An Affinity alternative for self-funded searchers
The short answer. Affinity is a strong relationship CRM for private markets, with email and calendar capture, relationship scoring, and data enrichment on higher plans. Plans start at $2,000 per user per year, billed annually. A self-funded searcher can often get by with a low-cost CRM for deals, plus Marbles to remember the personal details owners share on Granola calls. $12/mo or $96/yr. Founding: $6/mo for 12 months. 14-day trial. Marbles is not a full Affinity replacement. It covers one part: the person.
What you give up and what you keep
Last checked: October 30, 2026.
| Topic | Affinity | Low-cost CRM plus Marbles |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per person | $2,000, $2,300, or $2,700 a year by plan, billed annually | CRM $0 tier plus Marbles ($12/mo or $96/yr. Founding: $6/mo for 12 months. 14-day trial.), plus Granola Business |
| Email and calendar capture | Yes (Essential and up) | From your CRM, if it offers it |
| Relationship scoring | Yes | No |
| Notetaker and AI chat | Scale and up | Granola for notes; Marbles for people |
| PitchBook, Dealroom, Crunchbase enrichment | Advanced | No |
| Personal details per person, with a pre-meeting brief | Not a core feature | Yes, 16 categories, each linked to its meeting |
| Sensitive details kept apart | Not documented | Handle with care, never an opener |
| Team sharing | Yes | No. Marbles is personal |
When Affinity is worth it
If you have a team sharing deal flow, or need enrichment from PitchBook or Crunchbase, Affinity's cost may be justified.
When the lighter setup works
If you're one person on a self-funded budget, recording calls in Granola on a Mac, the lighter setup covers deal tracking and lets you walk into owner calls remembering what matters to them.
Best fit and not the best fit
Marbles plus a low-cost CRM is the best fit for a solo self-funded searcher on Granola Business and an Apple silicon Mac.
Affinity may fit better for a team, an investor-backed search with a budget, or anyone who needs enrichment, scoring, and shared deal flow.
See the search fund CRM guide, how searchers remember owners, HelmIQ, and pricing. Marbles is $12/mo or $96/yr. Founding: $6/mo for 12 months. 14-day trial.
Affinity is a trademark of its owner. Marbles is not affiliated with or endorsed by Affinity.
FAQ
How much does Affinity cost?
Affinity lists Essential at $2,000, Scale at $2,300, and Advanced at $2,700 per user per year, billed annually, with Enterprise on request, as of October 30, 2026.
Is Marbles a replacement for Affinity?
Not fully. Marbles remembers people and briefs you before meetings. It has no pipelines, deal fields, scoring, or team sharing.
What does Marbles cost?
$12/mo or $96/yr. Founding: $6/mo for 12 months. 14-day trial. You also need Granola Business or Enterprise.
Can I move my contacts in?
Yes. Marbles imports Apple Contacts and LinkedIn CSV files, plus Merge & Fix for duplicates, and your past Granola meetings.
Does Marbles work on Windows?
No. It needs an Apple silicon Mac on macOS 15 or later.
Requires an Apple silicon Mac on macOS 15 or later.