10 Best ZoomInfo Alternatives & Competitors (Free + Paid)

ZoomInfo is one of the most well-known B2B sales intelligence platforms out there.

On paper, it looks unbeatable.

But once you actually start using it, cracks begin to show.

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• Outdated data.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.

If you’re paying a heavy amount, you expect reliability. And for many teams, ZoomInfo just doesn’t justify its price anymore.

Below, I’ve listed the best ZoomInfo alternatives (free and paid) that fix one or more of these gaps.

Some are lightweight.
Some are built for scale.

Pick the one that suits your needs.

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.
• Hunter.io – 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

Detailed Review of the Best ZoomInfo Alternatives

1. Saleshandy
2. Apollo
3. Clay
4. Hunter.io
5. Cognism
6. UpLead
7. SMARTe
8. Demandbase
9. 6sense
10. Seamless.ai

1. Saleshandy

Saleshandy combines an AI-powered B2B lead finder with a scalable email outreach system.

While ZoomInfo focuses heavily on data volume and enrichment, Saleshandy emphasizes more on data usability.

In short, you can find + verify leads and reach out to them without switching tools.

Best for: Outbound sales teams, lead gen agencies, and founders running cold email at scale.

G2 Rating: 4.6/5⭐ (from 750+ reviews)

How Is Saleshandy Better?

ZoomInfo’s biggest promise is volume. Saleshandy’s advantage is usability.

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 👇)

Here’s what Saleshandy offers,

• AI-powered lead search (to find leads with just a prompt)
• AI Prospect Enrichment (helps you personalize your outreach)
• Global data coverage (160+ countries) → ZoomInfo is still heavily NA-focused
• Real-time email verification

Also, let’s talk about enrichment.

Saleshandy does not have proper enrichment. But still, it does not fall back in terms of data quality.

The truth is: You need enrichment because ZoomInfo’s data is so poor.

On the other hand, Saleshandy gives you highly accurate data.

That’s why users consistently call out accuracy + ease of use in reviews.

Pricing Comparison

This is where the gap becomes obvious.

ZoomInfo can easily cost $15,000–$30,000/year for a limited number of leads.

Saleshandy, on the other hand:

• Starter plan: $29/month
• Unused credits roll over

You’re not paying for bloated data or features you’ll never touch. Just leads you can actually convert.

2. Apollo

Apollo is one of the closest ZoomInfo alternatives you’ll find. I am not talking in terms of features, but also in how teams actually use it day-to-day.

While ZoomInfo positions itself as a heavy enterprise intelligence platform, Apollo feels more like a modern GTM workspace. You get a decent-sized database with enrichment and outreach.

If ZoomInfo feels like overkill for your team, Apollo usually feels “just right.”

Best for: Sales and GTM teams that want powerful filtering, enrichment, and outreach without enterprise pricing baggage.

G2 Rating: 4.7/5⭐ (from 9,305+ reviews)

How Is Apollo Better?

Apollo doesn’t try to outdo ZoomInfo on raw data volume. Instead, it wins on usability and execution.

Here’s where Apollo clearly stands out:

• You can find, enrich, and contact leads from the same platform
• Filters are good with proper intent signals
• Outreach isn’t an afterthought (email sequences, dialer, LinkedIn tasks are built-in)
• Credit-based pricing means you’re not forced into rigid annual contracts

We know that ZoomInfo is great if you’re mapping enterprise org charts or running massive intelligence-heavy ops.

Apollo, on the other hand, is better if your reps need to move fast, test campaigns, and launch outreach without switching tools or waiting on RevOps.

This is why many startups and mid-market teams describe Apollo as “ZoomInfo, but actually usable.”

For more details, check out our blog on Apollo.io review.

Pricing Comparison

This is where Apollo really starts to pull away from ZoomInfo.

• Free plan: ~75 credits per month (yes, actually usable)
• Basic: ~$49/month
• Professional / Org plans: ~$79–$119 per user/month

Please note: Apollo has a very complex pricing structure, and you will have to pay for enrichment separately.

If you want to avoid complex pricing, then you can check out these Apollo alternatives.

3. Clay

Clay is a kind of data orchestration engine for teams who want full control over where their leads come from and how they’re enriched.

If ZoomInfo feels like a closed box (“here’s our data, take it or leave it”), Clay is the opposite. It lets you build your own lead machine using multiple data sources, APIs, and AI-powered enrichment steps.

This is why Clay is loved by RevOps folks, growth hackers, and data-first GTM teams.

Best for: RevOps teams, growth marketers, and agencies building custom, automated prospecting workflows..

G2 Rating: 4.8/5⭐ (from 175+ reviews)

How Is Clay Better?

ZoomInfo gives you a massive pre-built database. Clay gives you control.

And here’s where things start to change:

• ZoomInfo = static dataset + predefined filters
• Clay = dynamic workflows powered by 50+ data sources, APIs, and AI

With Clay, you can:

• Pull leads from tools like Apollo, Clearbit, LinkedIn, Crunchbase, and more
• Enrich leads automatically with job changes, funding rounds, tech stack, or intent-like signals
• Use AI agents to research prospects, score leads, and even write summaries
• Keep lists fresh and auto-updated instead of exporting stale CSVs

Where ZoomInfo tells you who exists, Clay helps you figure out who actually matters right now.

This is why many teams use Clay with or instead of ZoomInfo.

You can also check out these Clay Alternatives that everyone’s talking about.

Pricing Comparison

Clay’s pricing is modular and usage-based:

• Starts at ~$134/month
• You only pay more as your workflows scale
• Additional costs apply if you pull data from paid partner APIs

Yes, Clay ain’t cheap. But it is way better than ZoomInfo.

4. Hunter.io

Hunter.io is one of the most straightforward ZoomInfo alternatives on this list. And that’s exactly why people love it.

It doesn’t try to be an “all-in-one GTM intelligence platform.” Instead, it does one job extremely well: finding and verifying professional email addresses.

If ZoomInfo feels like overkill (and overpriced) for your needs, Hunter is a breath of fresh air.

Best for: Content marketers, link builders, recruiters, and early-stage sales teams who don’t need deep enrichment.

G2 Rating: 4.4/5⭐ (from 615+ reviews)

How Is Hunter Better?

Hunter and ZoomInfo aren’t really playing the same game. And that’s the point.

Hunter is for people who need quick, clean, and compliant email discovery. It’s one of the most trusted platforms out there.

Here’s where Hunter wins:

• Speed & simplicity: No learning curve, no clutter. Search → verify → outreach.
• Public, GDPR-friendly data: Hunter only uses publicly available email data, making it safer for compliance-heavy regions.
• Email-first focus: ZoomInfo gives you “everything.” Hunter gives you what actually gets replies.
• Lighter workflows: Perfect for pairing with LinkedIn research or manual prospecting.

ZoomInfo is built for enterprises managing massive databases.

Hunter is built for people who want to get emails and get going.

Reddit and indie communities often recommend Hunter for exactly this reason: it’s predictable, transparent, and does what it promises.

Pricing Comparison

Hunter.io is more affordable than ZoomInfo. Period.

• Free plan: 50 credits/month
• Starter: $34/month for 2000 credits
• Growth: $104/month for 10000 credits

No contracts. No forced upsells. No “talk to sales” loop.

ZoomInfo, on the other hand, locks you into long-term contracts costing thousands per month, even if all you need is email discovery.

But in case you prefer something more versatile, then check out these Hunter alternatives.

5. Cognism

Cognism is a direct ZoomInfo competitor. But with one major philosophical difference: compliance first.

If your outbound motion involves the UK, EU, or any GDPR-sensitive market, Cognism is often the safer (and smarter) bet.

It combines global B2B contact data with intent signals and a heavy emphasis on verified mobile numbers. Something ZoomInfo still struggles to guarantee compliantly.

Best for: Mid-market and enterprise teams selling into the UK/EU with strict compliance needs.

G2 Rating: 4.5/5⭐ (from 1,245+ reviews)

How Is Cognism Better?

ZoomInfo has scale. Cognism has trust + regulation awareness.

Key differentiators:

• GDPR-first data sourcing (especially strong in Europe)
• Diamond Data®: mobile numbers verified by a human research team
• Better phone coverage for SDRs doing cold calling
• Bombora-powered intent data without overcomplication

While ZoomInfo offers global coverage, it doesn’t prioritize how that data can be legally used in GDPR-heavy regions.

Cognism does, and that matters if you don’t want compliance headaches or blocked outreach.

That said, Cognism isn’t perfect.

Like ZoomInfo, it has a learning curve, and users often mention that support and onboarding can be slow for complex setups.

But for regulated markets, the tradeoff is worth it.

If you liked Cognism but want better options, then you can also check out Cognism Alternatives.

Pricing Comparison

Cognism doesn’t list public pricing (similar to ZoomInfo), but as per Cognism users on Reddit:

• Custom pricing is highly based on regions, users, and intent features
• Tad bit cheaper than ZoomInfo for EU-focused teams
• Demos and trials available on request

ZoomInfo often bundles compliance as an afterthought. Cognism builds the product around it.

6. UpLead

UpLead is a B2B contact database built around data accuracy and simplicity, making it a favorite for teams that care about quality over quantity.

Users consistently highlight that UpLead gives them verified emails and direct dials they can trust.

Which means fewer bounces and better overall outreach performance.

Best for: Sales teams and GTM pros who want clean, verified data and predictable pricing without enterprise complexity.

G2 Rating: 4.7/5⭐ (from 815+ reviews)

How Is UpLead Better?

UpLead wins in one area where ZoomInfo regularly disappoints: data you can actually trust.

ZoomInfo gives you access to a massive database, but the problem starts after you export. You unlock contacts first… and then hope the emails work.

That’s where bounce rates, wasted credits, and follow-up cleanup begin.

UpLead flips that flow.

UpLead checks email validity in real time before unlocking a contact. If it’s invalid, you don’t pay for it. ZoomInfo doesn’t offer that safety net.

UpLead doesn’t try to impress you with a huge database count.

Instead, it focuses on maintaining a cleaner dataset.

Which means less enrichment, fewer re-exports, and fewer “why did this bounce?” moments.

ZoomInfo works best if you’re okay with buying data in bulk and cleaning it later.

UpLead works better if you care about reply rates, deliverability, and cost control.

The best part? There are no forced annual contracts. No surprise add-ons for verification or exports. What you see is what you pay for.

Pricing Comparison

UpLead uses a credit-based pricing model that’s far more predictable than ZoomInfo’s enterprise pricing.

• 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.

7. SMARTe

SMARTe is a decent 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⭐

How Is SMARTe Better

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 feat

8. Demandbase

Demandbase isn’t trying to be ZoomInfo with a bigger database. It is actually built for account-based marketing (ABM) and B2B intent targeting.

It combines intent data, account behavior, and firmographics to help revenue teams prioritize accounts before sales even reach out.

This makes Demandbase less of a “lead list tool” and more of a strategic account intelligence engine.

Best for: Enterprise GTM teams running ABM, revenue ops leaders, and marketing teams aligned with sales.

G2 Rating: 4.4/5⭐ (from 1900+ reviews)

How Is Demandbase Better?

ZoomInfo gives you contacts. Demandbase gives you context.

That difference matters a lot once you move beyond spray-and-pray outbound.

Also, Demandbase is built for ABM workflows

Instead of building massive lists, you can prioritize high-value accounts, map stakeholders, and align sales + marketing around the same target list.

Also, Demandbase blends multiple intent and behavioral signals to surface accounts that are genuinely in a buying cycle.

This is why user reviews often say ZoomInfo is great for list building, but Demandbase shines when you need to decide where your team should focus right now.

Pricing Comparison

Demandbase does not publish pricing. And yes, that’s intentional.

Pricing is custom-quoted based on:

• Number of target accounts
• Intent data depth
• Personalization modules
• CRM and MAP integrations

If your GTM motion is account-based and deal sizes are large, Demandbase earns its keep.

If you just want contacts to run outbound, this is overkill.

9. 6sense

6sense is not a “contact database” in the traditional ZoomInfo sense. (Though it has its own database.)

It’s a revenue intelligence platform built to answer one hard question.

And instead of starting with contacts, 6sense starts with buying intent, anonymous behavior, and predictive signals. Then it helps sales and marketing focus only on accounts that matter.

Best for: Enterprise GTM, ABM, and RevOps teams selling high-ticket deals with long buying cycles.

G2 Rating: 4.2/5⭐ (from 2060+ reviews)

How Is 6sense Better?

I will make one thing very clear here. 6sense doesn’t try to “beat” ZoomInfo at raw contact volume. It beats it where strategy matters.

Why? Because 6sense shows you who’s researching, comparing, and getting ready to buy.

It tracks anonymous website visits, keyword surges, content consumption, and third-party intent signals. Then it uses AI to predict the buying stage and deal readiness.

Basically, ZoomInfo is still very contact-centric. 6sense is account-centric by design.

Also, 6sense layers predictive scoring and AI models on top of behavioral data to prioritize accounts automatically.

This is where 6sense quietly wins because it works great for both sales and marketing teams.

Pricing Comparison

6sense is enterprise software, not a plug-and-play lead tool. And the pricing reflects that.

• No public pricing
• Custom quotes based on the number of accounts tracked and other add-ons.

10. Seamless.ai

Seamless.ai markets itself as a real-time search engine for B2B contacts, and that positioning actually matters.

Unlike ZoomInfo’s static database model, Seamless focuses on finding and verifying contact data on demand.

Thismakes it appealing to teams that value freshness and speed over perfectly curated datasets.

Best for: High-volume SDR teams that need fast contact discovery and don’t want to wait on database refresh cycles.

G2 Rating: 4.4/5⭐ (from 5260+ reviews)

How Is Seamless.ai Better?

Seamless and ZoomInfo solve the same problem (finding people to talk to).

But they approach it very differently.

ZoomInfo relies heavily on pre-collected datasets that can go stale.

Seamless builds contact data in real time by scanning public and proprietary sources when you search. Which often results in fresher emails and phone numbers.

Seamless doesn’t overcomplicate prospecting with heavy dashboards, org charts, or analyst-style views.

You search, it finds contacts, you export. Simple. Fast. Very SDR-friendly.

Also, it has a huge database of 1.3bn B2B contacts (nearly 4x of what ZoomInfo has).

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.

Also read: Top 10 Seamless.AI Alternatives and Competitors

How to Choose the Best ZoomInfo Competitor That Actually Fits Your Team

Let’s get one thing straight: ZoomInfo isn’t “bad.” It’s just overkill for most teams and wildly overpriced.

So before you jump to another tool, pause and ask why you’re replacing ZoomInfo in the first place.

1. Start With What You’re Actually Trying to Do
2. Be Honest About Your Team Size & Maturity
3. Stop Chasing Database Size (Chase Usable Data)
4. Watch Out for “Looks Cheap” Pricing Traps
5. Always Test Before You Commit

1. Start With What You’re Actually Trying to Do

Every tool shines in a different workflow.

If your goal is outbound execution, you’ll want something like Saleshandy or Apollo. It is where you can find leads and engage with them.

If you’re more into account-level strategy and intent signals, tools like Demandbase or 6sense make more sense. They’re built to tell you who’s in-market, not just who exists.

And if all you need is clean, quick email discovery, something lightweight like Hunter will do the job just fine.

2. Be Honest About Your Team Size & Maturity

This part gets ignored way too often.

If you’re a solo founder or a small SDR team, you don’t need enterprise dashboards, org charts, or “AI insights” that require onboarding calls.

You need speed, accuracy, and ease of use. That’s where tools like Saleshandy, Hunter, or UpLead work really well.

Mid-sized GTM teams usually benefit from Apollo or Seamless, where you get scale without locking yourself into long contracts.

Enterprise teams running ABM motions? That’s where Demandbase, 6sense, or Cognism actually earn their price because complexity is part of the job.

3. Stop Chasing Database Size (Chase Usable Data)

ZoomInfo loves to flex big numbers. But here’s the uncomfortable truth:
A huge database is useless if half your emails bounce.

Many ZoomInfo alternatives focus on verification and freshness, not just volume. Tools like Saleshandy and UpLead verify emails in real time.

Cognism adds human-verified mobile numbers. That’s the stuff that actually improves reply rates.

If bounces and wasted credits are killing your campaigns, data quality should matter more than data size.

4. Watch Out for “Looks Cheap” Pricing Traps

ZoomInfo’s pricing problem isn’t just the base cost, it’s the add-ons.

Intent data? Extra.
Enrichment? Extra.
Exports? Limited.
Outreach? Still need another tool.

Many alternatives look cheaper upfront and actually stay cheaper because features aren’t hidden behind paywalls.

Credit-based or usage-based pricing (like Saleshandy, Apollo, or UpLead) gives you far more control over spend.

5. Always Test Before You Commit

This is where ZoomInfo really loses.

Most alternatives let you try the product before signing anything.

Free plans, free credits, or short trials. Use that to your advantage. Run a real campaign.
Check bounce rates. See how fast you can go from search → outreach.

If a tool can’t prove value in a week or two, it’s probably not worth a 12-month contract.

Like ZoomInfo… But Better (and Way Less Costly)

ZoomInfo isn’t a bad tool.

It’s powerful, feature-heavy, and deeply embedded in a lot of enterprise stacks.

But most teams don’t actually need all of that.

Now, if you’re tired of:

• Paying enterprise pricing for features you barely use
• Cleaning lists after exporting “premium” data
• Being locked into 12–24 month contracts

Then yes. You probably don’t need ZoomInfo anymore.

Most modern GTM teams are moving toward lighter, more focused tools that do one job really well.

If you’re not sure where to start. Try to take a free trial of Saleshandy and see how it works.

You can literally find leads and create a whole outreach campaign with AI in just a few minutes.

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. It will help you choose the right platform for your use case.

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 five verified leads to test its platform.
• Apollo.io: Free plan with 50 free leads/mo.
• Hunter.io: Free email verification and lead finder.