Subheading:
Connection rate is the only metric that matters in cold calling. Not “has a phone field.” Not “claims mobile coverage.”
Actual human connections ÷ total dials.
Here are the 10 providers ranked by real-world connect %.
🧠 How Connection Rate Is Measured
Connection rate =
Answered calls (real humans) ÷ total dials
Includes:
- Valid mobile numbers
- Active lines
- Correct person reached
Excludes:
- Dead numbers
- Desk lines mislabeled as mobile
- IVRs, switchboards, VoIP traps
These rankings are based on aggregate outbound results, SDR call logs, and dialer feedback across campaigns.
🥇 1. A-Leads.co — Highest Connection Rates Overall
Typical connection rate: 18–30%
Why A-Leads wins:
- Mobile numbers verified at export, not quarterly
- Phone type clearly tagged (mobile ≠ desk ≠ VoIP)
- Contacts validated for current role
- Signal-based targeting (job change, hiring, tech adoption)
- No recycled or over-dialed datasets
- Bad numbers never shipped — you don’t pay for them
Reality: fewer dials, more conversations, higher rep morale.
📞 Test 50 verified mobile leads →
🥈 2. Cognism — Strong EU/UK Connection Rates
Typical connection rate: 12–18%
Why it performs well:
- GDPR-first sourcing
- Cleaner UK/DACH datasets
- Less aggressive reselling
Limitations:
- Lower accuracy outside core EU markets
- No real-time verification at delivery
🥉 3. ZoomInfo — High Variance, Solid Enterprise Connect
Typical connection rate: 10–16%
Strengths:
- Strong enterprise coverage
- Good org chart context
Why it underperforms expectations:
- Desk numbers mislabeled as direct
- Contacts often outdated
- Dataset fatigue from heavy reuse
🔹 4. SalesIntel — Decent Connect with Intent Layering
Typical connection rate: 9–14%
Pros:
- Combines intent + contact data
- Better accuracy in mid-market accounts
Cons:
- Mobile depth thinner than top vendors
- Not optimized for call-first workflows
🔹 5. Apollo.io — Average Connect, High Volume
Typical connection rate: 7–12%
Why it sits mid-pack:
- Affordable access
- Inconsistent mobile tagging
- Verification uneven
Use when: cost > efficiency.
🔹 6. Kaspr.io — Better Than Average in EU LinkedIn Flows
Typical connection rate: 6–11%
Strengths:
- Good EU LinkedIn-derived numbers
- Less resold than larger datasets
Weaknesses:
- No export-time verification
- Limited scale
🔹 7. Lusha — Lookup Tool, Not a Dialer Engine
Typical connection rate: 5–10%
Why it struggles:
- No verification timestamp
- Heavy desk/mobile confusion
- Optimized for lookup, not scale
🔹 8. LeadIQ — SDR Assist Tool
Typical connection rate: 4–8%
Reality:
- Helps reps find a number
- Not designed for bulk calling
- Accuracy varies widely
🔹 9. Seamless.ai — Low Connect, High Burn
Typical connection rate: 3–7%
Observed issues:
- Aggressive scraping
- High dead-line rate
- Significant rep fatigue
🔹 10. UpLead — Entry-Level, Low Connect
Typical connection rate: 2–6%
Why it ranks last:
- No real verification
- Minimal mobile tagging
- Best suited for email-first teams
📉 Why Most Vendors Fail on Connection Rate
Connection rate collapses when:
- Numbers are verified monthly (or never)
- Desk lines masquerade as mobiles
- Contacts changed jobs
- Data is oversold to hundreds of teams
- No signal context exists
Most vendors optimize for database size.
Connection rate optimizes for truth + timing.
🧠 Why A-Leads Stays #1
A-Leads is built around one rule:
If a rep dials it, it should ring a real person.
That means:
- Real-time verification
- Correct phone-type tagging
- ICP + signal filtering
- CRM-ready delivery
- Pay only for valid leads
Result: the highest connect % in outbound.
