Closely Pricing: Full Breakdown of Plans, Costs, and What You Actually Get

Closely is a LinkedIn automation tool that combines outreach automation with email campaigns, AI personalization, and lead finding. If you're looking at Closely for your sales prospecting, you need to understand their pricing model-because it's not as straightforward as a simple monthly fee.

Here's what you need to know about Closely pricing before you commit.

Closely Pricing Overview

Closely uses a credit-based pricing model with multiple tiers designed for different team sizes and outreach volumes. Here's the current breakdown:

The annual billing option gives you approximately 40% savings compared to monthly billing, which is substantial if you're committed to using the tool long-term.

There's also an All-in-One plan option that bundles Senders and Credits together for better value if you're using both LinkedIn and email campaigns heavily. This bundled approach can reduce your overall costs compared to purchasing components separately.

Understanding Closely's Credit System

One of the most confusing aspects of Closely pricing is the credit system. Unlike straightforward per-seat pricing, Closely allocates credits that you spend on various activities throughout the month.

Here's how credits work:

One credit represents one person's contact data, regardless of how many records (emails, phones) are found in the database. If you run out of credits mid-month, you'll need to upgrade your plan or wait until the next billing cycle.

The credit system provides flexibility-you can allocate your monthly allowances however you want based on your campaign needs. If you're focusing heavily on email outreach one month, you can spend more credits on email finding. If you need AI-powered personalization for a high-value campaign, you can shift resources there.

Monthly vs Annual Billing: The Real Cost Difference

Closely's pricing structure heavily incentivizes annual commitments. Here's the actual price difference:

While the savings are significant, the upfront commitment is substantial. For small business owners and startups testing LinkedIn automation for the first time, dropping $588-$1,740 before you've validated the tool's effectiveness for your business is a considerable risk.

Many competitors let you pay month-to-month without penalty, which gives you more flexibility to test, iterate, and cancel if the tool doesn't work for your use case. If you're not sure Closely is right for you, that upfront annual commitment can sting.

However, if you're already using LinkedIn automation successfully with another tool and looking to switch, the annual savings make Closely's pricing more competitive with alternatives like Expandi and Waalaxy.

What's Included in Each Closely Plan

Closely's pricing is based on the number of LinkedIn accounts you're managing (called "senders"), plus you get bonus credits for emails, phone lookups, and AI personalization features. Here's what the plans typically include:

Core LinkedIn Automation Features (All Plans)

CRM Integrations

Closely offers native integrations with major CRM platforms, though the depth varies:

The HubSpot integration is the most mature, with real-time syncing of contacts, messages, and engagement data. Salesforce and Pipedrive integrations are also fully automated and deeply embedded, though some users have reported that certain promised features have been "coming soon" for extended periods.

Safety Features

LinkedIn automation carries inherent risks of account restrictions. Closely includes several safety features across all plans:

According to LinkedIn's official guidelines, they limit connection requests to approximately 100 per week and monitor for unusual activity patterns. Closely's safety features help you stay within these boundaries while maximizing your outreach volume.

Starter Plan Deep Dive ($49/month)

The Starter Plan is Closely's entry-level option designed for solopreneurs, freelancers, and individual sales reps just getting started with LinkedIn automation.

What you get:

What you don't get:

The 1,000 monthly credits might seem generous, but they can disappear quickly if you're running aggressive campaigns. If you're enriching 50 leads per day with emails and phone numbers, you'll burn through your allocation in about two weeks.

The Starter Plan works well if you're running targeted campaigns to a small, well-qualified audience. It's less suitable if you need high-volume prospecting or extensive data enrichment.

Growth Plan Deep Dive ($127/month)

The Growth Plan is Closely's most popular tier, designed for small teams and growing businesses that need to manage multiple LinkedIn accounts.

What you get:

This plan adds AI personalization capabilities, which can increase response rates by up to 35% according to Closely's data. The AI agents research leads and craft personalized messages at scale based on LinkedIn profile data, company information, and industry context.

With 3 LinkedIn accounts, you can run outreach from multiple team members simultaneously or segment campaigns by persona, industry, or geography. The shared inbox and team analytics make it easier to coordinate efforts and identify what's working.

At $127/month, the Growth Plan costs significantly less per seat than the Starter Plan ($42.33 per seat vs $49 per seat), making it the better value if you need multiple accounts.

Essential Plan Deep Dive ($205/month)

The Essential Plan is designed for established sales teams that need higher volume and more extensive automation capabilities.

What you get:

The per-seat cost drops to $41/month at this tier, making it cost-effective for growing teams. The 5,000 monthly credits provide enough capacity for consistent, high-volume prospecting without running out mid-month.

This plan is ideal for sales teams that have validated their LinkedIn outreach process and are ready to scale. The additional AI personalization credits (2,500 vs 1,500) allow for more sophisticated, personalized campaigns at scale.

Custom Plan and Enterprise Options

For larger teams managing 10+ LinkedIn accounts, Closely offers Custom plans starting at $350/month (or $206/month billed annually). These plans include:

The white-label feature is particularly valuable for agencies running LinkedIn automation services for clients. You can rebrand the platform as your own, removing Closely's branding from the interface and client communications.

Enterprise pricing varies based on the number of seats, credit volume, and additional features needed. You'll need to contact Closely's sales team for a custom quote.

The AppSumo Lifetime Deal

Closely has offered lifetime deals through AppSumo, sometimes as low as $59 for lifetime access. These deals pop up periodically and provide extraordinary value compared to standard subscription pricing.

What AppSumo deals typically include:

According to recent AppSumo listings, you can stack unlimited codes, with each code beyond 10 unlocking 2,000 additional credits per month. Every additional 2 codes beyond 10 unlocks an extra seat for LinkedIn and email.

If you can catch an AppSumo deal, it's significantly better value than the standard subscription. A single lifetime code at $59 saves you $588+ in the first year alone compared to annual billing.

However, lifetime deals come with limitations. They're usually for the basic tier with limited credits and seats. If you need team features, high-volume credits, or white-labeling, you'll still need to upgrade or stack multiple codes, which can get expensive (though still cheaper than long-term subscriptions).

The availability of lifetime deals is sporadic, so you need to act quickly when they appear. Sign up for AppSumo alerts or follow Closely's social media for announcements.

How Closely Compares on Price to Competitors

Let's be real: Closely isn't the cheapest LinkedIn automation tool out there. Here's how it stacks up against the competition:

Closely vs Expandi

Expandi charges a flat $99/user/month with no tiered pricing. All features are included regardless of plan level, and you get a 7-day free trial with no credit card required.

Price comparison:

Closely is significantly cheaper at every tier. However, Expandi is purely focused on LinkedIn automation with advanced safety features and smart sequences. Expandi doesn't include a lead database or email finding-you'll need separate tools for those functions.

Closely vs Waalaxy

Waalaxy offers a freemium plan with paid plans starting at €56/month (approximately $61/month). Waalaxy is beginner-friendly with an intuitive interface and multichannel outreach.

Price comparison:

Waalaxy is simpler and easier to use, but Closely offers more advanced features like AI personalization and a larger lead database. If you're just starting out, Waalaxy's free plan lets you test without financial commitment.

Closely vs Lemlist

Lemlist is primarily an email outreach tool that expanded to include LinkedIn automation. Pricing starts around €69/month (approximately $75/month) for the Multichannel Expert plan.

Price comparison:

If your strategy is email-first with LinkedIn as a complement, Lemlist stays ahead with features like personalized landing pages, advanced email warming, and video personalization. But for LinkedIn-first outreach, Closely's pricing and features are more competitive.

Closely vs Dux-Soup

Dux-Soup is a budget option with a browser-based free plan and paid plans starting at $14.99/month.

Price comparison:

Dux-Soup is significantly cheaper but requires your browser to be open and runs locally, which increases detection risk. You get what you pay for-basic automation vs Closely's comprehensive feature set.

Closely vs Reply.io

Reply.io is a multichannel sales engagement platform with robust features but a higher price point. Pricing varies based on features and seats, typically starting around $60-90/user/month.

When to choose Reply.io: Complex multichannel sequences, advanced analytics, enterprise features
When to choose Closely: LinkedIn-focused outreach, better pricing for small teams, built-in lead database

Where Closely Delivers Value for the Money

Based on user reports and our analysis, here's where Closely earns its price tag:

AI Personalization That Actually Works

The AI-generated messages can achieve 35% higher response rates compared to generic outreach. Closely's AI sales agents research leads in real-time, pulling insights like tech stack, hiring activity, ICP fit, and buying signals straight from the web and LinkedIn profiles.

You can generate high-converting cold emails and follow-ups in seconds based on real-time company insights, LinkedIn data, and your target persona. The messages sound human, stay relevant, and book more meetings with less manual effort.

Multichannel Approach Saves Tool Costs

Managing LinkedIn and email from one dashboard saves time jumping between tools. If you'd otherwise be paying for separate tools for LinkedIn automation ($99/month), email outreach ($50-70/month), and a lead database ($50-100/month), Closely's bundled approach ($49-205/month) makes financial sense.

The unified inbox aggregates LinkedIn DMs, InMails, and email replies in one place, streamlining response management and follow-ups.

Safety Features Protect Your Most Valuable Asset

Your LinkedIn account is your professional identity and network. Getting banned can cost you years of connections and relationship-building. Closely's dedicated proxies, smart activity limits, and gradual account warmup help protect against restrictions.

Cloud-based operation means the automation runs 24/7 without requiring your browser to be open, and the human-like timing with randomized delays reduces detection risk.

Lead Database Eliminates Third-Party Tools

Access to 100M+ contacts with verified emails and phone numbers means you don't need separate tools like ZoomInfo or Apollo for prospecting. The integrated email finder uses a multi-step fallback process, starting with the most accurate sources and cascading down until a valid email is found.

Users report connecting with 3x more qualified decision-makers compared to manual prospecting, and the automation saves about 15 hours per week on manual outreach tasks.

CRM Integration Improves Workflow

Native HubSpot integration, plus deep integrations with Salesforce and Pipedrive, means your LinkedIn activity automatically syncs to your CRM. Every connection, message, and reply gets captured in contact, account, and deal timelines.

This enables you to trigger workflows based on LinkedIn engagement, prevent duplicates, and track attribution-so every LinkedIn touchpoint is captured for accurate reporting and forecasting.

What Doesn't Work Well (The Honest Downsides)

No tool is perfect. Here's the honest downside of Closely:

Price is Higher Than Pure LinkedIn Tools

If you only need basic LinkedIn automation without email, AI, or lead finding, you're paying for features you won't use. Dux-Soup at $14.99/month or browser-based tools offer cheaper alternatives for simple use cases.

Credit System Can Be Confusing

The credit-based model requires monitoring and planning. Running out of credits mid-month forces you to either upgrade or pause campaigns. Some users find this unpredictable compared to flat-rate unlimited tools.

Learning Curve Takes Time

Some users report that Closely has a steep learning curve when setting up advanced features. The workflows take time to master, and the setup isn't straightforward. If you're paying $49-127/month and spending weeks figuring out how to use the tool effectively, that's time (and money) you're burning.

Closely does have a 4.6/5 rating on G2 with a 9.2 ease-of-use score, so most people do get the hang of it eventually. They also offer 1-on-1 onboarding calls led by product experts, which helps reduce ramp-up time. Just factor in 1-2 weeks before you're running at full capacity.

Technical Issues and Bugs

User reviews mention occasional glitches, connection issues, and bugs. While Closely is generally stable, no SaaS tool is perfect. Some users on AppSumo mention occasional LinkedIn account restrictions (4.2/5 rating with 243 reviews), though this is a risk with any LinkedIn automation.

Integration Delays

Some promised integrations have been "coming soon" for extended periods. While HubSpot integration is mature and fully functional, other CRM native connections have taken longer to roll out than initially announced. Users needing immediate Salesforce or Pipedrive access should verify current integration status before committing.

LinkedIn Limits Still Apply

No tool can fully protect you from LinkedIn's usage limits and detection algorithms. LinkedIn limits connection requests to approximately 100 per week, and they actively monitor for automation tools using machine learning to analyze behavior patterns, timing, and content relevance.

If LinkedIn detects unusual activity, they may temporarily restrict your account (24-48 hours) or permanently ban it in severe cases. Closely's safety features minimize this risk, but they can't eliminate it entirely. You're ultimately responsible for staying within LinkedIn's acceptable use policies.

Is Closely Worth the Price? (Who Should Buy)

Closely makes sense if you:

Closely probably isn't worth it if you:

How to Get the Best Closely Pricing

If you've decided Closely is right for you, here's how to maximize value:

1. Wait for AppSumo Lifetime Deals

Check AppSumo periodically for Closely lifetime deals. At $59 for lifetime access, this is by far the best value. Sign up for AppSumo's deal alerts and follow Closely on social media for announcements.

2. Choose Annual Billing

The 40% discount on annual plans is substantial. If you're confident in the tool, annual billing saves $240-720/year depending on your tier.

3. Start with Starter, Upgrade as Needed

Don't overpay for features you're not ready to use. Start with the Starter Plan at $49/month, validate your campaigns, then upgrade to Growth or Essential when you need more seats or credits.

4. Bundle with All-in-One Plans

If you're using both LinkedIn and email heavily, the All-in-One plan bundles Senders and Credits together for better value than purchasing separately.

5. Negotiate Custom Plans

For teams needing 10+ seats, reach out to Closely's sales team for custom pricing. Enterprise deals often include discounts, especially with annual commitments.

6. Use the Free Trial Fully

Closely offers 50 free credits to test the platform. Use them to test the interface, set up campaigns, and validate the workflow before committing financially.

Alternatives to Closely Worth Considering

Before you decide, check out these alternatives:

Expandi

Pricing: $99/user/month flat rate
Best for: LinkedIn-first automation with strong safety features
Key features: Cloud-based, dedicated IP addresses, smart sequences, 7-day free trial

Expandi focuses purely on LinkedIn automation with advanced safety and personalization. All features are included regardless of plan level. It's more expensive per seat than Closely but includes everything without tiered limitations.

Lemlist

Pricing: Starting around €69/month (~$75/month)
Best for: Email-first strategies with LinkedIn as a complement
Key features: Personalized videos and images, advanced email warming (Lemwarm), landing pages, multichannel campaigns

Lemlist started as an email tool and expanded to LinkedIn. If your strategy revolves around email outreach with advanced deliverability and visual personalization, Lemlist is worth the premium. Its LinkedIn features are part of a broader multichannel tool rather than specialized like Closely.

Reply.io

Pricing: Variable, typically $60-90/user/month
Best for: Multichannel sales engagement with advanced analytics
Key features: Email, LinkedIn, calls, SMS, AI-powered sequences, robust CRM integrations

Reply.io is a comprehensive multichannel platform with enterprise-grade features. It's more expensive than Closely but offers deeper functionality for complex sales processes and larger teams.

Waalaxy

Pricing: Free plan available, paid plans start at €56/month (~$61/month)
Best for: Beginners and small teams wanting simple, risk-free testing
Key features: Browser extension, multichannel campaigns, email finder, user-friendly interface

Waalaxy's free plan lets you test LinkedIn automation risk-free before committing financially. The interface is intuitive and setup is quick, making it ideal for first-time automation users. However, it lacks the advanced features and scalability of Closely.

Dux-Soup

Pricing: Free plan available, paid plans start at $14.99/month
Best for: Budget-conscious users needing basic LinkedIn automation
Key features: Browser-based automation, profile visits, connection requests, messaging

Dux-Soup is the budget option but requires your browser to be open and runs locally. Safety features are less sophisticated than cloud-based tools like Closely, increasing detection risk. Good for testing or very light usage, but not suitable for serious prospecting at scale.

Instantly.ai

Pricing: Starting at $30/month for email outreach
Best for: High-volume email campaigns with deliverability focus
Key features: Unlimited email accounts, B2B lead database (450M+ contacts), AI-powered personalization, sender rotation

Instantly is primarily an email outreach platform with a massive lead database. If you're email-first and don't need LinkedIn automation, Instantly offers similar database access at a lower price point. Combine it with a LinkedIn-specific tool if you need both channels.

Smartlead

Pricing: Starting at $32.50/month for email
Best for: Email deliverability and multi-channel sequences
Key features: Unlimited email warmup, AI-powered personalization, multichannel outreach

Smartlead focuses on email deliverability and scaling cold email campaigns. It's cheaper than Closely for email-only needs but doesn't include LinkedIn automation.

Making the Final Decision: Closely Pricing Worksheet

Use this framework to decide if Closely's pricing makes sense for your situation:

Step 1: Calculate Your Current Tool Costs

Add up what you're currently paying for:

If Closely's all-in-one pricing is less than your current total, it could save you money while simplifying your tech stack.

Step 2: Estimate Your Monthly Credit Needs

Calculate approximately how many leads you'll enrich per month:

Match this to Closely's plans: Starter (1,000), Growth (3,000), Essential (5,000), or Custom (10,000+).

Step 3: Determine Seat Requirements

How many team members need LinkedIn automation?

Step 4: Calculate Annual Savings

Annual billing saves approximately 40%. Calculate your annual cost:

If you're confident in the tool, annual billing is the smart financial move.

Step 5: Factor in Learning Curve Time

Estimate 1-2 weeks to fully master Closely's features. During this time, your prospecting output will be lower. Can you afford this ramp-up period, or do you need a simpler tool you can use effectively from day one?

LinkedIn Automation Safety: What You Need to Know

No discussion of LinkedIn automation pricing is complete without addressing safety. LinkedIn actively monitors for automation tools and can restrict or ban accounts that violate their terms of service.

LinkedIn's Detection Methods

LinkedIn uses machine learning to detect automation by analyzing:

LinkedIn's Official Limits

While LinkedIn doesn't publish official limits, the community consensus is:

How Closely Minimizes Risk

Closely includes several safety features to keep you within LinkedIn's acceptable use:

However, no tool can guarantee 100% safety. You're ultimately responsible for:

What to Do If You Get a LinkedIn Warning

If LinkedIn detects unusual activity:

  1. Pause all automation immediately
  2. Disconnect your automation tool temporarily
  3. Review LinkedIn's warning message and follow their instructions
  4. If requested, verify your identity (government ID may be required)
  5. Wait 24-48 hours before resuming activity
  6. When you restart, use even more conservative limits
  7. Enable two-factor authentication for added security

Most restrictions are temporary (24-48 hours). However, repeated violations can result in permanent account bans. Take LinkedIn warnings seriously.

Real User Results: What People Actually Achieve

Based on user reports and case studies, here's what Closely users actually achieve:

Response Rate Improvements

Time Savings

Use Cases That Work Best

Bottom Line on Closely Pricing

Closely pricing starts at $49/month for basic access, with most teams paying $127/month or more for the features they actually need. The 40% discount on annual billing is substantial, but the upfront commitment is significant for teams still validating their LinkedIn automation strategy.

The credit-based system provides flexibility but requires monitoring to avoid running out mid-month. The multichannel approach combining LinkedIn and email with AI personalization delivers solid value if you need all those features. If you're just dipping your toes into LinkedIn automation, start with something cheaper and graduate to Closely when you're ready to scale.

The safest move? Use their free trial (50 credits) to test the interface and see if the workflow clicks for your team before dropping the annual commitment. If you can catch an AppSumo lifetime deal at $59, that's by far the best value-you'll recoup your investment in the first month compared to standard pricing.

For more B2B outreach tools, check out our guides to CRM for small business and best CRM software to round out your sales stack. You can also explore alternatives like Clay for advanced lead enrichment workflows, Findymail for email verification, or Close CRM for managing your sales pipeline once you've generated leads.