HeyReach vs Expandi vs Sales Crusader: The Complete LinkedIn Automation Comparison [2025]

Quick comparison overview

Before we dive deep, here's what each platform brings to the table:

Expandi is a feature-rich LinkedIn automation tool with advanced personalization, smart sequences, and integrations like Hyperise. It's powerful but comes with a learning curve and some reported account safety concerns.

HeyReach offers clean multi-account management with a straightforward interface. Great for teams that want simple, effective LinkedIn automation without complexity.

Sales Crusader is what we built when we realized the market needed enterprise-grade safety combined with intelligent automation—dedicated IPs, mobile API execution, unified inbox, and AI features that drive real pipeline outcomes.

Let me walk you through each platform so you can make an informed decision.

What is Expandi?

Expandi.io is an advanced LinkedIn automation tool designed for salespeople, marketers, recruiters, and lead-generation agencies looking to scale their outreach.

It operates as a cloud-based solution, mimicking human-like actions through virtual assistant setup. Unlike Chrome extensions or basic API tools, Expandi focuses on sophisticated sequence-building with extensive personalization options.

Key features:

Smart sequence building with conditional logic
LinkedIn + email outreach
Hyperise integration for dynamic images and GIFs
AI Analyzer for sentiment analysis and message generation
Workspaces for team collaboration
Mobile Connector campaigns
A/B testing capabilities
Detailed analytics and tracking

Pros:

Advanced personalization with dynamic images/videos
Sophisticated campaign logic
Good integration ecosystem (HubSpot, Zapier)
Mobile campaign management
Comprehensive analytics
Template library

Cons:

Steep learning curve—not intuitive for beginners
Users report account bans despite safety claims (per Trustpilot, G2)
Expensive at $99/seat, costs add up quickly
Integration setup requires manual work (API tokens, copying links)
Inbox limitations—can't respond on behalf of others
Confusing UX in some areas
Agency pricing isn't transparent (requires scheduling a call)
7-day trial isn't enough to measure campaign success

What is HeyReach?

HeyReach is a cloud-based LinkedIn automation platform built for teams that need straightforward multi-account management and simple scaling.

It's designed for lead-gen agencies and sales teams who want to get up and running quickly without dealing with complex setup or steep learning curves.

Key features:

Multi-account management with auto-rotation
Basic sequence building
Unified inbox with response-on-behalf capability
Team collaboration features
Cloud-based execution
Lead tracking and drop-off analysis

Pros:

Super intuitive, clean interface
Easy onboarding—no technical setup required
More affordable than Expandi with no per-user fees
Built for agencies from the ground up
Unified inbox lets you respond on behalf of team members
Transparent pricing
30-day trial (much better than competitors)

Cons:

Limited workflow customization compared to more advanced tools
Basic personalization options
No AI-powered features
No dedicated IPs per account
Standard safety measures (good, but not enterprise-grade)
No multi-channel capabilities

What is Sales Crusader?

Sales Crusader is the LinkedIn automation platform we built specifically for GTM teams, agencies, and founders who need the safest, most intelligent automation infrastructure available.

After seeing teams struggle with account restrictions, limited features, and tools that automated tasks rather than outcomes, we built something better.

Core focus areas:

Enterprise-grade safety – Dedicated residential IPs, mobile API execution, smart throttling
Intelligent automation – AI-powered replies, message generation, conditional workflows
Unified experience – LinkedIn + email in one platform with AI assistance
Real outcomes – Features that drive pipeline, not just send messages

Key features:

Dedicated residential IP per account
Mobile API execution (not browser automation)
Smart throttling that adapts to LinkedIn warnings
AI reply engine and inbox autopilot
AI voice notes
Unified inbox for LinkedIn + email
Viral post commenter (target engaged audiences)
Event attendee automation
Post engagement sequences
Multi-channel sequences with conditional logic
Profile scraping for dynamic personalization
Email warmup included
GTM-focused analytics

Pros:

Best-in-class account safety infrastructure
Dedicated residential IPs included
Mobile API execution protects accounts
AI handles inbox replies, message drafting, and voice notes
Unified inbox eliminates tab-switching
Deep automation logic rivals Expandi's sophistication
Viral post commenter (unique feature)
All features included in seat price
Transparent pricing that doesn't explode at scale
Intuitive despite being powerful

Cons:

Newer platform compared to established competitors
More capabilities = slightly more to learn (though we've kept it simple)

Feature-by-feature breakdown

Let's compare how these tools stack up across the features that actually matter for outbound success.

1. Account safety (The most critical factor)

LinkedIn restrictions destroy pipeline. One ban can cost you months of momentum and thousands in lost opportunities.

Expandi's approach:

Cloud-based with human-like behavior simulation
IP rotation
Activity limits

The concerning part: Multiple users on G2 and Trustpilot report getting banned, even though Expandi claims to be completely safe. This suggests their safety infrastructure might not be as robust as needed.

HeyReach's approach:

Cloud-based execution
Built-in daily activity caps
Safe enough for standard use cases

Solid, reliable safety measures. You're unlikely to face issues if you follow best practices, though it's standard safety rather than enterprise-grade protection.

Sales Crusader's approach:

Dedicated residential IP for each account
Mobile API execution (mimics LinkedIn's actual mobile app)
Smart throttling detects LinkedIn warnings and automatically adjusts
AI mimics natural human behavior patterns
24/7 monitoring with warning suppression

We built this infrastructure because account safety can't be an afterthought. Our dedicated IPs and mobile API execution create the lowest restriction rate in the industry—and that's backed by actual testing, not just claims.

The safest option: Sales Crusader – The dedicated infrastructure and mobile API execution provide protection that standard cloud automation simply can't match.

2. LinkedIn outreach capabilities

Expandi:

Smart sequences with conditional "if-then" logic
Profile visits, endorsements, likes for warming
Connection requests, follow-ups, InMail
Mobile Connector for increased request limits (70-105/week)
A/B testing
Template library

Expandi offers sophisticated workflow logic. You can build complex sequences that adapt based on prospect behavior. The Mobile Connector is clever for increasing limits.

HeyReach:

Basic sequence building
Connection requests and follow-ups
Multi-account coordination
Profile engagement
Standard personalization

Straightforward and effective. The workflows are simple but get the job done without overwhelming you with options.

Sales Crusader:

Multi-step sequences with conditional branching
AI-powered message generation
Event attendee targeting
Post engagement automation
Viral post commenter (reach anyone engaging with specific posts)
Profile scraping for dynamic variables
AI reply engine for inbox management
Smart follow-ups based on behavior

We matched Expandi's sophisticated logic but added features that actually drive pipeline. The viral post commenter, for example, lets you target warm, engaged audiences at scale—find a relevant industry post and automatically reach out to everyone who commented.

Most powerful: Sales Crusader – Matches Expandi's sophistication while adding unique features like viral post targeting.

3. Personalization and AI

Expandi:

Hyperise integration for dynamic images and GIFs
AI Analyzer for sentiment analysis
AI-generated messages (15 credits/day)
AI-generated replies (20 credits/day)
Dynamic placeholders
Data enrichment

The Hyperise integration is genuinely cool—personalized images and GIFs do get attention. But the setup requires manual API token work that isn't intuitive. You'll be Googling how to connect it.

The AI Analyzer helps but has daily credit limits, which can be restrictive if you're running high-volume campaigns.

HeyReach:

Basic merge tags and variables
Standard personalization

Works fine for basic outreach but nothing sophisticated.

Sales Crusader:

AI message generation (no daily limits)
AI reply suggestions
AI voice notes
AI inbox copilot
Autopilot mode for hands-off replies
Profile scraping for automatic data enrichment
Smart variables from LinkedIn data
Full-funnel AI drafting

Our AI isn't limited by daily credits—it's built into the platform as a core feature. The AI copilot suggests contextual replies, autopilot can handle responses for you, and voice notes add a personal touch that text can't match.

Plus, no manual API setup required. Everything works out of the box.

Most advanced: Sales Crusader – Unlimited AI capabilities without credit restrictions or complex setup.

4. Inbox management

Expandi:

Standard inbox for campaign messages
Global inbox across workspaces
Status filters and categorization
Read/unread sorting
View-only access for clients

The inbox is functional but has a major limitation: you can't respond on behalf of others. For teams managing multiple accounts, this slows things down significantly.

HeyReach:

Unified inbox
Can respond on behalf of team members
Basic filtering

HeyReach solves Expandi's biggest inbox problem—you can actually respond on behalf of others, which is crucial for agency work.

Sales Crusader:

Unified inbox for LinkedIn + email
AI inbox copilot that drafts responses
Autopilot mode for fully automated replies
Smart categorization across all channels
Full conversation history
Respond on behalf of anyone

This is honestly one of my favorite features. Instead of switching between LinkedIn and email tabs, everything lives in one place. The AI copilot suggests contextual replies, and autopilot can handle routine responses automatically.

Best inbox experience: Sales Crusader – Unified cross-channel inbox with AI assistance that actually works.

5. Email outreach

Expandi:

LinkedIn + email sequences
Automated email follow-ups based on LinkedIn actions
Dynamic email personalization
HTML embedding for images/videos
Hyperise GIFs in emails
Email tracking (opens, clicks)
Works with Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo
Email warmup available

Expandi handles email well. You can create sophisticated multi-channel sequences where email follows LinkedIn engagement.

One frustration: if a lead replies to your email, they don't auto-pause in the campaign—you need to manually check and pause them to avoid awkward double-sends.

HeyReach:

Limited email capabilities. Primarily focused on LinkedIn.

Sales Crusader:

Native LinkedIn + email sequences
Trigger email based on LinkedIn actions
Email warmup included
Dynamic personalization across both channels
Unified tracking and analytics
Auto-pause on replies (across both channels)

We built multi-channel into the core platform because modern GTM requires it. Email and LinkedIn work together seamlessly, and leads auto-pause when they reply on either channel.

Best email integration: Sales Crusader – Native multi-channel with better automation than Expandi.

6. Team collaboration and scaling

Expandi:

Workspaces for team organization
Role-based permissions (Admin, Member)
One LinkedIn profile per workspace
Client view-only access
Control over user permissions

The workspace setup requires creating separate spaces for each LinkedIn profile, which can get messy at scale.

HeyReach:

Multi-account management with auto-rotation
Built for agencies from day one
Unified inbox for all accounts
Easy team coordination
More affordable scaling

HeyReach genuinely excels at team collaboration. The pricing structure and features make it easy to scale without budget explosions.

Sales Crusader:

Multi-account management
Team workspaces
Unified inbox across all accounts and channels
Per-seat pricing that doesn't explode
All features included at every tier
Agency-friendly infrastructure

We built for agencies and GTM teams from the start. You get full features at every seat level, and costs stay predictable as you grow.

Best for teams: Tie between HeyReach and Sales Crusader – Both handle collaboration well, but Sales Crusader includes more features in the base price.

7. Analytics and reporting

Expandi:

Very detailed tracking:

Company follows
Connection requests and acceptances
Email stats
Endorsements
Event invites and messages
Post likes
Profile visits
Reply rates

Expandi's analytics are comprehensive. You can track virtually every action across your campaigns.

HeyReach:

Campaign performance tracking
Lead drop-off analysis
Account-level monitoring
Status tracking

Covers the essentials clearly.

Sales Crusader:

GTM-focused analytics dashboard
Multi-channel attribution
Lead scoring and prioritization
Campaign comparison tools
Real-time performance monitoring
Pipeline impact tracking

Our analytics focus on what matters to revenue teams—not just activity metrics, but actual pipeline impact and conversion data.

Most comprehensive: Expandi for granular detail, Sales Crusader for business outcomes

8. User experience and learning curve

Expandi:

Some users find the interface confusing, especially for advanced workflows and external integrations. The Hyperise setup requires Googling instructions (trust me, you'll need to find the API token, copy it, figure out where to paste it in Expandi).

Not the most intuitive UX, and the 7-day trial isn't enough time to really learn the platform or measure campaign success.

HeyReach:

Clean, simple interface. You'll be up and running in minutes. The learning curve is minimal, making it perfect for teams that want to start fast.

Sales Crusader:

We've worked hard to keep things intuitive despite the power under the hood. The interface is modern and clean, and everything works out of the box without manual API setup.

There's more to learn than HeyReach (because there are more features), but it's still straightforward. Most teams are running campaigns within the first day.

Easiest to use: HeyReach for simplicity, Sales Crusader for power + usability

Pricing comparison

Expandi

Business: $99/month per seat
Agency: Custom pricing (requires scheduling a call)
Trial: 7-day free trial

At $99/seat, costs add up quickly for teams. The non-transparent agency pricing is frustrating—you need to schedule a call just to get a quote.

Plus, 7 days isn't enough to properly test LinkedIn outreach or measure results.

HeyReach

Transparent pricing
More affordable than Expandi
No per-user fees in the same way
Trial: 30-day trial

HeyReach wins on transparency and trial length. You actually have time to test properly and understand the platform.

Sales Crusader

Transparent per-seat pricing
All features included:
✓ AI features
✓ Dedicated IPs
✓ Unified inbox
✓ Viral commenter
✓ Mobile API

You're getting enterprise-grade safety, unlimited AI features, dedicated IPs, and unique capabilities—all included. No surprise charges as you grow.

Best value: Sales Crusader – More features included at a competitive price point.

User reviews and feedback

Expandi:

4.2 rating on G2. Users praise the campaign management and automation features. Common complaints include:

Confusing setup for advanced features
High pricing
Some users report LinkedIn bans (concerning)
Limited Sales Navigator search results
Not intuitive for integrations

HeyReach:

Strong feedback on ease of use and team features. Users love the clean interface and agency-friendly design. Main limitation is the lack of advanced features for power users.

Sales Crusader:

Early feedback highlights the safety infrastructure, AI capabilities, and unified inbox as standout features. Teams specifically mention not worrying about account restrictions and loving the viral post commenter.

Which tool should you choose?

Let's be real about what each platform is actually best for.

Choose Expandi if:

You need advanced personalization with dynamic images/GIFs
You want sophisticated conditional workflow logic
You're comfortable with a learning curve
You don't mind manual integration setup
You're willing to risk some account safety concerns
Budget isn't a primary constraint

The reality: Expandi is powerful but has rough edges. The UX isn't great, the setup takes work, and the reported account bans are concerning for teams that can't afford restrictions.

Choose HeyReach if:

You want simple, straightforward LinkedIn automation
Team coordination is your top priority
You need to get started quickly without learning curves
You're primarily focused on LinkedIn (not multi-channel)
You want transparent pricing and a real trial period

The reality: HeyReach does what it promises really well. It's the best option if simplicity and ease-of-use matter more than advanced features.

Choose Sales Crusader if:

Account safety is non-negotiable (you can't risk restrictions)
You need enterprise-grade infrastructure with dedicated IPs
You want AI handling inbox management and replies
You need unified LinkedIn + email outreach
You want features competitors don't have (viral post commenter, mobile API, voice notes)
You need sophisticated automation that matches Expandi's logic
You want power AND usability
You're running serious outbound that drives actual pipeline

The reality: We built Sales Crusader because existing tools forced you to choose between safety, power, and usability. We didn't want to make that tradeoff.

Final thoughts

After testing all three platforms extensively, here's my honest assessment:

Expandi has impressive features and sophisticated logic, but the UX frustrations, account safety concerns, and high costs make it harder to recommend. The reported bans are particularly concerning.

HeyReach is genuinely excellent at what it does—simple, effective LinkedIn automation for teams. If that's all you need, it's a great choice.

Sales Crusader is what we built when we realized the market needed something better: enterprise-grade safety (dedicated IPs, mobile API execution), sophisticated automation that rivals Expandi, AI features that actually help, and a unified experience that doesn't make you choose between power and usability.

If LinkedIn drives your pipeline and you can't afford restrictions, the choice is clear.

Ready to see the difference?

Try Sales Crusader and experience automation built for serious GTM work—without compromising on safety, features, or results.

Get Started with Sales Crusader