# Mercor vs micro1: Which Pays Companies More for Data?

> Mercor vs micro1 for a company selling records: micro1 publishes $100K to $3M+ from 30 staff; Mercor prices per deal and pays in 2 to 4 weeks. Plus Scale AI.

Canonical: https://origindatapartners.com/guides/mercor-vs-micro1
By: Origin Data Partners
Status: Published
Published: 2026-11-10
Updated: 2026-11-14
Sources checked: 2026-11-10

## Quick answer

Mercor vs micro1 comes down to speed against published price. micro1 publishes $100K to $3M+ for companies with 30+ staff and pays within 30 days of accepting the data. Mercor publishes no range, covers all processing costs and pays by wire on delivery, typically 2 to 4 weeks after signing. Both are funded vendors to AI labs, valued at $4 billion and $10 billion.

## Key points

- micro1 publishes its price tiers; Mercor prices each deal by data volume, tools connected and depth of history.
- Mercor is faster on paper: wire on delivery, typically 2 to 4 weeks after signing. micro1 has up to 30 days to review and then 30 days from invoice.
- micro1 sets a 30-employee floor and limits buyers to the US and allied countries; Mercor states no floor on its data page.
- Scale AI, AfterQuery, Handshake AI and Turing are the other real alternatives, and their terms differ more than their headlines.

## Mercor vs micro1: the short answer

For a company selling its records, Mercor and micro1 are close substitutes: both are AI data vendors that recruit experts for frontier labs and run a program that licenses company data. The differences that matter are what each publishes about price, how fast each pays and who qualifies.

Pick micro1 if you have 30 or more staff and want a published range to anchor a negotiation. Pick Mercor if speed and a no-deduction payment matter more, or if you are below micro1's floor. Better still, get an offer from both: neither price is fixed until it is written into an agreement.

This page compares them for companies only. If you are an individual looking for contract work, see [Is Mercor legit?](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/is-mercor-legit) and [Is micro1 legit?](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/is-micro1-legit), which cover expert pay.


## Mercor vs micro1 side by side

Read on each company's own page on 10 November 2026. "Not stated" means the program page does not say; ask for it in writing.

|  | Mercor | micro1 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| What it buys | Workflow data from Slack, email, Salesforce, GitHub, Notion and 100+ tools | Internal communications, SOPs, project histories, CRM records and support tickets; also agent trajectories |
| Published payout | None on its data page; "based on data volume, the tools you connect, and the depth of your data" | $100K to $500K, $500K to $3M, and $3M+ for highly unique data |
| Size floor | Not stated on its data page | 30+ full-time employees |
| History | Not stated; depth of history raises the price | "Substantial historical operational data" |
| Who can buy your data | AI lab buyers; Mercor says none "ever sees your raw data" | Labs and enterprises in the US and allied countries only |
| Exclusivity | Not stated on its page | Not stated on its page |
| Costs to you | None: Mercor covers extraction, anonymization and transfer | None stated; micro1 anonymizes before use |
| Payment timing | Wire on delivery, typically 2 to 4 weeks after signing | Up to 30 days to review, then within 30 days of invoice |
| Funding | Valued at $10 billion (Series C) | Over $100 million raised at a $4 billion valuation, per Forbes |

Source: [micro1: company data partnerships](https://company.micro1.ai/register/?referralCode=24823479-4339-4311-a157-2600b8cf72cf&utm_source=referral&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=job_referral)

## Which pays more, Mercor or micro1?

On published numbers, micro1: it says "We're paying out $100k-3M+ for the data your business already generates" ([micro1](https://company.micro1.ai/register/?referralCode=24823479-4339-4311-a157-2600b8cf72cf&utm_source=referral&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=job_referral)). Mercor publishes no figure on its data page and says only that "Connecting more tools generally results in a higher payout" ([Mercor](https://www.mercor.com/data/)). Origin's October 2026 [study of buyer programs](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/ai-company-data-buyer-programs-study) recorded Mercor listing ranges by company type.

Published ranges are not offers. What changes your price at either company is the number of systems you connect, the years of history, how linked the records are and whether any exclusivity is asked for. micro1 also licenses AI agent work: it says "We license qualifying trajectories for $1-2M annually, with your approval," which suits a company already running agents on real work.

Source: [micro1: company data partnerships](https://company.micro1.ai/register/?referralCode=24823479-4339-4311-a157-2600b8cf72cf&utm_source=referral&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=job_referral)

## Which pays faster?

Mercor, on its own terms. It says "Payment is issued via wire transfer upon delivery of the anonymized dataset to the buyer," which "typically occurs within 2-4 weeks of the signed agreement" ([Mercor](https://www.mercor.com/data/)).

micro1 pays after acceptance. Its page says micro1 "has 30 days to review and approve it", and then "payment will be made within 30 days of invoicing" ([micro1](https://company.micro1.ai/register/?referralCode=24823479-4339-4311-a157-2600b8cf72cf&utm_source=referral&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=job_referral)). Allow up to about 60 days from transfer, and write both windows and the acceptance criteria into the contract. Data that is rejected is not paid for, so ask what happens to it.

Source: [Mercor: monetize your data](https://www.mercor.com/data/)

## Mercor vs Scale AI, AfterQuery, Handshake AI and Turing

Most people comparing Mercor and micro1 also look at four other programs. All six are vendors to AI labs that pay companies for records; this table compares their company programs as published on 10 November 2026. Mercor and micro1 pay once per dataset, but not every buyer does: Scale AI designs for recurring revenue, Labelbox Prism adds a revenue share to its upfront fee, and per our Lazarus guide Turing pays a share of each sale.

| Program | Published payout | Size floor | Payment | Pricing model | Funding |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Mercor](https://www.mercor.com/data/) | Not published | Not stated | Wire on delivery, 2 to 4 weeks | One payment per dataset | $10B valuation |
| [micro1](https://company.micro1.ai/register/?referralCode=24823479-4339-4311-a157-2600b8cf72cf&utm_source=referral&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=job_referral) | $100K to $3M+ | 30+ full-time staff | Within 30 days of acceptance | Paid per accepted package | $4B valuation (Forbes) |
| [Scale AI](https://scale.com/data-partnership) | $10K to $1M+, illustrative | 40+ preferred | Not stated | Designed for recurring revenue | $29B after Meta's investment |
| [AfterQuery](https://www.afterquery.com/data-partnerships) | Not published | Several teams and systems | "Payment and ongoing partnership" | Terms after a sample | $3.2B, reported |
| [Handshake AI](https://joinhandshake.com/ai/data-partnerships/license/) | $100K to $4M+ | 20+ full-time staff, 3+ years | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated on its page |
| [Turing (Lazarus)](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/turing-project-lazarus) | No fixed figure | None published | On each sale, per our Lazarus guide | Revenue share, non-exclusive, per our Lazarus guide | $2.2B ([Mar 2025](https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/06/turing-a-key-coding-provider-for-openai-and-other-llm-producers-raises-111m-at-a-2-2b-valuation/)) |

Source: [Scale AI: data partnerships](https://scale.com/data-partnership)

## Mercor vs Scale AI

Scale AI is the older and larger vendor: TechCrunch reported in June 2025 that Meta made an investment "that values the startup at $29 billion", with "about $14.3 billion for a 49% stake" ([TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/13/scale-ai-confirms-significant-investment-from-meta-says-ceo-alexandr-wang-is-leaving/)). For a company selling records, Scale publishes "$10K-$1M+ illustrative value per data partnership, scaling with cadence" and says "40+ employees is our preferred starting point" ([Scale AI](https://scale.com/data-partnership)).

The practical difference: Scale designs partnerships around recurring delivery, so it suits a company that keeps producing records and wants ongoing income. Mercor pays once per delivered dataset, faster, with no stated floor. See our [Scale AI review](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/scale-ai-review).

Source: [TechCrunch: Scale AI confirms Meta investment (June 2025)](https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/13/scale-ai-confirms-significant-investment-from-meta-says-ceo-alexandr-wang-is-leaving/)

## AfterQuery vs Mercor

AfterQuery grew fast: TechCrunch reported in September 2026 that it "has reportedly raised a round that valued it at $3.2 billion", five months after a $300 million valuation ([TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/01/afterquery-reportedly-becomes-y-combinators-fastest-ever-unicorn-now-valued-at-3-2b/)). Its program licenses "records of how your teams work, from email and chat to CRM and finance" and says "We propose terms after reviewing a sample" ([AfterQuery](https://www.afterquery.com/data-partnerships)).

Choose AfterQuery if your company is closing or closed, since it says "Operating, winding-down and closed companies are all welcome", or if privilege matters: it says privileged legal material is never used and every dataset gets a re-identification test. Mercor publishes a faster payment schedule. See [Is AfterQuery legit?](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/is-afterquery-legit).

Source: [AfterQuery: data partnerships](https://www.afterquery.com/data-partnerships)

## Handshake AI vs Mercor

Handshake AI, the AI arm of the Handshake career network, publishes the higher headline: "We help companies license this data with $100K to $4M+ payouts", for companies "with 20+ full time employees & 3+ years in operation" ([Handshake AI](https://joinhandshake.com/ai/data-partnerships/license/)). Its own estimate tool adds that the figure "is not an offer to purchase your data."

Handshake AI suits a company of 20 to 30 staff with at least three years of records, below micro1's floor. Mercor publishes a clearer payment schedule. See [Is Handshake AI legit?](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/is-handshake-ai-legit) and the [Handshake AI program guide](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/handshake-ai-data-partnerships).

Source: [Handshake AI: get paid for your company data](https://joinhandshake.com/ai/data-partnerships/license/)

## Turing vs Mercor

Turing works the other way round. Per our [Project Lazarus guide](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/turing-project-lazarus), it pays a share of every sale of your record rather than one price, with nothing upfront, and licenses non-exclusively so the record can go to several labs, with Turing as the only seller for the first 90 days. Turing's program page renders only in a browser, so confirm these terms with Turing before you rely on them. TechCrunch reported in March 2025 that Turing "has secured a $111 million Series E round, doubling its valuation to $2.2 billion" ([TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/06/turing-a-key-coding-provider-for-openai-and-other-llm-producers-raises-111m-at-a-2-2b-valuation/)).

Turing suits a company that would rather keep earning from repeat sales, including a wound-down company with code and tickets. Mercor suits a company that wants one payment now. See [Turing Project Lazarus](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/turing-project-lazarus) and [Is Turing legit?](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/is-turing-legit).


## Which one should you choose?

| Your situation | Start with | Also ask |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 30+ staff, years of multi-system records, want a published anchor | micro1 | Mercor, Handshake AI |
| Need payment fast | Mercor | Labelbox Prism (about 21 days to first wire, by its own figure) |
| 20 to 30 staff, 3+ years of records | Handshake AI | Mercor, AfterQuery |
| Records keep growing; want recurring income | Scale AI or Turing | Labelbox Prism |
| Closing or closed company | AfterQuery or Turing | micro1 Defunct Company program |


## Next step

Whichever you pick, compare at least two written offers for the same records, rights and payment terms. The full list of programs is in our [AI data companies directory](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/ai-data-companies), and [Mercor competitors](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/mercor-competitors) covers the wider field.

Not sure whether a buyer or an offer is sound? Origin checks who the buyer is, what the license allows and how the price compares with published deals before anything is signed. [Get a free estimate and a second opinion](https://origindatapartners.com/check-fit).

Origin Data Partners works with companies that own data and helps get it bought. We are independent of the services on this page, and a buyer may pay us when a deal closes ([how Origin is paid](https://origindatapartners.com/referral-disclosure)). [See what your data is worth](https://origindatapartners.com/check-fit).


## Questions and answers

### Mercor vs micro1: which is better for selling company data?

micro1 is better if you want a published range: it lists $100K to $3M+ for companies with 30+ staff. Mercor is better if you want speed and no deductions: it pays by wire on delivery, typically 2 to 4 weeks after signing, and covers all processing costs. Many companies ask both.

### Does Mercor or micro1 pay more?

micro1 publishes higher figures, $100K to $3M+, while Mercor publishes no range and prices by data volume, tools connected and depth of history. Your actual offer from either depends on your records and the rights you grant, so compare written offers rather than headlines.

### Is micro1 a competitor of Mercor?

Yes. Both recruit experts for AI labs and run programs that pay companies for operational records. Both compete with Scale AI, AfterQuery, Handshake AI and Turing for the same lab customers.

### Mercor vs Scale AI: which is better for a company?

Scale AI publishes an illustrative $10K to $1M+ per partnership, prefers 40+ employees and designs for recurring revenue. Mercor publishes no range and pays once on delivery, typically within 2 to 4 weeks. Scale suits ongoing supply; Mercor suits a single dataset sale.

### AfterQuery vs Mercor: what is the difference?

AfterQuery prices after reviewing a sample and welcomes operating, winding-down and closed companies; it was reportedly valued at $3.2 billion in September 2026. Mercor publishes a faster payment schedule, wire on delivery within about 2 to 4 weeks, and covers all processing costs.

### Handshake AI vs Mercor: which suits a smaller company?

Handshake AI states a floor of 20 full-time employees and 3 years in operation and advertises $100K to $4M+. Mercor states no floor on its data page. A company of 20 to 30 staff can approach both, but not micro1, which asks for 30+.

### Turing vs Mercor: one payment or revenue share?

Mercor pays once, by wire on delivery of the dataset. Per our Project Lazarus guide, Turing pays a share of every sale of your record under non-exclusive licenses; confirm the current terms with Turing. Revenue share can earn more over time but pays nothing until a sale.

### Can I license the same records to both Mercor and micro1?

Possibly, but neither program page said whether its license is exclusive when we read them on 10 November 2026. On 14 November Mercor's data page still did not, and micro1's company page could not be opened without signing in, so check again and ask each one in writing before you sign. A non-exclusive license leaves you free to license copies of the same records elsewhere; an exclusive one does not, and should pay more for that. The [guide to exclusive and non-exclusive data licenses](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/exclusive-vs-non-exclusive-data-license) shows how to narrow exclusivity by field, term or use.

## Sources

- [Mercor: monetize your data](https://www.mercor.com/data/)
- [Mercor: Series C announcement](https://www.mercor.com/blog/series-c/)
- [micro1: company data partnerships](https://company.micro1.ai/register/?referralCode=24823479-4339-4311-a157-2600b8cf72cf&utm_source=referral&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=job_referral)
- [micro1: refer a company](https://company.micro1.ai/register/?referralCode=24823479-4339-4311-a157-2600b8cf72cf&utm_source=referral&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=job_referral)
- [Antler: micro1 Series A, updated with the $4B round (Sept 2026)](https://www.antler.co/press-releases/antler-elevate-backs-micro1-the-ai-platform-for-human-intelligence-in-its-usd-35-million-series-a-led-by-01a)
- [Scale AI: data partnerships](https://scale.com/data-partnership)
- [TechCrunch: Scale AI confirms Meta investment (June 2025)](https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/13/scale-ai-confirms-significant-investment-from-meta-says-ceo-alexandr-wang-is-leaving/)
- [AfterQuery: data partnerships](https://www.afterquery.com/data-partnerships)
- [TechCrunch: AfterQuery reportedly valued at $3.2B (Sept 2026)](https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/01/afterquery-reportedly-becomes-y-combinators-fastest-ever-unicorn-now-valued-at-3-2b/)
- [Handshake AI: get paid for your company data](https://joinhandshake.com/ai/data-partnerships/license/)
- [TechCrunch: Turing raises $111M at a $2.2B valuation (Mar 2025)](https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/06/turing-a-key-coding-provider-for-openai-and-other-llm-producers-raises-111m-at-a-2-2b-valuation/)

## Related reading

- [Is Mercor Legit? Reviews, Pay and Company Data Deals](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/is-mercor-legit)
- [Is micro1 Legit? Reviews, Pay and Company Data Program](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/is-micro1-legit)
- [Mercor Competitors: Who Else Pays Companies for Data (2026)](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/mercor-competitors)
- [micro1 vs Mercor vs Handshake vs Turing: company data buyers compared (2026)](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/company-data-buyers-compared)
- [AI Data Companies That Pay for Company Data (2026)](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/ai-data-companies)
- [Mercor Jobs: Roles, Pay by Field, Reviews and How to Apply](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/mercor-jobs)
- [micro1 Jobs: Roles, Pay Ranges, Reviews and the AI Interview](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/micro1-jobs)
- [micro1 Alternatives: Paid AI Training Programs Compared](https://origindatapartners.com/guides/micro1-alternatives)