Buyer comparison
micro1 vs Mercor: which should license your data?
micro1 and Mercor are the two biggest names buying company data directly. They are separate companies with similar programs. Both now publish prices and payment timing, so the real differences are size, contract terms and security record.
| micro1 | Mercor | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 7.9 / 10 | 6.6 / 10 |
| Type | Direct buyer | Direct buyer |
| Referral program | Yes: $50K per deal up to $700K, then 7.5% | Yes: up to $100K; current listings show $25K to $85K |
| Pays companies | $100K to $2M+ | $20K to $1.5M by industry (its listings) |
| Minimum size | 30+ full-time staff | Varies by listing: from 5 staff (law, accounting) to 50+ (construction) |
| Regions | US first, then other Western markets; English data | US preferred for some listings; others open anywhere |
| Time to payment | Up to 30 days to review the data, then paid within 30 days of your invoice | Wire on delivery, typically 2 to 4 weeks after signing |
| Exclusivity | Non-exclusive, perpetual license | Not published |
01
Where they really differ
Price. micro1 publishes three tiers from $100K to $2M+. Mercor lists ranges by industry on its referral portal, from $20K to $1.5M.
Speed. Mercor says it wires 2 to 4 weeks after signing. micro1 takes up to 30 days to review the data, then pays within 30 days of your invoice.
Contract. micro1 publishes its full seller license: non-exclusive, but perpetual and sublicensable. Mercor's terms are not public.
Security. Mercor holds SOC 2 Type II but confirmed a cyberattack in 2026 that led to class actions. micro1 has no incidents on record.
02
When micro1 is the better call
You are a company of 30 or more people that wants a published price and a contract you can read before the first call.
03
When Mercor is the better call
You want fast payment and no seller fees, your tools are mainstream (Slack, Google, Salesforce, GitHub), and you want a price range set for your industry.
04
How to use two offers
You do not have to choose between micro1 and Mercor up front. The cleanest approach is to qualify with both, get each offer in writing for the same scope of data, and only then decide.
- 1
Fix the scope first
Decide which systems and years are in, and what stays out (client files, HR records, anything under NDA). Give both buyers the same scope so the offers are comparable.
- 2
Compare net, not headline
Subtract any seller fee or agent commission, and note whether the money arrives in one payment or several.
- 3
Read the license term
An exclusive license, even for a year or two, stops you licensing the same records elsewhere. A non-exclusive one leaves that door open.
- 4
Sign one before you send anything
No export until a contract is signed and you have approved how personal data is removed.
05
Ask both of them the same questions
Put the same five questions to each buyer in writing and compare the answers side by side. Vague answers are an answer too.
- 1What is your written offer for our data, and what exactly does it cover?
- 2Can we license these records to anyone else, and if not, until when?
- 3Who does the de-identification, using which method, and do we sign off on a sample before anything leaves?
- 4When are we paid, and in how many payments?
- 5Will you name the AI companies that end up with our data?
FAQ
Questions, answered
Which pays more, micro1 or Mercor?
micro1 publishes $100K to $2M+; Mercor lists $20K to $1.5M depending on industry. Both are the buyers' own figures, so get a written offer from both and compare.
Are micro1 and Mercor the same company?
No. They are separate companies that both buy company data directly.
Can we work with both?
micro1's license is non-exclusive, so it does not stop you. Check Mercor's terms before signing either.
Get offers from buyers that fit
Tell us about your company once. We introduce you to the buyers most likely to pay, and you choose who to talk to.
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Sources
Every number on this page links back to one of these.
- 1micro1: data partnerships pagemicro1.ai
- 2micro1: Data License Master Termsmicro1.ai
- 3Mercor: data pagemercor.com
- 4TechCrunch: Mercor hit by cyberattacktechcrunch.com
- 5The Next Web: micro1 commits $1B to enterprise datathenextweb.com
Spot something wrong? See our corrections policy. Some buyers pay us a referral fee. How we make money.