Greenhouse vs Lever: Complete 2026 Comparison
Compare the two most popular applicant tracking systems for scaling companies. Find the best ATS for structured hiring, candidate management, DEI initiatives, and recruiting analytics.
Platform Comparison at a Glance
We've evaluated both platforms across key criteria including features, pricing, usability, and target market. Here's a quick overview to help you make an informed decision:
| Platform | Rating | Pricing | Countries | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Structured hiring methodology with comprehensive ATS, onboarding, and DEI tools for data-driven recruiting | 8.9/10 (2200 reviews) | $$$ Custom pricing; estimated $6,000-$25,000+/year depending on company size and modules | Available globally with support for international hiring workflows | Mid-market to enterprise (100-10,000+ employees) |
Combined ATS and CRM (LeverTRM) with intuitive sourcing, nurture campaigns, and candidate relationship management | 8.7/10 (1300 reviews) | $$ Custom pricing; estimated $3,500-$15,000+/year depending on company size and tier | Available globally with multi-language support | Startups to mid-market (50-5000 employees) |
Detailed Platform Analysis
In-depth review of each platform's features, pricing, strengths, and limitations to help you choose the right ATS for your recruiting needs.
Greenhouse
Key Features
- •Structured hiring framework with scorecards and interview kits
- •400+ integrations with HRIS, sourcing, and assessment tools
- •Advanced DEI features including anonymous resume review
- •Comprehensive onboarding module
- •Detailed recruiting analytics and pipeline reporting
- •Customisable approval workflows and offer management
Limitations
- •Higher price point than Lever
- •Can be complex to configure initially
- •Reporting has a learning curve
- •CRM capabilities less robust than Lever
Best For:
Mid-market to enterprise companies that want a structured, data-driven hiring process with strong DEI features and comprehensive integrations.
Lever
Key Features
- •Combined ATS + CRM in a single platform (LeverTRM)
- •Intuitive sourcing tools with Chrome extension
- •Automated nurture campaigns for passive candidates
- •Visual pipeline with drag-and-drop interface
- •Built-in diversity surveys and EEO reporting
- •Fast implementation with modern, clean UI
Limitations
- •Fewer integrations than Greenhouse (300+ vs 400+)
- •Less structured hiring methodology
- •Onboarding features less comprehensive
- •Analytics less granular than Greenhouse
Best For:
Startups and mid-market companies that want an intuitive ATS with built-in CRM for proactive sourcing and candidate nurturing.
Comprehensive Feature Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of key features to help you understand what each platform offers for your applicant tracking and recruiting needs.
Recruiting & Hiring
Analytics & Integrations
| Feature Category | Greenhouse | Lever |
|---|---|---|
Hiring Methodology | Excellent Structured hiring leader Scorecards, interview kits, and structured processes reduce bias | Good Flexible hiring process Less prescriptive but easier to adapt to existing workflows |
Candidate Sourcing & CRM | Good ATS with basic CRM Strong ATS but CRM/sourcing requires partner tools | Excellent ATS + CRM combined LeverTRM combines tracking and relationship management natively |
DEI & Inclusion | Excellent Industry-leading DEI tools Anonymous resume review, demographic reports, inclusive job post checks | Good Solid DEI features Diversity surveys and EEO reporting but less comprehensive |
Reporting & Analytics | Excellent Granular recruiting analytics Pipeline velocity, source effectiveness, time-to-hire breakdowns | Good Visual reporting Clean dashboards but less drill-down capability |
Ease of Use | Good Powerful but complex Configuration-heavy; best with a dedicated recruiting ops team | Excellent Intuitive and fast Clean UI, quick implementation, lower learning curve |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about choosing between Greenhouse and Lever for your recruiting needs.
Which is easier to use?
Lever is consistently rated as more intuitive and easier to set up. Its clean, modern interface and drag-and-drop pipeline make it approachable for teams without dedicated recruiting ops. Greenhouse is more powerful but requires more configuration time and has a steeper learning curve.
Which is better for sourcing passive candidates?
Lever excels at sourcing with its built-in CRM (LeverTRM). You can build talent pools, run automated nurture campaigns, and track candidate relationships over time. Greenhouse is primarily an ATS and requires third-party integrations for advanced sourcing.
Which has better DEI features?
Greenhouse leads in DEI features with anonymous resume review (removing identifying information from applications), inclusive job description tools, and comprehensive demographic reporting. Lever offers diversity surveys and EEO reporting but lacks Greenhouse's structured approach to reducing hiring bias.
Which is more affordable?
Lever is generally more affordable, with pricing typically starting lower than Greenhouse. For a 200-person company, Lever might cost $5,000-$10,000/year while Greenhouse could run $10,000-$20,000/year. However, exact pricing depends on company size and modules.
Which has more integrations?
Greenhouse leads with 400+ integrations compared to Lever's 300+. Greenhouse connects with a wider range of assessment tools, background check providers, sourcing platforms, and HRIS systems. Both integrate with all major HRIS platforms.
Which should I choose?
Choose Greenhouse if you want a structured, data-driven hiring process with strong DEI features and are willing to invest in configuration. Choose Lever if you want an intuitive ATS with built-in CRM for proactive sourcing and need a faster time-to-value with less setup.