When it comes to LinkedIn automation tools, choosing the right platform can mean the difference between success and failure for your B2B prospecting strategy. Just like choosing between a Ferrari, a BMW, and a surprisingly agile Tesla, each tool has its own personality, but which one will actually get you where you want to go without breaking the bank?
If you're tired of manually scrolling through countless LinkedIn profiles, sending connection requests one by one, and seeing your prospecting efforts move at a snail's pace, you've probably already heard of the big three: Expandi.io, Waalaxy, and Emelia.io.
Spoiler alert: One of these tools offers formidable efficiency at an unbeatable price!
What are LinkedIn automation tools and why do you need them?
Think of LinkedIn automation tools as your digital assistant that never sleeps, never takes a coffee break, and never asks for a raise. LinkedIn automation tools can increase your lead generation by up to 60%, making them indispensable for any serious B2B professional.
These tools take care of repetitive tasks that would otherwise take up your entire day:
Sending personalized connection requests
Following up on leads
Retrieving contact information from LinkedIn profiles
Managing multi-channel campaigns on LinkedIn and via email
Tracking campaign performance and analytics
But here's the catch: not all automation tools are created equal. Some will empty your wallet faster than a teenager with a credit card, while others may get your LinkedIn account flagged before you even have time to say “automated outreach.”
Expandi.io: the high-end player with a high-end price tag

What is Expandi?
Expandi.io is an advanced LinkedIn automation tool designed for salespeople, marketers, recruiters, and lead generation agencies looking to expand their reach.
Unlike Chrome extensions or API-based automation tools, Expandi works as a cloud solution, mimicking human actions through a virtual assistant
Expandi features

Pros:👍
Smart sequences: Offers smart sequence creation with connection requests, follow-ups, and InMail messages
Multi-channel approach: Dual communication channel: communicate simultaneously on LinkedIn and via email for better engagement
Advanced targeting: Expandi's targeting capabilities are often highlighted as one of its strengths. Users appreciate the ability to filter LinkedIn profiles based on various criteria, allowing for more targeted and relevant communication. This feature is particularly useful for companies looking to connect with specific industries or job titles
Security features: Expandi is known for prioritizing safe LinkedIn automation practices by mimicking human behavior to avoid LinkedIn restrictions. Many reviews praise its compliance with LinkedIn's limits, making it less likely to trigger warnings or account bans compared to other automation tools.
Cons:👎
High price: At $99 per license, the cost adds up quickly, even with the Workspaces feature. Priced at $99 per month per account, it offers many features such as email prospecting, A/B testing, and CRM integrations, but its cost and learning curve may deter smaller teams.
👏 On the other hand, Emelia.io offers an ultra-competitive price of $37 per month, with no commitment, and similar features and more, suitable for all budgets.
🔍 Detailed Analysis of Each Solution
Account risk: Some users have reported being banned, particularly on LinkedIn, although Expandi claims that the tool is completely safe.
Complex setup: Several users have expressed concerns about its cost, interface, trial cancellations, and the risks inherent in LinkedIn automation.
With Emelia.io, the intuitive interface allows for quick setup in just 3 minutes, even for beginners.
Access: The trial gives full access to all features, allowing you to test campaigns, audience searches, and analytics. However, sources note that 7 days is often insufficient to fully evaluate the tool and its return on investment.
Emelia.io offers a flexible, no-credit-card-required free trial to test all its features with no pressure.
Issues reported: Users have reported charges after canceling the trial, with refunds denied due to the terms and conditions. Some even advise blocking the card after signing up to avoid unwanted charges.
Expandi pricing: get your wallet ready

Expandi offers a simple pricing structure with two options: Business and Custom. Each plan includes a wide range of LinkedIn automation tools, from personalized prospecting to multi-channel campaigns, making it ideal for sales teams and agencies looking to streamline their LinkedIn engagement.
Waalaxy: the French connection at rising prices

What is Waalaxy?
Waalaxy is a solution that overcomes the limitations of LinkedIn's native features and other automation tools. The platform is designed for anyone who wants to boost their lead generation, sales, and marketing efforts on LinkedIn.
Waalaxy is a B2B prospecting tool on LinkedIn that allows you to manage multiple campaigns across multiple channels.
Waalaxy features: much more than meets the eye
Key features:

Chrome extension: the tool is available as a Google Chrome extension, but Waalaxy has taken note and integrated it into its cloud. This not only streamlines the workflow, but also puts the platform on par with other automation tools on the market.
Email Finder: when LinkedIn's daily action limits slow down your campaign, Waalaxy's Email Finder
feature becomes indispensable. It helps you find the email addresses of prospects you haven't contacted yet, allowing you to reach out to them via cold email. Integrated with DropContact, this tool locates prospects' email addresses and provides verified addresses.
Multi-channel campaigns: the platform goes beyond email address acquisition by automating your LinkedIn activity. It automatically imports and invites prospects, with a limit of 200 people per week imposed by LinkedIn. You can even set up complex outbound flows, such as sending an email if a prospect does not accept the connection request on LinkedIn, and much more
LinkedIn messaging: In my opinion, the best feature of Waalaxy is LinkedIn messaging. Manage LinkedIn messages for your 1st degree network. Looking for a cooler way to chat on LinkedIn? Check out Waalaxy's LinkedIn messaging feature! It's like LinkedIn messaging, but better

The problem with Waalaxy's pricing
This is where things get interesting (and expensive). Since 2023, Waalaxy has increased its prices 💸 Well, we think they've gone a little (a lot) too far. Given the price increases implemented by Waalaxy, the features they offer make it feel like you're not getting your money's worth.

The hidden flaws of Waalaxy
The browser dependency issue: Waalaxy is an application for the Chrome browser, which is a major red flag. Automation tools that use the Chrome browser or any other browser are called Chrome-based extensions. LinkedIn knows that you are using these tools and can block your account at any time. This is not an appropriate method for generating leads. Another issue is that the user must always have their computer or device turned on to manage and carry out automated actions, unlike those who use a cloud-based server where this is not necessary.
Emelia.io operates in the cloud, offering reliable 24/7 automation without browser dependency, for increased security.
Mixed reviews: Reviews are mixed when it comes to Waalaxy. Some users like it, others like some parts and dislike others.
Most users report frequent bugs, including system integration issues, campaign errors, and performance issues.
Availability: Waalaxy offers a free trial (duration not specified in the article, but often 7 to 15 days according to sources).
Conditions: No credit card is required to start the trial, making it more accessible than Expandi. However, some features, such as Email Finder or full cloud access, may be limited or require a paid subscription.
Access: The trial allows you to test the basic features (invitations, messages, simple campaigns). For the free version, a LinkedIn tab must remain open, except with a cloud subscription.
Reported issues: Some users have encountered bugs during the trial (e.g., campaigns not starting) and LinkedIn account restrictions after use. Complaints also mention difficulties switching from the free version to a subscription without interruptions.
Emelia.io offers a free trial with no frustrating limitations and responsive customer support to assist users from the start.
Emelia.io: the smart alternative that really makes sense

Why Emelia.io is different
While Expandi and Waalaxy battle it out over features and price increases, Emelia.io takes a refreshingly different approach. If you had to choose a single prospecting tool to replace Expandi, Emelia stands out for its simplicity, efficiency, and flexibility. While other solutions are much more expensive and restrictive, Emelia offers a no-commitment plan (yes, no commitment!) for $37 per month
Emelia.io features: everything you need, nothing you don't

Emelia.io revolutionizes this process by allowing users to set up automated campaigns that send messages, connection requests, and follow-ups based on prospects' responses. This automation not only saves time, but also ensures that no potential leads are overlooked. For example, users can schedule sequences that visit profiles, send connection requests, and then follow up with personalized messages, all while respecting LinkedIn's limits to avoid any risk to the user's account.

In addition, Emelia.io allows you to personalize messages at scale, increasing engagement and conversion rates.
Emelia.io understands that prospects are not always active on LinkedIn, which is why it offers multi-channel prospecting capabilities. Users can launch email campaigns in parallel with their LinkedIn outreach, covering all fronts. The platform offers advanced features such as email warm-up, which helps maintain a good sender reputation and avoid spam filters. In addition, Emelia.io integrates with popular CRMs such as Pipedrive, HubSpot, and Zapier, enabling seamless lead management across different platforms.
This multi-channel approach ensures that you can reach your prospects through the most appropriate channel, maximizing your chances of success. For example, an unresponsive prospect on LinkedIn can be contacted by email or phone, offering a more comprehensive prospecting strategy, as described on Emelia.io.
New feature: Voice messages on LinkedIn
Emelia.io has introduced an innovative feature: sending voice messages directly on LinkedIn. This represents a significant advance in the personalization of interactions. Voice messages allow you to convey messages with a tone and emotion that text alone cannot capture, adding a personal touch that can strengthen the connection with prospects. This feature is particularly effective for standing out in a crowded inbox, where standard text messages can easily be ignored.
With voice messages, Emelia.io users can record and send voice notes of up to 60 seconds (in accordance with LinkedIn limits) to their prospects, making their communication more engaging and human. This update reflects Emelia.io's commitment to integrating the latest trends in digital communication to improve campaign effectiveness.
Smart data extraction
LinkedIn Scraper: The platform offers a LinkedIn Sales Navigator scraper that allows you to extract valuable data beyond LinkedIn's standard limits, which typically restrict extractions to 2,500 profiles per day. With Emelia.io, users can build comprehensive databases of potential leads, including information such as names, job titles, companies, and other relevant details.
Smart search for email addresses and phone numbers
Email Finder: At the same time, Emelia.io integrates email and phone number search tools, which are crucial for establishing direct contact with prospects. Emelia.io's email finder offers an accuracy rate of 55 to 70% with a bounce rate of less than 1%, ensuring reliable data for your campaigns.
The phone finder, meanwhile, increases the chances of conversion by offering an additional communication channel. These tools, combined with the LinkedIn scraper, allow users to create enriched and verified databases that are ready to be used for targeted campaigns.

The pricing advantage of Emelia.io
Here's why Emelia.io is the obvious choice for smart businesses:

Emelia stands out from Expandi as the ideal solution for optimizing your B2B campaign, with all the essential features on a single platform at an affordable price. It's almost three times cheaper for the same features, see more.
Direct comparison: the truth about performance
Account security and protection
The reality:
Expandi: some users have reported being banned, particularly on LinkedIn, even though Expandi claims that the tool is completely safe
Waalaxy: LinkedIn knows that you are using these tools and can ban your account at any time. This is not an appropriate method for generating leads
Emelia.io: emphasizes safe and human behavior with built-in protections
Ease of use
The reality of the learning curve:
Expandi: several users have reported issues with cost, interface, trial cancellations, and the risks inherent in LinkedIn automation.
Waalaxy: mixed experience with the interface, with browser dependency issues.
Emelia.io: the tool is designed to help you get the most out of your results with an intuitive dashboard and advanced features.
Customer service
Waalaxy: Positive reputation with reservations
Waalaxy, with a 4.5-star rating on Trustpilot based on 899 reviews, has a good reputation for customer service.
Users often describe the support as “very available,” with quick responses, especially for technical errors, as mentioned in a review dated August 7, 2024.
However, complaints have emerged, particularly about frequent bugs, account restrictions, and billing issues, such as unauthorized charges reported on April 9, 2024. Waalaxy responds to 100% of negative reviews, usually within two weeks, which shows a commitment, but some users, such as a comment from February 10, 2025, criticize misleading communications and insufficient support to resolve these issues.
Expandi: Limited and Biased Reviews
Information about Expandi's customer service is less abundant and comes mainly from competing sources, introducing potential bias.
A blog post by Waalaxy, published in March 2025, mentions that several users complain about slow campaigns and persistent bugs, and that they do not receive solutions when they contact customer service.
There are also reports of difficulties understanding how campaigns work or obtaining a refund after the trial period. However, this information, which comes from a competitor, should be interpreted with caution, as it lacks independent corroboration.
Research on platforms such as Trustpilot and G2 did not reveal any direct reviews, limiting an in-depth analysis.
Emelia.io: Excellence and Responsiveness
Emelia.io stands out for its customer service, often described as a major asset by users. On their official website, several testimonials highlight the responsiveness and quality of the advice provided.
For example, one user mentions: “I discovered Emelia in its early days and customer support is really what makes the difference, even now they are still just as responsive and give valuable advice.”
Another user, a freelancer, adds: “As a freelancer, I've tried many tools, and Emelia is the one that has given me the best results, without wasting time setting up my account, which is great!”
An article by Big Check corroborates these observations, noting that exchanges with customer support were clear and helpful in understanding the features, reinforcing the idea of accessible and efficient customer service.
With Emelia.io, enjoy 100% human customer support, where you can chat directly with Niels, Marie, and Charles, without going through a chatbot.
Real user experiences: what people are saying
Comments from Expandi users
Pros: I was very impressed with the software's ability to customize and automate sequences for prospecting on LinkedIn. The ability to send automatic invitations to LinkedIn events to targeted audiences has streamlined our attendance and engagement rates, which is obviously great.
Cons: Very poor experience, because when you read about a tool's features, you expect them to be available and work properly. But that's not the case with Expandi. If all the features advertised by Expandi were available and worked properly, it would be a really great tool. So I mainly appreciated their promises, which unfortunately were not kept.
Waalaxy user reviews
Mixed reactions: Most users consider Waalaxy to be good value for money, citing its reasonable pricing and extensive features. They appreciate the free trial and discounts, which allow them to evaluate the software before committing. Some users say that the investment in Waalaxy quickly pays for itself and find this software particularly beneficial for small businesses
But also: However, some users feel that Waalaxy can be expensive, especially if you want to take full advantage of its features. They mention that the prices can be high compared to the competition and that the cost may not be justified for those who don't need all the advanced features
Why smart businesses choose Emelia.io
If you had to choose a single prospecting tool to replace Expandi, Emelia stands out for its simplicity, efficiency, and flexibility. While other solutions are much more expensive and restrictive, Emelia offers a no-commitment plan (yes, no commitment!) for $37 per month, which you can cancel at any time with no additional fees. What's more, Emelia has responsive customer service when you need it
The verdict: make the smart choice in 2025
After reviewing the features, pricing, and real user experiences in detail, here's our conclusion:
Choose Expandi if:
Budget is not an issue ($1,200+ per year)
You need advanced features for businesses
You have dedicated staff to manage complex configurations
You are comfortable with a higher risk to your account
Choose Waalaxy if:
You are just starting out and want to test the waters
You don't mind using browser-dependent tools
You can work with limited connection quotas
You don't mind price increases
Choose Emelia.io if:
You want the best value for money
(3.5 times cheaper than Expandi)
You prefer flexibility with no commitment
You want built-in email pre-warming and search functionality
You value responsive customer service
You need a tool that works without issues
Leverage LinkedIn automation for your business
Remember, the best LinkedIn automation tool isn't necessarily the most expensive one, but the one that gets you results without breaking your budget or your LinkedIn account.
With Emelia, you can automate your LinkedIn and email prospecting!
By choosing Emelia, you're choosing an accessible, flexible, and powerful prospecting solution that lets you focus on what matters most: growing and developing your business
Pro tip: Start with a tool that offers flexibility and fair pricing. You can always upgrade to a higher plan later, but you won't be able to get back the money you spent on features you didn't need.
Getting started: your next steps
Define your goals: are you looking to generate leads, grow your network, or manage complete campaigns?
Set your budget: consider the total cost of ownership, not just the monthly fee
Start small: begin with a no-commitment option to test effectiveness
Scale smart: choose a platform that grows with your business
In 2025, digital marketing will be extremely competitive
The tools you choose today will determine your success tomorrow. Make the right choice.
Conclusion
For effective B2B prospecting, choosing between Expandi, Waalaxy, and Emelia.io can transform your results. Expandi impresses with its advanced features, but its high cost and potential risks deter the more pragmatic. Waalaxy appeals with its accessibility, but its price increases and browser dependency raise concerns. Emelia.io, on the other hand, stands out with its perfect balance: at $37 per month, with no commitment, essential tools, and responsive customer support, it offers unmatched value.
In 2025, LinkedIn automation is essential to stay competitive. Why pay more for unnecessary complications? Emelia.io allows you to optimize your prospecting without compromising your budget or your account. Make the smart choice: adopt a solution that works for your success. Ready to take it to the next level?
Try Emelia.io and turn your prospects into opportunities.
Frequently asked questions

Is LinkedIn automation legal and safe?
LinkedIn automation is a gray area. While it is not explicitly illegal, it may violate LinkedIn's terms of service. The key is to choose tools that mimic human behavior and respect LinkedIn's limits. Always use automation responsibly and prioritize quality over quantity.
Can my LinkedIn account be suspended if I use automation tools?
Yes, there is always a risk. However, tools that prioritize security features, respect daily limits, and simulate human behavior greatly reduce this risk. Always start slowly and avoid aggressive automation practices.
What is the difference between cloud-based automation and browser-based automation?
Cloud-based tools run on external servers and operate 24/7 without your computer being turned on. Browser-based tools require your browser to be open and are more easily detected by LinkedIn.
Cloud-based solutions are generally more secure and reliable.
How much should I expect to spend on LinkedIn automation?
Prices range from free (limited features) to over $200 per month. Most companies see good results with tools that cost between $30 and $80 per month. Consider the value of your leads and the return on investment when setting your budget.
Can I use multiple LinkedIn automation tools at the same time?
This is not recommended and increases the risk of restrictions on your account. Choose a comprehensive tool rather than combining multiple solutions. Focus on quality and consistency rather than quantity.
How long does it take to see results from LinkedIn automation?
Most users report seeing initial results after 2-4 weeks of regular use. However, building meaningful relationships and generating quality leads typically requires 2-3 months of strategic effort.
What metrics should I track to measure success?
Focus on: connection acceptance rates (aim for 20-30%), response rates (10-15% is a good result), appointment rates, and finally, conversion to customers. Quality metrics are more important than volume metrics.
Do I need LinkedIn Sales Navigator for automation tools?
While not always necessary, Sales Navigator greatly improves targeting capabilities and provides access to more detailed information about prospects. Many experienced users consider it essential for serious B2B prospecting.
Ready to boost your LinkedIn prospecting without breaking the bank? Try Emelia.io's no-commitment plan and discover why smart companies are ditching expensive alternatives.