clay-hq vs n8n
A comprehensive comparison to help you choose the right AI tool in 2026.
Our Pick
clay-hq
clay-hq scores higher with a rating of 8.7/10
Feature Comparison
| Feature | clay-hq | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Pricing Model | freemium | freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | $20/mo |
| Free Trial | Yes | Yes |
| Founded | 2021 | 2019 |
clay-hq
AI-powered data enrichment and outreach automation platform for sales teams.
Pros
- + 75+ data enrichment sources
- + AI-powered personalized email writing
- + Waterfall enrichment for maximum data coverage
- + Powerful for outbound sales teams
- + Integrates with major CRMs and email tools
Cons
- - Steep learning curve
- - Can be expensive at scale
- - Credit-based pricing is complex
- - Best suited for technical sales teams
n8n
Open-source workflow automation tool with a visual editor and self-hosting option.
Pros
- + Free self-hosted option
- + Open-source with active community
- + 400+ integrations
- + Custom JavaScript/Python nodes
- + No per-task pricing on self-hosted
Cons
- - Steeper learning curve than Zapier
- - Self-hosting requires DevOps knowledge
- - Cloud plan can get expensive at scale
clay-hq vs n8n: The Bottom Line
Both clay-hq and n8n are powerful AI tools, but they serve slightly different needs. clay-hq excels at 75+ data enrichment sources, while n8n stands out for free self-hosted option.
Your choice should depend on your specific requirements, budget, and the features that matter most to your workflow.