CIENCE has been a well known name in the B2B lead generation space for years. They've built a reputation around technology driven SDR outsourcing, and for a lot of companies, that model works just fine. But it doesn't work for everyone.
Maybe you've used CIENCE before and the results didn't land. Maybe the pricing didn't fit. Maybe you need something beyond email and data, like creative, brand support, or phone outreach. Whatever the reason, you're here because you're exploring your options. Good. You should be.
I've spent the last six years building ORRJO into a global B2B growth agency. We've booked over 10,000 meetings and generated more than £250M in pipeline for clients like Microsoft, BP, Salesforce, Oracle, and Stripe. So I know this space inside out. I also know that no single agency is right for every company.
This guide breaks down seven CIENCE alternatives, including ORRJO, with an honest look at what each one does well, where they fall short, and who they're best suited for.
A Quick Overview of CIENCE
Before we get into the alternatives, let's be fair about what CIENCE does.
CIENCE is a US based lead generation company that combines proprietary technology (their GO platform) with human powered SDR services. They offer outbound prospecting, data enrichment, inbound lead qualification, and appointment setting. Their model leans heavily on technology and data science, which is appealing if you want a very process driven approach to outbound.
Where CIENCE works well:
- Companies that want a tech first approach to outbound
- US focused campaigns with large total addressable markets
- Businesses that already have strong brand awareness and just need lead flow
Common reasons companies look for alternatives:
- Pricing can be steep, particularly for early stage companies
- Limited support for brand, creative, or demand generation
- Some clients report inconsistent meeting quality
- Primarily US focused, which doesn't suit global campaigns
- The technology platform can feel complex if you want a simpler, more hands on partnership
If any of those concerns sound familiar, the agencies below are worth your time.
1. ORRJO (Full Funnel B2B Growth Agency)
Let's start with what we do, because I think it's genuinely different from most agencies on this list.
ORRJO isn't just a lead gen shop. We're a full funnel B2B growth agency that combines creative and branding, demand generation, and lead generation under one roof. That means we can build your brand, create the content and campaigns that drive awareness, and then run the outbound engine that books meetings. Most agencies do one of those things. We do all three, and they work together.
What ORRJO does:
- Multi channel outbound (email, phone, LinkedIn, direct mail)
- Brand strategy, identity design, and creative production
- Content marketing and demand generation campaigns
- Appointment setting with dedicated SDR teams
- Full CRM reporting, meeting confirmation, and pipeline tracking
Best for: B2B companies that want one agency to handle the entire growth function, from brand to pipeline. Especially strong for tech, SaaS, professional services, and enterprise sales.
Pricing model: Monthly retainer, tailored to scope. Transparent pricing with no hidden data fees.
Track record: 10,000+ meetings booked. £250M+ pipeline generated. Clients include Microsoft, BP, Salesforce, Oracle, and Stripe. Headquartered in Glasgow with global operations across the UK, Europe, US, Canada, and Middle East.
Limitations: We're not the cheapest option. If you need a bare bones email blasting service at minimum cost, we're probably not the right fit. We build growth engines, not spray and pray campaigns.
If you want to see what a full funnel approach looks like in practice, take a look at our case studies or book a call with our team.
2. Belkins
Belkins is a solid appointment setting agency that's earned a good reputation, particularly in the US market. They focus on email outreach and LinkedIn prospecting, and they've built a large team of SDRs who handle campaigns across various industries.
What they do: Email outreach, LinkedIn outreach, appointment setting, lead research, email deliverability consulting.
Best for: US based B2B companies that want a dedicated outbound team focused on email and LinkedIn. Works well for companies selling into mid market accounts.
Pricing model: Monthly retainer (typically starts around $3,000 to $5,000 per month).
Limitations: No phone channel. No creative, brand, or demand generation support. Their model is purely lead gen, so if you need help building awareness or fixing your brand, you'll need another partner for that. Some clients note that account management can be hit or miss depending on the team you're assigned.
3. Martal Group
Martal Group is a Canadian agency that provides outsourced SDR services, primarily through email and LinkedIn. They've been around since 2009, which gives them a decent track record, and they work across a range of industries including tech, finance, and healthcare.
What they do: Outbound prospecting, lead generation, appointment setting, account based marketing, sales enablement.
Best for: North American tech companies that want outsourced SDRs with some ABM capability. Good for companies selling SaaS into the US and Canadian market.
Pricing model: Monthly retainer, sometimes with a pay per lead option depending on the engagement.
Limitations: Primarily North American focus, which limits them for companies selling into Europe, the Middle East, or Asia. No creative or branding support. Their marketing automation and demand gen capabilities are limited compared to full service agencies. Some reviews mention uneven lead quality.
4. Operatix
Operatix is a UK based SDR outsourcing firm that specialises in the B2B tech sector. They're well known in the SaaS space and have worked with some major names. Their focus on technology companies is a genuine strength if that's your sector.
What they do: Outsourced SDR services, pipeline generation, channel partner recruitment, market entry programmes.
Best for: B2B SaaS and tech companies looking for SDR support to break into new markets, particularly in Europe. They understand the tech buying cycle well.
Pricing model: Monthly retainer. Pricing tends to sit at the higher end given their specialisation.
Limitations: Tech sector only, which means they're not suitable for professional services, manufacturing, or other verticals. No creative, brand, or content services. Phone capabilities exist but email is the primary channel. Can be expensive relative to output for smaller companies.
5. SalesHive
SalesHive is a US based sales development agency that combines human SDRs with their own proprietary technology platform. They've positioned themselves as a more affordable alternative in the outsourced SDR space, which makes them appealing to growth stage companies.
What they do: Cold calling, cold email, LinkedIn outreach, lead research, and appointment setting, all managed through their in house platform.
Best for: US based SMBs and mid market companies that want outbound support without a massive monthly commitment. Good entry point for companies new to outsourced lead gen.
Pricing model: Monthly retainer, typically lower than enterprise focused competitors. Some flexibility with contract length.
Limitations: The lower price point means you're often sharing SDR resources across accounts. No creative, branding, or demand gen services. Primarily US focused. The proprietary platform, while functional, isn't as mature as some larger competitors' tech stacks.
6. Callbox
Callbox is one of the longer established names in B2B lead generation, with roots in the Philippines. They offer a combination of outbound calling, email marketing, and account based marketing. Their scale is genuinely impressive, and they handle very large campaign volumes.
What they do: Multi channel outbound (phone, email, social, chat, website), lead nurturing, account based marketing, event marketing support.
Best for: Companies that need high volume lead generation with a multi channel approach. Works well for businesses with large TAMs that need volume at a reasonable cost per lead.
Pricing model: Monthly retainer or project based pricing. Generally competitive on cost due to their operational base.
Limitations: Quality can be inconsistent, particularly on phone outreach for complex or high value products. The offshore model doesn't suit every market, especially where prospects expect local market knowledge. No creative or branding support. Their approach can feel quite templated rather than tailored.
7. Pearl Lemon Leads
Pearl Lemon Leads is a UK based agency that offers B2B lead generation alongside their parent company's SEO and digital marketing services. They're more of a generalist agency, which can be a strength or a weakness depending on what you need.
What they do: Cold email outreach, LinkedIn lead generation, cold calling, appointment setting, and lead list building.
Best for: UK based SMBs and startups that want a flexible, affordable lead gen partner. Good for companies that also need SEO or digital marketing support and want to consolidate providers.
Pricing model: Flexible retainer or project based. Typically more affordable than enterprise focused agencies.
Limitations: Less experience with enterprise clients or complex sales cycles. Their generalist approach means they may lack depth in specific industries. Lead quality can vary. Not ideal for companies selling into North America or global markets.
CIENCE Alternatives: Comparison Table
Here's a side by side look at how each agency stacks up on the things that actually matter.
| Agency | Channels | Creative/Brand | Demand Gen | Global Reach | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORRJO | Email, Phone, LinkedIn, Direct Mail | Yes | Yes | UK, Europe, US, Canada, Middle East | Full funnel B2B growth |
| Belkins | Email, LinkedIn | No | No | Primarily US | Mid market appointment setting |
| Martal Group | Email, LinkedIn | No | Limited | US, Canada | North American tech companies |
| Operatix | Email, Phone, LinkedIn | No | No | UK, Europe | B2B SaaS market entry |
| SalesHive | Email, Phone, LinkedIn | No | No | US | SMBs wanting affordable outbound |
| Callbox | Email, Phone, Social, Chat | No | Limited | Global (offshore delivery) | High volume lead gen |
| Pearl Lemon Leads | Email, Phone, LinkedIn | No | No | UK | UK SMBs and startups |
How to Choose the Right CIENCE Alternative
Picking the right lead gen partner isn't about finding the "best" agency. It's about finding the best fit for your specific situation. Here's how to think through it.
1. What channels do you actually need?
If you only need cold email, you have plenty of options. But if your buyers respond better to phone calls, or if you're selling into enterprise accounts where multi channel outreach is essential, you need an agency that can do more than send emails. At ORRJO, we've seen repeatedly that campaigns combining phone, email, and LinkedIn generate 40 to 60% more meetings than single channel approaches.
2. Do you need help beyond lead generation?
This is the question most companies don't ask early enough. If your brand looks dated, your website doesn't convert, or your content strategy is non existent, pouring leads into a broken funnel is a waste of money. Consider whether you need a partner that can fix the top of the funnel before filling it.
3. Where are your target buyers?
Geography matters more than people think. An agency that's brilliant in the US market might know nothing about selling into the UK, Germany, or the Middle East. Make sure your partner has genuine experience in the markets where your buyers sit.
4. What's your budget, really?
Be honest about what you can spend. Monthly retainers for quality lead gen agencies typically range from £3,000 to £15,000+ depending on scope, channels, and target markets. If you're at the lower end, a leaner agency might be the right starting point. If you're investing seriously, a full service partner will deliver better ROI over time.
5. How do they measure success?
Ask any agency you're evaluating how they define and report on success. If they talk about "leads generated" without specifying quality criteria, that's a red flag. The metrics that matter are qualified meetings booked, pipeline created, and revenue influenced. Everything else is noise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CIENCE good for B2B lead generation?
CIENCE is a legitimate agency with a strong technology platform. They work well for US focused companies that want a data driven, tech first approach to outbound. However, they're not ideal for companies that need multi channel outreach (including phone), creative or brand support, or campaigns outside the US market.
How much does CIENCE cost?
CIENCE pricing typically starts around $5,000 to $8,000 per month depending on scope and campaign size. This is roughly in line with other US based SDR outsourcing firms, though pricing can increase significantly for larger programmes.
What's the best alternative to CIENCE for global campaigns?
If you need an agency that can run campaigns across the UK, Europe, US, Canada, and the Middle East, ORRJO is the strongest option on this list. We have local market knowledge and SDR teams operating across all of these regions, which is something most US based agencies can't match.
Should I outsource lead generation or build an in house team?
It depends on your stage and resources. Building in house gives you more control but costs significantly more when you factor in salaries, tools, training, and management overhead. Outsourcing lets you move faster and scale up or down as needed. Many of our clients start with ORRJO to prove the model, then build internal teams alongside us as they grow.
What makes ORRJO different from other lead gen agencies?
Two things. First, we're full funnel. We don't just generate leads. We build the brand, create the demand, and then convert it into pipeline. Second, we're genuinely global. We run campaigns across five continents with local market expertise, not just an offshore call centre pretending to understand your buyers.
The Bottom Line
CIENCE is a decent agency, but it's not the only option. And depending on what you need, it might not be the best one.
If you want a tech heavy, email focused approach and your market is primarily US based, agencies like Belkins or SalesHive could work well. If you're a SaaS company trying to break into Europe, Operatix is worth a look. And if you need high volume at lower cost, Callbox has the scale.
But if you want one partner that can build your brand, drive awareness, and fill your pipeline across multiple channels and geographies, that's what we built ORRJO to do. We've done it for Microsoft, BP, and Stripe. We can do it for you.
Book a call with our team and let's talk about what growth looks like for your business.
