Closely vs Expandi
Closely
- Platform: LinkedIn + Email + CRM
- Best For: Multichannel sales outreach with AI and integrations
- Strength: Deep CRM sync and AI personalization
- Users: Not specified
Starting at $29/month
Expandi
- Platform: LinkedIn + Email
- Best For: Safe LinkedIn automation and agency management
- Strength: Account safety and smart sequences
- Users: Not specified
Starting at $79/month
Table of Contents
At a Glance
Platform Support
| Feature | Closely | Expandi |
|---|---|---|
| LinkedIn Automation | ✓ Sequences with safe limits and human-like behavior | ✓ Up to 300+ weekly requests with smart limits and dedicated IPs |
| Email Outreach | ✓ Unlimited email accounts with AI personalization | ✓ Connected providers with open/reply tracking |
| Multichannel Campaigns | ✓ Combines LinkedIn and email steps with CRM sync | ✓ Mixes LinkedIn actions and email follow-ups with conditions |
| Other Platforms | ✗ LinkedIn and email only | ✗ LinkedIn and email focus, no other social platforms |
Automation & Sequences
| Feature | Closely | Expandi |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Sequences | ✓ Multichannel sequences with conditional logic | ✓ Up to 10 actions and 10 conditions based on behavior |
| Human-like Behavior | ✓ Safe limits and AI to mimic human actions | ✓ Warm-up, dedicated IPs, and algorithm-based limits |
| Campaign Prioritization | ✗ Unlimited campaigns but no explicit prioritization | ✓ Unlimited campaigns with built-in prioritization and A/B testing |
| Video/GIF Personalization | ✗ AI text personalization only | ✓ Integrations with Sendspark and Hyperize (paid add-ons) |
AI & Personalization
| Feature | Closely | Expandi |
|---|---|---|
| AI Personalization | ✓ For DMs, InMails, and emails; uses credits | ✗ Basic personalization, no native AI |
| Sales AI Agents | ✓ Lead research, qualification, scoring, web research | ✗ No AI agents |
| Data Enrichment | ✓ Verified emails/phones from LinkedIn, uses credits | ✓ Consented data from groups, events, posts |
Integrations & CRM
| Feature | Closely | Expandi |
|---|---|---|
| CRM Integrations | ✓ Deep integrations with HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive, GoHighLevel | ✗ No native CRM integrations |
| Unified Inbox | ✓ For LinkedIn DMs, InMails, and emails | ✗ No unified inbox mentioned |
| Webhooks | ✓ Available in Custom plan | ✗ No webhooks |
Analytics & Reporting
| Feature | Closely | Expandi |
|---|---|---|
| Outreach Analytics | ✓ Advanced across campaigns, sequences, teams | ✓ Detailed metrics, campaign performance, SSI tracking |
| Team Analytics | ✓ CRM attribution and team management | ✓ Role-based reporting and workspaces |
| Branded Reporting | ✓ White-label with custom domain | ✓ White-label for agencies |
Team & Agency Features
| Feature | Closely | Expandi |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Account Management | ✓ Up to 5 LinkedIn accounts in Essential, custom for more | ✓ Multiple accounts from single dashboard |
| White-Label Platform | ✓ Included in all plans, custom domain in White-label Unlimited | ✓ Available in Agency plan |
| Role & Permission Management | ✓ Team management in Custom | ✓ Flexible roles for teams and agencies |
| Unlimited Seats for Agencies | ✓ White-label Unlimited at $999/month | ✓ Agency plan custom for 10+ seats |
Pricing Comparison
Closely starts at $29/month (annual) with flexible tiers for teams and agencies, emphasizing value through AI credits and CRM integrations. Expandi starts at $79/month (annual) with a simpler structure focused on per-seat safety features, better for heavy LinkedIn users but less flexible for email-heavy workflows.
Closely
Starter Annual
$29/month
Solo users or small teams starting with LinkedIn and email
- 1 LinkedIn account
- Unlimited email accounts
- White-label included
- Outreach automation and multichannel campaigns
Growth Annual
$87/month
Growing teams needing more accounts and AI credits
- 3 LinkedIn accounts
- Unlimited email accounts
- White-label included
- Bonus 3,000 credits/month (750 emails, 150 phones, 1,500 AI personalizations)
Essential Annual
$145/month
Mid-sized teams scaling outreach
- 5 LinkedIn accounts
- Unlimited email accounts
- White-label included
- Bonus 5,000 credits/month (1,250 emails, 250 phones, 2,500 AI personalizations)
Custom
Custom
Large teams or enterprises needing tailored setup
- Custom LinkedIn accounts
- Unlimited email accounts
- Custom credits
- Conditional sequences, smart inbox, CRM integrations, webhooks
- Advanced analytics and white-label customization
White-label Unlimited
$999/month
Agencies with multiple clients
- Unlimited seats
- Full customization (logo, colors, domain)
- Client portal, branded reporting
- No per-seat fees or usage caps
Expandi
Business (Annual)
$79/month
Individuals or small teams focused on LinkedIn safety
- Dedicated IP and profile warm-up
- Smart limits and multichannel outreach
- Unlimited campaigns with prioritization
- Sequence builder with logic
- Detailed analytics
Business (Monthly)
$99/month
Short-term users needing flexibility
- All annual features at higher rate
- Cloud-based with safety tools
Agency (10+ Seats, White Label)
Custom
Agencies managing multiple accounts
- All Business features for all seats
- Roles, permissions, centralized management
- Template sharing, dedicated support
- White-labeling option
Feature Deep Dive
Outreach Automation Capabilities
Closely
Strengths
- Multichannel sequences blending LinkedIn and email with safe limits
- Human-like behavior to avoid LinkedIn restrictions
- Exports from Sales Navigator, posts, events for targeting
- Conditional builder in Custom plan
Workflow
Build sequence → Add LinkedIn/email steps → Personalize with AI → Launch and monitor in unified inbox
Expandi
Strengths
- Smart sequences with 10 actions/conditions for behavior-based flows
- Dedicated IPs and warm-up for account safety
- Campaign types to bypass limits (e.g., Mobile Connector)
- Unlimited campaigns with prioritization and A/B testing
Workflow
Warm up profile → Create smart sequence → Mix actions (requests, messages, emails) → Prioritize and track
Both offer robust automation, but Closely differentiates with seamless email integration and CRM sync, ideal for sales pipelines. Expandi shines in LinkedIn-specific safety and conditional logic, better for pure prospecting without deep integrations.
AI & Personalization Features
Closely
Strengths
- AI for DMs, InMails, emails with 1,500+ personalizations per credits
- Sales AI Agents for research, qualification, scoring
- Data enrichment with verified contacts using credits
- Web research capabilities
Limitations
- Credit-based (e.g., 3,000 in Growth), extra cost for heavy use
Expandi
Strengths
- Basic personalization in sequences
- Video/GIF via paid add-ons (Sendspark, Hyperize)
- Consented data collection for targeted outreach
Limitations
- No native AI personalization or agents
- Add-ons increase costs
Closely leads with comprehensive AI for personalization and lead handling, making it superior for scalable, intelligent outreach. Expandi relies on manual or add-on personalization, better for users prioritizing safety over AI depth.
Integrations & CRM Sync
Closely
Strengths
- Deep integrations with HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive, GoHighLevel
- Unified inbox for all replies with CRM attribution
- Webhooks for custom workflows in Custom plan
- Automatic data sync for leads
Workflow
Enrich leads → Sync to CRM → Track replies in inbox → Attribute to campaigns
Expandi
Strengths
- Multiple account management from dashboard
- Template sharing across workspaces
Limitations
- No native CRM integrations
- Manual export for CRM
Closely's CRM focus makes it essential for sales teams needing pipeline integration. Expandi lacks this, requiring manual processes, but offers stronger internal team tools for agencies without CRM dependency.
Analytics & Reporting
Closely
Strengths
- Advanced analytics across campaigns, sequences, teams
- CRM attribution for ROI tracking
- White-label reporting with custom branding
Limitations
- Best in higher plans for team insights
Expandi
Strengths
- Detailed step-by-step stats, campaign performance
- SSI tracking and centralized dashboard
- Transparent client reports in Agency plan
Limitations
- Less emphasis on multichannel or CRM analytics
Closely provides deeper multichannel and CRM-tied analytics for sales leaders. Expandi offers granular LinkedIn metrics and agency reporting, winning for prospecting-focused teams.
Use Case Comparison
Outbound Sales Team
Closely 🏆
Excellent
Multichannel campaigns, AI personalization, and CRM integrations streamline sales workflows and attribution.
Best Plan: Growth Annual ($87/month)
Score: 10/10
Expandi
Good
Strong LinkedIn automation but lacks CRM sync for full pipeline management.
Best Plan: Business Annual ($79/month)
Score: 7/10
Lead Generation Agency
Closely
Excellent
White-label, unlimited seats, and AI agents support client prospecting at scale.
Best Plan: White-label Unlimited ($999/month)
Score: 9/10
Expandi 🏆
Excellent
Agency plan with white-label and multi-account management ideal for client services.
Best Plan: Agency (Custom)
Score: 10/10
Solo Founder Prospecting
Closely 🏆
Good
Affordable Starter with AI and email, but interface may overwhelm beginners.
Best Plan: Starter Annual ($29/month)
Score: 8/10
Expandi
Good
Safe automation for solo use, but higher price and no AI.
Best Plan: Business Annual ($79/month)
Score: 6/10
B2B Sales Leader Needing Analytics
Closely 🏆
Excellent
Advanced analytics and CRM attribution for team performance tracking.
Best Plan: Essential Annual ($145/month)
Score: 10/10
Expandi
Fair
Good metrics but no CRM tie-in for leadership insights.
Best Plan: Business Annual ($79/month)
Score: 5/10
Recruiter Sourcing Candidates
Closely
Good
LinkedIn automation and enrichment, but less tailored for recruiting.
Best Plan: Growth Annual ($87/month)
Score: 7/10
Expandi 🏆
Excellent
Designed for recruiters with safe outreach and data collection from events/groups.
Best Plan: Business Annual ($79/month)
Score: 9/10
Small Team Scaling Outbound
Closely 🏆
Excellent
Scalable accounts, credits, and integrations without building SDR team.
Best Plan: Essential Annual ($145/month)
Score: 9/10
Expandi
Good
Multi-account support but per-seat costs add up.
Best Plan: Agency (Custom)
Score: 7/10
Agency Offering LinkedIn Services
Closely
Good
White-label and custom features, but focused on sales over pure agency tools.
Best Plan: Custom
Score: 8/10
Expandi 🏆
Excellent
Dedicated agency plan with roles, white-label, and client support.
Best Plan: Agency (Custom)
Score: 10/10
Founder Without Large SDR Team
Closely 🏆
Excellent
AI agents and multichannel replace manual prospecting.
Best Plan: Growth Annual ($87/month)
Score: 9/10
Expandi
Good
Automation scales solo efforts but no AI assistance.
Best Plan: Business Annual ($79/month)
Score: 7/10
Marketer Running Multichannel Campaigns
Closely 🏆
Excellent
Seamless LinkedIn-email with CRM for full campaigns.
Best Plan: Essential Annual ($145/month)
Score: 10/10
Expandi
Good
Multichannel but less integrated than Closely.
Best Plan: Business Annual ($79/month)
Score: 6/10
Budget-Conscious User
Closely 🏆
Excellent
Low entry ($29 annual) with comprehensive features.
Best Plan: Starter Annual ($29/month)
Score: 9/10
Expandi
Fair
Higher starting price limits accessibility.
Best Plan: Business Annual ($79/month)
Score: 5/10
Team Already Using CRM
Closely 🏆
Excellent
Deep integrations enhance existing CRM workflows.
Best Plan: Custom
Score: 10/10
Expandi
Poor
No CRM support, manual exports needed.
Best Plan: Not ideal
Score: 3/10
Heavy LinkedIn Outreach User
Closely
Good
Safe limits but AI focus may underutilize pure LinkedIn.
Best Plan: Growth Annual ($87/month)
Score: 7/10
Expandi 🏆
Excellent
Optimized for high-volume safe LinkedIn actions.
Best Plan: Business Annual ($79/month)
Score: 10/10
Pros and Cons
Closely
Pros
- Comprehensive multichannel with LinkedIn, email, AI, and enrichment
- Strong safe automation mimicking human behavior
- Deep CRM integrations for seamless sales pipelines
- Unified inbox for all communications
- Flexible pricing with annual discounts and white-label included
- Sales AI agents for advanced lead handling
- Scalable for teams and agencies without per-seat limits in top plans
Cons
- Complex interface for basic users
- Credit system for AI/enrichment adds potential extra costs
- Higher onboarding for advanced features
- No native video/GIF personalization
- Less focus on pure LinkedIn safety compared to specialists
- Pricing escalates for custom needs
Expandi
Pros
- Superior account safety with dedicated IPs and warm-up
- Powerful smart sequences with conditions and unlimited campaigns
- Multichannel without credit limits
- Robust agency features including roles and white-label
- Detailed LinkedIn-specific analytics and SSI tracking
- A/B testing and campaign prioritization built-in
- Video/GIF add-ons for enhanced personalization
Cons
- No native AI or CRM integrations
- Higher starting price per seat
- Relies on add-ons for advanced personalization
- Interface complex for beginners
- Manual CRM exports disrupt workflows
- Less emphasis on email depth compared to Closely
Final Verdict
Closely and Expandi are both excellent for LinkedIn outreach but differ in focus: Closely builds comprehensive sales ecosystems with AI, email, and CRM, while Expandi prioritizes safe, intelligent LinkedIn automation for prospecting and agencies. Closely suits integrated sales teams; Expandi fits safety-first users.
Choose Closely for AI-driven, CRM-integrated multichannel outreach. Opt for Expandi if LinkedIn safety and smart automation are paramount. For agencies, Expandi edges in management; for sales, Closely wins integration. Consider both for complementary use in complex setups.
Overall Scores
Closely
Agency Features: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Expandi
Agency Features: 10/10
Value: 7/10
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