Knowledge accuracy points • Costly pricing • Regional knowledge protection gaps

These are among the most typical causes customers begin in search of Cognism options.

And for those who rely closely on chilly outreach, there’s a great likelihood Cognism will go away you coping with issues like:

• Emails that bounce.
• Telephone numbers that lead nowhere.
• Costly, locked-in plans with no flexibility.
• Restricted knowledge as soon as you progress exterior Europe—particularly within the US or APAC.

It’s not that Cognism is a nasty device—it simply may not be the appropriate one for you.

So, in case your use case doesn’t align with what Cognism does greatest, it’s value exploring different choices.

I’ve put collectively this listing of 6 Cognism options that can assist you discover a higher match to your targets, area, and price range in 2025.

TL;DR – 3 Finest Cognism Options on My Record

1. Saleshandy – General greatest Cognism different for groups in search of a dependable B2B contact database with stable world protection and chilly e mail outreach automation.
2. ZoomInfo – Finest fitted to enterprise groups needing a complete advertising and marketing and gross sales resolution with entry to a big contact database and superior intent knowledge.
3. Apollo.io – Cognism different for those who’re centered on U.S.-based outreach. You get sturdy filtering choices, technographic knowledge, and built-in outreach options.

My Record of 10 Finest Cognism Rivals That Are Merely Higher

I’ve examined a number of B2B contact databases to see how they stack up towards Cognism — specializing in knowledge accuracy, regional protection, filtering choices, and total worth for cash.

Listed below are the ten Cognism options that stood out:

1. Saleshandy
2. ZoomInfo
3. Apollo.io
4. Lusha
5. UpLead
6. ContactOut

Let’s dive into the listing:

1. Saleshandy Lead Finder

Saleshandy Lead Finder is by far the most correct and cost-effective Cognism different for B2B prospecting.

Finest For: Companies of all sizes in search of an easy-to-use Cognism different to rapidly construct their prospecting/lead listing.

What stood out about Salshandy is the database measurement and world knowledge protection.

Whereas Cognism primarily covers Europe, with Saleshandy, you get entry to over 700M skilled contacts from greater than 60M corporations worldwide.

Together with its superior filters, it is possible for you to to slender down and immediately construct a extremely focused listing of prospects.

Along with all this, Saleshandy additionally has superior inbuilt chilly e mail outreach capabilities.

General, Saleshandy works each as a B2B prospecting different to Cognism and as an entire platform for locating and reaching out to leads.

You possibly can learn extra in my detailed evaluation of Saleshandy.

Key Options That Make Saleshandy Lead Finder A Higher Various To Cognism

• Actual-time e mail verification.
• 98% accuracy on grade-A emails (highest of any B2B database).
• Your credit are refunded if Saleshandy Lead Finder can’t discover a verified e mail. 
• Unused credit roll over to the following billing cycle.
• Superior filters that can assist you discover focused prospects
• AI Lead Finder will give your curated listing of prospects based mostly on textual content prompts.
• Chrome Extension helps you prospect straight on LinkedIn.
• Superior native chilly e mail automation and deliverability options.

Pricing

Saleshandy begins at $24/month for 1,0000 month-to-month credit, making it THE MOST cost-effective Cognism competitor on this listing.

You even have the flexibleness to purchase extra Lead Finder credit based mostly in your prospecting wants.

What Customers Are Saying About Saleshandy

• G2 – 4.6/5 ⭐ (745+ Opinions)
• TrustPilot – 4.4/5 ⭐ (370+ Opinions)

Saleshandy Lead Finder has largely optimistic opinions throughout G2 and TrustPilot. 

Customers have praised the ease of use, buyer assist, and reasonably priced pricing. 

Right here’s what Denise needed to say about her Saleshandy expertise: 

“I’ve tried Apollo, salesforce and sooo many different CRM/lead generator and e mail marketing campaign software program but it surely was virtually a complete new job simply to study them !!! Then googling I discovered Saleshandy and wowzer – 100% sincere it actually person pleasant !!! I(t) was simple to setup…”

To search out out extra, take a look at the full evaluation on G2.

2. ZoomInfo

ZoomInfo is a go-to-market intelligence platform that offers you complete info on corporations and prospects. 

Finest For: Enterprises that desire a Cognism different for the North American market and chilly calling (ZoomInfo has a built-in dialer).

You should utilize it primarily for 3 issues: 

• Discovering contact, firmographic, and intent knowledge on prospects.
• Enriching your CRM or CSV prospect database.
• Creating cross-channel gross sales sequences.

ZoomInfo’s distinctive characteristic is that it has all the things it is advisable to create and execute a gross sales cycle – B2B database, intent knowledge, built-in dialer, predictive modeling, and extra!

The draw back? All these options come at extraordinarily hefty costs – simply the fundamental options might price you greater than $15,000 (for simply three seats).

To search out out if it’s really well worth the value, take a look at this detailed ZoomInfo evaluation!

Key Options That Make ZoomInfo A Higher Various To Cognism

• Dialog Intelligence that information and analyzes gross sales calls.
• 260M+ skilled contacts, 135M+ verified telephone numbers.
• GDPR, CCPA, and CRPA compliant.
• Helps you monitor web site guests. 
• Gives detailed technographic and firmographic (org charts, titles) knowledge.

ZoomInfo Pricing

ZoomInfo doesn’t provide clear pricing.

From what I discovered, even fundamental entry to contact knowledge can price 1000’s per yr.

And for those who want extras like intent knowledge, enrichment, recruiter instruments, or superior integrations – the worth climbs quick!

So, for those who like ZoomInfo’s options however not its pricing, take a look at this listing of ZoomInfo options to search out one which aligns along with your necessities and your price range!

What Customers Are Saying About ZoomInfo

• G2 – 4.5/5 ⭐ (8.8K+ Opinions)
• TrustPilot – 1.6/5 ⭐ (230+ Opinions)

ZoomInfo has optimistic opinions on G2 – customers have praised its superior search capabilities, integration options, and gross sales workflow builder.

Right here’s what Boaz stated about ZoomInfo: 

“The Chrome extension is quick and handy, and the Salesforce (SFDC) integration is clean. Pushing leads/accounts into SFDC with the appropriate fields mapped is straightforward and dependable, which saves time in day-to-day prospecting and listing constructing. Knowledge accuracy is inconsistent…”

To search out out extra about Boaz’s expertise, take a look at the full evaluation on G2.

3. Apollo.io

One other Cognism different is Apollo.io.

It’s a gross sales intelligence platform with a B2B database of 210M+ skilled contacts and firm profiles.

Finest For: Anybody in search of a Cognism different that provides correct contact knowledge for contacts exterior the EU area. 

If you happen to’re pissed off by Cognism’s EU-centric contact database, Apollo.io is a superb different you possibly can discover.

It has an excellent B2B database for non-European contacts with an honest accuracy of practically 90%.

Aside from prospecting, you can too use Apollo.io to create AI-powered gross sales campaigns. 

With only a few clicks, you possibly can generate multi-channel outreach sequences throughout chilly emailing, chilly calling, LinkedIn, and extra.

Key Options That Make Saleshandy Lead Finder A Higher Various To Cognism

• Complete knowledge enrichment workflows.
• Scores your prospects and leads based mostly in your ICP and prospects you’ve beforehand transformed.
• AI helps you uncover leads based mostly in your CRM knowledge.
• Detailed intent knowledge on prospects.
• GDPR, ISO 27001, and SOC 2 compliant device.
• Constructed-in multi-channel outreach automation.

Apollo.io Pricing

Apollo.io’s pricing bundles each prospecting and outreach options into each plan – which means you pay for each, even for those who solely want one.

Furthermore, as I discussed above, you’re charged per person, which may add up rapidly for bigger groups.

Plans begin at $49/person/month with increased tiers providing extra credit and superior options:

• Skilled – $79/person/month
• Group – $119/person/month

If you happen to’re in search of a platform that provides related capabilities to Apollo.io, however at a cheaper value, take a look at this listing of 12 Apollo.io options.

What Customers Are Saying About Apollo.io

• G2 – 4.7/5 ⭐ (9K+ Opinions)
• TrustPilot – 2.3/5 ⭐ (816+ Opinions)

Apollo.io has largely optimistic opinions on G2 – customers have praised its knowledge protection, search capabilities, and cross-platform integration.

Right here’s what Sachin stated about Apollo.io: 

“The most effective factor about Apollo.io is how simple it’s to search out the appropriate contacts and corporations in a single place. The Chrome extension and integrations with LinkedIn save a ton of time, and the sequences characteristic makes outreach constant. Typically the contact knowledge will be outdated or lacking direct emails, which slows issues down. The interface also can really feel a bit of heavy at occasions when switching between search, sequences, and analytics.”

To search out out extra, take a look at the full G2 evaluation.

4. Lusha

Lusha is an AI-powered gross sales intelligence platform that makes a speciality of offering contact knowledge for the North American and European markets.

Finest For: SMBs and enterprises in search of a Cognism different that provides correct B2B contact knowledge, enrichment options, and outreach capabilities.

What I like most about Lusha is certainly its AI prospecting characteristic – it generates contact lists based mostly on textual content queries like “Discover CMOs of delivery corporations in California”.

The one drawback with Lusha is that its protection for area of interest markets is fairly restricted. 

So, it’s good for fundamental prospecting within the areas for which it specializes (NAM & EU). For different use instances, I counsel exploring this listing of Lusha options.

Key Options That Make Lusha A Higher Various To Cognism

• Database of 150M+ skilled contacts. 
• Comes with a forever-free plan (with restricted capabilities).
• Chrome Extension works on each LinkedIn and firm web sites.
• Routinely builds prospect lists & ICP based mostly in your CRM knowledge.
• Complies with GDPR, CCPA, SOC 2, and ISO 27701 laws.
• Integrates with all main CRM platforms.

Lusha Pricing

Lusha fees you per person, which may get costly as your group grows—particularly for those who’re scaling outreach throughout a number of reps.

• Free plan – 50 credit/month
• Premium – $22.45/month
• Scale – Customized

You additionally get a forever-free plan that you need to use to check the device and see if it aligns along with your wants.

What Customers Are Saying About Lusha

• G2 – 4.3/5 ⭐ (1.5K+ Opinions)
• TrustPilot – 1.4/5 ⭐ (680+ Opinions)

Lusha has largely optimistic opinions on G2, the place customers have praised its ease of use, Chrome Extension, and complete knowledge protection.

Right here’s a balanced evaluation from Donna on G2: 

“What i like greatest about Lusha is its potential to supply outcomes based mostly on the filters I set reminiscent of {industry} and job title. It can be built-in with my CRM which is Salesforce simply. It has sure limitations on the info it provides, significantly invalid emails or contact numbers, as typically they’re inaccurate. Outreach success is a problem on this case.”

5. UpLead

UpLead is a tech-centric B2B knowledge supplier with 160M+ skilled contacts and firm profiles.

Finest For: Enterprises that need to discover SaaS corporations by technographic filters.

You should utilize UpLead to create extremely focused prospect lists with 50+ search filters.

The better part about UpLead is that it verifies e mail addresses proper earlier than you obtain them.

The issue with UpLead? Its database is smaller in comparison with different Cognism options. So, whereas its accuracy is certainly very excessive, you may not have the ability to discover plenty of prospects in your area of interest!

Key Options That Make UpLead A Higher Various To Cognism

• Tracks corporations based mostly on the tech they use (27K+ applied sciences tracked).
• Gives Bombora-powered intent knowledge.
• Integrates with CRM and e mail outreach platforms through API.
• You possibly can confirm and clear the e-mail lists you have already got.

UpLead Pricing

UpLead’s pricing begins at $99 per thirty days, which is kind of costly.

This is among the important the reason why its customers search for different options to UpLead.

Although their pricing is excessive, their options justify real-time e mail verification and technographics.

What Customers Are Saying About UpLead

• G2 – 4.7/5 ⭐ (800+ Opinions)
• TrustPilot – 4.1/5 ⭐ (65+ Opinions)

UpLead has optimistic person scores on each G2 and TrustPilot. Customers have praised its buyer assist, knowledge protection, and detailed search filters.

Nonetheless, I additionally seen plenty of reviewers complaining about its pricing and poor person interface.

Right here’s what a small enterprise proprietor stated about UpLead on G2:

“I used them fairly a bit to seek for contacts and to get and use the contact data like telephone numbers and emails. They have been superb about crediting again in the event that they equipped a nasty e mail or telephone quantity that I used credit for to get. On the time I used it, Uplead was fairly restricted as to what it might do. I moved to a different service that was equally priced however far more sturdy.”

6. ContactOut

Final on my listing of Cognism options is ContactOut – an e mail and telephone quantity finder device with a database of 300M+ skilled contacts.

Finest For: Anybody in search of a world B2B database with correct contact knowledge.

ContactOut additionally helps knowledge enrichment for CSV recordsdata, Google Sheets, and CRM platforms.

One factor I discovered very regarding about ContactOut was its month-to-month credit score restrict.

On the pricing web page, it says that you may view limitless emails and telephones with the paid plan, topic to the “honest use coverage”. 

However the honest use coverage says you possibly can view simply 2,000 emails/month and 1,000 telephones/month. 

For $99/month? That’s extraordinarily limiting!

Key Options That Make ContactOut A Higher Various To Cognism

• You’ll find corporations based mostly on technocentric filters.
• Triple-verifies e mail addresses and telephone numbers.
• Comes with fundamental e mail outreach capabilities.
• The Chrome Extension works on LinkedIn + firm web sites.
• GDPR and CCPA-compliant database. 

ContactOut Pricing

ContactOut makes use of a region-based pricing mannequin that offers you flexibility based mostly in your prospecting wants.

You possibly can select between two knowledge entry tiers:

• World (Excluding US/UK/Canada) – Gives entry to all nations besides the US, UK, and Canada, at practically half the worth.
• Full World Entry (Together with US/UK/Canada) – Covers contact knowledge worldwide, together with main markets.

Nonetheless, each plans are fairly costly for what they provide.

If you happen to suppose ContactOut matches your wants however need one thing inexpensive, take a look at these 9 ContactOut options I examined.

What Customers Are Saying About ContactOut

• G2 – 4.6/5 ⭐ (730+ Opinions)
• TrustPilot – 1.5/5 ⭐ (100+ Opinions)

ContactOut has optimistic opinions on G2 – customers have praised its knowledge accuracy and powerful integration with different instruments.

Right here’s what a verified mid-market person stated about ContactOut: 

“ContactOut provides me correct, up-to-date contact particulars that save me hours in prospecting. I particularly like how simple it’s to make use of — the Chrome extension works seamlessly with LinkedIn, so I can seize verified emails and telephone numbers in only one click on. Typically the credit run out rapidly, and never each contact element is 100% correct. Nonetheless, in comparison with most instruments I’ve used, ContactOut nonetheless offers one of many highest accuracy charges.”

Take a look at the complete evaluation on G2.

Get The Proper Cognism Various in 2025

I’ve shared with you the 6 greatest Cognism options in the marketplace in 2025. 

However which one in all them is one of the best? 

Relating to prospecting and B2B knowledge, the reply is certainly Saleshandy! 

With it, you get:

• A database with 700M+ skilled contacts and 60M+ firm profiles. 
• An industry-leading 98% accuracy for e mail addresses.
• Textual content-based AI prospecting capabilities.
• Superior native outreach and integration options.

The most effective half? You get all this for lower than $24/month (annual billing)!

If you happen to’re nonetheless undecided about which different to strive first, simply take a free trial with Saleshandy, see if it’s received the info you want, after which resolve if it’s for you.

Cognism Options: FAQs

1. What Is Cognism Good for?

Cognism is sweet for locating direct dials of European prospects/contacts – it has a GDPR-compliant contact database with 10M+ human-verified telephone numbers and 200M+ B2B emails.

2. Why Ought to You Think about In search of Options to Cognism?

It is best to take into account in search of Cognism options as a result of: 

• Its knowledge protection is restricted to the EU and North American areas.
• The database itself is fairly small in comparison with different instruments.
• The pricing is just not clear and is kind of costly. 

3. How A lot Does Cognism Price?

Whereas Cognism hasn’t made its pricing public on its web site, its Capterra profile means that the pricing begins at round $1,000/yr. Equally, a Reddit person stated that their annual Cognism contract for 10 customers got here to €20,000!

4. Which Is the Finest Cognism Various if You Need Correct Contact Knowledge Outdoors the EU?

Saleshandy is one of the best Cognism different if you need correct contact knowledge exterior the EU area. Its world B2B database has 700M+ skilled contacts and 60M+ firm profiles. 

5. What Components Ought to You Think about When Selecting an Various to Cognism?

When evaluating a Cognism different, take into account the next elements:

• Measurement of the database
• Accuracy of the info
• Pricing fashions
• Distinctive options
• Integration with CRM and different platforms
• Consumer-friendliness