# PhantomBuster vs TexAu vs Derrick: Which Is Better in 2026?

*Canonical: https://derrick-app.com/vs/phantombuster-vs-texau-vs-derrick-app*
*Published: 2026-04-26 · Updated: 2026-09-28*

[Try Derrick free](https://app.derrick-app.com)

## Short answer

PhantomBuster vs TexAu vs Derrick in short. PhantomBuster: cloud-based scraping and social automation. TexAu: cloud automation platform with 180+ Spices (automations) and Recipes (workflows). 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 TexAu.

## PhantomBuster vs TexAu vs Derrick: full feature comparison

|  | [PhantomBuster](/tools/phantombuster-alternatives) | Derrick App | [TexAu](/tools/texau-alternatives) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 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 | Free 14-day trial · Solo $79/mo (annual) |
| Permanent free plan | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rollover credits to next month | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Simple and transparent credit system | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Simple setup & onboarding | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Complete documentation | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |

## True cost over 12 months

| | PhantomBuster | TexAu | Derrick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $56/mo (annual) | Free 14-day trial · Solo $79/mo (annual) | €0 (free) · €20/month paid |
| Annual cost (base) | ~$672/yr | ~$948/yr | €0/year free · €240/year on Standard |
| Free plan? | No (14-day free trial) | 14-day free trial (no credit card) | Forever - 100 credits/mo |

Competitor prices come from each tool's review page on derrick-app.com; when its sources disagree, no figure is shown.

## 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 TexAu if…
- You specifically need growth hackers + automation enthusiasts on a budget
- 180+ Spices vs PhantomBuster's 130+ at similar pricing
- Faster execution than most cloud automation competitors
- You're already invested in the TexAu ecosystem

### 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](https://app.derrick-app.com)

## FAQ

### What’s the main difference Derrick vs PhantomBuster for automation?
Derrick focuses on web app automation (also in Google Sheets, Claude and the API) for B2B prospecting and data enrichment, eliminating the need for external platforms or CSV exports. PhantomBuster, meanwhile, excels at web scraping and social media data extraction through pre-built templates and visual workflows. The key difference is scope: Derrick streamlines lead enrichment and outreach directly in the web app (or in Sheets, Claude and the API) with AI-powered scoring and email validation, while PhantomBuster specializes in bulk data collection from web sources. For teams already working in Sheets seeking integrated enrichment without technical setup, Derrick offers faster deployment and rollover credits. PhantomBuster works better for organizations needing large-scale scraping across multiple platforms before enrichment begins.

### Is Derrick a good alternative to PhantomBuster?
Yes, Derrick is an excellent alternative to PhantomBuster, especially if your team prioritizes simplicity and cost-efficiency. While PhantomBuster excels at web scraping and automation, Derrick offers native web app, Google Sheets, Claude (MCP) and API integration without complex setup or CSV exports, saving five to ten hours monthly. Derrick provides fifty plus enrichment attributes per contact with real-time email validation and built-in AI scoring via Claude and ChatGPT. Unlike PhantomBuster's aggressive scaling costs, Derrick's credits roll over monthly, and no credit card is required for the free tier, making it more accessible for teams with variable prospecting needs.

### Derrick vs PhantomBuster vs TexAu: which is best for pricing?
Derrick offers the most flexible pricing structure with rollover credits that don't expire while you stay on a paid plan, eliminating waste from unused allocations. PhantomBuster scales aggressively with volume, making high-frequency operations costly, while TexAu functions primarily as a text tool rather than a complete enrichment platform. Derrick's free tier requires no credit card and includes 100 credits, with transparent per-credit pricing starting at just 20€ for 10000 credits. For teams prioritizing cost efficiency and predictable budgeting without locked-in monthly commitments, Derrick delivers superior value compared to PhantomBuster's usage-based scaling or TexAu's limited scope.

### Which is better for data extraction: Derrick or TexAu?
For data extraction, Derrick generally offers a stronger fit than TexAu for B2B teams seeking web app workflows (also in Google Sheets, Claude and the API) with extensive enrichment. Derrick’s web-app-first approach eliminates exports and complex setups, saving time and ensuring seamless data capture directly in the web app (or in Sheets, Claude and the API), while TexAu excels at bulk text automation and writing augmentation but lacks Derrick’s deep, integrated data enrichment, multi-source capabilities, and native CRM-like features. If your priority is fast, in-app data enrichment with scalable integrations and AI-powered scoring, Derrick provides more comprehensive, verifiable value. TexAu remains a solid complement when you specifically need high-volume text processing, but for end-to-end data extraction and prospecting in the web app (or in Google Sheets, Claude and the API), Derrick is typically the better choice.

### PhantomBuster vs TexAu pricing: which is cheaper?
PhantomBuster generally offers more aggressive pricing for high-volume automation, while TexAu focuses on text processing with different cost structures. PhantomBuster's per-record costs can escalate quickly with large-scale campaigns, whereas TexAu maintains flatter pricing for batch operations. However, Derrick App delivers superior value for B2B prospecting by eliminating the need for LinkedIn Sales Navigator (saving $1,200 annually), operating in the web app (or in Google Sheets, Claude and the API) with rollover credits, and requiring no credit card for the free tier. For teams prioritizing cost efficiency and integrated enrichment without external platforms, Derrick's transparent pricing model with 100 free credits and flexible monthly plans often proves more economical than either alternative.

### Can Derrick replace both PhantomBuster and TexAu?
Derrick cannot fully replace both PhantomBuster and TexAu in all scenarios, but it can cover many core needs for B2B data enrichment and outreach in the web app (or in Google Sheets, Claude and the API). PhantomBuster specializes in web automation and large-scale scraping with ready-made templates, while TexAu focuses on AI-assisted writing and batch text augmentation. Derrick excels as a web app solution (also in Google Sheets, Claude and the API) with extensive enrichment (50+ attributes per contact/organization), real-time email validation, AI-based scoring and segmentation, and wide integration via Zapier/Make/n8n, all without CSV exports or complex setup. For teams needing automated scraping or multi-channel automation beyond data enrichment and mailing, PhantomBuster or TexAu may still be more suitable, but Derrick often replaces those tools for ongoing enrichment, workflow orchestration, and cost efficiency, especially when you value the web app (plus Sheets, Claude, API) workflows, credits that roll over, and no credit card required.

## Where to use Derrick: web app, Google Sheets, Claude (MCP) or API

The same B2B data enrichment is available on four surfaces. The free plan gives 100 credits a month, no card required.

- **Web app** (main entry, nothing to install): import or paste your list and enrich it in the browser. https://app.derrick-app.com
- **Google Sheets**: the sidebar add-on enriches your list in place, inside your spreadsheet. Install: https://workspace.google.com/marketplace/app/linkedin_email_phone_finder_ia_%E2%80%94_derrick/3746789989?flow_type=2
- **Claude / AI agents (MCP)**: connect the Derrick MCP server, then enrich from chat. Setup: /mcp
- **REST API**: call the same enrichment endpoints from your own stack (PLUS plan and up). Docs: https://app.derrick-app.com/api-docs