If you run a small business and need new B2B leads, you’ve probably heard about Lusha. Maybe you’ve even tried it and wondered if you’re missing something—or if it’s just more hype. This guide is for small teams who want to cut through the noise, get honest answers, and find real prospects without wasting time or money.
Let’s break down what Lusha actually does, where it helps, where it falls short, and how you can get the most out of it without getting sucked into another “all-in-one” sales tool trap.
What Is Lusha, Really?
Lusha is a data tool that helps you find direct contact info for people at companies you want to work with. Think emails, phone numbers, company details, and sometimes social profiles. It’s used mostly by sales and recruiting folks who need to get in touch with decision-makers, fast.
A quick rundown:
- Browser Extension: Works right inside LinkedIn or company websites. Click, and it tries to serve up someone’s real work email or phone.
- Web App: Search by company, job title, industry, etc. Build prospect lists without endless scrolling.
- Integrations: Connects with CRMs like HubSpot or Salesforce, so you don’t have to copy-paste everything.
It’s not magic, and it won’t replace actually talking to people. But it can cut down the drudge work of finding contact info.
Who Actually Gets Value From Lusha?
Lusha isn’t for everyone. Here’s who will get the most out of it:
- Small B2B sales teams who need to fill their pipeline but don’t have a giant budget or an army of SDRs.
- Solo founders or consultants who want to skip the guesswork and focus on people who can actually say “yes” to a deal.
- Recruiters—though this guide focuses more on sales use.
If you’re B2C or doing mass email blasts, Lusha’s overkill and will just burn through credits for nothing.
How Lusha Actually Improves Lead Generation
Let’s get concrete. Here’s how you use Lusha to build a real, targeted list:
1. Install the Chrome Extension
Sign up, install the extension, and log in. It’ll pop up on LinkedIn and company websites. This is where the magic (or disappointment) happens.
2. Use LinkedIn Search—But Don’t Get Greedy
- Search for companies or job titles you care about.
- Click the Lusha icon next to a profile. It’ll try to pull up verified contact info.
Pro tip: Don’t waste credits on people who’ve just started or are too junior to matter for your sale. Lusha charges you for each unique contact revealed, so be picky.
3. Use the Web App to Build Lists
- In the web dashboard, use filters: company size, industry, location, title.
- Save contacts to a list before you unlock them. Review, then unlock only your top picks.
4. Export to Your CRM or Download as CSV
Don’t reinvent the wheel. Push your contacts to your CRM (if you use one), or just download and start reaching out.
5. Actually Contact People—But Keep It Human
Don’t blast 200 emails in a day. The data is only as good as your message. A little research goes a long way.
What’s Good (And What’s Not)
The Good
- Easy to Use: The extension is dead simple. No training needed.
- Solid Data Accuracy—Most of the Time: Lusha’s emails are usually reliable, especially for North American business contacts. Phone numbers are hit or miss.
- Saves Time: No more cobbling together data from five sources.
- Transparent Pricing: No “call for a quote” nonsense. You know what you’re getting.
The Not-So-Good
- Limited Credits: You burn through them quickly if you’re not careful. Plans for small teams can feel tight.
- Not All Contacts Are There: If you’re looking for small companies, or niche industries, hit rates drop.
- Data Can Be Stale: People change jobs—sometimes Lusha doesn’t keep up.
- Phone Numbers: Direct dials are less reliable. You’ll get more generic main lines than you’d like.
Ignore the Hype
Lusha’s not going to “10x your pipeline overnight” or “revolutionize prospecting.” It’s a tool, not a magic wand.
How Lusha Stacks Up to the Competition
- Vs. ZoomInfo: ZoomInfo has a bigger database, but it’s expensive and aimed at big companies. For small businesses, Lusha is more affordable and less bloated—but lighter on features.
- Vs. Apollo.io: Apollo has a similar browser extension and better bulk list features, but its data is sometimes less accurate. Worth comparing if you’re price-shopping.
- Vs. LinkedIn Sales Navigator: Sales Nav is great for research but doesn’t give you emails or phone numbers. Lusha fills that gap.
Don’t fall for “all-in-one” claims. Most teams end up using a mix of tools anyway.
Pricing: Not Cheap, But Not Outrageous
Lusha offers a free tier, but it’s mostly just a teaser—five credits a month won’t get you far. Paid plans start at a reasonable monthly rate, but you’ll need to do the math based on how many leads you actually need.
Watch out: If your team gets trigger-happy unlocking contacts, you’ll hit your limit fast. Track usage.
How to Get the Most Out of Lusha (Without Wasting Money)
- Be Ruthless With Who You Unlock: Only go after decision-makers or real targets.
- Double-Check Data: Always verify emails (use a tool like NeverBounce) before sending big campaigns.
- Pair With Smart Outreach: Lusha gets you the info, but your message still matters.
- Keep Lists Clean: People change jobs all the time. Update your lists every few months.
- Don’t Rely on Phone Numbers: Use them if you get them, but expect to do some detective work.
Common Questions (That Lusha’s Marketing Won’t Answer)
Q: Can I use Lusha for mass email campaigns?
You can, but you’ll run out of credits and risk burning your domain. It’s better for targeted, personalized outreach.
Q: Is the data GDPR compliant?
Lusha says yes, but as always—use common sense and get familiar with privacy rules in your market.
Q: Does it work for international leads?
Mostly North America and Europe. Data quality drops off elsewhere.
Q: Will I get in trouble with LinkedIn?
So far, no major issues, but LinkedIn doesn’t love browser extensions. Don’t go wild; use it sensibly.
The Bottom Line
Lusha is what it says it is: a solid, no-nonsense tool for finding B2B contact info. It’s not the cheapest, and it won’t make you a sales superstar overnight. But if you’re a small business trying to build a real pipeline, it’s one of the more honest, straightforward tools out there.
Start small. Test a few lists. See if the data fits your industry. Don’t overthink it—and don’t get caught up in shiny tool syndrome. Focus on good conversations, not just more contacts. Iterate, refine, and keep it simple. That’s how you actually win new business.