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PhantomBuster vs Expandi vs Derrick: Which Is Better in 2026?

Try the app free
or use it in
Google Sheets
Claude
API

✓ Free forever · ✓ No credit card · ✓ Cancel anytime

Short answer
PhantomBuster vs Expandi vs Derrick in short. PhantomBuster: cloud-based scraping and social automation. Expandi: cloud-based LinkedIn automation with smart conditional sequences. Derrick is a B2B enrichment web app (nothing to install), also available as a Google Sheets add-on, a REST API and an MCP server (Claude and ChatGPT drive enrichment for you). It is free forever with 100 credits/month, with paid plans from €20/month, and it runs on its own or alongside PhantomBuster or Expandi.

Where PhantomBuster requires you to build pipelines outside your data, Derrick keeps the data and the logic in the same Sheet. The side-by-side comparison below pits PhantomBuster's no-code IDE, learning curve and per-execution pricing against Derrick's =DERRICK() formula that scales with usage.

Free plan Yes - 100 credits/mo
Starts at €20/mo
Setup Nothing to install
Where it lives Web app, plus Sheets, Claude, API

See the full comparison ↓

Trusted by Hands Down best extension for sheets till date. It eased up my linkedin lead collection journey by 10x. Thank you!! Rahul Nair from Google Workspace Marketplace This tool makes enriching LinkedIn URLs incredibly easy. You can enrich both personal and company profiles with a single click, and the Google Sheets integration is a game-changer. Pankaj Rohilla from Google Workspace Marketplace Great extension. There's bigger companies that do 1000x less. Go with Derrick. Ben Leinen from Google Workspace Marketplace It makes my life a lot easier… no more copy and paste and time wasted. Thank you! Cris Forlani from Google Workspace Marketplace Derrick is your one stop solution to data collection and up to date leads data automated collection. 100/100 value for money. Manu Nair from Google Workspace Marketplace This is one hell of a magical tool, it has blown my mind already, it's so handy, just love it. I am exploring how much more I can do with it Jagdip Gohil from Google Workspace Marketplace Loving the smoothness of the experience especially on Chrome. Great value for the price as well. GB Alao from Google Workspace Marketplace I was looking for a tool to enrich LinkedIn data. Very easy to use. Keith Hildebrand from Google Workspace Marketplace Easy to enhance contacts by running bulk lists. Try it James Finlayson from Google Workspace Marketplace +34,000 others

Quick facts01 / 10

PhantomBuster vs Expandi vs Derrick at a glance

PhantomBuster

  • Starting price: $56/mo (annual)
  • Free plan: No (14-day free trial)
  • Founded: 2016
  • HQ: Paris, France
4.4/5 G2 4.4/5 Capterra

Expandi

  • Starting price: $79/mo (Business, annual) · 14-day free trial
  • Free plan: 14-day free trial (no credit card)
  • Founded: 2019
  • HQ: Eindhoven, Netherlands
4.2/5 G2 4.4/5 Capterra

Derrick

Recommended
  • Starting price: Free · Paid from €20/mo
  • Free plan: Yes - 100 credits/mo permanent
  • Founded: 2022
  • HQ: Marseille, FR
4.8/5 G2 4.8/5 Capterra

Why Derrick wins02 / 10

Why teams pick Derrick over PhantomBuster and Expandi

3 core reasons SDRs and ops teams switch to Derrick. Click to expand each.

01

Real-time validation that outperforms flaky data sources

Derrick delivers real-time validation that outperforms flaky data sources, addressing PhantomBuster and Expandi’s inconsistent enrichment and verification outputs. Unlike PhantomBuster’s data scraping that can yield outdated fields, or Expandi’s mixed data quality for multi-channel outreach, Derrick provides instantaneous checks in the web app (or in Google Sheets, Claude and the API). This results in higher deliverability and fewer invalid contacts, translating to measurable efficiency gains of up to 20-30% faster campaign readiness and reduced manual cleanup. With real-time email verification integrated directly into the workflow, teams can trust the accuracy of each lead before outreach.

02

Comprehensive enrichment across 3000+ integrations without setup friction

Derrick App eliminates setup friction by delivering 3000+ integrations natively in the web app (or in Google Sheets, Claude and the API), unlike PhantomBuster and Expandi, which rely on multi-step templates and external tools that often require separate data workflows. Derrick unifies enrichment directly in the web app (or in Sheets, Claude and the API), avoiding CSV exports, complex wiring, or gap-filled data from disparate sources. This translates to tangible gains: up to 10–15 hours saved per month and consistent access to 50+ enrichment attributes per contact, with monthly credit rollovers. For rapid use cases, Derrick’s native integration streamlines multi-source enrichment without leaving the worksheet, ensuring real-time data quality at scale.

03

Unified workflow with real-time data governance across tools

PhantomBuster and Expandi offer automation in isolation, but neither provides a true unified workflow with real-time data governance across tools. Derrick unifies data pipelines directly in the web app (or in Google Sheets, Claude and the API), ensuring consistent enrichment, verification, and governance without leaving the web app or the sheet. This consolidation reduces data drift and rework, delivering up to 20-30% faster cross-tool validation and a single source of truth for 50+ attributes per contact. With Derrick, teams maintain实时 data quality across LinkedIn, email, and company signals, without syncing gaps or manual reconciliation.

Replace PhantomBuster: import leads from a Sales Navigator search in Derrick's web app, nothing to install

Honest comparison03 / 10

What each tool does better

We're upfront - every tool has strengths. Here's where PhantomBuster, Expandi, and Derrick each genuinely win.

What Expandi does better

  • Smart conditional sequences (best in the cloud category)
  • Cloud-based with dedicated country IPs
  • Comprehensive LinkedIn feature set
Read full Expandi review →

Real annual cost04 / 10

True cost over 12 months

Headline pricing rarely tells the whole story. Here's the real cost of running each tool for a year.

Cost item PhantomBuster Expandi Derrick
Starting price $56/mo (annual) $79/mo (Business, annual) · 14-day free trial €0 (free) · €20/month paid
Annual cost (base) ~$672/yr ~$948/yr €0/year free · €108/year on Mini
Free plan? No (14-day free trial) 14-day free trial (no credit card) ✓ Forever - 100 credits/mo
Setup cost Hours to days Hours to days Nothing to install (web app)
Switching cost CSV export + retraining CSV export + retraining Zero - works alongside any stack

Most teams pay 2-5x more on add-ons (extra seats, phone credits, integrations) than on the headline base price. Derrick keeps it to one transparent credit model.

Feature-by-feature05 / 10

PhantomBuster vs Expandi vs Derrick: full feature comparison

PhantomBuster Derrick App Expandi
Works natively in Google Sheets ✕ ✓ ✕
Requires LinkedIn Sales Navigator ($100/month) ✓ ✕ ✕
Sales Navigator 1-click import ✓ ✓ ✓
Email finder with real-time validation ✓ ✓ ✕
Phone finder from LinkedIn ✕ ✓ ✕
Company tech stack lookup ✕ ✓ ✕
SimilarWeb & G2 insights integrated ✕ ✓ ✕
AI integration (Claude & ChatGPT) ✓ ✓ ✕
Automatic AI Lead Scoring ✕ ✓ ✕
Data cleaning & normalization ✕ ✓ ✕
Multi-platform scraping (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook) ✓ ✕ ✕
Zapier, Make, n8n integrations ✓ ✓ ✓
Public API available ✓ ✓ ✓
Native CRM integrations (HubSpot, Salesforce) ✓ ✕ ✕
Entry price (paid plan) $56/mo (annual) Free plan · from €20/month $79/mo (Business, annual) · 14-day free trial
Permanent free plan ✓ ✓ ✕
Rollover credits to next month ✕ ✓ ✕
Simple and transparent credit system ✕ ✓ ✕
Simple setup & onboarding ✕ ✓ ✓
Complete documentation ✓ ✓ ✓

Pricing in a nutshell06 / 10

PhantomBuster vs Expandi vs Derrick pricing breakdown

LinkedIn Automation (Cloud, Agency-Established)

Expandi

$79/mo (Business, annual) · 14-day free trial

Best for: Established agencies + B2B teams running smart LinkedIn sequences

Expandi offers starter pricing with a free tier and paid plans starting at competitive monthly credits, plus scalable options for growing teams. For full transparency, see the complete pricing breakdown on the pricing page.

Migration guide07 / 10

How to switch from PhantomBuster to Derrick in 3 steps

Derrick is a web app - nothing to install, no formulas to learn, no pipelines to migrate. Sign up and you're enriching in under a minute.

Open the Derrick web app

Sign up on the Derrick web app. Nothing to install, no credit card required - you start with 100 free credits per month.

Import your PhantomBuster list

Upload the CSV you exported from PhantomBuster, paste LinkedIn URLs, or import from LinkedIn Sales Navigator. Prefer to stay in your tools? The same features run in Google Sheets, in Claude (MCP) and via the API.

Enrich your list with one click

Select the column with names, LinkedIn URLs, or company domains. Pick what you want - emails, phone numbers, LinkedIn data, company info, tech stack - and click "Enrich". Derrick fills the columns in your list. No pipelines, no waiting.

Try the app free
or use it in
Google Sheets
Claude
API

100 free credits / month · No credit card · Cancel anytime

Decision in 60 seconds08 / 10

Which one is right for you?

Pick PhantomBuster if…

  • You specifically need growth hackers & ops teams
  • 150+ pre-built Phantoms across platforms
  • Best LinkedIn Sales Navigator export
  • You're already invested in the PhantomBuster ecosystem
Read full PhantomBuster review →

Pick Expandi if…

  • You specifically need established agencies + B2B teams running smart LinkedIn sequences
  • Smart conditional sequences (best in the cloud category)
  • Cloud-based with dedicated country IPs
  • You're already invested in the Expandi ecosystem
Read full Expandi review →

Pick Derrick if…

  • You want B2B enrichment with nothing to install (web app, also in Sheets, Claude, API)
  • You need a usable free plan (100 credits/mo, no card)
  • You don't want long contracts, lock-in, or sales calls
  • You need 100+ data points per lead in one tool
Try Derrick free →

Compare09 / 10

Keep exploring10 / 10

Customer stories

What teams say after switching from PhantomBuster vs Expandi

See what our customers say about Derrick.

  • Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Trustpilot, 323 reviews
323 reviews

"This app saved me so much time and effort. Great for anyone looking to build a contact list or network at scale quickly. As a start-up it's been invaluable."

Alex Clark

Director | SaaS GTM Leader

Reviewed on Product Hunt

"Working pretty nifty compared to Snov.Io. Price wise it does give a fair shake, and IMO better interface since it's google sheets."

David Sire

Mortgage Broker at Zero Point Mortgage

Reviewed on Product Hunt

"Derrick is a very simple and user-friendly app to enrich your contacts database. Best thing: you can test it for free. And then the price is so low, it's a no brainer."

Etienne Grange

CEO Form'actions

Reviewed on Capterra

FAQ

Stop copying data around. Start enriching.

Derrick vs PhantomBuster: which is better for data extraction?

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Derrick and PhantomBuster serve different data extraction needs. PhantomBuster excels at web scraping and automation workflows with pre-built templates, making it ideal for large-scale extraction from social platforms and e-commerce sites. However, Derrick offers superior data enrichment directly in the web app (or in Google Sheets, Claude and the API) without requiring external platforms or CSV exports, saving teams significant time and eliminating manual data transfers. Derrick's real-time email validation, 50+ enrichment attributes per contact, and integrated AI scoring provide deeper data quality than PhantomBuster's extraction-focused approach. For B2B prospecting teams prioritizing accuracy and operational efficiency within their existing workflow, Derrick delivers more comprehensive enrichment with lower setup friction and monthly rollover credits.

Is Derrick a good alternative to PhantomBuster?

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Yes, Derrick is an excellent alternative to PhantomBuster, particularly if you prioritize simplicity and cost-efficiency. While PhantomBuster excels at web scraping and automation, Derrick operates natively in the web app (or in Google Sheets, Claude and the API), eliminating complex setup and CSV exports. Derrick offers 50+ enrichment attributes per contact, real-time email validation, and integrated AI scoring with Claude and ChatGPT. Unlike PhantomBuster's steep learning curve for advanced workflows, Derrick requires no technical expertise. You also avoid PhantomBuster's aggressive pricing scaling, with Derrick's rollover credits and no credit card requirement for the free tier making it more budget-friendly for growing teams.

Derrick vs Expandi: which handles outreach better?

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Derrick and Expandi serve different outreach needs. Expandi excels at LinkedIn-specific automation with personalized messaging sequences and native compliance, making it ideal for volume-based LinkedIn prospecting. However, Derrick handles broader outreach better by offering 50+ enrichment attributes, real-time email validation, integrated AI for segmentation, and web app functionality (also in Google Sheets, Claude and the API) without LinkedIn dependency. Derrick's multi-channel capability through 3000+ Zapier integrations and lower cost structure make it superior for comprehensive outreach campaigns beyond LinkedIn alone.

Which tool offers the best pricing: Derrick or PhantomBuster?

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When comparing pricing, Derrick offers a highly transparent, credit-based model that is built around Google Sheets, with a free tier and roll-over credits, making it easy to scale without upfront commitments. PhantomBuster and Expandi both price by usage or plan tiers that can quickly become costly at high volumes. Derrick’s credits system, web app workflow (also in Google Sheets, Claude and the API), and no required credit card for the free tier provide lower initial risk and predictable costs, especially for teams focused on data enrichment, email validation, and AI-assisted scoring, all without expensive multi-seat or API-heavy price jumps. If your primary need is cost predictability and a native, web-app-first prospecting workflow, Derrick tends to offer better pricing flexibility.

PhantomBuster vs Expandi: how do they differ in features?

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PhantomBuster and Expandi serve different core purposes within the prospecting workflow. PhantomBuster excels as a web automation and data extraction platform, ideal for scraping LinkedIn, Twitter, and e-commerce data at scale, while Expandi focuses specifically on LinkedIn outreach automation through connection requests and personalized messaging sequences. PhantomBuster offers broader data collection capabilities but requires external enrichment tools for deeper contact validation, whereas Expandi provides native LinkedIn integration with built-in campaign analytics. However, neither platform matches Derrick's efficiency for teams already working in Google Sheets, offering direct enrichment without CSV exports or LinkedIn Sales Navigator subscriptions, plus rollover credits and integrated AI for smarter prospecting workflows.

Can Derrick replace both PhantomBuster and Expandi?

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Derrick cannot fully replace both PhantomBuster and Expandi in all use cases, but it can cover the core needs many teams rely on from those tools. PhantomBuster’s strength is broad automation templates and data extraction at scale, which Derrick complements with web app enrichment (also in Google Sheets, Claude and the API), 50+ attributes per contact, real-time email validation, and AI-driven scoring and segmentation. Expandi excels at LinkedIn-focused outreach and sequencing; Derrick adds robust data enrichment, multi-CRM/automation integrations, and flexible credit-based pricing without LinkedIn dependency. If your requirements center on large-scale scraping and multi-channel isolation, you’ll likely need a dedicated automation or enrichment partner alongside Derrick. For teams prioritizing LinkedIn outreach with strong on-platform workflows, Expandi remains a strong fit; for comprehensive data quality, enrichment depth, and scalable prospecting in the web app (or in Sheets, Claude and the API), Derrick often provides superior value.