Cognism vs Apollo.io

Buyers typically choose Cognism for its focus on high-quality, compliant data and its fit within established revenue workflows.

Cognism is the only provider actively phone-verifying mobile numbers, making it particularly well-suited to international B2B prospecting. The platform is designed to integrate into existing systems, helping teams adopt it without disrupting their GTM stack.

We interviewed Marc Parsons, SDR Team Lead at OneUp Sales, to discover why he chose Cognism over Apollo.io. He said:

“Firstly, we trialled Apollo using a test data sample which didn’t produce adequate results. We proceeded to evaluate ZoomInfo but found the data to be too US-centric. This didn’t fit our ICP of targeting UK companies.”

“The SDRs have pulled data from Cognism for every demo booked. For every deal closed, the AEs have used the database to pull relevant contact details to influence the deal.” 

“Overall, 60% of our deals have come from the team pulling a number from Cognism.” 

Test Cognism with a data sample tailored to your ICP.

• Historical baseline content consumption
• The context and duration of interactions
• A dataset that is approximately 70% exclusive

Apollo.io offers lower-cost monthly subscriptions, which can appeal to organisations with tighter budgets or those that prefer not to commit to annual contracts.

However, Apollo.io uses a credit-based pricing model, with limited access to mobile numbers and exports included in standard plans. As usage scales, additional credits may be required, resulting in variable and less predictable costs.

Cognism’s pricing model is designed to support consistent prospecting at scale. Access to mobile numbers and emails is not restricted by credits, allowing teams to view contacts and companies without incurring incremental usage charges. This approach provides greater cost predictability for organisations running sustained outbound programmes.

For accurate and up-to-date pricing, organisations should contact each provider directly.

Learn more about why paying less for a data provider costs more later. 

For many enterprise teams, yes. Cognism is often better suited to organisations that require high data accuracy, strong compliance controls, and predictable usage at scale.

Cognism focuses on phone-verified contact data, GDPR- and CCPA-compliant sourcing, and a licence model that avoids credit constraints on mobiles and emails. This makes it easier for larger teams to run consistent outbound programmes without managing variable usage or operational risk.

Yes. Cognism is designed to integrate cleanly with established GTM stacks rather than replace them.

The platform integrates with leading CRMs and sales engagement tools, delivering data directly into existing workflows. This makes Cognism a practical choice for RevOps-led organisations that want to enhance data quality and enrichment for a GTM AI strategy without restructuring their sales technology stack.

Cognism is a strong choice for organisations that prioritise verified contact data, compliance, and predictable prospecting at scale.

It is particularly well-suited to enterprise and mid-market teams selling into European markets, operating under GDPR constraints, or running complex outbound programmes where data accuracy, governance, and integration flexibility materially affect performance.

The better option depends on organisational needs, but Cognism is typically preferred by companies operating at scale or selling into regulated markets.

Apollo.io is positioned as an all-in-one platform, while Cognism is designed as a data infrastructure layer that integrates into existing GTM systems.

For teams that prioritise data reliability, governance, and integration flexibility over platform breadth, Cognism is often the stronger fit.

Yes. Cognism is a strong alternative to Apollo.io for organisations that prioritise accurate, up-to-date B2B contact data and compliant prospecting.

Cognism focuses on delivering reliable contact information that helps revenue teams reduce wasted outreach, reach the right decision-makers, and operate more efficiently at scale. Users consistently cite data accuracy, ease of use, and customer support as key factors in their reviews, particularly in complex sales environments.

Cognism is a strong option for organisations looking for a sales intelligence platform built around data accuracy, compliance, and usability at scale.

Its phone-verified mobile numbers and B2B email data support more reliable outbound activity, while the platform’s integrations and interface make it easier to embed into day-to-day revenue operations.

For teams that require verified contact data, strong compliance controls, and seamless integration with existing CRM and sales engagement tools, Cognism is a widely adopted alternative.

Cognism provides phone-verified mobile numbers through Diamond Data®, reducing reliance on unverified contacts. Its Sales Companion surfaces relevant data signals within prospecting workflows, helping teams focus on the information that matters most during outreach.