When it comes to scaling LinkedIn outreach, Closely, LinkedHelper, and Octopus CRM each cater to different needs. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Closely: Best for teams needing AI-driven personalization, multichannel campaigns, and advanced analytics. It supports up to 10 LinkedIn accounts and offers a unified inbox and robust customer support. Pricing starts at $49/month.
- LinkedHelper: Ideal for businesses seeking desktop-based automation with customizable workflows and integrated CRM. It supports multiple LinkedIn accounts but requires dedicated hardware for large-scale operations. Pricing starts at $15/month.
- Octopus CRM: A budget-friendly option for individuals or small teams. It offers basic LinkedIn automation and analytics but is limited to one account per license. Pricing starts at $9.99/month.
Quick Comparison:
| Feature | Closely | LinkedHelper | Octopus CRM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $49/month | $15/month | $9.99/month |
| Top-Tier Price | $350/month | $45/month | $39.99/month |
| Supported Accounts | Up to 10 | Multiple profiles, hardware needed | Single account |
| Campaign Automation | AI-powered, multichannel | Custom workflows | Basic actions |
| CRM Features | Unified inbox, lead scoring | Integrated CRM | Minimal (stats panel only) |
| Customer Support | 24/7 chat, success managers | 24/7 multiple channels | Email-only, slower response |
Key Takeaways:
- Choose Closely for high-volume, multi-account campaigns with AI-driven personalization.
- Opt for LinkedHelper if you need detailed workflows and desktop-based automation.
- Pick Octopus CRM for simple, low-cost LinkedIn automation for single accounts.
Each tool serves a distinct purpose, so align your choice with your goals and budget.
BEST LinkedIn Automation Tool for 2024 (All Tools Review)
Closely: Features and Scalability
Closely takes LinkedIn outreach to the next level by combining AI-powered personalization with multichannel management. It helps users maintain a personal touch while staying within LinkedIn’s rules, making it a reliable tool for scaling outreach efforts.
Main Features for Scaling
Closely is designed to handle the demands of growing outreach campaigns with ease:
- AI-Driven Personalization: The platform uses AI to analyze LinkedIn profiles and contextual data, helping craft messages that feel authentic – even as outreach scales.
- Multichannel Campaign Management: With Closely, you can manage LinkedIn and email outreach from a single dashboard. This ensures consistent messaging while simplifying tracking and responses.
- Data Enrichment: Closely verifies emails and phone numbers, providing more ways to connect with prospects. Its sales AI agents also automate lead research and qualification, giving teams more time to focus on building relationships and closing deals.
- Unified Inbox: By consolidating LinkedIn and email replies, Closely makes managing high-volume communications much simpler.
- Advanced Analytics: The platform offers detailed insights into campaign performance and team productivity, enabling users to make data-backed adjustments for better 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 & Coach [1]
The results speak for themselves. Users typically experience a 35% boost in response rates compared to manual outreach, save around 10 hours per team member per week on prospecting, and generate 45% more pipeline opportunities [1].
Pricing and Scalability
Closely offers flexible pricing plans to suit different needs:
- Starter Plan: $49/month for one LinkedIn account and unlimited email accounts (drops to $29/month with annual billing).
- Growth Plan: $127/month for three LinkedIn accounts and 3,000 monthly credits.
- Essential Plan: $205/month for five LinkedIn accounts and 5,000 credits.
- Custom Plan: $350/month for ten LinkedIn accounts with customizable credits.
All plans include whitelabel capabilities, allowing agencies to rebrand the platform as their own. The credit system is adaptable, letting users allocate resources for tasks like email finding, phone number verification, or AI personalization based on their campaign goals.
Compliance and Support
Closely ensures users stay compliant with LinkedIn’s guidelines by offering robust support and training:
- 24-Hour Chat Support: Available for all users.
- Dedicated Success Managers: Included with higher-tier plans for personalized assistance.
- Seamless CRM Integrations: Works with systems like HubSpot and GoHighLevel.
- Training Resources and Onboarding: Comprehensive materials to help teams maximize the platform’s potential.
Regular updates keep Closely aligned with LinkedIn’s policies and evolving user needs, ensuring it remains a dependable tool for outreach.
LinkedHelper: Features and Scalability
LinkedHelper stands out as a desktop-based LinkedIn automation tool that has been serving over 10,000 businesses globally for the past eight years. Its design as a standalone application adds an extra layer of security, minimizing risks to LinkedIn accounts. This solid foundation supports its extensive automation capabilities.
Main Features for Scaling
LinkedHelper includes 31 automation features aimed at simplifying LinkedIn outreach campaigns. The platform excels in sequential workflow automation, allowing users to create detailed funnels with multiple touchpoints. These funnels can include personalized message chains, automated profile visits, post engagement, and follow-up sequences – all handled automatically without manual effort.
One of its standout tools is the integrated CRM, which consolidates contact management, audience segmentation, and tracking. The CRM also features a "Find Profile Emails" tool, which claims to uncover up to 95% of email addresses from 2nd and 3rd-degree connections [2].
For users managing multiple LinkedIn accounts, LinkedHelper supports multi-account operations from a single PC. To scale even further, it can run on dedicated remote servers via partners like HostZealot, enabling continuous 24/7 execution [4]. The platform is compatible with all LinkedIn subscription tiers, including Basic, Premium, Sales Navigator, and Recruiter accounts.
Pre-built campaign templates help users avoid common setup mistakes, while integration with third-party CRMs and external systems ensures data synchronization across existing tools. While these features enhance efficiency, LinkedHelper’s desktop-based design introduces some challenges when scaling.
Scalability Strengths and Limitations
LinkedHelper’s desktop architecture brings both advantages and limitations. Its ability to mimic human actions – like scrolling, typing, and clicking – reduces the risk of triggering LinkedIn’s detection systems. However, this same architecture requires dedicated hardware, making large-scale operations more resource-intensive. As Ilian D, Product Strategist in Marketing and Advertising, explained:
"It’s not cloud based, so for serious scaling you’d need to have a dedicated server. And that would be still cheaper than other solutions, so that’s more than acceptable." [3]
The platform’s interface has also drawn criticism. Several users have pointed out that it feels outdated and complicated, resulting in a steep learning curve. Oleksandr B, a Business Development Associate, shared:
"The program’s interface can be challenging to navigate and may require some time and effort to fully grasp." [3]
This complexity can slow team onboarding, making it harder for businesses to quickly scale their outreach efforts.
Another limitation is the lack of a unified inbox for managing responses. Conversations must be handled directly within LinkedIn, which can be cumbersome. Tasks like list segmentation – such as removing prospects who have already been contacted – can also be time-consuming, creating potential bottlenecks in campaign management.
That said, many users have reported impressive results. For instance, one user in February 2025 noted a tenfold increase in networking efforts with minimal cost and effort. Another user in July 2025 highlighted how automating connection requests and follow-ups saved significant time while boosting reply rates [3].
LinkedHelper enforces a default daily limit of 150 profile actions per 24 hours, which it considers a safe threshold to protect LinkedIn accounts [5]. While this limit helps prevent account restrictions, it may pose challenges for businesses with high-volume needs.
For U.S.-based companies, LinkedHelper’s pricing is attractive. The Standard plan costs $15 per month, while the Pro plan is $45 per month [2]. Even when factoring in additional server costs for larger-scale operations, the platform remains affordable for most businesses.
Octopus CRM: Features and Scalability
Octopus CRM is a Chrome extension designed to simplify LinkedIn networking for B2B marketers, sales professionals, and recruiters. With an impressive rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 370 reviews [7], it’s a popular choice for users seeking budget-friendly automation tools.
This browser-based tool runs directly on Chrome, eliminating the need for complicated software installations or server setups. Its straightforward setup makes it particularly appealing to small businesses and solo professionals who want quick, hassle-free results.
Main Features for Scaling
Octopus CRM focuses on automating LinkedIn lead generation with ease. It allows users to create automated messaging campaigns that include personalized messages and follow-up sequences [6]. To avoid detection, it mimics human-like activity, such as sending connection requests, visiting profiles, and engaging with posts [6].
The platform also offers practical tools for data management. Users can import LinkedIn profile lists into campaigns or export data to CSV files for further use. Built-in analytics track key metrics like response rates and communication history, helping users refine their campaigns. Additionally, a personal CRM page enables users to store leads, automate actions, and build marketing funnels directly within LinkedIn [7].
"This is such a great tool. I’ve literally added over 100 connections in a single week…So pleased and you absolutely cannot beat the price! If you’re not using this system you need to really consider it." – Justin Carbaugh [7]
Compatibility is another strong point. Octopus CRM works with all LinkedIn account types, including Free, Premium, Sales Navigator, and Recruiter Lite. It also integrates seamlessly with tools like Zapier, HubSpot, Google Sheets, Asana, and Zoho CRM [8]. This combination of features makes it a practical and affordable option for many users.
Affordability and Suitability
Octopus CRM is built with affordability in mind, offering four subscription tiers:
- Starter: $9.99/month ($6.99 if billed annually)
- Pro: $14.99/month ($9.99 if billed annually)
- Advanced: $21.99/month ($14.99 if billed annually)
- Unlimited: $39.99/month ($24.99 if billed annually) [23, 25]
Each plan includes a 7-day free trial, giving users a chance to explore the platform before committing [7]. This trial is especially helpful for startups and small businesses working with tight budgets.
Ease of use is a standout feature, as noted by Kali Gray:
"Fantastic tool for LinkedIn! Makes messaging and new connections so much faster and easier, plus it’s simple to use." [7]
However, some users have noted a few downsides. The Chrome extension format may feel restrictive compared to desktop applications, and customer support experiences have been mixed [8][9]. Still, many find it effective for basic automation. Samuel from Media Production shared:
"Sending LinkedIn connection requests with Octopus CRM is simple. Also it allows us to view multiple LinkedIn profiles helping build a strong marketing and customer base." [8]
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Side-by-Side Comparison: Scalability Factors
Comparison Table of Scalability Features
Here’s a quick look at how Closely, LinkedHelper, and Octopus CRM stack up against each other in terms of scalability:
| Feature | Closely | LinkedHelper | Octopus CRM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supported Accounts | Up to 10 LinkedIn accounts (Custom plan) | Multiple profiles under one license | One LinkedIn account per license |
| Campaign Automation Depth | AI-powered personalization with multichannel campaigns | Customizable workflows with over 12 lead sources | Basic automation with 4 key actions only |
| CRM Capabilities | Integrated CRM with lead scoring and unified inbox | Comprehensive CRM with tags, notes, and profiles | Statistics panel only – minimal features |
| Starting Price | $49/month (Starter) | $15/month (Standard) | $9.99/month (Starter) |
| Top-Tier Price | $350/month (Custom) | $45/month (Pro) | $39.99/month (Unlimited) |
| Email Finding Credits | 1,000–5,000+ credits/month | 620–3,100 credits/month | 500 credits max (no additional purchase) |
| License Flexibility | Account-based licensing | Manual license transfers between accounts | Fixed to specific LinkedIn accounts |
| Customer Support | 24-hour chat support with dedicated success manager | 24/7 support via multiple channels | Email-only support (4–8 hour response) |
Understanding the Results
The comparison table highlights the strengths and limitations of each tool when it comes to scalability, resource management, and personalization.
Closely stands out as a top choice for enterprises and agencies. With its ability to manage up to 10 LinkedIn accounts, AI-driven personalization, and 24-hour chat support, it’s well-suited for businesses that need advanced features and dedicated assistance.
LinkedHelper, on the other hand, strikes a balance between affordability and functionality. Its flexible licensing and robust CRM make it a practical option for agencies juggling multiple profiles. The ability to integrate with existing CRM systems and export data easily adds to its appeal for businesses with established sales workflows.
Octopus CRM caters to entry-level users but has clear limitations. Its single-account licensing model and capped email finding credits make it less ideal for businesses managing multiple profiles or needing high-volume lead generation. However, its low starting price makes it a budget-friendly choice for smaller operations.
When it comes to customer support, Closely offers a more hands-on approach with dedicated success managers, while LinkedHelper provides 24/7 support through various channels. Octopus CRM, with its email-only support and slower response times, might fall short for businesses requiring immediate assistance.
Lastly, email finding capabilities reveal a stark difference. Closely leads with up to 5,000+ monthly credits, followed by LinkedHelper’s 3,100-credit maximum. Octopus CRM’s 500-credit cap, without an option to purchase more, could significantly limit lead generation efforts for growing teams.
Recommendations by User Type
Sales Professionals and Marketers
For sales professionals and marketers aiming to scale their LinkedIn outreach, your choice of tools depends on how much volume you need and the level of personalization required.
Closely is a great fit for high-volume campaigns. It uses AI-driven personalization and multichannel automation to deliver impressive results – boosting response rates by 35% and pipeline opportunities by 45%, all while saving up to 15 hours per week[1][10]. Antonio D., a Digital Strategist & Coach, praises its user-friendly design, making it accessible even for those without technical expertise[1][10]. Users have reported achieving 3x more connections with qualified decision-makers when using Closely[10].
LinkedHelper, on the other hand, offers precise automation for connection requests and follow-ups. It’s ideal for teams that prefer a hands-on approach but still want the benefits of robust automation tools.
For individual sales professionals or smaller marketing teams just starting with LinkedIn automation, Octopus CRM is a solid choice. However, its features are tied to a single LinkedIn account, which can make scaling for larger campaigns more difficult.
While these tools cater well to sales teams, recruiters and agencies often have more complex needs that require additional features.
Recruiters and Agencies
Recruiters and agencies face unique challenges when it comes to LinkedIn outreach, often requiring solutions that go beyond basic automation.
Agencies benefit from tools offering flexible licensing and streamlined multi-client management. These features can lead to significant time savings – up to 90% less time spent on outreach – and substantial revenue growth. For example, Hugh Lorch, Founder of LinkedIn 15X, shared that his agency helps clients generate between $100,000 and $200,000+ in annual revenue. One client even achieved $118,000 in just 45 days while doubling or tripling their qualified leads[11].
"You need systems, not just tools. Tools help you act. Systems help you scale." – Hugh Lorch, Founder of LinkedIn 15X[11]
"If you treat LinkedIn like email, it won’t work. But if you treat it like a conversation, Linked Helper helps you scale that conversation without losing the human element." – Hugh Lorch, Founder of LinkedIn 15X[11]
In-house recruiters can take advantage of Closely’s multi-account management, unified inbox, and AI-powered personalization to prioritize candidates more effectively. For recruiting agencies, Closely offers white-label options for outreach messages and landing pages, as well as dedicated customer support for tailored solutions.
While these tools show how automation can be scaled to meet diverse needs, Octopus CRM is less suitable for agencies or in-house teams managing multiple roles, as its single-account design limits flexibility.
These solutions highlight the importance of balancing volume with quality to meet the demands of different users effectively.
Conclusion
Selecting the right LinkedIn automation tool to scale your outreach depends on your specific goals and operational needs. Each platform brings distinct advantages, making it essential to match their features with your strategy.
Closely is ideal for organizations that value AI-driven personalization and multichannel campaigns. With claims of delivering a 35% boost in response rates and generating 45% more pipeline opportunities, it’s a strong choice for those focused on maximizing engagement [1].
LinkedHelper stands out with its comprehensive automation capabilities and robust security measures. Trusted by over 10,000 businesses and boasting ratings of 4.8 on Capterra and 4.5 on G2, it offers 31 features tailored for advanced workflows. With eight years of experience, it’s a reliable option for users who need detailed automation and workflow management [2].
For individuals or small teams starting with LinkedIn automation, Octopus CRM provides an affordable solution. While it doesn’t offer the advanced features of its competitors, its budget-friendly pricing makes it a practical choice for basic outreach needs.
To make the best decision, start by identifying your goals – whether it’s lead generation, recruiting, or running multichannel campaigns. Consider how much you’re willing to invest, evaluate the features you need, and take advantage of free trials to test the tools. These steps will help ensure the platform you choose aligns with your specific workflow and long-term growth plans.
For high-volume campaigns, platforms offering advanced personalization and multi-account management, as discussed, are often the most effective. Ultimately, the success of your LinkedIn outreach strategy depends on how well the tool integrates with your team size, workflow, and ambitions. Begin with a clear understanding of your needs, explore your options, and choose a tool that supports your vision for growth.
FAQs
How does Closely’s AI-powered personalization make LinkedIn outreach more effective than manual efforts?
Closely takes LinkedIn outreach to the next level with its AI-powered personalization. By examining critical data points – like a prospect’s professional history and recent activity – it crafts messages that feel tailor-made. This approach not only grabs attention but also encourages genuine interactions, resulting in better response rates.
Traditional manual outreach often eats up time and lacks consistency. Closely changes the game by automating the process while keeping messages personal and relevant. The result? You can expand your LinkedIn campaigns effortlessly without sacrificing quality or the personal touch.
What are the key benefits of using Closely’s multichannel campaigns for LinkedIn outreach?
Closely’s multichannel campaigns take your LinkedIn outreach to the next level by blending LinkedIn and email strategies. The result? Higher reply rates and a streamlined workflow. Imagine saving up to 10 hours a week by automating tedious tasks while still delivering personalized messages at scale, thanks to AI.
By reaching leads on multiple platforms, Closely helps you connect with prospects more effectively and boosts your response rates. Whether you’re in sales, marketing, or recruitment, this tool simplifies your LinkedIn campaigns and scales your outreach efforts seamlessly.
How does Closely help you scale LinkedIn outreach while staying compliant with platform guidelines?
Closely ensures that all outreach activities comply with LinkedIn’s guidelines by automating processes in a way that aligns with their acceptable use policies. It emphasizes personalized and non-intrusive actions, like sending connection requests and visiting profiles, creating a natural and respectful engagement flow.
The platform also includes features such as GDPR compliance, email validation, and detailed analytics. These tools help users run outreach campaigns that are not only scalable but also adhere to ethical standards and LinkedIn’s rules – delivering impactful results for your business without overstepping boundaries.