D&B Hoovers has become a cornerstone for B2B sales and marketing professionals seeking to accelerate their growth with actionable business intelligence. This guide explores what D&B Hoovers is, how it works, its key features, pricing, and how it stands out in a competitive landscape.
What is D&B Hoovers?
D&B Hoovers is a powerful business intelligence platform developed by Dun & Bradstreet, designed to help organizations identify, target, and engage with the right prospects. It leverages the world’s largest commercial data cloud, offering deep insights into companies and industries worldwide. The platform is widely used for lead generation, market research, sales acceleration, and strategic decision-making.
Key Highlights:
- Access to over 330 million company profiles, updated from 30,000 global sources.
- Integration with CRM and marketing automation platforms for seamless workflows.
- Real-time alerts, advanced search, and dynamic list-building capabilities.
The Evolution and Parent Organization
D&B Hoovers was originally founded as Hoover’s in 1990, focusing on publishing reference books about companies. In 2003, it was acquired by Dun & Bradstreet, a global leader in commercial data and analytics. The platform was rebranded as D&B Hoovers in 2017, merging Dun & Bradstreet’s data expertise with advanced sales acceleration technology.
Parent Organization:
Dun & Bradstreet, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, is the parent company of D&B Hoovers.
D&B Hoovers Business Directory and Database
At the heart of D&B Hoovers is its extensive business directory. The platform houses data on more than 330 million companies, with over 120 million detailed business records spanning 1,000 industries. This vast database is continuously updated, ensuring users have access to the most current and accurate information.
What’s Included:
- Company profiles with financials, leadership, industry classification, and more.
- Contact information for over 178 million professionals, including direct dials and LinkedIn profiles.
- Industry insights, news updates, and organizational charts for in-depth research.
Key Features of D&B Hoovers
Advanced Search and List Building
D&B Hoovers offers dynamic search capabilities, allowing users to filter companies and contacts based on hundreds of criteria. The Conceptual Search feature uses natural language processing to help users find prospects quickly and efficiently.
- Build highly targeted lists for campaigns.
- Use over 175 targeting filters to refine your ideal customer profile.
- Export lists directly to your CRM or marketing automation platform.
Real-Time Alerts and Triggers
Stay ahead of the competition with customizable alerts. Get notified about business events, leadership changes, financial updates, and more, so you never miss an opportunity to connect.
Integration and Workflow Automation
D&B Hoovers integrates seamlessly with popular CRM systems like Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics, as well as marketing automation platforms. This ensures that your sales and marketing teams always have access to up-to-date, actionable data within their existing workflows.
- Enrich CRM records with one click.
- Sync contacts, leads, and company profiles automatically.
- Use the D&B Hoovers Chrome extension for quick access to data while browsing.
Audience Builder and Smart Lists
The Audience Builder tool helps marketers and sales teams visualize their total addressable market and segment audiences for personalized outreach. Smart Lists are dynamically updated, ensuring your prospect lists remain relevant as new data becomes available.
Data Quality and Depth
D&B Hoovers is known for its data accuracy and breadth. The platform sources information from tens of thousands of global sources, updating millions of records daily36. This ensures users can rely on the platform for high-quality, verified business intelligence.
How to Use D&B Hoovers
Getting started with D&B Hoovers is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step overview:
1. D&B Hoovers Login:
Users can access the platform via a secure login. New users are prompted to set their locale preferences, such as currency, region, and industry classification, for a personalized experience.
2. Guided Onboarding:
The platform offers a guided tour with onboarding tiles, introducing users to key features like company profiles, list building, and alerts.
3. Company and Contact Search:
Quickly search for companies or individuals using the global search bar. Access detailed profiles, financials, and contact information with ease.
4. Build and Export Lists:
Create targeted lists using advanced filters, then export them for use in campaigns or direct outreach.
5. Set Up Alerts:
Configure notifications for news, leadership changes, or other trigger events to stay informed about your key accounts.
6. Integrate with CRM:
Connect D&B Hoovers to your CRM or marketing automation platform to enrich your records and streamline your workflow.
D&B Hoovers Pricing and Subscription Options
D&B Hoovers offers flexible pricing models to suit businesses of all sizes. The platform’s pricing starts at $49 per month, with various tiers based on the number of users, features, and data access required.
D&B Hoovers Cost Breakdown:
- Starting Price: $49/month.
- Subscription Model: Monthly or annual billing options.
- Free Trial: Available upon request, allowing users to explore the platform’s features before committing.
- Custom Pricing: Larger organizations can request tailored quotes based on their specific needs.
What’s Included in a Subscription:
- Access to the full business directory and database.
- Use of advanced search, list building, and alert features.
- CRM and marketing automation integrations.
- Ongoing support, training, and onboarding resources.
D&B Hoovers for Salesforce and Other Integrations
For organizations using Salesforce, D&B Hoovers provides a dedicated integration that allows sales teams to access company and contact data directly within their CRM environment. This integration streamlines lead enrichment, account management, and opportunity tracking.
Key Integration Benefits:
- One-click enrichment of Salesforce records.
- Automatic updates to contact and company information.
- Enhanced prospecting and lead qualification within Salesforce.
D&B Hoovers also offers integrations with Microsoft Dynamics, marketing automation platforms, and productivity tools through APIs and a Chrome extension.
D&B Hoovers Demo and Free Trial
Prospective users can request a D&B Hoovers demo to see the platform in action, exploring its features and capabilities with the guidance of a product expert. A free trial is also available, providing hands-on access to the platform’s core functionalities before making a purchase decision.
D&B Hoovers: Competitors, Alternatives, and Strategic Advantages
D&B Hoovers stands as a prominent player in the sales intelligence and business data market, but it operates in a competitive landscape with several strong alternatives. Understanding these competitors, their unique strengths, and how D&B Hoovers differentiates itself is essential for businesses evaluating the right solution for their needs.
Leading D&B Hoovers Competitors and Alternatives
Several platforms offer similar features to D&B Hoovers, each with its own approach to business intelligence, data accuracy, and pricing. The most notable D&B Hoovers alternatives in 2025 include:
- ZoomInfo Sales: Frequently cited as the top alternative, ZoomInfo boasts a massive, frequently refreshed database of company and contact insights, along with advanced intent data and go-to-market tools.
- Apollo.io: Known for its all-in-one sales intelligence and engagement suite, Apollo.io provides robust prospecting, engagement, and analytics features, with a large database and modern interface.
- Lead411: Offers verified contact data, intent signals, and integrations, making it a favorite for teams seeking accuracy and actionable insights.
- UpLead: Recognized for real-time verified emails, affordable pricing, and a user-friendly interface, UpLead is a strong choice for SMBs needing quality data without enterprise-level costs.
- Lusha: Focuses on simplicity and fast access to direct dials and emails, with a Chrome extension for quick prospecting.
- LinkedIn Sales Navigator: Leverages LinkedIn’s vast professional network for relationship-based prospecting and account insights.
- Seamless.AI, RocketReach, Cognism, Kaspr, Detective, Gazelle.ai, and others: Each brings unique strengths, from GDPR compliance to specialized enrichment and international coverage.
Comparison Table: D&B Hoovers vs. Key Competitors
Feature | D&B Hoovers | ZoomInfo | Apollo.io | UpLead | Lead411 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Database Size | 330M+ companies | Largest, frequently updated | 210M+ contacts, 35M companies | Millions, real-time verified | Millions, verified |
Data Accuracy | High, D-U-N-S verified | High, frequent refresh | High, AI-powered | Real-time verified | Human-verified |
CRM Integration | Yes (Salesforce, etc.) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Pricing | Higher (enterprise) | Custom, higher-end | Flexible, scalable | Affordable | Flexible |
Free Trial | Available | By request | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Chrome Extension | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Best For | Large orgs, global | Enterprise, global | SMBs, startups | SMBs, agencies | SMBs, mid-market |
Why Businesses Choose D&B Hoovers
Despite the crowded field, D&B Hoovers remains a preferred choice for many organizations. Here’s why:
1. Unmatched Data Breadth and Depth
- Global Coverage: D&B Hoovers leverages Dun & Bradstreet’s Commercial Data Cloud, offering access to over 330 million company records and 178 million professional contacts worldwide.
- D-U-N-S Numbering System: This unique identifier ensures data consistency and reliability across global markets, supporting credit, compliance, and supply chain decisions.
2. Advanced Analytics and Insights
- Sophisticated Search: Natural language conceptual search, dynamic list-building, and audience segmentation tools enable precision targeting6.
- Real-Time Alerts: Trigger notifications for business events, leadership changes, and market shifts keep teams proactive.
3. Seamless Integration and Workflow Automation
- CRM and MAP Connectors: Deep integrations with Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, and marketing automation platforms ensure data flows directly into daily workflows, reducing manual entry and improving productivity.
- Chrome Extension: Enables instant access to company and contact profiles while browsing the web or LinkedIn.
4. Strategic Prospecting and Sales Acceleration
- Pipeline Growth: D&B Hoovers claims to fill sales pipelines three times faster and generate up to 59% more qualified leads, resulting in a 60% increase in closed deals for users.
- Informed Conversations: Deep company profiles, SWOT analysis, and competitive intelligence prepare sales teams for impactful engagement.
D&B Hoovers vs. ZoomInfo
ZoomInfo is often the top alternative to D&B Hoovers. Here’s how they compare:
- Database Size: ZoomInfo is recognized for having the largest, most frequently updated database, which can be an advantage for organizations targeting a broad, global market.
- Intent Data: ZoomInfo’s advanced buyer intent signals and digital advertising features are highly valued for modern go-to-market strategies.
- Pricing: Both platforms are positioned at the higher end of the market, with custom pricing based on features and usage.
- Integration: Both offer strong CRM and marketing automation integrations, but user preferences may vary based on workflow needs.
Summary:
D&B Hoovers excels in data depth, global consistency, and analytics, while ZoomInfo leads in database breadth and intent data capabilities.
D&B Hoovers vs. UpLead
UpLead is a popular choice for businesses seeking affordability and real-time data verification.
- Affordability: UpLead offers more flexible pricing, making it accessible for SMBs and agencies.
- Data Verification: Real-time email verification and a user-friendly interface are standout features.
- Database Size: While D&B Hoovers has a larger historical database, UpLead’s focus on up-to-date, verified data appeals to those prioritizing accuracy over sheer volume.
Summary:
D&B Hoovers is ideal for enterprises needing comprehensive, global data and analytics. UpLead is a strong alternative for budget-conscious teams that value fresh, verified data.
D&B Hoovers: Use Cases and Strategic Advantages
Who Should Use D&B Hoovers?
- Large Enterprises: With global reach and compliance requirements.
- Financial Institutions: Relying on D-U-N-S data for credit and risk assessment.
- Sales and Marketing Teams: Needing detailed segmentation, real-time alerts, and deep company intelligence.
- Supply Chain and Compliance Professionals: Leveraging global data consistency and verification.
Key Strategic Advantages
- Data Integrity: Backed by Dun & Bradstreet’s legacy and data governance.
- Comprehensive Profiles: Rich company and contact data, including financials, hierarchies, and news.
- Customizable Intelligence: Alerts, triggers, and dynamic lists for proactive prospecting.
- Global Consistency: D-U-N-S system ensures reliable cross-border data.
Choosing the Right Solution
When evaluating D&B Hoovers and its competitors, consider:
- Budget and Scale: Enterprise vs. SMB needs.
- Data Needs: Global coverage vs. regional focus, depth vs. breadth.
- Integration: Compatibility with your CRM, MAP, or workflow tools.
- Feature Set: Analytics, triggers, intent data, and enrichment capabilities.
Conclusion
D&B Hoovers remains a powerhouse for organizations requiring comprehensive, reliable business intelligence and sales acceleration. While competitors like ZoomInfo, Apollo.io, Lead411, UpLead, and Lusha offer compelling features and pricing, D&B Hoovers’ strengths in data depth, analytics, and integration make it a top choice for enterprises and teams with complex, global needs. Carefully weigh your business requirements, budget, and integration needs to select the most effective platform for your growth strategy.
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