Closely Review: Is This LinkedIn Automation Tool Worth It?

If you're doing B2B outreach on LinkedIn, you've probably hit the wall where manual prospecting just doesn't scale. You can only send so many connection requests and follow-up messages before your day disappears into the LinkedIn void.

That's where Closely comes in. It's a cloud-based LinkedIn automation tool that promises to handle the repetitive stuff—connection requests, profile visits, follow-up messages—while you focus on actually closing deals.

But is it any good? I've dug through user reviews, tested the interface, and compared it to alternatives. Here's the honest breakdown.

What Is Closely?

Closely is an AI-powered LinkedIn automation platform that combines LinkedIn outreach with email marketing capabilities. Unlike browser extensions that require you to keep LinkedIn open, Closely runs in the cloud, which means campaigns continue even when you're not at your computer.

The platform targets sales professionals, marketers, recruiters, and agencies who need to scale their LinkedIn prospecting without getting banned. It uses features like dedicated proxies, smart safety limits, and account warm-up modes to mimic human behavior and keep your LinkedIn account safe.

Closely Pricing: What Does It Actually Cost?

Let's get to the numbers everyone cares about. Closely uses a tiered pricing model based on LinkedIn account limits and a credit system:

Important note: Some sources indicate that Closely's Solo plan requires annual billing only ($708/year upfront), which is a significant commitment if you're just testing the waters. Make sure you understand the billing terms before signing up.

Compared to alternatives like Dripify (starting at $39/month) or Expandi (around $99/month), Closely sits in the mid-range. The credit-based system can work in your favor if you're doing moderate outreach, but heavy users might burn through credits quickly.

Key Features That Actually Matter

LinkedIn Automation

This is Closely's core functionality. You can automate:

The platform uses a "human-like" approach with random delays between actions and limits that adjust based on context (more active on weekdays, less on weekends). User feedback has been reassuring—no reports of account bans even after months of intensive use, which is crucial when you've spent years building your LinkedIn network.

Multichannel Campaigns

What sets Closely apart from LinkedIn-only tools is its ability to combine LinkedIn and email outreach in one sequence. For example, you can like a prospect's post, send a connection request, then automatically follow up via email if your LinkedIn message goes unanswered.

You can connect Gmail or Outlook accounts without complicated setups, creating automated campaigns that engage prospects across multiple touchpoints.

AI Personalization

Closely's AI researches prospects and crafts messages based on profile data, company information, and recent activities. It can reference things like recent funding rounds or product launches to make outreach feel less like a template blast.

The platform also includes "AI Sales Agents" that can automatically qualify leads based on your criteria (industry, company size, location, etc.) and score prospects to help you prioritize.

Data Enrichment

Built-in tools find verified email addresses and phone numbers, expanding your outreach beyond LinkedIn. This saves you from juggling multiple data tools, though some users report the email extraction feature isn't as robust as dedicated tools like Findymail.

CRM Integrations

Closely integrates with HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive, and GoHighLevel. All LinkedIn touchpoints sync in real-time, from connection to reply, which keeps your CRM data clean and attribution clear.

What Users Actually Say

After reviewing feedback across G2, AppSumo, and independent reviewers, here's what stands out:

The Good

The Not-So-Good

Who Is Closely Best For?

Good fit if you:

Maybe look elsewhere if you:

Closely vs. The Competition

Here's how Closely stacks up against popular alternatives:

ToolStarting PriceBest For
Closely$49/monthMultichannel outreach with AI personalization
Dripify$39/monthBudget-friendly LinkedIn drip campaigns
Expandi$99/monthEnterprise-level safety and compliance
WaalaxyFree tier availableBeginners starting with LinkedIn automation
Dux-Soup$14.99/monthBasic automation on a tight budget

For mid-size teams wanting the multichannel approach, Closely is competitive. But if you're a solo operator or small team focused purely on LinkedIn, simpler (and cheaper) tools might do the job.

Is Closely Safe to Use?

Account safety is the biggest concern with any LinkedIn automation tool. LinkedIn doesn't love bots, and getting banned can mean months of networking gone.

Closely addresses this with:

From user feedback, the approach seems to work. No widespread reports of account bans have surfaced, even from heavy users. That said, no automation tool is 100% risk-free—use any tool responsibly and within LinkedIn's guidelines.

The Bottom Line: Should You Get Closely?

Closely is a solid LinkedIn automation tool with legitimate strengths in AI personalization and multichannel outreach. If you're running a B2B sales team and need to scale LinkedIn prospecting while integrating email follow-ups, it delivers good value.

The downsides are real though. The annual billing requirement is a barrier, the email features don't match dedicated email tools, and the price adds up fast if you're running multiple accounts.

My recommendation: If you're serious about LinkedIn-first outreach with email as a secondary channel, Closely is worth a trial. Take advantage of their free trial to see if it fits your workflow before committing to the annual plan.

For those prioritizing budget or needing only LinkedIn automation, check out Dripify or Dux-Soup first. And if email is your primary channel, Lemlist or Reply are stronger options.

Looking for more B2B tools? Check out our guide to CRMs for small business or our best CRM software roundup to pair with your outreach stack.