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CRM · head to head

Clay vs Reply.io

Clay logo

Clay

CRM

Data platform for sales teams

From
Free
Rated
-
Reply.io logo

Reply.io

CRM

Multichannel sales engagement platform for email, LinkedIn, calls and SMS outreach

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Clay two separate meters run at once, actions and data credits, and a plan can exhaust either independently; Reply.io multichannel features and CRM sync require the higher-priced Professional tier or above.
  • They diverge on capability: Clay covers Data enrichment, Reply.io covers Multichannel sequences.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Clay and Reply.io actually diverge.

Attributes where Clay and Reply.io differ
AttributeClayReply.io
PlatformsWebweb, api
Founded20212014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (subscription), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (CRM).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Clay

  • Data enrichment
  • Contact management
  • Workflow automation
  • Integration
  • API access
  • Salesforce
  • HubSpot
  • Zapier

Only in Reply.io

  • Multichannel sequences
  • Contact database
  • AI email assistant
  • Deliverability tools
  • CRM sync
  • Reporting and analytics

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Clay

  • Data enrichment and intelligencenot Reply.io
  • Growth campaign automationnot Reply.io
  • CRM workflow integrationnot Reply.io

Reply.io

  • Running multichannel outbound sequences combining email and LinkedInnot Clay
  • Automating cold calling and SMS follow-ups alongside emailnot Clay
  • Finding new B2B prospects from a built-in contact databasenot Clay
  • Syncing outreach activity into an existing CRMnot Clay

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Clay

  • Two separate meters run at once, actions and data credits, and a plan can exhaust either independently
  • Data credit overage is sold at a 30% premium over the plan rate, so exceeding the allowance costs more per unit than planning for it
  • The free plan allows 500 actions, 100 data credits and 200 rows per table
  • The entry paid plan starts at $167 a month, and both paid prices are starting figures rather than fixed
  • The free plan cannot buy overage at all, so hitting the limit stops work rather than billing for it

Reply.io

  • Multichannel features and CRM sync require the higher-priced Professional tier or above.
  • LinkedIn and calling/SMS automation are billed as separate per-account add-ons on top of plan pricing.
  • Pricing is per user, which can raise costs quickly for larger sales teams.
  • Monthly (non-annual) billing carries a notable price premium over the advertised annual rates.

Pricing, plan by plan

Clay

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 500 actions per month
    • 100 data credits per month
    • Unlimited seats
  • Launch$167/month
    • 15000 actions per month
    • 3000 data credits per month
    • Phone enrichment
  • Growth$446/month
    • 40000 actions per month
    • 6000 data credits per month
    • CRM sync
  • Enterprise$null/custom
    • Unlimited capabilities across most features
    • SSO
    • Role-based access control

Reply.io

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Limited monthly emails
    • Basic sequence features
  • Starter$49/month
    • Email-only sequences
    • Billed annually per user
  • Professional$89/month
    • Multichannel sequences
    • CRM sync
    • Billed annually per user
  • Ultimate$139/month
    • Full AI suite
    • Highest sending limits
    • Advanced reporting and integrations

Which should you pick?

Choose Clay if

  • You need data enrichment.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want contact management.

Choose Reply.io if

  • You need multichannel sequences.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, api.
  • You also want contact database.

Questions people ask

Is Clay or Reply.io better?
Neither clearly leads. Clay starts at Free and Reply.io at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Clay or Reply.io?
Clay starts at Free and Reply.io at Free.
Does Clay or Reply.io run on more platforms?
Clay runs on Web. Reply.io runs on web, api.
Can I use Clay for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Clay best used for?
Clay is most often used for data enrichment and intelligence, growth campaign automation, crm workflow integration. Of those, data enrichment and intelligence and growth campaign automation are not what Reply.io is typically brought in for.
What can Clay do that Reply.io cannot?
Clay covers Data enrichment, Contact management, Workflow automation, Integration. Reply.io covers Multichannel sequences, Contact database, AI email assistant, Deliverability tools.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Clay: Can I use Clay for free?

Yes, Clay's free plan includes 500 actions and 100 data credits per month with unlimited seats and tables (200 rows max per table).

Source
Clay: How much can I save with Clay's annual billing?

Clay offers significant annual discounts: Launch tier drops from $167/month to $54/month, and Growth tier drops from $446/month to $185/month when billed yearly.

Source
Clay: What happens when I exceed my monthly actions or data credits on Clay?

Actions and data credits cost less than $0.01 each when purchased at scale, with unused data credits rolling over up to 2x monthly allocation on paid plans. Customers can bring their own API keys to avoid data credit costs.

Source
Clay: Does the Growth plan limit the number of users or team members?

No, Clay's Growth plan supports unlimited seats with 40000 monthly actions, 6000 data credits, and CRM sync, designed for teams with CRM-based workflows and growth campaigns.

Source
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