Apollo.io vs Clay (2026): Which AI App Is Better?
Both are popular ai customer support & sales. Here is how Apollo.io and Clay stack up on price, strengths and weaknesses, and which one we would pick.
Apollo.io
Prospect database with AI research, writing and sequences
8.3 /10
Pricing: Free plan, paid from $49/mo
Pros
- Data plus outreach in one tool
- AI personalisation
- Free plan
Cons
- Data accuracy varies
- Credits and add-ons complicate pricing
Clay
Enrich leads from 100+ sources and write outreach with AI
8.5 /10
Pricing: Free plan, paid from $134/mo
Pros
- Waterfall enrichment across many providers
- AI research agents per row
- Powerful integrations
Cons
- Expensive and credit-hungry
- Steep learning curve
Apollo.io vs Clay at a glance
| Apollo.io | Clay | |
|---|---|---|
| Editor score | 8.3 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $49/mo | $134/mo |
| Reader upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Best for | sales, prospecting, outreach | sales, enrichment, outbound |
Our pick
Clay edges it with a score of 8.5 versus 8.3. Clay is the better fit if you value: waterfall enrichment across many providers, ai research agents per row. Choose Apollo.io instead if you need: data plus outreach in one tool, ai personalisation.
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