Clay vs Cognism
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both Clay and Cognism are credible sales intelligence tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose Clay if you want a lower starting price (free – $149/mo), a free plan to start on and a higher overall rating (4.8/5). Data enrichment and AI outreach automation.
Cognism — Compliant B2B data with phone-verified numbers.
Clay vs Cognism: side by side
| Dimension | Clay | Cognism |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $149/moWinner | Custom |
| Free plan | YesWinner | No |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Best for | Revops, Growth Teams, Agencies | Mid Market, Enterprise, Sales Teams |
| Platforms | Web, Api | Web, Api |
| Rating | 4.8/5Winner | 4.6/5 |
Clay key facts
- Vendor
- Clay
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $149/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Api
- Best for
- Revops, Growth Teams, Agencies
- Editor rating
- 4.8 / 5
- Founded
- 2017
- Headquarters
- New York, USA
Cognism key facts
- Vendor
- Cognism
- Pricing
- Subscription — Custom
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Api
- Best for
- Mid Market, Enterprise, Sales Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 2015
- Headquarters
- London, UK
Frequently asked questions
Is Clay better than Cognism?
Neither is universally better — Clay edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Clay or Cognism cheaper?
Clay is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $149/mo. Clay starts at free – $149/mo; Cognism starts at custom.
Can Clay replace Cognism?
Yes for most teams — both are sales intelligence tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.