Note: Clay (clay.earth) was acquired by Automattic in June 2025 and renamed Mesh (me.sh) in March 2026. Same product and team; old clay.earth links redirect to me.sh.
BlackBook vs Mesh (formerly Clay) at a glance
| BlackBook | Mesh (formerly Clay) | |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Intentional, iPhone-native personal CRM: you choose who matters | Relationship manager that captures contacts from email, meetings and social accounts, with team features |
| Platforms | iPhone (iOS 17.6+) | macOS, Windows, Web, Android, iOS |
| Account required | No | Yes (Mesh account) |
| Where data lives | On your iPhone + your private iCloud | Mesh’s service; see their site |
| Pricing | Free plan (25 people); optional Pro subscription | Free and paid plans; see their site for current prices |
Sources (checked October 15, 2026): me.sh, “Clay is now Mesh”, TechCrunch (June 2025). Competitor details change; check their site for current information.
Why people choose BlackBook instead
- Privacy: no account, no ad SDKs, your relationship data is never sold.
- Focus: Pulse surfaces the one next move—a promise to keep, a birthday, a catch-up—instead of a sprawling network.
- Native iPhone: built for iOS, with reminders, a digital card, meetups, and introduction tracking.
BlackBook facts
- Platform: iPhone, iOS 17.6 or later
- Price: free download; optional BlackBook Pro subscription (prices shown in the app)
- Free plan: 25 people, 2 notes per person, 30 days of interaction history
- Pro: unlimited people and full history, VIP reminders and insights, relationship notes with tags, duplicate detection, BlackBook AI
- AI: on-device via Apple Intelligence (Pro, iOS 26, compatible iPhone)
- Privacy: data on your device and private iCloud, no account, no ad SDKs, data never sold
- Developer: Preston Earnest / Earnestly Studios LLC
Frequently asked questions
Is BlackBook a good Clay or Mesh alternative?
BlackBook is a strong alternative if you prefer a private, iPhone-native personal CRM that doesn’t require connecting online accounts. Your data stays on your device and private iCloud, and no account is needed.
Did Clay change its name to Mesh?
Yes. Clay announced in March 2026 that it is now Mesh, at me.sh, with accounts and data carried over.
Does BlackBook import from social networks?
BlackBook is built around the people you deliberately add on your iPhone rather than aggregating social accounts.
How much does BlackBook cost?
BlackBook is free to download with a free plan for 25 people. BlackBook Pro is an optional subscription; current prices are shown in the App Store and in the app.
Keep your promises.
BlackBook is free to download for iPhone (iOS 17.6+). Start with 25 people—no account needed.
Get BlackBook – Personal CRM