Guide
Lusha Credits Explained: Why Phone Numbers Cost 10x
How Lusha credits work, why direct phone numbers drain 10 credits, and how credit expiration inflates your actual cost per qualified contact in India.
If your sales team relies on Lusha’s browser extension, you have probably noticed how fast your monthly credit pool vanishes. Lusha is known for quick lookups, but its asymmetric credit consumption makes the actual cost per usable contact much higher than it looks on paper.
This guide explains how Lusha credits work, why phone numbers drain allowances so fast, and how to calculate your true cost per lead in India.
How Lusha credit metering works
Lusha uses credits as currency for revealing contact information:
- Email reveals cost 1 credit.
- Phone numbers (direct dials and mobile numbers) cost up to 10 credits.
- Credits expire at the end of each billing cycle. Unused credits do not roll over.
- Plans are billed in USD per seat. If you have 3 SDRs, you pay 3 separate seat subscriptions.
The 10x phone number multiplier
The primary reason teams run out of credits mid-month is the phone multiplier.
If your plan gives you 250 credits per month:
- If you reveal only emails: 250 contacts.
- If you reveal direct phone numbers: only 25 contacts before your allowance hits zero.
For sales teams selling in India—where cold calling founders, CMOs, and directors directly on mobile is often the fastest path to a meeting—a 250-credit pool can disappear in a couple of business days.
The hidden costs: currency risk and stale Indian records
Beyond the credit meter, Indian teams face two extra hurdles:
- USD pricing volatility: Paying in US Dollars on international credit cards means foreign transaction fees and fluctuating exchange rates.
- Accuracy decay outside the US/EU: Global scrapers struggle with fast-moving Indian startups, D2C brands, and regional companies. When a number bounces or reaches a switchboard, that 10-credit deduction is still gone forever.
The math: Real cost per verified meeting
To see what you are really paying, calculate your true cost per deliverable lead:
True Cost = Total Monthly Subscription Spend ÷ Deliverable Decision-Maker Contacts Used
| Scenario | Lusha Entry Plan (~$49.90 / ~₹4,250) | ArchLead Growth (₹35,000 flat) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly credits / leads | 250 metered credits | 500 verified leads |
| Phone numbers revealed | 25 (uses all 250 credits) | Direct dials included |
| What happens to unused volume | Vanishes at cycle end | Billed for delivered leads |
| Cost per phone-ready lead | ~₹170 per contact | ~₹70 per contact |
Summary: Database lookup tool vs. Outbound pipeline
- If your reps make occasional ad-hoc lookups on LinkedIn for US enterprise targets, Lusha’s browser plugin is convenient.
- If you need a reliable monthly pipeline of verified Indian decision-makers with direct dials and zero credit anxiety, ArchLead delivers complete lists with no metering.
Check the side-by-side breakdown: Lusha alternative for India.
Frequently asked questions
How many credits does Lusha charge for a phone number?
Lusha charges up to 10 credits for a single mobile or direct dial reveal, whereas email lookups typically cost 1 credit.
Do Lusha credits roll over?
No. Lusha credits reset each billing cycle, meaning unused credits do not carry over to the next month.
How does ArchLead handle phone numbers and credits?
ArchLead does not use credits or penalty multipliers. Verified emails and direct dials are included together in our flat monthly INR pricing.