Comparison between Email Finder Tools, and Ascentrik’s Custom Data Research
When it comes to buying a list of leads for email marketing, there are many online databases to choose from.
If you want to evaluate various software platforms and identify their pros and cons, and also discover ways to overcome the drawbacks of such software tools, this is the best place for you.
Email Data Enrichment Tools
Pros
They are easily accessible, quick and most have fairly simplified interfaces that you can navigate through and download data in bulk.
Many provide free trials so you can test them out before you buy.
They integrate with most CRM systems.
It’s a quick way to get started with email marketing campaigns.
It avoids the task of building a list yourself through content marketing.
Cons
The most persistent downside of using such tools is the inability to have all the features you need within a single tool. In that case, you may end up juggling between 2 or more tools, which ends up in more time and money spent. Therefore it’s important to make sure you have all the features you need by using a trial version first.
Also, some tools still charge for inaccurate and unverified contact data emails or numbers which is wasted money and time down the drain.
Despite tall accuracy claims, you end up with bounced emails on your marketing campaigns. This is because data gets stale and needs to be updated often. Most platforms have a fixed refresh schedule like 30 or 90 days, leading to a lot of stale data.
Since data is shared between users, you and your competitors end up having very similar data. There is a lack of exclusivity.
Let’s look at some Email Finder Tools on the market
Zoominfo
The ZoomInfo platform helps with marketing campaigns, sales prospecting, email address acquisition, and background information gathering.
1. Compliance
- GDPR and CCPA Compliant and also have ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 certifications.
2. Database Size
- 113 million business emails and 59 million direct dials.
3. Data Sourcing
- Their data is obtained through automated machine learning, which views a variety of public information on over 28 million site domains every day
- They also have third-party partners
4. Drawbacks
- Need to make a contract of 1 year or more
- Has a lengthy sales cycle and requires weeks or even months to start
- The users aren’t able to cancel the subscription as they put in a clause which auto-renews 60 days before subscription end date
Zoominfo
The ZoomInfo platform helps with marketing campaigns, sales prospecting, email address acquisition, and background information gathering.
1. Compliance
- GDPR and CCPA Compliant and also have ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 certifications.
2. Database Size
- 113 million business emails and 59 million direct dials.
3. Data Sourcing
- Their data is obtained through automated machine learning, which views a variety of public information on over 28 million site domains every day
- They also have third-party partners
4. Drawbacks
- Need to make a contract of 1 year or more
- Has a lengthy sales cycle and requires weeks or even months to start
- The users aren’t able to cancel the subscription as they put in a clause which auto-renews 60 days before subscription end date
Lusha
Lusha is a data enrichment tool, and more specifically an email and phone number finder mainly designed for applicant tracking and recruitment purposes. However, it can also be deployed by sales and marketing professionals to boost their campaigns.
1. Database Size
- 6B+ records
2. Accuracy Rate
- They claim a minimum of 90% accuracy. But some users have still complained about inaccurate contact details. This is because Lusha takes the algorithmic approach regarding data validation.
- Their service is based on a vast and ever-changing database, in excess of 6 billion records. Therefore, the correctness of details may vary as it is based on many factors which we cannot guarantee and we rely on our algorithms to update and cleanse our data in real-time.
3. Advantages
- Free version available
- They don’t charge for inaccurate data
4. Drawbacks
Based on user reviews, here are some disadvantages.
- Some users dislike the inability to select what profiles can be utilized
- A bit too expensive when compared to similar tools
- Very simple interface, great for beginners
Lusha
Lusha is a data enrichment tool, and more specifically an email and phone number finder mainly designed for applicant tracking and recruitment purposes. However, it can also be deployed by sales and marketing professionals to boost their campaigns.
1. Database Size
- 6B+ records
2. Accuracy Rate
- They claim a minimum of 90% accuracy. But some users have still complained about inaccurate contact details. This is because Lusha takes the algorithmic approach regarding data validation.
- Their service is based on a vast and ever-changing database, in excess of 6 billion records. Therefore, the correctness of details may vary as it is based on many factors which we cannot guarantee and we rely on our algorithms to update and cleanse our data in real-time.
3. Advantages
- Free version available
- They don’t charge for inaccurate data
4. Drawbacks
Based on user reviews, here are some disadvantages.
- Some users dislike the inability to select what profiles can be utilized
- A bit too expensive when compared to similar tools
- Very simple interface, great for beginners
Cognism
Cognism is an end-to-end sales-acceleration solution that provides sales organizations with a more efficient way to prospect. It focuses quite heavily on AI.
1. Database size
- 400 million contacts
2. Integration
- It integrates seamlessly with all major CRM and Email Service systems.
3. Compliance
- GDPR and CCPA Compliant. ISO 27001 and Soc 2 compliant.
4. Data Collection
- Uses 1st party and 3rd party sources for data collection.
5. Data Refresh
- They claim to update data daily, and also have mobile number validation and company manual research.
- Data validation is done manually only for the most desired company and contact information.
6. Accuracy
- It claims to have 98% accurate data. Not all the data provided is accurate, it does get some issues with the provided data.
7. Intelligence
- They provide intelligence-like intent data.
8. Advantages:
- Cognism users get unlimited access to its database in all plans.
Disadvantages:
- Not all the data provided is fully accurate.
- They use 3rd party sources besides their own data.
- Data validation is not precise. It is done manually only for most desired company and contact information.
Cognism
Cognism is an end-to-end sales-acceleration solution that provides sales organizations with a more efficient way to prospect. It focuses quite heavily on AI.
1. Database size
- 400 million contacts
2. Integration
- It integrates seamlessly with all major CRM and Email Service systems.
3. Compliance
- GDPR and CCPA Compliant. ISO 27001 and Soc 2 compliant.
4. Data Collection
- Uses 1st party and 3rd party sources for data collection.
5. Data Refresh
- They claim to update data daily, and also have mobile number validation and company manual research.
- Data validation is done manually only for the most desired company and contact information.
6. Accuracy
- It claims to have 98% accurate data. Not all the data provided is accurate, it does get some issues with the provided data.
7. Intelligence
- They provide intelligence-like intent data.
- Cognism users get unlimited access to its database in all plans.
- Not all the data provided is fully accurate.
- They use 3rd party sources besides their own data.
- Data validation is not precise. It is done manually only for most desired company and contact information.
Demandbase
Demandbase is a platform that provides its clients with B2B Account Intelligence, Engagement data, and Sales intelligence, along with Integrations on various platforms such as LinkedIn, Salesforce, Adobe, etc.
1. Data Platform
- A simple and interactive UI of the platform.
- A very healthy security policy for data and a great organizational structure to provide end-to-end solutions to its client.
- It includes a good amount of automation to reduce human effort.
- You can sort your target accounts by intent, size, industry, surging traffic or interest, or combinations of factors.
2. Data Collection
- They have a huge portfolio of strategic partners that help Demandbase in data collection, technological integrations, and service provisions.
3. Refresh rate
- They claim to clean the data in real-time
4. Intelligence
- Intent data, technographic and insights
5. Drawbacks
These are the disadvantages based on customer reviews.
- An enormous amount of services with very high vocabulary and use of jargon, that could confuse a beginner or someone who is new to the data field
- Demandbase does not offer free trials.
- Integrations seem to work poorly with major platforms.
- The pricing is considered overvalued to some.
- Users complain about the data syncing not being very clean.
Demandbase
Demandbase is a platform that provides its clients with B2B Account Intelligence, Engagement data, and Sales intelligence, along with Integrations on various platforms such as LinkedIn, Salesforce, Adobe, etc.
1. Data Platform
- A simple and interactive UI of the platform.
- A very healthy security policy for data and a great organizational structure to provide end-to-end solutions to its client.
- It includes a good amount of automation to reduce human effort.
- You can sort your target accounts by intent, size, industry, surging traffic or interest, or combinations of factors.
2. Data Collection
- They have a huge portfolio of strategic partners that help Demandbase in data collection, technological integrations, and service provisions.
3. Refresh rate
- They claim to clean the data in real-time
4. Intelligence
- Intent data, technographic and insights
5. Drawbacks
These are the disadvantages based on customer reviews.
- An enormous amount of services with very high vocabulary and use of jargon, that could confuse a beginner or someone who is new to the data field
- Demandbase does not offer free trials.
- Integrations seem to work poorly with major platforms.
- The pricing is considered overvalued to some.
- Users complain about the data syncing not being very clean.
Uplead
Uplead provides its clients with prospecting targeted sales leads to find and engage with them. It provides a platform with a lot of services including quick search, advanced features, and bulk downloads.
1. Database Size
- 85M+ contacts
2. Integration
- Integrates with CRM platforms.
3. Data Sourcing
- They source data in-house and also license data from trusted third parties.
4. Data Refresh Schedule
- They have a good data cleansing policy and they clean the data in real-time.
- At the point where customers download their data, they perform real-time email verification and put the data through a final round of tests.
5. Intelligence
- Intent data, technographic.
6. Advantages
- Many users find the solution to be affordable.
- People have experienced an increase in their sales using the data by Uplead.
7. Drawbacks
Here are some downsides based on customer reviews.
- Really poor after-sales support
- Actual exported data is less than 30% of what was shown when filtering
- Platform UI seems to be outdated and needs updation
- A drawback of using the platform is that it works on a credit basis while unlocking the profiles of different businesses and sometimes the profile is not well managed and has data that is not updated, wasting the credit which increases the pricing of using the platform.
- According to some users, the data isn’t as accurate as the website claims to be.
Uplead
Uplead provides its clients with prospecting targeted sales leads to find and engage with them. It provides a platform with a lot of services including quick search, advanced features, and bulk downloads.
- 85M+ contacts
- Integrates with CRM platforms.
- They source data in-house and also license data from trusted third parties.
4. Data Refresh Schedule
- They have a good data cleansing policy and they clean the data in real-time.
- At the point where customers download their data, they perform real-time email verification and put the data through a final round of tests.
- Intent data, technographic.
6. Advantages
- Many users find the solution to be affordable.
- People have experienced an increase in their sales using the data by Uplead.
7. Drawbacks
Here are some downsides based on customer reviews.
- Really poor after-sales support
- Actual exported data is less than 30% of what was shown when filtering
- Platform UI seems to be outdated and needs updation
- A drawback of using the platform is that it works on a credit basis while unlocking the profiles of different businesses and sometimes the profile is not well managed and has data that is not updated, wasting the credit which increases the pricing of using the platform.
- According to some users, the data isn’t as accurate as the website claims to be.
Leadiro
Leadiro provides Sales, Marketing, and Business executives the information and insights they require to target buyers effectively.
1. Database Size
- 70M+ contacts
2. Data Collection
- They collect data from various sources, the first being their proprietary first-party data which gets updated monthly, the second is they have some third-party data providers and finally they have over 7000 intent topics that are monitored on timely engagement and buyer signals.
3. Data validation
- Their proprietary technology prioritizes prospects who have answered the phone or responded to an email within a 30, 60, or 90-day period.
4. Intelligence
- They provide technographic and intent data.
5. Pros
- The platform is considered easy to use
6. Cons
Based on user reviews, here are some disadvantages.
- Inaccurate data
- You don’t know if you’ve already downloaded the data for a user (duplicate contacts)
- Not much of direct phone numbers
- Some users complain the platform does not have access to smaller markets
Leadiro
Leadiro provides Sales, Marketing, and Business executives the information and insights they require to target buyers effectively.
- 70M+ contacts
2. Data Collection
- They collect data from various sources, the first being their proprietary first-party data which gets updated monthly, the second is they have some third-party data providers and finally they have over 7000 intent topics that are monitored on timely engagement and buyer signals.
- Their proprietary technology prioritizes prospects who have answered the phone or responded to an email within a 30, 60, or 90-day period.
- They provide technographic and intent data.
- The platform is considered easy to use
6. Cons
Based on user reviews, here are some disadvantages.
- Inaccurate data
- You don’t know if you’ve already downloaded the data for a user (duplicate contacts)
- Not much of direct phone numbers
- Some users complain the platform does not have access to smaller markets
D&B Hoovers
D&B Hoovers is a sales and marketing intelligence platform. D&B Hoovers uses the world’s largest Commercial Data Cloud and sophisticated analytics to deliver a sales acceleration solution packed with insight.
- Extensive company listing and coverage of almost all countries
- They provide information on mid and small-sized companies as well
- Lead generation and List Management are considered really good
- The database is considered easy to navigate
- Integrates with CRM platforms.
3. Drawbacks
Based on customer reviews, here are some disadvantages.
- Missing data like company revenue or the number of employees
- Some data of prospects seems old, but can be refreshed or updated
- The export of information is not easy
- The platform faces some unexpected shutdowns sometimes
- A need for better customer support is noticed by some clients
- The quality of phone numbers is not considered good
- Sometimes the company’s financial data is not up to date or available
D&B Hoovers
D&B Hoovers is a sales and marketing intelligence platform. D&B Hoovers uses the world’s largest Commercial Data Cloud and sophisticated analytics to deliver a sales acceleration solution packed with insight.
- Extensive company listing and coverage of almost all countries
- They provide information on mid and small-sized companies as well
- Lead generation and List Management are considered really good
- The database is considered easy to navigate
- Integrates with CRM platforms.
3. Drawbacks
Based on customer reviews, here are some disadvantages.
- Missing data like company revenue or the number of employees
- Some data of prospects seems old, but can be refreshed or updated
- The export of information is not easy
- The platform faces some unexpected shutdowns sometimes
- A need for better customer support is noticed by some clients
- The quality of phone numbers is not considered good
- Sometimes the company’s financial data is not up to date or available
Now Let’s look at Custom Data Research
Ascentrik
Ascentrik is a custom research company that offers a team of research experts, rather than a pre-built database for download.
1. Database Size
- Ascentrik does not store data. But builds a new database for each client from the ground up.
2. Compliance
- GDPR compliance and exclusive databases that are not shared with the competition, thus enabling a high level of confidentiality.
3. Data Sourcing
- Primary and secondary research is conducted with various quality checks that are automated and human-verified. Email and voice verification is done.
4. Refresh Schedules
- Ascentrik keeps your data fresh and updated all through your campaign.
- If an employee changes his job during the marketing campaign, replacements are provided, at a minimal additional cost.
5. Accuracy Rate
- Because each database is custom-built, Ascentrik offers an accuracy rate of 100%.
6. Intelligence
- Offers market and competitor intelligence, trend analysis, SWOT analysis, and comprehensive insight into the financial performance of various companies.
7. Advantages
- Offers a free trial.
- Is highly scalable based on project requirements.
- Offers a dedicated research team, that can work as an extension to your own team.
- Offers additional benefits associated with outsourcing.
Ascentrik
Ascentrik is a custom research company that offers a team of research experts, rather than a pre-built database for download.
1. Database Size
- Ascentrik does not store data. But builds a new database for each client from the ground up.
2. Compliance
- GDPR compliance and exclusive databases that are not shared with the competition, thus enabling a high level of confidentiality.
3. Data Sourcing
- Primary and secondary research is conducted with various quality checks that are automated and human-verified. Email and voice verification is done.
4. Refresh Schedules
- Ascentrik keeps your data fresh and updated all through your campaign.
- If an employee changes his job during the marketing campaign, replacements are provided, at a minimal additional cost.
5. Accuracy Rate
- Because each database is custom-built, Ascentrik offers an accuracy rate of 100%.
6. Intelligence
- Offers market and competitor intelligence, trend analysis, SWOT analysis, and comprehensive insight into the financial performance of various companies.
7. Advantages
- Offers a free trial.
- Is highly scalable based on project requirements.
- Offers a dedicated research team, that can work as an extension to your own team.
- Offers additional benefits associated with outsourcing.
Conclusion
Data Research is designed to overcome all the shortcomings of data enrichment tools. It eliminates the problems occurring from storing large databases with millions of contacts. This is done by building a fresh database for each client.
Business intelligence tools that offer pre-built databases have the downside of getting stale quickly. But a team of researchers who source and build fresh databases, work as an extension to your own team. They establish strong communication channels with your data and marketing teams and support you throughout your marketing campaign.
For details on how the various tools fare on data accuracy check out this blog article.
