How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Rankite is independent; if a vendor ever pays for a featured spot, that listing is clearly labeled Partner.
Key takeaways
- Crelate ($85/user/month Essentials, $119 Business) and Manatal ($15/user/month Professional) publish real prices; Bullhorn, Loxo, Vincere and Tracker hide theirs behind sales calls.
- Recruit CRM publishes plan names with a 30-day free trial, but the dollar figures on its pricing page render by script, so confirm the current per-user price before budgeting.
- Zoho Recruit is the budget play with a genuinely free edition for one recruiter and Standard at $25/recruiter/month.
- Bullhorn remains the enterprise default for large staffing firms, but small agencies pay for scale they will never use.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Bullhorn | Large staffing and recruiting firms that need an enterprise-grade platform | See website (all plans custom-quoted) | No |
 Recruit CRM | Small to mid-size agencies that want published plans and fast setup | See website (plan prices render on the vendor pricing page; not captured in text) | Free trial (30 days, per vendor FAQ) |
 Loxo | Firms that want ATS, CRM, sourcing and outreach in a single system | See website (custom quote) | Free trial (length unverified) |
 Vincere | Agencies that want one operating system for front and back office | See website (custom quote) | Free trial (length unverified) |
 Crelate | US staffing firms that want transparent pricing and strong compliance | $85/user/month (Essentials, billed annually; Business $119) | Free trial |
 Zoho Recruit | Solo recruiters and budget teams that want a free or cheap start | $25/recruiter/month (Standard, billed annually; Enterprise $50) | Yes (free edition for one recruiter) |
 Manatal | Small teams that want AI sourcing features at a startup price | $15/user/month (Professional, billed annually; $19 monthly) | Free trial |
 TrackerRMS | Firms that want ATS, CRM and back-office from a single vendor | See website (custom quote) | No |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best recruitment CRM software
A recruitment CRM is not an HR tool. It is the system a staffing agency runs on: candidate records, client contacts, job orders, placements and the outreach that connects them. The wrong one turns every placement into data entry. These eight platforms cover the real agency market, from free solo setups to enterprise systems that run thousand-recruiter firms.
#1
Bullhorn
Best for: Large staffing and recruiting firms that need an enterprise-grade platform
Visit bullhorn.com
Starting priceSee website (all plans custom-quoted)
Free planNo
Bullhorn is the platform the biggest staffing firms standardize on. It combines ATS and CRM with automation, client portals, onboarding and analytics, and its marketplace extends it into payroll, VMS integration and background checks. For firms placing hundreds of candidates a month, the depth is the point: every desk works from the same data model.
The cost of that depth is the buying experience. There are no published prices, implementation typically runs through professional services, and small agencies find themselves paying for enterprise machinery they never switch on. If you have 50-plus recruiters and a dedicated ops team, Bullhorn is the safe enterprise pick. Under 20 seats, the lighter tools below do the same core job for a fraction of the price.
What we like- The deepest feature set in the category with a marketplace of add-ons
- Strong automation and reporting for high-volume desks
- An ecosystem of integrations few rivals match
Watch out for- Custom pricing means a sales process for every deal
- Implementation is a project, not a signup, with costs to match
#2
Recruit CRM
Best for: Small to mid-size agencies that want published plans and fast setup
Visit recruitcrm.io
Starting priceSee website (plan prices render on the vendor pricing page; not captured in text)
Free planFree trial (30 days, per vendor FAQ)
Recruit CRM sells simplicity to the agencies Bullhorn prices out. One login covers candidate tracking, client management, job multiposting, email sequencing and a hiring-manager portal. The pricing page lays out Pro, Business and Enterprise tiers with a 30-day free trial, and the vendor's FAQ confirms the trial terms. Setup is self-serve, which matters for a five-person shop with no IT staff.
Watch the credits. AI sourcing, data enrichment, workflow automation, LinkedIn messaging and SMS all draw from a monthly credit pool, and power users will buy more. It is still cheaper than enterprise alternatives, but the headline per-user price is not the whole bill. For small settled teams the core tracking is strong and the 24/7 chat support gets good marks.
What we like- ATS plus CRM in one interface with no separate modules to buy
- AI sourcing, resume parsing and Chrome extension included
- Credit-based add-ons for enrichment and automation instead of forced upgrades
Watch out for- AI matching and automation are metered by credits, so heavy users face a second bill
- Record caps per plan (10,000 candidates per user on Pro) can bind growing databases
#3
Loxo
Best for: Firms that want ATS, CRM, sourcing and outreach in a single system
Visit loxo.co
Starting priceSee website (custom quote)
Free planFree trial (length unverified)
Loxo's pitch is consolidation: instead of an ATS plus a separate sourcing tool plus an outreach tool, one system does all three. Its built-in people search pulls from a large candidate database, and recruiters run multi-channel outreach without leaving the platform. For agencies spending heavily on LinkedIn Recruiter licenses, the math can work.
The opacity is the problem. Pricing is quote-only, which makes it hard to compare against Crelate or Manatal without a sales cycle. Reviewers also note that sourcing coverage is uneven outside mainstream tech and healthcare roles. It is a strong product for firms that want one vendor, but get the quote in writing and test sourcing in your actual niche during the trial.
What we like- Built-in sourcing database reduces dependence on LinkedIn Recruiter seats
- Unified outreach across email, phone and SMS from the candidate record
- Modern interface that recruiters learn quickly
Watch out for- No published pricing, so comparison shopping requires a demo and a quote
- Sourcing data quality varies by niche and geography
#4
Vincere
Best for: Agencies that want one operating system for front and back office
Visit vincere.io
Starting priceSee website (custom quote)
Free planFree trial (length unverified)
Vincere aims to be the only system a staffing agency needs. Beyond the usual ATS and CRM, it handles timesheets, invoicing, contractor management and business intelligence, which appeals to temp and contract staffing firms that otherwise stitch together three vendors. The analytics go deeper than most rivals at this price point.
Breadth has a cost in complexity. Onboarding takes longer than with Recruit CRM or Manatal, and pricing is entirely quote-based. It fits established agencies with mixed perm and contract desks that want to consolidate vendors. Pure perm shops will find simpler tools do the job with less setup.
What we like- Covers ATS, CRM, timesheets, invoicing and reporting in one platform
- Strong analytics for desk-level performance
- Built for staffing workflows rather than adapted from sales CRM
Watch out for- Custom pricing with no public numbers
- The breadth means a longer learning curve than single-purpose tools
#5
Crelate
Best for: US staffing firms that want transparent pricing and strong compliance
Visit crelate.com
Starting price$85/user/month (Essentials, billed annually; Business $119)
Free planFree trial
Crelate is the transparent pick in a category that hates publishing prices. The vendor's own pricing page lists Essentials at $85 per user per month and Business at $119, with Business Plus and Platform tiers on custom quotes. Every plan includes the complete ATS, client contact management and recruitment CRM analytics, and the compliance certifications are genuinely enterprise-grade.
Read the tier ladder before you buy. Essentials is a two-user starter, so a five-person agency is really shopping at $119 per user. The AI assistant, automation and premium portals that headline Crelate's marketing live on Business Plus, which has no public price. Even so, knowing the first two rungs beats negotiating blind.
What we like- Published pricing with no sales call required
- Full ATS plus recruitment CRM on every plan
- SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certifications with GDPR and CCPA compliance
Watch out for- Essentials caps at 2 users and 20,000 contacts, so real teams start at Business
- The AI features Crelate markets sit on the quote-only Business Plus tier
#6
Zoho Recruit
Best for: Solo recruiters and budget teams that want a free or cheap start
Visit zoho.com
Starting price$25/recruiter/month (Standard, billed annually; Enterprise $50)
Free planYes (free edition for one recruiter)
Zoho Recruit is the price disruptor. The corporate pricing page lists a free edition for a single recruiter, Standard at $25 per recruiter per month and Enterprise at $50, all billed annually. For a solo recruiter or a small in-house team, nothing else on this list touches that price. If you already run Zoho CRM or Zoho Desk, the native integrations are a bonus.
The caveat is fit. Zoho Recruit is a general recruiting tool; it lacks the agency-specific depth of Bullhorn or Vincere in client management, placement tracking and back-office workflows. The staffing agency edition exists but carries its own pricing. It is the right pick for cost-first buyers and corporate HR, less so for a staffing firm scaling past ten recruiters.
What we like- A genuinely free edition, not just a trial
- Standard at $25 is the cheapest paid tier on this list
- Deep integration with the rest of the Zoho suite
Watch out for- The staffing-agency edition pricing differs from the corporate plans shown
- The interface and workflow depth trail the agency specialists
#7
Manatal
Best for: Small teams that want AI sourcing features at a startup price
Visit manatal.com
Starting price$15/user/month (Professional, billed annually; $19 monthly)
Free planFree trial
Manatal's pricing page is refreshingly plain: Professional at $15 per user per month billed annually, Enterprise at $35, Enterprise Plus at $55, with monthly billing a few dollars higher. For that you get AI-powered candidate matching, resume enrichment, a Chrome sourcing extension and access to a large candidate database. The free trial lets a team test it on real requisitions.
The caps are the thing to model. Fifteen jobs per account on Professional is tight for a busy desk, and 10,000 candidates will bind a firm with a large legacy database. Growing teams should price Enterprise from the start. For small agencies and startups, though, Manatal delivers agency-grade AI features at a price the incumbents cannot match.
What we like- The lowest published entry price among the agency specialists
- AI candidate recommendations, enrichment and a sourcing database included
- Clean modern interface with fast onboarding
Watch out for- Professional caps at 15 jobs and 10,000 candidates per account
- Advanced reporting and SSO sit on the $55 Enterprise Plus tier
#8
TrackerRMS
Best for: Firms that want ATS, CRM and back-office from a single vendor
Visit tracker-rms.com
Starting priceSee website (custom quote)
Free planNo
TrackerRMS (Tracker) targets the operational side of staffing that pure CRMs ignore: timesheets, expenses, contractor onboarding and invoicing sit alongside the ATS and CRM. Contract and temp agencies that live on timesheet billing get a single system instead of a CRM plus a back-office tool. The workflow configuration handles complex, multi-stage placement processes.
The buying experience is old-school: custom quotes, demos instead of trials, and an interface that reviewers describe as functional rather than modern. It suits established contract staffing firms that value back-office depth over slick design. Agencies that only do permanent placements will find it heavier than they need.
What we like- Combines recruitment CRM with timesheets, expenses and invoicing
- Strong fit for UK and US contract staffing
- Configurable workflows for complex placement processes
Watch out for- No published pricing and no free trial
- The interface shows its age next to newer rivals
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a recruitment CRM and an ATS?
An ATS tracks job applicants through hiring stages. A recruitment CRM manages the relationships around hiring: candidates you may place later, client contacts, and the outreach that keeps both warm. Most tools on this list combine both, which is what staffing agencies actually buy.
How much does recruitment CRM software cost?
For small agencies, $15 to $135 per user per month: Manatal ($15), Zoho Recruit ($25), Crelate ($85-$119), Recruit CRM (published plans, confirm current price). Enterprise platforms like Bullhorn, Loxo, Vincere and Tracker are custom-quoted and typically cost more, especially after implementation.
Is there a free recruitment CRM?
Zoho Recruit has a free edition for one recruiter. Recruit CRM, Crelate, Loxo, Vincere and Manatal offer free trials but no permanent free plans. Bullhorn and TrackerRMS offer neither; they sell through demos and quotes.
Which recruitment CRM is best for a small staffing agency?
Recruit CRM and Manatal are the usual answers: published pricing, fast setup, and agency-specific workflows without enterprise overhead. Crelate is the pick if you want US-based support and published prices with stronger compliance credentials.
Do I need Bullhorn, or is a smaller tool enough?
Bullhorn earns its price at scale: 50-plus recruiters, high-volume temp desks, and complex reporting needs. Under 20 seats, you are paying for capacity you will not use. Start with a lighter tool and move up when your desk count or reporting needs force the issue.
What should I check before signing a recruitment CRM contract?
Record caps, credit metering on AI and outreach features, data export terms, and contract length. Ask for the full price including add-ons like texting, enrichment and job board distribution. Get a data-export sample before you commit: your candidate database is your business.
How we chose
We started with the terms agency owners search: recruitment CRM software, staffing agency CRM, recruiting CRM and ATS CRM. For each candidate we confirmed the product is current, opened the vendor's pricing page to verify published prices, and checked reviews on G2, Capterra and TrustRadius plus practitioner discussion on Reddit. Where prices were not published or did not render in text, we wrote "See website" instead of quoting a reviewer's number. We favored tools built for staffing workflows over generic CRMs with a recruiting template.
What to check before you buy
Price the second bill, not just the seat. Several vendors meter AI matching, enrichment, texting and automation as credits or add-ons, so a $95 seat can cost $150 in practice. Ask for the credit allocations and overage rates in writing. Record caps are the other hidden limit: 10,000 candidates sounds large until you import a decade-old database.
Then check the exit. Your candidate and client data is the business, so confirm full export formats before signing and avoid long initial terms. Month-to-month or annual with a clean export is the safe shape. Finally, trial with real data: import 500 candidates, run a real job order, and test the sourcing coverage in your actual niche before the trial ends.
Most recruitment CRMs charge per user per month, which makes a 10-person agency's bill easy to model: $150 at Manatal Professional, $850 at Crelate Essentials (if you fit the 2-user cap, which you do not), $1,190 at Crelate Business. The enterprise vendors replace the price list with a quote, and the quote usually bundles implementation, training and a multi-year term.
Watch for the three add-on taxes: communication (SMS, calling, LinkedIn messaging), data (enrichment, sourcing credits), and distribution (job board posting, multiposting). These are where vendors recover margin on low headline prices. A vendor with a higher seat price and everything included can be cheaper than a low seat price with five add-ons. Model one month of real usage, add-ons included, before comparing.
Sources we checked (10)
- https://www.crelate.com/pricing/
- https://recruitcrm.io/pricing/
- https://www.manatal.com/pricing
- http://www.zoho.com/recruit/pricing.html
- https://www.bullhorn.com/
- https://loxo.co/
- https://vincere.io/
- https://www.tracker-rms.com/
- https://www.g2.com/categories/recruiting-agency-software
- https://www.capterra.com/recruiting-agency-software/
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has spent more than a decade helping SaaS and e-commerce brands grow through search. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.