TL;DR
This article compares the top 3 B2B outreach platforms for 2025, analyzing their email automation, LinkedIn capabilities, AI features, and safety measures to help you choose the right tool for your sales strategy.
Instantly dominates high-volume cold email outreach with 50%+ deliverability rates and pre-warmed accounts, making it the go-to choice for email agencies and serious senders.
lemlist excels at multi-channel personalization with AI voice cloning and advanced variables, perfect for small teams wanting to combine email, LinkedIn, and other channels seamlessly.
SalesRobot leads in safe LinkedIn automation with AI reply management, using dedicated residential IPs and smart features like SalesGPT for automated meeting booking.
Why we included SalesRobot in this comparison: While Instantly lacks LinkedIn automation and lemlist has account safety concerns, SalesRobot was built specifically to solve LinkedIn automation challenges with dedicated IPs, making it essential for safe LinkedIn outreach.
Interested? Let's get into some more details!
After extensively testing Instantly, lemlist, and SalesRobot—running outreach campaigns across both email and LinkedIn—the core differences became apparent:
Instantly is purpose-built for high-volume cold email outreach. With features like inbox rotation, deliverability analytics, and integrated B2B lead data, it's become the preferred choice for cold email agencies managing large-scale campaigns. Its vertically integrated approach combines all needed tools in one clean interface, but this comes with a clear focus on email rather than multi-channel outreach.
lemlist approaches outreach from a multi-channel perspective, combining email and LinkedIn automation. While it serves small B2B sales teams well for moderate email volumes (under 5,000 monthly), its browser-based LinkedIn automation requires keeping your computer running continuously, limiting its effectiveness for serious LinkedIn campaigns.
However, for B2B teams primarily focused on LinkedIn outreach, both platforms have significant limitations.
This is why I've included SalesRobot in the comparison. Using dedicated residential IPs and mobile APIs, it offers reliable LinkedIn automation with built-in safety mechanisms. This architecture has made it particularly valuable for B2B founders and sales teams who need dependable LinkedIn outreach without risking their accounts.
In this article, I compare these tools across six key areas:
- LinkedIn Automation
- Email Outreach
- Safety & Deliverability
- Multi-channel Capabilities
- Personalization and AI capabilities
I’ll also touch on ease of use and customer support so that you have all the information you need to make the right decision for your needs.
What is Instantly?
"The Apple of cold email outreach" 📧✨
In 2021, Instantly was founded by cold email agency owners Raul, Nils, Reio and a technical wizard by the name of Sumit.
It has positioned itself as the vertically integrated solution for high-volume cold email outreach.
With a focus on B2B leads data, cold email deliverability and automation, they've built an all-in-one platform that combines email verification, contact data, and sequence management into a seamless experience.
Their clean, intuitive interface houses a powerful engine designed specifically for cold email agencies and high-volume senders.
Beyond basic email automation, Instantly offers pre-warmed email accounts, a built-in CRM, and detailed deliverability analytics.
Users consistently report open rates above 50%, showcasing the platform's emphasis on email deliverability and inbox placement.
What is lemlist?
"Your multi-channel outreach education + software" 🔄💼
Founded as a solution for multi-channel outreach in 2018 by Guillaume Moubeche and 2 other technical wizards Francois and Vianney, lemlist aims to bridge the gap between email and LinkedIn outreach for small B2B sales teams.
Their platform combines email automation with LinkedIn outreach capabilities, though users note the LinkedIn features are browser-based and have limitations.
lemlist shines in its email capabilities, offering features like conditional sequences, custom landing pages, and a large lead database.
While it works well for teams sending moderate email volumes (under 5,000 monthly), the platform's strength lies in its ability to coordinate outreach across multiple channels, making it popular among small B2B sales teams and founders looking for an integrated approach.
What is SalesRobot?
"Making LinkedIn automation safe and reliable" 🛡️🤖
Founded in May 2020, SalesRobot emerged from a clear market need: making LinkedIn automation reliable and safe.
While other tools were getting users' LinkedIn accounts banned, SalesRobot took a different approach by building a cloud-based system with dedicated residential IPs and mobile API integration.
Growing to serve over 3,700 users in just four years, SalesRobot has established itself as the go-to platform for safe LinkedIn automation.
Their focus on account safety doesn't come at the expense of functionality – the platform offers AI-powered message writing, smart daily throttling, and basic email integration capabilities.
This combination has made it particularly valuable for B2B founders, sales professionals, and LinkedIn lead generation agencies who need reliable automation without risking their LinkedIn accounts.
Now, SalesRobot has is introduced an AI Inbox Manager,, an AI powered reply management system that integrates LinkedIn outreach and gets you meetings in a fully automated way and improves their approach as they go.
Instantly vs lemlist vs SalesRobot: LinkedIn Automation
Instantly lacks LinkedIn features, lemlist offers basic integration, while SalesRobot excels with cloud-based safety
LinkedIn automation allows you to automate connection requests, InMails, and LinkedIn messages while maintaining account safety. The key factors are
- cloud vs. browser-based automation
- connection request and message limits and
- safety features.
LinkedIn Automation Architecture
SalesRobot uses a cloud-based architecture with dedicated IPs, lemlist relies on browser extension, while Instantly has no native LinkedIn features.
SalesRobot takes a unique approach by using dedicated residential IP addresses and LinkedIn's mobile APIs on the backend. This means:
- No browser extension required
- Automation runs 24/7 in the cloud
- Each account gets its own dedicated IP
- Smart throttling automatically adjusts if LinkedIn shows warnings
lemlist's browser-based approach requires:
- Keeping your computer running
- Browser extension installation
- Manual monitoring of LinkedIn limits
- Users report concerns about account safety
Instantly doesn't offer LinkedIn automation, focusing entirely on email outreach.
Connection Request & Message Limits
SalesRobot leads with safe daily limits:
- 1000 connection requests/month
- 600 follow-up messages/month
- 800 open InMail messages/month
- Smart auto-pausing when a prospect replies
lemlist offers standard LinkedIn limits:
- Default LinkedIn limits apply
- No smart throttling
- Users report occasional limit issues
Safety Features & Account Protection
SalesRobot provides comprehensive safety:
- Dedicated residential IPs
- Mobile API integration
- Smart daily throttling
- Auto-pause on warning signals
- Real-time monitoring
lemlist offers basic safety features:
- Browser-based activity tracking
- Manual limit settings
- Some users report account risks
Instantly vs lemlist vs SalesRobot: Email Outreach
Instantly leads with high deliverability, lemlist offers solid multi-channel capabilities, while SalesRobot provides basic email integration
Email automation capabilities determine how effectively you can reach prospects at scale while maintaining high deliverability rates. Key factors include
- email infrastructure
- campaign management & scaling inbox warm-up and
- safety and deliverability features.
Email Infrastructure & Deliverability
Instantly sets the standard with its comprehensive email infrastructure:
- Pre-warmed email accounts ready for immediate use
- Automated warmup system for existing accounts
- Users report consistent 50%+ open rates
- Built-in DMARC, DKIM, and SPF setup
- Automated bounce handling and campaign pausing
lemlist offers solid email capabilities:
- Manual email warmup required
- Up to 5 sending emails per user
- DNS setup guidance provided
- Users report 72-hour wait time for DNS changes
- Good but not exceptional deliverability rates
SalesRobot provides basic email integration:
- 600 emails/month on Starter plan
- Basic personalization features
- Focuses on complementing LinkedIn outreach
- Limited email-specific features
Campaign Management & Scaling
Instantly excels at high-volume sending:
- Up to 500,000 emails monthly (Light Speed plan)
- Automatic email health monitoring
- Built-in CRM for lead management
- Real-time deliverability analytics
- Advanced inbox rotation
lemlist offers flexible campaign management:
- Multi-channel sequence building
- Conditional logic for sequences
- Custom landing page integration
- Limited to 5-15 email accounts
- Good for moderate volume (under 5,000 monthly)
SalesRobot focuses on LinkedIn-first campaigns:
- Basic email follow-up capabilities
- Integration with LinkedIn sequences
- Suitable for low-volume email outreach
- AI-written message templates
Instantly vs lemlist vs SalesRobot: Safety & Deliverability
SalesRobot prioritizes LinkedIn safety, Instantly excels at email deliverability, while lemlist offers basic protection for both channels
Safety and deliverability features protect your accounts from restrictions while maintaining high performance. This encompasses both LinkedIn account protection and email inbox health.
LinkedIn Account Protection
SalesRobot leads with comprehensive LinkedIn safety:
- Dedicated residential IPs for each account
- Mobile API integration avoiding detection
- Smart throttling based on account age
- Real-time monitoring and auto-pause
- Users report zero account bans with proper usage
lemlist offers basic LinkedIn protection:
- Browser-based activity monitoring
- Manual safety limits
- Users report occasional account restrictions
- Requires keeping computer running
- Multiple users mention safety concerns
Instantly doesn't include LinkedIn features, focusing solely on email safety.
Email Deliverability Protection
Instantly provides robust email protection:
- Automated warm-up for new accounts
- Pre-warmed accounts available
- SISR (Smart Inbox Safety Rotation) System
- Automated bounce detection and pausing
- Users report consistent 50%+ delivery rates
lemlist includes standard email safety:
- Basic warm-up functionality
- DNS setup guidance
- Limited to 5 email accounts (standard plan)
- 72-hour waiting period for DNS changes
- Manual monitoring required
SalesRobot offers basic email protection:
- Standard spam prevention
- Basic warm-up features
- Limited to 600 emails/month on Starter
- Focus on complementary email use
Instantly vs lemlist vs SalesRobot: Multi-channel Capabilities
lemlist offers integrated multi-channel campaigns, SalesRobot connects LinkedIn and email, while Instantly focuses on email excellence
Channel Integration
lemlist leads with comprehensive channel integration:
- Combined email and LinkedIn sequences
- VoIP integration (Aircall, Ringover)
- Conditional sequence steps
- Custom landing pages
- Centralized multi-channel inbox
SalesRobot offers LinkedIn-focused integration:
- LinkedIn and email coordination
- Sales Navigator integration
- Direct CSV import capabilities
- CRM synchronization (Hubspot, Salesforce)
- Team collaboration features
Instantly focuses on email channel optimization:
- Multiple email account management
- CRM integration
- Website visitor tracking
- Lead database integration
- No native LinkedIn features
Instantly vs lemlist vs SalesRobot: Personalization & AI Capabilities
SalesRobot delivers the most comprehensive LinkedIn-focused AI personalization, lemlist excels at email-centric features, while Instantly offers reliable automation
Personalization Features
Instantly offers solid email personalization:
- Unlimited custom variables using {{VariableName}} syntax
- AI-powered personalized lines and template generation
- Basic personalized images through manual URL variables
- 185M+ contact database with AI lead analysis
- Strong variable integration across email sequences
lemlist offers comprehensive personalization:
- ElevenLabs integration for AI voice cloning in under 2 minutes
- Advanced AI variables using GPT-4 for bulk lead processing
- Dynamic images with prospect names, company logos, and website screenshots
- Liquid syntax for complex conditional personalization logic
- 450M+ prospect database with automated data enrichment
SalesRobot leads with comprehensive personalization tools:
- AI voice/video personalization and manual voice/video notes capabilities
- AI variables for dynamic content insertion and personalization
- LinkedIn data mining for connection and activity insights
- Hyperise integration for personalized images and GIFs
- Custom field support for CRM data imports and scaling
AI Capabilities
Instantly excels in AI automation:
- Advanced AI Inbox Manager with confidence-based auto-responses
- Automated send time optimization and A/B testing
- AI content writer for emails and subject lines
- Unified inbox with automatic response categorization
lemlist offers comprehensive AI tools:
- AI sequence generator creating complete campaigns in 3 minutes
- "Ask AI" feature for copy improvement and rewriting
- AI interest detection and lead segmentation
- Free cold email generator with industry-specific templates
- Unified inbox across email, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp
SalesRobot features the most practical AI capabilities:
- SalesGPT for AI-generated messaging sequences across LinkedIn and email
- Smart commenting on LinkedIn posts with AI templates
- AI inbox manager for true multi-channel conversation management
- AI variables for automated personalization at scale with account safety
- Smart filtering and tagging for conversation organization
Instantly vs lemlist vs SalesRobot: Pros & Cons
Instantly Pros & Cons
lemlist Pros & Cons
SalesRobot Pros & Cons
Final Verdict: Instantly vs lemlist vs SalesRobot
Each tool serves distinct needs in the B2B outreach landscape:
Use Instantly if:
- You're running a cold email agency or high-volume email campaigns
- Email deliverability is your primary concern
- You need to send over 5,000 emails monthly
- You want a vertically integrated email solution with built-in CRM
- You prefer done-for-you email setup and warming
[Click here to get started with Instantly!]
Use lemlist if:
- You're a small B2B team (1-20 people) needing multi-channel outreach
- You want to combine email and basic LinkedIn outreach
- You need flexible campaign conditions and sequences
- You send moderate email volumes (under 5,000 monthly)
- You value extensive integration capabilities
[Click here to get started with lemlist!]
Use SalesRobot if:
- LinkedIn is your primary outreach channel
- Account safety is your top priority
- You need reliable 24/7 cloud-based automation
- You want AI-assisted message writing
- You're looking for managed services with dedicated support
[Click here to get started with SalesRobot]
The landscape of B2B outreach tools is increasingly specialized.
While Instantly dominates high-volume email outreach with its vertical integration and deliverability focus, SalesRobot excels in safe LinkedIn automation.
lemlist bridges the gap with multi-channel capabilities but may not match the specialized prowess of either competitor in their respective domains.
Choose based on your primary channel: If email is your focus, go with Instantly.
If LinkedIn is your priority, choose SalesRobot. If you need both but don't require excellence in either, lemlist offers a balanced solution.
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