RocketReach Free Trial: What You Actually Get (And What You Don't)

Let's cut to the chase: RocketReach doesn't offer a traditional "free trial" of their paid plans. Instead, they give you a free account with 5 lookups per month, no credit card required. It's enough to test data quality, but not enough to run any real prospecting campaign.

If you're searching for "RocketReach free trial," you probably want to know if the tool is worth paying for before committing. Here's exactly what you get with the free tier, what's locked behind paid plans, and whether the upgrade makes sense for your situation.

What RocketReach's Free Account Includes

When you sign up for RocketReach without paying anything, here's what you actually get:

The important distinction: you can search as much as you want, but you only get 5 contacts revealed per month. After those 5 lookups, you're stuck until next month rolls around.

Also worth noting: unused credits do not roll over. If you only use 2 lookups in January, you don't get 8 in February. You're back to 5.

Understanding RocketReach's Credit System

RocketReach operates on a credit-based system that can be confusing at first. Here's how it actually works:

Lookups vs. Exports: A lookup credit is consumed when RocketReach successfully reveals verified contact information - at least one verified email address or phone number. If no verified information is available, you won't be charged a credit. However, some users on G2 dispute this, claiming they've been charged even when data wasn't found.

An export credit is different - it's used when you download contact information to a CSV file or push it to your CRM or via API. Monthly plans typically offer around 70-100 exports per month, while annual plans provide anywhere from 1,200 to 20,000 exports per year depending on your tier.

Important limitation: Once you've looked up a contact, it stays in your account permanently without consuming additional credits when you re-access it. This is actually one of RocketReach's better features - no double-charging for the same person.

What's NOT Included in the Free Tier

Here's where RocketReach locks things down on the free account:

Basically, the free tier lets you verify that RocketReach can find contacts for your target market. That's it. Any actual workflow is going to require a paid subscription.

RocketReach Paid Plans: Complete Breakdown

If you decide the free tier confirms RocketReach has the data you need, here's what upgrading costs. Note that pricing can vary based on whether you choose monthly or annual billing:

Essentials Plan

The Essentials plan is RocketReach's entry-level paid tier, focused exclusively on email outreach:

Pro Plan

The Pro plan adds phone numbers and more robust features for multi-channel outreach:

Ultimate Plan

The Ultimate plan is RocketReach's most comprehensive offering for power users:

Enterprise/Custom Plans

For organizations with specific needs, RocketReach offers custom enterprise solutions starting around $6,000 annually. These plans include negotiable features, dedicated account management, custom lookup volumes, and specialized support.

Understanding "Unlimited" Lookups

The annual plans come with "unlimited lookups" - but read the fine print. There's actually a fair usage cap of around 10,000 lookups per month, which is generous but not truly unlimited. For most users, this won't be an issue, but high-volume teams should be aware of this limitation.

If you exceed your included credits on monthly plans, additional lookups cost between $0.30 to $0.45 per lookup, billed at the end of the month. These overage charges can add up quickly if you're not careful.

For a deeper breakdown, check out our full RocketReach pricing guide.

Is 5 Free Lookups Actually Useful?

Here's my honest take: 5 lookups per month is really only useful for two things:

  1. Testing data accuracy - Look up 5 people you already know. Do their emails match what you have? Are the phone numbers real? This tells you if RocketReach's data is reliable for your industry.
  2. One-off emergency lookups - Need to find a specific decision-maker's contact info right now? The free tier can handle occasional urgent needs.

What 5 lookups is not useful for:

If you need more than a handful of contacts per month, you're looking at a paid plan. There's no way around it.

How to Maximize Your Free Lookups

Since you only get 5, make them count:

  1. Search first, reveal second - Use the search functionality to find the right people before burning a lookup credit
  2. Test your ideal customer profile - Don't waste lookups on random contacts. Search for the exact type of prospect you'll be targeting
  3. Verify accuracy - If possible, look up contacts where you can independently verify the email works
  4. Check coverage for your niche - RocketReach has 700M+ profiles, but coverage varies by industry and region. Test your specific market segment.
  5. Test geographic coverage - If you're targeting international markets, especially EMEA or Asia, use a few credits to test data quality in those regions. RocketReach is reportedly stronger with US-based contacts.

RocketReach Data Accuracy: What to Expect

One of the most critical questions when evaluating any contact database is: how accurate is the data?

According to RocketReach's own documentation, they claim 98% deliverability for A-grade verified email addresses. They state that a typical user experiences an 85% or better fill rate for email addresses and a 60% or better fill rate for direct phone numbers.

However, real-world user experiences vary:

The reality: RocketReach's data accuracy is solid but not perfect. It tends to perform better for:

It tends to struggle with:

  • Smaller companies and startups
  • International markets (particularly EMEA and Asia)
  • Mobile phone numbers
  • Newly hired employees (under 6 months in role)

    • RocketReach Features: What Makes It Stand Out

    Beyond basic contact lookup, RocketReach offers several features that differentiate it from competitors:

    Chrome Extension

    The RocketReach Chrome extension (also available for Edge) allows you to find contact information directly while browsing LinkedIn, company websites, Crunchbase, and AngelList. With one click, you can reveal verified emails and phone numbers without switching tabs. This is particularly valuable for SDRs and recruiters who do most of their prospecting on LinkedIn.

    Advanced Search Filters

    RocketReach offers over 100 search filters, including:

    This granular targeting helps you build highly specific prospect lists that match your ideal customer profile.

    Intent Data

    Available on Ultimate and Custom plans, RocketReach's intent data feature provides access to 35,000+ intent topics with 10x more high-intent signal volume. This helps identify prospects actively researching solutions like yours, allowing for more targeted and timely outreach. Instead of cold emailing everyone, you can focus on companies showing real buying signals.

    Bulk Lookup and Data Enrichment

    For teams with existing prospect lists, RocketReach supports bulk lookups. Upload a CSV file of names or company domains, and RocketReach will fill in missing contact details like work emails, phone numbers, and company information. This data enrichment capability is crucial for cleaning up and enhancing existing databases.

    CRM Integrations

    RocketReach integrates with popular CRM and sales tools including:

    These integrations allow you to push contact data directly into your existing workflows without manual data entry.

    Autopilot Features

    RocketReach's Autopilot functionality (currently in beta) allows you to automate contact discovery and outreach. The Pro plan includes 10 active autopilots, while Ultimate includes 25. These automated workflows can discover prospects matching specific criteria and initiate email sequences, saving significant time on manual prospecting tasks.

    API Access

    Ultimate plan subscribers get full API access, allowing developers to integrate RocketReach's contact data into custom applications and workflows. The API supports webhooks for real-time data retrieval and can handle high-volume lookup needs programmatically.

    Is RocketReach Legit?

    Yes, RocketReach is a legitimate B2B data provider used by over 21 million users globally. The company claims that 95% of S&P 500 companies use RocketReach for data prospecting. The platform has been operating since 2016 and has established itself as a credible player in the sales intelligence space.

    However, like any service, RocketReach has its pros and cons:

    Pros:

    Cons:

    Common complaints from users include:

    That said, many users find RocketReach significantly cheaper than competitors like ZoomInfo while delivering comparable results for their needs. It's not perfect, but it's a solid mid-tier option that balances cost and functionality.

    For more details, read our Is RocketReach Legit? breakdown.

    RocketReach vs. Competitors: How Does It Stack Up?

    To help you make an informed decision, here's how RocketReach compares to its main competitors:

    RocketReach vs. Apollo.io

    Apollo.io offers an all-in-one solution combining contact data with sales engagement features like email sequencing and a built-in dialer. Apollo has a database of 275M+ contacts and includes features RocketReach lacks, such as lead scoring, buying intent data, and comprehensive sales automation.

    Key differences:

    RocketReach vs. Lusha

    Lusha focuses on providing GDPR-compliant B2B contact data with a particularly strong Chrome extension for LinkedIn prospecting. Lusha emphasizes verified phone numbers and ease of use.

    Key differences:

    RocketReach vs. ZoomInfo

    ZoomInfo is the enterprise-grade solution with the most comprehensive data and intelligence features, including detailed org charts, advanced intent data, and conversation intelligence integrations.

    Key differences:

    RocketReach Alternatives with Free Options

    If RocketReach's 5 lookups per month isn't enough (and let's be honest, it probably isn't), here are some alternatives worth considering:

    Apollo.io

    Apollo offers a more generous free tier with 50 email credits per month, making it 10x more useful than RocketReach for testing purposes. Their database has 275+ million contacts, and the free plan includes basic search and CRM features. The platform combines contact data with sales engagement tools like email sequencing and a built-in dialer.

    Pricing: Paid plans start at $49/user/month (billed annually) or $59/month (monthly billing). The free plan is genuinely useful for small-scale prospecting.

    Best for: Teams wanting an all-in-one platform that combines data and outreach, or anyone who needs more than 5 free credits to properly test the platform.

    Lusha

    Lusha has a free plan with 5 credits per month (similar to RocketReach), but their Chrome extension is particularly well-regarded for LinkedIn prospecting. The platform emphasizes GDPR compliance and focuses on providing accurate phone numbers.

    Pricing: Paid plans start around $37/month (annual billing) or $49/month (monthly), making it cheaper than RocketReach for basic needs. Check out our Lusha pricing breakdown for details.

    Best for: Budget-conscious teams who primarily prospect on LinkedIn and need verified direct dial numbers.

    Hunter.io

    Hunter.io keeps things simple by focusing exclusively on email finding and verification. It's not trying to be an all-in-one platform, which makes it more affordable and easier to use for specific use cases.

    Pricing: Free plan includes 25 searches per month. Paid plans start at very reasonable rates for email-only prospecting.

    Best for: Anyone who only needs email addresses and wants a no-frills, affordable solution.

    Findymail

    If you're specifically looking for email finding and verification, Findymail is worth checking out. It's focused specifically on accurate email discovery rather than trying to be an all-in-one platform. The specialization often translates to better accuracy for email-specific use cases.

    Best for: Email-focused outreach where accuracy matters more than having phone numbers and other data points.

    UpLead

    UpLead offers verified B2B contact data with real-time email verification and a focus on data quality. They offer a free trial with 5 free leads from their database.

    Pricing: Starts at $99/month with more flexible options than RocketReach's rigid tier structure.

    Best for: Teams that want verified contact data with flexible pricing and strong search capabilities.

    Cognism

    Cognism focuses on EMEA markets with phone-verified mobile numbers and strict GDPR compliance. They offer two license types (Grow & Elevate) with custom pricing.

    Best for: European-focused teams needing GDPR-compliant data with verified mobile numbers (Diamond Data).

    Who Should Actually Use RocketReach?

    RocketReach isn't for everyone. Here's who will benefit most from the platform:

    Best Use Cases:

    Not Ideal For:

    Tips for Getting the Most Value from RocketReach

    If you decide to invest in a paid RocketReach plan, here are strategies to maximize your ROI:

    1. Start with annual billing - You'll save 30-40% compared to monthly plans and get "unlimited" lookups (within fair use limits)
    2. Prioritize A-grade contacts - Focus on contacts with the highest verification grades to minimize bounce rates
    3. Use advanced filters strategically - The more specific your search criteria, the more relevant your prospects will be
    4. Integrate with your CRM early - Set up integrations from day one to avoid manual data entry and keep everything synced
    5. Monitor your credit usage - Check the credit meter regularly in your account settings to avoid unexpected overage charges
    6. Leverage the Chrome extension - It's faster than searching in the web app and integrates seamlessly into your LinkedIn workflow
    7. Test before bulk operations - Before uploading a large list for enrichment, test with a small sample to verify data quality for your specific market
    8. Provide feedback on data quality - Use the thumbs up/down buttons next to contacts to help RocketReach improve their database
    9. Set up saved searches - Create and save searches for your key ICPs to quickly access relevant prospects
    10. Track deliverability metrics - Monitor your email bounce rates to gauge data quality and adjust your targeting if needed

    Common RocketReach Questions Answered

    Can I actually try RocketReach for free?

    Yes, but it's not a traditional trial. You get 5 lookups per month permanently on the free tier. This is enough to test data quality but not enough for actual prospecting work.

    Do unused credits roll over?

    No. Whether you're on the free tier or a paid plan, unused credits do not roll over to the next month or year. Use them or lose them.

    What happens if I run out of credits?

    On monthly plans, you can purchase additional lookup credits at $0.30-$0.45 per lookup. On annual plans with "unlimited" lookups, you're generally covered up to the fair use limit of around 10,000 per month.

    How do I cancel my RocketReach subscription?

    For individual and non-custom packages, go to your account page, select "Manage Subscriptions," and click "Cancel Subscription." For custom plans, email your account manager or [email protected]. Be sure to cancel well before your renewal date, as several users report difficulties with the cancellation process.

    Is my data used if RocketReach doesn't find a contact?

    According to RocketReach, credits are only consumed when verified contact information is successfully revealed. However, some G2 users dispute this and claim they've been charged even when no data was found. The official policy states no credit is used if no verified information is available.

    Can I export contacts on the free plan?

    No. Export functionality requires a paid plan. On the free tier, you can only view the 5 revealed contacts within the RocketReach interface.

    Does RocketReach work outside the United States?

    Yes, but data quality varies significantly by region. RocketReach performs best for US and Canadian contacts. Users targeting European, Asian, or other international markets often report less complete information and lower accuracy compared to North American data.

    Should You Sign Up for RocketReach's Free Account?

    Yes - there's no downside. You don't need a credit card, so there's zero risk of getting charged. Use the 5 lookups to:

    But go in with realistic expectations. Five lookups per month is a demo, not a working tool. If RocketReach looks promising after your test, you'll need to budget for at least the Essentials plan ($399/year) to do anything meaningful.

    The free tier is best viewed as a way to validate that RocketReach:

    1. Has contacts in your specific industry and target companies
    2. Provides accurate data for your geographic focus
    3. Delivers the types of information you need (emails, phone numbers, etc.)
    4. Fits into your workflow and is easy enough for your team to use

    If those boxes are checked, then investing in a paid plan makes sense. If not, you've spent zero dollars to find out it's not the right fit.

    Try RocketReach Free →

    The Real Cost of RocketReach: Beyond the Price Tag

    When evaluating RocketReach, consider not just the subscription cost but the total cost of ownership:

    Time Savings

    If RocketReach saves your sales team 5 hours per week on manual contact research, and your average SDR costs $30/hour, that's $150/week or $7,800/year in labor savings. Suddenly, a $899 Pro plan looks like a bargain.

    Opportunity Cost

    Using inaccurate data means wasted outreach efforts, damaged sender reputation, and missed opportunities. If RocketReach's higher accuracy (compared to free alternatives) results in even a few extra closed deals, it pays for itself.

    Tool Consolidation

    If RocketReach replaces multiple point solutions (separate email finder, phone number lookup, company database), you may actually save money by consolidating tools, even if RocketReach isn't the cheapest single option.

    Learning Curve

    RocketReach is consistently rated 9.1/10 for ease of use on G2. The minimal learning curve means your team can be productive quickly, reducing training time and accelerating ROI.

    Bottom Line

    RocketReach's "free trial" is really just a permanently free tier with severe limitations. You get 5 lookups per month with no credit card required - enough to test the platform, but not enough to actually use it for prospecting.

    If you just need occasional contact lookups, the free tier might actually work for you. If you're doing any kind of systematic outreach, plan to pay at least $399/year for the Essentials plan, or $899/year for Pro if you need phone numbers.

    The good news: RocketReach's data quality is generally solid, particularly for US-based contacts. The platform is user-friendly, offers strong search capabilities, and is priced significantly below enterprise options like ZoomInfo. It's not perfect - data accuracy can be inconsistent for international markets, phone numbers are hit-or-miss, and the credit system can be confusing - but for mid-market B2B prospecting, it strikes a reasonable balance between cost and functionality.

    Just don't expect to build a real pipeline with 5 free lookups per month. Use the free tier to validate the platform, then budget appropriately for the features you actually need. And consider testing competitors like Apollo.io (which offers 50 free credits) to ensure you're choosing the best fit for your specific use case.

    Ultimately, the "free trial" is valuable for one thing: determining if RocketReach deserves a spot in your sales stack. Use those 5 credits wisely, and you'll know whether it's worth the investment.