If you’re trying to figure out what tech companies are using—and you want to do it smarter, not harder—this guide’s for you. Whether you’re in sales, marketing, or building your own product, knowing what’s under the hood of your prospects’ websites can give you a real edge. But with so many tools out there promising “actionable insights” and “unparalleled data,” it’s hard to tell what’s useful and what’s just hype. Let’s cut through the noise and get specific about how to compare Wappalyzer with other B2B go-to-market (GTM) software for technology stack insights.
1. Get Clear on What You Actually Need
Before you start comparing tools, be brutally honest about your goals. Are you:
- Trying to build targeted prospect lists?
- Wanting to enrich CRM data?
- Doing market research or competitor analysis?
- Just curious what your top prospects are using?
Write down your top two use cases. Why? Because most tools claim to “do it all,” but the reality is, they each have strengths and blind spots. If you don’t know what you need, you’ll end up paying for a bunch of features you’ll never use.
Pro tip: If you just want a quick peek at what tech is on a website, a browser extension might be all you need. For ongoing prospecting or sales workflows, you’ll want something that plugs into your existing systems.
2. Know the Main Players (and What They’re Good At)
Wappalyzer isn’t the only name in the game. Here’s a quick rundown of the major tools people actually use for B2B tech stack insights:
- Wappalyzer: Well-known for its browser extension and API. Focuses on identifying software used by websites (CMS, analytics, e-commerce, etc.). Good for quick checks and integrations.
- BuiltWith: The original big player. Massive database, lots of export options, and deeper historical data. Geared toward sales and marketing teams.
- Datanyze: Focuses more on B2B contact info + technographics. Useful if you want tech stack plus emails/phone numbers.
- SimilarTech: Analytics-heavy, with a focus on trends and market share. Less popular, but decent for high-level research.
- Slintel, ZoomInfo, Apollo.io: Broader sales intelligence platforms. Tech stack data is just one piece—expect more on contacts, intent signals, and enrichment.
What to ignore: Any tool promising “100% accuracy” or “all the data you’ll ever need.” No one has perfect data, and even the best tools miss things.
3. Break Down the Features That Actually Matter
Don’t get distracted by dashboards or shiny “AI” badges. Focus on these features:
a. Technology Detection Accuracy
- How many technologies does the tool recognize?
- How up-to-date is their database?
- Can it spot behind-the-scenes tools (e.g., APIs, CRMs) or just front-end stuff?
Honest take: Wappalyzer and BuiltWith are pretty close on coverage, but both miss things—especially custom or obscure stacks. No tool is perfect.
b. Data Freshness
- When was the data last updated?
- Can you get real-time or near-real-time scans?
Pro tip: If you’re doing outbound sales, stale data means wasted effort. Ask vendors for specific refresh rates.
c. Export and Integration Options
- Can you get CSV exports, or does it lock you into their UI?
- Do they have an API, browser extension, or CRM integrations?
- How much do they charge for API access? (Some get pricey fast.)
d. Enrichment and Contact Info
- Does the tool give you names, emails, phone numbers, or just tech stack?
- Is the contact data any good, or is it scraped junk?
- Can you enrich your own CRM records, or does it only work in their system?
e. Pricing and Transparency
- Is there a free tier for testing?
- Are prices clearly listed, or is it “call us for enterprise pricing”?
- Are you paying per lookup, per seat, or unlimited?
4. Test Drive: Hands-On Comparison
Here’s where you separate marketing claims from reality. Do this before you buy:
- Pick 3–5 target companies/websites you care about.
- Run them through Wappalyzer, BuiltWith, and one other tool (like Datanyze or Slintel).
- Compare results side-by-side:
- Which tools detected the most tech?
- Did they miss anything obvious?
- Is the data recent, or months old?
- How easy was it to export or integrate?
Keep notes: It’s easy to forget what actually worked once you’re a dozen demos deep.
5. Factor in Workflow Fit (Not Just Features)
A tool is only good if it saves you time or helps you hit your goals. Ask yourself:
- Do I need this data in my CRM, or will I just look it up occasionally?
- Will my team actually use this, or is it just for me?
- Is the learning curve reasonable, or will this turn into shelfware?
Honest opinion: Wappalyzer’s browser extension is dead simple for one-off checks. BuiltWith is better if you want to download big lead lists. If you need contact info plus tech stack, Datanyze or a full sales intelligence platform like ZoomInfo might be worth the extra cost (but only if you’ll use the other features).
6. Watch Out for the Common Pitfalls
- Overpaying for features you don’t need: Sales reps will push the “full suite.” Be firm on what you’ll actually use.
- Trusting the data blindly: No tool is 100% accurate. Always spot check a few key accounts.
- Ignoring hidden costs: APIs, extra seats, or premium exports can add up fast.
- “AI” and “machine learning” hype: If a vendor can’t explain what their AI actually does, it probably just means “we have some scripts.”
7. Make Your Pick (and Don’t Overthink It)
Once you’ve tested, compared, and figured out what actually fits your workflow, just choose the tool that solves your main pain point. Most teams end up using two tools anyway (e.g., a browser extension for quick checks, and a database export for prospecting).
A few scenarios:
- Solo founder or SMB: Wappalyzer’s free browser extension or low-cost API is probably enough.
- Sales/marketing teams: BuiltWith or Datanyze, especially if you want bulk exports or contact info.
- Enterprise: Consider broader platforms like ZoomInfo—but only if you need the extra data.
Keep It Simple (and Iterate)
Don’t get paralyzed by choice. Start with what gets you 80% of the way there, use it, and adjust as your needs change. Fancy dashboards and “predictive AI” are useless if you just want a quick answer. Get your hands dirty, compare for yourself, and don’t be afraid to switch if a tool isn’t working for you.
You’ll get more from using a simple tool well than chasing “cutting-edge” features you’ll never need. Keep it real, and keep moving.