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Blog ·
Desktop vs cloud lead generation. What runs where, honestly.
Most prospecting tools live in the vendor's cloud and bill per record. A desktop tool runs on your own computer. The difference is real, but it is not as simple as "your data never leaves your machine". Here is how it actually works, including where cloud tools are the better choice.
The real difference: where the work happens
| Desktop (Atlas) | Cloud platform | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the search runs | In the program on your computer, over your connection | On the vendor's servers |
| Where your lists and notes are | On your computer | On the vendor's servers |
| Company data found | Sent to a shared company bank that all users benefit from | Stays in the vendor's database |
| How you pay | Fixed price, no credits | Often per credit, export or seat |
| Access from a phone | No, the program is on Windows and Mac | Yes, any browser |
| Updates | Arrive automatically inside the program | Handled by the vendor |
What Atlas sends to the server
We want to be exact here, because our own website used to say this wrongly. The search and enrichment run on your computer. The company rows the program finds (company name, website, phone, company email and public role information) are sent to our server and merged into a shared company bank. That is why your searches get faster and fuller over time: others have found companies before you.
Two things are not shared with other users: decision-maker names your program found, and addresses at free email services such as gmail.com. Your own lists, notes, deal markings and reminders stay on your computer. The full description is in the privacy policy.
Why desktop still matters
No credit meter
Cloud prospecting is usually priced per reveal, per export or per enrichment. The more you search, the more you pay. Atlas costs 600 euros for two months plus VAT, and you can search as much as you want.
Your work stays yours
Your lead bank, notes and the lists you export are on your computer. If you stop the subscription, the lists you exported are still yours.
Your own connection
The search runs on your machine. It does not wait in a shared queue on someone else's server.
Where cloud tools win
- Access anywhere. A cloud tool works in any browser, including a phone between meetings. Atlas runs on Windows and Mac.
- One shared record. In a cloud CRM, everyone edits the same record field by field. Atlas shares a team's notes, calls and tasks, but it is not a full pipeline system. It sends hot leads to your own CRM.
- Everything in one place. Some cloud platforms bundle sequencing, dialers and pipelines. If you want one login for everything, that is a real convenience.
A simple way to decide
Choose a desktop tool if you want a fixed price, want to start from the official register and want to own your lists. Choose a cloud platform if your team works mostly on phones or needs one shared pipeline. Many teams use both: Atlas to find new companies, a cloud CRM for the pipeline.
Questions
Does my data stay on my computer?
Your lists, notes and CRM markings do. The company rows the program finds are sent to a shared company bank, as described in the privacy policy.
Is a desktop tool better for GDPR?
It reduces the number of places where your own notes and lists are stored. You are still responsible for using B2B contact data lawfully, whatever tool you use.
Can I use Atlas without credits?
Yes. There are no credits. The price is fixed.