In the fast-evolving world of B2B sales, marketing, and recruitment, access to accurate, up-to-date contact data is the backbone of successful outreach. With data decay rates climbing as high as 30% annually (HubSpot, 2023), relying on stale information can derail your campaigns, waste resources, and frustrate your team. Enter the realm of B2B data providers—tools designed to deliver the freshest, most reliable data to keep your prospecting efforts sharp and effective.In this comprehensive guide, we dive into five awesome B2B data providers dominating the market in 2024: Emelia.io, ZoomInfo, Cognism, RocketReach, and Lead411. Each offers unique strengths, from vast databases to intent-driven insights, but one stands out above the rest—Emelia.io. With its real-time LinkedIn Sales Navigator scraping, budget-friendly pricing, and all-in-one campaign capabilities, Emelia.io redefines what it means to prospect efficiently. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a growing startup, or an enterprise sales team, this article will help you choose the perfect tool to fuel your growth.
Why Fresh Data Matters in B2B Prospecting
Before we explore these providers, let’s address the elephant in the room: why does fresh data matter? In B2B prospecting, timing is everything. People change jobs, companies pivot, and contact details expire faster than ever. Studies show that up to 30% of B2B data becomes outdated each year—meaning one in three emails you send could bounce if you’re working from a stale list. That’s not just a waste of time; it’s a hit to your sender reputation and a missed opportunity to connect with decision-makers.Fresh data flips the script. It ensures you’re reaching the right person, at the right company, with the right contact details—right now. This precision boosts deliverability, engagement, and conversions, whether you’re cold emailing, calling, or networking on LinkedIn. The providers we’re about to explore tackle this challenge head-on, but their approaches—and results—vary widely.
Emelia.io: The Fresh Data Powerhouse
Background and History
Emelia.io is a modern contender in the B2B data space, likely launched around 2020 (exact founding details remain under wraps). Designed for agility in a market crowded with legacy giants, it’s quickly gained a reputation as a go-to for teams needing real-time data and seamless prospecting workflows. Unlike older platforms built on static databases, Emelia.io is engineered for the present—delivering fresh, actionable insights without the baggage of outdated systems.
Key Features
Emelia.io isn’t just a data provider; it’s a full-stack prospecting solution. Its crown jewel? Real-time LinkedIn Sales Navigator scraping. This feature lets users extract live data—emails, phone numbers, job titles—directly from LinkedIn or Sales Navigator, ensuring every contact is as current as the platform itself. Here’s a deeper look at what Emelia.io offers:
Real-Time Data Extraction
Pulls contact details instantly from LinkedIn, bypassing the lag of pre-built databases.
Scales effortlessly—whether you need 10 contacts or 10,000, it’s live every time.
Email and Phone Finding
Boasts a 99% accuracy rate (verified through user feedback and internal tests).
Costs just 1 credit per email and 50 credits per phone number, making it cost-effective for high-volume outreach.
CSV Email Verification
Upload your existing lists and verify emails at 0.25 credits per check.
Cuts bounce rates dramatically—a rare, budget-friendly feature among competitors.
All-in-One Automation
Email Campaigns: Build drip sequences, track opens/clicks, and detect replies—all within the platform.
LinkedIn Outreach: Automate profile visits, connection requests, and personalized messages, streamlining your social selling.
CRM Integration
Syncs with tools like HubSpot, Salesforce, and Pipedrive, keeping your workflows seamless.
Top-Notch Support
Offers fast, human-led customer service—a standout in a sea of automated chatbots.
Emelia.io’s strength lies in its versatility. It’s not just about finding data; it’s about turning that data into action—fast. For teams juggling multiple tools, this all-in-one approach is a game-changer.
Pricing Breakdown
Emelia.io uses a credit-based pricing model that’s transparent and affordable, with options for one-time purchases or subscriptions:
1,000 credits: €19 (~$20 USD)
5,000 credits: €49 (~$52 USD)
10,000 credits: €99 (~$105 USD)
50,000 credits: €299 (~$317 USD)
100,000 credits: €449 (~$476 USD)
Cost Per Action
Email Founder: 1 credit = €0.019/email (at €19 for 1,000 credits).
Phone Number: 50 credits = €0.95/number (from €19/1,000 credits).
Email Verifier: 0.25 credits = €0.00475/check.
Flexibility
One-time credit purchases never expire.
Subscriptions allow unused credits to roll over, perfect for teams with fluctuating needs.
At €0.019 per email, Emelia.io undercuts competitors by a wide margin while delivering fresher data. It’s a steal for startups or solo founders looking to maximize ROI.
Why Emelia.io Stands Out
Emelia.io’s real-time scraping is its secret weapon. While others rely on databases that might be weeks—or months—out of date, Emelia.io pulls live info straight from LinkedIn, ensuring you’re always working with the latest details. Couple that with its campaign tools (email and LinkedIn automation), unbeatable pricing, and responsive support, and it’s clear why it’s a top pick. Whether you’re a small team testing the waters or a scaling business needing agility, Emelia.io delivers where it counts.
ZoomInfo: The Enterprise Heavyweight
Background and History
ZoomInfo traces its roots back to 2000, founded as Eliyon Technologies by Yonatan Stern and Michel Decary. It rebranded in 2019 after acquiring DiscoverOrg, cementing its status as a B2B data titan under CEO Henry Schuck. With over 100 million contacts and a client list featuring giants like Salesforce and Microsoft, ZoomInfo is the go-to for enterprise-grade prospecting—but its legacy approach comes with trade-offs.
Key Features
ZoomInfo excels at depth and scale, offering a robust suite of tools for large organizations:
Contact and Company Search
Access to 100M+ contacts, complete with firmographics (company size, revenue) and technographics (tech stack).
Intent Data
Tracks online behavior to identify prospects showing buying signals—ideal for high-stakes deals.
CRM Integrations
Syncs effortlessly with Salesforce, HubSpot, and more, a must-have for enterprise workflows.
Sales Automation
Provides lead scoring, outreach workflows, and engagement tracking.
The catch? Its data is static—updated monthly or via automated crawls from public sources like LinkedIn. This means it can lag behind real-time changes, leaving you with outdated contacts in fast-moving industries.
Pricing Breakdown
ZoomInfo’s pricing is custom and notoriously opaque, typical of enterprise software. Based on industry insights:
Professional Plan: ~$15,000/year for 5,000 credits.
Advanced Plan: ~$25,000/year with added features.
Elite Plan: $40,000+/year depending on seats and extras.
Cost Per Action
At $15,000 for 5,000 credits, that’s $3 per email or contact—a rough estimate since pricing varies by contract.
ZoomInfo’s cost reflects its enterprise focus—steep for small teams, but justifiable for big players with complex needs.
Why ZoomInfo Fits (And Where It Falls Short)
ZoomInfo shines for enterprises needing scale, intent data, and deep integrations. But its static database—updated periodically, not live—means you might miss recent job changes or company shifts. At $3 per email versus Emelia.io’s €0.019, it’s a hefty premium for potentially outdated info. Plus, it lacks the built-in campaign tools Emelia.io offers, making it less versatile for smaller teams.
Cognism: The Global Data Specialist
Background and History
Founded in 2015 by James Isilay and Chris Bennett in London, Cognism has grown into a global B2B data leader, hitting $83 million in revenue by 2024. It’s carved a niche with strong coverage in EMEA and APAC, emphasizing compliance and phone-verified data for international teams.
Key Features
Cognism’s 400M+ contact database powers a feature-rich platform:
Phone-Verified Numbers
Diamond Data® delivers mobile numbers with high connect rates—perfect for cold calling.
Intent Data
Identifies in-market prospects based on buying signals.
GDPR Compliance
A major win for European teams navigating strict data laws.
Chrome Extension
Enriches LinkedIn profiles on the fly.
API Access
Enables bulk data enrichment for tech-savvy users.
Like ZoomInfo, its database is static—refreshed periodically via crawls, not live updates—meaning it can miss the latest shifts.
Pricing Breakdown
Cognism’s pricing is custom and usage-based:
Platinum: ~$1,000/month for 25M contacts.
Diamond: ~$25,000/year for 50M contacts and premium features.
Cost Per Action
Estimated at $0.10 per email found, based on industry benchmarks for lookups.
It’s pricier than Emelia.io but offers global reach and compliance as trade-offs.
Why Cognism Fits (And Where It Falls Short)
Cognism is ideal for global teams, especially in Europe, with its GDPR focus and verified phone data. But its static updates and lack of built-in campaign tools pale next to Emelia.io’s real-time scraping and automation at €0.019 per email versus $0.10. It’s a solid choice for compliance-driven firms, but less agile for fast-paced prospecting.
RocketReach: The Database Behemoth
Background and History
Launched in 2015 by Mike White in New York, RocketReach has scaled to over 700M contacts, serving 21M+ users in sales, marketing, and recruiting. It’s grown organically into a powerhouse known for its massive database and user-friendly design.
Key Features
RocketReach prioritizes breadth and accessibility:
Email and Phone Finder
Claims 85% accuracy, sourced via web crawls from public data like LinkedIn.
Chrome Extension
Simplifies LinkedIn lookups with one click.
API Access
Supports bulk data pulls for developers.
Technographics
Offers insights into company tech stacks.
Its static database—updated periodically, not live—means it’s not always current, a common theme among larger providers.
Pricing Breakdown
RocketReach offers tiered plans:
Essential: $39/month for 1,500 annual lookups (~$0.026/email).
Pro: $72/month for 3,600 annual lookups (~$0.02/email).
Ultimate: $180/month for 10,000 annual lookups (~$0.018/email).
Cost Per Action
Averages $0.02 per email—competitive, but not real-time.
Why RocketReach Fits (And Where It Falls Short)
RocketReach’s vast database is perfect for broad searches or niche contacts, but its static updates can’t match Emelia.io’s live data at a similar €0.019 per email. Without campaign tools, it’s a data provider—not a prospecting solution—leaving you to bridge the gap elsewhere.
Lead411: The Intent Data Player
Background and History
Founded in 2011 by Tom Blue in Denver, Lead411 focuses on quality over quantity, emphasizing intent data and verified contacts. It’s a mid-tier player serving sales teams with actionable insights into companies in buying mode.
Key Features
Lead411 blends data with intent:
Intent Data
Tracks companies with funding, hiring, or awards—great for timing outreach.
Email and Phone Finder
96% accuracy, re-verified every 3-6 months.
Chrome Extension
Enriches LinkedIn profiles seamlessly.
CRM Sync
Integrates with Salesforce and others.
Daily Newsletters
Updates on prospect activity—a unique perk. Its periodic updates, not live scraping, mean it’s not always the freshest option.
Pricing Breakdown
Lead411’s plans include:
Basic: $99/month for 200 contacts (~$0.50/email).
Pro: $149/month for 450 contacts (~$0.33/email).
Enterprise: Custom pricing.
Cost Per Action
Starts at $0.50 per email—pricey for static data.
Why Lead411 Fits (And Where It Falls Short)
Lead411’s intent data is a boon for targeting hot prospects, but at $0.50 per email versus Emelia.io’s €0.019, it’s costly without real-time updates or campaign tools. It’s a niche fit—not a broad solution.
Comparison Table: Pricing and Features
Provider | Founding Year | Price Per Email Found | Freshness | Campaign Tools | Customer Support |
Emelia.io | ~2020 | €0.019 | Real-time | Yes (Email + LinkedIn) | Excellent |
ZoomInfo | 2000 | ~$3 | Static | Limited | Good |
Cognism | 2015 | ~$0.10 | Static | Limited | Good |
RocketReach | 2015 | ~$0.02 | Static | No | Decent |
Lead411 | 2011 | ~$0.50 | Static | Limited | Decent |
Emelia.io’s €0.019 per email and real-time data outshine the competition. ZoomInfo’s $3 price tag is enterprise-only; Cognism’s $0.10 suits global teams; RocketReach’s $0.02 is close but static; Lead411’s $0.50 leans on intent. Emelia.io wins with freshness and versatility.
Why Emelia.io Wins: Fresh Data and Beyond
Emelia.io isn’t just a data provider—it’s a prospecting powerhouse. Its real-time LinkedIn scraping ensures you’re never working with yesterday’s info, a critical edge in a market where timing is everything. Add in campaign automation (email drips, LinkedIn outreach), non-expiring credits, and stellar support, and it’s unmatched for teams of any size. ZoomInfo and Cognism cater to enterprises with deeper pockets, but their static data and higher costs can’t compete with Emelia.io’s agility. RocketReach and Lead411 offer value, but lack the freshness and all-in-one functionality that make Emelia.io a standout.For small businesses, startups, or even scaling teams, Emelia.io delivers enterprise-grade results at a fraction of the cost. It’s not just about finding data—it’s about making it work for you, fast.
Conclusion
In the crowded field of B2B data providers, Emelia.io emerges as the top choice for 2024. Its real-time LinkedIn scraping, affordable pricing (€0.019 per email!), and integrated campaign tools make it a must-have for modern prospecting. While ZoomInfo, Cognism, RocketReach, and Lead411 each bring strengths—enterprise scale, global reach, vast databases, or intent data—none match Emelia.io’s blend of freshness, affordability, and actionability. Ready to supercharge your outreach? Start with Emelia.io—you’ll wonder why you waited so long.
