PhantomBuster vs Clay
Use PhantomBuster if your main job is collecting leads and automating actions across social and web platforms; use Clay if you need to combine data providers, research prospects with AI, and build enrichment workflows. PhantomBuster’s plans are measured mainly in automation slots and execution time, while Clay’s are measured in Actions and Data Credits.
Last updated October 24, 2026.
At a glance
| Dimension | PhantomBuster | Clay |
|---|---|---|
| Primary workflow | Ready-made extraction and outreach automations | Multi-provider enrichment and AI research |
| Data sources | 15+ web and social platforms | 150+ enrichment providers |
| Outreach | LinkedIn outreach campaigns | Email campaigns on Launch and above |
| Usage model | Execution hours, slots, and separate credits | Actions and Data Credits |
| Paid plans, monthly billing | Start $69; Grow $159; Scale $439 | Launch from $185; Growth from $495; Enterprise custom |
| Free access | Trial: 2 execution hours; 5 slots | Free plan: 500 Actions; 100 Data Credits monthly |
| Entry-level limits | Start: 20 execution hours; 5 slots monthly | Free: 200 rows per table |
| CRM connections | Integrations on all listed plans | CRM integrations on Growth and above |
| Other integrations | Zapier, Make, n8n, and MCP server | HTTP API and data warehouses on Growth and above |
| Users | Unlimited on listed plans | Unlimited seats and tables |
| Support | Community access on listed plans | Priority queue on Growth; dedicated Slack on Enterprise |
Scroll the table sideways to compare each row.
Which should you choose?
Choose PhantomBuster if
- Teams automating LinkedIn prospecting and outreach
- Users collecting leads across social and web platforms
- Buyers who budget by automation run time
Choose Clay if
- Teams combining multiple enrichment providers
- Users researching accounts with Claygent
- Growth teams needing CRM auto-sync
The verdict
Pick PhantomBuster when the deciding factor is automating lead collection or LinkedIn outreach through ready-made workflows. Pick Clay when it is combining provider data, AI research, and CRM-connected prospecting. Clay lists CRM auto-sync on Growth and above; PhantomBuster lists integrations across its plans.
PhantomBuster vs Clay: common questions
- Which should I use for LinkedIn outreach?
- PhantomBuster is the more direct fit if you want ready-made LinkedIn outreach campaigns. Clay is a fit if your first priority is researching and enriching prospects before an email campaign.
- Which should I use for waterfall enrichment?
- Clay includes multi-provider waterfalls on its Free plan. PhantomBuster publishes lead-enrichment automations, but its pricing page does not list a multi-provider waterfall feature.
- Do both have free options?
- Clay publishes an ongoing Free plan with 500 Actions and 100 Data Credits per month. PhantomBuster’s current pricing page offers a trial with 2 execution hours and 5 automation slots.
- How much do the entry paid plans cost?
- With monthly billing, PhantomBuster lists Start at $69 per month and Clay lists Launch starting at $185 per month. Both vendors also publish lower effective monthly prices with annual billing.
- How do their usage limits differ?
- PhantomBuster measures automation capacity in execution hours and slots, with separate credits for certain tasks. Clay measures platform work in Actions and data or AI purchases in Data Credits.
- Which plan do I need for CRM workflows?
- PhantomBuster lists integrations across its plans. Clay lists CRM integrations and automatic CRM syncing on Growth and Enterprise, not Free or Launch.
- Can I use either product with a team?
- Yes. PhantomBuster lists unlimited users on its plans, and Clay lists unlimited seats and tables. Each team still shares the usage allowances of its chosen plan.