Are you considering PhantomBuster for LinkedIn prospecting and social media automation? This 2025 review sums up user feedback, pricing, strengths, and trade-offs so you can decide if PhantomBuster fits your sales workflow.
What is PhantomBuster?
PhantomBuster is a cloud-based sales prospecting automation platform that helps you find leads, enrich prospect data, and automate outreach across LinkedIn and other platforms. Founded in 2016, PhantomBuster helps teams automate LinkedIn prospecting without code.
How PhantomBuster works
Inside PhantomBuster, you use pre-built automations and multi-step workflows together to run prospecting end-to-end.
- Automations: Pre-built tasks such as sending personalized connection requests or extracting LinkedIn data (130+ ready-to-use options inside PhantomBuster).
- Workflows: Chain PhantomBuster automations to source leads, enrich data, and send messages in one sequence.
“We use PhantomBuster to build relationships with targeted personas for our B2B influencers. The platform helps us identify prospects by their LinkedIn job titles and roles, then create personalized connection requests at scale.” — Patrick Spencer, VP at Kiteworks
PhantomBuster reviews at a glance
Users highlight faster lead sourcing, easier LinkedIn outreach, and simple setup. Here are the key strengths from user reviews:
- Multi-platform data extraction from LinkedIn and LinkedIn Sales Navigator plus 15+ other platforms with PhantomBuster
- Cloud execution runs on schedule even when your computer is off
- No code needed, launch pre-built automations in minutes
- 130+ ready-to-use automations for lead generation
- Native CRM integrations keep lead data in sync (HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive)
- PhantomBuster’s AI-powered message personalization for tailored outreach
- Export results to CSV or Google Sheets
- Safety presets pace actions at human-like speeds so you can collect the data you need without risking your account.
| What users find challenging with prospecting tools | PhantomBuster’s solution |
|---|---|
| Initial setup process for first-time users | Onboarding tutorials and setup guides |
| Understanding execution time allocation | Usage metrics and resource management tools |
| Learning to combine multiple workflows | Pre-built workflow templates and step-by-step playbooks |
| Finding the right balance of automation speed | Built-in safety settings with human-like pacing |
| Adapting to LinkedIn’s changing policies | Presets aligned with LinkedIn best practices (rate limits, working hours) plus usage tips in-app |
| Managing multiple client accounts | Team workspaces with role permissions and shared templates for client accounts |
| Scaling beyond initial workflows | Tiered plans with gradual resource expansion |
| Maintaining LinkedIn account safety | Built-in daily limits, smart delays, and setup tips to reduce risk on LinkedIn |
PhantomBuster ratings across review sites
Here’s how PhantomBuster is rated as of November 5, 2025:
| Platform | Rating | Number of reviews |
|---|---|---|
| G2 | 4.4/5 | 112+ reviews |
| Capterra | 4.5/5 | 63+ reviews |
| Trustpilot | 3.8/5 | 100+ reviews |
| Product Hunt | 4.8/5 | 30+ reviews |
Key features that users love
LinkedIn prospecting automation
You can automate LinkedIn prospecting and collect signals from other channels, all from one dashboard. PhantomBuster supports LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter/X, Facebook, Reddit, and Google Maps.
“The integrations with LinkedIn, Sales Nav, and X are quite impressive. I find the ability to set up outreach sequences particularly useful, and the reporting features are also strong.” — Soumyadeep B., Co-founder (G2)
You can use PhantomBuster for LinkedIn-focused tasks across your sales outreach:
- Extract LinkedIn data from searches and LinkedIn Sales Navigator
- Send personalized connection requests to qualified prospects
- Optional profile views at safe volumes to warm up awareness (keep within LinkedIn’s limits)
- Follow up with messaging sequences to nurture leads
- Track engagement and response rates to optimize your sales funnel
- Extract LinkedIn data from posts, groups, and events for targeted lead generation
Cloud-based operation
Because it’s cloud-based, your workflows run on schedule even when your computer is off. This is a major advantage over browser-based alternatives for consistent lead generation and data collection.
“I like PhantomBuster a lot professionally. I mainly use it for LinkedIn automation bots to handle repetitive tasks I usually don’t have the time for. Every week, a set of phantoms runs automatically, and all I need to do is quickly scan through the results. It saves me hours of manual work, and I haven’t been able to replicate these kinds of automations with other tools. On top of that, PhantomBuster keeps rolling out new features that make it even more powerful and versatile.” — Verified user in Venture Capital & Private Equity (G2)
This approach provides several advantages for sales teams:
- No need to keep your computer on while automations run
- More stable execution than browser-based alternatives
- Safety presets and rate limits to reduce risk
- Automatic scheduling and retry logic to maximize results
- Ability to automate repetitive tasks without constant monitoring
Data collection across multiple platforms
Beyond LinkedIn, enrich each lead with signals from platforms your buyers use. Sales teams frequently praise this multi-platform capability in reviews.
“Currently using it to scrape LinkedIn profiles but there’s lots of other phantoms to try. So far I love the easy interface and setup, and it does the job well and reliably. The onboarding is pretty easy and intuitive.” — Ana Kravic (Trustpilot)
You can extract data from multiple channels to enrich your lead generation:
- Instagram: Follower extraction, hashtag research, and engagement automation
- Twitter/X: Profile data extraction, follower analysis, and content monitoring
- Facebook: Page insights and publicly available group member lists where permitted
- Google Maps: Local business data, contact information, and geo-targeted lead lists
- LinkedIn: Profile information, job titles, company insights, and connection data
Multi-channel signals improve match rates and help you prioritize who to contact next.
Account safety
PhantomBuster reduces risk with human-like pacing and safety presets. No tool can guarantee account safety, but these features help you stay within platform limits.
“Best scraper out there, and so far the easiest to use, I love it can schedule and have a safety net so I don’t get flagged by the websites I scrape. The API integration works great with lots of tools.” — Katinka F., Recruiter (G2)
Users call out several safety features:
- Automations run during office hours or timeframes you set
- LinkedIn connection requests are sent with delays between them to mimic human behavior
- Tooltips on what values to choose when setting up automations to help respect LinkedIn limits
CRM integration and data management
Native integrations with HubSpot, Salesforce, and Pipedrive keep records in sync so reps work from one source of truth.
“One of the main challenges we faced was streamlining outbound outreach to our ideal client profiles (ICPs). PhantomBuster solved this by allowing us to scrape highly targeted data from LinkedIn using specific filters that matched our client’s audience needs.” — Lance E., Digital Marketing Manager (G2)
Get data where you need it:
- CSV/Sheets: CSV files for easy import into any system, or direct Google Sheets integration for collaborative lead management
- Direct CRM sync: Native integrations with HubSpot, Salesforce, and Pipedrive for automatic data enrichment into your CRM
- API/webhooks: API access and webhooks for custom integrations with your tech stack
They cut manual entry and keep records up to date for timely, personalized outreach.
What users love: Key strengths
1. Versatility for sales and marketing efforts
You get 130+ automations to build lead lists and run outreach without busywork.
“I was skeptical at first, but PhantomBuster truly delivers as advertised. Ready-made recipes, categorized by which platform you’d like to extract data from (e.g. LinkedIn, Twitter, website … even Craigslist!) make getting started a breeze.” — Evan D., Program Manager (Capterra)
The wide range of automations means you can handle repetitive tasks across multiple platforms immediately without technical expertise. This is valuable for sales professionals focused on generating qualified leads rather than learning complex systems.
2. Time-saving LinkedIn automation
Sales teams consistently highlight how PhantomBuster transforms their productivity by automating repetitive tasks in their LinkedIn outreach and lead generation workflows.
“The tool is very easy to set up, a single Phantom takes less than 5 minutes to be operational and doesn’t need to be updated.” — Julien G., RevOps Specialist (Capterra)
Automate connection requests and follow-ups so you spend time on conversations, not clicks. The automation of sending connection requests, message follow-ups, and profile engagement allows for consistent outreach at scale.
“PhantomBuster is an engine that can keep running itself instead of me having to hire a person and do it manually. I think you can automate it at least at 80% and save some time.” — Shubh Agrawal, Head of Growth at Valley
3. User-friendly interface for sales teams
Many reviews highlight PhantomBuster’s ease of use for sales teams, making it accessible even to those without technical backgrounds.
“The automations were running in less than 30 min after the first login.” — João Bruno Palermo (Trustpilot)
A straightforward interface helps sales pros get to first results fast. You can generate leads quickly without devoting extensive time to learning complex automation systems. The intuitive design allows sales reps to focus on what they do best, building relationships and closing deals, while PhantomBuster handles the repetitive prospecting tasks.
Common criticisms and limitations
1. Learning curve
Setup can feel new at first. After two or three workflows, most teams run them in minutes.
“It was easy to set up. It has also been in the market for a while and knows how to play well with LinkedIn and others. The phantoms are varied and offer a lot of flexibility to set up. It integrates well with Sales Navigator.” — Eduardo C., Senior Growth Marketing Manager (G2)
PhantomBuster addresses this through documentation, tutorial videos, and responsive customer support. Many users report that once they’ve set up their first few automations, the process becomes intuitive.
2. Account safety concerns
Some users express concerns about account safety, particularly regarding LinkedIn automation. PhantomBuster has built-in safeguards specifically designed to address this issue.
“No real cons except that you do need to be particularly careful when extracting data from LinkedIn. Take their warnings and limits seriously. You can push the limits if you wish but I recommend playing within the lines.” — Rick H., Director of Sales (Capterra)
PhantomBuster emphasizes ethical automation with human-like behavior settings, granular control over automation speed, and clear guidelines for staying within platform limits. The tool helps you automate actions you would normally do manually, not circumvent platform rules. Following recommended settings reduces risk and helps you stay within platform limits.
“The number one reason that Waypoint AI has PhantomBuster is to automate connection requests with a message to people in our ICP from a list that we create in Sales Navigator. We’ve been running that for over a year.” — Sergio Ocampo, Founding GTM Lead at WayPoint AI
3. Pricing structure
PhantomBuster’s execution time-based pricing model is built around two variables: execution hours and automation slots. Understanding how much time your workflows need helps you choose the right plan.
“I wish there was better performance reporting on the phantoms used. I also feel like the price jump from one plan to another to get more phantoms is a little excessive.” — Eduardo C., Senior Growth Marketing Manager (G2)
PhantomBuster addresses this through transparent pricing with no hidden fees, flexible plans that scale with your needs, and detailed usage monitoring. All plans are suitable for teams as price is per usage not per seat. This means you pay the same price for a team of 1 or 10+.
Annual plans are discounted approximately 20% as of November 5, 2025, making the platform more cost-effective for committed users.
4. Customization limitations
Some users wish for more customization options beyond the pre-built automations, though most find the existing capabilities sufficient for their needs.
“One downside of PhantomBuster is the limited customizability of its automations. While it offers a wide range of pre-built Phantoms, there’s not much room to tweak or personalize them beyond what’s already configured.” — Lance E., Digital Marketing Manager (G2)
PhantomBuster continually expands its library of automations and regularly updates existing ones based on user feedback. The platform also offers workflow combinations that let you create more complex automation sequences by connecting multiple automations, effectively providing customization without requiring technical skills.
Who PhantomBuster is best for
Based on user reviews and feature analysis, here’s who gets the most value:
- Sales representatives: If you’re a sales rep or BDR, use it to automate LinkedIn prospecting and social media outreach without technical complexity.
- Business development teams: Build targeted lead lists quickly from LinkedIn, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, and other platforms.
- Marketing professionals: Collect data across multiple social media platforms for campaign targeting.
- Recruiters: Streamline candidate sourcing from LinkedIn profiles and job titles.
- Small business owners: Scale your sales outreach without hiring additional staff.
- Lead generation agencies: Manage multiple client accounts with reliable automation tools.
- Beginners to automation: If you’re new to automation, start with templates that launch in minutes.
The pre-built automations for sending personalized connection requests and extracting LinkedIn data allow even complete beginners to start seeing results immediately. Documentation and support resources help you gradually expand your automation capabilities.
PhantomBuster pricing (2025)
PhantomBuster operates on a usage-based subscription model (as of November 5, 2025). All features and automation capabilities are available on every plan. The key differences between tiers are execution time limits, automation slots for running multiple workflows, and credit allocations:
| Plan | Monthly price | Annual price (per month) | Execution time | Automation slots | AI credits | Email credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $69 | $56 | 20h/month | 5 | 10,000 | 500 |
| Pro | $159 | $128 | 80h/month | 15 | 30,000 | 2,500 |
| Team | $439 | $352 | 300h/month | 50 | 90,000 | 10,000 |
What’s included in all PhantomBuster plans
- Unlimited users with NO per set pricing
- Access to the full library of 130+ automations for LinkedIn and other social media platforms
- Data exports to CSV file or Google Sheets
- Complete workflow automation capabilities
- HubSpot bi-directional CRM integration
- LinkedIn Sales Navigator integration
- Google Sheets, n8n, Zapier, Make integrations
- Community support and documentation
- Email and chat support (priority support available on Pro and Team plans)
- No hidden fees or setup charges
- Ability to extract data from multiple platforms
Understanding PhantomBuster resources
- Automation slots: The number of automation workflows you can run simultaneously (e.g., LinkedIn profile data extraction while sending connection requests).
- Execution time: The amount of time your automations can run per month (execution time varies by automation complexity).
- AI credits: Used for crafting personalized messages and data enrichment.
- Email credits: For discovering professional email addresses when not available in LinkedIn data.
A 14-day free trial is available (as of November 5, 2025) with no credit card required. You get full access to test the platform’s capabilities before committing to a paid plan. This allows sales teams to validate PhantomBuster’s lead generation capabilities for their specific needs.
The bottom line: Is PhantomBuster worth it in 2025?
If you want to scale multi-platform prospecting without adding headcount, PhantomBuster helps you source leads, personalize messages, and sync to your CRM, on schedule and at safe volumes.
For sales teams looking to automate multi-platform prospecting with a balance of power and accessibility, PhantomBuster delivers solid results when used properly. Use the 14-day free trial to validate your workflow before you commit.
PhantomBuster reviews 2025 FAQs
Is PhantomBuster safe to use with my LinkedIn account?
PhantomBuster is designed to reduce risk with safety presets and human-like pacing. No tool can guarantee account safety, always follow LinkedIn’s policies. The platform includes human-like behavior settings, scheduling controls for connection requests, and clear guidelines. Users who follow PhantomBuster’s recommended settings for LinkedIn automation typically maintain good account standing while automating their prospecting activities.
Is PhantomBuster worth it?
For sales teams and professionals focused on lead generation, teams report saving hours each week on prospecting. The platform automates time-consuming prospecting tasks to generate leads.
The ability to extract data from multiple social media platforms while operating in the cloud makes it valuable for teams looking to scale their sales efforts without increasing headcount. For most businesses, the time saved on manual prospecting justifies the investment.
Is PhantomBuster legal to use?
PhantomBuster emphasizes ethical automation, extracting publicly available data that you have legitimate access to. The platform provides built-in safeguards and best practice guidelines to help you maintain compliance with LinkedIn and other platforms’ terms of service while automating your prospecting workflows.
How much is the subscription for PhantomBuster?
PhantomBuster offers three subscription tiers as of November 5, 2025: Starter at $69/month ($56/month billed annually), Pro at $159/month ($128/month billed annually), and Team at $439/month ($352/month billed annually).
All plans include access to the full suite of 130+ automations and integrations, with differences in execution time, simultaneous automation slots, and AI/email credits. A 14-day free trial is available with no credit card required, allowing you to test the platform before committing to a subscription.
What is the rating of PhantomBuster?
PhantomBuster maintains strong ratings across major review platforms as of November 5, 2025. On G2, it holds a 4.4/5 star rating from over 110 verified reviews. Capterra shows a 4.5/5 star rating from 63+ reviews, with users particularly praising its lead generation capabilities and ease of use. Trustpilot shows a 3.8/5 rating from 100+ reviews. Overall, sales teams and marketing professionals consistently rate PhantomBuster highly for its automation capabilities.
How much time can I save using PhantomBuster for lead generation?
The time savings vary based on your specific workflows. Most sales teams report saving several hours per week on repetitive prospecting tasks. This allows sales representatives to focus on high-value activities like closing deals rather than manual data collection.
Do I need technical skills to use PhantomBuster for sales outreach?
No technical skills are required. PhantomBuster is designed with a no-code approach that makes it accessible to sales professionals without programming knowledge. The platform offers pre-built automations for LinkedIn outreach with straightforward configuration options and documentation to guide you through setting up your lead generation workflows.
Which pricing plan is right for my sales team?
If you’re solo or a small team just starting with LinkedIn automation, start with Starter (5 slots, 20h). Growing teams usually choose Pro (15 slots, 80h). Agencies handling multiple clients should consider Team (50 slots, 300h).
Can PhantomBuster integrate with my existing CRM for lead management?
Yes, native for HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive. Otherwise via CSV/Sheets or webhooks to most CRMs. The platform also provides flexible data export options, including CSV spreadsheets, Google Sheets integration, and webhook connections.
What platforms can PhantomBuster extract data from for lead generation?
Supports 15+ platforms, including LinkedIn, Instagram, X, Facebook, Google Maps, and Reddit, limited to publicly available or authorized data. This multi-platform capability allows you to build and automate lead generation workflows beyond just LinkedIn, gathering data from wherever your potential customers are active online.