bullhorn competitors

Top 7 Bullhorn Competitors and Alternatives in 2025

Seepika Wallabhdas

by Seepika Wallabhdas

on 27th of December, 2024

Quick Summary

Frustrated with Bullhorn’s CRM ATS and searching for competitors or alternatives to suit your needs? In this blog, we’ll explore the top Bullhorn competitors and alternatives for 2025, based on their features, pros, cons, ratings, and pricing to help you streamline your recruiting.

Are you struggling with Bullhorn ATS’s complex interface and high pricing plans? You’re not alone.

We have got you covered in this blog we will be exploring leading bullhorn competitors and alternatives to streamline your recruitment needs.

Bullhorn is a cloud-based, widely used, Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution. It is designed for the recruitment and staffing industry. To streamline the hiring process, it offers a wide variety of tools like candidate sourcing, resume parsing, analytics, job posting, and client relationship management.

While Bullhorn is a robust solution for many enterprises, it might not fit everyone best. It can be too expensive for smaller businesses with tight budgets. Other businesses with highly specific needs may prefer alternative systems better suited for their workflows. Additionally, it can have a steep learning curve, slower performance, and challenges with its customer support. Bullhorn’s extensive features might be too complex for some businesses if they require just basic functionalities.

In this blog, we will explore the top Bullhorn competitors and alternatives to help you make informed choices according to your recruitment needs.

Why Look for Bullhorn Competitors?

Even though Bullhorn is a popular ATS and CRM solution, it can pose some challenges. For example, Bullhorn’s pricing model is best for mid to large-sized organizations,  it can be less accessible for small businesses that are working on tighter budgets. There are some integration limitations to it too, while Bullhorn integrates with many third-party tools, challenges in connecting niche or custom software may arise. These challenges can block workflow optimization for businesses.

The platform also offers a suite of extensive features, even though the features are robust, they can be too complex and overwhelming for recruiters who are looking for simpler tools. This can also result in a steep learning curve for new users. During peak usage times or while handling large amounts of data, the performance rate of the platform can slow down, this affects efficiency greatly.

Additionally, many users have noted delays or insufficient resolution of issues which can be frustrating during important operations. Also, not all features of Bullhorn align with every business model, some may desire a simpler workflow while others might want more flexibility in workflow customization.

To assess if switching from Bullhorn is the right decision for your recruitment business or not, we need to think about the following points:

  • Evaluate Current Challenges: The first step is to check if the budget is strained because of the high cost. Also, check if there are any specific features that the business is paying for but that are rarely used. Seamless integration with third-party tools is also necessary, so the integration should not disrupt the workflow. In the end, analyze if the performance issues or the steep learning curve are slowing the team down or not.
  • Define Needs: If your business is small or mid-sized then check if you need a more cost-effective solution. If the answer is yes then switching would be a good option. Also, analyze your feature requirements, if the current features are enough for your team, or if there is a need for more advanced customization than offered by Bullhorn.
  • Consider Transition Efforts: Another thing to keep in mind is how easy it will be to transfer your data without significant downtime. Your team may require extensive training for the switch to be successful

Bullhorn Competitors and Alternatives in 2025

1. Recruiterflow

Recruiterflow is an intuitive ATS and CRM designed for modern recruiting businesses. It is known for its user-friendly interface. With automation collaboration and power-sourcing tools, Recruiterflow streamlines the recruitment process. It also reduces manual tasks with its automated features like email sequences and activity tracking.

Key Features

Recruiterflow offers a variety of powerful features designed to simplify hiring processes. It includes email automation for candidate outreach, as well as a built-in CRM for managing clients seamlessly. The Kanban-style pipeline view of the platform allows recruiters to visually manage candidates through various stages of the recruitment process. 

It also provides robust sourcing tools, such as Chrome extension for finding candidates online, which makes talent acquisition more streamlined. The comprehensive reporting and analytics enable businesses to track performance.

Pros
  • Easy to use and simple setup with minimal setup time.
  • Excellent automation features with email teaching
  • Strong candidate sourcing capabilities.
Cons
  • Limited customization options are available for workflows.
  • For large enterprises, it may lack the advanced features needed.
Pricing

A 14-day free trial is available and the pricing starts at approximately $69 per user per month. The tiered pricing based on features is also available.

Ideal for small to medium-sized recruitment agencies that prioritize simplicity and automation.

2. JobAdder

JobAdder is a versatile ATS and CRM platform. It aims at improving the hiring process for both agencies as well as the in-house teams. It offers a cloud-based design and integrations with numerous job boards and productivity tools.

Key Features

JobAdder provides a set of features designed to strengthen recruitment efficiency. It integrates with over 50 job boards seamlessly, which simplifies the posting and sourcing processes. To ensure alignment with specific business needs, the platform allows customizable recruitment workflows. To manage tasks on the go, a mobile app is also available, enabling you to stay productive anywhere.

Another feature to note is the built-in SMS and email communication tools. These tools streamline candidate and client interactions while the advanced analytics and dashboards offer valuable insights to optimize hiring strategies.

Pros
  • Customizable and highly flexible workflows.
  • Strong integration.
  • Great customer support.
Cons
  • The interface can be cluttered and overwhelming at times.
  • Pricing might be expensive for smaller teams.
Pricing

Though JobAdder does not offer a free trial, it offers a free demo. The pricing is customized and based on business size and requirements, starting at around $99 per user per month.

Ideal for medium to large recruitment businesses and corporate HR teams that require high flexibility with integrations.

3. Recruit CRM

Recruit CRM is an AI-powered top-rated solution that combines ATS and CRM functionalities into one platform. It mainly targets small and mid-sized recruitment agencies. It offers simple but powerful tools for managing both candidates and clients.

Key Features

Recruit CRM offers seamless management of clients and candidates. It simplifies sourcing candidates using its Chrome extension by sourcing them directly from LinkedIn. For efficient organization, tools like resume parsing and database-building tools are provided by the platform. 

It also supports email campaign management which enables targeted communication with candidates and clients. The collaboration tools offered enhance team coordination and advanced analytics and dashboards provide valuable insights into the hiring performance and trends.

Pros
  • Affordable for small agencies.
  • Easy candidate and client management in one system.
  • Good customer support.
Cons
  • Limited advanced reporting options.
  • It might not scale well for enterprise-level needs.
Pricing

A free trial is not available though Recruit CRM offers a free demo. The pricing starts at $69 per user per month with discounts for its annual plans.

Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses that are looking for a cost-effective and all-in-one solution.

4. Loxo

Loxo is an AI-powered Talent Intelligence Platform that uses AI to automate its recruiting. It integrates ATS, CRM, outbound recruitment, and sourcing tools to create an all-in-one solution for agencies and recruiters.

Key Features

Loxo offers a range of powerful features. The platform includes automated workflows and outreach campaigns. These save time and ensure that the communication remains consistent. Loxo integrates both ATS and CRM functionalities which results in a unified system for managing candidates and clients.

It has a talent database with millions of prescreened candidates, ensuring easier sourcing of qualified talent quickly. Additionally, the platform also provides advanced analytics and reporting tools, offering recruiters valuable insights on performance as well as hiring trends.

Pros
  • AI-driven sourcing capabilities.
  • Intuitive design with automation to save time.
  • Pre-built candidate database.
Cons
  • Higher pricing than some competitors.
  • Some users report a learning curve for advanced features.
Pricing

Loxo offers a 7-day free trial period. A free demo is also provided by the platform. The pricing starts at around $125 per user per month. The pricing is custom, based on features provided and the size of the team.

Ideal for recruitment agencies that prioritize AI-driven tools and automation.

5. Vincere

Vincere is an innovative recruitment agency platform that is tailored for ambitious recruitment and staffing agencies. It provides end-to-end management, starting from sourcing to placement, of the recruitment process and financial operations. It has features like AI-driven search and automation which helps it cater to agencies that are looking for a comprehensive and scalable platform.

Key Features

The key features include advanced search and matching algorithms, these features aid recruiters to find the best candidates quickly. Vincere also includes built-in invoicing and timesheet management, for staffing agencies it makes the financial tracking easier.

Additionally, it supports multi-currency and multi-language functionality for international operations. The platform also offers reporting dashboards and comprehensive analytics which provide insights into the hiring performance. Collaboration tools for teams are also provided. These ensure good communication and task management.

Pros
  • Comprehensive features.
  • End-to-end recruitment.
  • Strong reporting and analytics capabilities.
  • Built-in tools for managing finances and compliance.
Cons
  • Can be expensive and overwhelming for smaller agencies.
  • Prices are higher than other alternatives.
Pricing

A free trial is not offered by the platform although a demo can be booked on the official website. The pricing starts at $160 per user per month, tiered plans are offered as well for added functionality.

Ideal for medium to large-sized recruiting agencies that have international operations and complex workflows.

6. Zoho Recruit

Zoho Recruit is a versatile Applicant Tracking System(ATS) and Candidate Relationship Management (CRM) solution. It also integrates flawlessly with the other Zoho products since it is a part of the larger Zoho ecosystem.

Key Features

It offers robust candidate tracking and flawless job board integrations. It makes it easier to manage jobs and applicant data in one place. Its resume parsing is AI-powered and the matching capabilities streamline the recruitment process by identifying the best candidates.

Additionally, it offers workflow automation as well as customization of hiring pipelines. This enables the recruiters to tailor the system to their needs. The built-in CRM tools ensure effective communication and collaboration.

Pros
  • Affordable and scalable pricing is available.
  • Offers Easy integration with the Zoho ecosystem as well as third-party tools.
  • Intuitive and user-friendly interface.
Cons
  • Advanced features might require additional customization or integrations.
  • Customer support can be slow.
Pricing

Zoho Recruit offers a 15-day free trial and a demo. The pricing starts at $25 per user per month for the Standard plan. The higher tiers offer more advanced features.

Ideal for small to medium-sized agencies and businesses that are already using Zoho’s ecosystem. Or the businesses that are looking for a feature-rich ATS that is also budget-friendly.

7. Greenhouse

Greenhouse is an ATS designed for all sizes. It focuses mainly on structured hiring, collaboration, and data-driven recruitment processes. It is known for promoting diversity and inclusion in the recruitment process.

Key Features

It offers advanced tools to ensure a consistent and just hiring process. It provides collaboration features that enable recruiting teams to work efficiently together and streamline decision-making and feedback. The platform also supports integration with third-party tools and job boards.

Greenhouse offers customizable analytics and reporting tools. These tools aid the business in gaining valuable insights into their hiring performance. Another highlight is the platform’s strong focus on diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Pros
  • Comprehensive features for structure and data-driven hiring.
  • Modern and intuitive user interface.
  • Emphasis on diversity and inclusion.
Cons
  • Higher cost than many competitors.
  • May require a learning curve.
Pricing

There is no free trial available. The pricing starts at $6,000 annually, with customized pricing for enterprise clients.

Ideal for medium to large businesses and agencies that are focused on structured and collaborative recruitment.

Criteria for Choosing the Right Bullhorn Alternative

Let’s have a look at the criteria for choosing the Bullhorn alternative best suited for your company’s needs, we will mainly focus on 4 criteria: features, pricing, scalability, and user-friendliness.

Features to Look For

When choosing a Bullhorn alternative, it is very important to ensure that the platform has strong ATS functionalities, such as applicant tracking, job posting, resume parsing, and candidate management. The platform must have strong CRM tools as well in the case that the business manages client relationships.

Customizability is another important feature. The ability to tailor workflows, fields, and reports aids businesses greatly. The compatibility and seamless integration of the platform with third-party tools like email, job boards, calendars, and payroll systems should also be kept in mind.

Additionally, we have to look for advanced analytics and reporting features to track performance metrics, recruitment trends, and ROI effectively. To enhance efficiency, automation capabilities such as automated email communication, interview scheduling, and workflow triggers are crucial. Finally, the solution must include mobile accessibility for managing recruitment tasks on the go, accessibility can be through apps or a responsive design.

Pricing

Pricing is another important criterion for the selection of the best Bullhorn alternative. Here we prioritize platforms with transparent costs and clear pricing structures. The transparency ensures that there are no hidden fees. It’s important to look for scalable plans that align with your current needs but also offer flexibility to grow your business.

The solution should be affordable and should fit within your budget. Also, free trials are a very valuable opportunity to help you assess the platform’s value and suitability with your company before making any financial commitment.

Scalability

The platform should accommodate a growing database of candidates, clients, and jobs to support the expanding operations of your company. We look for advanced features in the platform that help you as the business expands. If the organization is global, we must prioritize platforms supporting global operations and comply with relevant regulations.

User-Friendliness

The solution should be easy to set up, the onboarding process needs to be quick as well as straightforward. Also, a clean and organized design makes it easier for the user as it minimizes the learning curve. There should also be availability of tutorials, customer support, and onboarding assistance.