Dun and Bradstreet was founded in 1841, and serves as a kind of credit bureau for businesses. In addition, they maintain a database of company information that one can acquire through several outlets, including Hoovers. Hoovers wins for Best Company Data.

 

PROS:

1. Extremely large database
2. Easy to export data
3. Dun and Bradstreet has been the industry standard in business data for decades
4. Company data is robust, especially on companies with revenue of $1M and above
5. Foreign company data

1. Sometimes, we found revenue data to be outdated
2. Though the company information is robust, the information on contacts tends to be thin - usually only the top executives are available
3. There are no email addresses associated with the contact

1. Doesn't necessarily cost money
2. Bar none, the best people data available - complete with direct dial numbers, if available and email addresses
3. Contains companies of all sizes - enterprise-level down to Pop's Mechanic Shop, in some instances
4. Never stale data - continuously updated by users

1. Although free, the company information is weaker than other sites
2. In order to gain data, you either have to pay or submit your own
3. Very limited foreign contact & company data

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Lead411 is a fairly inexpensive solution for sales prospecting lists. They are not a brand new player (around since 2001) and don't get the exposure they deserve.

PROS:

1. Furnish daily emails outlining key personnel changes, mergers and acquisitions activities, and new data
2. Normally, Lead411 provides the top 5-10 key personnel, often with an email address

1. Not a ton of companies in the database - but Lead411 is particularly strong for technology company data
2. Email addresses are hit-or-miss for prospects, but that's more than some other lists which provide NO email addresses

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