PhantomBuster
Zapier
| Feature | PhantomBuster | Zapier |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $69/mo | Free / from $19.99/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Best For | sales-teams, recruiters, growth-hackers, lead-generation | marketers, operations, small-businesses, no-code-builders |
| Founded | 2016 | 2011 |
| Linkedin Automation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Data Extraction | ✓ | ✗ |
| Email Finder | ✓ | ✗ |
| Workflow Chains | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scheduling | ✓ | ✗ |
| Crm Export | ✓ | ✗ |
| Api Access | ✓ | ✗ |
| Automations | ✗ | ✓ |
| Integrations | ✗ | ✓ |
| Tables | ✗ | ✓ |
| Interfaces | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ai Actions | ✗ | ✓ |
| Multi Step Workflows | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ 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
✓ Zapier Pros
- Huge app library
- Easy to use
- Multi-step zaps
- AI actions
✗ Zapier Cons
- Gets expensive fast
- Task limits
- Complex zaps can be fragile
The Verdict
PhantomBuster is built for sales teams and recruiters, with a focus on linkedin-automation and data-extraction. Zapier targets marketers and operations and leads with automations and integrations.
On pricing, Zapier is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $19.99/mo compared to $69/mo for PhantomBuster. That $49.010000000000005/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.
Zapier edges out on user ratings (4.5 vs 4.1). While both are well-regarded, that gap reflects real differences in user satisfaction worth considering.
Feature-wise, PhantomBuster offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Zapier takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
Bottom line: Zapier has a slight overall edge — but if pre-built automations for linkedin, twitter, etc. matters most to you, PhantomBuster may still be the right call.
