Expandi vs. Cleverly: Which Is Best for LinkedIn Lead Generation?

Why Businesses Turn to LinkedIn for B2B Lead Generation

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When it comes to finding and connecting with decision-makers, B2B LinkedIn lead generation simply has no equal. 

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It’s where professionals go to network, learn, and do business, making it the most powerful platform for B2B outreach and relationship-building.

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Over 85% of B2B marketers say they use LinkedIn to distribute content and generate leads. The reason is simple: no other platform gives you such direct access to verified job titles, industries, and company insights. 

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That said, there’s a catch — consistent, personalized outreach on LinkedIn takes serious time and effort. Sending hundreds of messages, following up, and adjusting campaigns manually can quickly become overwhelming, especially if you’re managing multiple accounts or markets.

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And then there’s compliance. With LinkedIn tightening automation rules, businesses need outreach methods that are efficient, compliant, and highly targeted — without risking account restrictions or spam flags.

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That’s why companies are rethinking how they approach LinkedIn lead generation. 

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Some prefer using automation tools like Expandi to save time, while others work with done-for-you agencies like us at Cleverly to get the benefits of personalization, targeting, and compliance — all handled by experts who live and breathe LinkedIn outreach.

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Expandi Overview: A DIY LinkedIn Automation Tool

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Before comparing Expandi vs Cleverly, let’s start with a quick Expandi overview.

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Expandi is a cloud-based LinkedIn automation software designed to help users run outreach campaigns at scale without manually sending connection requests or messages. 

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It’s a popular choice among individual sales reps, freelancers, and small marketing teams who prefer a hands-on approach to LinkedIn lead generation.

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Here’s what Expandi offers:

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• Automated connection requests: Set up campaigns that send connection requests to targeted LinkedIn users automatically.
  
  
• Messaging sequences: Create follow-up messages to engage new connections and move them further down your sales funnel.
  
  
• Smart limits & safety settings: Expandi uses randomized actions to mimic human behavior and reduce the risk of triggering LinkedIn’s spam filters.
  
  
• Basic campaign analytics: Track message responses, connection acceptance rates, and other performance metrics.

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In short, Expandi gives you the tools to run outreach campaigns yourself — but the execution, strategy, and optimization are entirely in your hands.

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That’s also where the limitations start to show. 

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Since it’s a DIY tool, Expandi requires user knowledge and daily management. You need to plan your messaging, test variations, monitor results, and adjust your targeting, all while staying compliant with LinkedIn’s evolving rules.

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If settings aren’t configured correctly, there’s a real risk of compliance issues such as temporary account restrictions or reduced message deliverability. 

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Plus, the messaging and targeting strategy are completely up to you, which means your results depend on your own experience and consistency.

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Cleverly Overview: A Done-for-You LinkedIn Lead Generation Agency

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On the other side of the Expandi vs Cleverly debate is Cleverly, a full-service B2B lead gen agency that handles every aspect of LinkedIn lead generation for you. 

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Instead of relying on DIY tools or templates, we combine human strategy with proven outreach techniques to deliver higher-quality leads consistently.

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Here’s what we do as a LinkedIn lead generation agency:

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• LinkedIn Prospect research: Identify your ideal decision-makers using verified LinkedIn data.
  
  
• LinkedIn Ghostwriting: Craft personalized connection requests and messaging sequences tailored to each audience.
  
  
• Outreach management: Execute campaigns on your behalf, including follow-ups, testing, and optimization.
  
  
• A/B testing: Continuously refine messaging and targeting to improve response rates.
  
  
• Reporting & insights: Provide clear, actionable reports so you can see exactly how your campaigns are performing.
  
  

Cleverly is perfect for businesses that want a hands-off approach while still generating high-quality leads without spamming. 

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Unlike DIY automation tools, our campaigns prioritize human strategy and personalization, not just template-based messaging. This ensures your outreach resonates with prospects, rather than feeling robotic or spammy.

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Other benefits include:

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• Compliance-safe campaigns: We run LinkedIn outreach within platform guidelines to avoid restrictions.
  
  
• Time savings: No more juggling campaign setup, monitoring, or troubleshooting — we manage it all.
  
  
• Focus on ROI: By reducing trial-and-error, we ensure your resources are spent on strategies that actually produce meetings and conversions.
  
  

With Cleverly, you’re not just automating outreach, you’re leveraging a B2B lead gen agency that understands what works on LinkedIn and applies it in a way that drives real results.

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Check out our LinkedIn lead gen case studies

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Expandi vs Cleverly: Side-by-Side Comparison

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When deciding between Expandi vs Cleverly, it’s important to look beyond features and consider how each option actually impacts your LinkedIn lead generation results. 

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Here’s a detailed comparison across key factors:

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Approach to Outreach

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• Expandi: Primarily an automation tool. You set up connection requests, follow-ups, and sequences yourself. It’s scalable but fully dependent on your strategy and consistency.
  
  
• Cleverly: We take a strategic, human-driven approach. Every campaign is designed around your ideal customer profile, with messaging that feels personal and relevant.

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Instead of just sending messages at scale, we focus on engaging the right prospects in a way that builds relationships and drives conversions.

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Personalization & Message Quality

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• Expandi: Offers templates and allows for some dynamic personalization, but your message quality depends entirely on your input. Poorly written or generic scripts can hurt response rates.
  
  
• Cleverly: We create custom scripts and tailored targeting for every campaign. Our messaging is crafted to resonate with each decision-maker, blending data-driven insights with a personal touch, something automation alone can’t replicate.

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Ease of Use & Time Commitment

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• Expandi: There’s a steep learning curve. You’re responsible for campaign setup, daily monitoring, adjusting sequences, and troubleshooting — which can be time-consuming for busy teams.
  
  
• Cleverly: With our done-for-you service, you don’t lift a finger. We manage everything from strategy to outreach to reporting, letting you focus on closing deals instead of managing software.

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Compliance & Risk

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• Expandi: Automation comes with potential compliance risks. Incorrect settings or aggressive outreach can trigger LinkedIn restrictions or reduce account effectiveness.
  
  
• Cleverly: We run LinkedIn-safe campaigns that fully comply with platform guidelines. You get the benefits of scale without risking account health.
  

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Lead Quality & Conversion Rates

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• Expandi: Lead quality depends heavily on your effort in targeting, messaging, and follow-ups. If not managed carefully, responses can be low or unqualified.
  
  
• Cleverly: We focus on sales-ready leads, identifying decision-makers who are genuinely interested in your offering. Our campaigns are optimized for high engagement and conversion rates, not just volume.
  

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Pricing vs ROI

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• Expandi: Plans start at $99 per month, giving access to 10+ campaign types and 7+ scraping approaches. Custom plans are available for larger teams. While the cost is low, you’re still investing significant time and effort to get meaningful results.
  
  
• Cleverly: Starting at $397 per month, our service includes everything done-for-you from outreach automation to sending you fully qualified leads.

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You also get access to our proprietary LinkedIn automation tool, but without the learning curve or compliance risks. The higher investment is offset by faster ROI, better lead quality, and significant time savings.

Explore Further: How Much Does LinkedIn Lead Generation Really Cost in 2025?

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Expandi vs. Cleverly at a Glance (Comparison Table)

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Cleverly prioritizes quality, compliance, and ROI - saving you time and reducing risks compared to DIY tools.

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What Customers Are Saying: Cleverly vs. Expandi

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When it comes to choosing between Cleverly vs Expandi, nothing tells the story better than real customer experiences. Looking at the reviews, a clear pattern emerges:

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Cleverly

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Check out more client reviews 

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Expandi

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Why Cleverly Is the Smarter Choice for Growing B2B Pipelines

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If your goal is to scale your B2B pipeline efficiently, partnering with a B2B lead gen agency like Cleverly is often the smarter move. 

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Unlike DIY tools that leave you juggling campaigns, messaging, and compliance, we take care of every step in your LinkedIn lead generation journey.

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Here’s how we make a difference:

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• Targeted, sales-ready leads: We identify and engage decision-makers who are genuinely interested in your offering, so your sales team can focus on closing deals instead of chasing unqualified contacts.
  
  
• Strategic outreach: From copywriting and A/B testing to campaign analytics, we design every step to maximize responses and conversions. Our approach ensures that each message resonates, improving both engagement and ROI.
  
  
• Time-saving and hands-off: Managing LinkedIn campaigns can be complex and time-consuming. With Cleverly, you skip the trial-and-error, daily monitoring, and compliance concerns — we handle it all for you.
  
  
• Scalable results: Whether you’re a small business or a fast-growing enterprise, our done-for-you approach allows you to scale outreach quickly without compromising quality.

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We've helped 10,000+ clients generate leads with companies like -

• Amazon
  
  
• Google
  
  
• UBER
  
  
• PayPal
  
  
• Slack
  
  
• Spotify & more

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💸 … That resulted in $312 Million in Pipeline Revenue, $51.2 Million in Closed Revenue through Linkedin.

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Ready to scale your LinkedIn lead pipeline the same way? Book a FREE consultation today to get started! 

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Conclusion

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When it comes to Expandi vs Cleverly, the choice ultimately depends on your approach to LinkedIn lead generation and your available resources.

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Expandi is a solid option if you enjoy hands-on outreach and managing campaigns yourself. It gives you control and flexibility, but it also requires significant time, effort, and careful attention to compliance to avoid LinkedIn restrictions.

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On the other hand, Cleverly is built for teams that want expert-led campaigns, high-quality leads, and measurable ROI — all without the trial-and-error of DIY automation. With our done-for-you approach, we handle strategy, messaging, testing, and analytics, so your team can focus entirely on closing deals and scaling your business.

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Ultimately, the right choice is the one that aligns with your goals, resources, and growth timeline.

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If your priority is predictable, high-quality lead generation with minimal effort on your end, a B2B lead gen agency like us (Cleverly) is often the smarter, more efficient solution.

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