Looking for affordable LinkedIn automation tools? Closely and Aimfox are two popular options tailored for professionals and businesses aiming to streamline outreach efforts. Both platforms cater to different needs, budgets, and team sizes, making it crucial to pick the right one for your goals.
Key Takeaways:
- Closely offers LinkedIn + email automation, CRM integrations, AI personalization, and multichannel campaigns. Pricing starts at $49/month.
- Aimfox focuses solely on LinkedIn automation with a simple setup, AI-generated messages, and time zone scheduling. Plans start at $29/month.
- Closely is better for teams needing advanced features and multichannel outreach.
- Aimfox is ideal for solo users or small teams seeking cost-effective LinkedIn-specific automation.
Quick Comparison:
| Feature | Closely | Aimfox |
|---|---|---|
| Channels | LinkedIn + Email | LinkedIn only |
| AI Personalization | Advanced lead research & messages | AI message assistance |
| CRM Integrations | Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive | None |
| Pricing (Starting) | $49/month | $29/month |
| Best For | Teams, agencies | Solo users, small teams |
Both tools are great choices, but Closely is more feature-rich for larger campaigns, while Aimfox keeps it simple and budget-friendly. Let’s dive into the details to help you decide.
Which 1 Best Linkedin Automation Ai Tool – Aimfox vs Closely
What is Closely
Closely is an AI-powered platform designed to simplify LinkedIn and email outreach for professionals. By combining LinkedIn automation with email marketing tools, it enables users to manage multichannel campaigns from a single, streamlined dashboard.
The platform operates entirely in the cloud, using features like dedicated proxies, smart safety limits, and account warm-up modes to simulate human behavior. This ensures campaigns remain compliant while keeping user accounts safe.
With its AI-driven personalization, Closely researches prospects, qualifies leads, and crafts messages that feel genuine, helping users achieve better outreach results.
"Closely is a powerful tool for anyone looking to enhance their sales engagement. The platform is user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it accessible even for those who are not tech-savvy." – Antonio D., Digital Strategist [2]
Closely’s multichannel approach integrates LinkedIn connection requests, messages, and email follow-ups into seamless workflows. Users can connect their Gmail or Outlook accounts without complicated setups, creating automated campaigns that engage prospects across multiple touchpoints.
These features provide the foundation for a comprehensive set of tools that elevate outreach efforts.
Main Features
Closely offers several standout features to make outreach more effective and efficient:
- An AI personalization engine that tailors messages based on prospect data and behavior.
- A multichannel campaign builder to create sequences blending LinkedIn and email steps. For instance, campaigns can include liking a prospect’s LinkedIn post before sending a connection request or following up via email if a LinkedIn message goes unanswered.
- Data enrichment tools to find verified email addresses and phone numbers, expanding outreach beyond LinkedIn.
- A lead scoring system to prioritize prospects based on engagement and qualifications, helping users focus on high-potential opportunities.
Performance tracking is another key aspect of Closely. The platform provides unified analytics for LinkedIn and email campaigns, letting users monitor metrics like connection request acceptance rates, message open rates, reply rates, and bounce data – all from one dashboard. A unified inbox consolidates responses from all channels, simplifying communication management.
For teams, Closely includes collaboration tools like shared campaign templates, team dashboards, and role-based access. Agencies can also take advantage of white-label options to rebrand the platform for their clients.
Closely integrates with popular CRM platforms such as HubSpot, Salesforce, and Pipedrive, ensuring a smooth flow of data between prospecting and sales management. Webhook support is available for businesses with unique workflow needs.
The platform’s results speak for themselves: users report a 35% increase in response rates [1], save an average of 10 hours per team member per week on manual prospecting [1], and experience a 45% boost in pipeline opportunities [1]. By combining LinkedIn and email, the multichannel approach delivers 2x higher reply rates [2].
Pricing Options
Closely offers flexible pricing plans to accommodate different outreach needs, with discounts for annual subscriptions.
- Starter Plan: $49 per month (or $29/month when billed annually at $348/year). Includes one LinkedIn account, unlimited email accounts, and 1,000 monthly credits. Ideal for individuals or small businesses starting to scale outreach.
- Growth Plan: $127 per month (or $87/month when billed annually at $1,044/year). Supports three LinkedIn accounts, unlimited email accounts, and 3,000 monthly credits. Suitable for growing sales teams, with credits covering 750 emails, 150 phone lookups, or 1,500 AI personalizations.
- Essential Plan: $205 per month (or $145/month when billed annually at $1,740/year). Includes five LinkedIn accounts and 5,000 monthly credits, translating to 1,250 emails, 250 phone lookups, or 2,500 AI personalizations. Designed for established teams with higher outreach needs.
- Custom Plan: $350 per month (or $206/month when billed annually at $2,472/year). Offers ten LinkedIn accounts and custom credit allocations tailored to specific business requirements.
All plans come with white-label capabilities, allowing users to personalize the platform’s branding. US-based customers benefit from 24-hour support chat and access to a dedicated customer success manager [3], ensuring assistance during standard American business hours and guidance to optimize campaigns.
The credit system gives users flexibility in allocating their monthly allowances. Whether focusing on email outreach, phone number discovery, or AI-powered personalization, businesses can adapt their usage to match campaign goals and seasonal needs.
What is Aimfox
For professionals seeking a straightforward and cost-effective LinkedIn solution, Aimfox delivers tools tailored specifically for streamlined outreach. It’s a LinkedIn automation platform designed to handle tasks like connection requests, messaging, and InMail sequences, all while mimicking natural human behavior.
This cloud-based system uses features like built-in delays, randomized timing, and smart activity limits to stay within LinkedIn’s usage guidelines. Users can also customize time zones for their campaigns – perfect for professionals in the U.S. targeting prospects across different states or even international markets during optimal business hours.
Aimfox keeps things simple by focusing exclusively on LinkedIn automation. It avoids unnecessary complexity while offering basic CRM integration to sync prospect data with popular sales tools.
For teams, Aimfox provides a workspace management system that streamlines collaboration. Team members can share campaign templates, ensuring consistent messaging and organized prospect tracking. These features make it easy to manage outreach efforts effectively.
Here’s a closer look at what Aimfox offers.
Main Features
Aimfox is packed with LinkedIn-specific automation tools designed to simplify prospecting and outreach. Here are the standout features:
- Campaign Management: Create automated sequences that combine connection requests and follow-up messages. Multi-step campaigns can be set up to send connection requests, wait for acceptance, and then deliver personalized messages at specific intervals.
- A/B Testing: Test different variations of messages or connection requests to see what resonates best with your audience. Aimfox tracks metrics like acceptance and response rates to help you refine your approach.
- Lead Management: Organize prospects into lists and track their engagement history. You can import prospect lists via CSV files or build targeted databases using LinkedIn Sales Navigator integration.
- Workspace Management: Collaborate with team members through shared campaigns and centralized dashboards. This setup allows teams to monitor campaign performance and manage individual outreach activities seamlessly.
- Time Zone Scheduling: Ideal for U.S. users targeting prospects across regions, this feature ensures messages are sent during business hours in the recipient’s local time zone – whether they’re on the East Coast, West Coast, or overseas.
- CRM Integration: Sync prospect data with tools like HubSpot and Pipedrive to maintain continuity between LinkedIn outreach and your broader sales workflows.
Pricing Options
Aimfox offers flexible pricing plans based on LinkedIn account limits and monthly message quotas. Discounts are available for annual subscriptions, making it more budget-friendly for long-term users.
- Starter Plan: Priced at $29 per month (or $19/month when paid annually at $228/year), this plan supports one LinkedIn account and includes up to 500 monthly connection requests and 500 messages. It’s a great option for individuals or small business owners just getting started with LinkedIn automation.
- Professional Plan: At $69 per month (or $49/month annually at $588/year), this plan supports up to three LinkedIn accounts and provides 1,500 monthly connection requests and messages. It’s designed for growing sales teams or agencies managing multiple accounts.
- Business Plan: This tier costs $149 per month (or $99/month annually at $1,188/year). It supports five LinkedIn accounts and includes 3,000 monthly connection requests and messages, catering to established teams with higher outreach needs.
- Enterprise Plans: Starting at $299 per month, these plans are customizable with tailored account limits and message quotas. Enterprise customers also benefit from priority support and dedicated account management.
All plans come with a 7-day free trial, and no credit card is required to sign up. This allows users to explore the platform before committing. Customer support is available during standard U.S. business hours (9 AM to 6 PM EST), ensuring timely assistance when needed.
Side-by-Side Feature Comparison
The table below breaks down the standout features of each platform, giving a clear picture of their capabilities. Closely combines LinkedIn automation with email campaigns to create a seamless multi-channel outreach system, ensuring consistent messaging across all touchpoints [4][5]. On the other hand, Aimfox focuses exclusively on LinkedIn automation, enhanced by AI-driven assistance [4].
Both platforms leverage AI to personalize outreach, but they do so in distinct ways. Closely uses AI-powered sales agents for automated lead research, message crafting, and data enrichment [7][9]. Aimfox offers an AI Content Assistant designed to create professional, conversational messages [6].
Closely sets itself apart with native CRM integrations for tools like Salesforce, Pipedrive, HubSpot, and GoHighLevel, allowing LinkedIn activity to seamlessly sync into existing workflows. The table below outlines these differences for quick reference.
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature Category | Closely | Aimfox |
|---|---|---|
| Automation Channels | LinkedIn + Email multi-channel campaigns with coordinated sequences [4][5] | LinkedIn-focused automation [4] |
| AI Personalization | AI-powered sales agents for lead research, message crafting, and data enrichment [7][9] | AI Content Assistant for crafting messages [6] |
| Campaign Management | Multi-channel coordination with conditional sequences [4] | Multi-step LinkedIn campaigns with A/B testing [8] |
| CRM Integrations | Native integrations with Salesforce, Pipedrive, HubSpot, and GoHighLevel | N/A |
| Analytics & Reporting | Unified dashboard with detailed performance tracking | N/A |
| Lead Management | Advanced lead scoring, web research, and unified inbox for replies | N/A |
| Customization | Custom branding for outreach messages and landing pages [7][9] | N/A |
| Monthly Pricing Range | $49 – $350+ (varies by LinkedIn accounts and credits) | N/A |
This side-by-side comparison highlights the unique strengths of each platform, helping professionals in the U.S. decide which tool best fits their outreach strategies, budget, and workflow needs. Closely, for example, consolidates LinkedIn and email replies into a single inbox with advanced analytics, making it easier for teams to track campaigns and individual performance. Users have reported impressive results, including a 35% increase in response rates, 45% more pipeline opportunities, and saving 10 hours per week per team member [1].
Cost Analysis and Value
After exploring its features, let’s break down Closely’s pricing to understand how it caters to different outreach needs. Closely operates on a credit-based system that supports LinkedIn accounts and various outreach tasks like email finding, phone number discovery, and AI-driven personalization. This flexible structure allows users to allocate credits differently depending on the campaign’s requirements. Here’s a closer look at how the plans align with different user profiles.
The Starter plan, priced at $49/month for 1,000 credits, strikes a balance between affordability and functionality. It’s tailored for solo professionals or freelancers starting their LinkedIn outreach journey, offering tools for email, phone, and AI personalization. This plan is ideal for those managing smaller campaigns across LinkedIn and email.
The credit-based system is particularly useful for users who need flexibility. For instance, a sales professional can distribute credits across email finding, phone number discovery, and AI personalization depending on their goals, ensuring maximum efficiency.
For teams, the Growth plan is a solid choice. At $127/month, it provides 3,000 credits and supports up to three LinkedIn accounts, bringing the per-account cost to roughly $42.33. This plan works well for small teams, offering a shared dashboard and tools for smooth collaboration. These pricing tiers make it easier to identify which plan matches specific professional needs.
Best Plans for Different Users
Closely’s adaptable pricing model ensures there’s an option for everyone, whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or part of a larger organization:
- Solo Entrepreneurs and Freelancers: The Starter plan, with 1,000 credits at $49/month, is a budget-friendly choice for targeted outreach campaigns.
- Small Sales Teams (2–4 People): The Growth plan, at $127/month for three LinkedIn accounts and 3,000 credits, supports collaborative campaigns while letting team members manage their individual LinkedIn profiles.
- Growing Agencies and Larger Sales Organizations: The Essential plan delivers 5,000 credits and five LinkedIn accounts for $205/month, reducing the per-account cost to approximately $41. This plan is perfect for scaling up prospecting efforts.
- Enterprise-Level Operations: For larger organizations, the Custom plan starts at $350/month and offers scalability, including more LinkedIn accounts and tailored features for complex outreach needs.
The credit-based system’s flexibility is a major plus for businesses with fluctuating outreach demands. Users can adjust their credit allocation month-to-month, depending on campaign intensity or seasonal trends.
Additionally, the time saved through features like the unified inbox, automated follow-ups, and AI-powered personalization makes higher-tier plans worthwhile for businesses prioritizing efficiency and streamlined operations.
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Ease of Use and Performance
Now that we’ve covered features and pricing, let’s dive into how these platforms perform when put to the test. Both Closely and Aimfox prioritize simplicity, but they cater to different user needs and goals through their unique designs.
Closely offers a user-friendly interface designed to be approachable for all levels of experience. It features a centralized dashboard where users can manage LinkedIn and email campaigns, track performance metrics, and handle replies – all in one place. Campaign creation is guided step-by-step, from setup to audience selection and sequencing. Its "My Network" tool adds basic CRM functionality, such as filtering connections, adding notes, and monitoring relationship statuses. Additionally, features like configurable working hours ensure activity appears natural. While setting up initially might feel a bit complex, the Chrome extension simplifies the process of syncing LinkedIn accounts.
Aimfox, on the other hand, takes a faster, more streamlined approach. It’s built for users who want to get started quickly, boasting a signup process that takes just 27 seconds and a full setup for its 7-day free trial in under 5 minutes[6]. The interface is sleek and intuitive, featuring a "Unibox" that consolidates all LinkedIn conversations, Performance Analysis tools, and a Leads CRM for managing connections.
Aimfox has earned an impressive overall rating of 4.8/5 from 13 reviews[10]. Campaigns can be launched in minutes, and the platform offers robust onboarding support, including a dedicated team, live chat, email assistance, and an extensive FAQ section. As one user shared:
"The onboarding team made getting started seamless, and the customer support has been outstanding – quick to respond and genuinely helpful." – Ivan I, Marketing Content Manager [6]
The choice between these platforms ultimately boils down to your priorities. Aimfox is perfect for users who want fast, straightforward LinkedIn automation, while Closely’s comprehensive multi-channel capabilities and unified dashboard are ideal for those willing to invest a bit more time in mastering the platform.
Who Should Use Each Tool
Choosing between these tools comes down to your business needs, team size, and outreach goals. Let’s break down which tool aligns better with specific scenarios.
Closely is ideal for sales teams and agencies that rely on multichannel automation. If your team handles up to 10 LinkedIn accounts (available on the Custom plan) or requires unlimited email accounts across all tiers, Closely is a strong contender. It’s particularly effective for larger teams running multichannel campaigns, thanks to its unified dashboard. Features like AI-powered personalization and data enrichment make it a go-to option for teams targeting high-value prospects.
Marketing agencies also find Closely appealing due to its white-label capabilities, team management tools, advanced analytics, and seamless CRM integrations. Starting at $49/month, these features allow agencies to integrate with existing tech stacks using webhook support and showcase ROI effectively to clients.
On the other hand, Aimfox caters to leaner teams and users who want a quick, straightforward LinkedIn automation solution. Its simple onboarding process makes it a favorite among solopreneurs, freelance consultants, coaches, and service providers. If you’re looking to launch LinkedIn outreach with minimal setup, Aimfox delivers.
For startups with tight budgets and small sales teams, Aimfox offers an affordable way to focus solely on LinkedIn-specific automation for lead generation. However, if your strategy demands sophisticated multichannel campaigns, Closely justifies the additional investment. Aimfox is better suited for individual entrepreneurs and small teams that prioritize simplicity and cost-efficiency.
Team size also plays a big role in the decision. Larger organizations with five or more sales members will benefit from Closely’s multi-account support and team-focused features. Meanwhile, solo practitioners or very small teams may find Aimfox’s streamlined approach a better fit for their needs and budget.
Pros and Cons
After comparing features and pricing, let’s dive into the pros and cons of each platform to help you decide which one aligns better with your needs.
Both platforms bring distinct strengths and weaknesses to the table, making it easier to evaluate what fits your goals and budget.
Closely stands out with its integration capabilities and multichannel functionality. It offers native CRM integrations with tools like Salesforce, Pipedrive, HubSpot, and GoHighLevel, along with webhook support for custom setups. Plus, it allows you to run unified campaigns combining LinkedIn and email outreach – perfect for teams managing multiple touchpoints with prospects.
That said, Closely’s robust features come with a learning curve. The initial setup can feel daunting for new users despite expert onboarding support. Additionally, its higher starting price may be a hurdle for smaller teams or individuals on tighter budgets.
Aimfox, on the other hand, shines in its simplicity. Its quick and easy setup makes it beginner-friendly, allowing users to launch LinkedIn automation with minimal training. However, this simplicity means fewer features – no native CRM integrations, no multichannel campaigns, and fewer advanced tools.
"We are not familiar with all the Aimfox features, however, as I can see they don’t have multichannel/email campaigns or native CRM integrations, as well as white label feature and else/if condition sequences."
- AlexC_Closely, Founder Team
Here’s a quick comparison of their advantages and limitations:
Pros and Cons Table
| Aspect | Closely Pros | Closely Cons | Aimfox Pros | Aimfox Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Integrations | Native CRM integrations (Salesforce, Pipedrive, HubSpot, GoHighLevel) and webhook support | Complex setup process | Simple, easy setup | Lacks native CRM integrations |
| Campaign Types | Multichannel campaigns (LinkedIn + email outreach) | Steeper learning curve | Quick LinkedIn automation setup | Only supports LinkedIn outreach |
| Pricing | Rich feature set for advanced users | Higher starting price ($49/month) | Affordable entry-level pricing | Limited features for the cost |
| Support | Expert onboarding with personalized 1:1 calls | Initial setup may feel overwhelming | User-friendly interface | – |
| Team Features | Multi-account support and white-label options | May be too complex for solo users | Ideal for individuals or small teams | No advanced collaboration or enterprise tools |
| Scalability | Scales well with growing teams and needs | Requires time to master | Easy to get started | Limited scalability for larger operations |
Ultimately, the best choice comes down to what you value more: comprehensive features and scalability or a simple, beginner-friendly experience for LinkedIn automation.
Final Thoughts
When weighing your options between Closely and Aimfox, it all comes down to what fits your team’s needs best – whether it’s about the size of your team, the complexity of your outreach campaigns, or how much you’re looking to spend.
Closely is a solid choice for teams aiming for a more expansive, multichannel outreach strategy. It covers both LinkedIn and email campaigns, giving your efforts a broader reach. Plus, it offers a budget-friendly one-time purchase through AppSumo, starting at $69 per code. For those who need advanced features like CSV and group audience imports with automation that mimics human behavior, the Plan 2 option at $138 might be a better fit [4].
On the other hand, Aimfox caters to individuals or smaller teams who want a simple, LinkedIn-focused automation tool. With a subscription model starting at around $30 per month, it’s a cost-effective way to get started. It also comes with a free plan and a 7-day trial, so you can test the waters before committing [8][6].
Your decision ultimately hinges on your outreach goals. Are you looking for a one-time investment that covers multichannel automation, or do you prefer a flexible subscription for LinkedIn-only campaigns? Each platform offers distinct advantages, so choose the one that best aligns with your strategy.
FAQs
How do Closely and Aimfox compare in terms of features and pricing?
Closely and Aimfox are both affordable LinkedIn automation tools, but they serve slightly different purposes. Closely packs a broader feature set, including email campaigns, a lead finder, and multi-channel outreach. These options make it a solid pick for sales and marketing teams. Pricing starts at $79.99 per month (billed annually) for the Sales Navigator Core plan.
Aimfox, in contrast, focuses on AI-powered personalized outreach and lead management. This makes it a great choice for teams aiming to streamline their lead generation process. Pricing for both tools generally ranges from $15 to $80 per month, depending on the plan.
Though both tools are budget-friendly, Closely’s extensive features and adaptability make it a better fit for small to medium-sized teams looking to expand their LinkedIn outreach.
How does Closely’s AI-powered personalization improve LinkedIn and email outreach?
How Closely Enhances LinkedIn and Email Outreach
Closely uses AI-driven personalization to revolutionize how you approach LinkedIn and email outreach. By automating tasks like lead research, qualification, and crafting tailored messages, it ensures your communication feels more genuine and relevant. This helps you build stronger connections with potential prospects.
Unlike traditional methods that often rely on one-size-fits-all messages, Closely allows you to design highly personalized campaigns that can scale effortlessly. The result? You save time while potentially seeing a big boost in response rates, making your outreach both smarter and more efficient.
What is the best LinkedIn automation tool for solo entrepreneurs or small teams looking for affordability and ease of use?
For solo entrepreneurs and small teams, Closely is a standout LinkedIn automation tool. Its straightforward interface and reasonable pricing make it an appealing choice, even for those who aren’t tech-savvy. With features like automated connection requests, message sequences, and in-depth analytics, Closely streamlines LinkedIn outreach and boosts productivity.
Tailored for smaller operations, Closely allows businesses to expand their networking efforts without straining their budget. Its easy setup and dependable tools make it a great option for professionals aiming to save time while growing their LinkedIn presence efficiently.