Best data vendors for high-quality B2B leads

Sales teams without high-quality data waste time and resources chasing dead leads. 

But in a sea of tools offering the most accurate datasets in recorded history, how do you find the best provider? 

This article reviews the top ten data providers, clearly detailing use cases, pros, cons, and pricing.

What Are Data Vendors?

Data vendors collect, manage, and sell company and contact data. Sales and marketing teams buy vendors’ data to gain contact information and lead insights, such as firmographics, job titles, and tech stacks. 

Sales teams that buy data gain the following: 

• Accurate lead prioritization and targeting

• Deeper personalization and segmentation

• Higher deliverability rates

• Quick identification of decision makers

• Fewer data gaps

• Closer sales and marketing team alignment

Choosing a tool that’s compliant with local regulations, such as GDPR in the UK and CCPA in California, will also protect your business from penalties. 

How Data Vendors Collect Data

Whether you already have a list of leads or are starting from scratch, data tools populate CRM profiles with insights that tell you who to target and how. That data comes from a range of sources. 

Here are the most common data sources:

• Web scraping: Automatically extracting data from online platforms such as company websites, LinkedIn, or B2B directories 

• Accessing public records: Extracting from government datasets, corporate filings, press releases, and financial reports

• Bulk importing via APIs: Direct data purchases from third-party providers

• Partnerships: Sharing first-party data between platforms

Types of Data Offered

B2B companies tend to rely on a mix of firmographic, technographic, and intent data to score and target leads. 

Here’s a quick overview of each data type: 

• Demographic data: Basic personal details like age, location, and job title

• Firmographic data: Company attributes such as size, industry, and revenue

• Intent or behavioral data: Actions like website visits, downloads, and event attendance

• Engagement data: Interactions with content like emails, ads, and sales outreach

• Technographic data: Software and hardware that the target account uses 

Companies use this data to identify best-fit leads, compose and personalize outreach, and pitch them relevant offers.  

10 Best B2B Data Vendors

There are many excellent data providers on the market. And each has something slightly different to offer, from full AI integration to accessible low-cost tools. Let’s break those differences down. 

1. Artisan

Artisan is an end-to-end sales tool with a B2B database of over 300M contacts. It offers fully automated outreach, powered by an AI BDR called Ava who can research leads, personalize messages, and send perfectly timed follow-up. 

Who Is Artisan Best For?

Artisan is a top B2B data provider with AI-powered data enrichment, lead scoring, and intent tracking. Artisan's data is also GDPR and CCPA compliant, which fits global teams.

The real benefit, however, is that Artisan allows you to automate and optimize all of the early and middle stages of the sales cycle. This makes it ideal for lean teams looking to scale fast without adding headcount. 

Pros

• Combines data with action thanks to AI BDR Ava, who automates lead scoring, prospecting, and outreach across social media and email

• GDPR and CCPA compliant with strong quality control

• Global data coverage across over 200 countries

• Database of over 300M B2B contacts and company profiles

• Website visitor tracking and alerts for intent signals

Cons

• Enterprise-grade features are currently maturing

• Onboarding time needed to optimize Ava’s approach, but strong customer support is available at every step

Pricing

Artisan offers custom pricing depending on your data and automation requirements. Get in touch with the sales team for a custom quote. 

Automate your outbound with an AI BDR

Meet Ava—your AI BDR who handles prospecting, outreach, and follow-ups, so your team can focus on closing.

Book a demo

2. ZoomInfo

ZoomInfo is a comprehensive B2B data provider with a vast database that includes intent data. Its AI Copilot also provides interactive chat summaries, account targeting plans, and recommended plays. 

Who Is ZoomInfo Best For?

Behind the scenes, ZoomInfo gathers over a billion insights daily from third-party providers, company websites, community contributors, and its in-house research team. It is very comprehensive, but it is one of the more expensive tools on this list, making it a good fit for teams with large budgets requiring high volumes of data.

Pros

• Database of 1.3B+ profiles, including 200M+ profiles outside North America

• AI Copilot for automated transcripts, summaries, and predictions

• Keyword- or topic-based intent tracking (that measures content consumption around topics) to spot ready-to-buy leads

• Website visitor tracking  and alerts

• GDPR and CCPA compliant

• Custom workflows allow sales reps to adapt the tool to their specific approach.  

Cons

• Expensive compared with competitors

• Limited outreach automation for the cost

• Mixed reviews on support and data quality

Pricing

Custom pricing via the sales team.

3. Lusha

Lusha is a B2B sales intelligence platform with AI capabilities to automate list building and analyze messages. It pulls data from public sources, behavior monitoring, and data partners to provide a continuous stream of lead recommendations.

Who Is Lusha Best For?

Lusha’s flexible tiers and pricing suit smaller teams and startups looking to generate leads quickly. With GDPR compliance and 21 million European profiles, Lusha supports teams going global on a budget. 

Pros

• Database of 45M North American profiles and 21M European profiles

• GDPR & CCPA compliant profiles with SOC2 Type II protection

• Chrome extension for lead discovery while browsing LinkedIn and company websites

• Engage and Conversations features generate and analyze messages

• Affordable entry-level plans and an easy-to-use dashboard

• Weekly lead updates in-app or via email

Cons

• Limited automation vs. all-in-one tools

• Credit-based pricing can be restrictive for extensive users

• Intent data and lead scoring are only included in higher plans

Pricing (Monthly) 

• Free: 40 credits/month

• Pro: $29/user/month

• Premium: $69/user/month

• Scale: Custom pricing

4. Cognism

Cognism is a respected provider with a large database running into the hundreds of millions (including extensive European coverage). The Sales Companion feature also checks data in real-time, ensuring sales teams don’t waste time running down dead ends. 

Who Is Cognism Best For?

Cognism offers good direct dial coverage, suiting teams that rely on cold calling. With GDPR compliance and a strong European dataset, this tool fits European teams requiring high-quality local data. 

Pros

• Large database with good European coverage

• GDPR/CCPA-compliant data for ethical prospecting

• Validated phone numbers for cold calling

• Sales Companion keeps data fresh with hygiene checks

• Search filters include firmographic data

• Intent data is available on the higher tiers

Cons

• High and sometimes unclear pricing

• Credit limitations

• No built-in outreach automation

Pricing

Cognism offers two tiers: Grow & Elevate (intent data is available only on Elevate). Contact the sales team for a custom quote. 

5. Clearbit (HubSpot Breeze Intelligence)

HubSpot acquired data enrichment tool Clearbit, and it’s now part of the marketing giant’s AI feature, Breeze Intelligence. The tool scores leads and enriches profiles with firmographic, technographic, and behavioral data. 

Who Is Breeze Intelligence (formerly Clearbit) Best For?

Teams that use HubSpot’s CRM will enjoy the seamless integration of Breeze. While this tool won’t automate your entire sales pipeline, it does provide intent data and is easy to use.

Pros

• AI data enrichment, including technographics and firmographics

• Database of 200M profiles

• Slack alerts that trigger when target accounts visit your website

• AI buyer intent analysis to identify key decision-makers

Cons

• Better used as part of a full HubSpot stack

• Works on a credit basis

Pricing (Monthly)

• Small: $45/month

• Medium: $270/month

• Large: $900/month

Breeze isn’t offered as a standalone plan. It’s included in HubSpot’s flagship Customer Platform, which starts at $1700/month for small teams (up to six seats). 

6. Apollo.io 

Apollo is an end-to-end sales tool with a database of 270M contacts. Its AI functionality provides lead recommendations, interprets analytics, and performs outreach. 

Who Is Apollo.io Best For?

With a smaller database than most tools, Apollo suits US teams needing both data and automated outreach at a lower price point. The 65+ search filters and AI capabilities accelerate lead generation, allowing teams to prioritize meetings and phone calls. Apollo alternatives tend not to offer both data and functionality at such a low price point. 

Pros

• Database of 210M+ contacts and 35M companies

• Over 65 search filters, including industry, location, and company size

• Automated email sequences and alerts

• CRM integrations include HubSpot and Salesforce

• Advanced reporting features and A/B testing to optimize lead generation

• Buyer intent data 

Cons

• Credit system for payment

• Primarily US-focused coverage

• Complex onboarding process

Pricing (Monthly)

• Free: 1,200 credits/year

• Basic: $49/user/month

• Professional: $79/user/month

• Organization: $119/user/month

7. LinkedIn Sales Navigator

LinkedIn Sales Navigator gives you access to advanced search filters, including job titles, firmographics, and role changes. It is also launching AI Agents that automate LinkedIn lead discovery and auto-generate InMail drafts. 

Who Is LinkedIn Sales Navigator Best For?

It goes without saying that Sales Navigator fits businesses that rely on LinkedIn outreach to generate leads. With information on over half a million users, it provides deep, reliable global data insights. 

Pros

• High-quality, compliant first-party data

• Around 500M database entries for quick lead discovery

• Extensive filters, including job title, company growth, and role changes

• Supports outreach via LinkedIn with InMail credits

Cons

• Best for LinkedIn outreach

Pricing (Monthly)

• Core: $99/month

• Advanced: $169.99/month

• Advanced Plus: Contact the sales team

8. Seamless.AI

Seamless.AI stores contact information, financial information, technographics, and more in its 1.3B-strong B2B database. The “AI” in its name refers to the machine learning applied to identify best-fit leads.

Who Is Seamless.AI Best For?

Seamless fits mid-market and enterprise teams that need scale and AI support for outbound campaigns. Its lead generation tools are solid, with a 10-step verification process that activates when you request data.

Pros

• Database of 1.3B contacts with strong filters, including keywords, financials, industry, and technographics

• AI Autopilot drafts personalized emails

• Integrates with CRMs such as Salesforce, HubSpot, and Dynamics,

• Real-time buyer intent data with alerts and lead scoring

• Comprehensive mobile numbers

Cons

• Pricing lacks transparency

• Automation is mainly limited to lead generation

Pricing

Seamless.AI only offers custom pricing. However, a free trial with 50 credits is available. 

9. UpLead

UpLead has a reasonably sized B2B database and extensive filters, including technographics, firmographics, and more. Its real-time data verification feature is also well regarded. 

Who Is UpLead Best For?

UpLead is best for small to mid-market sales teams seeking highly accurate data. With a 95% data accuracy guarantee, it’s a good option for teams requiring reliable data and a simple dashboard. 

Pros

• 100M+ B2B contacts with verified data

• Real-time email verification to cut bounce rates

• Search filters, including revenue, employee size, and tech stack

• Chrome extension for lead discovery on LinkedIn and company websites

• API for bulk CRM imports 

Cons

• No outreach automation

Pricing (Monthly)

• Free trial: 5 credits to use over 7 days

• Core: $99/month

• Advanced: $199/month

• Advanced Plus: Contact the sales team

10. 6sense

6sense is an account intelligence platform that prioritizes intent-based marketing. Its AI agents interpret data, personalize emails, and book meetings. 

It also provides 30-day recaps of lead behavior and alerts you when buying intent is high. With graphs and timelines for reporting, you can easily track your progress. 6sense data sources include native data, intent data provider Bombora, and review site G2.

Who Is 6sense Best For?

6sense suits large teams running account-based marketing (ABM) campaigns that want predictive analytics, multi-source intent, and alignment with marketing. 6sense’s AI features tell you exactly where leads are in the customer journey, enrich data, segment leads, and spot patterns. 

Pros

• AI-driven lead scoring and segmentation

• Identifies anonymous website visitors

• Pulls data from multiple sources, including Bombora, TrustRadius, and G2

• GDPR-compliant data for outreach in Europe

• Automates outreach workflows and meeting scheduling

Cons

• Data accuracy critiques from some users

• Lengthy onboarding process

• Credit-based pricing model

Pricing

Custom quotes only.

How to Choose the Right Data Vendor

To find the right tool, you need to match features to business needs. Generally speaking, you should pay attention to data quality, areas of coverage and compliance (e.g., Europe vs. North America), data type, integrations, and, of course, budget. 

Prioritize Accuracy and Validation

High-quality data is essential. Paying for a tool should get you closer to potential customers, not leave you with messages that bounce. 

Make Sure They’re GDPR / CCPA Compliant

If your team operates in Europe or California, ensure that you stay compliant with local regulations. While the data provider is most responsible for compliance, businesses can incur fees. For example, in the UK, the maximum fee for non-compliance is 4% of annual turnover. 

Check for the Right Data Types

Here’s a quick rundown of the main types of data you might need:

• Firmographic data for targeting specific industries and company sizes

• Technographic data to discover which tools are missing from leads’ tech stacks

• Intent signals to pinpoint ready-to-buy leads, especially for ABM

• Specialized contact information such as phone numbers and physical addresses

Think Integrations & Workflows

How does the tool fit your current workflow? It should sync with your CRM and support outreach on your potential customers’ preferred channels. Also think about whether you need to bulk import data with an API. 

Match It to Your Budget & Team Size

It’s important not to purchase a plan with more seats or functionality than you need. If you’re a startup, pay attention to the price of the higher-tier plans that you will transition to as you scale. In addition, always estimate how many credits you will use if your preferred provider uses credit-based pricing. 

Bad Data Is Expensive, Good Data Pays

Paying for poor data will cost you twice: first in budget, then in lost opportunities. Good data keeps your pipeline populated with in-market leads who you know how to reach effectively.  

But choosing the right provider isn’t only about accuracy. The best tools integrate seamlessly with your tech stack and scale as your business grows.

That’s where an end-to-end tool like Artisan stands out. AI BDR Ava finds relevant data and automates the whole outreach process, so your team can focus on closing deals backed by the right data.

Automate your outbound with an AI BDR

Meet Ava—your AI BDR who handles prospecting, outreach, and follow-ups, so your team can focus on closing.

Book a demo