TexAu ★ 3.5/5

Updated May 2026

Cloud Automation Platform (Spices + Recipes)

TexAu Review: Is It Still Worth It in 2026?

The cheaper PhantomBuster alternative. Founded in 2017 in Thane, India, TexAu offers 180+ automations ('Spices') and workflow chaining ('Recipes') for LinkedIn, Twitter, Google Maps, Sales Nav and dozens of other sources - meaningfully more than PhantomBuster's 130+ Phantoms at similar pricing. The pitch: built-in email verification, fast scraping, cloud + desktop execution. The catch: quirky terminology takes time to learn, frequent platform breakdowns + slow support, real LinkedIn ToS risk on automation features.

✓ Buy if

You're a growth hacker or solo SDR running custom LinkedIn + multi-source automations
You want PhantomBuster-style Phantoms at lower per-automation cost
You can tolerate occasional platform breakdowns and slow support

✕ Skip if

You're risk-averse about LinkedIn ToS violations
You can't tolerate quirky terminology + steep learning curve (Spices/Recipes)
You need responsive customer support for production-critical workflows

Derrick verdict 3.5/5

G2 4.3/5 Capterra 4.1/5

Try Derrick free → Skip to pricing ↓

texau.com

TexAu dashboard screenshot - TexAu review 2026

Starting price

Free 14-day trial · Solo $79/mo (annual)

Best for

Growth hackers + automation enthusiasts on a budget

Free plan

14-day free trial (no credit card)

Setup difficulty 5/10 Moderate setup

Account safety 1/10 High account risk

On this page What is Pricing Pros & Cons vs Derrick Best for Alternatives FAQ Verdict

Overview

What is TexAu?

TexAu is the cloud automation platform with 180+ Spices (automations) and Recipes (workflows), founded in 2017 in Thane, Maharashtra, India. Built as a more affordable alternative to PhantomBuster, TexAu pioneered the 'Spices and Recipes' terminology - Spices are individual automations (LinkedIn scraping, Sales Nav export, Twitter follow, Google Maps scraping, etc.) and Recipes are multi-step workflows that chain Spices together for end-to-end automation.

The core differentiator is 180+ Spices vs PhantomBuster's 130+ at similar pricing tiers. TexAu also runs faster than most cloud-automation competitors per multiple G2 reviews, includes built-in email verification (no separate tool needed), and offers both cloud execution (always-on) and desktop app (local execution) modes. Solo plan at $79/mo (annual) targets growth hackers and solo SDRs; Teams plan at $439/mo (annual) targets ops teams scaling automation across multiple seats.

Sources 🌐 Official site ↗ ★ G2 / Capterra listing ↗

Pricing

TexAu Plans & Pricing

Prices below from texau.com/pricing (May 2026). Annual billing yields ~20% discount. 14-day free trial on all paid plans. Built-in email verification at 97% accuracy. Free 2K-15K prospecting searches/mo included depending on tier.

Plan	Price	Best for	Key limits
Free trial	$0	Evaluation	14 days, no credit card, full feature access
Solo	$79/mo annual / $99 monthly	Solo growth hackers + SDRs	2,500 credits/mo (~500 email-enriched leads), 1 user, 2K free prospecting searches/mo, email verification + AI lead scoring + waterfall enrichment, one-way CRM sync
Starter	$159/mo annual / $199 monthly	Active SDR teams	8,000 credits/mo (~1,600 leads), 3 users, 5K free searches/mo, all Solo + webhooks + HTTP API + 1:1 onboarding + priority email support
Teams	$439/mo annual / $549 monthly	Ops teams scaling automation	25,000 credits/mo (~5,000 leads), 5 users (+$99/additional), 15K free searches/mo, bidirectional hourly CRM sync + premium data sources + intent alerts + dedicated account team
Enterprise	Custom	Larger teams + custom integrations	Custom credits + unlimited users, SSO/SAML, SLA, dedicated success team, custom integrations, data residency

Hidden costs to know about

Solo plan's '2,500 credits/mo' delivers only ~500 email-enriched leads (5 credits per enriched lead) - the lead-equivalent volume is meaningfully lower than the credit headline suggests. Sales Navigator subscription ($99/mo per seat) required for advanced LinkedIn filtering. Frequent platform breakdowns + slow support are the most consistent G2 complaints - for production-critical workflows, factor in babysitting time. LinkedIn ToS violation risk on automation features is real - accounts have been restricted for sustained heavy use.

Is TexAu fair value?

For growth hackers and solo SDRs running custom LinkedIn + multi-source automations on a budget, TexAu Solo at $79/mo annual is genuinely competitive - 180+ Spices at this price tier beats PhantomBuster's 130+ Phantoms at $69/mo. For production-critical workflows, the platform breakdowns + slow support friction may make Captain Data's API (post-pivot) or PhantomBuster's more polished platform worth the higher price. For pure data needs without automation, Apollo or Derrick are simpler.

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See the full pricing breakdown Side-by-side: TexAu pricing vs Derrick

Compare pricing →

Verdict in detail

TexAu Pros & Cons - Summary That Actually Helps You Decide

Based on G2 reviews (4.3/5), Capterra reviews (4.1/5), AppSumo reviews (4.5/5), and 2026 testing from LaGrowthMachine, Kondo and SalesRobot.

✓ Pros

180+ Spices vs PhantomBuster's 130+ at similar pricing

TexAu offers 180+ automations across LinkedIn, Twitter, Sales Nav, Google Maps, Instagram, Facebook, web scraping and dozens of other sources - meaningfully more than PhantomBuster's 130+ Phantoms at similar pricing tiers. For growth hackers running custom multi-source automations, the breadth advantage is real.

"Picked TexAu over PhantomBuster specifically for the 180+ Spices. Some niche automations (Instagram engagement, Google Maps scraping) only existed in TexAu's library." - Verified G2 user, Growth Hacker, G2 review (Q1 2026)

Faster execution than most cloud automation competitors

Multiple G2 reviewers report TexAu runs faster than PhantomBuster, ScrapingBee and other cloud automation tools. For high-volume LinkedIn or Sales Nav scraping motions, the throughput advantage is meaningful - fewer 'waiting for the workflow to finish' moments.

"TexAu finishes our 5,000-prospect Sales Nav scrape in 2 hours. PhantomBuster took 4 hours for the same workflow. Throughput matters when you run 20+ workflows daily." - Verified G2 user, Sales Manager, G2 review (Q4 2025)

Built-in email verification (no separate tool needed)

Email verification is bundled into the platform at claimed 97% accuracy - eliminates the need for a separate Hunter/Findymail subscription for verification workflows. Combined with waterfall enrichment from 12 sources, the bundled data infrastructure is competitive at this price point.

Cloud + desktop execution flexibility

TexAu offers both cloud execution (always-on, runs on TexAu servers) and desktop app (local execution, runs on your machine). For LinkedIn workflows where account safety matters, desktop mode mimics organic browser behavior more closely than cloud automation. Flexibility is unusual at this price tier.

✕ Cons

Frequent platform breakdowns + slow support

The most consistent complaint pattern in 2025-2026 reviews. A frustrated Reddit user summed it up: 'I find that the tool frequently breaks down and support is very slow to respond.' For production-critical workflows, the babysitting time is real - factor in 5-10 hours/week of unplanned debugging.

"TexAu Spices are great when they work. But once a quarter we hit a 3-day breakage that requires support escalation. Lost campaigns and missed timing more than once." - Verified G2 user, RevOps, G2 review (Q1 2026)

Quirky terminology + steep learning curve

TexAu's 'Spices' (automations) and 'Recipes' (workflows) terminology takes time to internalize. The UI is meaningfully more complex than PhantomBuster's Phantoms model, and customer support docs assume familiarity with the quirky vocabulary. New users typically need 1-2 weeks to become productive.

"Took my team 10 days to figure out the difference between Spices, Recipes, Phantoms (yes, both terms are used) and Outputs. Steeper learning curve than PhantomBuster." - Verified G2 user, BDR Manager, G2 review (Q4 2025)

Real LinkedIn account ban risk

Using TexAu's LinkedIn automation features puts your LinkedIn account at serious risk of restriction or permanent suspension. LinkedIn's Terms of Service explicitly prohibit automated methods, scraping, and spam-like behavior. The 'Spices' for LinkedIn engagement are particularly detection-prone. Accounts have been banned for sustained heavy use.

Inadequate customer support during outages

Slow support response times are a recurring complaint, particularly painful when paired with platform breakdowns. For production workflows that depend on reliable execution, the support friction can erase the cost savings vs PhantomBuster's more responsive support team.

The honest comparison

TexAu vs Derrick - Side by Side

We're biased - Derrick is our product. So this table is the version we'd want our prospects to see before they sign elsewhere.

	TexAuCloud Automation Platform (Spices + Recipes)	DerrickGoogle Sheets add-on
Pricing entry	Free trial · $79/mo Solo (annual)	Free forever
Tool category	Cloud automation (Spices + Recipes)	In-Sheet contact data + enrichment
Where it lives	Cloud + desktop app	Inside Google Sheets directly
Automation library	180+ Spices	N/A - provides data layer
LinkedIn account risk	Real (LinkedIn ToS scraping)	Zero - Derrick reads, does not automate
Platform reliability	Frequent breakdowns (top complaint)	Free - read-only, no workflows to break
Customer support	Slow (especially during outages)	Free - community + docs

TexAu and Derrick serve different needs. TexAu is the cheaper PhantomBuster alternative for growth hackers running custom LinkedIn + multi-source automations who tolerate platform breakdowns and slow support. Derrick is the in-Sheet data layer that finds + enriches contact data inside Google Sheets - no automation features, no LinkedIn ToS risk, no platform reliability concerns. Most outbound teams should test Derrick (free) first; consider TexAu only if you specifically need custom multi-source automations beyond what Derrick or PhantomBuster cover.

Install Derrick (free) → 100 free credits · No credit card · 30-second setup

Decision tree

Should You Use TexAu?

A short, opinionated guide. We'll tell you when TexAu is the right pick - and when it isn't.

✓ Use TexAu if you are…

You're a growth hacker running custom multi-source automations → TexAu's 180+ Spices breadth beats PhantomBuster at similar pricing

You want bundled email verification + waterfall enrichment → Solo plan at $79/mo includes both - eliminates separate tool subscriptions

You can tolerate platform breakdowns and slow support → Factor in 5-10 hours/week babysitting time for production workflows

✕ Skip TexAu if you are…

You're risk-averse about LinkedIn account safety TexAu LinkedIn Spices carry real ban risk. Use HeyReach (sender rotation) or Derrick (no scraping) for safety

You can't tolerate quirky terminology + 1-2 week learning curve PhantomBuster's Phantoms model is more intuitive at slightly higher cost

You need responsive customer support for production workflows PhantomBuster, Captain Data API or Apollo deliver more reliable support response times

You need contact data + enrichment, not custom automations Use Derrick (free), Apollo or Hunter for ready-to-use data without automation complexity

Alternatives

Top TexAu Alternatives

Tools we'd recommend instead, depending on your stack and budget. Derrick first because it's the only one that lives where you actually prospect.

Tool	Best for	Starting price	Why we recommend it
D Derrick Recommended	In-Sheet contact data + enrichment	Free	No LinkedIn ban risk, no platform reliability concerns, includes phones + LinkedIn data inside Google Sheets	→
PhantomBuster	Polished automation library (130+ Phantoms)	$56-352/mo	More intuitive Phantoms model + responsive support; fewer automations than TexAu	→
Captain Data	API-first data infrastructure (post-pivot)	€399+/mo	Engineering-focused; legacy no-code product sunset Dec 31 2025; LTD revocation trust signal	→
Apollo	All-in-one contact data + outbound	$0-119/user/mo	Simpler all-in-one platform; no automation complexity; better support	→
N n8n	Self-hosted workflow automation (open source)	Free / €20+/mo	Full control + open source; engineering team required; broader workflow scope
M Make	General-purpose workflow automation	Free / €9-29/mo	Cheaper general workflow tool; less B2B-data-specific; broader app integrations

See the full breakdown of TexAu alternatives →

Head-to-head: TexAu vs 1 competitor

TexAu vs PhantomBuster

Compare side-by-side →

Three-way: TexAu vs 2 competitors

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions buyers ask us most often about TexAu.

Is TexAu free?

TexAu offers a 14-day free trial with full feature access and no credit card required. There is no permanent free tier - paid plans start at $79/month annual ($99 monthly) for the Solo plan with 2,500 credits/month and 1 user.

How much does TexAu cost in 2026?

Solo: $79/mo annual or $99 monthly (2,500 credits, 1 user, ~500 enriched leads). Starter: $159/mo annual or $199 monthly (8K credits, 3 users, ~1,600 leads). Teams: $439/mo annual or $549 monthly (25K credits, 5 users, ~5,000 leads, +$99/additional member). Enterprise: custom pricing with SSO/SAML and dedicated success team.

What are TexAu's Spices and Recipes?

Spices are individual automations - 180+ pre-built workflows for LinkedIn scraping, Sales Nav export, Twitter automation, Google Maps scraping, web scraping, and dozens of other sources. Recipes are multi-step workflows that chain Spices together for end-to-end automation. The terminology takes 1-2 weeks to internalize but maps roughly to PhantomBuster's Phantoms (Spices) + Workflows (Recipes).

TexAu vs PhantomBuster - what is the difference?

TexAu offers 180+ Spices vs PhantomBuster's 130+ Phantoms at similar pricing tiers ($79/mo Solo vs $69/mo Starter). TexAu runs faster per multiple G2 reports and bundles email verification + cloud/desktop execution flexibility. PhantomBuster has more intuitive UX (no quirky terminology), more responsive customer support, and meaningfully better platform reliability per recent reviews. Pick TexAu for Spice breadth + budget; pick PhantomBuster for support + reliability.

Is TexAu safe for my LinkedIn account?

Using TexAu's LinkedIn automation features puts your LinkedIn account at serious risk of restriction or permanent suspension. LinkedIn's Terms of Service explicitly prohibit automated methods, scraping, and spam-like behavior. The Spices for LinkedIn engagement are particularly detection-prone. For lower LinkedIn risk, use HeyReach (sender rotation), Linked Helper (browser-emulating), or Derrick (no LinkedIn scraping at all).

Does TexAu include email verification?

Yes - built-in email verification at claimed 97% accuracy is bundled into all paid plans. This eliminates the need for a separate Hunter/Findymail subscription for verification workflows. Combined with waterfall enrichment from 12 data sources, TexAu's data infrastructure is competitive at this price point.

Where is TexAu based?

TexAu is headquartered in Thane, Maharashtra, India. Founded in 2017, the company operates as Texau Technologies Private Limited and serves growth hackers and SDR teams globally with the 180+ Spices automation library.

TexAu vs Derrick - what should I pick?

Different tools. TexAu is a cloud automation platform with 180+ Spices for custom LinkedIn + multi-source workflows (with real LinkedIn ban risk and platform reliability concerns). Derrick is the in-Sheet data layer that finds + enriches contact data inside Google Sheets - no automation features, no LinkedIn ban risk, no platform stability concerns. Most outbound teams should test Derrick first; consider TexAu only if you specifically need custom multi-source automations beyond what dedicated tools cover.

The verdict

The Verdict on TexAu

TexAu is the right answer for growth hackers and solo SDRs running custom multi-source automations on a budget. The 180+ Spices library beats PhantomBuster's 130+ at similar pricing, throughput is genuinely faster, bundled email verification + waterfall enrichment eliminate separate tool subscriptions, and the cloud + desktop execution flexibility is unusual at this price tier. For DIY growth-engineering motions where automation breadth matters more than polish, TexAu Solo at $79/mo annual is competitive value.

The trade-offs are concrete and limit TexAu's fit at production scale. Frequent platform breakdowns + slow customer support are the most consistent complaints in 2025-2026 reviews - production workflows need babysitting time factored in (5-10 hours/week per multiple reports). The quirky 'Spices and Recipes' terminology adds a 1-2 week learning curve. And like every LinkedIn automation tool, sustained heavy use carries real LinkedIn ToS violation risk that can result in account restrictions.

For growth hackers comfortable with platform reliability friction, TexAu Solo or Starter is fair value. For production-critical workflows needing reliable support, PhantomBuster (more polished, more responsive) or Captain Data API (post-pivot, engineering-focused). For SDRs needing pure contact data without automation complexity, Apollo or Cognism. And in all cases, Derrick stays free as the in-Sheet data layer that adds contact + LinkedIn enrichment without LinkedIn ban risk or platform stability concerns.

3.5/5

Overall verdict