My no-BS take on the top B2B lead gen tools worth your time this year

I’ve used a bunch of B2B lead generation tools over the past few years—some great, some… not so much. If you’re here, you’re probably either fed up with SalesIntel’s pricing, data accuracy, or clunky UX. I’ve been there. So I dug deep and tested a bunch of top B2B leads database providers to find the best alternatives that actually deliver solid contact data, work well with your stack, and don’t break the bank.

Let’s get into it 👇

1. ZoomInfo

How it works: Massive B2B contacts database + intent data + sales/marketing tools rolled into one.

What I liked:

• The data is 🔥 in terms of quantity. Tons of verified emails and direct dials.
• Has legit firmographics, technographics, buyer intent, and org charts.
• Works great with Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach, etc.

What I didn’t:

• Super expensive. You gotta talk to sales just to get a quote.
• Data quality is hit-or-miss for smaller markets or niche industries.
• UI feels bloated at times.

Pricing: Custom pricing (aka $$$). Not SMB-friendly unless you’ve got a real budget.

Verdict: If you’ve got enterprise-level sales ops and need volume + intent data, it’s solid. Otherwise, probably overkill.

2. RocketReach

How it works: Chrome extension + web platform to pull contact info (emails, socials, phones) from LinkedIn and other sites.

What I liked:

• Super clean UI, fast, easy to use.
• Good hit rate on verified emails—especially for execs.
• Affordable for smaller teams.

What I didn’t:

• No intent data or enrichment.
• Not great for big batch prospecting—better for quick lookups.

Pricing: Starts at $53/month for individual plans. Team plans available too.

Verdict: Great value if you’re focused on accurate emails + 1:1 prospecting. Lightweight but reliable.

3. Kaspr

How it works: Lead gen Chrome extension for LinkedIn that scrapes direct dials + emails instantly.

What I liked:

• Real-time data scraping. I got phone numbers that actually worked 😮
• Super fast lead capture from LinkedIn.
• Great automation tools built-in (follow-ups, webhook integrations, etc).

What I didn’t:

• Limited global coverage. Better for EU/UK contacts.
• Less data enrichment or company-level insights.

Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans from ~€49/month.

Verdict: A beast for LinkedIn + phone-based prospecting. Love it for SDRs doing cold calling.

4. LeadIQ

How it works: Chrome extension that captures contact data while prospecting on LinkedIn and syncs it to your CRM.

What I liked:

• Real-time prospecting with Salesforce and HubSpot sync.
• Tracks when leads change jobs 👀
• Solid intent signals and email validation.

What I didn’t:

• Bit pricey for solo users.
• Doesn’t go as deep into company-level data as some others.

Pricing: Starts at $75/month per user. Custom plans for teams.

Verdict: Built for modern SDR workflows. Tight integration, smooth UX.

5. Apollo.io

How it works: End-to-end B2B lead generation platform with database + outreach tools.

What I liked:

• Insane value. 270M+ contacts, emails, phones, filters, sequences.
• Outreach built-in (email campaigns, dialer, etc).
• Free plan is generous. Paid plans are cheap for what you get.

What I didn’t:

• Some bounce issues on emails if you’re not careful.
• UI gets a bit laggy with big lists.

Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans from $49/month.

Verdict: This is my go-to alternative. Best bang for your buck if you want a full lead gen + outreach stack.

6. LeadSwift

How it works: Local B2B leads database focused on small biz owners—especially in home services and similar verticals.

What I liked:

• Amazing for finding hyper-local businesses with verified emails and phone numbers.
• Built-in cold email outreach tools = time saver.
• Great for agencies and freelancers targeting local niches.

What I didn’t:

• Very U.S.-centric. Not much use for global targeting.
• No CRM integrations or enrichment options.

Pricing: Around $97/month. No free plan, but they offer a money-back guarantee.

Verdict: Niche but powerful. If you target local SMBs, this one punches above its weight.

7. LeadScrape

How it works: Desktop app for bulk business leads scraping—name, phone, emails, addresses, etc.

What I liked:

• Unlimited scrapes based on industry/location.
• No monthly fees—just a one-time license.
• Works offline (rare these days).

What I didn’t:

• Outdated UI. Very Windows 98 vibes 😅
• Can’t integrate directly with CRMs or outreach tools.

Pricing: One-time $97 fee.

Verdict: Good for old-school lead miners who want volume over precision. Cheap and offline.

8. Skrapp

How it works: Email finder for LinkedIn leads + domain searches.

What I liked:

• Easy-to-use Chrome extension.
• Bulk email search by company domain = handy.
• Pretty decent accuracy for verified emails.

What I didn’t:

• Very limited phone number coverage.
• No outreach or CRM features baked in.

Pricing: Starts free, paid plans from $49/month.

Verdict: Solid email finder. No frills, just does the job. Great add-on to your lead gen stack.

9. Snov.io

How it works: All-in-one lead generation + cold outreach automation.

What I liked:

• Find leads, verify emails, and run campaigns—all in one place.
• API and integrations with Zapier, HubSpot, etc.
• Great for building drip campaigns without buying separate tools.

What I didn’t:

• UI can feel a bit crowded.
• Data coverage weaker outside U.S./Europe.

Pricing: Free plan available. Paid starts at $39/month.

Verdict: Budget-friendly Apollo.io alternative. Ideal if you want lead gen + email automation under one roof.

10. GetProspect

How it works: LinkedIn email scraper with company data enrichment.

What I liked:

• Bulk export emails from LinkedIn searches.
• Company filters and CSV exports work like a charm.
• Good support + straightforward UI.

What I didn’t:

• No phone numbers.
• Outreach features are minimal.

Pricing: Free plan available. Paid starts at $49/month.

Verdict: Easy, clean, LinkedIn-focused B2B lead generation tool. Just don’t expect bells and whistles.

11. TaskDrive

How it works: Done-for-you lead research service. Human-based, not software.

What I liked:

• They do all the manual work (list building, enrichment, account research).
• Custom targeting based on your ICP.
• Slack/email support is super responsive.

What I didn’t:

• You need to wait on turnaround times.
• Not cheap—this is a service, not a SaaS.

Pricing: Starts at ~$1,000/month depending on volume.

Verdict: Great if your team’s time is more valuable than the cost. Perfect for founders/marketers who hate prospecting.

12. LeadFuze

How it works: B2B leads database with AI filtering and list-building automation.

What I liked:

• Fusion AI helps build smart lead lists automatically.
• Deep filters (job title, tools used, company size, etc).
• Can export to outreach tools directly.

What I didn’t:

• UI feels clunky compared to Apollo or Snov.io.
• Data can be hit-or-miss for smaller companies.

Pricing: Starts at $147/month. No free plan.

Verdict: Mid-tier option with solid filtering. Better than SalesIntel on cost, worse on UI.

13. Instantly.ai

How it works: Cold email automation platform with unlimited sender accounts.

What I liked:

• Unlimited sending accounts = HUGE deliverability boost.
• Warmup + inbox rotation built-in.
• Clean UX and crazy affordable for what you get.

What I didn’t:

• Doesn’t source leads—you need your own list.
• Support is a bit lean.

Pricing: Starts at $37/month. Unlimited plan at $97.

Verdict: A beast for outbound. Pair this with Apollo or Snov for max results.

14. Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)

How it works: Email marketing + CRM + automation platform.

What I liked:

• Email builder is awesome—drag/drop heaven.
• Marketing automation flows that rival big names like HubSpot.
• CRM is basic but functional.

What I didn’t:

• Not really a lead generation tool—it’s more for nurturing.
• No B2B contact database.

Pricing: Free plan. Paid from $25/month.

Verdict: Great for newsletters, drip campaigns, or client comms. Not for list building though.

15. Leadzai

How it works: AI-powered ad campaign platform that helps generate inbound leads via paid search/social.

What I liked:

• Automates targeting + creative for Facebook/Google ads.
• Simple dashboard with real-time ROI data.
• Surprisingly effective for lead capture if you have an offer.

What I didn’t:

• Doesn’t do cold outreach or provide B2B contacts.
• Heavily ad-focused—needs a budget.

Pricing: Starts at €49/month.

Verdict: Not your usual B2B leads database provider, but worth trying for inbound lead gen if you run paid ads.

16. 6sense

How it works: Predictive B2B intent platform + ABM targeting.

What I liked:

• AI-based buyer intent = next level targeting.
• Full-funnel insights on who’s researching your solution.
• Tight integrations with Salesforce, Marketo, etc.

What I didn’t:

• Steep learning curve.

Pricing: Custom pricing (think: enterprise budget).

Verdict: If you’re a big team doing high-ticket ABM, 6sense is elite. But overkill for small ops.

17. Leadfeeder

How it works: Tracks anonymous website visitors and reveals the companies behind the traffic.

What I liked:

• Super smart reverse IP tracking.
• Syncs with your CRM to prioritize hot accounts.
• Helps your SDRs focus on warm outreach.

What I didn’t:

• Doesn’t give individual contacts unless paired with another tool.
• B2B traffic only—won’t work on B2C.

Pricing: Free plan. Paid starts at $139/month.

Verdict: Great as a sales intent add-on. Pair it with a leads database like Apollo or ZoomInfo.

18. UpLead

How it works: B2B leads database with real-time email verification and deep filters.

What I liked:

• Real-time email validation = super low bounce rates.
• Solid filters: industry, tech stack, location, etc.
• Clean UI, very Zapier-friendly.

What I didn’t:

• No built-in email outreach.
• Smaller database compared to ZoomInfo/Apollo.

Pricing: Free trial. Paid plans start at $74/month.

Verdict: If you need clean, verified contact data and don’t want fluff, UpLead is a no-nonsense pick.

19. Lead411

How it works: B2B leads + intent + trigger-based outreach signals.

What I liked:

• Intent and sales triggers like job changes, funding, etc.
• Data includes phone numbers AND verified emails.
• Tons of integrations—CRMs, marketing tools, you name it.

What I didn’t:

• UI is a bit old-school.
• Some duplicate data in exports if filters aren’t tight.

Pricing: From $99/month.

Verdict: Strong ZoomInfo alternative. Super useful if you’re prospecting based on intent data or signals.

20. Overloop

How it works: Cold email platform with CRM-lite features and LinkedIn scraping.

What I liked:

• Built-in sequences, CRM, and LinkedIn sync = streamlined.
• Nice interface, easy team collaboration.
• Supports custom domains + sender rotation.

What I didn’t:

• Doesn’t come with its own B2B contacts.
• Campaign analytics could be better.

Pricing: $49/month per user.

Verdict: Strong tool if you already have your leads. Perfect for outreach teams running personalized sequences.

21. Hunter.io

How it works: Domain-based email finder with verification.

What I liked:

• Fast, accurate email pattern finder.
• Great for checking validity in bulk.
• API and Google Sheets add-on = handy.

What I didn’t:

• No phone numbers, no enrichment.
• Very basic UI/UX.

Pricing: Free plan available. Paid from $49/month.

Verdict: A must-have utility tool in your stack. Not a full lead gen tool, but perfect for email discovery/validation.

22. Coldlytics

How it works: Human-verified, done-for-you B2B lead lists based on your exact ICP.

What I liked:

• You submit criteria—they research leads manually.
• Higher accuracy than scraping tools.
• Weekly delivery model is slick.

What I didn’t:

• You’re waiting on turnaround.
• Not cheap.

Pricing: Starts around $179/month.

Verdict: Great if quality > speed. No bots—just humans finding gold.

23. Seamless.ai

How it works: AI-powered lead generation database with real-time enrichment.

What I liked:

• Huge contact database + direct dials.
• Chrome extension works inside LinkedIn.
• Unlimited access on some plans.

What I didn’t:

• Aggressive upselling and marketing.
• Some bloat in the UI.

Pricing: Custom pricing (starts around $147/month). Free trial available.

Verdict: Big data + good tech, but not for folks who hate salesy platforms.

24. LeadsGorilla

How it works: Local lead gen tool that scrapes businesses from Google Maps, Yelp, etc.

What I liked:

• Perfect for agencies targeting local biz (dentists, roofers, etc).
• Pulls business data, ratings, emails, and even Facebook insights.
• One-time pricing = win.

What I didn’t:

• No CRM or email sending.
• UI feels like it was made for infomercials.

Pricing: ~$67 one-time license.

Verdict: Killer for small biz marketers. Great leads database for local clients.

25. Lusha

How it works: Chrome extension + web platform for finding B2B contacts, emails, and phone numbers.

What I liked:

• Super accurate mobile numbers.
• Great UX, especially on LinkedIn.
• Team credits make it scalable.

What I didn’t:

• Expensive once you scale.
• No outreach tools.

Pricing: Free plan. Paid from $36/month per user.

Verdict: Easy-to-use and trusted by tons of SDRs. Best for direct dials.

26. Clay

How it works: Workflow automation + enrichment powerhouse for lead gen nerds.

What I liked:

• Pull in data from 50+ sources (Apollo, Google, Clearbit, etc).
• Build smart workflows without code.
• Unreal for ICP-based prospecting + enrichment.

What I didn’t:

• Steep learning curve.
• More of a data tool than a lead database.

Pricing: Starts at $149/month.

Verdict: Power users and data-driven marketers will love Clay. Not for beginners.

27. Datanyze

How it works: Chrome extension that scrapes B2B contact info directly from websites.

What I liked:

• Easy to grab contacts from LinkedIn + company sites.
• Verified emails + direct dials.
• Simple, clean tool.

What I didn’t:

• Not built for large-scale list building.
• Lacks campaign or CRM features.

Pricing: Free trial. Paid from $39/month.

Verdict: A tidy little B2B contact finder. Great sidekick tool, not a full platform.

28. Dun & Bradstreet (D&B)

How it works: Enterprise-grade B2B data provider with deep financial, firmographic, and risk data.

What I liked:

• Gold standard for legit, accurate company info.
• Deep insights on funding, credit score, revenue, etc.
• Used heavily in enterprise sales and procurement.

What I didn’t:

• Expensive AF.
• Not great for individual outreach or cold email.

Pricing: Custom pricing only.

Verdict: If you need ultra-clean data for enterprise deals, D&B is a beast. But it’s not built for SDRs or startups.