	Annual contracts starting at $1,500–$2,500 per user plus platform fees
Compliance	Extracts public social data; GDPR, CFAA, DMCA aligned	Scrubs mobile numbers against Do-Not-Call lists in 13 countries, GDPR & CCPA compliant
Verification method	Real-time scraping from live profiles as you search	AI + in-house human verification; Diamond Data® with phone-verified accuracy
Target market	Small teams, solopreneurs, and marketers targeting niche markets on social media	Enterprise sales teams, especially those targeting the European B2B market

Bottom line: If you need enterprise-grade European B2B data with phone verification, Cognism makes sense despite the cost. If you’re targeting social media audiences, local businesses, or niche markets that traditional databases miss, IGLeads is faster and cheaper.

We prepared a detailed article disclosing Cognism’s price.

Looking for that budget-friendly alternative with specialized lead generation? Sign up to IGLeads for free and see how it handles cross-platform lead generation without enterprise complexity.

Why look for Cognism alternatives?

Data accuracy problems are driving teams away from Cognism. Users consistently report outdated information, especially in Asian markets where contact details often belong to previous companies. When you’re burning through credits on bad data, that’s a real problem.

The pricing headaches are just as frustrating. Cognism won’t show you their costs upfront, making budget planning nearly impossible. You’re looking at around €4-5k just to get started, then continuous upsells hit you. Here’s the kicker: after paying for the platform, you discover you need extra “export credits” to actually use the data you already bought.

Technical integration issues add another layer of complexity. Even with responsive support, users struggle with CRM integration, particularly getting intent data into Salesforce in a format that actually works for email automation.

Cognism openly admits they’re not built for everyone:

• Startups needing B2C or SMB data
• Teams targeting freelancer markets
• Companies wanting all-in-one prospecting solutions

Regional coverage creates more gaps. Cognism dominates European markets but falls short elsewhere—especially in US and APAC regions. If you need global reach, that’s a dealbreaker.

The enterprise-first approach creates unnecessary friction for smaller teams. The platform assumes you have a structured sales org, making it clunky for individual contributors or teams that need plug-and-play simplicity.

If you want to learn more about the tool, click to read our Cognism review.

Bottom line: If you’re hitting walls with data accuracy, pricing transparency, or regional coverage, it might be time to explore alternatives that actually fit your workflow.

Looking for something more straightforward? Start scraping at IGLeads and see if a simpler approach works better for your needs.

Top criteria for choosing Cognism alternatives

Choosing the right Cognism alternative isn’t just about features and price tags. You need to dig deeper.

Data accuracy should be your first filter. Look for platforms with verified contact information and regular database updates. Outdated leads kill outreach campaigns. No exceptions.

Database size matters, but don’t get fooled by big numbers. A smaller database with fresh, verified contacts beats a massive collection of stale data. The best platforms verify their data through multiple sources—some even offer phone-verified numbers that actually connect.

Pricing structures can be tricky. Many providers use tiered models where the good stuff costs extra. Before you sign anything, know exactly what’s included. Is intent data extra? Are there export limits? Hidden fees after you’re locked in?

Here’s what actually matters when evaluating alternatives:

• Verified contact data that passes compliance checks and actually works
• Clean CRM integrations that don’t require engineering support
• Simple interface that your team can use without training manuals
• Fresh data updates so you’re not calling people who left companies months ago
• Real customer support that responds after you’ve paid

Compliance isn’t optional anymore. The platform needs transparent data privacy policies and real GDPR/CCPA adherence. You don’t want legal headaches because your vendor cut corners on compliance.

Customer support quality separates the winners from the pretenders. Too many users report that support goes dark after contracts are signed. Read recent reviews, not just the testimonials on their homepage.

The right choice depends on your specific needs, team size, and how you actually prospect. Don’t get distracted by flashy features you’ll never use.