Dataclay
Dataclay is a privately-held, bootstrapped software company that builds Templater (an Adobe After Effects plugin) alongside QUE data management and Projector rendering tools to automate personalized video production at scale for motion designers, agencies, and enterprise marketing teams.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Dataclay does
Dataclay, LLC is a privately-held, remote-first software company founded in 2014 that builds data-driven video automation tools primarily for users of Adobe After Effects. The company operates the "Dataclay Station" suite, which comprises three core products: Templater, an After Effects plugin that maps spreadsheet or JSON data to composition layers to render personalized videos at scale; QUE, a cloud-based JSON data management system with field-level encryption, API endpoints, and integration with Google Sheets; and Projector, a desktop application that runs parallel rendering and automated distribution to streaming platforms (Vimeo, JW Player, Frame.io) and cloud storage (AWS S3). Templater is offered in three editions — Rig (perpetual, entry-level template preparation), Pro (subscription batch rendering), and Bot (full automation with command-line interface) — while QUE is sold across Free, Solo, Team, Meter (usage-based credits), and ORG (custom enterprise) tiers.
The company monetizes via a hybrid model combining one-time perpetual licenses, recurring SaaS subscriptions, usage-based credits, an Autografs template marketplace, paid support packages (Premium $400/mo, Ultimate $600/mo), and individually quoted professional services for implementation, consulting, event scripting, and custom development. Distribution is primarily direct through dataclay.com via a self-serve product-led growth motion supplemented by enterprise sales for QUE ORG and large accounts; a partner bundle with Ergonis (PopChar) and a Zapier integration extending reach to 5,000+ apps provide additional channels. Dataclay targets a hybrid customer base spanning enterprises with high-volume personalized video needs, motion designers and video producers, developers integrating Templater Bot via API, and creatives/freelancers. Named customers include Instacart (1,000 videos/week), FreightWaves, DDB Sydney, Zywave, and TrueSync Media, with claimed scale of 2,500+ unique users and 200+ enterprise customers. The company maintains SOC 2 Type 2 compliance and offers both floating and standard licensing across macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Dataclay firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Dataclay
- Legal name
- Dataclay, LLC
- Website
- https://dataclay.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Dataclay is a privately-held, bootstrapped software company that builds Templater (an Adobe After Effects plugin) alongside QUE data management and Projector rendering tools to automate personalized video production at scale for motion designers, agencies, and enterprise marketing teams.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Dataclay industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Video Automation Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Data App Builders (Forms, Portals & Internal Tools) (HDAEAKAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Data Governance Platforms (Policies, Stewardship, Workflows) (HDAEADAB), Data Sharing, Data Exchange & Data Marketplace Platforms (HDAEABAH)
Keywords
Where Dataclay is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Dataclay business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Software Licenses - Templater: Templater offers three tiers (Rig, Pro, Bot) with perpetual and subscription license options. Rig is entry-level for template preparation, Pro adds batch rendering for processing client databases, Bot enables fully automated video systems with command-line interface control.
- SaaS Subscriptions - QUE and Projector: QUE provides cloud-based data management with tiered subscriptions (Free, Solo, Team, Meter, ORG). Projector offers desktop app with Standard/ Premium/Ultimate support tiers. Recurring monthly/annual subscription revenue with pay-as-you-go Meter option.
- Usage-based - QUE Meter Credits: QUE Meter allows purchase of credits in bundles (50-500) for pay-per-output model. Credits consumed per successful output (spot checking, replicating, rendering). Maximum 1,000 credits per account.
- Professional Services: Implementation services, consulting services, event scripting engagements, and feature enhancement development engagements. All quoted individually based on customer needs.
- Autografs Marketplace: Pre-built After Effects compositions rigged with Templater, sold in Basic/Batch/Bulk output tiers. Professional designer quality templates in categories like real estate, automotive, sports, social media.
- Support Packages: Standard support included free, Premium and Ultimate paid support packages offering advanced troubleshooting, remote JSON feed support, event scripting support, and priority response times.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Annual | Templater Rig - Entry level template preparation |
| Subscription | Monthly | Templater Pro - Batch processing |
| Subscription | Monthly | Templater Bot - Full automation |
| Freemium | Monthly | QUE Free - Entry level cloud data |
| Subscription | Monthly | QUE Solo - Individual/small shop |
| Subscription | Monthly | QUE Team - Small teams |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | QUE Meter - Pay-as-you-go |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | QUE ORG - Large organizations |
| Subscription | Monthly | Projector - Rendering and distribution |
| Subscription | Monthly | Premium Support |
| Subscription | Monthly | Ultimate Support |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Dataclay product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Dataclay provides the Dataclay Station suite of video automation tools, combining Templater (an Adobe After Effects plugin that maps spreadsheet or JSON data to composition layers to generate personalized videos), QUE (a cloud-based JSON data management platform with field-level encryption for safeguarding dynamic video data), and Projector (a desktop application for parallel rendering and automated distribution to streaming platforms and cloud storage). The suite enables businesses and creative teams to produce thousands of personalized, localized videos from a single template.
Product overview
Dataclay offers Dataclay Station, a unified suite of video automation tools comprising three core products: Templater (an Adobe After Effects plugin), QUE (cloud-based JSON data management), and Projector (automated rendering and distribution). Templater enables data-driven video template creation with three editions (Rig, Pro, Bot) for different automation levels. QUE provides secure JSON-based data management with subscription tiers (Free, Meter, Solo, Team, ORG) and a built-in API for custom integrations. Projector handles parallel rendering and automated distribution to platforms like Vimeo, JW Player, Frame.io, and AWS S3. The ecosystem is complemented by Autografs (pre-built templates), support packages, and custom development services. The suite integrates with Zapier for non-developer automation and supports Google Sheets as a data source.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Templater: After Effects plugin for creating custom data-driven video templates at scale
- QUE
- Projector
- Autografs
- Dataclay Station
Products and services
- Templater Adobe After Effects plugin that automates production of personalized video by mapping spreadsheet or JSON data to composition layers. Available in three editions (Rig, Pro, Bot) supporting template preparation, batch rendering, and full automation with command-line interface control. For video production teams, motion designers, and agencies.
- QUE Cloud-based JSON data management solution that acts as a secure data source for Templater. Manages dynamic video content with field-level encryption, API endpoints, and dashboard monitoring. Subscription tiers include Free, Solo, Team, Meter (pay-as-you-go), and ORG (enterprise). For video production teams handling large, sensitive data sets.
- Projector Desktop application for automated, rapid rendering and distribution of customized videos. Leverages parallel processing based on CPU cores to render multiple videos simultaneously, with integrated transcoding and automated delivery to streaming platforms (Vimeo, JW Player, Frame.io) and cloud storage (AWS S3). For production teams needing high-throughput video deployment.
- Autografs Pre-built After Effects composition templates pre-rigged with Templater customizations and placeholder data. Created by professional designers in categories such as real estate, automotive, sports, and social media. Sold in Basic, Batch, and Bulk output licensing tiers. For users without design expertise who need ready-made video templates.
- Support Packages Professional support services at three tiers: Standard (included free with product purchases), Premium (advanced troubleshooting with video, data, and file support at $400/month or $4,800/year), and Ultimate (includes Premium plus remote JSON feed support, event scripting support, and priority email and telephone response at $600/month or $7,200/year).
- Custom Development Professional services including implementation, consulting, event scripting for Templater, and feature enhancement development engagements. All engagements are quoted individually based on specific project requirements. For customers needing tailored integrations or specialized video automation solutions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Render 1,000 videos per week
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Dataclay
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Dataclay technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
AI capability5 records
Feature6 records
Dataclay partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ZapiercoreBuilt-in Zapier integration enables QUE to connect to 5,000+ apps without coding. Users can automate workflows between QUE/Templater and other business tools using Zapier's integration platform.
- AdobecoreTemplater is an Adobe After Effects plugin compatible with AE versions CS5 through 2026 and AE Beta. Supports macOS (up to 15.x Sequoia, native Apple Silicon) and Windows 7 or newer.
- VimeocoreProjector integrates with Vimeo for automated video distribution to streaming platform.
- JW PlayercoreProjector integrates with JW Player for automated video distribution.
- Frame.iocoreProjector integrates with Frame.io for automated video distribution.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS S3)coreProjector supports automated archival to AWS S3 secure storage. All Dataclay cloud infrastructure hosted on AWS and GCP with SOC 2 compliant security.
- Google SheetscoreTemplater and QUE integrate with Google Sheets for data source management. QUE's built-in integration with Google Sheets enables seamless data piping.
- Ergonis (PopChar)minorPartnership with Ergonis to offer PopChar bundled with Templater Rig. PopChar provides easy access to special characters from installed fonts directly in After Effects.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Dataclay competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Shotstack: Shotstack provides a video automation API that programmatically generates templated videos from data, mirroring Dataclay's Templater + QUE combination but delivered as a cloud API rather than an AE plugin.
- Plainly: Plainly is a video automation platform that turns After Effects templates into data-driven video rendering pipelines, directly competing with Templater's template + data + render workflow for personalized video at scale.
- InVideo: InVideo offers template-based video creation at scale with AI-assisted features, overlapping with Dataclay's mass personalized video production value proposition for marketing and social use cases.
- Bannerbear: Bannerbear automates image and short-video generation from templates and data via API, competing for the same data-to-media automation use cases that Templater, QUE, and Projector address.
Emerging players
- HeyGen: HeyGen produces AI-generated personalized videos with avatars and multilingual localization, an emerging AI-native alternative for the personalized-at-scale video use case that Templater serves.
- Creatify: Creatify uses generative AI to produce personalized video ads from data inputs, an emerging AI-native alternative to Dataclay's templated approach for the same personalized-marketing-video use case.
- Synthesia: Synthesia generates AI avatar-led personalized videos from scripts and data, representing an emerging AI-first approach to personalized video that competes with templated video automation for enterprise video use cases.
- Runway: Runway is a generative AI video platform that creates video from text/image prompts, representing an emerging threat to templated video automation if generative quality reaches production-grade parity with AE-based output.
Broad incumbents
- Adobe: Adobe is the parent platform vendor for After Effects (Templater's host application) and a broad incumbent in creative software, with growing AI video features (Firefly) that could subsume parts of Dataclay's functionality.
- Vyond: Vyond is a broad incumbent in template-driven animated video creation for business communications, overlapping with Dataclay's data-driven video use cases for marketing, training, and personalized video at scale.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Dataclay social profiles
Digital presenceDataclay compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Dataclay financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Dataclay leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Dataclay funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Dataclay M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Dataclay
What does Dataclay do?
Dataclay provides the Dataclay Station suite of video automation tools, combining Templater (an Adobe After Effects plugin that maps spreadsheet or JSON data to composition layers to generate personalized videos), QUE (a cloud-based JSON data management platform with field-level encryption for safeguarding dynamic video data), and Projector (a desktop application for parallel rendering and automated distribution to streaming platforms and cloud storage). The suite enables businesses and creative teams to produce thousands of personalized, localized videos from a single template.
Is Dataclay a public or private company?
Dataclay is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Dataclay founded?
Dataclay was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Dataclay based?
Dataclay is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does Dataclay make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Software Licenses - Templater is the primary driver. The others are saaS Subscriptions - QUE and Projector, usage-based - QUE Meter Credits, professional Services, autografs Marketplace and support Packages.
Who are Dataclay's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Shotstack, Plainly, InVideo and Bannerbear. Emerging players are HeyGen, Creatify, Synthesia and Runway. Broad incumbents are Adobe and Vyond.
Does Dataclay have an API?
Yes. The built-in QUE API enables developers to build custom applications that incorporate dynamic video automation. Developers can integrate Templater Bot automation into their own apps, send data into Templater's data source, and create video-on-demand systems. The API is JSON-based and includes exposed endpoints that receive data from web, mobile, or voice applications. The API domain is https://que-api.dataclay.com. Non-developers can use QUE's built-in Zapier integration to connect to over 5,000 apps with no coding required. Developer documentation is at support.dataclay.com/que/index.htm.
What industry is Dataclay in?
Dataclay's product category is Video Automation Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAEAKAK, Data App Builders (Forms, Portals & Internal Tools), with a secondary code of HDAEADAB, Data Governance Platforms (Policies, Stewardship, Workflows). Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7372.