Sam vs Artisan (Ava): AI BDR Comparison (2026)
Choose Sam for personalization in your voice and human approval at lower cost. Choose Artisan if you need access to their 300M+ contact database.
Sam
RecommendedAI Sales Manager by InnovareAI
$99-$499/mo (1 seat; Team includes 5)
AI Sales Manager for LinkedIn and email, with your approval
View PricingArtisan (Ava)
AI BDR That Automates 80% of Outbound
$1,500-$2,000/mo
AI BDR with 300M+ contact database
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Sam | Artisan (Ava) |
|---|---|---|
| AI Prospecting | ||
| AI Message Writing | ||
| Email Outreach | ||
| LinkedIn Outreach | ||
| Human-in-the-Loop Approval | ||
| Built-in Contact DatabaseArtisan: 300M+ contacts | ||
| Email Warm-up | ||
| Specialized skills in one system | ||
| CRM Integration | ||
| No Annual Contract |
Pros & Cons
Sam Pros
- Lower monthly cost than Artisan
- Writes in your voice from your offer and proof
- You approve every list, launch and reply
- No annual commitment
Sam Cons
- No built-in contact database: leads come from LinkedIn, Sales Navigator or your CSV
- Newer platform
Artisan (Ava) Pros
- 300M+ built-in contact database
- Claims 80% task automation
- Includes deliverability tools
- Y Combinator backed
Artisan (Ava) Cons
- Annual contract required
- Mixed reviews on message quality ("GPT-generated")
- Some users report UI bugs
- Higher price point
Who Should Use Each Tool?
Choose Sam if:
Teams who want quality AI personalization with human oversight, and have their own lead sources or use tools like Apollo/ZoomInfo.
Choose Artisan (Ava) if:
Teams who need an all-in-one platform with built-in contact data and don't mind annual contracts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sam or Artisan better for personalization?
Sam writes in your voice from your offer and proof, and you approve the list, the campaign and every reply, so you control quality. Some Artisan users have reported messages that feel "GPT-generated" or generic.
Does Sam have a contact database like Artisan?
Sam finds leads through LinkedIn search, Sales Navigator, event attendees and CSV imports rather than a built-in database. Artisan includes 300M+ contacts, but quality varies.
Which is more affordable?
Sam costs $99-$499/month with no annual contract. Artisan costs $1,500-$2,000/month with annual commitment.
Ready to try Sam?
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