PhantomBuster
Relay.app
| Feature | PhantomBuster | Relay.app |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $69/mo | Free / from $16/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Best For | sales-teams, recruiters, growth-hackers, lead-generation | operations-teams, agencies, small-businesses, compliance-teams |
| Founded | 2016 | 2021 |
| Linkedin Automation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Data Extraction | ✓ | ✗ |
| Email Finder | ✓ | ✗ |
| Workflow Chains | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scheduling | ✓ | ✗ |
| Crm Export | ✓ | ✗ |
| Api Access | ✓ | ✗ |
| Workflow Builder | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ai Steps | ✗ | ✓ |
| Human Approvals | ✗ | ✓ |
| Multiplayer Editing | ✗ | ✓ |
| Integrations | ✗ | ✓ |
| Conditional Logic | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ PhantomBuster Pros
- Pre-built automations for LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.
- No coding required for complex scraping workflows
- Cloud-based (runs 24/7 without your computer)
- Chain multiple Phantoms for sophisticated workflows
✗ PhantomBuster Cons
- Violates most social platform terms of service
- Account ban risk on LinkedIn and other networks
- Credits system limits usage on lower plans
✓ Relay.app Pros
- Human-in-the-loop approvals
- AI steps built in
- Collaborative workflows
- Clean modern interface
✗ Relay.app Cons
- Fewer integrations than Zapier
- Newer platform
- Limited advanced logic
The Verdict
PhantomBuster is built for sales teams and recruiters, with a focus on linkedin-automation and data-extraction. Relay.app targets operations teams and agencies and leads with workflow-builder and ai-steps.
On pricing, Relay.app is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $16/mo compared to $69/mo for PhantomBuster. That $53/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Both offer free plans, so you can test each with your real workflow before committing to a subscription.
Feature-wise, PhantomBuster offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Relay.app takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
This is a genuinely close comparison. If you can, sign up for both free trials (where available) and run a one-week test with your actual team tasks before deciding.