Why look beyond ZoomInfo

ZoomInfo is a prominent platform in the B2B data and sales intelligence market, known for its extensive database of business contacts and company information, along with tools for sales engagement and market intelligence. Its core offerings, such as SalesOS, MarketingOS, and TalentOS, aim to support various go-to-market strategies by providing access to contact details, firmographics, and intent signals. However, organizations may seek alternatives for several reasons.

One common factor is pricing structure, as ZoomInfo primarily offers custom enterprise-level contracts, which may not align with the budget or scale requirements of small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) or startups. Some users also report variations in data accuracy or coverage for specific niches or international markets. Additionally, while ZoomInfo provides an API for integration, the developer experience and ease of integration with specific tech stacks can influence decisions. Teams might also look for platforms with different feature sets, such as more robust CRM integration out-of-the-box, specialized recruiting tools, or a user interface that better suits their operational workflows.

Top alternatives ranked

  1. 1. Apollo.io — Sales intelligence and engagement platform for B2B teams

    Apollo.io provides a sales intelligence and engagement platform designed for B2B sales and marketing teams. It offers a database of B2B contacts and companies, along with tools for email outreach, calling, and scheduling. Apollo.io integrates prospecting capabilities with sales engagement automation, allowing users to build targeted lists, find verified contact information, and execute multi-channel outreach sequences. The platform includes features for email verification, lead scoring, and CRM synchronization. It aims to streamline the sales process from lead generation to conversion by combining data access with automated communication tools. Apollo.io offers various pricing tiers, including a free plan, which makes it accessible to a broader range of businesses compared to platforms with custom enterprise pricing. Its focus on integrated sales workflows appeals to teams seeking an all-in-one solution for prospecting and outreach.

    • Best for: SMBs and sales teams needing integrated prospecting, outreach automation, and a freemium model.

    Learn more on the Apollo.io profile page or visit the Apollo.io official website.

  2. 2. Lusha — B2B contact and company data for sales and recruiting

    Lusha specializes in providing B2B contact and company data, primarily through browser extensions that allow users to find contact details directly from LinkedIn profiles or company websites. The platform focuses on delivering accurate email addresses and phone numbers for sales professionals and recruiters. Lusha's database is built on a community-sourced model, which contributes to its data accuracy and coverage. It offers integrations with popular CRMs and sales engagement platforms, enabling users to export contact information directly into their existing workflows. Lusha provides different subscription plans, including a free trial, catering to individual users and small teams, as well as enterprise solutions. Its ease of use and direct access to contact information make it a strong alternative for those prioritizing quick data retrieval for prospecting and talent acquisition.

    • Best for: Salespeople and recruiters needing quick access to verified B2B contact data via browser extensions.

    Learn more on the Lusha profile page or visit the Lusha official website.

  3. 3. Cognism — Premium B2B sales intelligence with GDPR and CCPA compliance

    Cognism offers a sales intelligence platform known for its focus on GDPR and CCPA compliance, providing verified B2B contact and company data. It specializes in delivering accurate mobile numbers and email addresses for sales and marketing teams, particularly within EMEA markets, alongside global coverage. Cognism's platform includes features for intent data, firmographics, technographics, and sales trigger events, helping users identify and prioritize potential buyers. It integrates with various CRM systems and sales engagement tools, allowing for seamless data export and workflow automation. Cognism emphasizes data quality and compliance, positioning itself for businesses operating in regulated environments or those with a strong focus on data privacy. Its premium data offering targets organizations seeking high-quality, compliant contact information for their outbound strategies.

    • Best for: Sales and marketing teams prioritizing GDPR/CCPA-compliant data, particularly for EMEA markets, with high accuracy mobile numbers.

    Learn more on the Cognism profile page or visit the Cognism official website.

  4. 4. Salesforce Sales Cloud — Comprehensive CRM for sales process management

    Salesforce Sales Cloud is a leading customer relationship management (CRM) platform designed to manage sales, marketing, and customer service activities. While not a direct B2B data provider like ZoomInfo, it serves as a central hub for sales teams to manage leads, opportunities, accounts, and contacts. Sales Cloud offers extensive customization options, workflow automation, reporting, and forecasting capabilities. It integrates with a vast ecosystem of third-party applications, including sales intelligence tools, through the AppExchange. Businesses often use Sales Cloud in conjunction with data providers to enrich their CRM data and streamline sales processes. Its strength lies in its comprehensive sales process management, scalability for large enterprises, and ability to integrate with various data sources to provide a holistic view of customer interactions. For organizations that already have a robust CRM and seek to integrate data intelligence, Sales Cloud provides the foundational platform.

    • Best for: Large enterprise sales teams requiring a customizable, integrated CRM to manage complex sales processes and integrate with various data sources.

    Learn more on the Salesforce Sales Cloud profile page or visit the Salesforce Sales Cloud product page.

  5. 5. HubSpot — Integrated CRM platform for marketing, sales, and service

    HubSpot offers an integrated CRM platform that includes tools for marketing, sales, customer service, and content management. Its Sales Hub provides features for sales engagement, including email sequences, meeting scheduling, and deal tracking, alongside its core CRM functionality. While HubSpot's primary focus is on inbound marketing and sales, it also provides tools for prospecting and lead management. HubSpot's platform is designed for ease of use and offers a unified view of customer interactions across different departments. It includes a free CRM and various paid hubs that scale with business needs. For businesses looking for an all-in-one platform that combines sales intelligence with broader marketing and service capabilities, HubSpot offers a compelling alternative. Its developer tools allow for integration with other data sources to enrich its CRM. HubSpot is particularly strong for SMBs and mid-market companies seeking an integrated approach to customer relationship management and growth.

    • Best for: Small to medium businesses needing an integrated platform for inbound marketing, sales, and customer service, with a focus on ease of use.

    Learn more on the HubSpot profile page or visit the HubSpot official website.

  6. 6. ServiceNow — Workflow automation for enterprise operations

    ServiceNow is an enterprise-grade platform specializing in workflow automation across IT, employee, and customer workflows. While not a direct competitor in B2B sales intelligence, ServiceNow's capabilities for process automation and custom application development can be leveraged to build internal systems for managing sales data, customer interactions, and lead routing. Its strength lies in digitizing and automating complex business processes across large organizations. For companies with specific internal data management needs or those looking to create highly customized sales operations workflows that integrate with existing data sources, ServiceNow provides a powerful development and automation platform. It is typically adopted by large enterprises seeking to consolidate IT operations, human resources, and customer service into a unified workflow environment, which can indirectly support sales enablement by improving operational efficiency. The platform's extensive integration capabilities allow it to connect with various external data providers.

    • Best for: Large enterprises needing to build custom workflow automation for sales operations, IT, and customer service, integrating with existing data sources.

    Learn more on the ServiceNow profile page or visit the ServiceNow official website.

  7. 7. Freshworks — Suite of business software for customer engagement

    Freshworks offers a suite of business software, including Freshsales (CRM), Freshdesk (customer support), and Freshmarketer (marketing automation). Freshsales, in particular, serves as a CRM with built-in sales intelligence features, lead scoring, and email integration. It provides tools for contact management, deal tracking, and sales forecasting, aiming to support sales teams throughout their pipeline. Freshworks products are known for their user-friendly interfaces and affordability, making them attractive to SMBs and mid-market companies. While not as specialized in B2B data provision as ZoomInfo, Freshsales offers a comprehensive solution for managing sales activities and can integrate with external data sources to enrich its CRM. Its integrated suite allows businesses to manage customer engagement across sales, marketing, and support from a single vendor.

    • Best for: SMBs and mid-market companies seeking an affordable, integrated CRM with sales engagement and marketing automation capabilities.

    Learn more on the Freshworks profile page or visit the Freshworks official website.

Side-by-side

Feature ZoomInfo Apollo.io Lusha Cognism Salesforce Sales Cloud HubSpot ServiceNow Freshworks
Primary Focus B2B Sales Intelligence Sales Intelligence & Engagement B2B Contact Data Compliant B2B Data Comprehensive Sales CRM Integrated CRM Platform Enterprise Workflow Automation Integrated Business Software
Key Modules/Products SalesOS, MarketingOS, TalentOS Prospecting, Engage, Analytics Contact Finder, Integrations Diamonds, Intent Data Lead, Opportunity, Account Management Sales Hub, Marketing Hub, Service Hub ITSM, CSM, HRSD, App Engine Freshsales, Freshdesk, Freshmarketer
Pricing Model Custom Enterprise Freemium, Tiered Subscriptions Freemium, Tiered Subscriptions Custom Enterprise Tiered Subscriptions Freemium, Tiered Hubs Custom Enterprise Freemium, Tiered Subscriptions
Data Coverage Global B2B Contacts & Companies Global B2B Contacts & Companies Global B2B Contacts Global B2B (Strong in EMEA) CRM Data (requires external enrichment) CRM Data (can be enriched) Workflow Data (can integrate external) CRM Data (can be enriched)
Sales Engagement Yes (Engage, Chorus) Yes (Sequences, Dialer) No (Integrates with tools) No (Integrates with tools) Yes (Sales Cloud features) Yes (Sales Hub features) No (Can automate related tasks) Yes (Freshsales features)
Compliance Focus SOC 2, GDPR, CCPA GDPR, CCPA GDPR, CCPA GDPR, CCPA (core differentiator) Data Privacy features GDPR, CCPA features Enterprise Security & Compliance GDPR, CCPA features
Target Audience Enterprise, Mid-Market SMBs, Mid-Market, Sales Teams Individual Salespeople, Recruiters Mid-Market, Enterprise (Sales/Marketing) Enterprise, Large Sales Teams SMBs, Mid-Market Large Enterprises (IT, HR, CX) SMBs, Mid-Market
API/Integrations API available Extensive API & Integrations CRM & Sales Tool Integrations CRM & Sales Tool Integrations Extensive API & AppExchange Extensive API & App Marketplace Extensive API & Integrations API & Integrations

How to pick

Selecting an alternative to ZoomInfo requires evaluating your specific business needs, budget, and existing tech stack. Consider the following factors:

  1. Primary Use Case:
    • If your core need is direct B2B contact and company data for prospecting and outreach, platforms like Apollo.io, Lusha, and Cognism are direct competitors.
    • If you need a comprehensive CRM to manage your entire sales process and integrate with data providers, Salesforce Sales Cloud or HubSpot would be more appropriate.
    • If your focus is on recruiting and talent acquisition, solutions with strong contact data and search capabilities (like Lusha or Apollo.io) might be better, or specialized HR platforms could be considered for broader HR needs.
    • For marketing campaign targeting and lead generation, platforms with intent data and robust segmentation (like Cognism or Apollo.io) are key, or integrated marketing platforms like HubSpot.
  2. Budget and Scale:
    • For SMBs or individual users with budget constraints, Apollo.io, Lusha, and HubSpot offer freemium models or tiered pricing that can be more accessible than custom enterprise contracts.
    • Mid-market companies looking for a balance of features and cost-effectiveness might find Apollo.io, Cognism, HubSpot, or Freshworks suitable.
    • Large enterprises with complex requirements and larger budgets might consider Salesforce Sales Cloud for CRM, Cognism for premium compliant data, or even ServiceNow for highly customized workflow automation, potentially alongside a data provider.
  3. Data Accuracy and Coverage:
    • Evaluate the geographic coverage and industry-specific data accuracy. Cognism is noted for its strong EMEA data and compliance.
    • Consider the types of data points you need (e.g., mobile numbers, direct dials, intent signals, technographics).
  4. Compliance Requirements:
    • If GDPR, CCPA, or other data privacy regulations are critical for your operations, prioritize platforms that emphasize compliance, such as Cognism.
  5. Integration with Existing Tech Stack:
    • Assess how well the alternative integrates with your current CRM (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot), sales engagement platforms, and marketing automation tools. Platforms with robust APIs and pre-built connectors (like Apollo.io, Salesforce, HubSpot) ensure smoother workflows.
  6. Sales Engagement Features:
    • If you need integrated outreach tools (email sequences, dialers), Apollo.io, HubSpot Sales Hub, or Freshsales offer these alongside data or CRM. If you prefer to use a separate sales engagement platform, focus on data providers that integrate well.