Clay vs Instantly (2026)
Plans, limits and refund terms for Clay and Instantly, each with a source. Clay pricing is marked unverified.
Short answer: Clay is a data/enrichment tool, while Instantly is a sender tool, so they are usually paired rather than swapped. Clay starts at $185/mo (Launch, unverified) and Instantly at $47/mo (Growth (Outreach)); Clay pricing is unverified on its official page. Clay offers a 14-day trial; Instantly: None. Last updated .
Data tool vs sender.
Clay enriches and builds lists; senders deliver the emails. Many teams use one of each.
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you. It never changes rankings or numbers. Disclosure.
This placement is available. Clearly labeled, never mixed into rankings or data.
Plans
- Clay Launch: $185/mo (unverified), data credits: 2,500. Not a sequencer-first tool; 'contacts' modeled as 2,500 data credits/mo. DISAGREEMENT on official page: plan card shows $167/mo, FAQ says 'starting at $185/mo', sub-components list $60 actions + $125 data credits = $185. Unlimited seats. Source, checked 2026-10-16.
- Clay Growth: $495/mo (unverified), data credits: 6,000. Card $446 vs FAQ $495 ($205 actions + $290 credits). 6,000 data credits/mo. Source, checked 2026-10-16.
- Instantly Growth (Outreach): $47/mo, contacts: 1,000. Unlimited email accounts & warmup. Source, checked 2026-10-16.
- Instantly Hypergrowth (Outreach): $97/mo, contacts: 25,000. Page lists 125,000 emails on the plan card and 100,000 in the feature table (internal inconsistency). Same page also shows a $358 'Hypergrowth' inside bundles. Source, checked 2026-10-16.
- Instantly Light Speed (Outreach): $358/mo, contacts: 100,000. Includes SISR dedicated IP rotation. Source, checked 2026-10-16.
Refunds
- Clay: Fees non-refundable except as set out in the Agreement; auto-renews; cancel by email or in-app. Downtime >6h earns 5% service credits (no cash). Trial/window: 14-day trial. source
- Instantly: No refunds. All fees non-refundable incl. prorated, credits, add-ons. Cancel in-app only; takes effect end of billing period. CRM/Inbox Placement add-ons end immediately with prorated account credit. Trial/window: None. source
More on these tools
Frequently asked questions
Is Clay or Instantly cheaper?
By entry plan list price: Clay $185/mo (Launch, unverified), Instantly $47/mo (Growth (Outreach)). Clay plans are priced on data credits, not sending volume, so a like-for-like cost comparison is not possible from our data.
What is the difference between Clay and Instantly?
In our tracker Clay is categorised as data/enrichment and Instantly as sender. Clay has no third-party inbox-placement tests in our data; Instantly: 81–89% (4 tests).
What is Clay's refund policy?
Clay: Fees non-refundable except as set out in the Agreement; auto-renews; cancel by email or in-app. Downtime >6h earns 5% service credits (no cash). Trial/window: 14-day trial.
What is Instantly's refund policy?
Instantly: No refunds. All fees non-refundable incl. prorated, credits, add-ons. Cancel in-app only; takes effect end of billing period. CRM/Inbox Placement add-ons end immediately with prorated account credit. Trial/window: None.
How much does Clay cost?
Clay plans as checked 2026-10-16: Launch $185/mo (unverified); Growth $495/mo (unverified).
How much does Instantly cost?
Instantly plans as checked 2026-10-16: Growth (Outreach) $47/mo; Hypergrowth (Outreach) $97/mo; Light Speed (Outreach) $358/mo.
Price changes, before your renewal.
One email a month when Instantly, Smartlead, Apollo, Clay, Lemlist, Reply.io, Saleshandy or Woodpecker change pricing or policies.
This placement is available. Clearly labeled, never mixed into rankings or data.