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Looking for a budget-friendly way to automate your LinkedIn outreach? Octopus CRM markets itself as an affordable LinkedIn automation tool for sales professionals, recruiters, and business owners who want to scale their prospecting without spending much.
But cheap doesn’t always mean effective.
In this review, we’ll look at what Octopus CRM actually offers, from its core features and pricing to the real pros and cons reported by users. We’ll also see how it compares to multichannel solutions like La Growth Machine, especially if you’re thinking about reaching prospects beyond just LinkedIn.
What is Octopus CRM?
Octopus CRM is a LinkedIn automation tool that works as a Chrome browser extension. It automates connection requests, bulk messaging, profile visits, and skill endorsements while keeping your LinkedIn credentials secure since it doesn’t need login access.
The tool targets sales professionals, recruiters, marketing agencies, and business owners who want to grow their LinkedIn network and generate leads without manually reaching out to prospects for hours.
Unlike cloud-based automation platforms, Octopus CRM runs directly in your browser. This means it only works when Chrome is open and active. It’s compatible with all LinkedIn account types: Free, Premium, Sales Navigator, and Recruiter Lite.
Founded to make LinkedIn prospecting more accessible and affordable, Octopus CRM now serves over 50,000 users globally. The platform includes safety features like activity control and smart delays to mimic human behavior and reduce the risk of LinkedIn account restrictions.
Octopus CRM key features
Let’s break down what Octopus CRM offers and how each feature works in practice.
Automated LinkedIn outreach
At its core, Octopus CRM automates the most time-consuming parts of LinkedIn prospecting. You can set up campaigns to automatically send personalized connection requests, message first-degree connections in bulk, visit profiles, and endorse skills.
The automation uses dynamic placeholders (first name, last name, job title, company) to personalize messages at scale. You can send up to 100 connection requests per week (LinkedIn’s standard limit) and 100-150 messages per day, depending on your account type.
The workflow is straightforward: filter your target audience in LinkedIn Search or Sales Navigator, transfer those profiles to your Octopus CRM dashboard, create your campaign with personalized messaging, and let the tool handle the outreach while you focus on other tasks.
For professionals managing consistent prospecting, this saves hours of manual work each week and helps maintain a steady flow of new connections and conversations.
LinkedIn marketing funnel builder
Octopus CRM lets you build multi-step outreach funnels directly within the platform. For example, you can design a sequence that starts with a connection request, followed by a “thank you” message once accepted, then a skill endorsement to warm up the prospect, and finally a sales message with follow-ups.
The drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to add, remove, or rearrange funnel steps. Each action can be customized with different messaging and timing delays to make the outreach feel more natural.
However, users report that the funnel builder has limitations. You can’t create conditional sequences based on prospect behavior (like sending different messages if someone replies vs. doesn’t reply), and the tool doesn’t support multi-path workflows. Everything runs linearly, which can feel rigid compared to more advanced sales automation platforms.
Performance tracking and analytics
The built-in analytics dashboard tracks key metrics like connection acceptance rates, message response rates, profile views, search appearances, and your LinkedIn Social Selling Index (SSI).
These insights help you understand which outreach messages are working and which campaigns are driving the most engagement. You can monitor campaign performance in real-time and make data-driven adjustments to improve your results.
That said, the analytics are fairly basic. You won’t find advanced reporting features, A/B testing capabilities, or deep conversion tracking that you’d get with more sophisticated sales engagement platforms.
Connect by email
One of Octopus CRM’s standout features is the ability to bypass LinkedIn’s weekly connection request limit by sending invitations via email. This feature is only available on the Unlimited plan ($39.99/month).
When you hit LinkedIn’s 100 weekly invitation cap, you can switch to email-based connection requests to maintain your outreach volume. This helps users scale their prospecting efforts without waiting for LinkedIn’s limit to reset.
The catch? This only works if prospects have their email addresses publicly visible on LinkedIn, which limits how many people you can actually reach using this method.
Data import and export
Octopus CRM supports CSV imports, so you can upload lists of LinkedIn profile URLs to add prospects directly to your campaigns. You can also export your lead data for use in other tools or CRMs.
This gives you flexibility to move contact data between systems, though the export functionality is basic compared to dedicated data enrichment tools. You’ll get profile information, but don’t expect comprehensive contact details or advanced enrichment capabilities.
Integrations
Octopus CRM integrates with HubSpot and Zapier, allowing you to connect your LinkedIn outreach with other parts of your sales stack. Through Zapier, you can set up automations that push LinkedIn activity data (new connections, sent messages, campaign completions) into your CRM, Google Sheets, or other applications.
For example, when a prospect accepts your connection request, Zapier can automatically add them to a HubSpot contact list or update a spreadsheet for tracking.
The integration options are functional but limited compared to platforms with native CRM syncing and webhook capabilities. Most advanced integrations require you to set up Zapier workflows yourself, which can be time-consuming if you’re managing multiple data flows.
Octopus CRM pricing
Octopus CRM offers four pricing tiers with a 7-day free trial on all plans. The trial doesn’t require a credit card, so you can test the platform risk-free.
All plans can be billed monthly or annually, with annual billing offering a 30% discount. The platform accepts PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.
Starter Plan: $9.99/month (or $6.99/month annually)
- Personal CRM with stats
- Personalized automated connection requests
- Ability to connect with premium LinkedIn users only
- Compatible with Sales Navigator
Pro Plan: $14.99/month (or $9.99/month annually)
- Everything in Starter, plus:
- Automated bulk messaging
- Auto-view profiles
- Auto-endorse skills
- Compatible with Sales Navigator
Advanced Plan: $21.99/month (or $14.99/month annually)
- Everything in Pro, plus:
- Campaign creation
- Export/import data
- Build LinkedIn lead generation funnels
- Compatible with Sales Navigator
Unlimited Plan: $39.99/month (or $24.99/month annually)
- Everything in Advanced, plus:
- Zapier and HubSpot integration
- Activity control
- Connect by email (bypass weekly invite limits)
- Compatible with LinkedIn Premium, Sales Navigator, and Recruiter
Agency pricing: If you manage 20+ accounts, Octopus CRM offers custom pricing for agencies.
The value proposition is clear: Octopus CRM is one of the most affordable LinkedIn automation tools on the market. However, many, many core features (bulk messaging, campaign creation, integrations) are locked behind higher tiers, so the entry-level price can be misleading. For most users who want meaningful automation, expect to pay at least $21.99/month for the Advanced plan.
Octopus CRM pros and cons
User Ratings: G2: 4.4/5 (based on 107+ reviews) Capterra: 4.6/5 (based on 274+ reviews)
Pros ✅
Extremely affordable entry point Starting at $9.99/month, Octopus CRM is one of the cheapest LinkedIn automation tools available. Even the Unlimited plan at $39.99/month is competitive compared to premium alternatives that charge $100+ per month.
Easy to use and quick setup Users consistently praise Octopus CRM for its intuitive interface and straightforward navigation. Most people can set up their first campaign within minutes, even without technical expertise. The learning curve is minimal compared to more complex automation platforms.
Works across all LinkedIn account types Whether you’re using a free LinkedIn account, Premium, Sales Navigator, or Recruiter Lite, Octopus CRM is fully compatible. This flexibility means you’re not locked into a specific LinkedIn subscription to use the tool.
No login credentials required As a Chrome extension, Octopus CRM doesn’t need access to your LinkedIn password, giving you better security and control over your account. This reduces the risk compared to cloud-based tools that require login delegation.
Includes built-in safety features Activity control monitors your LinkedIn usage and sends alerts if you’re approaching risky activity levels. The tool uses smart delays and random timing variations to mimic human behavior and reduce detection risk.
Cons ❌
LinkedIn-only, no multichannel capabilities Octopus CRM is exclusively focused on LinkedIn. If you want to reach prospects via email, phone, or other channels, you’ll need additional tools. This single-channel limitation means you’re missing opportunities to connect with prospects who might be more responsive on other platforms.
Browser-based operation requires Chrome to stay open Since Octopus CRM runs as a Chrome extension, your campaigns only execute when your browser is open and active. If you close Chrome or shut down your computer, your automation stops. Cloud-based alternatives run 24/7 in the background without requiring your computer to be on.
Limited automation and no conditional sequencing Users frequently cite that Octopus CRM lacks advanced automation features. You can’t create conditional workflows (like “if they reply, send message A; if they don’t reply, send message B”). Everything runs in linear sequences, which limits your ability to create sophisticated nurture campaigns.
Basic interface and slow performance Some users report that the interface can feel basic and outdated, with slow loading times when managing large contact lists. The dashboard occasionally lags when switching between campaigns or exporting data.
Customer support can be slow Multiple reviews mention that customer support responses can take 24+ hours, with some users receiving generic answers that don’t solve their specific problems. While there’s email support, there’s no live chat or phone support for urgent issues.
Thinking beyond LinkedIn-only outreach?
Here’s the reality: LinkedIn-only automation limits your response rates.
Research shows that multichannel outreach generates 3.5x more replies than single-channel approaches. When you reach prospects on LinkedIn, email, and other platforms, you’re meeting them where they’re most active, not just where your tool can reach them.
That’s where La Growth Machine comes in.
While Octopus CRM focuses exclusively on LinkedIn, La Growth Machine is built for multichannel prospecting. You can create sequences that combine LinkedIn connection requests, emails, voice messages, calls, and even X (formerly Twitter) outreach, all from one platform.
Here’s what sets La Growth Machine apart:
Multichannel sequences: Create outreach campaigns that automatically switch between LinkedIn and email based on how prospects engage. If someone doesn’t respond on LinkedIn, the sequence can follow up via email a few days later.
Automatic email enrichment: La Growth Machine finds and verifies email addresses for your LinkedIn prospects using 9 different data providers, with double validation and deliverability scoring. You don’t need to manually source emails or use separate enrichment tools.
LinkedIn intent data: Import people who liked or commented on specific LinkedIn posts (yours or competitors’), signed up for events, or follow your company page. This lets you target prospects at the perfect moment with highly relevant messages.
Lookalike search: Enter the name of your best client, and La Growth Machine automatically finds similar companies for you. When a prospect replies, you get new suggestions for similar opportunities to explore.
Unified inbox: All conversations from LinkedIn, email, and other channels live in one threaded inbox. You can qualify leads, tag teammates, and use response templates without jumping between platforms.
Cloud-based operation: Unlike Octopus CRM’s browser extension, La Growth Machine runs 24/7 in the cloud. Your campaigns keep running even when your computer is off.
Advanced CRM integrations: Native syncing with HubSpot, Pipedrive, and Breakcold means all contacts and interactions automatically appear in your CRM without Zapier workarounds.
If you’re serious about scaling your outreach and getting more replies, limiting yourself to LinkedIn-only automation leaves opportunities on the table. La Growth Machine helps you reach prospects across multiple channels with coordinated messaging, so you’re not just another connection request in their inbox.
Want to see the difference multichannel can make? Start a 14-day free trial of La Growth Machine (no credit card required).
Conclusion
Octopus CRM delivers what it promises: affordable, straightforward LinkedIn automation for users who need basic prospecting capabilities without complex features or steep learning curves.
If you’re a solo entrepreneur, freelancer, or small business owner just getting started with LinkedIn outreach, Octopus CRM offers a budget-friendly entry point. The $9.99-$39.99 monthly pricing is accessible, and the tool handles fundamental tasks like connection requests, bulk messaging, and profile visits reasonably well.
However, the limitations become apparent once you start scaling. The browser-based operation, single-channel focus, lack of advanced sequencing, and basic analytics make it clear that Octopus CRM is designed for simple use cases, not sophisticated sales operations.
For agencies, sales teams, or professionals managing serious prospecting volume, those constraints add up fast. You’ll likely find yourself wanting better automation, multichannel reach, true CRM integration, and features that actually move the needle on response rates and conversions.
If you’re looking for a tool that can grow with your outreach strategy and deliver the kind of multichannel engagement that prospects expect, La Growth Machine is worth exploring. With automatic email enrichment, LinkedIn intent data, cross-channel sequences, and a unified inbox, it’s built for teams who want to turn conversations into business opportunities, not just collect connections.
Get 3.5X more leads!
Do you want to improve the efficiency of your sales department? With La Growth Machine you can generate on average 3.5x more leads while saving an incredible amount of time on all your processes.
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