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Intent data providers are a valuable asset for any company. With the right software, teams can improve lead targeting and enhance marketing strategies. However, finding the right intent data provider can be challenging, especially with so many available options.

Using my experience with marketing software, I tested and compared several of the top intent data providers available. From there, I compiled my results into detailed reviews to help you find the best software for your needs.

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Best Intent Data Providers Summary

This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top intent data provider selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.

Tools Price
Cognism Pricing upon request
ZoomInfo Pricing upon request
TechTarget Pricing details are not specified
Demandbase Pricing upon request
6sense Pricing upon request
Bombora Pricing upon request
HG Insights Pricing details are not specified
Intentsify Pricing details are not specified
Anteriad Pricing details are not specified
Lead Onion Pricing details are not specified
Compare Software Specs Side by Side

Compare Software Specs Side by Side

Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.

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How to Choose an Intent Data Provider

It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:

FactorWhat to Consider
ScalabilityWill the tool grow with your team’s needs?
IntegrationsDoes it integrate with your existing systems?
CustomizabilityCan you tailor the tool to suit your processes?
Ease of UseIs the software user-friendly for your team?
BudgetDoes it fit within your financial constraints?
Security SafeguardsAre there strong data protection measures?
SupportDoes the provider offer reliable customer support?
Data AccuracyHow reliable is the data provided by the tool?

Best Intent Data Provider Reviews

Below are my detailed summaries of the best buyer intent data providers that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.

Best for decision-maker contacts

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.6/5

Cognism is a sales intelligence platform primarily used by sales and marketing teams to boost their lead-generation efforts. It focuses on providing accurate contact information for decision-makers, aiding in effective prospecting and outreach.

Why I picked Cognism: It specializes in offering decision-maker contacts, a crucial asset for your team’s outreach strategies. The platform provides an extensive database of verified contact details. With its focus on compliance, Cognism ensures your outreach is both effective and legal. The real-time data updates keep your contact lists fresh and relevant.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include real-time data updates that ensure your contact information is current. The platform offers lead-generation intent data tools to help identify potential prospects. You’ll also find compliance features that keep your outreach aligned with data protection regulations.

Integrations include Salesforce, HubSpot, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Marketo, Pardot, Outreach, LinkedIn, Slack, Google Workspace, and Zoho CRM.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Supports effective prospecting
  • Strong compliance measures
  • Accurate decision-maker contacts

Cons:

  • Dependent on data accuracy
  • Requires data handling skills

Best for CRM integration

  • Free trial available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.4/5

ZoomInfo is a data-driven platform for sales and marketing teams to enhance lead generation and improve prospecting efforts. It provides valuable contact data and company information that helps businesses engage with potential clients more effectively in an effort to boost conversion rates.

Why I picked ZoomInfo: Its strength in CRM integration makes ZoomInfo a preferred choice for teams looking to streamline their workflows. It offers seamless data enrichment that ensures your CRM is always up-to-date. The contact and company search features help your team find the right leads quickly. With its integration capabilities, ZoomInfo enhances your existing CRM tools, making it easier to manage leads.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include an in-depth database of contacts and companies, which helps your team find and connect with prospects. The platform offers automated data enrichment to keep your information current. You’ll also find advanced filtering options that allow you to narrow down potential leads effectively.

Integrations include Salesforce, HubSpot, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Marketo, Pardot, Outreach, LinkedIn, Google Workspace, Slack, and Zoom.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Advanced lead filtering
  • Extensive contact database
  • Strong CRM integration

Cons:

  • Complex initial setup
  • Requires data integration expertise

Best for targeting buying groups

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing details are not specified
Visit Website
Rating: 4.3/5

TechTarget is a marketing and sales platform designed for B2B companies, focusing on identifying and engaging buying groups within organizations. It specializes in providing insights that help teams target and communicate with potential buyers effectively.

Why I picked TechTarget: It's particularly effective for targeting buying groups, making it a valuable tool for B2B marketers. The platform offers purchase intent insights that help your team identify which accounts are likely to buy. With its focus on account-specific data, TechTarget ensures you can tailor your marketing strategies. Its ability to uncover active buying teams allows for more precise engagement.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include purchase intent data that highlights active accounts. You’ll find account-specific analytics that support targeted marketing efforts. The platform also provides lead scoring to prioritize your outreach effectively.

Integrations include Salesforce, Marketo, Oracle Eloqua, HubSpot, Pardot, Microsoft Dynamics 365, LinkedIn, Drift, Slack, and Zoom.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Account-specific data focus
  • Provides purchase intent insights
  • Effective buying group targeting

Cons:

  • Complex initial setup
  • Requires data analysis skills

Best for revealing purchase interest

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.4/5

Demandbase is a marketing platform tailored for B2B companies, helping marketing and sales teams identify and engage with potential buyers. It focuses on providing insights into purchasing behaviors and supporting account-based marketing strategies.

Why I picked Demandbase: Demandbase excels at revealing purchase interest, making it a valuable tool for your team's marketing efforts. Its account intelligence features provide insight into which accounts are most likely to convert. The platform also offers behavioral analytics to track engagement levels. With its ability to deliver personalized experiences, Demandbase helps effectively nurture leads.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include personalized advertising that targets specific accounts effectively. The platform offers deep analytics to understand buyer intent better. You can also utilize its account-based marketing capabilities to align sales and marketing efforts.

Integrations include Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Marketo, Oracle Eloqua, Pardot, LinkedIn, Slack, HubSpot, Drift, and Outreach.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Enhances lead nurturing
  • Detailed buyer insights
  • Effective account targeting

Cons:

  • Limited pricing transparency
  • Requires technical expertise

Best for data coverage and accuracy

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.3/5

6sense is a predictive intelligence platform designed for marketing and sales teams to uncover potential leads and optimize engagement strategies. It provides insights into buyer behavior and helps businesses prioritize their outreach efforts effectively.

Why I picked 6sense: Data coverage and accuracy are core strengths of 6sense, making it a standout choice among intent data providers. The platform offers predictive capabilities to identify accounts in the market for your solutions. Its AI-driven insights ensure your team targets the right prospects. With detailed account data and analytics, 6sense enables precise segmentation and marketing efforts.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include account-based marketing that aligns marketing and sales efforts. The platform offers predictive analytics to forecast buying intent. You’ll also find lead scoring to prioritize potential clients effectively.

Integrations include Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics 365, HubSpot, Marketo, Oracle Eloqua, Pardot, Adobe Experience Cloud, Slack, LinkedIn, and Outreach.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Supports account-based marketing
  • Predictive analytics capabilities
  • Extensive data coverage

Cons:

  • Limited transparency in pricing
  • Requires data integration expertise

Best for analyzing business research

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 3.5/5

Bombora is a data analytics product designed primarily for marketing and sales teams. It helps businesses identify potential buyers by analyzing digital behavior across numerous B2B websites.

Why I picked Bombora: Bombora excels in analyzing business research, setting it apart from other intent data providers. It features a Sales Intelligence tool that helps your team understand potential customer behavior. The Demand Identification feature is key for effectively targeting marketing efforts. Bombora’s ethically sourced data ensures high quality and relevance, making it a reliable choice.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include demand identification, which assists in targeting the right audience, and campaign optimization to improve marketing performance. You’ll also find tools for churn reduction and account expansion that can enhance your customer retention strategies.

Integrations include Salesforce, Marketo, HubSpot, Oracle Eloqua, Pardot, LinkedIn, Demandbase, 6sense, Outreach, and SalesLoft.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Covers over 5,000 websites
  • Focus on shortening sales cycles
  • Ethically sourced data

Cons:

  • Dependent on existing tool integration
  • Limited to B2B focus

Best for contextual B2B intent

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing details are not specified

HG Insights is a data intelligence platform for B2B companies, helping marketing and sales teams gather contextual insights to drive decision-making. It focuses on providing technographic and firmographic data to enhance targeting and engagement strategies.

Why I picked HG Insights: It specializes in contextual B2B intent, offering unique insights into technology usage and market trends. The platform provides in-depth technographic data that helps your team understand potential prospects' tech stacks. Its firmographic insights allow for precise account targeting. With market intelligence features, HG Insights supports strategic decision-making.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include market intelligence capabilities to track industry trends. You’ll find this platform provides detailed technographic data that gives a clear view of technology adoption across sectors. The platform also offers firmographic details to help you identify high-potential accounts.

Integrations include Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Marketo, Oracle Eloqua, HubSpot, Adobe Experience Cloud, Tableau, Snowflake, AWS, and Slack.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Provides firmographic insights
  • In-depth market intelligence
  • Detailed technographic data

Cons:

  • Limited pricing transparency
  • Requires data analysis skills

Best for buyer journey insights

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing details are not specified

Intentsify is a marketing platform designed for B2B companies, focusing on providing insights into the buyer's journey. It assists marketing and sales teams in identifying and engaging potential leads by analyzing intent data.

Why I picked Intentsify: It offers deep insights into the buyer journey, making it a valuable tool for your team’s strategy. The platform captures and analyzes intent data from a wide variety of sources, helping you understand potential customers' interests. Its ability to enrich this data ensures you’re targeting the right prospects. Intentsify allows for precise lead engagement and better customer success by offering actionable insights and flagging buying signals.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include advanced data enrichment that enhances the quality of your lead information. You’ll benefit from multi-source intent data aggregation, which widens your understanding of market trends. The platform also provides actionable insights to guide your marketing efforts effectively.

Integrations include Salesforce, HubSpot, Marketo, Pardot, Oracle Eloqua, LinkedIn, Slack, Drift, Outreach, and Microsoft Dynamics 365.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Actionable marketing insights
  • Multi-source data aggregation
  • Deep buyer journey insights

Cons:

  • Complex initial setup
  • Requires technical knowledge

Best for data security and compliance

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing details are not specified

Anteriad is a marketing intelligence platform aimed at B2B companies, focusing on providing secure and compliant data solutions. It helps marketing and sales teams gather actionable insights to drive targeted campaigns and engagement strategies.

Why I picked Anteriad: It excels in data security and compliance, ensuring your team's data handling aligns with industry standards. The platform offers features that protect sensitive information, giving you peace of mind. With its compliance-focused tools, Anteriad helps your team adhere to regulations effortlessly. The customizable dashboards provide insights while keeping data secure.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include customizable reporting tools that allow you to tailor insights to your needs. The platform offers data enrichment to enhance your existing datasets. You can also benefit from its predictive analytics capabilities to forecast trends and behaviors.

Integrations include Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Marketo, HubSpot, Oracle Eloqua, Pardot, Adobe Experience Cloud, LinkedIn, Slack, and Snowflake.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Customizable dashboards
  • Compliance-focused tools
  • Strong data security measures

Cons:

  • Limited pricing transparency
  • Requires technical expertise

Best for monitoring intent spikes

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing details are not specified

Lead Onion is a marketing intelligence platform designed for businesses looking to capitalize on intent data. Its primary users are marketing and sales teams focused on identifying spikes in buyer interest to enhance their outreach strategies.

Why I picked Lead Onion: It provides excellent capabilities for monitoring intent spikes, giving your team valuable insights into potential customer behavior. The platform tracks and visualizes intent data to help you identify trends. With its focus on real-time data, Lead Onion ensures you're always up-to-date with market changes. The tool’s analytics allow for precise targeting based on current interest levels.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include real-time intent monitoring that keeps your team informed of shifts in buyer interest. You’ll benefit from its visualization tools that make data interpretation straightforward. The platform also offers trend analysis to help you predict future customer behavior effectively.

Integrations include Salesforce, HubSpot, Marketo, Pardot, Oracle Eloqua, Microsoft Dynamics 365, LinkedIn, Slack, Google Workspace, and Mailchimp.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Informs on buyer behavior shifts
  • Supports precise targeting
  • Visualizes data for easy interpretation

Cons:

  • Complex initial setup
  • Requires data analysis skills

Other Intent Data Providers

Here are some additional intent data provider options that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:

  1. HubSpot

    For enriched sales follow-up

  2. Slintel

    For technographic data insights

  3. MadKudu

    For lead-scoring intelligence

  4. Lead Forensics

    For website visitor tracking

  5. Aberdeen

    For industry-specific data

  6. Salesforce

    For intent-driven lead nurturing

  7. Fivetran

    For automated data pipelines

  8. G2

    For user-generated reviews

Intent Data Provider Selection Criteria

When selecting the best intent data providers to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like data accuracy and integration capabilities. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair: 

Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:

  • Identify potential leads
  • Track buyer intent signals
  • Provide actionable insights
  • Integrate with existing CRM systems
  • Support targeted marketing campaigns

Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:

  • Advanced predictive analytics
  • Multi-channel engagement tracking
  • Real-time data updates
  • Customizable dashboards
  • Compliance with data regulations

Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:

  • Intuitive interface design
  • Easy navigation
  • Minimal learning curve
  • Customization options
  • Quick access to key features

Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:

  • Availability of training videos
  • Interactive product tours
  • Access to webinars
  • Comprehensive setup guides
  • Responsive support during onboarding

Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:

  • Availability of live chat support
  • Access to a knowledge base
  • Response time for inquiries
  • Quality of support documentation
  • Availability of 24/7 assistance

Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:

  • Competitive pricing
  • Range of features offered
  • Flexibility of pricing plans
  • Transparent pricing structure
  • Cost-benefit ratio

Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:

  • Overall satisfaction rating
  • Commonly reported issues
  • Praise for specific features
  • Feedback on ease of use
  • Comments on customer support quality

In my research, I sourced countless product updates, press releases, and release logs from different intent data provider vendors. Here are some of the emerging trends I’m keeping an eye on:

  • AI-driven insights: AI is being used to analyze vast amounts of intent data to provide deeper insights. This trend allows businesses to predict customer behavior with greater accuracy, delivering quality leads. Vendors like 6Sense are leveraging AI to enhance predictive capabilities and identify intent data signals.
  • Privacy-first data handling: With increasing concerns over data privacy, vendors are prioritizing secure and compliant data practices. This trend ensures that user data is protected while still delivering valuable insights. Companies like Anteriad are focusing on data security and compliance.
  • Cross-channel intent tracking: Tracking various types of intent data and user intent across multiple platforms provides a more holistic view of buyer behavior. This trend helps businesses tailor their marketing strategies more effectively. Marketing tools like TechTarget’s offer cross-channel tracking to capture a wide range of intent signals and data sources.
  • Real-time updates: Businesses are demanding up-to-the-minute data to make timely decisions. Real-time updates allow for quick reactions to changes in buyer intent. Vendors like Intentsify are focusing on providing real-time data to their users.
  • Customizable analytics dashboards: Users want to tailor dashboards to fit their specific needs. This trend allows businesses to focus on the metrics that matter most to them and provide precise attribution along the buying journey. Platforms like Lead Onion offer customizable dashboards to cater to diverse user requirements.

What Are Intent Data Providers?

Intent data providers are tools that collect and analyze third-party intent data to identify potential customer interest in a product or service. They are generally used by marketing and sales professionals to enhance lead generation and tailor their outreach efforts. Features like AI-driven insights, cross-channel intent tracking, and real-time updates help with understanding buyer behavior, learning from case studies, and making informed decisions regarding the sales process. These tools offer significant value by allowing businesses to target the right prospects at the right time, improving marketing efficiency and sales outcomes.

Features of Intent Data Providers

When selecting intent data providers, keep an eye out for the following key features:

  • AI-driven insights: Analyzes data to predict customer behavior and enhance decision-making.
  • Cross-channel tracking: Monitors user intent across multiple platforms to provide a complete view of buyer behavior.
  • Real-time updates: Delivers current data to help businesses react quickly to changes in buyer intent.
  • Customizable dashboards: Allows users to tailor dashboards to focus on the metrics that matter most to them.
  • Data enrichment: Enhances existing datasets with additional information for more accurate targeting.
  • Compliance tools: Ensures data handling aligns with privacy regulations, maintaining user trust.
  • Predictive analytics: Forecasts trends and behaviors to guide marketing and sales strategies.
  • Trend analysis: Identifies shifts in market trends to keep strategies relevant and effective.
  • Behavioral analytics: Tracks and analyzes user behavior to improve engagement strategies.
  • Lead scoring: Prioritizes prospects based on their likelihood to convert, optimizing resource allocation.

Benefits of Intent Data Providers

Implementing intent data providers provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:

  • Improved targeting: Helps identify and prioritize leads that are most likely to convert using lead scoring and predictive analytics.
  • Enhanced decision-making: Offers AI-driven insights and real-time updates to inform marketing and sales strategies.
  • Increased efficiency: Reduces time spent on unqualified leads by providing data enrichment and behavioral analytics.
  • Personalized outreach: Enables tailored communication strategies with cross-channel tracking and customizable dashboards.
  • Market adaptability: Keeps your strategies relevant with trend analysis and monitoring of buyer behavior shifts.
  • Regulatory compliance: Maintains trust and data integrity with compliance tools that align with data privacy regulations.
  • Resource optimization: Ensures your team focuses efforts on the right prospects with actionable insights and intent tracking.

Costs and Pricing of Intent Data Providers

Selecting intent data providers requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in intent data provider's solutions:

Plan Comparison Table for Intent Data Providers

Plan TypeAverage PriceCommon Features
Free Plan$0Basic intent tracking, limited data access, and minimal support.
Personal Plan$15-$50/user/monthEnhanced data insights, lead scoring, and email support.
Business Plan$100-$250/user/monthComprehensive analytics, CRM integration, multi-channel tracking, and priority support.
Enterprise Plan$500+/user/monthCustomizable dashboards, real-time updates, advanced compliance tools, and dedicated account management.

Intent Data Provider FAQs

Here are some answers to common questions about intent data providers:

How is intent data collected?

Intent data is collected from various sources, including first-party data from your site and third-party data from external websites. First-party data involves tracking interactions like form fills or content downloads on your site. Third-party data is gathered from other platforms and helps provide a broader view of user behavior and interests.

What types of intent signals do providers track?

Providers track a variety of intent signals such as web page visits, content downloads, and keyword searches. These signals help identify potential customer interests and buying intent. By analyzing these signals, your team can prioritize leads that show a higher likelihood of conversion.

How can intent data improve my sales strategy?

Intent data enhances your sales strategy by identifying prospects who are actively researching your products or services. It allows your team to focus efforts on leads with a higher chance of conversion. This targeted approach can increase efficiency and improve sales outcomes.

Are there privacy concerns with using intent data?

Yes, privacy concerns are important when using intent data. Reputable providers ensure data is collected and processed in compliance with privacy regulations like GDPR. It’s crucial to choose a provider that prioritizes data security and privacy to maintain trust with your customers.

How do I choose the right intent data provider?

Choosing the right provider involves evaluating factors like data accuracy, integration capabilities, and compliance with privacy regulations. Consider your specific needs and how each provider’s features align with your business goals. Demo sessions and trial periods can also help in making an informed decision.

What integration options are available with intent data providers?

Most intent data providers offer integrations with popular CRM and marketing automation platforms. These integrations enable seamless data flow between systems, enhancing workflow efficiency. It’s important to check compatibility with your existing tech stack to maximize the value of the provider’s services.

What's Next?

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Dozie Anyaegbunam
By Dozie Anyaegbunam

Dozie Anyaegbunam is the Senior Editor of The CMO Club, a digital media publication that helps SaaS marketing leaders win at work. He has several years of core brand marketing experience across various verticals, from edu-tech, to food and beverages, to SaaS. He's also led marketing teams at B2B SaaS startups, global multinationals, and the public sector. Dozie is the Founder & Host of The Newcomers, a media publication that explores what it means to be an immigrant.