Expandi Review 2026: Pricing, Features & Smarter Alternatives
Honest Expandi review for 2026. See pricing ($99/seat), features, pros & cons, and why inbound LinkedIn lead generation delivers better ROI.
Expandi charges $99/month per LinkedIn account for cloud-based outbound automation—but 67% of users report account restriction issues, and the tool's own terms state "Use of Expandi is at your own risk." Before you commit $1,188/year per seat, here's what you need to know.
Key Takeaways
- Expandi costs $99/month per seat ($79/month annual)—among the most expensive LinkedIn automation tools
- G2 rating is 4.2/5, but recurring complaints about billing issues and LinkedIn bans undermine confidence
- All outbound automation tools violate LinkedIn's Terms of Service, putting your account at risk regardless of "safety features"
- Inbound lead generation closes at 14.6% vs. 1.7% for outbound—HubSpot research confirms the ROI gap
What Is Expandi?
Expandi is a cloud-based LinkedIn automation platform founded in 2019 by Stefan Smulders and Glenn Miseroy. It automates connection requests, message sequences, profile visits, and follow-ups from the cloud—no browser extension required.
The tool targets sales teams, recruiters, and agencies who want to scale LinkedIn outreach. With LinkedIn now hosting 1.2 billion+ members, the appeal of automating outreach is obvious.
But automation comes with real risks. LinkedIn explicitly prohibits bots and automated methods, limiting connection requests to 100–200 per week.
Expandi Pricing Breakdown
| Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Price | Per Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business | $99/month | $79/month ($950/year) | Per LinkedIn account |
| Custom | Contact sales | Custom | Volume discounts |
Each LinkedIn account requires a separate subscription. An agency managing 10 client accounts pays $990/month ($11,880/year) on the Business plan.
For comparison, LinkedHelper offers similar features for under $180/year—though it requires your computer running 24/7 as a desktop app.
Expandi offers a 7-day free trial with full feature access. No credit card required.
Key Features
Expandi provides a solid feature set for outbound automation:
- Cloud-based campaigns that run 24/7 without browser dependency
- Smart sequences that adapt based on prospect behavior
- Dynamic personalization with text replacement, image customization, and GIF messaging
- Built-in A/B testing for message variations
- CRM integrations with HubSpot, Pipedrive, Zapier, and Salesforce
- Multichannel sequences combining LinkedIn actions with email follow-ups
- Analytics dashboard tracking acceptance rates, opens, and responses
Expandi Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cloud-based—no browser extension needed | $99/seat/month adds up fast for teams |
| Strong personalization capabilities | 67% of users report account restrictions |
| Dedicated IP per account | Complex setup with overwhelming settings |
| CRM integrations included | Only 7-day trial to evaluate ROI |
| 24/7 campaign execution | Billing complaints on G2 |
| Responsive support (when it works) | Violates LinkedIn's Terms of Service |
Real User Complaints
According to G2 reviews (4.2/5 rating), several patterns emerge.
Billing problems surface frequently. Multiple users report being charged for more seats than purchased, with no resolution from support. Cancellation doesn't always stop charges.
LinkedIn bans happen despite safety claims. Users report account restrictions even when following Expandi's recommended settings. The tool's own disclaimer says use is "at your own risk."
Support inconsistency is a recurring theme. Some users praise onboarding, others report "basic questions cannot be answered" and campaigns that "pause randomly."
Campaign rigidity frustrates users who can't edit sequences after launch—similar to Dripify's limitations.
Why Inbound Beats Outbound Automation
The fundamental problem isn't Expandi specifically—it's the outbound automation model itself:
| Metric | Outbound Automation | Inbound Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Close rate | 1.7% | 14.6% |
| Cost per lead | $186 average | $35 average |
| LinkedIn ban risk | High (ToS violation) | Zero |
| Lead quality | Cold, unqualified | Warm, self-qualified |
| Scalability | Limited by weekly caps | Compounds over time |
According to HubSpot, inbound marketing generates 54% more leads than outbound while costing 62% less per lead. And 59% of marketers confirm inbound produces higher-quality leads.
Even if Expandi's automation worked perfectly with zero bans, the outbound approach still underperforms inbound authority building by nearly every metric.
How ConnectSafely.ai Delivers Better Results
ConnectSafely.ai takes the opposite approach. Instead of automating cold outreach that risks your LinkedIn account, it builds your authority so qualified prospects come to you.
The platform uses strategic engagement—thoughtful comments on targeted posts, profile optimization, and visibility campaigns—to position you in front of decision-makers. When they see your expertise consistently, they reach out on their own.
ConnectSafely users report 10–20 qualified inbound leads per month with zero account restrictions. Every action is 100% LinkedIn-compliant—no bots, no mass messaging, no Terms of Service violations.
At $19/month starting price, it's a fraction of Expandi's cost while delivering leads that actually close.
FAQ
Is Expandi safe for LinkedIn in 2026?
Expandi uses dedicated IPs and mimics human behavior, but it still violates LinkedIn's Terms of Service. According to user reports, 67% experience account restrictions. Expandi's own terms state use is "at your own risk."
How much does Expandi cost per month?
Expandi costs $99/month per LinkedIn account on the Business plan, or $79/month with annual billing ($950/year). Each LinkedIn account requires its own subscription.
What are the best Expandi alternatives in 2026?
Top alternatives include ConnectSafely.ai for inbound lead generation, LinkedHelper ($15/month) for budget automation, Dripify ($39–79/month) for drip campaigns, and Waalaxy (free tier available) for beginners.
Does Expandi work with LinkedIn Sales Navigator?
Yes, Expandi integrates with Sales Navigator for advanced targeting. However, combining it with automation increases the risk of triggering LinkedIn's detection systems.
Why do inbound leads convert better than outbound automation?
Inbound leads convert at 14.6% vs. 1.7% for outbound because prospects self-qualify before reaching out. They've already seen your expertise, trust your authority, and have an active need—eliminating the cold-to-warm conversion gap.
Ready to stop risking your LinkedIn account on outbound automation? Try ConnectSafely.ai free for 7 days and see how inbound authority building delivers better leads at a fraction of the cost—with zero ban risk.
