After testing Lemlist, Mailshake, and SalesRobot across multiple client campaigns—managing connection requests, analyzing response rates, and evaluating results for various B2B outreach scenarios—I've identified key differences between these platforms.
Lemlist built its reputation on email campaigns with image personalization capabilities and has recently expanded into LinkedIn outreach. Its strength remains in creative email sequences, though its LinkedIn features are still developing.
Mailshake provides robust email deliverability with a clean interface for managing email campaigns. They've also added LinkedIn functionality in the past year, broadening their multi-channel approach, though these features aren't as developed as their email tools.
SalesRobot takes a different approach, having been designed as a LinkedIn-first platform from its 2020 launch. While it offers some email capabilities, its core focus is on cloud-based LinkedIn automation with features built specifically for account safety like dedicated residential IP addresses in the cloud and smart throttling systems.
In this article, I compare these three tools across four key areas:
- LinkedIn automation capabilities
- Email outreach features
- Multi-channel campaign management
- Pricing and value
I'll also examine user experience and workflow differences to help you determine which tool best aligns with your outreach priorities and business requirements.
Lemlist vs Mailshake vs SalesRobot: Comparison Table
What is Lemlist?
"Your multi-channel outreach education + software" 🔄💼
Founded in 2018, Lemlist emerged to solve the growing problem of ignored generic cold emails through personalization. The platform became known for its image personalization feature that dynamically inserts prospect information into visuals.
Initially focused on email outreach, Lemlist later added LinkedIn automation to meet market demand for multi-channel approaches. While they now support both channels, their core strength remains in creative email personalization.
The tool works best for teams who want visually engaging email campaigns with supplementary LinkedIn capabilities.
What is Mailshake?
"Streamlining email outreach workflows" 📨⚙️
Launched in 2015, Mailshake was created as a streamlined cold email tool focused on simplicity and deliverability. The platform strips away complexity, making it accessible for sales teams of all technical levels.
Built around what matters most in email campaigns—deliverability and responses—Mailshake has maintained its reputation for reliability while expanding its feature set. In 2023, they added LinkedIn automation to meet multi-channel demand, though email remains their primary strength.
Mailshake is ideal for sales teams prioritizing high-deliverability email campaigns who need occasional LinkedIn outreach as a complementary channel.
What is SalesRobot?
"Making LinkedIn automation safe and reliable" 🛡️🤖
Founded in 2020, SalesRobot was created specifically to address the account restrictions and bans plaguing LinkedIn automation tools. Unlike email-first platforms that later added LinkedIn features, SalesRobot was built from the ground up for LinkedIn.
This specialized focus enabled the development of sophisticated safety mechanisms, including dedicated residential IP addresses and mobile API integration that mimics natural user behavior. While now offering email capabilities to support multi-channel outreach, SalesRobot's core strength remains in LinkedIn-first automation with advanced safety features.
The platform serves B2B founders, sales professionals, and LinkedIn lead generation agencies who need reliable LinkedIn automation without risking their valuable accounts.
Lemlist vs Mailshake vs SalesRobot: LinkedIn Automation
SalesRobot ensures account safety, Lemlist offers basic functionality, while Mailshake provides limited LinkedIn features
LinkedIn automation has become essential for B2B outreach but LinkedIn is vigilant about detecting automated activity, making account safety a critical concern.
In this section, we compare the tools' LinkedIn automation capabilities, specifically examining:
- Account safety measures
- Connection request features
- Messaging capabilities
- Personalization options
- Advanced features
Account Safety Measures
Lemlist and Mailshake offer minimal safety features while SalesRobot prioritizes account security.
SalesRobot was built specifically to address LinkedIn account safety concerns that plagued early automation tools. It employs three key safety mechanisms:
- Dedicated residential IP addresses - Each account operates from a unique residential IP address, significantly reducing the risk of detection.
- Mobile API integration - Rather than simulating user behavior through browser automation (which LinkedIn can detect), SalesRobot connects directly to LinkedIn's mobile APIs, the same way the official LinkedIn app does.
- Smart throttling system - The platform continuously monitors for warning signals from LinkedIn and automatically adjusts connection and messaging limits in real-time to prevent account restrictions.
4. Lemlist's LinkedIn automation operates through a browser extension, which makes it vulnerable to LinkedIn's automation detection algorithms. While it does include basic daily limits, there are no advanced safety features like IP management or throttling systems.
5. Mailshake's LinkedIn capabilities are the most basic among the three, with minimal safety considerations beyond simple daily limits.
Connection Request Features
SalesRobot offers the most comprehensive connection request options.
SalesRobot provides:
- Custom connection notes with dynamic personalization fields
- Auto-withdrawing pending requests after set time periods (preventing connection request limits)
- Tags and organization for campaign management
- Detailed analytics on acceptance rates across different message templates
- Smart queue management that prioritizes connection requests based on previous performance
Lemlist offers:
- Basic connection requests with some personalization
- Simple analytics on acceptance rates
- Manual request management
Mailshake's connection request features are quite limited:
- Basic connection requests with minimal personalization
- No request withdrawal management
- Basic reporting on acceptance rates
Messaging Capabilities
SalesRobot offers advanced follow-up sequencing, Lemlist provides solid messaging options, and Mailshake offers basic LinkedIn messaging.
SalesRobot's messaging features include:
- Multi-step follow-up sequences with timing controls
- Conditional logic based on profile data (company size, industry, etc.)
- Message templates with deep personalization options
- Automated sequence pausing when prospects respond
- Reply detection and conversation management
Lemlist provides:
- Basic follow-up sequences
- Standard personalization fields
- Simple reply detection
Mailshake offers:
- Limited LinkedIn messaging functionality
- Basic personalization options
- Manual follow-up management
Personalization Options
Lemlist offers moderate options, Mailshake provides basic functionality, while SalesRobot delivers deep LinkedIn personalization.
SalesRobot excels with:
- Profile-data-based personalization (using job title, company, education, etc.)
- Dynamic text based on profile attributes
- Voice message personalization
- Custom variables and conditional text
- Personalization based on mutual connections and interests
Lemlist includes:
- Standard personalization fields (name, company, etc.)
- Some ability to reference profile information
- Limited conditional logic
Mailshake offers only basic personalization:
- Name and company fields
- Limited ability to dynamically adjust messaging
- No profile-based personalization
Advanced Features
SalesRobot offers voice messages and AI assistance, Lemlist provides some voice capabilities, while Mailshake lacks advanced LinkedIn features.
SalesRobot includes:
- Voice message capabilities with templates and personalization
- AI message writing assistance tailored to LinkedIn
- Campaign A/B testing with performance analytics
- Advanced targeting using Sales Navigator integration
- Smart response suggestions based on conversation context
Lemlist offers:
- Basic voice messages without templates
- Limited A/B testing capabilities
- Sales Navigator integration
Mailshake lacks most advanced LinkedIn features:
- No voice message support
- Limited LinkedIn-specific analytics
- Basic Sales Navigator integration
Lemlist vs Mailshake vs SalesRobot: Email Outreach Features
Lemlist excels with image personalization, Mailshake offers excellent deliverability, while SalesRobot provides functional email basics
In this section, we compare the tools' email outreach capabilities, specifically examining:
- Email personalization
- Deliverability features
- Sequence and follow-up options
- Email warm-up
- AI assistance and analytics
Email Personalization
Lemlist offers unmatched image personalization, Mailshake provides solid text personalization, and SalesRobot delivers basic personalization options.
Lemlist's standout feature is its dynamic image personalization. You can create template images where prospect-specific elements automatically populate:
- Company logos embedded in custom graphics
- Prospect names handwritten on virtual whiteboards
- Screenshots of their website with personalized annotations
- Custom images with dynamic text elements
Additionally, Lemlist supports advanced text personalization with:
- Standard fields (name, company, title)
- Liquid syntax for conditional messaging
- Custom variables and fallbacks
- If/then logic based on prospect attributes
Mailshake offers strong text personalization capabilities:
- Standard field personalization
- Custom variables and attribute mapping
- Basic conditional logic
- Personalized subject lines and preview text
- Email signature customization
SalesRobot, while primarily LinkedIn-focused, includes functional email personalization:
- Standard field personalization (name, company, title)
- Basic variables for customizing messages
- Simple text variations
- AI-suggested personalization points
Both Lemlist and Mailshake allow for significantly more email personalization depth than SalesRobot, with Lemlist's image capabilities giving it a clear edge for creative campaigns.
Deliverability Features
Mailshake focuses heavily on deliverability, Lemlist offers strong deliverability tools, while SalesRobot provides basic functionality.
Mailshake excels with comprehensive deliverability features:
- Email verification for every contact
- Deliverability monitoring across domains
- Link tracking without triggering spam filters
- Send time optimization
- Domain reputation monitoring
- Gradual sending ramp-up
- DKIM and SPF setup guidance
Lemlist provides robust deliverability functionality:
- Built-in email warm-up tool
- Deliverability monitoring dashboard
- Spam trigger word detection
- Time zone-based send scheduling
- Domain verification and setup assistance
SalesRobot offers essential deliverability features:
- Basic domain authentication
- Simple sending limits
- Standard scheduling options.
Sequence and Follow-up Options
Lemlist and Mailshake both excel at email sequencing, while SalesRobot offers functional but limited options.
Lemlist's sequence capabilities include:
- Multi-step email sequences with timing controls
- Conditioned sequence steps based on recipient actions
- A/B testing different sequences
- Branch logic based on opens or clicks
- Auto-pause on reply detection
- Time zone-aware scheduling
Mailshake provides equally strong sequencing:
- Unlimited follow-ups with timing controls
- Custom tracking for opens, clicks, and replies
- Lead catcher for managing responses
- Sequence branching based on recipient engagement
- Template management and optimization
SalesRobot's email sequencing is more basic:
- Standard multi-step sequences
- Simple timing controls
- Basic open and reply detection
- Limited branching options
Email Warm-up
Lemlist and Mailshake offer unlimited warm-up, while SalesRobot provides basic warm-up functionality.
Lemlist includes a comprehensive warm-up system:
- Automated warm-up with control over daily increase
- Network of real accounts for authentic engagement
- Deliverability monitoring during warm-up
- Custom warm-up schedules
- Detailed reporting on warm-up progress
Mailshake similarly excels with:
- Unlimited email warm-up
- Automatic engagement with other accounts
- Progressive volume increase
- Warm-up monitoring dashboard
- Recommendations based on domain age
SalesRobot offers basic warm-up:
- Simple warm-up functionality
- Standard progression schedules
- Limited reporting on warm-up status
AI Assistance and Analytics
Mailshake offers strong AI writing tools, Lemlist provides comprehensive analytics, and SalesRobot offers good AI message suggestions.
Mailshake features its "SHAKESpeare" AI writing assistant:
- AI email writing based on campaign objectives
- Subject line generation and optimization
- Content suggestions based on industry
- Engagement analytics with improvement recommendations
- Performance benchmarking against industry standards
Lemlist offers AI-powered outreach and detailed analytics:
- AI message writing assistance
- Campaign performance reporting
- A/B test result analysis
- Open/click heat maps showing optimal timing
- Comprehensive dashboard with key metrics
SalesRobot includes:
- AI-written messages that work across channels
- Basic email analytics
- Simple performance reporting
- Cross-channel campaign comparison
The AI writing tools from both Mailshake and SalesRobot produced quality initial drafts, while Lemlist's analytics provided the most actionable insights for campaign optimization.
Lemlist vs Mailshake vs SalesRobot: Multi-channel Campaign Management
SalesRobot offers good cross-channel workflows, Lemlist provides a unified inbox, while Mailshake struggles with true integration
In this section, we compare how these tools handle multi-channel campaigns by examining:
Channel Integration
SalesRobot offers native LinkedIn-email integration, Lemlist provides good multi-channel capabilities, while Mailshake struggles with true channel coordination.
SalesRobot approaches multi-channel from a LinkedIn-first perspective:
- SalesRobot offers LinkedIn-focused integration:
- LinkedIn and email coordination
- Sales Navigator integration
- Direct CSV import capabilities
- CRM synchronization (Hubspot, Salesforce)
- Team collaboration features
Lemlist takes an email-first approach to multi-channel:
- 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
While Lemlist's multi-channel capabilities are strong, the platform still feels like an email tool that added LinkedIn rather than a truly integrated solution.
Mailshake's multi-channel approach is the least integrated:
- Email and LinkedIn exist as separate modules
- Limited ability to coordinate actions across channels
- Separate workflows for each channel
- Some unified reporting in higher-tier plans
- Phone dialer as a separate function
Lemlist vs Mailshake vs SalesRobot: Pros & Cons
Lemlist Pros & Cons
Mailshake Pros & Cons
SalesRobot Pros & Cons
Final Verdict: Lemlist vs Mailshake vs SalesRobot
After thoroughly testing all three platforms across real-world outreach campaigns, the strengths and ideal use cases for each tool have become clear:
Each tool serves distinct needs in the B2B outreach landscape:
Use Lemlist To
- Prioritize creative, highly personalized email campaigns
- Stand out with custom image personalization
- For managing multi-channel responses with solid unified inbox
- Get sophisticated email sequences with conditional logic
- Have LinkedIn as a supplementary channel to their email campaigns
Try Lemlist with a 14-day free trial
Use Mailshake To
- Focus primarily on email campaigns with high deliverability
- Get a streamlined, easy-to-learn interface
- Get AI assistance for email writing and optimization
- Get phone dialer capabilities alongside email
- Have only basic LinkedIn functionality for occasional use
Use SalesRobot To
- Have LinkedIn as your primary outreach channel
- Prioritize account safety
- Get reliable 24/7 cloud-based automation
- Get AI-assisted message writing
- Get for managed services with dedicated support
Try SalesRobot with a 14-day free trial
The Bottom Line
The right choice ultimately depends on where your outreach priorities lie:
- If your strategy centers on creative, highly personalized email campaigns with LinkedIn as a secondary channel, Lemlist offers the most powerful solution.
- If you're focused almost exclusively on email deliverability and need only occasional LinkedIn outreach, Mailshake provides a streamlined, effective option.
- If LinkedIn is your primary outreach channel and you need a purpose-built solution that ensures account safety while maximizing results, SalesRobot is clearly the superior choice.
As B2B outreach continues to evolve, the distinction between email-first and LinkedIn-first approaches becomes increasingly important.
The most effective strategy for your business will depend on where your target prospects are most engaged and responsive.
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