Last reviewed: · By the pcithbook.com editorial team
Teams rarely buy a data platform without comparing it with something else. The honest answer to "which is best?" is that it depends on the questions you ask most often, where the data needs to go and how much you can spend. This page summarises how each provider broadly positions itself, using public information. We have not run lab tests, we do not assign scores and we do not have commercial relationships that favour any vendor. Features and packaging change — verify every point with each vendor.
Side-by-side overview
| Platform | Primary focus | Commonly cited strengths | Pricing model |
|---|---|---|---|
| PitchBook | Private capital: VC, PE, M&A, funds, LPs, credit | Linked records across companies, deals, funds and LPs; analyst research; Office add-ins | Quote-based subscription |
| Crunchbase | Startups and venture funding | Broad company search with a free tier; some data contributed by users and partners | Free tier plus paid plans |
| CB Insights | Technology markets and emerging trends | Market and trend research on technology categories | Quote-based subscription |
| Preqin | Alternative assets: funds, managers, investors | Fund and limited partner focus | Quote-based subscription |
| S&P Capital IQ Pro | Public and private companies, financials | Company financials, screening and modelling tools | Quote-based subscription |
| Dealroom | Startup and tech ecosystems | Ecosystem views, with notable use in Europe | Quote-based subscription |
| Bloomberg Terminal | Broad financial markets and news | Real-time market data, news and analytics | Subscription |
This overview reflects public positioning at the time of review and is necessarily simplified. Many providers cover more than their primary focus, and plans differ by region and firm type.
Fit questions that matter more than features
- What is your main asset class? Early-stage venture, buyout, fund investing, credit or public equities each favour different providers.
- Which records do you need linked? Company-to-investor links matter for sourcing; fund-to-LP links matter for fundraising.
- Where does the data go? Browser, Excel, CRM or a warehouse — delivery options vary widely.
- How many people need access, how often? A few power users and many occasional users suggest different plans.
- What is your geographic focus? Regional depth differs; test with deals you know.
- Do you need research and news or just data? Some teams value analyst publications highly; others only want clean fields.
PitchBook may suit you if…
- You work across several private market asset classes
- Linked company, deal, fund and LP records are central to your work
- Excel and PowerPoint integration matters to your team
- You value recurring research such as venture and PE reports
An alternative may suit you if…
- You need a free or low-cost entry point for basic startup lookups
- Your work is mainly public companies and detailed financial modelling
- You focus narrowly on fund and LP data
- You need real-time market data and news for trading
How to run a fair comparison
- Prepare the same ten queries for every trial, taken from real recent work.
- Include records you know well — your own company, fund or recent deals.
- Time how long each query takes to answer, including export.
- Note blanks and estimates, not just matches.
- Ask each vendor the same pricing questions: seats, add-ons, term and renewal.
- Involve the people who will use the tool daily, not only the buyer.
Combining providers
Many firms use more than one source: one for private market depth, another for public financials or news, sometimes a free tool for quick lookups. Before adding a second subscription, check whether overlap justifies the cost, and whether licence terms allow combining data in your internal systems.
Shortlisting vendors?
Every vendor sets its own pricing, trials and terms. Read our independence note, then check current information with each vendor.
Frequently asked questions
They target different needs. Crunchbase offers a free tier and broad startup lookups; PitchBook is a quote-based platform spanning several private market asset classes. Test both with your own queries.
Both cover private markets. Preqin is widely associated with fund, manager and LP data across alternative assets, while PitchBook also emphasises company and deal records. Verify current coverage with each vendor.
No. We do not publish scores or declare winners. The comparison describes public positioning and suggests questions for your own evaluation.