LinkedIn automation tools, compared
There are a dozen tools that will send LinkedIn connection requests on your behalf. They differ in three ways that actually matter: what they charge, whether they run from the cloud or a Chrome extension tied to your browser, and how much they bundle beyond sending (CRM, inbox, AI replies). Here's how to actually choose.
The table below gives you the at-a-glance numbers for 11 tools. The sections after it walk through the three variables that should drive your decision (price, feature depth, and cloud vs extension sending), and the linked pages below go deep on each individual comparison. Closer Claus built this page, so weigh our framing accordingly, but the pricing and feature facts are sourced from each vendor's current plans.
| Tool | Starting price | Sending model | CRM included | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Closer Claus | $49/mo flat | Cloud | Yes, full pipeline | Solo founders who want CRM, inbox, and AI replies in one tool |
| Expandi | $99/mo | Cloud | Not included | Agencies needing deep customization and webhooks |
| Dripify | $39-79/mo per user | Cloud | Basic tier only; inbox on Pro | Teams wired into an external CRM stack |
| Waalaxy | ~$16-55/mo (plus free tier) | Chrome extension | Lists and tags, not a true pipeline | Lowest budget, comfortable with browser-based sending |
| Dux-Soup | ~$15/mo (extension); ~$99/mo (cloud tier) | Chrome extension by default; cloud on top tier | Basic contact tracking | Cheapest entry point, willing to trade UI polish for it |
| Octopus CRM | $9.99-39.99/mo | Chrome extension | Basic contact/deal list | Very simple, single-account automation on a tight budget |
| HeyReach | ~$79/seat/mo (agency tiers $999-1,999/mo) | Cloud | No native CRM, integrates out | Agencies sending across many client accounts |
| Meet Alfred | $59/mo ($29/mo annual) | Cloud | Basic CRM included | Multichannel: LinkedIn, email, and X |
| Linked Helper | $15-45/mo | Desktop app (local browser window) | Basic CRM included | Cheapest cloud-adjacent option, technical users |
| SalesRobot | $59/mo+ (email is a paid add-on) | Cloud | Mini CRM included | Strong AI inbox, LinkedIn plus optional email |
| Closely | $49/mo (1 account) | Cloud | Light native CRM, integrates out | AI-credit-based plans, multi-account scaling |
| Zopto | $197/mo per user | Cloud | Integrates out, no native pipeline | Bigger budgets, often needs Sales Navigator too |
| La Growth Machine | ~$70/mo per identity | Cloud | No native pipeline, auto-syncs out | Multichannel: LinkedIn, email, calls, X |
Price alone is a misleading way to compare these
Headline prices range from under $10/mo to nearly $100/mo, but they're not comparable at face value. Dripify and Expandi price meaningfully differently depending on billing term and seats. Waalaxy's cheapest tiers exclude the unified inbox, which is a separate paid add-on. Octopus CRM's entry tier excludes the bulk messaging most people actually want. Compare what's included at the price point you'd actually pay, not the number in the ad.
Cloud sending versus a Chrome extension is a structural difference, not a preference
Waalaxy, Dux-Soup (outside its top Cloud Dux tier), and Octopus CRM all run as Chrome extensions, meaning your campaigns only send while your browser is open. Close the tab, shut your laptop, or lose your connection, and outreach pauses until you're back. Closer Claus, Expandi, and Dripify send from the cloud, so campaigns keep running on schedule regardless of whether your computer is on. If you want outreach that runs unattended, this one factor narrows the field more than price does.
Feature depth: sending-only tools versus full platforms
Some tools do one job well: send connection requests and follow-ups on a schedule. Others bundle a CRM pipeline, a unified inbox for replies, lead sourcing, and increasingly, an AI layer that drafts responses. The tradeoff is usually price: bundled platforms cost more per month but replace two or three separate tools. Sending-only tools are cheaper but leave you managing replies and pipeline elsewhere. Decide which you're actually going to use before paying for the bundle.
Read the full breakdown
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