Free Alternative to SamSearch
SamSearch Does Not Publicly List a Free Tier. Gov Contract Finder Does.
Get 5 searches/day, email alerts, and a browser extension at no cost. No credit card required.
The Problem with SamSearch Pricing
SamSearch: No Public Free Option
- No public self-serve free tier listed
- Starter, Pro, and Enterprise plans route to Book Demo
- No public free tier listed
- Public monthly pricing is not listed
SamSearch pricing: Demo-based Starter, Pro, and Enterprise plans with no public monthly price shown.
Gov Contract Finder: Free to Start
- Free tier with 5 searches/day
- Email alerts for saved searches
- SAM.gov browser extension included
- No credit card required to sign up
Gov Contract Finder pricing: Free ($0), Professional ($99/mo), Max ($299/mo).
Gov Contract Finder Free vs SamSearch Starter
What you can use immediately at $0/month compared with a demo-based plan
What You Get for Free with Gov Contract Finder
5 Searches/Day
Search 261,000+ federal contracts daily with filters for NAICS, agency, set-aside, and more.
Email Alerts
Get notified when new opportunities match your saved search criteria. Never miss a deadline.
Browser Extension
Save contracts directly from SAM.gov with one click. Check if you already saved an opportunity.
When to Upgrade to Professional
The free tier covers the basics. Here is when it makes sense to upgrade to Gov Contract Finder Professional at $99/month:
You Need More Searches
Professional gives you 100 searches/day (vs. 5 on free). If you are actively pursuing multiple opportunities, the free tier may feel limiting.
You Want AI Bid Analysis
The AI bid assistant reads RFP documents, analyzes opportunity fit, and helps with proposal writing. This is only available on paid plans.
Your Team Is Growing
Free supports 1 user. Professional supports 1 user. Max also supports 1 user with higher search limits.
You Need Advanced Filters
Professional unlocks advanced search filters, saved search management, and priority email alerts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does SamSearch have a free tier?
SamSearch does not publicly list a self-serve free tier. Its pricing page lists Starter, Pro, and Enterprise plans behind a book-a-demo workflow. If you want to try government contract search for free, Gov Contract Finder offers a free plan with 5 searches/day, email alerts, and the browser extension.
What do I get with Gov Contract Finder Free?
Gov Contract Finder Free includes 5 searches per day, basic search filters, email alerts for saved searches, the SAM.gov browser extension, and access to 261,000+ federal contracts. There is no credit card required and no time limit on the free tier.
How does Gov Contract Finder Free compare to SamSearch Starter?
Gov Contract Finder Free is self-serve at $0/month and includes a browser extension and email alerts. SamSearch Starter is demo-based and lists AI federal opportunity search, AI profiles, opportunity chat, opportunity insights, attachment summaries, scheduled search queries, Journey Hub, document chat, and chat support.
When should I upgrade from Gov Contract Finder Free to Professional?
Upgrade to Gov Contract Finder Professional ($99/month) when you need more than 5 searches per day, want AI-powered bid analysis, or want 100 daily searches. The free tier is sufficient for contractors who search occasionally and want email alerts for specific opportunities.
Need More Than Self-Service?
Looking for:
- SLED coverage setup for your markets
- End-to-end workflow automation
- CRM/SharePoint/document integrations
- Dedicated implementation support
Verified Reviews
Start Searching for Free
No credit card required. 5 searches/day, email alerts, and a browser extension at $0/month.