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Upwork vs DataBees
When evaluating options for data research services, many people compare DataBees with hiring a freelancer through Upwork. While Upwork offers lower-cost data research, DataBees is a full-stack, done-for-you service. This means no quality checking and no freelancer management stress. In short, we provide B2B GTM teams with specialist data operations services acting as an extension of your team.
Data Quality
Upwork
Freelancers on Upwork can deliver solid B2B data, but quality is inconsistent. Most rely on public sources and their own methods, which often lack rigorous validation. For SaaS GTM teams, this means a higher risk of outdated or inaccurate contacts—think bounced emails or leads who’ve left the company. While some freelancers claim high accuracy, you’ll typically need to spot-check, verify, and manage closely to ensure reliability.
DataBees
DataBees delivers high-quality, human-verified B2B contact and account data tailored to your specs. For SaaS GTM teams, this means accurate phone numbers, emails, and roles that reps can rely on. Every lead is manually checked, so your SDRs spend less time cleaning lists and more time selling. Reliable, up-to-date, and ready-to-use, DataBees ensures your your GTM motions are fuelled by the best data possible.
Ideal Customer Profile Data
Upwork
Upwork freelancers can follow your ICP instructions, but results depend heavily on how well you explain the criteria. They can usually filter for standard attributes like industry or job title, but nuance—like specific tools used or funding stage—is often missed. You’ll likely need to write unambiguous instructions, review and iterate to get data that closely matches your target customer.
DataBees
DataBees has 8 years of experience finding niche ICP data points for go-to-market teams in tech and SaaS. The major difference between researchers from Upwork and DataBees is the Customer Success Manager. These data specialists ensure the researchers work off your evolving GTM strategy, execute your approved instructions to the letter and initiate any necessary changes and pivots to the research approach.
Pricing
Upwork
Upwork offers flexibility in pricing—you pay by the hour or project. Rates can be low, but true costs add up if you need to manage, validate, or redo work. There’s no long-term commitment, which is great for short-term needs, but ongoing lead generation often becomes less predictable and can end up costing more time and effort than expected.
DataBees
DataBees is your full-stack Sales Data Operations team offered on a simple subscription-based model (starting at ~$1440/month per researcher). We don't charge based on credits; our output depends on the data points and volume you require. Book a free, zero-obligation sample to test our service and see how we perform.
Researcher management
Upwork
Hiring on Upwork means managing the process yourself—from writing job posts to training, overseeing work, managing sick and holidays, and maintaining performance. You’ll need to check early batches, clarify criteria, and stay involved to ensure output matches your needs. If a freelancer underperforms or leaves, you're back to square one. The burden of project management falls entirely on you.
DataBees
DataBees acts as an extension of your team. After a short kickoff, your dedicated customer success manager handles everything with minimal oversight. You get regular updates and weekly check-ins. We are flexible and implement changes proactively and as requested. There’s no need to train, manage, or supervise—your GTM team stays focused on selling while DataBees delivers consistent, ready-to-use data behind the scenes.
Flexibility
Upwork
Upwork is flexible for one-off tasks or short-term bursts. You can scale up or down quickly, switch freelancers, or pause anytime. But that flexibility comes with fragility—freelancer turnover, onboarding time, and lack of continuity often slow progress. For consistent lead flow, managing these moving parts becomes a challenge.
DataBees
DataBees adapts to your process and GTM needs. Change targeting, data points easily. Need a new segment next week? We adjust quickly. As your business evolves, we scale and pivot with you—without disruption. It’s flexibility built for long-term SaaS growth, with a team that feels like part of yours.
Get started with a sample
We run a free sample for all of our potential customers to ensure that we can find the data that you need. It’s super simple to set up and you'll have the results in 3-5 working days…