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
- AI campaign creation
- AI reply management
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, the SalesRobot team is building SalesRobot 2.0, an AI powered lead generation tool that integrates with cold email and LinkedIn outreach and gets you meetings in a fully automated way and improves their approach as they go.
Instantly vs Smartlead 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 Smartlead 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
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
Winner: Lemlist for true multi-channel capabilities.
Instantly vs Lemlist vs 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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