Editor's Verdict

The Gold Standard for
EMEA B2B Prospecting

4.4
★★★★☆
Excellent
After extensive evaluation, Cognism stands out as the premier choice for EMEA-focused sales teams. With 200M+ European contacts (2x competitors) and Diamond Data's 87% phone accuracy, it delivers 3x higher connect rates than industry averages. The premium pricing is justified for teams running cold calling-intensive motions.

What We Love

  • Diamond Data with 87% phone-verified accuracy
  • Best-in-class EMEA coverage (200M+ contacts)
  • GDPR-first compliance with 13+ DNC lists
  • Unlimited access—no credit watching

! Could Be Better

  • Premium pricing starts at $15K/year
  • US data coverage lags EMEA quality
  • Annual contracts only—no monthly option
✓ Free 25-lead data sample • Personalized demo available Request Free Demo →

See Cognism in Action

Real screenshots from the Cognism platform and Chrome extension.

1

LinkedIn Chrome Extension

Access verified contact data directly on LinkedIn profiles

Cognism Chrome extension LinkedIn integration
3,471 ContactsIn user's saved list
AI SearchNatural language prospecting
One-Click ExportDirect to CRM integration
2

Advanced Filter System

50+ filters to build highly targeted prospect lists

Cognism advanced filters and search options
Company FiltersIndustry, Revenue, Headcount
Contact FiltersJob Title, Seniority, Location
Intent Data12,000+ buying signal topics
3

Create Persona Targeting

Build and save ideal customer profiles for consistent prospecting

Cognism create persona targeting dashboard
Broad MatchFind variations of job titles
Exact MatchTarget specific titles only
Keyword UploadBulk import targeting criteria
4

Company Database Results

Enterprise-grade company intelligence with firmographic data

Cognism company database search results
3.1K CompaniesMatching filter criteria
Revenue Data$7.6B-$8.8B range shown
CRM StatusTrack assigned accounts

Ready to see these features with your target accounts?

Request Your Free Demo →Free 25-lead data sample • No commitment required

How Cognism Works

1

Multi-Source Data Collection

Cognism's proprietary Cortex AI aggregates and validates contact data from 100+ sources including public databases, professional networks, and partner data. Machine learning algorithms match and verify data points to create comprehensive B2B profiles.

2

Human Phone Verification (Diamond Data®)

For premium contacts, human verification agents manually call and confirm mobile numbers—resulting in 87% accuracy vs industry averages of 20-30%. Diamond Data contacts are re-verified every 18 months.

3

Compliance Screening

Every contact is processed through 13-15 national Do Not Call (DNC) and Telephone Preference Service (TPS) registries across US, UK, France, Germany, and more—before reaching users.

4

Access via Web App, Chrome Extension & API

Find contacts through the web platform with 50+ filters, reveal data on LinkedIn with the Chrome extension, or integrate via API for CRM enrichment and custom workflows.

Privacy-First Architecture

Cognism only analyzes business-relevant information—never sensitive personal data. ISO 27001, ISO 27701, and SOC 2 Type II certifications ensure enterprise-grade security and GDPR compliance.

Key Features

Core

Diamond Data®

Phone-verified mobile numbers with 87% connect rate. Human agents validate each number for 3x better connection rates than competitors.

Core

Sales Companion AI

AI-powered prospecting assistant that learns from your closed deals to recommend similar prospects and surface real-time buying signals.

Core

GDPR Compliance Engine

Built-in screening against 13+ national DNC/TPS lists. ISO 27001, ISO 27701, and SOC 2 Type II certified for enterprise compliance.

Elevate

Intent Data (12K+ Topics)

Powered by Bombora partnership. Track which companies are actively researching topics related to your solution across 12,000+ topics.

Core

Chrome Extension

Reveal contact data directly on LinkedIn, Sales Navigator, and any B2B website with the "Enable Everywhere" feature.

Core

Data Enrichment

Instant, scheduled, or on-demand enrichment to fill CRM gaps. Automatically update missing contact details as leads enter your system.

Core

Technographics (20K+ Tech)

Track 20,000+ technologies in prospect tech stacks. Target companies using specific tools or identify switching opportunities.

Core

CRM Integrations

Native integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, Dynamics, Outreach, and SalesLoft—all included at no extra cost.

Experience all features with your target market data:

Request Free Demo →Free 25-lead data sample included

Pricing Plans

Custom pricing based on team size and data needs. Annual contracts required.

Grow

~$15,000/year base
✓ ~$1,500/user annually
✓ Up to 25M contacts access
✓ Diamond Data® included
✓ Sales Companion AI
✓ All CRM integrations
Request Quote

5-User Example

$22,500-$37,500/year
✓ Grow: ~$22,500 total
✓ Elevate: ~$37,500 total
✓ Unlimited data access
✓ No credit system
✓ 15-35% discounts possible
Get Custom Quote
All plans include: Chrome extension • Web app • All CRM integrations • 24/7 live chat support • Onboarding & training
Important: Annual contracts only • 60-day cancellation notice • Custom pricing—request demo for exact quote

Is The Investment Worth It?

22%
connect rate (vs 14% industry)
=
29%+
conversion improvement*

*Based on ComplyAdvantage case study showing 29% conversion rate increase and 6% email bounce rate with Cognism data.

Detailed Pros & Cons

✓ Pros

Best-in-Class EMEA Coverage

200M+ European contacts—2x more than ZoomInfo, Apollo, or Lusha. Particularly strong in UK, Germany, France, Benelux, and Nordic countries with 90%+ accuracy.

Diamond Data® Phone Verification

Human-verified mobile numbers achieve 87% accuracy and 22% call connect rates—3x higher than industry average of 7-8%.

GDPR-First Compliance Architecture

Only major provider screening against 13-15 national DNC lists. ISO 27001, ISO 27701, and SOC 2 Type II certified with proactive data subject notifications.

Unlimited Access (No Credits)

Flat pricing with no usage caps eliminates credit watching. Sales reps can prospect freely without worrying about burning through quotas.

Excellent Customer Support

24/7 live chat with ~20-second average response times. Dedicated CSMs for higher-tier plans help optimize prospecting strategy.

✗ Cons

Premium Pricing

Starting at $15,000-$16,500 annually, Cognism is significantly more expensive than Apollo.io ($2,940/year) or Lusha ($1,347/year). Best suited for teams with established budgets.

US Data Coverage Gap

While improving, North American data accuracy (75-85%) lags behind EMEA quality (90%+). US-focused teams may prefer ZoomInfo's deeper granularity.

Annual Contracts Only

No monthly billing option available. 60-day advance notice required for cancellation. Less flexibility for seasonal or project-based needs.

No Native Email Sequencing

Cognism focuses on data only. Requires separate tools (Outreach, SalesLoft) for email automation, adding complexity and cost.

Pricing Transparency

Custom pricing requires demo consultation. Difficult to quickly assess budget fit without going through sales process.

Cognism vs Alternatives

How does Cognism compare to other B2B sales intelligence platforms?

FeatureCognismApollo.ioZoomInfoLusha
Starting Price$15K+/year$49/mo$14,995/year$22.45/mo
Database Size400M+ contacts275M+ contacts260M+ contacts300M+ contacts
EMEA Coverage200M+ (Best)60-73% accuracy35% find rate21M GDPR
Phone Accuracy87% verified42%80%+ (US only)80-90%
Pricing ModelUnlimitedCredit-basedCredit-basedCredit-based
Best ForEMEA teamsUS SMBsUS EnterpriseSmall teams

Which Tool Is Right For You?

Apollo.io

Free Plan

Best for: Startups and SMBs seeking an all-in-one platform with data + email sequences + dialer at lower cost. Best value for US-focused prospecting with $2,940/year for 5 users.

ZoomInfo

Premium

Best for: US enterprise organizations requiring the deepest North American data granularity and comprehensive feature set. Budget: $14,995-$49,995/year.

Lusha

Free Plan

Best for: Individual contributors and small teams (1-5 users) with limited budgets seeking simple LinkedIn prospecting. Starting at $22.45/month.

UpLead

95% Guarantee

Best for: Teams prioritizing data accuracy above all else with real-time email verification and refunds for bounced emails. Month-to-month flexibility available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Diamond Data® is Cognism's premium phone verification service where human agents manually call and verify mobile numbers before adding them to the database. This delivers 87% connect rates—3x higher than industry averages of 20-30%. With 10M+ phone-verified contacts globally, sales teams connect with ideal prospects approximately every 8 dials instead of the typical 12-15.
Cognism uses custom pricing with two main tiers. Grow Plan: ~$15,000 platform fee + $1,500/user annually (access to 25M contacts). Elevate Plan: ~$25,000 platform fee + $2,500/user annually (50M contacts + intent data). A 5-user team typically costs $22,500-$37,500/year. Users report 15-35% discounts through negotiation. Annual contracts required—no monthly option.
Yes. Cognism is fully GDPR and CCPA compliant with ISO 27001, ISO 27701, and SOC 2 Type II certifications. It screens phone data against 13-15 national Do Not Call (DNC) and Telephone Preference Service (TPS) lists—more than any competitor. Cognism proactively notifies data subjects per Article 14 GDPR requirements.
Cognism excels in EMEA with 200M+ European contacts and 22% call connect rates vs ZoomInfo's 14%. ZoomInfo has stronger US coverage (78% email accuracy vs Cognism's 75-85%). Cognism offers unlimited access without credits; ZoomInfo uses a credit system. Choose Cognism for EMEA/UK focus; ZoomInfo for US enterprise targeting.
Cognism doesn't offer a traditional free trial, but provides a free data sample of 25 leads matched to your ideal customer profile, delivered within 72 hours. You can also request a personalized demo where the team walks through the web app, Chrome extension, and demonstrates data quality in your target regions.
Cognism integrates natively with Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, Microsoft Dynamics, Outreach, SalesLoft, Marketo, Zapier, and Make—all included at no additional cost. The Chrome extension works on LinkedIn, Sales Navigator, and any B2B website via the "Enable Everywhere" feature. API access is available for custom integrations.
Final Verdict

Should You Choose Cognism?

After comprehensive evaluation, Cognism establishes itself as the premier B2B sales intelligence platform for EMEA-focused revenue teams. The combination of 200M+ European contacts, Diamond Data's 87% phone accuracy, and industry-leading GDPR compliance creates an unmatched value proposition for organizations prioritizing data quality over volume.

The premium pricing ($15K-$37.5K annually) is justified for teams running cold calling-intensive motions—customer case studies show 29% conversion improvements and 3-4 hours saved per rep weekly. However, US-focused SMBs or budget-constrained startups should consider Apollo.io or Lusha as better-value alternatives.

Our Recommendation

Request the free 25-lead data sample matched to your target market. Test the accuracy in your specific geography before committing to annual contracts—this empirical approach prevents decisions based on feature lists alone.

Request Your Free Demo →
4.4
★★★★☆
Excellent
About This Review: We evaluated Cognism based on extensive research across product documentation, verified user reviews from G2, Capterra, and Trustpilot, competitive analysis, and customer case studies. Pricing verified January 2026. This review contains affiliate links—we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.