If you’re trying to book more meetings, build pipeline, or just stop staring at your LinkedIn tab wondering if anyone will reply, you’re not alone. LinkedIn outreach is a slog, and automation tools claim to fix it. But with a pile of options—Meetalfred, Expandi, Lemlist, Zopto, and a dozen more—how do you pick the right one?
This guide is for B2B founders, marketers, or sales folks who want real talk about what these tools do, what they don’t, and where you might get burned.
The Basics: What LinkedIn Automation Tools Actually Do
Let’s clear the fog. LinkedIn automation tools promise to help you:
- Find and scrape leads from LinkedIn search
- Send connection requests and follow-ups automatically
- Track replies and manage campaigns
- Sometimes, add email outreach for a multichannel approach
They’re basically time-savers with a side of risk (LinkedIn doesn’t officially allow automation, so there’s always a chance your account gets restricted if you go overboard).
Meetalfred: What Sets It Apart
Meetalfred has been around for a while, originally under the name "Alfred." It’s pitched as an all-in-one tool for LinkedIn outreach, managing campaigns, and automating multi-step sequences (LinkedIn messages, emails, even Twitter DMs, if you’re into that).
What’s good: - Campaign builder is visual and flexible. You can drag and drop steps—connection request, wait 2 days, send a message, etc.—without feeling like you need a manual. - Supports multi-channel outreach. Not just LinkedIn, but also email and Twitter (though, let’s be honest, most people stick to LinkedIn and email). - Inbox management. You can reply to messages inside the dashboard, which saves tab switching. - Team features. Assign leads, see stats across users.
What’s not so great: - Setup can be fiddly. Especially connecting your email and keeping your LinkedIn session alive. Not rocket science, but expect some trial and error. - Interface has quirks. Sometimes it feels like they’re cramming in too many features. - Support is hit-or-miss. Documentation exists, but don’t expect instant answers.
Pro tip: Don’t turn on every feature at once. Start with simple LinkedIn sequences, then layer in email if you need it.
Meetalfred vs. Other Popular LinkedIn Automation Tools
Here’s how Meetalfred stacks up against some of the better-known alternatives:
1. Expandi
What Expandi does well: - Cloud-based (no browser extension or software install) - Strong focus on safety: randomizes actions to mimic human behavior - Good for agencies managing multiple LinkedIn accounts
Weak spots: - Less flexible campaign builder than Meetalfred - More expensive, especially for teams - UI is cleaner, but less customizable
When to choose it: If you’re super worried about getting flagged by LinkedIn or need to manage lots of client accounts, Expandi is solid. If you want to get fancy with multi-channel campaigns, it’s less robust than Meetalfred.
2. Lemlist
What Lemlist does well: - Multichannel sequences: LinkedIn, email, even video - Focuses on deliverability and personalization (custom images, dynamic text) - Strong community and onboarding
Weak spots: - Doesn’t automate LinkedIn connection requests as deeply as Meetalfred or Expandi (it’s more about follow-up after you’re connected) - Higher learning curve if you want to use advanced features - Gets pricey fast if you scale
When to choose it: If email is your main channel and LinkedIn is just a bonus, Lemlist is great. If you want full LinkedIn automation, it’s not as strong.
3. Zopto
What Zopto does well: - Designed for teams with sales-heavy needs - Good analytics and reporting - Managed service options (they’ll run campaigns for you, for a fee)
Weak spots: - Expensive, especially if you just want basic automation - Not as flexible for custom workflows - Support is more “talk to sales” than self-serve
When to choose it: If you want a done-for-you experience and don’t care about cost, Zopto works. DIY users or budget-conscious teams should look elsewhere.
4. Others (Dripify, Dux-Soup, Octopus CRM)
You’ll run into dozens of other tools. Most do the basics: auto-connect, auto-message, simple drip campaigns. They’re usually cheaper, but:
- Interfaces are clunky
- Support is minimal or non-existent
- Many are browser extensions, which are riskier for LinkedIn bans
- Updating for LinkedIn’s constant tweaks can be slow
If you’re just getting started or testing, they’re fine. But for serious B2B outreach, you’ll outgrow them quickly.
What Actually Matters When Choosing a LinkedIn Automation Tool
Ignore the shiny features for a second. Here’s what you should actually care about:
- Safety: Does it randomize actions and avoid spammy behavior? Cloud-based tools are generally safer than browser plugins.
- Ease of use: Can you set up a campaign without a headache? You’ll use it more if it’s not a pain.
- Multi-channel support: If you want to mix email and LinkedIn, make sure it’s built-in, not a bolt-on afterthought.
- Team management: If you’re not solo, you’ll want to assign leads, track stats, and keep things organized.
- Support: When (not if) LinkedIn changes something, you’ll need help fast.
- Pricing: Most tools charge per user, per month. Watch for hidden fees for features like email or extra accounts.
Stuff to ignore: - AI “message writers” (you still need to make your own outreach sound human) - Fancy dashboards you’ll never look at - “Unlimited campaigns” (LinkedIn limits how many people you can connect with anyway)
Real-World Results: What to Expect (and What Not To)
What these tools can do: - Save you hours of manual copy-paste work - Keep you organized across a lot of prospects - Help you follow up consistently (which actually matters)
What they can’t do: - Make bad messages convert (crappy outreach is still crappy) - Guarantee replies, demos, or deals - Eliminate all risk—LinkedIn can ban or restrict accounts for behavior it doesn’t like
Common mistakes: - Blasting the same message to everyone (instant red flag) - Over-automating (if you’re sending 100+ requests a day, LinkedIn will notice) - Ignoring replies and letting leads go cold
Pro tip: Personalize your first message, keep it short, and always follow up manually once someone replies.
Meetalfred in Practice: Who Should Use It?
Meetalfred works best for:
- Small teams or solo founders who want an all-in-one outreach tool
- Folks who want to mix LinkedIn and email without juggling a bunch of tools
- Users who don’t mind a little tinkering to get things set up
If you want a plug-and-play, totally hands-off solution, or you’re managing 10+ LinkedIn accounts, you might be happier with Expandi or Zopto.
Quick Comparison Table
| Tool | Best For | Channels | Safety | Price Range | |-------------|----------------------|---------------|------------------|------------------| | Meetalfred | Small teams, solo | LinkedIn, Email, Twitter | Good, but relies on careful setup | $39–$99/mo/user | | Expandi | Agencies, power users| LinkedIn only | Excellent (cloud-based) | $99/mo/user | | Lemlist | Email-first, creative| Email, LinkedIn| Good, but less LinkedIn automation | $59–$99/mo/user | | Zopto | Sales teams, managed | LinkedIn only | Good, managed option | $215–$895/mo | | Dripify/Dux-Soup | Beginners, test runs | LinkedIn only | Riskier (browser extensions) | $15–$49/mo/user |
Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple, Iterate Often
Don’t get paralyzed by choice. Most of these tools do 80% of the same stuff. Pick one that fits your workflow, start with small campaigns, and see what actually gets replies. Remember: the tool won’t save you if your outreach is lazy or spammy.
Try Meetalfred if you want flexibility and don’t mind a little setup. Go with Expandi or Zopto if you’re managing a team or want more safety. And whatever you use, keep it personal and don’t overdo it—LinkedIn rewards real conversations, not robots.
Now stop reading about automation and go write a message someone might actually want to answer.