Overview — What Each Tool Does
Handshake
Handshake is a LinkedIn automation platform built from the ground up for multi-sender rotation. It lets teams manage unlimited LinkedIn sender accounts from a single dashboard, with built-in warmup scheduling, a unified inbox, and premium residential proxies included in every plan. Handshake's pricing model is based on the number of sender accounts — not per-seat — so your entire team can collaborate without multiplying costs. Plans start at $69/month for 1 sender and scale to enterprise volumes.
Closely
Closely is a LinkedIn automation and prospecting platform that offers cloud-based LinkedIn outreach, a B2B contact database, and email verification. Closely positions itself as an affordable all-in-one prospecting tool with LinkedIn automation starting at $59/month per account. It includes features like automated connection requests, message sequences, profile visits, and a built-in lead finder. Closely also offers a free Chrome extension for basic LinkedIn functionality and an email warmup tool.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Handshake | Closely |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Sender Rotation | Built-in, core feature — rotate outreach across multiple LinkedIn accounts automatically | Not available — accounts operate independently, no rotation logic |
| Warmup Automation | Automated LinkedIn warmup with gradual volume ramp-up for new accounts | Basic warmup available — less granular control over ramp-up schedule |
| B2B Lead Database | Not included — integrates with external lead sources | Built-in database with 130M+ B2B contacts, email finder, and verifier |
| Unified Inbox | Single inbox for all LinkedIn sender accounts — manage every conversation in one place | Inbox available per account but no true unified inbox across all accounts |
| Cloud-Based Execution | Fully cloud-based with premium residential proxies per account | Cloud-based execution available on paid plans |
| Team Collaboration | Unlimited team seats on every plan | Team features available but pricing is per-account |
| Email Warmup | LinkedIn-focused — no email warmup | Built-in email warmup tool included |
| LinkedIn Sequences | Multi-step sequences with conditions, A/B testing, and dynamic variables | Automated sequences with connection requests, messages, profile visits, and follow-ups |
| Safety & Proxies | Premium residential proxies included on all plans, human-like sending patterns | Dedicated proxies on higher plans, basic safety features |
| Chrome Extension | Cloud-only — no browser extension needed | Free Chrome extension for basic LinkedIn automation and lead export |
| Pricing (5 accounts) | $199/mo for 5 senders + unlimited team seats | $295/mo (5 × $59/mo per account) |
| Pricing (10 accounts) | $299/mo for 10 senders + unlimited team seats | $590/mo (10 × $59/mo per account) |
Where Handshake Wins
Handshake's core advantages over Closely are multi-sender rotation, safety infrastructure, and team pricing. While Closely treats each LinkedIn account as an independent silo, Handshake distributes prospects across accounts intelligently with built-in deduplication. The premium residential proxies on Handshake are a safety tier above Closely's proxy offering. For teams, the pricing gap widens as you scale — 10 senders on Handshake is $299/mo vs $590/mo on Closely, and Handshake includes unlimited team seats while Closely charges per user. The unified inbox across all sender accounts is a genuine productivity advantage for teams managing multiple accounts.
Where Closely Wins
Closely's built-in B2B database with 130M+ contacts is a significant advantage if you don't already have a lead data provider. Being able to find prospects, verify emails, and launch LinkedIn campaigns from a single tool simplifies the workflow. The email warmup tool is useful for teams running both LinkedIn and email outreach. The free Chrome extension offers a low-barrier entry point for individuals who want basic LinkedIn automation before committing to a paid tool. For budget-conscious solo users, Closely's $59/mo starting price for a single account is attractive.
Choose Handshake If...
Choose Handshake if you're running multi-sender LinkedIn outreach and need rotation, safety, and team collaboration at scale. Handshake is the right choice for teams managing 3+ LinkedIn accounts, agencies with client campaigns, and anyone who prioritizes LinkedIn account safety with premium residential proxies.
Choose Closely If...
Choose Closely if you want a single platform for LinkedIn prospecting with a built-in lead database. It's well-suited for solo operators who need affordable LinkedIn automation plus email verification, or for teams that want to combine LinkedIn automation with email warmup in one tool.
The Verdict
Handshake is the stronger choice for teams scaling LinkedIn outreach across multiple accounts — better safety, smarter distribution, and more cost-effective at scale. Closely is a solid option for individuals and small teams who value the built-in lead database and want a budget-friendly entry into LinkedIn automation. If multi-sender is your priority, Handshake wins clearly. If you need all-in-one prospecting with data included, Closely has appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Closely cheaper than Handshake?
Only for a single account ($59/mo vs $69/mo). For 5+ accounts, Handshake is cheaper — $199/mo for 5 senders vs $295/mo on Closely. Plus, Handshake includes unlimited team seats, while Closely charges per user for team access.
Does Closely have multi-sender rotation?
No. Each LinkedIn account on Closely runs independently with its own campaigns and inbox. There's no built-in rotation logic to distribute outreach across accounts automatically.
Is Closely's Chrome extension safe to use?
Chrome extensions for LinkedIn are inherently riskier than cloud-based tools because they inject scripts into LinkedIn's DOM. Closely's paid cloud-based plans are safer than the extension. Handshake's fully cloud-based approach avoids extension-related risks entirely.
Does Closely include residential proxies?
Closely offers dedicated proxies on higher plans, but they don't specify residential vs datacenter. Handshake includes premium residential proxies on every plan, matched to each sender's geographic location — a higher safety standard.
Can I switch from Closely to Handshake?
Yes. Connect your LinkedIn accounts to Handshake and set up your campaigns. No data migration is needed — you'll be up and running within a day. Your Closely lead database data can be exported and used for targeting in Handshake.