Prospeda vs Clay
Proactive signal detection vs DIY enrichment workflows.
The Core Difference
Clay enriches data you already have. You bring a list, Clay makes it better.
Prospeda finds signals you don't have. We bring the leads, fully researched and vetted.
Clay
Enrichment Workflow Builder
Reactive: Requires input data to start
Prospeda
Proactive Signal Detection
Proactive: Finds signals without any input
Clay's Input Problem
Clay is an incredible tool. The workflow builder is powerful. The integrations are extensive. But it has a fundamental limitation:
Clay can only enrich data you already have. It doesn't find new leads—it makes existing leads better.
To use Clay effectively, you need to:
- Build or buy a list of companies to enrich
- Set up complex workflows and formulas
- Manage enrichment credits across multiple sources
- Review output for quality (no human layer)
- Maintain and update workflows as sources change
Clay is essentially a sophisticated processing layer. It assumes you already know who to target. But what if you don't? What if the best leads are in places you're not looking?
Feature Comparison
| Capability | Prospeda | Clay |
|---|---|---|
| Primary function | Signal detection + delivery | Data enrichment |
| Requires input list | No | Yes |
| Proactive signal monitoring | ||
| Monitors Reddit, HN, GitHub, Discord | ||
| Multi-source enrichment | ||
| Workflow builder | ||
| Human AE review | ||
| Done-for-you delivery | ||
| Setup time | 1 week | Weeks to months |
| Technical skill required | None | Moderate to high |
| Who does the work | We do | You do |
The Time Investment
Using Clay (Weekly)
- Build/maintain workflows2-5 hours
- Source input lists2-3 hours
- Run and monitor enrichments1-2 hours
- Review and clean output2-4 hours
- Total7-14 hours/week
Using Prospeda (Weekly)
- Initial ICP setup1 hour (once)
- Review delivered leads30 min
- Provide feedback (optional)15 min
- Total<1 hour/week
When to Use Each
Use Clay When:
- You have lists that need enriching
- You love building workflows
- You have ops resources to maintain it
- You want maximum customization
- You're technical and enjoy the process
Use Prospeda When:
- You need leads, not just enrichment
- You want proactive signal detection
- You don't have time to build workflows
- You want human quality control
- You'd rather focus on selling than tooling
The Real Question
The question isn't "which tool is better?" It's "what do you actually need?"
If you need to enrich existing data:
Clay is excellent. Build your workflows, connect your sources, process your lists.
If you need to find new leads from signals:
Prospeda detects buying intent across 50+ sources, researches companies, and delivers vetted leads. No input required.
Many teams use both: Prospeda for proactive signal detection, Clay for enriching inbound leads or specific account lists. They solve different problems.