Cognism is a popular B2B lead generation and sales intelligence platform, known for its GDPR-compliant data and international contact coverage. But many sales teams find the platform expensive, or feel its data accuracy and CRM integrations fall short of expectations. If that sounds like you, you’re not alone. Whether you’re a startup needing more flexibility […]
Cognism is a popular B2B lead generation and sales intelligence platform, known for its GDPR-compliant data and international contact coverage. But many sales teams find the platform expensive, or feel its data accuracy and CRM integrations fall short of expectations. If that sounds like you, you’re not alone. Whether you’re a startup needing more flexibility or an enterprise looking for deeper enrichment, this guide will introduce 10 of the best Cognism alternatives in 2025.
List of the Best ZoomInfo Alternatives
1. Lusha
Lusha is the perfect Cognism alternative if you’re looking for more full-funnel capabilities — from prospecting to outreach. Lusha is a sales streaming platform that grows your pipeline by providing an endless stream of AI-based recommended leads, all matched to your ICP – so you can focus on just selling.
Best Features:
- Verified Data – First-party, proprietary, and fully verified.
- Ease of Use – Plug-and-play setup, no learning curve.
- Fast and friendly support team.
- Smart AI Recommendations – leads matched to ICP automatically.
- Dynamic AI Playlists – Prospect lists that grow and update on their own.
- Hands-Free Outreach – Automate entire outreach sequence.
- Integrations – Works smoothly with Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach, and more.
- Compliance – Fully certified: GDPR, CCPA, SOC 2, ISO27701.
- Real-Time Buying Signals – Instantly spot high-intent prospects with built-in job changes and intent alerts.
- AI-Powered Alerts – Stay ahead with intent, tech stack, and role change notifications.
- No Hidden Costs – Clear, transparent pricing with everything included.
- Chrome extension for LinkedIn prospecting
Pricing Information:
Lusha offers a Free plan with limited credits, as well as Pro and Premium options priced per user. Enterprise plans are available with custom quotes and features.
For more information on Lusha packages, check out the pricing page
Lusha vs Cognism: Who is better?
Lusha is better than Cognism for small to mid-sized sales teams that need quick, actionable data with minimal setup. While Cognism excels in EMEA targeting, Lusha offers broader usability and better affordability — making it our top pick for 2025.
See how Cognism compares to Lusha.
2. Clearbit
Clearbit is a good Cognism alternative for teams that want real-time enrichment and firmographic insights baked into their workflows. It’s best for marketing and sales teams who prioritize account intelligence over sheer contact volume.
Best Features:
- Real-time website visitor tracking
- Enrichment APIs for CRMs and web forms
- Powerful firmographic data
- Slack and Salesforce integrations
Pricing Information:
Clearbit’s pricing varies by product and usage volume. Offers custom plans for Enrichment, Reveal, and Advertising tools.
Clearbit vs Cognism: Who is better?
Clearbit focuses more on enrichment and inbound intelligence, while Cognism leans toward outbound prospecting. If you want to turn anonymous traffic into leads, Clearbit may be a better fit.
3. ZoomInfo
ZoomInfo is a strong Cognism competitor for larger sales teams focused on enterprise-scale lead gen. Like Cognism, it offers robust B2B data, but with added tools for intent signals, org charts, and advanced segmentation. However, some users report a steep learning curve and high cost.
Best Features:
- Deep firmographic and technographic data
- Intent data and predictive scoring
- Workflow automation tools
- Extensive CRM and sales stack integrations
Pricing Information:
ZoomInfo uses a tiered, custom-quote model based on data volume, features, and number of seats. No free plan is available.
ZoomInfo vs Cognism: Who is better?
ZoomInfo is more powerful for enterprise sales teams needing deep data and custom workflows. But for smaller teams or EMEA-focused outreach, Cognism or Lusha could be more efficient and budget-friendly.
4. Apollo.io
Apollo.io is a good Cognism alternative if you’re looking for more full-funnel capabilities — from prospecting to outreach. It’s ideal for startups and scaling teams who want contact data plus built-in email and call tools. Like Cognism, Apollo has a large database, but its outreach automation sets it apart.
Best Features:
- Built-in email sequences and dialer
- Access to over 270M contacts
- AI-assisted lead scoring and suggestions
- Integrates with Salesforce, HubSpot, and more
Pricing Information:
Apollo offers a Free plan with limited daily credits, along with paid plans that scale by features and user count. Custom pricing is available for Enterprise tiers.
Apollo.io vs Cognism: Who is better?
Apollo is a better fit if you want prospecting and outreach in one place. However, its data is sometimes US-skewed. If you’re selling to EMEA or need strong GDPR compliance, Cognism (or Lusha) may be better.
5. LeadIQ
LeadIQ is a great Cognism alternative if you’re a sales rep who prefers simplicity. It’s ideal for capturing leads while browsing LinkedIn and syncing them instantly to your CRM. Like Cognism, it helps you build targeted prospect lists — but with a lightweight, rep-friendly interface.
Best Features:
- Chrome extension for lead capture
- Email and phone enrichment
- One-click CRM sync
- Basic analytics and activity tracking
Pricing Information:
LeadIQ has a free plan with limited features, and tiered pricing based on user count and monthly credits.
LeadIQ vs Cognism: Who is better?
LeadIQ is easier to use and less expensive but offers fewer advanced targeting features than Cognism. If you’re a solo rep or in a small team, LeadIQ might be more practical.
6. SalesIntel
SalesIntel is a solid Cognism alternative for businesses that prioritize data quality. It combines machine processing with human verification to deliver reliable, phone-verified data — especially valuable for enterprise sales teams.
Best Features:
- Human-verified contact data
- Intent data partnerships (Bombora)
- Buyer intelligence insights
- Account-based search filters
Pricing Information:
SalesIntel offers demo-based pricing with flexible plans based on credit usage. No public pricing is listed.
SalesIntel vs Cognism: Who is better?
SalesIntel excels in US data accuracy, while Cognism performs better in EMEA markets. For US-based outbound teams, SalesIntel may be a top choice.
7. Hunter.io
Hunter.io is a strong Cognism alternative for users focused purely on email discovery. It’s best for freelancers, recruiters, or startups doing lightweight lead gen without complex workflows.
Best Features:
- Domain search for emails
- Email verification tools
- Bulk search and export
- API access for developers
Pricing Information:
Hunter offers a Free plan and several paid plans based on monthly search credits. Pricing scales with usage.
Hunter.io vs Cognism: Who is better?
Hunter is great for email outreach at scale but lacks the enrichment and compliance features of Cognism. It’s a lean tool — great for scrappy teams, but limited for full-funnel sales.
8. UpLead
UpLead is a strong Cognism alternative for users who prioritize data accuracy and transparency. It’s often praised for its clean interface and ability to preview data before you use credits.
Best Features:
- 95%+ data accuracy claim
- Real-time email verification
- Technographic and firmographic filters
- CRM and Zapier integrations
Pricing Information:
UpLead offers several plans, including monthly or annual options based on credit usage. A free trial is available.
UpLead vs Cognism: Who is better?
UpLead is often cheaper and easier to navigate than Cognism but has a smaller database. It’s a great middle-ground tool.
9. Kaspr
Kaspr is a Cognism alternative built for LinkedIn-centric prospecting. It’s especially useful for SDRs who rely on LinkedIn for identifying and messaging leads.
Best Features:
- Chrome extension for LinkedIn prospecting
- Phone number and email enrichment
- Workflow automation tools
- CRM sync options
Pricing Information:
Kaspr offers flexible credit-based plans with monthly billing. Custom pricing is available for teams.
Kaspr vs Cognism: Who is better?
Kaspr is lean and LinkedIn-first, while Cognism is more feature-rich. For social selling, Kaspr is a quick and affordable alternative.
10. Slintel (by 6sense)
Slintel is a solid Cognism competitor for advanced sales teams focused on technographics and buying intent. Now part of 6sense, it’s best for organizations embracing ABM and predictive analytics.
Best Features:
- Technographic and intent insights
- Deep account-level research
- ICP-based lead scoring
- Seamless 6sense ecosystem integration
Pricing Information:
Slintel uses custom enterprise pricing. Demos are required to get started.
Slintel vs Cognism: Who is better?
Slintel offers stronger ABM and buying signal capabilities but is more expensive and complex. If you’re early in your sales tech journey, Cognism or Lusha might be more accessible.
Cognism Alternatives FAQs
What is the best Cognism alternative?
Lusha is the best Cognism alternative for sales teams, thanks to its accurate data, user-friendly interface, and flexible pricing.
Why do businesses look for Cognism alternatives?
Common reasons include high pricing, limited US data coverage, lack of advanced outreach tools, or a need for deeper CRM integrations.
What criteria should I consider when choosing a Cognism alternative?
Look for data accuracy, ease of use, CRM integration, GDPR compliance, pricing flexibility, and whether the tool supports your market (US vs EMEA).
Which Cognism alternative is best for startups and small businesses?
Apollo.io and Lusha are excellent options for startups due to their free plans, affordable upgrades, and all-in-one features.
Why is Lusha better than Cognism?
Lusha is easier to use, more budget-friendly, and offers a highly rated browser extension that streamlines lead capture — ideal for busy sales reps.
How accurate and fresh is Cognism’s contact data?
Cognism offers GDPR-compliant and regularly updated data, especially strong in EMEA. However, some users find US data less comprehensive.
What should I consider before switching from Cognism?
Assess your team size, budget, target markets, and integration needs. Also consider ease of onboarding, data accuracy, and available support.
