Introduction
Finding and hiring quality talent is one of the biggest challenges for growing businesses. With the remote workplace boom and highly competitive job market, it’s become even more important for companies to optimize their entire recruiting process from sourcing to onboarding new hires. Staffing and talent acquisition software have become essential tools to help streamline these tasks and improve hiring outcomes. This blog evaluates the top 15 solutions available based on key criteria to help businesses determine the best option for their individual needs.
Methods of Evaluation
To evaluate the top staffing and talent acquisition software for 2023, we considered several key factors: pricing and subscription tiers, core features and functionality, customer reviews and ratings, number and quality of integrations, and online visibility metrics like backlinks, organic traffic and keyword search trends. We researched each vendor’s website, read reviews from sources like G2 and Capterra. We also analyzed third party data signals like SEMRush and Ahrefs to understand brand authority and search performance. By combining both qualitative and quantitative measures, our list identifies the leading solutions most suitable for businesses of different sizes, budgets and individual requirements.
1. Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a leading work management platform that supports teams in planning, capturing, and sharing work. With Smartsheet, teams can manage projects, automate processes, and scale programs in one flexible platform. Some key capabilities include collaborative work tracking, resource management, and integrated project management and CRM functionality.
Pros: Some key advantages of Smartsheet include:
– Collaborative work management platform that supports distributed teams
– Applicant tracking capabilities built directly into the collaboration interface
– Tight integration with CRM and project management tools like Salesforce and Jira
Cons: Potential disadvantages could include:
– Steeper learning curve than basic spreadsheets
– Some features require paid enterprise plans
– Less robust than full-fledged project management or CRM platforms
Pricing: Smartsheet offers the following pricing plans:
– Free Plan – For basic functionality and up to 3 users
– Paid Plans starting at $12.50/user per month – More advanced features and custom domain
– Enterprise Plans – Custom quotes based on team size and functionality needed
Some key stats about Smartsheet include:
– Used by over 90,000 organizations worldwide including 88% of Fortune 500 companies
– Over 100,000 templates in the Smartsheet Template Gallery
– Over 1 million workspaces created
– Integrations with over 200 apps including Salesforce, Microsoft, and Google
2. iCIMS
iCIMS is a leading provider of recruiting and talent acquisition software. Founded in 2000, the company helps over 4,000 organizations across various industries attract, engage, hire and advance top talent. Their recruiting software platform offers a full suite of applicant tracking and onboarding solutions to streamline hiring processes.
Pros: Some key advantages of the iCIMS recruiting platform include:
– Longtime leader in the industry with a proven track record
– Strong customer base including many Fortune 500 companies
– Flexible deployment options including on-premise, cloud-based or hybrid models
– Robust integrations with tools like LinkedIn, Google and Microsoft
Cons: The platform caters mainly to large enterprises and may have a steeper learning curve for small businesses. Pricing is also dependent on number of users and features selected.
Pricing: Icims offers different pricing tiers depending on the number of users and modules/features required. An annual contract is required. Starting pricing for a basic ATS deployment begins at around $5,000 per year.
Some key stats about iCIMS include:
– Over 4,000 customers worldwide
– Processes over 100 million applications annually
– Ranks as a leader in Gartner Magic Quadrant for six years in a row
3. Workable
Workable is a leading talent acquisition software used by over 5,000 companies worldwide. Founded in 2010, Workable helps businesses of all sizes streamline their hiring processes. Some key stats about Workable include having over 30 integrations with other HR tools and an applicant tracking database of over 40 million candidates.
Pros: Some of the key advantages of Workable include its focus on automation and ease of use. It offers tools to automate common recruiting tasks like screening, scheduling interviews, and communicating with candidates. Workable also has a lower priced entry tier making it appealing for small to medium size businesses. Employers also benefit from Workable’s strong applicant self-service portal and job posting capabilities for employer branding.
Cons: As Workable targets the smaller end of the market, it may not have as many advanced features as ATS solutions oriented towards very large enterprises. The pricing also increases significantly for customers with high volume hiring needs.
Pricing: Workable offers 3 pricing tiers – Recruit, a free forever plan for basic usage, Hire starting at $99/month for up to 10 jobs and 100 applicants, and Grow for businesses with higher volume hiring needs starting at $249/month.
Workable has over 5,000 customers worldwide ranging from startup to enterprise-level companies. Their applicant tracking system database contains over 40 million candidate profiles. They also have over 30 integrations with other popular HR tools like Greenhouse, Lever, and Zenefits.
4. ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter is a powerful online job marketplace and staffing software solution. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Santa Monica, California, ZipRecruiter has revolutionized how employers and job seekers connect. With millions of jobs and employers, the ZipRecruiter platform connects employers of all sizes to job seekers anywhere in the United States.
Pros: Some key advantages of ZipRecruiter include:
– Powerful job distribution across 50+ job sites
– Strong applicant tracking built-in
– Comprehensive tools for smaller agencies and enterprises alike
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the paid plans can get quite expensive for higher volume hiring needs. While the basic features are free, more robust ATS functionality requires an upgraded paid plan.
Pricing: ZipRecruiter offers both free and paid plans. The free plan allows employers to post jobs to the ZipRecruiter network. The paid plans, starting at around $299/month, provide more robust applicant tracking system (ATS) functionality and other advanced features.
Some key stats about ZipRecruiter include:
– Over 50,000,000 resumes and profiles on file
– Passes along jobs to over 50 job sites each day
– Over 1 million businesses have used ZipRecruiter for hiring
– Free to list jobs and search resumes
5. BambooHR
BambooHR is a leading HR software provider based in Lehi, Utah. Founded in 2008, BambooHR offers a comprehensive human resource information system (HRIS) solution that helps organizations manage the entire employee lifecycle from recruiting to retirement. With over 22,000 customers worldwide, BambooHR is one of the largest and most popular HR software providers on the market.
Pros: Some key advantages of BambooHR include:
– Full suite HRIS solution covering payroll, benefits, onboarding, performance reviews and more
– Competitive pricing tiers that scale with company size
– Intuitive and easy to use interface for both HR teams and employees
– Robust reporting and analytics tools for measuring KPIs
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that BambooHR’s applicant tracking features require an additional purchase and are not included in the base package. For some companies seeking an all-in-one solution, this may be viewed as a limitation.
Pricing: BambooHR offers flexible monthly pricing plans starting at $6 per user per month for the Essentials plan up to $20 per user per month for the Elite plan. Pricing is tiered based on the number of users with discounts available for annual commitments and customers with over 100 users.
Some key stats about BambooHR include:
– Over 22,000 customers globally
– Serves customers of all sizes from small businesses to large enterprises
– Named a Leader in Nucleus Research’s HR Technology Value Matrix in 2022
– Integrates with over 300+ apps including payroll providers like Gusto and Paychex
6. Freshworks
Freshworks is a leading provider of software for businesses with an all-in-one platform for staffing and HR needs. Their staffing software allows recruiters to track applicants, manage the hiring process, and onboard new hires all in one place. Some key features include applicant tracking, CRM tools, and strong onboarding and offboarding features to streamline staffing operations.
Pros: Key advantages of Freshworks staffing software include: the all-in-one platform that consolidates recruiting, HR, and onboarding needs; applicant tracking and CRM functionality built-in; strong onboarding features like paperwork automation and checklists; customizable workflows and processes.
Cons: A potential disadvantage is the software requires subscription pricing with no option to purchase outright which may not suit all budgets.
Pricing: Pricing for Freshworks starts at $49/agent/month for their basic plan and scales up to $149/agent/month for their top tier plan with additional features and integrations. Volume discounts are also available for enterprise customers.
Some key stats about Freshworks staffing software include: used by over 50,000 customers worldwide, allows tracking of over 150M candidates annually, integrates with over 300+ other applications for a seamless experience.
7. Greenhouse
Greenhouse is an applicant tracking system and hiring platform that helps companies attract, engage, and hire top talent. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in New York City, Greenhouse has rapidly grown to serve over 5,500 customers worldwide including brands like Hubspot, Salesforce, VMware, and GitHub. The software’s goal is to streamline and improve the complex hiring process from initial application to onboarding.
Pros: Some of the main advantages of Greenhouse hiring software include:
– Easy to use drag-and-drop interface optimized for both recruiters and candidates
– Ability to source, recruit, interview and hire candidates all in one central system
– Built-in analytics and reporting to track hiring KPIs and identify bottlenecks
– Robust applicant tracking and centralized talent pool management
– Excellent integrations with other popular HR and recruiting tools
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that some advanced reporting and customization features require an enterprise plan which can be more costly than basic plans for smaller companies and teams.
Pricing: Greenhouse offers three main pricing plans:
– Basic: $99/month per recruiter – great for small teams
– Plus: $299/month per recruiter – adds advanced analytics and applicant sourcing
– Enterprise: Custom pricing – includes custom workflows, dedicated support, SSO, and more
Some key stats about Greenhouse include:
– Serves over 5,500 customers globally across various industries
– Has helped companies hire over 3 million candidates
– Average time savings of 8 hours per role compared to traditional hiring methods
– Achieves 50% higher quality hires and 30% faster time to hire than average
– Integrates with over 250 different ATS, HRIS, and CRM systems like Workday and SAP SuccessFactors
8. SmartRecruiters
SmartRecruiters is a leading applicant tracking system (ATS) and talent acquisition platform that helps companies attract top talent through effective online talent relationship management. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Silicon Valley, SmartRecruiters has helped over 10,000 companies and made over 20 million connections between job seekers and employers.
Pros: Some key advantages of SmartRecruiters include:
– Strong all-around ATS with artificial intelligence for predictive recruiting
– Talent relationship management features focused on ongoing engagement with candidates
– Robust hiring and onboarding workflow automation tools
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that SmartRecruiters is more expensive than some basic ATS solutions, though it offers far more advanced functionality.
Pricing: SmartRecruiters pricing starts at $149/month for a single recruiter and is based on the number of recruiters, candidates, and jobs. Larger teams and enterprises can request a customized quote.
Some key stats about SmartRecruiters include:
– Over 10,000 customers worldwide including Fortune 500 companies
– Processed over 250 million applications
– Connected over 20 million job seekers to employers
9. Lever
Lever is a recruiting and applicant tracking software created to help companies find and hire top talent. Founded in 2013 and based in San Francisco, Lever aims to streamline the recruiting process through relationship building tools and a simple yet powerful interface.
Pros: Some of the key advantages of Lever include: Talent relationship management and recruiting tools to help nurture candidates over time. Simple onboarding and messaging capabilities for candidates to track their application status. Mobile-first design works seamlessly across all devices.
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that Lever is mainly targeted towards mid-market to enterprise companies, so may not be the best fit for very small businesses with less complex hiring needs.
Pricing: Lever offers monthly pricing plans starting at $99 per month for the Essentials plan which supports up to 5 users. The Standard plan is $199 per month for up to 15 users. For larger teams and enterprises, custom pricing is available upon request.
Some key stats about Lever include: Used by over 2,000 companies globally including VMWare, Spotify, and 23andMe. Handles over 5 million applications per year. Integrates with over 200 HR systems including Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, and Greenhouse. Has raised over $142M in funding to date.
10. Jobvite
Jobvite is a leading talent acquisition suite that has been providing recruitment software solutions for over 20 years. With Jobvite, organizations can streamline complex hiring processes, increase recruiting capacity and efficiency, and deliver exceptional candidate experiences. Some key benefits include a robust applicant tracking system, extensive integrations, and a large partner ecosystem.
Pros: Some key advantages of Jobvite include its longevity as a market leader providing a full talent acquisition suite, its robust ATS functionality that can support the needs of large enterprises, and its extensive partner ecosystem that continues to expand potential integrations.
Cons: As a well-established vendor, the Jobvite interface can feel a bit dated and clunky compared to newer recruitment platforms. Advanced customization and configuration options also require additional professional services.
Pricing: Jobvite pricing starts at $99 per recruiter per month for its basic plan and scales up based on team size and required functionality. Enterprise-level plans with additional modules and support are available for larger organizations with complex hiring needs.
Jobvite currently supports over 12,000 customers and processes over 80 million applications per year. The company has a worldwide employee base of over 700 people. Gartner named Jobvite a leader in their Magic Quadrant for Talent Acquisition Suites for nine consecutive years.
11. Workday
Workday is a leading provider of enterprise cloud applications for finance and human resources. Founded in 2005, Workday helps thousands of organizations globally manage their HR, finance, spend management and planning. With over 50,000 customers worldwide including large enterprises like Novartis, Coca-Cola and Vodafone, Workday offers a robust software solution for businesses of all sizes to manage their employees, budgets and finances.
Pros: Some key advantages of Workday include:
– Large ERP platform combining finance, HR, planning and spend management functions
– Robust functionality that can scale from mid-market to large enterprises
– Flexible deployment options including on-premise, private and public cloud
– Strong partner ecosystem to offer additional services like payroll, recruitment etc.
Cons: One potential disadvantage is the higher costs compared to some mid-market focused options. As an enterprise solution, Workday pricing may be prohibitive for very small businesses with fewer than 500 employees.
Pricing: Workday pricing depends on the number of users, modules selected and services required. It typically starts from $45 per user per month for core HCM or Financial Management alone. Larger deployments may qualify for volume discounts. Workday also offers flexible payment options like pay-as-you-go.
Some key stats about Workday include:
– Over 50,000 customers globally across industries like healthcare, financial services and manufacturing
– Ranks as a leader in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Cloud Core Financial Management Suites
– Over 45.6 million users globally
– $4 billion in annual revenues
12. Breezy
Breezy is an applicant tracking system and hiring software that focuses on providing a simple user experience for both recruiters and candidates. Founded in 2013, Breezy aims to improve the entire hiring process and help companies attract and hire quality employees in less time.
Pros: Key advantages of Breezy include its applicant tracking system focused on a simple user experience, affordable pricing even for high volume recruiting, and that it is a strong option for agile growing companies.
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that it has fewer advanced features than some of the more expensive ATS options, so it may not be the best fit for extremely large or complex recruiting processes.
Pricing: Breezy offers affordable monthly pricing starting at $149 per month for the basic plan and scaling up based on team size and features needed. It also offers a free 14-day trial to test out the software.
Some key stats about Breezy include that it handles over 1.5 million applications per year for companies in over 75 countries. It prides itself on having a very easy to use interface that reduces hiring friction.
13. SAP SuccessFactors
SAP SuccessFactors is a leading provider of cloud-based human capital management (HCM) software. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, SAP SuccessFactors provides a suite of HCM applications including Recruiting, Onboarding, Performance and Goals, Learning, Analytics, Succession and Development. With over 6,000 customers in over 190 countries, SAP SuccessFactors HCM solutions help organizations manage the entire employee lifecycle from recruitment to retirement.
Pros: Some of the key advantages of SAP SuccessFactors include:
– Large ERP including recruiting within an all-in-one HR platform
– Appealing to companies already using the broader SAP suite of applications
– Robust employee data management and workflow capabilities
– Mobile-friendly design and features for a modern employee experience
Cons: One potential disadvantage is the large upfront costs and dependencies on the broader SAP ecosystem which may not suit all organizations.
Pricing: Pricing for SAP SuccessFactors is typically based on the number of employees and modules/applications implemented. There is no one size fits all pricing model. Implementation, support and annual maintenance costs should also be expected on top of license fees.
Some key stats about SAP SuccessFactors include:
– More than 6,000 customers globally including 55% of the Fortune 500
– Processes over 1 billion learning objects annually
– More than 75 million users globally
– Supports over 190 countries and 50+ languages
14. Paycor
Paycor is a leading provider of human capital management (HCM) software. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Paycor focuses on providing HR, payroll, and benefits solutions for small and medium-sized businesses.
Pros: Some of the key advantages of Paycor’s HCM platform include:
– Comprehensive HR, payroll and benefits suite on a single platform
– Powerful talent management add-ons for candidate sourcing, assessments and onboarding
– Tight integrations with applicant tracking systems for seamless hiring workflows
Cons: One potential disadvantage of Paycor is that its solutions are primarily geared towards small and medium-sized businesses, so some of the more advanced functionality found in enterprise solutions may be lacking.
Pricing: Paycor offers flexible pricing plans tailored to companies of all sizes. Basic payroll processing starts at $39 per month. Comprehensive HCM suites with features like benefits administration, time tracking, and talent management tools have monthly fees ranging from $6-$10 per employee.
Some key stats about Paycor include:
– Over 27,000 customers in the United States
– Processes payroll for over 450,000 employees each week
– Over 25 years in business providing HCM solutions
– Integrates with all major applicant tracking systems like Greenhouse, SmartRecruiters, and Jobvite
15. HireVue
HireVue is a leading hiring platform that provides video interviewing, assessments, and AI-powered screening tools to help companies evaluate and hire the best candidates. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, HireVue serves over 700 customers worldwide across various industries.
Pros: Key advantages of the HireVue hiring platform include:
– Video interviewing tool integrated directly into an organization’s existing ATS workflow
– AI-powered video and game-based assessments that objectively evaluate hard and soft skills
– Strong vendor partnerships that expand potential ATS, recruiting platform, and CRM integrations
Cons: The main disadvantage is that full implementation and customization of the HireVue platform requires professional services and consulting which can drive up costs for complex deployments.
Pricing: Pricing for HireVue is quoted on an individual basis depending on needed features, candidate volume, and professional services. Generally, plans start at around $5-10 per candidate interviewed and assessed with volume discounts available for enterprise customers.
Some key stats about HireVue include:
– Over 700 enterprise customers globally including half of the Fortune 100
– Conducted over 15 million video interviews to date
– Integrations with all major ATS providers like Greenhouse, Lever, and Workday
– AI assessment predictions 70% accurate on average
Conclusion
Selecting the right staffing and talent acquisition technology is an important decision that requires evaluating your unique recruiting needs and goals. While all the solutions highlighted are leaders in their field, the top option may differ depending on factors like team size, budget, existing tech stack and desired functionality. We hope this evaluation provides a starting point for your selection process by highlighting some of the most popular and well-rounded options on the market today. Be sure to also explore customer reviews, pricing options and available integrations to determine the best overall fit for your business.