
Oct 14, 2025 · 11 min read
11 Best CIO Email List Providers (2025 Review)

Christian Bonnier
Finding the right CIO email list provider can make or break your executive outreach campaigns. Most providers promise accuracy but deliver recycled lists that waste your time and hurt your sender reputation.
CIOs are notoriously hard to reach—they're bombarded with vendor pitches daily and have zero tolerance for irrelevant outreach. You need verified contacts and intent signals to cut through the noise.
We tested 11 providers to find which ones actually deliver CIO emails that convert into meetings.
Ready? Let's go!
TL;DR
- ListKit provides Triple-Verified data with intent filters, making it the best choice for CIO outreach.
- Apollo offers a comprehensive platform that’s better for volume than precision.
- ZoomInfo delivers an enterprise database suited to large teams with big budgets.
- Cognism emphasizes GDPR compliance, making it strong for European CIO targeting.
- Clearbit brings an API-first approach that technical teams prefer.
Quick Comparison Table: Best CIO Email List Providers
Tool | Best For | Key Advantage | Starting Price | Rating |
ListKit | Teams serious about CIO accuracy | Triple-Verified data + intent filters | $97/mo | 4.8/5 (350+ reviews) |
Apollo | All-in-one prospecting | Comprehensive sales platform with CIO targeting | Free tier available | 4.7/5 (9K+ reviews) |
ZoomInfo | Large teams with big budgets | Enterprise-grade CIO database + intent & technographics | Contact sales | 4.5/5 (12K+ reviews) |
Lusha | LinkedIn-driven outreach | Chrome extension for instant CIO contact reveal | $22.45/mo | 4.3/5 (1.5K+ reviews) |
Clearbit | Developer-led workflows | API-first enrichment and real-time append | Contact sales | 4.4/5 (600+ reviews) |
Cognism | GDPR-sensitive, EU-focused programs | Compliant global data with phone verification | Contact sales | 4.6/5 (1.1K+ reviews) |
RocketReach | Quick contact lookups | 700M+ profile database with bulk search | $39/mo | 4.4/5 (1K+ reviews) |
Snov.io | Prospecting + automation in one tool | All-in-one outreach (finder, verifier, sequences) | $29/mo | 4.5/5 (450+ reviews) |
Seamless AI | Real-time discovery needs | AI-powered, real-time CIO contact search | $147/mo | 4.4/5 (5.2K+ reviews) |
UpLead | Intent-driven targeting | Real-time verified contacts + buying signals | $99/mo | 4.7/5 (800+ reviews) |
Kaspr | Chrome-extension workflows | LinkedIn extraction with bulk export & sync | $49/mo | 4.4/5 (820+ reviews) |
1) ListKit – The best way to get CIO emails that are Triple-Verified (including phone numbers)

Rating: 4.8/5 (350+ reviews)
ListKit leads with Triple-Verified data and intent targeting—perfect for teams serious about CIO accuracy.
With 626M+ contacts and real-time intent filters, you can identify CIOs actively researching technology solutions.
Key Features:
- Triple-Verified CIO emails and direct phone numbers with 95%+ accuracy
- Intent Data filters to target CIOs researching specific technologies or solutions
- Private cold email infrastructure with dedicated IPs for better deliverability
- Unlimited exports with no per-contact fees on higher plans
- Native CRM integrations with HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive, and 15+ platforms
How to find emails of CIOs in "buying mode" with ListKit (in three steps)
Intent data reveals when CIOs are actively researching technology solutions, making them far more likely to respond to relevant outreach.
1. In ListKit's Intent Data tab, select CIO-relevant topics like Cloud Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Digital Transformation, or ERP Systems. Pro tip: Use ChatGPT to brainstorm topics CIOs would research.

2. Filter by job titles like CIO, Chief Information Officer, VP of IT, or Head of Technology (plus industry and company size if needed).

3. Export Triple-Verified emails & phone numbers (95%+ accuracy) for immediate outreach and refresh daily for a constant flow of new in-market CIOs.

Try 50 free CIO emails, then pricing starts at $97/mo
Best for: Teams serious about CIO accuracy and willing to invest in quality data
ListKit is my favorite source of leads. Their search interface is very easy to use…
“I can drill down to exactly the sorts of leads myself and my clients want to prospect for… Customer service is great, and the no-cost onboarding/training call was incredibly helpful. I use ListKit regularly to prospect and generate lead lists for my outbound sales."
— Michael, Small Business Owner
What else can you do with ListKit?
Beyond CIO targeting, ListKit offers comprehensive B2B prospecting with technographic filters, company intelligence, and private SMTP infrastructure for enterprise-grade deliverability.
2) Apollo — Comprehensive sales platform with CIO targeting

Rating: 4.7/5 (9K+ reviews)
Apollo combines B2B prospecting with sales engagement tools, offering solid CIO targeting alongside sequence automation and CRM integration. With 210+ million contacts and comprehensive filtering, it's popular among teams wanting an all-in-one platform.
Key Features:
- 210+ million contact database with advanced filtering by job title and company characteristics
- AI-powered email writing and sequence automation for CIO outreach
- Chrome extension for LinkedIn prospecting and real-time contact enrichment
- Built-in dialer and call recording for multi-touch CIO campaigns
- Comprehensive CRM sync with Salesforce, HubSpot, and other platforms
Considerations before going with Apollo:
- Users frequently report data accuracy issues, with bounce rates reaching 20-30%.
- The platform can feel overwhelming for simple list building, and many features require higher-tier plans.
Packages start with a Free Plan
Apollo offers a freemium model with paid upgrades for advanced features:
Plan | Price | Features |
Free | $0 | 50 email credits/month, 10 phone credits/month, Basic filters, Chrome extension |
Starter | $49/user/mo | 1,000 email credits/month, 120 phone credits/month, Email sequences, CRM sync |
Professional | $79/user/mo | 5,000 email credits/month, 300 phone credits/month, Advanced filters, Call recording |
Organization | $119/user/mo | 10,000 email credits/month, 500 phone credits/month, Team management, Advanced analytics |
Tried Apollo... 1/3 emails would bounce back…
“Tried Apollo... 1/3 emails would bounce back. The triple verified emails are the most obvious feature that I like the most about ListKit."
— Pablo, Small Business Owner
Verified G2 reviewer
Considering using Apollo? Check out 11 better alternatives first.
3) ZoomInfo — Enterprise-grade CIO database

Rating: 4.5/5 (12K+ reviews)
ZoomInfo provides one of the largest B2B databases with extensive CIO coverage, particularly strong for enterprise teams with complex targeting requirements.
Their platform combines contact data with intent signals and technographic information.
Key Features:
- Massive B2B database with comprehensive CIO coverage across industries
- Advanced intent data integration to identify CIOs showing buying signals
- Technographic and firmographic filters for precise targeting
- Website visitor identification to track when target companies visit your site
- Enterprise-grade compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and other regulations
Considerations before going with ZoomInfo:
- ZoomInfo requires significant investment with enterprise-level pricing that can reach $20-50K annually.
- Data accuracy varies, and many users still need additional verification tools.
Pricing Is not Public
ZoomInfo requires contacting sales for a custom enterprise quote.
However, according to third-party estimates (e.g., Vendr), contracts typically range from $15,000–$50,000 per year, depending on features and number of users.
I've used ZoomInfo Elite ($3000+) and still need to
“I've used ZoomInfo Elite ($3000+) and still need to run contacts through NeverBounce. On the first day I got ListKit I booked a meeting within the first hour of use. It already paid for itself.”
— Ravi, Small Business Owner
Verified G2 Reviewer
Before paying ZoomInfo's high price, see 12 cheaper alternatives.
4) Lusha — LinkedIn-focused CIO prospecting

Rating: 4.3/5 (1.5K+ reviews)
Lusha specializes in LinkedIn-based prospecting with a Chrome extension that reveals CIO contact information directly on LinkedIn profiles. It's particularly useful for teams that do most of their research on LinkedIn.
Key Features:
- LinkedIn Chrome extension for instant CIO contact reveal on profiles
- Email and phone number enrichment with verification
- Bulk enrichment capabilities for processing large CIO prospect lists
- CRM integration with automatic contact sync to major platforms
- Compliance-focused approach with GDPR and CCPA adherence
Considerations before going with Lusha:
- Lusha's database is smaller than comprehensive platforms, and it's heavily dependent on LinkedIn for data sourcing.
- Credit-based pricing can become expensive for high-volume users.
Pricing Starts at $22.45
Lusha offers credit-based pricing with monthly subscription tiers:
Plan | Price | Features |
Free | $0 | 5 credits/month, Basic Chrome extension, Email finder |
Pro | $22.45/user/mo | 480 credits/month, Phone numbers, CRM sync, Bulk enrichment |
Premium | $52.45/user/mo | 960 credits/month, Advanced filters, API access, Priority support |
Custom | — | 2,400 credits/month, Team management, Custom integrations, Dedicated support |
I've been using other lead lists from Lusha and…
“I've been using other lead list software from Apollo, Lusha, Seamless, Sales Navigator, and more, including GMB scrapers. ListKit has made both the interface and finalized pulled list simple, easy to understand, non-data heavy, and ready to sell to. The customer service is quick and helpful.”
— One ListKit user, Marketing & Advertising Industry
Verified G2 Reviewer
Lusha on your shortlist? Here are the top alternatives worth a look.
5) Clearbit — API-first CIO data enrichment

Rating: 4.4/5 (600+ reviews)
Clearbit takes an API-first approach to B2B data, making it popular among technical teams that want to integrate CIO data directly into their applications and workflows.
Key Features:
- API-first architecture for seamless integration into custom applications
- Real-time data enrichment that automatically appends CIO information
- Company and person data combination providing comprehensive intelligence
- High data accuracy standards with multiple verification layers
- Developer-friendly documentation and robust API endpoints
Considerations before going with Clearbit:
- Clearbit requires technical implementation and is primarily designed for developers.
- It may not be suitable for teams wanting a simple interface for CIO list building.
Pricing is not publicly listed
Clearbit uses a usage-based model that requires contacting sales for a custom quote. Third-party estimates, such as from Vendr, suggest annual costs typically start around $2,000–$10,000, depending on API usage volume.
Clearbit feels heavy? Try these simpler, more agile options.
6) Cognism — GDPR-compliant CIO data in the EU

Rating: 4.6/5 (1.1K+ reviews)
Cognism focuses on providing compliant B2B data with strong coverage in Europe and North America. Their platform emphasizes data quality and regulatory compliance, making it suitable for companies with strict data governance requirements.
Key Features:
- GDPR and CCPA compliant data with explicit consent tracking
- Global database coverage with strong presence in EMEA and APAC
- Phone number verification including mobile numbers for CIO outreach
- Intent data integration to identify CIOs showing buying signals
- Advanced filtering by seniority, department, and company characteristics
Considerations before going with Cognism:
- Cognism requires custom pricing quotes and can be expensive for smaller teams.
- The platform focuses heavily on compliance, which may add complexity for simple prospecting needs.
Pricing is not publicly listed
Cognism provides custom quotes through its sales team. Third-party estimates, including Vendr, indicate annual contract costs typically range from $6,000–$25,000, depending on data volume and selected features.
Before locking in Cognism, see how 13 alternatives stack up.
7) RocketReach — Extensive CIO profile database

Rating: 4.4/5 (1K+ reviews)
RocketReach maintains a database of 700+ million profiles across 35 million companies, offering broad coverage for CIO prospecting with both email and social media contact discovery.
Key Features:
- 700+ million profile database with extensive CIO coverage
- Bulk lookup capabilities for processing large lists of CIO prospects
- Social media integration revealing CIO profiles across platforms
- Chrome extension for instant CIO contact discovery
- API access for integrating CIO data into custom workflows
Considerations before going with RocketReach:
- Data accuracy can vary, and the platform focuses more on contact discovery than verification.
- International coverage may be limited compared to specialized providers.
Pricing starts at $39/mo
RocketReach offers credit-based pricing with monthly subscription options:
Plan | Price | Features |
Essential | $39/mo | 170 lookups/month, Email finder, Chrome extension |
Pro | $99/mo | 1,000 lookups/month, Phone numbers, CRM sync |
Ultimate | $249/mo | 5,000 lookups/month, Bulk lookup, API access |
Team Plans | Custom | Volume discounts, Team management, Priority support |
Compare RocketReach with Listkit here.
8) Snov.io — All-in-one CIO outreach platform

Rating: 4.5/5 (450+ reviews)
Snov.io combines CIO contact discovery with email automation tools, making it suitable for teams that want both prospecting and outreach capabilities in one platform.
Key Features:
- Email finder and verifier with CIO-specific search capabilities
- Automated email sequences for nurturing CIO prospects
- LinkedIn integration for discovering CIO contacts
- Email warm-up tools to improve deliverability
- Analytics and tracking for monitoring CIO outreach performance
Considerations before going with Snov.io:
- The platform tries to do many things, which can make it complex for users who only need CIO contact data.
- Email automation features may require additional setup time.
Pricing starts at $29/mo
Snov.io offers freemium pricing with paid tiers for advanced features:
Plan | Price | Features |
Free | $0 | 50 searches/month, Email verifier, Basic templates |
Starter | $29.25/mo | 1,000 searches/month, Email sequences, CRM sync |
Pro | $74.25/mo | 5,000 searches/month, Advanced automation, A/B testing |
Custom | — | Unlimited searches, White-label options, Priority support |
Compare Snov.io with ListKit here.
9) Seamless AI — Real-time CIO data discovery

Rating: 4.4/5 (5.2K+ reviews)
Seamless uses artificial intelligence to discover and verify CIO contact information in real-time, positioning itself as a modern alternative to traditional static databases.
Key Features:
- AI-powered real-time search for CIO contacts
- Chrome extension integration for LinkedIn and company websites
- Automated list building with AI-driven suggestions
- CRM integration with automatic contact sync
- Team collaboration features for sharing CIO lists
Considerations before going with Seamless AI:
- Real-time discovery can be slower than traditional database searches.
- The AI approach may not always find comprehensive CIO information for all companies.
Pricing starts at $147/mo
Seamless offers subscription-based pricing with different feature tiers.
We tested Seamless AI against 8 tools — here's what we found.
10) UpLead — Intent-driven CIO prospecting

Rating: 4.7/5 (800+ reviews)
UpLead focuses on providing high-quality B2B data with strong intent signals, making it particularly useful for identifying CIOs who are actively researching technology solutions.
Key Features:
- Intent data integration to identify CIOs showing buying signals
- Real-time email verification with high accuracy rates
- Technographic filters for targeting based on technology stack
- Advanced search capabilities with Boolean logic
- CRM integrations and API access for workflow automation
Considerations before going with UpLead:
- The database size is smaller compared to enterprise providers, and pricing can be expensive for high-volume users.
- Limited international coverage outside North America.
UpLead offers a 7-day free trial, then starts at $99/mo
UpLead offers subscription-based pricing with monthly credits.
Considering UpLead? These 9 options might fit better.
11) Kaspr — LinkedIn Chrome extension for CIO emails

Rating: 4.4/5 (820+ reviews)
Kaspr focuses specifically on extracting CIO contact information from LinkedIn profiles through their Chrome extension, making it ideal for LinkedIn-heavy prospecting workflows.
Key Features:
- LinkedIn-focused Chrome extension for instant CIO contact extraction
- Email and phone number discovery with verification
- Bulk export capabilities for processing multiple CIO contacts
- CRM integration with automatic contact sync
- Workflow automation for streamlining LinkedIn-based prospecting
Considerations before going with Kaspr:
- Limited to LinkedIn-based prospecting, which may miss CIOs who aren't active on the platform.
- Database coverage is smaller than comprehensive providers.
Pricing starts at $49/mo
Kaspr offers freemium pricing with paid tiers for advanced features:
Plan | Price | Credits | Key features (concise) |
Free | $0/mo per user | 15 B2B emails, 5 phones, 5 direct emails (monthly) | Chrome extension, lead management, automations, integrations, CSV enrichment |
Starter | $49/mo per user | Unlimited B2B emails, 1,200 phones, 60 direct emails (yearly) | Sales Navigator, shared credits, 12k exports/yr, limited API, team usage reports |
Business | $79/mo per user | Unlimited B2B emails, 2,400 phones, 2,400 direct emails (yearly) | Recruiter Lite, 30k exports/yr, API access, custom permissions, exportable reports |
Enterprise | Talk to Sales | Tailored; unlimited credits | Intent data, advanced Salesforce enrichment, compliance, SSO |
Also read: 11 LinkedIn Sales Navigator alternatives for smarter, faster prospecting.
Key Factors for Choosing a CIO Email List Provider
Data Verification & Accuracy
CIOs have zero tolerance for bounced emails or irrelevant outreach. Look for providers using multi-step verification processes that check email validity, deliverability, and recent activity.
Verification levels:
- Single-step: Basic format validation (50-70% accuracy)
- Multi-step: Format + domain + mailbox checks (70-85% accuracy)
- Triple-Verified: Format + domain + mailbox + engagement verification (90-95% accuracy)
Intent Data & Buying Signals
CIOs are constantly evaluating new technologies. Intent data helps you identify which CIOs are actively researching solutions like yours, dramatically improving response rates.
Compliance & Deliverability
With privacy laws getting stricter, ensure your provider offers clear GDPR, CCPA, and CAN-SPAM compliance documentation. Look for features like private SMTP or pre-warmed domains.
Integration Capabilities
The best providers offer native CRM connections, email automation integrations, and workflow platforms to streamline your outreach process.
Must-have integrations:
- Native CRM connections (HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive)
- Email automation tools (Outreach, Mailchimp, SmartLead)
- Workflow platforms (Zapier, Google Sheets)
The 7-Point Buyer Checklist
Criteria | Weight | Key Questions |
Verification Depth | 40% | How many verification steps? What's the accuracy rate? |
Intent Data Access | 25% | Can you filter by buying signals and technology research? |
Compliance Standards | 20% | GDPR/CCPA compliant? Transparent data sources? |
Integration Quality | 10% | Native CRM integrations? API access? |
Support Quality | 5% | Responsive help? Onboarding assistance? |
✅ Must-haves vs 🚩 Red Flags
✅ Must-Haves | 🚩 Red Flags |
Verified CIO emails with validation timestamps | Promises of 100% accuracy (impossible) |
Direct phone numbers and mobile when available | No explanation of verification methods |
Intent signals showing active technology research | Suspiciously low pricing (often outdated data) |
Full contact details and company intelligence | No mention of GDPR/CCPA compliance |
Technographic filters for IT stack targeting | Negative reviews citing bounce rates |
The Verdict: Which CIO Email List Provider Should You Choose? (Our Top 3 Picks)
After comparing multiple providers and analyzing user feedback, here are our top recommendations:
- ListKit — Best overall for Triple-Verified CIO data with intent filters, unlimited exports, and transparent pricing. The combination of accuracy, intent targeting, and native CRM integrations makes it ideal for teams serious about CIO outreach.
- Apollo — Best for teams wanting an all-in-one sales platform with CIO prospecting capabilities. While data accuracy can vary, the comprehensive feature set makes it accessible for smaller teams.
- Cognism — Best for enterprise teams requiring GDPR-compliant global CIO data. Strong compliance features and international coverage justify the higher price for regulated industries.
Ready to stop wasting time on bounced emails and outdated contacts? Try Try ListKit's Triple-Verified CIO lists today and see what accurate, intent-driven outreach can do for your pipeline.
FAQs About CIO Email List Providers
Join Our Slack Community

Join