Cognism

Cognism helps businesses find and connect with potential customers through high-quality, compliant B2B data. Sales and marketing teams use Cognism to streamline prospecting, enrich contacts, and boost revenue.

Cognism’s database includes over 400 million business profiles and 200 million verified business emails. This data stays fresh through continuous updates. What makes Cognism different? Their laser focus on data compliance, especially with GDPR and other privacy regulations.

Cognism shines with its global coverage, particularly in European markets. This makes it perfect for companies expanding internationally or targeting European businesses. Their data spans North America, EMEA, and APAC regions, giving you truly global reach.

Their Diamond Data® feature stands out. Human agents verify phone numbers to ensure accuracy and compliance with Do Not Call registries. This cuts down wasted calls and boosts connection rates, making sales teams more productive.

Different teams use Cognism in different ways. Sales teams get refreshed contact data and account intelligence. Marketing teams use the data for targeted campaigns. Revenue leaders use it as a control center to align teams and personalize targeting.

Cognism's innovative features include intent data integration, which shows you companies actively researching products like yours. Combine this with sales trigger alerts about funding rounds or hiring sprees, and you can reach out at just the right moment.

In the market, Cognism holds its own against other sales intelligence platforms. While it might not have the breadth of features some enterprise platforms offer, its focused approach on quality data, compliance, and user-friendliness has won loyal customers. Companies targeting European markets or prioritizing data accuracy and compliance find Cognism indispensable.

Cognism breaks away from the pack with its seat-based pricing model. Unlike competitors using credit-based systems, Cognism gives you unlimited data views and exports without extra purchases. This frees you from the constant worry about running out of credits.

Key pricing highlights:

• Two main packages: Grow and Elevate (with Elevate including the "Signals" feature for real-time insights)
• Seat-based pricing with unlimited access instead of credit-based restrictions
• Do Not Call list checking across 13 countries included standard in all packages
• No public pricing information, but clear feature breakdowns for each package

Compared to ZoomInfo and UpLead's credit-based pricing, Cognism's seat-based approach feels refreshing. As noted in a comparison with ZoomInfo, credit systems can "encourage a scarcity mindset among teams," limiting how much you use the platform. Cognism's model encourages full use without fear of running out.

For businesses weighing their options, Cognism's initial investment might be higher than budget options like Lusha. But the unlimited access and comprehensive features often provide better long-term value, especially for teams with heavy usage or those focusing on European markets where Cognism's data coverage excels.

The lack of public pricing information might frustrate some potential customers, but the predictability of seat-based pricing makes up for it. Companies can budget for their sales intelligence needs without worrying about surprise costs from buying extra credits.

Cognism's pricing strategy matches its position as a premium, compliance-focused sales intelligence platform. Their unlimited access and comprehensive features within a seat-based model give you transparent, predictable pricing that grows with your team.

Adding Cognism to your sales and marketing toolkit can dramatically improve your business performance. Here's what real users are experiencing:

Increased Pipeline and Lead Generation

Companies using Cognism see their pipelines fill up fast. UserEvidence, a SaaS company, saw their cold calling pipeline jump 33% after switching to Cognism. Why? The platform made it easy to upload and export contact lists, saving hours each day.

Slalom, a global consulting firm, generated $400,000 in new opportunities using Cognism's database.

Improved Data Quality

Bad data wastes time. Cognism's accuracy means sales teams spend less time fixing CRM records and more time talking to potential clients.

Tharsus, an advanced UK manufacturer, achieved up to 60% open rates on emails sent using Cognism's verified contacts. That's way above what most companies see. Better data directly translates to better outreach results.

Shortened Sales Cycles

Reaching multiple decision-makers at once (multithreading) speeds up complex sales. Slalom found that this feature not only accelerated initial deals but also boosted upselling to existing clients, shortening their typically long sales cycles with FTSE 100 companies.

Enhanced Account Visibility

Cognism gives sales teams clear visibility into who makes decisions at target accounts. This improves the chances of engaging key players and closing deals more effectively. For companies like Tharsus, Cognism's database opened doors to accounts they couldn't reach before.

Time and Resource Efficiency

Automation and rapid data processes save teams huge amounts of admin time. This saved time goes straight back into high-value sales activities, boosting productivity. Regular data updates fed directly into CRMs reduce errors and manual fixes, making everything run smoother.

Revenue Growth and Quantifiable Impact

Multiple companies attribute significant pipeline growth and revenue increases directly to Cognism. The ability to pursue more qualified leads faster correlates directly with exceeding sales targets, as highlighted in several user success stories.

By providing accurate, actionable data and streamlining prospecting, Cognism helps sales teams work smarter. The impact on pipeline growth, data quality, sales cycle length, and overall efficiency translates directly into real revenue growth.

Cognism packs a punch with features designed to make prospecting easier, improve data quality, and boost sales efficiency. Here's what sets it apart:

Extensive Global Data Coverage

With over 50 million mobile phone numbers in the US—reportedly twice as many as some leading competitors—Cognism has impressive reach. But where it really shines is internationally, with access to over 120 million contacts across Europe. This makes it golden for businesses targeting global markets, especially in EMEA regions.

Diamond Data®: Phone-Verified Mobile Numbers

The heart of Cognism's accuracy promise is their Diamond Data® feature. This isn't just another database; it's contact information that's been put through the wringer:

• Real humans call to verify phone numbers
• Numbers get checked against Do Not Call registries
• The result? Fewer wasted calls and more connections

As sales manager Thuy Ho puts it:

"Having the right phone number data saves a lot of time and frustration. Sales calls are already hard, no need to make them harder with wrong phone numbers."

Compliance and Data Privacy Leadership

In today's regulation-heavy world, Cognism sets the bar for compliance:

• The only major sales intelligence platform checking contact data against DNC lists across 13 countries
• Proactive approach to GDPR and CCPA compliance
• Regular database cleanup and updates

This level of compliance is crucial for companies prospecting in Europe or those in regulated industries.

Advanced Intent and Trigger Data

Cognism integrates Bombora intent data to show you companies actively researching products like yours. Pair this with sales trigger alerts about funding rounds, hiring sprees, or leadership changes, and you can reach out when prospects are most receptive.

Personalization and Prospecting Tools

Personalized prospecting at scale is possible with Cognism. The platform uses data enrichment and real-time signals to help sales reps focus on leads most likely to convert, with intelligence-powered recommendations to prioritize outreach efficiently.

Seamless Integrations and User Experience

Known for its straightforward interface, Cognism plays nicely with popular CRM and sales engagement platforms like Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach, and SalesLoft. This smooth integration makes workflow management easier for revenue teams, cutting manual work and keeping data consistent.

Chrome Extension for Instant Prospecting

Cognism's Chrome extension is a game-changer for quick prospecting. It lets you instantly capture contact details while browsing LinkedIn profiles or company websites, streamlining your prospecting process and helping you act on opportunities immediately.

Automated Data Enrichment

Keep your CRM system accurate with Cognism's CSV and API-based enrichment options. This automated process improves follow-up speed and reduces data entry errors, ensuring sales teams always work with the most current information.

By combining these powerful features, Cognism tackles the key challenges in B2B sales prospecting. From data accuracy and compliance to advanced intent signals and smooth integrations, it equips sales teams with the tools they need to prospect more effectively and close deals faster.

Cognism connects seamlessly with your existing sales and marketing tools. The platform integrates with popular CRM systems like Salesforce and HubSpot, as well as sales engagement platforms including Outreach and SalesLoft.

Key integration highlights:

• Connects with major CRM systems (Salesforce, HubSpot) and sales engagement platforms (Outreach, SalesLoft)
• Offers both CSV and API-based data enrichment options
• Chrome extension enables instant capture of contact details from LinkedIn or company websites
• Automatic data enrichment keeps CRM information current and accurate
• Reduces manual data entry and minimizes errors across platforms

These integrations bring real benefits. Slalom reported that Cognism helped them reach more potential customers faster. This shortened their sales cycle and built trust among team members by providing reliable, current data.

Cognism's integrations also improve data hygiene in your CRM. By automatically enriching and updating contact information, your sales teams always have access to the most current data. This cuts down on manual data entry, minimizes errors, and lets your team focus on selling instead of administrative tasks.

With these integration options, Cognism becomes more than just a data provider—it becomes part of your sales and marketing workflow, boosting efficiency and driving better results across your entire revenue generation process.

Cognism takes data privacy and compliance seriously—more seriously than most competitors. They're the only major platform that cross-references contact data with Do Not Call lists across 13 countries. This proactive approach includes regular database updates and cleansing to stay compliant with GDPR and CCPA.

Their commitment is backed by impressive certifications:

• ISO 27001 for information security management

• ISO 27701 for privacy information management

• SOC 2 Type II for security, availability, processing integrity, and confidentiality

These aren't just badges—they're proof of Cognism's standards for global data privacy, security, and process integrity. Many competitors only self-certify or lack external audits altogether.

Cognism's notification and data subject rights processes are transparent and align with GDPR Article 14. They clearly explain what data they hold and provide simple opt-out instructions. Their process for handling Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs) is streamlined, showing their commitment to user privacy and regulatory compliance.

GDPR Compliance

Cognism's approach to GDPR is noteworthy. They use legitimate interest as their legal basis for processing data—a standard accepted under GDPR for B2B contexts. This approach rests on documented assessments, giving their data practices a solid foundation.

Their notification process exceeds industry norms. Following GDPR Article 14, Cognism provides detailed information about what data they hold, why they process it, and how individuals can exercise their rights, including opting out. This transparency builds trust with

Cognism has a dedicated team handling DSARs, ensuring timely and thorough responses to inquiries about personal data. This commitment sets a high standard in the industry.

Secure Data Acquisition

Cognism builds their data acquisition on ethical practices and high standards. They only partner with vendors that demonstrate strong privacy and compliance measures, ensuring data integrity from the start.

Their continuous database cleansing process stands out. By regularly checking their data against major DNC and Telephone Preference Service lists, Cognism keeps their contact details accurate and compliant. This ongoing process helps clients avoid legal issues and ensures outreach goes to receptive audiences.

Cognism's commitment extends to their internal processes too. They constantly review and improve their practices to stay ahead of evolving privacy regulations and industry standards. This proactive approach makes Cognism a leader in the field, giving clients confidence in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.

By prioritizing security, compliance, and ethical data practices, Cognism not only meets current standards but raises the bar for the industry. Their comprehensive approach gives clients confidence in their data, supporting effective and compliant B2B sales and marketing strategies.

Cognism doesn't just sell you a tool and leave you to figure it out. They provide extensive support and training resources to ensure you get maximum value from their platform. Their resource library includes templates, podcasts, videos, webinars, and interactive tools to match different learning styles.

Sales development representatives get special treatment with a dedicated "SDR Zone" packed with role-specific resources. This hub includes sales cadences, cold calling scripts, on-demand training, and leadership resources. By addressing the unique challenges SDRs face, Cognism helps sales teams implement best practices quickly and reduce the learning curve.

Their commitment to interactive learning shows in their range of tools designed for practical application:

• ROI calculators to show value proposition
• Total Addressable Market calculators for strategic planning
• SDR quizzes to test knowledge
• Workflows supporting revenue and sales teams

Cognism goes beyond just teaching you how to use their product. Their "Demand Gen Playbook Course" features eight comprehensive video modules sharing Cognism's internal framework for generating new business.

They tailor resources for different roles:

• Revenue leaders get resources for building ideal customer profiles
• Sales representatives receive personalization options and intelligence-powered recommendations
• Revenue teams benefit from data enrichment tools and automated solutions for CRM maintenance

This alignment with departmental goals shows Cognism understands what their users need. It enhances the value of their platform and drives user satisfaction.

Cognism uses their own expertise to provide actionable insights:

• Signal data identifies businesses researching similar products
• Timing intelligence targets prospects when they're most receptive

Refreshed contact data guides prioritization

Their commitment to continuous learning shows in bonus resources like the CMO diary series, providing valuable context and strategies for scaling marketing efforts.

By offering this comprehensive, personalized support ecosystem, Cognism positions itself as more than a technology vendor—they're a partner in your revenue generation efforts. This approach drives user satisfaction and ensures customers can use the full potential of Cognism's sales intelligence solutions.

Cognism offers several key advantages that make it stand out in the B2B sales intelligence market:

1. Extensive, high-quality global data coverage: With over 50 million mobile phone numbers in the US and 120 million contacts across Europe, Cognism excels for global and EMEA-focused businesses.
2. Diamond Data® phone-verified mobile numbers: Real humans call to verify number accuracy and check compliance with Do Not Call registries, reducing wasted calls and boosting connection rates.
3. Industry-leading compliance and data privacy measures: Cognism is the only major sales intelligence platform that cross-references contact data with DNC lists across 13 countries, ensuring GDPR and CCPA compliance.
4. Advanced intent and trigger data: Integration with Bombora intent data shows you companies actively researching similar products or services, enabling timely and relevant outreach.
5. Personalization and prospecting tools: The platform supports hyper-personalized prospecting at scale, using data enrichment and real-time signals to focus on high-potential leads.
6. Seamless integrations with CRM and sales engagement platforms: Cognism works smoothly with tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach, and SalesLoft, streamlining workflow management.
7. Seat-based pricing model: This approach eliminates the "scarcity mindset" of credit-based systems, giving you unrestricted data views and exports.
8. Intuitive user interface and experience: Users consistently praise Cognism's straightforward, easy-to-use interface, boosting productivity and satisfaction.

Every platform has its limitations. Here's what to consider about Cognism:

1. Higher pricing: Cognism typically costs more than alternatives like Lusha. Many users feel the value justifies the cost, especially for companies targeting European markets or prioritizing data accuracy and compliance.
2. Lack of public pricing: You won't find specific pricing information on Cognism's website. You'll need to contact sales for quotes. This lack of transparency can be a hurdle if you prefer upfront pricing details.
3. Feature set comparison: Compared to ZoomInfo's all-in-one platform, Cognism may offer fewer features. ZoomInfo provides deeper prospect insights and more advanced capabilities that might appeal to enterprise users looking for a comprehensive solution.
4. Learning curve: While Cognism's interface is intuitive, fully using all its features and capabilities takes time. This learning curve might be steeper for teams switching from simpler prospecting tools.
5. Data limitations: Though Cognism excels in European data coverage, some users note that data quality varies in certain regions or industries. Like any data provider, it's smart to verify coverage and accuracy for your specific target markets.