Compare/Head to head

Bardeen vs Clay

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

Starting price

Bardeen

$10/mo

Bardeen runs AI agents that collect web data, enrich contacts, and qualify leads for GTM teams. Basic is $10/mo.

Where Bardeen fits

  • GTM operators who want a $10 agent to collect and enrich without Clay
  • RevOps pushing qualified rows into Google Sheets
  • Sourcers who pull public pages and then validate emails
  • Teams that prefer an agent UI over a Zapier-style step builder

Clay

$185/mo Free tier 14 day free trial

Waterfall enrichment plus Claygent research columns for GTM and recruiting list work. Free plan exists; paid Launch starts at $185/mo, with a 14-day trial.

Where Clay fits

  • Sourcers building enriched spreadsheets
  • Teams chaining many data vendors
  • Desks that want Claygent research columns
  • RevOps pushing clean rows to a sequencer or ATS

At a glance

DetailBardeenClay
Starting price$10/mo$185/mo
Free tier–No✓Yes
Free trialNot on record14 day free trial
MCP server–No✓Yes
Public API–No✓Yes
Listed underEmail finders, Lead generation, SourcingLead generation, Outreach

Where they pull apart

Bardeen

Stands out: Basic at $10/mo is a GTM agent seat, not a $167 Clay table and not a $19.99 Zapier task plan.

Watch out: Heavier collection jobs and AI qualification burn credits above Basic. Confirm the current credit packs on the vendor pricing page before a large list.

Not the right fit for

  • Enterprises that need Clay-class waterfall enrichment and credits
  • Users who only want a LinkedIn invite sequencer

Clay

Stands out: 150+ provider waterfall plus Claygent on every row, with MCP and API.

Watch out: Not a sender. Paid plans start at $185/mo on Launch, CRM sync needs Growth from $495/mo, and credit burn adds up.

Not the right fit for

  • Teams that need Clay to send the email
  • Buyers who want a cheap single-finder

Pros and cons

Bardeen

  • Basic published at $10/mo
  • Agents cover collect, enrich, and AI qualify in one flow
  • Google Sheets export is a first-class step
  • Credit burn on large collection jobs can outrun the $10 seat
  • Not a sequencer or mailbox product

Clay

  • Free plan, then Launch from $185/mo
  • 14-day trial documented
  • Waterfall plus Claygent in one table
  • Does not send mail; you still need a sequencer
  • CRM sync needs Growth, from $495/mo
  • Credit burn is easy to underestimate

What each one costs

Bardeen

$10/mo

Basic is $10/month. Higher plans add credits for collection, enrichment, and AI qualification. Confirm live credit packs and team seats on bardeen.ai/pricing. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Clay

$185/mo

Free plan with 100 Data Credits and 500 Actions a month. Launch starts at $185 a month (2,500 Data Credits, 15,000 Actions, job change and signal tracking). Growth starts at $495 a month (6,000 Data Credits, 40,000 Actions) and adds CRM sync, HTTP API and webhooks. Enterprise is custom with an annual commitment. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Common questions

Is Bardeen cheaper than Clay?
Bardeen starts lower, at $10/mo against $185/mo for Clay. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
Can you try Bardeen or Clay for free?
Clay carries a free tier on our listing. Clay offers a 14 day free trial.
Does Bardeen or Clay have an MCP server?
Clay ships a first party MCP server, so an AI assistant can work the product directly.

Not the pair you wanted?

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Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 4 Nov 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?