LinkedIn automation is now a must for professionals who want to scale up their networking.
Octopus CRM pitches itself as an affordable, all-in-one tool that automates connection requests, messages, and profile visits while trying to stay inside LinkedIn’s safety rules.
With plans starting at $9.99 per month, it’s caught the attention of thousands looking to build their business presence on LinkedIn.
But does Octopus CRM really live up to the hype, or are there better options out there for 2025?
This Octopus CRM review digs into the platform’s automation features, pricing, and some safety concerns. We’ll also explain why Botdog might be a better alternative for your goals.
What Is Octopus CRM?
Octopus CRM is a LinkedIn automation tool that operates as a browser extension for Chrome, automating LinkedIn outreach.
It helps you with LinkedIn lead generation and making connections without handing over your login credentials.
You can automate connection requests, send personalized messages, and view profiles, all while staying in control of your account.
It works like a personal CRM for your LinkedIn activity. You can:
- Prospect, generate and store leads
- Set up different campaigns
- Manage multiple campaigns
- Build sales and marketing funnels
The software targets marketers, business owners, and recruiters who want to define and reach their target audience and scale up their LinkedIn outreach.
Analytics tools show your social selling index and campaign results. That data can help you refine your prospecting activities and figure out what’s actually working for your LinkedIn strategy.
Octopus CRM Key Features and Capabilities
Image source: Octopus CRM
Octopus CRM gives you a dashboard where you can store leads, automate actions, and create campaigns for targeted outreach. It blends lead generation software with campaign management tools.
Even though Octopus CRM supports multiple campaigns and basic metrics, you can’t see message replies inside the tool.
Core automation features
- Automated connection requests with personalized messages
- Bulk messaging across multiple campaigns
- Sending messages to potential leads
- Sending invitations to new connections
- Profile visits to boost visibility
- Follow-up sequences with custom variables (only four available)
- Email search and data extraction
Basic CRM integration
- Google Sheets connectivity for data management
- CSV file imports and exports
- Downloadable solution for offline access
- Import leads using LinkedIn search
You get LinkedIn analytics to track campaign performance, acceptance rates, and responses. Everything is managed from a single dashboard, making lead generation automation less chaotic.
Both Premium LinkedIn users and standard LinkedIn users can use the automated messaging system, which tries to keep interactions feeling natural.
LinkedIn Sales Navigator users also have access to additional features. The Unlimited plan includes all capabilities for a complete automation solution.
Octopus CRM Safety and Compliance
Octopus CRM extension automates LinkedIn outreach activities while mimicking real user behavior, making smart delays between actions and random timing variations.
It sticks to LinkedIn’s limits by sending up to 50-60 connection requests per day.
It doesn’t need your LinkedIn login info, but your account safety depends on how you use it. Still, if you overdo automation, LinkedIn might notice.
LinkedIn profiles face different risks depending on the account type. Premium and Sales Navigator users usually get higher daily limits than basic accounts.
The extension works with multiple profiles, but managing several accounts can increase your risk. LinkedIn watches for odd patterns in connection requests and profile visits.
For extra safety, your best bet is to:
- Start with low daily limits
- Personalize every message
- Take regular breaks from automation
- Keep an eye on your account health
Avoid peak LinkedIn hours and stay away from excessive activity, as LinkedIn keeps updating its detection systems.
Octopus CRM Pricing Structure and Value Analysis
Octopus CRM starts at $9.99 per month, which is affordable compared to most LinkedIn automation tools. That entry price covers the basics for anyone on a budget.
Things you need to know:
- Monthly, annual or agency billing
- No contracts
- Free trial to test things out
- Plans scale as features grow
- No setup fees or hidden costs
- Unsubscribe anytime
Your Octopus CRM cost depends on what features you actually need. However, the lowest‑priced “Starter” plan lacks many core automation capabilities.
Users who need more than basic connection requests and simple messages must move up to higher tiers, so the entry‑level plan may feel insufficient.
Each Octopus licence applies to one LinkedIn account, so teams managing multiple accounts must purchase additional licences, which further increases the total cost.
Even on the higher tiers, some advanced functions depend on external services such as Zapier or HubSpot, which require their own paid subscriptions.
The tiered model might make the product seem affordable at first, but it ends up pushing users to upgrade for a lot of the features that are actually advertised.
For most people, the real cost goes up for most practical use cases.
Critical Limitations And Drawbacks Of Octopus CRM
Octopus CRM does have some drawbacks that could affect your LinkedIn automation results. These issues show up in day-to-day use and over longer campaigns.
- Limited automation features: The platform offers pretty basic automation. You get simple connection requests and messages, but not much in the way of advanced workflow options.
- Slow customer service: Users mention slow replies with generic answers from support. It sometimes takes multiple emails to get a real solution compared to other services that offer 24/7 chat support or dedicated success managers.
- LinkedIn activity with limited enforcement: You need to stick to LinkedIn’s daily invitation limit for LinkedIn contacts. Octopus CRM doesn’t always stop you from going over, which can trigger warnings or restrictions.
- Customization restrictions: Octopus CRM has limited customization options. You can’t build complex or highly personalized automation flows for specific outreach strategies.
- Basic campaign management: You can unsubscribe at any time, but pausing or restarting campaigns isn’t flexible. You’ll probably have to start over if you want to change a running campaign.
Users must often manually manage each step of a multi-step campaign, which can be time-consuming and counterintuitive for an automation tool.
What is Botdog?
Botdog is a cloud‑based LinkedIn automation platform built for salespeople, agencies, recruiters, and small teams.
It offers rapid setup, unlimited campaigns and invitations, and built-in safety features that mimic human behavior so you can scale your network without risking account restrictions.
It goes beyond basic automation with AI-driven lead review and message personalization, as well as integrations with tools like HubSpot and Zapier, and multi-account team management.
It enables tailored outreach and data exports while keeping all campaigns running in the cloud.
Octopus CRM Vs Botdog: Comprehensive Comparison
Octopus CRM zeroes in on LinkedIn automation and incorporates various tools and integrations, such as CRM integration and data synchronization, to streamline LinkedIn marketing efforts.
Botdog, on the other hand, leans into authentic LinkedIn outreach strategies. They serve different philosophies for LinkedIn prospecting in 2025.
Feature comparison matrix
Octopus CRM Vs Botdog: Key Differences
Octopus CRM stands as a budget-friendly starter tool focused on simple LinkedIn automation and basic CRM/funnel building.
Botdog offers broader, team-oriented, and AI-driven features with advanced data exports, multi-account management, and deeper personalization.
Here are the key differences to know:
- Octopus is a Chrome extension that only runs when your browser is open; Botdog is cloud-based and runs 24/7 in the background.
- Botdog offers AI-driven lead review, multi-step sequences, and team-wide campaigns, while Octopus provides only basic workflows like connection requests and bulk messages.
- Botdog supports unified team accounts and multi-account management; Octopus is limited to one account per licence.
- Botdog uses AI to personalize messages with natural language input; Octopus relies on simple templates and a few personalization fields.
- Octopus integrates with Zapier/HubSpot to push data to other apps; Botdog has native exports (CSV, Excel) and API/webhook integrations for direct control.
- Botdog includes auto-withdraw invitations, blacklist controls, and advanced safety measures; Octopus depends on user self-management to stay within LinkedIn’s limits.
- Octopus offers a basic personal CRM with stats and funnel building; Botdog provides advanced reporting, team inbox management, and richer data exports (post comments, event attendees, Sales Navigator leads).
Octopus CRM vs Botdog Pricing Comparison
Octopus CRM’s pricing starts low at $9.99/month, but the entry tier is limited with basic personalization and invites only, with no bulk messaging, profile viewing, data exports, or campaign creation until you move into higher plans.
Even at the $39.99 Unlimited tier, you’re still tied to a single LinkedIn account and reliant on a browser extension, which makes scaling and team collaboration difficult.
Botdog starts at $65/month per account, but even its base plan includes unlimited campaigns, multi-account management, cloud-based operation, CSV exports, analytics, and built-in safety features.
Higher tiers add API access, advanced sequences, 24/7 support, and AI-driven personalization geared toward teams and power users.
On the annual plan, the cost goes down to $35 per month per account. Teams and agencies managing 10 or more LinkedIn accounts get an additional 20% discount, bringing the price down to $28 per month per account.
In short, Octopus CRM is budget-friendly for individuals, while Botdog delivers more advanced, scalable functionality out of the box.
Octopus CRM Vs Botdog: Safety and Compliance Comparison
Octopus CRM is a Chrome extension and mimics human behavior with delays, random timing and daily activity caps to stay under LinkedIn’s radar.
While these help, it doesn’t automatically stop you from going over the limits, so you need to self-monitor to avoid warnings or restrictions. Long-term safety can be inconsistent. Some users go months without issue, while others get flagged after heavy automation.
Botdog is cloud-based and has built-in protections like auto withdrawal of invitations, blacklists, duplicate prevention and smarter sequencing to reduce risky patterns.
It’s designed to be compliant by spreading actions naturally and offering advanced controls that make it harder to trigger LinkedIn’s detection systems.
For teams with multiple accounts, Botdog’s structured safety measures are stronger than Octopus CRM’s more manual approach.
Why Botdog Is The Best Octopus CRM Alternative
Botdog streamlines LinkedIn automation with faster setup, stronger safety, and smarter features, making it a more efficient alternative to Octopus CRM.
- You can launch your first campaign in under three minutes, with no training or long onboarding.
- Intelligent delays and natural behavior patterns add extra safety against LinkedIn suspensions.
- A unified dashboard makes multi-account management simple without sharing passwords.
- AI message writing personalizes outreach in plain language, saving time over templates.
- As a cloud-based tool, Botdog runs 24/7, capturing leads even when your computer is off.
- Many users see ROI within the first month thanks to streamlined prospecting and better conversions.
Botdog combines ease of use, advanced safeguards, and powerful AI to deliver more value for growing teams.
Octopus CRM Review: Final Words
Octopus CRM makes LinkedIn automation affordable, kicking off at just $9.99 a month for basics like sending connection requests and checking out profiles.
If you want more features, they’ve got higher-tier plans with extra perks.
It's a good option for people looking to boost their LinkedIn outreach without breaking the bank.
You can send personalized messages, customize your LinkedIn message for each contact, and use profile automation and endorsement features to enhance your LinkedIn profile.
Key strengths include:
- Affordable pricing across four plan tiers
- No login credentials required for security
- Free 7-day trial to test features
There are some drawbacks. The interface has a learning curve, which might slow you down at first. Customer support can be a bit slow when you need help.
LinkedIn’s detection systems are always a concern with automation. You’ll want to use Octopus CRM carefully to avoid account issues.
User feedback shows mixed results. Many people like how the tool helps them save time and generate leads. Others have seen occasional flagging by LinkedIn.
The tool is best for sales pros, recruiters, and business owners who want steady network growth. It’s less ideal if you want advanced analytics or top-tier support.
Botdog is the best alternative if you’re looking for faster setup, stronger safety features, and smarter AI-driven automation.
It helps you manage outreach at scale, with built-in tools for exporting LinkedIn data, handling multiple accounts from one dashboard, and keeping campaigns running in the background.
The platform also includes advanced reporting and integration options, so you can connect your LinkedIn activity directly to the rest of your sales stack.
If you’re ready to move beyond starter tools, try Botdog for free and see how streamlined, data-driven automation can speed up your LinkedIn growth.
FAQs About Octopus CRM
Is Octopus CRM safe?
Yes, Octopus CRM is safe to use. The software follows LinkedIn’s rate limits, including the invitation limit on connection requests, and mimics human behavior to avoid account restrictions.
Octopus CRM uses smart delays between actions. It helps protect your LinkedIn account from being flagged for suspicious activity.
How much does Octopus CRM cost?
Octopus CRM starts at $9.99 per month for basic features, making it more affordable than other LinkedIn automation tools. Higher-tier plans add more advanced features.
If you have LinkedIn Premium, you may also benefit from additional features or enhanced value, especially for lead and data management.
What is the alternative to Octopus CRM?
Popular alternatives include Botdog, Linked Helper, Meet Leonard, and Sales Navigator. Each tool offers different features for LinkedIn automation.
How to cancel Octopus CRM?
You can cancel Octopus CRM through your account settings or by reaching out to support. You can unsubscribe anytime without penalties. It’s a pretty straightforward process.
Just log in to your dashboard and head over to the billing section. You’ll see options to downgrade or cancel your subscription right there.
