Cognism, ZoomInfo, and Adapt.io are both powerful platforms that offer sales intelligence and lead generation solutions. 

The B2B sales intelligence platforms are designed to help sales and marketing teams find and connect with potential customers, improve sales efficiency, and grow revenue. 

While the three focus on leveraging data and technology to empower sales teams and drive business growth through better prospecting and lead generation strategies, some key differences between them may make one more suitable for your business than the others.

So which sales intelligence platform is right for your business? 

In this article, we’re going to compare Cognism, ZoomInfo, and Adapt.io across various metrics to help you determine the best sales intelligence provider for your needs.

Let’s get started.

Cognism vs ZoomInfo vs Adapt.io: Company Overview

Before we proceed, let’s have a brief overview of each company.

Cognism: Powers Sales with Verified Contacts

Founded in 2015, Cognism operates in the B2B sales intelligence space, offering a suite of sales tools designed to empower sales reps and marketing teams to boost productivity and achieve greater success in their sales efforts. 

Cognism goes beyond simply providing a large contact database. The company leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to enrich existing contact details with phone-verified contact data, email addresses, and additional data points. 

This allows sales teams to craft personalized outreach strategies and connect with the right decision-makers at the right time.

ZoomInfo: The Go-To Platform for Sales Leads

Founded in 2007, ZoomInfo is a popular sales intelligence platform offering a comprehensive suite of marketing tools designed to empower marketing teams and sales reps alike. 

With its vast database of B2B contacts and accurate contact details, ZoomInfo enables businesses to enhance their sales strategy and effectively target their ideal audience.

Marketing professionals can leverage ZoomInfo’s platform to access valuable insights and actionable data that can drive better decision-making and campaign performance.

Focusing on data quality and advanced analytics, ZoomInfo empowers sales reps to optimize their outreach efforts and achieve greater success in converting leads into customers.

Adapt.io: Focuses on Building Relationships Through Verified Data

Founded in 2016, Adapt.io is a trusted provider of B2B sales intelligence solutions focusing on helping sales and marketing teams build relationships with verified contacts.

This B2B sales prospecting tool prioritizes data accuracy and ethical sourcing, ensuring that marketing teams and sales reps can rely on the quality of contact details within their platform. 

Besides, its extensive contact database Adapt.io also integrates with external intent data providers, allowing users to gain valuable insights into potential customers’ buying behavior. 

This combination of verified data and intent signals empowers sales teams to personalize outreach and close deals more efficiently.

Marketing teams can leverage the platform to access valuable insights and data-driven recommendations, enhancing their lead generation efforts and campaign performance. 

As a popular choice among sales professionals, Adapt.io stands out for its user-friendly interface and advanced features, making it easy for sales reps to find and engage with high-quality leads. 

By providing access to email addresses and comprehensive contact information, Adapt.io empowers sales teams to optimize their outreach efforts and achieve greater success in closing deals and driving business growth.

How Adapt.io Competes Against Cognism and ZoomInfo

Here are five key aspects that make Adapt.io better than Cognism and ZoomInfo.

  • User interface and ease of use: Adapt.io prioritizes a user-friendly interface, making it easy for sales professionals to navigate the platform and access essential features.

This focus on usability enhances efficiency and reduces the learning curve for new users.

  • Affordability: Adapt.io offers competitive pricing plans, making its sales intelligence solutions accessible to businesses of all sizes. This makes the platform suitable for companies seeking cost-effective options without compromising on the quality of data and features.
  • Data accuracy and coverage: Adapt.io emphasizes data accuracy and comprehensive coverage, ensuring that sales teams have access to reliable information for prospecting and lead generation. 

By maintaining high standards of data quality, Adapt.io competes effectively with Cognism and ZoomInfo in providing trustworthy contact details and email addresses.

  • Integration capabilities: The platform provides seamless integrations with popular CRM systems and sales tools, enhancing workflow efficiency for sales teams. 

This compatibility allows businesses to leverage existing infrastructure and maximize the value of their technology stack, offering a competitive advantage over solutions that lack robust integration capabilities, such as Cognism and ZoomInfo.

  • Customer support and training: Adapt.io prioritizes customer support and training resources to assist users in maximizing the value of its sales intelligence platform. 

This commitment to ongoing assistance and education helps differentiate Adapt.io from competitors like Cognism and ZoomInfo by ensuring that customers receive personalized guidance and support throughout their usage journey.

Lastly, Adapt.io takes a unique approach, prioritizing relationship building over simply large datasets.

Cognism vs ZoomInfo vs Adapt.io: Key Differences

Adapt.io, Cognism, and ZoomInfo are three leading players in the B2B sales intelligence space, each with its unique strengths. 

Let’s compare the three platforms across various metrics so you can determine which one is the best fit for your needs.

Market Comparison

While both Adapt, Cognism, and ZoomInfo are powerful sales intelligence solutions, they serve different market segments. 

Choosing the right B2B sales intelligence platform depends heavily on understanding how each caters to your specific business requirements. Here’s a breakdown of how the three platforms differ in terms of target market focus, geographical reach, and ideal sales and marketing team size:

Target Market Focus

  • Cognism: Cognism’s target market focus is primarily on B2B businesses across a wide range of industries. Its suite of sales intelligence tools caters to businesses looking to enhance their sales strategy by providing access to extensive firmographic data and buyer intent insights. 

Ideal customers for Cognism include sales and marketing teams aiming to streamline their outreach efforts and improve customer segmentation.

  • ZoomInfo: ZoomInfo also targets B2B markets with a focus on providing comprehensive company profiles and firmographic data. 

Its extensive database covers a wide range of industries and company sizes, making it suitable for businesses of various sizes and sectors. 

ZoomInfo’s key features include bulk list building, contact export, and access to buyer intent signals, catering to sales and marketing teams looking to scale their outreach efforts effectively.

  • Adapt.io: Adapt.io targets B2B markets with a suite of sales intelligence tools designed to help businesses identify and reach their ideal customers. 

With a focus on providing accurate company details and contact information, Adapt.io is suitable for businesses of all sizes, from startups to enterprise-level organizations. 

Its international presence allows for access to a diverse addressable market, making it an ideal choice for companies with a focus on global outreach strategies.

Coverage and Geographical Reach

  • Cognism: Offers international presence with a primary focus in regions like EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), NAM (North America), and APAC (Asia-Pacific).
  • ZoomInfo: Boasts an extensive database with global reach.
  • Adapt.io: While offering similar international coverage, Adapt.io understands that regional nuances matter. The platform doesn’t simply provide a vast dataset; it ensures the data aligns with your target market. This allows for more effective outreach strategies regardless of location.

Adapt.io also allows businesses to access company details and contact information from around the world. 

With a focus on serving international markets, Adapt.io enables businesses to expand their addressable market and reach potential customers in diverse geographic regions.

Target Market Size

  • Cognism: Caters to mid-sized businesses focusing on data quality. However, pricing might not be ideal for smaller teams.
  • ZoomInfo: Primarily targets large enterprises with extensive sales teams who can leverage the platform’s full potential. The pricing reflects this focus.
  • Adapt.io: Shines in the mid-market segment, offering a cost-effective solution and an array of features tailored to companies with mid-sized sales and marketing teams. 

Its focus on verified contacts and ethical data sourcing makes the platform a good fit for businesses prioritizing compliance and building trust with potential customers. 

Additionally, Adapt.io allows for effective customer segmentation based on business sizes and industry, ensuring your outreach strategy aligns with your ideal customer profile.

Industry Specialization

Both Cognism, ZoomInfo, and Adapt.io offer sales intelligence services to businesses in the B2B industry, however, it’s important to consider the specific sectors each platform serves to determine which one best aligns with the unique requirements and priorities of your business sector. Here is a closer look at the industries the three platforms specialize in.

Coverage Across Industries

Cognism, ZoomInfo, and Adapt.io are all industry leaders in providing B2B contact lists and prospecting tools, but all have some key differences in their industry coverage. 

ZoomInfo boasts an extensive database covering various industries, from technology to healthcare, finance, and beyond whereas Cognism offers a comprehensive solution with a strong emphasis on precise targeting across diverse sectors, including niche industries. 

On the other hand, Adapt.io provides a wide range of B2B profiles, ensuring businesses can access contacts across different sectors. 

While all platforms cover a broad range of industries, Adapt.io stands out for its comprehensive coverage across industries, catering to a broad spectrum of B2B businesses. 

With its advanced search capabilities, the sales intelligence provider ensures businesses can access valuable B2B contact lists spanning various sectors. 

Whether you operate in niche industries or broader markets, Adapt.io offers a precise targeting solution. 

Users highly commend its accuracy rate in compiling B2B profiles across industries. From healthcare to technology, Adapt.io provides a comprehensive solution, ensuring businesses can connect with their ideal buyers across diverse sectors.

Depth of Industry Data

Adapt.io, Cognism, and ZoomInfo are both popular sales tools providing valuable insights into firmographic and technographic data essential for B2B businesses. 

ZoomInfo offers detailed company information, including revenue, size, and geographic location, supporting targeted marketing campaigns whereas Cognism provides users with in-depth industry-specific data to identify ideal buyers effectively. 

Adapt.io excels in providing depth of industry-specific data essential for B2B sales prospecting. The platform offers detailed firmographic data encompassing company size, revenue, and geographic location across various industry verticals. 

With its account-based insights, Adapt.io ensures businesses have access to actionable insights tailored to their industry needs. 

Whether you require information on niche sub-sectors or broader industries, the platform’s precision in delivering relevant data sets it apart. This depth of data empowers businesses to make informed decisions and execute targeted marketing strategies with confidence.

Customization for Industry Requirements

Each platform offers advanced search filters and customization options to meet specific industry requirements. 

ZoomInfo allows businesses to filter data based on industry verticals, enabling precise targeting and tailored marketing strategies. 

Equally, Cognism allows users to customize searches based on industry-specific parameters and keywords. 

Adapt.io goes a step ahead and offers a strong emphasis on customization by allowing businesses to tailor their search criteria to meet specific industry requirements. 

Its advanced search filters enable precise filtering based on industry verticals, sub-sectors, or specialized keywords. 

This customization feature ensures businesses can refine their searches to focus on the most relevant prospects within their target industries. 

Adapt.io’s flexibility in accommodating diverse industry needs makes it an ideal solution for businesses seeking personalized B2B sales prospecting tools. 

Whether you operate in a niche market or a broad industry landscape, Adapt.io empowers you to customize your search parameters for optimal results.

Relevance of Insights

Once again, both Cognism, ZoomInfo, and Adapt.io deliver valuable industry-specific insights essential for informed decision-making in B2B sales and marketing. However, Adapt.io stands out in some ways. 

ZoomInfo provides real-time updates on industry trends and news, helping businesses stay informed about market developments relevant to their sector. 

As well, Cognism offers actionable insights tailored to specific industries, empowering businesses with the information needed to identify opportunities and engage with ideal buyers effectively. 

On the other hand, Adapt.io provides valuable and relevant insights tailored to your industry, enabling informed decision-making and effective sales and marketing strategies. 

Additionally, the platform delivers industry-specific trends, news updates, and actionable insights crucial for B2B businesses. 

With Adapt.io, businesses can stay ahead of the curve by accessing accurate and up-to-date information relevant to their industry verticals. 

Whether you’re looking for B2B market trends, competitor analysis, or prospect intelligence, Adapt.io offers actionable insights that drive results. 

Cost

When comparing Cognism, ZoomInfo, and Adapt.io based on cost, each platform offers different pricing structures and features catering to various business needs.

The pricing for both platforms is available upon request but here is what to expect:

Cognism:

  • Pricing Model: Primarily subscription-based plans with varying contact limits and features.
  • Suitable for: Mid-sized businesses with moderate prospecting needs. Their plans offer a good balance of features and affordability.

ZoomInfo:

  • Pricing Model: Often employs a credit-based system with unrestricted access to features upon purchasing credits.
  • Suitable for: Large enterprises with extensive sales teams. Their credit system allows for high-volume prospecting, but unexpected costs can arise if credit consumption exceeds expectations. 

Overall, the platform’s credits and paid data add-ons can be costly.

Adapt.io:

  • Pricing Model: Offers a mix of subscription plans and custom options. They also provide credit for teams, ensuring transparency and cost control.
  • Suitable for: Businesses of all sizes. Their subscription plans cater to mid-sized and smaller teams, while custom options offer flexibility for larger companies. The credit system with team-based allocation avoids unexpected costs.

Key Considerations

  • Cheap plans: While some platforms offer seemingly “cheap” plans, consider features and contact limits before committing.
  • Unrestricted access: Beware of plans that advertise “unrestricted access” with an extra charge for features you might need.
  • Custom plans: Explore custom plans offered by some platforms, especially if your business has specific requirements.

Determining the Right Price Point

Choosing the most cost-effective platform requires assessing your business needs. Adapt.io stands out for its flexible pricing structure with subscription plans, custom options, and transparent credit allocation for teams. 

This allows for budget control and caters to a wider range of businesses, from smaller teams to large enterprises. Remember, the best platform strikes a balance between affordability and features that meet your specific sales prospecting goals.

Cognism vs ZoomInfo vs Adapt.io: Integration Capabilities

When comparing Cognism vs ZoomInfo vs Adapt.io based on integration capabilities, each platform offers different levels of compatibility and flexibility to seamlessly integrate with other software and tools commonly used by businesses.

Here is a closer look at each platform’s integration capabilities with other software.

Cognism

Offers compatible integrations with some popular CRM and marketing automation tools. However, setting up their API integration might require developer expertise.

ZoomInfo

Boasts a vast marketplace of compatible integrations with various CRMs, marketing tools, and other business applications. However, navigating the sheer number of integration options can be overwhelming, especially for non-techy users.

Adapt.io

Prioritizes user-friendliness with a focus on seamless integrations. They offer compatible integrations with leading CRMs and marketing tools, ensuring a smooth data flow between platforms. 

Additionally, their robust API integration allows for deeper customization for developers.

Key Considerations:

  • Identify your needs: Determine which CRMs, marketing automation tools, and other platforms you use most.
  • Compatible integrations: Ensure the B2B sales intelligence platform offers integrations compatible with your existing tech stack.
  • Seamless data flow: Prioritize platforms that enable a smooth transfer of data between your chosen tools.
  • API integration: If developer customization is important, consider platforms with robust API integration capabilities.

Determining the Right Fit

All three platforms offer some level of integration capabilities. Here’s how they cater to different needs:

  • If your needs are basic and customization isn’t a priority, Cognism or ZoomInfo’s pre-built integrations might suffice.
  • For businesses seeking advanced integrations and developer customization, Adapt.io’s robust API integration shines.
  • If a user-friendly experience with compatible integrations for popular tools is key, Adapt.io stands out.

Intent Data

Understanding buyer intent – the signals that indicate a company is actively considering a purchase empowers sales teams to prioritize high-potential leads.
Let’s see how Cognism, ZoomInfo, and Adapt.io approach buyer intent data. 

  • Cognism: Offers basic intent signals based on website activity or engagement with marketing materials.
  • ZoomInfo: Provides access to buyer intent data through their “Powered by DiscoverOrg” platform (often at an extra charge).
  • Adapt.io: Integrates with external intent data providers, offering greater flexibility and allowing users to choose the solution that best suits their needs. This ensures access to the most relevant and up-to-date buying signals.

By integrating with various intent data providers, Adapt.io empowers users to leverage buyer intent for more targeted outreach and efficient buyer intent sales automation. This flexibility allows businesses to tailor their approach based on their specific budget and industry needs.

Data Compliance: A Crucial Consideration in Today’s Business Landscape

In today’s data-driven world, legal compliance with data privacy regulations is no longer optional. Strict compliance standards like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) govern how businesses collect, store, and utilize customer data. 

Failure to comply can result in hefty fines, reputational damage, and even operational disruptions.

For instance, in 2019, British Airways was fined a staggering £183.39 million (around USD 230 million) for a data breach that compromised the personal information of hundreds of thousands of customers. This serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences companies face for non-compliance.

Therefore, choosing a sales intelligence platform that prioritizes legal compliance is paramount. Here’s a breakdown of how these three sales intelligence platforms stack up regarding data compliance:

Cognism

  • CCPA compliance: Claims full compliance with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
  • Compliance status: Emphasizes strong compliance with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and CCPA throughout their marketing materials.

ZoomInfo

  • Compliance status: Advertises adherence to various internationally recognized data security standards.
  • Compliance details: While ZoomInfo likely observes major compliance laws, information on specific compliance practices might be less readily available compared to Cognism.

Adapt.io

  • Compliance status: Adapt.io emphasizes ethical data collection practices, giving users peace of mind regarding compliance with regulations like GDPR and CCPA. The tool prioritizes obtaining data through legitimate channels, minimizing the risk of encountering non-compliant information.

Choosing the Right Fit

While all three platforms claim compliance, it’s important to consider platforms that provide clear and accessible documentation outlining their compliance practices. 

Besides prioritizing ethical data sourcing, Adapt.io often goes beyond simply stating compliance and offers detailed information about its data security measures and adherence to legal standards.

Remember that compliance laws vary by region. It’s your responsibility to ensure any sales intelligence platform you use adheres to the relevant compliance laws for your business location and target audience.

Data Security: A Comparison of Cognism, ZoomInfo, and Adapt.io

Data is king in the B2B world. It powers business growth. Companies exchange sensitive information like contact details, financial records, and intellectual property. 

A data breach, or unauthorized access to or disclosure of this data can have devastating consequences. 

Comparing Cognism, ZoomInfo, and Adapt.io in terms of data security requires considering several aspects such as encryption methods, compliance certifications, access controls, and incident response procedures.

Let’s see how Cognism, ZoomInfo, and Adapt.io stack up when it comes to protecting your valuable information.

Encryption and Data Protection:

  • Cognism: Implements encryption at rest and in transit. Data is encrypted using industry-standard algorithms.
  • ZoomInfo: Employs encryption measures to protect data during transmission and storage.
  • Adapt.io: Utilizes advanced encryption protocols for data protection, including AES 256-bit encryption. Additionally, it offers tokenization for sensitive data.

In summary, while Cognism and ZoomInfo also prioritize data security and compliance, Adapt.io stands out due to its comprehensive compliance certifications, advanced encryption and tokenization methods, and customizable access controls.

Collectively, this enhances its data security posture and distinguishes it as a reliable solution for businesses seeking robust data protection measures.

Adapt.io - The Best B2B Sales Intelligence Platform

While Cognism and ZoomInfo are established players, Adapt.io offers a compelling alternative for B2B businesses seeking a platform that prioritizes specific needs, balancing between cost, customization, and compliance. 

Here are a few key features that make Adapt.io a strong contender:

  • Accurate data enrichment: Adapt.io offers highly accurate and up-to-date data enrichment services, ensuring that businesses access reliable information to target the right leads effectively.
  • Focus on verified contacts & ethical Sourcing: Unlike platforms that rely on vast, unverified datasets, Adapt.io prioritizes data accuracy. The platform emphasizes ethical data collection practices, ensuring you can trust the quality of your contact details and minimize outreach to irrelevant leads. 
  • Industry-specific solutions & customization: Adapt.io recognizes that B2B needs vary across industries. It offers industry-specific features and functionalities, allowing you to target contacts more effectively and craft relevant outreach messages. 

Additionally, the platform allows for advanced search filters and customization options, enabling you to tailor your prospecting efforts to your unique requirements.

FAQs

Cognism, ZoomInfo, and Adapt.io are all popular B2B lead intelligence platforms, but they differ in key aspects. Cognism leverages AI for data intelligence and predictive analytics. 

ZoomInfo is known for its extensive B2B database and detailed contact information whereas Adapt.io emphasizes customizable data enrichment and compliance, offering robust lead generation tools. 

While Cognism focuses on AI-driven insights, ZoomInfo excels in database depth, and Adapt.io prioritizes data accuracy and security.

Determining the winner among Cognism, ZoomInfo, and Adapt.io depends on specific business needs, preferences, and priorities. Each platform has its strengths and may cater better to different use cases. 

For instance, Cognism is known for its AI-powered data intelligence and lead generation capabilities and excels in providing accurate and actionable insights for sales and marketing teams. 

ZoomInfo is renowned for its extensive B2B database and comprehensive contact information. It provides detailed company profiles and contact data, making it a valuable resource for sales prospecting and lead enrichment. 

Adapt.io stands out for its customizable data enrichment solutions and robust lead generation tools. It offers highly accurate lead data, powerful search capabilities, seamless CRM integrations, and AI-driven insights. It also focuses on compliance, ensuring data security and privacy.

Adapt.io is a B2B lead intelligence platform used for streamlined lead generation. It provides accurate data, facilitates sales prospecting by identifying key contacts, enriches lead information, and integrates seamlessly with CRM systems. 

The platform enhances sales and marketing efforts by enabling targeted and personalized outreach, ultimately driving business growth through effective lead management.