Crunchbase vs PitchBook: Which Is Better for Startup Data?

Crunchbase and PitchBook are the two giants of startup data. Here's how they compare and when to use each (or neither).

Crunchbase Overview

• Pricing: Free tier, Pro at $49/mo, Enterprise custom
• Strengths: Broad coverage, good for discovery
• Weaknesses: Limited exports (1,000/mo on Pro), basic contact data
• Best for: Casual research, early-stage discovery

PitchBook Overview

• Pricing: $20,000+/year enterprise contracts
• Strengths: Deep financial data, LP/fund data, M&A coverage
• Weaknesses: Expensive, complex interface, overkill for prospecting
• Best for: VCs, investment bankers, M&A professionals

The Contact Data Problem

Neither Crunchbase nor PitchBook excels at verified contact data. Both provide some emails, but accuracy is inconsistent and exports are limited.

When VCBacked Is Better

If your goal is sales prospecting to recently funded startups:

• VCBacked: $79/mo, unlimited exports, verified founder emails
• Crunchbase Pro: $49/mo but 1,000 export limit
• PitchBook: $20,000+/year, overkill for prospecting

Try VCBacked free for prospecting-focused startup data.