Closely and Smartlead are two outreach platforms designed for agencies managing multiple client accounts. Both tools focus on automating campaigns, offering features like AI personalization, multichannel support, and white-label branding. While Closely excels in LinkedIn automation and multichannel outreach, Smartlead is tailored for high-volume email campaigns with unlimited email accounts and advanced deliverability tools.
Key Takeaways:
- Closely: Ideal for LinkedIn-centric campaigns with multichannel support. Pricing starts at $49/month, offering AI personalization, lead scoring, and white-label features.
- Smartlead: Best for email-heavy strategies with unlimited email accounts and advanced deliverability tools. Pricing starts at $39/month, with scalable lead capacity and white-label options.
Quick Comparison:
Feature | Closely | Smartlead |
---|---|---|
Starting Price | $49/month | $39/month |
Email Accounts | Unlimited | Unlimited |
LinkedIn Automation | Yes (1–10 accounts) | No |
AI Personalization | Multichannel (LinkedIn, Email) | Email-focused (ChatGPT4) |
White-Label | Available on all plans | Pro/Custom plans + Add-ons |
Client Add-Ons | Not specified | $29/month per additional client |
Closely is better suited for agencies managing LinkedIn and email outreach together, while Smartlead shines for agencies focusing on high-volume email marketing. Both platforms offer scalable solutions tailored to agencies’ specific needs.
Smartlead vs Instantly (2025): Which One Actually Delivers?
Closely Overview
Closely is built specifically for agencies and sales teams that juggle multiple client campaigns. It’s an outreach automation platform designed to simplify the process of managing personalized outreach across various accounts. By leveraging AI, Closely streamlines outreach efforts, making it easier to deliver tailored campaigns at scale.
Main Features and Tools
Closely is packed with tools that make outreach more efficient and effective:
- AI-Powered Personalization: Automatically generates customized messages at scale, saving time while maintaining a personal touch.
- LinkedIn Automation: Handles connection requests and follow-up messages, allowing for seamless engagement on LinkedIn.
- Multichannel Campaign Management: Coordinates outreach across LinkedIn and email through a single dashboard, ensuring consistent messaging and smooth follow-ups.
- Data Enrichment and Lead Scoring: Provides tools to verify email addresses and phone numbers while prioritizing prospects with a scoring system, ensuring high-quality leads.
- Unified Inbox: Centralizes responses from all channels, making it easier to manage conversations and respond promptly, even when handling multiple campaigns.
- White-Label Options: Lets agencies customize the platform with their own branding, ensuring a polished and professional look for client-facing reports and dashboards.
- Team Management and Collaboration: Includes features for performance tracking and campaign sharing, helping teams work together efficiently.
These tools are supported by a pricing model designed to grow alongside your agency’s needs.
Pricing Plans
Closely’s pricing is structured to accommodate agencies at different stages of growth. Plans offer varying levels of access to LinkedIn accounts, email accounts, and monthly credits:
Plan | Monthly Price | LinkedIn Accounts | Email Accounts | Monthly Credits | Key Limitations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Starter | $49 | 1 | Unlimited | 1,000 | 250 emails or 50 phones or 500 AI personalizations |
Growth | $127 | 3 | Unlimited | 3,000 | 750 emails or 150 phones or 1,500 AI personalizations |
Essential | $205 | 5 | Unlimited | 5,000 | 1,250 emails or 250 phones or 2,500 AI personalizations |
Custom | $350 | 10 | Unlimited | Custom | Custom limitations based on credits |
The credit-based system offers flexibility, allowing agencies to allocate resources as needed – whether it’s finding emails, discovering phone numbers, or creating AI-driven personalized messages.
Why Agencies Choose Closely
Agencies are drawn to Closely not just for its features but also for the operational benefits it provides:
- Scalability: Manage multiple LinkedIn accounts with ease, simplifying billing, training, and overall campaign management.
- 24-Hour Support: Get assistance anytime with chat support, and higher-tier plans include access to dedicated customer success managers.
- Integration Capabilities: Easily connect Closely with existing CRMs and other tools through webhooks, ensuring it fits seamlessly into your current workflow.
- Detailed Analytics and Reporting: Gain valuable insights into campaign performance with advanced reporting tools, helping you track metrics and refine strategies.
Closely isn’t just a tool; it’s a partner in streamlining and scaling outreach efforts for agencies of all sizes.
Smartlead Overview
Smartlead is a versatile platform designed to manage large-scale email campaigns with ease. Its standout features, such as unlimited email accounts and advanced email deliverability tools, make it an excellent choice for agencies handling high-volume outreach across multiple clients.
Main Features and Tools
Smartlead is packed with tools to streamline and scale agency email campaigns:
- Unlimited Email Accounts: Every pricing tier includes unlimited email accounts, enabling agencies to set up dedicated accounts for each client or campaign without limits.
- Email Warmup and Deliverability: Protects sender reputation by gradually increasing email volumes, ensuring better deliverability.
- Dynamic IP Addresses: Rotates IPs automatically to avoid flagging and enhance deliverability.
- Centralized Master Inbox: Combines responses from all email accounts into one dashboard, simplifying communication management.
- Dynamic Sequences: Enables personalized email flows that adapt based on recipient engagement.
- ChatGPT4 Integration: Included in higher-tier plans, this feature helps craft and personalize email content at scale.
- White-Label Capabilities: Lets agencies customize the platform with their branding, offering clients a fully branded experience with reports and analytics.
- API Access and Webhooks: Seamlessly integrates with CRMs and other marketing tools.
Additionally, Smartlead supports collaboration by offering unlimited team seats on higher-tier plans, so agencies can add team members without extra costs. These features cater to a wide range of agency needs, making it a flexible solution for growing teams.
Pricing Plans
Smartlead’s pricing is based on lead capacity and email volume, with options to suit different agency sizes:
Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Price | Active Leads | Monthly Emails | Key Features |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic | $39 | $32.50 | 2,000 | 6,000 | Unlimited email accounts, warmup, basic analytics |
Pro | $94 | $78.30 | 30,000 | 150,000 | ChatGPT4, unlimited seats, webhooks, API access |
Custom | $174+ | $148+ | Up to 12M | Up to 60M | Custom CRM, all features, enterprise support |
For agencies, the client add-on system is a game-changer. Both Pro and Custom plans include one free client for white-labeling, with additional clients available at $29 per month. This predictable pricing structure makes it easier for agencies to expand their client base without unexpected costs.
Johannes Fessler, CEO of Rock Solid Lead Generation, shares his experience:
"Smartlead is absolutely amazing! The software is easy to understand I am not a techie but directly understand everything and if you really have a question the team always helps instantly. Additionally I love all the features. Like I said for me as a lead generation agency the software gives me everything I need and much more." [1]
Agency Benefits
Smartlead is designed with agencies in mind, offering scalability without penalties for adding more accounts. The unlimited email accounts feature allows agencies to build dedicated infrastructures for each client, keeping costs steady. The white-label capabilities provide a branded client portal for campaign analytics, giving agencies a professional edge in client reporting and strengthening their credibility.
Kris Sharma, Founder of Webinar Dude, highlights the platform’s value:
"Terrific platform for agencies. The platform is intuitive and makes it easy to manage multiple client accounts. I love the email warmup feature, the sub-accounts, and the branded client portal. Deliverability and analytics are solid. Great customer support." [1]
Smartlead aligns with the growing need for AI-powered outreach tools that balance automation with personalization. Its ability to handle complex workflows makes it a reliable choice for agencies looking to scale their operations efficiently.
Side-by-Side Feature Comparison
This detailed comparison highlights the key features of each platform, helping agencies weigh their options effectively. Both platforms bring strong capabilities to the table, each excelling in different areas.
AI Personalization and Automation
Closely integrates AI-powered personalization across multiple touchpoints, using AI agents to handle tasks like research, message creation, and lead scoring. Depending on the plan, users can access between 500 and 2,500 AI personalizations monthly through a credit-based system. This makes it ideal for running highly targeted, multichannel campaigns.
Smartlead, on the other hand, focuses its AI capabilities on email personalization and content creation, making it particularly effective for email-driven campaigns.
While Closely offers broader AI applications for research and outreach, Smartlead hones in on refining email content. Let’s now explore their multichannel outreach capabilities.
Multichannel Campaign Support
Closely stands out with its multichannel outreach features, allowing users to manage both LinkedIn and email campaigns from a single platform. Plans support between 1 and 10 LinkedIn accounts, alongside unlimited email accounts. A unified inbox further simplifies communication by consolidating responses from all channels.
Smartlead is tailored for high-volume email campaigns, featuring advanced deliverability tools like an email warmup system. However, it does not include native LinkedIn automation. That said, its unlimited email accounts across all pricing tiers make it a flexible choice for email-heavy strategies.
Now, let’s take a closer look at how these platforms support team collaboration.
Team Management and Collaboration
Closely offers team management features, including white-label options starting from the Starter plan. This makes it a solid choice for agencies looking to customize their tools for client-facing work.
Smartlead provides unlimited team seats on its Pro and Custom plans, making it highly scalable for larger teams. Its centralized "unibox" consolidates outreach, responses, and follow-ups into one streamlined interface. Features like email warmup, sub-accounts, and branded client portals make it easy for agencies to manage multiple client accounts. Many agency owners appreciate how the platform allows teams to work efficiently without juggling multiple tools.
For agencies needing seamless collaboration at scale, Smartlead’s tools are hard to overlook.
Pricing and Scalability
Below is a pricing breakdown to summarize the platforms’ offerings:
Feature | Closely | Smartlead |
---|---|---|
Entry Price | $49/month (Starter) | Not disclosed |
Email Accounts | Unlimited on all plans | Unlimited on all plans |
LinkedIn Accounts | 1–10 (plan dependent) | Not available |
Team Seats | Included (limits vary) | Unlimited (Pro/Custom) |
White-Label | Available on all plans | Available on Pro/Custom with add-ons |
Client Add-Ons | Not specified | $29/month per additional client |
Closely uses a credit-based system, where credits are allocated for emails, phone lookups, and AI personalizations. Plans range from 1,000 to 5,000+ credits per month, with custom options available, offering flexibility for agencies with diverse outreach needs.
Smartlead, however, structures its pricing around lead capacity and email volume. Active lead limits range from 2,000 to 12 million, while monthly email limits span from 6,000 to 60 million. Additional clients can be added for $29 per month, making growth predictable and manageable.
For agencies juggling LinkedIn and email outreach, Closely’s credit system offers versatility. Meanwhile, agencies focused solely on high-volume email marketing might prefer Smartlead’s straightforward, scalable pricing model.
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Agency Use Cases
These examples showcase how agencies can leverage each platform to meet their unique needs, such as handling multiple accounts, maintaining consistent branding, and delivering detailed analytics. Agencies often juggle diverse client portfolios, requiring tools that streamline operations and enhance client satisfaction.
Managing Multiple Client Accounts
Closely uses a credit-based system, allowing agencies to distribute between 1,000 and 5,000 credits across various campaigns. Its unified inbox makes managing client communications straightforward. This setup is ideal for agencies handling a mix of projects, like running LinkedIn campaigns for a software company while managing email outreach for an e-commerce client – all from one centralized dashboard.
White-Label and Branding Options
Closely supports consistent branding for client-facing activities with white-label options available on all plans, ensuring a professional presentation.
Smartlead takes white-labeling a step further by enabling agencies to rebrand the entire platform. This includes hosting it on a custom URL like app.yourdomain.com. Agencies can also configure client access levels, giving them control over billing, lead credits, and reporting – all under their own branding.
Reporting and Analytics
Closely offers advanced tools for tracking campaign performance and analyzing results. From LinkedIn connection rates to email open and response rates, agencies can monitor key metrics in one place. Its AI-powered lead scoring also highlights the most promising prospects, making it easier to showcase ROI with comprehensive cross-channel reports.
These examples highlight how each platform supports the operational and client management needs of agencies, offering tailored solutions for complex workflows.
Which Platform to Choose
When it comes to selecting the right platform for your agency, the choice becomes more straightforward when you consider the specific needs of scalable and personalized outreach. For agencies that rely heavily on LinkedIn automation and AI-driven personalization, Closely emerges as a strong contender.
Best Platform for Your Goals
If your agency focuses on LinkedIn-centric campaigns and values advanced AI personalization, Closely is a great fit. It combines LinkedIn automation with email outreach, making it particularly effective for B2B campaigns. The platform’s credit-based system adds flexibility, allowing you to manage multiple campaigns with ease.
Closely’s AI personalization tools stand out by conducting in-depth research and crafting tailored messages for each campaign. On top of that, the built-in lead scoring feature helps you quickly identify high-value prospects – a game-changer for agencies juggling several campaigns simultaneously.
Budget and Growth Considerations
Closely offers a pricing structure that adapts to your agency’s growth, starting at an affordable level. The Growth plan costs $127 per month and includes 3,000 credits across three LinkedIn accounts, making it ideal for agencies just starting to scale.
For agencies with more established needs, the Essential plan at $205 per month provides 5,000 credits, offering a balance between cost and functionality. Larger agencies can opt for the Custom plan at $350 per month, which supports up to 10 LinkedIn accounts and allows for customized credit allocation. This flexibility ensures that you can scale your operations without worrying about hidden fees or resource limitations.
The credit-based system also includes unlimited email accounts and dynamic resource allocation, ensuring that your campaigns remain efficient and cost-effective as your agency grows.
Integration with Current Tools
Closely integrates effortlessly with popular CRM systems and marketing tools, thanks to its webhooks and native integrations. This ensures that it works smoothly with your existing systems, simplifying your workflow. The platform’s unified inbox is another standout feature, consolidating responses from both LinkedIn and email campaigns into a single, easy-to-manage interface. This reduces the need for additional communication tools.
For agencies requiring custom setups, Closely’s API offers the flexibility to create tailored integrations. The setup process is straightforward, minimizing technical hurdles and allowing your team to get up and running quickly so you can focus on executing impactful campaigns.
With its powerful features, adaptable pricing, and seamless integrations, Closely provides agencies with the tools they need to optimize and scale their outreach efforts effectively.
Conclusion
Closely stands out as a powerful outreach platform tailored for B2B agencies. With features like AI-driven personalization, multichannel automation, and a flexible credit system, it simplifies prospecting and campaign management. Add to that built-in lead scoring and research tools, and you’ve got everything you need for efficient outreach in one place.
The platform’s pricing options – starting at $49 per month for the Starter plan and going up to $350 per month for the Custom plan – are designed to grow alongside your agency. Features such as a unified inbox, white-label capabilities, and detailed analytics help agencies focus on what matters most without being bogged down by too many tools.
For agencies handling multiple client accounts, Closely’s all-in-one approach allows teams to prioritize strategic efforts over managing multiple platforms. It’s a solution built to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and support your agency’s growth.
FAQs
How does Closely’s credit system work, and why is it ideal for agencies with varied outreach needs?
Closely’s credit system is built to give agencies the freedom and control they need to manage their outreach campaigns effectively. Here’s how it works: agencies can buy a set number of credits upfront, which are then used as outreach activities are executed. Each activity deducts a specific amount of credits, making it straightforward to track and allocate resources.
This setup works especially well for agencies handling multiple campaigns. It allows them to spread credits across different projects, adapt usage to meet specific objectives, and keep an eye on their remaining credits in real time. With predictable costs and flexible usage, Closely helps agencies stay on top of their outreach efforts without overspending or wasting resources.
What features make Closely ideal for agencies managing LinkedIn and email outreach?
Closely is built to simplify LinkedIn and email outreach for agencies, offering a range of automation tools to save time and improve workflow. It handles LinkedIn tasks such as profile visits, sending connection requests, and messaging, while also supporting multichannel campaigns that combine LinkedIn and email outreach – all managed from one convenient dashboard.
With AI-powered personalization, Closely creates customized messages, automates lead research, and helps increase response rates. It also integrates with widely used CRMs like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Pipedrive, making it easier for teams to organize campaigns and monitor their progress. These features make Closely an effective solution for agencies aiming to expand their outreach efforts without losing the personal touch.
How does Closely work with CRM systems and marketing tools to simplify agency workflows?
Closely works effortlessly with top CRM platforms such as Salesforce, HubSpot, and Pipedrive. This integration enables real-time syncing of contacts, simplifies lead management, and automates campaign execution.
By linking with your current marketing tools, Closely brings all your outreach efforts together in one place. It helps you manage leads, nurture prospects, and streamline workflows – all from a single, centralized platform. This setup allows agencies to save time, work more efficiently, and concentrate on delivering measurable results.