

AI SDRs promise to automate top-of-funnel prospecting. For RevOps, the question is not whether the AI can send emails. The question is whether it will wreck your CRM data, create duplicate records, ignore your routing rules, and generate pipeline you cannot trust. Here is how 11x and Artisan stack up on the things that actually matter to ops teams.
| Factor | 11x | Artisan |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | From ~$5K/mo (annual contract) | From ~$2K/mo (annual contract) |
| Best For | Hands-off autonomous outbound | Customizable AI SDR workflows |
| Category | AI SDR Platform | AI SDR Platform |
| CRM Integration | Salesforce, HubSpot via API Monitoring needed | Salesforce, HubSpot native Still maturing |
| Data Source | Built-in prospecting data | Built-in B2B database (300M+ contacts claimed) |
| Personalization | AI-generated, limited manual override | Template-based with AI variation |
| Setup Time | 1-2 weeks Faster | 2-4 weeks More config |
| Contract Terms | Annual commitment typical | Annual commitment typical |
| Feature | 11x | Artisan |
|---|---|---|
| Autonomous Prospecting | Full autopilot mode Core strength | Semi-autonomous with guardrails |
| Email Sequences | AI-generated multi-step | Visual builder with AI content More control |
| Lead Scoring | Basic intent signals | Waterfall enrichment approach |
| Multi-Channel | Email primary, LinkedIn limited | Email + LinkedIn + phone Broader |
| Reporting | Dashboard with send/reply metrics | More granular campaign analytics Better |
| Duplicate Management | Basic dedup Gaps reported | Account matching logic Improving |
| Compliance (GDPR) | Opt-out handling included | Built-in compliance workflows |
Running both is wasteful since they solve the same problem. If neither meets your control requirements, consider a traditional SEP (Outreach, Salesloft) with human SDRs and use Clay for enrichment. The "AI SDR" category is still young, and the integration maturity is not where most RevOps teams need it to be.
| Use Case | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fastest deployment | 11x | Less configuration needed, autonomous by design |
| Ops control and governance | Artisan | More configurable workflows and approval layers |
| Multi-channel outbound | Artisan | Better LinkedIn and phone integration |
| Lean team, no dedicated ops | 11x | Set-and-monitor approach requires less daily management |
| CRM hygiene priority | Neither | Both require significant monitoring; plan for cleanup overhead |
| Budget under $3K/mo | Artisan | Lower entry pricing on base plans |
Both 11x and Artisan are bets on AI-automated top-of-funnel. For RevOps, the calculus is straightforward: 11x gives you speed and autonomy at the cost of control; Artisan gives you control at the cost of setup time. Neither is a drop-in replacement for a human SDR team managed through a proper SEP. If your CRM data is already messy, adding an autonomous outbound agent will accelerate the mess. Clean your data first, define your routing and attribution rules, then evaluate whether AI SDRs fit your process or break it.
Tool reviews, salary benchmarks, and stack recommendations for RevOps leaders.
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