Clay is an innovative B2B prospecting and automation platform, known for its flexible workflows, data enrichment capabilities, and powerful integrations. It enables sales and growth teams to build scalable lead gen systems using a visual canvas. However, for many users, Clay can feel overly complex, API-heavy, or expensive as needs grow. If that sounds like […]
Clay is an innovative B2B prospecting and automation platform, known for its flexible workflows, data enrichment capabilities, and powerful integrations. It enables sales and growth teams to build scalable lead gen systems using a visual canvas. However, for many users, Clay can feel overly complex, API-heavy, or expensive as needs grow.
If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place. This guide will introduce 10 of the best Clay alternatives.
Top 3 Clay Alternatives at a Glance
| Tool Name | Best For | Key Differentiator |
| Lusha | Precise Data & Ease of Use | Simplest setup with verified direct dials. |
| Apollo.io | All-in-one outreach | Combines contact database with email sequencing tools. |
| ZoomInfo | Enterprise Market Intel | Deepest firmographic data coverage. |
1. Lusha
Lusha is the best choice if you want to replace Clay’s complex setup with instant access to verified contact data.
As a Clay alternative, Lusha combines enterprise-grade data accuracy with a zero-learning-curve interface so you can start prospecting immediately without technical training.
Features
- 300M+ business contacts overall.
- 115M+ direct dials & mobile numbers.
- 150M+ verified emails.
- Real-Time buying signals.
- Compliance (GDPR, CCPA, ISO27701).
- Continuous CRM Enrichment.
- Seamless Integrations across the GTM stack.
- No Hidden Costs – Clear, transparent pricing.
- Chrome Extension.
- Fast and friendly support team.
Lusha vs Clay: Who is better?
Lusha is superior for teams needing instant, compliant data without complex “waterfall” setups. While Clay excels at custom workflows, Lusha wins on ease of use, global data coverage, and immediate time-to-value for sales reps.
- Click for a deep look at Lusha vs Clay.
2. Apollo.io
Apollo.io is a strong alternative if you need an all-in-one platform for both data and email sequencing.
It combines a massive contact database with sales engagement tools, making it a good fit for teams wanting to consolidate their tech stack.
Features
- 275M+ contact database.
- Built-in email sequencing and dialer.
- Deal management and conversation intelligence.
- Free tier for individual users.
Apollo.io vs Clay: Who is better?
Apollo offers an integrated engagement platform which Clay lacks entirely. Clay is better for granular data enrichment waterfalls, but Apollo is superior for teams who want to find a lead and email them in one place.
- Compare Apollo.io vs Lusha.
- See top Apollo.io alternatives.
3. ZoomInfo
ZoomInfo is the industry standard for enterprise teams needing deep firmographic insights.
It is a direct competitor to Clay for large-scale data needs, offering extensive company hierarchy and intent data.
Features
- Market-leading company insights and org charts.
- Real-time intent data streaming.
- Advanced territory planning tools.
- Native integrations with enterprise CRMs.
ZoomInfo vs Clay: Who is better?
ZoomInfo provides a more static but vast database compared to Clay’s dynamic scraping. Clay is better for niche, custom data points, while ZoomInfo is superior for stability and deep corporate intelligence at the enterprise level.
- Compare ZoomInfo vs Lusha.
- See top ZoomInfo alternatives.
4. Cognism
Cognism is the good alternative for teams strictly focused on European markets and GDPR compliance.
They specialize in mobile number accuracy and strict adherence to global data privacy laws.
Features
- Phone-verified mobile numbers (Diamond Data).
- Strict GDPR and global compliance.
- Intent data powered by Bombora.
- International coverage focus.
Cognism vs Clay: Who is better?
Cognism offers verified mobile data that is often more accurate than Clay’s enriched results in Europe. Clay is more flexible for building lists from obscure sources, but Cognism is safer and better for calling global prospects.
- Compare Cognism vs Lusha.
- See top Cognism alternatives.
5. Clearbit
Clearbit is ideal for marketing teams needing real-time data enrichment for inbound leads.
Now part of HubSpot, it excels at turning anonymous website traffic into actionable company profiles.
Features
- Real-time form shortening and enrichment.
- Deanonymization of website visitors.
- Live API for product usage data.
- Native HubSpot integration.
Clearbit vs Clay: Who is better?
Clearbit is faster and more automated for inbound marketing workflows than Clay. Clay requires manual trigger setups for enrichment, whereas Clearbit works passively in the background to clean and append data to your CRM.
6. Seamless.AI
Seamless.AI is a solid option for teams that want real-time search capabilities rather than a static database.
They use a real-time search engine to verify emails and phones, similar to how Clay scrapes live sources.
Features
- Real-time search engine for contacts.
- Pitch intelligence and writer tools.
- Chrome extension for social selling.
- Job change alerts.
Seamless.AI vs Clay: Who is better?
Seamless.AI is easier to use for individual reps doing high-volume cold outreach. Clay is far more customizable for ops teams, but Seamless offers a simpler “search and save” workflow for sales development representatives.
- Compare Seamless.AI vs Lusha.
- See top Seamless.AI alternatives.
7. UpLead
UpLead is verified as a top choice for teams that prioritize data hygiene over volume.
They verify every email in real-time before you download it, ensuring high deliverability rates.
Features
- 95% data accuracy guarantee.
- Real-time email verification on download.
- Technographic tracking.
- Competitor analysis filters.
UpLead vs Clay: Who is better?
UpLead guarantees valid emails upfront, whereas Clay consumes credits even if the enrichment returns low-confidence data. Clay is more powerful for finding niche info, but UpLead is safer for protecting sender reputation.
- Compare UpLead vs Lusha.
- See top UpLead alternatives.
8. LeadIQ
LeadIQ is designed specifically to eliminate friction for sales reps prospecting directly on LinkedIn.
It captures and syncs data to your CRM in one click, focusing on speed and workflow efficiency.
Features
- One-click capture from LinkedIn Sales Navigator.
- Automatic CRM routing and governance.
- Personalized email generation.
- Sales trigger tracking.
LeadIQ vs Clay: Who is better?
LeadIQ is built purely for the workflow of a rep browsing LinkedIn. Clay is a backend data tool. If your goal is to let reps capture leads while browsing, LeadIQ is the superior, purpose-built user interface.
9. Kaspr
Kaspr is an excellent entry-level tool for individual contributors needing instant access to phone numbers.
It is a lightweight plugin that works directly on LinkedIn to reveal contact info instantly.
Features
- Instant LinkedIn contact revelation.
- Freemium model with easy access.
- LinkedIn outreach automation workflows.
- API for basic enrichment.
Kaspr vs Clay: Who is better?
Kaspr is a simple “click-to-reveal” tool, while Clay is a complex data engineering platform. For a solo SDR needing a phone number right now, Kaspr is faster and easier. Clay is better for bulk enrichment.
Clay Alternatives FAQs
Lusha is the best Clay alternative for most sales teams looking for fast, verified contact data without complex setups or automations.
Common reasons include Clay’s technical complexity, reliance on APIs, pricing, and the need for faster or simpler tools for prospecting and enrichment.
Think about your technical expertise, the need for visual automation, CRM compatibility, contact accuracy, and whether you need outreach, enrichment, or both.
Lusha, Apollo.io, and UpLead are excellent for startups due to their simplicity, affordable pricing, and out-of-the-box functionality.
Lusha delivers verified contact data in seconds, without requiring complex workflows, integrations, or automation logic. It’s perfect for outbound sales teams that want results fast.
While Clay offers a visual interface, it still requires understanding workflows, APIs, and logic — which can be a barrier for smaller or non-technical teams.
Review what you’re using Clay for. If you’re not utilizing its full workflow or API functionality, switching to a simpler tool like Lusha or UpLead can reduce complexity and cost.
