Octopi / Compare / Clay alternative
Compare
A local-first Clay alternative for Mac
Like Clay, Octopi turns a list into enriched, researched rows. Unlike Clay, it runs entirely on your Mac — your data, your AI model, your API keys — with a clickable source on every cell.
How Octopi compares
Your spreadsheet, plain English
Instead of building cloud tables, you work in a normal spreadsheet and describe the task in a sentence.
Your machine, your keys
Research runs locally with an on-device AI model; connect your own provider API keys when you want premium data.
A source on every cell
Every value is written with a clickable source, and your spreadsheet never leaves your Mac.
| Octopi | Clay | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | On your Mac (local-first) | Cloud platform |
| Your data | Stays on your machine | Stored in cloud tables |
| AI model | Local, on-device | Cloud |
| Data providers | Your own API keys — no platform fee | Data credits, or your own keys plus a per-action fee |
| Interface | Your spreadsheet + plain English | Clay tables |
| Price | Free app | Paid tiers (free tier available) |
An independent comparison of approaches. Clay is a trademark of its respective owner.
Why choose a local-first option
Data stays on your Mac
For lists you can’t send to a cloud service, Octopi keeps your list, the AI model and the results on your own machine.
Your keys, your model
Bring your own provider API keys and run a local AI model, instead of paying platform credits or per-action fees.
Work in a spreadsheet
No table-building or cloud onboarding — open a sheet, describe the task, and run.
Source on every cell
Each value carries a clickable source, so results are easy to trust and check.
Questions
Is Octopi really free?
The app is free to download and use on your Mac. Premium data providers you connect use your own API keys and their own pricing.
Can it do multi-provider waterfalls?
Yes. Octopi can try several data providers in order with your own keys, falling back until it finds a confident answer.
Does Octopi replace Clay entirely?
For local-first, Mac, spreadsheet-driven research and enrichment, Octopi covers the core job. Clay is a broader cloud platform with its own ecosystem — choose based on whether you want local privacy or a hosted platform.
Where does my data go?
Your spreadsheet stays on your Mac — Octopi never uploads or sees it. The AI model runs locally; lookups go directly from your Mac to the sites and providers you use.
What do I need to run it?
A Mac. Octopi installs a local AI model for you on first run; add provider API keys only if you want premium data.
Related
Try the local-first way to enrich a list
Download Octopi and research your first spreadsheet on your own Mac — free, private, source-cited.
Download Octopi free