LinkedIn automation tools simplify repetitive tasks like sending connection requests, messaging, and profile visits, saving time and boosting efficiency. These tools are essential for sales, marketing, and recruiting professionals managing high-volume outreach. However, LinkedIn’s strict monitoring requires careful selection to avoid account restrictions.
Key Takeaways:
- Closely: AI-powered personalization and multichannel outreach. Starting at $49/month, it’s cost-effective for small teams but requires credit management.
- LinkedIn Sales Navigator: Ideal for advanced prospect research. Costs $99.99/month but lacks full automation.
- Expandi: Cloud-based with advanced personalization options. Starts at $99/month, but setup requires attention to LinkedIn’s guidelines.
- Zopto: Browser-based for safer automation. Starting at $197/month, it’s better for teams but requires an active browser.
Quick Comparison:
| Tool | Best For | Starting Price | Key Features | Main Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Closely | Multichannel outreach | $49/month | AI personalization, email integration | Credit monitoring needed |
| LinkedIn Sales Navigator | Prospect research | $99.99/month | Advanced search, official tool | No full automation |
| Expandi | Personalized campaigns | $99/month | Cloud-based, image/GIF messaging | Requires careful setup |
| Zopto | Teams with multiple accounts | $197/month | Browser-based, CRM integration | Slower execution, higher cost |
Automation can save up to 20 hours weekly and improve response rates by 45%. Choose tools based on your outreach goals, workflow, and budget while ensuring compliance with LinkedIn’s policies.
9 Best Linkedin Automation Tools 2025 (Full Demo & Comparison)
1. Closely
Closely stands out as a major player in the LinkedIn automation space, offering a suite of features designed to streamline outreach efforts. It combines AI-powered personalization with multichannel outreach tools, helping users craft campaigns that feel genuine and tailored.
Features and Capabilities
Closely’s AI-driven personalization engine takes the guesswork out of messaging. By analyzing LinkedIn profiles, company details, and recent activities, it generates customized messages that avoid the impersonal tone often associated with automated outreach.
The platform also supports multichannel campaign management, enabling users to integrate LinkedIn outreach with email sequences – all from a single dashboard. With tools like a verified email and phone number finder, Closely automatically enriches prospect profiles, making outreach more effective. Users can design complex workflows that adapt based on how prospects engage, ensuring a dynamic and responsive campaign strategy.
The unified inbox feature makes managing conversations easier by centralizing replies from both LinkedIn and email campaigns. Meanwhile, the platform’s advanced analytics provide insights into key metrics like connection acceptance rates, response rates, and overall conversions.
Additional features include lead scoring, CRM integrations, webhooks for custom workflows, web research tools, and white-label options tailored for agencies. Higher-tier plans also come with team management tools and 24/7 support via dedicated customer success managers.
Pricing and Plans
Closely uses a credit-based pricing model, offering flexibility in how users allocate resources across emails, phone lookups, and AI personalizations:
| Plan | Monthly Price | LinkedIn Accounts | Credits | Email/Phone/AI Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $49 | 1 | 1,000 | 250 emails, 50 phones, or 500 AI personalizations |
| Growth | $127 | 3 | 3,000 | 750 emails, 150 phones, or 1,500 AI personalizations |
| Essential | $205 | 5 | 5,000 | 1,250 emails, 250 phones, or 2,500 AI personalizations |
| Custom | $350 | 10 | Custom | Custom credit allocation |
All plans include unlimited email accounts and white-label capabilities, making them ideal for agencies or teams managing multiple client accounts.
Use Cases
Closely is versatile enough to meet the needs of various professionals:
- Sales teams can automate prospecting while maintaining a personal touch, making it easier to connect with decision-makers. The AI personalization feature is particularly useful for crafting relevant messages at scale.
- Recruiters can use the multichannel approach to reach passive candidates via LinkedIn and email, increasing response rates. Lead scoring helps them focus on the most promising candidates.
- Marketing agencies benefit from white-label options and team management tools, enabling them to offer LinkedIn automation services under their own brand. Managing multiple LinkedIn accounts from one dashboard simplifies operations.
These examples highlight how Closely adapts to different industries and challenges.
Strengths and Limitations
One of Closely’s standout features is its AI-powered personalization, which enhances the effectiveness of outreach campaigns. The multichannel capabilities and unified inbox provide a streamlined solution for modern sales and marketing needs.
However, the credit-based pricing model can be a double-edged sword. While it offers flexibility, it may complicate budgeting for teams with specific usage patterns. Additionally, there’s a learning curve when setting up complex campaigns, and running out of credits mid-campaign could disrupt outreach efforts. Users need to monitor credit usage closely to avoid interruptions.
2. LinkedIn Sales Navigator
LinkedIn Sales Navigator is a premium tool tailored for B2B professionals, including sales teams, marketers, and recruiters. It provides direct access to LinkedIn’s vast network, making it easier to identify, connect with, and engage potential high-value clients or candidates. This tool stands out as a go-to resource for leveraging LinkedIn’s platform to enhance business outreach efforts.
3. Expandi
Expandi is a LinkedIn automation tool that operates entirely in the cloud, offering a seamless way to scale outreach while keeping interactions personal. Unlike browser-based tools that require active sessions, Expandi runs continuously without the need to keep your computer or browser open. This makes it a convenient option for users looking to manage campaigns around the clock.
Features and Capabilities
Expandi goes beyond simple connection requests, offering advanced automation features like drip campaigns with conditional logic that adapts based on how prospects respond. To keep interactions realistic and safeguard accounts, it uses smart delays and human-like actions, such as randomizing profile views and post likes.
The platform also supports team collaboration, allowing multiple users to work together with centralized reporting. For businesses already using tools like HubSpot, Pipedrive, or Salesforce, Expandi integrates seamlessly with these CRMs, making it easy to sync data and streamline workflows.
Pricing and Plans
Expandi offers a tiered pricing model:
- Individual Plan: $99/month, includes one LinkedIn account, unlimited campaigns, and basic integrations.
- Agency Plan: $199/month, supports up to three LinkedIn accounts, team collaboration tools, and priority support.
- Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing tailored to larger organizations, featuring dedicated account management, custom integrations, and enhanced security.
All plans come with a 7-day free trial, allowing users to explore the platform before committing.
Use Cases
Expandi’s features make it a versatile tool for a range of professionals and organizations:
- Sales Teams: Sales development representatives use Expandi to automate prospecting workflows while maintaining a personal touch. It’s especially effective for B2B companies targeting specific industries or job roles, thanks to LinkedIn’s detailed search filters.
- Recruiters: Recruitment agencies leverage Expandi to connect with passive candidates. Personalized messages based on profile data help recruiters stand out and build lasting relationships with top talent. CRM integrations ensure lead data and campaign results are automatically synced, simplifying candidate management.
- Marketing Agencies: Agencies managing LinkedIn outreach for multiple clients benefit from Expandi’s ability to handle several accounts simultaneously. White-label options allow for client-specific branding, making it an efficient tool for managing outreach campaigns.
Strengths and Limitations
Expandi’s cloud-based setup is a major advantage, offering reliability and uninterrupted performance that browser-based tools often lack. Its personalization features and CRM integrations are particularly helpful for businesses with established sales processes.
However, the tool’s pricing may deter solopreneurs or small businesses new to LinkedIn automation. Additionally, mastering its advanced features can take some time. While Expandi prioritizes compliance and account safety, these measures can slow down campaign execution compared to more aggressive tools. Users need to weigh the trade-off between safety and speed when planning their outreach efforts.
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4. Zopto
Zopto takes a slightly different route from Expandi, offering a browser-based solution tailored for sales teams and agencies aiming to scale their LinkedIn outreach efforts while keeping their accounts secure. This tool operates through a browser extension, meaning users need to keep their browser open while campaigns run. By mimicking human behavior, Zopto reduces the likelihood of LinkedIn flagging accounts for automated activity.
Features and Capabilities
Zopto’s automation revolves around multi-step sequences that include tasks like sending connection requests, follow-ups, and profile visits. To make interactions feel more authentic, the platform incorporates delays and randomization. Campaigns can also automatically pause when a prospect replies, avoiding awkward situations where automated messages continue after a conversation begins.
With advanced targeting tools, users can leverage LinkedIn’s search filters to pinpoint prospects by job title, company size, industry, or location. Zopto also allows for personalized messaging, using profile details such as first names, company names, and job titles to create outreach that resonates on a personal level.
For teams, Zopto offers centralized dashboards, enabling managers to oversee multiple team members’ campaigns, track performance, and ensure compliance with daily connection limits. The platform integrates with leading CRMs like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Pipedrive, ensuring prospect data and campaign outcomes sync seamlessly.
Pricing and Plans
Zopto keeps its pricing simple, with three main plans:
- Starter Plan: $197/month for one LinkedIn account, unlimited campaigns, and basic integrations.
- Professional Plan: $297/month, accommodating up to three LinkedIn accounts, team collaboration tools, and advanced analytics.
- Agency Plan: $497/month, designed for larger teams, supporting up to 10 LinkedIn accounts, white-label options, and dedicated support.
All plans come with a 14-day free trial, and annual subscriptions include a 10% discount. Zopto’s pricing reflects its focus on established sales teams rather than individual users or smaller startups.
Use Cases
Zopto caters to several core groups with specific automation needs:
- B2B sales teams: These users rely on Zopto to systematically engage decision-makers at target companies. The feature that pauses campaigns when prospects respond is especially useful for sales reps transitioning from automated messages to personal conversations.
- Recruitment agencies: Recruiters use Zopto’s targeting tools to connect with passive candidates in specific industries or with particular skill sets. Personalized messaging helps them stand out in crowded LinkedIn inboxes.
- Marketing agencies: Agencies managing LinkedIn campaigns for multiple clients benefit from Zopto’s multi-account support and white-label options. This allows them to run distinct campaigns for each client while maintaining centralized control and reporting.
These use cases highlight Zopto’s focus on balancing effective automation with account safety.
Strengths and Limitations
Zopto’s browser-based model prioritizes account safety by requiring user sessions, reducing risks compared to cloud-based tools that operate independently. The platform enforces daily limits and delays, keeping users within LinkedIn’s acceptable usage boundaries. Its CRM integrations and team management features further enhance its appeal for larger teams.
However, the browser-based approach means users must keep their computers active during campaigns, which can slow execution. The pricing may also deter smaller businesses or individual users, as the starting cost is higher than many alternatives. Additionally, the platform’s measured pace and emphasis on compliance might frustrate those seeking quicker results. For newcomers, the learning curve can feel steep.
Ultimately, Zopto’s approach underscores the importance of balancing efficiency with safety when automating LinkedIn outreach. While it may not be the fastest tool on the market, its focus on compliance ensures a safer experience for users.
Tool Comparison: Pros and Cons
Choosing the right tool depends on your specific needs – whether you’re in sales, marketing, or recruiting. Each platform offers unique features tailored to different goals.
Closely is ideal for multichannel outreach, combining AI-driven personalization with continuous cloud-based operation. However, its credit-based model requires careful resource management to avoid overspending.
LinkedIn Sales Navigator, as LinkedIn’s official premium tool, excels in prospect research with advanced search capabilities. But for those seeking fully automated outreach, additional tools are necessary to fill the gap.
Expandi offers advanced, multi-step messaging sequences with options like image and GIF personalization, making campaigns feel more engaging. That said, users need to configure it thoughtfully to stay within LinkedIn’s guidelines.
Zopto takes a browser-based approach, giving users direct control over campaigns. While this method offers precision, it operates slower compared to cloud-based alternatives.
Here’s a quick breakdown of each tool’s pros, cons, and pricing:
| Tool | Best For | Key Strengths | Main Limitations | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Closely | Multichannel outreach teams | AI personalization, email integration, detailed analytics | Requires credit monitoring; learning curve | $49/month |
| LinkedIn Sales Navigator | Research-focused professionals | Official LinkedIn tool, advanced search, reliable data | No full automation; manual outreach required | $99.99/month |
| Expandi | Personalization-focused campaigns | Advanced sequences, image/GIF personalization, precise targeting | Needs careful setup for compliance; higher cost | $99/month |
| Zopto | Teams preferring direct control | Browser-based operation, team management, CRM integration | Slower execution; requires an active computer | $197/month |
Automation tools powered by AI can triple response rates and improve lead engagement by 45% [2]. These statistics highlight the importance of integrating automation into B2B outreach strategies. However, the key to success lies in selecting a tool that aligns with your workflow.
For sales teams prioritizing efficiency and high-volume outreach, a multichannel platform like Closely provides a well-rounded solution at an affordable price. On the other hand, professionals who need detailed prospect research may prefer LinkedIn Sales Navigator but should consider pairing it with additional automation tools for outreach.
Marketing agencies managing multiple client accounts can benefit from features like white-labeling and team collaboration. In this context, Closely stands out as a versatile and budget-friendly option for smaller agencies with diverse needs.
Recruiters, often tasked with reaching passive candidates, rely on personalization to make their messages stand out. While Expandi‘s multimedia personalization and advanced sequences are effective, Closely offers a scalable, cost-efficient alternative for growing recruitment efforts.
Interestingly, sales professionals spend about 21% of their day writing emails – automation can cut this time in half and reduce acquisition costs by up to 60% [2].
Lastly, keep in mind that LinkedIn’s Terms of Service generally prohibit automation [1]. Choosing a tool that mimics human behavior while adhering to compliance standards is essential for long-term success.
This comparison underscores how these tools can help streamline LinkedIn outreach while catering to different roles and strategies.
Conclusion
LinkedIn automation tools serve a variety of purposes, catering to sales, recruiting, and marketing professionals. Choosing the right tool depends on understanding your specific outreach goals and budget, ensuring you select a solution that fits seamlessly into your strategy.
For sales teams aiming to manage high-volume prospecting or multichannel campaigns, tools that integrate LinkedIn automation with email outreach are a smart choice. For example, Closely offers AI-driven personalization and a unified dashboard, making multichannel outreach more efficient. Its Starter plan, priced at $49/month, is ideal for smaller teams and can scale as your needs grow.
Recruiters, on the other hand, require tools that deliver scalable, targeted personalization to connect with passive candidates effectively. Breaking through the noise of outreach relies on thoughtful, tailored messaging.
Marketing teams benefit from features like integrated analytics, team collaboration tools, and white-label solutions. These capabilities allow them to track campaign performance, generate detailed reports, and maintain consistent branding across efforts.
If your team sends fewer than 1,000 personalized messages per month, entry-level plans may be sufficient. However, for higher-volume operations, it’s important to consider consumption rates and overall costs when selecting a plan.
Finally, safeguard your LinkedIn account by choosing tools that replicate natural human behavior. Start with a basic plan to test and refine your approach before scaling up. Focus on aligning the tool’s features with your workflow rather than opting for the most feature-packed option right away. This approach ensures a smoother integration and better results over time.
FAQs
How can I use LinkedIn automation tools like Closely while staying compliant with LinkedIn’s policies?
To ensure you’re operating within LinkedIn’s rules while using automation tools like Closely, it’s crucial to respect LinkedIn’s activity limits. Avoid overwhelming the platform with excessive actions, like sending too many connection requests or messages in a short time. Automation should replicate natural human behavior and gradually increase outreach efforts to keep things realistic.
Prioritize quality over quantity by limiting the number of invites you send daily and personalizing each message. Regularly check LinkedIn’s guidelines to stay informed and steer clear of potential restrictions or account suspensions. When used responsibly, automation can help you maintain effective and rule-abiding LinkedIn engagement.
What should I look for when selecting a LinkedIn automation tool for my team?
When choosing a LinkedIn automation tool for your team, it’s important to focus on features that directly support your objectives. Opt for tools that integrate smoothly with your CRM, allow for customized personalization to maintain a genuine touch in your outreach, and include strong automation features like scheduling, lead capture, and messaging workflows.
You’ll also want to consider tools that offer in-depth analytics for tracking performance, have an intuitive interface for quick team adoption, and comply with LinkedIn’s usage policies to avoid potential risks. Extras like team collaboration features and multi-platform scheduling can further boost efficiency, making the tool a more practical choice for your team.
How does Closely use AI to make LinkedIn outreach more effective?
How Closely Uses AI for Personalized LinkedIn Outreach
Closely leverages AI-driven personalization to craft LinkedIn outreach messages that truly connect with individual prospects. By analyzing details from profiles and tracking engagement patterns, it helps create messages that feel tailored and relevant. The result? Higher response rates and stronger connections.
What sets this approach apart is its ability to avoid generic, one-size-fits-all messaging. Instead, Closely ensures that every outreach effort is targeted and meaningful. On top of that, it fine-tunes follow-ups by adjusting messaging strategies based on each prospect’s behavior. This dynamic approach boosts engagement and helps improve conversion rates for your campaigns.