The “Cognism vs Lusha” debate comes up a lot when you’re figuring out your outbound setup. Whether you’re scaling a team from scratch or optimizing a high-velocity engine, the question is the same: which one actually helps you hit pipe and connect rates without making your reps want to pull their hair out?
This breakdown isn’t based on lab tests or demo theater. It’s pulled from actual user reviews, in-the-trenches feedback, and firsthand accounts from GTM teams trying to make these tools work at scale. I’ve cut through the fluff to focus on what really matters: coverage, workflow fit, signal utility, and how predictable the pricing feels when you’re planning budget and headcount.
TL;DR Summary (For Busy GTM Leaders)
Cognism is ideal for GTM teams in regulated industries or EMEA-first motions that need compliance and verified mobile coverage.
Lusha works best for lean, high-velocity teams that want a lightweight, self-serve platform with flexible plans.
Quick Snapshot:
| Tool | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Cognism | GDPR-compliant, Diamond Verified phone data, strong EMEA coverage, intent signals | Premium pricing, minor UI clunkiness |
| Lusha | Affordable entry, quick setup, solid Chrome extension | Limited data accuracy at scale, basic enrichment |
See full table below for side-by-side comparison.
Cognism vs Lusha: Deep Dive Comparison
Let’s unpack how these two stack up across the areas that matter most to modern outbound teams. From use case alignment to data accuracy and workflow compatibility, this section breaks down where each tool shines and where it hit limits.
Use Case Fit: Who They’re Built For
Cognism → Built for multi-segment GTM teams, especially in EMEA and regulated markets. Strong fit for orgs with outbound compliance requirements and revenue teams operating across multiple CRMs.
Lusha → Tailored for SMBs and individual prospectors. Great fit for lean outbound teams needing a plug-and-play experience with low setup overhead.
Data Coverage & Accuracy
Cognism:
- Diamond Verified contact data focused on mobile numbers.
- 84% contact data availability, 79% accuracy (G2).
- Strong EU coverage and compliance (GDPR, CCPA, SOC2).
- Firmographics, technographics, and deep account data built in.
Lusha:
- 78% contact data availability, 75% accuracy (G2).
- Performs well in North America, less depth internationally.
- Email and phone data is often outdated or missing at volume.
- Data gaps for niche or non-IT segments noted.
Signal & Intent Intelligence
Cognism:
- Offers native intent, job changes, buyer signals, company insights.
- Daily Sales Companion suggests warm accounts.
- Strong fit for signal-based sequences and prioritization.
Lusha:
- Offers basic job change and intent alerts on higher plans.
- No account-level enrichment or predictive prioritization.
- Lacks granularity for deep signal-driven workflows.
Prospecting Workflow
Cognism:
- Advanced Chrome extension that works seamlessly across LinkedIn.
- Direct Salesforce + HubSpot sync.
- Daily warm account suggestions with context.
- Enrichment and deduplication inline.
Lusha:
- Lightweight Chrome extension with quick pulls.
- CRM integrations available but limited sync fidelity.
- Prospecting flows rely heavily on manual exports.
Ease of Use & Adoption
Cognism:
- Onboarding praised by users; UI is straightforward though dense.
- Ramp time short; support team hands-on.
- Depth of features can be a learning curve.
Lusha:
- Extremely easy for reps to adopt.
- Chrome extension is snappy and intuitive.
- Lacks depth for complex workflows but shines in simplicity.
Feature Comparison Table: Cognism vs Lusha
| Feature Category | Cognism (G2 %) | Lusha (G2 %) |
|---|---|---|
| Lead Builder | ✅ 86% | ✅ 82% |
| CRM/Marketing Integration | ✅ 86% | ✅ 78% |
| Data Cleaning/Enrichment | ✅ 81% | ✅ 77% |
| Segmentation/Filtering | ✅ 83% | ✅ 77% |
| Search Tools | ✅ 87% | ✅ 81% |
| Messaging Capabilities | ✅ 76% | ✅ 71% |
| News/People Alerts | ✅ 76% | ✅ 74% |
| Reporting & Dashboards | ✅ 80% | ✅ 77% |
| APIs & Extensibility | ✅ 83% | ✅ 82% |
| Browser Extension | ✅ Advanced (89%) | ✅ Advanced (89%) |
What Users Are Saying About Them?
Users of Cognism often cite its high data quality and solid CRM integrations as major differentiators. Kevin O., a BDR, shared:
“What I like best about Cognism is its accurate and GDPR-compliant B2B contact data, which makes prospecting much more efficient.”
The platform’s Chrome extension gets praise from reps like Risharn C. who noted:
“The Chrome extension is intuitive and works seamlessly across LinkedIn. It’s been a huge productivity win.”
Valerie B., a Senior Recruitment Consultant, highlighted:
“Diamond Verified numbers significantly improve our connect rates. It’s the most reliable phone data we’ve used.”
That said, not all reviews are glowing. Ollie L., a Revenue Ops Manager, pointed out clunky experiences during bulk enrichment, while others mentioned minor CRM sync issues. Despite this, most users agree that the tool delivers well for teams with mature outbound workflows, especially in EMEA markets.
On the Lusha side, the praise is centered around ease of use, affordability, and speed. Faeeq S., a Project Manager, appreciated:
“They offer 150 credits in the free version and the data is usually up to date.”
Primrose M., a Sales Manager, wrote:
“The lower prices and data accuracy make it easy to search for leads on a budget.”
But the tool’s limitations become clearer at scale. Stephen L., Head of Revenue Operations, warned:
“Lusha’s CRM sync lacks depth. Ownership issues and CSV exports are painful for large teams.”
Multiple reviewers echoed concerns about support responsiveness and inconsistent accuracy when running large-scale outbound programs.
Ultimately, user sentiment reflects what the product design tells us: Cognism is built for complexity and GDPR-compliance, while Lusha shines when speed, simplicity, and low overhead matter most.
Pricing, Credits & Contracts
| Area | Cognism | Lusha |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Custom quotes (~$20k+/yr avg) | $29.90/month (300 credits) |
| Contract length | Annual | Monthly & Annual |
| Credit system | Contact-based, tiered | Credits (emails = 1, phones = 5) |
| Transparency | Gated | Public plans listed |
| Seat minimums | Typically 3+ | 1 seat included in Free |
Cognism pricing leans into an enterprise, consultative pricing model, while Lusha pricing caters to a faster, self-serve SaaS buying journey.
Customer Support & Success
Cognism is known for hands-on onboarding and responsive support. Users consistently note helpful CSMs and proactive training resources. Support is more available to larger accounts.
Lusha has mixed reviews. Some users praise its responsiveness, while others reported delayed support and limited onboarding resources for API and large team setups.
Scalability & Ecosystem
Cognism:
- Works well in complex sales orgs.
- Integrates with Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive.
- APIs, enrichment workflows, compliance automation.
Lusha:
- Works best for small teams and solo users.
- Basic APIs available; limited support for custom workflows.
- Lacks governance features like role-based visibility or enrichment rules.
Final Verdict: Which to Pick When
Choose Cognism if:
- You’re selling in Europe or regulated industries.
- Your team needs GDPR-compliant, verified phone data.
- You want buyer signals and warm account prioritization.
Choose Lusha if:
- You need fast setup for a lean outbound team.
- You want to test quickly with affordable entry pricing.
- Simplicity and speed outweigh depth and control.
What to Avoid:
- Don’t expect Lusha to scale without tradeoffs in CRM governance.
- Don’t buy Cognism if you won’t activate the deeper features and integrations.
Summary Table: Cognism vs Lusha
| Feature / Area | Cognism | Lusha |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal Customer | Mid-market & Enterprise | SMBs, startups, lean teams |
| G2 Rating | ★★★★☆ 4.6 | ★★★★☆ 4.3 |
| Common User Segments | B2B SaaS, Tech, Enterprise | B2B SaaS, SMBs, Recruiters |
| Contact Accuracy | High | Medium |
| Intent Signals | Yes | Limited |
| Chrome Extension | Advanced | Advanced |
| CRM/SEP Integrations | Deep | Moderate |
| Usability | Moderate learning curve | Easy |
| Data Coverage (Global) | Strong in EMEA, moderate US | Strong US, weaker elsewhere |
| Pricing | Premium ($20k+/yr) | Affordable ($29.90/mo) |
| Trial | No | Yes |
| Ecosystem | Full sales intelligence suite | Lightweight point solution |
What About Reachfast? Where It Stands Out?
Cognism is robust. Lusha is simple. Reachfast sits in the sweet spot.
- 10-40% more phone number coverage than Cognism or Lusha
- Direct dials from LinkedIn URLs
- No wait for InMail acceptance; call/text in minutes
- Perfect for high-speed outbound
For teams that need agility without compromise on data quality—Reachfast fills the gap.
To Conclude,
Cognism suits enterprise buyers. Lusha works for fast-moving teams that want simplicity. But for those who need speed and data depth, without the usual trade-offs, there are better Cognism alternatives or Lusha alternatives like Reachfast, Apollo, UpLead, etc.
And if you want to try out Reachfast, contact us today!