Top 10 PhantomBuster Alternatives and Competitors

PhantomBuster is a tool that allows sales and marketing teams to search for and connect with potential clients on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and others. It offers solutions including Phantoms for crafting automation scripts or agents, Flows for enabling users to create automation workflows, and Integrations for connecting PhantomBuster with external applications or platforms.

In this article, we will explore the top 10 alternatives to PhantomBuster.

1. Clay

Why settle for one data provider when Clay links you up with over 50 data providers? For example, when you need a phone number, Clay's waterfalling feature can systematically search through databases like Lusha, Hunter.io, and Rocket Reach until it finds what you need. This beats the usual approach of relying on a single data enrichment provider that many sales teams do. Plus, you can also free yourself from the hassle and expense of managing individual subscriptions.

The issue with single-source enrichment

Relying solely on one data provider often results in incomplete lead information, not because of the provider’s fault, but because of the limitations that come with depending on a single source.

On the other hand, opting for multiple data providers is a feasible solution, but it’s expensive, time-consuming, and inefficient.

Now, imagine this: you sign up for one platform, and it does all the work by searching through 50 top-notch data enrichment providers for you. That's precisely what Clay's waterfalling feature is all about.

What is waterfalling, and how can I use Clay to do it?

Waterfalling allows you took automatically check one data provider after another until you’re successful. Let's say you need a prospect's email. Clay starts with Lusha, and if that doesn't work, it moves on to Clearbit then RocketReach, and so on until it finds what you're looking for. Check out the complete list of our data providers here.

In short — Clay is the only company that offers 50+ data providers, the ability to waterfall multiple data providers simultaneously, and get feedback from users like this.

Exploring further aspects of Clay: what you need to know

• Innovative features you’ll love: Our most notable features include AI messaging, real-time scraping, access to more than 10 pre-loaded lead list sources, connections with over 50 enrichment providers, bi-directional CRM data synchronization, and the unique waterfall functionality for concurrent use of multiple data providers.
• Ideal use cases: Perfect for tasks like sales prospecting, lead discovery and enrichment, and automated outbound campaigns.
• Positive user reviews: Clay has a high 4.9/5 rating on Product Hunt. Users appreciate its time-saving aspects, efficiency in outbound marketing, and prospecting features.
• Flexible pricing: Offers include the Starter plan ($149 per month), Explorer ($349 per month), Pro ($800 per month), and Enterprise options, along with volume discounts. More details are available on the Clay pricing page.

2. ZoomInfo

ZoomInfo SalesOS is a B2B sales prospecting software developed by ZoomInfo that helps businesses identify and reach potential customers using data-driven insights and buying signals.

• Use cases: Identifying and reaching potential customers, leveraging data-driven insights, tracking website visitors, automating email and phone outreach, and streamlining sales workflows.
• Features: Contact and company data, buyer intent, website visitor tracking, email and phone automation, website chat for sales, contact tracking, workflows, and lead enrichment.
• Price: Specific pricing plans for ZoomInfo SalesOS are not provided on their pricing page, but they do offer a free trial for interested users.
• Reviews: ZoomInfo has an overall rating of 4.4/5 G2.
• Available as a provider within Clay: No

Advantages of using ZoomInfo over PhantomBuster

1. Extensive database coverage: ZoomInfo boasts a vast database, offering access to over 200 million profiles, significantly larger than many competitors. This extensive coverage is ideal for businesses seeking detailed information on a wide array of contacts and companies.
2. Advanced data quality and accuracy: ZoomInfo claims a high accuracy rate for its data, including emails and phone numbers, which is crucial for effective marketing and sales outreach. Their commitment to data quality ensures that users have access to reliable information.
3. Comprehensive sales intelligence features: ZoomInfo provides a range of sales intelligence tools, including company alerts, news updates, and buyer intent signals, which are not typically available with data extraction tools like PhantomBuster. These features enable users to gain insights into potential customers' interests and behaviors.
4. Integrated CRM functionality: ZoomInfo offers seamless integration with various CRM platforms, enhancing the efficiency of sales and marketing workflows. This integration allows for easy management of contact data within a user's existing sales ecosystem.

Disadvantages of using ZoomInfo over PhantomBuster

1. Higher cost: ZoomInfo's pricing starts at a higher threshold compared to PhantomBuster, with entry plans reported to begin at $15,000/year for up to three users. This pricing model may be prohibitive for smaller businesses or those with limited data needs.
2. Data quality concerns: Despite claims of high accuracy, there have been complaints regarding the quality and bounce rates of email data provided by ZoomInfo. Users should consider requesting data samples to evaluate quality and relevance for their specific use cases.
3. Complexity for smaller teams: ZoomInfo's extensive features and data coverage might be more than what smaller teams require, potentially leading to underutilization of the platform's capabilities and unnecessary expenditure.
4. Contractual commitments: Accessing ZoomInfo's services often requires a contractual agreement and a minimum number of seats, which may not be ideal for organizations seeking flexible, low-commitment solutions.

3. Clearbit

Clearbit is a data enrichment tool that helps businesses create, complete, and correct their records to convert more leads.

• Use cases: Eliminating incomplete records and stale contact information, reducing manual data entry, aligning go-to-market teams, and making data-backed decisions standard.
• Features: 100+ B2B data points on every account, automatic record refreshing, machine learning and quality assurance, and integration with other tools.
• Price: Clearbit offers a free plan with 25 credits per month, a Growth plan with tiered pricing from $50 to $275, and a Business plan with more features and support (contact sales for pricing).
• Reviews: Clearbit has an overall rating of 4.4/5 on G2.
• Available as a provider within Clay: Yes

Advantages of using Clearbit over PhantomBuster

1. Enhanced Data Augmentation & Lead Qualification: Clearbit excels in enriching leads with valuable data, scoring, and segmentation for targeted marketing efforts, showcasing strong capabilities in data augmentation and lead qualification processes.
2. Superior Sales Intelligence Email Features: Offering robust features for sales emails, including template creation and appending emails to records, Clearbit provides a significant advantage in email marketing strategies.
3. Integration with Salesforce: Clearbit integrates seamlessly with Salesforce, enhancing CRM data with rich insights and streamlining sales processes, a notable benefit for sales teams relying on Salesforce as their primary CRM.
4. High Ratings in User Recommendations: Clearbit has received high marks for its likelihood to be recommended by users, indicating strong user satisfaction and effectiveness in its offerings.

Disadvantages of using Clearbit over PhantomBuster

1. Limited Engagement Features: Compared to some competitors, Clearbit's offerings in engagement features, such as customer interaction histories and personalization, appear less developed, potentially impacting tailored marketing efforts.
2. Ad Campaigns and Audience Segmentation: The platform shows a lack of features in managing ad campaigns and advanced audience segmentation & targeting, areas where other platforms might offer more comprehensive tools.
3. Intent Data Utilization: Clearbit's capabilities in leveraging intent data for account identification and prioritization are not as prominently featured, which could be crucial for businesses focusing on account-based marketing strategies.
4. ABM Integration: Automated workflow and orchestration for account-based marketing (ABM) strategies are areas where Clearbit may not provide as extensive support as some alternatives, possibly affecting companies with a strong focus on ABM.

4. Apollo.io

Apollo.io is a sales intelligence software designed to help users streamline their sales processes and improve lead generation.

• Use cases: Sales prospecting, lead generation, and outreach automation.
• Features: Email credits, sequence limits, filters, buying intent topics, chrome extension, and daily email sending limits.
• Price: 4 pricing editions ranging from Free to $99, with a free premium trial available. See the Apollo.io pricing page for more details.
• Reviews: Apollo.io has an overall rating of 4.8/5 on G2.
• Available as a provider within Clay: Yes

Advantages of using Apollo over PhantomBuster

1. Comprehensive Sales Intelligence and Engagement Platform: Apollo is designed as a full-suite solution for sales teams, offering extensive features for prospecting, sales intelligence, and engagement within a single platform, which might not be as extensive in PhantomBuster.
2. Advanced Prospecting with Extensive Database: Apollo boasts a vast database for lead generation, equipped with advanced search and filtering capabilities, allowing for precise targeting of prospects.
3. Integrated Email and Sequence Campaigns: Unlike PhantomBuster, Apollo offers integrated tools for creating and managing email campaigns and sequences directly within the platform, facilitating seamless sales outreach and follow-up processes.
4. Robust CRM Integrations and API Access: Apollo provides strong integration capabilities with popular CRMs and an extensive API for custom integrations, enhancing data synchronization and workflow automation across sales tools.

Disadvantages of using Apollo over PhantomBuster

1. Niche Automation and Data Extraction Capabilities: PhantomBuster excels in specific automation and data extraction tasks across a wide range of platforms, including social media, which might be more specialized than Apollo's generalist approach.
2. Flexibility in Social Media Automation: PhantomBuster offers a variety of automation flows for platforms like Facebook and Instagram, which can be more targeted and flexible compared to Apollo's broader sales focus.
3. Cost-Effectiveness for Specific Use Cases: For businesses primarily focused on lead generation through social media automation, PhantomBuster's pricing and features tailored to specific platforms might offer a more cost-effective solution.
4. Ease of Use for Non-Sales Teams: PhantomBuster's user-friendly interface and specific toolsets for marketing and lead generation might be more accessible for users outside of sales teams or those with limited technical expertise.

5. Cognism

Cognism is a sales intelligence platform that provides mobile phone numbers and B2B emails of potential business contacts, with a focus on data accuracy and GDPR compliance.

• Use cases: Identifying ideal fit accounts, bypassing gatekeepers, prioritizing ready-to-buy buyers, finding net new leads, and enriching existing contacts.
• Features: Contact and company data, events (hiring, funding, job join), platform access (list building web app, CSV enrichment, individual prospecting browser extension, CRM integrations), phone-verified mobile numbers, and intent data.
• Price: Cognism offers tailored pricing plans, including Platinum and Diamond, with a flat platform access fee covering data maintenance, set-up, onboarding, and 24/7 live chat support. A free trial is available by filling out a form on their pricing page.
• Reviews: Cognism has an overall rating of 4.6/5 G2.
• Available as a provider within Clay: No

Advantages of using Cognism over PhantomBuster

1. Data-Driven Insights for Personalized Strategies: Cognism leverages data-driven insights to deliver personalized and actionable strategies, offering a tailored approach to lead generation and sales intelligence.
2. Seamless Integration with Sales Tools: It offers comprehensive integration capabilities with popular sales tools like Salesforce and Outreach, streamlining the workflow for sales teams.
3. High User Satisfaction: Users have rated Cognism highly for ease of use, value for money, customer support, and functionality, indicating a positive overall user experience.
4. Focus on Data Quality: Cognism is praised for its high-quality data, especially in the UK market, where it's recognized as a top resource for quality data, particularly mobile numbers.

Disadvantages of using Cognism over PhantomBuster

1. Occasional Data Filtering Issues: Some users have reported occasional challenges with filtering options, such as the job function filter, which could impact the efficiency of data segmentation and targeting.
2. Potential for Outdated Data: Like many data platforms, Cognism occasionally has data that may be out of date, such as contacts no longer working at a company, which could affect lead generation accuracy.
3. Lack of Automated Data Extraction: Unlike PhantomBuster, which specializes in automated data extraction and lead generation across various platforms, Cognism focuses more on providing data and insights rather than extensive automation features.
4. Pricing Transparency: Detailed pricing information for Cognism is not readily available, which may make it difficult for potential users to assess the cost implications without contacting the company directly.

6. Lusha

Lusha Extension is an email finder and phone number tool designed to help sales, marketing, and recruitment teams access accurate contact information for potential business contacts.

• Use cases: Finding email addresses and phone numbers of contacts, enhancing prospecting efforts, and improving outreach efficiency for sales, marketing, and recruitment teams.
• Features: Email and phone number extraction, accurate contact information, and easy-to-use interface.
• Price: Offers four pricing plans - Free, Pro ($29 per month), Premium ($51 per month), and Scale. A free trial is also available.
• Reviews: Lusha has an overall rating of 4.3/5 on G2.
• Available as a provider within Clay: Yes

Advantages of using Lusha over PhantomBuster

1. Direct access to contact information: Lusha excels in providing immediate access to verified phone numbers and email addresses, streamlining the process of connecting with potential leads.
2. Compliance with data privacy regulations: Lusha ensures that the data provided complies with global data protection laws like GDPR and CCPA, offering peace of mind for businesses concerned about legal compliance.
3. User-friendly interface and integration: The platform is designed for ease of use, with intuitive navigation and the ability to integrate seamlessly with popular CRM systems, enhancing user productivity and data management efficiency.
4. High-quality data with accuracy emphasis: Lusha is noted for the reliability and accuracy of its data, reducing the likelihood of encountering outdated or incorrect contact information and thereby improving conversion rates.

Disadvantages of using Lusha over PhantomBuster

1. Limited scope for automation in data extraction: Unlike PhantomBuster's broad capabilities for automated data scraping and lead generation across various platforms, Lusha focuses primarily on retrieving direct contact information, which may necessitate the use of additional tools for more complex lead generation efforts.
2. Less flexibility in data sourcing: PhantomBuster provides a versatile range of APIs for extracting data from numerous sources online, offering greater flexibility in lead generation strategies compared to Lusha's more targeted approach.
3. Higher cost for direct contact data: While Lusha offers high-quality, accurate contact data, accessing this information can be more costly, especially for organizations that require extensive data access, potentially making PhantomBuster a more budget-friendly option for some users.
4. Dependency on individual platform changes: Lusha's functionality could be affected by changes to the data availability or policies of the platforms it relies on for data extraction. This is a less significant concern for PhantomBuster, which offers adaptable scripting options to navigate changes in web services and APIs.

7. RocketReach

RocketReach is a lead generation and contact information tool designed for teams and businesses, offering simplified billing, team usage management, and integrations with Salesforce and Zapier.

• Use cases: Finding accurate contact information for potential business contacts, managing team usage, and integrating with CRM and automation tools.
• Features: Unlimited lookups, shared lookups with the team, Single Sign On, Salesforce and Zapier integrations, and simplified billing and invoicing.
• Price: RocketReach offers individual plans such as Essentials, Pro, and Ultimate, with pricing details available on their pricing page. Team and Custom plans are also available, with more information provided upon contacting sales.
• Reviews: RocketReach has an overall rating of 4.5/5 on G2.
• Available as a provider within Clay: No

Advantages of using Rocket Reach over PhantomBuster

1. Extensive database for direct contact information: Rocket Reach typically provides direct access to email addresses and phone numbers, which can be particularly useful for sales teams looking to make immediate contact.
2. Ease of use: Rocket Reach is known for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to quickly find the contact information they need without extensive training or technical knowledge.
3. Integration with Social Platforms: Rocket Reach integrates well with social platforms and networks, allowing users to find contact information directly from prospects' social profiles, which can be a significant advantage for B2B sales and marketing efforts.
4. Accuracy of contact information: Users of Rocket Reach often cite the accuracy of its contact data as a key benefit, which is crucial for ensuring that outreach efforts are not wasted on outdated or incorrect information.

Disadvantages of using Rocket Reach over PhantomBuster

1. Less flexibility in automation and data extraction: PhantomBuster offers a wide range of automation capabilities for various tasks beyond contact information retrieval, such as content scraping and social media interactions, which Rocket Reach does not.
2. Limited to contact information: While Rocket Reach excels in providing contact details, it may not offer the broader data extraction and automation features that PhantomBuster does, which can be a drawback for users looking for more comprehensive data gathering tools.
3. Potentially higher cost for access to premium data: Accessing the full range of Rocket Reach’s database and premium contact information might come at a higher cost, which could be a consideration for startups or smaller businesses.
4. Dependence on publicly available data: Rocket Reach’s effectiveness is tied to the availability of contact information in public databases, which may limit its usefulness in cases where data is not publicly listed or is protected.

8. FullContact

FullContact is an identity resolution provider that offers comprehensive enriched data insights to help businesses accurately identify people and optimize experiences while prioritizing privacy and security.

• Use cases: Accurate identification of people, optimizing customer experiences, privacy and security prioritization, and compliance with data regulations.
• Features: Comprehensive enriched data insights, products tailored to specific industries, trusted partnerships, and a focus on data intelligence and privacy.
• Price: FullContact offers a free trial, a Business plan for $499.99 per month, and an Enterprise plan with custom pricing.
• Reviews: FullContact has an overall rating of 4.3/5 on G2.
• Available as a provider within Clay: No

Advantages of using FullContact over PhantomBuster

1. Comprehensive identity resolution services: FullContact specializes in consolidating various data points about an individual into a unified customer profile, which can be more detailed compared to the lead data PhantomBuster scrapes from social media and websites.
2. Privacy and compliance: FullContact places a strong emphasis on privacy and data compliance, offering services that are built to respect user consent and legal standards, potentially offering a more secure option for handling customer data.
3. API Integration capabilities: FullContact offers robust API solutions for integrating enriched contact data directly into your applications or CRM, providing seamless access to data across your business systems.
4. Data enrichment: FullContact's data enrichment capabilities go beyond basic contact information, offering insights into customer demographics, social profiles, and other attributes that can enhance customer understanding and segmentation.

Disadvantages of using FullContact over PhantomBuster

1. Automation of data extraction: PhantomBuster excels at automating the extraction of data from a wide range of sources with little to no coding required, a feature that FullContact does not focus on as it primarily offers data enrichment services.
2. Flexibility in data scraping: PhantomBuster provides users with the ability to custom tailor their data scraping activities across various platforms, offering more flexibility in lead generation tactics compared to FullContact's data enrichment focus.
3. Cost efficiency for lead generation: For businesses primarily looking for lead generation through data scraping, PhantomBuster might offer more cost-effective plans tailored to these needs, whereas FullContact’s pricing is structured around data enrichment services.
4. Ease of deployment for specific lead generation tasks: PhantomBuster can be more straightforward to deploy for users specifically looking to scrape data and automate social media actions, without the need for deep integration into existing databases or CRM systems.

9. Lemlist

Lemlist is an AI-powered sales engagement platform designed to help users with cold outreach and lead generation efforts.

• Use cases: Cold outreach, lead generation, personalized email campaigns, multichannel prospecting, and automated follow-ups.
• Features: Personalization at scale, multichannel prospecting, follow-ups, B2B lead database, warm-up and boost capabilities, and integrations with other tools and CRM systems.
• Price: lemlist offers a Standard plan at $59 per seat per month, a Pro plan at $99 per seat per month, and an Enterprise plan with custom pricing. A 14-day free trial is also available without requiring a credit card.
• Reviews: lemlist has an overall rating of 4.3/5 stars on G2.
• Available as a provider within Clay: Yes

Advantages of using Lemlist over PhantomBuster

1. Customization & Automation in Email Campaigns: Lemlist excels in customizing every email for outreach campaigns, offering a level of personalization that can significantly enhance engagement rates.
2. Efficient Campaign Management: When integrated with data extraction tools like PhantomBuster, Lemlist allows for seamless campaign execution by directly importing extracted data (e.g., from social networking sites) into personalized email campaigns.
3. User-Friendly Interface: Lemlist is known for its intuitive platform that simplifies the creation and management of email outreach campaigns, making it accessible even for those with limited technical expertise.
4. Direct Integration Capabilities: Lemlist can directly integrate with PhantomBuster for the automation of data gathering, enabling a streamlined workflow from lead generation to outreach.

Disadvantages of using Lemlist over PhantomBuster

1. Limited to Email Outreach: Unlike PhantomBuster, which supports a wide range of activities across various social media and web platforms, Lemlist focuses primarily on email outreach, potentially requiring additional tools for a comprehensive lead generation strategy.
2. Dependence on External Data Sources: For optimal use, Lemlist relies on external data sources for lead information, which means its effectiveness is partly contingent on the quality of data extracted from specific platforms through integrations with tools such as PhantomBuster.
3. Less Flexibility in Lead Generation: PhantomBuster offers broader capabilities in scraping and automating interactions across numerous websites and platforms, providing a wider scope for lead generation compared to Lemlist's email-centric approach.
4. Potentially Higher Learning Curve for Integration: While Lemlist's direct integration with PhantomBuster facilitates a powerful combination for email outreach, setting up and optimizing the integration to suit specific campaign needs may require a steeper learning curve for users unfamiliar with either tool.

10. Demandbase One

Demandbase One is a go-to-market platform that goes beyond account-based marketing (ABM) by aligning sales and marketing, providing industry-leading data and tools, and using AI to inform and accelerate opportunities.

• Use cases: Aligning sales and marketing, leveraging industry-leading data and tools, and accelerating opportunities with AI-driven insights.
• Features: ABM/ABX, Sales Intelligence, Buying Intent, Predictive Analytics, Advertising, Personalization, Orchestration, Analytics, and B2B Data.
• Price: Demandbase One offers Professional, Enterprise, and Elite plans with varying features and capabilities. Specific pricing details are not provided on their pricing page.
• Reviews: Demandbase One™ has an overall rating of 4.3/5 on G2.
• Available as a provider within Clay: No

Advantages of using Demandbase One over PhantomBuster

1. Comprehensive ABM Platform: Demandbase One is designed as an all-encompassing Account-Based Marketing (ABM) platform, providing a wide range of features from advertising to sales insights and beyond. This integrated approach supports a more strategic and focused engagement with key accounts.
2. Data Quality and Comprehensive Insights: Demandbase One excels in offering high-quality data and insights on accounts and decision-makers, leveraging artificial intelligence to provide detailed analysis and predictions to guide marketing and sales efforts.
3. Advanced Targeting and Personalization: With its robust data capabilities, Demandbase One allows for highly targeted marketing campaigns and personalized engagement strategies, aimed at increasing the effectiveness of outreach to prospective and existing accounts.
4. Seamless Integration with Marketing and Sales Platforms: Demandbase One offers seamless integration with a variety of marketing and sales platforms, enhancing workflow and data synchronization across tools, which can lead to more efficient operations and better alignment between teams.

Disadvantages of using Demandbase One over PhantomBuster

1. Focus on ABM Rather Than Broad Lead Generation: Demandbase One is specifically designed for ABM strategies, which might limit its utility for businesses looking for a broader lead generation tool like PhantomBuster, which is more flexible in scraping and automating interactions across various platforms.
2. Complexity and Learning Curve: The comprehensive nature of Demandbase One might introduce a steeper learning curve compared to PhantomBuster. Companies new to ABM might find the platform's extensive features and analytics more complex to navigate initially.
3. Cost Implications: Given its extensive ABM features and analytics capabilities, Demandbase One might represent a higher cost investment than PhantomBuster, especially for small businesses or those with limited ABM needs.
4. Potential Overkill for Simple Data Extraction Needs: For businesses looking primarily for data scraping and simple lead generation automation, Demandbase One's sophisticated ABM functionalities might be more than what's needed, making PhantomBuster a more straightforward and cost-effective solution.

Enrich your data with Clay!

Wrapping up our analysis of PhantomBuster alongside its rivals, Clay impresses with its detailed data enrichment technology and network expansion capabilities. By implementing a comprehensive integration model and assimilating data from a broad spectrum of over 50 providers, Clay provides unmatched data clarity and widespread coverage. Custom-made for professionals in the sales and marketing realm, it demystifies managing a multitude of data sources. With its intuitive functionality and a suite of pricing strategies, Clay is the definitive choice for those intent on enriching their data and networking acumen. Elevate your data handling—Sign up today and take a step forward in your professional networking and data management journey with Clay.