With the rise of global talent sourcing and niche skill shortages, finding the ideal candidate can sometimes feel like hunting down a unicorn.
But in 2025, recruiters don’t have to do all the legwork themselves. Contact finder tools have become indispensable for locating potential candidates’ contact information quickly, easily, and accurately. Well, at least that’s what they promise. The reality is that not all candidate sourcing tools are created equal. Some lack reliability, others lack integrations, and a few are simply overpriced.
But if software marketplaces like G2 pull up 78 search results for “contact finder” products, how do you know which one to choose? Fortunately, I’ve rounded up my top picks to help recruiters find their best contact finder match.
Soon, you’ll be tracking those unicorn contact details in no time.
What to look for in a contact finder tool
What separates good contact finders from the bad? I used the following criteria to compile this list and recommend you consider the same before paying for a subscription:
Data accuracy
Contact data is only valuable if it’s correct. Calling numbers that don’t exist or having your emails bounce is frustrating and a waste of time and resources. Your tool should provide verified, up-to-date information.
Pro tip: Test the accuracy of a tool with a free trial or by cross-verifying a few contacts before committing to a paid plan.
Data depth
You also want a tool that offers comprehensive data. A simple email address and phone number will only get you so far. Look for a tool that provides further insights like employment history and “open-to-work” status. The more data points it offers, the better your chances of connecting with the right candidate.
User-friendliness
Learning how to use yet another tech tool shouldn’t add to your already lengthy to-do list. Opt for contact finders with:
- Intuitive workflows
- Drag-and-drop integrations
- Bulk contact discovery
- One-click data exports.
Tools with Chrome extensions are particularly handy for pulling contact info directly from LinkedIn profiles.
Integration
Your contact finder should seamlessly plug into your existing ATS and CRM platforms to ensure data flows smoothly across your entire recruitment ecosystem. This reduces the need for mind-numbing manual entry and the risk of errors.
Bonus tip: A Zapier integration should be a non-negotiable if you have custom workflows.
Scalability
If you’re shifting your focus to niche role recruitment or gearing up for a mass hiring spree, your tool should adapt accordingly. Look for solutions with scalable plans (and pricing) that can evolve with your changing business needs.
Top contact finder tools at a glance
Here’s a quick comparison of the contact finders that made my top-7 list:
Contact finder tool | G2 rating (out of 5) | Capterra rating (out of 5) | Free trial/free plan? | Pricing starts from |
Wiza | 4.5 | 4.4 | Free plan | $49/mo |
ZoomInfo | 4.5 | 4.1 | Free trial | Approx. $15,000/pa |
Lusha | 4.3 | 4.0 | Free plan | $49/mo |
Apollo.io | 4.7 | 4.6 | Free plan | $59/mo |
Skrapp.io | 4.0 | 4.5 | Free plan | $39/mo |
ContactOut | 4.5 | 4.5 | Free plan | $49/mo |
RocketReach | 4.5 | 4.1 | Free trial | $70/mo |
Ratings and pricing are based on information available as of December 2024 and are subject to change.
A closer look at the top contenders
1. Wiza
Wiza, in a nutshell
Wiza is a whizz at sourcing contact data from an extensive database. It offers plenty of valuable additions, including:
- Search filters
- Data enrichment (with over 40 data points)
- Bulk exports
- Robust integrations.
Why it made this list
Wiza made the top of my list because it ticks all the boxes of an outstanding contact finder – and ticks them well. It’s feature-rich, including real-time email verification. When comparing Wiza’s data accuracy with similar tools, Wiza came up trumps every time.
In terms of sourcing contact details, Wiza is a wise choice if LinkedIn is your go-to recruitment platform. Its free LinkedIn email browser extension locates contacts almost instantly.
I also appreciated its well-designed, intuitive interface. You don’t need to be SaaS-savvy to navigate or use its features. Wiza also offers all the advanced filters you could ask for (30+) to streamline searches, and you can export thousands of contact details in one click – what a pleasure.
Who do I recommend it for?
Most recruiters, really. Wiza is a simple, scalable option for recruiters looking to source any volume of contact details from a wide variety of industries. Its superior integration capabilities also mean it pairs well with all leading ATS and CRM systems.
2. ZoomInfo
ZoomInfo, in a nutshell
ZoomInfo is a comprehensive business intelligence data provider for recruitment and B2B sales and marketing. It’s often considered the largest email-finding service provider.
Why it made this list
I could describe ZoomInfo as the ‘Rolls-Royce’ of contact finders (which its pricing plans also reflect). Its company and candidate contact information database is massive, with over 220 million professionals and 12 million company profiles.
ZoomInfo offers detailed candidate insights and allowed me to filter candidates using multiple advanced data points. Another helpful feature I discovered was its Intent Data tool, which pinpoints companies actively hiring.
Who do I recommend it for?
ZoomInfo is an enterprise-grade solution that makes high-volume hiring look easy. However, its premium features come with a premium price tag, so it won’t fit every recruiter’s budget.
3. Lusha
Lusha, in a nutshell
On the opposite end of the contact-finding spectrum, Lusha is a lightweight, easy-to-use tool that excels at delivering personal emails and phone numbers on a budget.
Why it made this list
Lusha’s main strengths lie in its simple, no-frills approach to contact sourcing. I was impressed with its browser extension, which is convenient for finding candidate data on LinkedIn. The tool certainly delivered on providing basic contact information quickly.
Like all contact finders, its free plan is limited. However, it offers several useful features and a generous 50 free monthly email credits.
Who do I recommend it for?
Freelancers and small to mid-sized agencies looking for essential contact information but don’t want to pay for detailed candidate insights they don’t need.
4. Apollo.io
Apollo.io, in a nutshell
Apollo.io is a sales intelligence platform that also helps recruiters find and connect with potential candidates. It provides comprehensive data on companies and professionals, along with engagement tools for outreach.
Why it made this list
As Apollio.io caters to sales and engagement needs, it offers top-notch outreach capabilities that go beyond contact finding. I found it very convenient as an all-in-one solution that took care of tasks like:
- Personalizing outreach
- Email sequencing
- Performance tracking.
But returning to its contact-finding capabilities, the star of the show is its LinkedIn email finder Chrome extension. It’s another browser that’s quick to download and set up, easy to use, and, best of all, free.
Who do I recommend it for?
Apollo.io is an excellent choice for recruiters juggling multiple roles, as it’s a comprehensive platform for streamlining workflows. However, you need a work email address to create an account, so it’s not suitable for freelancers or small companies without business emails.
5. Skrapp.io
Skrapp.io, in a nutshell
Skrapp.io specializes in one thing: email addresses. It uses publicly available data from online sources to find candidates’ email addresses and can verify them as well. There’s also an easy-to-navigate LinkedIn Chrome extension.
Why it made this list
One of Skrapp.io’s standout features is its Bulk Email Finder. It helps recruiters build extensive contact lists from a CSV or Excel file in just a few clicks.
The Company Search tool is another highlight of Skrapp.io, which I put to the test. After feeding it a company’s domain, it gathered information on specific employees, including their positions and locations. Then, all I had to do was select the employees I was interested in, and it provided their verified email addresses.
Who do I recommend it for?
It’s an affordable and reliable choice for individuals and small to mid-sized companies. However, it’s not the best fit for large enterprises looking for tailored solutions or those hiring more niche talent.
6. ContactOut
ContactOut, in a nutshell
ContactOut is a popular tool for discovering phone numbers and email addresses for talent acquisition and sales teams. The platform also offers data verification, filters for targeted search, a Chrome email lookup extension, and bulk search capabilities.
Why it made this list
The sheer size of ContactOut’s database was reason enough to include it on this list. Its library encompasses:
- 30 million company profiles
- 200 million work emails
- 150 million personal emails
- 100 million direct phone numbers.
However, ContactOut doesn’t sacrifice data quality for quantity. It offers real-time updates, with an average of 300 million contact detail updates every hour. Coupled with its triple verification capabilities, it’s not surprising that the platform has a 99% accuracy rate.
Who do I recommend it for?
ContactOut is well-suited to individuals, startups, and SMBs looking for a simple, affordable way to find contact details. It’s also a good choice for global talent sourcing. However, its higher subscription tiers are less competitively priced, so larger companies might want to consider cheaper alternatives.
7. RocketReach
RocketReach, in a nutshell
RocketReach is a contact information finder that provides email addresses, phone numbers, and social media profiles. It helps recruiters connect with potential candidates across various platforms and offers a convenient LinkedIn browser extension.
Why it made this list
RocketReach boasts an unrivaled 100+ search filters and an extensive database. This makes it one of the best contact finder tools for tracking down niche talent. The platform’s intent data and AI-powered recommendations also help in this regard.
But despite its more advanced features, it was easy for me to get started thanks to its walk-throughs for new users.
Who do I recommend it for?
RocketReach offers several innovative features that other tools lack; however, its higher premiums make the tool less accessible to smaller teams with a limited budget. That being said, I’d highly recommend it to teams recruiting for more executive and/or specialized roles.
What to do with your contact details
You’ve found the contact information you were looking for. Excellent. But now what? Let’s look at the next steps to take.
Verify your contact data
Unfortunately, even the best contact finder isn’t immune to outdated or incorrect information. But accuracy is a non-negotiable way to ensure your emails don’t bounce or get flagged as spam, which can wreak havoc on your sender’s reputation.
To prevent this, you need real-time email verification, which is conveniently offered by some of the better contact finder tools. Wiza, for example, can guarantee 99% email deliverability based on the accuracy of the email addresses it sources and validates. This frees you up to focus on meaningful connections rather than doing damage control.
Pro tip:
Make it a habit to verify your entire list from time to time, especially when sourcing passive candidates who might not update their information often. Think of contact data cleaning like dental hygiene – you need to do it regularly to prevent problems now and later on.
Organize your contact list
A properly organized and segmented contact list is the backbone of a structured recruitment strategy.
Segmentation: A quick definition
Segmentation is the process of dividing your contact list into smaller, manageable groups according to certain criteria. For recruiters, this could mean grouping candidates by industry, location, skill set, or likelihood of being open to new opportunities.
Contact segmentation can help you:
- Stay organized as your contact list grows.
- Be more productive by prioritizing important contacts.
- Personalize your outreach communication.
- Track which strategies work best for each group.
Use this simple checklist to help you segment your contact list successfully:
Contact segmentation checklist for recruiters
Task | Description | Done? | |
1. | Set up your ATS | If you haven’t already done so, export your candidate data to your Applicant Tracking System | ☐ |
2. | Define broad categories | Decide on your general categories like job title, location, or industry | ☐ |
3. | Create more specific categories | Add more specific segments as needed, like years of experience, qualifications, or specializations | ☐ |
4. | Segment contacts | Group your contacts according to the above criteria | ☐ |
5. | Tag contacts | Use tags or labels to identify contacts with similar traits. For example, “Java Developers – Remote” | ☐ |
6. | Prioritize candidates | Sort candidates according to urgency. Distinguish between high-priority candidates vs long-term prospects | ☐ |
7. | Track engagement | Separate candidates who respond quickly to outreach from those who are more passive | ☐ |
8. | Update | Regularly revisit and refine your segments as candidates’ situations change | ☐ |
Personalize your outreach
In 2025, generic outreach messages are the equivalent of spam – both are destined for the trash folder. An outreach message like the one below, for example, is unlikely to receive much attention or a response:
Example of what NOT to do:
“Good day, I found your profile online. Are you open to opportunities?”
Personalization shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the candidate. Your response rates will thank you for it.
Here’s an overview of which elements you should tailor when messaging a candidate on LinkedIn:
- Subject line: Craft a stellar subject line that grabs attention in an overcrowded inbox.
- Introduction: Address the candidate by name and mention something specific about their background or experience.
- Body: Relate the candidate’s skills and experiences to the opportunity you’re presenting.
- Conclusion: End with a call to action, encouraging the candidate to take the next step. Just make sure you clarify what this step is.
Let’s see how these features translate into an outreach message.
Example of a personalized message:
Subject line: Career opportunity leveraging your full-stack expertise
Hi [Candidate’s First Name],
I came across your LinkedIn profile and was impressed by your experience in [specific skill/industry].
Your work on [specific project] stood out, and I believe your expertise aligns perfectly with our opening for [Job Title] at [Company].
This role offers [specific benefit – e.g., leadership opportunities, remote flexibility, exposure to cutting-edge tech], and we’d love to explore how it could fit into your career aspirations.
Are you available for a quick chat this week?
Looking forward to connecting!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Job Title and Company Name]
[Your phone number and/or email address]
Tips for personalizing candidate outreach:
- Do your research: Review the candidate’s LinkedIn profile, portfolio, or personal website to gather insights into their work and interests.
- Highlight commonalities: If you share a mutual connection or LinkedIn Group, mention it to build rapport.
- Be specific: Reference particular projects, posts, or achievements to show that your outreach is tailored, not templated.
- Get your tone right: While you want to be professional and respectful, avoid sounding too stiff or unapproachable.
A word of caution: Personalization doesn’t just involve adding specifics about the candidate. It’s about adding value to their professional lives.
Personalization is great, but it needs to serve a purpose. It’s not about being personal just for the sake of it… it’s about being relevant.
Find the right tool – then the right candidate
While my top seven choices can narrow your search for the ideal contact-finding tool, remember that what’s right for others might not be best for you. It’s important to compare these aspects of different tools:
- Data quality and accuracy
- Ease of use
- Integration with your existing tech stack
- Scalability for future growth.
Most importantly, assess the above offerings in relation to the contact finder’s pricing. Make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
Once you’ve found the perfect tool, sourcing candidate contact information should be quick and painless. Then, if you know how to use that data effectively, you can work your recruiter magic to land your ‘unicorn‘ candidate.
Commonly asked questions
What do contact finders do, and how do they work?
These tools scour different online sources to gather contact information, such as email addresses and phone numbers. They use algorithms to match names with corresponding contact details, often providing additional data points like job titles and skills. Some tools integrate with platforms like LinkedIn, allowing recruiters to pull contact information directly from profiles.
How do I choose the right contact finder tool for my needs?
You need to clarify your exact requirements. Consider questions like:
- Are you looking for basic contact info or detailed candidate profiles?
- How many monthly searches will you be making?
- What recruitment tools do you need it to integrate with?
- Are your recruiting needs likely to change in the future?
I always recommend starting with free trials or making use of free features to see how the tool fits into your workflow.
How accurate and reliable are these tools?
The accuracy of contact finders varies according to the type of algorithms they use, the quality of data sources, and how often their databases are updated. Consider using tools like Wiza with real-time verification features to mitigate potential inaccuracies. You can also boost data reliability by cross-referencing contact information from multiple sources and regularly updating your contact lists.
How much do contact finder tools cost?
Contact finders typically use a subscription-based pricing model, with basic plans starting at around $49 per month (with discounted rates for annual subscriptions). Costs vary depending on the tool’s specific features, data accuracy, and volume of searches. Free trials or limited free plans are often available, so you can try out the tool before committing to a paid subscription.
