Compare/Head to head

Clay vs SignalHire

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

Starting price

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

SignalHire

$57/mo Free tier

Contact layer for LinkedIn emails and direct dials, with built-in email sequences. Paid plans start at $57/mo billed annually, or $69/mo month to month.

Where SignalHire fits

  • Recruiters living in LinkedIn tabs
  • Desks that need mobiles next to email
  • Finding and emailing candidates from one login
  • Teams that want MCP plus API

At a glance

DetailClaySignalHire
Starting price$185/mo$57/mo
Free tier✓Yes✓Yes
Free trial14 day free trialNot on record
MCP server✓Yes✓Yes
Public API✓Yes✓Yes
Listed underLead generation, OutreachEmail finders, Lead generation, Sourcing
CapterraNot enough reviews4.3 from 35 reviews

Where they pull apart

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

SignalHire

Stands out: Chrome extension, bulk export and built-in email sequences, with both an MCP server and a REST API.

Watch out: It runs on credits, so budget for list volume. Sequences send from your own connected mailbox, so deliverability rests on that account, not on SignalHire.

Not the right fit for

  • Teams that need an ATS or CRM in the same product
  • Buyers who want a flat fee instead of credits

Pros and cons

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

SignalHire

  • Chrome extension works right inside LinkedIn
  • Direct dials sit next to verified emails
  • Built-in email sequences that pause on reply
  • First-party MCP server and a public API
  • Single-source database, so hit rates trail waterfall tools
  • Credit model means budgeting for list volume

What each one costs

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 22 Oct 2026

SignalHire

$57/mo

A free plan gives 5 credits a month, or 10 with the browser extension, with no card. Paid plans (Emails, Phones, or Emails & Phones) start at $57/mo billed annually or $69/mo month to month, and credits per plan differ. Unlimited users on every plan, and Scale is quoted for bulk prospecting. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 22 Oct 2026

Common questions

Is Clay cheaper than SignalHire?
SignalHire starts lower, at $57/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 Clay or SignalHire for free?
Clay and SignalHire carry a free tier on our listing. Clay offers a 14 day free trial.
Does Clay or SignalHire have an MCP server?
Clay and SignalHire ship a first party MCP server, so an AI assistant can work the product directly.

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Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 22 Oct 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?