PhantomBuster
- Starting price: $56/mo (annual)
- Free plan: No (14-day free trial)
- Founded: 2016
- HQ: Paris, France
Updated
PhantomBuster vs Skylead vs Derrick: Which Is Better in 2026?
- Short answer
- PhantomBuster vs Skylead vs Derrick: PhantomBuster is a cloud-based scraping and social automation, Skylead is a multichannel linkedin + email outreach with smart-sequence branching. Derrick is a B2B enrichment platform with three surfaces - a Google Sheets add-on, a REST API, and an MCP server (Claude and ChatGPT drive enrichment for you). Hit rates are noticeably higher (more emails + phone numbers returned per query than PhantomBuster or Skylead) and pricing is lower - free forever with 100 credits/month, paid plans from €9/month. Most teams pair Derrick for the data layer with PhantomBuster or Skylead for outreach.
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 €9/mo
Setup time 30 seconds
Where it lives Google Sheets
✓ Free forever · ✓ No credit card · ✓ Cancel anytime · ✓ Your data stays in your Sheet
Trusted by 31,000+ users worldwide.
CURSOR Quick Facts
PhantomBuster vs Skylead vs Derrick at a glance
Skylead
- Starting price: $100/mo (All-in-One, annual)
- Free plan: 7-day free trial
- Founded: 2019
- HQ: Belgrade, Serbia
Derrick
★ Recommended- Starting price: Free · Paid from €9/mo
- Free plan: Yes - 100 credits/mo permanent
- Founded: 2023
- HQ: Marseille, FR
Why Derrick wins 01
02
03
Why teams pick Derrick over PhantomBuster and Skylead
3 core reasons SDRs and ops teams switch to Derrick. Click to expand each.
01 Real-time validation and native Google Sheets workflow efficiency
Derrick shines in real-time validation and native Google Sheets workflow efficiency, a gap where PhantomBuster and Skylead fall short due to their reliance on external tools or multi-platform silos. While PhantomBuster excels at automated data extraction, it often lacks built-in, real-time validation within Sheets, forcing post-process checks; Skylead focuses on LinkedIn prospecting with limited real-time validation across channels. Derrick delivers real-time email validation directly inside Google Sheets and enriches 50+ attributes per contact without exporting data, saving 5-10 hours per month. This native, zero-setup approach streamlines prospecting workflows, eliminating context-switching and enabling immediate actionable insights.
02 No card required: flexible, open-tier credits for trial users
Derrick eliminates the barrier of a credit card for trial users, unlike PhantomBuster and Skylead who often require upfront or paid access to begin testing. While PhantomBuster focuses on automation templates and Skylead emphasizes LinkedIn-led prospecting, neither provides a true free-tier with carryover credits. Derrick offers a free tier with monthly, rollable credits that can be used across 50+ enrichment attributes, saving time and preventing waste on unused trials. This approach translates to measurable value, such as preserving access without upfront costs and enabling immediate exploration of capabilities within Google Sheets.
03 Real-time, multi-source data validation consolidation
PhantomBuster and Skylead excel at extraction and multi-channel prospecting, but they struggle with real-time, multi-source data validation consolidation across disparate sources. Derrick delivers a 100% native Google Sheets workflow that consolidates validations in real time, eliminating export delays and hand-offs. Teams can expect measurable efficiency gains, such as up to 20-40% faster validation cycles and unified, up-to-date lead data within Sheets. A practical use case: instantly validate emails and firmographics from multiple sources in one live dashboard, without leaving Derrick.
Honest Comparison 
derrick
What each tool does better
We're upfront - every tool has strengths. Here's where PhantomBuster, Skylead, and Derrick each genuinely win.
What PhantomBuster does better
- 150+ pre-built Phantoms across platforms
- Best LinkedIn Sales Navigator export
- Composable workflow chains
What Skylead does better
- Smart sequences with if/else branching
- Unlimited email accounts + native warm-up
- Standout customer support
What Derrick does better
- Free forever - €0/mo with 100 credits permanent in Google Sheets
- 100+ data points per lead - verified emails, phones, LinkedIn, tech stack, SIRET
- Zero LinkedIn ban risk + real-time email verification built in
- Pair with any sequencer - LaGrowthMachine, Smartlead, Lemlist, HeyReach
Real Annual Cost
True cost over 12 months
Headline pricing rarely tells the whole story. Here's the real cost of running each tool for a year.
| PhantomBuster | Skylead | Derrick | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price (monthly) | $56/mo (annual) | $100/mo (All-in-One, annual) | €0 (free) · €9/mo paid |
| Annual cost (base) | ~€672/yr | ~€1,200/yr | €0/yr free · ~€108/yr paid |
| Free plan? | No (14-day free trial) | 7-day free trial | ✓ Forever - 100 credits/mo |
| Setup cost | Hours to days | Hours to days | 30 seconds via Marketplace |
| 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 everything in one transparent tier.
Feature-by-Feature
PhantomBuster vs Skylead vs Derrick: full feature comparison
| PhantomBuster | Derrick App | Skylead | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Works natively in Google Sheets | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Requires LinkedIn Sales Navigator ($100/month) | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Sales Navigator 1-click import | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Email finder with real-time validation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Phone finder from LinkedIn | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Company tech stack lookup | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| SimilarWeb & G2 insights integrated | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| AI integration (Claude & ChatGPT) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic AI Lead Scoring | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Data cleaning & normalization | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Multi-platform scraping (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook) | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Zapier, Make, n8n integrations | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Public API available | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Native CRM integrations (HubSpot, Salesforce) | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Entry price (paid plan) | 69$/mois | 9€/mois | 100$/mois |
| Permanent free plan | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Rollover credits to next month | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Simple and transparent credit system | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Simple setup & onboarding | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Complete documentation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Pricing in a nutshell Web Automation derrick
best value for money
Results first.
Discover Derrick →
Multichannel LinkedIn + Email Sequencer
PhantomBuster vs Skylead vs Derrick pricing breakdown
Web Automation PhantomBuster
$56/mo (annual)
Best for: Growth hackers & ops teams
PhantomBuster offers a scalable pricing model with a free tier and paid plans starting at a introductory level; see full pricing breakdown for exact credits, limits, and add-ons. View complete pricing details on the dedicated PhantomBuster pricing page.
Results first.
Complexity removed.
Free · Paid plans from €9/mo
While other tools pile on features, complex setups, and pricing tiers that grow faster than your results, Derrick focuses on what actually matters:
getting usable leads, directly in Google Sheets.
No heavy workflows, No endless configuration. No learning curve.
Multichannel LinkedIn + Email Sequencer Skylead
$100/mo (All-in-One, annual)
Best for: Active SDRs needing smart conditional LinkedIn + email sequences
Skylead offers starter plans with accessible entry pricing and a potential free tier for limited usage; detailed pricing varies by plan and credits. See the full pricing breakdown for all tiers and credits details.
Migration Guide
How to switch from PhantomBuster to Derrick in 3 steps
Derrick is a Google Workspace app - no formulas to learn, no pipelines to migrate, no engineering work. Add it to Google Sheets and you're enriching in under a minute.
1
~30 sec Install Derrick from Google Workspace Marketplace
Click the install button on our Marketplace listing and grant Google Sheets access. No credit card required - you start with 100 free credits per month.
2
~30 sec Open any Google Sheet → Extensions → Derrick
Open a Sheet with your prospect list (paste a CSV from PhantomBuster, scrape from LinkedIn Sales Navigator, or import from your CRM). Click Extensions → Derrick and the sidebar opens with all enrichment features ready to use.
3
~1 min 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 directly in your Sheet. No exports, no pipelines, no waiting.
Install Derrick free →
100 free credits / month · No credit card · Cancel anytime
Decision in 60 seconds
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
Pick Skylead if…
- You specifically need active sdrs needing smart conditional linkedin + email sequences
- Smart sequences with if/else branching
- Unlimited email accounts + native warm-up
- You're already invested in the Skylead ecosystem
Pick Derrick if…
- You want B2B enrichment directly in Google Sheets
- 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
What teams say after switching from PhantomBuster vs Skylead
See what our customers say about Derrick.
"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
"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
"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
"Super easy to enrich linkedin urls using this tool. Both personal and company url data can be easily enriched with a click of a button."
Zaid Bilal
RevOps Professional
"Amazing Tool, I would like to advocate this to my colleagues. So that you can get more users. Keep it Up. 5 Stars!"
Asif Hanzala
Lead Generation Specialist at IdeaPeel
"This app is fantastic. Brilliantly created to help small and mid sized businesses."
Dan Hughes
Founder/CEO, AlmanacIO
"I have been using other expensive apps or freemium like phantombuster, but Derrick has replaced them all. I love the simplicity of the Google sheet add-in, but what is best is the efficiency it delivers."
Julien Walon Cohen
CEO & Co-founder @ Diffly | B2B Sales Advisor
"The LinkedIn scraping and email finder combo is incredibly powerful. I can build a complete prospect list with contact info in under an hour. Absolute must-have for outbound."
Michael Kim
SDR Team Lead at CloudScale
"Have tested over 10+ LI scraper apps, Derrick beats them all. Simple to use, accurate data, and affordable price."
AJ Alexander
Opportunity Prospector
Frequently Asked Questions
Derrick vs PhantomBuster: which is better for data enrichment?
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Derrick and PhantomBuster serve different enrichment needs. PhantomBuster excels as a web automation platform for large-scale data extraction across multiple sources, with pre-built templates and reliable scraping capabilities. However, Derrick offers deeper enrichment directly within Google Sheets with 50+ contact and company attributes, real-time email validation, and integrated AI scoring without requiring external platforms or CSV exports. PhantomBuster works better for raw data collection at scale, while Derrick is optimized for teams prioritizing enrichment quality, workflow efficiency, and cost-effective monthly credits that roll over. Your choice depends on whether you need broad extraction capabilities or streamlined, native enrichment within your existing spreadsheet workflow.
Is Derrick a solid alternative to PhantomBuster?
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Yes, Derrick is a solid alternative to PhantomBuster, especially if you prioritize simplicity and cost efficiency. While PhantomBuster excels at large-scale web automation and scraping, Derrick operates natively within Google Sheets, eliminating complex exports and setup overhead. Derrick offers 50+ enrichment attributes, real-time email validation, and integrated AI scoring with Claude and ChatGPT, whereas PhantomBuster focuses primarily on data extraction. Additionally, Derrick's rollover credits and free tier require no credit card, making it more accessible for teams testing lead enrichment workflows without upfront investment or technical friction.
Derrick vs PhantomBuster vs Skylead: which offers better pricing?
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Derrick offers the most transparent and flexible pricing structure compared to PhantomBuster and Skylead. While PhantomBuster's costs scale aggressively with volume and Skylead's pricing becomes less transparent at higher tiers, Derrick provides rollover credits that never expire, no credit card required for the free tier, and straightforward per-credit pricing starting at just nine dollars monthly. For teams seeking predictable costs without complex tiering, Derrick delivers superior value with fifty enrichment attributes per contact and integrated AI capabilities included at every price level.
Which has the best review for accuracy: Derrick or Skylead?
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Between Derrick and Skylead, reviews generally favor Derrick for accuracy when compared to Skylead’s data enrichment depth. Skylead performs well for LinkedIn-based prospecting and contact discovery, but users often note that its enrichment and real-time verification across multiple channels aren’t as robust as dedicated enrichment solutions. Derrick, being 100% native to Google Sheets with 50+ enrichment attributes per contact, real-time email validation, AI scoring and segmentation, tends to deliver more consistent, verifiable data within the core workflow. If accuracy across a broader set of attributes matters most, Derrick holds the edge; for LinkedIn-focused discovery with solid speed, Skylead remains strong, but may require external tools for deeper validation.
Does Derrick replace both PhantomBuster and Skylead?
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Derrick doesn't fully replace both platforms, but it offers a more integrated alternative for teams already working in Google Sheets. PhantomBuster excels at web automation and large-scale data extraction, while Skylead specializes in LinkedIn-based prospecting. Derrick combines enrichment capabilities with native Google Sheets functionality, eliminating the need for external tools and CSV exports. If your workflow centers on Google Sheets and you need streamlined enrichment without LinkedIn Sales Navigator costs, Derrick provides significant efficiency gains. However, if you require PhantomBuster's automation depth or Skylead's LinkedIn focus, you might use Derrick as a complementary enrichment layer rather than a complete replacement for both platforms.
What are Derrick’s main differences from PhantomBuster and Skylead?
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Derrick’s main differences from PhantomBuster and Skylead lie in native Google Sheets enrichment, pricing flexibility, and AI-enabled scoring without leaving Sheets. Unlike PhantomBuster’s multi-platform scraping and Skylead’s LinkedIn-centric prospecting, Derrick turns Google Sheets into a full prospecting hub with 50+ enrichment attributes per contact, real-time email validation, and seamless 3,000+ integrations via Zapier/Make/n8n. It eliminates CSV exports and Navigator dependencies, saving time (5–10 hours/month) and costs (no LinkedIn Sales Navigator requirement, saving ~€1,200/year). Credits roll over monthly, free tier requires no credit card, and built-in Claude/ChatGPT AI supports automatic scoring, segmentation, and summaries, offering a cohesive, data-rich workflow directly in Sheets.
One-on-one
PhantomBuster vs Derrick - solo duel
Drop the third-party context and see how PhantomBuster compares to Derrick alone.
Open the head-to-head → One-on-oneSkylead vs Derrick - solo duel
Drop the third-party context and see how Skylead compares to Derrick alone.
Open the head-to-head → Curated stackAll B2B sales tools we reviewed in depth
Step back from the duel - see our hand-picked sales-tool selection and how every category fits together.
See the full curation → Keep Exploring
