Contents
- 1 ZoomInfo Alternatives– TOC
- 2 TL;DR: Best Alternatives That Cover ZoomInfo’s Strengths
- 3 Quick Overview of Top ZoomInfo Alternatives
- 4 List of the Best ZoomInfo Alternatives
- 5 How to Choose the Best ZoomInfo Competitor That Suits Your Needs
- 6 Like ZoomInfo… But Smarter, Lighter, and More Affordable
- 7 FAQs
ZoomInfo is a go-to-market intelligence platform known for its B2B database. It has advanced search filters, intent data, and AI-powered insights.
Sounds great on paper, but the reality?
Well, here are the major limitations of ZoomInfo that most of its users face:
- It’s pricey. Like, really pricey.
- Limited database. You’re not getting the full picture.
- Outdated data. Infrequent updates mean you’re working with stale info.
- Misleading intent data. It promises insights but often misses the mark.
- Clunky interface. Buggy, slow, and old-school UX.
I’ve been there.
That’s why I’ve listed my top ZoomInfo alternatives (both free and paid) that fill the gaps where ZoomInfo falls short.
ZoomInfo Alternatives– TOC
TL;DR: Best Alternatives That Cover ZoomInfo’s Strengths
- Saleshandy – I recommend this if you want a larger data pool with global coverage (instead of limited regions like ZoomInfo). Ideal for lead gen agencies.
- Apollo.io – Ideal for GTM teams that want deep filtering and intent data at a much friendlier price.
- Clay – For growth hackers, RevOps, and data nerds who want to build AI-powered lead lists using 50+ data sources, APIs, and enrichment workflows.
- Demandbase – Designed for enterprise ABM teams. It combines intent signals, website behavior, and CRM data into one account intelligence engine.
Quick Overview of Top ZoomInfo Alternatives
Alternative | G2 Rating (★/5) | Unique Selling Point Against ZoomInfo |
---|---|---|
Saleshandy | ★4.6 | Bigger database + AI-powered lead search + built-in engagement tools. |
Apollo.io | ★4.7 | Larger contact database, stronger enrichment, and deeper filters—at a more scalable price. |
Demandbase | ★4.4 | Enterprise-grade intent + firmographic insights. Built for ABM and strategic account targeting. |
Clay | ★4.9 | Pulls lead data from 50+ sources with AI. Ideal for RevOps and custom enrichment workflows. |
SMARTe | ★4.6 | Large and accurate database. Ideal for RevOPs, sales, and marketing teams. |
Lusha | ★4.3 | Quick access to direct dials and contact info via browser plugin. Better suited for SMB prospecting. |
Cognism | ★4.6 | GDPR-compliant global contact data with verified mobile numbers. Especially strong in the UK/EU region. |
Klenty | ★4.6 | Advanced outreach automation platform. Pairs well with ZoomInfo-like data tools. |
UpLead | ★4.7 | Real-time verified emails with strict quality filters. Great for accuracy-focused outreach teams. |
Dealfront | ★4.5 | Offers firmographic + intent data tailored for the DACH and EU market. Built for regional precision. |
Seamless.ai | ★4.4 | AI-powered prospecting with live scraping. Appeals to SDRs who need fast contact discovery. |
Hunter.io | ★4.4 | Simplifies email lookup and domain search. Good for quick verifications but limited in depth. |
List of the Best ZoomInfo Alternatives
1. Saleshandy
Key Features | Saleshandy Vs ZoomInfo | Pricing
Saleshandy is an AI-powered platform that helps you find and engage with leads that match your buyer persona.
While ZoomInfo focuses heavily on data volume and enrichment, Saleshandy emphasizes data usability.
That means you can find, verify, and reach out to your prospects without switching tools.
Best for: Outbound sales teams, agencies, and startup founders doing cold email at scale.
G2 Rating: 4.6/5⭐ (from 740+ reviews)
Key Features:
- 700M+ B2B contact database (ZoomInfo has only 321M)
- AI-powered lead search (Zoominfo does not have that)
- Accurate & up-to-date data ✨
- Email verifier
- Global data coverage (160+ countries)
- Built-in lead engagement (AI-powered cold emailing)
- Helpful support team
- Pay-per-contact pricing for lead credits
- Unused credit rollover
How Saleshandy & ZoomInfo Are Different
Forget about the pricing part (where, of course, Saleshandy has an upper hand).
I’ll start with the data quality.
ZoomInfo’s data quality is very bad. (See the rant in this Reddit thread 👇)

On the contrary, Saleshandy is appreciated for its accurate data.
Now you might be wondering, ZoomInfo has a lead enrichment feature, but Saleshandy does not.
The truth is: Of course, you will need enrichment because ZoomInfo’s data is so poor.
On the other hand, Saleshandy gives you real-time email verification (with 95% accuracy).
That means you are not getting any wrong data, and hence, no need for enrichment.

The best part: You can engage with the leads with built-in tools like AI-sequence copilot (which can help you create a targeted cold email sequence with AI).
“I have tried similar tools, but nothing comes close to Saleshandy. The team at Saleshandy has been very quick to be on top of our questions. It was fantastic to feel heard.
Pricing Comparison
Like I mentioned earlier, ZoomInfo can cost you around $15,000-$30,000 per year for just 10,000 leads.
In comparison to that, Saleshandy is a more budget-friendly tool, which is actually free to use. You will get 5 free leads every month.
And its starter plan starts with $24/month for 1,000 lead credits (which is very budget-friendly).
2. Apollo
Key Features | Apollo Vs ZoomInfo | Pricing
Apollo is one of the most popular ZoomInfo alternatives — and for good reason.
Though it has a smaller database than ZoomInfo, it has advanced filters, enrichment, and intent-based workflows. All this at a better price point.
Best for: Sales and GTM teams that want large-scale data with built-in enrichment and outreach.
G2 Rating: 4.7/5⭐ (8,830+ reviews)
Key Features:
- 218M+ contacts with filters for title, department, funding, tech stack, hiring activity, and more
- Intent signals, job change alerts, and contact tracking
- Email sequencing, dialer, LinkedIn tasks, and call recordings
- CRM integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, and Pipedrive
- Enrichment and scoring tools to prioritize high-fit leads
How Apollo & ZoomInfo Are Different
Honestly speaking, Apollo is very much like ZoomInfo (but on a low budget).
For example, they share similar features, including data enrichment, intent data, and website visitor tracking.

We know that ZoomInfo excels in terms of org charts and enterprise data depth.
But Apollo has its own strength as it offers better flexibility for modern sales teams.
You can pull contacts, enrich them, and instantly launch outreach—all from the same platform.
That’s a major win for SDRs and AEs who don’t want to switch tools just to follow up.
And the best part – Apollo.io’s pricing is credit-based, so you only pay for the leads you want. Which makes it a lucrative option for start-ups and smaller teams.
“With Apollo, everything is in one place. Their database is huge, and the Chrome extension is also very handy.”
Pricing Comparison
The coolest part about Apollo is that it’s actually free to use because you get 1200 credits per year in its free plan.
Also, Apollo has a very transparent pricing (unlike its competitor, ZoomInfo):
- Basic plan from $49/month with unlimited email sequences
- Professional Organization plans unlock advanced filters, intent data, and API access. Costs around $79 – $199 per user per month.
If you want a better option, check out these Apollo alternatives.
3. Demandbase
Key Features | Demandbase Vs ZoomInfo | Pricing
Demandbase is built for account-based marketing (ABM) and B2B intent targeting.
If your GTM strategy inclines more towards engaging the right companies (not just contacts). Demandbase gives you a deeper view into account behavior, technographics, and buying signals.
In short, Demandbase is more strategic and insight-driven than ZoomInfo.
Best for: Enterprise ABM teams, revenue ops, and marketing leaders focused on intent + account prioritization.
G2 Rating: 4.4/5⭐ (1,835+ reviews)
Key Features:
- Company-level intent signals based on web activity, content consumption, and buying behavior
- Deep firmographic and technographic filters
- AI-driven account scoring and pipeline prediction
- Website personalization and ad targeting tools
- CRM and MAP integrations (Salesforce, HubSpot, Marketo, etc.)
How Demandbase & ZoomInfo Are Different
Both Demandbase and ZoomInfo are good with data. However, that does not mean in the same way.
If you have used both, you will realize that ZoomInfo gives you contact-level reach, while Demandbase helps you identify and prioritize the right accounts (before your sales team even reaches out).
It’s a more strategic layer for teams practicing ABM or trying to align sales and marketing across long buying cycles.

Also, ZoomInfo relies more on data enrichment and sales intelligence. But in the case of Demandbase, it is better with intent and behavior signals.
This makes Demandbase useful if you’re dealing with large deal sizes, multiple stakeholders, and complex buying journeys.
As I mentioned earlier, this can be validated by user reviews. Because they often highlight that while ZoomInfo is useful for building lists, Demandbase excels at telling you who’s in-market right now.
“I’ve used Demandbase at a few companies I’ve worked at, and it has truly transformed our account-based marketing efforts. The platform’s robust targeting capabilities and AI-powered insights have enabled us to pinpoint high-value prospects with unprecedented accuracy.”
Pricing Comparison
Demandbase pricing is custom-quoted and is based on features like account intent, ad targeting, and integrations.
So, I did some research and asked a few Demandbase users in my network to know its pricing. I can’t reveal the exact number, but you can safely assume that Demandbase costs you like ZoomInfo (in the range of $20,000–$75,000+ per year).
4. Clay
Key Features | Clay Vs ZoomInfo | Pricing
Clay is the ultimate data platform for teams who want maximum flexibility in how they build and enrich lead lists. Honestly, it’s more like a data engine.
If you love to automate sourcing and enrichment, Clay gives you options that ZoomInfo simply doesn’t offer.
Best for: RevOps teams, data-savvy sales teams, and lead generation agencies that want custom workflows.
G2 Rating: 4.9/5⭐ (150+ reviews)
Key Features:
- Pulls data from 100+ sources to create custom scores
- AI agent builder to automate research, lead scoring, and enrichment
(Trust me, it’s an amazing feature✨) - Custom workflows using filters, enrichment steps, and integrations
- Built-in lead deduplication, validation, and enrichment logic
- Google Sheets-style UI with drag-and-drop fields
How Clay & ZoomInfo Are Different
Yes, ZoomInfo gives you a huge, prebuilt dataset with filters and enrichment tools.
Sounds good, but Clay takes this a step ahead by giving you control.
Here’s how – You build your own lead engine using the data sources you trust and enrich them exactly how you want.
You can set it up with job change tracking, funding rounds, or custom tags from LinkedIn profiles.

Where ZoomInfo is a black box (you get the data they have), Clay is an open canvas. You can connect it to public APIs, enrich leads through multiple tools at once, and even add OpenAI-based workflows to research prospects automatically.
User feedback consistently indicates that Clay is a favorite for automated prospecting workflows and building dynamic, always-fresh lists from dozens of data signals.
Clay has democratized programmatic, automated lead sourcing, enriching, researching, and outreach.
Pricing Comparison
Clay’s pricing is modular and based on credits used for actions like enrichment, scraping, and API pulls:
- Starts at $149/month – and gives monthly 2k credits
- Usage-based pricing as you scale workflows
- Additional cost for enriched data from partner APIs (e.g., Apollo, Clearbit)
5. SMARTe
Key Features | SMARTe vs ZoomInfo | Pricing
SMARTe is the best alternative to ZoomInfo for GTM and enterprise teams looking for a highly accurate and budget-friendly sales intelligence platform.
With the data of 248M+ human-verified B2B contacts, 64M+ company profiles, and 70%+ mobile number availability, SMARTe helps you connect with decision-makers faster using accurate data across the globe.
Best for: GTM, RevOps, and enterprise sales teams who want reliable mobile numbers, enriched contacts, and global targeting at an affordable price.
G2 Rating: 4.6/5⭐
Key Features:
- 248M+ B2B contacts, 64M+ company profiles, 50K+ technologies tracked
- 70%+ mobile coverage in North America, 50%+ across EMEA, LATAM & APAC
- Advanced filters: job title, company size, industry, revenue, tech stack, hiring signals, and more
- Real-time enrichment, job change alerts, and lead scoring
- 55+ firmographic and technographic attributes for segmentation and routing
- CRM integrations: Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, and more
- Chrome extension for LinkedIn, websites, and browser-based prospecting
- GDPR and CCPA-compliant global data
How SMARTe & ZoomInfo Are Different
SMARTe is a smarter choice than ZoomInfo for teams that care about global coverage, mobile accuracy, and real-time data quality without the steep pricing.
While ZoomInfo focuses heavily on US enterprise data, SMARTe delivers:
70%+ mobile number availability to improve connect rates on cold calls and texts
Cleaner global contact data, continuously refreshed by a dedicated research team
Real-time lead enrichment to act fast on inbound and outbound opportunities
Transparent pricing aligned with your usage not bloated software you don’t need
An integrated experience that lets reps search, enrich, and outreach all in one flow

Pricing Comparison
SMARTe offers budget-friendly plans for businesses of all sizes:
- Free Trial – Explore the platform with no credit card required
- Pro Plan – Starts at just $25/month with advanced features
- Enterprise Plan – Custom pricing for large teams and global scale
Compared to ZoomInfo, SMARTe is a more affordable alternative—giving you the tools you need without paying for features you don’t.
6. Lusha
Key Features | Lusha Vs ZoomInfo | Pricing
Lusha is in this list of ZoomInfo alternatives because it makes the process of finding direct dials and email addresses simple.
Lusha’s strength lies in its browser extension and plug-and-play experience, especially for small to mid-sized teams that need contact data fast.
Best for: SDRs, recruiters, and small sales teams doing contact-level prospecting.
G2 Rating: 4.3/5⭐ (1,510+ reviews)
Key Features:
- B2B contact and company database with email and phone number access
- Chrome extension for LinkedIn and company websites
- CRM and sales engagement integrations (Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach, etc.)
- Team and usage management tools
- Real-time enrichment and export features
How Lusha & ZoomInfo Are Different
Like many users, I’d also agree that Lusha is affordable (when compared to ZoomInfo).
Plus, it has a user-friendly and clean interface that makes navigating the platform super easy.
Cool feature: AI Recommendations. It analyzes the ICP criteria and provides suggestions (leads) that are a perfect match.

Lusha has this special thing – It only gives features that are needed and focuses on speed and usability. It does not try to overload you like ZoomInfo with features like org charts or account intelligence.
While ZoomInfo is better suited for large teams needing deep market coverage, Lusha is better for individual contributors or small teams that care about hitting daily outreach numbers without jumping through layers of complexity.
“Lusha makes it super easy to find contact details for leads. The data is mostly accurate, and the Chrome extension works smoothly.”
Pricing Comparison
Lusha has a free forever plan with 50 credits per month, allowing you to try out the product before making a purchase—something that’s missing in ZoomInfo!
Paid plans start at ~$30/month (with higher tiers unlocking more data and integrations).
7. Cognism
Key Features | Cognism Vs ZoomInfo | Pricing
Cognism is a sales intelligence platform like ZoomInfo. It’s a great alternative for you if your target audience lies in the UK, EU, or global markets.
Cognism also includes intent data and integrations, which makes it a solid fit for mid-market to enterprise sales teams with strict compliance needs.
Best suited for: Teams selling into the UK/EU or companies requiring compliant contact data with mobile numbers.
G2 Rating: 4.6/5⭐ (980+ reviews)
Key Features:
- Compliant contact data across Europe, the UK, North America, and more
- Access to mobile numbers, direct dials, and verified business emails
- Intent data via Bombora integration
- Chrome extension for LinkedIn prospecting
- Native integrations with HubSpot, Salesforce, Outreach, and more
How Cognism & ZoomInfo Are Different
The key difference lies in compliance and mobile coverage.
ZoomInfo does cover global data, but Cognism places a heavy focus on data regulation, making it a better choice if you’re operating in GDPR-restricted regions like Europe.
Additionally, Cognism offers a Diamond data feature that verifies numbers through a human team. This is something that even ZoomInfo lacks.

Cognism also emphasizes mobile numbers over just email access — which is critical for SDRs who prioritize cold calling. While ZoomInfo does offer direct dials, it doesn’t emphasize GDPR-safe outreach in the same way.
However, it’s not all flowers and rainbows.
One of the major downsides of Cognism is similar to ZoomInfo — the customer support is a little slow, and you need to reach out to them frequently because there is a steep learning curve.
“Having access to high-quality, GDPR-compliant prospect information has made a huge difference in our outreach. The intent data feature is a real game-changer too—it helps us reach out to prospects at just the right time, when they’re most likely to engage.”
Pricing Comparison
Cognism doesn’t list its pricing publicly, but user reviews suggest it’s typically lower than ZoomInfo, especially for teams focused on phone outreach.
- Custom pricing based on regions, user seats, and intent features
- You can take free trials and demos (all you need to do is send a request)
- Usually, it’s more affordable for EU/UK-focused teams
If you liked Cognism but want better options, then you can also check out Cognism Alternatives.
8. Klenty
Key Features | Klenty Vs ZoomInfo | Pricing
Earlier, I might not have considered Klenty as a direct competitor to ZoomInfo, but now, it has prospecting data with enrichment options.
This makes Klenty a go-to platform if you are currently using ZoomInfo + Salesloft. If you may ask why, it is because Klenty covers both use cases really nicely.
Best for: Sales teams looking for scalable outreach automation to plug into their existing lead data.
G2 Rating: 4.6/5⭐ (385+ reviews)
Key Features:
- Prospect IQ: To find verified B2B contacts
- Data enrichment
- Company hierarchy data
- Multichannel sequences via email, LinkedIn, calls, and SMS
- Native CRM integrations with HubSpot, Salesforce, Zoho, and more
- Inbox rotation and email warm-up features
- Click, open, and reply tracking with intelligent follow-up triggers
- Customizable cadences and task queues
How Klenty & ZoomInfo Are Different
ZoomInfo definitely has broader data coverage (321M+ contacts), but Klenty stands out where execution matters.
Though Klenty and ZoomInfo have a few similar features, like Org chart, enrichment, and account signals.
But here’s what Klenty gives a unique twist:
- It’s simpler and faster to go from finding to contacting leads.
- Its Prospect IQ gives pay-as-you-go data access, so you don’t overspend on unused contacts.
- Outreach happens inside Klenty — no need to pay for extra tools like Outreach or Salesloft.

Also, Klenty is one of the most robust sales engagement platforms available for cold outreach, follow-ups, and multichannel sequences.
If you already have access to lead data, then Klenty gives you the execution layer to turn those contacts into conversations.
Pricing Comparison
Klenty offers very transparent pricing:
- It costs $40 for every 1,000 email credits
- And $80 for every 200 phone credits
This is relatively cheaper compared to ZoomInfo, which can cost more than $ 1,500 per month for similar deliverables.
9. UpLead
Key Features | UpLead Vs ZoomInfo | Pricing
UpLead is a clean and credible alternative to ZoomInfo for teams that prioritize verified, accurate B2B contact data over sheer volume.
Yes, ZoomInfo gives you a relatively bigger database to explore, and UpLead focuses on quality-first data with real-time email verification, so you don’t waste credits on bounced emails.
Best for: Teams that want affordable, accurate, and previewable leads.
G2 Rating: 4.7/5⭐ (795+ reviews)
Key Features:
- 160M+ B2B contacts across 200+ countries
- 50+ search filters including firmographics, technographics, industry, and more
- Real-time email verification (built-in)
- Technographic and intent data
- CRM integrations (HubSpot, Salesforce, Zoho)
- Lead enrichment and bulk exports
- Preview leads before spending credits
How UpLead & ZoomInfo Are Different
ZoomInfo outperforms UpLead in terms of raw data size and features, including org charts and conversational intelligence. But data accuracy and cost efficiency? That’s where UpLead wins.
Here’s how UpLead stands apart:
- ZoomInfo gives you the contact → you hope it’s valid.
- UpLead verifies the contact in real-time before you unlock it — (almost) zero wasted credits.
- UpLead’s pay-as-you-go credit model is far more predictable and budget-friendly.

UpLead is often recommended in founder communities and Reddit threads as a leaner, no-nonsense lead source.
And the best part? You can preview leads before unlocking them, which is something ZoomInfo doesn’t offer at all.
“We use UpLead to connect with potential prospects and vendors, and the real magic lies in the quality of their data.”
Pricing Comparison
UpLead has clear, upfront pricing with real-time verification included in all plans:
- Essentials: $99/month (170 credits/month)
- Plus: $199/month (400 credits/month)
I know, UpLead is quite costly. It is to the point that if you see long-term payments, then it can stack up to a hefty amount.
This is one of the major reasons why its users opt for UpLead alternatives.
10. Dealfront
Key Features | Dealfront Vs ZoomInfo | Pricing
If you’re selling into DACH or European markets, Dealfront is one of the best ZoomInfo alternatives you’ll find.
Previously known as Leadfeeder, Dealfront combines GDPR-safe lead data, website visitor tracking, and account intelligence — all optimized for EU compliance and accuracy.
Best for: B2B teams targeting Germany, Austria, Switzerland, or the broader EU.
G2 Rating: 4.5/5⭐ (105+ reviews)
Key Features:
- Strong B2B data coverage in Europe (especially DACH)
- GDPR-compliant contact and company database
- Website visitor tracking to identify anonymous companies
- AI-powered lead scoring and segmentation
- Buyer intent signals
- Deep firmographic and technographic filters
- CRM integrations (Salesforce, Pipedrive, HubSpot, Zoho)
How Dealfront & ZoomInfo Are Different
ZoomInfo has more global contacts overall, but its strength clearly lies in North America. If your outreach focus is the EU market, Dealfront has a clear edge.
Here’s how they compare:
- You get intent data + website visitor data natively in Dealfront — not an expensive add-on like in ZoomInfo.
- Dealfront’s filters and segmentation tools are more localized and language-aware, making it easier to run region-specific campaigns.

Recently, Dealfront launched Dealfront AI, where you can create qualified pipelines faster.
It connects the dots between your brand, buyer persona, and lead data.
To make your work easier, it helps you find new prospects who are similar to your existing customers.
All you need to do is provide a list of your current customers, and it automatically segments them to find similar companies that are likely to be interested in your offers.
“We use Dealfront several times daily and are always pleased with the fast and solution-oriented support. The installation went very quickly and was completed within 1 week.”
Pricing Comparison
Dealfront doesn’t publicly list pricing, but based on user reports and quotes:
- Entry-level plans start at around €150–€500 per month
- These prices are based on modules (like Datacare, Target, Leadfeeder, etc.)
- Custom quotes for full-suite access
11. SeamlessAI
Key Features | SeamlessAI Vs ZoomInfo | Pricing
SeamlessAI positions itself as a real-time search engine for B2B contact data. It has a huge database of 1.3bn B2B contacts (nearly 4x of what ZoomInfo has).
It’s especially popular among sales teams who prioritize volume + affordability.
Best for: Sales teams that want unlimited data lookups at scale.
G2 Rating: 4.4/5⭐ (5,035+ reviews)
Key Features:
- Real-time data engine that verifies contact info on demand
- Unlimited contact exports (in paid plans)
- Chrome extension for LinkedIn and company websites
- AI script generator for cold outreach copy
- CRM integrations (Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho)
- In-app dialer and outreach workflows
How SeamlessAI & ZoomInfo Are Different
The biggest differentiator of these two tools is the way they get the data.
As I mentioned earlier, ZoomInfo sometimes gives you outdated data.
That’s not the case with SeamlessAI, because instead of pulling from a static database, it builds and verifies contact data on the fly.
This makes it an appealing ZoomInfo alternative for teams who want fresh, AI-verified leads.

It also has a browser extension that helps you extract contact info from LinkedIn, company websites, or search pages.
And once a contact is found, Seamless verifies their email, phone number, and even adds social handles and company data.
Note: Its strength is speed and flexibility, not deep filtering.
Pricing Comparison
Again, custom pricing. But yes, SeamlessAI is in a way free to use as it gives you limited searches.
Its enterprise plans offer team dashboards, onboarding, and automation tools. But it’s pricing you need to confirm from their sales team.
12. Hunter.io
Key Features | Hunter Vs ZoomInfo | Pricing
Hunter.io is one of the simplest and most trusted tools for finding professional email addresses.
Unlike ZoomInfo, which offers a full-blown sales intelligence suite, Hunter is laser-focused on helping you discover and verify emails, especially for domain-based or company-wide prospecting.
Best for: Content marketers, link builders, recruiters, and early-stage sales teams who don’t need deep enrichment.
G2 Rating: 4.4/5⭐ (585+ reviews)
Key Features:
- Email Finder (search emails by name + company or domain)
- Domain Search (see all public emails from a company)
- Email Verifier (checks deliverability status)
- Bulk search and CSV enrichment
- Chrome extension + Google Sheets integration
- Free cold email tool (Campaigns) for basic outreach
How Hunter.io & ZoomInfo Are Different
Hunter.io is not trying to compete with ZoomInfo on scale or feature set. But for people who need quick, clean, and compliant email discovery, it’s one of the most trusted platforms out there.
Here’s how they differ:
- Hunter shows only publicly available data, making it GDPR-friendly out of the box
- ZoomInfo offers more data types (intent, technographics, org charts) — but at the cost of complexity and $$$
- Hunter’s UI is faster, lighter, and built for individual contributors, not large enterprise teams

You would be surprised to know that Hunter is frequently praised on Reddit. Many users pair it with LinkedIn + manual research for clean, verified prospecting.
“Their CS is fast! Their domain search is accurate, their email verifier is accurate!, I can trust it.”
Pricing Comparison
Hunter.io is extremely affordable in comparison to other ZoomInfo competitors, + it comes with a generous free plan:
- Free: 25 searches + 50 verifications/month
- Starter: $34/month for 500 searches
- Growth: $104/month for 2,500 searches
Also Read: Best Hunter.io Alternatives (Ranked by Accuracy & Coverage)
How to Choose the Best ZoomInfo Competitor That Suits Your Needs
Not every team needs what ZoomInfo offers — and definitely not at that price.
So before picking a replacement, ask yourself: What do I need from a B2B data platform?
Here’s how to break it down:
1. Start With Your Use Case
Your tool should align with your core GTM workflow.
- European data & GDPR-safe sourcing: Go with Dealfront, Cognism
- Cold outreach with built-in email engine: Saleshandy, Apollo
2. Keep a Note of Team Size & Workflow
- Solo founder or early SDRs? → You need simplicity: try Hunter, Saleshandy, or UpLead
- Mid-size GTM teams? → Look at Apollo, Klenty, or Seamless.AI (more automation + data scale)
- Enterprise ABM setup? → Demandbase or Cognism offers deeper segmentation, intent, and multi-stakeholder targeting
3. Data Accuracy > Data Volume
ZoomInfo may say that they have 321M+ contacts, but how many of those are usable?
Tools like UpLead, Saleshandy, and Cognism invest more in verification and quality data than in bloating databases.
If you’re tired of bounces, pick a tool that verifies in real time or uses human-check layers.
4. Don’t Ignore the Hidden Costs
ZoomInfo’s core product may look comprehensive, but here’s the trap:
- Add intent → extra $
- Add enrichment → extra $
- Add integrations → extra $
- Still need Outreach/Salesloft for engagement
5. Always Test Before You Commit
ZoomInfo locks you in for 12–24 months. Nearly every alternative here offers free trials, usage-based plans, or monthly billing.
So you should test 2–3 tools side by side and see what fits your process before signing anything long-term.
Like ZoomInfo… But Smarter, Lighter, and More Affordable
You’ve now seen a few great alternatives to ZoomInfo and learned about the cool features each one offers.
There’s a lot to choose from, including better pricing, more focused leads, more accurate data, and an easier lead-generating process.
If you are still not sure which one is right for your business?
Here’s a suggestion:
➜ Try Saleshandy’s B2B Lead Finder (you get 5 free credits to test it out!)
Check it out and see how it compares to other tools, as well as how it can help your business grow.
FAQs
1. What criteria should I consider when choosing a ZoomInfo alternative?
To choose a ZoomInfo alternative, you should check these criteria:
- Data accuracy
- Ease of use
- Key features
- Pricing
- Customer support
All these factors are important in helping you choose the right platform for your requirements.
2. Which ZoomInfo alternative is best for startups and small businesses?
Saleshandy, Apollo.io, and Lusha are good choices for startups and small teams.
They offer affordable pricing, easy-to-use interfaces, and lead generation features without the complexity of credit-based pricing.
3. Are there free alternatives to ZoomInfo?
Yes, some ZoomInfo alternatives offer free plans.
- Saleshandy: Free trial with 5 verified leads to test its platform.
- Apollo.io: Free plan with 50 free leads/mo.
- Hunter.io: Free email verification and lead finder.
ZoomInfo does not offer a free plan, so these alternatives are better options if you want to test a tool before committing.