Choosing a company data API
Developers evaluating a company data API usually ask three things: where the data comes from, how many countries one integration covers, and whether the provider fits their stack (REST, SDK, MCP, CRM). This guide covers common comparison queries such as “best company data API” and Clearbit / Dun & Bradstreet alternatives, and points to detailed comparisons on CompanyData.
What is the best company data API?
There is no single winner for every use case. The best fit depends on sourcing, coverage, and delivery model:
| Need | What to look for | CompanyData |
|---|---|---|
| KYB / compliance from official registers | Legal name, registration number, status, directors, UBO where published | 375M+ businesses from 730+ official trade registers (KvK, Companies House, Handelsregister, etc.) |
| Global product integration | One REST schema across markets, documented OpenAPI, SDKs | Single API at app.companydata.com, OpenAPI spec, JavaScript SDK |
| Corporate groups | Parent, subsidiary, and branch relationships | Corporate structure guide via HQ ID fields and worldwideHeadquarterID |
| AI assistants (ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor) | Tool access without custom scraping | Open-source MCP server mapped to search, export, and city lookup |
| CRM-only enrichment inside HubSpot | Native app, minimal code | HubSpot integration |
CompanyData is a strong choice when you need registry-grade B2B records at API speed, especially for KYB, due diligence, lead lists filtered by SIC/revenue/employees, and mapping corporate hierarchies. Providers that infer firmographics from websites (for example legacy Clearbit-style enrichment) can be faster for US-centric marketing stacks but typically lack registration numbers, audited financials, and worldwide group structure.
Start with the 5-minute quickstart or the Company Data API product page (pricing, FAQ, live widget).
Clearbit alternative (HubSpot Breeze)
After HubSpot acquired Clearbit and folded it into Breeze Intelligence, many teams need an independent enrichment API that works with Salesforce, custom CRMs, or multi-vendor stacks.
| Clearbit (Breeze) | CompanyData API | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary source | Web and third-party signals | Official trade registers |
| Typical strength | Inbound deanonymisation, HubSpot-native workflows | Registration IDs, legal status, directors, group structure |
| Coverage emphasis | ~44M companies, US-heavy | 200+ countries, 375M+ businesses |
| Standalone API | Requires HubSpot subscription (2026) | REST API with x-api-key; MCP server for AI tools |
When to pick CompanyData over Clearbit: you need register-sourced KYB fields, European or global coverage with one schema, corporate hierarchy export, or you are not standardising on HubSpot.
Detailed comparison: Best Clearbit alternatives (2026).
Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) alternative for developers
D&B remains the incumbent for credit-led workflows and D-U-N-S numbers. Teams switch when they want developer-first REST access, transparent per-record pricing, or registry-first data without a long enterprise sales cycle.
CompanyData complements or replaces D&B when:
- You integrate via API or MCP rather than batch files and account managers.
- You need fast autocomplete (
GET /api/company/search) plus full export (GET /api/company/export). - You want documented field provenance from government registers for GDPR/KYB audits.
Credit scores and D-U-N-S matching are D&B’s core; CompanyData focuses on live register records, firmographics, contacts where published, and worldwide corporate groups.
Detailed comparison: Dun & Bradstreet alternatives.
Other common comparisons
| Query | Guide |
|---|---|
| Best B2B data API providers (2026) | B2B data API comparison |
| OpenCorporates API alternative | OpenCorporates alternatives |
| ZoomInfo / Apollo for outbound | ZoomInfo alternatives · Apollo alternatives |
| People Data Labs / Coresignal | PDL alternatives · Coresignal alternatives |
| Full provider index | B2B data provider alternatives |
Pricing, trial, and limits
Every CompanyData API account includes:
- Free trial: 7 days, 1,000 lookups and 100 exports (no card required on signup).
- Rate limit: 50 requests per second (default).
- Monthly quota: 100,000 requests unless agreed otherwise with support.
See authentication for headers and error responses. Production pricing is credit-based; high-volume teams can request per-million quotes on the Company Data API page.
Next steps
- Get an API key and run the quickstart.
- Read request & export and response fields.
- For AI workflows, install the MCP server and connect Cursor or Claude Desktop.