Phantombuster vs. Waalaxy: Which LinkedIn Automation Tool?

Phantombuster vs. Waalaxy: quick overview

Phantombuster: Extracts data and automates actions across LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms. Built for technical users and growth hackers who need versatile, multi-platform automation. Starts at $56/month (billed annually).

Waalaxy: LinkedIn-focused automation that combines LinkedIn actions with email outreach. Built as a Chrome extension with pre-built templates for quick setup. Starts at $21/month per user.

Phantombuster vs. Waalaxy: head-to-head comparison

Features & capabilities

Phantombuster:

Phantombuster’s strength is its versatility. The tool offers 150+ “Phantoms” (pre-built automation scripts) that handle everything from LinkedIn profile scraping to Instagram follower collection and Twitter automation.

Key capabilities:

• LinkedIn Search Export automation for bulk profile extraction
• Sales Navigator integration for advanced lead list building
• Multi-platform data scraping (LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, GitHub, Google Maps)
• Email enrichment through integrations with Dropcontact, Hunter, and Snov.io
• Workflow chaining to create complex automation sequences
• Full API access for developers
• Cloud-based execution (runs without browser open)

The platform works best for data extraction and enrichment. You can scrape thousands of profiles, enrich them with verified emails, and push them directly into your CRM or outreach tool.

Waalaxy:

Waalaxy focuses specifically on LinkedIn prospecting with integrated email capabilities. Setup takes minutes instead of hours.

Key capabilities:

• LinkedIn connection requests (up to 800/month on paid plans)
• Automated follow-up messages (up to 7 per campaign)
• Built-in Email Finder with Dropcontact integration (up to 500 credits/month on Business plan)
• Pre-built sequence templates (99+ templates)
• Smart Inbox for managing LinkedIn conversations
• Profile visits and engagement automation
• CSV import/export functionality
• CRM sync via Zapier

Launch LinkedIn + email campaigns quickly without technical knowledge. The visual sequence builder and templates help non-technical users get started fast.

Bottom line: Pick Phantombuster if you need versatile, multi-platform automation and advanced data extraction. Pick Waalaxy if you want simple, LinkedIn-focused campaigns with minimal setup.

Ease of use

Phantombuster:

Phantombuster has a steeper learning curve. The platform offers no-code setup for its pre-built Phantoms, but configuring complex workflows with multiple automation steps takes time and patience. The interface can feel overwhelming for beginners—lots of options and technical terminology.

Once you understand the system, you can chain multiple Phantoms together to create sophisticated automation that runs entirely in the cloud. Documentation is extensive, though you’ll reference it frequently when starting out.

Waalaxy:

Waalaxy wins on ease of use. The Chrome extension integrates directly into LinkedIn’s interface, making it intuitive to extract leads and launch campaigns. Pre-built templates mean you can start prospecting within minutes of signing up.

The visual campaign builder uses drag-and-drop nodes to create sequences without any coding. The Smart Inbox consolidates all LinkedIn conversations in one place with response templates and lead tagging.

The main limitation: Waalaxy runs as a browser extension, which means you need to keep your browser open during campaigns (though cloud execution is available on higher plans).

Bottom line: Waalaxy for user-friendliness and quick setup, especially for non-technical users.

Pricing & value

Phantombuster:

Phantombuster uses workspace-based pricing that scales by capacity rather than per seat:

• Free Trial: 14 days with 2 hours execution time, 5 phantom slots, 1,000 AI credits (no credit card required)
• Starter: $56/month (annual billing) — 20 hours/month execution, 10,000 AI credits/month, 5 phantom slots
• Pro: $128/month (annual billing) — 80 hours/month execution, 30,000 AI credits/month, 15 phantom slots (most popular)
• Team: $352/month (annual billing) — 300 hours/month execution, 90,000 AI credits/month, 50 phantom slots

Pricing is based on execution time and the number of concurrent automations you can run. This model works well for teams since you’re not paying per seat, but it can get expensive for intensive use cases that burn through execution hours quickly.

Waalaxy:

Waalaxy uses per-user pricing with tiered plans:

• Freemium: $0/month — 80 invitations/month, 25 email finder credits, limited to 3 actions/day per type
• Pro: $21/month per user — 300 invitations/month, automated follow-ups, unlimited campaigns
• Advanced: $44/month per user — 800 invitations/month, live chat support
• Business: $66/month per user — 800 invitations/month, 500 email finder credits, cold email sequences
• Enterprise: Custom pricing for teams of 5+ users

Pricing scales with each team member you add. For solo users or small teams, Waalaxy is more affordable. However, costs add up quickly as you scale (15 users on the Business plan would cost $990/month).

Bottom line: Waalaxy for solo users and small teams. Phantombuster offers better value for larger teams since workspace pricing doesn’t increase with headcount.

Integrations

Phantombuster:

Phantombuster offers extensive integration options:

• CRMs: HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive (direct integrations)
• Automation: Zapier, Integromat/Make (connects to 2,000+ apps)
• Google Sheets (direct integration with automatic updates)
• Email enrichment: Dropcontact, Hunter, Snov.io
• Full API for custom integrations

The platform’s API allows developers to build custom workflows and connect Phantombuster to virtually any system. Data exports are available in CSV and JSON formats.

Waalaxy:

Waalaxy provides solid integration capabilities:

• CRMs: HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive (via Zapier/Integromat)
• Email clients: Gmail, Outlook (for cold email sending)
• Email enrichment: Dropcontact (built-in integration)
• Webhooks for custom workflows
• CSV import/export

Integration options are more limited than Phantombuster, particularly for teams wanting native CRM connections. Most integrations require using Zapier or Make as a bridge.

Bottom line: Phantombuster for teams needing deep, native integrations and API access. Waalaxy’s integrations work well for standard use cases but lack the flexibility of Phantombuster’s ecosystem.

Account safety & LinkedIn compliance

Phantombuster:

Phantombuster includes several safety features:

• Cloud-based execution reduces browser fingerprinting risks
• Randomized delays between actions to mimic human behavior
• Business hours scheduling to simulate normal usage patterns
• Per-account daily limits to prevent exceeding platform quotas
• Account rotation for managing multiple LinkedIn profiles

You must configure these settings properly to minimize restriction risk. Phantombuster provides guidelines but ultimately leaves safety configuration in your hands.

Waalaxy:

Waalaxy builds in safety guardrails:

• Behavioral delays with pauses between actions
• Daily action limits aligned with LinkedIn’s restrictions
• Smart throttling to avoid suspicious activity patterns
• Browser-based execution (reduces some detection risks)

However, as a browser extension, Waalaxy leaves a client-side footprint that could potentially be detected. Teams scaling multiple accounts should monitor quotas carefully.

Both tools require following LinkedIn’s terms of service. Third-party automation always carries some risk of account restrictions, regardless of the tool used.

Bottom line: Both tools offer similar safety features. Proper configuration and responsible usage matter more than the tool itself.

Phantombuster vs. Waalaxy: pros and cons

Phantombuster strengths & weaknesses

Pros:

• Versatile multi-platform automation (LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Google Maps)
• 150+ pre-built Phantoms for diverse use cases
• Cloud-based execution runs continuously without browser open
• Workspace pricing (no per-seat fees as team grows)
• Advanced workflow chaining with conditional logic
• Full API access for custom integrations
• Powerful data extraction and enrichment capabilities

Cons:

• Steep learning curve for non-technical users
• Pricing based on execution hours can be confusing
• Advanced workflows require technical knowledge to configure properly
• Customer support response times can be slow
• Occasional platform outages affecting specific Phantoms
• Requires external tools for email outreach (no native cold email)

User Rating:

• G2: 4.4/5 (based on 116 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.5/5 (based on 41 reviews)

Waalaxy strengths & weaknesses

Pros:

• Extremely user-friendly interface with minimal learning curve
• Quick setup with 99+ pre-built campaign templates
• Native multichannel campaigns (LinkedIn + email in one flow)
• Built-in email finder with Dropcontact integration
• Smart Inbox consolidates LinkedIn conversations
• Free plan available for testing
• Chrome extension integrates directly into LinkedIn

Cons:

• Limited to LinkedIn and email (no other platform support)
• Browser must stay open for campaigns (unless using cloud option)
• Maximum 7 follow-ups per campaign sequence
• Per-user pricing becomes expensive for larger teams
• Some users report Chrome extension bugs and disconnections
• Less flexible than Phantombuster for complex workflows
• No native email warmup feature

User Rating:

• G2: 4.6/5 (based on 505 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.5/5 (based on 248 reviews)

Phantombuster vs. Waalaxy: side-by-side comparison table

Which should you choose?

The right tool depends on your specific needs and team structure.

Choose Phantombuster if you:

• Need to automate across multiple platforms (not just LinkedIn)
• Want advanced data extraction and enrichment capabilities
• Have technical resources to configure complex workflows
• Manage a larger team and want workspace pricing without per-seat fees
• Need API access for custom integrations
• Already use separate tools for email outreach

Choose Waalaxy if you:

• Focus primarily on LinkedIn prospecting
• Want to combine LinkedIn and email in unified campaigns
• Prioritize ease of use over advanced features
• Have a small team (1-5 users)
• Need to launch campaigns quickly without technical setup
• Want an all-in-one solution for LinkedIn + email

Team size matters:

• Solo users: Waalaxy offers better entry-level pricing
• Small teams (2-5): Waalaxy remains cost-effective
• Mid-size teams (6-15): Costs become comparable
• Large teams (15+): Phantombuster’s workspace pricing offers better value

Looking for another option? Consider La Growth Machine

If neither Phantombuster nor Waalaxy quite fits your needs, La Growth Machine offers a compelling alternative that combines strengths from both approaches.

What our platform does:

La Growth Machine is a multichannel sales automation platform built for modern outbound teams. We handle LinkedIn automation, email outreach, X (Twitter) engagement, and calls in unified sequences, giving you the multichannel capabilities Phantombuster lacks and the ease of use Waalaxy offers, all in one platform.

Key differentiators:

Phantombuster requires chaining multiple tools for complete campaigns. Waalaxy limits you to LinkedIn only. La Growth Machine specializes in true multichannel B2B prospecting with features built specifically for getting replies:

Social Warming: Automatically warm up prospects by liking their posts and following profiles before sending connection requests. This pre-engagement significantly improves acceptance rates compared to cold outreach.

LinkedIn Voice Messages: Send automated voice messages at scale to double reply rates. Our AI can clone your voice to personalize messages naturally—something neither Phantombuster nor Waalaxy offers.

Lookalike Search: Name your best client and our AI finds similar companies and decision-makers. After positive replies, you automatically receive new lists of similar opportunities, making it easy to scale what’s working.

Waterfall Enrichment: Find verified emails using 9 different providers with double validation. We don’t rely on a single data source like Waalaxy, giving you higher enrichment rates.

Unified Multichannel Inbox: All conversations from LinkedIn, email, and calls appear in one thread per lead. Includes one-click lead qualification, shared team inbox, and response templates.

Inbox Rotation: Send emails from multiple addresses to protect deliverability and scale naturally, avoiding the spam filters that often plague high-volume campaigns.

How we compare:

La Growth Machine fills the gaps both tools leave open. While Phantombuster requires chaining multiple Phantoms and external email tools to run complete campaigns, our platform handles LinkedIn, email, and enrichment natively in one workflow. And while Waalaxy limits you to 7 follow-ups and basic sequences, we offer unlimited campaigns with advanced conditional logic.

We’re also more cost-effective for scaling teams. Unlike Waalaxy’s per-user pricing that multiplies with each team member, La Growth Machine charges per identity (similar to Phantombuster’s workspace approach) with unlimited team members included.

Pricing:

• Basic Plan: €60/month per identity — LinkedIn + email + Twitter, 250 enriched leads/month, unlimited team members
• Pro Plan: €120/month per identity — 400 enriched leads/month, Lookalike Search, Social Warming, Inbox Rotation, up to 6 active campaigns
• Ultimate Plan: €180/month per identity — 1,000 enriched leads/month, unlimited campaigns, advanced CRM integrations

All plans include a 14-day free trial with no credit card required.

Best for:

La Growth Machine works best for B2B sales teams, growth marketers, and agencies who want the automation power of Phantombuster with the ease of use of Waalaxy—without juggling multiple tools. If you’re serious about multichannel prospecting and need a platform that handles the complete workflow from enrichment to inbox, our platform is worth exploring.

Phantombuster vs. Waalaxy: FAQs

How much does Phantombuster cost compared to Waalaxy?

Phantombuster starts at $56/month with workspace pricing (no per-seat fees), while Waalaxy starts at $21/month per user. For solo users, Waalaxy is more affordable. For teams of 10+ users, Phantombuster often provides better value since costs don’t multiply with each team member.

Can I use both tools for LinkedIn automation safely?

Both tools include safety features like randomized delays and daily limits. However, any third-party LinkedIn automation carries some risk of account restrictions. Follow LinkedIn’s terms of service, configure proper delays, and stay within recommended daily limits (typically 100 connection requests per week).

Which tool is better for beginners?

Waalaxy is significantly easier for beginners. Its Chrome extension, pre-built templates, and visual campaign builder allow non-technical users to launch campaigns within minutes. Phantombuster has a steeper learning curve and works better for users comfortable with technical platforms.

Conclusion

Phantombuster and Waalaxy serve different audiences with distinct approaches to LinkedIn automation.

Phantombuster delivers powerful, versatile automation across multiple platforms with advanced data extraction capabilities. It’s ideal for technical teams who need flexible workflows and don’t mind investing time to configure complex sequences. The workspace pricing model also makes it cost-effective for larger teams.

Waalaxy prioritizes ease of use with a focused LinkedIn + email approach. Its intuitive interface and pre-built templates let small teams launch campaigns quickly without technical expertise. However, per-user pricing and feature limitations may constrain growing teams.

If you’re looking for a solution that combines multichannel automation power with ease of use, La Growth Machine offers the best of both worlds. Our platform handles LinkedIn, email, and enrichment natively with features like Social Warming and LinkedIn Voice Messages that neither competitor offers. With workspace pricing and unlimited team members, we scale efficiently as your team grows.