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We Tried 20 LinkedIn Lead Generation Tools, So You Don't Have To (Paid + Free)

We tested 20 LinkedIn lead generation tools: Sales Navigator, SalesRobot, Dripify, Lemlist, Meet Alfred, Expandi.io, and 15 others. Find out which is the ultimate tool.
Saurav Gupta
December 23, 2025
5
min. read

TL;DR

LinkedIn lead generation tools help you scale outreach, content, and ads without burning time or budget.

Outbound alone is not enough. Inbound often converts faster because prospects already recognize you.

There are 3 main categories:

  • Outbound tools for automated LinkedIn and email outreach
  • Inbound tools for content creation, scheduling, and personal branding
  • Native LinkedIn ad tools for paid reach and direct messaging

We reviewed 21 tools, covering databases, automation, content, and ads, with pricing and key features. There is no single best tool for everyone. The right choice depends on whether your focus is outbound, inbound, or paid acquisition.

If you want speed and scale in outreach, outbound automation tools stand out.

If you want long-term trust and visibility, inbound content tools matter more.

Paid LinkedIn ads work, but costs add up and efficiency varies.

If you want one takeaway: pick the tool category first, then choose the product that fits your workflow and budget.

A table showing 21 LinkedIn Lead Generation Tools with columns for Tool Name, Who should use it, Standout feature, and Free Trial.

If you’re a B2B business owner, sales rep, marketer, or freelancer, LinkedIn is the #1 platform you need to be on. Why?

Because your next client or big opportunity is present here.

For business owners, potential clients or even investors might be sizing you up.

For others, a career changing connection must be waiting for you.

But striking GOLD out of the blue on LinkedIn isn’t easy.

You have to stand out, find the right leads, and do it all without draining time, wasting energy, or blowing your budget.

And this is exactly what a LinkedIn lead-generation tool helps you do.

These tools can help you hit your goals without the endless grind, frustration, or expense.

And today, I’m breaking down everything you need to know about LinkedIn lead generation tools:

🤖 What is a LinkedIn lead generation tool?

🤖 A roundup of the top tools—free and paid!

🤖 The 3 types of tools you need to know

🤖 A free checklist for choosing the right one

🤖 And revealing which tool you should buy.

Let’s get into it...

What is a LinkedIn Lead Generation Tool?

A LinkedIn lead generation tool is a productivity tool that helps you scale your activities and generate more leads with the SAME or LESS effort by automating your LinkedIn activities.

Most people think success on LinkedIn starts and ends with cold outreach.

But here’s the truth: Outbound is only half the story.

Inbound can be twice as powerful because your leads are already aware of you, trust you, and are halfway convinced before you even talk to them.

We’ve organized the tools into three categories, but we’ll reveal which tool fits where a bit later.

For now, let’s jump straight into the TOP 21 TOOLS!

Top 21 LinkedIn Lead Generation Tools: The Ultimate Collection

1. LinkedIn Sales Navigator

A screenshot of LinkedIn's 45 search filters interface, categorized by Company, Buyer Intent, Role, and Recent updates.

LinkedIn Sales Navigator is the largest B2B database tool.

Data comes directly from the 1+ billion LinkedIn members, refreshed by users themselves, ensuring high accuracy and recency

Yep, 1 BILLION!

And every database tool out there in the market is a copy of LinkedIn Sales Navigator. These tools scrape data from Sales Navigator.

If you want to build the right list, this is the tool you need.

Top Features:

*Recent updates - last 90 days

✅ Job change data for everyone

✅ 40+ advanced search filters

✅ 50 InMail credits per month

LinkedIn Sales Navigator has 3 plans:

1/ Core Plan - Pricing starts at $99.99/month

2/ Advanced Plan - Pricing starts at $179.99/month

3/ Advanced Plus - Pricing starts at $1600 a year

A review for LinkedIn Sales Navigator, with a red box highlighting the 'What do you dislike' section.

The tool is rated 4.3 out of 5 on G2.

2. SalesRobot

A dashboard displaying 'Your Analytics' for a campaign, including total campaigns, connections, LinkedIn replies, email replies, and a table of recent activities.

SalesRobot is a sales engagement tool that automates your LinkedIn and email outreach. With a few clicks, it will take over all your manual work on LinkedIn.

For example, sending connection requests, writing messages, following up, etc.

And not just that! SalesRobot’s AI Appointment Setter takes over your LinkedIn inbox; like handling replies, overcoming objections, and steering the conversation toward your set goals, whether that’s booking a meeting or closing a deal.

Small business owners and sales teams at Fortune 500 companies like Akamai use it daily.

Top Features:

✅ AI Appointment Setter

Automated Video/Voice messages

AI Variables

✅ Auto-tagging chats in inbox

✅ LinkedIn + email automation in one platform

Bypass LinkedIn connection request limit

✅ Create hyper personalized sequence

✅ Find verified work email

SalesRobot offers 3 plans:

1/ Basic - starts at $59/month

2/ Advanced - starts at $79/month

3/ Professional - starts at $99/month

A review for SalesRobot, with red boxes highlighting the 'What do you like best' and 'What problems is SalesRobot solving' sections.

The tool is rated 4.8 out of 5 on G2.

3. Waalaxy

A Waalaxy campaign dashboard showing performance metrics like invitations, message requests, messages, visits, follows, mails, and acceptance rate with a timeline graph.

Waalaxy is a LinkedIn and email prospecting tool that automates connection requests, follow-ups, and integrates with your favourite CRM.

However, it is a Chrome extension and that could be a concern.

Top Features:

✅ Email Finder

✅ LinkedIn connection requests and InMails

✅ Cold Email Automation

✅ Pre Saved Replies and Follow ups

✅ Organise chats using tags

Waalaxy offers 4 plans:

1/ Free plan - Pricing starts at €0 per month

2/ Pro Plan - Pricing starts at €19 per month

3/ Advanced Plan - Pricing starts at €56 per month

4/ Business Plan - Pricing starts at €80 per month

Note: These pricing are without a LinkedIn inbox. LinkedIn Inbox is an add on and costs $22/month.

A review for Waalaxy, with a red box highlighting the 'What do you dislike about waalaxy' section.

The tool is rated 4.6 out of 5 on G2.

4. lemlist

A campaign builder interface showing automatic and manual steps such as Email, Chat message, Voice message, Invitation, Visit profile, Call, Manual task, and Call an API.

lemlist is another cloud-based LinkedIn and email automation tool that also helps with cold outreach automation and extract email addresses and phone numbers from LinkedIn.

Top Features:

✅ LinkedIn and email automation

✅ Outreach templates

Inbuilt Email Warm

✅ User Friendly UI

A/B testing

✅ LI voice notes

lemlist offers 3 plans:

1/ Email Pro - Pricing starts at $69 per month

2/ MultiChannel Expert - Pricing starts at $99 per month

3/ Enterprise Plan - Custom Pricing

A highlighted section of a review for lemlist, stating a dislike about paying more tokens for lead enrichment and slow processing.

The tool is rated 4.5 out of 5 on G2.

5. La Growth Machine

A leads dashboard showing a list of contacts with their campaign statuses and options to manage leads.

La Growth Machine is a multi-channel prospecting, sales automation, and lead generation tool.

Top Features:

✅ Lead data enrichment

✅ Multi Channel workflows

✅ Team Management

✅ X(formerly twitter) automation

✅ Voice AI to send LinkedIn voice notes

La Growth Machine offers 3 plans:

1/ Basic Plan - Pricing starts at 60€/month per identity per month

2/ Pro Plan - Pricing starts at 120€/month per identity per month

3/ Ultimate Plan - Pricing starts at 180€/month per identity per month

A highlighted section of a review for La Growth Machine, detailing a dislike that the widget must be running for campaigns to operate, preventing overnight campaigns.

The tool is rated 4.6 out of 5 on G2.

6. Skylead

A campaign settings page with options for LinkedIn account types, InMail discovery, including existing contacts, and collecting contact information.

Skylead is a LinkedIn and cold email automation tool specifically designed to assist sales reps, SDRs, marketers, recruiters, agency owners, and founders.

Top Features:

✅ Creates multi channel sequence fast

✅ Conditional sequences

✅ Email finder tool

Skylead offers 2 plans:

1/ ALL IN ONE Plan - Pricing starts at $100/month

2/Whitelabel Plan - Custom Pricing

A highlighted section of a review for Skylead, indicating a dislike about the difficulty of personalizing messages for a large audience, resulting in redundant content.

The tool is rated 4.5 out of 5 on G2.

7. Dux Soup

A

Dux-Soup is also a LinkedIn automation tool that helps you reach potential clients on LinkedIn. It is built exclusively for LinkedIn.

Top Features:

✅ Low-cost LinkedIn automation tool

✅ Multiple campaign setup

✅ AI Autoresponder

✅ CRM Integration

Dux-Soup offers 9 plans within 3 different categories (individuals, Team, and Agencies):

These are individual pricing plan:

1/ Pro Dux - Pricing starts at $14.99/month

2/ Turbo Dux - Pricing starts at $55/month

3/ Cloud Dux- Pricing starts at $99/month

A highlighted section of a review for Dux-Soup, describing a dislike about numerous features, integration difficulties, and the absence of a helpline.

The tool is rated 4.3 out of 5 on G2.

8. MeetAlfred

A lead source selection page presenting options like LinkedIn Search, LinkedIn URL, CSV Upload, Sales Navigator Searches, 1st Degree Connections, and 3rd Party Integrations.

MeetAlfred is a tool that helps you manage multiple social media platforms simultaneously, making it ideal for multi-channel campaigns.

Top Features:

✅ Target several social media platforms at once

Customizable Templates Library

Meet Alfred offers 3 plans:

1/ Basic Plan - Pricing starts at $59/month

2/ Teams Plan - Pricing starts at $79/month

3/Pro Plan - Pricing starts at $99/month

A review of MeetAlfred.com highlighting disadvantages such as being a paid service, risk of account blocking, and LinkedIn limitations.

The tool is rated 3.3 out of 5 on G2.

9. Zopto

The

Zopto is another great LinkedIn automation tool designed to help recruiters, sales reps, and managers get new leads via LinkedIn.

Top Features:

✅ Quick and easy setup

✅ Advanced search filters

✅ Allows you to add multiple LinkedIn accounts

Zopto offers 4 plans:

1/ Basic Plan - Pricing starts at $197/month

2/ Pro Plan - Pricing starts at $297/month

3/ AGENCY & ENTERPRISE Basic - Pricing starts at $156/month

4/ AGENCY & ENTERPRISE Pro - Pricing starts at $237/month

A review of Zopto highlighting dislikes related to performance, statistics, customer service, and features.

The tool is rated 4.4 out 5 on G2.

10. Expandi

The Expandi.io inbox interface displaying a list of contacts and an active chat conversation.

Expandi is a cloud-based LinkedIn automation tool. They have added cold email capabilities, too.

Top Features:

Cloud based platform keeps your account safe

✅ Advanced targeting capabilities

✅ A/B testing

Expandi offers 2 plans:

1/ Business Plan - Pricing starts at $99/month

2/ Agency Plan - Custom Pricing

A review of Expandi.io, with a red box highlighting the user's desire for an email finder and verification feature.

The tool is rated 4.2 out 5 on G2.

11. Linkedhelper

The Linked Helper

Linked Helper is a desktop based LinkedIn automation tool that requires downloading and installation on your device. You campaign will execute only when the system is open.

Linked Helper 2 Review: What You Won't Find From Its ... - SalesRobot

Top Features:

✅ Affordable LinkedIn automation tool

✅ Scrape data from LinkedIn

Linked Helper offers 3 plans:

1/ Free Plan

2/ Standard Plan - Pricing starts at $15/month

3/ Pro Plan - Pricing starts at $45/month

A review of Linked Helper detailing dislikes such as complex proxy management and increased resource usage with multiple accounts.

The tool is rated 4.6 out 5 on G2.

12. Octopus CRM

The Octopus CRM

Octopus CRM is one of the renowned LinkedIn automation tools. Mostly because it helps users generate leads from LinkedIn and organize prospecting tasks.

Octopus CRM Review: One of the Best LinkedIn Automation Tools in ...

Top Features:

✅ Cheap price haha 😂

✅ Easy lead identification

✅ Campaign management with analytics

It is a chrome based tool, so your account will be more prone to security issues.

Octopus CRM offers 4 plans:

1/ Starter Plan - Pricing starts at $9.99/month

2/ Pro Plan - Pricing starts at $14.99/month

3/ Advanced Plan - Pricing starts at $21.99/month

4/ Unlimited Plan - Pricing starts at $39.99/month

A review stating dislikes about Octopus CRM, specifically the need for additional software and non-comprehensive reports.

The tool is rated 4.4 out of 5 on G2.

13. Taplio

A dashboard of Taplio.com showing search results and content ideas for marketing topics.

Taplio is an AI-powered content creation tool that helps you find viral LinkedIn content, create and schedule content for LinkedIn.

Top Features:

✅ Helps you generate post ideas

✅ Detailed LinkedIn analytics

✅ Find viral LinkedIn pots

Taplio offers 3 plans:

1/ Starter Plan - Pricing starts at $39/month

2/ Standard Plan - Pricing starts at $65/month

3/ Pro Plan - Pricing starts at $199/month

A review stating dislikes about Taplio, mentioning manual LinkedIn reconnection and issues with the Chrome extension.

The tool is rated 3.3 out of 5 on G2.

14. Authoredup

A screenshot of the AuthoredUp editor with a draft post titled 'What's my main reason for being on LinkedIn?' and a preview.

AuthoredUp is a leading LinkedIn productivity tool for content creators.

It helps you refine your post formatting to make them more readable, digestible, and visually appealing. You can schedule LinkedIn content also.

Top Features:

✅ LinkedIn content creation and analytics tool

✅ Viral hook database

AuhtoredUp offers 2 plans:

1/ Individual Plan - Pricing starts at $19.95/month

2/ Business Plan - Pricing starts at $14.95/month

15. Supergrow

A Supergrow dashboard displaying templates for generating LinkedIn posts with AI, such as 'Start from scratch' and 'Article to LinkedIn Post'.

Supergrow is a LinkedIn personal branding tool that streamlines content creation. It helps you generate ideas, craft engaging posts and carousels, save your ideas, and schedule content efficiently.

Top Features:

✅ All in-one tool for LinkedIn personal branding

✅ Swipe files to save ideas

✅ LinkedIn carousels

SuperGrow offers 3 plans:

1/ Starter Plan - Pricing starts at $19/month

2/ Pro Plan - Pricing starts at $29/month

3/ Team Plan - Custom Pricing

A review stating dislikes about Supergrow, specifically the Carousel Maker needing updates and a desire for Canva integration.

The tool is rated 4.9 out of 5 on G2.

16. Lempod

A 'Your Groups' interface showing a pop-up to join a pod with a secret code.

Lempod is an engagement pod tool that helps increase the views and engagement on your LinkedIn posts.

However, it’s not recommended if you’re aiming for organic growth.

Top Features:

✅ Increases views and engagement of the posts

Lempod offers 2 plans:

1/ Marketplace Plan - Pricing starts at $9.99/month

2/ Private Business Pod - Pricing starts at $3.99/month

19. LinkedIn Sponsored Content ads

LinkedIn-sponsored content ads are top-tier advertisements sponsored by a company for publication and distribution. They effortlessly blend into the platform, completely bypassing the intrusive nature of typical advertisements.

Top Features:

✅ Helps capture your prospects' attention by seamlessly blending into the LinkedIn feed

💲Pricing Information: Pay per click

Example:

An Adobe sponsored LinkedIn post featuring a bar chart showing customer reactions to targeting or personalization efforts.

18. LinkedIn Sponsored Messaging

LinkedIn-sponsored messaging ads are personalized ads sent directly to specific users. They are customized messages that arrive in your inboxes and include friendly greetings, links and calls to action.

Top Features:

✅ Send direct LinkedIn messages to your prospects

💲Pricing Information: Pay per click

Example:

A LinkedIn post from Matt Wheeler offering a free Facebook Ads guide for automotive businesses.

19. LinkedIn Dynamic Ads

Dynamic ads are ads used to recruit top talent and elevate brand visibility. These hyper-personalized ads significantly enhance their effectiveness.

Top Features:

Hyper-personalized ads

💲Pricing Information: Pay-per-click

Example:

An advertisement for DevOps Fusion by CA Technologies, showing a person and a logo with connecting arrows, prompting to download a guide.

20. LinkedIn Text Ads

Text Ads are short, text-based messages displayed on the platform. They feature a headline, brief description, and URL, aiming to engage users and prompt action.

Top Features:

Delivers concise message

💲Pricing Information: Pay per click

Example:

Two HubSpot ads promoting guides for generating leads from LinkedIn, one with a funnel icon and one with a HubSpot logo.

And that's the end of the list.

Now it's time to see which tool falls in which category.

The 3 Types of LinkedIn Lead Generation Tools

1. Outbound LinkedIn Lead Generation Tools

3 main reasons to choose an outbound lead generation tool:

✅ Save time.

✅ Human-like interactions, regardless of scale.

Multi-channel outreach, email + LinkedIn in one platform.

✅AI generated personalized outreach sequences.

Some of the tools to try:

SalesRobot, Waalaxy, lemlist, La Growth Machine, Skylead, Dux Soup, Meet Alfred, Zopto, Expandi, Linkedhelper, and Octopus CRM.

They boost your outreach by automating connections and help you create personalized mass outreach.

2. Inbound LinkedIn Lead Generation Tools

These tools help you find inspiration for your LinkedIn content, write LinkedIn content, and schedule. In doing so, the tool helps you build your LinkedIn personal brand.

You can:

✅ Find inspiration.

✅ Craft viral LinkedIn posts.

✅ Generate engaging AI-driven comments.

Boost your profile visibility, attract more attention and leads effortlessly.

Tools that can help:

Taplio, Authoredup, Supergrow, and Lempod.

A flowchart titled 'How to generate leads via LinkedIn in 2025' illustrating outbound and inbound methods, with the SalesRobot logo.

3. Native Ads-Based LinkedIn Lead Generation Tools

These are LinkedIn-owned tools/services that serve both outbound and inbound purposes:

Benefits:

✅ Generate leads through ads and messages.

✅ Use dynamic and text ads.

However, they are less effective than previously mentioned tools.

Also, these can be costly over time.

Ex: LinkedIn Sponsored Content ads, LinkedIn Sponsored Messaging, LinkedIn Dynamic Ads, and LinkedIn Text Ads.

To help you find the RIGHT LinkedIn lead generation tool,I have created a 7-step checklist:

A 7-step checklist titled 'How to Find the Ideal LinkedIn Lead Generation Tool for You,' detailing criteria like defining goals and ensuring advanced targeting, with the SalesRobot logo.

Which LinkedIn Lead Generation Tool Should You Choose? And why?

You've explored 21 top LinkedIn lead generation tools, but which one takes the crown in 2025?

I will answer this, but first here is a quick question for you: : “Can you watch every TV show or movie on Netflix?” *

No, right? It's just not possible.

Similarly, with LinkedIn lead generation tools, there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution.

That's why we've picked 3 standout tools, each excelling in a specific category:

1. SalesRobot for Outbound: It's your solution for bypassing LinkedIn connection limits safely and minimizing the risk of account restrictions.

2. Taplio for Inbound: Grow your personal brand across LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter) with Taplio, a valuable resource for content inspiration.

3. Sponsored Messaging for Ads: Experience personalized ads landing directly in your prospect’s inbox, tailored uniquely to the audience that needs them.

While we can't guarantee the success of every tool, we can vouch for SalesRobot's reliability and effectiveness.

A user review for SalesRobot by Jack Z., highlighting 'Scaling connections and outreach' and revenue generation from new business.

Keen to explore SalesRobot? Dive in with our 14-day trial - no credit card or phone number required.

Until next time!

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Meet some SalesRobot users

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65% response rate | $1mln+ in funding raised

We reached out to 400 busy agency owners and received 148 replies—a 65% response rate. SalesRobot makes your messages feel human and personal and people actually respond!

Anton Titov
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Founder at Archway.Finance
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57% response rate | 5-10 quality leads per month

I have about 20 different campaigns with SalesRobot. I like to try a lot of things, a ton of A/B testing.

Joey Kennedy
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VP Sales at KMS Healthcare
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37% response rate | 20+ lead magnet asks per month

SalesRobot does have built-in proxy protection, so my LinkedIn campaigns don't get flagged, which is really good."

Chad De Wet
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Owner at Live Leads
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41% response rate | 36 replies per month

We included a lot of follow up in SalesRobot. This was a nine or ten message sequence that kept us top of mind.

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Operations at Flying V Group
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48% response rate | 10+ leads per month

SalesRobot is not a selling tool, it is a conversation starting tool.

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Founder at MailerCraft
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54.5 % acceptance rate | 40 % response rate

What worked exceptionally well was connecting SalesRobot campaigns to a landing page with a video sales letter that helped bridge the gap. We actually got some people that booked straight in through that.

Alex Sardinha
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Founder at Inonda Marketing
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49% response rate | 30+ quality leads per month

We have worked with one hundred plus companies to date, and SalesRobot has been really helpful to us.

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Owner at Buzz Up Marketing
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