What Is a B2B Contact Database?
A B2B contact database is a platform that gives you verified business contact information: emails, phone numbers, job titles, and company details. This means you can find and reach decision-makers without spending hours on manual research.
Modern databases do more than store static lists. They verify contacts in real time, sync with your CRM automatically, and show you which accounts are actively looking to buy.
Core capabilities include:
Contact data: Verified emails, direct dial phone numbers, job titles, and reporting structures that show who reports to whom
Company intelligence: Firmographics like revenue and employee count, plus technographics that reveal what software companies use
Buyer signals: Intent data tracking research behavior, funding announcements, hiring spikes, and technology changes
Workflow integration: Native connections to Salesforce, HubSpot, and sales engagement platforms like Outreach and Salesloft
The right database cuts your prospecting time by showing you exactly who to call and when they're ready to talk.
Top B2B Contact Database Providers Compared
Platform | Database Coverage | Key Strength | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
ZoomInfo | 500M+ contacts, 100M+ companies | AI-powered intelligence with intent signals | Mid-market to enterprise revenue teams |
Apollo | 210M+ contacts, 30M+ companies | All-in-one prospecting and engagement | SMB to mid-market |
Cognism | 400M+ contacts, EMEA focus | GDPR compliance with phone verification | EMEA-focused teams |
Lusha | 300M+ contacts | Browser extension for quick lookups | Individual sellers, SMB |
LinkedIn Sales Navigator | 1B+ LinkedIn members | LinkedIn network access | Social selling, relationship mapping |
Seamless | 1.3B+ contacts | Real-time AI verification | High-volume prospecting |
Clearbit | 85M+ companies | HubSpot-native enrichment | Marketing teams on HubSpot |
UpLead | 180M+ contacts | Data accuracy guarantee | Budget-conscious mid-market |
Lead411 | 450M+ contacts | Trigger-based alerts | Event-driven outreach |
RocketReach | 700M+ professionals | Email and phone lookup | Individual lookups |
Dealfront | European B2B focus | European compliance | GDPR-first organizations |
Best B2B Contact Databases
1. ZoomInfo
ZoomInfo delivers the most comprehensive B2B intelligence platform, combining 500M+ professional contacts and 100M+ company profiles with real-time intent signals tracking over 1B buying signals daily. GTM Workspace with Copilot uses AI to surface high-priority accounts, automate prospecting workflows, and tell you exactly which contacts to reach and when. You can configure custom signals to track specific triggers like technology changes, hiring patterns, and competitor mentions that show buying intent.
The platform syncs bidirectionally with Salesforce, HubSpot, and Microsoft Dynamics, automatically enriching your CRM records with verified contact data, org charts, and technographic details. Copilot surfaces insights directly in your workflow, flagging when key decision-makers change roles, when accounts show intent spikes, or when new contacts match your ideal customer profile. Data refreshes continuously, with email deliverability rates above 95% and phone accuracy validated through multiple verification methods.
ZoomInfo serves over 35,000 customers and ranks as a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Sales Intelligence. The platform maintains SOC 2 Type II certification, GDPR compliance, and CCPA adherence, giving you the security and compliance standards enterprise buyers require.
Key Features:
Intent data integration: Track buying signals across web activity, content consumption, and search behavior to identify accounts actively researching solutions
Org chart mapping: See complete reporting structures and identify every decision-maker and influencer in your target accounts
Copilot AI assistant: Get real-time recommendations on which accounts to prioritize, which contacts to reach, and what messaging resonates
Advanced search filters: Build precise prospect lists using 300+ filters including technographics, funding events, hiring trends, and company growth signals
Conversation intelligence: Analyze sales calls and emails to surface what messaging drives results and coach reps on winning approaches
**Data enrichment automation:** Fill missing CRM fields and keep contact records current without manual data entry
Custom data requests: Access ZoomInfo's research team to build specialized lists for unique market segments or hard-to-reach personas
2. Apollo
Apollo combines a contact database with built-in email sequencing, dialer, and engagement tracking in one platform. The database includes 210M+ contacts and 30M+ companies, with search filters for job title, company size, industry, and location. You can build lists and launch outreach sequences without switching between tools.
The platform offers a free tier with limited credits and paid plans based on contact exports and feature access. Built-in email sequencing includes A/B testing, automated follow-ups, and reply detection. The dialer provides local presence calling and call recording. Integrations connect to Salesforce, HubSpot, and other CRMs for two-way data sync.
Apollo sources data through web scraping, user contributions, and third-party partnerships. Email verification runs when you export contacts, and the platform flags outdated records. The interface focuses on speed, with a Chrome extension for LinkedIn prospecting and bulk actions for list management.
Key Features:
Contact database with 210M+ professionals and 30M+ companies
Built-in email sequences with automated follow-ups
Integrated dialer with local presence and call recording
Chrome extension for LinkedIn and web prospecting
CRM integrations with Salesforce and HubSpot
Free tier with limited monthly credits
Technographic filters for technology stack targeting
Buying intent signals through third-party partnerships
3. Cognism
Cognism provides B2B contact data with a focus on GDPR compliance and phone number accuracy. The platform covers 400M+ international contacts with deeper coverage across European markets. Diamond Data phone verification uses a multi-step process to validate mobile numbers, cutting down on wrong-number calls.
The platform emphasizes compliance-first data collection, with documented GDPR processes and DNC list screening. Coverage spans North America and EMEA, with deeper penetration in UK, France, and Germany. Integrations connect to Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach, and Salesloft for workflow automation.
Cognism targets mid-market organizations that prioritize data quality over database size. The platform includes intent data through Bombora integration and technographic filters for software usage. Data refresh cycles run continuously, with quarterly deep cleaning of the full database.
Key Features:
Diamond Data phone verification for mobile number accuracy
GDPR-compliant data sourcing and processing
Strong European market coverage across UK, France, Germany
Bombora intent data integration for account prioritization
CRM and sales engagement platform integrations
Technographic data showing software and technology usage
Chrome extension for LinkedIn prospecting
Unrestricted access pricing model
4. Lusha
Lusha takes a browser extension-first approach to contact data, with a Chrome extension that reveals emails and phone numbers on LinkedIn profiles and company websites. The database includes 300M+ verified business contacts, focused on ease of use for individual sellers and small teams. Contact reveal works on LinkedIn, company websites, and business directories.
The platform uses a credit-based pricing model, with each contact export consuming credits. A free tier provides limited monthly credits for testing. API access enables automated enrichment workflows that fill missing CRM fields. Integrations connect to Salesforce, HubSpot, and other CRMs for contact sync.
Lusha targets individual sellers and small sales teams that need quick contact lookups rather than bulk list building. The platform provides email addresses, direct dials, and basic company information. Data verification runs at export time, with accuracy guarantees on paid plans.
Key Features:
Chrome extension for LinkedIn and web prospecting
Contact reveal on profiles and company websites
Credit-based pricing with free tier
API for CRM enrichment workflows
Salesforce and HubSpot integrations
Email and direct dial phone numbers
Bulk enrichment for contact lists
Data accuracy guarantee on paid plans
5. LinkedIn Sales Navigator
LinkedIn Sales Navigator gives you access to LinkedIn's professional network of 1 billion+ members through advanced search and filtering. The tool includes lead and account recommendations based on your saved searches and engagement patterns. Advanced search filters cover job title, company, industry, geography, and relationship connections through your network.
InMail credits let you reach prospects outside your network directly, with higher response rates than cold email. Account and lead tracking monitors job changes, company updates, and content engagement. TeamLink shows warm introduction paths through your colleagues' networks, surfacing who on your team has existing connections to target accounts.
The platform syncs with Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics for CRM integration. Relationship mapping visualizes network connections and identifies mutual contacts. The limitation is that Sales Navigator doesn't export contact lists or provide email addresses outside LinkedIn's platform.
Key Features:
Advanced search across 1 billion+ LinkedIn members
InMail credits for direct outreach
Lead and account recommendations
TeamLink for warm introduction paths
Job change alerts and company updates
CRM sync with Salesforce and Dynamics
Relationship mapping through network connections
Saved searches with automated alerts
Learn more about LinkedIn Sales Navigator
6. Seamless
Seamless operates as a real-time contact search engine that uses AI to find and verify contact information on demand. The search-based interface lets you look up contacts by name, company, or job title, with results appearing in seconds. The platform provides access to 1.3 billion+ contact profiles, though coverage varies by market and industry.
The Chrome extension works on LinkedIn and company websites to reveal contact details. Autopilot features automate list building based on saved search criteria. Integrations connect to major CRMs for contact sync and enrichment. The platform uses a credit-based pricing model with different tiers based on search volume.
Seamless targets high-volume prospecting teams that need quick contact lookups. Data verification happens in real-time using AI algorithms that validate emails and phone numbers. The platform focuses on speed and ease of use over advanced filtering and segmentation.
Key Features:
Real-time contact search engine
AI-powered email and phone verification
Chrome extension for LinkedIn and web
Autopilot for automated list building
CRM integrations for contact sync
Search by name, company, or job title
Bulk contact export capabilities
Credit-based pricing model
7. Clearbit
Clearbit focuses on data enrichment and form optimization for marketing teams, with particular strength in the HubSpot ecosystem. The platform enriches 85M+ company profiles with firmographic and technographic data. Form enrichment reduces form fields by auto-filling company details when visitors enter an email address, improving conversion rates.
The API-first architecture enables custom enrichment workflows that fill missing CRM fields automatically. Reveal identifies anonymous website visitors by matching IP addresses to company records, showing which accounts are researching your site. Integration depth with HubSpot includes native workflows, custom properties, and marketing automation triggers.
Clearbit targets marketing teams running inbound and account-based campaigns. The platform provides firmographic data like industry and revenue, plus technographic data showing software usage. Lead scoring uses enrichment data to prioritize prospects based on fit and engagement.
Key Features:
Form enrichment to reduce form fields and improve conversion
Reveal for website visitor identification
API-first architecture for custom workflows
Native HubSpot integration with deep feature access
Firmographic and technographic data coverage
Lead scoring based on enrichment data
Real-time data enrichment at point of capture
Company logo and social profile enrichment
8. UpLead
UpLead provides B2B contact data with a 95% data accuracy guarantee, offering credits back for any bounced emails. The database includes 180M+ contacts with real-time email verification at the point of export. Search filters cover job title, company size, industry, revenue, and location for building targeted prospect lists.
Technographic filters show which technologies companies use, enabling targeting based on tech stack. Intent data is available as an add-on, tracking which accounts are actively researching specific topics. The Chrome extension works on LinkedIn for quick contact lookups. Integrations connect to Salesforce, HubSpot, and other CRMs for contact sync.
UpLead targets mid-market buyers looking for transparent pricing and data quality guarantees. The platform uses a credit-based model where each contact export consumes credits. Free trials provide limited credits for testing data quality before purchase.
Key Features:
95% data accuracy guarantee with credit refunds
Real-time email verification at export
Technographic filters for technology targeting
Intent data add-on for account prioritization
Chrome extension for LinkedIn prospecting
CRM integrations with major platforms
Transparent credit-based pricing
Free trial with limited credits
9. Lead411
Lead411 specializes in trigger-based sales intelligence, focusing on growth signals and buying triggers that show accounts are ready to buy. The platform tracks funding announcements, executive hires, technology installations, and company expansions. Verified direct dials and email addresses accompany each contact record.
Bombora intent data integration shows which accounts are researching specific topics based on content consumption patterns. The unlimited access pricing model differentiates Lead411 from credit-based competitors, providing unrestricted exports for a flat fee. Chrome extension access enables quick lookups on LinkedIn and company websites.
Lead411 targets sales teams running event-driven outreach campaigns. Trigger alerts notify reps when target accounts show buying signals, enabling timely outreach. CRM integrations push contacts and alerts directly into Salesforce and other platforms.
Key Features:
Growth signal tracking for funding, hiring, and expansion
Bombora intent data integration
Verified direct dials and email addresses
Unlimited access pricing model
Trigger-based alerts for buying signals
Chrome extension for quick lookups
CRM integrations with major platforms
Technology installation tracking
10. RocketReach
RocketReach operates as an email and phone lookup tool with a browser extension for LinkedIn and web research. The database covers 700M+ professional profiles with contact information. Bulk lookup capabilities enable enriching contact lists by uploading names and companies.
API access provides programmatic enrichment for CRM workflows and custom applications. The platform covers professionals across industries and geographies, with deeper data in North American markets. Credit-based pricing charges per contact lookup, with different tiers based on monthly volume.
RocketReach focuses on individual contact lookups rather than advanced filtering and segmentation. The use case centers on finding specific people's contact details when you know their name and company. Chrome extension access speeds up research workflows on LinkedIn and company websites.
Key Features:
Email and phone lookup for 700M+ professionals
Browser extension for LinkedIn and web research
Bulk lookup for contact list enrichment
API access for programmatic enrichment
Coverage across industries and geographies
Credit-based pricing per lookup
Chrome extension for quick access
Export to CSV or CRM platforms
11. Dealfront
Dealfront combines website visitor identification with a European B2B contact database, formed from the merger of Leadfeeder and Echobot. The platform emphasizes GDPR-native data collection and compliance for European markets. Website visitor identification shows which companies are browsing your site, even when visitors don't fill out forms.
European company coverage includes deep data on UK, German, French, and Benelux markets. The platform combines first-party intent data from website visits with third-party contact information. Integrations connect to CRMs and marketing automation platforms for lead routing and nurturing.
Dealfront targets EMEA-focused organizations and compliance-first buyers who prioritize GDPR adherence. The platform provides firmographic data, contact details, and behavioral signals from website visits. Pricing includes both visitor identification and contact database access.
Key Features:
Website visitor identification for anonymous traffic
GDPR-native data collection and compliance
Deep European market coverage
Combined first-party and third-party data
CRM and marketing automation integrations
Firmographic and contact data
Behavioral tracking from website visits
Compliance-first data handling
How to Choose a B2B Contact Database
Start by defining your ideal customer profile—the industries, company sizes, and geographies you target. Then evaluate which databases provide the deepest coverage for those specific segments.
Data quality and verification methods
Dirty data kills productivity. Bounced emails waste time and damage your sender reputation. Wrong numbers frustrate prospects and burn through your calling capacity.
Look for platforms that verify emails in real time when you export them, not just during periodic batch updates. Phone verification should check against carrier databases and DNC lists. Ask about data refresh frequency—quarterly updates leave you with stale contacts for months.
Request accuracy guarantees or SLAs that specify deliverability rates. The best providers offer credit refunds for bounced contacts.
Coverage for your target market
Database size matters less than coverage depth in your specific market. A platform with 500M contacts but weak coverage in your target industry provides less value than a smaller database with verified contacts in your niche.
Check these coverage factors:
Geographic reach: North American-focused databases often have thin data in European and Asian markets
Industry depth: Some platforms excel in tech and SaaS but lack healthcare or manufacturing contacts
Company size segments: Enterprise-focused databases may lack SMB contacts, while SMB platforms struggle with large organizations
Seniority levels: Verify the database includes the decision-maker levels you need to reach
CRM and tech stack integration
Your contact database should fit into existing workflows, not force you to adopt new processes. Native CRM connectors enable bidirectional sync, automatically enriching records and pushing new contacts into your pipeline.
Evaluate integration depth beyond basic contact sync. Can the platform trigger workflows based on intent signals? Does it enrich existing records with missing fields? Will it deduplicate contacts before adding them to your CRM?
Sales engagement platform compatibility matters for outbound teams. Look for integrations with Outreach, Salesloft, or your sequencing tool that let you build lists and launch campaigns without manual exports.
Compliance and data privacy
Data regulations vary by geography and industry. GDPR requirements apply to any European contacts, regardless of where your company operates. CCPA governs California resident data, with similar laws emerging in other states.
Verify that providers document their data sourcing methods and maintain opt-out processes. SOC 2 certification demonstrates security controls around data handling. Ask how the platform screens against DNC lists and manages consent for phone outreach.
Enterprise buyers should request data processing agreements that specify liability and compliance responsibilities.
Pricing model and total cost
Contact database pricing varies widely, from free tiers to six-figure enterprise contracts. Credit-based models charge per contact export, making costs predictable for low-volume users but expensive at scale. Unlimited access models provide flat-rate pricing regardless of usage.
Calculate total cost beyond the platform fee:
Integration costs and setup time
Training and onboarding resources
Ongoing data quality management
Add-on features like intent data or technographics
Consider contract terms and renewal structures. Annual contracts often provide discounts but lock you in if the platform underperforms. Month-to-month pricing offers flexibility but costs more over time.
Find the Right B2B Contact Database for Your Team
The right contact database matches your team's coverage needs, workflow requirements, and compliance standards. Platforms differ significantly in data quality, geographic coverage, and feature depth.
Match your evaluation to your specific use case rather than choosing based on database size alone. Consider these decision factors:
Coverage depth in your target markets and industries
Data accuracy guarantees and verification methods
Integration capabilities with your existing tech stack
Compliance requirements for your target geographies
ZoomInfo delivers the most comprehensive solution for revenue teams that prioritize data accuracy, intent signals, and workflow automation. The platform combines verified contact data with AI-powered insights that surface high-priority accounts and guide sellers to the right conversations at the right time.
Talk to our team to see how ZoomInfo can support your prospecting goals.
Frequently Asked Questions About B2B Contact Databases
What do sales teams use B2B contact databases for?
Sales teams use contact databases to find and reach decision-makers at target accounts, build prospecting lists based on ideal customer profiles, and enrich CRM records with missing contact information. Marketing teams use them to build campaign audiences and segment contacts by firmographics or technographics.
How do B2B contact databases verify email accuracy?
Platforms use AI algorithms to validate email syntax and domain configuration, check emails against known bounce lists, and send test messages to verify deliverability. The best providers verify data at multiple points—during collection, before export, and through ongoing monitoring that flags contacts when they change jobs.
Which B2B contact databases are GDPR compliant?
Compliance varies by provider, with platforms like Cognism and Dealfront maintaining documented GDPR processes including lawful basis for data collection, opt-out handling, and data subject access requests. Look for providers that specify their compliance measures and provide data processing agreements for enterprise customers.
What's the difference between a B2B contact database and a CRM?
CRMs store your customer and prospect data. That includes the contacts you own and the history of your interactions with them. Contact databases provide external prospect data to fill your pipeline with new contacts that match your ideal customer profile. You use a contact database to find prospects, then store them in your CRM.
How much does a B2B contact database cost per month?
Pricing ranges from free tiers with limited monthly credits to enterprise contracts. Credit-based models typically charge per contact export, while unlimited access models provide flat-rate pricing starting around $1,000 per user annually. Enterprise contracts with advanced features and higher usage limits can exceed $50,000 annually.
Can I integrate a B2B contact database with Salesforce?
Most providers offer native integrations with Salesforce that enable bidirectional sync, automatic enrichment, and workflow triggers. These integrations let you search for contacts within Salesforce, automatically enrich existing records with missing fields, and push new contacts directly into your pipeline without manual exports.
